The fashion king, Karl Lagerfeld has reportedly died at the age of 85.
French media is reporting that the iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has died after a short illness. The fashion heavyweight, who began his fashion career in the mid-1950s, was the genius behind fashion house CHANEL.
The German-born designer is believed to have died, in west-Paris, France, after a battle with an unspecified illness, and his cause of death is currently unknown.
The designer’s health had been of some concern to fans after he missed a catwalk bow in January at Paris Fashion Week for the first time.
The worrying statistic shows that there’s a long way to go in order to normalise the idea that LGBT+ people can become foster parents.
Across the UK, around 60 percent of people were unaware that LGBT+ people are eligible to foster children.
According to Five Rivers Child Care, there are over 900 children and young people who need foster homes across London yet there are common misconceptions around who is eligible to foster, from age through to living circumstances and sexual orientation.
Over 60% of people across London and the UK as a whole are unaware that same-sex couples or those from the LGBT+ community are eligible to foster. A misconception Five Rivers Child Care is keen to eliminate this February, which marks LGBT History Month, in a bid to recruit more foster carers from currently underrepresented communities.
Misconceptions
In addition to serious misconceptions surrounding LGBTQ rights to foster, a further 60 percent of people across the UK believe that those in rented accommodation are unable to foster, and 40 percent of us believe that those without their own children wouldn’t be allowed to be foster carers.
Commenting on the findings, Martin Leitch, Head of Fostering Operations at Five Rivers Child Care, said, “The findings from our recent research paint a massively outdated picture of the fostering industry but it highlights that more needs to be done to reach those within LGBTQ communities to tell them about the career opportunities available to them in fostering. And it’s not just a career, it’s a life choice. It’s deciding to change the life of a vulnerable young person that otherwise might not have a home or a family. It’s extremely important to have a diverse range of foster carers across the country to reflect the diverse nature of the children and young people entering the system and provide role models from all walks of life. We already have some fantastic carers from the LGBTQ community who are enriching children’s and young people’s lives on a daily basis.
“We want to make it common knowledge that anyone can foster, providing they have a spare room and they are over the age of 21. A foster carer is not determined by whether they own a house, or whether they’re married or have children. Single people, those in rented accommodation, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ community all have the opportunity to make great foster carers.”
Cops in Salford are interested in identifying a man after an alleged attempted rape of another man.
At around 1am on Sunday 21 October 2018 the victim – a man in his 20s – was walking on a path that leads from Cottenham Lane to Mary Street when he was approached by an unknown man.
The man asked the victim if he wanted to engage in sexual activity and he said no. The attacker then punched him several times before trying to rape him.
The victim managed to get away and then reported the offence to police.
Detective Constable David Prowse, from GMP’s Salford district, said, “We have been offering our support to the victim since this awful attack occurred and we are doing everything we can to find the man responsible.
“As part of our enquiries we have a picture of a man we need to speak to, as we think they could hold key information.
“I know the picture isn’t very clear but the man is quite distinctive and I think anyone who knows him will recognise him.
“I urge you to get in touch, or if this is you then please also make contact with us.”
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 5355 quoting incident number 156 of 21 October 2018.
Information can also be passed on to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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In the last 30 years the public’s support of same-sex loving has rocketed, new stats today show that support for gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships are at their highest.
Wavebreak-Media-Ltd-bigstock
Nearly 70 percent of people in the UK now say that they support same-sex relationships compared with just 11 percent back in 1987. The figures are also a stark improvement on 2012’s figures of under 50 percent (47%).
The youngest generation was the most welcoming – 80% of people age 18-24 thought there was nothing wrong with same sex-relations, compared to 29% of those age 75 and older.
Minister for Equalities, Baroness Susan Williams, said: “On Valentine’s Day everyone should be able to love who they love, and be free to show that love to the world.
“I am encouraged to see that people are changing their attitudes to be more accepting and more tolerant, but as government we still have work to do to make sure our society is truly fair, and truly free.
“That’s why we are working with charities, schools, GPs, and across government to make sure our Action Plan can bring about real, lasting change for LGBT people in the UK.”
What has the LGBT action plan promised?
The Government Equalities Office’s LGBT Action Plan, which was launched last July to make the lives of LGBT people better, includes a promise to test out innovative ways of tackling deep-seated prejudice in communities across the country.
As part of the Plan, 12 UK organisations who work to improve the lives of LGBT+ people have been awarded a total of £2.6 million government funding. The cash will support LGBT people in education, healthcare and the community.
Barnardo’s, Diversity Role Models, EqualiTeach, the National Children’s Bureau, Stonewall, and the Diana Award will split £1 million between them to continue their work in protecting children from anti-LGBT+ bullying. In addition, Advonet, the LGBT Foundation, London Friend, Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, and the Royal College of General Practitioners have received £1 million to improve the lives of LGBT+ people in health and social care.
