THEGAYUK

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  • What the UK Government says its going to do for LGBT+ healthcare in the UK

    What the UK Government says its going to do for LGBT+ healthcare in the UK

    The UK’s Government has launched an LGBT action plan, in which it wants to deal with issues facing the LGBT+ community in the UK, including health.

    “This Government is committed to making the UK a country that works for everyone. We want to strip away the barriers that hold people back so that everyone can go as far as their hard work and talent can take them”.

    Big words, so what exactly are they promising?

    Penny Mordaunt, the Minister for Women and Equality has outlined 75  points she wants her office to push in order to achieve better rights, equality, safety and visibility for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people of the UK.

    Health was a big part of the government’s action plan, here’s what Ms Mordaunt said she plans to do:

    Put LGBT+ people’s needs “at the heart” of the NHS.

    We will appoint a National Adviser to lead improvements to LGBT healthcare. The National Adviser will focus on reducing the health inequalities that LGBT people face, and advise on ways to improve the care LGBT people receive when accessing the NHS and public health services. They will work across the NHS to ensure that the needs of LGBT people are considered throughout the health system.

    The National Adviser will work to improve healthcare professionals’ awareness of LGBT issues so they can provide better patient care. The National Adviser will work with relevant statutory organisations and professional associations to embed LGBT issues into physical and mental health services.

    We will improve the way gender identity services work for transgender adults. In 2019, NHS England will decide on the future configuration of adult gender identity services in England, and will seek to establish a more modern care model that delivers high-quality outcomes in which clinical capacity can be more flexibly deployed. The Government Equalities Office will produce advice about the Gender Recognition Act for GP surgeries and gender identity clinics.

    We will improve our understanding of the impacts on children and adolescents of changing their gender. The Government Equalities Office will gather evidence on the issues faced by people assigned female at birth who transition in adolescence.

    We will take action to improve mental health care for LGBT people. The Department of Health and Social Care and the Government Equalities Office will jointly develop a plan focussed on reducing suicides amongst the LGBT population. The Department of Health and Social Care will ensure LGBT people’s needs are addressed in the updated Suicide Prevention Strategy, and the new Health Education England suicide prevention competency framework will cover high-risk groups including LGBT people.

    We will enhance fertility services for LGBT people. The Department for Health and Social Care will revise surrogacy legislation so single people (including LGBT individuals) can access legal parenthood after a surrogacy arrangement.

    We will ensure LGBT people’s needs are taken into account in health and social care regulation. The Care Quality Commission will continue to improve how it inspects the experience of LGBT people in adult social care and mental health inpatient wards, and we will begin to inspect all gender identity clinics on a risk basis. The Care Quality Commission will develop guidance for care quality inspectors on the healthcare pathway for people who are transitioning their gender, and embed LGBT equality issues into the methodology used by inspectors.

    We will support improved monitoring of sexual orientation and gender identity in healthcare services to enable better patient care. The Government Equalities Office will develop best practice guidance for monitoring and make this openly available to the public sector, and the National Adviser will work to ensure healthcare professionals understand the benefits of asking patients about their sexual orientation and gender identity. The Care Quality Commission will look at how we can promote the NHS England voluntary sexual orientation monitoring standard for people using health and social care services.

    We will work to tackle body image pressures that LGBT young people face. The Government Equalities Office will consider the specific challenges faced by LGBT people as part of our broader work to build the evidence base on the causes and impacts of body dissatisfaction.

    We will continue to review the blood donation deferral period for men who have sex with men. NHS Blood and Transplant will explore ways that a more personalised risk assessment can be introduced, to allow more people to donate blood without impacting on blood safety; currently, there is very little data on effective ways of carrying out such risk assessments. The initial scoping, evidence gathering and testing may take up to two years to complete.

    We are committed to tackling HIV transmission, AIDS and HIV-related deaths. As part of this, we are currently funding a 3 year trial with 10,000 people to determine how best to deliver ‘PrEP’. NHS England will consider the impact of increasing the PrEP trial further.

    We will take action to improve the support for LGBT people with learning disabilities. The Department of Health and Social Care will review, collate and disseminate existing best practice guidance and advice regarding LGBT issues and learning disability; and will also ensure that training requirements for support staff and advocates who work with people with learning disabilities includes advice regarding LGBT people.

    Here’s what the government plans are in other key areas:

    Education | Healthcare | Representation | Workplace | International | Safety

  • Theresa May ends Downing Street ban for Peter Tatchell

    Theresa May ends Downing Street ban for Peter Tatchell

    Theresa May has become the first Prime Minister to end the exclusion of one of the UK’s most prominent LGBT+ rights campaigners from attending functions at 10 Downing Street.

