Author: News Desk

Drag and cabaret artists “overlooked” by Government’s tier system

It goes without saying that the bar, pub and club industry has been completely brutalised by lockdowns and Tier systems in place in the UK caused by the on-going coronavirus pandemic.

As Boris Johnson’s administration announced which areas in England would be placed into which tiers, many cities which have large LGBT+ scenes found themselves in Tier 3, leaving them unable to open unless operating as a takeaway or drive through. Many gay bars are simply not set up to handle or offer food.

Earlier this week Boris Johnson’s handling of the crisis was described by the CEO of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as “inflicting devastating pain to an industry on the verge of collapse”.

Live venues and performer in Tier system overlooked by government

One drag performer tweeted Boris Johnson demanding to know why certain settings like theatres, casinos, theme parks and escape rooms were permitted to open yet live venues which, do not offer food, but offer live entertainment such as cabaret and drag shows were not permitted to open.

Carrot, a non-binary drag performer wrote,

“Live performers & venues in music, cabaret & drag need clarity from @10DowningStreet NOW. Why can theatres open and sell drinks in the intervals, when live venues who have spent huge amounts of £s and time making safe allocated seating cannot without selling food?”

“Why can casinos & theme parks & escape rooms open in tier 2, places that are essentially impossible to clean entirely & keep safe, yet pubs & bars with allocated seating and table service cannot?

“Live artists & venues have lost so much already & are still being overlooked.

“It’s really heartbreaking. and yet somehow completely unsurprising.”

Live performers & venues in music, cabaret & drag need clarity from @10DowningStreet NOW.

Why can theatres open and sell drinks in the intervals, when live venues who have spent huge amounts of £s and time making safe allocated seating cannot without selling food?
— carrot 🥕 🍉 (@CarrotDrag) November 27, 2020

How does hospitality contribute to the rising numbers of Coronavirus cases?

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said, “Hospitality has accounted for as little as 2% of Covid cases”, and Kate Nicholls CEO, UK Hospitality said, “Pubs and restaurants pay the price of tougher tier restrictions – no other sector are facing restrictions like these.”

Government data has shown that house-to-house mixing has the highest rate of rates of transmission for the virus.

Bars and clubs have closed because of COVID-19 restrictions.

2020 has seen numerous gay bar closures. Earlier in the year, Birmingham’s Eden Bar was forced to close due to devastating restraints placed on the pub industry. Also in the West Midlands, Midland Zone magazine also fell victim to the economic downturn.

Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club, Propaganda closed in May and in Brighton, two venues have already shuttered. This month The Broadway closed and earlier in the year Legends fell into administration, before being reopened by new owners.

29th November 2020
This might be the most disturbing face mask you can buy
But we’d be lying if we said we never had balls on our face before…

Ever had balls to the face?

Face Masks are a legal requirement now for so many parts of our existence now, whether it’s going to the shops, sitting in a theatre or travelling on public transport, but no one said what the face mask had to look like.

You could go for a nice rainbow face mask or, you could, go for this scrotum face mask, complete with wrinkles and tiny little hair follicles.
Ⓒ BILLYS BALL BAGS
The face mask, which is produced in Blackpool is essentially a silicone mask that looks like a wrinkly ball sack. It’s sold by BillysBallBags.com, which is a shop that only sells ball bag merchandise. Of course. And why are we only just finding out about this shop!

Is the testicle face mask legal?

Well, as far as we can tell, they do comply with the law that requires you to wear a face-covering in certain settings. However, you might offend a few people or even get a few funny looks from your co-workers if you rock to your place of work with a set of balls on your face.

So what’s the price of this scrotum face mask? Well, you’re looking at a bill for £24.99, however, demand has apparently been “So high” that they are currently not available while the shop “catches up” on orders of the mask.

You can even order a darker or lighter shade as skin tone variations are allowed!

https://twitter.com/billysballbags/status/1328745047093809154

It’s not entirely sure whose ball bag was used as a template.
28th November 2020
Brits are overwhelmingly in support of COVID 19 vaccine

The British public is overwhelmingly in support of taking the Covid 19 vaccination with two thirds willing to have the jab as soon as it is available.

Opening up our beleaguered LGBT+ scene could be dependent on a huge uptake of the vaccination when it is rolled out in December and early 2021.

A survey of 2,000 adults revealed only 17 per would refuse to take a covid 10 vaccine, with 19 per cent stating they were still unsure.

Fewer than one in 10 (eight per cent) of those aged 55 or over would decline the vaccine when it is offered to them.

