Well it’s almost time for the biggest Arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe, to kick off this year. With almost 3000 shows to choose from, we have chosen a selection to get you started. Keep checking our site for updates and reviews for the rest of the month!
Category: News
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Gay bars in Leeds dump Russian vodka in time for Leeds pride
Gay bars in Leeds have boycotted Russian produced Vodka in the build up to Leeds Pride.
Gay bars across Leeds have joined together in solidarity with the Russian LGBT community by boycotting Russian produced vodkas, a week before Leeds Pride, a statement from gayleeds.com has announced.
“Although removing the lines of Russian vodka from the gayleeds scene won’t make a massive dint in the Russian economy it will however prove that the LGB&T bars in our city care about the persecution that is going on against the gay community in Russia.” the press release read
“Knowing which Vodka is produced in Russia is a tricky one as many that originated from Russia no longer have a connection with Russia at all.
“This is why the bars, clubs and other venues in gayleeds have gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure that only non Russian lines are available in time for pride and beyond”.
The news comes days after American and London’s Soho Bars started to announce their boycott of Russian vodkas.
The Leeds bar which have banded together are: Queens Court, Fibre, The Bridge, The New Penny, Blayds and The Viaduct Showbar.
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Boy, 16, arrested in connection to ‘homophobic attack’ in Reading
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection to a homophobic attack in Reading last week.
Thames Valley police have released a statement which confirms that one 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection to a homophobic assault which happened in the early hours on Sunday 21st July in Cintra Park, Reading.
The two gay men were walking through the park just after midnight after spending the evening at a barbeque, when they were set upon by a gang of youths, beaten and one of the men robbed of cash and cards.
The boy from Reading, was released on police bail until 20th August.
PC Nick Hook of Reading Local CID, is calling for help from anyone who may have seen the attackers, who are described as youths aged 15-20, some of them are described as being stripped to the waist.
One was a white male of slim build approximately five ft with short dark hair and wearing no top. Another was a white boy of slim build, aged about 15, and about five ft with short dark hair, wearing long trousers and no top. A third boy was white, of slim build aged about 16 with dark hair, wearing dark tracksuit trousers and a top.
He said: “We are investigating the incident as a homophobic hate crime which has left the victims understandably shaken.
“This incident is being treated extremely seriously. We will not tolerate hate crimes in our community and will be making every effort to track down and bring to justice those responsible.”
Call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Russian thugs allegedly post fake personal ads to torture teens
Neo Nazi groups in Russia are allegedly creating fake personal ads to tempt gay teens on dates;only to bully, attack and torture the unsuspecting victims.
Gay Community News is reporting that Russian Neo-Nazi groups are posting fake personal profiles on the popular Russian VK.com website, which is a social network, in order to lure unsuspecting gay teens for dates, except when they arrive they are beaten and tortured, often in public places.
The Spectrum Human Rights Alliance (SHRA), an Eastern European LGBT advocacy organisation reports that over 500 groups have been created on the VK.com website, with the aim to organise anti-gay vigilante style groups in cities across Russia.
The reports states:
“These self-proclaimed “crime fighters” perform their actions under the broad day light, often outside and clearly visible to general public that indifferently passes by or even commend them. Video recordings of bullying and tortures are freely distributed on the Internet in order to out LGBT teens to their respective schools, parents and friends. Many victims were driven to suicides, the rest are deeply traumatized.”
The SHRA also notes that the Russian police have taken no action against these vigilantes – even though it’s against Russia’s criminal code.
The report also states that:
Social network VK.com intermittently shuts down selected groups and profiles only to allow them to be re-open on the next day.
The found of VK.com Pavel Durov has not released a statement about the creation of these groups.
This report comes just weeks after President Putin signed a law, which prevents the ‘promotion’ of a homosexual lifestyle to anyone under the age of 18.
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NORTH WALES PRIDE: Pride Weekend Back To The Past
The stars are ready, the weather might be okay, but one thing is for sure, North Wales Pride looks set to be the biggest and best yet.