    10 Downing Street
    CREDIT: TheGayUK/Jake Hook

    Peter Tatchell will now be able to enter 10 Downing Street after Theresa May ended a ban on the human rights advocate from attending any functions at the exclusive address. It’s not known whether his ban was deliberate or just careless.

    For a decade, Peter has found himself uninvited to an annual Pride party held at 10 Downing Street. The exclusion started during Tony Blair’s premiership to David Cameron’s. This is despite Peter’s unwavering fight for rights since 1972.

    CREDIT: Monty McKinnen

    Peter Tatchell said, “Since the inception of Downing Street LGBT Pride receptions a decade ago, I have been banned from attending by successive Prime Ministers – Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

    “Despite my 51 years of campaigning, and my role in the UK’s first Pride parade in 1972, they apparently deemed me to be the unacceptable face of LGBT activism.

    “I was therefore surprised and delighted that Theresa May has invited me to this year’s reception on 3 July – just days after I wrote to her urging compensation for gay men convicted under past anti-gay laws.

    “I am not much fussed about attending such receptions but I am honoured to be asked and have accepted the invitation.

    “I look forward to meeting the Prime Minister and reiterating my call for gay victims of homophobic laws, who suffered so badly, to receive government compensation.

    “She has already acknowledged the grave injustice done to these men, so I hope she will go one step further and recognise that these men deserve recompense for the terrible trauma of criminalisation that they went through.”

    This year’s annual LGBT Pride party takes place on the 3rd July.

  • Victim left in critical condition after assault in Manchester’s gay scene

    Victim left in critical condition after assault in Manchester’s gay scene

    Police are calling for witnesses to a vicious assault in the heart of Manchester’s gay village, which left the victim in a “critical condition”

    A person who was “cross-dressed” has been attacked outside one of Manchester’s most famous gay venues AXM. The attack happened at around 4.45am on Saturday 30 June 2018, police were called to reports of an assault on Bloom Street.

    Manchester Police report, “A 60-year-old man – who was cross-dressed at the time of the assault – had been outside AXM bar when he was approached by a man who punched him to the floor.

    “The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition”.

    We have reached out to Manchester Police to ascertain whether the victim identifies as a man or woman, who have been unable to speak to the victim due to the victim’s injuries, however, the victim’s family says he identifies as a man.

    21-year-old arrested

    A 21-year-old man was arrested at nearby on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody for questioning.

    Enquiries are ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with information to contact police.

    Detective Inspector Patrick Goodrich, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said, “This was a shocking attack on an innocent man who was enjoying his evening but has now been left in a critical condition in hospital. Our thoughts remain with him and his family as he receives treatment.

    “While we have arrested a man, our investigation is still in its very early stages and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances that led to this incident although it is not believed to be a hate crime at this stage.

    “We can see from CCTV footage that there was a white woman with blonde hair who was wearing a red top and black trousers in close proximity to the attack and we believe she may hold vital information. I want to stress that she is not in any trouble but I would urge her to get in touch as she may have key details that would assist our enquiries.”

    “I would also appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the assault or anyone with information to get in touch.

    Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident number 471 of 30/06/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

  • Former LGBT charity CEO given boardroom ban as a warning to others

    Former LGBT charity CEO given boardroom ban as a warning to others

    The former CEO and director of LGBT+ domestic violence charity, Broken Rainbow, has been given a three and half year ban on any boardroom activities.

    THEGAYUK.com was given notice by the UK’s Insolvency Service that former CEO of Broken Rainbow, Jo Harvey-Barringer who resides in Sussex, has been handed a disqualification on running any company or limited liability company for the next three and a half years. At the time Broken Rainbow was the biggest LGBT charity that served the victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence.

    A disqualifications order as means that Harvey-Barringer will not be able to act as a director of a company, take part directly or indirectly in the promotion, formation or management of a company or a limited liability partnership or be a receiver of a company’s property.

    Harvey-Barringer was the CEO and director of LGBT domestic abuse charity Broken Rainbow which collapsed in 2016. The charity had failed to keep payments to the tax office in respect of its PAYE debt.

    The charity had several funding streams, however, the bulk of its money was provided by the Home Office. This revenue stream was not guaranteed and the charity had issued several yearly warnings that it would not be able to continue without the governmental funding.

    In addition, charity Trustees had serious concerns over how it could continue to deliver its services and sought advice from an Insolvency Practitioner.

    Following this, the charity was placed into creditors voluntary liquidation on 5 July 2016.

    Payments made to CEO but not HMRC

    Between December 2014 and May 2016, payments amounting to £143,671 were made to Jo Harvey- Barringer, at a time when only £3,490 was paid in respect of the PAYE liability incurred during that period. This included a single payment of £12,500 made to her on 08 April 2016.

    According to Buzzfeed,  the charity received £1.4 million of public funds in grants from the Home Office. The National Audit Office reported that £34,000 was still owed to HMRC.

