THEGAYUK

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  • Bianca Del Rio defends rape jokes (sort of)

    Bianca Del Rio defends rape jokes (sort of)

    Bianca Del Rio has gotten into some trouble over a rape joke and now she’s defended herself, kinda, sort of… not really.

    CREDIT: kathclick / Bigstock

    The first thing you need to know about Bianca Del Rio, apart from she is one of the funniest insult comedians on the drag circuit, is that she’s not very good at apologising for jokes that cause offence.

    So to quickly recap, BDR, who won season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race, was performing a routine discussing how emotional the cast of season 10 was. She singled out Blair St. Clair in particular for her emotional recounting of rape at a college party.

    She said,

    “Seriously, I don’t even want to talk about season 10 because every fucking bitch cried every f*cking episode. Did you see that? Every episode!

    It’s her fat ass going ‘Ugh I’m fat’ and then the other one… and then you’ve got that other bitch: ‘I was raped!’

    No – f*ck you. You notice she wasn’t raped until she was in the bottom two? Think about that, bitch – that’s f*cking strategy.

    Oh f*ck you rape is funny if you haven’t had it.

    And if you weren’t raped, remember this – you’re ugly.”

    The comments were quickly condemned, Montreal Pride distanced itself from the queen saying, it was “severely disassociating” from BDR.

    “I wasn’t questioning the validity of anyone’s personal struggles”

    BDR took to Instagram to share her response, which she gave to Hornet, to the backlash,

    “Look, my point was everyone was crying on the last season of Drag Race to win over the judges and “save yourself from elimination.”

    “I wasn’t questioning the validity of anyone’s personal struggles, but bringing it up right before you “lip sync for your life” was strategic … in my opinion.

    “Back in the day, when a man in a wig had to “lip sync for their life,” they relied on a wig reveal, rose petals or picking up their opponent and twirling them around.

    “Maybe I’m just nostalgic for the old days when drag was fun, not personal.

    “Call it political correctness, social justice or whatever else. Bottom line is there will always be people who don’t agree with you. That’s life. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. That’s why there’s coffee.”

    Blair St. Clair responded (although didn’t mention BDR by name) with a statement “rape jokes contribute to rape culture”.

    “In the U.S. someone is sexually assaulted every 2 minutes, but people persist in thinking that making rape or sexual assault jokes is “comedy.” It is not. Rape jokes contribute to rape culture”.

     

     

     

     

  • Matchmaker tells followers that women’s partners are gay if do any of these things

    Matchmaker tells followers that women’s partners are gay if do any of these things

    Literally, WTF.

    Walking on the kerb… GAY! Free-Photos / Pixabay

    Good Ereseh who says he’s Africa’s first certified match-maker (we’re assuming people, not little flammable sticks) has shared a list with his near-15,000 followers which he called “Signs Your Boyfriend Is Secretly Gay”.

    1. He constantly stares at guys than women.
    2. He could be gay if he criticizes gay people too much.
    3. He could be gay if he appears to be too damn faithful.
    4. He could be swinging if you have no issues with him concerning other women.
    5. Ereseh actually leaves out number 5 for some reason?
    6. He keeps more male friends on social media than women.
    7. That brother could be holding blowing pipes, when he tries to avoid sex with you.
    8. He could be seeing guys when he doesn’t disturb you to have sex with him and on the other hand you thanking God that you have met a man that isn’t after sex.
    9. When he suggests you both invite a guy to bed so the both of them can satisfy you, sister run because he’s bringing his friend in to caption your brain thinking he is so understanding.
    10. When he cares too much about how he looks like female friends you have. There is something about it when he starts to care about his physical appearance.
    11. He wants to feel how you feel during penetration, he wants you to insert your finger down there.
    12. I repeat this, if he doesn’t check other women out he is completely gay. Don’t argue, he is not being faithful to you he just doesn’t find the need to feel attracted to women. Instead he talks about men more.
    13. If he praises a particular male friend of his than you the one that claims to hold his heart, trust me that guy could be his gay partner.
    14. He is classically touchy with other men, he enjoys hugs, holding hands and even loves the male bathroom hehehehehehe.
    15. He enjoys other’s sexuality, it’s an interesting topic for him, trust me nicca is gay.

    Basically, reading between the lines, what Ereseh is saying is that unless your man is a sex-addict, slime-ball, narcissistic jealous-flying-off-the-handle type of toxic male then he might be gay.

