THEGAYUK

Search results for: “ ”

  • INTERVIEW | Trade DJ Stevie B

    With Trades birthday celebrations around the corner some of the regular DJs tell us what they enjoy most about the club night.

    What is your first memory of TRADE?
    Wow what a question! Well as I cast my mind back to the year 1999 I was DJ jing in Leeds and I had been to Turnips, sorry Turnmills, the previous week for the first time and I never knew a club “traded” (excuse the pun) at those times!
    I was invited by the these guys that I had met at the club Melt the week before and they were avid trade goers. One of them is one of my best friends now and well-known Trade pyromaniac, Wyn!!
    Well I’d just driven for 3 hours after a gig and it was about 6am and there was steam coming off the brickwork down the side of the venue. As we hit the top of the stairs this throbbing bass just hit me, then once inside it’s another wow, and holy shit this is really busy!!! We are in it…the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in such a small space. It was mental and I will never forget it and after that we pretty much went every week 🙂

    What is your most embarrassing TRADE moment?
    I don’t get embarrassed but if I did it would be falling down the stairs…

    What is your ultimate TRADE anthem?
    Jeeeezzzz what a question for a dj…erm…’Inside out’ by Joff Roach, and the sample says it all “party time”

    Why do you think TRADE has stood the test of time in club land?
    High Standards, quality branding, its attention to detail and of course,Trade was like an art gallery!! Plus the sheer love from all the great people that have graced the doors over the years talking about what an amazing piece of history it is.

    What are you most looking forward to at the forthcoming TRADE Birthday?
    Seeing all the people that I’ve met over the years come together dare I say As one?

    Who is the most famous person you have kissed at TRADE?
    Erm hang on…George Michael…No that was a dream! I mean, George Mitchell….wait …oh I can’t think it must be Yvette The Conqueror!!

  • REVIEW: The Massage Show

    As this month is Pleasure and Pain month at TheGayUK, I thought I’d return to a theme that is rather dear to my heart. As many of you will know, I practice tantric massage, which is something that very much comes under the umbrella of pleasure. The Massage Show is the brainchild of sex and relationship expert, and sensual masseur Colin Richards, and a few days ago I was fortunate enough to be invited along to experience one of his shows.

    (more…)

  • Union J’s Jaymi to marry boyfriend

    Jaymi Hensley from boyband Union J has revealed plans to marry his partner Olly Marmon in 2015.

    Speaking to The Mirror, Jaymi Hensley spoke about his wedding plans for 2015.

    He proposed to Olly in Rome in 2010, the pair have been lovers for four years.

    Hensley was encouraged by the boys’ mentor Louis Walsh to come out when they appeared on the X Factor in 2012. Speaking to The Sun Hensley said:

    “I spoke to Louis about this, and he said, ‘Put it this way, both of my big boybands [Boyzone and Westlife] had a gay member in them’. So he said it fits the formula quite well!

    “Every boyband has got to have a gay one! And Louis just said ‘do it

    “I’m gay and I’ve never been happier!”

    Union J’s current single “Beautiful Life” is currently sitting at number 6 in the midweek charts, whilst Katy Perry’s “Roar” is on course to hit the top spot.

    Gay Marriage is set to become legal in the UK in the summer of 2014 after the House of Lords passed the same-sex bill earlier in the year.

  • 1 In 10 Male Callers To Samaritans Are Worried About Their Sexuality

    Suicide is the number 1 killer of young men in the UK and gay, bisexual and questioning men are disproportionally effected, as the Samaritans releases worrying statistics that show 26% of calls from men, talk about issues surrounding their sexuality.

    More than one in ten calls for help to the Samaritans (10.9%) from men talked about issues surrounding their sexual orientation.This compares with only one in forty similar calls from women (2.4 percent) according to the latest snapshot survey of branches in the UK and ROI.

    Tragically there were 4639 male suicides in the UK last year, making it the single biggest killer of men under 35.

    A petition has been created on the HMGovernment.gov.uk website which calls on Jeremy Hunt MP the Secretary of State for Health, to further fund research on male suicide and to implement a ‘mechanism for those impacted by suicide’.

    You can read and sign the petition here.

    A survey by Stonewall in 2012 revealed that 3% of gay men and 5% of bisexual men had attempted to take their own life, compared to only 0.4% of men in general. In the 16- to 24-year-old age group, 6% of gay and bisexual men had attempted to take their own life compared to less than 1% of men in general.

    There are similar findings for self-harming. 7% of gay and bisexual men had deliberately harmed themselves compared to only 3% of men in general, and in the 16- to 24-year-old age group, 15% of gay and bisexual men had harmed themselves compared to 7% of men in general.

