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  • ALBUM REVIEW | The Overtones, Saturday Night At The Movies

    The Overtones are back with their third album, an upbeat take on a number of classic songs from the movies combined with a few others, including some original songs written for the album. Covering tracks from such films as When Harry Met Sally, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Dirty Dancing, the boys ably apply their vocal harmonies to a broad selection of songs.

    The first noticeable thing about the album is how instantly recognisable the track list is and on a quick glance you will probably recognise most of them. The title track is first on the album and sets the tone of what is to follow perfectly well. From thereon in, the album contains a number of classic songs such as “Moon River”, “Do You Love Me?” and “Pretty Woman” all of which are well executed and put together.

    Using their tight and polished vocals, the group reinvigorate the classic tracks and introduce us to some new ones – “Miss Hollywood” and “Superstar” in particular were unexpected pleasures. The album is mainly upbeat and catchy with you finding the songs feeling familiar even upon first listen. However, the group have managed to add something just different enough to the songs to ensure that the album never comes across as just straight covers, but equally that it does not stray too far from the originals to make them unrecognisable or overblown. There is also a pleasant balance between music and vocals, which allows the group’s vocal strengths to shine through.

    With the right mixture of upbeat numbers and slower ballads, this collection is easy to listen to and is, in the majority, likeable and fun. That said; there are a couple of songs which seem a little out of place and don’t really fit with the rest of the track list. Whilst “The Bare Necessitates / I Wanna Be Like You” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” are good enough as standalone tracks, they don’t seem to sit well with the rest of the songs and interrupt the flow of the album.

     

    Album highlights included “It Had To Be You”, “Runaway”, “Superstar” and “Shake A Tail Feather” and the whole thing was enjoyable enough. As with all music, you have to appreciate the style and genre of music, so this is not going to be an album that suits everyone. If you love your hard-core house or death metal, then you should steer well clear.

     

    However, if this is your kind of music, the overall flavour of the album is very much peppered with a 50’s tinge and fans of Do-Wop, rock ‘n’ roll and swing music will find a lot to enjoy in this album. It has a genuine feel of nostalgia to it and a pleasant, foot tapping, sing-along charm of its own.

  • 14 ways to beat bullying

    This month it’s been anti-bullying month here at THEGAYUK. Bullying takes many forms: Name-calling, making negative comments on your work, making someone feel worthless, physical abuse are just some examples.

    So we’ve put some tips together to help anyone out there who might be being bullied. It doesn’t matter if you’re being bullied at school, college, university, work or home.

    Remember if you are being bullied remember it’s not your fault.

    Write Everything Down
    Keep a log of every incident; write down the date, time, location, what happened, what they said and any witnesses that were around.

    Tell Someone
    Tell someone in authority and ask them what they intend to do about it. Tell them any fears you have about reprisals from the bully.

    Someone you trust, like a family member or a friend can also be useful. It means that you’re not dealing with the problem on your own; a problem shared is a problem halved.

    Get Support
    Don’t try to deal with it and your feelings about it all on your own. Get some support. Consider counselling for some additional support around your feelings.

    Know Your Rights
    All educational settings have anti-bullying policies. Some employers have these as well. Even if your employer doesn’t they will have Equality & Diversity Policies as well as other relevant policies. Read them.

    There will also be procedures for investigating and dealing with bullying – so have a look at these as well.

    Know your rights. Nobody has a right to bully another. Make authority figures aware that you know you’re rights.

    Don’t Let It Get To You
    Try to not let the things the bully says or does get to you. Bullies bully for a variety of reasons, but it’s always about their issues, not yours.

    Try Not To Show A Reaction or Smile
    Don’t let the bully see that they are getting to you. To do this, try to give them no reaction or smile. You know that phrase: Smile – it confuses people.

    Walk With Confidence
    Use your body language to make you look larger. Stand with your legs apart, your back straight and your chest pushed out slightly. Have your arms slightly away from your body and loose by your sides. Head up as you walk looking straight ahead. This does take a bit of practice but try practising in front of a full-length mirror. Believe it or not, this is how most bullies walk.

