Winner of 2014’s RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bianca Del Rio, was in the Good Morning Britain studios this morning and it was epic. She is, of course, in the UK to promote and perform in her new stand up show, It’s Jester Joke. In fact, she’s making drag history to be the first drag queen to perform at Wembley Arena.
Appearing on GMB, viewers couldn’t help but notice that usual presenter, Piers Morgan, did not conduct the interview and replaced by Ben Shepard. It left people speculating on why Piers had missed out on the interview with Bianca.
One social media user said, “I just find it amusing Piers Morgan wasn’t there. Either he or the producers knew damn well Bianca would tear him a new one”
I just find it amusing @piersmorgan wasn’t there. Either he or the producers knew damn well Bianca would tear him a new one
“I refuse to change my views on Trans Inclusivity”
(C) BBC Julie Bindel (left) Linda Riley (Right)
Publisher of Diva Magazine, Linda Riley is taking a break from social media after receiving online abuse following on from her determination to include and represent trans women.
Taking to Twitter today (5th December) Riley, who is the publisher of Diva Magazine said she was “taking a break” from the platform because of the abuse levelled at her. She reaffirmed her position saying that her magazine was the largest in Europe for “lesbian visibility, lesbian inclusivity” before adding that Diva stood with the trans community.
The announcement comes after a heated exchange following an appearance on BBC’s Women’s Hour where Riley when head to head with gender critical feministJulie Bindel to stand up for transgender people and their rights, which left the Diva boss subjected to a vile backlash online.
Accused of only representing one view
On Twitter one user, Kate Harris, questioned the publisher on why her publication haven’t engaged some women on issues that matter to them, such as the number of children being referred to gender clinics, chest binders, the self-identification of trans women, changes to the Gender Recognition Act and equality in the sports arena.
Harris then challenged Riley, saying, “…you as (a) publisher can do so much to advance understanding but only if you are prepared to print different views”.
Riley replied, “I refuse to change my views on Trans Inclusivity within DIVA magazine and I was very clear on this when I met you. To spell it out clearly DIVA will not print or publish any views which we deem to incite hate against the Trans Community.”
Queens… get ready, RuPaul’s Drag Race is coming to the UK…
This is the news that we’ve all been waiting for. No more rumours. It has been confirmed.
BBC 3 is set to be the broadcaster for a UK version of the epic drag queen reality TV show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. BBC three tweeted and confirmed the news this morning (5th December).
RuPaultold The Sun: “I am beyond excited to celebrate the massive charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of the Queen’s queens. And before anyone asks, yes, we would be thrilled to have Meghan Markle join us, as we are already preparing a ‘Royal-Mother-To-Be’ runway challenge.”
Michelle Visage took to Twitter to say, “HERE WE GO! SEE YOU ON THE MAIN STAGE, UK QUEENS…. Audition deets coming soon! Hey super queens, who’s got what it takes to be part of our royal family?”
HERE WE GO! SEE YOU ON THE MAIN STAGE, UK QUEENS…. Audition deets coming soon
・・・
Hey super queens, who’s got what it takes to be part of our royal family? ? RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is… https://t.co/VrlarvFOtB
The British Prime Minister, Theresa May has paid tribute to those lost to AIDS-related illnesses.
PM Theresa May has taken to Twitter to paid tribute to those who have lost their lives due to AIDS-related illnesses.
Speaking from the G20 summit in Argentina, the PM said, that it was also important to remember the support needed by those living with HIV today.
Ms May went on to say that she was “proud” that the UK was one of the first countries in the world to honour the UN’s 90/90/90 target which is related to HIV diagnoses, treatment and viral suppression.
The UK is helping millions of people access antiretroviral therapy and supporting HIV prevention in some of the world’s poorest countries. By working together we can end the stigma of HIV and eliminate HIV completely. #WorldAIDSDay pic.twitter.com/bIt8UI2AUI
Ms May also went on to say that globally the UK is helping “millions of people” access much-need antiretroviral therapy and supporting HIV prevention in some of the world’s poorest nations.
Following on a statement in which Grindr’s CEO said he believed that marriage should be between a man and woman, the straight, cis-gender, married man released a statement.