    Lucy Rolfe from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation based in Manchester said:

    “Around half of the people who’ve accessed The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s counselling service have had at least one previous suicide attempt and many are experiencing current suicidal thoughts. It’s important we continue to provide these much needed services to the community”.

    If you’d like support Please call 08457 90 90 90 (UK) 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of the nearest branch.

    Or phone the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard on 0330 330 0630

  • Teen to lose virginity for art class

    Student Clayton Pettet has decided to lose his virginity in front of an audience as part of an art project for his degree at Central Saint Martins Arts School in London.

    The student in his second year, is to lose his gay virginity in front of a crowd of around 50-100 in an undisclosed location in Hackney in January as part of his art degree, the Huffington Post has revealed.

    Speaking to the online newspaper, Pettet said,

    ‘I’ve held on to my virginity for 19 years, and I’m not throwing it away lightly. Basically, it’s like I am losing the stigma around virginity.

    ‘I want the audience to see if anything has changed between me and my partner.

    ‘Since culturally we do hold quite a lot of value to the idea of virginity I have decided to use mine and the loss of it to create a piece that I think will stimulate interesting debate and questions regarding the subject.’

     

    We’ve spoken to the art department here at THEGAYUK (a position that simply doesn’t exist) to ask their opinion on the artistic expression of this young man.

    They said,

    ‘Make sure the cheque clears before committing to any stunt…’

    The art student hasn’t yet told his parents, but it’s safe to assume they’ll have heard by now.

    What do you think? Do you call this art?

  • Gay activists picket former Prime Minster of Jamaica

    A Dozen Activists from Jamaica protested a speech by the country’s former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, on Tuesday night in New York.

    The gay rights activists shouted ‘Bruce, you’re wanted! Unrepentant murder!’ and ‘Gay rights are human rights!’

    The protesters lined the pavement outside the Harlem Institution for over an hour and received comments from supportive and non-supportive bystanders.

    A statement from the National Anti-Discrimination Alliance (NADA) said that Golding is symbolic of Jamaica’s homophobic culture. He publicly announced his opposition to gays serving in his Cabinet on BBC Hard Talk in 2008 and has since made other homophobic statements.

    This year there have been a number of anti-gay crimes in Jamaica, including the brutal murders of 16-year-old Dwayne Jones and 41-year-old Dean Moriah. Dwayne was murdered in July this year; he was dressed as a woman. His gender identity and sexuality are unconfirmed at this time.

    In September, two men escaped a ‘mob’ of men, who became violent towards them, after a car accident in the small town of Old Harbour. The crowd assumed that the two were gay.

    Dwayne Brown, organiser of the demonstration and a gay Jamaican who fled to the USA because of death threats, said he would not go inside for Golding’s speech because he feared a violent response from the audience.

    The press release from NADA continued with:

    ‘The Jamaica Anti-Homophobia stand feels strongly that Bruce Golding must be held accountable for the human rights offenses he oversaw during his tenure, including the Tivoli Gardens Massacre and the perpetuation of anti-gay attacks.’

    Watch video from the protest here

  • FILM REVIEW | Merrily We Roll Along

    ★★★★★ | Merrily We Roll Along

    The concept of seeing a play on the big screen can seem a bit odd. Do you clap at the end? Will it be like watching a play or seeing a film? Will there be any atmosphere?

    You can rest assured that seeing The Menier Chocolate Factory production of ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ will be worth every penny spent and there’ll definitely be applause, even if the cast won’t be there to hear it.

    A specially recorded version of the multi award winning West End production at The Harold Pinter Theatre was recorded earlier this year and has been edited to perfection. The show is screening in over 300 UK cinemas starting from the 24th of October. It’s part of the amazing digital theatre range of shows and the first to be screened in cinemas, with the brilliant ‘Private Lives’ to follow next year and a range of shows that can be watched at home.

    It couldn’t have a better pedigree: written by the fantastic Stephen Sondheim, the work of an acclaimed director, a fantastic cast and more 5 star reviews than any other musical in West End history. There’s not a weak link in the cast and the choreography, music and sets are truly amazing. Even Sondheim himself stated that this production is the best he’s seen.

    The story follows a group of three friends (a composer, lyricist and novelist) as they start out seeking success, find success, fall out, make out, form and break relationships and generally break down. The twist of the story is that the whole of the plot is told backwards. Starting in the 1970s we two of the three friends and instantly learn what fates have befallen them. As the play progresses we gradually work back to the late 1950s and see how it all began and where the roots of their current situations began. The device works brilliantly and it’s both poignant and hilarious in equal measures.

    Watch the trailer and find your nearest screening here: http://www.digitaltheatre.com/screenings
    Find out more about Digital Theatre here and which productions are available to watch:
    http://www.digitaltheatre.com

  • Police in Scotland call for condom ban in Edinburgh saunas

    Police in Edinburgh have called for a ban of ‘all items of a sexual nature’, including condoms in all saunas in Edinburgh, in a move which could put lives at risk.

