THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • Toronto Pride parade goes ahead without police in the parade

    Toronto Pride went ahead this weekend with the exception of one long-running supporter in the parade, the police force.

    Gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans police officers in Toronto did not take part in this year’s event after Black Lives Matter protestors disrupted last year’s parade and demanded that they be excluded from the parade along with other requests, which the organisers signed on the spot – without consultation.

    Black Lives Matter said it had launched its objection to hold Pride answerable for its “anti-blackness”.

    Instead of taking part in a parade which was on their home turf, 100 TPA officers and civilians marched in the New York City parade.

    The Pride organisers were keen to clarify that the force was not “banned” saying that LGBT officers were welcome to take part with “select conditions”. They were asked not to include “uniforms, weapons, and vehicles”.

    They said,

    “We welcome and encourage their participation to add to Pride this year as members of our community. LGBTQ+ police officers and their allies can march in the parade with community groups, with the City of Toronto, or even create their own group.

    “We are simply requesting that their participation not include the following elements: uniform, weapons, and vehicles.

    “The Toronto Police Service has been involved and supportive to us throughout our festival planning. They will provide all the necessary services to ensure that the festival weekend and parade are secure and successful.

    What Were The Black Lives Matter demands?

    • Continued space, including stage and tents, funding and logistical support for Black Queer Youth.
    • Self-determination for all community spaces at Pride, allowing community groups full control over hiring, content and structure of their stages.
    • Full and adquate funding for community stages, including logistical, technical and personnel support.
    • Doubling of funding for Blockorama to $13,000.
    • Reinstatement of the South Asian stage.
    • Prioritising of the hiring of Black transwomen, Indigenous people and others from vulnerable communities at Pride Toronto.
    • More Black deaf and hearing sign language interpreters for the festival.
    • Removal of police floats in the Pride marches and parades.
    • A town hall organised in conjunction with groups from marginalised communities, including but not limited to Black Lives Matter – Toronto, Blackness Yes and Black Queer Youth, in six months, where Pride Toronto will present an update and action plan on BLM-TO’s demands

    Black Lives Matter did not take part in this year’s parade saying they wanted to ensure their “presence is felt through the parade” through other organisations.

  • Katie Hopkins has a meltdown over Pride police cars

    Controversialist Katie Hopkins has slammed the Sussex police service for their colour Pride cars.

    Taking to Twitter wannabe gay icon Katie Hopkins has blasted the Sussex police service for spending £750 of taxpayer’s money on Pride decals for two of their vehicles for the upcoming Eastbourne and Hasting’s Pride.

    Tweeting to Inspector Mark Evans, Critical incident Inspector for Sussex Police, Katie suggested that the money would be better spent sorting out crime reporting issues.

    She said,

    “Mark – Shall we spend some cash sorting our crime-reporting issues? Nah mate, screw that crime nonsense. Let’s colour in a cop car.”

    https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/877930669355270144

    Outlining her point, she said, “It costs £750, Taxpayers [sic] cash”.

    The Tweet inciting a lot of commentators on Twitter, with some suggesting that it was a “disgrace” and baulked at the “lunacy of the modern PC PC!!”

    The force said,

    “Sussex Police play a large role in the policing of Pride.

    “We also feel it is important to promote LGBT equality within our local communities.”

  • “No Gay or Lesbians” London landlord posts homophobic room to let poster

    An advert left in a shop’s window has caused outrage after being discovered in Greenwich London.

    CREDIT: Amanda O’leary

    A homophobic note which says that gays and lesbians, along with children, Pets, DSS, “Benefit Seekers” are “strictly not permitted” was found taped up to a shop window in Greenwich London.

    Amanda O’Leary a single mother who lives in the area, was the first to see the sign and speaking to THEGAYUK said,

    “I think it’s disgusting. I’m a gay mum of two beautiful children.

    “What if my eldest read this? What would I say to her?  Shame on them. Like I tell me kids love is love. That’s all that matter in our family. Just wish others accepted that was well.”

     

    THEGAYUK reached out to the number listed on the advert of the property. We spoke to a man who said that he “was sorry” and that he was “told today that it was not right and it would be removed today”.

    When questioned on whether he knew it was against the law to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, the owner replied that he “did not”.

    THEGAYUK was given assurances that the note would be taken down as soon as possible.

