THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • TheGayUK says goodbye to its APP

    So long, fair well…

    THEGAYUK.com will switch off its bar finder and news app from today at 11.59PM. When the app was first launched it was one of the only venue finders for the LGBT+ community – however, Google now makes finding your nearest gay club so easy the need to have a dedicated app is pretty redundant.

    THEGAYUK’s editor, Jake Hook said, “When we first started working with our developers back in 2013, it was sold as an app that could also be used as a chat app – despite repeated calls for the developers to reinstate and upgrade that feature, it never materialised. In order for us ensure a good return on the development and administration time spent on getting the app ready, we decided to press ahead and despite over 40,000 people downloading and using the app since 2013, it’s not a good or effective use of our resources.”

    THEGAYUK, however, is more widely available than ever before. News is available on the global news app, Apple News and we’re working to bring it to Android. We’ll also be announcing further development of sources for our news throughout 2018.

    At the end of last year, THEGAYUK launched its LGBT+ podcast on Apple, TuneIn and Soundcloud. Each episode features a well-known celeb or VIP and they talk to our editor and chief, Jake Hook, about their life and time.

     

  • With millions of anti-gay slurs on Twitter every year, is the platform safe for LGBT+ users?

    Millions of anti-gay slurs are issued on Twitter every year – so is Twitter up to the task of weeding out and stamping out homophobia?

    Granted there’s been a massive fall from the homophobia seen at its peak in 2013, but millions of slurs are still being published on Twitter every year. NoHomophobe.com has been tracking four commonly used slurs, “faggot”, “No Homo”, “So Gay” and “Dyke” since 2012.

    Today the website has tracked over 38 million instances of the word “faggot”, 13 million uses of the words “No Homo”, 12 million uses of the term “So Gay” and over 6 million uses of the word “Dyke”.

    The website was created by the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, at the University of Alberta, to “show the prevalence of casual homophobia in our society”, back in 2012.

    Although there has been a decrease, there are spikes in the usage of these harmful words. For instance, just before Donald Trump’s win as President in the 2016 US Election, Twitter saw a surge in the word “faggot”.

    Indeed, there are countless stories of LGBT+ celebrities suffering homophobic abuse, and then there are the celebs themselves who are caught with homophobia on their timelines, like Stormzy, Jack Maynard, Josh Rivers and Amir Khan.

    In recent months, however, the word “Dyke” has seen a dramatic increase in usage.

    What is Twitter doing about it?

    LoboStudioHamburg / Pixabay What is Twitter doing about the trans, bi and homophobia on its platform?

    Twitter does have policies in place to protect its community, but does it go far enough?

    Twitter says, “We will review and take enforcement action against accounts that target an individual, group of people, or a protected category with any of the following behavior [sic] in their profile information, i.e., usernames, display names, or profile bios”.

    Abusive slurs, racism and misogyny are explicitly cited, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are not.

    Twitter also, however, notes that it will not act upon insults in its policy.

    So does Twitter really have a handle on hate directed towards the LGBT+ community?

  • Primark and Stonewall slammed for Pride merch – that doesn’t support prides

    Today Primark announced it was releasing a brand new range of pride merch – with just 20 percent of the sale price going to Stonewall, but not to prides.

    Primark has teamed up with Stonewall to sell pride merch, with famous pride cities, like Madrid, Brighton and London emblazoned across the products – but none of the profits are supporting prides.

    The UK Pride Organisers Network has called out the scheme as disappointing for not supporting local prides, some of which are struggling financially.

     

    Stonewall, while attending many prides across the UK – except Pride In London this year, does not organise any pride events in the UK.

    In a statement the UK Pride Organisers Network said,

    “After being alerted by some members, the Network was disappointed to see that proceeds from Primark’s range of ‘Pride’ clothing and accessories, launched in time for Pride season, is not being donated to the Pride organisations that organise these events. Instead, it is being given to Stonewall who, whilst they attend some Prides, do not organise the events themselves.

    “All Pride organisations are voluntary bodies that struggle every year to raise the funds necessary to hold these major public events, most of which are free to attend. In the last week, in one city where Primark will be selling these products, the Pride has announced it is scaling back its event due to a lack of funds. This is a daily reality for most Pride organisers.

    “Stonewall have been critical of Prides in the past, and this is an insult to those Prides who sell their own merchandise to raise funds for their events. We urge everyone who wants to support their local Pride to do so by purchasing merchandise from them, or from stallholders at the event. And we call on Stonewall to work with us to reallocate the income they receive from this partnership so that it can be used to directly support Pride organisers who are driving the Pride movement for the good of all LGBT+ people across the UK.

