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  • These might be London’s LGBT+ friendly places for flatmates

    These might be London’s LGBT+ friendly places for flatmates

    A study which identified LGBT+ friendly flat listings has shown that there is one particular borough in London, which stood above all others as the most progressive if you’re looking to move into an accepting household.

    A new study by CIA Landlord has identified the most desired roommate traits in London by analysing the most popular adverts by age, gender, job title and even preferences including LGBT friendly, smoker friendly and pet friendly, and it turns out that some of London’s most ethnically diverse boroughs are also, seemingly, the most accepting of LGBT+ people.

    With remote working taking over the capital, finding the perfect flatmate has never been more crucial – after all, you’re likely to be spending 24/7 with them whilst working from home.

    For LGBT+ people, finding flatmates who totally and completely support your sexuality and/or gender identity is especially important. Analysing SpareRoom data, CIA Landlord has revealed the most LGBT+ friendly boroughs to live in.

    Take a look at the top 10 boroughs with the most LGBT friendly flatmates below:

    RankLondon BoroughLGBT+ Friendly House Listings
    1Waltham Forest59
    2Lambeth49
    3Hackney48
    4Southwark30
    5Islington25
    6Newham24
    7Tower Hamlets16
    8Camden10
    9Westminster9
    10
    		Greenwich8

    At just a short 30 minute journey into central London, Waltham Forest has been dubbed the most LGBT+ friendly borough for roommates, with over 17.56% of all LGBT+ room wanted listings in London based in the area. Lambeth follows in second, which unveiled the UK’s very first permanent Rainbow crossing in 2019 and the borough’s various involvements in supporting the community stays true to its citizens – with over 14.58% of all of London’s LGBT+ house listings featured in the area.

    Where isn’t so LGBT+ Friendly?

    The least friendly boroughs, according to the study included, Richmond Upon Thames, Havering, Bexley, Hillingdon and Barnet – which offered no explicitly LGBT+ friendly listings.

    RankLondon BoroughLGBT+ Friendly House Listings
    1Richmond Upon Thames0
    2Havering0
    3Bexley0
    4Hillingdon0
    5Barnet0
    6Enfield1
    7Hounslow1
    8Kingston Upon Thames1
    9Brent2
    10
    		Sutton2

    Enfield, Hounslow and Kingston Upon Thames each offered one listing, while, Brent and Sutton had two listings available.

    How did the researchers come to their findings?

    To find the most desired and least desired roommate traits, CIA Landlord analysed SpareRoom data to reveal the most commonly advertised professions, ages and preferences throughout London.

    Job titles have been searched as keywords exactly as listed into SpareRoom. This may result in the exclusion of keyword listings where the title was similar but not the same due to the functionality of the source’s search.

    Each option point has been treated individually. Where data has been combined to show the “worst” combination of traits, this has been done on an index basis rather than using each as an individual search.

    e.g. No searches have been performed for homes that are “LGBT friendly with pets and smokers allowed”. Instead, individual searches have been performed for LGBT, pets, and smokers, and these combined into a single index to show the least desirable combination.

  • Killer who sliced off man’s testicles and ATE them, is fit to stand trial

    A man, who has been dubbed a “cannibal killer” is fit to stand trial for the murder of a man he met on the gay dating app, Grindr.

    According to police reports, Mark Latunski, 51, used Grindr to find and lure his victim to his home on Christmas Eve. His victim was a man called Kevin Bacon, a 25-year-old hairdresser and psychology student. Latunski’s legal team and his ex-wife have testified to a long history of mental illness.

    Using the popular hookup app, Latunski allegedly lured Bacon to his home where he apparently took him to a “secret room”, outfitted as a BDSM dungeon according to the Daily Star, before apparently committing the gruesome slaying of the 25-year-old.

    Latunski apparently told police that he stabbed Bacon in the back of the neck, twice. He then “strung” Bacon up by his ankles before slitting his throat, according to Michigan Live.

    ALSO READ: How to meet guys from dating apps safely

    According to a report by Michigan State Police Special 1st Lieutenant, David Kaiser, Latunski then removed his victim’s testicles, with a knife and ate them.

    Committed numerous times

    According to divorce papers filed by Emily, his former wife, Latunski has a long history of mental illness. Latunski’s defender, Douglas Corwin has stated that his client has been committed to hospitals numerous times over mental health concerns.

    Shiawassee County District Judge Ward Clarkson has, however, ruled that the accused, is “mentally competent for trial”.

    The trial is set to commence on the 23rd October.

  • Six police in Hampshire ‘recorded making homophobic, sexist and racist remarks’

    Six police officers of the Hampshire Police Force are facing a misconduct hearing after being accused of making remarks about LGBT+ people, people of colour and women.

