THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • English Gay Youth Twice As Likely To Smoke And Drink Hazardously

    A study by University College London has concluded that young lesbians and gays in England are twice as likely to drink and smoke.

    Young people who identify their sexuality as lesbian or gay are twice as likely to have smoked than their heterosexual peers, according to new research published by BMJ Open. They were also more likely to have consumed alcohol and at more hazardous levels.

    The research data was accumulated from data of over 7600 participants. This representative sample of school students entered the study at age 13 or 14 and they were followed for 5 years. The participants were asked about their smoking and alcohol use.

    At the age of 18/19 they were asked about their sexual identity.

    Young people who identified as LGB which accounted for around 3.5% of the sample were twice as likely to have smoked and used alcohol.

    Gay or lesbian participants were more likely to say that they drank alcohol frequently (more than weekly), and report hazardous alcohol drinking patterns (frequent intoxication).

    Dr Joanna Semlyen, one of the authors of the studied said,

    ‘There are several reasons why LGB young people may be more likely to smoke tobacco and drink alcohol hazardously and we do not, as yet, due to lack of research, have definitive evidence as to what the reasons are, however, we suspect that the impact of homophobia and heterosexism within society, in addition to the possible experience of homophobic bullying whilst at school, may lead to what we call ‘minority stress’ or in increased low self esteem which young people then perhaps seek to alleviate with smoking and/or alcohol.’

    Bisexual participants were more likely to have smoked but had similar alcohol use patterns to their heterosexual peers.

    Lead researcher Dr Gareth Hagger-Johnson, from the UCL Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, said,

    “Our research shows that despite recent social change, young people today who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual are twice as likely to have smoked as their heterosexual peers. Gay and lesbian young people also appear to have more frequent and more hazardous alcohol drinking patterns than heterosexuals. Smoking and drinking alcohol frequently and hazardously can lead to chronic disease in later life, and so we should be worried about these health inequalities in this minority group and the longer term consequences they may face.”

    “From a public health perspective, we need to understand why young gay, lesbian and bisexual people are more likely to engage in risky health behaviours than their heterosexual peers,” continued Dr Hagger-Johnson. “This will need to involve longitudinal research, following a large sample of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people over time. We are concerned that ‘minority stress’, resulting from homophobia and heterosexism, might lead people to self-medicate symptoms of anxiety and depression with cigarettes and alcohol.”

    When asked whether the government or the health service could do more to interface with young LGB, Dr Semlyen said,

    ‘As a researcher and LGBT Health Psychologist, I would like to see the routine collection of sexual orientation data within population based health and well-being studies and as part of the NHS’ own routine identity data collection. This would allow us to accurately determine the health inequalities being experienced by this group and, by virtue of being included, would go a long way to indicate to LGBT people that their health is being considered. LGB people want to be counted in surveys. Indeed we noted the question in this study had a very low refusal rate.’

     

    If you have been effected by issues in this article and wish to talk to someone visit: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

  • Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws To Be Protested Outside Downing Street

    Love Russia, Hate Homophobia protest called for 3rd September outside Downing Street.

    Over a thousand people have signified that they are going to attend a ‘day of action’ outside Downing Street on the 3rd September 2013 to protest the Russian government’s treatment of LGBT people.

    The protest is due to take place just days before the world’s leaders meet in St. Petersburg, Russia for the G20, which President Putin hosts this year.

    The protest organisers are calling all participants to meet outside Downing Street from 5pm – 8pm.

    Peter Tatchell, the veteran human rights campaigner said in a statement,

    “There can be no normal sporting relations with an abnormal authoritarian regime like Putin’s Russia. The attack on the LGBT community is one fragment of a much wider attack on human rights. It is important to encourage an alliance between LGBT and straight Russians to defend freedom of expression for all the people of Russia. LGBT people need allies to win and all Russians who love democracy and human rights deserve our support.

    “The anti-gay legislation will prevent LGBT teens from being told that it’s okay to be gay and from receiving HIV prevention information about how to have gay sex safely.

