THEGAYUK

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  • “Reckless” Trump reverses Trans bathroom protections

    “Reckless” Trump reverses Trans bathroom protections

    Trump’s administration has reversed Obama’s bathroom guidelines which protected the rights of trans students.

    CREDIT: andykatz / bigstock

    The rights of trans Americans have been officially curtailed after President Donald Trump‘s administration rescinded the guidelines about trans people’s bathroom rights, which were put forward by Obama during his second term.

    The guidelines allowed for trans students to use bathrooms and changing rooms which match their current gender identity rather than the biological sex written on their birth certificates.

    The White House stated that the previous guidelines did not “contain extensive legal analysis or explain how the position is consistent with the express language of Title IX, nor did they undergo any formal public process.”

    Schools and the Supreme Court were told by letter on Wednesday that the guidance was changing.

    Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary said that Donald Trump was “a firm believer in states’ rights and that certain issues like this are not best dealt with on the federal level.”

    ALSO READ:

     

    A spokesperson for the Campaign for Southern Equality condemned the action saying that “no child should be denied access to basic facilities or subjected to discriminatory treatment” and called the current Trump administration “reckless”

    Despite the rollback, the letter will have no effect as the guidelines were blocked by the federal court after they were issued.

    Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality said,

    “The reality is that the protections of Title IX are still in effect for transgender students. We will fight every day to ensure that these protections remain in place”.

  • Nearly one third of Brits think that being gay is a choice

    Nearly one third of Brits think that being gay is a choice

    Staggering findings from a YouGov survey has found that nearly one-third of Britons think that being gay is a choice.

    CREDIT: Oneinchpunch-bigstock

    A survey has found that 31 per cent of British people think that being gay is a choice and not a naturally occurring phenomenon. YouGov who conducted the poll found that nearly half of people questioned (49%) thought gay people were born that way.

    Overall, three per cent of those questioned thought that someone’s sexuality was the result of a person’s upbringing.

    Men were more likely to think that homosexuality was a choice with 32 per cent believing homosexuality was a choice. A slim majority (54 per cent) of women believed that it was the way people were born. Those who are 18 to 24 were more likely to think it was how people were born.

    ALSO READ:

    When the stats were broken down into political persuasions, 41 per cent those of who voted UKIP thought that being gay was a choice while 39 per cent thought that it was naturally occurring. Those who vote Labour and Liberal Democrat were more likely to believe that it was the way that people were born, but still, a quarter believing that it is a choice.

    Data journalist Matthew Smith from YouGov said,

    “The survey finds that those who voted Labour or Lib Dem in 2015 are the most likely to say people are born gay (both 58%), and the least likely to believe it is a choice (25% and 26% respectively). Conservative voters are much less likely to believe people are born gay (43%), but are still more likely to do so than think people choose to be gay (35%).”

  • Activists take over London’s landmarks to reclaim LGBT+ history

    Activists take over London’s landmarks to reclaim LGBT+ history

    A number of LGBT+ activists have taken to the streets of London to reclaim LGBT history.

    Sexual Avengers
    CREDIT: Sexual Avengers

    Activists from the campaign group Sexual Avengers have taken to the streets of London to mark various landmarks with special blue plaques to “reclaim radical” LGBT+ history.

    The Sexual Avengers have taken over often ignored sites of LGBT history including, The House Of Lords, The Admiral Duncan and the home of Black Pride.

    Security guards at the House of Lords were “baffled” as four lesbians scaled the outside wall to affix a specially designed blue plaque with the words “Queer Heritage” emblazoned on it. The move mirror the actions of four lesbians who climbed the building in 1988 during the Section 28 debate.

    Sexual Avengers
    CREDIT: Sexual Avengers
    Sexual Avengers
    CREDIT: Sexual Avengers

    Speaking about the stunt, Sexual Avenger Lucy Warin said,

    “For us, the personal is political. I’ve grown up queer in a straight world that tells me I’m allowed to be gay, but not ‘too gay’.

    “As a community we don’t get to celebrate our personal history much – straight people can’t identify the place they ‘come out’, they didn’t lose their virginity ‘in the closet’ and they probably can’t name one of the multiple places on public transport where I’ve lowered my voice or degendered my partner when telling a friend about a relationship.

    “There should be no shame attached to these sites. We have to uncover our history to celebrate and learn from it.”