CREDIT: Ryazan / BIGSTOCK
Scott Chen, who is married to a woman, wrote, in a deleted (but later reinstated) social media message that it was his belief that marriage should be between and man and a woman.
The story, interestingly was first reported by the Grindr-owned digital magazine, IntoMore, who have received a new statement from Chen, which said,
“On November 26, I wrote a post on my personal Facebook account meant to condemn those advocating against same-sex marriage in Taiwan. The words I chose related to marriage between a man and a woman were meant to express my personal feelings about my own marriage to my wife – not to suggest that I am opposed to marriage equality.
I want to make clear that I am an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and have been since I was young. I support gay marriage and I am proud that I can work for Grindr. I apologize that my words did not clearly convey these feelings.
I am very proud of the work INTO does and stand by them as an important part of our business.
One of our greatest strengths at Grindr is our diverse team and our respect for one another. Together, we will continue the important work we do fighting for LGBTQ+ equality.”
No longer under gay ownership
Despite its gay beginnings, the Grindr app was snapped up by a Chinese gaming app in January 2018.
By this point, you either LOVE or HATE the world’s biggest gay dating app, but if you’re looking for a reason to delete it, this latest controversy might be the one to push you!
CREDIT: Ryazan / BIGSTOCK
The Chinese owned app Grindr is apparently headed by a cis-gender, straight man who is facing a backlash after saying that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
Despite its gay beginnings, the Grindr app was snapped up by a Chinese gaming app in January 2018. The firm that owns the app put a straight, cis-gendered man, Scott Chen as the CEO.
Scott Chen, who is married to a woman, wrote, in a deleted (but later reinstated) social media message that it was his belief that marriage should be between and man and a woman.
He said, “There are people who believe that marriage is a holy matrimony between a man and a woman. I agree but that’s none of our business. There are also people who believe that the purpose of marriage is to create children that carry their DNA. That’s also none of our business. There are people that are simply different from you, who desperately want to get married. They have their own reasons.”
Then seemingly the CEO remembered who he worked for, went on to say that he wished people wouldn’t donate to anti-LGBTQ causes.
Scott Chen was reportedly speaking about Cher Wang the president and CEO of HTC, who according to claims by IntoMore has anti-LGBT+ non-profit organisations organising to influence Taiwan’s referendum on same-sex marriage”.
“huge advocate for LGBTQ+ rights”
Scott Chen’s post was deleted, but reinstated after IntoMore broke their story. Chen then wrote that he was “huge advocate for LGBTQ+ rights” since he was young. He also wrote, “I support gay marriage and I am proud that I can work for Grindr.”
The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” has been crowned the best Christmas song of all time.
Topping Mariah’s “All I Want For Christmas” and WHAM!’s “Last Christmas”, “Fairytale of New York” has been crowned the nation’s favourite Christmas song.
Research commissioned to coincide with the Magic Radio ’12 songs of Christmas’ list found that for nearly half of Brits, Christmas music is most likely to put them in a festive mood.
A quarter of adults felt seeing Christmas decorations go up helped aid festive cheer, while Christmas shopping came in at third place with 18 per cent.
A Magic Radio spokesperson said, “When it comes to putting people in the Christmas spirit, music is king.
“And it’s no wonder that more people are turning to music to bring them festive cheer – it’s the ultimate escapism in another year of uncertain times and bad news.
“With Christmas bringing loved ones together, there’s no better time to put music on and relax into that Christmassy feeling.”
“Homophobic”
However, the song crowned number one contains a homophobic slur and is found problematic by some. Every year a debate rages about whether the song should have the word “faggot” bleeped or silenced when it is broadcast publicly.
The F-word should be bleeped out of Fairytale of New York. It’s homophobic, it’s offensive and it’s a word that is no longer acceptable in public discourse. Just because you like the song doesn’t mean it should get an exception. pic.twitter.com/BptBDaH8UO
If your favourite Christmas song is Fairytale of New York, odds are high you’re a straight person who likes getting to loudly sing a homophobic slur and you can fuck off forever.
