Police are looking to speak to this man after a 13-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted at an ice rink in Manchester.
According to cops in Manchester, at around 6 pm on Tuesday 23 April 2019, a 13-year-old boy reported that he been sexually assaulted in the public toilets of Planet Ice (formerly called Altrincham Ice Rink) on Oakfield Road, Altrincham.
The victim left the toilet cubicle to go wash his hands and was confronted by a man who sexually assaulted him by the washbasins.
Police Constable Neil Murphy, of GMP’s Trafford division, said: “An assault of this nature is completely unacceptable and has left a young boy feeling violated in what should have been a safe environment.
“I appreciate that this incident took place a while ago, but I would like to stress that we have been following every line of enquiry available to us and trawling through several CCTV opportunities. As a result, we have been able to release these images in the hope of talking to the man pictured.
“If anyone has any information that could help us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at the very earliest opportunity.”
Anyone with any information can contact police on 101 referring to incident number 2080 of 23/04/2019 or alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
An ASOS customer has been left outraged after receiving a discount code from the online clothing giant.
When Eric Omikunle opened a birthday email sent by ASOS containing a discount code he thought “how sweet and kind” – that was until he noticed the gay slur in the code itself.
The clothing company, which also made Pride In London’s clothing range in 2019, had indeed sent him a 10 per cent off discount code, however, to Eric’s disgust the code contained a three-letter anti-gay slur, “FAG”
@TheGayUK I want to share a situation that occurred. I was looking through my email and saw that ASOS had wished me a happy bday-how sweet and kind… so I thought! Till I then looked at the discount code they offered me and it included an outrageous gay slur. #LGBTQpic.twitter.com/varUMilX30
The code that Eric was sent, in full, was “FAG162NV7S23”
ASOS prides itself on being diverse and inclusive, but this blunder has left one customer feeling outraged and disappointed. (SOURCE: ASOS Frontpage).
Eric says that he had reached out to ASOS but was left with a “resolution” that he was happy with.
ASOS Here To Help, ASOS’s online Twitter handle, replied, that it was “just a generated code” and invited Eric to DM them if he had a complaint to make.
The creator of one of the 00’s most enduring US comedies, Ugly Betty, Silvio Horta has died at the age of 45.
Representatives of the creator confirmed his death but did not confirm the cause of his death. He was found dead at a hotel in Miami where he was staying.
The cast of the show has mourned his passing, with Michael Urie saying, Horta had given him his first break. He wrote on Twitter, “I hear from LGBTQ people all the time that the show helped them,
“Me too. He and that show will always be with me.”
Horta was openly gay and came out to his family at the age of 19, according to Wikipedia.
Ugly Betty ran from 2006 until 2010 and starred America Ferrera as Betty and Vanessa Williams as the camptastic “Mode” magazine editor in chief Williamenia.
The Spanish former porn star dies after apparently taking his own life.
An adult porn star Macanao Torres was found dead at his home on the 29th December 2019. Apparently he died after falling to his death.
Torres left the porn industry in 2016 after a career that spanned a decade. When he retired in 2016 he told fans that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma.
The star was known to have worked with Hardkinks, Treasure Island Media and Butch Dixon.
Taking to Twitter a statement from Hardkinks said, “The first time I took pictures of a model was you. The first time I shot a scene was with you. Unforgettable moments that sadly will not be repeated. Thanks for everything. RIP Macanao”
If you need to speak to someone about suicide or you are having trouble with your won mental wellbeing please reach out to Samaritans on 116 123.
Adam Lambert has spoken about how LGBT+ people in music are becoming mainstream while still maintaining a niche and “subcategory” vibe.
In the time since Lambert’s first release back in 2009, there has been a wave of out artists, including Sam Smith, Janelle Monáe, Olly Alexander, Frank Ocean and MNEK.
Speaking in Rollacoaster magazine, Lambert said that at the beginning of his career that being out in the music industry felt like “uncharted territory” and “scary” but it was exciting because it was the dawn of change.