    SIGNS YOUR BOYFRIEND IS SECRETLY GAY. Part 1 • • 1. He constantly stares at guys than women 2. He could be gay if he criticizes gay people too much 3. He could be gay if he appears to be too damn faithful 4. He could be swinging if you have no issues with him concerning other women 6. He keeps more male friends on social media than women 7. That brother could be holding blowing pipes, when he tries to avoid sex with you. 8. He could be seeing guys when he doesn’t disturb you to have sex with him and on the other hand you thanking God that you have met a man that isn’t after sex • • Part 2 and 3 tomorrow morning please watch out #goodereseh

    A post shared by ???? ??????® (@goodereseh) on

    How about, if your boyfriend just tells you, “Sorry hun, I think I might be gay, let’s call the whole thing off” – is actually a sign that he might be gay.

    In case you’re interested Ereseh also says he’s a sex therapist, love doctor and counsellor.

  • India Willoughby slams Katie Hopkins after suggesting society is experimenting with trans kids

    India Willoughby slams Katie Hopkins after suggesting society is experimenting with trans kids

    India Willoughby, one of the UK’s most visible trans women has slammed Katie Hopkins after suggesting that society is experimenting with trans kids’ minds.

    Katie Hopkins was dealt an online blow from fellow former Celebrity Big Brother star, India Willougby, after the controversial former LBC radio presenter / Sun columnist / Mail Online columnist, TV presenter and Apprentice walk out, suggested that parents are the ones who suffer when their trans offspring decide to have surgery.

    Hopkins’ comment was in reference to a mother who wrote on Twitter, “A plastic surgeon is removing my dghtr’s (daughter’s) healthy breasts tomorrow & he has been pd (paid) at least $8000CAD to do this. How much $$ will he want in a few years when she decides to reclaim her female body?

    Hopkins, wrote back, “It is often mums who suffer when society experiments with kids’ minds

    StickerWoman is a hashtag which has been linked to stickers which have been found in various UK cities which state, “Women Don’t Have Penises”.

    “No One Is Experimenting”

    In a blistering response, Willoughby called Hopkins out on her statement saying, “Bitch. No one is experimenting with kids [sic] minds.

    “You’re the sort who says they should go through puberty regardless of who they insist they are.

    “And when they come out on the other side taller, broader, hairier, and unhappy, you’d be the first to point and laugh.

    “I repeat. Bitch”.

    Hopkins undeterred replied, “I stand with Women do not have penises”.

    “No young kid get sex-change surgery”

    Willoughby shocked by Hopkin’s “ignorance” explained, “Just as much as you knew who you were, so do trans kids. If kids grow out of it without pressure, great – feel relieved for them! No young kid get sex-change surgery”.

    Before turning her ire to the LGBT+ community stating “I’m mad at LGBT as well though – because they’ve watered T down to nothing”.

    Previously, Hopkins caused offence during the previous season of Celebrity Big Brother, in which Willoughby took part, by Tweeting, “I am not transphobic. Live your life how you damn well please. Just don’t ask me to call a castrated man a woman”.

  • Film star Garrett Clayton just came out

    Film star Garrett Clayton just came out

    Garrett Clayton just came out and introduced the world to his boyfriend, Blake Knight.

    King Cobra Movie
    CREDIT: YouTube

    Garrett just shared an emotional Instagram post with his 1.4 million users, in which he talks from the heart about why he’s taken on his latest film, Reach, a project which deals with timely issues which have affected the actor personally.

    In the post, he also refers to his boyfriend, Blake Knight, whom he says he has been with for a “very long time”.

    He wrote,

    “REACH deals with some very serious and timely topics that have affected me personally, and have likely influenced many of your lives as well,” wrote Clayton. “(I also prefer to share things that are particularly important for me here on my IG) instead of in some random magazine or online article – because you are the ones that have been rooting for me and following me on my professional and personal journey in life.”