This year’s theme is Decades, so you’re invited to step back in time from the 1920s to the 90s. The headliners include X Factor’s Kitty Brucknell and Aled Haydn Jones from Radio 1.
The events starts today and continues through Saturday and weekender tickets cost just £15, which you can buy at the event.
The entertainment starts today at 12:30pm – full list of acts below:
Saturday’s Entertainment
Comedy duo Roxy Fart and Crystal Bawls will co-host the show and will kick off the event in style in the main room at 12.30. If you want a giggle then we can assure you that these pair will have you doubled up in laughter.
Bringing RIO to BANGOR is the amazing Batala- a Samba percussion band (click for link)…In true carnival style they promise to lift the roof off Hendre and start us off on a high.
Meinir Gwilym (click for link) Daytime headline act – Meinir is from Anglesey and has established herself as one of the best selling Welsh language artists ever. Her first release Smôcs, Coffi a Fodca Rhad (Cigarrettes, Coffee and Cheap Vodka) in 2002 met with phenomenal response with her unique voice and punchy lyrics, Celtic/acoustic/folk-rock/pop
Lowri Mair- brilliantly talented acoustic Welsh artist
Awen Haf – Local power house vocalist
Jamie Connolly (click for link) – recently performed at Birmingham Pride 2013 & brought down the house with his Bon Jovi meets Robbie Williams act. Currently number ONE Rock Artist on Reverbnation!!
– The L Project released an LGBT anti-bullying charity song entitled “It Does Get Better” in 2012 (charted in 4 countries) recorded by 17 of the UK’s most talented lesbian artists. All proceeds and royalties from the song go directly to two chosen charities Stonewall and Diversity Role Models, both work tirelessly to prevent LGBT bullying.
Sunday’s Entertainment:
Craig Cavanagh (click link)- singer songwriter from Liverpool. He connects both acoustic soul and power pop into one with a unique vocal style which brings powerful timber and cloudy tones to the ears of the listener.
We are proud to announce that the controversial X Factor finalist Star Kitty Brucknell is one of the headliners of Saturday night!
Our main headline act Aled Haydn Jones from Radio 1′s Surgery will be banging out his DJ set from 10pm and putting Bangor back on the map.
If this isn’t enough for you… we are also excited to announce that Wakestock, Creamfields and resident Embassy DJ Ed Mackie will be taking you through to the early hours.
CAMPING:
At North Wales Pride you can also come along and pitch a tent and camp for the weekend! For more info visit the official website: http://www.northwalespride.com
GETTING THERE
Please find below information on how to get to Hendre Hall for this year’s North Wales PRIDE!
CAR- Parking is limited at the venue and we encourage car sharing where possible.
Arriving at Hendre Hall: (postcode for sat nav/route map – LL57 3YP)
From the east and England:
Join the A55 for north Wales and follow sings for Conwy and then Bangor. Hendre Hall is 4miles outside Bangor. Turn off at junction 12 signed for Tal-y-Bont and bear right after this turning. At the top of the road turn left and you have arrived at Hendre Hall.
From the west, south and Bangor.
Follow A487 (south Gwynedd and Caernarfon) or A55 from Anglesey towards Bangor. Follow signs and continue on A55 for Conwy. Turn right off A55 at junction 12 for Tal-y-Bont. Take first right after junction, head over the bridge and Hendre Hall is on your left.
TRAIN– The nearest train station is Bangor (Gwynedd). Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin Trains have regular services to Bangor. Typical journey time from Chester is approx. 1 hour. Hackney taxis are aplenty at Bangor train station.
TAXI FROM BANGOR-
Local Bangor taxi numbers:
A5 taxis – 01248 360 360
Chubbs Cabs – 01248 35 35 35
Classic Cabs – 01248 370 717
Glyn’s Taxis- 01248 351 554
BUS- Arriva buses have regular services that directly pass Hendre Hall. You will need the X5, 5 or 5S services from Caernarfon and /or Bangor for Llandudno. It’s best to take the X5, 5 or 5S service from Llandudno for Bangor. Please visit ‘Traveline Cymru’ website for public transport information.
