A man who was arrested after allegedly pouring highly corrosive ACID into a lube dispenser at a gay club in Sydney, Australia has appeared in court.
CREDIT: THEGAYUK
Hengky Irawan, 62, from Mortdale appeared in Parramatta Local Court yesterday after he was arrested for tampering with a gay club’s lubricant dispenser. He was charged with administering poison intended to injure or cause distress or pain, as well as entering a building with intent to commit an indictable offence and malicious damage.
Speaking with the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire, the Harry Potter star, Daniel Radcliffe has voiced his concerns about gay actors’ ability to come out as gay in Hollywood.
When asked if Hollywood discriminated against people on the grounds of race, he said,”It’s pretty undeniable”, and then added that some actors were afraid to come out as gay because they could be typecast purely in gay roles.
Speaking to Victoria he said, “I suppose then people just want to cast you as gay”.
He said this was despite the fact that the industry considered itself “progressive”.
A number of actors have claimed that coming out as gay “ruined” their careers. Famously Rupert Everett claimed that after coming out as gay lead roles had dried up for him.
Daniel Radcliffe made headlines in 2013 when he played his first gay role in his awarding winning film, Kill Your Darlings.
The Queen’s cousin, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 53, (pictured on the right) has revealed that he is gay and in a relationship with his boyfriend James Coyle (not in picture), who is an air steward.
He is the first member of the extended Royal Family to have come out as openly gay. He is the great-great-great- grandson of Queen Victoria.
“Now everyone in our family knows and could not be more supportive. Neither of us wanted to have relationships which were transitory; the stereotypical view of gay relationships is that they are too fleeting, too frequent”.
Lord Mountbatten, who had been previously married to a woman, although they separated in 2010, hasn’t ruled out marrying his partner, James, saying,
“If you’d raised that six months or even two weeks ago, I’d have said ‘No way’. But now it’s out there [he means the fact he’s gay], anything is possible”
Speaking about how his three daughters felt about him and his partner, Lord Mountbatten said,
“In an ideal world, I know the girls would like their mother and father still to be together, but they love their 21st Century family that we have built too. Their father has a boyfriend. It’s that complicated and that simple, but finding James means I will not have to lie to anyone or grow old on my own.”
The openly gay author and playwright Edward Albee has died at the age of 88.
By UH Photographs Collection, 1948-2000 (http://digital.lib.uh.edu/u?/p15195coll6,370) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Best known for his works of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The American Dream, American playwright and author Edward Albee has died at the age of 88. He died in his New York home. He was a three times Pulitzer Prize winner.
The news of his death was announced by his assistant on Friday, with no cause of death revealed.
Born in 1928 Albee became a well-known playwright after his play The Zoo Story was staged in Berlin. However it wasn’t until Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf that Albee had really struck gold.
He was an openly gay writer who revealed that he knew he was gay from the age of 12, but did not want to be known as a “gay writer”. He survived his longtime partner, Jonathan Thomas, who was a sculptor, and who died on May 2, 2005, from bladder cancer. They had been partners since 1971.
Has James Arthur resigned to Simon Cowell’s label?
It’s been two years since James Arthur was dropped from Simon Cowell’s label following a number of issues which led to a career nose-dive however with his current single “Say You Won’t Let Go” doing so well it looks as though a reunion with Cowell’s label could be on the table.
A source told The Sun,
“Over the last few years James has kept in touch with Simon.
“Simon has always thought James is a real talent but as soon as he heard the record he made up his mind to re-sign him.
“James has grown up a lot and realises he made mistakes in the past. Simon knows this.”
In 2014 Simon Cowell hit out at Arthur saying he should have just shut up and he was dropped from the Syco label – which homes only the most coveted of X Factor stars.
A few weeks later the former X Factor winner was owned by Paul Potts, after he chastised his PR people for promoting him in the wrong way.
Russell Tovey and co-star Arinze Kene looks HOT as hell in the brand THE PASS.
The Pass is the story of three very different nights over 10 years in the life of a Premier League Footballer. Jason (Russell Tovey) is at the beginning of his career, and on the night before his first big international match he and long-time friend and team-mate Ade (Arinze Kene) share a hotel room, trying to beat the inevitable pre-match tensions with locker-room banter and teenage high-jinks.
Out of nowhere Jason kisses Ade. The emotional repercussions of this pass, and the decisions that follow on and off the pitch, have a major impact on every aspect of the public and private lives of both men across the next decade, in a sporting world where image is everything.
The cast includes Hollyoaks heart-throb Nico Mirallegro and theatre and TV actress Lisa McGrillis. Tovey, McGrillis and Mirallegro all reprise the roles they originally performed on stage.
There’s a new report out to show that 36 per cent of new sexually transmitted diseases were attributed to one age demo.