    “Long before this law was passed, I was beaten up with police collusion and arrested in Moscow for holding a sign saying “Gay Rights”. I still live with the brain and eye injuries incurred. Many Russian LGBT campaigners and other human rights defenders have also been bashed and arrested. They are heroes of the LGBT freedom struggle. They stand and fight. Their courage is awesome. We have a duty to support them.”

    Meanwhile LGBT organisations across the world are planning their own protests on the 3rd September, which is hoped will bring visibility to the violations against the LGBT community in Russia.

     

    To find out more visit the Facebook page

  • Taking Pride In Team Cheshire

    Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is an organisation on a mission – determined to continue breaking down the stereotypes that have haunted its past in a bid to create a more diverse future.

    Matt Maguire is the Service’s Policy and Research Manager as well as being the current Chair of Firepride, the organisation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff network.

    “Many people still retain quite an outdated image of what a modern day fire and rescue service is all about,” explains Matt. “We have worked really hard over the past few years both internally with our staff and externally within communities to change some of the stereotypes in order to break down barriers and create a much more inclusive working environment.”

    The work that has gone on within the Service is reaping some great results. This year saw the organisation make it into the list of the top 100 organisations in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index. Stonewall also heralded the Service as the North West’s Most Improved Employer after it climbed 101 places to claim the 45th slot.

    “This was a really great achievement and something we are proud of, however, more than that, it has instilled a real drive across the organisation to build on what we have achieved,” adds Matt. “We are totally committed to developing an inclusive working environment where our staff feel valued regardless of their background or sexual orientation. Our aim is always to deliver an excellent fire and rescue service, ensuring that the communities of Cheshire remain safe. This is best achieved when staff feel supported and can be themselves at work.”

    The Service was praised for its LGBT employee network group, Firepride, which was the only fire and rescue service group to have been accredited as a ‘Star Performing Network’ and its ‘Straight Allies’ programme, which promotes a more open workplace culture.

    Matt explains the impact that the latter initiative is having on the wider organisation,

    “The Straight Allies’ programme is a really interesting initiative that I am delighted to say has already delivered fantastic support. It was set up as a means of engaging people from all areas of the organisation and showing out LGBT staff that they were not alone – that they had a network of people here who wanted to support them and create an organisation that values everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.”

    A database of Allies is readily available on the Service intranet where every member is profiled. Each profile includes contact details and a quote outlining why the individual is involved.

    Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has, like many other public sector organisations, got some testing times ahead. However, it is convinced that its ‘team Cheshire’ ethos and its commitment to valuing the diversity of its workforce will be at the forefront of seeing it through these difficult times.

  • Wentworth Miller comes out as gay

    Actor and screenwriter, Wentworth Miller, best known for his role in hit US drama series Prison Break has come out as a gay man in support of the LGBT community in Russia.

    CREDIT: Depositphotos

    The actor posted an open letter on the GLADD website to the St Petersburg Film Festival organisers saying he was declining the invitation to be the guest of honour because “The situation [in Russia] is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly”.

    The letter not only further highlights the current issues in Russia faced by the LBGT community, but also serves as a massive boost to them by sending them a clear and strong message of support.

    GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz added “As people from across the globe continue to speak out against Russia’s horrific law, more celebrities and corporations should follow his courageous lead in openly condemning Russia’s anti-LGBT law.”

    Wentworth Miller’s full letter reads:

    August 21, 2013

    Re: St. Petersburg International Film Festival / “Guest of Honor” Invitation

    Dear Ms. Averbakh:

    Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes.

    However, as a gay man, I must decline.

    I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.

    Perhaps, when and if circumstances improve, I’ll be free to make a different choice.

    Until then.

    Wentworth Miller

    Member, HRC

    Member, GLAAD

    Member, The ManKind Project

  • Kiwi Same-Sex Couple Become First To Get Married At 30,000 Ft.

    Kiwi Same-Sex Couple Become First To Get Married At 30,000 Ft.

    Air New Zealand becomes first airline to host gay wedding at 30,000 Feet.

    New Zealand gay marriage

    • Couple Lynley Bendall and Ally Wankikau were first New Zealand same-sex couple to wed at 30,000 Feet

    • Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and partner Justin Mikita attended the wedding.

