THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • FILM REVIEW | Hockney : A Wonderful Gush-Free Tribute

    ★★★★ | Hockney : A Wonderful Gush-Free Tribute

    David Hockney, O.M. C.H. R.A. is possibly the greatest living English artist and is considered a ‘national treasure’.

    A painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer he has been a major presence on the art scene since he first caught the public’s eye when taking part of Young Contemporaries Exhibition at the Royal College of Art in 1962 (who subsequently initially refused to let him graduate). His move from his dull northern hometown of Bradford to the bright sunshine of L.A. just two years later was a major turning point and where this quiet Englishman found happiness and his metier. It was also where he found the first of many bottles of peroxide for his hair.

    Hockney’s life has been examined many times previously but this new documentary by filmmaker Randall Wright, whose previous subjects have included Lucien Freud and the ubiquitous Sister Wendy, is probably by far the most definitive. Helped by the fact that Hockney gave him unfettered access to his vast personal treasure trove of archives which included some great footage of home videos and a seemingly less collection of photographs, it gives such a full picture of the great man and his life.

    The charismatic Hockney made great friends of other famous artists on so many levels and those still living gave a fascinating insight into their friend and peer. Particularly touching was an interview with Don Bacardy who spoke of the time that a very young Hockney turned up on his doorstep of the Hollywood home that he shared with his lover Christopher Isherwood. Hockney had been openly gay since his Royal College days even though homosexuality was still illegal in the UK, but this was the first time he had met a partnered couple and it was quite a shock for him.

    Hockney’s sexuality was an important element of both his life and his work as the public first discovered with his acclaimed ‘Bigger Splash’ series of pictures that featured his young naked lover Peter Schlesinger that started making waves in and out of his pool. An obviously highly emotional man, a fact that is nowhere more apparent than his moving account of the impact of AIDS in the ’80s which so decimated his circle of friends and acquaintances.

    Wright expertly weaves his film back and forth from Hockney’s childhood in a post-war Britain still rationing its food, to his current sojourn in his beloved Santa Monica home where at the age of 77 although painfully deaf, he is still working on new pieces of art. The ‘journey’ in between shows a man obsessed with his art and bent on continually exploring new techniques and ideas that are very uniquely his own. His famous ‘polaroid’ pictures of the ’80’s have progressed into a whole new wave of art he now makes on his iPad.

    It is undoubtedly a wonderful gush-free tribute to this iconic artist and quintessential Englishman who up to a couple of years ago was still living part of his year in the bracing seaside town of Bridlington. What it lacks, however, is any mention of Hockney’s personal life after his tempestuous relationship with Schlesinger decades ago. All mention of Hockney’s later relationships, including one with John Fitzherbert that lasted over two decades, were completely omitted which seems odd given the importance that Hockney places on his close friendships.

    (*C.H. = Companion of Honour, and O.M. = Order of Merit both extremely high honours that are awarded by The Queen)

  • Eight Artworks Stolen From Winter Pride

    Eight artworks by the artists Jane Moore and Eleanor Pearce were stolen over the weekend at the annual Winter Pride.

    The artworks were stolen off the exhibition wall of the ‘John Sizzle and A Man to Pet Cabaret Room’ (Great Gallery upstairs) at Tobacco Dock, in London, during the Winter Pride Art Awards 2014.

    Three men were seen removing the artworks between 2am and 3am.

    Winter Pride has given a description of the men: one man dressed in all black, the other man was aged between 30-45, 5’9″ bald with thick rimmed glasses.

    Simon Tarrant the organiser of the event said,

    ‘The artists are devastated,

    ‘Please help us recover these artworks, we just want to get them back to Jane and Eleanor.’

    Anyone with information should contact Simon on the email: info@simontarrant.com

  • UK Leaflet: The Judgement Of God on Homosexualism Reveals Itself In AIDS

    An Anti-gay and abortion leaflet has left residents in Ely, Cambridge shocked and outraged.