However, almost a third (31 per cent) of those aged 25 to 34 don’t think they’ll take it.

The speed at which the vaccinations have been developed have resulted in 71 per cent regarding its fight against Covid-19 as one of science’s greatest achievements.

The survey, by Medicspot, also looked at how people who didn’t want the vaccine could be incentivised to take it.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

A fifth (20 per cent) said they would be vaccinated if they were paid, while 19 per cent would if it meant they could go to the pub. As it stands pubs in the UK, including our much love gay scene, have to remain closed in Tier 2 and 3 unless they serve a “substantial meal”. Many gay bars, like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern or the Equator Bar in Birmingham, are not set up to sell food.

More than a third (35 per cent) would take it if it meant they could go on holiday abroad, and 28 per cent would agree to it if it meant they could go to sporting, music or other events.

Dr Johnson D’souza, medical director at Medicspot, said, “In the space of one month we’ve had three vaccines announced, which has been an incredible achievement from everyone involved in the fight against Covid-19.

“It is comforting to know the vast majority of the public is supportive of the vaccine.”

Nearly half think the vaccine should be made compulsory

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The survey also found 45 per cent think the vaccine should be mandatory for everyone, while just over a third (35 per cent) disagree entirely.

But 57 per cent think the vaccine should only be mandatory for people who are deemed at a greater risk of the virus.

The research was carried out as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the latest Tier system as well as plans to allow ‘Five Days of Christmas’ where families from up to three households can mix over the festive season.

Almost a fifth (19 per cent) of respondents, polled via OnePoll for Medicspot, admitted they have broken the lockdown rules that were introduced at the start of November.

But 75 per cent said they were likely to adhere to the new regional tier rules just announced.

Lifting the international travel bans

In a move welcomed by the travel industry, the government is also lifting the ban on international travel when lockdown ends – giving families the chance to get away for winter sun.

On their return, travellers will now have to quarantine for five days instead of 14 if they can provide a negative Covid-19 test.

Medicspot has developed fast Covid-19 tests with next-day results designed for businesses testing staff and for individuals who need a ‘fit to fly’ certificate or have returned from abroad.

When the vaccine becomes available, almost three quarters (71 per cent) think people arriving in the UK on holiday or for business should have a certificate confirming they have been vaccinated

And 70 per cent think UK residents leaving the country should have a certificate saying they’ve been vaccinated.

27th November 2020
Can you buy subscriptions to Boyz Magazine?

Boyz Magazine is a London-based LGBT scene magazine.

It was created 30 years and is published by David Bridle.

The magazine is a monthly, full-colour magazine since was first launched in 1991. It features lots of news about bars and clubs in the scene as well as accompanying photos of revellers at said venues. It also once featured an X-rated picture in a feature called BackRoom Boy. It went through a major overhaul in 2007 when most of the adult content was removed. In 2008 as escort and rent boy adverts started to venture online the magazine removed its escort classified section.

It has published over 1400 issues.

It was weekly magazine until July 2019, when it changed its format once again to become monthly.

It is distributed, for free, primarily through gay venues through the UK, but mostly within London. It’s available to pick up in most LGBT+ bars and some shops, especially in the Soho area.

Can you buy a subscription?

Nope, Boyz Magazine is a free magazine distributed to some LGBT bars and shops. Readers cannot purchase a subscription in the same way that they might be able to subscribe to Gay Times or Attitude. You can, however, read the magazine for free via its website.

27th November 2020
Boris Johnson’s devastating XMAS plan “denies LGBTQ+ community time with chosen family”
The CEO of one of the UK’s oldest and best-loved LGBT+ bars, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, has hit out at Boris Johnson’s Christmas plan of allowing multiple houses to mix during the height of a pandemic, but not allowing them to mix in Covid-secure settings like pubs and bars is a “road to nowhere”

He said it was “inflicting devastating pain to an industry on the verge of collapse”.

James Lindsay, The RVT‘s CEO has written a blistering open letter to Boris Johnson and his cabinet saying that the current Christmas plan to allow up to three households to mix for five days during the festive season is a “mockery” of all the hardship that the hospitality industry has been through in the last 39 weeks.

He also told the Prime Minister that the plans to allow families to mix in their own homes, but not in restaurants or pubs, was putting “vulnerable people at risk” and denying the LGBT+ community a chance to mix and socialise with their chosen families.

He wrote, The Government’s olive branch for a ‘family Christmas’ is clearly aimed at appeasing the “party” faithful. As well as putting many vulnerable people at risk this also denies the LGBTQ+ community their much needed time with friends and our chosen families.

