THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • BBC issues apology for misappropriating the red ribbon on World AIDS Days

    The Twitter team behind BBC North released an apology that many are calling unacceptable.

    In the tweet the BBC North West team, said,

    “We have deleted a tweet about our project to pay tribute to COVID victims. Given we have used red ribbons as part of it, we understand why some people found it insensitive on World AIDS Day. We’re sorry.

    “We have been working closely with those who have lost loved ones to COVID and this initiative is to remember those who have died during the pandemic.”

    bbc apology for tree of lives and using red ribbon

    What happened for the BBC to have to apologise?

    The row started after the BBC announced it had created a project to commemorate lost lives from COVID in the North West, except they used a red ribbon, a symbol for the lives lost due to AIDS and which has been in use since 1991. The other element that truly upset people, was the date on which they decided to announce the project, the 1st of December, globally known as World AIDS Day.

    “Unacceptable”

    The apology was branded a “non-apology” by many and an insult to the millions of lives lost to AIDS.

    The apology was dismissed as fakery by many, including user Chris who blasted the BBC newsroom’s apology as “Utter fakery”.

    https://twitter.com/ChrisOfDevon/status/1333936937254653953

    One user also commented on the disrespect of misappropriating well-known LGBT+ symbols in 2020.

    “At the end of a year in which the rainbow flag was ‘borrowed’ to celebrate the NHS and even gay publications were promoting anti-trans lobbying groups, today of all days is not a good moment to misappropriate the red ribbon”

    https://twitter.com/Dutch_editor/status/1333901451115028484

    This is the second symbol appropriated from the LGBT+ community in 2020. The Pride rainbow flag which was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1979 became synonymous with the NHS and COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic in the UK.

    Another added that the 1st of December should be left to “remembering, mourning, and celebrating the lives of a near generation of queer people…”

    https://twitter.com/SebEvansXX/status/1333887644934299649

    THEGAYUK.com reached out to the BBC for further comment

  • BBC accused of appropriating HIV/AID red ribbon symbol for its COVID-19 Tree of Lives

    ‘Tree of Lives’ branded “Unbelievably inappropriate & wholly insensitive”

    BBC North West has come under fire after it invited people to commemorate victims of the COVID-19 pandemic by tieing a red ribbon to a tree on World AIDS Day, they called the project, Tree Of Lives.

    The Tweet, which was from the official BBC North West Twitter account wrote,

    “Thousands of people across our region have lost loved ones to Covid-19. Join us at BBC NW to remember those that have died, by tying a red ribbon to your Christmas tree or a tree in your garden.”

    https://twitter.com/BBCNWT/status/1333726812120223744

    However, the corporation has been accused of appropriating an established symbol of HIV/AIDs – the red ribbon.

    bbc tree of lives

    The red ribbon has been in use since 1991 as a way of commemorating the millions who have died from AIDS since the 1980s.

    One Twitter user, Scubamonkey, blasted the BBC saying, “Unbelievably inappropriate & wholly insensitive on #WorldAIDSDay2020. I’ve every sympathy for those who have lost loved ones to #Covid, but this appropriation of an established symbol of #HIV & #AIDS is an appalling insult to those people who have lost their lives to #HIV. It is quite frankly unbelievable how you insult and trample over one set of grieving families to show solidarity and support to another. It speaks volumes about where your priorities lie”

    Another, Lkeels, wrote, “What an asinine choice to take the red ribbon for your own cause and ON WORLD AIDS DAY OF ALL DAYS!!! You should be ashamed of this.”

    HIV advocate, Tom Knight added, “I’m sure you meant well but your ignorance is shocking, and to say you ‘thought it through’. This is so disrespectful.”

    This is the second symbol appropriated from the LGBT+ community in 2020. The Pride rainbow flag which was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1979 became synonymous with the NHS and COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic in the UK.

    “We did consider the colour ribbon very carefully”

    A response by the BBC Twitter feed responded to some of the criticism saying, “we did consider what colour ribbon to use very carefully- most colours are associated with a cause which is why this is tied differently.”

