The Christian-run Ashers Baking Co. in Northern Ireland refused to make a pro-gay marriage cake, which featured a slogan “Support Gay Marriage – Queer Space Born 1998” with a picture of Sesame Street characters Ernie and Bert, because it says it clashed with the ethos of their company, saying,
“We thought that this order was at odds with our beliefs, certainly was in contradiction with what the Bible teaches.”
Respected fashion designer Richard Nicoll has passed away in his Sydney apartment aged just 39. A cause of death has not yet been announced by medical staff, however, a source close to the designer said that he died from a suspected heart attack.
According to reports paramedics were called to his home in the Kings Cross district in the Austrailian city of Sydney and he was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital where he passed away. He was famed for working with Topshop and his high street sensibility.
He was famed for working with Topshop and his high street sensibility.
Vikki Burns, CEO of fashion show agency giant Go2Show, worked with Mr Nicoll many times, said that the designer would be “sadly missed” and his incredible work ethic was what made him stand out from the crowd.
“He had an amazing sense of humour and never took his work too seriously. It was always a joy to work with him as he had an incredible work ethic and eye for detail.
“It’s such a young age to die, and it’s such a sad loss. He will be sadly missed”
Having graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2002, Nicholl’s work was widely admired and his entire graduate collection was bought by Dolce and Gabbana. He worked extensively with Louis Vuitton, Cerruti Paris and high street retailer Topshop.
The Government is to hand pardons to tens of thousands of deceased gay and bisexual men who you were criminally convicted of homosexuality.
Public Domain
The UK Government is to start issuing pardons for gay and bisexual men who were convicted of the crime of homosexuality. The Ministry of Justice said that no individuals cases would be singled out.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK in stages, with the law change in England and Wales in 1967, in Scotland in 1982 and in Northern Ireland in 1982.
Former Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, John Leech, who led the successful campaign to pardon Alan Turing, has today secured an agreement with the Government which will grant a posthumous pardon to tens of thousands of gay and bisexual people convicted under long abolished sexual offence laws.
The decision to accept the amendment has been warmly welcomed by the architect of Alan Turing’s pardon, Cllr. John Leech, who said,
“For years I have campaigned and fought for this moment and I’m completely overwhelmed that this is finally coming to a positive end.
“This is a deeply profound and emotional day for my team and I.”
Those similarly convicted but still alive will also receive pardons if they have successfully applied for a disregard, or in future successfully apply for a disregard under the Protection of Freedoms Act.
The Government will add their name to the Liberal Democrat amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill that when passed will finally grant the long-awaited pardon to over 75,000 people.
This has been a long-fought campaign for John Leech who first raised the issue in the Houses of Parliament and began campaigning in 2011.
Mr Leech submitted several motions to Parliament and campaigned hard to secure the historic pardon, stating that it was “utterly disgusting and ultimately just embarrassing” that the conviction was upheld as long as it was.
In 2013, Alan Turing was given a posthumous royal pardon and an official apology by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, following the high profile campaign led by John Leech.
Following the success of his campaign, Mr Leech turned to securing the pardon for the 75,895 other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who were unfairly convicted for similar offences.
Alan Turing was a pioneering English computer scientist and mathematician whose groundbreaking work is thought to have brought WWII to an end four years early.
However, at a trial in 1952, Turing admitted to “acts of gross indecency” before being sentenced to chemical castration. His conviction meant he lost his security clearance and was forced to stop work at Bletchley Park.
Aged just 41, he was found dead from cyanide poisoning in 1954 with a half-eaten apple by his side. An inquiry concluded that it was suicide.
It is predicted that Turing’s work saved the lives of an estimated 14 to 21 million.
Mr Leech said Turing’s persecution “by the state for being gay was a scandal that shouldn’t have ever been allowed to stand”.
The first motion Mr Leech submitted called for a recognition of the “vital contribution made by Alan Turing to Britain’s war effort” and “regrets that following his years of national service he received a criminal conviction for having a sexual relationship with another man”.
John Leech concluded: “This is an enormous step forward for LGBTQ+ history and I believe Alan Turing would be truly proud to see tens of thousands of people rightfully vindicated in his name.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron MP, added: “The Liberal Democrats continue to be the strongest voice on equality in and out of Parliament.
