THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • “Victory for love and equality” Peter Tatchell celebrates Civil Partnerships for all couples

    The Human Rights activist, Peter Tatchell has praised the Supreme Court ruling that mixed-sex couples should be allowed to have civil partnerships.

    A straight couple, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, have won their legal case, which will allow them to have a Civil Partnership instead of a traditional marriage.

    Up until now, the only couples permitted to have CPs were gay and lesbian couples.

    It was a law introduced by the Labour government in 2004, before the Conservatives, under David Cameron were able to vote and pass Same-Sex marriage.

    Civilly Partnered couples are entitled to many of the protections offered by marriage including, inheritance, tax, pension rights and next of kin arrangements.

    Steinfeld and Keidan argued that the Civil Partnership act was unlawful before it was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

    Speaking about the ruling, leading Human Rights activist, Peter Tatchell said, “This is a victory for love and equality. It was never right to deny opposite-sex couples the option of having a civil partnership. In a democracy, we are all supposed to be equal before the law. It is wonderful news that the Supreme Court has ruled against the government and in favour of equal civil partnerships”.

    This ruling overturns a previous judgement made by the Court of Appeal made in February 2017.

    Peter Tatchell has supported Rebecca Steinfeld’s and Charles Keidan from the outset of their legal challenge in 2014.

    Indeed, he championed the right of opposite-sex couples to have a civil partnership from the moment Tony Blair’s government announced in 2003 that the option would be available to same-sex couples only, condemning it as “blatant discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

    Speaking about today’s victory in the Supreme Court, Mr Tatchell said, “The ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships was discrimination and a violation of human rights. It is outrageous that the government was unwilling to legislate equality and that this couple were forced to go to court to get a basic human right – the right to be treated equally in law.

    “It was never fair that same-sex couples had two options, civil partnerships and civil marriages, whereas opposite-sex partners had only one option, marriage,” said Mr Tatchell.

    In May THEGAYUK.com ran a poll of its readers which found that 62 percent of LGBT+ people who answer believed that Civil Partnerships should be open to all couples, while only eight percent believed that they should remain for just same-sex couples.

    Thirty percent believed that Civil Partnerships should be scrapped altogether.

     

  • Straight couples should be able to get Civil Partnership, Supreme Court rules

    Straight couples should be able to get Civil Partnership, Supreme Court rules

    Mixed-sex couples should be allowed to have civil partnerships, Supreme Court rules.

    CREDIT: ©-welcomia-Depositphotos

    A straight couple, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, have won their legal case, which could allow them to have a Civil Partnership instead of a traditional marriage.

    Up until now, the only couples permitted to have CPs were gay and lesbian couples.

    It was a law introduced by the Labour government in 2004, before the Conservatives, under David Cameron were able to vote and pass Same-Sex marriage.

    Civilly Partnered couples are entitled to many of the protections offered by marriage including, inheritance, tax, pension rights and next of kin arrangements.

    Steinfeld and Keidan argued that the Civil Partnership act was unlawful before it was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

    This ruling overturns a previous judgement made by the Court of Appeal made in February 2017.

    In May THEGAYUK.com ran a poll of its readers which found that 62 percent of LGBT+ people who answer believed that Civil Partnerships should be open to all couples, while only eight percent believed that they should remain for just same-sex couples.

    Thirty percent believed that Civil Partnerships should be scrapped altogether.

     

  • Here’s how you say Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender in British Sign Language

    This brilliant video shows how to sign some important words for the LGBT+ community.

    Deaf Direct has produced this video of signs to help everybody speak a little BSL (British Sign Language) this pride season. So if you’ve ever wanted to know how to sign lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, now’s your chance!

    William and Simon, who both ID as gay, explain in the video that here in the UK we use BSL – rather than ASL (American Sign Language).

    Here they take you through the way in which you can communicate with people who know BSL.

    The words they recreate are:

    Lesbian

    Gay

    Bisexual

    Transgender

    Queer

    Straight

    Leather

    Bear

    Drag

    Pride Day

    Happy Pride Day

    Fabulous

    So go learn how to say Happy Pride Day you Fabulous Queers

  • This man is wanted in connection to a homophobic verbal assault in Southend

    This man is wanted in connection to a homophobic verbal assault in Southend

    Investigators are seeking this man in connection to a homophobic verbal assault on two men on a train in Southend.

    The British Transport Police are looking for a man in connection to an alleged homophobic hate crime against two men aboard a train in Southend, Essex, on the 7th May.

    British Transport Police report that at around 7.40pm, a man approached two men and verbally assaulted them with homophobic comments as he sat next to them. He then continued to mock them by rubbing one of the victim’s thighs and making offensive remarks about gay people.

    The victims then left their seats and got off the train at Chalkwell because they felt unsafe.

    Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte said, “Everyone has the right to travel without fear or intimidation and nobody should be subjected to offensive or homophobic language. I am keen to speak to anyone who was on the service and saw this incident.”

