THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • Coming Out As Gay To A Devout Muslim Father

    Khalid el Khatib the son of a Palestinian refugee who risked everything to come to the United States, stayed in the closet on the advice of his therapist because he did not want to disappoint his father. However, when the pain became too much Khalid decided he could no longer lie to his family.

    In a new very touching video for www.imfromdriftwood.com the LGBTQ Story Archive, Khalid articulately explains that four years later, although some issues remain, he has the full love and support of his father.

  • RIP: Man Of The Year Dirk Shafer Dies

    Dirk Shafer the former Playgirl centrefold who came out as gay and then made the mockumentary ‘Man Of The Year’ about his experiences has died aged 52.

    Shafer first came to public attention when he appeared at age 27 in a photo spread in Playgirl Magazines ‘Holiday 1990’ issue, and was chosen as their Man Of The Year in 1992. He documented all the process and pressures he was under from all sides to pose as straight into the 1995 movie he directed and starred in.

    Shafer also made the movie Circuit which looked t the gay party scene, and later appeared on TV’s Will & Grace. The model and actor appeared in another Playgirl centrefold in 2012 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his first layout

  • RIP: Albert Maysles: Director Of Grey Gardens Dies

    Albert Maysles, the director who, alongside his brother David, revolutionised documentary filmmaking, died at the age of 88 Thursday night. Amongst his long body of work, he will always fondly be known for introducing Little Edie to the world in Grey Gardens which has become classic particularly among the gay community.

    In 1975 the Maysles had been making a film on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ younger sister Lee Radziwill, the brothers met Edith Bouvier Beale, Onassis’ free-spirited cousin, and her mother, affectionately known as “Big Edie.” The Maysles scrapped their planned film on Radziwill and began to film the story of Big and Little Edie living in squalor in their near-condemned Long Island mansion.

    Best known for their love of cinéma vérité the Brothers worked spanned from their documentary in 1964 The Beatles: The First US Visit to a series of movies on the artist Christo which earned them an Oscar Nomination.

    David Maysles, the younger brother died in 1987 and since then Albert has continued to make films the latest of which is Iris a profile of 93-year iconic fashion maven Iris Apfel which is being released next month.

    PS. Iris is being screened at Miami International Film Festival this weekend and Mr Maysles and Ms Apfel had agreed to an interview with THEGAYUK Film Editor Roger Walker-Dack.

  • “We Do Not Like Gays Living Here” Vile Welcome Note To Gay Couple

    A gay couple that have recently moved to a small town in Yorkshire, England, were shocked to find this most unwelcoming note from a neighbour.

    A note that a gay couple reportedly received when they moved to a village near York has surfaced on Twitter and Facebook. The letter contained outrageous homophobic terms such as backstabbers and s*** stabbers.

    The person who wrote the note was quite adamant that the couple would cause trouble for the neighbourhood saying, “This is a respectable village. We do not like gays living here, we do not want a load of gays coming and going day and night.

    We have heard about the partys (sic) you have, and the young lads you having stayed the night.

    “You only have young lads for one thing.

    “You [are] a pair of s*** stabbers,

    “You pair of dirty b*****ds,

    “We will have you run out of the village.

    “This is a warning so get this house up for sale and push off back where you came from, you are not welcome here.
    “S*** stabbers.”

    It is unclear whether the police have been informed, however, The Mirror states that the police are believed to be investigating the note.

    The York Pride facebook page wrote, “Why are pride events important in 2015? Read this letter received by someone right here in North Yorkshire to see what views still exist in 2015!”

  • Gay Domestic Violence Helpline Funded For Another 12 Months

    Broken Rainbow UK, the LGBT domestic violence charity, received confirmation this afternoon that the funding for their helpline is secure for another 12 months.

    The charity that has been campaigning for several months to save the helpline, received the news just hours before their board was due to meet to decide on its closure.

    Managing Director of Broken Rainbow, Jo Harvey Barringer, says, “What has kept us going these past difficult months has been the incredible level of support from the general public particularly those from within the LGBT community and the women’s domestic violence sector.”

    In January there were fears that the charity would not be funded after the Home Office failed to announce whether funding would be extended for another year. The potential closure was lambasted by MP Caroline Lucas as “perverse and counterproductive”

    Broken Rainbow has received over £25,000 for the campaign ‘There is no Pride in Domestic Abuse’. And tens of thousands of people have shared the campaign and cause on social media. Just this morning a petition with 30,000 signatures on it was delivered to the Home Secretary.

    Broken Rainbow has been overwhelmed by some of the comments it has received from past service users.

    Jo Harvey Barringer continues, “We know what we do makes a difference to many people’s lives, but for them to share what has been some of their most difficult life experiences and how we made a positive difference to that, has been humbling and affirming that the service we offer is a vital one that needs to continue.”

    Here are some of the amazing comments Broken Rainbow has been sent in the past months, thank you so much for sharing:

    ‘As a lesbian whilst coming out in my teens I found help and support from various groups now it’s a chance for me to give something back. Even though I have never been a victim of any sort of domestic abuse I do know those who have with nowhere to turn to these organisations are lifelines please keep them operating’

    ‘This is one cause you can not drop…too many depend on Broken Rainbow, without their help there would be nowhere to turn to… and more will suffer in silence.’

