THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • Yep, Donald Trump’s office released a memo outlining how to spot a trans person

    Yep, Donald Trump’s office released a memo outlining how to spot a trans person

    Donald Trump‘s administration allegedly sent out a memo, detailing how officials might spot a transgender person, in order to identify them if they were to try and gain access to Government-funded homelessness shelters. Specifically, the memo was looking to demonstrate how a federal employee might be able to determine if a person, standing in front of them, trying to gain access to a woman’s homelessness shelter, was a transgender woman or not.

    In a highly controversial move, the memo included information which might help an employee determine a person’s biological sex rather than gender identity. It outlined features such as height, facial hair and whether the person in question had an Adam’s apple and characteristics which “when considered together, are indicative of a person’s biological sex”, according to Snopes.com.

    According to the site, the memo was released in July 2020 and listed physical characteristics, “in order to identify incoming transgender people at federally funded homeless shelters”.

    The memo was a 29-page documentary, titled, “Making Admission or Placement Determinations Based on Sex in Facilities Under Community Planning and Development Housing Programs.”

    Read Snopes.com fact finding on their website.

  • Homophobic hate crime continues to soar in Scotland

    Instead of going down, homophobic hate crime continues to grow in Scotland.

    Despite having some of the most progressive policies in the UK for LGBT+ people, crimes against gay and bi people, or people perceived to be LGB have continued to rise in Scotland.

    Hate crime reports against LGB people are now at their highest level since 2010.

    24 per cent rise in charges for homophobic crime

    In the period between 2019 and 2020, there were 1486 total homophobic hate crime charges brought. In 2018 to 2019 there were 1194 – an increase of 292 charges for the current year, which is equal to a 24 per cent rise. Last year the rise was five per cent. Meaning that crimes against gay, lesbian and bi people has ballooned in Scotland.

    Eighty-four per cent of the charges were taken to court. One per cent of the charges did not make it to court. Nine of the cases could not proceed because there was insufficient admissible evidence.

    Transgender hate crime also increased, with one additional charge brought in the period of 2019-2020. Last year there were 40 charges, this year there have been 41 charges. A decrease since a high in 2017/2018 when charges reached 52.

    “Disappointing and, frankly, embarrassing”

    Talking to THEGAYUK about the new stats, MP Mhairi Black said,

    “It is extremely disappointing and, frankly, embarrassing that homophobic hate crimes are still on the rise in Scotland.

    “I hope, though I’m not necessarily hopeful, that these numbers indicate a greater number of people coming forward about the homophobic abuse they receive rather than the number of crimes actually increasing, but no matter which way you look at it this is a disgusting situation for a modern country to find itself in.”

  • Gaydio presenter leaves the station for utterly heartbreaking reasons

    Gaydio presenter leaves the station for utterly heartbreaking reasons

    Emma Goswell is to step down from her duties as the morning presenter for Gaydio, where she has worked for over 14 years and the reason is heartbreaking.

    Taking to twitter, Emma said that she “had news” before telling her fans that she was leaving the UK’s largest LGBT+ focussed radio station, Gaydio and that her last show would be on Friday.

    The reason is that Emma’s sister has devastatingly been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and has “come home for palliative care”. According to Emma, her sister’s cancer has progressed “to an extent that the doctors will not treat it further”.

    “She has been there countless times for me,” Emma said, “It’s time for me to step up and be there for her and my parents”.

    Emma Goswell has been at the station for 14 years and is probably most famous for presenting the lively morning show, which she now does with Dean McCollough. She said the leave from Gaydio was for the “foreseeable future”.

    She added that she was “off to do a much more important job, I’m going to be a sister”.

    Supporters and fans send their love

    Her fellow presenter Phil Marriott wrote, “What a lovely human being you are, Emma. Wishing you and your family all the very best. You’re a brilliant broadcaster”

    Singer Lucy Spraggan added, “So much love to you and your family”, while Heather Peace wrote, “Sending love to you and to your family at this time. I’ll miss hearing you on the radio but you’ve absolutely got your priorities in order. Much love Emma”.