CREDIT: bigstock / Rawpixel.com
Public Health England have warned that too many young people (15-24) are practicing unsafe sex as sexually transmitted diseases in that age group continue to sky rocket. Thirty-six per cent of new infections in 2015 were found in those aged just 15 to 24, with young Londoners at the epicentre of the sexual health crisis.
Since 2011 diagnoses of syphilis and gonorrhoea in 15 to 24 year olds in London have soared 128 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.
In 2015 those aged 15 to 24 living in the capital made up 36% of all new STI diagnoses; with gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis all being diagnosed.
RISES from 2011 to 2015
Syphilis: 128%
Gonorrhoea: 61%
Chlamydia: – 5%
Genital herpes: 4%
Although the number of reported STIs dropped by four per cent from 44,283 in 2011 to 42,457 this was accounted by the drop in new Chlamydia infections – which fell from 24,017 to 22,891.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said,
“These figures show that too many young people in London are continuing to have unsafe sex, putting themselves at unnecessary risk of contracting STIs.
“Young Londoners are one of the groups we know are at increased risk of experiencing poor sexual health, along with men who have sex with men (MSM) and black ethnic minorities.
“Young people tend to have more sexual partners and are more likely to have unsafe sex. These factors mean they are at increased risk of contracting STIs and becoming re-infected.
“Working closely with young Londoners and other at risk groups is vital to deliver effective public health interventions and improve their sexual health outcomes.”
Dr Patrick French, a sexual health specialist and genitourinary medicine consultant at The Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, said,
“Today’s report highlights that too many young people in London continue to be disproportionately affected by STIs.
“To reduce infections among this at-risk group access to good quality preventative, testing and treatment services is vital. They must also be welcoming and open to overcome any worries or embarrassment young age people might have about going to clinic.
“I still regularly see young people in clinic with newly diagnosed STIs, who struggled to find the right service for testing and treatment. Developing and strengthening easily accessible sexual health services for young people in London must be a priority.”
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London is bursting at the seams with theatre and this autumn is looking particularly gay. Here are 5 things that are on my radar for the cooler weather to come.
The Classic One:
“The Boys in the Band” is having a revival at the Park Theatre, London. Mr and Mr, Mark Gatiss and his husband Ian Hallard are appearing in this overdue revival of a classic gay play from 1968. Self-loathing gay man Harold isn’t happy about aging and is in for an interesting birthday night as the drinks flow too freely and one of his close friends has bought him a hot male hooker for the night. The play shocked straight audiences when it first played. It also divided gay audiences with some seeing it as a making headway in the fight for gay rights and others seeing it as a negative portrayal of waspish queens wallowing in self-pity. Not so different from some of the reactions to the way the media presents gay men in the 21st century. See what you think for yourself. This should be a corker.
The Historical One:
Kenny Morgan returns for a second run at The Arcola in Dalston, London. Mike Poulton based this play around the events that inspired Terrence Rattigan to write his work The Deep Blue Sea. In 1949 Rattigan’s on/off lover, the eponymous Morgan, gassed himself to death after struggling with diminishing success in his acting career and a turbulent love affair. It’s a fascinating glimpse of what life for a gay man might have been like in the post-war period and there’s a stellar turn from Paul Keating as Morgan. TheGayUK saw this first time around and I gave it a thumping good 4 stars.
Run at the Arcola Tuesday 20 September – Saturday 15 October. They also have Pay What You Can Tuesdays (tickets in person from 6pm – limited and subject to availability). The Fringey One:
The tiny Hope Theatre in Islington is perched above a pub on Upper Street and this month has these short morsels on offer, lasting 90 minutes in total. Two Short Plays About Gays are Middle Aged Rent which is about a teenager lost in the maze that was Eighties London, long before mobile phones, social media & Grindr. How he comes out, both literally and figuratively, is the focus of this new piece, specifically written to premiere at The Hope. The Diva Drag is a bittersweet story of love and (possible) reconciliation. Do you go to your homophobic mother’s funeral, or go on stage as her instead?
Sounds like a fascinating hour and a half in an intimate setting. Theatre in this small a venue can be visceral and fierce so here’s hoping for both.
The Eclectic One: And What? is the newest (and only) pan-London Queer Arts Festival on the block, featuring 130+ artists and more than 25 events in 15 venues throughout September and October. Covering the North, South, East and West of the Capital And What? brings you everything from Visual arts to Circus, International drag Superstars to LGBTQI film and Performance Art to Dance.
Expect edgy, scary, hilarious and some just plain wrongness (or you should demand your money back). That’s what a good fringe fest should be all about. I’m drawn to Return to Grey Gardens. I’m a sucker for RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon. Who doesn’t love a narcoleptic Jewish drag queen?
