THEGAYUK

Category: Entertainment

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Wedding Singer, Llandudno Venue Cymru

    ★★ | The Wedding Singer, Llandudno Venue Cymru 

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Wedding Singer, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre

    Robbie Hart is a popular wedding singer who has his belief in love shattered when he is jilted at the alter by his fiancé. But as he has promised to sing at the wedding of affable waitress Julia to her sleazy, materialistic boyfriend, Glenn, he spends his time helping her prepare for her big day. But amongst the gift registry and dress shopping, the two of them slowly fall for each other, and as Julia’s big day approaches, will they both find the courage to tell each other how they feel?

    This 80’s set musical is based on the film of the same name and is packed with a full list of original songs, a smattering of ensemble pieces and a rapping granny. In terms of the cast, Ray Quinn (X-Factor) stood head and shoulders amongst the performers, with a good performance as Glenn, whilst Cassie Compton (X-Factor) and UK Eurovision singer Lucie Jones provided competent support and, to their credit, some superb singing.

    But aside from a handful of good performances, sadly, the whole thing just simply didn’t hang together. The onslaught of songs became intrusive to the progression of the narrative, the clunky and cumbersome set changes interrupted the flow and the show overall fell somewhere between lacklustre and dull. Add into that an incredibly cringe worthy seduction scene between Robbie and his ex-fiancé, a significant lack of chemistry between the two leads and some borderline offensive stereotypes of gay men which felt more like ridicule than parody and you have a rather disappointing production.

    But where the show really lets itself down is in its lack of an 80’s feel, especially given that the decade is ripe for the picking in terms of its cultural identity.  Part of the charm of the film that the show is based on is its nods to the decade, from the fashions to the music; something that is noticeably missing from this show. It takes more than a randomly placed Rubiks Cube, a Sony Walkman and a reference to the size of a mobile phone to set the 80’s scene. But the biggest omission is that the original songs didn’t have even a tinge of 80’s synth pop to them and were so generic that, on the whole, they could have come from any musical set in any decade; whilst the costumes missed the opportunity to fully exploit the decade that fashion forgot.

    The show did finally come alive during the last scene and the curtain call, but it was far too little far too late, and couldn’t avoid the show receiving a rather muted reception from the generally unimpressed audience.

    The Wedding Singer is currently playing at Llandudno Venue Cymru until 29th July 2017

    • Review taken from the Sheffield Production.

     

  • FILM REVIEW | War For The Planet Of The Apes

    WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES – The third and final part of the revamped ape apocalypse trilogy and this time the humans are definitely the bad guys in an all out battle royale for dominance of the position at the top of the food chain and planetary dominance.

    FILM REVIEW | War For The Planet Of The Apes

    Nutshell – The story of Caeser who we have followed from domesticated scientific experiment to the leader of the ape population in the forests above San Francisco and beyond. After a skirmish where the apes bear insufferable losses they decide on a massive exodus to safer climes. Unfortunately, the humans want the ape threat destroyed for good and a huge new baddie in the burly shape of Woody Harrelson’s The Colonel is in their way leading to the ultimate showdown as the two species go for World War Three.

    Running Time – A bum numbing 140 minutes; Certificate – 12A.

    Tagline – ‘For Freedom, For Family, For The Planet’

    The Gay UK Factor – Unless you are into bestiality or have a thing for bears over at XXL or BRUT hairy men’s clubs then it is down to the humans and luckily there is loads of them and everyone is in uniform. There is a lot of muscle here and it is all sweating and grunting a lot, our top three military men were Chad Rook, Dean Redman and Steve Baran – drop and give us twenty as we will be lying underneath.

    Cast – Woody Harrelson is the main human draw and all the other main actors are green screen/motion capture monkey performers all covered in lycra golf ball suits and digitised out. Lead by Andy Serkis, Tony Kebbell and animal character specialist Steve Zahn.

    Key Player – These are Andy Serkis’s movies and he is almost in every scene here. You start to forget he is a human on a sound stage and get drawn into the incredible emotional arc he goes through here from extreme grief, through anger, leadership, cunning, despair and a trilogy climax that will leave you emotionally wrought.

