THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • Amazing Letter Of Support For Gay Marriage From 11-Year-Old To PM

    An incredible letter was written to the Australian PM, from an 11-year-old, who wants same-sex couples to be able to get married.

    Orlando Burcham wrote a heartwarming letter to the Australian PM, Tony Abbott, Read the fulll letter here.

    “My name is Orlando Burcham, I am 11 years old and I would like to know why you don’t allow ‘gay marriage’ in Australia. Because the majority of Australians are happily married, so why are you stopping all the gay men/women to be married in this beautiful country?

    “You were elected to represent our country, not yourself. My mother is gay and even worse your own sister is gay! And thousands more are as well. You have actually met my mum Councillor Cordelia Troy who is a member of the Liberal Party and she was deputy major at the time.

    “It is so pathetic that you aren’t letting the gay people of Australia and other countries get married here. Millions of people in the world and when they come to Australia and think ‘wow this place is great1 Let’s get married here!’ And then they remember that they can’t. So they spend thousands of dollars to go somewhere they can get married. My mum is married but she had to go to New York, which took a lot of money.

    “You were elected to represent our country, not yourself. Just because you think it’s wrong, does not give you the right to make it illegal. Doesn’t our opinions matter to you? Just because you’re the Prime Minister, which by the way does not give you all the power. I hope you change your mind.”

    The 11-year-old received a response a few days later from the Premier, but it wasn’t good news.

    “Dear Orlando,

    “Thank you for letting me know your views about same sex marriage.

    “I appreciate the deep feelings that many in the community have on either side of the issue. The Government supports the current definition of marriage contained in the Marriage Act 1961. Any change to this policy would be a matter for the Coalition Party Room.

    “My personal opinion is to support the existing definition of marriage. Though we disagree on this issue, I respect the views you have put forward. Ongoing dialogue between government and citizens keeps our democracy strong.

    “Thank you again for writing to me.”

    Source: SameSame.com.au

  • Shocking video of reactions to gay PDAs

    A new video has emerged showing what some straight patrons at a restaurant in Mississippi, US, do and say when a gay couple start to show affection to each other.

    A gay couple were hired by ABC News in Mississippi to show public displays of affection in a restaurant and then filmed the resulting reactions from other patrons.

    The short film shows the couple being told that they were sinning, they received awkward looks, some patrons said that they would physically move away and the two were laughed at when they kissed.

    Just to prove that the discomfort caused by the PDAs weren’t solely because of the actors’ sexuality, ABC also tried the experiment with an opposite sex couple.

    Customers reacted entirely differently and some even stuck up for the heterosexual couple, when ABC’s stooge tried to make a scene about the straight PDA.

    The best bit is for last though, as two college students stand up for the couple, saying to ABC’s stooge, when she made a scene about the gay PDA,

    ‘There’s a reason why half the &^%$^%$ world hates America, and it’s people like you. Because you have no acceptance for anything else in the world. I’m so *&^%$ pissed right now.’

    In Mississippi, same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 2003, but the state does not permit same-sex marriage, adoption by a same-sex couple, and the laws do not positively address discrimination based on gender identity or sexuality.

    In a 2001 Public Policy Polling survey found that only 13% of Mississippi voters supported the legalisation of same-sex marriage, while 78% were opposed and 9% were not sure.

  • Sultan of Brunei Cancels Dorchester Fashion Prize

    The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the US’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organisation, today commends the many leaders in the fashion industry who have publicly stated that they will avoid the Sultan of Brunei’s Dorchester Collection of hotels.

    In the wake of intense criticism of its owner’s planned implementation of new laws that could lead to women and LGBT Bruneians being stoned to death, the company made public this morning its decision to cancel its annual fashion competition and gala, known as the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The decision by the hotel company was made within hours of Dorchester learning of a planned action by HRC today to bring attention to the fashion prize. So hasty was the retreat that the website and Facebook page for the event are still up.

    ‘We applaud the many designers, companies, and leaders in the fashion industry who have refused to turn a blind eye to the Sultan’s blatant disregard for the human rights of all Brueneians,’ said Ty Cobb, HRC’s director of Global Engagement. ‘The fact is that the Dorchester Collection’s profits belong to a regime that could start stoning women and LGBT Bruneians as soon as next year, and the cancellation of this prize is yet another sign that the Sultan’s company is feeling the impact of the worldwide movement to reject the Sultan’s horrific new laws.’