    Sexual Avengers
    CREDIT: Sexual Avengers

    Sexual Avenger Ariana Jordão, 33, attached the plaque to the House of Lords.

    She said,

    “We did this to celebrate collective acts of queer resistance. The House of Lords represents the powerful who ignore the interests of the few, so this is about visibility, creating something that’s impossible to ignore – a rupture in the impenetrable powerhouse. It felt awesome standing on the shoulders of giants, and of my friends.” Ariana is a biologist, artist and gardener.

    Sexual Avenger Dan Glass said,

    “Radical queer history is full of hope, full of hard fought campaigns by committed groups and individuals that have won us the rights we now enjoy today. London is unique as a ‘gay friendly’ city with no permanent LGBTQIA+ museum or cultural space: comparable cities such as Berlin, San Francisco or New York all have such a space. We demand a queer cultural space to understand where we’ve come from, and how far we still have to go to achieve equality, especially for the most vulnerable members of our community.”

    The activists plan to target a number of spaces in London, including:

    The House of Lords, where four lesbian activists abseiled into a debate to protest queerphobic Section 28 legislation, 2 February 1988

    The Admiral Duncan gay pub, where three people were killed and 70 injured by a Neo-Nazi nail bomber, 30 April 1999

    Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, the current site of the UK’s only pride event organised by and run for people of colour, 2005 to present

    and a number of LGBT clubs that have closed in recent years.

    The Hoist, 1995 to 2016
    The Black Cap, 1965 to 2015
    The George & Dragon, 2002 to 2015
    Barcode, 1996 to 2015
    The Joiner’s Arms, 1997 to 2015
    Candy Bar, 1996 to 2014
    First Out Café, 1986 to 2011
    London Astoria, 1976 to 2009
    Ghetto, 2001 to 2008

  • Milo Yiannopoulos resigns from right-wing news site Breitbart

    Milo Yiannopoulos resigns from right-wing news site Breitbart

    Right-wing commentator, Milo Yiannopoulos has resigned from his editor job at Breitbart following the fall out from child abuse comments.

    Milo Yiannopoulos has resigned from his editor job at Breitbart, just hours after book publisher, Simon and Schuster announced that they were cancelling his book, Dangerous.

    In a statement to the press, Milo said,

    “I would be wrong to allow my poor choice of words to detract from my colleagues’ important reporting, so today I am resigning from Breitbart, effective immediately. This decision is mine alone.

    “To repeat: I do not support child abuse,

    “I am sorry to other abuse victims who may have interpreted my statements as flippant.”

    There was outrage online after Milo talked about sex between “younger boys” and older men, which he made during an online live stream interview. The interview was edited and distributed on Twitter and YouTube.

    According to The Guardian Milo said the age of consent was “not this black and white thing” and that relationships “between younger boys and older men … can be hugely positive experiences”.

    In another video, which is available to see on YouTube, Milo said that at the age of 14 he was the predator and “aggressively seeking out sexual company of adults” to have “power” over them.

    Milo took to his Facebook to say he was disgusted by the video and that he was a “child abuse victim” and that he is “horrified by paedophilia”. He made the claim that videos of him were edited “deceptively”.

    In a statement Breitbart said that Milo had provided much needed debate on topics surrounding the LGBT+ community. They said,

    “Milo Yiannopoulos’s bold voice has sparked much-needed debate on important cultural topics confronting universities, the LGBTQ community, the press, and the tech industry.

    “Milo notified us this morning of his decision to resign as editor of Breitbart Tech and we accepted his resignation.”

     

  • Simon and Schuster cancel Milo’s book

    Book publisher Simon and Schuster have dropped Milo Yiannopoulos forthcoming book, Dangerous after a huge online protest.

    Milo Yiannopoulos

    Taking to his Facebook account yesterday, controversial right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos confirmed that the publisher of his book, an imprint of Simon And Schuster, has dropped it. It reportedly paid him $250,000 for the rights to his book.

    The decision was made after comments over child abuse caused outrage online.

    A statement from the publisher said, “After careful consideration, Simon & Schuster and its Threshold Editions imprint have cancelled publication of Dangerous by Milo Yiannopoulos.”

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    The book was due to be released in June after been pushed back from a March drop date and had topped the Amazon book chart after its release was announced.

    There was outrage online after Milo seemingly endorsed sex between “younger boys” and older men, which he made during an online live stream interview. The interview was edited and distributed on Twitter and YouTube.

