THEGAYUK

Category: News

  • A petition has already formed over a Conservative and DUP coalition

    A petition stating no confidence has already gone live over a coalition between the Conservatives and the DUP.

    A petition of no confidence has emerged over a coalition of the Conservatives and the DUP.

    The Conservatives have failed to achieve an overall majority in the General Election, securing 318 seats. A party needs 326 seats in order to have a majority.

    Theresa May looks to have negotiated with the DUP, who have 10 seats, in order to take their total number of seats up to 329, a majority of just three seats. However, the coalition will not be welcome news for many in the LGBT+ community has the DUP has run on a platform of conservativism which includes anti-LGBT equality and anti-abortion.

    The DUP have earned themselves a reputation for being homophobic after voting against same-sex marriage four times.

    Lorraine Carter who created the petition writes,

    “The UK electorates have spoken. The Conservative majority has been lost. The PM stated through all her campaging for strong and stable, not for a Coalition of Chaos. Once again another U turn. This petition shows no confidence in this coalition make up.”

  • Theresa May to make a deal with one of most homophobic political parties in the UK

    Theresa May looks set to make a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) who have consistently voted against LGBT+ equality.

    ARLENE FOSTER: the DUP leader.

    The DUP have earned themselves a reputation for being homophobic after voting against same-sex marriage four times.

    The Conservatives have failed to achieve an overall majority in the General Election, securing 38 seats. A party needs 326 seats in order to have a majority in the UK.

    Theresa May looks to have negotiated with the DUP, who have 10 seats, in order to take their total number of seats up to 328, a majority of just three seats. However, the coalition will not be welcome news for many in the LGBT+ community has the DUP has run on a platform of conservativism which includes anti-LGBT equality and anti-abortion.

    During their campaigning and the release of their manifesto, the DUP failed to mention any pledges for the LGBT community.

    The party’s founder Ian Paisley spearheaded the Save Ulster from Sodomy in the 1970s, which was opposed to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Northern Ireland, in fact, Northern Ireland was the last country within the UK to decriminalise homosexuality, which it did so in 1982. Paisley’s son, Ian Paisley Jr said that he was “repulsed” by homosexuality.

    Many historic senior DUP figures have attracted criticism for a variety of homophobic remarks. In 2015 Health Minister Jim Wells claimed children brought up in same-sex relationships were more likely to be abused or neglected; he was forced to resign shortly thereafter and the police investigated his remarks.

    In 2008 the wife of then-First Minister Peter Robinson, Iris Robinson, recommended conversion therapy and called homosexuality “disgusting, loathsome, nauseating, wicked, and vile.” 

     

     

  • What The 2017 General Election Result Could Mean For The LGBT Community

    What. A. Night.

    Defying all expectations, Jeremy Corbyn increased the number of Labour seats in the House of Commons as Prime Minister Theresa May lost her majority, leading to a hung parliament and casting doubt on Mrs May’s future as the Conservative Party leader. Right now she looks like she’s hanging on by the skin of her teeth, looking to do a deal with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party.

    This is bad news for the LGBT community. The DUP is promising to “make its influence felt” in Westminster. We should all be concerned.

    Back in 2015, I wrote about what a disaster a Tory-DUP coalition would mean for us. The DUP is deeply homophobic; they’ve blocked same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland at least four times and laid down as a “red line” marriage equality as a condition for forming a stable government at Stormont with Sinn Fien, the nationalist and pro-gay marriage party.

    That the DUP is so anti-gay that they’re willing to send Northern Ireland into political turmoil over the issue of marriage should concern everyone. Theresa May looks to form a government propped up by their 10 MPs, and this could mean a hard stop to any progress the LGBT community has made.

    The majority of Tory MPs voted against equalising marriage in England and Wales. When the Conservatives passed mandatory personal and sexual health education earlier this year, they omitted education about LGBT people and issues, despite the fact that Education Secretary Justine Greening is an out lesbian. The Tories themselves don’t have the best record of LGBT equality.

