THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • Man who survived Manchester bombing was caught up in Barcelona terrorist attack

    A man who survived the terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena earlier this year, has escaped the devasting attack in Barcelona with his boyfriend.

    Chris Pawley, 30 and his partner, Corey Lorde – survived the terrorist attack in Barcelona which has killed at least 13 and injured dozens more. The couple arrived at the scene just moments after a white van ploughed through the popular tourist area.

    The pair had been visiting Barcelona for the annual Circuit Festival, one of the world’s biggest gay festivals.

    The event manager, who lives in Manchester City centre also uploaded footage of the aftermath of the terrorist attack on his Facebook account.

    Taking to social media the Manchester resident said,

    “Can’t believe we are in the same place as another terrorist attack! Hope everyone is ok in Barcelona!”

    “Just to let everyone know me and Corey are ok, gettin a lot of messages. It’s crazy here, the shops have put all there shutters down and the army is out but hope everyone is ok who’s been injured!”

    Mr Pawley was also caught up in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack which killed 22 people. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said that he had walked past Martyn Hett just moments before the suicide bomber detonated his explosives.

    The Circuit Festival issued a statement via social media, saying that the party would not continue in “respect and solidarity with the victims”.

  • Michael Barrymore entitled to “substantial” payout from police over wrongful arrest

    Michael Barrymore’s legal battle against Essex police has resulted in the entertainer set to get a substantial payout for the wrongful arrest over the death of a man in his home in 2001.

    A High Court judge has ruled that the Michael Barrymore was entitled to “more than nominal” damages over the manner in which he was treated by the police.

    The star was detained in 2007 over the death of a man at his home in 2001.

    Stuart Lubbock, 31 was found dead at the star’s Essex home in March 2001. In June 2001 Police arrested Barrymore, his partner and another man in connection to Lubbock’s death but no charges were brought forward. The same three men were arrested again in 2007 but the case was dropped again after three months. No one was charged.

    Essex Police has admitted the arrest was unlawful and that the arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to suspect that Mr Barrymore was guilty.

    In 2009 the IPCC found multiple failings with the original police investigation.

    Mr Barrymore’s legal team, who brought the action under Mr Barrymore’s real name, Michael Ciaran Parker, argued that the entertainer suffered “devastating” damage to his reputation following on from the investigation. There are some suggestions that the value of the payout could be over £2.4 million.

    Mr Barrymore’s lawyer  Hugh Tomlinson QC said,

    “This arrest was made without any proper evidential foundation.

    “However, the fact that it had happened, and the worldwide publicity it received, destroyed the claimant’s career.”

  • Pride In London needs to be more bi-focused report finds

    The Pride In London(PIL) advisory board has made a recommendation that London’s pride should focus more on bisexual people, including making the next pride’s theme Bisexuality.

    A report from the PIL’s Independent Community Advisory Board has suggested that future prides need to focus on the bisexual, BAME and other marginalised groups.

    The report made several recommendations that PIL needed to ingrate BAME (Black Asian and minority ethnic) LGBT+ people in all areas of pride, not just at UK Black Pride – which is a separate event that takes place on the Sunday after the main event on the Saturday.

    Their suggestion is:

    “Full involvement and integration of BAME LGBT+ people into Pride in London is essential to achieve a cohesive and inclusive event, and recommends that the best way to achieve this is to support and resource UK Black Pride, and ensure that BAME LGBT+ people are represented not just at Pride in the Park, but on all stages and in all Pride events”.

    The report also suggested that more marginalised groups, should be given “pride of place” at the parade. The report also suggested that PIL should follow the example of Tel Aviv Pride, where the theme for the year was bisexuality.

    The report reads,

    “Pride in London should follow the example of Tel Aviv Pride this year, by making bi people the central focus of the Pride Parade in 2018 or 2019, which would require full engagement of bi people and groups in both planning and execution. Going forward, it may be appropriate that each year, one of the more marginalised sections of London’s LGBT communities – for example, BAME, bi, trans, and intersex people – should, on rotation, be given pride of the place in the Parade”.

    This year’s theme for Pride In London was Love Happens Here.

