An 18-year-old woman was held down and raped by a man and two men in Manchester’s gay village on Wednesday (21st September) morning. The attack happened at 2:50AM in Major Street.
The victim was thrown to the ground and held down as one of the women robbed her – the victim was then raped by the man before the three assailants fled the scene.
CREDIT: Google Maps 2016Manche
Detective Inspector Dave Moores said,
“This was a horrendous attack on a young woman which has, understandably, left her extremely distressed.
“I would urge anybody who recognises the description of these three and thinks they may have seen them in the city centre area between 2am and 3am to please contact police immediately.”
The first woman, who helped held the victim down, is described as:
Approximately 18 years old
mixed race
scrawny build
had her hair tied in a ponytail
spoke with a local scent The second woman, who committed the robbery, is described as:
In her early 20’s
mixed race
had her hair in a messy ponytail
spoke with a local accent The man is described as:
In his early 20s
white
slim build
clean shaven face
wearing sports clothing
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 1911 Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The ever popular 501 Eagle bar in Indianapolis is to close.
CREDIT: Google Maps 2016
The owners of one of Indianapolis’s busiest gay bars, 501 Eagle has released a statement revealing their plans to close the popular bar in October.
The owners have told patrons that after twenty-two years of running the venue they’ve made the decision to “retire”.
“It’s time for my wife, Margie, and I to retire. The 501 Eagle (Tavern) will close forever Oct 15, 2016. Until then we will be open 7 days a week doing blue lite specials on all drinks. It’s been a great 22 year run. Thanks for all your business. Tom n Margie”
The venue which is focused on serving the bear, leather and pups community of Indianapolis will be closing permanently on the 15th October.
It is not known whether another owner will take on the bar and continue running the venue as an LGBT establishment.
Fans of the bar have shared their sorrow for the closure of the venue but wished Tom and Margie well, adding that the couple had been “a shining light in the Indianapolis gay community”and that they would be sorely missed.
A 62-year-old man has been arrested and released on conditional bail after it emerged that he allegedly tried to replace anal lubricant with hydrochloric acid in a gay club in Sydney Australia. The man set of an alarm after he tampered with one of the lubricant dispensers.
Security personnel held the man until police were able to attend the club where he was arrested and charged with administering a poison with intent to injure.
Hydrochloric acid is a clear, highly corrosive acid which if comes into contact with skin can cause irreparable damage with a corrosive effect.
It was an interesting concept for a bar as its setup was mixed for LGBT+ and mixed customers. Two sides of the bar catered for two different audiences.
A Facebook message confirmed the closure, revealing that the last day of trading would be the 6th September.
The statement said,
“Unfortunately it’s true, the Old Lady of Tryon Street will be closing her doors,
“We’ve been unable to come to reasonable terms for renewal of the lease on the building with our landlords and therefore we’ll be shutting up shop.
The Queens Head will be back in some form or another but the place that we all know and love will cease to be.
In a later post, management of the Queen’s Head explained that the pub’s owners, Stonegate Pub Company where not to blame for the closure but the building’s owner saying,
“If the landlords are asking for too much money then it’s untenable for them to keep the place.
“They honestly didn’t want to let us go and have been trying for months to come to an agreement with the landlords.”
The Rainbow Pride flag will now fly in Leamington Spa for the county’s Pride.
The town hall in Leamington Spa will now fly the internationally recognized symbol for LGBT+ pride, the Rainbow flag, this weekend to celebrate Pride in the city.
A spokeswoman for the council told THEGAYUK,
“I am pleased to confirm that the Town Hall will be flying the Pride flag from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 20th August.”
Warwick District Council had come under criticism after refusing to fly the rainbow flag during Warwickshire Pride, a petition was launched with many who signed, describing their disappointment with the council’s original decision.
Daniel Browne, the organizer of Pride said,
“Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign. By sending supportive messages, writing to Warwick District Council, highlighting this issue and signing the petition that was running, you have contributed to bringing positive change and progress to Leamington Spa. For that we are eternally grateful.
“A number of Warwick District Councillors and Leamington Town Councillors have shown support during this issue. A thank you must be extended to them for supporting the LGBT+ community.
“Finally, a thank must also go to Chris White MP, who has again shown himself to be an ally of the LGBT+ community by supporting the rainbow flag being flown at Leamington Spa Town Hall and for his intervention in this issue.”
Warwickshire Pride takes this weekend in the Pump Room Gardens in Leamington Spa from 11:00AM to 6:00PM.
TheGAYUK is a proud media sponsor of Warwickshire Pride.
The historic Yard Bar in Soho has been saved after planning inspectors upheld Westminster City Council’s decision to protect it.