    Budget – $150 Million the priciest ape film of all time and clearly it has been money well spent judging by its strong Box Office. This title will probably continue somehow in a new direction to keep reaping the cash in.

    Best Bit – 0.15 mins; A great nighttime waterfall fight scene which sets up the events of the whole movie and establishes exactly how much of a total bastard and probably hard shagging top the Colonel is.

    Worst Bit – 0.57mins; The introduction of the biggest new monkey character ‘Bad Ape’ largely for comedy purposes than any plot development is annoying in a poor man’s Gollum sort of way.

    Little Secret – The entire film seems to form a bridge between its obvious predecessors and the original Charlton Heston series of movies from 50 years ago. Names of characters, references to the atomic bomb, production values, the introduction or a de-evolving disease in humans etc all have a purpose in this and pay special attention to the Orang Utang who seems to be the biggest link of all. The attacking soldiers in the big battle here are fully covered from head to toe and the director has indicated that this may be because they are apes which will blow everyone’s concepts apart.

    Further Viewing – There are 8 other ape movies (And a great cartoon TV series) to enjoy or endure depending on which you pick ranging from the superb original in 1968 or alternatively beneath, conquest, dawn, battle, rise or escape basically any verb you choose to put in front of the ‘Planet Of The Apes’ monicker but avoid the Mark Wahlberg one at all costs.

    Any Good – The modern trilogy has been consistently good and this is probably the best yet and the perfect closer to this set of films. We know there will be more probably spin off’s or further tales of other groups but this story is done and Serkis has left the franchise… but as he was a digital character all bets might be off on that.

    Rating – 72% out of 100

     

  • People really want a gay version of Love Island – with one condition

    It seems that a gay version of ITV 2’s runaway hit, Love Island would go down a storm – but people are asking for it on one condition…

    People really want a gay version of Love Island - with one condition

    People have asked for “ordinary guys”

    Apparently, TV execs are eyeing up a gay version of ITV 2’s runaway hit series Love Island after the creator, Richard Cowes said he’d love to see a man on man version of the show but said that trying to mix the two versions would be difficult. The show although praised for its entertainment value has failed in representing LGBT+ relationships.

    However, on the back of that news, THEGAYUK’s readers seem well up for a gay version as long as the guy they chose reflect the real bodies of people.

    The men on this season of Love Island have certainly got pulses racing, but how representative are they to the average population? Numerous commentators on our original story praised the idea of a gay version of the show but begged for “less sculpted”  and a “cross section of guys” to be represented. People loved the idea that “someone like me” should be represented by the contestants.

    People loved the idea that “someone like me” should be represented by the contestants.

    So would you tune into an “ordinary” gay version of Love Island?

  • When will BBC 2 broadcast Man In the Orange Shirt?

    In his first screen drama, best-selling British novelist Patrick Gale tells two gay love stories, 60 years apart – stories linked by family, and by a painting that holds a secret that echoes down the generations.

    As part of the BBC’s Gay Britannia season, it will be showing the mini series Man In The Orange Shirt on BBC 2. The show features a cast which includes Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, David Gyasi, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and James McArdle.

    What is Man In An Orange About?

    Man in an Orange Shirt charts the challenges and huge changes to gay lives from the Second World War to the present: In 1944, British Army Captain Michael Berryman (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) meets war artist Thomas March (James McArdle) in Southern Italy while chaos reigns all around them. Despite having a young fiancé, Flora (Joanna Vanderham), waiting at home for him, straight-laced Michael finds himself falling for Thomas’ bohemian charms. In 2017, an ageing Flora (Redgrave) looks on as her grandson, Adam (Julian Morris), tentatively forms a relationship with his client Steve (David Gyasi) in a more accepting world. But while the external obstacles have fallen away, a minefield of internalised issues and dangerous temptations still line the road to happiness.

    When will Man In An Orange show on BBC 2?