However, in 2018, crime figures showed that homophobic and transphobic hate crime was on the rise. In October we revealed, that twelve percent (11,638 crimes) of recorded hate crimes in England and Wales were directed at gay and bisexual people which was a 17 percent increase over the previous year. While, two percent of recorded hate crime (1651 crimes) were those against transgender people – up a staggering 32 percent.
Overall recorded hate crimes were up, with nearly 100,000 crimes reported which was double the amount in just five years. The majority of hate crime (75%, 71,251 crimes) were racially motivated. Religious-based hate crime accounted for 9 percent (8336 crimes) of recorded crimes.
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A 15-year boy has been arrested after an alleged homophobic assault against another 15-year-old boy in Bury, north of Manchester in the UK. Shortly after 3:30PM on Monday, 11th Feb the victim, an unnamed student who is also 15-years-old was set upon by a number of males, according to a police report.
A confrontation then took place on Manchester Road Park, before the boy was assaulted by a number of males. The boy was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged.
A boy aged 15 has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody. Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the incident.
“Cowardly Attack”
Chief Inspector Phil Spurgeon of GMP’s Bury Division said, “This was a cowardly attack on a young man who was subjected to vile, homophobic abuse.
“After challenging his abusers, he was then assaulted by a number of offenders and had to be treated in hospital for his injuries. We are treating this offence with the utmost seriousness. We will not tolerate hate crime and will do everything in our power to apprehend offenders. While we have arrested one person, we are continuing to appeal for information on this crime and would ask that anyone if information contacts police immediately.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8172 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Anyone who thinks they have experienced hate crime should call police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
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A doctor who was instrumental in making PrEP accessible in the UK has died at the age of just 44.
Doctor Mags Portman was just 44 when she died from a rare form of cancer, according to Buzzfeed News. The doctor became a hero of the gay and bisexual community by making access to the HIV-preventative drug, PrEP easier for those who needed it. She was an HIV consultant at London’s Mortimer Market Centre, one of the capital’s busiest sexual health clinics.
She leaves behind a husband and two young children. She died in the early hours of Wednesday morning in her hometown of Leeds, at a hospice. She had been receiving treatment for mesothelioma, a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs.
The Terrence Higgin’s Trust, the UK’s leading HIV charity called the doctor a pioneer, saying “All of us at Terrence Higgins Trust are deeply saddened by the passing of the brilliant Dr Mags Portman.
Before adding that they pledge to “continue the fight for PrEP in her memory”.
All of us at Terrence Higgins Trust are deeply saddened by the passing of the brilliant Dr Mags Portman.
We pledge to continue the fight for PrEP in her memory. Please take some time to read about Mags’ vital role as a #PrEP pioneer.https://t.co/SVHsPfReCi
In October 2018 Mags took to her blog to write about her life with cancer and the treatment she received, in a post she titled, “Dancing With Death and Depression”. In the emotional post, the doctor documented how she lived with anxiety and unbearable pain. About anxiety, she wrote, “It reared it’s ugly head so quickly. I was taken completely unawares until was right in the middle of its grip, smothered by it. Rendered completely incapable. The “I can’t” voice in my head persisted, became louder and more repetitive. I would sit and wring my hands, rub my face and head, stand up and then sit down again over and over.”
She revealed that she managed to get help for her anxiety, writing “Thankfully, one of the GPs rang back within an hour and was absolutely great with me. He suggested starting medication (which I was glad about and ready to accept). He suggested Mirtazepine (which I was glad about too, because it also helps with sleep and appetite, and I was hoping for this). He also referred me to the Young Persons Support Team at St Gemma’s Hospice as a lot of my anxiety was around the boys and how we would get through the summer holidays with my deteriorating health.”
As the Register announced on Tuesday, anybody with an internet browser can get access to Jack’d’s user’s photographs, regardless of whether they are set to private or whether they have been shared or not.
The app, which has been downloaded over 100,000 times and boasts hundreds of thousands of users, gives gay and bi men a chance to talk each other up, trade private and open pics, and orchestrate meetings.
“Known about the security concerns for several months”
The Register says that the app’s creators have known about the security concerns for several months.
There is no requirement for users looking to get access to private data to prove their right to access or even agree to accept the application’s terms of use.
Jack’d says the application has five million customers in nations around the globe.
Mark Girolamo, chief executive of Jack’d parent company Online Buddies said, “Our tech team is aware of the photo vulnerability and has already programmed the changes for this fix.
“They will deploy the fix this Thursday, February 7.”