“A whole niche now”
He told Rollacoaster,
“It was a little bit like unchartered territory, and it was exciting because I knew that it was a change, but it was also a bit scary…The queer movement in music is like a whole niche now, it’s this whole thing and what I love is that it’s both a niche like a sub-category but it’s also mainstream.”
This year, Queen + Adam Lambert will embark on the ‘Rhapsody Tour’ including a massive x10 shows at London’s O2 Arena in June 2020. Adam’s new EP Velvet: Side A is available now.
Pre-order Rollacoaster Magazine Spring/Summer issue here
Horrifying details have come to light after the UK’s “most prolific” rapist is jailed in Manchester. He will serve a minimum of 30 years for his crimes.
A serial rapist who filmed himself attacking his victims after drugging them at his home in Manchester has been jailed.
Reynhard Sinaga (19/02/1983), of no fixed address, has today (Monday 6 January 2020) been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of 159 counts of sexual offences against 48 different men. He will serve a minimum of 30 years before being considered for release.
The sentencing – which took place at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square – comes at the conclusion of four separate trials. The earlier trials were unable to be publicised due to reporting restrictions that were put in place to protect the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings.
Targetting men who were alone and used GHB to drug them.
During the course of each trial, the court heard how Sinaga would target men who were alone and potentially vulnerable before approaching them in the street.
Sinaga would then strike up a conversation with his intended victim, before convincing them to come back to his home under false pretences, taking advantage of their trusting nature. Once inside he would offer them a drink which, unbeknownst to the men, would contain a substance – believed to be GHB – that would render them unconscious.
With his victim unconscious, Sinaga would rape and sexually assault the men whilst filming his horrific acts.
He was unknown to the police, but there might be 190 potential victims
Sinaga was completely unknown to police and his offending – which is believed to have taken place between 2005 and 2017 – only came to light in June 2017, when one of his victims woke up during one of the sickening attacks and fought him off.
After the incident was reported to police, the scale of his offending soon became apparent and he was swiftly arrested and charged before being remanded into custody.
Including the men that Sinaga has been found guilty of attacking, the investigation team found evidence linking over 190 potential victims to him.
Although the majority of these victims have been identified and provided with specialist support from St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Survivors Manchester, there remain around 70 who have not yet been identified and detectives are keen to speak with them to ensure they have any support needed.
“Depraved”
Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Reynhard Sinaga is a depraved individual, who targeted potentially vulnerable men that he had spotted walking on their own after a night out.
“He would strike up a conversation with them before leading them back to his flat under a false premise and drugging them before subjecting them to sickening abuse, all the while recording the attacks as they took place.
“Not much was known about Reynhard Sinaga prior to his final victim telling police of his ordeal and he had never previously come to the attention of GMP with regards to any criminal incidents.
“To the rest of the world he came across as an engaged member of society who was studying for a PHD qualification and had a small circle of law-abiding friends that he would socialise with. However beneath that façade was a serial sex offender, who we now believe to be Britain’s most prolific rapist. The fact that he was able to cover-up his true nature for so long, just serves as further evidence of his calculating criminal nature.
“I want to be clear that Sinaga is just one appalling individual and he should not be considered as being reflective of any community.
“I do not wish to waste another word on Reynhard Sinaga. Instead, I would now like to pay tribute to his victims, many of whom did not know for certain what had happened to them until they received a visit from the police, after they had been identified from the videos taken by Sinaga.
“I can only imagine how devastating this news must have been for them but the bravery that these men have shown in engaging with officers and support workers in an effort to come to terms with what happened is nothing short of incredible.
“Many of these men have stood up in court and provided evidence, which detailed the significant impact these offences have had on their lives. We appreciate this can be a daunting experience and it truly does take a lot of courage to stand up in court and tell your story.