    With the release of my new movie REACH coming up, I thought it was important to explain why I took on this project in the first place. REACH deals with some very serious and timely topics that have affected me personally, and have likely influenced many of your lives as well. (I also prefer to share things that are particularly important for me here on my IG) instead of in some random magazine or online article – because you are the ones that have been rooting for me and following me on my professional and personal journey in life. When I read the script for REACH, I immediately knew it was a film I had to be a part of. I have personally dealt with suicide within my own family, intense bullying in high school, and – on top of it all – myself and the man I’ve been in a relationship with for a long time (@hrhblakeknight) have both experienced shootings within our hometown school systems, and have witnessed the heartache that takes place in affected communities after such tragic events. These topics – not always easy to discuss- are all close to my heart, and, knowing how serious they are, I wanted to share this with you all. This film has come from the perspectives of people who care deeply about these issues, and if watching it helps even one person… then it was all worth it. ♥️

    A post shared by Garrett Clayton (@garrettclayton1) on

    “When I read the script for REACH, I immediately knew it was a film I had to be a part of. I have personally dealt with suicide within my own family, intense bullying in high school, and – on top of it all – myself and the man I’ve been in a relationship with for a long time (@hrhblakeknight) have both experienced shootings within our hometown school systems, and have witnessed the heartache that takes place in affected communities after such tragic events,” he continued. “These topics – not always easy to discuss- are all close to my heart, and, knowing how serious they are, I wanted to share this with you all. This film has come from the perspectives of people who care deeply about these issues, and if watching it helps even one person… then it was all worth it.”

    ?Summer daze ☀️

    A post shared by Garrett Clayton (@garrettclayton1) on

    Garrett Clayton is a former Disney star but one of his most recent film credits was the James Franco film King Cobra in which Clayton starred as gay porn actor Brent Corrigan.

    In response to Garrett’s big news, Blake took to IG himself to say how proud he was of his boyfriend saying, “So proud of @garrettclayton1 today! He’s overcome a lot, and still has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever met. Handsome, talented, hilarious, kind… what’s not to love?! It’s been an awesome journey all over the world together so far, and I’m looking forward to many more years and trips and puppies and movies and naps and dinners and friends! I love you

  • Edinburgh Fringe says it has “Zero tolerance” on harassment, abuse and bullying

    Edinburgh Fringe says it has “Zero tolerance” on harassment, abuse and bullying

    “No matter who you are or where you come from, you should feel at home at the Fringe”

    luxstorm / Pixabay

    Following on from the shocking news that a performer has suffered homophobic jeers and insults while trying to publicise his show at this year’s Fringe, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has reaffirmed its stance on bullying behaviour towards performers and audience members.

    Nick Cassenbaum, the star of My Kind of Michael, which is currently playing at the Edinburgh Fringe festival has encountered a barrage of homophobic abuse on the streets of Edinburgh while trying to promote the show, which runs until the 26th August at the Summerhall.

    The show is about Cassenbaum’s childhood hero, Michael Barrymore, who was an incredibly popular TV star until a tragic incident at his home in 2001 left a young man dead and the star came out about his bisexuality. 

    ABOVE: The lifesize cut out which has caused controversy as some passersby resort to homophobia on the streets of Edinburgh.

    Unfortunately, the promotion has been met with “old-fashioned homophobia and trial by tabloid” comments.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said, “No matter who you are or where you come from, you should feel at home at the Fringe. The Fringe Society have a zero-tolerance policy on harassment, abuse and bullying and we take the safety and welfare of all of our participants and audience members extremely seriously. We provide advice on all aspects of performing and taking part in the Fringe and would encourage anyone who has been affected by issues such as this to contact us.”

     

  • Is the Gender Recognition Law ready for change?

    Is the Gender Recognition Law ready for change?

    Two solicitors, Craig Longhurst and Alex Watson from the leading law firm Fieldfisher write about the government’s plans to revisit the relevance of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and some of the issues facing the transgender community today.

    vjohns1580 / Pixabay

    When it brought the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) into force on 4 April 2005, the UK became the first country in the world to allow a person to legally alter their gender without having had any surgical treatment.

    However, since coming into force, only 4,910 have been issued the Gender Recognition Certificate – which is required for a trans person’s new legal gender to be recognised. Given these figures and the concerning suicide and self-harm rates amongst the trans community, the issues are now being revisited by Government.

    The Government’s Equality Office is currently consulting on the legal gender recognition process and its effectiveness. The consultation (which commenced on 3 July 2018 and will close on 19 October 2018) is focussing on the possibility of removing an applicant’s need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria before being able to apply for gender recognition.

    In acknowledgement of the complicated and contested nature of some terminology used in discussing matters, the consultation states that:

    “Throughout this consultation we have tried to use terminology that is generally accepted. No offence or omission is intended.”

