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  • Homophobic bullying doubles in Manchester schools in two years

    There has been a shocking surge in homophobic bullying in Manchester’s secondary schools.

    Homophobic bullying doubles in Manchester schools in two years

    A report released by Liberal Democrat, John Leech shows a shocking increase in homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s high schools. Nearly 700 incidents were recorded in the last six years. John Leech called the increase “upsetting”.

    The report also highlights that there were just 8 reports of homophobic bullying in 2010/11 to 160 in 2015/16.

    The former Manchester MP of ten years submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) enquiry to every high school in the city and has said it is “depressingly clear” that homophobic and transphobic bullying is here to stay.

    Of the 42 high schools in Manchester, 36 responded to the legal request. Mr Leech also raised concerns at the number of schools who had reported zero incidents in the last five years, saying that schools may be too worried to come forward with the real numbers.

    Of the 25 schools that did respond, a worrying trend showed incidents doubling in the last two years, from 76 in 2012-13 to a staggering 160 in 2015-16.

    Reports of bullying ranged from name-calling to physical assault.

    John Leech, who led the successful campaign to pardon war hero Alan Turing, said: “Bullying of any kind is completely unacceptable but to still have homophobia and transphobia rife in Manchester’s schools is deplorable.

    “I have fought for LGBTQ+ rights my whole life and these numbers are really, really upsetting to see.”

    Leech designed the Bill and led the campaign to pardon Alan Turing, whom he said was a “hero”, and whose conviction for homosexuality he slammed as “utterly disgusting and ultimately just embarrassing”. He went on to secure the pardon for the 50,000+ other men convicted of similar offences and led the campaign to outlaw homophobic chanting at football matches.

    Now Mr Leech has turned his attention to what appears to be a concerning spike and consistent rise in teenage bullying. In 2010-11 there were just 8 reports but continued to rise steadily to 160 in 2015-16.

    The reports highlights the staggering increase in the number of reports of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s secondary schools.

    The information for the year 2016-17 only covers until January but there were already 134 incidents making it set to be the worst year yet. In total there were 666 reported incidents of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s high schools from 2010-17.

    But that doesn’t cover the full story. 17 schools either refused to answer the FOI Request or reported zero incidents – something Mr Leech raises significant doubt over: “Whilst this is concerning, it is much better that schools are transparent with their reports. Schools that came back with 0 reports can only be misleading in what is clearly a worrying trend across the city. We have to be realistic about the issue here and sweeping it under the carpet helps no one.”

    In an emotional speech at the Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth the former MP added: “We have absolutely no right to claim we live in a decent society when this kind of behaviour is still rife in our schools.”

    Mr Leech pledged to work with schools, LGBTQ+ groups and local communities to further promote equal rights and said that he would commit himself and his party to “virtually anything” to tackle the growing problem in Manchester’s schools.

  • Brazil just ruled that being gay is a disease

    A court in Brazil has ruled that gay cure therapy is legal

    Despite having one of the largest LGBT+ prides in the world, a court in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, has ruled that homosexuality is a disease and that so-called “gay cure” therapy is legal.

    Judge Waldemar Claudio de Carvalho ruled that homosexuality can be treated as a disease and that conversion therapy as a means of curing it, is legal. The ruling has caused widespread condemnation and concern amongst LGBT+ people and their allies.

    The judge overruled a 1999 resolution which outlawed therapists from treating homosexuality.

    The appeal on that resolution was put forward by an evangelical Christian, Rozangela Justino, who was banned from practising after offering conversion therapies.

    A number of high-profile organisations and people have rallied against the ruling saying that they will appeal the decision. Toni Reis, who heads the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Alliance, said the ruling was a step in the wrong direction plans to appeal at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

    Brazil’s psychology council says it would appeal the injunction also.

    Speaking to the Guardian, David Miranda, a gay councillor in Rio de Janeiro said,

    “This decision is a big regression to the progressive conquests that the LBGT community had in recent decades”.

    Brazil also has one of the highest crime and murder rates against LGBT+ people in the world. In 2016 it was recorded that one LGBT+ person was killed every day in Brazil.