    Anthea Simpson, a Chief Investigator with the Investigation and Enforcement Services, of the Insolvency Service said,

    “This ban should serve as a warning to other directors, particularly to those operating in the charity sector, that Company directors have a duty to ensure businesses meet their legal obligations, including paying taxes.

    “Deliberate neglect of tax affairs whilst paying others is not a victimless action as it deprives the taxpayer of the funds needed to operate public services and if they put their own needs before them they could be investigated by the Insolvency Service and lose the privilege of limited liability trading.”

    On 6 June 2018, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Jo Harvey-Barringer, after she admitted failing to make payments to HMRC, while continuing to make payments to herself and other creditors.

    Harvey-Barringer’s ban is effective from 27 June 2018 and lasts for 3.5 years and means that for the duration of the ban, she cannot directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership.

  • This pro footballer has just come out as gay

    Slowly the closet doors that lead to the sportsfield are being swung open.

    Twenty-three-year-old Collin Martin has just come out as gay, wrapped in a pride flag. Amen to that. He becomes the second Stateside pro footballer to do so. Robbie Rogers was the first in 2013.

    He made the announcement via Twitter.

    He wrote, “I am announcing for the first time publicly that I am an openly gay player in Major League Soccer,

    “June is Pride month, and I am proud to be playing for Pride, and to be playing as an out gay man.”

    Collin plays for Minnesota United for two seasons. Before that, he played for DC United. He is a midfielder.

    Despite this great news, the UK has yet to see an openly gay player come out. There are concerns that football players are scared of the consequences of coming out as gay. There are also concerns about the level of scrutiny they may receive. British tabloids have run numerous stories of a Premiership footballer who is on the cusp of coming out as gay or bisexual.

    In 2015 a betting site even opened odds on who the first footballer to come out as gay would be.

     

  • Who won Drag Race season 10

    Who won Drag Race season 10

    It’s been a heady three months but here’s who won Season 10 of the famed RuPaul’s Drag Race.

    who won Drag Race Season 10?

    The winner of this year’s RPDR is – Aquaria. After going up against four others in the ultimate lip-sync battle Aquaria has been crowned the Season 10 winner. She beat Kameron Michaels, Asia O’Hara and Eureka to finish line.

    The last episode was chock full of surprise guests and video messages including one from, Dame Judi Dench, Finty Williams and Oprah Winfrey.

    During her time on the show, Aquaria had three wins plus a mini challenge win. She had just two low scores, but never entered the bottom two.

    The full line-up of DQs who started the show was Asia O’Hara, Aquaria, Blair St. Clair, Dusty Ray Bottoms, Kalorie Kardashian-Williams, Kameron Michaels, Mayhem Miller, Miz Cracker, Monet X-Change, Monique Heart, The Vixen, Vanessa Mateo, Yuhua Hamasaki and Eureka.

    The season was renewed in April 2017, when VH1 gave the go-ahead for a new series. Casting ended in May 2017. The theme for the season was neon. There were 14 episodes.

  • Gay man who has been missing since March, found and back at home

    Great news story.

    A gay man who went missing at the beginning of March has been found and is now back at home with his partner Marc. Phil Nicol went missing on the 1st March 2018.

    Today, Marc tweeted a picture of the pair together and thanks everybody who took part in the search for Phil. In particular, Marc thanked the Met Police and the missing persons’ charity Missing people.

    The campaign to find Phil reached over 6 million people.

    People, who had been following the disappearance on Marc’s Twitter feed were quick to congratulate the safe return of Phil.

  • 8 undies we’re craving for summer 2018

    8 undies we’re craving for summer 2018

    Sun’s out, pants out.

    It’s basically our new saying here at TGUK HQ. These are the undies we need in our life.

    We love a budgie smuggler, but these undies are colour of canaries. Famous underwear brand Barcode actually offers these in seven colours, but we were drawn to these and at just £13.00 from ESMALE they’re a steal.

    Sometimes all you need a simple white brief and sometimes you need something a little see through. These naughty undies from Beyond Doubt manage to achieve both. £28.99 from ESMALE. 

    If you’re looking for something a little cheeky – or something that shows off a little cheek then these “Steven” briefs from MARCO MARCO are the way to go. They’ve got a rather sexy cut out section on the back of the brief. £24.29 from ESMALE.

    Show your pride colours and your ass with this Joe Snyder Rainbow Jockstrap. £21.00 from DeadGoodUndies

    Not quite a brief and not quite a trunk these hipster undies from Doreanse are perfect for those of us who can’t quite make the decision. £11.00 from DeadGoodUndies

    If you’re more a traditionalist and like the idea of the boxer then we can wholeheartedly recommend these from McAlson. They have a clever cuppage system inside the underwear, to make sure you don’t run the risk of freeballin’.  €35.00 from McAlson directly.