“Finally, I would like to thank the investigation team for the meticulous work that they have put in since this inquiry was launched. They, along with colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service, St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Survivors Manchester, have made supporting and seeking justice for those affected by Sinaga their absolute priority.
“Even with the video evidence, this was not a straight forward case and it required round the clock work, including consulting with subject matter experts, carrying out detailed research, arranging pre-trial court visits for witnesses and other vital tasks.
“Horrifying video evidence”
Hussain continued,
“Many of the team also had to sit and watch the horrifying videos that Sinaga created, which has undoubtedly had a personal impact on them. Without their work, there would be more victims out there who were unaware of exactly what had happened to them and without any specialist support being provided.
“I hope the work of the investigation team sends out a clear message that Greater Manchester Police is prepared to invest time and resources into bringing those who carry out sex offences to justice as well as work alongside partner agencies to provide victims with any support they need.”
“Brought to justice”
Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice, said: “Reynhard Sinaga is a vile individual who preyed upon his victims in a disturbing and depraved manner. Today, he has rightly been brought to justice.
“Both the nature of Sinaga’s appalling crimes and their scale are shocking. This has been a deeply distressing and disturbing case and I want to thank Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the Crown Prosecution Service and other partners for their relentless and meticulous work on what is believed to be the largest rape investigation in British judicial history.
“I particularly want to praise the victims and survivors for their bravery and courage throughout these trials – it has been an immensely challenging and upsetting time.
“The police, St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Survivors Manchester, Victim Support, the National Probation Service and other partner agencies have worked together to provide victims and survivors with the best possible support throughout the trials.
“I also want to echo GMP’s appeal for further victims of Sinaga to come forward, so we can ensure they get the support they need. I also want to urge anyone who has been a victim of any rape or sexual assault to come forward and report it to police, confident that they will receive the help and support they need.
“Greater Manchester is a resilient place. We have undergone traumas in the past and, together, come through them. Sinaga is an appalling individual, who acted alone and is now off our streets. He is in no way representative of our city-region and people should not be fearful of enjoying all that Manchester city centre has to offer.”
Police are still on the lookout for further potential victims
If you have been affected by this case or believe that you may have been a victim of Reynhard Sinaga, then please contact police or specialist support agencies using the contact details below.
All reports made to police will be fully investigated and Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.
If you wish to speak to police and make a report relating to Reynhard Sinaga, then please contact: 0800 092 0410 (calls made from within the UK) / 0207158 0124 (international calls).
If you have been affected by this case and would like to seek support from specialist agencies, then please contact: 0800 056 0154 (calls made from within the UK) / 0207158 0011 (international calls).
Liberal Democrat MP becomes the first MP to identify as pansexual.
“Last year I fell in love with a wonderful woman” is how Lib Dem MP Layla Moran chose to describe her decision to come out as pansexual on Twitter.
The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon wrote on Twitter that she was “happy” and that the beginning of a new decade was the perfect time to start on a new path.
She published a picture of her and her partner. The post was met with a mainly positive reaction, receiving over 16,000 likes and nearly 900 retweets over a few hours.
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton and Hove congratulated Layla, saying, “Great photo! Really happy for you, congratulations x”
Great photo! Really happy for you, congratulations x
Pansexuality, might not be on your radar as much as homosexuality or bisexuality, but its all-inclusive nature has got people falling in love with the sexual and romantic orientation that is pansexuality – which is, essentially hearts, not parts – you fall in love and lust with the heart of someone, not just their biological sex or gender expression.
If someone tells you that a word is offensive, don’t argue just accept it.
A parody account of actor Tim Curry has perfectly summed up why, if you don’t find the word f*ggot offensive or the song “Fairytale Of New York” personally offensive you shouldn’t just dismiss other’s exception to the lyrics out of hand.
A Twitter account dedicated to the actor Tim Curry has gone viral after a simple message detailing why dismissing anyone who has an issue with offensive words is pretty much a dick move.