    “Finally, given Primark’s history, we seek reassurances from Primark that the production of these items is not taking place in any country where homosexuality is illegal.

    “A full map of all UK Pride events can be found on our website at http://www.ukpon.lgbt/pridedates/  If you wish to make contact and support your local Pride, we are sure that any support would be most welcome.”

  • This company is selling Martyn Hett’s homepage for thousands of dollars

    This company is selling Martyn Hett’s homepage for thousands of dollars

    It’s a year ago since Martyn Hett was tragically killed along with 21 other people, after a bomb exploded at the Manchester Arena.

    Today, one year on, Martyn Hett‘s website is up for sale for $2295 by the company HugeDomains.com, a company that sells domains it describes as “premium domains”.

    Martyn has become a Twitter legend since his death, with his name trending numerous times since last year. A heartwarming hashtag #BeMoreMartyn is reminding people to have fun and not to take life too seriously.

    MartynHett.com is still linked from his official Twitter account. Visitors who visit his URL are greeted with a sales page, offering the domain for thousands of dollars. The original domain would have most likely cost under $20.

    HugeDomains.com is offering the deceased PR manager and reality TV star’s former website for a whopping $2295 or in 12 monthly payments of $192. As part of their sale’s pitch, the seller reminds potential customers, “Besides being memorable, .com domains are unique: This is the one and only .com name of it’s kind. Other extensions usually just drive traffic to their .com counterparts.”

    HugeDomains is not the only company selling the domain, name.com is selling it for £1965.

  • Here’s who came TOP in the European Gay Porn Awards

    Last week, London played host to the Annual Prowler European Porn awards.

    The calm before the climax

    Fire Nightclub in London was filled to the brim with porn stars from all over Europe last week, as the annual European Porn Awards exploded in a night of celebrating everything gay porn. THEGAYUK.com was there to witness it all… Every naughty detail.

    The night was hosted by Chi Chi LaRue and Mr Pam. Providing some of the entertainment was the luscious La Voix.

    Best European Top

    • Paddy O’Brian (WINNER)
    • Kayden Gray
    • Kris Evans
    • Ronnie English
    • Tim Kruger

    Best European Bottom

    • Logan Moore (WINNER)
    • Andy Star
    • Gabriel Cross
    • Aymeric DeVille
    • Kevin Warhol
    • Kamyk Walker
    Chi Chi LaRue in command

    Best European Newcomer

    • Dani Robles (WINNER)
    • Jonas Jackson
    • Bulrog
    • Guillaume Wayne
    • Camilo Uribe
    • Drew Dixon

    Best European Fetish Porn Star

    • Kamyk Walker (WINNER)
    • Ashley Ryder
    • Jeffrey Lloyd
    • Aymeric DeVille
    • Logan Moore
    • Ashton Bradley

    Best European Daddy

    • Viktor Rom (WINNER)
    • Nick North
    • Jay Red
    • Dave London
    • Tim Kruger
    • Francois Sagat

    Best European Couple

    • Theo Ford & Gabriel Cross — MEN (WINNER)
    • Johannes Lars & Dave London — Eurocreme
    • Kayden Gray & Jack Taylor — Uk Hot Jocks
    • Leo Rex & Kamyk Walker — Blake Mason
    • Baptiste Garcia & Chris Loan — French Twinks
    • Dato Foland & Dani Robles — Men At Play
    La Voix entertained the masses

    Best European Twink

    • Paul Delay (WINNER)
    • Ken Summers
    • Kamyk Walker
    • Jasper Rhodes
    • Matteo Lavigne
    • Jaro Stone

    Best European Jock

    • Gabriel Phoenix (WINNER)
    • Kevin Warhol
    • Logan Moore
    • Paddy O’Brian
    • Guillaume Wayne
    • Kayden Gray

    Best European Cam Model

    • Xavier Sibley (WINNER)
    • Matt Lloyd
    • Paddy Pass
    • Evan & Aaron
    • Taylor Blaze
    • Matt Kayd

    Best European Director

    • Paul Stag — TreasureIslandMedia (WINNER)
    • Adrian Anderson — Men At Play
    • Luis Acosta — Fuckermate
    • George Mason — HungYoungBrit
    • Sean Hardy — Eurocreme
    • Antione Lebel — French Twinks