    M31001TQ

    If you want to know where *everything* is at all times these trunk style undies from Superdry are the way to go. You can get a multipack of two for £24.99.

    For pure quality, we always go for Crew Clothing and this two-pack of stripped trunk boxers are just the ticket. Just £20.00 for two pairs.

  • We can’t wait to get our hands on this Pride cocktail by Lambrini

    Lambrini boys just want to have fun

    We’ve never seen so many pretty colours in one drink… plus it’s a drink that comes with edibles, so sensibly you’re lining your stomach before you go to town!

    Brilliant

    Here’s how to make the Rainbow Road cocktail.

    METHOD:

    Blend six ice cubes with the 15ml Blue Curaçao. Pour into the bottom of a jam jar style glass that’s been dipped in hundreds and thousands.

    Blend the pineapple juice, lemon juice, vodka and bubblegum gomme with six ice cubes and pour gently on top of the Blue Curaçao.

    Top with crushed ice and pour over the cranberry juice and Very Cherry Lambrini.

    Garnish with fizzy rainbow strips, marshmallows a slice of watermelon and other colourful sweets.

    INGREDIENTS:

    50ml Lambrini Very Cherry
    25ml Vodka
    25ml Cranberry juice
    15ml Blue Curaçao
    15ml Bubblegum gomme
    15ml Lemon juice
    25ml Pineapple juice
    Coloured sweets

  • “Victory for love and equality” Peter Tatchell celebrates Civil Partnerships for all couples

    The Human Rights activist, Peter Tatchell has praised the Supreme Court ruling that mixed-sex couples should be allowed to have civil partnerships.

    A straight couple, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, have won their legal case, which will allow them to have a Civil Partnership instead of a traditional marriage.

    Up until now, the only couples permitted to have CPs were gay and lesbian couples.

    It was a law introduced by the Labour government in 2004, before the Conservatives, under David Cameron were able to vote and pass Same-Sex marriage.

    Civilly Partnered couples are entitled to many of the protections offered by marriage including, inheritance, tax, pension rights and next of kin arrangements.

    Steinfeld and Keidan argued that the Civil Partnership act was unlawful before it was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

    Speaking about the ruling, leading Human Rights activist, Peter Tatchell said, “This is a victory for love and equality. It was never right to deny opposite-sex couples the option of having a civil partnership. In a democracy, we are all supposed to be equal before the law. It is wonderful news that the Supreme Court has ruled against the government and in favour of equal civil partnerships”.

    This ruling overturns a previous judgement made by the Court of Appeal made in February 2017.

    Peter Tatchell has supported Rebecca Steinfeld’s and Charles Keidan from the outset of their legal challenge in 2014.

    Indeed, he championed the right of opposite-sex couples to have a civil partnership from the moment Tony Blair’s government announced in 2003 that the option would be available to same-sex couples only, condemning it as “blatant discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

    Speaking about today’s victory in the Supreme Court, Mr Tatchell said, “The ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships was discrimination and a violation of human rights. It is outrageous that the government was unwilling to legislate equality and that this couple were forced to go to court to get a basic human right – the right to be treated equally in law.

    “It was never fair that same-sex couples had two options, civil partnerships and civil marriages, whereas opposite-sex partners had only one option, marriage,” said Mr Tatchell.

    In May THEGAYUK.com ran a poll of its readers which found that 62 percent of LGBT+ people who answer believed that Civil Partnerships should be open to all couples, while only eight percent believed that they should remain for just same-sex couples.

    Thirty percent believed that Civil Partnerships should be scrapped altogether.

     

  • Straight couples should be able to get Civil Partnership, Supreme Court rules

    Straight couples should be able to get Civil Partnership, Supreme Court rules

    Mixed-sex couples should be allowed to have civil partnerships, Supreme Court rules.

    CREDIT: ©-welcomia-Depositphotos

    A straight couple, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, have won their legal case, which could allow them to have a Civil Partnership instead of a traditional marriage.

    Up until now, the only couples permitted to have CPs were gay and lesbian couples.

    It was a law introduced by the Labour government in 2004, before the Conservatives, under David Cameron were able to vote and pass Same-Sex marriage.

    Civilly Partnered couples are entitled to many of the protections offered by marriage including, inheritance, tax, pension rights and next of kin arrangements.

    Steinfeld and Keidan argued that the Civil Partnership act was unlawful before it was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

    This ruling overturns a previous judgement made by the Court of Appeal made in February 2017.

    In May THEGAYUK.com ran a poll of its readers which found that 62 percent of LGBT+ people who answer believed that Civil Partnerships should be open to all couples, while only eight percent believed that they should remain for just same-sex couples.

    Thirty percent believed that Civil Partnerships should be scrapped altogether.