“Our venues offer a safe space for people who often don’t have the ‘normal’ family support”.

Gay Bars are at particular risk when the tier system returns.

One of the issues facing many bars, but in particular gay bars, is that many aren’t equipped to serve food – which is one of the requirements for pubs to be able to open in at least two Tiers of the Government’s system. Bars which solely sell drink are unable to open in Tier 2 and Tier 3. Only bars which sell “substantial” food can open in Tier 2 and can only operate as takeouts in Tier 3.
With most of the country expected to be entered into Tier 2 or 3 when Boris Johnson announces the Tier system today, the Equator bar in Birmingham announced that it might have to close forever, adding “Equator bar is not a restaurant so will not be allowed to open in Tier 2” and added, “Maybe time to call it a day”.

Speaking about the crisis facing the LGBT+ Scene, Lindsay continued, “The vast majority of LGBTQ+ venues don’t serve food but offer cabaret, DJs, screenings and a whole range of other events that people need to buy tickets in the same way theatres do.

“A venue such at The RVT not only supports its staff and customers but has a whole range of self-employed performers and promotors that rely on us and all the other venues, many of whom are from marginalised groups within our community.”

How does hospitality contribute to the rising numbers of Coronavirus cases?

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said, “Hospitality has accounted for as little as 2% of Covid cases”, and Kate Nicholls CEO, UK Hospitality said, “Pubs and restaurants pay the price of tougher tier restrictions – no other sector are facing restrictions like these.”

Government data has shown that house-to-house mixing has the highest rate of rates of transmission for the virus.

Government must compensate the hospital sector

Lindsay continued, “We understand the need for safety and Public Health, since March we have followed every rule the Government has told us to, but now the Government needs to do the honourable thing and financially support the approach to destroy a much loved industry and fully compensate commercially viable businesses who have been operating Covid-19 compliance.

“That means grants that fully cover their fixed costs and loss of business and loss of profit.

Road to nowhere

“It feels like we are on a road to nowhere that will result in the decimation of the hospitality sector as well as more deaths from Covid.

“Maybe I should ask – What is the purpose of this Government? They have not consulted with the hospitality industry and the advice that has been provided by the industry experts has been ignored. Equally the advice of the Governments own experts with the strategy they have deployed has also been ignored.”

Read the full statement here
26th November 2020
AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend wants you to know he’s not gay

100% percent

So if you were wondering whether AJ Pritchard, who is currently starring in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is gay, then his girlfriend has a message for you.

Speaking to The Sun, Abbie Quinnen said that although AJ doesn’t like to put labels on sexuality, she 100% believes that he’s not gay.

She said, “I am 100% positive that AJ is not gay,” she said. “But he doesn’t like to put labels on anything. He has said: ‘Love is love’, because he really does believe that ‘love is love’ and it doesn’t matter who you love, whether that be a girl or a boy.”

But totally gay friendly
Embed from Getty Images
Abbie continued: “We have so many friends who are gay and we literally support them so much. I support anyone who has a boyfriend and is a boy, and anyone who has a girlfriend and is a girl. I am absolutely all for it.”
Embed from Getty Images
No labels for AJ Pritchard

Last year, the professional dancer spoke of how it was important in “following your heart” and not wanting to “label” his sexuality.

The 26-year-old said, “It is always about being happy and being true to yourself. It is mad that everything always has to have a label, whether it be the clothes by designers or whether you are in a relationship.”

26th November 2020
This Friday is the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front demonstration in Britain

Veterans from the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) will be holding a torchlight rally this Friday to mark 50 years since the first LGBT protest in Britain.

The rally was held to highlight anti-gay laws and police harassment, specifically in response to the arrest of the then leader of the Young Liberals, Louis Eaks, in Highbury Fields, Islington.

The veterans and allies will meet at 6 pm in Highbury Fields, opposite Highbury and Islington tube station, beside the pink triangle plaque that commemorates the protest that happened there 50 years ago.

To conform to lockdown regulations, participants will wear masks, remain in two-person groups and keep socially distanced from each other.

“27th November 1970 was a watershed moment that challenged police persecution for the first time in the UK. It began our fightback, igniting an LGBT+ protest movement that in the following five decades rolled back straight supremacism and won the repeal of anti-LGBT+ laws,” said Peter Tatchell, who was a member of GLF 1971-74.

This 50th commemoration, we will replicate the torchlight rally of 50 years ago and read the original Gay Liberation Front demands A plaque commemorating the protest on 27 November 1970 was affixed to the former public toilet by the LGBT+ group OutRage! and Islington Council.