    That also applies to this article and shall adopt the same definition of ‘Transgender/ Trans’ as adopted in the consultation:

    “Transgender / Trans: Umbrella terms used to describe individuals who have a gender identity that is different to the sex recorded at birth. Non-binary people may or may not consider themselves to be trans. This consultation document primarily uses ‘trans’.”

    The Law

    As it stands, for a person to legally change their gender, the applicant must be over 18 years old and must usually* meet the following “assessment based” requirements of the GRA:

    1. A medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and a report from a medical professional detailing any medical treatment;
    2. Proof of having lived for at least two years in their acquired gender through, for example, bank statements, payslips and a passport (which can be changed without legally changing gender);
    3. A statutory declaration that they intend to live in the acquired gender until death;
    4. If married, the consent of their spouse;
    5. Payment of a fee of £140 (or proof of low income for reduction/removal of the fee); and
    6. Submission of this documentation to a Gender Recognition Panel, which the applicant does not meet in person.

    * N.B. there is a slightly different process for married/ civil partnered trans people who have socially and medically transitioned for at least 6 years prior to 10 December 2014 and for overseas trans people, which is outside the scope of this note.

    If a person is adjudged by the Gender Recognition Panel to have met the requirements, they will be issued with a Gender Recognition Certificate – which alters their birth certificate and (subject to a number of limitations) changes their birth gender to their newly-recognised gender. That person then assumes the legal rights of that gender, including: age of retirement, pension and marital rights.

    However, if a person is adjudged by the Gender Recognition Panel to have not met the requirements, his/ her birth gender shall continue to be that person’s legal gender and he/ she shall not have the right to appeal the decision, unless on a point of law. It is hard to see how it can be considered fair that an independent panel is able make such fundamental decisions regarding a person’s life without having actually met them and for an applicant to have no recourse if the application is unsuccessful.

    The view from the trans community

    The results of a recent LGBT Government Survey revealed that many trans people want legal recognition but feel that the current process is too bureaucratic, expensive and intrusive. Further, the Government feels that most trans people feel that the “assessment based” requirements detailed above are overly intrusive, humiliating and administratively burdensome and are denying people access to the legal recognition they are entitled to. More specifically arguments have been raised that:

    1. the requirement of the provision of a diagnostic psychiatric report perpetuates the false assumption that being trans is a mental illness – which both the Government and the World Health Organisation recognises is not the case (the latter has declassified ‘Gender Incongruence’ [i.e. dysphoria] as a ‘Mental and Behavioural Disorder’ in its International classification of Diseases);
    2. the trans person has to collect a range of personal documentation, including information about their medical history, finances and identity which they send to people who they do not meet who then make a decision about their gender identity; and
    3. The fee of £140 and associated costs are expensive and there is no right of appeal against the decision unless on a point of law.

    The Consultation

    Given the above, the Government’s consultation is focussing on many aspects of the GRA, including:

    1. The requirement for the trans person to provide two medical reports, one evidencing a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and the other outlining details of any treatment received;
    2. The requirement for the trans person to provide a range of documentation that proves they have lived in their acquired gender for at least two years;
      The requirement for the trans person to submit a statutory declaration of their intention to live in their acquired gender until death;
    3. The requirement for married applicants to obtain the consent of their spouse or end their marriage;
    4. The cost to the trans person of using the GRA process; and
    5. How the Act protects the privacy of individuals who have applied for a GRC.

    Comment

    Whilst we continue to await the results of the consultation, it is positive to see focus being placed revisiting legislation adopted 13 years ago with limited relevance to present day society’s approach to LGBT+ issues and it appears likely that legislative changes will make it easier for trans people to exercise rights to exist in the gender that they identify with.

    The consultation on the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 is open until 11pm on 19 October 2018 and can be located at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reform-of-the-gender-recognition-act-2004

    Craig Longhurst and Alex Watson are from the leading law firm Fieldfisher

  • Edinburgh Fringe show rocked by homophobic jeers and slurs on the streets of Edinburgh

    Edinburgh Fringe show rocked by homophobic jeers and slurs on the streets of Edinburgh

    A show currently performing at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival has been rocked by persistent homophobic jeers and insults.

    (C) Danny Braverman

    Nick Cassenbaum, the star of My Kind of Michael, which is currently playing at the #Edinburgh Fringe festival has encountered a barrage of homophobic abuse on the streets of Edinburgh while trying to promote the show, which runs until the 26th August at the Summerhall.

