THEGAYUK

Category: Front Page

  • Homophobic assault appeal cancellled by British Transport Police

    British Transport Police (BTP) officers investigating a homophobic-related assault in Lancashire have cancelled their appeal for assistance.

    Officers have called off an appeal for information issued on the 7th May 2013, after three women were subjected to a homophobic attack on a train between Blackpool North and Preston.

    The BTP released an image of a man who they wanted to question with regards to the matter, who has now come forward and will be spoken to officers about the incident.

     

    PC Tony Greenwood said:

    “The men became extremely offensive and hurled homophobic abuse at the women before spraying them with a bottle of shaken-up lemonade.

    “As the offensive behaviour got more extreme one of the men became violent and knocked a 21-year-old woman to the floor before further assaulting her.

    “As a result the woman suffered bruising and swelling to her face, head and arms and has suffered from partial memory loss since the incident.”

    PC Greenwood added:

    “This was a particularly nasty and vicious assault which all began with unwarranted and totally unacceptable homophobic abuse.

    “Everyone has the right to travel in a safe environment free from abuse and violence. Sadly some people seem intent on causing trouble and we will use all tools at our disposal to bring them to justice.”

    After the man came forward, PC Greenwood thanked the media and public for their assistance saying,

    “I’d like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in this matter. As a direct result of the appeal we now have a number of leads to follow.”

  • What’s In Your Boyfriend’s Bed?

    When I decided to come out, aged 18, I was quite often to be found clubbing away at the weekends and getting the morning bus home from a conquest the night before. Being young, drunk and horny was great fun, though looking back now I do shudder a little at the thought of the random beds I have had the pleasure of sharing, and not just with humans.

    Sharing a bed with someone you’ve just met can be incredibly horny as you explore what’s on offer. How often though do you check under their bed or ask when the sheets were last changed? I try to change my bedding every week mainly because I like the smell of fresh linen. However as a student without a washing machine the bedding could be left for weeks if not months. Now don’t judge me, I’m sure there are thousands of other students, and I bet a few older guys too, who still don’t change the sheets once a week? Month?

    So what’s the worse you could find in an unchanged bed? Well I had a little chat with the Dyson microbiology team who inform me that although you may not be able to see some horrors, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. The most common bedroom pest is the dust mite.

    These little mites can live for up to 4 months and produce approximately 2000 droppings. With an average of 10,000 mites living in any bed at one time, that’s around 20 million droppings every 4 months. Yum yum. If a bed isn’t changed or hoovered every now and then, the numbers could be a lot higher. Sometimes the morning after when you’ve sobered up and the sun sheds some light into the room, it usually bring a reality check on your choice of mate the night before. However more worryingly is it can also give you an indication as to how many mites you slept with the night before!

    Other bed horrors to be found are the larger bed bugs. Whereas the mites may give you itchy watery eyes or a stuffy nose, the bed bugs really like to get involved in the action. Biting into the skin whenever possible to feed on your blood. This blood feeding makes them prone to sharing infections from one partner to another as you sleep. Unlike the mite, which are very hard to spot with the naked eye, the bed bug is quite visible and also leaves visible red itchy bite marks on your body. If he’s bugs about the bed you’ll certainly know about them.

    It’s not only the bedroom critters though you have to think about. The average person can perspire up to a litre per night (I’m guessing a little more if enjoying an active night). The bed can also hide many other human fluids including saliva, blood, urine, faecal matter and semen. Then there’s the tea, coffee, beer, vodka, squirty cream to think about. Ah the memories and smell of poppers, lavender oils and squirty cream. The only excitement I see in bed nowadays is the occasional cuppa in the morning.

    Now please don’t let any of this put you off your evening plans or make you resort to sleeping in a sterile oxygen tent the rest of your life. Living with mites and microbes are a part of life and generally cause no problems whatsoever. They should only become a concern if left to breed to infestations then you should take action.

    The Dyson microbiology team offer this little tip on getting your bedroom clean:

    ‘Homes are full of irritants that can trigger allergic responses. Dust mites are the main culprits in hot spot areas where you spend the most time: The living room and the bedroom. Vacuum intensively around beds and under beds if possible, as dust mites can be disturbed and fall to the floor as covers are thrown back.  And don’t forget to vacuum under the sofa; the perfect hiding place for dust mites.’

    So next time you dive into the boyfriend’s bed just check all looks and smells clean, at least at the start of the night!

    Happy Sleeping.