    When we see someone walk like this, especially a bully, we do the opposite with our body language. We make ourselves as small as possible including hunching our back, pulling our arms in close and looking down at the ground. Try to remember to keep this confident body language, even when you see the bully.

    The only time to avoid using body language to make you look larger is in the event of a physical assault. In that case, have your side to the perpetrator, as this will give them less of a target. In the event of a physical assault, get yourself out of the situation as soon as you can and to a place of safety.

    Remember nobody has the right to be violent towards you; likewise, you don’t have the right to be violent towards anyone else. All physical assaults should be reported to the Police.

    If It’s CyberBullying
    If the bully is sending you messages, texts, images and videos, keep them all. Don’t respond to any messages and make good use of privacy settings. Block/Ignore the bully and report them to the social media provider. If the messages get particularly abusive report them to the Police (this is why you need to keep all the messages as evidence).

    Take Sensible Steps To Keep Yourself Safe
    Keep yourself safe by carrying a mobile phone, personal attack alarm and being aware of your surroundings. Never walk home on your own and always try to stay with someone when travelling around the setting where you come into contact with the bully.

    Involve The Police
    Any violence or physical assault should be reported to the Police.

    If the bullying is homophobic or racist in nature you can report it to the Police as a hate crime. Hate crime also covers bullying that is related to disability religion, ethnicity or transgender identify. Find out more about hate crimes on the True Vision website.

    Come up with Good Coping Strategies
    We all have different coping strategies. Some good ones are: taking up sports or martial arts (these are particularly empowering and you learn to defend yourself as well), talking to people, expressing how you feel creatively (e.g. writing, music, drawing, making movies, etc.). All of these activities also raise your confidence and self-esteem – something that bullies try to damage or destroy.

    Avoid Drugs & Alcohol as a Coping Strategy
    There is research that links drugs and alcohol misuse to bullying as a coping strategy. Avoid using drugs or alcohol to cope with the bullying. It might make you forget or feel happier in the very short term (for the night), but the next day the bullying often seems a much bigger problem.

    Know that It Gets Better
    Bullying is a massive issue. Many people get bullied. Remember that the situation you’re in now won’t last forever. There will be a time that the bullying will stop.

    Avoid Becoming The Bully
    There’s some research that shows that some people who have been bullied, later become bullies. Don’t let it happen, you’re better than that! Remember how it felt to be bullied. If you’re in a position to safely stand up to a bully that’s bullying someone else – do.

    If you’re affected by bullying please check out our resources page for further help and support.

  • NEWS: Will James Arthur appear on X-Factor this weekend?

    Thousands of people have signed an online petition to have the previous X-Factor winner James Arthur banned from singing his new single on World AIDS Day.

    It’s still unclear, as momentum grows, if James Arthur will or will not appear on the show. It seems thousands of people are still not happy with the singers behaviour over the last few weeks where he made a rap video calling a fellow rapper a ‘f**king queer’.

    James apologised for the rap saying, ‘Some of the things said in this rap can be mistaken for homophobic slurs and I assure you homophobia is something I do not believe in’.

    However some people have spoken up about there being no mistake in the language choice used.

    ‘The context was “you’re a f***ing queer” and went on to say “‘you probably want to stick your dick in me” – if that doesn’t insinuate homosexuality then what does? There’s no mistaking!’, messaged one reader on GayStarNews.

    With the performance set for World AIDS Day, some have questioned if this is appropriate as more people seem less impressed with Arthur’s apology. The big question still being asked is, will James perform or not?

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

    ★★★ | Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

    Andrew Lloyd Webber’s biblical musical continues its national tour with this colourful, energetic and enjoyable production of the enduring and well-loved family show.

    This sing-though musical tells the story of Joseph and his eleven brothers. Joseph is favoured by his father and is given a Technicolor coat, which causes his brothers to become so jealous of his favourable treatment that they take him into the desert to kill him. However, seizing an unexpected opportunity to make some money, the brothers sell him into slavery instead and Joseph is taken to Egypt where his ability to interpret dreams is put to good use by the Pharaoh. The two hour show is jam packed full of songs that you can’t help but know the words to, including “Any Dream Will Do”, “One More Angel In Heaven”, “Close Every Door” and “Jacob and Sons”.

