If you can’t get to pride – Pride will come to you.
Organisers of have created an ingenious way of ensuring anybody and everybody who wants to get involved with a pride in their county, but can’t make to one central location, can now do so, because this pride is going on tour (and there’ll be drag queens – squeal!) It’s been called a pop-up pride and a flash pride.
The tour bus will be stopping off in 11 different locations on one day, the 23rd June. The stop offs include: Wadebridge 10:05 AM, Launceston 11.15 AM, Bodmin 12:35 PM, St Austell 13:55 PM, Truro 15:15 PM, Falmouth 16:30 PM, Heartlands 17:55 PM, Hayle 18:55 PM, Marazion 19:40 PM, Penzance 20:15 PM, Newquay 21:55 PM.
10.05 Wadebridge – Camel Trail nr. Lidl
11.15 Launceston – Launceston Castle
12.35 Bodmin – Town Council Court
13.55 St Austell – White River Place nr. the Cinema
15.15 Truro – Outside Hall for Cornwall
16.30 Falmouth – Prince of Wales Pier
17.55 Pool – Heartlands, outside the engine house nr. Red River Cafe
18.55 Hayle – Penpol Creak. Park outside Spar
19.40 Marazion – The Station House
20.15 Penzance – Harbour
21.55 Newquay – Killacourt
The event is being called, Come Out For Cornwall and will take place on Saturday 23rd June 2018 and will be a celebration of being proud to be you as we travel throughout Cornwall in our ‘Pride Bus for the day’, visiting most of the major towns to spread the word about Pride and what it means as well as enforcing the message that Cornwall is an inclusive and accepting place to live work and visit, no matter who you are. To find out more click here.
One of the UK’s most prominent Human Rights campaigners has been arrested in Russia, ahead of the World Cup.
CREDIT: Monty McKinnen
Peter Tatchell has been arrested in Moscow after protesting Russia’s mistreatment of LGBT+ citizens as the FIFA World Cup commences.
** Updated** go to end of the article for update
Mr Tatchell was holding a banner supporting gay men who have been violently targeted in a “gay purge” in Chechnya while standing next to the statue Marshal Zhukov close to the Kremlin.
This is the campaigner’s sixth visit to Russia in solidarity with the LGBT+ freedom struggle there. He was previously arrested twice during protests in Moscow and suffered brain damage after being attacked by Russian neo-Nazis in 2007.
Peter Tatchell, speaking from Moscow before the protest, said,
“I was exercising my lawful right to protest, under the Russian constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and the right to protest in Articles 29 and 31. A one-person protest, which is what I did, requires no permission from the authorities and the police.
“Getting arrested is standard for Russians who protest for LGBT+ rights or against corruption, economic injustice and Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its bombing of civilians in Syria.
“Unlike brave Russian protesters, I have the ‘protection’ of a British passport, which means I have been treated more leniently than they are.
“My fate was mild compared to what often happens to Russians who dare to challenge the Putin regime. I am awed by their courage.”
“President Putin has failed to condemn and act against the homophobic witch-hunts in Chechnya, which have seen scores of LGBT+ people arrested and tortured, with some even being killed.
“The singer Zelim Bakaev disappeared in Chechnya in August 2017 and has never been seen since.
“Russia’s 2013 anti-gay law against so-called ‘homosexual propaganda’ has been used to suppress peaceful LGBT+ protests, sack LGBT+ teachers and suppress welfare organisations that support LGBT+ teenagers.
“Little action has been taken by the Russian government and police to crack down on far-right extremists who target LGBT+ people for violent and humiliating assaults – including the instigators of the current threats to bash and stab LGBT+ football fans at the World Cup.
Released:
Mr Tatchell received consular assistance during his detention.
Speaking from Moscow, Mr Tatchell said:
“I am required to appear in court on 26 June for violating Federal Law 54 and Presidential Decree 202, which prohibit all protests near the Kremlin and during the World Cup.
“I have written a letter to the Chief of Police of Kitay-Gorod police district, requesting that my court appearance is voided on the grounds that I am flying back to the UK on 18 June. I have been told I will be free to leave Russia on that date as planned. I spent one hour and 40 minutes in police custody, from the moment I was detained near the Kremlin to the moment of my release from the police station.
“Senior officers were stern but the apprehending officer very helpful, friendly and polite. I presume I was well treated, partly because I am a UK citizen and because a senior British Embassy consular official, Colin Wells, contacted the police. I guess the Russians also did not want to be seen as being heavy-handed during the World Cup.”