It was unveiled on 27 November 2000, on the 30th anniversary of the first demonstration, in the presence of then Culture Secretary Chris Smith MP, local MP Jeremy Corbyn, the Mayor of Islington, and GLF veterans.
Embed from Getty Images
86 and sending love

“In 1970 I suggested that the Gay Liberation Front’s first demo ought to be in Highbury Fields against the arrest of Louis Eaks. I’m now 86 and send my love. I remind everyone that the word for the Highbury Fields demo, in the slang of 1970, was a ‘zap’, meaning a bolt of electrical energy. Highbury Fields forever! In solidarity and disgrace.” Eric Thompson

“From the dark of Highbury Fields to the light of the pub afterwards, we saw each other anew. We had shared our beliefs and convictions in public and acted them out in the world. We had made the first-ever openly public demonstration in this country by homosexuals. Whatever barriers there were between us were let down that night. An emotional connection of solidarity and respect, for ourselves and each other, was forged. It remains palpable to this day.” Stuart Feather, author of the Gay Liberation Front memoir, Blowing the Lid.

A defining moment in LGBT history

“Highbury Fields was a UK defining moment in a global LGBT+ uprising and revolution against oppression and for liberation with sexual liberation at its heart.” John Lloyd

“In 1970 gay men, lesbians and trans people protested together on Highbury Fields, not just about police abuse of power and unjust laws, but also for liberation, including sexual liberation for everyone – a revolution. Love and liberation.” Nettie Pollard.

“Marking the 50th anniversary of the first LGBT protest in London is of paramount importance today in bringing together queer individuals spanning multiple generations in order that we can celebrate and learn from those who have continuously fought for our rights over the last 50 years.” Graham Martin

25th November 2020
When will we be able to stop wearing face masks?

Face masks have become a part of Coronavirus life, particularly if you’re not exempt from wearing one.

In the beginning, it was a pain in the ass, let’s face it. How many of us would leave the house, ready to start the day, only to have to trudge back home to retrieve the MF face mask. It is one of the things that just added to the shitstink 2020 has turned out to be.

So with the announcement(s) that vaccinations are on their way, people are starting to wonder when we can start going mask free.

We know that wearing a face mask is said to be crucial in the slowing down the rate of transmission of the Coronavirus, so until the virus is being suppressed in another way, it looks like that face masks will continue play a pivotal role for some months yet.

When will vaccinations start in the UK

Theres been a flurry of announcements about vaccines in the last couple of weeks, which has brought renewed hope that there is a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.

It is thought that vaccinations in the UK will start from the middle of December and will be given first to those in the highest risk category. Those over the age of 80 and front line NHS workers.

The schedule of vaccination then trickles down as availability spreads across the UK. A report has suggested that by March, everyone in the UK who needs and wants a vaccine will have had it, which is brilliant news looking ahead to a summer of activities, including Pride Season 2021.

There’s no actual date for when you can stop wearing face masks in key areas, like shops

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

As it stands the law requiring people to wear face masks on public transport and in other settings has an expiry to it. The law says that it expires 12 months after the law came into effect. In this case, the law came into effect on the 15th June 2020, so the face masks are a legal requirement until at least 15th June 2021. The law must also be reviewed after 6 months by the Secretary of State, which means a review on wearing face masks in the UK, is due on the 15th December 2020.

However, we can assume that sometime after March, as transmissions of COVID-19 start to radically (and hopefully) fall and we’ve reached a sort of “herd immunity” thanks to the vaccine that the need for mask-wearing in public will not be needed.

But maybe face masks should stay? After all there are tonnes of airborne virus out there, like the common cold and other flus – so maybe wearing a mask, especially during the winter months, will actually help us reduce the spread of those.

[totalpoll id=”126913″]

If you’re still looking for a LGBT+ inspired face mask our partners at ThePrideShop sell them!

25th November 2020
Popular gay bar says it might have to “call it a day” due to England’s Tier system
With England’s latest lockdown ending in just over a week many bars, and in particular many LGBT+ venues are really feeling the pinch. One gay bar in Birmingham has said it might be time to”call it a day”.

One of the issues facing many bars, but in particular gay bars, is that many aren’t equipped to serve food – which is one of the requirements for pubs to be able to open in at least two Tiers of the Government’s system. Bars which solely sell drink are unable to open in Tier 2 and Tier 3. Only bars which sell “substantial” food can open in Tier 2 and can only operate as takeouts in Tier 3.