     

     

  • Feminists and transgender activists clash at Speakers’ Corner

    Police are investigating after an altercation between feminists and transgender activists in London last week.

    One woman, 60, was injured after a confrontation between two groups, gender critical feminists and trans-rights activists. The incident happened in Hyde Park on Wednesday.

    Many gender critical feminists are opposed to rights campaigning from and for transgender women. Some believe that only women born with a vagina and XX chromosomes are “real women”.

    Attacked

    Maria MacLachlan, a ‘gender critical feminist’ suffered facial injuries at the famous Speakers’ Corner, in Hyde Park. She alleges that her camera was also smashed and the memory card was also stolen. She claims that one of the trans activists was her attacker.

    A video of the scuffle uploaded to YouTube has been viewed thousands of times.

    Speaking to the Mail On Sunday, Ms MacLachlan said,

    “These studenty-looking types were turning up and some arguments started to take place but I kept well out of it.’

    “I thought, ‘I can film this, it will be interesting.’ They were getting louder and louder. Then suddenly someone tried to grab my camera. It was scary. Someone kept trying to get my camera. I think it was a girl, but I couldn’t tell because they had a hoodie over their eyes.”

    Reaction

    Taking to Twitter the UK’s largest LGBT+ charity, Stonewall made a statement, writing, “There is no place for violence in our movement, as a form of attack or retaliation”.

    A statement from Trans Health London said,

    “We condemn violence against women in all forms. We’re proud that many self-organising activists, allies and supporters stood against hatred, misogyny and intimidation.”

    The police were called no arrests were made.

     

    * A previous version of this article used the word fight, this has now been changed to altercation, confrontation and incident.

     

  • Can you guess the one question that David Walliams is asked about Simon Cowell all the time?

    Is Simon Cowell gay?

    Is Simon Cowell gay
    Simon Cowell’s sexuality is, apparently the number one question asked of his co-judge on Britain’s Got Talent, David Walliams.

    Apparently, it’s the most asked question funny man, David Walliams is asked about his Britain’s Got Talent fellow judge, Simon Cowell. The Little Britain creator told fellow comic John Bishop about the line of questioning on his brand new show, on W, In Conversation With.

    Of course, viewers of the show will know about the constant flirting and innuendo between the two, so how does David answer this question about Simon Cowell’s sexuality?

    David Walliams who has himself admitted that gender was not important for future relationships said that he was “starstruck” by Simon Cowell and said that he had a “crush” on the UK’s most powerful music man.

    Well apparently, the one thing, according to David, that makes Simon uncomfortable is any questioning about his sexuality, who said,

    “I’ve played up to it. It does make him quite uncomfortable and I suppose that’s why I do it because I feel like my job on that show is to completely wind him up.”

    Starstruck by Simon

    David Walliams said he found himself starstruck by Simon Cowell and that he had a bit of a crush on the music man.

    David, who revealed that gender was not an important factor when choosing a partner, then revealed that he had a bit of a crush on Simon, who’s currently appearing on ITV’s X Factor,  saying, “I am quite starstruck by him and he has got a lot of charisma so it is hard not to have a little bit of a crush on him.”

    Last year Simon came under fire from viewers after he made an inappropriate comment to presenter Rylan about liking it by the back door. Viewers have also noted Simon’s constant sexuality jibes towards fellow X Factor judge, Louis Walsh.
    Simon is partnered with Lauren Silverman and together they have one child, Eric who was born in 2014.
     The third series of John Bishop’s hit Q&A-style programme airs Thursday nights at 9pm on W

  • Three teenagers convicted of violent homophobic assault on train

    Three teenagers who pleaded guilty to attacking two passengers on a train because of their sexuality have been jailed.

    Three teenagers pleaded guilty to Violent Disorder against two boyfriends

    They were sentenced to six months in Prison

    Told to pay the victims just £100 in compensation.

    The three male youths, two aged 16 and one aged 17, were each sentenced to six months in prison at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 14 September, after admitting violent disorder and, in one case, possession of an offensive weapon.

    In the early hours of 15 February 2017 two men, who are in a relationship, boarded a train from Reading to London and fell asleep. The three defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, got on at Hayes and Harlington.