    Hottest European Porn Star

    • Max Duro (WINNER)
    • Darius Ferdynand
    • Jack Harrer
    • Viktor Rom
    • Paddy O’Brian
    • Tim Kruger

    Best European Studio

    • Staxus (WINNER)
    • Eric Videos
    • Bel Ami
    • Fuckermate
    • Tim Tales
    • Men At Play

    Best European Website

    • HungYoungBrit (WINNER)
    • Tim Tales
    • Bel Ami
    • Fuckermate
    • Brutal Tops
    • French Twinks

    Best European DVD

    • Guy Spotting — Blake Mason, NakedSword (WINNER)
    • Is That You Daddy? — Eurocreme
    • 18 Years & Horny — French Twinks
    • Bel Ami Legends — Lukas Ridgeston
    • Geared — Bulldog
    • Raw Summer Heats — Fuckermate

    Best European Fetish DVD

    • Destroying Logan Moore — Treasure Island Media (WINNER)
    • Hard Gear 2 — Uk Hot Jocks
    • Desolate — Boynapped
    • Kinky Angels Jack Harrer — G Dory
    • Sex Skins — Cazzo
    • Gaped — Bulldog

    Best European Scene

    • One Hour Detention — French Twinks (WINNER)
    • Dani Robles & Kayden Gray — Men At Play
    • Destroying Logan Moore Gangbang — TreasureIslandMedia
    • Camilo Uribe & Joaquin Santana — Fuckermate
    • Koby Lewis & Kayden Gray — Blake Mason/ NaedSword
    • Jean Franko & Paddy O’Brian — MEN

    Best International Porn Star

    • Max Carter (WINNER)
    • Armond Rizzo
    • Dolf Dietrich
    • William Seed
    • Rocco Steele
    • Blake Mitchell

    Best Media Supporting European Gay Porn

    • Boner (WINNER)
    • Chulazos XXX
    • Dirty Boyz
    • Queer Me Now
    • COP Blog
    • QX Men

    Best Social Media Personality

    • Topher Taylor (WINNER)
    • Riyadh Khalaf
    • Chris Cocker
    • James Majesty
    • Davey Wavey
    • Calum McSwiggan

    Lifetime Achievement

    • Sam Barclay (WINNER)

  • Everything You Need To Know About Durham Pride 2018

    If you’re planning to go to Durham pride here’s everything you need to know before the 2018 event.

    This year’s Durham Pride takes place on the on Sunday 27th May 2018 to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT+ community of Durham and surrounding areas. This year’s event will be the fifth in Durham.

    What time does Durham Pride begin?

    The Durham Pride parade officially begins at 1 PM until 6 PM.

    Is there a parade?

    Yes, the parade leaves from Palace Green from 1.15 PM. People taking part in the parade are asked to make sure they’re at the green from 12:30 PM.

    Where is Durham Pride?

    Durham Pride takes place at the Sands Durham, the official postcode for the venue is: DH1 1LH, with an official after party held at KLUTE Durham.

    What does Durham Pride cost?

    Durham Pride is free for everyone to take part in however you can purchase VIP tickets for the main stage tent. VIP tickets cost £10 and include, Access to VIP Bar/toilets and best stage views, Fast track entry to Afterparty at Klute Durham (before 8pm),
    VIP tickets 18+ only for Afterparty. All proceeds go to Durham Pride and charity.

    What entertainment will there be at Durham Pride?

    This year the organisers have invited “Black Heart” hitmakers, Stooshe. Along with X Factor heartthrob Lloyd Daniels. There’s also the Northern Proud Voices choir, Mickey Modelle, Smashby, Tess Tickle and the Dragettes and Love Inc, featuring Simone Denny. The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert will also be singing hits from the show.

    Does Durham Pride have a website?

    Absolutely. You can view all thing Durham Pride HERE

    What should I bring to pride?

    We’ve created a list of Pride survival ideas. Take a look – but don’t forget to bring sunscreen, money and fully charged phone!

    Need a place to stay? Check out our Hotel partners at Hotels.com for available hotels and B&Bs in the Durham area. Check the Travelodge website for the best deals.

     

  • What time does Lancaster Pride start and where is it?

    With just one day to go until Lancaster Pride, this year’s pride promises to be the biggest ever.

    The incredible artwork created by the late Amy Winehouse’s tattoo artist, Henry Hate.

     

    Lancaster Pride is an LGBT festival organised by Out in the Bay, a local charity providing support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in the Lancaster area, as well as raising awareness for LGBT issues and campaigns.