    The six officers will face a misconduct hearing on Monday after the Hampshire Constabulary said they were covertly recorded making “discriminatory”, “inappropriate” or “offensive” remarks at the Northern Police Investigation Centre in Basingstoke.

    A number of the officers are said to have sent emails from work accounts, which the Constabulary say are “discriminatory, inappropriate or offensive” in their nature. It also said that similar messages were found in text and Whatsapp messages. The force did not go into details about what the messages said.

    Detective Inspector Timothy Ireson, Detective Sergeant Oliver Lage, Detective Sergeant Gregory Willcox, trainee Detective Constable Andrew Ferguson, PC James Oldfield and PC Craig Bannerman will face a police disciplinary hearing in Winchester.

    Two of the officers, DI Ireson and PC Bannerman have since retired or resigned from their posts at the force.

    Who and where are Hampshire Police?

    Hampshire Police is responsible for policing the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in South East England. Its largest city is Southampton. It has an annual budget of £337.3 million and employs around 4000 people, with a further 450 volunteers.

    Since 2006 the force has constantly been featured in the top 100 employers in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index. In 2010 it reached its peak of 2nd place.

    A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said to Sky News, “It is alleged that the breaches of the standards of professional behaviour outlined are so serious that, if proven, dismissal would be justified and, as such, it is alleged that the behaviour amounts to gross misconduct.”

    The disciplinary hearing is schedule to last up to three weeks.

  • Drag Queen Crystal is also suing Laurence Fox after paedophile claim

    Drag Queen Crystal is also suing Laurence Fox after paedophile claim

    Laurence Fox is now facing two defamation lawsuits after RuPaul Drag Race UK star Crystal confirmed that she had also engaged a lawyer to sue the actor turned politician.

    Taking to social media, Crystal wrote: “In response to my criticism on Sunday, Mr Fox seriously defamed me, and I have instructed Mark Lewis of Patron Law to sue on my behalf”.

    She added, “An accusation of paedophilia is one of the oldest homophobic tropes and it was very shocking to have that levelled at me, not just by Mr Fox, but also his many followers who believed him.

    “I may have had to endure homophobic bullying as a child, but I will not tolerate it as an adult”.

    Mark Lewis is also representing Simon Blake, the deputy chair of Stonewall.

    “Language is powerful”

    In a defense of his words, Fox wrote on Twitter, “Language is powerful. To accuse someone of racism without any evidence whatsoever to back up that accusation is a deep slander. It carries the same stigma and reputation destroying harm as accusing someone of paedophilia. Here endeth the lesson”.

    He also added, “If the game nowadays is to throw baseless insults and accusations about, then we should all be free to participate.

    “Having said that, I have deleted the tweets posted yesterday, in response to being repeatedly, continuously and falsely smeared as a racist, as they just serve as a distraction to the important work that needs to be done”.

  • Laurence fox is getting sued after paedophiles tweets

    Laurence fox is getting sued after paedophiles tweets

    One of the people to be called a paedophile by Laurence Fox on Sunday evening, has announced on social media that he has engaged the services of a lawyer to sue Laurence Fox for defamation.

    Simon Blake, who is the deputy chair of one of the UK’s largest LGBT+ charities, Stonewall, said, “I detest racism. Challenging it is important to me, but I will choose my words more carefully in future. I want to be the best ally I can to people impacted by racism

    “Whilst I regret the unnecessary language I used, which is not in line with the way I like to conduct myself, I feel strongly about this issue. In response Mr Fox seriously defamed me and I have instructed Mark Lewis from Patron Law to sue for defamation.”.

    https://twitter.com/Simonablake/status/1313144756713730048

    “Language is powerful”

    In a defense of his words, Fox wrote, “Language is powerful. To accuse someone of racism without any evidence whatsoever to back up that accusation is a deep slander. It carries the same stigma and reputation destroying harm as accusing someone of paedophilia. Here endeth the lesson”.

    He also added, “If the game nowadays is to throw baseless insults and accusations about, then we should all be free to participate.

    Having said that, I have deleted the tweets posted yesterday, in response to being repeatedly, continuously and falsely smeared as a racist, as they just serve as a distraction to the important work that needs to be done.

    https://twitter.com/LozzaFox/status/1313040345127702528/photo/1

  • Laurence Fox deletes tweets after calling people paedophiles on Twitter

    Actor turned politician Laurence Fox has deleted a number of tweets calling people, including the deputy chair of a very well known LGBT+ charity, a soap star and a drag queen paedophiles.

    The actor who made a splash in the Netflix hit, White Lines, went on the attack yesterday and tweeted numerous accusations of paedophilia to people who accused him of being a racist.