    One of the 16-year-old defendants walked through the carriages and spotted the victims asleep and resting on each other. He went back to inform the other two.

    The trio then returned and engaged the victims in a conversation before attacking them. They were punched and kicked several times. One was stamped on whilst the other was hit over the head with a glass bottle. The sustained attack left both victims with extensive bruising to the head and face and one lost two teeth.

    Following a British Transport Police investigation, the three defendants were charged and later pleaded guilty to violent disorder. One of them also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

    Hatred motivated by homophobia

    The couple show the results of their horrific attack. The sustained attack left both victims with extensive bruising to the head and face and one lost two teeth.

    The CPS argued that the attack was motivated by hatred of the victims’ actual or perceived sexual orientation and asked the court to treat the incident as a homophobic hate crime. This was accepted and each defendant received a four-month prison sentence increased to six months because of the hate crime element. They were also each ordered to pay £100 in compensation to each of their victims.

    The prosecution also successfully applied for one of the victims and another witness to give evidence from behind a screen to allay their fears about being targeted or intimidated.

    Lauranne Middleton from the CPS said: “This was a violent assault and we successfully argued that it was fuelled by the defendants’ homophobia.

    “Where prosecutors have evidence that an attack was motivated by hostility towards someone’s sexual orientation, they will ask the court to consider this as an aggravating factor which deserves a harsher sentence.

    “This successful prosecution demonstrates how seriously the CPS treats such cases and our commitment to bringing offenders of hate crime to justice.”

  • The Bromans all got bare within 5 minutes

    I mean what are we watching exactly…

    The Bromans all got bare within 5 minutes

    So ITV2’s new reality show, Bromans, you can catch up with the first episode on the ITV hub, seems to have lots of ridiculously hot straight couples, doing Roman type things and not wearing very much (which, of course, we don’t mind at all). In fact, for us, it’s the only reason to be watching.

    The first episode had the boys take off all their clothes – within the first five minutes – which resulted in a lot of peen show. The girls then had to dig around in the dirt to find their respective partner’s Roman outfits – which also didn’t leave much to the imagination.

    So get your peepers around these rather hot guys in their altogether!

    So if you want to see men in the altogether and their girlfriends digging around in the dirt – then this is the programme for you.

     

    To see the completely unedited versions click here.

    Like what you see you can catch up on the ITV hub

  • Time to end the inequalities faced by gay men who want to become fathers

    A new petition has been created on the official UK Parliament website which highlights the inequalities gay men face if they want to have children by surrogacy.

    Time to end the inequalities faced by gay men who want to become fathers

    Surrogacy is an expensive process, particularly for gay men and is difficult to achieve in the UK. Outside the UK, where rules are more relaxed about the advertising for surrogate mothers and payment process, just a quick read of our Journey To Fatherhood columns will show that a hopeful father could be spending over $150,000 in order to find a surrogate to carry a child.

    In the UK it is illegal to advertise for a surrogate and illegal to pay them to carry your child. You can offer to pay “reasonable expenses” however because of these restrictions it can be near impossible to find a partnership.

    Speaking in 2013, an associate from Pinder Reaux told us,

    In the UK, although surrogacy arrangements are permitted by law, it is illegal for a woman to make a profit from offering a surrogacy service. Any such commercial contracts are not legally binding or enforceable and any person, who charges for negotiating a surrogacy arrangement, or advertising such arrangement, will commit a criminal offence under the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985. For those who are considering surrogacy, it is therefore imperative to be aware of the law before such time as you engage in the process.

    As well as limiting any payment to ‘reasonable expenses only’ the UK law states that the surrogate woman who gives birth, whether she is genetically related to the child or not, is regarded as the legal mother of the child, with the absolute right to change her mind following the birth (s33 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008). It is only the subsequent granting of a parental order transferring the legal parentage to the married/unmarried couple which makes the process complete.

    The petition’s creator, Scott McKinnell states,

    “IVF treatment for couples that are unable to have children naturally is a fantastic way to have a precious family. Gay women are also able to have IVF treatment to be able to have a biological family which is also a blessing, but for gay men, there is no way of doing this.