    The first of two episodes of Man In An Orange Shirt will be broadcast on BBC 2 on July 31 at 9 pm. It will be available shortly after on BBC’s iPlayer.

    The show was commissioned by the BBC to mark the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | An American In Paris, Dominion Theatre, London

    ★★★★★ | An American In Paris

    THEATRE REVIEW | An American In Paris, Dominion Theatre, London

    Post war Paris 1945 and there’s a definite mood for love in the air after the desolation of World War II. Handsome American soldier and aspiring artist, Jerry Mulligan is eager to experience all that Paris has to offer and is quickly smitten with Lise, a young ballerina with a troubled wartime past. Naturally, it’s all a bit complicated as Jerry isn’t the only one after Lise’s affections.

    Garnering an impressive set of 5-star reviews when it opened earlier this year it’s not hard to see why this adaptation of the classic film is such a smash hit and an absolute must see. Beautiful scenery, handsome men some belting tunes apart, you’ve now got a good reason to make a return visit (not that you’d need one) as the production has a hot new lead dancer/singer/actor by the name of Ashley Day.

    Ashley is a sensation. He’s not just a pretty face and toned body either (but oh what a pretty faced and toned body). He bounds around impressively with enough grace and elegance to make you wonder if he’s got some genes that mere mortals like us don’t possess. He also gives a fine acting performance and can belt out a tune. He slots beautifully into the more than able cast.

    This is an impressive show on many levels and not least of its achievements is the breath taking scenery. The back projections and stage trickery with perspective are beguiling and I’d happily just sit and watch the painterly strokes as the stage becomes a giant canvas awash with colour. There’s also the famous prolonged dance sequence, the classic hits of Gershwin and if that’s not enough there’s even Paul McCartney’s ex-girlfriend and cake baker extraordinaire Jane Asher.

    If you love musicals then this is a must see. If you hate musicals then it’s also a must see. Take a deep breath and give it a go. You’ll be surprised. This defies description and has to be seen at least once.

    An American In Paris plays at the Dominion Theatre until January 2018

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Play That Goes Wrong, Plymouth Theatre Royal

    ★★★★★ – Dangerous, jaw-dropping and comedy genius!

    Mischief Theatre, in role as The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, brought to the Plymouth Theatre Royal stage an uproariously funny murder mystery entitled The Murder at Haversham Manor and it went south, literally.

    The Play That Goes Wrong was a comedic masterpiece, like its successor Peter Pan, Goes Wrong, with dangerous and risky tricks that left audiences clutching on to their seats as pieces of stage fell off and got thrown around, sometimes missing the actors by inches. The actors were so efficient in everything they did, from balancing three objects across two body parts, to expertly delivering their lines while dodging canvasses, candelabras and each other. What was sublime about The Play That Goes Wrong was that if ever you have seen an amateur, or a badly produced professional, play, this show embodies the different mistakes and disasters that have occurred in the former shows. There’ll be a moment where you cannot help but recall a bad production where sets had fallen down or actors had genuinely forgotten lines and asked for “line” throughout entire speeches.

    Jason Callender who plays Jonathan playing Charles Haversham was brilliant. His gag was always turning up at the wrong point in the play, revealing the ending every time. It was very comedic, too, when Jonathan was rarely allowed to play dead, for actors clumsily walked on him, sat on him, or fell on him. He made the audience laugh at his every entrance, and I chiefly loved his sneaking off stage wriggling subtly on the floor as if to kid the audience that we couldn’t see him depart. Patrick Warner who plays Chris playing Inspector Carter was a comedy genius. Every reaction was crafted to perfection, and his lines were well-timed with the action. The audience hung on to every word he said. He played the director too, so it was particularly hilarious when, under his breath, he would mutter a direction to understudies that had come on to fill in for a part. Ham acting is a feature often prominent in amateur murder mystery productions, and Alastair Kirton playing Max playing Cecil Haversham did a sterling job showcasing this. Max’s sawing the air with his hands and over dramatising his role while stopping to smile as the audience laughed during one of his lines, was incredibly entertaining. When Max changed role to be the Gardener he flashed his clothes to tell it was still him, and that he had returned, but as a different character. Absolutely hilarious. Lastly, Natasha Culley as Sandra Wilkinson enacting the role of Florence Colleymoore was a treat. Sandra was everything that had ever gone wrong with acting all sewn together in one actress. Her ticks, shallow demeanour, and not able to improvise without direction, was a great feast for the senses. Her overproduction of movement as she spoke, too, was hilarious. Overall, each cast member contributed to one of funniest nights I’ve had this year.