    Tweet deleted

    Since publication, the Tweet, which shared information on the Tree of Lives has been deleted.

    The BBC issued an appology via Twitter saying,

    “We have deleted a tweet about our project to pay tribute to COVID victims. Given we have used red ribbons as part of it, we understand why some people found it insensitive on World AIDS Day. We’re sorry.

    “We have been working closely with those who have lost loved ones to COVID and this initiative is to remember those who have died during the pandemic. “

    Why is the red ribbon used to remember World AIDS Day

    red ribbon is linked with AIDS not the bbc's Tree Of Lives
    Photo by Anna Shvets / PEXELS

    The Red Ribbon symbol has become the defining icon for the awareness, fundraising and determination to beat HIV and AIDS. It’s strong, vibrant red, a symbol that has become synonymous with every 1st December, was designed in 1991.

    A decade after AIDS began its stranglehold, decimating communities, a coalition of 12 artists gathered to devise a plan to raise awareness for Visual Aids, a New York arts organisation which raises awareness of HIV.

    The 12 people consisted of photographers, painters, filmmakers and costume designers. After a short collaboration they came up with the striking, but the simple idea of the red ribbon, inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees at the time, to denote support for US military fighting in the Gulf war.

    The red ribbon logo became recognisable across the globe.

    THEGAYUK.com reached out to the BBC for further comment.

  • Umbrella star comes out as trans, and is now Elliot Page

    The actor formerly known as Ellen Page has said that he is now to be known as Elliot Page as he comes out as transgender in an Instagram post.

    The X Men, Umbrella Academy and Tales Of The City star wrote an emotional post telling fans that his pronouns were now he or they, them theirs.

    In the letter posted to his Instagram account, Elliot wrote,

    “Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot.

    “I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life.”

    “I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self,” he wrote.

    “I’ve been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community. Thank you for your courage, your generosity and ceaselessly working to make this world a more inclusive and compassionate place. I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society.”

    “My joy is real, but it is also fragile,” he added

    Embed from Getty Images

    “The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared.

    “I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence. To be clear, I am not trying to dampen a moment that is joyous and one that I celebrate, but I want to address the full picture.”

    Elliot also acknowledged the attacks and slayings of trans folx in 2020 of which there have been at least 40 reported, adding,

    “I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse, and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you, and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”

    Elliot’s letter to fans, was greatly received and garnered over 407,000 likes and hundreds of positive comments, one of which was from the official Umbrella Academy Instagram account, which simply said, “proud of our superhero!! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!”

  • Austin Armacost shows off his “Mangina”

    Austin Armacost shows off his “Mangina”

    Yep, he called it that…

    It’s been a while since we’ve heard or seen anything from the Celebrity Big Brother star, but he certainly got his fans feeling the thirst with a saucy pic on his Instagram feed.

    Sitting completely naked in his bath, Austin Armacost wrote that he was in his happy place, despite not being in his native USA, to celebrate Thanks Giving last week due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic.

    Instead he was celebrating it at his west-Yorkshire home.

    He wrote, that he “should be gobbling on turkey and pumpkin pie” but would make do with a hot bath.

    In and amongst the dozens of replies to the picture one of his commentators, simply replied, “Vagina” to which the ever-sassy Austin quipped, “it is a MANgina darling”.

    Austin is no stranger to a bit of nudity, back in the Celebrity Big Brother days, for which he starred in the show twice, would be usually one of the first to strip off and jump into the pool.

    Since his time on TV, he has kept his fans excited with plenty of nudity, like this, this and this.

    So what do you think about his Mangina? Ever heard of the expression before.

    What does Mangina mean?

    It is a combination of the word man and vagina and in this context, it is not a slur or an insult, but a word to liken a guy’s ass to a vagina. However for some the word mangina can be extremely offensive.

  • There are 84 naked guys in the latest Naked Rugby Players calendar

    There are 84 naked guys in the latest Naked Rugby Players calendar

    Despite the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, The world-famous Naked Rugby Players return with a new calendar The Naked Rugby Players – Unseen Bits for 2021 and is one of our favourite LGBT+ Calendars. Best of al it features never seen before images!