    • New Zealand was the 13th Nation to allow same-sex marriages.

    • Monday 19th August was the first day on which same-sex couple could marry in New Zealand.

    An Auckland-based couple has this morning made history celebrating the legalisation of same sex marriage in New Zealand by saying, ‘I do’ in the skies.

    Lynley Bendall and Ally Wanikau, who have been together almost 14 years, wed onboard a special Air New Zealand flight from Queenstown to Auckland.

    The leading ladies made their vows in front of friends and family, including their children Javarn (9), Maycee (7) and Mikaere (6), and Ally’s son Damon.

    The pair exchanged pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) in place of traditional wedding bands before being pronounced as officially wed in front of actor and marriage equality campaigner Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who recently married his long-term partner Justin Mikita.

    “It’s been an absolute pleasure to be able to celebrate this historic and joyous moment with Lynley and Ally. Marriage equality is something very dear to both Justin and me.”

    Following the in-flight ceremony a pop-up choir surprised the couple and their guests, performing the Maori love song Pokarekare Ana which was sung in the New Zealand Parliament following the legalisation of same sex marriage in April.

    Lynley says the couple has waited a long time to make their 13-year union official and she’s ecstatic to be able to call herself a newlywed.

    “To be married at 30,000 feet beneath strings of fairy lights with our children, friends and family as witnesses makes an already memorable day that much more special. It was surreal to have Jesse play a part in the ceremony too – we’re big fans of Modern Family!”

    Jesse and Justin gifted the couples’ children bow ties from their charity Tie The Knot which raises funds for the promotion of marriage equality.

    Air New Zealand Chief People Officer Lorraine Murphy says the onboard ceremony was an unforgettable way to mark the law change. “The atmosphere onboard was incredibly festive and the applause following the couple’s vows was heartfelt. It was a great celebration of New Zealand’s diversity.”

    The couple departs New Zealand tonight on an Air New Zealand service to Los Angeles for their honeymoon at a Palm Springs resort.

  • Rules Surrounding HIV To Be Modernised To Better Protect Public

    ‘Outdated’ Rules surrounding healthcare workers with HIV will be modernised by the government and it will overturn the ban of the sale of at-home HIV testing kits.

    • Chief Medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies announces changes that will affect legality of ‘at home self testing kits’

    • Healthcare professionals will have rules relaxed in certain medical procedures.

    • Outdated rules date back to the 1980s.

    Around 100,000 people in the UK have HIV but according to statistics around a quarter are living with it undiagnosed. Professor Davies has announced today new strategies to help more people get tested and receive the healthcare they need sooner.

    The Department of Health (DoH) will also lift the ban on healthcare workers with HIV undertaking some medical procedures such as dental and surgical work.

    The DoH has also announced that it will remove the ban on the sale of at-home testing kits, which was introduced in 1992, making it easier for people to get tested earlier and embark on the best treatments available.

    Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said:

    ‘Many of the UK’s HIV policies were designed to combat the perceived threat at the height of HIV concerns in the 1980s and have now been left behind by scientific advances and effective treatments. It is time we changed these outdated rules which are sometimes counter-productive and limit people’s choices on how to get tested or treated early for HIV.

    “What we need is a simpler system that continues to protect the public through encouraging people to get tested for HIV as early as possible and that does not hold back some of our best healthcare workers because of a risk that is more remote than being killed by lightning.’
    If a test indicates a positive result people will need to get a follow-up confirmatory test at an NHS clinic. Clear information about how to interpret the result and what to do afterwards will be included with the kit.

    Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: ‘Advances in medication have transformed what it means to live with HIV, and it’s great to see regulations starting to catch up. People diagnosed in good time can have full, healthy lives, and effective treatment dramatically reduces the risk of the virus being passed on. So long as the right safeguards are in place, there is now no reason why a dentist or a midwife with HIV should be barred from treating patients, or why people who would prefer to test at home should be denied that chance.

    ‘Legislation plays a vital role in shaping attitudes. We hope these changes continue to improve public understanding of HIV and support for those living with the virus.’

    It is hoped by changing the ‘outdated’ rules that the stigma attached to HIV, will mean that people who are reluctant of using existing testing services will be able to take tests earlier.

    Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust) said:

    ‘We welcome these changes to the guidance on HIV positive healthcare workers undertaking exposure-prone procedures and the removal of the ban on self-testing as we believe it is vitally important that policies are based on up-to-date scientific evidence and not on fear, stigma or outdated information.

    ‘Allowing healthcare workers living with HIV to undertake exposure-prone procedures corrects the current guidance which offers no more protection for the general public but keeps qualified and skilled people from working in the career they had spent many years training for. We know people are already buying poor quality self-testing kits online which is why NAT have campaigned for a change in the law. Legalisation is an important step to ensure they are regulated, accurate and safe.’

  • WordPress remove interview from “straight pride UK” over copyright

    Anti-Gay Group Straight-Pride Have Interview Removed On WordPress.

    • Straight Pride UK have around 806 followers on Twitter and 50 likes on Facebook

    • The group’s Twitter URL has changed from StraightPrideUK to PrideOfStraight

    • Its website states: ‘there is nothing right with being homosexual, there is nothing right with being bisexual’

    • The group used an American copyright law to have interview removed.

    The Anti-Gay protest group Straight Pride UK have had an interview removed from the blogging giant WordPress after it used American copyright laws to have it removed.

    The Guardian is reporting that student Oliver Hotham published an interview after the group stated they ‘admire President Vladimir Putin of Russia for his stance and support of his country’s traditional values”.

    Hotham insists that Straight Pride UK volunteered the information provided through an email exchange.

    A press officer for the group, Nick Steiner, in a document headed a ‘press release ‘said: “Straight Pride support what Russia and Africa is doing, these country have morals and are listening to their majorities.”

    Writing on his blog, OliverHotham.wordpress.com Hotham described when Straight Pride UK threaten legal action:

    ‘It has been brought to my attention that you have published the email that I sent you to, you did not state this in your email request, nor you did have consent to do this.

    I therefore request that you take down the article that you have placed on your blog.

    You have 7 days in which to do this, failing this I shall submit a DMCA to WordPress to have it remove’ threatened the emails from Straight Pride UK.

    The Digital Millenium Copyright Act is a United States copyright law.

    It criminalises production and dissemination of technology, devices, or services intended to circumvent measures (commonly known as digital rights management or DRM) that control access to copyrighted works. It also criminalises the act of circumventing an access control, whether or not there is actual infringement of copyright itself. – Source Wikipedia
    Mr Hotham said that there was no indication that the press release was copyrighted material.

    Within a few days, according to Mr Hotham WordPress removed the post without notice and without questions – telling Mr Hotham if he tried to publish the article again he would be suspended.

    Since the article has been removed Mr Hotham has had numerous contacts from the group’s press officer Mr Steiner, who insists that all mentions of Straight Pride UK be removed, threatening to involved WordPress again.

  • Police Appeal For Witnesses After Anti-Gay Attack On Piccadilly Line

    British Transport Police (BTP) are looking for witnesses after a man assaults two passengers and makes homophobic remarks.

    * Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man and woman were assaulted on the Tube.

    * The incident happened around 3pm on Monday, 8 July onboard an eastbound Piccadilly line train travelling between Hounslow East and Northfields London Underground (LU) stations.

    * News comes same day as BTP release data showing that homophobic attacks on the UK’s transport system have risen from 2011/12 to 2012/13

     

    PC Paul Franklin, the investigating officer, said: “Three men and a woman were standing on the platform at Hounslow East LU station when a man made homophobic remarks towards them.

    “The argument continued on the train and the woman was assaulted by the man.

    “A member of the public then intervened and he too was assaulted by the man. The altercation spilled out on to the platform at Northfields LU station and the victim left the station before police arrived.”

    PC Franklin added: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and, at this stage, I am appealing for anyone who was at the station to come forward with information about what they saw.”

    A 27-year-old man from Hounslow has been arrested in connection with the incident and bailed pending further enquiries.

     

    9 Fold Increase in Homophobic Attacks

    BTP also revealed statistics that show recorded offences of homophobic crimes reported on the London Underground have risen 9 fold in the period 1st Oct 2011 – 31st January 2012 to 1st Oct 2012 – 31st January 2013.

    Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference B3/LUA of 12/08/13 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Gay wedding “bombed” on the Island of Haiti

    A British man and his partner have had their wedding attacked by an anti-gay mob in Haiti.

    The French news agency AFP is reporting that several people have been injured after a homophobic group hurled rocks and home-made bombs at the ceremony in Haiti’s capital Port-Au-Prince.
    The British man, who is identified as a Red Cross worker, is said to be unhurt.
    Speaking to TheGayUK a spokesperson for the BritishRedCross said they did have ‘comprehensive security rules’ to protect those people working and volunteering for the organisations.
    Two cars were set alight and numerous windows smashed at the residence were the ceremonies was said to have taken place.
    A local inspector, Patrick Rosarion told the AFP that intervention by the police prevented someone being killed by the mob.
    “This is a criminal act and homophobic,” said Charlot Jeudy, an official from Kouraj (Courage), a group that defends the rights of homosexuals in Haiti.
    “There is no justification for this kind of attack on people in a private residence. Hopefully the justice authorities will react to the perpetrators of this act.”
    Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults in private has been legal since 1986. The age of consent is eighteen.

  • Sale of “at home” HIV testing kits to be made legal

    HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust has welcomed the Department of Health’s announcement that the sale of HIV self-testing kits is to be made legal in the UK.

    Policy Director Lisa Power said: “We warmly welcome this decision, which Terrence Higgins Trust has long campaigned for. People deserve to have a choice about how and where they test for HIV and proper regulation will make self-testing a safe and supported option for many more people across the country. The public response to our highly successful home sampling scheme shows that many people who have never tested before, or who have been putting off a visit to a clinic, are willing to test at home.

    “Currently, most HIV transmission in the UK is driven by the 25,000 people who have HIV but have not yet been diagnosed. Anything that encourages these people to test, take control of their health and get treatment is a welcome advance.”

    Since 1992, the sale of self-testing kits for HIV has been illegal in the UK. Kits can currently be purchased over the internet, but they are unregulated, often of very poor quality and lack important information on HIV transmission and where to get support.

    In 2010, Terrence Higgins Trust surveyed 657 people via newsletters, social media, and other online media. Of the 490 respondents that had not tested HIV-positive, 63% said they would consider using HIV self-testing kits if they were legalised and 51% thought legalisation would make them test more often. Among gay men, one of the groups most at risk of HIV in the UK, 60% thought legalisation would make them test more often.

    In January 2013, Terrence Higgins Trust and Public Health England co-launched their first HIV home sampling scheme, where people in groups at an increased risk of infection could request a free HIV test by post. Since launch, the scheme has provided almost 9,000 home sampling kits to gay men and Africans in England, receiving over 1,400 requests in the first month alone.

    For more information on HIV testing options, including Terrence Higgins Trust’s community testing clinics and home sampling service, please visit www.tht.org.uk.

  • Stephen Fry: “Athletes Should Find A Symbol” For LGBT Russians

    Broadcaster Stephen Fry has called on athletes in the Russian Sochi Winter Olympics to find a symbol to show ‘solidarity’ with gay Russians.

    Openly gay writer, presenter and broadcaster Stephen Fry calls upon athletes who take part in the Sochi Winter Olympics to find a symbol to show solidarity with Russian LGBTs.

    During an interview with the BBC Fry said that at the end of competitors’ games, they should stand up and adopt a cross armed pose to show their support and that they ‘are thinking about the gay people of Russian who are being tormented and brutalised everyday.’

    In June, President Putin signed into law a bill that could see both nationals and international visitors promoting “non-traditional relationships” to anyone under 18 face hefty fines and prison.

    Lord Coe and the Prime Minister David Cameron have reacted to an open letter from broadcaster Stephen Fry calling for the boycott of the Winter Olympics in Sochi 2014. In the letter Fry compare the situation in Russia to the decision to host the 1936 Olympic games in Nazi Germany and that President Putin: ‘is making scapegoats of gay people’, adding that: ‘an absolute ban on the Russian Winter Olympics of 2014 on Sochi is simply essential’.