    Officers would like to speak to the men in these images as they believe they may be able to help them with their enquiries.

    Text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting 380 of 1 June, if they look familiar or you have any information that could help our investigation. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Man sought after homophobic abuse at London train station

    Man sought after homophobic abuse at London train station

    Investigators from British Transport Police are looking for this man in connection to a homophobic hate crime at London’s Bank station.

    On April 13th a man starting to shout homophobic abuse at two men waiting for a Northern Line train at Bank station in central London.

    The two victims moved to a different part of the platform and boarded the next train. However, the man continued to verbally abuse them, according to British Transport Police.

    Officers believe the man shown in this CCTV image may have information which could help them investigate.
    If you know who he is, get in touch by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 187 of 14/04/2018. Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
  • The World’s first Pride tour just took place in Cornwall, UK

    The World’s first Pride tour just took place in Cornwall, UK

    An open-topped bus took pride across the UK’s most southern county, Cornwall.

    The world’s first pride tour took place in Cornwall this weekend, taking in 11 towns and cities across the UK’s most southerly county.

    Stopping off at Wadebridge, Launceston, Bodmin, St Austell, Truro, Falmouth, Heartlands, Hayle, Marazion, Penzance and Newquay, the touring pride allowed thousands of people to take part and witness the pride event. Some of the towns, like Bodmin, had never hosted a pride event before.

    The tour bus took off just after 9:00 AM in Newquay and returned over 12 hours later.

    The UK’s largest flag was unfurled on the beach in front of St Michael’s Mount in Marazion.

    In all, the tour took over 11 hours and covered over a hundred miles across Cornwall. At each the UK’s largest pride flag was unfurled and everybody who was in the vicinity was invited to fly the flag.

    Jake Hook, the Editor and Chief of THEGAYUK.com who were invited along for the day said, “It was such a privilege to join Nathaniel and Mathew and the rest of the wonderful Cornwall Pride team on this, the first Pride tour. It’s a brilliant idea, that allows for people who aren’t able to travel to one centrally located pride, which could be miles away, a way to celebrate pride closer to home. The motto of the day was definitely, ‘if you can’t come to pride, pride will come to you’. It was breathtaking to see so many people waving the rainbow flag and getting into the spirit of pride, no matter how they identify”.

    Cornwall Pride’s official pride is to take place on the 25th August 2017. To find out more visit their website.

  • New support for LGBT people affected by cancer in Merseyside

    A new project to improve services and support for people in the LGBT community who are affected by cancer has been launched on Merseyside.

    The Macmillan LGBT Cancer Project aims to ensure that the needs of LGBT people affected by cancer in the Liverpool City Region are acknowledged and addressed in the provision of services, information and support.

    A key part of the project, which is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and hosted by Sahir House, is the Merseyside LGBT Health Survey 2018.

    The survey will help the team build a picture of the health of LGBT people, and identify where any gaps are, and tailor resources and services to meet the specific needs of LGBT communities in Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

    Richard Hunt, Partnership Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, who helped set up a similar successful scheme in Manchester, said, “LGBT people with cancer can often face disadvantage, inequality and discrimination. That’s why we have set up the Macmillan LGBT Cancer Project, and launched the Merseyside LGBT Health Survey, to get a greater understanding of the health of LGBT people across Merseyside.

    “If you are an LGBT person affected by cancer, or have cared for someone from the LGBT community who has experienced cancer, then we want to hear from you. We currently have a national picture of the challenges faced by the LGBT community, when they are affected by cancer, but not a local one. We need to understand the issues and experiences faced by the LGBT community across Merseyside, so we can work together to tackle inequalities, address any unmet needs and bridge any gaps in service provision, and to help improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.”

    Clare Carter and James Huyton have been appointed as the new Macmillan LGBT Cancer Programme Co-ordinators at Sahir House, which has been providing HIV support, prevention, information and training across Merseyside since 1985.

    Clare joins from the Terrence Higgins Trust, where she was involved in training, development and partnership work, while James joins from the LGBT Foundation and has a background in health promotion.

    Over the next 12 months, the pair will host various events and campaigns to engage with LGBT communities looking at issues relating to cancer, reducing isolation and increasing awareness, information and wellbeing. They will also be engaging with professionals, and providing training and support, to help them meet the specific needs of LGBT communities.

    Tessa Willow, Chief Executive of Sahir House, added: “Sahir House is excited to be working in partnership with Macmillan on this project, bringing this organisation’s extensive experience of engaging people from marginalised communities, including people from all parts of the LGBT spectrum. Sahir House is aware of the powerful affect discrimination can have on peoples’ abilities to access services on an equitable basis and the health inequalities that result from such discrimination.”

  • Porn star Tyler White dies aged, 25

    Tyler White, who performed in BrokeStraightBoys scenes has died at the age of 25.

    Tyler White has become the second gay porn star to have died this month after, Dave Slick, 26, was found dead in Chicago.