    The Play That Goes Wrong was especially entertaining for the set was a safety hazard, as the study, built atop of the drawing room, with no rails or support, collapsed gradually while the actors were still on there. It eventually fell down while an actor was under it, but the dexterity by which the actors moved and positioned themselves, made the accidents sort of safe, and we could exhale once again.

    Mischief Theatre is like Alton Towers, you queue to get on, you get several scares, and then you want to hop on again and again.

    The Play That Goes Wrong is playing at the Plymouth Theatre Royal until 29th July 2017

     

    Originally reviewed at the Birmingham Rep

  • Is Andrew from Big Brother gay?

    The Scottish hairdresser has certainly made a splash since he entered Big Brother… but what do we know about him?

    Is Andrew from Big Brother gay?

    Although he missed out to Tom Barber to become the “people’s housemate” at the start of the series, the curly haired Glaswegian Andrew gained his place in a second chance move and entered the house on the 29th June. Unlike his other housemates, Andrew is fresh to television having never appeared on another programme.

    One of his most infamous moments on Big Brother was when he got a back, sack and crack wax in front of his fellow housemates.

    Has Andrew had a romance on Big Brother?

    He also had what some viewer are calling the clingiest moment of Big Brother he tried to kiss his fellow openly gay housemate Raphael Korine. He tried to kiss Raph on the head and neck, but Raph was not having any of it. The pair are both openly gay.

    Where has Big Brother’s Andrew Cruickshanks placed in Big Brother?

    He’s managed to make it to the final week before Celebrity Big Brother begins.

     

     

  • What LGBT shows are available on the BBC iPlayer?

    What LGBT shows are available on the BBC iPlayer?

    UPDATED APRIL 2020

    The BBC’s iPlayer has a number of LGBT focussed programmes and titles on it. We’ve listed the most current list of LGBT content available to stream from the BBC.

    LGBT Documentaries on the BBC

    Believer WATCH NOW

    Believer follows Imagine Dragons’ Mormon frontman Dan Reynolds on a new, personal, mission to explore how The Mormon church treats its LGBTQ members. With the suicide rate rising amongst teens in the church’s home state of Utah, his concern with the church’s teachings forbidding same-sex sexual behaviour sends him on path of acceptance and change. Believer follows Dan and openly gay ex-Mormon and lead singer of Neon Trees, Tyler Glenn, as they create LoveLoud, a festival they hope will reconcile the church and members of the LGBTQ community. Directed by Don Argott.

    Caitlyn Jenner: Honesty WATCH NOW

    The world’s most famous transgender woman Caitlyn Jenner explains why honesty is the key to peace of mind. In 1976, Caitlyn – then known as Bruce – won Decathlon gold at the Montreal Olympics. She was called ‘the world’s greatest athlete’. Fame and adulation followed but gender dysphoria – where there’s a mismatch between someone’s biological sex and their gender identity – was always bubbling away under the surface. In 2015, Caitlyn finally came out as a transgender woman. In this episode Simon Mundie and Caitlyn discuss some of the lessons she has learnt throughout her incredible life. They talk about the importance of honesty, and being true to yourself and your family around you. About not judging a book by its cover, as someone who apparently has it all may well be suffering inside, and about why it’s all about the challenges you overcome, not the heights you attain. You can hear the full one-hour 20 minutes unedited version of this interview on BBC Sounds – just search for the Radio 4 podcast Don’t Tell Me The Score.

    Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me WATCH NOW

    Rugby legend Gareth Thomas lifts the lid on living with HIV. In an emotional and hard-hitting documentary he finally goes public about his condition and reveals how hiding the truth about his health left him feeling depressed and contemplating taking his own life.

    Now he is on a journey to change perceptions about HIV by raising awareness, fighting prejudice and taking on the biggest physical challenge of his career – running the world’s toughest Iron Man.

    With the help of family, friends, medical experts and others with HIV, he sets about tackling the stigmas, myths and misunderstandings surrounding the condition. Modern medicine may have made the virus treatable and non-transmittable, but old ideas about HIV still persist and Gareth is on a mission to smash the stereotypes and show that ‘he has HIV and it’s OK’

    Generation Activism: Transgender Rights WATCH NOW

    Fox and Owl define as non-binary and have dedicated their lives to campaigning for trans rights. They filmed a typical week in their lives, revealing the highs and the lows of life as a trans activist.

    Hate And Pride In Orlando WATCH NOW

    Stacey Dooley travels to Orlando in the aftermath of the Pulse Bar shootings in 2016.

    She attends vigils, marches and funerals to see how America responds to this latest atrocity and she’ll ask if this could be the one to finally make a difference. Stacey explores the levels of prejudice and homophobia faced daily by the LGBT community in America, levels that are often compounded if you belong to an ethnic or religious minority.

    With revelations that the shooter may himself have been gay, she will also try to track down and talk with gay Muslims to understand the conflict they face between their religion and their sexuality.

    Insider’s Guide: Glasgow WATCH NOW

    Lawrence Chaney is a drag queen who lives in Glasgow. If you’re looking for entertainment in the city, Lawrence has you covered with an independent cinema, music hall and gay club. If vintage clothes are your thing, Lawrence has the insider’s tip on where you can get unique clothes from days gone by.

    And if, at the end of all the exploring, you need a good, old-fashioned chippy – it’s on the table.

    Late Night Line-UP WATCH NOW

    Michael Dean hosts a discussion about the two-part Man Alive report on homosexuality in Britain. The panellists, writer Maureen Duffy, social psychologist Michael Schofield, Conservative MP Ray Mawby and an unnamed general practitioner, debate whether it was appropriate to show the programmes at 8pm and question the broadcasts’ balance in only including homosexual contributors. The conversation also covers wider issues, including people being blackmailed because of their sexuality, homosexuals working in positions of trust and the consideration that one in 20 people might be gay.

    At the time of this programme’s broadcast, doctors were not allowed to be identified on BBC television in case this was interpreted as an advert for their practice. It is for this reason that the GP is not named here. (1967)

    Love and Hate Crime WATCH NOW

    After complaining for years of homophobic bullying, teenager Abel Cedeno takes a knife to his New York school for the first time “for protection”. Within hours one of his classmates is dead and another seriously wounded. With Abel claiming self-defense, the story causes a sensation in the press and divides the city, pitting the black community against the gay community.

    Filmed with access to the accused and the victim’s family in the run-up to the trial, cameras follow the lawyers as they battle it out in the press and the court of public opinion.

    This fascinating murder mystery challenges our prejudices and asks: when is a killer the victim, and how does the victim become a villain?

    Louis Theroux: America’s Most Hated Family In Crisis WATCH NOW

    Following up on his 2007 documentary, The Most Hated Family in America, Louis Theroux returns to Topeka, Kansas, for a week-long visit with the Westboro Baptist Church.

    He again joins the Phelps family on their controversial pickets where they try to antagonise communities with offensive slogans and anti-gay placards. But four years on from Louis’s last visit, there are signs of disarray in the Phelps clan. A series of defections of family members has shaken up the church.

    Louis Theroux: Transgender Kids WATCH NOW

    Louis Theroux travels to San Francisco where a group of pioneering medical professionals help children who say they were born in the wrong body transition from boy to girl or girl to boy at ever younger ages.