    The show is about Cassenbaum’s childhood hero, Michael Barrymore, who was an incredibly popular TV star until a tragic incident at his home in 2001 left a young man dead and the star came out about his bisexuality. 

    The show, My Kind of Michael, chronicles Cassenbaum’s childhood infatuation with the Strike it Lucky presenter and how he was inspired by Barrymore to take to the stage himself.

    As part of the promotion for the show, a life-size cut out of Michael Barrymore has been used on Edinburgh’s streets.

    Speaking about the abuse, Cassenbaumn said, “After all this time I thought people may be prepared to accept him as a brilliant ‘working class boy made good’ entertainer, but it’s become apparent that not only do some people hold strong views about him but that they are prepared to use blatantly homophobic language to make their point.

    “Old-fashioned homophobia and trial by tabloid is alive and well at the Edinburgh Fringe”

    Cassenbaum then shared some of the abuse that the show and indeed Michael Barrymore (who is not part of the lineup) has endured,

    ‘He’s as bent as a ten-bob note. He killed a man. He raped a man. He’s a pervert’
    ‘He raped a man and drowned him’
    ‘He’s alwight in the back hole’
    ‘Get that murdering pervert away from me’ (referring to a cardboard cutout of Barrymore)

    Others have apparently accused him of being known for preying on young boys, said Cassenbaum.

    Cassenbaum continued, “I have been flyering for this show for two weeks now and this type of language has shocked and surprised me. Especially at a ‘liberal’ arts festival that is known for controversial and cutting-edge productions.

    “Barrymore has had to put up with this for nearly 20 years now. I want to make it clear that he was never charged for anything, yet people treat him as if he is a perverted murderer and child molester, tarring him with the same brush as those convicted following Operation Yewtree.

    “It seems that old-fashioned homophobia and trial by tabloid is alive and well at the Edinburgh Fringe.

    Essex Police admitted wrongful arrest – and never charged

    This year, Michael Barrymore won a court case against Essex Police over the wrongful arrest of the entertainer after the death of a man at his home in 2001.

    Stuart Lubbock, 31 was found dead at the star’s Essex home in March 2001. In June 2001 Police arrested Barrymore, his partner and another man in connection to Lubbock’s death but no charges were brought forward. The same three men were arrested again in 2007 but the case was dropped again after three months. No one was charged.

    Essex Police admitted the arrest was unlawful and that the arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to suspect that Mr Barrymore was guilty.

    In 2009 the IPCC found multiple failings with the original police investigation.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK a spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said, “Hate crime is not tolerated and we would urge anyone who has been a victim of or has witnessed hate crime to report it to the Police“.

    The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society told THEGAYUK.com “No matter who you are or where you come from, you should feel at home at the Fringe. The Fringe Society have a zero-tolerance policy on harassment, abuse and bullying and we take the safety and welfare of all of our participants and audience members extremely seriously. We provide advice on all aspects of performing and taking part in the Fringe and would encourage anyone who has been affected by issues such as this to contact us.

    “Please also take a look at our Your Rights section of our website :https://www.edfringe.com/take-part/your-rights”

  • Icon Aretha Franklin has died, 76

    The iconic singer, Aretha Franklin has passed away at the age of 76.

    This is a developing story.

    The icon Aretha Franklin has reportedly died, she was 76-years-old. It was reported a few days ago that she was “gravely ill”. The cause of her death is reportedly advanced pancreatic cancer.

    The singer who rose to fame during the 60s has had an enduring career that lasted well into her 70s. She is most famous for singing, “Respect”, “Say A Little Prayer” and “Natural Woman”.

    In 1976 she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

    In the 1980s she sang “Knew You Were Waiting For Me” with the late George Michael.

    (C) WIKIPEDIA
    Franklin wipes a tear after being given the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 9, 2005, at the White House. She is seated between fellow recipients Robert Conquest (left) and Alan Greenspan.

    In 2011 she showed her commitment to same-sex marriage by singing at the wedding of two men, Bill White and Bryan Eure.

    Franklin’s first album was recorded and released in 1956, but it wasn’t until 1967 that she enjoyed a chart success with the album, I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You. Her first number 1 single in the US was “Respect”. Her last charted song was “Rolling In The Deep” which was released in 2014, which got to number 47 in the US R&B Chart.