    This quality production was much better than anticipated with the staging of the show being very well put together. There’s good use of the set and scenery with the stage constantly looking full, but never overcrowded. The universally talented cast all performed very well and sounded excellent together. The sound produced by the ensemble cast (especially the brothers) when singing together was superb and their varied voices fitted perfectly together. The casting for the show, in terms of vocal performances was spot on. In particular, Andrew Bateup (making his professional debut) stood out for his enthusiasm and vivacious performance and Rob Wilshaw provided a notable performance in the role of Joseph, handling the show’s best known numbers with aplomb.

    Visually, the show was vibrant, colourful and full of an enthusiastic and energetic cast and effective choreography. As expected, the costumes, set and lighting were all awash with a variety of colours, and the whole thing came across as a fun and lively production which was professionally put together. The lighting in particular was incredibly well done. In terms of the production and performance of the show, there was very little to criticise.

    The main issue with the show was despite the fact that the production was updated, modern and well put together, the songs themselves have not aged as well as some of Rice/Lloyd Webber’s other early productions (such as Evita). Whether this is a result of over familiarity or just the way in which musical theatre has evolved over the years, the play itself felt a little dated. That said, the show, thankfully, didn’t take itself too seriously, with a couple of knowing nods to the audience, which was a welcome addition.

    Overall, if you are looking of an evening of pleasant and undemanding entertainment, then this is a show worth seeing. The show delivers on many levels, particularly in terms of production, but also in terms of nostalgia (most people of a certain age will remember doing this show as their school play), in terms of good family entertainment and in terms of enjoyable, if fairly cheesy, fun.

    Joseph is currently playing at Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 30th November 2013. For information and tickets, visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or visit the show’s official website at www.josephthemusical.com

  • INTERVIEW: Happy Day’s Amy Anzel “As Homophobic As A Rainbow”

    Much has been made in the press recently of homophobic comments.

    Whether it’s James Arthur’s lyrics, James Arthur’s apology, James Arthur’s tirade at Lucy Spraggan or, well.. it’s mainly been James Arthur. But, hidden amongst this is a little storm that blew up around Happy Days the Musical producer Amy Anzel following a Channel 4 documentary, The Sound of Musicals.

    Steven Hardcastle was auditioning for Happy Days, based on the popular TV series set in 1950’s America. This was not a time for overt, or even hidden, displays of gay behaviour, and so Amy suggested to one of the dancers that he “strip away the gay” to fit in with his character. When he didn’t react, Anzel wondered if she was mistaken. “You are gay, right?” she enquired, to which she received a positive response. “That’s fine,” continued Amy, “I love my gays!”

    Never one to miss a publicity opportunity, John Barrowman immediately baited his Twitter followers with ”Holly Shit! Did Amy Anzul [Sic] actually say that about Gay’s “I love my Gays, Strip away the Gay” #soundofmusicals jb”

    Amy has since been branded homophobic. Knowing this not to be true, I caught up with her to ask how she feels about the whirlwind her comments caused. I also asked where she got that amazing “lion” hairdo, because that’s what we all really want to know, right? RIGHT.
    Happy Days looks fantastic. How did it come about?

    “I acted in the developmental workshops in LA about 10 years ago when Garry Marshall (Happy Days creator) was turning the TV show into a musical, which was always his dream. I loved being a part of the show and the process. When I moved to London in 2009, 1950’s Americana was doing really well in the West End with Jersey Boys, Grease and Hairspray, and it seemed the British would really love it, so I optioned the rights to shop it around and see what I could do. The show came together and fell apart a few times, but here we are now. Happy Days finally came together with the right team behind it and it took almost five years. Everything takes time.

    I have a co-producer on board who comes from a financial services background, and he had this brilliant idea. Normally, theatre investment has been reserved for the really wealthy because, if you want to put money into a show, you have to put in £10-20,000. There are a lot of people who are supporters of the arts, lovers of theatre and lovers of Happy Days that want to support the show but might not have £10,000, so we let them put in as little as £10 and they still get a profit if the show makes one. We already have over 230 investors and all those people will talk about the show and own a piece of it.”