Users who may not be out to their families or co-workers chance having their sexuality uncovered, while the bug puts users in danger of torment or blackmail by potential abusers.
Delete data until the fix
San Francisco-based reporter Sean Nichols writes: “The app should place strict access restrictions on which images should be viewable so that if one user allows another user to see a [picture], only the receiver should be allowed to see it.”
Nichols recommends users may want to remove their private photos until the fix has been implemented.
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A rainbow flag will be raised on Friday, 1 February outside Bradford’s City Hall, to mark the start of LGBT history month 2019. Events will be taking place throughout the month.
The flag will be raised at Bradford Council’s Centenary Square flagpoles. All are welcome to attend the ceremony, at 10am on 1 February.
LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) history month is held in February each year to celebrate and recognise LGBT+ people and culture, past and present. This year’s theme is Peace, Activism and Reconciliation.
Bradford Council’s Youth Service will be marking LGBT history month with a series of youth group sessions throughout the month focussing on LGBT+ themes.
The Youth Service sessions during February will also include the Colours Youth Movement group, aimed at LGBT+ young people who are from black and minority ethnic groups.
Organisations are putting on events to celebrate LGBT history month.
Events going on in Bradford LGBT History Month
West Yorkshire Queer Stories, a collaboration between Brick Box Rooms and Leeds Queer Film Festival, is hosting a night of queer short films from 7pm on Thursday, 14 February at The Brick Box Rooms on Ivegate, Bradford.
At the same venue, Brick Box Rooms will be hosting their own ‘Strike a Pose’ night, with a film screening, vogue dance workshop and party. This will be from 7pm on Saturday, 16 February.
Bradford College is providing a programme of films, documentaries, exhibitions and workshops. A highlight will be a lunchtime screening on Wednesday, 13 February of the documentary Invisible Women, ‘the story of two LGBTQ revolutionaries’. This will be followed by questions with Angela Cooper, one of the extraordinary women featured in the 25 minute film.
Kala Sangam, working with the Peace Museum, will present a performance of Ice&Fire Theatre Company’s production This Is Who I Am, on Thursday, 21 February. The show offers first-hand accounts of LGBT+ people seeking asylum in the UK, read by members of the Actors for Human Rights Network. There will also be a post-show discussion.
The sexual health charity MESMAC will provide a number of information events, workshops and training throughout the month, at venues including Bradford Council, Bradford College and the University of Bradford.
Bradford Council will be supporting LGBT history month on social media, including on its Instagram account BradfordYouthVoice.
Coun Richard Dunbar, Bradford Council’s LGBT+ Champion, said: “In Bradford, yet again, we prove what an exciting, vibrant and welcoming district we are, with this programme for LGBT history month. There is something for everyone: film screenings, debates, plays and even a vogueing workshop!
“The golden thread which runs through our month of activities is an understanding of the struggles that the LGBT+ community has endured, but also a celebration of what we have achieved. That is why we place so much emphasis on support groups to ensure those who need the help have someone to turn to.
“Bradford Council is proud of the diversity of the people and organisations involved, including Equity Partnership, MESMAC, The Brick Box, Bradford Council’s Youth Service, Kala Sangam, The Peace Museum and Bradford College to name but a few. This is going to be a great month, do come and join us.”
Coun Abdul Jabar, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “LGBT history month is all about celebrating solidarity and difference. We are delighted to be raising the LGBT flag again to show our support for inclusivity and tolerance of all people.”
Kersten England, Bradford Council’s Chief Executive, said: “Raising the flag for LGBT history month shows our support for events happening locally across the district, and demonstrates nationally how we are backing the aims of LGBT equality. Thank you to our partners across the district who are providing a packed programme of fun and educational events.
“I’m particularly proud of the work our Youth Service is doing during LGBT history month and indeed all year round. Young people can feel very vulnerable as they start to grow as people and understand themselves. Providing much needed support, a safe space for young people to discuss their worries, and a place to meet friends can be life-changing.”
Bradford Council’s youth service groups provide peer support for young people to meet, socialise and get involved in activities and events. Anyone interested in the Youth Service’s activities can find out more by searching for Bradford Youth Service on the Council’s website.
A ruthless teenager has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the brutal murder of another man, in his own home.
(C) GMP
19-year-old Daniel Kurmelovs (22/05/2000) of Dalton Road, Middleton was sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years after being found guilty of the murder of a fifty-three-year-old man, Frank Lennon, at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.
Kurmelovs had strangled his victim to death and try to cover his tracks by splashing the body with toothpaste and cleaning products in an attempt to cover his tracks. After murdering Frank, Kurmelovs ransacked his victim’s home and stole cash, jewellery and other items.