     

  • This person couldn’t handle the fact that their husband “sharted” and the internet came… it came good

    This person couldn’t handle the fact that their husband “sharted” and the internet came… it came good

    “A human being is a human being & yes, shit happens!”

    Meditations / Pixabay

    An anonymous writer (we don’t know the gender, so we’ll use neutral pronouns) on Quora wrote that their husband accidentally “sharted” in front of them and now they just don’t feel attracted to the man anymore. That was the question and well the internet did not take too kindly.

    The general gist was that this person needs to get over it or divorce their husband, mainly for the husband’s sake.

    It, Shit Happens

    Colleen McFee, a palliative nurse said, “I’m saddened that you would even stoop this low. This is your husband & do remember, he is human. A human being is a human being & yes, shit happens!” She then invited the original poster to join her during one of her shifts, before adding, “If you no longer feel attraction for your husband, simply because he “accidentally sharted”, then you may NEVER have been that in love with him in the first place”.

    Most touching moment can come from illness

    Another user, Molly Maloney recounted the most touching moment between a couple when the woman in the couple had severe stomach flu. “She was stuck on the toilet with a bucket on her lap. Eventually her body decided it was all-systems-go and she wretched so hard in all directions that she passed out and toppled onto the floor. And that’s where her husband found her when he came home from work that evening. There she was, naked, covered in a smattering of every kind of bodily fluid, unconscious in a limp pile on the floor and with a busted lip to boot. Without so much as a word about it, he scooped her up, sponged her off, put her in clean jammies, and put her to bed. And yep, that’s disgusting. And that’s love.

    It could happen to you

    Penny Ladiner warned, “As they say, shit happens. Sometimes an innocent little fart turns into something more… tangible. Hasn’t it ever happened to you? If not, perhaps one day it will, through no fault of your own”.

    Love does see what disgusts us

    Paula Bass wrote, “My husband has witnessed me give birth to four children. He still finds me attractive. He has seen my doctor elbows deep in my abdominal cavity. He still finds me attractive. He gave me an enema when I was in excruciating pain from constipation following my last C-section. He still finds me attractive. I have gained and lost over 100 pounds over the course of our marriage. He has ALWAYS found me attractive, even when I found myself disgusting.

    “If love was solely based on attraction we’d ALL be screwed.”

    Why did you marry him?

    Perhaps it was Robert who put it best, “Why did you marry your husband? Did you think that he doesn’t have normal bowel functions? That he may not develop a serious illness which may cause him to bleed, vomit, shit, stink? What were your marriage vows about?

    If you are not “attracted” to him any more, then it may be best for you to leave him. For him, anyway.

     

    So could you handle it if your S/O had an accident in front of you? Why we’re at it, these discuss what they think when a poop incident happens during anal sex.

     

  • Artists: Ever wanted to create and run your own LGBT+ event?

    Artists: Ever wanted to create and run your own LGBT+ event?

    After 10 successful years of annual LGBTQI+ cross art event, GFEST – Gayise FESTival is calling upon organisers to create and hold their own events.

    The theme for GFEST 2018 is ‘Socially EQUAL’, and events should run from Monday 12 November to Saturday 24 November.

    GFEST – Gaywise FESTival® (known as GFEST) is recognised as an annual LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex +) cross-art celebration. Over the last 10 years, the festival has presented LGBTQI+ films, music, performances, art exhibitions, interdisciplinary art, poetry, book reading, workshops, participatory events, debates, etc. events each November.

    GFEST producer arts charity Wise Thoughts is inviting community and arts groups, local museums, local authorities or libraries etc. to join and share awesome LGBTQI+ arts and stories from all over the world, as this year’s festival events. GFEST 2018 events, wherever they will take place, now can be added to the events list and promoted on the GFEST website.

    The festival has been endorsed by all three Mayors of London, many celebrities, ministers, and cross-party MPs.

    Niranjan Kamatkar FRSA, artistic director of GFEST said, “We want to reach out to audiences that we couldn’t in the past, and where there is a greater need to promote the LGBTQI+ cultural issues. To help ensure this we are changing the format from this year. We will include more web-based events and podcast etc. and we can also present a recommended programme, acts and films list from next year”.