    The board’s Chair, Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett said,

    “After each Pride in London, the Independent Community Advisory Board sit down to discuss if this year’s event has achieved its objectives. When I took over as Chair in February 2016, I made diversity and intersectionality my priority.

    “We have asked members of LGBT+ communities, both individuals and respected third party organisations, to give us their view in writing so we have evidence and documentation to back up our assertions.

    “For every criticism in the report, and there are many, we have suggested a reasonable and practical  solution, and where we think further transparency and openness is required, we have asked to see those conversations brought to the CAB well in advance of any decision.

    “We also felt that there has been significant disquiet across the LGBT+ communities, around Pride’s corporate nature, lack of inclusion, bad handling of sensitive intersectionality issues and it felt that we needed to live up to the expectations of the role and that is providing a frank but honest report on the experiences not only from CAB members but also opinions across our communities.”

    THEGAYUK reached out to Pride In London for comment.

     

     

  • Gay men just aren’t using condoms… new research finds

    New research by GMFA has shown that the majority of gay men asked didn’t use condoms the last time they had sex.

    Gay men just aren't using condoms... new research finds

    A new report from GMFA has revealed that gay and bisexual men aren’t using condoms when they have sex. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed said that they didn’t use a condom the last time they had anal sex. Eight percent who had bareback sex were on PrEP.

    “The results of the survey has shown that sex is complicated and there is no one size fits all safer sex strategy,” says Ian Howley, Chief Executive of GMFA. “First we need to define what is risky sex in this day and age.”

    “Safer sex in 2017 is more complicated than it was twenty years ago when your only options were condoms or abstinence as a way to protect yourself from HIV and STIs. The advancement of treatment, the fact that gay men who are on HIV treatment and have an undetectable viral load so can’t pass on HIV, added to the increased number of gay men who are taking PrEP, means that gone are the days when sexual health education was just about telling people to use condoms. We now must do more to increase gay men’s knowledge about all the options open to them.”

    “Of course condoms still play an important role in preventing other STIs and should still be a major part of a safer sex strategy, however, it’s not a one size fits all approach anymore. We need to meet gay men where they are in their lives. We need to keep on pushing the message that there is more than one safer sex strategy. We need to increase people’s knowledge about PEP, PrEP and what HIV-undetectable actually means in the real world.”

    Just what is “risky sex” in 2017?

    PrEP and successful HIV treatment has changed the landscape of what it means to have ‘risky’ sex, particularly when it comes to HIV. FS surveyed 523 gay and bi men and asked them about the last time they had sex, what type of sex it was, when they were last tested and what risky sex means to them.

    They discovered,

    • 65% of respondents said that they didn’t use condoms the last time they had anal sex.
    • 32% of those respondents said it was bareback but they knew the other guy was HIV-negative
    • 14% of them said it was bareback but one or both were HIV-undetectable
    • 11% said it was bareback but didn’t think about or worry about the risk.
    • 8% said it was bareback but one or both were on PrEP.
    • 27% of total respondents consider themselves to have a risky sex life

    Ian Howley goes on to say,

    “We at GMFA recommend the following. If you are someone who is comfortable using condoms then keep on doing that. It’s the best strategy that helps prevent HIV and STIs. If you are someone who is HIV-negative and has condomless sex then we would recommend that you get yourself on PrEP. It won’t stop STIs but it’s been proven to stop people becoming HIV-positive. Also check out PEP. It can help if you’ve put yourself at risk.

    “If you are living with HIV and undetectable then keep on taking your medication. HIV-positive men who are undetectable cannot pass on the virus to anyone. If you are living with HIV and are not undetectable yet then we suggest you still use condoms with HIV-negative men, unless they are on PrEP. And all sexually active men, whether HIV-negative or HIV-positive should have regular check-ups at a GUM clinic. We recommend once every six months or more often if you are having condomless sex. Gay men need to learn about the option open to them. It’s the only way we can finally stop HIV transmissions.”

  • Gay marriage blocked once again in Northern Ireland

    It seems our lesbian & gay family in Northern Ireland will have to wait even longer to enjoy same-sex marriage after Northern Ireland’s High Court ruled to keep the ban in place.