    ‘A vital service. I have been through d.v with an ex-partner and found support through your website. Thank you’

    Broken Rainbow is extremely grateful for your support and we will continue to work for a society where LGBT victims of domestic violence and abuse have access to the services they need, free of any prejudice and homophobia.

  • Three Men Marry In Thailand In First Ever Gay Thruple Marriage

    Three gay men in Thailand have entered into what is thought the world’s first three-way same-sex marriage.

    Art and Joke have been together since and they later met Bell in a hospital and they proposed marriage to him. Bell said, “Some people may not agree and are probably amazed by our decision, but we believe many people do understand and accept our choice. Love is love, after all.”

    Although same-sex marriage is not recognised in Thailand, the three men all in their 20s were able to marry under Buddhist law, and they exchanged vows on Valentine’s Day in Uthai Thani Province.

  • Gay Marriage Could Still Be Halted In Slovenia

    Slovenia’s Parliament voted yesterday to legalise same-sex marriages and grant such unions equal rights to those of heterosexual couples, which means it also enables same-sex couples to adopt children too.

    The bill was approved by a vote of 51 to 28 in the 90-seat Parliament.

    During the session, some 2,000 people gathered in front of parliament to protest against the bill and announce they will launch a petition for a referendum to prevent it from entering into force. According to Slovenia’s legislation, a referendum on the implementation of a bill can be called if 40,000 citizens with their signatures back such a vote.

  • First Former Communist Country, Slovenia To Make Gay Marriage A Reality

    Slovenia has become the first post-Communist country to announce the legalisation of same-sex marriages in time for the second annual Pink Week 2015 celebration in May.

    Two million more people in Europe will be living with marriage equality as the Slovene government announces the introduction of same-sex marriage in time for PinkWeek 2015.

    On Tuesday the 3rd of March the Slovenian parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriages. This makes Slovenia the first of any former Yugoslavian/Balkan country to pass such a law.

    In the past two years, Slovenia has become increasingly recognised as one of Europe’ s most LGBT-friendly locations, not least due to the establishing of special LGBT tours and the country’s annual Pink Week.
    Designed specifically for the global LGBT community and their open-minded friends, Pink Week encompasses an exclusive full-spectrum getaway experience that allows participants to discover Slovenia’s hidden gems and culinary delights in a single three-night break.

    Matej & Mattej founders co-creator of Slovenia’s Pink Week, said, “We are absolutely delighted that Slovenia has become the first post-Communist country to legalise same-sex marriage. It is yet more proof that this beautiful country is now one of Europe’s top destinations for LGBT travellers.”

    As it stands in March 2015 LGBTs in Slovenia celebrate the following rights:

    ◉ Same-sex sexual activity legal (since 1977)
    ◉ Equal age of consent (since 1977)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in employment only (since 1998)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services (since 1998)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) (since 1998)
    ◉ Same-sex marriages (since 2015)
    ◉ Recognition of same-sex couples (since 2006)
    ◉ Step-child adoption by same-sex couples (since 2011)
    ◉ Joint adoption by same-sex couples (since 2015)
    ◉ Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military
    ◉ Right to change legal gender
    ◉ MSMs NOT allowed to donate blood
    ◉ Access to IVF for lesbians
    ◉ NO Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples (banned for heterosexual couples as well)

  • Final Moments Of Man Accused Of Being Gay Captured By ISIS Supporters

    Final Moments Of Man Accused Of Being Gay Captured By ISIS Supporters

    The sickening last moments of a man accused of being gay in Raqqa, Syria were captured by a throng of on lookers, as ISIS’s murderous rampage against gay men continues.

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  • LGBT Equality Is The Defining Civil Rights Struggle Of Our Time

    These are words of the remarkable outgoing US Attorney General Eric Holder who persuaded President Barak Obama to get on board and support same-sex marriage. In an op-ed piece in USA Today the Attorney General writes about the issue that the US Supreme Court will revisit this year.

    “This week, the Justice Department will file a brief setting forth our position that state bans on same-sex marriage violate the fundamental constitutional guarantee of “equal protection of the laws.” It is clear that the time has come to recognise that gay and lesbian people deserve robust protection from discrimination.

    Nothing justifies excluding same-sex couples from the institution of marriage. Denying them the right to marry serves only to demean them and their children, to degrade the dignity of their families and to deny them the full, free and equal participation in American life to which every citizen is entitled.Marriage bans inflict concrete harms that touch nearly every aspect of daily life for gay and lesbian couples. The bans intersect with issues as varied as workers’ compensation, taxation and inheritance, posing challenges to basic financial security. Same-sex couples living in states with bans too often face obstacles to adopting and raising children together. And restrictions on medical decision-making and hospital visitation impose devastating burdens during the moments when a partner is needed most.

    The mental and emotional injuries are just as acute. A marriage ban written into state law broadcasts the state’s view that same-sex couples and their children are second-class families, undeserving of the rights and protections offered to opposite-sex couples. It creates a stigma that pervades society, encouraging individuals to harass or belittle even their loved ones because of pressures brought by their community. And it harms relationships between family members by perpetuating a destructive notion that some individuals — and some children — should be shown less love and support simply because of who they are. That is a view the Department of Justice flatly rejects. And with our brief, we will make clear that the United States stands firmly on the side of equality.’

  • Marks And Spencer Bans The Word Gay

    Marks And Spencer Bans The Word Gay

    The word gay has been banned when you try and buy a gift from the Marks And Spencer website.

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