    Police Scotland want condoms banned from all saunas across the Scottish Capital, including the two gay saunas that are based in the city.

    The story being widely reported is that a number of heterosexual saunas or saunas that are known to have sex workers working there are affected by the potential ban, but speaking to a gay sauna in Edinburgh TheGayUK has discovered that the ban would also have an impact on all gay saunas in Scotland.

    The police set out the contentious plans in a letter which was delivered to the city’s licensing committee, who is deciding on the license renewals on several of the city’s saunas.

    The letter asks the licensing committee to include new licensing conditions, one of which included: “no items of a sexual nature will be permitted on the premises”.

    A Police Scotland spokesman said,

    ‘Police Scotland recently provided reports to the Council Regulatory Committee in respect of a number of public entertainment licence renewals.

    ‘In cases where there was evidence of criminality or premises operating out-with the conditions of their licence, objections were made to those licences being renewed.

    ‘Police Scotland will continue to work with partners to inspect and report on licensed premises operating within Edinburgh in order to keep people safe.

    ‘Whenever criminal activity, or licensing contraventions are detected within these venues, officers will respond appropriately and report all offences to the relevant authority.’

    DRACONIAN

    The call for the ban has put Scotland’s HIV/Aids charities on red alert, with Robert Mckay, the nation director of the Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland saying that the idea was ‘Draconian’

    He went on to say:
    ‘We would be keen to see the full details of any proposals that would prevent saunas from having condoms on their premises. Taking away condoms doesn’t stop people from having sex; it does however result in unprotected sex and increased rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. It is vital that people can protect themselves wherever they have sex.’

    ‘Our point of view is to make sure that people are kept safe. Condoms have proved very successful in preventing STDs and HIV transmissions.’

    GAY SAUNA RAIDS

    Earlier in the year Police Scotland raided two gay saunas in Edinburgh, a report lodged by the police stated that:

    ‘One member of staff and six male customers were found within.

    ‘During the inspection, officers found evidence to indicate that the premises were used for activities other than those permitted by the licence, specifically sexual activity.

    ‘On behalf of the Chief Constable, I object to the renewal of the licence under the terms of Schedule 1, Paragraph 5 (3) (d) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 on the grounds that the premises have not been operated in accordance with the activities on their licence.’

  • OPINION | Lesbian Movies are NOT All Porn

    If you search for the word ‘lesbian’ on Google, you will most definitely be bombarded with numerous porn sites.

    What is more, these porn sites will not be for lesbians! (I know that you’re all doing it now). Sadly for me and many others, as lesbians, we are not searching the word in order to find porn.
    NO, we are searching the word to find information about lesbian culture, events, news stories, dating and lots more.
    Just this week I was on the BBC discussing why people are still scared to talk about being ‘gay’. I believe that this is partly because people still correlate ‘gay’ to ‘sex’. Why is it that my relationship is often purely regarded in a sexual context, whereas heterosexual relationships are granted multi-dimensional explorations?
    I love watching lesbian movies, as I feel that I can relate to the characters and get engrossed and empathic towards the journeys that they follow. That is when I can find a lesbian movie that is A. not porn, B. not made by men for men, C. made with truth and understanding.
    There is a significant lack of lesbian movies on the shelves due to the fact that the genre is still marginalised and therefore not granted funding or support. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule.
    Nicole Conn is a lesbian director whose movies are made with depth, compassion and realism. Still, her movies along with most other lesbian movies are not seen as mainstream, due to the fact that the female protagonists enter into relationships with each other. This is even, may I add, when the main characters do not identify themselves as ‘lesbian’. Regardless of the fact that the stories are moving, poignant and well told, it appears that movies like Conn’s cannot be placed into ‘romantic’ movie categories, yet instead are in the lesbian/gay movie categories. Are movies about women who fall in love not about romance as well?
    I have never once seen a lesbian movie at the cinema. I have never once had anyone who is not a lesbian recommend a lesbian movie to me. And I have never once just stumbled upon a lesbian movie. Why is this? This is because these movies are not seen as ‘regular’ movies to be staged in cinemas or viewed by ‘normal’ people. It is true to say that I cannot imagine a group of straight friends watching a romantic lesbian comedy together for a ‘girlie’ night in. At the same time, my lesbian friends and I can happily watch ‘straight’ romantic comedies.
    This needs to change. Lesbians are not all porn stars without deep multi-faceted relationships. In fact, in my experience, ‘straight’ couples could learn a great deal from lesbian relationships!This is why I firmly support Nicole Conn’s new project to help find the next lead in her movie. This project is unique in a number of ways. It allows all women of all sexualities the opportunity to star in her movie.
    Plus by offering both professionals and non-professionals a chance to audition, it spreads the word further still. In this way, I hope that it will raise awareness of lesbian movies within all sectors of the community.I am delighted to be working with Nicole Conn and her production company to help find her next star. Anyone can apply and what is more they can video audition right on my site too.