    The leaflet which is titled Works of Darkness has been put through the doors of houses in Ely.

    Cambridgeshire Police have been notified.

    The leaflet contains paragraphs on fornication, contraception, euthanasia, homosexualism/lesbianism and divorce.

    For homosexuality, it reads: ‘Homosexuality is not inborn, it is a development disorder, a traumatised condition arising out of a dysfunctional family, or it is a lifestyle choice.

    ‘It is utterly opposed to the law of God and to nature, and should in no way be condoned or promoted.

    ‘Also, the adoption of children by gays and lesbians constitutes a form of child abuse. The judgement of God on homosexualism reveals itself in the AIDS/HIV virus.”

    According to Ely-News.co.uk one resident said, “I came home to find this vulgar, offensive thing on my doormat.

    ‘I find it extremely disturbing and I have reported it to the police. Whoever is responsible for delivering them needs to be dealt with immediately’

    Another resident said: I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I think whoever is responsible for these leaflets should be prosecuted by the police.’

    This is one of a number of leaflets that have been delivered to residents around the UK. In August residents in Brighton were outraged when similar hateful leaflets were delivered through their doors.

    A Spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said, ‘Leaflets of a homophobic nature were distributed in Cambridge earlier this year. Additionally, similar material has been distributed in other areas of the county and indeed, the country.

    ‘Whilst it is acknowledged that many recipients will be offended by the leaflet’s content, Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights gives individuals the right to Freedom of Expression – the right to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideals without interference by public authority. This includes opinions which may offend, irritate, shock or disturb.

    ‘While the material being distributed earlier this week will in many cases offend, irritate, shock or disturb, the content, context and actions of the male concerned fall short of any criminality at this time.

    ‘We will however continue to monitor the situation both locally and nationally. Anyone who is approached or receives any of this literature should contact police by calling 101.’

  • The Save Benjy campaign receives homophobic threats

    Since the start of the campaign to #SaveBenjy the gay bull from slaughter, 265 backers have come forward pledging over £3,400. However, not everyone has been so approving of our fight.

    We are really blown away by the support for Benjy the little gay bull at this very early stage in the campaign, however, comments left on the official Save Benjy YouTube video shows how much homophobia there still is out there.

    HH500: ‘There are wars going on in the world and you filthy cream puff queers are going on about saving a faggot bull, how about this? Cull the damn bull and lynch you dirty fags. PROBLEM SOLVED’

    linkrock123: ‘Disgusting f**kers. An animal cannot be homosexual. If it willingly chooses to “breed” with a male, it’s because the animal has a mental deficiency. Animals breed to reproduce, nothing else. Perverted freaks.’

    Huey Freeman: ‘At first i thought this was some kind of joke.Like wtf there bulls for f**k sake .You gay people make me sick, fundraising money because of some damn bull.These animals do not feel anything when you slice there neck off they just die.You guys need help .Being gay is very wrong btw’

    Any money raised past the £5,000 target will be used to fund the keep of Benjy and also be used to help other LGBT charities across the UK helping those in our LGBT community struggling with their sexuality.

    TheGayUK has set up a Crowd Funding page to help #SaveBenjy from slaughter. Donations can be made at: www.CrowdFunder.co.uk/Save-Benjy-The-Gay-Bull

    You can also show your support on Twitter using the hashtag #SaveBenjy

    Thank You.

  • Metrosexual Is Out And Lumbersexual Is In

    The days of the well-groomed metrosexual man might soon be over as the “lumbersexual” trend takes precedence.

    Who exactly are they? Well, this is the new term for hot hipsters who look like lumberjacks?

    How do you spot them? The lumbersexual man is essentially an urban woodsman; he’s brawny, wears expensive flannel, has an impressive beard that is painstakingly unkempt and represents the ultimate sense of carefully calculated manliness.

    Where can you find them? Well certainly not in the forest chopping down trees. They hang out in hipster bars and instead of wielding an axe, they will probably be carrying a macbook pro.