    Tyler White, who described himself as “gay for pay” on his Twitter account, was found at his mother’s home in North Providence, Rhode Island earlier this month on the 5th June.

    A friend of White’s alleged that drugs could be a factor in his death.

    Damien Kyle, wrote on Twitter, “No matter how hard you try to show someone there’s a better life without drugs they don’t seem to care… it’s too hard to kick the habit and for that mindset I lost a really close friend of mine”.

    The star’s funeral took place on the 13th June.

    During his porn career for BrokeStraightBoys White had racked up 24 scenes with the studio. He began at the age of 21.

    RIP Tyler.

     

     

     

  • Guess which country in the World Cup is swinging the biggest package

    Guess which country in the World Cup is swinging the biggest package

    World Cup fever is officially upon us and we’re finding ourselves casually enjoying the sight of 11 men running around a field, hugging and kissing each other.

    Who is the biggest on the pitch?

    Plus, sometimes you get to see what we’re calling the Louis, (that’s the no-undies-jiggle). Why do we call it the Louis – check out why here.

    Anyway, the World Cup is basically just one big sausage fest with a leather ball thrown into the middle of it. It got us wondering, which nation has the biggest package.

    Pure thoughts. I know.

    Luckily the good people at Hims made us a chart. It’s easy to read, print out and laminate. Apparently, according to Hims, this is so fans can compare players, tactics and well a new stat – their penis size.

    So from the 32 qualifying nations, it seems that the guys in Columbia are the monsters on the field, with an average whopper which measures 6.7 inches followed by the lads in Iceland, which inches in behind on 6.5 inches.

    We have no word on how Hims measured these stats, but we’re totally engrossed. We haven’t studied this hard since Home Economics GCSE.

    So who was at the bottom of the table?

    Coming in last was Japan, who measured at 4.3 inches and South Korea who measured at 4.6 inches – which is not to be sniffed at.

    We’re no size queens here.

    So where did England fit? British lads come 23rd in the line up with an average of 5.5 inches – sandwiched between Poland (5.63 inches) and Spain (4.45 inches). Dreams.

    Check out the measuring up table below.

    Now you’ll be able to watch the matches, armed with that little extra info you need.

    Knowledge is power people. Knowledge is power.

  • This fast food chain is saying bye bye to single use plastic straws

    This fast food chain is saying bye bye to single use plastic straws

    YAAASSSS.

    McDonald's is to phase out single-use plastic straws by 2019
    McDonald’s is to phase out single-use plastic straws by 2019

    The world is literally thanking McDonald’s RN.

    The mega-chain McDonald’s has announced that it’s to quit using plastic straws. It currently uses 1.8 million straws every day, according to the BBC – most of which are single use and end up in the trash.

    It is estimated that we use over 8 billion plastic straws in the UK each year and considering there is under 70 million of us in the country – that’s a lot of straw per person.

    The restaurant is to phase out the plastic in all 1361 of its UK and Irish store by 2019. The eventual aim is to make all of McDonald’s packaging sourced from renewable or recycled sources by 2025.

    Hans / Pixabay

    The new policy follows on from a successful trial in a few restaurants earlier in 2018. The company said, “Reflecting the broader public debate, our customers told us they wanted to see a move on straws”.

    Environment Secretary Michael Gove called it a “significant contribution” to helping the environment, adding that it was “a fine example to other large businesses”.

    But the change isn’t happening globally. BOOO.

    However, some users, have said that the banning of plastic straws could have unforeseen consequences for people who are disabled, who argue that plastic straws enable people to be able to drink independently, particularly for hot drinks. The eco alternatives either conduct or disintegrate with hot liquids.

  • Police make appeal after homophobic assault in Lambeth

    Police make appeal after homophobic assault in Lambeth

    Police are calling on witnesses after three people assault on London bus in Lambeth

    (C) MET POLICE

    Investigators have released a picture of a person they’d like to talk with in connection to an alleged assault on three passengers on board a London bus.

    The assault happened in March, but police are now looking for information on a suspect, who was asked to stop making homophobic remarks by fellow passengers.

    The assault happened at around 04:15hrs on Sunday, 25 March on board a N87 bus on Wandsworth Road, SW8.

    Members of the public were seated on the top deck of the bus when they overheard the suspect sitting in front of them swearing and making homophobic remarks.

    When asked to refrain from making such remarks, the suspect then proceeded to assault three passengers on the bus.

    The suspect is described as a black man with a shaved head and goatee beard wearing a smart blue suit, black shoes and grey scarf.

    Detective Constable Sarah Bunting of the Met’s Road & Transport Policing Command said, “This man is sought in connection with a homophobic assault on a bus.

    “If you know who this man is, or may be able to assist us in our investigation, please call 101 and quote CAD 1045/25Mar18.

    “The Met will not tolerate any form of hate crime and we strongly urge anyone who has been a victim of this sort of situation to call police and report it.”