Two years ago, a lone gunman entered the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida and opened fire. He killed 49 people and wounded dozens more.
On the 11th June, the popular Latin night at Pulse was in full swing. Pulse was a well-known LGBT club standing around a mile from downtown Orlando. That club has now become world-famous for the terrible atrocity and the events that would unfold well into the early hours of the 12th June. The attack would become the deadliest mass shooting by a single shooter in the United States.
That night, around 320 people were packed into the club, they were dancing, drinking and watching the entertainment. The night was just about to come to an end as last orders were announced at around 2:00 AM (the early morning on the 12th). At 2.02 AM the gunman entered the building and began shooting indiscriminately and holding terrified patrons hostage for hours before the siege was ended at 5:05 AM when police enforcement and a SWAT team stormed the building.
Dozens were killed and many received life-changing injuries.
Who are the victims?
Stanley Almodovar III, age 23
Amanda Alvear, 25
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Antonio D. Brown, 30
Darryl R. Burt II, 29
Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25
Luis D. Conde, 39
Cory J. Connell, 21
Tevin E. Crosby, 25
Franky J. Dejesus Velazquez, 50
Deonka D. Drayton, 32
Mercedez M. Flores, 26
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Juan R. Guerrero, 22
Paul T. Henry, 41
Frank Hernandez, 27
Miguel A. Honorato, 30
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Jason B. Josaphat, 19
Eddie J. Justice, 30
Anthony L. Laureano Disla, 25
Christopher A. Leinonen, 32
Brenda L. Marquez McCool, 49
Jean C. Mendez Perez, 35
Akyra Monet Murray, 18
Kimberly Morris, 37
Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27
Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, 20
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25
Eric I. Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32
Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24
Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24
Xavier E. Serrano Rosado, 35
Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Shane E. Tomlinson, 33
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Luis D. Wilson-Leon, 37
Jerald A. Wright, 31
Here are the reports that we have from the night and the year beyond, that changed the LGBT community in the US.
Dave Slick who starred in films for gay porn studios, Falcon Studios has died at the age of 26
The actor from Scotsdale, USA, who had starred in films for Falcon Studios, as well as cam-sex site Chaturbate, has died in Chicago, he was just 26-year-old. He was in the Chicago for the Exxxotica Expo convention.
“The missing man was found unconscious and not breathing about 11:35 a.m. Friday in a bathroom on the 100 block of West Jackson in Chicago, police said. He was taken to Rush University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead”.
Tim Valenti, Naked Sword and Falcon Studios president, said, “He was earnest and ambitious. This is a tragic loss.”
During photos today at FlexSpas Cleveland! ? #towelselfie #almostnaked #behindthescenes #pornlife #menoffalcon #falconstudios #bathhouse #bathhouses #cleveland
A post shared by Dave Slick (@itsdaveslick) on
Tony Dimarco, a director for Falcon said on Twitter, “It’s heartbreaking to hear the news of the passing of DaveSlick@itsdaveslick It’s really hard to process it all. He was a super sweet guy and kind soul. My deepest sympathy’s go out to all his friends and family. Gone too soon, you will be greatly missed.”
It’s heartbreaking to hear the news of the passing of Dave Slick @itsdaveslick It’s really hard to process it all. He was a super sweet guy and kind soul. My deepest sympathy’s go out to all his friends and family. Gone too soon, you will be greatly missed. ? pic.twitter.com/UyOhNsRCgE
Speaking about the overturn, Human Rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell said, “Bermuda’s Supreme Court was right to rule that the repeal of same-sex marriage by the country’s parliament was unconstitutional.
“Under Bermuda’s constitution and its international treaty obligations the state is duty-bound to guarantee equal treatment and non-discrimination to all its citizens.
“This ruling will encourage and empower legal challenges to criminalisation and marriage inequality across the Caribbean, many of which are bound to succeed. It is indicative of the unstoppable global trend towards LGBT+ equal human rights.”
Rights won and loss
In 2017 Bermuda legalised gay marriage after a couple won the right to marry on the island after a Supreme court challenge found that not allowing gay couples to wed would be discrimination.
The couple used the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda’s Human Rights Act to argue their case. They said that not allowing them to marry constituted as discrimination on the basis of their sexuality, something that the act expressly forbids.
2016 Referendum
In 2016 Bermuda held a non-binding referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage and were asked two questions:
“Are you in favour of same-sex marriage in Bermuda?” and “Are you in favour of same-sex civil unions in Bermuda?”