    Are they gay? Well that is the $64000 question. Yes and No. This new trend has been adopted by straight men too, so you are going to have to trust your gaydar to find out before you start stroking his beard.

  • Will Same Sex Couples Be Allowed In Sharia Law Hotel?

    A multi-millionaire businessman has bought the Bermondsey Square Hotel in London and has imposed a strict Islamic policy.

    In accordance with Sharia law, London’s Bermondsey Square Hotel will no longer be serving alcohol or pork products after a change in management on Tuesday.

    The changes happened so quickly that many of the usual clients of the hotel were taken aback when staff refused to serve them alcohol, which was previously voted the UK’s trendiest hotel on Trip Advisor.

    The staff at the hotel, dubbed ‘Hotel Sharia’ by the press, are currently unaware of the identity of the new owner but have been told he is from the Middle East.

    The Daily Mail reports that an IT consultant who was a regular at the hotel said, ‘A group of us were meant to be meeting in the bar and they said: “We can’t serve alcohol anymore.”
    ‘When I contacted the manager to ask why, he told me that the new owner wanted it to be a Sharia law hotel. Under Sharia law, you can’t make a profit from alcohol.’

    Perhaps more famously for THEGAYUK’s readership, the hotel was the setting to Hotel GB, which starred a host of Channel 4 celebrities, including Doctor Christian Jessen in 2012.

    Hotel GB was a TV experiment, which saw the hotel, staffed by a mix of British unemployed trainees in a hope to get Britain working again. Guests had the option to pay or not to pay depending on what they thought of the service.

    SHARIA WHAT DOES IT MEAN:
    Islam’s legal system, derived from the Koran
    Informs every aspect of Muslims’ lives
    Islamic jurists issue formal guidance through fatwas, or religious edicts
    Sharia law includes provisions for capital and corporal punishment but modern scholars say getting to that stage can be difficult
    Marriage is treated as a contract in Islam
    From The BBC

    BOYCOTT?
    Earlier this year the Brunei chain of hotels The Dorchester Collection faced a world-wide boycott, headed by a number of high-profile VIPs including Anna Wintour, after the chain’s owner, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei said he wanted to run this Country under Sharia law – a law that could see LGBT face harsh punishments including stoning.

    Robert Holland General Manager and spokesperson for Bespoke said,

    ‘Bermondsey Square Hotel is still operated by Bespoke Hotels, as it has been since it opened in 2009. We have recently made decisions to change some elements of the business, as any business owner is entitled to do. These are in the best interests of the future of the hotel. We always have, and continue to, welcome guests of all shapes, sizes and denomination.

    ‘The hotel is privately owned and we do not discuss ownership of the properties Bespoke operates.’

  • Men, You Need To Laugh To Lose Weight

    A How to guide by the Men’s Health Forum charity, and supported by Public Health England, was the first to show how to adapt and run weight-loss programmes that are tailored specifically for men.

    A shocking 67% of men are overweight or obese, which is significantly more than women at 58%, yet men are much less likely to join weight-loss programmes. Only 10 to 30% of those in weight-loss programmes are men, and some weight-loss programmes attract almost no men.

    The evidence-based guide, ‘How to make weight-loss services work for men’, aimed at local authorities, commissioners and weight management providers, follows important new research, led by the University of Aberdeen with the University of Stirling and Bournemouth University, which looks into male attitudes and behaviour in relation to health. It showed that the majority of weight management programmes are regarded by men as ‘feminised spaces’, and they often feel uncomfortable joining.

    In addition, being big may be regarded as a good thing by some men, as socio-cultural influences can encourage a larger more masculine body. Men may also not know or care if they have a weight problem, and tend to be more cynical about ‘health messages’.

