THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • The UK’s first LGBT TV channel set to launch

    A brand new LGBT TV channel is set to start broadcasting in the UK from February.

    The UK is about to get its first terrestrial LGBT TV channel. Broadcasting from February 2017 Latest LGBT+ TV will be bringing the best in LGBT news and entertainment to viewer’s TV screens on Freeview Channel 7 and Virgin Media 159 in the Greater Brighton area, as well as online globally.

    Fronting the channel will be two of the city’s best-known journalists.

    Presenter and Head of Latest LGBT+ TV, Sophie Cook joined Latest TV in 2016 and was the first ever transgender woman to front a news programme in Europe.

    Sophie said,

    “I’m thrilled to be leading one of the most exciting developments in British television for decades!  This represents a real opportunity to change people’s lives. We want to entertain, educate and inspire our viewers.”

    Andrew Kay, the presenter of Amazon Prime’s ‘International Chef Exchange’ will bring his wit, charm and soufflé to the channel.  

    Andrew said,

    “I see this as my chance to enjoy, in a public arena, being gay – but also to contribute towards a better and more equal world. Working with the Latest TV team is going to be exciting, challenging and fun and I hope that people – whether they are LGBT or not – will join in.”

    Bill Smith, Latest TV’s CEO and nominee for the National Diversity Award said,

    We’re delighted that our channel will be creating daily LGBT news programmes, entertainment shows, as well as screening the very best LGBT films from across the world.  We’ll also provide a platform for all LGBT filmmakers to share their work. With support from Coast to Capital, Latest TV has launched LGBT+ TV.  However we receive no ongoing public funding, so we’ve turned to crowdfunding to finance our service.”

    People power can change the world from the ground up and help to combat prejudice and injustice wherever it may appear.  Together we can be the change we want to see in the world.  We are giving people pride, not prejudice. 

  • Lib Dems go to war on dating apps like Grindr

    John Leech, the former MP for Manchester Withington, has declared war on Tinder and Grindr, accusing the companies of a “serious and shocking lapse in care.”

    CREDIT: ©-Vadymvdrobot-Depositphotos

    The prominent Liberal Democrat has launched a campaign publicly calling on the dating apps Tinder and Grindr to display safety notices and dramatically increase the safety of users after a spike in related sexual assaults. Mr Leech wrote to the two leading applications after discovering that neither provided any notice of safety before allowing users to speak with complete strangers.

    His demands come after he uncovered that 58 incidents across Greater Manchester, including rape and serious violence, were linked to the two apps.

    John Leech, who will now lead a campaign to get dating apps to display safety notices, stressed his concerns saying:

    “It is completely unacceptable that neither of the two leading dating apps display safety alerts or notices at any point from download to real life use, not even anything as simple as meeting somewhere public and letting a friend know where you’re going.

    “Something as serious as rape has an enormous and life-shattering impact on so many lives, from the victim to their friends, family and co-workers. One is too many, but 17 in Greater Manchester is just unacceptable and these dating apps need to start taking preventative steps immediately.

    “Tinder and Grindr should not be let off the hook over such a serious and shocking lapse in care to their users.

    “They must introduce safety alerts immediately and dramatically increase the safety of users, and they must do it now.” 

    John Leech’s heavy words come as a Freedom of Information enquiry made by the former MP revealed that more than 58 crimes across Greater Manchester have been linked to the use of dating apps Tinder and Grindr, including rape and serious violence. 

    Of the 28 incidents related to Grindr, four resulted in rape, with a further ten other sexual offences. Theft, non-sexual violence and drug trafficking were also reported.

    A much higher number of 13 out of the 30 reported Tinder incidents resulted in rape, with other violent offences making up a further 15.

    John Leech, who now stands as the sole opposition on Manchester Council, added,

     “I am extremely concerned to see that Manchester has one of the highest numbers of incidents, and in what I would desperately like to be seen as a safe and welcoming city, these numbers are distressingly high and must be tackled immediately.

    “I fear that these worrying incidents are just the beginning of a much wider issue surrounding a serious lack of sexual and relationship education that must also be confronted.

    “In an evolving and increasingly digital age where many people have found their perfect match through these dating apps, the real dangers of online dating must also be highlighted to ensure that these horrific and life-shattering crimes are avoided.”

    Across the country, officers reported at least 162 sexual offences, including 63 rapes, linked to the two apps, which are used by more than 60 million people.

