Startling findings reveal that 10 per cent of the UK’s population think that gay cures could work on LGBT+ people.
Despite many people understanding that LGBT+ are born that way, around 1 in 10 people in the UK, still think that homosexuality or being transgender can be cured according to findings recorded by Galop, the UK’s largest anti-violence charity for LGBT+ people.
This is coupled with the horrifying revelation that around 20 per cent of people (one in five) said that being LGBT+ was immoral or went against their beliefs.
The findings were analysed from a representative sample of just over 1,600 people.
Does conversion therapy actually work?
There are a number of therapists and organisations in the UK and in the USA that make the claim that conversion therapy can help LGB people to become heterosexual. However, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, there is no evidence that such change is possible.
Nick Antjoule, Galop’s Head of Hate Crime Services said, At Galop we’ve seen a stark increase in the severity and scale of anti-LGBT violence and abuse over the past few years. This appears to be a symptom of emergent anti-LGBT attitudes and social division across society. The fact that anti-LGBT hate crime figures are rising so much faster than race, faith and disability hate crime should be a wake-up call for policy makers. We urge action now to address this problem before it escalates further.
Our research shows the journey toward LGBT+ equality is far from over. Despite most people in this UK poll voicing support for LGBT+ people; a significant proportion still think we are dangerous, immoral or that we can be ‘cured’.
Younger people hold more negative views about LGBT+ people rather than the older generation.
Antijoule continued, “It offers a sobering reminder that progress achieved in recent decades can easily be reversed.
“Young people polled tended to hold more negative views toward LGBT+ people than other age groups. This alarming finding warns of a generational pivot ahead and a bumpy road for those of us committed to challenging anti-LGBT violence and abuse.
People are wondering if one of Drag Race UK‘s stars is a Conservative!
We’re three weeks and we’re starting to see in our analytics, here at TGUK central what people are wondering about the Drag Queens of Drag Race UK and one of the most highly asked questions is whether Baga Chipz – one of the competition’s favourites to win, is a Conservative. If you’re in the US, the Conservatives are like a Republican Lite. Think a centre-right party without the guns.
Recently Baga Chipz, was forced to defend a pro-Conservative op-ed she wrote for a magazine back in 2017, during the General Election.
In the piece, she wrote, that former Prime Minister Theresa May had “proved to be a capable politician, always on the ball and never at risk of having a ‘Diane Abbott’ moment”.
The piece was unearthed by fans of the show, some of whom were quick to condemn Chipz as a “Tory Queen”.
However, Baga Chipz was quick to confirm that she was actually a “life-long labour supporter” but wrote the piece because she wasn’t a fan of Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
She pointed out his “record on antisemitism, his support for the IRA and homophobic terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, his support for brutal dictatorships in Venezuela and Cuba”.
In the piece, titled “Why Vote Conservative” for scene magazine Boyz, she wrote,
“As a member of the LGBTQI community, I often get asked about Theresa May’s voting record on gay rights, and I understand the concerns,
“But just as Hillary Clinton changed her stance, so has Mrs May. Not only has she voted for every LGBT reform in parliament in the last decade but she was instrumental in pushing marriage equality.”
“I am not a Tory”
Defending her 2017 stance, Chipz took to Twitter to write, “I am not a Tory. I’m actually a lifelong labour supporter. I supported Theresa May in the last election as I’m not a fan of Jeremy Corbyn.. was 4 years ago hun.. one is allowed to change ones views.
How does Theresa May’s Voting Record on LGBT+ issues stand?
Although more recently Theresa May’s voting record has leaned to pro-LGBT+ rights here past actions saw her vote in favour of Section 28, in a GAYUK analysis May only achieved a 29.6% LGBT+ friendly rating. We noted, “Ms May is what we’d call an evolved Minister on LGBT+ and gay rights. Prior to 2004 she systematically voted against the rights of gay people in the UK. Then we see a 180-degree change in her voting pattern, although she did have a blip in 2007 when she failed to vote on the Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality law. Since the beginning of this decade, she has voted positively for the LGBT+ community.”
Milo Yiannopoulos doesn’t seem to have a online home anymore after his previous website appears to have been sold off.
The controversial journalist and speaker, Milo Yiannopoulos has seemingly sold off his website Dangerous.com, amid rumours of him running out of money, following on from being de-platformed from every major social network.
Milo’s former website dangerous.com now bears the message “Dangerous.com has been sold and is no longer associated with its previous owner”
Milo’s personal website milo.net is also seemingly offline.
Since he was booted off Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, Milo has been forced to use lesser-known networks such as Gab on which he has around 71,000 followers and apparently has just under 20,000 followers on Telegram. These are a far cry from the huge number of followers he had previously.
He still has a channel on Google’s YouTube, although it has not been updated in around a month ago.