  • Eurovision Unveils Butterfly Logo

    We’re gearing up here at TGUK HQ for Eurovision 2013. With Bonnie burning up in the wings we’re sure this year’s contest will be fair, fun and fabulously Swedish.

    Eurovision 2013

    Ok sarcasm aside about the fair bit, we’re quite taken with this year’s logo, which takes the shape of a rather beautiful butterfly.

    So where’s the idea from? Well the lovely peeps at Eurovision.TV have said:

    ‘Eurovision Song Contest is a shared project. It unites millions of people. In the east, west, north and south. Beyond all the glitter, there is a thought. A big idea that is 100% relevant for Public Service. It’s about togetherness, diversity and happiness. Eurovision Song Contest might appear as a trivial matter. But a trivial matter that engages over one hundred million people of all ages in more than 40 countries all over the world. And today science knows that sometimes small matters can start powerful and big movements. This phenomenon is called ”The Butterfly Effect”. A flap from one butterfly can – at least in theory – start a hurricane. Butterflies have one common name, but exist in thousands of different shapes and colours. Just like the Eurovision Song Contest, one strong identity with a rich national diversitiesy [sic]. Working together, we can achieve anything – We are one.

    Ah, isn’t it beautiful!!

    So Eurovision is just over a month away, what will you be doing for it?

  • The Shocking Face Of Homophobia In France

    A gay couple in France were beaten unconscious in Paris on Saturday night in a shocking homophobic bashing.

    Posting this gruesome picture on Facebook, Wilfred de Brujin said on Facebook that he and his boyfriend Olivier were beaten so badly he lost a tooth, suffered broken bones and two black eyes. He was targeted on Saturday night because they were walking arm in arm.

    The picture was posted on Mr. De Brujin’s Facebook.

    He said: ‘Sorry to show you this,

    ‘It’s the face of homophobia. Last night 19th arrondissement, Paris, Olivier and I were badly beaten just for walking arm in arm.

    ‘I woke up in an ambulance covered in blood, missing tooth and broken bones around the eye.

    I’m home now. Very sad.’

    The President of gay rights group SOS Homophobie, Elizabeth Ronzier, told The Local:

    ‘This was a shocking and incredibly violent incident. We have seen a 30% rise in the number of homophobic incidents since October.

    ‘This is a result of the opposition towards the gay marriage bill,’ she added. ‘These people say they are not homophobic but they are. Homophobia has become trivialized [sic], which is proved by the number of verbal assaults on gay people, which often to lead to physical assaults.’

    Representatives from La Manif Pour Tous condemned the attack and groups like SOS Homophobie saying:

    ‘Groups like SOS Homophobia should be ashamed for trying to blame us for these acts,”

    Xavier Bongibault, one of the movement’s leaders told The Local on Monday.

    ‘We strongly condemn this act of violence but there is no link whatsoever to the Manif pour Tous. We have said since the beginning that we are not against homosexuals, we are simply against the government’s legislation.’said Bongibault, who himself is gay.

    The savage beaten comes just over fortnight after the anti-gay marriage campaigning group, La Manif Pour Tous held a demonstration in France’s capital city protesting the rights of gay people to marry.

    The Local states that gay-rights groups are set to hold a protest on 10th April 2013 in response to the attack against Mr De Brujin

  • Stonewall CEO Calls For The Resignation Of Paris Brown Over Homophobic Tweets

    Stonewall CEO Criticises Kent’s First Youth Police Commissioner, over Homophobic and Racist Tweets and calls for her resignation.

    UPDATED: 8th April 2013

    The Chief Executive of Britain’s leading lesbian, gay and bisexual charity – Stonewall, has taken to Twitter to publicly demand for the resignation of Paris Brown, the UK’s first Youth Police Commissioner after the Mail On Sunday reported that she had used the microblogging and social network – Twitter, to write racist, homophobic and drug-related tweets.

    Writing to @Youthpcc (Paris Brown’s official work Twitter account) Ben Summerskill OBE, wrote a number of tweets which said:

    ‘Hi @youthpcc You say tweet me your issues. Our issues are that you are homophobic and young gay people in Kent are the victims of that.’

    He also tweeted to Ms. Brown’s boss Ann Barnes, ‘Hi @AnnBarnesKPCC Given revolting things said by your @youthpcc and way they undermine work of @Kent_police could you pls contact us BW Ben’

    Betty Gudrun replied to Mr. Summerskill’s tweet: she has apologised for her language. It isn’t acceptable but what else can she do at the moment?’