    Tinder launched as a smartphone app in 2012 and Grindr, used largely by gay and bisexual men, in 2009.

    Jane Brophy, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester, said,

     “These numbers are a serious cause for concern, and as more and more people use these apps we must get better at tackling the safety of users.”

    Committing to tackling the concerning rise, Jane Brophy added,

     “Seeing an increase in sexual, health and relationship education, and a decrease in these assaults will be part of my plan to step forward for Greater Manchester.”

  • George Michael ‘died of accidental drugs overdose’ says singer’s cousin

    The cousin of George Michael, Andros Georgiou said that he suspects the singer died of an accidental drugs overdose.

    • Cousin revealed that “hard drugs” had been in George Michael’s life

    • Rubbished claims that he overdosed on heroin.

    • Says he suspects George Michael died of an overdose, not from suicide.

     

    Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire programme, the cousin of George Michael Andros Georgiou, who also toured with the icon until 1998, said,

    “I just think he took too much of something, mixed with antidepressants and other drugs he was on – with alcohol.

    “I think his heart just stopped beating.”

    He said that be believed the death was an accident and not the result of suicide.

    He told the programme,

    “I believe he had suicidal thoughts, because his mental health was all over the place. But I don’t believe this was suicide,”

    He also claimed that hard drugs had been in Michael’s life, revealing that cocaine was a “favourite” and blasted reports of heroin usage as “absolute rubbish”. The pair worked together until 1998 when they fell out.

    The singer was found dead on Christmas Day in his bed by his boyfriend, Fadi Fawaz.

    A recent autopsy proved to be “inconclusive” and further tests were ordered to determine how the singer died.

     

     

  • Wife of Pulse Massacre killer arrested

    The wife of the Pulse nightclub shooter, who shot dead 49 people in American’s deadliest gun attack, has been arrested by the FBI.

    CREDIT: WalterPro/FLICKR CC

    The widow of the Pulse massacre shooter, Noor Salman, has been arrested by FBI agents and is expected to face charged of obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting. She was arrested in her San Francisco home on Monday. The arrest was first reported by The New York Times.

    In June 2016, the shooter, entered into the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida and began firing indiscriminately at the patrons. He killed 49 people and injured more than 50 others. It became the worst gun attack on American soil.

    During his rampage, the shooter claimed the attack was on behalf of the Islamic State. It is also known that Ms Salman texted her husband during the attack.

    ALSO READ:

    Who were the 49 victims of the Pulse Massacre?

    Pulse survivors will not be billed by Orlando hospitals

    FBI find no evidence that the Pulse Massacre was a hate crime

    Orlando shooter was shot 8 times before being finally downed

     

    Ms Salman had also given conflicting accounts about her knowledge of her husband’s intentions when questioned by officials. Her attorney, Linda Moreno of Tampa, said Ms Salman had no prior knowledge of the events that would tragically happen in June last year.

    “Noor Salman had no foreknowledge nor could she predict what Omar Mateen intended to do that tragic night,
    “Noor has told her story of abuse at his hands. We believe it is misguided and wrong to prosecute her and that it dishonors the memories of the victims to punish an innocent person.”

    She is expected to appear in court, in San Francisco on Tuesday.

     

  • Woman robbed in homophobic attack in London

    Woman robbed in homophobic attack in London

    A woman was grabbed by the throat and robbed in what police in London are calling a homophobic attack.

    Woman homophobic attack Denmark Hill
    CREDIT: Google Maps 2016

    Detectives in Lambeth Borough are appealing for witnesses and information following the robbery of a woman in Denmark Hill.

    The incident happened at some point between 22:15hrs and 23:15hrs on Friday, 30 December 2016 on Denmark Hill, SE5.

    The victim, a 37-year-old woman, was approached by a group outside the Nandos restaurant. One of the group, a woman, made homophobic remarks to the victim before grabbing her around the neck and forcing the victim to hand over her belongings. The suspect then threatened the victim and then fled the scene.

    Detectives from Lambeth Community Safety Unit are appealing for anyone who was in or around the area and may have seen the incident, or the suspects fleeing the scene, to contact police.

    Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact police in Lambeth via 101 or by tweeting @MetCC.

    To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

    On 6 January a 36-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of robbery. She has been released on bail until late February pending further enquiries.

