THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • MP CHRIS BRYANT: Rhondda Pride org hasn’t “thought this through”

    MP CHRIS BRYANT: Rhondda Pride org hasn’t “thought this through”

    The MP for Rhondda, Chris Bryant has called for pride in Rhondda to be done “properly”

    The openly gay MP for Rhondda in Wales, Chris Bryant has made a statement suggesting that the organisers of the Rhondda pride event, which has faced a backlash due to its policy of excluding various communities from its event, haven’t thought through their policy.

    He wrote in a Facebook post,

    “If I’m truly honest, I don’t think the organisers, whoever they are, have really thought this through. It seems a bit self-defeating already and bizarre not to have involved the Rhondda MP who happens to be gay.”

    The MP also said that he was concerned that the fallout from the exclusionary policy would make people believe that Rhondda was as an unwelcoming place. Which he said  “couldn’t be further from the truth”

    He finished his message by saying that there will be a Rhondda Pride – but added, “let’s do it properly!”

  • This UK pride event is telling people what they can’t wear and people aren’t happy

    This UK pride event is telling people what they can’t wear and people aren’t happy

    Rhondda Pride has faced a huge backlash after it said that people wearing bondage and kink attire were not welcome at its event.

    close-up of man wearing black fetish leather pants

    A pride in Wales has outraged many in the LGBT+ community after it said it was excluding political parties, religious organisations, charities and anyone wearing bondage or “sexualised costumes” effectively erasing a number of communities from its event.

    Leathermen Cymru had asked to be involved with the event but were told that “certain groups who are not family-friendly” were not permitted to attend. It said that Leathermen and its sexual connotations did not “sit well in an event of this nature”.

    It also said that the police had made stipulations on the pride, THEGAYUK.com has reached out to South-Wales Police for clarification.

    “Safe Space for under 18s and their parents”

    In a now-deleted statement, the pride warned that “no bondage or sexualised costumes” were allowed as they were “trying to make this a safe space for under 18 LGBTQ+ individuals and families and a place for parents of young LGBTQ+ people who want to understand and support their children”.

    It continued, “Over 18s LGBTQ+ are going to have a fun, inclusive event without politics, religion and over-sexualisation of the community.

    “Our acts on stage will be suitable for all ages”.

    “We are celebrating our rights in an open way. Pride is about celebration and acceptance”.

    The Tweet and both the organisation’s Twitter and Facebook account have since been removed.

    Calls for resignations

    Many in the community felt that Rhondda Pride’s policy went against the spirit of pride and some were calling for a change in policy or for those in charge to stand down.

    Nick wrote, “This nonsense contributes to the homophobia still aimed at GBQ ppl (men esp), suggesting that our sexual practices are depraved & that we are a sexual threat to children. It is the antithesis of gay liberation. I hope that the organising committee will review this or stand down”

    https://twitter.com/nikku_man/status/1155942365195976706

    Buster added, “Pride is about acceptance, and you are having none of it. You should hang your heads, as you promote division in the community & exclude others so you can appeal to straight people. Call yourself Mardi Gras if you want, but don’t act like you have any Pride in our great community.

    https://twitter.com/BusterBDSM/status/1155935178188918784

    While Mr Leather Wales wrote, “This is exactly the kind of whitewashing Pride should be protesting against”.

    https://twitter.com/MrLeatherWales/status/1155938454313635840

    Picking and choosing”

    The UK Pride Organisers Network said that it did not support the erasure of any part of the LGBT+ community. It went on to blast the event for “picking and choosing” who is and isn’t allowed to be at the event”.

    “We don’t support erasure of any part of our community. Rhonnda Pride you are NOT a Pride, you are a family fun day that is picking and choosing who is and isn’t allowed to be at your event. There is NO Pride in Exclusion! We are 1! #WeStandWithEveryone Together we are UKPON!

    Pride responds: This is very upsetting to all of us.

    The organisers of the pride have claimed that there has been a lot of “hatred” stirred up against them and it was “very upsetting to all of us”

    Writing on their Facebook page they wrote, in a now-deleted message,  “Hello everyone. We wanted to put on a small valleys Pride which was child friendly. Unfortunately asking members of the community not to wear BDSM clothing and bring their boyfriends on dog leads has caused a backlash. We have at NO POINT asked anyone not to wear leather we asked for family friendly costumes.

    “The aggressive nature of the hatred being stirred up by the Leathermen and their allies is now being made personal against our organisers. We have therefore suspended our social media temporarily.

    “The Leathermen are apparently writing to various equality groups to get our small valleys Pride shut down before it’s even started.