    How is the UK production different from the US one?

    “Garry’s making changes to the script – not making it British but some words and references don’t translate. Two songs have been added and, of course, the direction and the design can make or break a show it. To me, the American production just took the TV show and plopped it on stage. We have tremendous ideas how to really make it slightly larger than life but still be truthful and real, and pay homage to the TV show. We have a lot of big plans for it. There will definitely be a wow factor. There might even be a moment where Cheryl Baker rips off her skirt. You’ve got to give the audience what they want. I don’t think you can have her in a show without doing that.”

    You have an excellent cast. How did Cheryl Baker get involved?

    “We love Cheryl Baker. We’re so thrilled, and on tonight’s episode of The Sound of Musicals you’ll see her audition. We had seen a few other stars and she walked in and just was Mrs Cunningham. She was maternal, warm, lovely, sweet and kind, and then she sang and wowed us. She could not be a more perfect Mrs Cunningham.

    People also know Heidi Range as a singer (Atomic Kitten and Sugababes), but not everyone knows that she is a really good actress. People won’t know it until she steps onto stage.”

    And the rather delicious Ben Freeman as The Fonz!

    “I thought The Fonz would be easier to cast. It’s an iconic role so there are big shoes to fill. We saw a lot of star names once again and either they were not triple threats or they were just not cool. It’s hard to really want a role and still be laid back, and Ben just was. Fonzie was the only role we had to get approval for so we sent his audition to the creators. They love him and think he did a fantastic job. We start rehearsals soon, and Henry Winkler is coming in once a week to work with the cast.”

    Why did Craig Revel Horwood leave?

    “Craig’s a very busy man and wanted us to push our dates back. We have a January opening but, because he has so many commitments that need his time, he felt that an April opening would better suit his schedule. Obviously we can’t cancel half the tour, because we have a great tour booked.”

    As a producer and an actress, what is the best way for you to give or receive criticism?

    “I’ve always embraced constructive criticism. I don’t think you can grow as a person without being able to accept and absorb it. Usually it’s helpful and the more it stings, the more it probably needs to be dealt with. Maybe, being a performer since I was a child, I’ve always been used to it so, when I give it, I don’t always think twice that perhaps someone’s quite sensitive. I do think that it’s important in this industry – if someone says your dancing isn’t good enough, go take some dance classes. I think, in terms of constructive criticism, just accept it.”

    You received a fair bit of criticism yourself recently for what you said to Steven Hardcastle. Is there anything you’d like to say to those who took offence?

    “I just wish John Barrowman spelled my name right!

    Seriously, I don’t understand, I was just asking him “You are gay?” that’s not approving or disapproving. I don’t necessarily agree with defending myself but I’m happy to explain.

    I would have said to a straight person auditioning for a gay role to strip away the straight and be more gay. It goes both ways. Everyone in the room signed a release and understood that their audition and any conversation could be captured, so everything in that room might be on Channel 4. It’s not like people were standing around in a semi-circle watching that interaction. I was having a quiet word with him away from the group but the cameras were there. He knew it and I knew it. Channel 4 has a legal team that reviewed all this material before it was broadcast.

    Steven’s second performance was really good, and he would have had a really good chance. Unfortunately, by the time we cast the show, he had committed to another project.

    I was surprised that people got so upset and took it so personally, but people don’t know me and my background. In January 2012, I was on the cover of Boyz magazine and I did three gay shows in a row. Almost my entire creative team is gay. I got this email from one of them who doesn’t want to be named so he doesn’t get drawn into this: “You, Amy Anzel, are about as homophobic as a rainbow.”

    How was it patronising? I don’t understand that? How is asking someone if they’re gay patronising? Someone asked me yesterday “Are you Jewish?” and I said “Yes!” I wasn’t offended at all! Did the dancer feel offended? Ask him. Ask him on Twitter!”

    Steven’s Twitter feed clearly shows he thinks it’s hilarious and did not feel at all patronised. He also suggests we start a #LoveMyGays hashtag!

