THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • Stonewall Refuses To Back Dorchester Boycott

    A statement from the acting Chief Exec of Stonewall, explains why Stonewall won’t be backing the Dorchester Collection boycott.

    Britain’s biggest LGB charity has announced that it won’t back a boycott of a hotel group owned by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, who 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 includes death by stoning.

    The Dorchester Collection has a number of hotels across the world including The Dorchester in the UK’s capital and The Beverly Hotel in California.

    The Sultan’s actions have caused calls from the around the globe to boycott the chain – backed by many Hollywood names and celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres and Jay Leno

    However Ruth Hunt, the acting Chief Executive of Stonewall stated,

    ‘At Stonewall we share the anger and fury of those calling for a boycott but we won’t be joining them’.

    ‘The recent boycott of The Dorchester Collection has undoubtedly raised awareness in the West of the issues in Brunei but the crucial questions for Stonewall are whether there is a mandate for the boycott and would such a boycott work? We believe the answer is no, on both counts. I do not believe the somewhat beleaguered Christopher Cowdray, Chief Executive of the Collection, can somehow influence the implementation of Sharia criminal code in Brunei. He can’t. I do, however, fear that the boycott could do very real harm to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people of Brunei. By turning the issue into a battle between gay people and the Sultan – which it isn’t, it affects everyone in Brunei, not just gay people – we limit the opportunity for dialogue and put the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people of Brunei at far greater risk. A group of people, I hasten to add, who’ve yet to publically call for a boycott.’

    ‘Stonewall’s plan is to instead work with groups, like the Dorchester, rather than against them. Companies have enormous power to change and challenge cultures and we help them utilise that influence.’

    Read the full statement on the Stonewall website

    A former Tory Chairman, said that Stonewall’s refusal to boycott the Dorchester Collection ‘doesn’t make sense’

    Lord Dehen criticised Stonewall’s decision not to back a boycott. Speaking to Pinknews about the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME) decision not to hold an event at The Dorchester, Lord Deben said, ‘Well done Magazine editors. I think no decent organisation should use a hotel owned by someone who stones women accused of adultery and gay people purely because of their sexuality. I think that everyone should boycott The Dorchester Collection.’

    Have your say, What do you think Stonewall should do?

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Positive, Waterloo East Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | Positive, Waterloo East Theatre, London
    “If Britney can get through 2007, then I can get through today.”

    Benji’s mantra has got him through the first year following his HIV diagnosis, and the time has now come to grab life by the balls and get his love life back on track. Inspired by true stories, Positive is an honest and uplifting story about an ordinary guy living with one of Britain’s most misunderstood diseases.

    Shaun Kitchener’s new play is a work of quiet and restrained power. The power of the piece is in its initial appearance as a light comedy with an almost sit-com like feel at times. Whilst the situations, characters and dialogue are often achingly funny, the message at the heart of the play is a strong one with a compelling depiction of what its like to experience living with a diagnosis of HIV in a frequently ignorant and uninformed world and a world where new drug treatments aren’t the easy ride that some people would like to believe they are.

    The seven-person cast are universally strong with standout performances from Sally George as Benji’s overbearing mother and Jamie-Rose Monk as Benji’s consultant. Writer and actor Shaun Kitchener gives a bemused and amusing turn as Benji’s potential new love interest.

    This is a quietly moving and uplifting play that will make you laugh as well as think. It’s definitely worth a look. The theatre itself is an intimate space that lends itself well to the production and is only a short walk from Waterloo station.

    Positive runs until the 1st of June 2014

    Buy tickets here: http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/positive%20.html

  • Russian Men Shaving Beards After Conchita’s Eurovision Win

    Conchita Wurst’s win at the 2014 Eurovision has achieved more than just a thumbs up for the LGBT+ community across Europe, it has also encouraged some Russian men to shave off their beards… in protest.

    Conchita’s victory has spurred on some men across Russia to shave off their beards in a backlash against the drag queen’s victory. Conchita’s song Rise Like A Phoenix amassed an impressive 290 points in the 59th Eurovision Competition.

    Wurst, real name Tom Neuwirth, has been the subject of much hate mongering from a few people Russia, Armenia and Belarus. One top Russian politician even called the contest a ‘sodom show’.

    Since the DQ’s win some Russian men have taken to social media to show their distain of the victory – by shaving off their beards in protest and using a hashtag.

    Huffington Post show 3 examples of these men – some using the hashtag Prove You’re Not Conchita.

    Valentin’s video from Instagram has also apparently been shown on Italian News.