With most of the country expected to be entered into Tier 2 or 3 when Boris Johnson announces the Tier system in the next few days, the Equator bar in Birmingham announced that it might have to close forever, adding “Equator bar is not a restaurant so will not be allowed to open in Tier 2” and added, “Maybe time to call it a day”.

If the Equator Bar, which has been operating for over 15 years, does close it will be the second bar in Birmingham to have fallen victim to the economic woes faced by the hospitality industry due to the Government’s handling of the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Numerous fans took to the bar’s Facebook page to share their sorrow that the bar may be forced to close.

Speaking to THEGAYUK.com the owner said, “It’s devastating that customers cannot come to their local community bar. We haven’t had a single case that I know of…

“I’ve been here 18 years and not sure how much longer we can stay closed with no help from the gov”.

Give Equator Bar a follow on their Facebook page to keep up to date with them.

Not the first victim of the devastating Tier system
The Tier system used in England has brought economic hardship for many businesses, but in particular for social-based businesses like pubs and bars.

Nightclubs have not been able to open since March.

In Tier 2, which most of England is expected to enter come the 2nd of December does not allow for household mixing, meaning that friends and family from different households are unable to meet in public, including in pubs and restaurants. In Tier 3 all bars and restaurants must close and are only permitted to operate as a food takeaway.

Bars and pubs across England have spent huge sums of money on becoming “COVID-secure” and have restricted their capacities in order to aid with social distancing, adding extra pressure on their bottom lines.

Writing about the latest announcement from Boris Johnson, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London tweeted, “We are all stuck in the worst possible purgatory with the worst possible ruler”

We are all stuck in the worst possible purgatory with the worst possible ruler
— Royal Vauxhall Tavern (@thervt) November 23, 2020

2020 has seen numerous gay bar closures. Earlier in the year, Birmingham’s Eden Bar was forced to close due to devastating restraints placed on the pub industry. Also in the West Midlands, Midland Zone magazine also fell victim to the economic downturn.

Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club, Propaganda closed in May and in Brighton, two venues have already shuttered. This month The Broadway closed and earlier in the year Legends fell into administration, before being reopened by new owners.

Birmingham has one of the largest gay scenes outside of London and is home to a number of LGBT+ venues.
24th November 2020
What is the difference between the r/AskGayMen and /r/askgaybros/ Reddit groups?

Users have been taking an opportunity to discuss and joke about the difference between the r/AskGayMen and /r/askgaybros/ Reddit.

Although both subreddits have very similar names, they are both very different in style, brand and well the number of people who are subscribed to them.

/r/askgaybros/ is the bigger of the two forums and clocks in at around 256,000 members, with around 1,200 of them online at any point while r/AskGayMen boasts around 54,000 users with just over 100 online at any time.

Both forums allow gay men to ask each other questions, like My hole is too tight or Would you ever be happy with a guy who has a small penis? but the way in which the forum’s users answer is very different.

The joking started with one user, saying that on AskGayBros he could, … call you a fucking cunt and won’t be banned”

Another added that, “The tolerance for excessive sarcasm and the amount of FILTH permitted” on AskGayBros was highly noted.

Another added about the strictness of r/AskGayMen saying, “I got banned for being transphobic because as a crossdresser I don’t consider myself a female but a male still”

One posted that /r/askgaybros/ was “unmoderated and full of trolls”

One commented on the number of users, by adding “The posts there (askgaymen) seem just as stupid as here. But here you get slapped down in thirty seconds, there it might take twelve hours.”

Perhaps most insightful was, “I’m assuming its the culture that it’s appealing to. AskGayBros is catering to a very niche culture of gay men while it sounds like AskGayMen is a more generic sub”

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So there you have it, it’s about style as the questions seem to be generally the same, the way in which they answered might be slightly different.

23rd November 2020
This Zachary Quinto topless pic has cured Monday’s thirst

We love a shirtless picture, and Zachary Quinto topless is what we needed to see today.

Okay, so Boys In The Band star, Zachary Quinto has managed to get our week all set up and our pulse racing in one easy moment, by posting an incredible body shot, which he simply named, “Saturday sits”.

TBF it actually doesn’t matter what day it is.

View this post on Instagram

Sitting, sopping wet (did he just get out of the pool?) the star looked effortlessly sexy, showing off some incredibly defined abs. Which of course got his 979,000 fans on Instagram very hot under the collar, with the picture racking up over 74,000 likes in 24 hours and over 1000 very thirsty comments.

View this post on Instagram

You can watch Boys In The Band, starring Zachary on Netflix now.

23rd November 2020