    According to The Guardian Milo said the age of consent was “not this black and white thing” and that relationships “between younger boys and older men … can be hugely positive experiences”.

    In another video, which is available to see on YouTube, Milo said that at the age of 14 he was the predator and “aggressively seeking out sexual company of adults” to have “power” over them.

    Milo took to his Facebook to say he was disgusted by the video and that he was a “child abuse victim” and that he is “horrified by paedophilia”. He made the claim that videos of him were edited “deceptively”.

    He wrote,

    “I’m partly to blame.

    “My own experiences as a victim led me to believe I could say anything I wanted to on this subject, no matter how outrageous.

    “But I understand that my usual blend of British sarcasm, provocation and gallows humor might have come across as flippancy, a lack of care for other victims or, worse, “advocacy.” I deeply regret that. People deal with things from their past in different ways.”

    He told his fans that he was “implacably opposed” to the normalisation of paedophilia and would continue to speak out against it.

     

     

  • Jeremy Hunt is being urged to save HIV charity from closure after theatening funding cuts

    Jeremy Hunt is being urged to save HIV charity from closure after theatening funding cuts

    The Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt is being urged to take action after an HIV charity in England signalled it could close due to crippling funding cuts.

    Sussex Beacon
    CREDIT: Sussex Beacon

    HIV charity, Sussex Beacon says it could be forced close by June due to funding cuts from the NHS. The charity which was formed in 1992 faces a “very real risk” of being shuttered after its core funding was reduced by the NHS. The charity currently costs £2 million a year to run. Trustees from the charity say they cannot continue to absorb these cuts.

    The charity, which is based in Brighton, serves around 500 people per year who are living with HIV and AIDS related illnesses. It has already announced it is to close its psychological services due to lack of funding.

    ALSO READ:

     

    A petition has been launched urging Jeremy Hunt to save the charity. Since it went live over 10,000 people have signed it.

    The closure of the vital service has been called devastating by Brighton’s MP, Caroline Lucas who called on the government to make an “urgent intervention” to stop the charity from closing.

    Caroline Lucas said,

    “The closure of the Sussex Beacon would be devastating for service users, staff and volunteers. The importance of the work being done by this vital service for people with HIV cannot be overstated – and I have written to the government asking for an urgent intervention to prevent any closure. I know that those involved with the Sussex Beacon will not let this service be slashed without a fight, and I’ll be continuing to be closely in touch with them and standing with them every step of the way.”

    In 2016 the LGBT+ mental health charity PACE was forced to close after funding cuts were made to local authority budgets. It had been in operation for 31 years before its closure.

    THEGAYUK.com reached out to Jeremy Hunt’s office for comment.

     

  • Evening Standard appoints its first LGBT+ correspondent

    Evening Standard appoints its first LGBT+ correspondent

    The Evening Standard has appointed its very first LGBT+ Correspondent.

    London Evening Standard
    CREDIT: By Philafrenzy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
    One of London’s most read news outlets, The Evening Standard has appointed its first LGBT+ correspondent, Amy Ashenden, who is also the outlet’s online Assistant Video Editor. The writer is also the editor of The Gay Word, a documentary about the evolution of the word “gay” asking the question, “Is it homophobic or has language evolved?”

    Amy Ashenden
    CREDIT: Amy Ashenden/Twitter

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com Amy spoke how important the new role way for the LGBT+ community saying,

    “I feel it’s an important role because London has a huge queer community.

    “There’s so much happening here and being queer myself, I’ve always been keen to make sure LGBTQ voices are heard and that all of London is represented. LGBTQ content is something I’ve been doing a lot of ever since I started at the Standard and I’m delighted the new title will formally recognise that”

    Having an LGBT+ correspondent is very rare for mainstream media and Amy suggests that it’s a great way of making content inclusive, representative and a brillaint way to bring more diversity across the media,

    Amy continued,

    “I think having a LGBTQ Correspondent is a great way of making content inclusive and more relevant to wider audiences. There is a lack of diverse content across many media outlets, and being fair, representative and inclusive is something I think all journalism should strive to be”

    “I am very proud to be the Evening Standard’s first ever LGBTQ Correspondent and it goes to show you should never shy away from telling stories you feel passionate about. If there’s something LGBTQ happening, particularly in London, please get in touch! I’m always keeping an eye out for stories”.