    At the Child and Adolescent Gender Center at UCSF Hospital Louis meets children who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Louis is told that children as young as three can show signs of rejecting the gender they were assigned at birth, leaving parents with a difficult dilemma – do they start transitioning a child who is still developing their own identity or do they wait and risk making the change once their body has gone through the transformations of puberty?

    It is a decision that can be the start of a complex series of medical interventions, from puberty blockers to hormone replacement therapy and eventually gender reassignment surgery. Louis spends time with children and their families as they negotiate their way along this life-changing journey.

    Man Alive WATCH NOW

    In the second part of this Man Alive special report about homosexuality, Angela Huth interviews lesbians about their lives. ‘Stevie’ has been living as a man since her teens, even entering into heterosexual relationships with other women. Julie and Cynthia have lived together for many years and claim they see no difference between their relationship and that of a married couple. In a private club in Chelsea, lesbians can enjoy a safe haven that allows them to be themselves without risking condemnation from society. (1967)

    Misfits Salon WATCH NOW

    Andrew is a 17-year-old student from Glasgow. After years of feeling different to his peers and hiding his sexuality from his family, he recently came out as gay. On the cusp of adulthood and with college life quickly approaching, Andrew wants a new look to reflect the new him.

    In Sophia’s chair, Andrew confesses he’s experimented lots with colour but has never found the perfect shade. Apart from ‘cool and iconic’, Andrew is unsure of exactly what he wants. Luckily colour expert Sophia, is on-hand to curate a new hairstyle in denim blue.

    As his hair goes blue, Andrew reveals that at school he was the ‘fat kid’ and felt isolated. Two years ago he lost a lot of weight but admits to stylist Twinks, that he’s still hiding in oversized clothes. Meanwhile, make-up artist, Paige, shows Andrew how guy liner can enhance his new blue hair.

    Andrew wanted to come out to the world with a look that was truly him. He left Misfits Salon with a sharp blue hair and pinstriped style to build on.

    Panorama Sex Education: The LGBT Debate In Schools WATCH NOW

    Who should decide what our children learn about sex and relationships? Is it parents or the government? From next year, children as young as five will learn about LGBT relationships in lessons designed to promote greater tolerance in society. But in fact such classes have caused division – with conservative religious groups protesting against lessons they say ignore their belief that being gay is not allowed.

    BBC Midlands correspondent Sima Kotecha meets the mainly Muslim protestors in Birmingham on the school gates, and travels across the country to hear from parents and campaigners from other faith communities who believe the secular state is ignoring their right to practice religion.

    Olly Alexander: Growing Up Gay WATCH NOW

    Recent figures show that more than 40 per cent of LGBT+ people will experience a significant mental health problem, compared to around 25 per cent of the whole population, and are more than twice as likely to have attempted suicide.

    In this eye-opening film, young pop culture icon Olly Alexander explores why the gay community is more vulnerable to mental health issues, as he opens up about his own long-term battles with depression. As the outspoken frontman of British band Years and Years, Olly is a powerful voice on mental health, bullying and LGBT+ rights. He has broken taboos with music videos that celebrate queer identities and spoken openly about his own sexuality as well as his ongoing struggles with anxiety.

    Queer Britain Series 1 WATCH NOW

    Riyadh Khalaf looks at body image pressures in the gay community. He meets Jamal, who finds himself femme-shamed, and Rye, who has recovered from bulimia, and he also gets his kit off for a naked photo shoot with the Gay Times.

    Storyville The Rise And Fall Of A Porn Star WATCH NOW

    When 23-year-old Israeli Jonathan Agassi arrived with a bang on the gay porn scene in the late 2000s, his rise to fame was stratospheric, revolutionising the industry. After a traumatic childhood growing up gay in the suburbs of Tel Aviv, the man behind the performer claims that porn saved his life, but at a cost.

    The Rise and Fall of a Porn Superstar charts Agassi’s journey from prolific adult superstar to male escort, battling many demons. Filmed over seven years, this unflinching, emotional and at times funny and shocking film explores the deeper and more devastating reasons for Agassi’s self-destructive behaviour with sensitivity and compassion.