    To which he replied: ‘Resign. BW. Ben’

    Ms. Brown,17, from Sheerness in Kent, was appointed Youth Police Commissioner by the county’s assistant chief constable, who hoped the appointment would bring a ‘mutual respect’ between the young people of Kent and the Police.

    In a statement Ms. Barnes said,

    ‘I absolutely do not condone the content and language of Paris’ tweets. I suspect that many young people go through a phase during which they make silly, often offensive comments and show off on Facebook and Twitter. I think that if everyone’s future was determined by what they wrote on social networking sites between the ages of 14 and 16 we’d live in a very odd world.

    She went on to suggest that thousands of parents would be ‘surprised, shocked and ashamed’ by looking into their children’s social networks.

    Paris Brown, has released a public statement on her tweets saying,

    ‘I deeply apologise for any offence caused by my use of inappropriate language and for any inference of inappropriate views. I am not homophobic, racist or violent and am against the taking of drugs. If I’m guilty of anything it’s showing off and wildly exaggerating on Twitter and I am very ashamed of myself, but  I can’t imagine that I’m the only teenager to have done this.’

  • FILM REVIEW | She Male Snails

    ★★★★★ | She Male Snails

    An exceptional art based film employing experimental film work to explore androgyny, living beyond a conformity of gender; visually fulfilling for any art film lover.

    (more…)

  • COMMENT | Do You Have A Vice?

    A general definition of vice is a weakness of character and behaviour, or a bad or neurotic habit. Unless you’re thinking of another vice, in which case it’s defined as a mechanical screw apparatus used for holding or clamping a work piece to allow work to be performed on it with tools. (But not on this occasion).

    We all know what we generally class as a vice (smoking, drinking, chocolate, shopping, coffee etc…..), but when you start to look at the definition, it’s a lot broader than you may think!

    Using the terminological definition above, I’m sure everyone will find that they have what can be classed as a vice. I myself don’t smoke and I’m not overly worried about having chocolate on a regular basis. I do drink and shop but wouldn’t see that as a vice as again, I find it to be more of a social interaction rather than a need.

    The fact that it can be defined as a neurotic habit does mean that I can still be classed as having a vice, due to the fact that I am a complete, self-confessed neat freak! I can’t stand mess, if I cook, which is very rare for health and safety reasons, I have to wash-up everything as I use it and tidy up as soon as I’m finished. This is reflected across everything I do both at work and at home.

    Do I consider this to be a weakness of character or behaviour as the definition states? In a word – No. This is part of my character, one that may be annoying to others (I’m sure not the only one) but part of what makes me who I am.

    So for those of you who don’t think you have a vice, now ask yourself – do you? You may be surprised!

     

    by The Gay Prime Minister / Twitter

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • FILM REVIEW | How To Have A Relationship

    A series of film shorts exploring the complexities of relationships.

    (more…)

  • Lucy Meadows vigil outside Daily Mail attracts large crowd

    Lucy Meadows vigil outside Daily Mail attracts large crowd

    Around Two Hundred and Fifty People Unite In front of the Daily Mail offices in London for the candle-lit vigil for Transgender Teacher found dead at her home.

    Lucy Meadows vigil
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    A gathering of around 250-300, from all walks of life, braved the near sub zero temperatures in London this evening in solidarity with the transgender community, to pay respects and to mark a vigil for teacher, Lucy Meadows, 32, who was found dead at her home last Tuesday.

    The Vigil which was dubbed a ‘vigil against monstering’ was aimed at the Daily Mail and its columnist Richard Littlejohn, who prompted an angry outburst after the emergence of an article entitled ‘He’s not only in the wrong body… he’s in the wrong job’.

    Daily Mail have since removed the column, however a cache copy of the article remains here: http://web.archive.org/web/20121221195332/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2251347/Nathan-Uptons-wrong-body–hes-wrong-job.html

    It’s claimed that following Littlejohn’s column, Meadows, who was transitioning at the time, was routinely hounded by the press. In a New Year’s Day email to a friend, reported by the Guardian, Meadows complained that the media had published one of her wedding photos, and had lifted other photos from her siblings’ Facebook pages. She described the lengths she had taken to avoid being photographed. “I became pretty good at avoiding the press before Christmas. I live about a three-minute walk from school so they were parked outside my house as well as school. I’m just glad they didn’t realise I also have a back door. I was usually in school before the press arrived and stayed until latest I could avoid them going home.”