    The guide offers advice for local authorities, commissioners and weight management providers who are trying to attract men to weight-loss programmes. The guide highlights that:

    programmes that include exercise and behaviour change components as well as dieting are more successful in helping men to lose weight

    men respond well to programmes that have a higher degree of personalisation, such as setting individual goals, as it increases their sense of control

    weight-loss programmes based in the workplace or associated with professional sports clubs have been particularly successful

    using humour and encouraging camaraderie makes programmes more attractive to men as does knowing that there will be other men there

    NHS programmes have a higher referral rate compared to private programmes illustrating the crucial role of NHS staff in encouraging men to join

    offering a ‘male only’ group may make it more likely for men to join

    use of a pedometer and ‘gadgets’ also make programmes more appealing

    Martin Tod, the Men’s Health Forum’s chief executive, said, ‘Men are not getting the services they need on weight-loss either from the NHS or commercial providers. Even though men are more likely than women to be overweight and obese – and more are likely to die from weight-related disease – men are still only a small minority of those in NHS-funded weight-loss programmes.

    ‘It is crucial that local government and the NHS put the guidance into practice and develop programmes that appeal to and work for men. Otherwise men will continue to dis-proportionately suffer from avoidable disease and unnecessarily early death.’

    Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said, ‘Weight-loss programmes have conventionally disproportionately targeted women and now is the time to address the gender imbalance. This guidance presents a vital opportunity for local authorities, commissioners and weight management providers to support men to lose weight and ultimately improve their health.

    ‘Being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer, all of which are preventable. Cutting calorie intake by having smaller portions and eating healthier meals, snacks and drinks alongside being more active can help us lose weight and lead healthier longer lives.’

    Stephen, 44, from Wigan, went to ABL Health’s ‘Trim Down, Shape Up’ programme to lose weight and talks about his experience:

    ‘A side on photo my daughter took of me on holiday was the final straw. I had to change! There was a burning desire to live longer and come off blood pressure tablets. I think I have used the wrong approaches in the past which led me to failure and resulted in me doing more of the bad stuff like eating and drinking too much. I found it very difficult to lose weight as a result. Friends and work colleagues at work had tried a local programme so I thought I would give it a go.

    ‘I’ve finally found the right approach. I love the camaraderie of being in an “all blokes” session and the realisation that others are there looking like me with aims like mine. The exercise is the most enjoyable part and I continue to enjoy the sessions. It’s like a lads’ night out with exercise instead of beer. It’s a laugh with serious outcomes and it’s free! I really hope the service continues.

    ‘Since I’ve been doing the sessions I have more energy. I can now fit into ‘normal’ clothes. I save £150 a month on petrol because I cycle into work each day. It used to take me 1.5 hours to cycle to work whereas now it can take as little as 22 minutes and I’m not out of breath at the end.

    ‘Nice comments from friends really keep me motivated. My blood pressure is right down – no more nose bleeds. I sleep better and have lots more self-confidence. I would advise others to see your doctor first for a check-up, start with small changes and sign up for a programme. You’ll soon be flying and enjoying life once again!’

  • Official campaign started to save Benjy The Gay Bull

    THEGAYUK, along with Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) in Ireland and Hillside Animal Sanctuary have forged a plan to save Benjy the gay bull, who is facing certain death after he failed to show interest in mating with the females in the herd.

    Benjy made headlines this week after reports that he faces certain death because he is gay. The farmer, and owner, of Benjy had originally bought him and hoped that he would mate with the females on his farm, however, Benjy has shown more interest in the other males of the herd and failed to impregnate any of the cows.

    TheGayUK has set up a Crowd Funding page to help save Benjy from slaughter. Donations can be made at: www.CrowdFunder.co.uk/Save-Benjy-The-Gay-Bull

    We hope to raise £5,000 to buy Benjy and have him re-homed within the Hillside Animal Sanctuary where he’ll be looked after till the natural end of his life. When we first heard about the story in the office we were quite shocked as poor Benjy isn’t being slaughtered because of illness, but instead because he was gay. Where’s the acceptance? Many LGBT people in the UK still fear judgment from others around them, so choose not to come out. We wanted to do something positive, to make a stand and say someone is on your side. Man or beast. We are offering certain rewards for your pledges, however, the main reason here is to save Benjy from slaughter.