    The film also provides a rare and intimate insight into an industry that prioritises hedonism and fantasy above all, but at its core, this rollercoaster tale is a rare portrait of a damaged family and its lasting impact on those who are part of it

    Two Minute Masterpiece: From His Perspective WATCH NOW

    This film is a snapshot of the seemingly normalised and sometimes deliberate transphobia that a young man Matthew has to endure as he transitions in today’s society.

    In this Two Minute Masterpiece film Caleb Roberts showcases the transphobia that young transgender people like himself face on a daily basis and the effect that this has on one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

    Young, Welsh And Pretty Religious WATCH NOW

    Religious hate crime in Wales has soared by 40% in the past twelve months. Why are we seemingly such an intolerant nation? And what is it like to be on the receiving end of the abuse?

    Niqab-wearing Sahar speaks out about being abused on the streets and how she tackles it head-on, Hannah talks about the rise in antisemitism and the lengths the Jewish community have to go to in order to protect themselves, and bi-sexual Christian Will and a group of his LGBT+ friends share their experiences of being rejected by the church.

    Your World WATCH NOW

    The BBC’s LGBT correspondent Ben Hunte speaks to one man who nearly died trying to achieve the perfect body and to others who have taken risks to achieve the “perfect body”.

    If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, support and advice is available via BBC Action Line.

    LGBT Drama on the BBC

    Pose WATCH NOW

    Blanca takes on a new fight when she insists on being served at a popular gay bar where trans people are denied access. She also finds the time to enter into open competition with Elektra at the Ball, and to give young Damon some sound motherly advice on love and sex, after he is asked on a date for the first time. Meanwhile, Stan’s attraction for Angel becomes ever stronger. But leaving his straight life is not an option

    LGBT comedy on the BBC

    Absolutely Fabulous: Gay WATCH NOW

    Award-winning sitcom set in the world of fashion and PR.

    Patsy is now chief buyer for a new designer shop called Jeremy’s. She goes to New York Fashion Week to find ideas but her plans are subverted by Edina’s search for Serge, Saffy’s long-departed older brother and their encounter with social counsellor Goldie (Whoopi Goldberg).

    Meanwhile, Bo and Marshall are running a Christian TV show and Saffy has been observing the world from inside a cupboard to help her career as a writer.

    Guests stars: Debbie Harry, Graham Norton, Christopher Ryan, Josh Hamilton, Danny Burstein, Mo Gaffney, Rufus Wainwright, Harriet Thorpe and Helen Lederer.

    Drag Race UK WATCH NOW

    RuPaul brings the award-winning global phenomenon to the UK for the first time. Ten of the country’s most fabulous drag queens will compete in the Olympics of drag in the hope that RuPaul, queen of queens, will crown them as the UK’s first Drag Race superstar.

    LGBT Arts on the BBC

    New Creatives – Wink WATCH NOW

    A small group of queer punks find safety and comfort in their local pub, but their world is turned upside down. A group of normative heterosexuals have obnoxiously taken over the pub. Tate and Bunny lead a mission to take it back.

    New Creatives is supported by Arts Council England and BBC Arts.

    A film by Abel Rubinstein Produced by Ludwig Meslet Production Designer – Ashton Attzs Director of Photography – Izzie Jones

    Cast – Sukey Willis

    Music by – Pxssy Liquor

  • Two Brewers’ manager is a multi-award winner thanks to tireless efforts for the community

    Boss of the Two Brewers in Clapham, Jimmy Smith, has received two of the highest community accolades in recognition of 25 years supporting the LGBT+ community and is up for a 2017 award hat trick adding Great British Best Managed Pub to the honours.

    Having managed almost every prestigious LGBT gay cabaret bar over the last three decades with huge community spirit, it was a surprise only to the humble operator himself when he was called out at the Pride annual dinner last week to be commemorated for outstanding support of the LGBT+ community in London over 25 years.

    Pride London Co-Chair Michael Salter-Church MBE gave Jimmy the honour just a week after the Mayoress of Lambeth had awarded him the ‘Lambeth Coat of Arms’, on the 25th anniversary day of Jimmy joining current employers Stonegate Pub Company.