Piers Morgan has lashed out against PinkNews after it published an article about a petition calling on ITV execs to remove him from his presenting position on Good Morning Britain for “dehumanising” people from the transgender and non-binary community.
In a series of fiery tweets, Piers blasted the news site as “disingenuous” and clickbaity after it published a piece about a petition which called for the GMB anchor to be fired from his presenting position on the ITV morning show.
He also blasted the site for “spreading dangerous bullsh*t” and reiterated that they were shameless little clickbaiters“
At the time of PinkNews’s first article, calling for his dismissal, around 6000 people had signed the petition calling on ITV to end its contract with Piers Morgan.
The petition has since swelled to around 13,000 signatures.
“Dehumansing”
Piers is accused by the petitioners of “dehumanising” some transgender and non-binary people with his line of questioning of non-binary guests and his dismissal of the notion that there are over 100 different gender identities, Piers is currently identifying as a “2 spirit penguin”.
However, Piers claims that he supports those people who transition and that he is a loud supporter of gay rights.
The presenter added, “I don’t support the ridiculous notion of 100 genders, and most sensible people agree with me.”
People actually like Piers
In response to the initial petition calling on Piers to be fired, is another, calling on ITV to back the presenter which has now surpassed the original with over 26,000 signatures.
THEGAYUK.com reached out to Pink News for comment.
Uganda’s Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Simon Lokodo, indicating that the Ugandan Government intends to introduce the death penalty for same-sex sexual acts in a so-called “kill the gays” bill.
Amnesty International have called the reintroduction “outrageous” and have called the government to reject the legislation.
Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty International’s East Africa Director, said, “It is outrageous that instead of the Ugandan Government taking urgent steps to decriminalise gay sex, they want gay people executed.
“This is going to fire up more hatred in an already homophobic environment.
“This is an example of how Uganda’s politicians are stoking dangerous intolerance and bias against LGBTI people.
“Uganda’s MPs must resoundingly reject any plan to legalise this kind of bigotry and witch-hunting of anyone who is perceived as being different.”
Spate of recent killings
Last weekend (5 October), Brian Wassa, a gay paralegal, died from head injuries sustained in an attack by unknown assailants the previous day at his home in Kampala.
According to the LGBTI organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda, Wassa is the fourth LGBT+ person killed in the country in the past three months, killings which come in in the wake of a surge in anti-LGBT+ sentiments from political leaders.
Wassa’s death followed the killing of a trans woman from the Gomba district, a gay man in Kayunga district and another in the city of Jinja.
The Government of Uganda has a track record of promoting anti-LGBTI policies, which Amnesty has repeatedly criticised.
Death Penalty
CREDIT: TheGayUK
There are many countries and states where homosexual acts could land you the death penalty. Of these countries, all are located in Central Africa or in the Middle East.
Afghanistan
Men could face execution but are more likely to receive long prison
sentences. No executions are known to have been handed out since the end
of the Taliban rule.
Brunei*
Gay men in Brunei could be stoned or given 10 years in prison if found guilty of homosexual acts.
Iran
In Iran gay men can be lashed up to 74 times for “immature men” and
the death penalty for mature men of sound mind – and where the acts were
consenting. Women can be lashed 50 times and can face the death penalty
after their fourth conviction.
Mauritania
Homosexuality is against the law in Mauritania and could attract the
death penalty however there have been no public executions since 1987.
Qatar
In Qatar, gay men may face execution if they are Muslim otherwise men can face fines and a prison sentence which lasts 7 years.
Saudi Arabia
A second conviction of homosexuality in Saudi Arabia will land a
death penalty. For first offence, men can face fines, castration,
flogging, prison and torture.
Married men can expect to be stoned to death if caught having
same-sex relations. Unmarried men will receive 100 lashes or one-year
imprisonment.
Libya
Gay men could face death in Libya.
Nigeria
Homosexuality is illegal in some states of Nigeria and could attract
the death penalty. These states include: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa,
Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara
Somalia
Homosexuality is illegal in Somalia and could attract a death penalty.
Syria
The actual penalty that gay men should face for homosexual acts is a
prison for up to 3 years, however, due to the rise in ISIS a highly
advertised death awaits those found guilty of engaging in same-sex
sexual acts.
Iraq
Despite homosexuality not being illegal in Iraq, there have been reported executions of gay men in ISIS controlled areas.
* Brunei is a Sovereign state and not a country.
There are some countries where although capital punishment might not
be constitutionally ratified there are cases where gay people have been
killed because of their sexuality.
“Transitive verb with similar connotations to mansplain.
“It can be used to describe the ways in which some well-meaning trans people pontificate about their transition experiences and processes as if they are the only authentic or right ones.”
Can you expand this definition? Use the comments below and your answer could be used to expand or define this glossary entry.