    Gay marriage blocked once again in Northern Ireland

    Despite same-sex marriage being legal in England, Wales and Scotland, Northern Ireland is the only nation within the UK that doesn’t allow its gay and lesbian couples to get married. Instead, gay couples are only permitted to have Civil Partnerships, which are legally different to marriages.

    Two cases, specifically about Northern Ireland recognising same-sex marriage made outside the nation were rejected by the High Court. This means, even if a same-sex couple is married anywhere else in the UK, their marriage will not be valid in Northern Ireland.

    The two cases were heard together, due to the legal similarities. The first was known as Petition X, and was brought by a gay couple who were married in London in 2014. When they moved to Northern Ireland their marriage was changed to a Civil Partnership.

    The second case was brought by two couples in civil partnerships – Grainne Close and Shannon Sickles and Chris and Henry Flanagan-Kane. They contended the ban breaches their human rights.

    Both cases were rejected by Mr Justice O’Hara  who said the ban did not violate the rights of gay and lesbian couples. He added that it was for the nation’s politicians to decide social policy in Northern Ireland.

    Delivering the verdict the Judge said,

    “It is not at all difficult to understand how gay men and lesbians who have suffered discrimination, rejection and exclusion feel so strongly about the maintenance in Northern Ireland of the barrier to same sex marriage,

    “The judgement which I have to reach is not based on social policy but on the law.”

    The subject of same-sex marriage has been voted on five times by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Each time it was blocked by the DUP, the party Theresa May is relying on for her parliamentary majority after the General Election provided a slim majority for the Tories.

     

  • Obama’s anti-racist tweet is the most liked ever

    President Obama’s anti-racism tweet is now the most liked ever. Surpassing the tweet that Ariana Grande sent after the attack at her concert.

    A tweet by President Obama has become the world’s most liked tweet, surpassing the one sent by American pop star Ariana Grande directly after the terrorist attack that rocked her Manchester concert, killing 22 people.

    Obama’s tweet which is a quote from the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela,  was sent just after the violent far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    The tweet read, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion…

    “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love…”

    “…For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela

    So far, the initial tweet has been liked more than 4.2 million times and Retweeted over 1.5 million times. Twitter confirmed that Obama’s moving message is also the fifth most retweeted post of all time.

    He followed the tweet with two more heartfelt messages

     

  • Man wanted for questioning in connection to the disappearance of gay man turns himself in

    A 26-year-old man wanted for questioning in relation to the disappearance of a gay man has turned himself into the authorities.

    Cousins allegedly use dating app lure gay men to their deaths

    Jerret Jamal Allen (right), 26, had been sought by police over the disappearance of a university student, Vinh Nguyen who has been missing since 31st March. Allen was allegedly seen in April using the missing student’s credit cards. His body has not been recovered and investigators presume that he is dead.

    Terrebonne sheriff’s Capt. Kody Voisin said that Mr Allen turned himself on Sunday.

    The younger of the two cousins, Brandon Alexander Lyons, 18, of Houston, Texas has already been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of a 44-year-old nurse. The body of Glenser Soliman was found in February. Lyons has been jailed and his bond set at $200,000. Soliman was reported missing on the 16th February. He was found 9 days later.

    Detectives have not disclosed which app it is thought was being used, but think that the pair colluded to target Asian men and that there may be other victims.

    A statement from the Anti-Violence Project mourned the loss of the two victims saying,

    “We mourn the loss of Glenser Soliman and An Vinh Nguyen, who likely lost their lives to hook-up violence, a form of violence that we need to talk about more and address in our LGBTQ communities.

    Homophobia is a key factor the targeting of gay men for robbery and violence, and so far in 2017 we have seen an increase in pick-up homicides. As our communities move online we need awareness raising about this form of violence, affirming messages around sex, sexuality and safety, and safe spaces for our communities to meet and hook up.”

     

    The mother of Allen said to ABC13,

    “Like I said, it does not sound like my son, The only thing that I can tell you is it does

    The only thing that I can tell you is it does not sound nothing like my nephew and nothing like my son. Okay.”

     

     

     

  • Who is Jamie Lambert and what is he famous for?

    He started his career in one of the most successful crossover/musical boy bands in UK history – but now he’s become a success in his own right – who is Jamie Lambert?