    The uproar happened after Fox hit out at Sainsbury’s announcement that shoppers who didn’t want to shop with an inclusive retailer should “shop elsewhere” he claimed that they were promoting “racial segregation and discrimination”.

    Tweets now deleted

    http://gty.im/521922066

    The Tweets have now been deleted, but not before users of Twitter called on the Metropolitan Police to investigate Fox for his Tweets and many users suggesting that the actor should be sued for libel.

    Fox also took aim at a RuPaul Drag Race UK star after she called Fox a “racist” and “snowflake”.

    “Language is powerful”

    Explaining why he wrote the Tweet Fox said, “Language is powerful. To accuse someone of racism without any evidence whatsoever to back up that accusation is a deep slander. It carries the same stigma and reputation destroying harm as accusing someone of paedophilia. Here endeth the lesson”.

    https://twitter.com/LozzaFox/status/1312805848935170049

    Actor Charlie Condou, Tweeted, “I’m not sure what point Laurence Fox is making by calling gay people paedophiles but I don’t think it’s going to end well”

    Fox is in the process of starting a new political party, which is thought to be named, Reclaim, but has not been formally announced.

  • G-A-Y has launched a legal challenge to the 10 PM Coronavirus curfew

    G-A-Y has launched a legal challenge to the 10 PM Coronavirus curfew

    Jeremy Joseph who owns the G-A-Y brand has launched a legal challenge to the government’s controversial 10 PM curfew, arguing that it not put forward any scienciftic evidence to show that the new restrictions would work.

    Closures at 10 PM have meant that businesses in the hospitality industry, which are now forced to close, on the dot, at 10 PM have suffered a terrible financial loss. Already numerous LGBT+ bars have had to indefinitely suspend their business or close permanently due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

    The curfew is supposed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among patrons of venues across the UK, except since its introduction on the 24th September, scenes of overcrowding on streets and public transport have been witnessed across the country as bars and restaurants “kick out” at the exact same time.

    “No sense”

    Speaking to Sky News this morning, Jeremy Joseph said he was launching a judicial review of the new restrictions, saying that the new policy made “no sense” and did the opposite of protecting people.

    He said, “The government has failed to show why the 10 pm curfew was put in place and has published no scientific evidence to substantiate its implementation.”

    He added that he thought that the hospitality industry had been “thrown under a bus” and they hadn’t done anything to protect businesses.

    Striking a balance

    G-A-Y had introduced its “Covid-secure” screening and systems back in July. It included screens around the payment and ordering areas and perspex bubbles for people to sit and drink.

    Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary has defended the measure saying that it was a “necessary measure”.

    A government spokesperson said, “Our measures strike a balance between saving lives by protecting our NHS and the most vulnerable and minimising the wider impact on the economy and schools.

    “The latest data suggests a considerable rise in the infection rate following people socialising in hospitality venues serving alcohol in recent weeks, so we have taken immediate action to cut the transmission rate and save lives and will keep all measures under constant review.

    “The 10pm closure allows people to continue to socialise while reducing the risk of failing to socially distance.”

  • Football Homophobes convicted after shouting abuse at a match

    Football Homophobes convicted after shouting abuse at a match

    Four men have been convicted of a Public Order Act offence after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police and slapped with a £200 fine and are banned from attending future football matches.

    The men were found to have shouted homophobic comments and actions at a West Ham Match in early 2020.

    Police investigated reports of several men shouting homophobic comments or making homophobic actions towards visiting supporters at the West Ham v Brighton & Hove Albion game on 1 February 2020.

    Two men were arrested during the fixture at the London Stadium on the day of the game.

    Thomas Hill, 25 of Slough and Samuel Marshall, 21 of Hornchurch appeared on 3 September at Thames Magistrates’ Court. They pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and were each fined £200 plus costs.

    The investigation continued and two other men were summonsed.

    On 30 September at Thames Magistrates’ Court, Damian Critten, 24, of Rainham and Jack Wood, 25 of London both pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act. They were each fined £120 and given three-year football banning orders.

    Chief Inspector Chris Green of Met Operations said, “This investigation and these convictions show that we will not tolerate homophobic behaviour or hate crime at football matches and more broadly in our city.

    “If you have information about people committing these type of despicable offences, please share that information with police. These offenders may happen to support the same football team as you, but they do not deserve your support.”

  • Sainsbury’s has told bigots that they can shop elsewhere

    Sainsbury’s has told bigots that they can shop elsewhere

    Sainsbury‘s has a long history of speaking out on social issues, including and during Pride season, but for Black History Month, it’s gone a step further, by telling anyone who doesn’t support their inclusive approach can “shop elsewhere”.