“A transgender woman who is attracted to either transgendered or cis women. It is used to differentiate from cis women who have a lesbian sexual orientation.
“Not all trans women are comfortable with the term, as it can be seen as denying their transition. Some lesbians are also very hostile to the term, despite the attempt to differentiate, particularly those who essentialize gender and therefore deny that gender transitions can even occur”
Can you expand this definition? Use the comments below and your answer could be used to expand or define this glossary entry.
A leading doctor has revealed what can cause piles and how you can avoid them.
Doctor Diana Gall, from Doctor-4-U, has revealed to THEGAYUK what causes piles and no, anal sex isn’t one of them.
Dr Gall told us, “Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are a common condition which anyone can get. You are more likely to get them when you are older, but they can occur at any time, regardless of age.
“Piles occur when blood vessels inside or around your anus become swollen, creating lumps which are usually small, round and discoloured. The most common causes of piles are constipation and straining too much when you go to the toilet. They can also be caused by lifting heavy objects or having a persistent cough.
Can anal sex cause piles?
The good doc continues, “Many people think piles can be caused by anal sex, but this is very unlikely. Though anal sex can irritate existing piles, so plenty of lube should be used to avoid as much irritation as possible.
How to avoid getting piles
“While piles can never become 100% avoidable for anyone”, Dr Gall tells us, “you’ll have a much better chance of preventing them if you maintain a diet containing plenty of fibre-rich foods and drink plenty of fluids. You should, however, limit your intake of caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee. Keeping your bottom clean and dry and using a softer alternative to toilet paper (like moist toilet tissues) can help a lot too if you’re frequently getting piles. Exercising regularly can also help prevent piles, but your diet and hygiene are bigger factors.
What to do if you get piles
If you do end up getting piles, then you’ll want to be able to identify relevant symptoms. The lumps this condition creates may or may not be large enough to come out of your anus. It depends on how severe your condition proves to be. If you can feel lumps or pain around your anus, then this is most likely a clear sign of piles.
Dr Gemma Commane, lecturer in Media and Communication at Birmingham City University, says it’s important to question what this Dancing On Ice on a same-sex couple introduction change really means and the conversations it will create.
OPINION | Lesbians are often overlooked or are subject to ‘tragic’ storylines and they are given less space to occupy.
“Although it’s timely for Dancing On Ice to have a same-sex couple, it’s important to understand that decisions are political and have economic reasons,” said Dr Commane.
“In this case, examples could be sustainability for the television show, maintenance of the brand and audience expectations.
“We need to carefully think about what privilege means and what privilege looks like. Privilege is complex and it does not simply connect to one aspect of a person’s identity.
“Whilst it is fantastic that changes are happening, we need to ask: what do these ‘changes’ actually mean when certain voices and identities are still rendered invisible?
“Lesbians are often overlooked or are subject to ‘tragic’ storylines and they are given less space to occupy, especially in primetime television. Why aren’t lesbians the default when it comes to ‘ground breaking’ decisions when introducing same-sex coupling in shows like Dancing On Ice?
“What would it mean for ‘Dancing On Ice’ to have a lesbian celebrity skating with a same-sex partner?
“What types of conversations would arise from the media and audiences around this selection? If this had been the case, it would have been interesting to observe how news organisations would respond to an announcement like this and if they would write about the lesbian celebrity in predictable and fetishistic ways.”
Dancing On Ice has beaten BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing to introduce a same-sex couple in its show, in a landmark move for ITV.
The show’s same-sex pairing will be Steps’ Ian “H” Watkins and he will skate and dance with Matt Evers, who came out as gay in 2016.
A source told Digital Spy: “After conversations with the Dancing on Ice production team, H enquired as to the possibility of being paired with a male professional skater.
“Dancing on Icewere fully supportive of a same-sex partnership and as such this year H will be paired with Matt Evers.”
It’s not everyday you see a massive star lick his own wood…
In a candid Instagram post, Gus Kenworthy filmed himself joking around, in between takes, on the set of Ryan Murphy’s latest American Horror Story, 1984.
In the clip, filmed on the Fox Studio Lot in Hollywood, the star licks the end of a wooden stake protruding from his chest, with the caption, “wood you”.
However, fans feared that Gus had given away too much of the storyline with numerous commenters asking him not to reveal too much about the show and the fate of his character.
One fan wrote, “Damn. Was hoping you would’ve lasted longer. Haven’t watched any of it yet. Glad you were at least in it”
Another added, “I think this might be a spoiler”
Hilariously, and as a costume and makeup artist fiddles with his clothes, Gus pulls a face after touching his tongue to the stake, indicating that the stake didn’t taste as he might have expected it to be.
The prop, which was covered in fake blood, didn’t taste good! After licking the prop Gus pulls a disgusted look.