    Homosexuality in nature is widely observed. In fact, same-sex attraction is noted in over 1,500 species. Most recently two male penguins became the talk of the town after the zoo in which they are housed called them the ‘best parents they had ever seen’.

    “The plight of little Benjy is hitting the hearts and households of Irish society with the reality of what will face this innocent boy if someone somewhere doesn’t step in,” says ARAN’s John Carmody. “As a gay man myself, I know only too well what it is like to be treated indifferently, that’s why I hope we can give Benjy a second chance in life whilst helping to bring attention to the problems facing all gay people everywhere around the world, and of course the many other Benjy’s that are brought to slaughter on a daily basis who are not so lucky.”

    Donations can be made here: www.CrowdFunder.co.uk/Save-Benjy-The-Gay-Bull

    Thank you for your support.

  • Are LGBTs Receiving The Right Support In Later Stage Illnesses?

    Research has found that people who identify themselves as LGBT may not receive the support they need when they are facing the later stages of a life-limiting condition or illness.

    Researchers at King’s College London are trying to understand more about why this may be, and what can be done to improve the care for LGB and/or T people.

    If you identify yourself as a lesbian woman, gay man, bisexual and / or transgender person, and are approaching the later stages of a life-limiting illness (cancer, neurological conditions, organ failure such as heart, lung or liver disease, or any other life-limiting illness or condition), we would like to talk to you about your experiences. We are conducting interviews, which will last up to one hour, and can be arranged at a time and location convenient to you.

    Findings from this study will be used to create media resources and information for patients and their informal carers, partners or family. The findings will also inform the development of training and resources for healthcare professionals to improve care for LGB and/or T people with a life-limiting condition or illness.
    This study is being carried out by the research team at King’s College London with Marie Curie Cancer Care, GMFA / HERO, care providers and educators.

    For more information please visit our website: www.csi.kcl.ac.uk/accesscare
    Or contact us by e-mail: accesscare@kcl.ac.uk or telephone: 020 7848 5521

  • Do You Want A Naked Selfie Of This Man

    Twenty-Four year old Lithuanian filmmaker Romas Zabarauskas will send you a picture from his racy photo shoot if you send him just a $1.

    If you lash out a whole $50 you’ll get an actual signed naked shot of him, and it’s all in a good cause. For him anyway.

    He’s looking to fund his latest project YOU CAN’T ESCAPE LITHUANIA, which is evidently a semi-autobiographical edgy hipster story about two young queer people on a road trip, through Kickstarter.

    He only needs $20000 so if you know another 399 men who will cough up, all will be revealed.

    Check the video out as Romas says, the more you send him, the more of his body you will see.

  • The Sun features naked men on Page 3 for the first time

    The Sun, the UK’s most read tabloid has made history today after putting naked men on its infamous page three. West Ham donated 9 of its players for the stunt.

    Usually, the haunt of female glamour models, like Katie Price, The Sun has devoted today’s Page 3 to naked men for the Feel ‘Em Friday campaign, which aims to encourage men to check their balls for testicular cancer.

    Nine West Ham players have gotten completely naked for the campaign. The paper said that the campaign was inspired by the Feel Em Tuesday campaign which encouraged women to check their breasts for early signs of cancer. West Ham players supported the appeal after one of the club’s former players Dylan Tombides died in April of cancer.

    The paper has teamed up with Movember. Speaking on the partnership Sun editor David Dinsmore said: ‘Movember is a great campaign with a sense of fun and innovation that chimes perfectly with The Sun’s values.

    ‘We’re very happy to be partnering with the Movember Foundation to spread the word about checking for testicular cancer in the way we have done with breast cancer and Coppafeel! to great success’

    if you’d like to know how to check your balls watch our video.