    Rise Like A Phoenix is currently at Number 1 in the Russian iTunes’ chart despite the adverse reactions.

  • Ian McKellen And Patrick Stewart Talk Gay Rights On Channel 4 News

    Tonight on Channel 4 News Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen Talk Gay Rights, Bromance and UKIP.

    Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen talk gay rights, bromance and UKIP with Cathy Newman on Channel 4 News from 7PM.

    On her blog Newman revealed:

    ‘If the film deals with the wisdom of age, it’s as much about mankind’s persecution of minorities – the mutants, as Sir Ian freely recognises.

    “When Bryan Singer [the X-Men director] asked me to be in these films he sold it to me on just this point: as a gay man you can identify with mutants – people who have talents [but] are despised by society as they’re different…

    “In many areas of the world being gay is still a mutancy which is clearly not tolerated in some societies. You can be put to death for your sexuality. Not in this country. We have advanced – it’s been one of the great joys of my life – since these films have been made.”

    So what does he make of the Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s declaration over the weekend that most British people over 70 are “uncomfortable” with homosexuality?

    “He hasn’t talked to this over-70-year-old or this one,” he says, gesturing at Sir Patrick. “Farage needs to get out more…Gay people come and get married. The story is over.’

  • UK Football Club, Sunderland To Fly Rainbow Flag For Gay Rights

    Sunderland Football Club Backs IDAHO

    Sunderland AFC is marking the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) by flying the rainbow flag at the Stadium of Light today.

    The flag-raising is a mark of recognition of IDAHO Day, which calls for respect for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

    The Deputy Mayor of Sunderland will also raise a rainbow flag at the Civic Centre to show the city’s support.

    Sunderland AFC’s commercial director Gary Hutchinson said: “The club is very proud to support IDAHO Day. The Stadium of Light should be a safe and welcoming environment for all members of our community and IDAHO offers a great platform on which to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.”

    Ryan Houston, Chairman of Sunderland Pride, said: “It’s fantastic to see a group like SAFC supporting International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia. As such as powerful figure within the City, it’s great to see their attitude towards equality and diversity being showcased with an event such as this.

    “IDAHO(BIT) is being celebrated across the world from Friday 16th May to Sunday 18th May, and I am delighted to see support to the events we are hosting within the City.”

  • Miami Dolphins Fines Don Jones Over Michael Sam Twitter Comments

    Miami Dolphins have fined Don Jones an undisclosed amount after tweeting after Michael Sam’s kiss and acceptance as the NFL’s first openly gay player.

    Michael Sam, 24, was drafted to the NFL as the first openly gay player yesterday, however not everyone seemed to be happy about the announcement.

    Miami Dolphins player Don Jones tweeted shortly after the news broke: “horrible”. The tweet has since been deleted and Jones was fined an undisclosed amount. He has been excused from team activities and must undergo educational training.

    He has also commented:

    ‘I want to apologise to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments I made on social media,” Jones told the Miami Dolphins website.

    ‘I take full responsibility for them and I regret that these tweets took away from his draft moment.

    ‘Last year when I was drafted in the seventh round I remember the emotions and happiness I felt when I received the call that gave me an opportunity to play for an NFL team. I wish him all the best in his NFL career.’

  • Archbishop Of Canterbury Meets With School Teacher For Anti-Homophobic Campaign

    Archbishop Of Canterbury Meets With School Teacher For Anti-Homophobic Campaign

    ‘Southwark School Leader and Anti-Homophobic Bullying Champion Shaun Dellenty to Meet the Archbishop of Canterbury’

    (more…)

  • Michael Sam becomes first openly gay player drafted to National Football League (NFL)

    GLAAD, US’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today responded to the historic draft of openly gay football player Michael Sam to the National Football League (NFL). Sam will become the first-ever openly gay footballer to play for the league next season.

    “Without a doubt, this is a game changer,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Today, Michael Sam has redefined what it takes to be a champion. He’s tackled stereotypes and joins the ranks of athletic trailblazers like Jason Collins and Brittney Griner in showing Americans that there’s no place for homophobia on the field. As support for equality continues to surge, it’s clear that sports fans are ready, football is ready, and America is ready for its first openly gay NFL player.”

    GLAAD encourages fans to share their support for Michael Sam by sharing #SamFans graphics on Facebook and Twitter.

    In February interviews with The New York Times and ESPN, Sam first stated: “I am an openly, proud gay man.”