    So let’s get lesbian movies on the main screen away from the dark alleys of marginalisation towards the light of mainstream Hollywood.

     

    by Juliette Prais  (Creator of Pink Lobster Dating: Lipstick Lesbian Catch)

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • UK Government does not support Sochi boycott

    Foreign Office rules out Government supported boycott of the Russian Winter Olympics in Sochi.

    In an email received from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) by petitioners who asked the Government, to make a political statement to the Russian Government about their anti-gay laws, by officially boycotting the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, has said it ‘does not support a boycott.’

    Over 13,000 people have signed the petition that was created by Sean Robertson earlier in the year.

    In June President Putin signed into law, a bill that could see anyone discussing homosexual relationships to anyone under the age of 18 sentenced to a prison term or fined.

    In September the Russian Government moved one step closer to introducing a bill that would remove children from gay parents.

    The statement from the FCO reads:

    As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

    ‘The Government wants to see an open and inclusive games at the 2014 Russian Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi, but we do not support a boycott. The Prime Minister believes we have a better chance of influencing Russia by engaging and challenging prejudices than by boycotting.

    ‘We share concerns about changes to the law in Russia prohibiting the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations” to minors. In effect, the law could prevent the LGBT community in Russia from fully enjoying the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The Prime Minister set out these concerns with President Putin in a meeting in St Petersburg on 6 September, making clear the strength of feeling in the UK and that it was in Russia’s interests to tackle discrimination.

    ‘British officials at all levels have been lobbying on the LGBT law since the first regional “homosexual propaganda” law was tabled. As well as raising the subject in bilateral meetings, we have actively supported LGBT issues in Russia for some years, including through involvement in the annual Queerfest in St Petersburg and funding for the Side-by-Side LGBT film festival held across Russia.

    ‘More broadly, we regularly make clear to Russia that human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people, as part of our overall engagement on human rights with the Russian authorities, including at the 2013 UK-Russia Human Rights dialogue in May and in the Foreign Secretary and Minister for Europe’s regular discussions with their Russian counterparts.

    ‘We have updated our travel advice for Russia to inform British Nationals of the new LGBT law. We review this advice regularly and will update further as necessary. We are committed to providing a modern and efficient consular service for visitors to Sochi.

    ‘Human rights will continue to be a central part of the UK-Russia relationship and we will continue to raise our concerns and encourage Russia to tackle discrimination and homophobia.

    ‘This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold’

    The petition is still open and the deadline is 15th January 2014. If you wish to sign it click here.

  • COLUMN | Some Days

    There are days when I really hate those people who shout into mid air whilst sitting on the train.

    In my youth you knew where you were with people who talked to themselves. They were experiencing psychotic episodes and best avoided in case they mistook you for a demon. Nowadays you have to look discretely for the mobile phone and earpiece. Whatever happened to decorum? To the young woman on the train yesterday: I’m terribly sorry about your cousin’s gynaecological problems but actually I think that you’re wrong. The manager in the pizza takeaway where you answer the phone was right to tell you that taking the day off to see a relative in hospital who has a faintly dodgy fanny is a sackable offence. I hope he gives you your marching orders.

    There are days when I hate the scrum at the tube station. I want to shout at people that I’m actually a solid and can’t be passed through like a vapour, however hard you push. They’ve yet to invent a human who can be walked into and won’t make a resounding thudding noise. I want to proclaim the virtues of personal hygiene and cologne and that train seats are for people, not your tacky fringed handbags.

    There are days when I want to the stand up in the cinema and shout at all the people who are discretely whispering asides to their companions. I want to ask them all to go home and watch television in the comfort of their own sitting rooms where they can make inane comments to their hearts’ content and not be irritating the hell out of the rest of the paying public with their hissing babble and verbal nonsense.

    There are days when I want to scream at the people blaring music from their cars as they drive along. I can almost cope with the Gangsta Rap. If there’s music to be blared out of a car window then that’s your tune of choice. Elton John, though? I seriously heard someone belting Elton John out of a car stereo the other day. As much as I like the odd vibration, I don’t want my spleen being wobbled about to “Nikita”, thank you very much.

    There are days when I consider a move to a remote island. Then I remember how much I hate not having a mobile phone signal. I’d get annoyed by the cows and sheep and how they just kind of stand there, the way they look at you and not to mention all that public defecation. The birds would fly the wrong way, the grass would be too tall/too short or too green.

    You know what though? Other days not one bit of this annoys me. Life can be odd like that.

More posts