Both votes were lost by 69 percent and 63 percent respectively with just 46.89 percent of the electorate turning out to vote on the issue. The low turn out makes the referendum invalid according to The Royal Gazette.
Research from Public Health England has revealed that there were nearly half a million (422,000) new sexually transmitted infections recorded in 2017. Although this number has been described as “stable” from the previous year, cases of syphilis have rocketed by 20 percent, from 5955 in 2016 to 7137 in 2017.
Worryingly, the highest rates of STIs are occurring in 16 to 24 year-olds, showing that the current sex ed situation in our schooling system is woefully inadequate.
There has been a fall in genital warts reported, which the report says reflects the widespread uptake of the HPV vaccine which is given to girls aged 12-13.
The HPV vaccine is not offered to boys of the same age.
Drops in chlamydia rise in gonorrhoea
The humble condom remains the best way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections. FILE PHOTO / depositphotos.com
The report also shows that there’s been an eight percent decline in chlamydia testing and a two percent drop in chlamydia diagnoses in 15-24-year-olds. However, there was a 22% rise in cases of gonorrhoea in 2017 compared to 2016 (from 36,577 in 2016 to 44,676 in 2017).
Dr Gwenda Hughes, Consultant Scientist and Head of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Section at PHE, said, “Sexually transmitted infections pose serious consequences to health – both your own and that of your current and future sexual partners.
“Consistent and correct condom use with new and casual partners is the best defence against STIs, and if you are at risk, regular check-ups are essential to enable early diagnosis and treatment.”
PHE has recommended, “Those at risk of STIs can access services through sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics. PHE recommend regular HIV and STI testing for those with new or casual partners. Men who have sex with men who are having condomless sex with new or casual partners should seek testing every three months. Local STI services can be located online via NHS Choices.
*A previous version of this article stated that the research was from NHS England, when in fact it was Public Health England. It has been corrected to reflect this.
The Armed Forces, including representatives from the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force, are set to join the York Pride Parade on Saturday 9th June.
This is the first time that representatives from any of the Armed Forces have been a part of York Pride. The British Army will also be having a stall at the Knavesmire where York Pride’s main event will commence following the Parade.
Greg Stephenson, Chair of York Pride, said, “We are delighted that the Armed Forces will be joining York Pride on 9th June and we are incredibly thankful for the support we have received from them so far. As a charity, we are committed to promoting LGBT+ inclusivity and fostering a supportive community spirit. We believe that having the Armed Forces marching in the parade symbolises the idea that as a society we should be supporting one another and advocating tolerance and not hate. It’s an incredible thing to see happen and is testament to just how much York Pride has grown over the last few years.”
Captain James Steel said, “It is an honour for me to represent the Army at the York Pride Parade. As a member of the Armed Forces, being able to fly the flag for our own LGBT+ community and the Army as a whole makes me immensely proud. It’s the first time the Services have been involved in this local Pride event, and I’m looking forward to marching alongside my colleagues from the Royal Navy and RAF.”
This year, York Pride will take place on Saturday 9th June. It will begin at approximately 11:45 am outside of the Minster, with the Parade setting off at around 12:00 pm. The main event on the Knavesmire will begin at 13:00 pm.
Apparently, the hashtags were approved by LGBT+ charity GLAAD. It’s just a part of the way Instagram is celebrating Pride Month – which is the entire month of June.
A sex party in New York is charging the bottoms $40 more to attend.
CREDIT: Depositphotos.com
So the deal is: Bottoms (known in this scenario as cumdumps) are blindfolded all night while the tops cum and go, until the bottoms have had their fill (this shiz writes itself).
I mean it sounds like people are getting what they want from the deal, except where the entry charge is concerned. Tops are charged $25 entry while the bottoms are charged $65. If you’re Vers but pay to enter as a top, don’t think you can cheat the system and get a sneaky sesh in.
Speaking to GSN, the promoter of the event which is called Anonymous said, “The way the party works is that bottoms volunteer as a cum-dump. They are placed into position for the entirety of the party and stay there as long as they want. I’m a big old bottom, and this has always been a fantasy of mine, but for it to work – and for the experience to be achieved for the cum-dump bottoms – we need a huge ratio of tops to bottoms, which means discounting admission for anyone who wants to top.
“That’s also part of what the bottoms are paying more for – guaranteed high numbers of tops. We are not proctoring anybody’s sexual identity, we’re just asking which role you’ll prefer to play in this particular fantasy experience.