    He added, “If you have got it, flaunt it! Young or old, fresh or established, show the world that real talent always shines the best! GFEST events value and promote diverse talent from diverse art forms and promote artistic excellence. Celebrating diversity continues to endorse LGBTQI+ equal rights and reduces possible discrimination. GFEST ethos is to develop cultural and social equality for and amongst diverse LGBTQI+ people from all age groups, including people from different religious or/and cultural backgrounds. The festival actively supports individual creative abilities and participation in the society.”

    If you are interested in organising your own event please visit and list the event details: https://gaywisefestival.org.uk/submissions/

  • INTERVIEW | Sassi Afrika, Leamington Spa’s most delicious Drag Queen

    INTERVIEW | Sassi Afrika, Leamington Spa’s most delicious Drag Queen

    With Warwickshire Pride’s sixth annual event just around the corner, we speak with Warwickshire’s most vibrant Drag Queen, Sassi Afrika on why pride is still important in 2018…

    (C) THEGAYUK

    …and who her favourite act on the Warwickshire Pride stage is.

    THEGAYUK: Sassi Afrika is back at Warwickshire Pride‘s main stage this year, what can we expect?
    Sassi Afrika: You’re right, Sassi is back. There’s no stopping me honey. Everyone knows that. This year I’m presenting the main stage at Warwickshire Pride again. They have agreed to let me out of the cage they impounded me in after last year’s festival. You can expect lots of fabulous talent. The talent is outstanding this year. We have a very diverse lineup, which is how it should be. There is also the Big Rainbow Bake Off. I’m judging and presenting the contest. My next 3D lipo session is booked for a few days after I’ve tasted all those cakes. We also have speeches on stage and lots of fun for all the community.

    TGUK: Why is Warwickshire Pride so important?
    SA: I believe Warwickshire Pride is very important because it is a grassroots, community movement. It’s not commercial. It’s not all about making money. It’s about putting on something great for the community. We are fully inclusive and welcoming to all people. We try to create something in the spirit of what Pride was all about, while also celebrating how far we have come. I think Warwickshire Pride pulls it off quite nicely. Y’all be blessed now.

    “Some people are quick to criticise and point out what is wrong with Pride. But none of those people ever step up and help to make things better the next time.”

    TGUK: Why is Pride important to Sassi?
    SA: Pride is very important to me honey. The LGBT+ community took me in when I landed on Earth and now I’m part of the family. But seriously, Pride is important to me because it’s nice to be part of something where I can be myself and be accepted for who I am. I have been discriminated against and assaulted for being LGBT+ and for having disabilities. Pride as a movement is still so important and I am proud to be part of it.

    TGUK: It takes a lot to put on a pride event – do you think people take pride for granted?
    SA: I don’t think many people realise how much hard work goes into putting on a Pride event. I do believe that a lot of people take it for granted, whether they realise it or not. Some people are quick to criticise and point out what is wrong with Pride. But none of those people ever step up and help to make things better the next time. On the flip side, there are people who really appreciate Pride and understand how much time, effort and money it takes to put it on. I just wish more people would understand and help. But hey, we do what we can as Pride organisers and I do it all with a dash of sass.

    “Sassi is single and ready to mingle”.

    TGUK: What’s your favourite thing about Pride?
    SA: My favourite thing about Pride is seeing so many people coming together for a celebration of diversity. That and the fit guys I can eye up from the stage. Yes, honey, Sassi is single and ready to mingle. I do like seeing everyone at Pride and being who they are. It’s important that everyone has that opportunity to be who they are, without prejudice and judgement.

    TGUK: Could RuPaul’s Drag Race Handle Sassi?
    SA: Let’s be honest, can anyone handle the sass I bring? I’d like to see Mama Ru and Drag Race try.

    “We have at least 75% local acts and 75% LGBT+ acts. That kind of representation is needed at Pride”.

    TGUK: Who’s your favourite act to have performed on the Warwickshire Pride stage?
    SA: My favourite act to have performed at Warwickshire Pride is me. What else can I say… No, I’m joking. I tell you who was really good. Angie Brown. She can sing and puts on a great show. She is also a really nice person and I adore her. I also think Jordan Gray is fantastic, and Feryl is very good too. But one thing I like about Warwickshire Pride is all the local acts we have. We have at least 75% local acts and 75% LGBT+ acts. That kind of representation is needed at Pride. We have to represent the people that the event is for. Otherwise, we are failing. And Sassi don’t fail honey.

    Warwickshire Pride takes place on the 18th of August, Pump Room Gardens – Leamington Spa from 11 AM.