“This was a manifesto commitment which even in opposition, thanks to the tireless work of John Leech alongside our MPs and peers, we have been able to deliver on.”
So shopping giant ASOS is selling this rather rude looking choker. They call it a “Glow in the Dark Dripping Blood Choker”…
CREDIT: ASOS
We call it a “pearl necklace”. So if you’re looking for the must-have Halloween fashion statement look no further than the Glow in the Dark Dripping Blood Choker
So if you’re looking for the must-have Halloween fashion statement this year look no further than the Glow in the Dark Dripping Blood Choker from ASOS.
They think it looks like a dripping blood – but we think it looks the end result of a bukkake party (not that we know what that truly looks like – we’re good boys you know.)
Virgin Holidays Publishes Report on Issues Facing LGBT Travellers
CREDIT: Matt Alexander/PA Wire
At the beginning of the month, Virgin Holidays published its LGBT travel report, which revealed the not-so-surprising statistic that nearly 1 in 3 LGBT travellers feel that they are treated differently due to their sexuality when on holiday.
If, like me, you’ve travelled to a few far-flung locations, you’ll know that attitudes towards LGBT tourists are sometimes less than welcoming. And so Virgin Holidays have launched an LGBT travel campaign called ‘Lose the Labels’ which looks to make travelling safer, easier and more enjoyable for the LGBT community.
The campaign includes a video of Virgin Holidays staff revealing stories that sound all too familiar, sharing times in which they themselves were faced with discrimination while travelling abroad.
The study goes on to reveal that a significant 37% of LGBT travellers have experienced some sort of discrimination while travelling – with a further 6% actually being threatened with physical violence because of their sexuality – and two thirds of us LGBT Brits refusing to travel to locations with an inhospitable attitude towards LGBT travellers… quite rightly so.
With a startling 80% of those surveyed feeling that the travel industry as a whole doesn’t do enough to keep LGBT travellers informed of local laws that could affect our rights and safety, Virgin Holidays founder Sir Richard Branson had this to say:
“At Virgin Holidays, we believe everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has the right to be whoever they are, wherever they are. That’s why it is shocking that in today’s society some of us can’t even enjoy a simple holiday without fear of discrimination. It’s fantastic that Virgin Holidays are raising awareness around this important issue.”
The three-year plan will see Virgin Holidays focus on empowering staff, informing customers, and influencing partners. In fact, as part of their commitment to the cause, they will stage an LGBT equalities conference in conjunction with international tourism partners, encouraging partners in conservative regions such as the Caribbean to adopt more LGBT-friendly policies.
The campaign also sees the travel provider partnering with lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality Stonewall, as a Diversity Champion. This will see Stonewall support Virgin Holidays in auditing the workplace on its LGBT inclusion efforts and provide advice and support on how to make it a better place to work for all lesbian, gay, bi and trans members of staff.
We all love to travel, and we should do as much of it as possible in my humble opinion, but it’s important to be safe while we do so. However depressing it is to think that in 2016 not all countries accept us for who we are, it’s important to make sure that whatever holiday destination we choose, we’ll be safe.
Tell us about your less than pleasant travel experiences @TheGayUK #losethelabels to let others know where is safe to travel.
You can find out more information on the campaign at virginholidays.co.uk/losethelabels.
Osteoporosis is known as the “silent disease” affecting around 3 million people in the UK. It mainly affects older people by weakening bone strength and density making breaks and fractures a lot more common.
Worryingly our bone health starts to decline during our mid-30s but a new simple test of your finger and toenails can help you determine whether you’re at risk of osteoporosis.
TV’s Doctor Dawn Harper said,
“Osteoporosis is a condition often associated with older people, but our bone health starts to decline from our mid-30s, so early identification and intervention is critical to minimise risk and help manage osteoporosis later down the line.
“Knowing your risk from early on will allow you to make necessary diet and lifestyle changes.
“By combining a nutrient-rich diet, inclusive of calcium and vitamin D, with weight bearing and muscle strengthening exercises such as walking, jogging and Pilates, you can help slow down bone loss, strengthen bones and reduce the risk of a breakage.
“This is especially relevant for those at increased risk of developing osteoporosis.”