    You can read Amy’s articles here

  • Child carer told not to tell parents that she was gay, in case they thought she was paedophile

    A child carer caller on Katie Hopkins LBC radio show claimed she was told by the school that she works with not to tell parents that she is gay.

    A caller rang into Katie Hopkins‘ morning talk show on LBC to say that she was advised not to tell parents that she was a lesbian. Sally, who says that she was “head of care” at a residential school in the UK, was told not to disclose her sexuality by the head of the school – in case people thought she was a paedophile.

    Speaking to Katie, Sally said,

    “I was once asked by the head not to let any of the parents know that I was a lesbian, because they wanted for parents to believe that they were safe. There are a lot of people out there who still believe that being homosexual is akinned to being a pedophile.

    “I think that view prevails throughout society”.

    Sally called in after Katie asked her listeners whether the “traditional family unit” was best, after the Church of England’s Synod rejected a call for continued opposition to same-sex marriage.

  • This gay retro colouring in book is to DIE FOR

    This gay retro colouring in book is to DIE FOR

    This retro 1964 colouring book is slightly amazing.

    The Gay Coloring Book

    In it, you’re invited to colour in scenes of a bathhouse orgy, a park cruising scene and the jolliest birthday party you’ve ever witnessed. Welcome to The Gay Coloring Book.

    The flamboyant book, of which there are several in the series, were first published in 1964, cost $2.00 and contained 32 pages for your colouring in delight.

    Back in the 60s you could mail order, My Trip Around The World described as a new devilishly witty where Danny, our hero gets to meet 35 of the “world’s most attractive men”.

    Find more images over at HoustonLGBTHistory.org

    H/T UnicornBooty.com

  • Delta passenger called the police on Mykki Blanco because he didn’t like people like Mykki

    Delta passenger called the police on Mykki Blanco because he didn’t like people like Mykki

    Rapper Mykki Blanco has reported on Twitter that a passenger sitting in the next seat had the police called because Delta Airlines allowed “someone like me” on board.

    By Imnotcmjames (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
    Mykki Blanco, real name Michael Quattlebaum Jr,  was taking a flight on board a Delta Airlines flight from Toronto to Detroit when the man in the next seat had the police called. According to Mykki, the passenger said he was “not comfortable” and didn’t know how Delta allowed someone like Mykki to board the plane and sit next to him.

    https://twitter.com/MykkiBlanco/status/832724865056698370

    https://twitter.com/MykkiBlanco/status/832725072318050305

    When questioned by the police, Mykki said a police officer told him that an FBI report would be made about the “interaction” between the entertainer and the other passenger. Mykki refutes that any interaction happened and insists ” I slept through the entire flight”

    https://twitter.com/MykkiBlanco/status/832725529258139648

    Mykki hopes the Delta cabin crew would be able to back up the statement about being asleep during the flight.

    https://twitter.com/MykkiBlanco/status/832858267235844097

    According to the entertainer’s own report, the police told Mykki that he would “go to jail” if he continued to ask why the police were giving preferential to the man who made the report.

    Mykki has said that this was the most “bizarre” form of homophobia the artist has ever experienced.

    https://twitter.com/MykkiBlanco/status/832725875212836864

    A Delta customer service rep was quick to respond on Twitter saying, that they couldn’t believe their eyes and that they were “sorry” for the experience. They said that “discrimination of any kind” was not tolerated onboard their flights and that they “Love” all their passengers.

    THEGAYUK has reached out to Delta for comment.

     

    ALSO READ: Mykki Blanco latest video apparently banned from YouTube

     

     

     

     

  • Oh dear… Sean Spicer just called the Canadian Prime Minister the wrong name

    Sean Spicer just made a grievous error after calling Canada’s Prime Minister the wrong name.

    Major, major awkwardness from the White House after Donald Trump’s press secretary, Sean Spicer managed to get the Canadian Prime Minister’s name wrong, despite him being a guest of the White House just days previous. What is more alarming is that Spicer seems to be reading the details off a piece of paper in front of him. Written, we presume in black and white. Didn’t he check names before speaking?

    In a press conference, Sean managed to call the PM Joe Trudeau, rather than his real name, Justin Trudeau. Mr Trudeau is considered one of the world’s most progressive leaders when it comes to LGBT rights.

    It’s nice to see that accuracy is held in high regard by Trump’s administration.