    Speaking about the changes the calendar had to make during 2020, principal photographer Monty McKinnen told us, “It sadly turned out to be impossible to shoot 6 rugby teams during 2020 as the pandemic raged through our communities and everyone kept at social distances”

    “Despite this, we’ve rummaged through the thousands of images from our past shoots to bring fans of the calendar never before seen pictures, from 12 teams across the UK.” 

    84 Naked Rugby Players

    The Naked Rugby Players Calendar 2021 – Unseen Bits features 84 players from twelve Inclusive Rugby teams from across the UK.

    Once again the calendar has teamed up with the Balls To Cancer charity to bring awareness of male cancers and features a monthly reminder to check ourselves for any unusual signs. 

    The calendar is available from TheNakedRugbyPlayes.com, TackleMag.co.uk and Amazon.  

  • Urban dictionary has a definition for “Gay Fart” and it’s really not that funny

    Urban dictionary has a definition for “Gay Fart” and it’s really not that funny

    Had you ever heard of a “gay fart” before? No, nor us, but apparently it’s a phrase and it’s even got its own definition thanks to Urban Dictionary.

    According to one of the entries on Urban Dictionary, ‘gay fart’ means, “A genuinely sweet, or pleasantly odourless expression of flatulence. Though not always a fart cut by homosexuals, they do tend to do this while they bake cookies and share a laugh about it.

    In this context “Bake Cookies” means sex.

    Then for context purposes, there’s the sentence,

    “Pete did you just fart? It smells like freshly cut grass, what have you been eating, sperm?”

    Cut grass means “gang bang” according to the website.

    Surprisingly, the website holds not one but three possible entries for what a gay fart could mean.

    Relying on tired gay sex tropes for gay fart comedy

    gay fart jokes rely on a homophobic trope about anal sex
    EME / Pixabay

    Another meaning offered up by the website is, “a silent fart that is often difficult to hear because it just seeps out of your A-hole as if the hole was very loose (like after a penis has been in there).”

    This particular definition makes use of that rather tired gay sex myth that people who enjoy anal sex have loose sphincters, giving rise the rumour that men who engaged in anal sex, eventually have to wear tampons, which, by the way, isn’t true.

    While a third explanation offers, “An act of flatulence that tends to smell like semen as if gay butt sex has taken place at one point. Homosexuals tend to enjoy gay farts by flatuating (not actually a word) gay farts in one another’s mouths.”

    The three definitions were written in 2006, 2008 and 2009 respectively.

    Hilarious homophobia. Just what the world needs.

  • Drag and cabaret artists “overlooked” by Government’s tier system

    Drag and cabaret artists “overlooked” by Government’s tier system

    It goes without saying that the bar, pub and club industry has been completely brutalised by lockdowns and Tier systems in place in the UK caused by the on-going coronavirus pandemic.

    As Boris Johnson’s administration announced which areas in England would be placed into which tiers, many cities which have large LGBT+ scenes found themselves in Tier 3, leaving them unable to open unless operating as a takeaway or drive through. Many gay bars are simply not set up to handle or offer food.

    Earlier this week Boris Johnson’s handling of the crisis was described by the CEO of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as “inflicting devastating pain to an industry on the verge of collapse”.

    Live venues and performer in Tier system overlooked by government

    One drag performer tweeted Boris Johnson demanding to know why certain settings like theatres, casinos, theme parks and escape rooms were permitted to open yet live venues which, do not offer food, but offer live entertainment such as cabaret and drag shows were not permitted to open.

    Carrot, a non-binary drag performer wrote,

    “Live performers & venues in music, cabaret & drag need clarity from @10DowningStreet NOW. Why can theatres open and sell drinks in the intervals, when live venues who have spent huge amounts of £s and time making safe allocated seating cannot without selling food?”

    “Why can casinos & theme parks & escape rooms open in tier 2, places that are essentially impossible to clean entirely & keep safe, yet pubs & bars with allocated seating and table service cannot?