    Jamie Lambert started his career in the Britain’s Got Talent boy band Collabro who went on release three successful albums. But he’s become an outspoken advocate for LGBT+ rights.

    Is Jamie Lambert gay?

    Yes, Jamie Lambert does identify as gay. He came out shortly after Collabro success in winning Britain’s Got Talent. He revealed at the time that he had been in a two and half year relationship with a man – and that his celebrity crush was Tom Daley. Later in an exclusive interview with THEGAYUK.com Jamie admitted that Harry Styles was now his perfect man.

    What else is Jamie Lambert known for?

    In his interview with THEGAYUK.com Jamie admitted that he has body dysmorphia and has lived with an eating disorder. He’s a strong advocate for mental health and wellness.  He told us,

    I really want to be able to be there for people who… I get letters and DMs and stuff all the time to say, “I’m a man with an eating disorder and your story helped me,” or, “I’m a man who needs to come out,” or a lady who needs to come out, or, “I don’t identify my gender” or whatever is the problem, “and your story’s helped me.”

    Has appeared on other TV programmes apart from BGT?

    Yes, he’s been a weeklong contributor and guest for The Wright Stuff on Channel 5.

    https://twitter.com/JamieCollabro/status/897348085562605569

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rapper Lil Peep Comes Out as Bisexual

    Another music star has come out as bisexual just a week after Aaron Carter told the world he was bisexual.

    Rapper Lil Peep has come out as bisexual in the most laid back way possible – in a simple tweet to his 158,000 fans which read, “yes I’m bi sexual”.

    Who is Lil Peep?

    Lil Peep, real name Gustav Åhr was born in New York, USA in 1996. He has released one album Come Over When You’re Sober (Part 1) and five EPS.His songs “White Wine”, “Benz Truck” and “The Way I See Things” have each gained over four million views on YouTube. He currently lives in London.

     

    H/T Out.com

  • One of London’s most popular gay pubs, Molly Moggs, is closing AGAIN

    After just reopening, the famous landmark pub, Molly Moggs is set to close again in FIVE days.

    The shutters were off at Molly Moggs, but now the ever popular pub, one of the must go to bars in London is due to close again the second time this year after it was initially closed in March.

    Taking to the official Facebook page, the current management said,

    ” I’m sorry to officially announce that the end is nigh. Thanks to everyone who signed our petitions. It seems hopeful at the moment that the management coming in are going to keep cabaret going – I’m sure this is all down to your contributions and representations so I really can’t thank you enough. In the meantime, the Moggs will close next Sunday the 20th of August and we’re having a big knees up over the closing weekend to send her off in style. At least this time we’ll be able to say goodbye properly”.

    Molly Moggs joins a number of high profile LGBT+ venues across London to close in recent years. THEGAYUK.com has accounted for around 116 venues which have closed since the year 2000. The Lost LGBT Scene project, which was launched last month is a way to ensure the memory of the venues that have closed lives on.

    It looks as though the famous pub will re-open but under a new brand, called The Compton Cross. A recent petition outlined that campaigners were asking the pub’s owners, the Marmalade Pub Group to leave the pub as is and not to change the soul of the venue, calling it a too”precious a resource to lose”.

    Out cry over proposed changes

    In a statement about the proposed changes to Molly Moggs, a statement on the Facebook page said,

    “The venue is unique in London. Although it hosts drag seven nights a week, and although it largely attracts LGBT customers, it is a very mixed bar where everyone is welcomed. The quality of the performances it illicits from the drag queens is also very special as it is such a small venue and nowhere else offers them such intimacy with the audience. This is something to be treasured not frittered away to make way for a cocktail bar.

    “I genuinely feel that your allusion to LGBT support is opportunistic at best – I guess you’ll put a rainbow flag in the window and hope the community will support you. Thankfully, it isn’t that straightforward…

    “A petition has been started to show the strength of feeling out there – it already has over 100 signatories. The Moggs is valued not especially for its position but for the atmosphere and shows that it currently offers. Let me assure you that no-one, yes NO-ONE, wants the Compton Cross and we will fight to keep the Moggs and everything it stands for in inclusivity and warmth of welcome as far as we possibly can. The only reason it closed in March was mismanagement but with the new team in place and the strength of support we have from across the scene I believe it can continue to run successfully just as it is thank you.