“If someone is versatile they can play as a top. They just can’t switch over to bottom during the party because the bottoms have already volunteered for a limited number of spots in advance.”
So are they discriminating against someone for their sexual preference? Apparently not it’s all about fulfilling the fantasy.
“That’s also part of what the bottoms are paying more for – guaranteed high numbers of tops”.
Ah, so it’s all about supply and demand. The American Dream!
Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party and long-time MP for Brighton has announced that she will not be running for co-leadership of her party again.
One of the UK’s most prominent LGBT+ ally MPs, Caroline Lucas has announced that she won’t seek to be reelected as the Green Party‘s leader in this summer’s leadership vote.
She was the first and only MP for Brighton Pavilion, known as the “gay capital” of the UK.
She currently shares the leadership role with Jon Bartley. She and Bartley took over the leadership position from Natalie Bennett in 2016.
Lucas along with Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood and Arlene Foster made history in the UK at the last General Election when the majority of the major political parties in the UK had a female leader.
Ms Lucas has said that she will be spending more time focusing on her work in Parliament and her constituents in Brighton.
I’m not re-standing for co-leadership of @TheGreenParty.
So proud to have done the co-leadership thing with @jon_bartley – and to leave the party representing people in more places than ever.
The Green Party’s leadership is voted on once every two years and there was a vote due for this summer.
Ms Lucas has consistently voted for equal LGBT+ rights since she came to office in 2010 and has spoken out against inequality facing the gay community numerous times.
The news of her decision not to run as the leader has been met with backing from well-wishers who support her mission to concentrate on her constituents.
@CarolineLucas is one of the few politicians I respect and admire. She has strength and integrity. She is principled and purposeful. Her departure from the Green Party leadership, while showing her fairness and modesty, is a huge blow to the country. https://t.co/TEZnKJZzMs
Thank goodness @CarolineLucas is only stepping down as party leader and not as an excellent MP.
We need more MPs like Caroline Lucas who stand up and fiercely and eloquently make their case.https://t.co/ruXC0JVxto
A politician willingly stepping down because it’s the ‘right thing to do’? I’m seriously impressed. Far too many leaders grasp and cling onto power for power’s sake…https://t.co/gKz6KCM7nj
— Helene (Len) McCarthy (@LenMcCarthy17) May 29, 2018
“I wasn’t attracted to Asian men… I was a hot, surfer, California boy type, that he probably could have only gotten had he bought, paid for”
Former model and actor, Scott Brunton has admitted that the groping he alleges George Takei of doing in the early 80s may not have actually happened.
In November 2017 Brunton alleged that after a few drinks at Takei’s home in California, where he fell asleep on a bean bag chair and awoke to find his trousers were around his ankles. He claimed Takei, who was 43 or 44 at the time, was groping him.
This was the first and only allegation of this sort against George Takei.
Takei responded to the allegations via Twitter as “personally painful”. He wrote a statement saying he was “shocked and bewildered at these claims”
Brunton clarifies
Speaking more recently to the Observer, Scott Brunton relived the story he had told The Hollywood Reporter,
Shane Snow reporting for the Observer asks, “I asked him to clarify the issue. ‘Did he touch your genitals?’”
“’You know…probably…’ Brunton replied after some hesitation, “He was clearly on his way to…to…to going somewhere,’”
“So you don’t remember him touching your genitals?” asks Snow.
Brunton confessed he did not remember any touching.
He admitted that it could have been a ‘misunderstanding’, but insists it was an ‘unwanted situation’. He finally told the Observer ‘it might not have happened’.
Brunton then added, “He was 20 years older than me and short. And I wasn’t attracted to Asian men… I was a hot, surfer, California boy type, that he probably could have only gotten had he bought, paid for or found someone just willing to ride on his coattails of fame.”
The episode itself was “not painful, ‘It didn’t scar me,” Brunton said.
Takei’s Response
George took to Twitter to thank fans who “stood by” the actor during the allegations. He wrote,
“As many of you know, this has been a very difficult period for myself and my husband Brad as we have dealt with the impact of these accusations, but we are happy to see that this nightmare is finally drawing to a close.
“As I stated before, I do not remember Mr. Brunton or any of the events he described from forty years ago, but I do understand that this was part of a very important national conversation that we as a society must have, painful as it might be.
“It is in that spirit that I want folks to know, despite what he has put us through, I do not bear Mr. Brunton any ill will, and I wish him peace.
“Brad and I are especially grateful for the many fans who stood by me throughout this ordeal. Your support kept us going, and we are so immensely thankful for you.”