  • Katie Hopkins suggests gay community bullied Jennifer Holliday

    Katie Hopkins suggests gay community bullied Jennifer Holliday

    Katie Hopkins has slammed the LGBT community for “bullying” singer Jennifer Holliday into not singing at Trump’s inauguration ceremony and criticised their intolerance.

    Katie hopkins
    CREDIT: Channel 5

    Original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday had been announced by President-elect Donald Trump as one of the scarce musicians who would be performing at his inauguration event on the 20th January. However, in a letter to her LGBT fans, Jennifer asked for forgiveness from the LGBT community for her “lapse of judgement” following an article by The Daily Beast. She went on to thank the gay community for birthing her career.

    In an open letter, the singer said that she was “indebted” to the community.

    Katie Hopkins, who has said in the past that her aim was to be a “gay icon”, took to Twitter to suggest that Jennifer had been “bullied” into the decision by the LGBT community calling the community “intolerant” and suggested that the LGBT people were unable to accept opinions that did not conform to “theirs”.

    Speaking out about Jennifer’s decision to cancel her scheduled performance Katie Tweeted,

    “Bullied by the very people who preach tolerance. Who’s intolerant now? Holliday Decides Not to Sing for Trump”

    https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/820350809280049154

     

    The LBC presenter and MailOnline columnist then tweeted another opinion that the LGBT community was “in action again” only accepting of “beauty pageant” style answers and only one type of acceptable opinion.

    “The ‘tolerant’ LGBT community in action again. Tolerant as long as you have the beauty pageant answer & conform to one opinion…..theirs.”

    https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/820348284984295431

     

     

  • Government votes against introducing compulsory sex and relationship education

    Government votes against introducing compulsory sex and relationship education

    Conservative MPs have voted against compulsory sex and relationship, including gay and LGBT sex and relationship education in schools.

    Parliament
    CREDIT: TheGayUK / Jake Hook

    • 15 MPs voted on the tabled amendment 10 Conservative 5 Labour

    • The amendment would have made provision to add same-sex sex and relationship advice

    • The amendment would have made sex education mandatory to all UK schools, including faith schools.

    As the law currently stands state schools must provide sex education from a biological point of view, which leaves the UK’s gay and bisexual pupils at risk of not learning about gay sex and LGBT relationships. Free schools and academies, including faith schools, are allowed to opt out of giving these classes.

    No schools are required to teach their pupils about the emotional aspects of sex or relationships.

    A new amendment to the Children and Social Work Bill was tabled this week by an all-female group of MPs. The amendment would have provisioned that all UK schools must make lessons on “sex and relationships education, same-sex relationships, sexual consent, sexual violence and domestic violence” mandatory.

    The amendment was voted on by 15 MPs. Ten Conservative and 5 Labour. All the Conservative MPs voted against the amendment, all the Labour MPs voted for it.

    No other political party was represented on the bill committee.

    Conservative MP for North Dorset, Simon Hoare said that the amendment did not offer religious schools who oppose homosexuality enough protections.

    He said,

    “Some form of protection is needed for those who run faith schools, all faiths, to make the position absolutely clear.

    “I have little or no doubt that I will receive emails from constituents who happen to read my remarks. They will say that this is all about promotion, and this or that religion thinks that homosexuality—or another element—is not right.

    “To provide a legislative comfort blanket, for want of a better phrase, the new clause needs to include a clear statement that we are talking not about promotion, but about education, and where sex education is delivered in a faith school environment, those providing the education should not feel inhibited about answering questions such as “What is the thinking of our faith on this particular aspect of sexuality?”

    The number of sexually transmitted infections amongst the UK’s gay and bisexual teenagers and young adults has soared in recent years and Public Health England warned in 2016 that 36% of new infections in 2015 were found in those aged just 15 to 24, the highest increase in a single age group.

     

  • Bronski Beat’s Larry Steinbachek dies aged just 56

    Bronski Beat’s Larry Steinbachek dies aged just 56

    The Bronski Beat keyboardist Larry Steinbachek has died aged 56 after battling cancer.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The musician Larry Steinbachek died last month according to his sister, who told the BBC that he passed after a battle with cancer. Bronski Beat was formed in 1983 and the lineup included Jimmy Somerville and Steve Bronski.

    Larry was just 56, friends and family were at his bedside when he passed away.