    A spokesperson for the DHC said that the decision to cancel the event was ‘due to other newly created similar awards’ – at the beginning o 2014.

    Last week, American Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Glamour Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive joined François-Henri Pinault, the leadership of Yves Saint Laurent fashion house, and many other prominent voices in the fashion world in announcing they’re avoiding the Dorchester Collection’s global properties in protest of the Sultan of Brunei’s new laws.

    Established in 2010, the company claims the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize was the “first award of its kind developed by a luxury hotel company,” and that it seeks to “build on [its] own established fashion heritage.” Although it maintains an active website and social media presence to promote the annual competition and event, the company had remained conspicuously silent throughout the recent controversy regarding plans for this year’s competition until today.

    On April 30, HRC condemned the Sultan of Brunei’s decision to begin implementing the first of the new laws’ three phases, and called on Americans who supported the rights of those who would be affected to avoid the Sultan’s hotels. In addition, HRC has recently criticised the Dorchester Collection for shamefully parading its own employees out on social media and for reporters in a desperate attempt to divert attention away from actions taken against the Sultan of Brunei’s hotels. This ploy comes despite assurances from the company that it has guaranteed the positions, income, and benefits of all of its employees for as long as the controversy continues.

  • Westboro Baptists release anti-gay version of Let It Go

    Anti-everything Church Westboro Baptist Church has released a version of Frozen’s hit song Let It Go, but have cleverly changed the words… oh those talented beasts.

    The ever-on-the-pulse-of-pop-culture Church, WBC have released a version of Idina Menzel’s Let It Go, with clever, almost rhyming, new lyrics warning us all about our sins… yada yada yada.

    We’re assuming they did this they because Let it Go is seen as the perfect coming out song. (Props to their marketing dept.)

    We particularly enjoyed the failed reach for the high note – it seems god isn’t lifting you up as you reach for your E flat.

    Listen to the song here

  • Rugby Brothers Back Homophobia In Sport Study

    Rugby League Stars the Burgess Brothers support Gay friends and urge people to take part in new study on Homophobia in Sport.

    Australian/UK Rugby League stars Sam and Thomas Burgess have joined their South Sydney Rabbitohs teammate, Greg Inglis, in calling for an end to homophobia in sport. Sam and Thomas Burgess have also recorded a video, to be distributed by the NRL and others, encouraging people to take 10 minutes to tell their story in the first national and international study on homophobia in sport.

    “I don’t see why there should be any discrimination about colour, sexuality, your heritage or where you’re from. Sport is a great thing, and it brings people from all different aspects of life together, so why should your sexuality be a problem? The only way we are going to understand the issue is if people get out there and tell their story so we can help fix it,” said Sam Burgess.

    Thomas Burgess agreed and said, “We have a lot of gay friends and think that discrimination in sport is old fashioned and there is no place for it. In this day and age, we shouldn’t be discriminating against anyone, for anything.”

    The Burgess Brothers, who play for the team co-owned by Russel Crowe, say they are surprised there aren’t more openly gay players in professional sports. They say the study on homophobia in sports will help everyone understand why players don’t feel safe in coming out of the closet.

    The study, called “Out on the Fields” is an initiative of the organisers of Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 and is first broad based Australian and international study on the issue of homophobia in sport. Participation is open to everyone regardless of sexuality. Those interested can visit www.outonthefields.com. Among other things, the study looks at whether people choose not to play team sports because of fear of discrimination as well as the prevalence of homophobia, such as slurs, among athletes and fans.

    The support from the Burgess Brothers follows support from Greg Inglis, who attended an announcement last month by all the major, Australian professional sports who pledged to ‘eliminate’ homophobia. At the time Inglis said homophobia in sport needs to end, “If you stamp that out, then it will probably help players that come out a bit more. I’m a big believer, a firm believer, in respecting what others are and who they are. I’m definitely happy to put my hand up and be one of the leaders behind this great initiative.”

    Andrew Purchas is a current player as well as founder of the Sydney Convicts Rugby Club, Australia’s first gay rugby team and president of the Bingham Cup Sydney 2014, the world cup of gay rugby. ‘Sam and Tom Burgess are highly respected locally and overseas for their no nonsense approach to football. Their support for their gay friends and recognition that the only way to eliminate homophobia is to talk about the issue and encourage people to tell their stories will send a strong message to players and fans. This is why it’s so important people take part in this study on homophobia in sport in Australia and around the world. We need to understand the extent of the problem so we can address it now and we have a baseline to track whether there have been any changes over the coming years. It only takes 10 minutes for people to take part in the study and share their story. We also appreciate that the NRL is tackling head on the issue of homophobia in sports. They responded swiftly and decisively to the recent homophobic slur during the U20 State of Origin match and recently became first football code to join Pride in Diversity, Australia’s peak body for employer GLBT programs.’