    My feeling is that we can safely put the upset to bed and look forward to Happy Days the Musical, safe in the knowledge that the producer really does love her gays. And this gay loves her right back.

    The next episode of Sound of Musicals (featuring Cheryl Baker’s audition) is on Channel 4 tonight (Tuesday 26 November) at 9:00pm. Happy Days the Musical tours the UK from January 2014. Watch this space for an exciting Happy Days giveaway coming soon!
    Oh, and the hair was at John Frieda.

  • COLUMN | Testing Times

    It’s National HIV testing week: a campaign that I strongly believe in. As a naïve 17 year, I met, and quite quickly moved in with, a much older man. It was the late 1980s and AIDS. was grabbing the headlines. Ineffectual government TV adverts and sensationalist headlines didn’t penetrate my psyche and I ignored the whole safer sex message. As far as I was concerned it wasn’t a worry for me. Condoms were readily available in the gay bars I frequented and for various reasons they stayed gathering dust in my bedside drawer.

    Five years down the line I started to have concerns. People around me in the sleepy Midlands town where I lived were starting to get diagnosed with HIV and a contemporary of mine died of AIDS. in his mid twenties. Famous people starting dying, people who were remote yet whom I could relate to. I’d not been especially promiscuous (yet) and had only had a handful of sexual partners. Of course, this didn’t mean a thing, as the sexual partners that I’d had unsafe sex with had all had a fair share of sexual encounters. I’d effectively opened myself up to the transmission route of every partner they’d had too. The thought that I might have HIVbegan to niggle away at me.

    I did the worst thing possible and ignored it. I flicked past articles about the subject, avoided novels and films with an AIDS theme and tried to supress the thoughts whenever they arose. Trying to keep your eyes, ears and mind closed to something is incredibly counterproductive. Pushing down thoughts can be like trying to hold down a beach ball in a swimming pool: the harder you push it down, the more velocity it attains when it bounces back.

    My hypochondria worsened. Every blemish, ache or swollen gland was a sure fire confirmation of my fears. I actually convinced myself that I definitely had the illness and made changes to my thinking accordingly. I stayed put in a bad relationship for much longer than I should (falsely) believing that no one else would want me if I was positive for HIV I tried not to plan ahead or think about the future, as I was convinced that I didn’t have one. I worried and fretted and tried to keep busy to avoid thinking. Treatments were only just coming out to slow the progress of the virus and during this time, several more acquaintances became ill and died. When one of my partner’s exes was diagnosed with the virus, I was certain that my days were very limited.

    It took several years before I finally plucked up the courage to have a test. There was no flash of light or defining moment. I was just so sick of worrying and doing nothing that I eventually came to the conclusion, that whatever the answer I was better knowing rather than living like I was. The test was negative. A week of anxious waiting proved just how wrong my thinking was. I was so convinced that I had the virus that I had a repeat test a month later. My mind-set took some readjusting.

    Knowing what I know now: I look back and see that had I been positive, I would have somehow coped with the diagnosis. Delaying the testing lead me to not take steps to address the issues and left me stuck in a process of denial and grief. Of course, treatments are better now too and the testing process is much easier and faster with a range of testing options. It’s so important to know your status.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | From Morning To Midnight

    ★★★ | From Morning To Midnight

    “For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like.” I felt rather like Miss Jean Brodie after seeing From Morning to Midnight at the Lyttleton Theatre last night. Evidently there were plenty around me who liked the play rather more than I did. Well, to be honest, I didn’t like it at all.

    Admittedly we were not seeing it under the best of circumstances. Adam Godley, who was playing the central character of the Clerk had been taken ill, and his role was taken by understudy Jack Tarlton. Under the circumstances, Tarlton did a sterling job, but nobody can deny the debilitating effect of having to go on with an understudy so early in the run, and before the production had had a chance to settle down. One applauds Tarlton’s achievement, whilst duly noting that the balance of the whole can’t help but have been upset.