    “In conclusion, can I plead with you to rethink your plans and just say – it it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it…”

  • MURDERER: Man found guilty of murdering a gay man in London

    A man who violently attacked his victim and left him for dead in a central London park has been found guilty of murder, he is to be sentenced later this month.

    Hani Khalaf, 22 (8.11.94), of no fixed address, was found guilty on Friday, 11 August of the murder of 62-year-old Jairo Medina following a trial at the Old Bailey.

    He will appear at the same court for sentencing on Thursday, 24 August.

    The jury heard how on a summer’s night in August 2016 Mr Medina, a Colombian national, was brutally attacked, robbed and left to die in Hyde Park.

    Mr Medina, who worked as a residential carer and was described by his colleagues as the best carer they ever had, left his home in Chelsea on 11 August 2016 telling his brother he was popping out to get some fresh air and would be back later.

    He took a bus to the Marble Arch area and was captured on CCTV at around 23:00hrs in a convenience store in the company of Khalaf.

    The two bought some items, left the store and then made their way into Hyde Park. It is unknown precisely what happened while Mr Medina and Khalaf were in the park but at some point Khalaf turned on his victim.

    Blunt Force Trauma

    Mr Medina suffered severe injuries after being punched and kicked by Khalaf, resulting in numerous broken bones including fractured ribs and trauma to his head.

    A post-mortem examination on 13 August at Westminster Mortuary gave cause of death as blunt force trauma.

    As Mr Medina lay dying on the ground, Khalaf stole his rucksack and fled the scene. He rifled through the bag, emptying and dropping a wallet as well as taking a mobile phone. He left a trail of abandoned items as he hastily made his escape, heading in the direction of Speakers Corner.

    At 00:44hrs on 12 August Khalaf boarded a bus from Edgware Road and got off moments later further along the road.

    Shortly before 02:30hrs Khalaf was captured on CCTV again in Edgware Road, making his way back to Marble Arch but by this time had changed most of his clothing, keeping his shoes, belt and watch.

    The next sighting of Khalaf was at 05:11hrs as he boarded a bus to Streatham and travelled all the way to the end of the line. Nine minutes after arriving in Streatham he boarded a bus heading in the opposite direction, where he eventually got off at Regent Street shortly before 07:00hrs.

    Grim Discovery

    Whilst Khalaf was riding the bus network, a Hyde Park groundsman came across Mr Medina’s body near the mosaic to commemorate The Reformers’ Tree at around 05:45hrs. Police were called and Mr Medina was pronounced dead at the scene. A murder investigation was launched.

    Approximately 12 hours after the vicious attack Khalaf made his way to a mobile and computer shop in Kilburn where he tried to sell Mr Medina’s phone. The store tested the phone but refused to buy it as it had a cracked screen and Khalaf left.

    Detectives carried out enquiries and established that Mr Medina’s phone had been activated in the store. They were able to obtain CCTV footage of Khalaf there.

    Arrested for other crimes

    Six days later Khalaf was arrested for an unrelated matter. Officers immediately recognised him as the person who was with Mr Medina prior to his death and Khalaf was arrested for murder.

    A forensic examination of Khalaf’s clothing revealed Mr Medina’s DNA on his watch and belt. Khalaf’s DNA was also found on the rucksack abandoned at the scene.

    Khalaf was subsequently charged.

    Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said,

    “Jairo Medina was a kind and gentle man who dedicated his life to caring for others. On that evening in August last year, he went out to socialise in the Hyde Park area. There he encountered Hani Khalaf, who was to viciously assault and rob him before leaving him to die in a remote part of the park. We are pleased that such a dangerous individual is now in custody for what he did and hopefully this may be of some comfort to Jairo’s family and friends.

    “We believe that robbery was the motive behind the murder.

    “In the very early stages of the investigation we realised that Jairo was an openly gay man who liked to socialise in and around Hyde Park. Our investigation received a lot of support and assistance from representatives of the LGBT community who work alongside the local police in Westminster. I would like to acknowledge their support in helping us achieve justice today.”

    Report from The Metropolitan Police