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Two men robbed in ‘homophobic attack’ in Reading
Two men in Reading have been beaten and robbed after a homophobic attack in local park by a gang of youths.
The two men, who have not been named, were in Cintra Park in Whitley at 12:04am after spending the evening at a barbeque when they were set upon by a large gang of youths, who shouted abuse, kicked and punched them before robbing one of the men.
PC Nick Hook of Reading Local CID, is calling for help from anyone who may have seen the attackers, who are described as youths aged 15-20, some of them are described as being stripped to the waist.
One was a white male of slim build approximately five ft with short dark hair and wearing no top. Another was a white boy of slim build, aged about 15, and about five ft with short dark hair, wearing long trousers and no top. A third boy was white, of slim build aged about 16 with dark hair, wearing dark tracksuit trousers and a top.
He said: “We are investigating the incident as a homophobic hate crime which has left the victims understandably shaken.
“This incident is being treated extremely seriously. We will not tolerate hate crimes in our community and will be making every effort to track down and bring to justice those responsible.”
Call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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UK Government updates advice for LGBT travellers to Russia
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated its advice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans travellers to Russia after new anti-gay laws take effect in Russia.
After TheGayUK contacted the FCO on Friday last week, the Government has updated its advice for LGBT travellers to Russia.
A Spokesperson for the FOC said:
“We have updated our travel advice for Russia to reflect the new law and to give British travellers the information they need to make their own informed decisions about travelling to Russia. The travel advice can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia.”
The advice on the FOC website includes a warning from the FCO against travelling to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan and the districts of Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kursky in Stavropol Krai.
The news comes as 4 Dutch tourists were detained in Russia after being suspected of promoting homosexuality after the Russian government signed a law banning the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relationships”
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Russia boycott petition goes live
A petition to boycott the Russian Winter Olympics has been created on the official UK Government’s website.
A petition has gone live calling for the boycott of Russia’s Winter Olympics in 2014.
The petition reads:
Boycott 2014 Winter Olympics
Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
With the increasingly homophobic stance being taken by the Russian government and parliament, including calls to arrest LGBT tourists. I call upon the UK Government to strongly advise the British Olympic Association to boycott the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The petition has already garnered over 3,500 signatures.
To sign the petition click here
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LGBT groups forced to suspend AIDS education in Cameroon
LGBT rights groups in Cameroon are being forced to suspend Aids education programmes because fears of educator’s safety.
AllAfrica.com is reporting that Aids education programmes have been halted by LGBT organisations in Cameroon “until their international partners help them to improve security so activists won’t be killed while trying to curb the spread of HIV among LGBT people there.”
Writing on 76Crimes.com Colin Stewart stated the announcement had come a week after the body of slain journalist and activist Eric Lembembe was discovered by police in Cameroon.
“We need protection,” said Dominique Menoga, president of Lembembe’s anti-AIDS group, the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS (Camfaids) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
In a statement to donors, LGBT organisations said that the climate of homophobia has ‘intensified and now has reached a critical point.’
The decision was announced by a coalition of anti-aids and pro-gay-rights groups, on the 22nd July to USAID, Care Cameroon; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and the Cameroon National Association for Family Welfare (CAMNAFAW), which provide funding for HIV education programs for LGBT people in Cameroon.
The Statement can be read below:
In this memorandum, the associations supporting the LGBTI community of Cameroon announce the creation of a coalition that speaks for them with a unified voice.
The purpose of this coalition is to communicate as one with development partners, regional authorities and international organizations about strategic issues facing Cameroonian organizations.
In the fight for the rights of sexual minorities in Cameroon, the long-decried climate of homophobia has intensified and now has reached a critical point.
The pursuit of our various missions (prevention of STIs / HIV, medical care, advocacy for rights, support of people imprisoned for their sexual orientation and / or gender identity) requires a minimum level of security, institutional support and financial support.
At present, the high level of insecurity in Cameroon has unfortunately led to the murder of Eric Lembembe Ohena of CAMFAIDS. We also note that serious threats have been made against the locations and members of our organizations, to the point where continuing our current work unchanged would be dangerous.