    Emma ended her message, with a reminder to all her listeners, to “check your boobs and bits”.

    https://twitter.com/emmagoswell/status/1285110910411997185/photo/1
  • Birmingham’s LGBT centre attacked for the second time this year

    Birmingham’s LGBT centre attacked for the second time this year

    “No one else has had their window targeted”

    Birmingham‘s very own LGBT Centre, which raises the awareness of the needs of LGBT people in Birmingham, has been vandalised for a second time in just a couple of months. In a tweet, the centre wrote that although the window-smashing might be the work of “petty vandalism” it also noted that none of the other shops or businesses in the immediate vicinity had their windows targeted.

    The centre added that the cost of replacing the window was an additional expense that they did not need. The centre doesn’t know whether the damage would be covered by insurance and may have to set up a fundraiser to have the window replaced.

    According to the centre, the damage has been reported to the police and the charity is in receipt of an incident number.

    In a statement on the official Facebook said, “We have reported to the police and will be getting the CCTV on the island checked we have an emergency contractor going out today to board it up and hopefully it will be covered by insurance if not we may well set up a fundraiser thanks for all who are contacting with offers of support”

    Birmingham is home to one of the UK’s largest LGBT scenes and a thriving bar and pride scene.

  • Cornwall Pride pens open letter to MPs about the Gender Recognition Act

    Cornwall Pride pens open letter to MPs about the Gender Recognition Act

    Cornwall Pride wrote to all of the UK’s MPs to express concerns over the Gender Recognition Act and the delays to “gay cures” in the UK.

    “Very concerned over backtracking on trans rights”.

    The team that runs Cornwall’s only Pride event, Cornwall Pride has written to all of the UK’s MPs to outline their concerns about backtracking on transgender rights in the UK.

    They also criticised the Government for “failing in its commitment to formally respond to the Gender Recognition Act consultation by repeatedly delaying publication of the review”

    It continued,

    “However, we are also disappointed to see the leaks of selected sections of the report without proper communication by the Government. This has caused significant distress and anxiety among trans people and wider LGBT+ communities here in Cornwall and the UK. We believe trans women are women, trans men are men and non- binary identities are valid.

    “We, therefore, state our support for trans people’s right to self-identification.”

    As it stands,to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) in the UK, transgender people require a medical diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria, implying that being transgender is a mental illness – a view not recognised by the World Health Organisation.

    “They must also live in their “acquired” gender for a minimum of 2 years and must pay a fee of £140.

    Cornwall Pride adds, “The Government’s own research acknowledges that this process is bureaucratic, expensive, and humiliating for many transgender people. We believe the Government should respect the consultation, demonstrate a consideration for transgender people’s safety and dignity, and continue to explore ways of reforming the GRA”.

    “Perturbed to restrict trans women’s access to services and facilities”

    The letter also states,

    “We are particularly perturbed by the reported proposals to not only scrap any reform to the GRA, but to restrict trans women’s access to services and facilities in the guise of “safeguarding” safe spaces for cisgender women. One of our supporters has worked in the Violence Against Women and Girls sector, including in a refuge, for more than 13 years and believes such restrictions for trans women are unnecessary and unethical.

    “We will be dismayed if the rights of transgender people, both with and without a GRC, are dismantled to appease a “vocal few”.

    Read the full letter here.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/741984136331178/permalink/829857034210554/
  • Woman dies after drinking bottle of poppers

    Woman dies after drinking bottle of poppers

    People. Please don’t drink poppers.

    Despite the fact that all bottles of poppers sold in the UK come with a warning not to drink the contents, one woman in Scotland, unfortunately, downed one and died shortly after.

    It is thought that she assumed the bottle was an alcohol miniature, when a friend handed her a bottle that he had purchased from a local store.

    She became seriously ill, fast

    The woman, from Angus, was handed the bottle from a male friend who bought two bottles from their local off-license. It is thought that she then drank the content of a bottle of XL Gold before becoming seriously ill and dying shortly after. XL Gold is a popular room aroma, which gives a head rush when inhaled.