Taking to Twitter the account owner wrote,
“If a person from a marginalised group asks you not to use a word they find upsetting it’s not your job to tell them the word isn’t offensive. Even if you’re also from said marginalised group & YOU don’t think it’s a slur. Your job is to shut the FUCK up & be kind. Bloody hell”.
If a person from a marginalised group asks you not to use a word they find upsetting it's not your job to tell them the word isn't offensive. Even if you're also from said marginalised group & YOU don't think it's a slur.
The Tweet went viral within hours, with scores of people agreeing and disagreeing with the notion.
What’s the problem with “Fairytale of New York”?
The problem with “Fairytale of New York” is the line, “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy f*ggot.”
Some in the LGBT+ community find the word offensives, while others don’t.
The one key element is that songs that contain other offensives slurs often use edited versions, which either bleep out a slur or have another word dubbed in.
“Fairytale Of New York” does not have either – and is broadcast as is.
In 2007, BBC Radio 1 did broadcast a version with the word edited, but restored the original after an apparent backlash.
Gaydio presenter Matt Crabb has an important message to anyone who doesn’t identify as LGBT+ but who is partying at a gay club/bar this Christmas / New Year after he was homophobically abused while working as a DJ at a venue in Manchester.
The message is simple, “you’re a guest” and to be an ally and respect the place and its staff.
The presenter was working as a DJ at an LGBT venue when he had his earphones ripped off and was homophobically abused and called a “f*ggot” by a customer, who also demanded that he stop playing “gay sh*t”.
Luckily the club’s management and security was on hand and acted swiftly, removing the bigot from the club.
“Just a reminder to some straight people this Christmas. You are guests in our #LGBT venues. We are not an attraction, we are not here for you to be rude too or disrespectful. Don’t climb on the stage when you’ve been told not to…
Don’t pull the headphones off the DJ when they are trying to work, don’t tell them to stop playing ‘gay shit’ and call them a faggot when they won’t play your request.
“I’ve had to deal with all the above in the last 48 hours, it’s not fun. Do… come and party with us
Be an ally and respectful, tip bar staff and compliment entertainers on doing a good job
Just a reminder to some straight people this Christmas. You are guests in our #LGBT venues. We are not an attraction, we are not here for you to be rude too or disrespectful.
Don’t climb on the stage when you’ve been told not to…
Speaking to THEGAYUK Matt Crabb said that after the incident “security were called and they removed instantly”
He went on to reveal that abuse like this is a common occurrence in gay bars across the country.
Matt told us “It happens a lot in venues at this time of year, I’ve spoken to over friends who DJ on the scene in London/Cardiff who have similar stories”.
On its tenth anniversary, Meat Magazine will be printing its last editions in 2020. The magazine which has been in print for 10 years has been self-produced and funded by its photographer, Adrian Lourie.
In a statement from the company, Adrian wrote that the decision to end Meat‘s print run was a “tough call” and that he had been “overwhelmed” by the supportive messages he had received.
Challenging expectations from gay media
In 10 years the magazine produced 39 issues and has really challenged expectations for a gay pin-up magazine. The magazine featured models of all shapes, ages, sizes and ethnicities and was championed by its fanbase, which had grown substantially on Instagram.
Speaking to THEGAYUK in 2018 just after pictures had been removed by Instagram, Adrian said, “Meat‘s mission is to champion body positivity amongst gay men, in a community where many often feel sidelined by ‘stereotypical’ male beauty standards. The zine allows our followers and fans to celebrate and own their unique beauty, no matter their age, race, body shape or type.”
Unfortunately, Meat found itself deleted from Instagram several times after falling foul of the platform’s community guidelines.
Meat‘s first Instagram account had amassed over 15,000 fans when it was erased by the Facebook-owned company and the second account had 4000 fans.
Exciting ideas for 2020
Adrian wrote that there were “other projects and opportunities to explore” and that there were “exciting ideas” lined up for 2020.