The Immersive One
Tennessee Williams’ plays speak to gay men in an inimitable way. Faded Southern Belles, repressed men and domineering matriarchs and all that passion and desperation? It certainly chimes chords with my past, present and future. Due to the constraints of his times, Tennessee’s plays didn’t feature openly gay men. This play features two and this version is semi-immersive (semi-immersive sounds good to me. It implies voyeurism with no interaction). The audience gets to spend the evening with a bunch of shameless lowlifes in a run down bar. It’s been re-imagined as taking place in a seaside bar in Essex. Sounds genius to me. William’s always gives good value and this one sounds utterly intriguing.
A nation in shock. A country in turmoil. The tears of millions flood the land. Forget Brexit, the nation is gripped by Breadxit! That’s right, by now you all know that Love Productions failed to rise to the occasion and followed the dough and has officially jumped shipped to Channel 4.
After one disaster after another, it looks likely that the next series of The Jump will be Channel 4’s last. That leaves Davina McCall out in the cold. The loveable presenter is a Channel 4 stalwart having found success with the cult classic Streetmate before fronting reality giant Big Brother.
Pros
She’s Davina! Her crazy energy and warmth would make her the perfect candidate for the host gig. She’s got tonnes of reality TV experience and has a strong background in food and baking.
She’s a big name, which is exactly what Channel 4 need to draw interest from disgruntled viewers. Whilst Chris Evans was a hit in the 90s, his return to TV on Top Gear was a dud. Davina has managed to stay currant throughout her decades on the box.
Cons
Davina’s a health nut and fattening cakes and other bakes isn’t exactly in keeping with her brand. In addition, Davina has recently released a cookbook, which is all about cutting sugar out of your life. Something which would no doubt get a frosty reception from Mary Berry.
She’s a distraction. Davina’s loveable energy is a big hit with audiences but the secret to Mel & Sue’s success is that they never draw attention away from the bakers. Davina naturally draws attention from her viewers, so could her presenting be too big for the tent?
Whilst Paul has found his comfort zone with animal documentaries, he still manages to endear the nation. His personality is a pleasant mix of humour and sincerity, which makes him endlessly watchable. Whilst he first won the nation’s heart as Lily Savage, it’s his work on afternoon chat shows and animal documentaries that has won him both awards but also the love of a nation.
Pros
Paul’s personality is a perfect fit. His teatime chat and time on Blankety Blank managed to dance on the boundary of the inappropriate, so innuendos would still be a-plenty. Paul would manage to keep the light heartedness of the show but still be able to play into the drama.
Paul is a professional with many decades in the business covering different genres. He’s a quick wit with a cool head so he’d easily fit into the Bake Off format without making it seem too different. A new host is in danger of alienating the audience who will be expecting nothing but perfection once Bake Off jumps ship.
Cons
Paul has previously criticised the show stating that he is “not interested in a gang of people in a tent making Swiss rolls”. It wouldn’t be great for his integrity for him to front a show he previously criticised. But, with this £25m a year acquisition, perhaps Paul will be otherwise swayed.
Paul’s previous work has always been quite emotional as works to improve the life of rescue dogs so, when it comes to a burnt cake, he mightn’t be as caring. Mel and Sue always seemed genuinely interested in the show and its contestants but it is likely Paul would not be as emotionally involved and, therefore, may leave the viewers a bit cold.
Likelihood: 3/5
Richard & Judy
Richard and Judy have been off-screen as for some time now but I am sure, for many, it’d be a welcome return. Judy may be hitting our screens as a Loose Woman but it’s certainly not the same without her being talked over. The duo have excellent chemistry (well you’d hope so since they’re married) and their middle class humour is pitch perfect for the show’s audience and pace.
Pros
Richard and Judy are a duo with great chemistry, just like Mel and Sue. They were TV’s Mum and Dad, slowly getting drunk on wine in the front room so it would certainly be a comfort when uncertainty sets in as the show moves to Channel 4. Viewers are used to seeing them together and their welcome return would no doubt show that the channel is willing to put some heavyweight talent behind the move.
Richard and Judy have always been tastemakers. They’ve always promoted the finest food and wine and championed the best books. The viewing public trust them so if they were willing to sign up, it’d certainly add to the legitimacy of the show. Right now the rose tinted glasses of the show have been smashed by the capitalistic move by Love Productions and viewers need to believe that Channel 4’s acquisition is because they care about the format rather than advertising money and ratings.
Cons
Richard and Judy have been off air for some time, could it be difficult to watch them together? Despite their great chemistry, Judy has managed to re-model herself as a clear individual. Will they still gel well together and manage to recreate their magic?