    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    She fell ill and died the same day, according to The Metro

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    Poppers sold and marketed in the UK are legal to purchase, however they are not sold for human consumption. Many people, of course, huff or inhale directly from the bottle and it gives a quick headrush – and often causes a mild headache.

  • Ever wanted to star in an advert for a gay sauna?

    You could be joining the likes of Austin Armacost if you manage to get a spot on the new Pleasuredrome campaign. Back in 2018 Pleasuredrome introduced the hunky Celebrity Big Brother star, but now you could be the face of London’s busiest sauna.

    The world-famous sauna in London, is swinging open the doors in search of 20 guys to become the new faces of the Pleasuredrome bathhouse.

    Pleasuredrome put out a casting call, looking for 20 guys in “all shapes and sizes” and added that “age is not a barrier to beauty”.

    The advert says that they are “seeking confident men of all ages and backgrounds to appear in our New Generation Pleasuredrome campaign”

    Plus you could earn a tidy £200 and a set of photographs, if you’re successful.

    Anyone who is interested has to be available to shoot on the 25th or 26th July.

    Pleasuredrome was one of the first gay saunas in the UK to announce its plans to open post lockdown with a tentative date set for August – although an actual date has not yet been set.

    Gay owned and managed by Adam and Charles, Pleasuredrome attracts more than 15,000 men every month of all types and ages from London and across the world. This award-winning spa is unique in being open continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Pleasuredrome is the only gay venue in the United Kingdom that never closes.

  • Christopher Biggins reveals what his career highlight is

    Christopher Biggins reveals what his career highlight is

    And it wasn’t that controversial appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

    Despite the fact that his appearance on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here was 13-years-ago, Christopher Biggins says that nothing has topped that experience.

    Speaking to celebrity event planner Liz Taylor, on her Events That Made Me podcast, star of the stage and screen, Biggins, has hailed his appearance on ITV’s flagship reality show, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, as the ‘highlight of his career’.

    The 71-year-old revealed that, despite having been cast in rich and varied roles during a career that spans four decades, he deems his trip to the Australian jungle to be the pinnacle of success.

    He told Liz, “You may be surprised for me to say to you, but probably the highlight of my career has been I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. It really is. Because, not only having won it, which was fantastic to win because it was the public voting for it. It changed my life in so many ways. It was a wonderful experience. The jungle, a lot of people either hate or they love. I loved it. It was fantastic.” 

    “It was 13 years ago and I’m still living off it. It was such a strong year and people still come up to me and say, ‘oh we loved it when this happened in the jungle’ and so that is very important to me.” 

    The revelation is perhaps even more unlikely given that during the discussion, which airs on July 15, 2020 at https://podfollow.com/etmm-liz-taylor, Biggins also speaks in detail of his friendship with author/actress Joan Collins and the doors this has opened for him, including an occasion where he was to keep watch for Frank Sinatra while he smoked a cigarette.

    Embed from Getty Images

    “There were stars everywhere. My table was me sitting next to Shakira Cain, sitting next to Frank Sinatra, sitting next to Barbara Davis (our hostess), sitting next to George Burns… and Dan Ackroyd. I thought to myself, if my mother could see me sitting one away from Frank Sinatra, I mean, I couldn’t believe it.”

    “At the end of dinner, he [Frank Sinatra] said for me to go out into the hallway. He wanted to have a cigarette and his wife didn’t like it, so I had to stand guard, and we had another fabulous discussion.”

    Embed from Getty Images

    Of course, Biggins has had many features on TV, none more controversial than his appearance on the celebrity version of Big Brother.

    In 2016 his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother was cut short after a number of controversial statements. There were just 11 complaints to Ofcom following a comment he made about bisexual people.

    Since then his appearances on celebrity-based TV shows has wained. However, he did also perform in the Ab Fab movie in 2016.

  • James Dreyfus hits out at journo who called ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ too offensive

    The Gimme Gimme Gimme star slammed a MyLondon column after the writer called it “too offensive to be made today”.