    In December 2013, The Associated Press named Sam the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected as one of 10 unanimous first-team all-Americans. He led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in both sacks and tackles-for-loss and resides in the top 10 nationally in Division I in those categories.

    Sam is the among several high-profile athletes to come out as LGBT recently, with others including the NBA’s Jason Collins, the WNBA’s Brittney Griner, NCAA Division I basketball player Derrick Gordon, WWE’s Darren Young, UFC’s Liz Carmouche, MMA’s Fallon Fox, and Major League Soccer’s Robbie Rogers.

    In an NFL document released in April 2013, the league described its equal employment opportunity policy as: “It is the policy of the National Football League to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.”

    In the document, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also stated: “The NFL has a long history of valuing diversity and inclusion. Discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation is not consistent with our values and is unacceptable in the National Football League.”

    The NFL added sexual orientation to its list of protected classes in September 2011.

    The NFL has also demonstrated its commitment to inclusion by participating in GLAAD’s annual anti-bullying campaign, Spirit Day. For the past two consecutive years, the NFL has ‘gone purple’ online in a stand against bullying and to show its support for LGBT youth. In December 2013, the You Can Play Project and the NFL announced the ‘High Five Initiative,’ an “effort to create meaningful connections between LGBT youth and leaders within the professional sports community.” Troy Vincent and Dwight Hollier, former NFL players and NFL player engagement executives, visited the Hetrick Martin Institute, the nation’s largest and oldest LGBT youth services organization, yesterday to do just that. The league is also collaborating with You Can Play and You Belong for the second annual You Belong LGBTQ Sports and leadership initiative

  • Study Reveals Why Gay Teens Binge Drink

    Stressful experiences, such as victimisation and homophobia, associated with heavy episodic drinking.

    Higher rates of binge drinking by lesbian and gay adolescents compared to their heterosexual peers may be due to chronic stress caused by difficult social situations, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

    Research has shown that lesbian and gay people experience higher rates of physical and mental health problems. One explanation for these disparities is minority stress. According to this theory, chronic stress due to discrimination, rejection, harassment, concealment of sexual orientation, internalized homophobia (negative attitudes toward homosexuality) and other negative experiences leads to poor health.

    The authors of this study sought to determine if minority stress theory could explain why gay and lesbian adolescents engage in binge drinking more than heterosexual youths. To do this, they analysed responses from 1,232 youths ages 12-18 years who took part in an online survey conducted by OutProud: The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth. Sixteen percent of youths identified themselves as lesbian females and 84 percent as gay males.

    The survey asked questions about sexual minority experiences and included more than 260 variables. It represents the only known research to explore the relationship between binge drinking and a variety of minority stress experiences, such as homophobia and gay-related victimisation, in a large national sample of lesbian and gay adolescents.

    ‘Although other studies of adolescents commonly report on sexuality or sexual identity, these general population studies do not typically assess nuanced experiences of stress among sexual minority adolescents,’ said lead author Sheree M. Schrager, PhD, MS, director of research in the Division of Hospital Medicine at the Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

    Consistent with minority stress theory, participants reported greater psychological distress when they experienced violence or victimization, if they had internalised homophobia, and if they had made their sexual orientation known.

    INTERNALISE HOMOPHOBIA
    Internalised homophobia was a significant predictor of binge drinking, while experiencing violence or victimization was marginally associated with drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Those living with their parents were less likely to report binge drinking.

    Feeling connected to the gay community was both positively and negatively associated with binge drinking. Those who felt connected were more likely to report binge drinking. However, community connectedness protected against internalized homophobia, thereby indirectly protecting against heavy episodic drinking.

    ‘Given that interventions are more effective when they are developed to match the cultural experiences of participants, theoretically grounded studies like this one can potentially lead to tailored treatment approaches based on the unique experiences of lesbian and gay adolescents,’ Dr. Schrager said.

    Dr. Schrager will present “The Application of Minority Stress Theory to Binge Drinking Among Lesbian and Gay Adolescents” from 3:45-4 p.m. Saturday, May 3. To view the study abstract, go to http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS14L1_1675.5&terms=.

  • GiFi Releases Disruptive Launch Video

    GiFi, the increasingly popular app billed as “the next generation social app that aims to change forever the way gay men chat, network and meetup” has released its launch video.

    Sponsored by

     

     

     

    Much like the brand that ‘Dares to be Different’ the video does exactly that. Kristian Tangen-Sorgendal, GiFi Community Manager says “in both a brand and fashion conscious community, it was both fun and exciting to bring an entirely new social app video concept to the table”.