    The retail giant has swapped out its Pride logo and replaced it with an equally colourful logo for Black History Month. Black History Month runs in the UK for the whole of October. In the US and around the globe October is actually LGBT+ History Month.

    Posting on social media, Sainsbury’s wrote a thread to communicate how inclusive and diverse they are aiming to be as a company, saying,

    “We are proud to celebrate Black History Month together with our Black colleagues, customers and communities and we ill not tolerate racism.

    “We proudly represent and serve our diverse society and anyone who does not want to shop with an inclusive retailer is welcome to shop elsewhere.”

    Of course, the thread attracted a wide range of comments. Many people took issue with the tone of the retailer’s message, with one writing “How bloody rude! As a long time customer and a loyal customer, I find your tone extremely offensive”

    Another added, “You have just lost my custom”

    Another moaned, “Many thanks for the offensive tweet. I will certainly take your advice and shop elsewhere in future. I would also recommend anyone who like their personal freedoms and does not wish to be preached at by some jumped up shopkeeper to do the same. Bye Bye Sainsbury.”

    Others asked when “white history month” was. An argument which is often heard when talking about the importance of the pride movement.

    “Anyone offended by this post clearly harbours racist views”

    However many people praised Sainsbury’s stance with one confirmed their devotion to the retailer saying “I shop at Sainsbury’s anyway but this just confirms my choice.”

    Writer, speaker and Young Women’s Trust ambassador, Toni Tone said, “So happy to see Sainsbury’s speaking up for what’s right. Anyone offended by this post clearly harbours racist views.”

    https://twitter.com/t0nit0ne/status/1312324744478429184
  • G-A-Y Owner blasts ‘senseless, no logic’ 10 PM curfew

    G-A-Y Owner blasts ‘senseless, no logic’ 10 PM curfew

    The owner of one of the UK’s largest LGBT+ bar and club brands, G-A-Y, has blasted the government over its introduction of the 10 PM curfew, which sees most hospitality venues forced to close at the same time, across the country, in order to curb new cases of Coronavirus.

    Jeremy Joseph took to social media to say that the government’s decision to force all bars and restaurants to close at 10 PM was poorly thought out as it forced thousands of customers on to the streets of cities across the UK at the exact same time, just when the government has been stressing how important it is for people to socially distance themselves.

    He wrote, “On 24th September, the Government imposed a poorly thought 10 pm curfew on the hospitality industry. The curfew makes no sense, as we’ve seen it pushes people out into the streets in large numbers at the same time & packs them into public transport.”

    The 10 PM curfew, which was introduced on the 24th September, has added immense pressure to an already vulnerable sector, which, this year, has had to largely remain closed or trade with ever-increasing restrictions, making it near impossible for many venues to continue to trade. Last week, one LGBT+ bar in Cardiff said it would be closed indefinitely, while there have been reports of permanent closures in other parts of the UK.

    ‘Hospitality is the government’s scapegoat’

    Free-Photos / Pixabay

    Joseph said that he felt that the hospitality sector had been made into a “scapegoat” and added that there was no sense or logic to the curfew.

    He added, “Like so many other bars, pubs & restaurants, G-A-Y has done everything it can to make our venues Covid safe. The Government is forcing us to close Covid safe venues with no justification. It makes no sense!

    “The hospitality industry is being made a scapegoat. There is no sense or logic to this curfew & no publicly available scientific data that supports the curfew.

    “Today, G-A-Y has taken the first step to challenging the government and to stand-up to Matt Hancock and Boris Johnson.”

  • Gay man killed by machete after hookup goes terribly wrong

    Gay man killed by machete after hookup goes terribly wrong

    A man has been “hacked to death”, apparently by his Grindr hook up, in the Bronx, New York.

    An unnamed and unidentified male in New York has been killed in an apparent machete attack after his hookup date “violently cut him into pieces”, over what is thought to be a disagreement over sexual activities. It is believed the two met over the gay dating/ hook up, Grindr.

    The alleged killer, Juan Alonso, was found, according to the New York Post to be wearing women’s underwear, bra and dress.

    The victim, who has not be named, was found by Alonso’s roommate, who came home to find a bloodbath, with Alonso purportedly standing over his victim, holding the machete.

    The building’s supervisor, John Gonzalez, told the New York Daily News that the victim had been “cut up and left “on the floor in pieces”.

    “Dispute escalated”

    Alonso was taken into custody where he was psychologically evaluated, and charged with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon according to the police.

    Officials are investigating whether there was a “dispute over not liking certain sex activities and it escalated,

    “The perp is not in his right mind,” a police source said. “He might have taken drugs,” a spokesperson for the police said.

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