The well-known LGBT venue in the heart of Soho found itself at risk, as the developer, Consolidated Property Corporation Limited, originally submitted plans to build flats over the courtyard area.
Westminster City Council first blocked those plans in March 2015, but the developer submitted subsequent applications and launched two appeals that were finally rejected in the Planning Inspectorate on 10th August.
In its final report, the appointed inspector described any move to build over the Yard’s courtyard as one which would “fundamentally alter” the character of the bar.
The decision represents a full vindication of the council’s two-year battle to protect this much loved Soho bar, which received outstanding support from the local community and the bar’s owners, who led a high-profile ‘Save The Yard’ campaign.
Cllr Robert Davis MBE DL, Westminster City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Built Environment, said,
“Soho is one of the most iconic areas of Westminster, with a unique character that everyone at the council is committed to protecting.”
“The Yard is a jewel in Soho’s crown and I am thrilled that we have joined forces with the ward councillors and the local community to ensure it remains open for business.”
“I am absolutely delighted that Westminster City Council has been able to play its part in saving this long-standing example of Soho’s history, culture and diversity.”
The proposals for the development of three flats meant that the courtyard would have been enclosed beneath a glass roof, something which the Soho Society and Historic England also strongly objected to.
This would mean the loss of an “extremely distinctive feature of the bar and its related culture” said the planning inspector.
The Yard Bar’s owner, Andy Jones, led the “Save The Yard” campaign which brought the issue to even greater attention.
He said,
“It has been a very long battle and we are so delighted that we have been successful. The support we got from Westminster City Council, ward councillors, Historic England, Soho Society, heritage experts and the LGBT, business and residential communities was huge and unbelievable. We can’t thank everyone enough. Ultimately, all of their support helped to overcome the multiple applications and common sense has prevailed. Long live The Yard!”
As one of the busiest prides in the UK is set to take place this weekend, railway firm, Southern Rail issues journey warnings and long delays.
CREDIT: Martine314 / Bigstock
Hundreds of thousands of people attending Brighton Pride face travel turmoil as Southern Rail continues to grapple with industrial disputes and infrastructure issues.
The company recently announced it was cancelling 350 daily services.
Southern Rail which runs the service between London and Brighton released a statement to warn passengers of long delays and station closures during the Brighton Pride weekend and asked people to consider about alternative routes and journeys if they were planning to visit Brighton over this weekend.
The company said in a statement,
“Reduced train service will mean very busy trains.
“Preston Park station will be closed for the safety of passengers and staff.”
“There will be a reduced service over the weekend to and from Brighton meaning very busy trains.
“Given the large attendance expected at Pride, as usual there will be a queuing system in place at Brighton Station for return journeys – and the closure of Preston Park Station and the continuing engineering works at London Bridge mean that customers should expect long waiting times before they can board a train home.”
Queuing System
The queuing system at Brighton station will be in place from 06:00, and customers will be allowed on to the platforms on a first-come-first served basis as space allows.
Security precautions
The problems may further be compounded with added security features to protect pride goers over the weekend.
Sussex Police said that concrete barriers will be installed as security is stepped up after the terror events in Orlando in June and Nice in July – and all though the UK’s terror threat level is the same as last year – officers are taking no risks.
Ch Supt Nev Kemp said,
“[But] most people are unlikely to notice any difference from previous years and none of the changes that we have made should affect the enjoyment of people involved.”
Warwick District Council have come under criticism after refusing to fly the rainbow flag during Warwickshire Pride.
Photo Credit – Paul Szabo
The organisers of Warwickshire Pride have raised concerns with Warwick District Council after it said it would not fly the rainbow flag, at a town hall, during the county’s main pride event, which takes place in Leamington Spa on 20th August.
Daniel Browne, who founded Warwickshire Pride said that he wrote to the council to find out about the possibility of flying the rainbow flag during Warwickshire Pride. Mr Browne also enquired whether flags could be flown along Leamington Spa’s high street during the event.
A number of towns and cities across the UK, have raised rainbow flags to show their solidarity with the LGBT community after the Orlando massacre killed 49 people in June.
Matter of policy?
However, Councillor Andrew Mobbs, Leader of Warwick District Council replied that flags can only be flown for national events, not local ones. The leader remarked that this was not a new policy.
Spaces for flags on Leamington Spa’s high street are taken up by the Bowls Championships.
Further investigation by Mr Browne revealed that no such policy exists.
Mr Browne said,
“On Friday 29th July, I was contacted by a local councillor. He informed me that he has discovered that Warwick District Council do not have a flag policy.