For this reason, we are asking you for additional financial and institutional support to ensure:
A plan for securing our organizations, officers and members (the costs of around-the-clock guards for our center, insurance, and purchase of surveillance equipment).
Creation of an emergency fund to defend our organizations and activists.
Establishment of a common activity center in Yaoundé where maximum security can be provided.
Because of the dangers of the current situation, in cities of Yaoundé and Douala we are forced to suspend immediately the projects we have with USAID through Care Cameroon and with the Global Fund through CAMNAFAW. Minimal services will continue to be provided to our clients.We reject a partnership that reduces our associations to simply a labor force that must work in precarious, dangerous conditions.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people living in Cameroon face legal challenges, both male and female same-sex sexuality activity is illegal. People found guilty can be imprisoned for 5 years and fined 20,000 to 200,000 francs (£26.26 – £262.58)
The national average yearly income per person in Cameroon is just £758.71
It is estimated that in 2011 there were 550,000 peole living with HIV and 34,000 deaths due to AIDS.
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Court appearance delayed for gay tourists arrested for “gay prop”
The Russian LGBT Network (RLGBTN) have announced that up to four gay Dutch tourists have been arrested and detained by police.
Writing on their Facebook wall, the RLGBTN stated that four Dutch nationals had been detained by police under charges of gay propaganda.
In a statement the network said:
Four Dutch citizens are accused of spreading “propaganda of non-traditional relationships among the under-aged” (that is, gay propaganda). 20th and 21st of July on the campsite called “Frigate”, a cultural event was held under the title “Youth for Human Rights Camp”. In its program there was included the performance of Kris van der Veen from Dutch LGBT-Groningen,http://www.lgbtgroningen.nl/. In addition, there were shown shots of a documentary telling about the Human Rights situation in Russia.
On the 21st of July police officers and representatives of the Russian Federal Migration Service arrived at the campsite, questioned the participants and stated that the article 6.21.3 (“propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among the under-aged, spread by citizen of a foreign country”) was violated because in the video material there were interviews of under-aged people.
The Dutch said that the testimony written in the protocole don’t reflect reality but they were anyway forced to sign in because, as police officers said, “that’s how Russia works”.
The Russian LGBT Network and a Muurmansk-based LGBT organization “Maksimum” give judicial aid to the accused and provide them with information. The General Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and international Human Rights organizations are kept informed about the situation.The court hearing will be held today at 14.30.
The court hearing which was due for day (Monday 22nd July) it has been delayed.
The Russian LGBT Network provides legal assistance.”The official and legal definition of ‘homosexual propaganda’ is currently unclear, however reports are emerging of arrests for kissing, holding hands, wearing or using rainbows.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has also updated its advice for gay people travelling to Russia. On their website the DoFA states:
“Homosexuality was illegal in the USSR up until 1993 when it was decriminalised. However, a federal law has recently been approved that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism in the Russian Federation. Fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to minors. According to the legislation, public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.”
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Three tourists arrested in Russia for “gay propaganda”
The Russian LGBT Network (RLGBTN) have announced that three Dutch tourist have been arrested and detained by police.
Writing on their Facebook wall, the RLGBTN stated that three Dutch nationals had been detained by police under charges of gay propaganda.
In a statement the network said:
“At the moment they were released from the police station. Police compiled reports on the violation of rules of stay in the territory of Russia and the violation of the law of the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.”
Court hearing will be at 9 a.m. (Moscow time) 22 July 2013.
The Russian LGBT Network provides legal assistance.”
The official and legal definition of ‘homosexual propaganda’ is currently unclear, however reports are emerging of arrests for kissing, holding hands, wearing or using rainbows.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has also updated its advice for gay people travelling to Russia. On their website the DoFA states,
“Homosexuality was illegal in the USSR up until 1993 when it was decriminalised. However, a federal law has recently been approved that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism in the Russian Federation. Fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to minors. According to the legislation, public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.”