In 2007, BBC’s Radio 1 in the UK, censored the offending word, but soon reinstated it after a public backlash.
The festive period was selected in the poll as the most anticipated time of the year, with 69 per cent of adults most looking forward to Christmas over New Year and Summer bank holidays.
Spending time with loved ones was also deemed the most important part of Christmas for 60 per cent of adults, whilst the Christmas Party comes bottom of the list, with just two per cent of adults looking forward to the annual ‘do.
Magic Radio announced plans earlier this week to switch their playlist to 100 per cent Christmas with non-stop Christmas songs all the way up to Boxing Day.
The ’12 Songs of Christmas’ as selected by Magic Radio listeners are:
1 Fairytale of New York – Pogues and Kirsty Maccoll
2 All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
3 Last Christmas – Wham!
4 Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid
5 Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea
6 Happy Xmas (War is Over) – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
7 Step Into Christmas – Elton John
8 Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
9 Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade
10 I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard
11 Stay Another Day – East 17
12 Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens
To become even more “welcoming” Starbucks is going to start blocking porn from its WIFI
(C) DEPOSITPHOTOS
Your ability to watch a creampie and eat a creampie at Starbucks is going to be halted in 2019 after the mega coffee chain claims to have to sourced a “solution” that will “prevent this content (porn) from being viewed” at its US locations from next year.
A spokesperson for the company said, “To ensure the Third Place [Starbucks’ coffee shops] remains safe and welcoming to all, we have identified a solution to prevent this content from being viewed within our stores and we will begin introducing it to our US locations in 2019”.
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While we think this is probably a good idea, Jake Hook, THEGAYUK‘s editor warned that Starbuck must make sure it doesn’t block safe content from LGBT sites, saying, “Starbuck must ensure that it doesn’t inadvertently block LGBT content from valid news sources such as ours”, Jake Hook editor of THEGAYUK.com said today.
However, speaking on CNN a Starbuck spokesperson said that it was working to ensure that the censoring tool doesn’t “block unintended content.”
Ricky Martin has been accused of cultural appropriation after wearing a traditional Native American headdress.
CREDIT: kobby dagan/ bigstock
International pop star Ricky Martin has been accused of causing offence to Native people and cultures after posing for a picture in which he is wearing a traditional Native American headdress.
One user on Instagram wrote, “Are you Native? If not, take that headdress off!” While another wrote, “There’s information all over the internet explaining why this is upsetting/offensive to Native people/cultures”
“Not a costume to wear at a club”
When a fan tried to suggest that the headdress was a Taino headdress, a user, BellieBunny1 corrected the assumption by saying, “Ricky Martin was raised in Puerto Rico he is not Puerto Rican. He is Spanish Basque and Canarian, and that is not a Taino headdress.
“Like I said, that is a War Bonnet only to be worn by certain members of the tribe, it is sacred, not a costume to wear at a club or because it’s a carnival. It is earned one feather at a time, so unless Mr. Martin suddenly turned into an important member of one of our Tribes, and earned each one of those feathers on the regalia, he hasn’t the right to wear it as he has not earned it and he is not a part of my culture or heritage.
“The fact is he is NOT Native American, he is of Spanish, Basque and Canarian heritage and not entitled to wear this War Bonnet, and I AM the daughter of a card carrying Native American / First Nations Elder.
Not Earned
BellieBunny1 continue to educate on the matter by saying that each feather in the headdress is actually earned.
“It is only to be worn by certain members of the tribe, and it was made over time, each feather earned. Ricky Martin is fabulous, but it is not about culture or his to wear, as he did not earn it, and he is not part of the tribe of the people’s who bestow that regalia. Ricky himself said that he is of Spanish, Basque and Canarian heritage, not Native American/ First Nations”
View this post on Instagram
What happens in Miami…… ends up on IG. . #miami #studiotime
Another user hit back saying, “I am Puerto Rican myself. We are from Taíno (indigenous), African, and Spanish descent. Native Americans are NOT the only ones with these headdresses. This is normal from our Taínos, and like I said, in the Caribbean, we dress up to pay homage”.