    The Australian Sports Commission will conduct similar research on homophobia in future years. Out on the Fields is being conducted by sports research company Repucom. The results and final report will be reviewed by researchers at 6 universities around the world.

    The study is at: www.outonthefields.com

  • Jesus Christ Superstar Tour Axed

    Jesus Christ Superstar has been axed its producers have said.

    A statement on the official JCS website said, ‘Options Clause Entertainment LLC, an affiliate of S2BN Entertainment, announced today the cancellation of the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular Tour. The tour was scheduled to kick off in New Orleans on June 9. All purchased tickets will be refunded. Tickets purchased online and via telephone will be automatically refunded. Tickets purchased from outlets/venue box office must be returned to that location for refund.’

    The Musical which found its lead role on a TV talent show back in 2012, starring Andrew Lloyd Webber and Mel C as judges is to close without delay.

    Ben Forster, winner of the talent show would have played the part of Jesus.

  • Act Up Paris Faces Closure After Lawsuit

    The French Act Up organisation is facing financial ruin slander suit goes ahead.

    ◉ Two former civil servants are planning to take the LGBT Rights organisation to court after being named in a press release.
    ◉ Organisation faces financial ruin if the court case goes ahead.
    ◉ Act Up Paris urging supporters to donate money to help the organisation.

    According to Act Up Paris, the organisation says its very survival is at stake after two former civil servants of the Ministry of Economy plan to sue the organisation for slander – after being mentioned in a press release.

    A statement from Act Up Paris reads,
    “This lawsuit is a threat to the very survival of the association, which is now facing harsh financial difficulties. Beyond our organization and the struggle against the AIDS epidemics, our loosing this trial would also have dire consequences for all citizens and organizations that will later denounce equivalent treatises.”

    The press release in question was about the ACTA Treaty.

    ‘Two years ago, you were taking part to the struggle against ACTA, this international agreement which, had it been signed, would have harshly restrained our rights and fundamental liberties, in particular as far as access to medicines, the neutrality of Internet and open software are concerned, the statement continues.

    ‘Today we appeal to your solidarity. To support us in this trial is to defend the right of civil society to launch alerts against threats, to denounce international agreements being negotiated without citizen control and to question the responsibility of civil servants led to counsel our political decision-makers without their having full knowledge of what is at stakes with these treatises.’

    Last year French anti-gay marriage group La Manif Pour Tous planned to sue activism group Act Up after members threw red liquid at the JLF genetic research firm in south-west Paris.

    Act Up Paris is the French unit of the Act Up Organisation, which was set up in the early 80s by co-founder Larry Kramer.

    Visit: http://www.actupparis.org/spip.php?article5359 to find out more and to make a donation.

  • Britain’s Got Talent – La Voix and the London Gay Big Band

    “It’s been such a rollercoaster of a ride. We’ve played for large crowds before, but performing in a TV studio – with the cameras, the lights, the sets – is another thing altogether; an incredible experience. Very exciting!” (Kate Coole, Trumpet)

    A few weeks ago on Britain’s Got Talent, we saw La Voix aka vocalist, Chris Dennis, give a spectacular performance of Frank Sinatra’s classic New York, New York accompanied by an impressive jazz orchestra known as the London Gay Big Band. The band consists of five saxophones, four trombones, five trumpets, a keyboard, bass, guitar and drums. The band is claimed to be the only LGBT Big Band in the whole of the UK.

    The judging panel that include Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams loved the group claiming that “That’s how you make an impact! You’re a force to be reckoned with.”

    Luckily Simon was not there to judge. Simon is notoriously not a big fan of drag acts and detests it if they win a spot in the live semi finals. However he was otherwise engaged as his partner, Lauren Silverman, went into labour with their son Eric.

    Fortunately David was on hand to provide support for the group exclaiming ‘I know Simon loves drag acts so I’m saying, yes for Simon, yes for me.’

    The group’s leader Stefan had this to say,
    ‘When we founded the London Gay Big Band three years ago in a damp and dingy basement of a London bookshop, we could never have dreamt of the amazing journey that we have been on, culminating in our upcoming Semi Final performance this week on the World’s most prominent Talent show and a global stage!