    Lucy Meadows vigil
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    Speakers at the event included journalist and activist Jane Fey and Natasha Kennedy, who works in trans activism. Graham Jones the MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn, the constituency in which Miss Meadows lived, also made an appearance.

    He tweeted: “Just raised the death of #lucymeadows in the House of Commons. Universal sympathy. Speaker described such journalist actions as despicable.”

    Creators of the Facebook events page, Theresa Heath and Puja Maniar, said: “It was so spontaneous and I think shows a real feeling that people are sick to death of it. The trans community has been absolutely trashed by certain sections of the media, and everybody is thinking this has just got to stop.”

    Jane Fae tried to get a comment from the Daily Mail, but they wouldn’t talk to her.

    Two online petitions calling for Littlejohn to be fired by the Daily Mail and issue a formal apology have received huge support over the weekend.

    http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-daily-mail-fire-richard-littlejohn-for-victimizing-lucy-meadows-leading-to-her-possible-suicide

    http://action.sumofus.org/a/daily-mail-littlejohn-lucy-meadows/1/1/?sub=homepage

    Combined the two e-petitions have garnered over 162, 922 signatures.

  • Over 100,000 People Sign Petitions Calling For The Resignation Of Richard Littlejohn

    Over One Hundred Thousand People Call For The Sacking or Resignation Of The Daily Mail’s Richard Littlejohn, Over ‘He’s In The Wrong Body’ Article.

     Over 100,000 people have signed one of two e-petitions calling on the Daily Mail to fire one of its writers, Richard Littlejohn.
    The controversial writer was blasted by thousands of people after the Daily Mail published a piece, in December 2012, entitled “He’s not only in the wrong body… he’s in the wrong job”, about Lucy Meadows, a transgendered primary school teacher, who was found dead in her home last Tuesday.

    Creators of the SumOfUs petition said: “The vile article led to a witch hunt targeting Meadows. Newspapers offered to pay parents for a picture of her, and she complained of having to leave home by the back door and arrive early to school to avoid the packs of journalists.Sign our petition to the Daily Mail: sack Richard Littlejohn, issue an apology, and institute an editorial review to ensure that this never happens again.”

    The two online petitions are hosted by SumOfUs.org and Changes.org. They have received 91,619 and 18,886 signatures respectively.
    You can find the petitions here:
    http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-daily-mail-fire-richard-littlejohn-for-victimizing-lucy-meadows-leading-to-her-possible-suicide
    http://action.sumofus.org/a/daily-mail-littlejohn-lucy-meadows/1/1/?sub=homepage
    A vigil is due to take place outside the Daily Mail offices tomorrow on the 25th March 2013, in Memory of Miss Meadows.
    Details of the vigil:
    Monday 25th March at 6.30pm.
    Outside Daily Mail HQ,

    Northcliffe House,

    2 Derry Street,

    Kensington

    London

    W8 5TT
    Nearest Underground station: High Street Kensington (District and Circle)

    www.thetube.com

  • Scores Of Pro-Equality Turn Up To Anti-Gay Marriage Protest In London

    Scores Of Pro-Equality Turn Up To Anti-Gay Marriage Protest In London

    Hundreds of Pro-Gay Marriage Supporters Turn Out To Anti-gay Marriage Protest In London.

    La Manif Pour Tous in Londom
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    The anti-gay marriage protest group, La Manif Pour Tous, which was granted permission to hold a rally in Trafalgar Square by the Mayor’s office, failed to attract large numbers this afternoon.

    The ‘static protest’ was launched at 2.00PM in central London, where scores of anti-gay marriage protesters were met with pro-equality supporters, who filled a large section of the crowd.

    Police on the ground estimated that there were around 1500 people in total, including those who were pro-equality. At times the pro-equality was so loud that their chants to “Shame On You” and “Go Home Bigots” drown-out the speakers for La Manif Pour Tous.

    There was no violence and the rally ended peacefully at 5.00PM.

    Damien Fournier Montgieux, the co-ordinator of the anti-gay marriage protest, explained: “Almost out of nowhere we are suddenly faced with a huge challenge to the future of marriage and the family in both France and the UK. There has been no warning or consultation with the people.”

    He and other protestors claimed that the future welfare of children will be put at risk from allowing same-sex couples to marry.

    Reports from Pinknews say that, pro marriage equality campaign, Out4Marriage said: “The scale of the counter protest shows that the public very much support equal marriage, regardless of what French and other protesters might try to make you believe.”