    One of the band’s biggest hits, “Smalltown Boy” focused on key issues faced by the gay community in the 1980s and featured on the album Age Of Consent, which highlighted the inequality facing same-sex relationships at the time. Whilst most European countries allowed sexual relationships between gay people at 16-years-old, the UK’s government resisted leaving the age of consent at 21, despite the age of consent for heterosexuals being set at 16-years-old.

    The song reached a peak of number 3 in the UK.

    The song was co-written by Larry Steinbachek.

    Marc Almond was one of the first stars to Tweet about the musician’s death saying he was “sad” to hear of Larry’s passing and that he enjoyed working with Bronski Beat back in the 1980s. The collaboration on “I Feel Love” was a top ten hit.

    https://twitter.com/MarcAlmond/status/819814905503064064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

    Larry’s bandmate, Jimmy Somerville also paid tribute by saying that they were “young, brave and determined”.

    https://twitter.com/JimmySomerville/status/819887297147666432

     

     

  • How did Buzzfeed react to being called “failing pile of crap”

    How did Buzzfeed react to being called “failing pile of crap”

    1. So unless you were just under a rock, President-elect, Donald Trump just held a press conference in New York.

    Donald Trump just held a press conference in New York and didn’t hold back in telling news outlet Buzzfeed and CNN what he thought of them. In answering a question about an “unsubstantiated” report, according to the Guardian, he called Buzzfeed a failing company and that they were a “failing pile of garbage”

    So you might think they’d be upset by that – but according to Tracy Clayton, co-host of Buzzfeed’s Another Round, she said the “entire newsroom broke out in laughter”.

    She went on to question what was humanity, if not a failing pile of garbage.

     

  • Legendary gay porn director, John Travis has died

    Legendary gay porn director, John Travis has died

    The porn director who discovered adult star Jeff Stryker has died.

    https://twitter.com/DJChiChiLaRue/status/818203766067314688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

    The porn director John Travis has died. He was famed for discovering one of gay porn’s most successful adult stars, Jeff Stryker. Jeff Stryker has gone on to perform in gay, bisexual and straight porn and describes his sexuality as “universal”.

    Famed drag star, DJ and porn director Chi Chi LaRue took to Twitter to break the news of John’s passing,  revealing “I learned so much from John Travis!“

    John Travis’s career began in the early 70s in San Francisco. He began filming and director Falcon, moving on to Brentwood, Huge and Cataline. In 1992 he formed Studio 200 with Scott Masters. Studio 2000 was purchased in 2006 and then again in 2011.

  • Milo Yiannopoulos just got named as Person Of The Year by LGBTQ Nation

    Milo Yiannopoulos just got named as Person Of The Year by LGBTQ Nation

    Milo Yiannopoulos has been named by LGBTQ Nation as “Person of The Year”, a vote which was decided by the publication’s readers.

    Milo Yiannopoulos
    CREDIT: Milo Yiannopoulos / Instagram

    The controversial right-wing figurehead for America’s youth, Milo Yiannopoulos, has been named a “Person of The Year” by the popular online publication LGBTQ nation.

    It said,

    “After a concerted effort to drum up votes via social media, conservative media gadfly Milo Yiannopoulos has won the title” causing uproar amongst some of its readers.

    He topped the poll which saw the Pulse Victims, Mike Pence and Ellen Degeneres also named as nominees for the honour.

    An article explaining the win said,

    “The LGBTQ Nation Person of the Year contest is a reader driven poll to select the year’s top newsmaker. While the poll was intended for our regular audience, there were no stipulations on who could or couldn’t vote. Therefore, Milo Yiannopoulos won fair and square.”

    The news did not go down well with the magazine’s readers, who blasted the publication for Milo’s inclusion.

    One wrote,

    “So you put this monster in your poll, ignore your regular readers saying that the poll has been hacked by breitbart and 4chan trolls and must be taken down and now give it more attention by interviewing it.”

    Whilst another said he’d be unfollowing,

    “I said I would unfollow you if this hateful transphobic racist got awarded for his ignorance, hope anyone else who has a problem with this does the same”

     

    LGBTQ Nation is owned by Q Digital who also own Queerty and GayCities.

    Milo took to Facebook to thank his fans for their support, simply saying “nick work, gang”.

    Milo recently revealed that he had signed a book deal with a Simon and Schuster imprint. The book, Dangerous, will be released in March and has already topped the Amazon best sellers list. The announcement caused the Chicago Review of Books to denounce the publisher and refuse to feature any of the publisher’s books in 2007.