    Speaking about what Pride mean, Robert Mee, the CEO of Lancaster Pride said, “Pride is about everyone coming together to support each other to stand side by side to challenge hate and intolerance and to be able to build a better future of equality for all of us.”

    What time does Lancaster Pride begin?

    The Lancaster Pride parade officially begins at 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

    Is there a parade?

    Lancaster has a parade at this year’s event, and it will be the second in the pride’s history, with the parade taking place from Dalton Square.

    The set off place for the parade is Dalton Square and will turn right on George Street and continue along Spring Garden Street. The procession will then turn right onto the A6 and proceed northwards in the right-hand lane.

    The parade will then turn right into Church Street and once located inside the pedestrianised area will temporarily halt to allow the participants a breather and to allow the procession to reform.

    The procession will turn right onto Gt John St and proceed up the left-hand lane. The procession will then turn left to finish in Dalton Sq.

    Speaking at the parade will be Clive Grunshaw, the police and crime commissioner, Erica Lewis a Cat Smith representative, Kara from the multi-faith Church and Doctor Sweeney.

    Where is Lancaster Pride?

    Most of the day’s events will take place in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall. The postcode is: LA4 4AU.

    What does Lancaster Pride cost?

    Lancaster Pride is free for everyone to take part in.

    What entertainment will there be at Lancaster Pride?

    Performing at Lancaster Pride is the singer Whigfield, who you will remember had the massive, number 1 hit, “Saturday Night”. Also appearing is a slew of talent who will be appearing on stage from 11 AM until 6:30 PM in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall.

    Does Lancaster Pride have a website?

    Absolutely. You can view all thing Lancaster Pride HERE

    What should I bring to pride?

    We’ve created a list of Pride survival ideas. Take a look – but don’t forget to bring sunscreen, money and fully charged phone!

    Need a place to stay? Check out our Hotel partners at Hotels.com for available hotels and B&Bs in the Lancaster area.

  • Want to watch porn in the UK? You might need to ask your newsagent

    The Conservatives are forging ahead with a new law that means that if you want to watch porn on the internet, you will have to prove you are over the age of 18.

    The new system will allow people to buy an anonymous pass to watch porn in the UK.

    Plans are being made to make “porn passes” available at local newsagents, which will allow people in the UK who want to watch porn to bypass inputting personal data which proves their age to various porn sites, according to The Independent. It is a way in which people can access porn anonymously once the new law comes into force.

    The law means that you have to prove you are over the age of 18 before you can access porn sites in the UK and is part of the Digital Economy Act. The rules will apply to any website or platform which offers porn on a “commercial basis”.

    Advocates for the new rules hope that the measures will protect children from online porn.

    “PORN PASS”

    How do you feel about giving over your details to prove your age?

    Buying a “porn pass” means that you will have to hand over personal information to your local newsagent, who will be able to issue you with an anonymous pass, which will allow you access to adult sites in the UK.

    A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which is responsible for the new legislation, said, “We are in the process of implementing some of the strictest data protection laws in the world.

    “A wide variety of online age verification solutions exist, or are in development, and they will have to abide by these high standards. We expect data security to be a high priority in the BBFC’s guidance on age verification arrangements.”

    In December 2014, pornography produced in the UK was subject to strict rules under the David Cameron’s Tory government. The types of scenes which studios could film were severely restricted with an amendment to the 2003 Communications Act.

    Some of the activities banned by the Conservative government could overtly affect the porn consumption of gay men in the UK – including those who watch BDSM, rimming (facesitting) and fisting.

    Thoughts?

     

     

  • Everything You Need To Know About Lancaster Pride 2018

    If you’re planning to go to Lancaster pride here’s everything you need to know before the 2018 event.

    Everything You Need To Know About Lancaster Pride 2018
    The amazing promo poster created especially for Lancaster Pride, by Henry Hate.

    This year’s Lancaster Pride takes place on the on Saturday 19th May 2018 to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT+ community of Lancaster and surrounding areas.

    Lancaster Pride is an LGBT festival organised by Out in the Bay, a local charity providing support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in the Lancaster area, as well as raising awareness for LGBT issues and campaigns.

    Speaking about what Pride mean, Robert Mee, the CEO of Lancaster Pride said, “Pride is about everyone coming together to support each other to stand side by side to challenge hate and intolerance and to be able to build a better future of equality for all of us.”

    What time does Lancaster Pride begin?

    The Lancaster Pride parade officially begins at 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

    Is there a parade?

    Lancaster has a parade at this year’s event, and it will be the second in the pride’s history, with the parade taking place from Dalton Square.