“This is deeply concerning, as Cllr Mobbs specifically mentioned a council flag policy in his original email to me.”
Across the UK there are around 62 prides, with the bulk of events taking place to celebrate the LGBT community in July and August.
Entrance Flag
The council have confirmed that there will be a flag flown, but only at the entrance of Jepson Gardens – directly opposite the pride site – but not at the Town Hall.
Mr Browne continued.
I did raise concerns that he had not addressed the rainbow flag flying at the Town Hall and I asked him some direct questions about it. I asked for an explanation of the flag policy so I can understand it a bit more, asked who was involved in the decision making, and also whether it means Cllr Mobbs does not recognise Pride as a national event.
“All we ask is that the LGBT+ community in Leamington Spa receive the same visible support that councils around the UK show to their communities for Pride. A small gesture would go a very long way.”
A petition has been launched in which the Warwickshire Pride organisers “ask that the LGBT+ community in Leamington Spa receive the same visible support that councils around the UK show to their communities for Pride. A small gesture would go a very long way.”
The Pride Flag flies outside the Scottish Parliament during the Opening of the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. 02 July 2016. Pic – Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament
One of London’s most famous saunas has let the cameras in…
Film-maker Chris Amos and his team have released a video to show you what it’s like in one of London’s most famous gay saunas, Pleasuredrome.
The sexy teaser, starring Marshall Arkley, Danny William & Jaider Bello Carmona, shows the sauna’s “deluxe” pods which have programmable lighting, key-card entry and a place for you to charge you devices – oh and the pods can be rented for 2 to 8 hours…
But let’s face it you’re not going there to charge your smartphone, are you!
One of the hottest number one selling bands in the UK, Years and Years, will be bringing their unique electro-pop sounds to South Wales on Friday 12th August 2016.
CREDIT: PR Supplied
The ‘Desire’ hitmakers will be performing in the picturesque setting of Cardiff’s Cooper’s Field and the concert is brought to you by the organisers behind Pride Cymru, marking the organisations inaugural, ‘Party in the Parc’ event.
The British electronica trio will entertain with a full set performing the classics from their brilliant no.1 debut album Communion. The album marked a moment in UK pop music history and rocketed to the top of the first Friday release chart, propelling the London based 3 piece into the stratosphere of UK stardom. It’s now Platinum in the UK, and has sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide.
Hits have included their first #1 single ‘King’, alongside recent track ‘Desire’, ‘Shine’ and ‘Eyes Shut’ – all in all selling over 10 million singles worldwide to date.
To complete the evening of music and celebration a strong support line-up is set to comprise of electronic duo, Maribou State, singer-songwriter Izzy Bizu, cool five-piece band Nimmo and Jax Jones DJ.
Co-founder of Party in the Parc, Lu Thomas said,
“We’re thrilled to have secured such amazing acts which will give concert goers an evening to remember. If Years & Years recent performances such as their Glastonbury set are anything to go by then we are in for one hell of a show!”
The Years & Years gig titled, Party in the Parc has been organised to support Pride Cymru, all profits from the event will be invested into Pride Cymru to ensure the organisation remains sustainable.
Olly Alexander lead singer of Years & Years said,
“We’re so excited to play Wales’ pride party this August. Pride is something that we all care deeply about and having grown up in Wales I’m so happy we get the chance to celebrate with people there. Pride continues to be a vitally important day for the LGBT+ community and our allies, especially in the light of recent events. Celebrating our diversity, supporting each other and promoting visibility is something I really care about. Pride Cymru is a great organisation that provides crucial support for the LGBT+ community and we’re so thrilled we get to play at their party. See you in August Wales!”
Tickets to Party in the Parc in association with Pride Cymru are on sale via www.partyintheparc.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk and prices range from £29.95 – £55.00. The ticket price includes a full set from the ‘King’ hitmakers, plus support from Maribou State, Izzy Bizu and DJ Jax Jones.
On Sunday 24th July 2016, it was rainbow flags ahoy at the second Chesterfield Pride, which took place in Queens Park in the town.
Photo Credit – Paul Szabo
Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural pride event, this year’s was bigger and better, with lots of stalls, a fairground and some top class entertainment, including not only an abundance of local talent, but also their headline act, soul legend Angie Brown, who belted out some classics!
The crowds were queuing to get into the event, which had free entry to all, when the gates opened at 1pm and they partied late on into the evening. With its superb party atmosphere fuelled by a really mixed crowd, it was certainly a great celebration of diversity.
You can support Chesterfield Pride by following them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/chesterfieldpride) and Twitter (@cfieldpride)
Congratulations to everyone who organised the event and Happy Pride to all those who attended.