In recent years the wearing of headdresses for festivals and in particular Halloween has been heavily criticised for cultural appropriation. The wearing of sacred clothing for fun or for show can be seen as deeply offensive to some from the culture from which the costume or clothing comes from.
For the first time in the tree’s history, 2018’s tree was donated by a lesbian couple.
(C) ROCKEFELLER CENTER BLOG
The first ever tree to be lit at the Rockefeller Center in New York was in 1931. The lighting of the tree tradition became in 1933. This year’s tree was donated by Shirley Figueroa and Lissette Gutierrez.
New Yorkers for Parks noted on its official Twitter account that “This year, Rockefeller Center’s tree is from a woman who grew up on a block in the Bronx that had no trees! It’s also the first tree in Rockefeller Center’s history to be donated by a same-sex or Latina couple!”
This year, Rockefeller Center’s tree is from a woman who grew up on a block in the Bronx that had no trees! It’s also the first tree in Rockefeller Center’s history to be donated by a same-sex or Latina couple! The tree will be lit tonight at 7PM! https://t.co/gg3FzE3cY0
According to the Rockefeller Centre, “Growing up, Figueroa loved seeing people from all “different cultures and backgrounds” visiting Rockefeller Center at Christmastime, so she’s grateful to help continue that tradition, especially for the kids who come from all over the city to enjoy it”.
Millions of people are expected to turn up to see the 75-year-old tree during the festive period and it will be lit with over 50,000 LED lights and topped by a 9 foot wide Swarovski crystal star.
A trans woman has offered £2000 to the manufacturer who can design and market the perfect pair of tuckable knickers, specifically for transgender women.
A trans woman known only as “Bee” contacted a fashion manufacturer marketplace in a bid to find a designer and manufacturer that can create the ultimate ‘tucking’ underwear.
Tucking is the process by which a penis is “tucked” to the underside of someone’s groin usually with gaffer tape. It gives the appearance of a flat front, particularly when wearing dresses or skirts. The process can be quite painful and can also cause issues when it comes to toilet time.
Most famously, Courtney Act revealed her tuck during her time on Celebrity Big Brother. The problem is that the traditional tuck is quite unsightly and usually requires transwomen or drag queens to wear multiple layers of tight underwear to conceal their penises.
The request was sent to online manufacturing marketplace Sewport last week, asking if the site knew of any manufacturers or designers willing and able to help create feminine ‘tucking’ lingerie for transgender women. Unfortunately, Sewport has been unable to find an existing manufacturer and designer on the site, so with Bee’s permission has released her request to the public.
Tucking Troubles
Bee’s email details her struggle with current ‘tucking’ methods and how she’s concerned about the medical implications of them. She also says she’s tried the ‘gaff’ method, which is makeshift underwear, but finds it doesn’t provide enough security. Neither method makes her feel like a woman either, and that’s her main motivation for creating something ‘functional and feminine’.
Initially Bee was only interested in creating something for personal use, however now she is hopeful that if her prototype is a success, she can launch a range of feminine and bespoke lingerie for all transgender women.
There isn’t any medical research that indicates ‘tucking’ is harmful, however transgender women often say it can be uncomfortable and medical experts have said that regular tucking can lead to urinary tract infections, skin infections and in severe cases infertility when the testes are pushed up into the inguinal canals.
Sewport connects small to medium sized fashion brands with manufacturers, enabling them to create designs and garments from clothes to handbags, in an easy and cost-effective way. Boris started the company after realising there was a gap in the market for a ‘one-stop-shop’ manufacturing marketplace for new and established brands.
Boris Hodakel, Sewport founder, said, “I am really proud that Sewport is fast becoming the place to go if you have a fashion solution to a very real problem, and although Bee doesn’t have the solution yet, she is trying to work with people who might, and willing to put her savings into making it happen. It’s very admirable and I hope we can help her find a suitable designer and manufacturer, because I can see the value a garment like this would add to transgender women’s lives.
“I implore any designer or manufacturer who has experience in the lingerie market to get in touch. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how the garment would look or functionally work, Bee is open to any sort of discussion, and I’m sure from her personal and your professional experience, something great will happen.”