    So put them with the DUP, we can expect a real halt to any progress we’ve made over the past 20 years. Whilst education and marriage are devolved issues in Northern Ireland, the party is so deeply homophobic that it’s easy to imagine the Tories not bringing up equality votes for as long as the DUP is the linchpin in their government. Why risk losing your tenuous majority over an “identity politics” issue? Beyond that, though, the Tories are unlikely to push the DUP to enhance and equalise the rights of the LGBT community in Northern Ireland – the last legally homophobic holdout in the British Isles.

    This becomes even riskier considering Theresa May’s commitment (that wasn’t in the manifesto, by the way) to scrap human rights laws – notably the Human Rights Act – which protect LGBT rights. This is ostensibly to combat terrorism at home, but has implications for LGBT equality (for example, in the armed services). Whether the Tories would let the DUP dictate which LGBT rights protections are enshrined in UK law as we transfer EU law to our domestic books is an unknowable. But considering how much of a red line it is at Stormont (after all, they’re willing to jeopardise Northern Ireland peace to keep gay people from marrying), it’s deeply concerning.

    The Tories don’t have a good record on LGBT equality, no matter how you cut it. Yes, David Cameron introduced equal marriage, but it only passed because of Labour and Liberal Democrat votes. The Conservative Party has improved, but it’s not at the level of “ally” yet. That they’re considering going into coalition with the DUP jeopardises LGBT rights in Northern Ireland and, indeed, England and Wales as EU laws which protect us are written into British law.

    The news of the night isn’t all bad, though. Whilst some gay MPs – such as Tory Ben Howlett, who I interviewed last month – lost their seats, we look set to have at least 30 LGBT MPs in the next parliament. Gay candidates such as Wes Streeting and Peter Kyle increased their majorities, whilst Mhairi Black and Justine Greening clung on with reduced majorities – is welcome news for the community. I don’t have an exact count on how many LGBT candidates were elected, but I hope to do so by this evening.

    In the meantime, the LGBT community – like the rest of the country – waits with bated breath to find out what is going to happen to the country we love. No one knows the answer. If Theresa May does hang on, though, it is incumbent upon her to put the LGBT community’s welfare beyond her own desire for power and to make sure any deal, including with the DUP, does not sacrifice the progress we have made – or the victories we are yet to win.

  • Gay Dads show off their cute baby bump on This Morning

    Good news for couple Trystan Reese and Biff Chaplow as they celebrate being pregnant.

    Speaking on This Morning, Trystan Reese showed off his cute baby bump even though he’s 35 weeks pregnant along with his partner Biff. The couple from Portland USA,  spoke about how they were expecting their first biological child.

    The pair were able to conceive naturally because Trystan is a trans man.

    Speaking about the process, Trystan said,

    “I wanted to keep growing our family, and adopting more kids was not something we could do.

    “We could afford another child, but that [adoption] process was very emotionally difficult for our family, and we thought, actually, we already have everything we need to grow our family on our own!

    “I had to stop taking testosterone – I talked to a medical team and made sure that was advisable. We know this seems unique to your viewers, but in our community we actually know a few transgender men who have the ability to carry a child, and who have done so successfully.

    “For us it’s not that groundbreaking. The doctors said, absolutely this is something you can do, there’s no reason you couldn’t have a happy, healthy pregnancy.”

    Philip Schofield asked Trystan’s partner, Biff if as a gay man, Trystan’s anatomy was “a barrier” he had to “assign in his head”

    Biff replied,

    “I think the truth is, for all of us in relationships, when we meet somebody that we are attracted to, we are not attracted to every single part of them, necessarily.

    “It’s totally possible for me to, say, enjoy hairy chests but be with somebody who does not have a hairy chest.

    “That’s how I saw it. It wasn’t a negative thing… there was so much else about him that I loved and was attracted to.”

     

    Congrats guys!

     

  • Gay couples can now get married in Scottish churches

    The first major Christian church, the Scottish Episcopal Church, has voted to allow gay marriage in its venues.