    In the UK, it is against the law to discriminate against people on a number of factors. The Equality Act 2010, says that it is against the law to treat someone unfairly because of sexuality, gender, race, colour or ability. The law affects employers, businesses and organisations, healthcare, education establishments and landlords – as well as other organisations.

    There are nine protected characteristics and they include: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership (in employment only), pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

     

     

     

  • Syphilis is on the rise – up 97 percent from 2012

    Gay and bisexual men are being warned to take extra precautions as official figures show that syphilis infections are on the increase.

    Data released by NHS England has shown that new syphilis infections have increased dramatically over the last five years. Stats show that in the last year alone there has been a 12 percent rise, but there has been an overall increase of 97 percent from 2012.

    NHS England noted that most cases were associated with gay and bisexual men. In 2015 there were 5281 new cases reported, this rose to 5920 in 2016.

    What is syphilis?

    Syphilis is a bacterial infection and is usually spread through having sex with someone who is infected (including sharing sex toys.) Treatment usually involves antibiotics but the infection can cause serious health problems if left untreated long-term.

    Speaking about the new data, Dr Patrick French, CNWL Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV, said,

    “There is some room for optimism in today’s release of the 2016 Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV figures from Public Health England. The dramatic reduction in the number of new HIV infections among gay men shows that HIV testing, HIV treatment and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis are paying dividends and the reduction in genital warts in heterosexual women and men indicate that HPV vaccination for girls in the UK is working well.

    “On the other hand a further rise in syphilis rates is deeply disappointing. An infection which had been eradicated in the UK in the 1980s and 1990s has now returned and is at its highest levels since 1949. Syphilis increases the risk of transmitting HIV, can cause life-threatening heart and brain conditions and serious problems in pregnancy. This increase in syphilis shows that there is still a lot to be done and sexual health promotion and easy access to high quality testing and treatment services for people at risk of STIs remain a public health priority.

    “People with STIs and HIV often have no symptoms so it’s important to have a check-up if you think you may be at risk. Having the tests is very straightforward and you can make find out about where our clinics are and how to make an appointment at www.sexualhewalth.cnwl.nhs.uk. “

  • Which singers are singing what on the Grenfell Tower single?

    If you’ve been listening to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and want to know who is singing what, we’ve got the lyric sheet.

     

  • What are Gay and LGBT Rights like In Croatia?

    This is a brief overview of the LGBT and gay rights situation in Croatia

    In 2017 Croatia ranks number 10 ranking out of 49 countries in Europe according to ILGA. It’s just above Sweden and below The Netherlands. Its capital city is Zagreb, which is where the majority of its LGBT venues and services are.

    It has three main prides in Zagreb, Split and Osikek.

    Is same-sex sexual activity legal?
    Legal since 1977

    Age of consent
    The age of consent was equalised in 1998 and is currently set at 15 years old

    Military service
    Gays and lesbians are permitted to serve in the country’s military

    Same-sex marriage legal
    Same-sex marriage is not legal in Croatia and its ban is written into the Croatian constitution.

    It was decided as part of a public referendum which determined that marriage could only be between a man and a woman.

    Same-sex partnerships legal
    Same-sex partners cohabitations have been legal since 2003, in 2014 the country added Life partnerships, which afford sex couples the same rights as married couples, except in adoption rights.

    Discrimination protections
    LGBTs are protected from discriminations since 2003.

    Gender identity

    Changing your legal gender is permitted by law.

    Blood donation
    People who have sex with people of the same sex are prohibited by law in donating blood.

  • Serbia’s first female PM could fail to become leader despite nomination

    Although Ana Brnabić was nominated by Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vučić, to become the first woman and openly lesbian Prime Minister she may fail to get enough votes from the Country’s politicians.

    Ana Brnabić was nominated by Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vučić last week and is set to become Serbia’s first female PM but also the country’s first out lesbian leader. However, her leadership could come unstuck if Serbia’s politicians fail to vote for the 41-year-old. According to PinkNews, some are allegedly refusing to vote for her, because of her sexuality.

    If this happens, a public election could happen, putting her future into the hands of the Country.

    Serbia has a relatively poor history on gay right’s matters, having only legalised same-sex sexual activity in 1994. The country does not have any recognitions for same-sex partners and gay marriage is constitutionally banned.

    President Vučić has met with 100 of Parliament’s 250 politics, apparently securing their votes, but she still needs 26 more votes to become the Prime Minister.