    The set-off place for the parade is Dalton Square and will turn right on George Street and continue along Spring Garden Street. The procession will then turn right onto the A6 and proceed northwards in the right-hand lane.

    The parade will then turn right into Church Street and once located inside the pedestrianised area will temporarily halt to allow the participants a breather and to allow the procession to reform.

    The procession will turn right onto Gt John St and proceed up the left-hand lane. The procession will then turn left to finish in Dalton Sq.

    Speaking at the parade will be Clive Grunshaw, the police and crime commissioner, Erica Lewis a Cat Smith representative, Kara from the multi-faith Church and Doctor Sweeney.

    Where is Lancaster Pride?

    Most of the day’s events will take place in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall. The postcode is: LA4 4AU.

    What does Lancaster Pride cost?

    Lancaster Pride is free for everyone to take part in.

    What entertainment will there be at Lancaster Pride?

    Performing at Lancaster Pride is the singer Whigfield, who you will remember had the massive, number 1 hit, “Saturday Night”. Also appearing is a slew of talent who will be appearing on stage from 11 AM until 6:30 PM in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall.

    Does Lancaster Pride have a website?

    Absolutely. You can view all thing Lancaster Pride HERE

    What should I bring to pride?

    We’ve created a list of Pride survival ideas. Take a look – but don’t forget to bring sunscreen, money and fully charged phone!

    Need a place to stay? Check out our Hotel partners at Hotels.com for available hotels and B&Bs in the Lancaster area.

  • Some people in the UK are really not happy about gender neutral toilets

    New research has shown that over half of British people would say “No” to gender-neutral toilets.

    Despite suggestions of turning public toilets to gender-neutral toilets by London’s mayor Sadiq Khan, most people in Britain are still uncomfortable with the idea or all-gender loos. More than half of Brits said that they would avoid them in research recently conducted.

    The Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES) estimates that 1% of the British population are gender non-conforming to some degree.

    London Mayor, Sadiq Khan championed plans to increase the number of shared facilities in the capital last November but it appears the plans are not as popular as originally thought.

    A new survey by Bathroomtakeaway.co.uk reveals that 55% of Brits would avoid using shared facilities.

    Of the 45% of Londoners who said they’d welcome gender-neutral loos, just one in five of those would actually use them.

    Those living in Yorkshire and the Humber are most opposed to the facilities, with 75% saying they’d shun them, followed by 70% from East Anglia and 69% from the North East.

    Despite these figures, the North East also had one of the most receptive groups, with one in ten saying they would rather use shared facilities.

    All-gender toilets are public toilets that can be used by anyone, regardless of their sex. They can provide a welcome space to individuals who don’t identify with the male or female gender binary. Unisex toilets can make it easier for trans people at various stages of transition.

    However, when quizzed, 65% of those that would avoid gender-neutral toilets said they would do so to avoid feeling awkward.

    Just under half of cis females (49%) claimed they would feel unsafe in shared public loos.

    Beatriz Pardo, Marketing Manager at Bathroomtakeaway.co.uk: “We were keen to see how open-minded Britons are when it comes to public loos.

    “The notion of gender-neutral toilets have been in the headlines recently but it is clear most people in the UK feel very uneasy about them.

    “Our research has revealed some surprising statistics and it seems these plans aren’t as popular as originally thought, so we’ll be interested to see how they work out!”

  • Police officer given final written warning after “homophobic” comments about fellow officer

    A police officer based in London has been given a final written warning after admitting that she made comments that were alleged to be homophobic, but denied that the comments were against the officer’s sexuality .

    An Enfield-based PC has been given a final written warning after she admitted that she made comments about a fellow officer’s sexual orientation, but denied that they were homophobic.

    PC Cara Power, attached to Enfield borough, attended a public misconduct hearing on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 April to answer allegations that her conduct amounted to a breach of standards of professional behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy; equality and diversity; and discreditable conduct.

    It was alleged that on 7 January 2017, PC Power used unacceptable and abusive language on a number of occasions in reference to a fellow officer. On one of these occasions, PC Power’s conduct was alleged to have been homophobic.

    PC Powers admitted to the panel that she made the comments, but denied that the comments were intended to discriminate against the officer’s sexual orientation. The panel found that her comments were reckless but there was no discriminatory intent.

    The panel took into account PC Power’s previous good character, and no allegations of past discriminatory behaviour or actions.

    The panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, found gross misconduct proven overall and issued PC Power with a final written warning.