    “A family friendly event with no politics, bondage, overt sex or sexualised costumes is not what parts of the community want. I have been even emailed that Pride cannot be family friendly. This is very upsetting to all of us. If you want this Pride to happen then please stand up for us against this hatred.”

    We may have to pull our event due to the actions of the BDSM community. This is a tragedy.

    In a statement to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the event said,

    “We should start by saying that we are a small valleys Pride with a capacity for 500 maximum people plus a market. We only asked for no charity or political stalls due to the fact that we don’t have enough room to hold them. This was not exclusion this was practical. As for the Leathermen we have never banned leather, that is ridiculous. What we have requested is due to the family friendly nature of the event and the fact our headline act is 13 years old no BDSM wear or sexual costumes be worn. I don’t see any issues with wanting to be family friendly however we may have to pull our event due to the actions of the BDSM community. This is a tragedy for the LGBTQ + children, adolescents, teenagers, young adults and families who wanted to support an event of this nature.”

  • Arrest made after homophobic abuse shouted at Pride event

    Arrest made after homophobic abuse shouted at Pride event

    A woman in her late 30s has been arrested following a homophobic incident at a Pride event over the weekend.

    A 38-year-old woman has been arrested in connection to homophobic abuse levelled at pride attendees last weekend. Footage emerged of a woman dressed in a niqab shouting “shame” and “despicable” at pride goers in Waltham Forest.

    In the video, which has been seen over 3.6 millions times taken, she could be heard shouting, “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

    “Shame on you, shame on all of you.

    “Shame on you, you despicable people. Shame on you, you shameless people.

    Arrested under section 4a of the Public Order Act

    The Metropolitan Police’s Waltham Forest Twitter account said on Monday: “Officers investigating footage circulating on social media of abuse directed at those taking part in a Pride event in Waltham Forest have arrested a 38-year-old woman under section 4a of the Public Order Act.

    She has been taken into custody at a north London police station.”

     

  • LGBT+ News brand GayStarNews to cease trading

    LGBT+ News brand GayStarNews to cease trading

    GayStarNews, which was created in 2012 will cease business today, leaving around 20 staff members without a job.

    GayStarNews, which enjoyed around a 23 per cent share of the LGBT+ news market is entering insolvency according to BBC LGBT+ correspondent, Ben Hunte.

    GayStarNews was the brainchild of Tris Reid-Smith and Scott Nunn. The brand was opened in 2012. According to SimilarWeb the website attracted around 1.5 to 2 million hits a month, (although the publishers claimed a readership of over 5 million) and was number 19 in the list of LGBT+ websites on the planet.

    It also created the world’s first Digital Pride.

    According to Hunte, around 20 staff members were told that the company was to cease trading through a series of meetings.

    Replaying the news, Hunte wrote on Twitter, “LGBT media group Gay Star News will cease trading tomorrow. It is entering insolvency resulting in ~20 job losses. Staff were reportedly told 48hrs before pay day via meetings”.

    GSN has yet to confirm the news, but the last piece of content published was yesterday afternoon and the last Tweet sent from its account was over 18 hours ago (from the publishing of this article).

    Founder of Pink News, Ben Cohen wished the staff of GSN “good luck” for the future, while Ally Camps, the co-chair of Pride In London wrote that it was “terrible news”.

    Darren Styles, who publishes Attitude Magazine, “That is a great shame, LGBTQ media is a small enough place as it is.”

    Tough world

    The entire media industry has had a tough few years with many reported closures and hundreds of journalists losing their jobs. As consumers move online to read their news, some newsgroups are finding it hard to adapt and find sustainable financial models.

    The online advertising market is incredibly challenging and news brands can find it hard to compete with both Google and Facebook, which swallow huge proportions of advertisers’ money.

  • Woman in Niqab seen shouting “SHAME” at LGBT+ people at Pride event

    Woman in Niqab seen shouting “SHAME” at LGBT+ people at Pride event

    A woman dressed in a full-face veil seen shouting “shame” and other homophobic slurs at participants of a pride event in London.

    Police are investigating after footage emerged purportedly showing a woman in a niqab shouting homophobic abuse at a pride parade in Waltham Forest, London over the weekend.

    The woman in the traditional strict Islamic niqab can be heard screaming “shame on you” and “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve”, before yelling “shame” repeatedly and calling the attendees “despicable”.

    The attendee was being protected by a pride volunteer.

    The identity of the alleged abuser is obscured by the full-face veil. Police are investigating the incident. The footage has now been watched over 3.6 million times.