    From Morning to Midnight is a German expressionist play, written in 1912 by Georg Kaiser, and initially banned for its portrayal of the Kaiser. The action unfolds over a single day, on which the clerk breaks with normality, absconds from the bank he works in with 60,000 marks and goes in search of something to make life worth living. The loosely linked scenes are given titles: Machine, Bourgeoisie, Epiphany, Family, Society, Sex and Salvation, but, unsurprisingly, his search is fruitless.

    This is the theatre of ideas. None of the characters have names and all, even the clerk himself, are no more than ciphers, representatives of types; an Italian lady, a bank manager a society gent, mother, wife, daughter etc. Even the clerk is not a fully developed character, more of a catalyst for the events that unfold.

    Production values, as so often at the National are consistently high, with ingenious sets by Soutra Gilmour. Director Melly Still has a firm grasp of her material, helped by some wonderful choreography from movement director Al Nedjari, but I remained uninterested and uninvolved. No doubt others will enjoy it more than I did.

    From Morning To Midnight plays at the Lyttleton Theatre until January 26th 2014

    http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

  • LGBT charity Push Projects is looking for your help

    Push Projects, set up by Daniel Browne the driving force behind Warwickshire Pride, is on the look out for folk to help them out with a new video to help battle homophobia and transphobia.

    The new film is to feature in schools across Warwickshire to help in the ongoing battle with homophobia and transphobia amongst students. This important project is just part of the many important fights Push Projects have taken head on.

    If you would like to help out or take part then do contact Push Projects via:

    Email: pushprojects@live.co.uk
    Facebook: /PushProjects
    Twitter: @PushProjects

    Check out their new YouTube appeal looking for talent to help in their new film project: here

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Slava’s Snowshow

    Slava’s Snowshow is set in a winter landscape and combines beautiful comic performances from a host of clowns each with their own individual personalities, with a dazzling assault on the senses, immersing the audience in a winter wonderland of wide eyed wonder.

    Slava’s Snowshow is a visually tantalising and immersive experience that is a world away from the big top clowning that we are so used to. Thankfully there were no buckets of glitter or a small car with the doors falling off anywhere in sight. This was much more intelligent humour that appeals to both adults and children and pleasingly rejects the slapstick tomfoolery that is so often seen performed by circus clowns.

    The show itself has no dialogue and no narrative, but is more a collection of set pieces, which overlap each other like a flow of consciousness or a surreal dream. The humour is subtle and gentle, but very funny, with the cast evoking laughter from the audience with nothing more than a facial expression, a subtle gesture or either a tiny or exaggerated movement. The whole show has an almost childlike innocence to it, which seemed to successfully regress the majority of the audience back to their childhood.

    The style of the piece was very reminiscent of the silent comedies of the 30’s and 40’s, and the performances by the cast were remarkable. Just by the raising of an eyebrow or by the widening of their smile, they were able to convey a variety of emotions to the audience and garner genuine empathy and warmth towards the characters. This is simple, non-offensive and innocent humour that is family friendly and based on a purely physical performance, coupled with perfect and precise comic timing.

    The set itself was very basic, but the use of smoke, lighting and various other techniques, including bubbles, paper snow and a simply stunning soundtrack, brought the whole thing to life in a beautiful and sometimes dramatic fashion. The audience were literally drawn into the show as the on stage performances extended out into the theatre itself, with everything from covering the audience in a huge spider’s web, walking over the top of the seats throughout the stalls and having snow fall from the roof, it ensured that those watching were very much a part of the show. You can’t help but find yourself sitting and wondering what will happen next. The ending of the show is not one that will be spoilt in this review, but it builds to a spectacular close that quite literally takes your breath away.

    Slava’s Snowshow is not a piece of theatre that is easy to categorise. You could define it as a clown’s equivalent to Cirque Du Soleil. You could class it as a piece of performance art, or as the embodiment of a well-crafted and traditional theatrical art form with a modern spin. It is not for everyone, and would no doubt be a very divisive piece of theatre. You are likely to either, really buy into it and love it, or you will not really connect with it and it will not be your thing. But, if you are looking for something that’s more of an experience than a show, or you simply want a change from the usual musicals or plays, then this would be ideal. Just allow yourself to be carried away in the piece and enjoy it.