    “Live artists & venues have lost so much already & are still being overlooked.

    “It’s really heartbreaking. and yet somehow completely unsurprising.”

    How does hospitality contribute to the rising numbers of Coronavirus cases?

    Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said, “Hospitality has accounted for as little as 2% of Covid cases”, and Kate Nicholls CEO, UK Hospitality said, “Pubs and restaurants pay the price of tougher tier restrictions – no other sector are facing restrictions like these.”

    Government data has shown that house-to-house mixing has the highest rate of rates of transmission for the virus.

    Bars and clubs have closed because of COVID-19 restrictions.

    2020 has seen numerous gay bar closures. Earlier in the year, Birmingham’s Eden Bar was forced to close due to devastating restraints placed on the pub industry. Also in the West Midlands, Midland Zone magazine also fell victim to the economic downturn.

    gay and drag bars closed because of covid tier system

    Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club, Propaganda closed in May and in Brighton, two venues have already shuttered. This month The Broadway closed and earlier in the year Legends fell into administration, before being reopened by new owners.

  • This might be the most disturbing face mask you can buy

    This might be the most disturbing face mask you can buy

    But we’d be lying if we said we never had balls on our face before…

    Ever had balls to the face?

    Face Masks are a legal requirement now for so many parts of our existence now, whether it’s going to the shops, sitting in a theatre or travelling on public transport, but no one said what the face mask had to look like.

    You could go for a nice rainbow face mask or, you could, go for this scrotum face mask, complete with wrinkles and tiny little hair follicles.

    • testicle face mask
    Ⓒ BILLYS BALL BAGS

    The face mask, which is produced in Blackpool is essentially a silicone mask that looks like a wrinkly ball sack. It’s sold by BillysBallBags.com, which is a shop that only sells ball bag merchandise. Of course. And why are we only just finding out about this shop!

    Is the testicle face mask legal?

    Well, as far as we can tell, they do comply with the law that requires you to wear a face-covering in certain settings. However, you might offend a few people or even get a few funny looks from your co-workers if you rock to your place of work with a set of balls on your face.

    So what’s the price of this scrotum face mask? Well, you’re looking at a bill for £24.99, however, demand has apparently been “So high” that they are currently not available while the shop “catches up” on orders of the mask.

    You can even order a darker or lighter shade as skin tone variations are allowed!

    https://twitter.com/billysballbags/status/1328745047093809154

    It’s not entirely sure whose ball bag was used as a template.

  • Brits are overwhelmingly in support of COVID 19 vaccine

    Brits are overwhelmingly in support of COVID 19 vaccine

    The British public is overwhelmingly in support of taking the Covid 19 vaccination with two thirds willing to have the jab as soon as it is available.

    Opening up our beleaguered LGBT+ scene could be dependent on a huge uptake of the vaccination when it is rolled out in December and early 2021.

    A survey of 2,000 adults revealed only 17 per would refuse to take a covid 10 vaccine, with 19 per cent stating they were still unsure.

    Fewer than one in 10 (eight per cent) of those aged 55 or over would decline the vaccine when it is offered to them.

    However, almost a third (31 per cent) of those aged 25 to 34 don’t think they’ll take it.

    The speed at which the vaccinations have been developed have resulted in 71 per cent regarding its fight against Covid-19 as one of science’s greatest achievements.

    The survey, by Medicspot, also looked at how people who didn’t want the vaccine could be incentivised to take it.

    people support the covid vaccine
    Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

    A fifth (20 per cent) said they would be vaccinated if they were paid, while 19 per cent would if it meant they could go to the pub. As it stands pubs in the UK, including our much love gay scene, have to remain closed in Tier 2 and 3 unless they serve a “substantial meal”. Many gay bars, like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern or the Equator Bar in Birmingham, are not set up to sell food.

    More than a third (35 per cent) would take it if it meant they could go on holiday abroad, and 28 per cent would agree to it if it meant they could go to sporting, music or other events.

    Dr Johnson D’souza, medical director at Medicspot, said, “In the space of one month we’ve had three vaccines announced, which has been an incredible achievement from everyone involved in the fight against Covid-19.