    The Scottish Episcopal Church has become the first Christian church in the UK to allow same-sex marriage in its Churches, Clergy will not, however, be forced to officiate at those marriages if it goes against their conscience.

    The move means that gay Christians from any Anglican Church will be able to marry in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

    The amendment to canon law on marriage, which removed the stipulation that marriage is only between a man and a woman, was carried by the Synod in Edinburgh.

    Seventy-four percent of the General Synod voted for the motion.

    Clergy who wish to officiate at same-sex marriages will have to “opt-in” under the rule change.

    The Episcopal Church’s Bishop of Edinburgh, The Right Reverend Dr John Armes, said,

    “I am very pleased for the couples who can now have their relationships recognised by the church and blessed by God.

    “I’m also pleased for what this means about our church and the way we have been able to do this. But obviously any change like this creates pain and hurt in some as well, so as a bishop of the church I feel for them.”

     

     

  • Mother of Martyn Hett has been trolled since his death

    The mother of a man who was killed in the Manchester Bombing has spoken about she has been trolled since the death of her son.

    Speaking to LBC the mother of Martyn Hett, Figen Murray, has spoken about how she and Martyn’s stepfather, Stuart Murray, have been trolled by online cyber bullies since the death of her son. Ms Murray told LBC’s James O’Brien that they had received messages via social media questioning whether she was actually grieving the loss of her son because she didn’t appear to be more angry in public. She said that despite that she was seen smiling in public, her “heart is bleeding” over the death of her son.

    Last week she appeared at a memorial for Martyn and told the crowds that her son was an  “iconic diva”. She also thanked everyone for their messages of love and support since his death. She also called the family’s liaison officers “absolute angels”.

    She said that she was never going to go down the route of hate or anger for whoever was responsible and the goodness that she’s seen since his death had “by far outweighed the darkness”.

     

  • Charity urges teenagers to send naked mole rat pictures instead of nudes

    A charity has urged teenage boys to send pictures of naked mole rats instead of their genitals in a bid to prevent criminals obtaining pictures for blackmail purposes

    The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP) has asked teenage boys not to send pictures of their penises but instead to send pictures of the naked mole rat to prevent cyber criminals from obtaining illicit pictures which they can use to extort and blackmail.

    Executive director Lianna McDonald said,

    “Awareness is critical because you can’t avoid a threat you don’t know about,

    “Sextortion is based on deceiving youth and obtaining sexual images – we need to drive home the Don’t Get Sextorted message that teens don’t send one.

    “We must break down the communication barriers around embarrassing topics for teenagers. Our campaign gives teens, parents and educators an easy ‘way-in’ to a tough conversation.”

    According to the charity, there has been an 89 percent increase in the last two years in sextortion of teenage boys.

    The charity has made downloadable images and memes of the mole rat available, which they have encouraged people to send.

  • Designer David Delfín has died, 46

    Fashion designer David Delfín has died following a battle with brain cancer.

    The 46-year-old Spanish designer and fashion professor David Delfín has died following a long battle with brain cancer. Tributes poured in as the fashion community mourns the loss of the designer described as “transgressive”. He was the creative director of Davidelfin, a high fashion brand which he created in 2001.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    He leaves behind his partner, photographer Pablo Sáez, who documented his boyfriend’s illness and surgeries through a series of photos. The pictures of David’s brain surgery scars were uploaded to his Instagram account. He endured three separate brain operations, combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BHEaAyLBjic/?taken-by=davidelfin_co&hl=en

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BG_RS44kn-I/?taken-by=davidelfin_co&hl=en

     

    His life was memorialised in this Twitter moment.