    “Women around the country are happy being surrogates but you are not allowed to advertise this making surrogacy being legal very hard to come by. The greatest gift is a gift of life to someone that cannot produce it”.

     

    If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures by 14th March 2018, the Government will respond to the petition. If it reaches 100,000 the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    To sign the petition visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200291

     

  • Pride In London announces biggest organisational restructuring since 2012

    The organisers behind London’s historic Pride parade have today announced changes to their operation, as well as a new drive to bring new experience to the team. The enhanced structure places greater emphasis on community engagement across the board and will carry it forward for the next five years after it secured permission to continue running the event from the Greater London Authority.

    Pride In London announces biggest organisational restructuring since 2012

    As one of the longest running Pride events in the world, London plays host to one of the largest, most influential, most recognised and most impactful parades and events, but it can only do this thanks to the committed help of more than 100 year-round volunteers. In order to meet growing demand, and to help ensure Pride in London continues to grow and succeed for all LGBT+ people, organisers are appealing for people to apply for the many roles currently available – and to have a direct say in plans for next year.

    In 2017 the team launched a major advertising campaign to highlight hate crime, it broadcast TV adverts in an LGBT+ awareness campaign – the first to ever specifically highlight bisexual people, it launched a Facebook Live discussion programme, put on a parade with 28,000 participants and more than 1m spectators, and took its campaign internationally displaying messages of love from London in Times Square, New York and at World Pride in Madrid.

    On the back of Pride’s own surveys, consultations and feedback sessions throughout the summer, the re-structure will expand the board. Five positions on the Board of Directors are currently open. These are:

    Director of Volunteer Management
    Director of Community Engagement
    Director of Marketing
    Director of Events
    Director of Fundraising

    The recruitment process will be open, and the organisers are especially keen to hear from a diverse mix of applications.

    Applications will close on Friday, 6th October and Board members will be conducting interviews during w/c 9th and 16th October.

    Wider recruitment for core team roles will continue during October and there will be an ‘open day’ to enable those who are interested in volunteering to meet and find out more about Pride in London and the roles available.

    Recognition and thanks go to former board directors Patrick Lyster-Todd (one of the founders of Pride in London) and Mohsin Zaidi, both of whom worked tirelessly to help build the UK’s biggest and most diverse Pride Festival. Their camaraderie will be missed.

    The board restructure and recruitment drive is the first step in wider changes to Pride in London following feedback sessions and an evaluation of its mission for the coming years. Further announcements on this will be made in due course.

    Alison Camps, co-chair of Pride in London, said,

    “After five years, it has been important for us all at Pride in London to take stock and ensure we are in the best possible place to deliver the best event we can.

    “We can only do that if we adapt and grow and ensure the entire LGBTQ+ community is involved and is a part of the movement.

    “Volunteering with Pride in London has been one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had, and it is an incredible privilege to be part of it. I hope more people join us, and help create an event and movement that is as impactful and successful as ever.”

    Commenting, co-chair Michael Salter-Church, who helped set up Pride in London in 2012, said,

    “Five years ago, a small group of committed volunteers came together to rescue London’s Pride, after previous organisers fell into financial difficulty. That small team has now grown to more than 100 all-year-round volunteers.

    “2017 saw one of the largest parades the city has seen, and solidified the LGBTQ+ community at the heart of London and the UK. It also proved the strength of support towards Pride and how important the event is to LGBTQ+ people at home and abroad.

    “I am looking forward to welcoming many more people to the Pride family and gearing up to being better than ever in 2018.”

    Information about roles will be available at prideinlondon.org/volunteer

  • 5 gay date ideas in London this weekend 16-17 September

    Looking for something to do this weekend – check out our quick guide…

    London Queer Fashion show

    £10.50 – £26.25

    Okay, not quite the weekend, but on Wednesday 20th, in Hackney, the London Queer Fashion Show will be showcasing the most exciting designs and ideas from some of London’s brightest young stars. LQFS exhibits the greatest new talent, the people who know that gender exists beyond the binary, that clothing does not exist in male and female forms. The designers who are moving fashion forward to inspire and empower our city and society. LQFS gives visibility to the diversity within our community, helping to break down gender norms and show that the queer community follows no rules.