Whilst Judy was always pleasant, Richard is often known for his awkward jokes and gaffes on air including revealing Judy once had a bad time with thrush. Richard may try to attempt to continue Mel and Sue’s famed banter and will most likely fall flat on his face.
Likelihood: 2/5
Jo Brand
– (C) Love Productions – Photographer: Mark Bourdillon
Jo currently hosts Bake Off’s spin off show An Extra Slice so it wouldn’t be completely unusual for her to slip into the main slot. The move would be strikingly similar to Emma Willis taking over from Brian Downling as host of Channel 5’s iteration of Big Brother. Jo is a proven comedic talent who already has a love for the show. I would argue that Jo would be the safest bet for new host.
Pros
Jo is already part of the Bake Off family. With Mel and Sue gone, Paul & Mary will likely follow so it’d be nice to have somebody on the show that could carry the torch for the BBC version. Jo’s love of the show and her knowledge of the audience means she’ll be able to hit the right tone immediately. Hiring Jo would also reassure viewers that Channel 4 aren’t looking to completely re-invent the wheel.
Jo is a huge fan of cakes and baking so her enthusiasm for the baker’s achievements will feel genuine rather than forced. We know she loves the show, we know she appreciates the art so therefore it’ll be more believable and, therefore, enjoyable for us!
Cons
Jo’s persona is very grumpy old woman, which won’t play well in the tent. She has never shown a particular warmth so she may not be as comforting to the contestants and may make interactions seem a little more awkward as a result. Mel & Sue had the perfect split of humour and kindness and Jo would struggle to meet that.
Jo is very BBC and has been a familiar face for many, many years so it may seem a bit strange to watch her on Channel 4. Jo is a BBC stalwart so any move there would be interpreted as a money grab. As a member of the show already, it could do her more damage than good to move with the show as viewers could potentially interpret the move as disloyalty. I imagine if Paul and Mary stay on, they would face similar criticism.
Likelihood: 5/5
Anna Richardson
CREDIT: Channel 4
Anna is one of Channel 4’s loyal hosts, having fronted many shows for the broadcaster. Anna has presented lots of factual entertainment from Secret Eaters to Supersize v Superskinny so viewers are likely familiar with her work. She has a laid-back approach to dealing with people, which would work well within the tent. She also has a strong production background, which would make her a sensible choice for the show. In addition to this, Anna has managed to show both her serious and funny sides in shows such as The Sex Education Show and Naked Attraction. However, her current partner is current Bake Off host Sue Perkins so Anna hosting may make things a little awkward.
Pros
Anna’s personality is a mix of serious and cheeky which is another good blend for the show. Her journalistic instincts will get her to root out the secrets behind the bakers and her light heartedness will cut through any tension.
Anna has dealt with many topics on TV but has steadfastly covered food and the psychology of food. She would be wholly believable as a host and, as her work on Secret Eaters has shown, she cares deeply for others. She has a natural rapport with people even in awkward situations i.e. them being stark bollock naked so Anna would be able to interact easily with bakers and judges alike.
Cons
Anna is known more recently for Naked Attraction so she may not be seen as a suitable host for such a mild mannered show. It’s quite the jump to go from dicks and tits to pies and cakes.
Anna’s worth is deeply rooted in the meaning of things and, whilst that might add a fun element to the show, it could also result in her trying to think too deep about things. The Bake Off is successful because it’s easy-going so nobody wants to know what happened in a baker’s childhood to make them want to add chilli to their chocolate cake. Likelihood: 4/5
Outside Chances (Likelihood between 1/5 to 2/5)
Myleen Klass, Julian Clary, Eric Lanlard, Kirstie Allsop, Ella Woodward, Jonathan Ross, Fern Britton, Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, John Snow and Kirstie Gallacher
A survivor from the Pulse massacre in June has died 3 months after the attack which left 49 people dead.
CREDIT: Chris Brodman / Facebook
Chris Brodman, was one of the survivors of the Pulse massacre, but three month on from the attack, which left 49 people dead, he was found “unresponsive” at a party in Tampa, Florida.
The 34-year-old, who was currently on a leave of absence from his job as an insurance broker, was found in the garden of a friend’s house in Tampa. Paramedics were called in the early hours of Sunday morning but were unable to revive him.
Media reports suggest that there was no evidence of assault or trauma.
An autopsy has been completed but the cause of death has not been released until toxicology reports are made available.
So there you are doing a bit of skinny dipping when… boom a fish launches itself to your penis.
CREDIT: Pixabay FILE PHOTO
Question: what’s the perfect bait for fish – Well most fishermen will tell you that a nice juicy worm or maggot will do the trick, but this man just found out that his penis does the trick nicely.
The video, which has gone viral (at the moment it stands at 22.5 million views) shows a naked man jumping into water – and quickly jumping back out again with a FISH yes a live fish attached to his privates.