    We take our responsibility very seriously, proving that the gay scene is so much more than many of those pre-conceived stereotypes that are so often still prevalent amongst society. Our Band is all about making music, creating a community spirit by supporting each other and breaking boundaries. It’s about bringing something fresh, new and exciting to the LGBT scene and beyond.

    So if there’s one thing you do this week – watch Britain’s Got Talent, and make your vote count! Let’s show our nation the true diversity, variety and spirit of the LGBT community.’

    Vince Walsh, one of the band’s trumpet players adds that “People forget that Big Band and Jazz music are about fun and emotion. Well, we’re here to remind you”.
    For the audition clip please see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce-ih4SSUQ0
    For more info about the band please see www.londongaybigband.com

    Don’t forget to show your love and support through Facebook and Twitter!
    @LGBigBand and @lavoixtheshow

    Watch the LIVE SEMI FINAL PERFORMANCE – SATURDAY 31 May 2014 at 7pm on ITV

  • UK Chart Topper Sam Smith Comes Out As Gay

    UK Chart Topper Sam Smith Comes Out As Gay

    Sam Smith, whose album is currently riding high in the midweeks, tells how his debut album is about a guy he fell in love with.

    (more…)

  • Student Loans Company Slammed After Data Breaches

    The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has criticised the Student Loans Company Limited after a series of data breaches involving customers’ records.

    The business reported several incidents where information held about customers, including medical details and a psychological assessment, had been sent to the wrong people.

    An ICO investigation found that not enough checks were carried out when documents were being scanned to add to customer accounts, and more sensitive documents actually received fewer checks.

    ICO Head of Enforcement, Stephen Eckersley, said:

    ‘For the majority of students, the Student Loans Company represents a crucial service that they rely on to fund their studies. Students are obliged to provide personal information to the loans company, both while they receive the loan and in the years when they are paying it back, and they are right to expect that information to be properly looked after.

    ‘Our investigation showed that wasn’t happening. We’ve spoken with the company and made clear that changes need to be made, and a formal undertaking is now in place.’

    The Student Loans Company Ltd has signed an undertaking committing the organisation to ensure proper checks are carried out before correspondence is sent out, as well making staff better aware of its data protection policy.

    The SLC was established in 1989 and is owned by It is owned by the UK Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (85%), the Scottish Government (5%), the Welsh Government (5%) and the Northern Ireland Executive (5%).

    SLC spokesperson said:

    ‘These data breaches took place in 2012 and we apologise to the three customers whose medical details were disclosed to the wrong recipients.

    ‘Our investigations found that these data breaches were caused by human error when we were manually assessing the eligibility of students applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Those customers whose details were disclosed were advised of this.

    ‘When we realised our mistake, we immediately contacted the person or organisation the information had been sent to, to apologise for our mistake and to make sure the details were deleted. We also reported the breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office and will continue to keep them updated.

    ‘SLC takes our responsibilities seriously to protect customer data under the Data Protection Act. We have put in place additional quality checks and are confident these will prevent this from happening again. We are also investing significantly in new technology and systems to improve our service to customers.”

  • Anna Wintour To Boycott Dorchester Collection Hotel

    The US Vogue Editor In Chief Anna Wintour will shun Le Meurice Hotel over Sultan of Brunei’s anti-gay laws.

    Anna Wintour joins other VIPs and Celebs who are currently boycotting The Dorchester Collection of Hotels, which is owned by the Sultan of Brunei, who has implemented Sharia Law in his country.

    Ms. Wintour released a statement to the New York Times saying, ‘While I am sensitive to the potential impact that this issue may have on the wonderful staff at Le Meurice, I cannot in all good conscience stay there, nor can Vogue’s editors.’

    Ms. Wintour was due to stay at Le Meurice during Paris Fashion Week.

    Last week the UK’s biggest LGB charity Stonewall, admitted it had got its refusal to join the boycott wrong.

    The Sultan of Brunei, has confirmed that he will continue his adoption of a Sharia criminal code in his country.

    This law carries harsh penalties for adultery and sodomy – which could includes death by stoning for homosexuals.

    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

    The boycott on the group, is backed by several high-profile people including Ellen DeGeneres, Jay Leno and Richard Branson. The collection includes locations such as London’s The Dorchester and Los Angeles’ The Beverly Hill’s