    From 6:00 PM at the Hackney Showroom – tickets are from £21.00 

    Drag Queen Brunch

    £££

    The Ivy Soho Brasserie will be hosting a Drag Queen Brunch on Sunday 17 September in celebration of London’s Fashion Week. Between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, guests will be greeted and hosted by two fabulous drag queens – Tiffaney Wells and Adora Dix – to ignite their brunching experience.

    The Ivy Soho Brasserie’s brunch menu will feature an array of The Ivy Collection classic dishes such as chicken Milanese, hot buttermilk pancakes and the melting chocolate bombe. Tiffaney Wells and Adora Dix will be the Maître D’ for the day and will ensure an experience with vibrant entertainment to excite and engage guests throughout their meal.

    Consumers can book The Ivy Soho Brasserie’s Drag Queen Brunch online or over the phone at 0203 301 1166.

     

    Kardashian Dash

    Free 

    London, UK – 13 September 2017 – E! Entertainment Television – NBCUniversal International Network’s (NBCUIN) channel dedicated to pop culture – is celebrating 10 years of Keeping Up With The Kardashians by giving fans an immersive experience of the show with the launch of a FREE two day event – “E! Celebrates 10 Years of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.”
    Opening its doors at London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery on 22-23rd September, the event brings to life everything you know and love about television’s longest running docu-series, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, over two days of unmissable experiences including: ultimate selfie opportunities, make-up masterclasses and more, to ensure that ultimate E! fans are “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.”  The event is an absolute must for all super-fans of the show.  FREE tickets for the exclusive event are limited and available on a first-come-first-serve basis from www.seetickets.com/go/kuwtk

    King’s Head Theatre

    £22.50

    London is very fortunate to have a theatre like the King’s Head because of its repertoire of gay-themed shows. And now it’s in the middle of presenting its LGBT Festival with the showcase of a new play called Outlaws to In-Laws.

    Outlaws to In-Laws attempts, successfully, to depict the experiences of gay men over the last seven decades. And while it’s a subject that would be daunting for any theatre, or playwright, involved, the seven playwrights who wrote the seven shows that cover seven decades of gay life do their darnedest to both entertain and educate the audience.

    Outlaws to In-Laws is now playing at The King’s Head Theatre until September 23.

     

    Go shopping for Vintage Gear

    Free

    The famed retro market, Dusty Fingers Market is Hitting Dalston and is going canalside for one weekend. Make your way to Hertford Road, Haggerston to get your mitts on some vintage gear.

    Find out more

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Obama leads touching tribute to Edith Windsor

    Obama Leads Tributes to Edith Windsor

    Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton led tributes following the death of LGBT rights campaigner Edith Windsor, 88, whose lawsuit led to the federal recognition of equal rights for same-sex couples. “America’s long journey towards equality has been guided by countless small acts of persistence, and fuelled by the stubborn willingness of quiet heroes to… (more…)

  • “Pharma Bro” jailed after asking for a hair from Hillary Clinton’s head

    Martin Shkreli has been jailed, after asking fans for a strand of Hillary Clinton’s hair.

    Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli has been jailed after a US judge revoked his bail. The businessman who was convicted of securities fraud last month for mismanaging two investment funds was out on a $5 million bail, whilst awaiting sentencing, but a judge ruled that his request for a strand of the former Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton was bail breaking.

    Shkreli is notorious in the US for jacking up the price of an HIV medication from $13.50 to $750 overnight in 2015 when he ran Turing Pharmaceuticals.

    Shkreli was questioned by US District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto over a Facebook post he published in which he asked for a strand of Clinton’s hair during her book tour, and would award anyone who managed to secure the hair with $5000.

    His lawyer Benjamin Brafman argued that the post was “poor judgment” and insisted that his client “never intended to cause alarm or promote any act of violence whatsoever.”

    The Judge disagreed and revoked bail and he was remanded to a detention facility saying, “The fact that he continues to remain unaware of the inappropriateness of his actions or words demonstrate to me he may well be an ongoing danger or risk to the community”.

    He will remain there until his sentencing hearing, slated for 16th January 2018.