    Kristian continues, “the inspiration came from the ZARA AW13 campaign; the concept of the video was so clear and emphasised what the GiFi brand is; to bring the community together through a social app that does not hold predominant values on engaging users for hookup only”.

    The GiFi video holds an air of class about it. The simple storyline follows a group of four nusers around in the daily use of the GiFI app, that penultimately sees the guys engaging in a group chat together before meeting at a bar for drinks: this perfectly epitomises the GiFi brand image and aims.

    For all who are unaware, GiFi has just launched, offering a brand new take on how guys meet!

    GiFi is launching firstly in the UK market, as the GiFi team want to work closely with their home community to make it great for everyone. GiFi are currently working with some amazing groups and people within the community and look forward to bringing further functionality and community engagement as they progress.

    GiFi has numerous functions and can be used to build a support network, find new friends, stay in touch with existing friends and look for a job. Of course, it can also be used to arrange a date or hookup.

    GiFi users are able to browse the 500 nearest guys – to a location of their choice – who match their interests, preferences and current mood. Oneonone chat and group messaging functions are both available.

    GiFi is all about disrupting the status quo. Rather than focussing on one need other apps in the community offer, GiFi focuses on the bigger picture. GiFi gives users the opportunity to meet other members with shared interests, whether this be a mutual mood to meet for coffee, drinks, networking and so much more.

    Furthermore, GiFi’s various profile view options spread further than the typical grid view seen in so many other apps, GiFi also offers carousel view for members to find people who they find hot or not, a map view (set to 0.2 km safety zone as standard) to see nearby members as well as a viewed by and who’s viewed me option to encourage communication between GiFi users.

    The GiFi aim is to work with the community as a whole, as there is such a need for the functionality and options the GiFi app provides. Businesses and charities can use GiFi as a further platform to reach their members, and GiFi will reinvest profits back into the community through platform development and also their charity partner the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard.

    Businesses, groups and charities will be able to communicate effortlessly to members of their setup groups and places to send updates via broadcasts and notifications to inform the larger community on what is going on as well as their products and services.

  • Facebook Users Demand Action To Remove Homophobia

    A picture of Adolf Hitler cooking a Jew in an oven is the latest picture on Facebook to be deemed ‘not offensive’ by the social network as a group of users continue to demand a public meeting with Facebook representatives claiming the site is actively permitting content that incites racial and homophobic hatred to go unchecked.

    Three weeks after its creation, the group “Facebook –No To Hatebook”, has attracted over 8000 members from around the world, and has claimed some success after multiple complaints in forcing the network to take down pages or content on pages that range from “HOAX OF GAS CHAMBERS”, “HOMOSEXUALz DESERVE IMMEDIATE DEATH”, “Death To Queers” and “Death to Islam”. However, frequently the pages or the content is put straight back up under a slightly different name.

    The Group notes also that the social network’s policies are still preventing the removal of many clearly racist or homophobic pages, with Facebook saying they are ‘not offensive’.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, Jonathan Glass said:

    “There is now a clear palpable anger growing towards Facebook for the way that its users are being treated. We all love Facebook. It has reconnected us with old friends from around the world and we strongly see it as a force for good.

    However, it also provides an outlet for people to spew violent hatred into the world more easily than ever before. This is not Facebook’s fault but it is their responsibility to do its best to remove these pages from its site. And not only are they failing miserably, but they rub salt into the wounds of those who are trying to combat this poison by sending an automatic 20 second response stating that the page does not violate their policies, regardless of clear racism, anti-semitism or homophobia on these pages. The page owners are then able to ban those of us fighting them from their pages, rather than Facebook banning them and their pages.”

    Glass goes onto explain how

    “There are literally thousands of racist, anti-semitic and anti-gay pages that Facebook delivers around the world,” and while “we are huge believers in free speech, when posts cross the line into incitement and violent threats Facebook has to decide if it wants to be a force for good in this world or a force for evil.”

    The group says it has received many public and private messages of support from people and has invited Facebook to explain them in a public forum and for an open dialogue to commence.

    The group makes it very clear that they want to be Facebook’s partner in helping combat and remove the hate from the social network and has multiple suggestions on how they may do so which include:

    1. Stronger algorithms to pick up and remove hate sites and individual posts on a more timely basis

    2. More user support to respond to complains of hatred on a timely basis, improving what appears to currently be an automated non-responsive system

    3. Creation of a watch list, which would monitor specific known individuals and organisations who promote and regularly publish hate