     

    https://twitter.com/i/moments/871145174742646784

     

    Director of communications Macarena Blanchón said,

    “With great pain we inform you that David Delfín has died tonight in his house in Madrid surrounded by his loved ones. We appreciate the warmth and support you have transmitted to David during this time. Thank you for your love and respect, “

  • Family pay tribute to gay man killed in Manchester Bombing

    The family and partner of John Atkinson have paid tribute to him in a heartbreaking statement. Family pay tribute to John Atkinson, who was a Manchester bombing victim

     

    The partner and family of one of the Manchester bombing victims have paid tribute to a “loving, loyal, kind and caring” man who had been with his partner, Michael for 15 years. They described their loss as immeasurable.

    John was one of the first victims to be announced shortly after the bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

    Through a statement the family said,

    John was the devoted Son of Daryl and Kevan. He was the loving partner of Michael, they had been together for 15 years. He was a caring and thoughtful Brother to Stacey, Laura and Amy. John was also a dear Uncle, Nephew, Cousin and friend to many people. He adored his Sisters and his nephews – his loss to them is immeasurable. John would text his Mum and Sisters every day making sure that they were okay.

    John worked as a support worker, looking after people with Autism and Asperger’s. He loved his job and particularly enjoyed taking the service users out into the local community. John had a huge positive impact on the lives of the people that he looked after. They will feel his loss greatly.

    John loved life and he lived his life to the fullest. He was loving, loyal, kind and caring. Nobody mattered more to John than the people that he loved. He was the life and soul of his family and was larger than life. John was well loved for his ‘on point’ eyebrows and his Nike flip-flops – He was never seen without either. Recently John lost 8 stone with Slimming World and he was immensely proud of this achievement. He had also taken up going to the gym and daily he would swim a mile at the local leisure centre.

    He was music mad! He adored pop music, particularly anything that he could sing along to. John was not somebody that you could have a cross word with – he was too kind and thoughtful for that. He had a heart of Gold.

    John’s senseless death has left our family broken hearted. Our lives have been shattered beyond belief. We will continue to miss John every day, until the end of time.

    RIP John

  • BREAKING | Ireland set to get its first openly gay Prime Minister

    Ireland is set to get its first openly gay Prime Minister, as Leo Varadkar is chosen by Fine Gael.

    Fine Gael, Ireland’s governing political party has chosen its new leader, Leo Varadkar who is set to become Ireland’s first openly gay Prime Minister. The 38-year-old will also be one of Ireland’s youngest leaders. He was victorious over the other candidate, Simon Coveney.

    Varadkar will replace Enda Kenny, who was the Prime Minister in Ireland from March 2011.

    Varadkar came out in January 2015 during an interview on RTE Radio. During the interview he said,

    “it’s not something that defines me. I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It’s just part of who I am, it doesn’t define me, it is part of my character I suppose”

    He is the third openly gay head of state in the world.

    This is a breaking story and it will be updated shortly.

  • Tim Farron once again cannot answer whether being gay is a sin

    Tim Farron has once again refused to answer on whether he thinks being gay is a sin.

    Speaking on Nick Ferrari’s LBC morning show, Tim Farron once again refused to answer whether he thought being gay was a sin.

    A caller, Brian, from Highgate asked the Lib Dem leader whether he thought that homosexuality was a sin to which he answered, “I dealt with that weeks ago.”

    Ferarri asked Farron to remind the listeners what his position was, to which Farron answered, “Do you know what, we’re not going there. My personal faith is my personal faith.”

    When pushed again by Ferrari, Farron answered,

    “…to be honest with you, a person who is a leader of a political party, it’s their job as someone who is passionate about LGBT rights, prove it with your actions, not by your words.

    “My actions, absolutely, are 100% about defending LGBT rights. And as a party, you look what we’ve done, my colleague Lynne Featherstone introduced equal marriage, I’m very proud of that.”

    In April, Farron answered the question in April during an interview with the BBC where he said,

    in a BBC interview this week, again Mr Farron’s opinion was sought on the subject. He replied,

    “I don’t believe that gay sex is a sin.

    “I take the view though, that as a political leader, my job is not to pontificate on theological matters.

    “It seems to me that there is a general election on at the moment, we need to be talking about big issues.”

    The general election will take place on Thursday 8th June 2017.