    Ms Brnabić has had a quick rise to the top having been elected as the Minister of Public Administration and Local State Governments in 2016.

    Politicians were due to vote this week on whether Ms Brnabić becomes the next PM, however, the vote has been pushed back.

     

  • Over 750,000 signed that anti-DUP/Tory coalition petition, it will now be delivered to Number10

    A petition with over 750,000 signatures will be handed to Number 10 Downing Street as people make their feelings about a DUP/Tory coalition known.

    A petition which attracted over 750,000 signatures against a DUP/Tory coalition government has come to an end and its author, Stuart Veaney, will deliver it to Theresa May in 10 Downing Street.

    In a statement on the petition page, Mr Veaney said,

    “I have decided to listen to the majority & this petition has now finished. Unfortunately we did not reach our target of 1,000,000 but 750k is an amazing achievement.

    Thank you so much for your support & I will post an update shortly regarding the delivery of your signatures to No 10.”

    In total 753,269 people signed the petition.

    Theresa May was unable to secure a majority Government after the results of her snap election revealed a shortfall and overall lost in seats, winning only 318 seats. Propped by DUP’s 10 seats, Ms May would have a majority of just two seats. The Conservatives did have a majority of five before the election.

    The petition is hosted on the change.org platform and it remains to be seen whether the cause will be debated in Parliament as per the rules, that any petition that surpasses 100,000 signatures will be considered for debate in Parliament. However, the official UK Government petitioning site is not accepting any new petitions as they are waiting for a new petitions committee.

     

     

  • Essex Pride: Ramped up security at this year’s event

    Organisers of Essex Pride have promised to provide extra security following on from terror attacks in London and Manchester.

    Security at Essex Pride

    Essex Pride organisers have said there will be “tight” security at this year’s pride event and that the whole event will be manned by an experienced security team following on from the terrorist atrocities in London and Manchester. Essex Police will also be in attendance during the event which takes place on the 24th June in Chelmsford.

    Speaking about the attacks a statement on the Essex Pride website states,

    “Following the recent terrorism attacks in London and Manchester, we at Essex Pride have all those affected and their families in our thoughts. We would like to give our reassurance that the security arrangements at Essex Pride will be tight and that we take your safety at the event seriously.

    “We are appalled by the recent events but feel it is important to not give in to these types of threats.

    “We will be continuing to work with the police and the authorities to make sure Essex Pride remains safe, as we did last year after the Orlando attacks. We know this reassurance will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable day at Essex Pride.”

    The organisers have said that those who bring bags into the event will be required to go through bag search lines and have suggested that patrons avoid bringing bags to speed up the process of entry to Chelmsford’s Central Park on Saturday.

     

     

     

  • This is how the DUP voted on gay marriage in Northern Ireland last time

    This worrying graphic shows how the DUP voted on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland in 2015.

     

    As you can see all other parties in Northern Ireland voted positivity for gay marriage, however only the Unionists voted against same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage has come up for voting four times. Each time it is voted down.

    96 MLAs took part in a vote for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, 49 of them voted against the Sinn Féin promoted motion, despite a Belfast Telegraph poll in September 2014, showing that a majority of the Northern Ireland population supporting same-sex marriage. 40.1 percent of those surveyed supported equal marriage, while 39.4% opposed it. 20.5% had no opinion on it either way.

    With Sinn Féin, SDLP and five Alliance MLA’s supporting the proposal, the DUP and Unionists road blocked the bill which would see all LGBs given equality in marriage.

    All DUP members voted against it and of 53 unionists, just four voted in favour.

     

  • Europe gets second gay Prime Minister this week

    Europe gets second gay Prime Minister this week

    The times are changing.

    Serbia has just got an openly lesbian Prime Minister in a duo of firsts.

    President Aleksandar Vučić announced the appointment of Ana Brnabić today, the second openly lesbian head of Government and the fifth openly gay head of government in the world. She is also Serbia’s first female Prime Minister.

    MsBrnabić is a 41-year-old graduate of the University of Hull. The news comes hot on the tails of Ireland’s brand new Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.

    Ms Brnabić has had a quick rise to the top having been elected as the Minister of Public Administration and Local State Governments in 2016.

    Serbia has a relatively poor history on gay right’s matters, having only legalised same-sex sexual activity in 1994. The country does not have any recognitions for same-sex partners and gay marriage is constitutionally banned.