    A police spokesperson told The Independent: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media of abuse directed at those taking part in the Waltham Forest Pride event and enquiries are taking place.

    “Abusing someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is a hate crime and we would encourage victims and those who were there when this took place to come forward.

    “If you have been verbally or physically abused, harassed or attacked in any way by someone because you are or they think you are LGBT+ please report these crimes to the police.”

    The footage was captured by Twitter used, Yusuf Patel

    Police have responded by tweeting that they are aware of the footage and ‘enquiries are underway”.

     

  • Was the “unnamed gay footballer” Twitter account a hoax?

    Was the “unnamed gay footballer” Twitter account a hoax?

    People are questioning whether the unnamed gay footballer Twitter account was all a hoax, after the account goes offline.

    pixel2013 / Pixabay

    Twitter users are now questioning whether an account which was purportedly run by a UK Championship footballer, who was primed to come out as gay, was all a hoax after the account mysteriously disappeared from Twitter.

    The account which has been followed by well over 48,000 people is no longer available to view and all the Tweets have been deleted. The account had followed over 1400 people, including all the major LGBT+ news outlets.

    For weeks the account holder had said that he would come out as gay, becoming the first footballer to come out as gay, whilst still in contract since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

    The account holder originally set the date of 24th July to reveal who he was, however the night before he was due to officially come out a message was published which said, he didn’t feel strong enough to come out.

    Disappointed Twitter users are now questioning whether the account was a hoax.

    https://twitter.com/BonymaenS/status/1153924530462691328

    https://twitter.com/carlcnash/status/1153775805211774977

    https://twitter.com/leehunt4/status/1153788055871844352

    https://twitter.com/patsyincline/status/1153901484574224386

  • ‘Homophobic machete attack’ on the streets of London

    Police have reported that they responded to a suspected homophobic attack by a knifeman brandishing a machete.

    A victim has been left with a leg wound after an alleged attack on the streets of London. Police responded to an incident in south-east London this afternoon, where it was reported that a man was attacked on Surrey Quays Road in Southwark, with a machete.

    The Metropolitan police say they believe that the attack was motivated by homophobia. The victim was transported to hospital in an ambulance and is being treated for his injuries.

    A spokeswoman for the Met added: ‘Police are dealing with a suspected homophobic attack in Southwark.

    “Officers were called at 3.12pm on Tuesday, July 23, to Surrey Quays Road.

    “It was reported a man had been attacked with a machete.

    “Officers attended and found a man with a wound to his leg.

    “He was taken by London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital.

    “The suspect is believed to have left the scene on a motorbike.

    “At this time police believe there may be a homophobic motive for the attack.”

     

     

  • The unnamed “gay footballer” says he’s not strong enough to come out

    The unnamed “gay footballer” says he’s not strong enough to come out

    An unnamed, UK championship footballer has taken to Twitter to say that he thought he was strong enough to come out, but now says he was wrong.

    The unnamed “gay footballer” has taken to Twitter to say “I thought I was stronger. I was wrong.” It comes after he announced that he planned to come out on the 24th July 2019.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1153719153557233665

    Since starting the account the footbaler has become a bit of Twitter sensation and would be the first out, and still contracted, UK footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

    As of yet, nobody knows who the account is run by, but it is thought that the footballer is a high profile player for one of main clubs in the Championship. His account now has tens of thousands of followers.

    He went on to say, “I’m not strong enough to do this. Just remember that I’ve got feelings, without coming out I can’t convince anybody otherwise, but this isn’t a hoax. I wouldn’t do that”.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1153724088160006144

    On the 21st July the user simply tweeted, “24.07.19 ?️‍?” – believed to be a signal as to when the player had planned to come out officially. The account has been active for weeks, in his profile he has his description set to: “I’m a professional footballer, currently playing in The Championship. I will reveal my identity soon, but I am a PROUD gay man”.

    As of time of publish the date was still pinned to the top of his profile.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1152904677069066240

    Scores of people have commented on the post with a mix of people calling the account a “hoax” while others reamained encouraging, with one saying “You CAN do this, goddammit! I came out in the south in the USA in the late 90’s. Was called horrible things, list friends. Life is AMAZING today! We, as Gay men have a responsibility to young people! We MUST end the shame! You are VALID, ENOUGH, STRONG! Rooting for you!!”

     

  • Homophobes vandalise anti-stigma HIV adverts

    Homophobes vandalise anti-stigma HIV adverts

    An advert which depicts two men in a romantic embrace has been vandalised in London, the campaign aims to reduce the stigma faced by men who live with HIV.