    Gimme Gimme Gimme was a comedy released in the late 90s and early 00s and starred James Dreyfus and Kathy Burke. The show was written by Jonathan Harvey who also wrote the landmark film Beautiful Thing. The sitcom centred around a gay flatmate (Tom) and his flatmate Linda LaHughes, played by Kathy Burke. Undoubtedly its humour was what made it essential viewing for many LGBT+ people and helped it garner cult status during the early part of this century.

    However, it was criticised by Danielle Manning on MyLondon.news. Manning wrote that they were left giggling and cringing “in equal measure” as some of the jokes were “frankly be a bit offensive today” and stated that some of the “one-liners actually come off as offensive by today’s standards”.

    James however, took to twitter to thank Danielle for the compliments, but adding that criticising Gimme Gimme Gimme for its social commentary, “a bit like writing an essay on Scooby-Doo being ‘problematic’.

    It seemed as many of James’ followers agreed with his sentiments, saying that it was their goto program for a laugh. One fan added that the show was a “breakthrough show” saying it was “great to have some representation on tv”.

  • Where can I buy LGBT inspired facemasks?

    Where can I buy LGBT inspired facemasks?

    Mandatory face coverings are going to become a thing across the UK – it’s already a requirement on public transport and in Scotland, you must wear a covering when shopping. As lockdown restrictions continue to be eased, and we’re all able to open up our social bubbles, it seems that face coverings are one of the ways we’re being told that can reduce coronavirus infections.

    Although it’s important to remember that wearing a face mask doesn’t necessarily stop you for catching the virus, but does help reduce the spread of the virus.

    With signals that Boris Johnson could be ordering a face-covering rule for the UK, we look at where you can buy an LGBT+ inspired face covering and supporting LGBT+ businesses while you’re at it.

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    If you want to keep it simple, our partner shop THE PRIDE SHOP has these simple rainbow face masks for just £4.00. A donation to The Pride Shop’s Pride Fund is made from each sale.

    Buy rainbow face masks.

    Then if you want to go handmade, The Pride Shop also has these gorgeous, handmade, Reusable Rainbow Face Masks by Made With Love By Jenny. They’re just £12.00 and they come with a Rainbow Holographic Keyring. Each one is unique, very much like the wearer. A donation to The Pride Foundation UK is made from each sale.

    Barcode, the well-known LGBT brand has come up with a variety of different designs and you can buy them from Fetch.

    There’s also this rainbow inspired Face mask by CODE 22.

    Then if you want to get a little more creative there are some fabulous designs over on Etsy, like these Marlon Brando or Linda LaHughes designs.

    What about a progress pride flag? This one is available on Redbubble

    The official Tom of Finland store has a variety of designs available including this Double Scorpio “Poppers” protective mask.

    Need emotional support? We’ve set up a special COVID-19 page with helpful resources.

  • The EU’s most anti-LGBT+ leader has been reelected in Poland

    The EU’s most anti-LGBT+ leader has been reelected in Poland

    In a blow to LGBT+ rights activists in Poland, Andrzej Duda from the far-right wing Law and Justice Party has won the presidential election. However, he only won the election with a tiny majority, with only 51.2 per cent of the votes.

    Duda ran an electoral campaign which heavily vilified the LGBT+ community, calling it a “destructive” force.

    flag of poland
    Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

    The tiny majority is the tightest win Poland has ever had. Rafal Trzaskowski, the current major of Warsaw, who runs on a liberal platform narrowly lost with 48.8 per cent of the vote.

    During Duda’s campaign, he signed one of the most anti-LGBT charters in the EU against what he calls the “LGBT Ideology”, which he said was “more destructive than communist indoctrination”.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The charter defends the “institution of marriage” which means that there is no acceptance of gay marriage.

    He’ll also refuses to accept allowing gay couples to adopt children.

    Poland has the worst LGBT+ rights for any EU country

    Poland’s lags way behind its fellow EU countries when it comes to LGBT+ rights according to Rainbow-Europe.org. It has just a 15.8 per cent approval rating, compared to Malta which sits at the top with nearly 90 per cent approval. Neighbouring countries to Poland, Lituania, Belarus, Slovakia and the Czech Republic all fall well below 50 per cent on the scale.