Frank’s body was discovered by his siblings after they failed to hear back from him over the weekend. They went to his flat where they sadly discovered his body.
Strangled, fractured ribs and cuts to his ears
A post mortem determined that Frank had been killed by a compression to the neck. He also suffered fractured ribs and other injuries including cuts to his ear, which Kurmelovs had done with scissors in a bid to see whether Frank was still alive.
During the trial, the court heard how on the evening of Friday 20 July 2018, Frank had met Kurmelovs in a chance meeting in Manchester’s gay village.
The pair walked towards Chorlton Street bus station before catching a taxi to Frank’s home where they were intimate. They then walked inside his flat on Hamerton Road, Collyhurst shortly before 10 pm.
Six days later – having dramatically altered his appearance by shaving his head – Kurmelovs visited a friend in Middleton where he admitted to murdering a man for his cigarettes which he then attempted to sell.
Officers were alerted and Kurmelovs was arrested.
Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tonge, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said, “Kurmelovs brutally murdered Frank in his own home. Not satisfied that he was dead, he even took some scissors and cut Frank’s ear – an attempt, he claimed, to see if he was alive.
“Frank also suffered fractured ribs at the hands of Kurmelovs who undeterred by his actions, set about ransacking his flat and stealing his possessions which he brazenly tried to sell just days later.
“Kurmelovs tried to suggest that his actions were accidental and eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter but thankfully the jury were able to see through that excuse and today convicted him of murder.
“My thoughts remain with Frank’s family who have had to sit through the agony of a trial and the suffering of Kurmelovs’ excuses but I hope today can provide them with some comfort, knowing the man responsible is locked away where he can’t harm anyone else.”
“Loved by all”
(C) GMP
Paying tribute to Frank, his family said, “Frank was much loved by all his family and friends and had much life ahead of him.
“Frank was taken from us in July in completely unnecessary circumstances. We cannot express how devastated we are that his life has been stolen from him.
“Frank is missed every minute of every day.
“Today his killer has been sentenced, and justice has been served.
“We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Frank back or make our loss any easier.
“We need to attempt to move on and hopefully today will now provide closure for our pain over the last few months, however, we will never forget Frank or the many memories he has given us.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few months.”
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A demonstration, led by Peter Tatchell, All Out and Queer Tours of London were outside the Russian Embassy over the weekend to protest the “gay purge” in Chechnya.
As the “gay purge” continues in Chechnya, a protest group gathered outside the Russian Embassy in London to demand “never again ever”. The protest was timed to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day.
The protest organisers had four demands,
We call on Theresa May to publicly condemn these atrocities;
We ask all Governments to give shelter to those fleeing from Chechnya;
We call for a United Nations Independent Investigation on Russia with a specific mandate on the human rights violations in the Chechen Republic
We urge Russian authorities to bring those responsible for these atrocities to justice and, failing that, for the international community to intervene and arraign the perpetrators before the ICJ
“The heart-breaking reports of renewed state torture and murder of LGBT+ people are a damning indictment of the tyrannical Chechen regime and of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has refused to use his powers to stop the homophobic terror campaign and to bring perpetrators to justice. We deplore all human rights abuses in Chechnya – including detention without trial, torture and arbitrary killings. At this protest, we stand in solidarity with Chechen LGBTs and all persecuted Chechen people.”
Matt Beard, Executive Director of All Out, added:
“A new wave of brutal state-sponsored attacks against LGBT+ people is taking place in Chechnya right now. Silence is complicity. World leaders must condemn these atrocities and ask Russian authorities to bring those responsible to justice.”
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Adam Groffman is celebrating after his independent travel blog Travels of Adam won the silver place in the 2018 NATJA Awards Competition in the “Best Independent Travel Blog” category.
This awards competition, now in its 27th year, honours the best of the best in travel journalism, photography and destination marketing that cover all aspects of the travel industry.
Submissions for the competition are worldwide and reflect major publications, renowned journalists, and influential bloggers. “The winners are a microcosm of the talent, creativity and journalistic excellence that encapsulates our industry-leading members,” said Helen Hernandez, CEO, NATJA. “As our membership continues to grow so do the submissions of the accomplished pool of those who work in the travel industry—raising the competitiveness and prestige of the annual NATJA Awards.”
This is Adam Groffman’s second win from the NATJA awards, and follows a silver Lowell Thomas award last year from the Society of American Travel Writers, also for “best travel blog.”
“The inaugural awards dinner will feature the entrants whose work stood out amongst the hundreds of superb submissions competing for a NATJA Award,” said NATJA Advisory Board Chair Kathryn Farrington. “The NATJA board, staff and members would like to thank the judges for their time and expertise in evaluating this year’s submissions and identifying the best of the best from each category.”
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