    The HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust has revealed that an advert it has placed on a phone box in the nation’s capital has been targeted by vandals and defaced. The campaign is promoting the message that people living with HIV and on effective treatment can’t pass it on, if they are on medically prescribed treatment.

    The targeted phoneboxes were located in the London borough of Hackney.

    The poster campaign comes off the back of a nationwide survey commissioned by the charity which revealed that knowledge of HIV remains stuck in the 1980s. It found that just under one in five (19%) Brits are aware that people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass it on – which is the focus of the vandalised posters.

    The charity’s YouGov survey also revealed almost half (48%) of Brits would feel uncomfortable kissing someone living with HIV – even though there is zero risk of transmission through kissing or other day-to-day contact.

    For the past 20 years, evidence has been building to show that the likelihood of passing on HIV is linked to the amount of virus in the blood, also known as viral load. Treatment is deemed effective when it reduces this to undetectable levels. This can take up to six months from starting treatment.

    The landmark PARTNER and PARTNER 2 studies provide the medical evidence that people with an undetectable viral load definitively cannot pass on HIV.

    Can’t Pass It On has been the focus of Terrence Higgins Trust’s messaging during Pride season, including at Pride in London and Black Pride earlier this month.

    Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said, “This vandalism is so sad to see. Whether our posters have been targeted because it features two men in an affectionate embrace or because it’s about HIV, we will not be silenced. In fact, it makes us even more determined to get the message out there that people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass it on.

    “Despite this medical progress, public attitudes towards HIV are firmly stuck in the past. That’s exactly why it’s so important to remove the fear and misinformation about HIV by celebrating the fact that thanks to effective treatment people like Sadiq who is featured in our poster, are living normal and healthy lives and cannot pass the virus on.

    “We have been heartened to see supporters offsetting the damage caused to the posters by sharing information about our Can’t Pass It On campaign. If everyone knew the facts on HIV we could not only end HIV stigma, we could end new HIV transmissions.’

  • The unnamed “gay footballer” has set a date for when he’s coming out

    The unnamed “gay footballer” has set a date for when he’s coming out

    An unnamed, UK championship footballer has set a date when he plans to come out – becoming the first high profile footballer, still playing, to do so in nearly 30 years.

    He’s become a bit of Twitter sensation, but the unnamed footballer, has set a date to become the first out, and still contracted, UK footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

    As of yet, nobody knows who the account is run by, but it is thought that the footballer is a high profile player for one of main clubs in the Championship. His account now has tens of thousands of followers.

    On the 21st July the user simply tweeted, “24.07.19 ?️‍?” – believed to be a signal as to when the player plans to come out officially. The account has been active for weeks, in his profile he has his description set to: “I’m a professional footballer, currently playing in The Championship. I will reveal my identity soon, but I am a PROUD gay man”.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1152904677069066240

    Speaking about his decision to come out, the player said that he hopes his coming out will be a “catalyst for change”  saying, ‘I am thinking of those involved in professional football who are similarly positioned. My hope is that they can take comfort and hope from such disclosure and can feel suitably empowered to, if desirable, reach the same decision.

    “I have heard from numerous people who have stated that their sexuality stopped them from being involved in football. That they didn’t believe the two could co-exist.

    “I don’t want anybody in the future to feel that way, and with the work being done throughout the sport. I hope this can be the catalyst for change.’

  • Are there any gay saunas in Manchester?

    Are there any gay saunas in Manchester?

    Are there any gay saunas in Manchester and where you can meet guys for hookups?

    Manchester is one of the gayest cities in the UK, famous for its gay village, which thanks to Queer As Folk is known world-wide. There’s plenty of gay bars and restaurants, but are there any saunas?

    The short answer is yes, but not as many as you’d think for a city as large as Manchester. There are a couple, notably, Basement Sauna, the other that you might consider is the Heat Sauna which is outside Manchester in Stockport, about a 30 minute drive away from the city’s centre.

    Basement Sauna is located on 18 Tariff Street, just around the corner from Canal Street. Its telephone number is 0161 236 8131. Check out the latest deals and opening times on its website.

    Are there any gay saunas in manchester?
    © ugarin Depositphotos

    Heat Sauna is located in Stockport, 48a Churchgate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1YG. Check out the latest deals and opening times on its website.

    So if you’re looking for a hook up you could join a gay chat app like Grindr, Scruff or Growlr or why not join THEGAYUK’s free social network.

    Do you know of any good places to meet guys? Leave a comment in the comment sections below.