    “It was the most bizarre experience,” said Jimmy. “I was sat at the event as I do every year, listening to a narrative on this year’s winner and about five minutes in, it dawned on me that they might be talking about me!”

    Also recognising Jimmy’s achievements, Stonegate had entered the Two Brewers into the Great British Pub Awards for Best Managed Pub, and last week got the news that they had been shortlisted in the final six with the chance of taking the title after a final round of judging in August.

    “Talk about an insane two weeks!” added Jimmy.

    But it’s not just awarded adding to the insanity. In the last two weeks alone, Jimmy has raised almost £10,000 for Pride London, Grenfell Tower victims and other local charities totalling £25,000 donated this year, with thousands more in previous years.

    The support isn’t just fundraising with Jimmy chief organiser and advisor to anyone who asks for his support including the Kings Cross Steelers, founded 1995 as the first ever gay inclusive rugby union club; Best Bar None – last year a winner in recognition for his contribution to a safe late night economy; and London Titans Football Club, one of the biggest and most successful LGBT football teams in the United Kingdom.

    If Jimmy does beat all other UK pubs to take Best Managed Pub, the one thing that is guaranteed is dancing in the streets, a huge amount of laughter, and sensational cabaret with every member of the London LGBT+ community celebrating.

    The Great British Pub awards will be presented on 7th September at the London Hilton on Park Lane in London.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Briefs: Close Encounters, Underbelly Festival

    ★★★★ | Briefs: Close Encounters, Underbelly Festival

    Those naughty Briefs boys are back in town with their own unique brand of burlesque, drag and circus skills. In a brand new show themed around alien encounters (but without a single mention of anal probing), they display their quirky brand of queer cabaret in the iconic Spiegeltent on the South Bank.

    THEATRE REVIEW | Briefs: Close Encounters, Underbelly Festival

    If you’ve seen any of their previous shows then you’ll know to expect a lot of male flesh on show, a hint of subversive kink and a tongue in cheek sense of fun pervading the proceedings. If you’re a Briefs virgin then prepare to be titillated and amused.

    There’s an inevitable hint of hen party to it all but the boys play with this idea, put a pin in the inflatable man and turn the idea of men gyrating for your pleasure on its head. They then laugh in its face whilst tickling it with a pair of massive false eyelashes. From the moment they appear as saucy cheerleaders with giant pink powder puffs and morph into a buttock flashing troupe of feather wielding alien life forms, you know that you’re in safe and well-manicured hands. There’s a weird re-enactment of Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds of Love’ video, juggling, trapeze work and some dance routines that make you feel like you’re on an acid trip. Whilst the circus skills are likely to be things you’ve seen before they’re styled in a way that you almost certainly haven’t. Although the show doesn’t always feel as consistent as it should be it’s still a great night out.

    Is it tacky? Is it bizarre? Is it raucous? Of course. Are those bad things? Of course not!

    Briefs: Close Encounters plays at the Underbelly Festival until the 30th September 2017

  • There could be a gay Love Island

    And we’re totally open for that.

    There could be a gay Love Island

    Apparently TV execs are eyeing up a gay version of ITV 2’s runaway hit series Love Island after the creator, Richard Cowes said he’d love to see a man on man version of the show but said that trying to mix the two versions would be difficult. The show although praised for its entertainment value has failed in representing LGBT+ relationships.

    Love Island has been an absolute ratings winner for ITV 2 with many calling it a “guilty pleasure” despite the hundreds of complaints the show has attracted since its launch.

    A spokesperson for the show told Digital Spy,

    “The main stipulation for Love Island applicants is that they are single and looking for love, and we are open to all possibilities.”

    Bromance wins out again

    This year viewers have been obsessed by the relationship that grew between two male contestants, Chris and Kem with many fans calling the bromance between the pair the real winner of the series.

    The pair were so enamoured with each other that they decided to shave each other’s initials into their pubic hair.

     

    Love Island airs on ITV2