    “It is comforting to know the vast majority of the public is supportive of the vaccine.”

    Nearly half think the vaccine should be made compulsory

    [totalpoll id=”127132″]

    The survey also found 45 per cent think the vaccine should be mandatory for everyone, while just over a third (35 per cent) disagree entirely.

    But 57 per cent think the vaccine should only be mandatory for people who are deemed at a greater risk of the virus.

    The research was carried out as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the latest Tier system as well as plans to allow ‘Five Days of Christmas’ where families from up to three households can mix over the festive season.

    Almost a fifth (19 per cent) of respondents, polled via OnePoll for Medicspot, admitted they have broken the lockdown rules that were introduced at the start of November.

    But 75 per cent said they were likely to adhere to the new regional tier rules just announced.

    Lifting the international travel bans

    In a move welcomed by the travel industry, the government is also lifting the ban on international travel when lockdown ends – giving families the chance to get away for winter sun.

    On their return, travellers will now have to quarantine for five days instead of 14 if they can provide a negative Covid-19 test.

    Medicspot has developed fast Covid-19 tests with next-day results designed for businesses testing staff and for individuals who need a ‘fit to fly’ certificate or have returned from abroad.

    When the vaccine becomes available, almost three quarters (71 per cent) think people arriving in the UK on holiday or for business should have a certificate confirming they have been vaccinated

    And 70 per cent think UK residents leaving the country should have a certificate saying they’ve been vaccinated.

  • Boris Johnson’s devastating XMAS plan “denies LGBTQ+ community time with chosen family”

    Boris Johnson’s devastating XMAS plan “denies LGBTQ+ community time with chosen family”

    The CEO of one of the UK’s oldest and best-loved LGBT+ bars, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, has hit out at Boris Johnson’s Christmas plan of allowing multiple houses to mix during the height of a pandemic, but not allowing them to mix in Covid-secure settings like pubs and bars is a “road to nowhere”

    He said it was “inflicting devastating pain to an industry on the verge of collapse”.

    James Lindsay, The RVT‘s CEO has written a blistering open letter to Boris Johnson and his cabinet saying that the current Christmas plan to allow up to three households to mix for five days during the festive season is a “mockery” of all the hardship that the hospitality industry has been through in the last 39 weeks.

    He also told the Prime Minister that the plans to allow families to mix in their own homes, but not in restaurants or pubs, was putting “vulnerable people at risk” and denying the LGBT+ community a chance to mix and socialise with their chosen families.

    He wrote, The Government’s olive branch for a ‘family Christmas’ is clearly aimed at appeasing the “party” faithful. As well as putting many vulnerable people at risk this also denies the LGBTQ+ community their much needed time with friends and our chosen families.

    “Our venues offer a safe space for people who often don’t have the ‘normal’ family support”.

    Gay Bars are at particular risk when the tier system returns.

    One of the issues facing many bars, but in particular gay bars, is that many aren’t equipped to serve food – which is one of the requirements for pubs to be able to open in at least two Tiers of the Government’s system. Bars which solely sell drink are unable to open in Tier 2 and Tier 3. Only bars which sell “substantial” food can open in Tier 2 and can only operate as takeouts in Tier 3.

    With most of the country expected to be entered into Tier 2 or 3 when Boris Johnson announces the Tier system today, the Equator bar in Birmingham announced that it might have to close forever, adding “Equator bar is not a restaurant so will not be allowed to open in Tier 2” and added, “Maybe time to call it a day”.

    Speaking about the crisis facing the LGBT+ Scene, Lindsay continued, “The vast majority of LGBTQ+ venues don’t serve food but offer cabaret, DJs, screenings and a whole range of other events that people need to buy tickets in the same way theatres do.

    “A venue such at The RVT not only supports its staff and customers but has a whole range of self-employed performers and promotors that rely on us and all the other venues, many of whom are from marginalised groups within our community.”

    How does hospitality contribute to the rising numbers of Coronavirus cases?

    Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said, “Hospitality has accounted for as little as 2% of Covid cases”, and Kate Nicholls CEO, UK Hospitality said, “Pubs and restaurants pay the price of tougher tier restrictions – no other sector are facing restrictions like these.”

    Government data has shown that house-to-house mixing has the highest rate of rates of transmission for the virus.

    Government must compensate the hospital sector

    Government must compensate bars and pubs like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern

    Lindsay continued, “We understand the need for safety and Public Health, since March we have followed every rule the Government has told us to, but now the Government needs to do the honourable thing and financially support the approach to destroy a much loved industry and fully compensate commercially viable businesses who have been operating Covid-19 compliance.

    “That means grants that fully cover their fixed costs and loss of business and loss of profit.

    Road to nowhere

    “It feels like we are on a road to nowhere that will result in the decimation of the hospitality sector as well as more deaths from Covid.

    “Maybe I should ask – What is the purpose of this Government? They have not consulted with the hospitality industry and the advice that has been provided by the industry experts has been ignored. Equally the advice of the Governments own experts with the strategy they have deployed has also been ignored.”

    Read the full statement here

  • This Friday is the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front demonstration in Britain

    This Friday is the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front demonstration in Britain

    Veterans from the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) will be holding a torchlight rally this Friday to mark 50 years since the first LGBT protest in Britain.

    The rally was held to highlight anti-gay laws and police harassment, specifically in response to the arrest of the then leader of the Young Liberals, Louis Eaks, in Highbury Fields, Islington.

    The veterans and allies will meet at 6 pm in Highbury Fields, opposite Highbury and Islington tube station, beside the pink triangle plaque that commemorates the protest that happened there 50 years ago.

    To conform to lockdown regulations, participants will wear masks, remain in two-person groups and keep socially distanced from each other.  

     “27th November 1970 was a watershed moment that challenged police persecution for the first time in the UK. It began our fightback, igniting an LGBT+ protest movement that in the following five decades rolled back straight supremacism and won the repeal of anti-LGBT+ laws,” said Peter Tatchell, who was a member of GLF 1971-74.

    This 50th commemoration, we will replicate the torchlight rally of 50 years ago and read the original Gay Liberation Front demands A plaque commemorating the protest on 27 November 1970 was affixed to the former public toilet by the LGBT+ group OutRage! and Islington Council.

    It was unveiled on 27 November 2000, on the 30th anniversary of the first demonstration, in the presence of then Culture Secretary Chris Smith MP, local MP Jeremy Corbyn, the Mayor of Islington, and GLF veterans.

    Embed from Getty Images

    86 and sending love

    “In 1970 I suggested that the Gay Liberation Front’s first demo ought to be in Highbury Fields against the arrest of Louis Eaks. I’m now 86 and send my love. I remind everyone that the word for the Highbury Fields demo, in the slang of 1970, was a ‘zap’, meaning a bolt of electrical energy. Highbury Fields forever! In solidarity and disgrace.” Eric Thompson

    “From the dark of Highbury Fields to the light of the pub afterwards, we saw each other anew. We had shared our beliefs and convictions in public and acted them out in the world. We had made the first-ever openly public demonstration in this country by homosexuals. Whatever barriers there were between us were let down that night. An emotional connection of solidarity and respect, for ourselves and each other, was forged. It remains palpable to this day.” Stuart Feather, author of the Gay Liberation Front memoir, Blowing the Lid.

    A defining moment in LGBT history

    a plague marking the the first ever gay liberation front protest

    “Highbury Fields was a UK defining moment in a global LGBT+ uprising and revolution against oppression and for liberation with sexual liberation at its heart.” John Lloyd

    “In 1970 gay men, lesbians and trans people protested together on Highbury Fields, not just about police abuse of power and unjust laws, but also for liberation, including sexual liberation for everyone – a revolution. Love and liberation.” Nettie Pollard.

    “Marking the 50th anniversary of the first LGBT protest in London is of paramount importance today in bringing together queer individuals spanning multiple generations in order that we can celebrate and learn from those who have continuously fought for our rights over the last 50 years.” Graham Martin