    To get the best out of this show, book seats in the front half of the stalls and ensure that you stay around for the interval, as just because the show stops for a break, the clowning around in the theatre doesn’t!

    Slava’s Snowshow is currently at the Sheffield Lyceum until Sunday 24th November 2013 here
    before continuing on its national tour and heading for London. Details can be found on the show’s official website here.

  • Gay former soldier joins fight against un-diagnosed HIV

    James Wharton, a former Lance Corporal with the Blues and Royals, has taken a rapid HIV test to encourage more gay men to test for the virus during this year’s National HIV Testing Week (22nd – 29th November).

    James – the first gay person to appear on the cover of Soldier magazine, the British Army’s official publication – attended the King’s Cross centre of HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust for a simple finger-prick blood test. His negative result was delivered within 15 minutes.

    James Wharton said,
    “I’m proud to be launching National HIV Testing Week. There are lots of people out there who don’t realise how quick and easy it is to test. Modern tests are done in minutes, and you get your result there and then. It’s incredibly important to know your status. I fully believe we can win the fight against HIV, but it’s up to us to keep testing, testing, testing.”

    Figures released by Public Health England this week report that one in five gay and bisexual men with HIV remains unaware that they have the infection and is therefore more likely to pass the virus on. National HIV Testing Week, coordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust and HIV Prevention England, aims to drive down undiagnosed HIV by encouraging those most at risk to get tested.
    An estimated 100,000 gay and bisexual men tested for HIV in 2012. Terrence Higgins Trust is calling on the gay community to halve the level of undiagnosed HIV by increasing the total testing annually to 250,000.

    National HIV Testing Week runs from Friday 22nd – Friday 29th November, and coincides with the first ever European HIV Testing Week. Terrence Higgins Trust will be offering all day testing at its King’s Cross centre (314 – 320 Grays Inn Road, London) from Monday 25th – Friday 29th November, between 10.00am and 8.00pm daily.

    Please visit www.startswithme.org.uk to find your nearest testing service, order a postal testing kit, or pledge your support for the campaign.

  • Are you in a harmonious gay relationship?

    Having an understanding of how the inside-nature of thought works can help make relationships a lot more harmonious. The first thing to remember is that it’s not what your partner says or does that makes you feel the way you do about it because the system doesn’t work like that. You (and only you) are responsible for the way you feel, through your thinking about the situation.

    To illustrate this in everyday life, let’s use the example of your partner not cleaning up after themselves. When you see the mess, it’s easy to have negative thinking around it, which in turn will create a negative feeling of annoyance or even anger inside. When you feel this building, your reaction to your partner might be negative. You may shout at them or say something uncomplimentary, which in turn is going to trigger a negative reaction within them. Ultimately, this exchange ends up in an argument. If you had spoken to them in a non-confrontational way then they would be more likely to listen to you and enter into a conversation about the issue.

    When you have an understanding that your emotions and feelings are generated by thought, it is much easier to catch that negative emotion or feeling before it builds into something destructive. As soon as you sense the annoyance and anger building inside, you know it is your thinking doing this, so you can acknowledge it. Amazingly this process can stop it building further and establish a sense of calm within you. You are now in a much better place to enter a discussion with your partner because you have a clear mind and you are feeling calm. If you had let you annoyance or anger build, your head would be full of all sorts of untrustworthy thinking and you are likely to say things that will make the situation worse.

    I’m sure you have all been in a situation where you have been annoyed or angry and said things to someone you don’t mean, which leads to you apologising later (when you realise you were out of order). The simple fact is that you can’t trust your thinking when you are in a low mood state, so avoiding it (or at least being aware of it) helps you when it comes to engaging with others.

    Having the understanding that you create your experience of a situation through thought, can be enough for you to regain control of your thinking and emotions before they drive you into negative mood state. Also understanding that your thinking can not be trusted when you are in a low mood state is also useful in a relationships because you will be more inclined to leave a potentially explosive conversations until you are in a better state of mind and can deal with the situation in a compassionate way.

    Just understanding how your thinking creates your experience of a situation and how moods affect your thinking can do wonders in developing a more harmonious relationship between you and your partner.

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