Dr Dawn Harper’s Top Tips to Reduce Risk of Osteoporosis
1) Love your bones
It’s never too early to start thinking about your bone health – the more you can invest in healthy bones before your thirties, the stronger they will be for life. It’s also never too late to start looking after your bones, so whatever your age, keep reading and do all you can to protect your bones
2) Go for dairy
Bones need calcium, dairy products are a good source of dietary calcium but so are green leafy vegetables. If you are concerned about your calcium intake, talk to a pharmacist, GP or dietician about ways to increase intake which may include taking calcium supplements
3) Catch some rays
vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and will also keep muscles strong and help prevent falls in older people. If you’re not getting enough sunlight in the winter months, eat foods rich in vitamin D which include dairy products, oily fish, fruit, vegetables and cereals or consider taking a supplement
4) Watch your weight
if your body mass index (BMI) is too high (above 24.9) or too low (below 18.5) it can put you at increased risk of osteoporosis
5) Stress your bones
CREDIT: gstockstudio-bigstock
Bones need to be used to stay strong – do something every day to stress your bones – walking, running or dancing are excellent ways to keep your bones healthy
6) Count those steps
Invest in a pedometer. We should all be doing 10,000 paces a day and if you have a sedentary job you may be horrified by how short you fall. Making sure you manage those 10,000 steps will mean you walk 7.5Kms a day and this will go a long way to protecting your bones for the future
7) Ditch the cigs
smoking increases your risk of thin bones, so speak to your pharmacist or GP about smoking cessation services and make it a priority now
8) Curb your drinking
Stick to recommended alcohol limits which are less than you may think – just 14 units a week. Drinking more will increase the risk of osteoporosis
fizzy drinks can leach minerals from your bones making you more prone to osteoporosis
10) Assess your risk
if you think you are at risk, speak to your GP about whether you would be eligible for a DXA scan or you could consider the Osentia at home testing kit (available online at www.osentia.co.uk or www.superdrug.com)
The last couple of years we’ve put together a science based (not really) system that will almost accurately predict the winner of X Factor, it’s called TWATS (Twitter Winning And Theoretical Service)
Based on the fanbases of the contestants (their twitter following) we have almost accurately predict the top 4 of each of the series.
In 2012, we predicted that Union J, Lucy Spraggan, Ella Henderson and James McArthur would be victorious – that instance, James McArthur won and Ella Henderson came 6th Union J came 4th. Lucy Spraggan left the competition due to sickness.
In 2013 the top 4 in the TWATS were Sam Callahan, Nicholas McDonald, Kingsland Road and Tamera Foster. In the end Sam Bailey came first Nicholas McDonald came second, Luke Friend and Rough Copy came 4th. Tamera came 5th and Sam came 7th.
He probably has the most famous butt in all of the UK, thanks to a groundbreaking sex scene, never before seen on British televisions.
The 36-year-old first smashed his way onto our screens in 1999 in the UK version of Queer As Folk as the adorable Nathan Maloney, when he was just 19. Although he played a much younger character.
Well he’s done a lot of growing up and his acting CV is quite staggering, he’s turned into a true Hollywood Hunk. He currently has 2 films in post production and two in pre-production. He starred in Sons of Anarchy from 2008 until 2014. He also starred in Pacific Rim in 2013, which was a huge box office smash.
Baking hero Tamal Ray has been told by his mum that he’s got a FAT BUM!
CREDIT: BBC Love Productions:Mark Bourdillon
Yes you heard that right. Baking hero Tamal Ray has been told by his Mum that he’s got a fat bum.
Taking to Twitter he said how his mum had been asking whether wearing tight shorts was a fashion statement or whether it was that his bum was getting fat!
"Is it the fashion now that men are wearing tight shorts or is it just that your bum is looking fat?"
So are you having trouble sleeping at night? Well apparently you’re not the only one.
CREDIT: Dmytro-Sidelnikov-bigstock
So the peeps at Dreams commissioned some research to find out what’s bugging us all before we go to bed… Here’s twenty things that are keeping Brits up at night!
1. You’re too hot
2. Stress
3. You struggle to get comfortable
4. Worries about money
5. Your partner is snoring
6. You are nervous about something you have to do the next day
7. Health issues
8. You’re not tired
9. Worries about your relationship/family
10. You’re too cold
11. You often have bad dreams or night terrors
12. Worries about work
13. You hear noises during the night
14. Young children keep you awake
15. Your partner fidgets a lot
16. You spend too long looking at your phone/tablet before bed
