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  • THEATRE REVIEW | Knee Deep, Riverside Studios

    ★★★★★ | Knee Deep, Riverside Studios

    Following their hit show at the Edinburgh Fringe festival last year, Casus are back with their breathtaking performance of Knee Deep at the Riverside Studios.

    The 4 performers (Emma Serjeant, Jesse Scott, Natano Fa’anana and Lachaln McAulay) are captivating to watch, their bodily strength is truly incredible.

    They use hoops, straps, silks and more amazingly, raw eggs to perform some spectacular circus tricks. The stage is empty and simply lit and your proximity to the performance creates an intimate atmosphere, where every movement absorbs you fully into the action of the piece.

    Its truly awe inspiring to watch and I spent most of the hour agog at the exceptional skills of these performers and their incredible physiques. For me, it’s a must see.

    by Becky Harper

  • Gay producer creates iPhone sitcom

    Fancy a comedy break from the gym or light relief on the Tube? GOING NOWHERE, a new British sitcom from enterprising young gay media executive Robert SJ Lucas, is set to get global audience laughing when it is launched as an app next month. The series has been created for iphone users and will have plenty of appeal to gay and lesbian audiences.

    Written, produced and directed by Robert, the series consists of eight episodes in total, each lasting 15 minutes, and stars rising young actors in the lead, Stephen McLeod and Rebecca Livermore, who play two young marketing execs, reservedly gay, punctually uptight Martin and loudly confident Sandra. They find themselves stuck together in a number of awkwardly confined situations, such as a taxi, a lift, a bar, even a cupboard. Despite working as a team, they dislike each other and as they teeter on the edge of turning 30, careers and relationships are moving them forwards but taking them nowhere, fast.

    Born in Tufnell Park, London, 28 year old Robert has always aspired to be a scriptwriter. His parents, a Scotland Yard detective and a graphic designer divorced when he was young, and it was his grandparents who nurtured his love of theatre, music and drama, and his obsession with Dr Who. Determined to follow his creative ambitions, he abandoned his psychology studies and set up Disclosure Group in 2010 which has become the production outlet for a number of his self-penned projects. These include London-based relationship drama, LADIES + GENTLEMEN, which explores a seemingly random group of relationships between boyfriends, girlfriends, lovers and strangers brought together by one shocking event; and a web-based soap, PA’s.

    His current project, PORN brings together five hot guys and girls in a comedy series that mixes muscles with mirth, libido with laughter, tanned torsos with testosterone. He has also worked with Channel 4 developing the ‘For3minutes’ initiative for their 4talent scheme and also provides advertising content for clients such as Zipcar.

    With Netflix having already successfully launched new content as an online subscriber-only service with major dramas such as House of Cards and Hemlock Grove, it is hoped that the independent spirit behind GOING NOWHERE will find Robert going somewhere towards fulfilling his dreams.

    GOING NOWHERE is set to be launched at the end of June.

  • Birmingham LGBT opens sports and fitness studio in Southside

    Birmingham LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans) has added a new sports and fitness studio to its thriving Health and Wellbeing Centre in Birmingham’s Southside district.

    The sports and fitness studio, named The Vault, opened to the public on Thursday 2 May and is located in the basement of the centre on Holloway Circus in Southside. It is the first dedicated LGBT sports and fitness studio in the UK and hopes to empower the community by increasing involvement in physical activities like Yoga, Pilates, table tennis and more.

    With growing evidence of significant health inequalities suffered by LGBT communities in Birmingham, The Vault has been introduced to combat against barriers that prevent these communities from accessing mainstream sports facilities such as discrimination, stereotyping, lack of inclusion in policies, procedures and marketing and most worryingly, fears for safety.

    Sport England Inspired Facilities programme helped facilitate the opening of The Vault by providing £43,000 of funding. Some of the classes at the studio will be funded through Birmingham City Council’s Be Active scheme. The Vault will also have a changing facility and dedicated Trans changing space.

    David Viney, Birmingham LGBT health and wellbeing manager, said,

    “The sole aim of The Vault is to provide the LGBT community with a welcoming and safe environment to enjoy sports activities. A worrying 65%* of young LGBT people have admitted to experiencing homophobic bullying and almost half of those do not engage in sports for this reason. We hope that by making The Vault accessible to the Birmingham LGBT community we are able to nurture their passion for fitness.”

    Julia Chance, Southside BID Manager, said,

    “The Vault is a fantastic asset to the LGBT community and we’re pleased to be able to house it within Southside. Birmingham LGBT Health & Wellbeing Centre has gone from strength to strength since it opened its doors in January and we’re excited to see how The Vault will make a difference to the LGBT community.”

    Birmingham LGBT has recently been awarded an Investors in People Standard. Investors in People specialises in transforming business performance through people and objectives. The Standard is a framework of best practice that helps organisations meet their goals by supplying advice, providing access to specialists and networks, monitoring progress and benchmarking performance against world class standards.

    To find out what else Birmingham’s Southside district has to offer, please visit www.enjoysouthside.co.uk

  • Hope for a HIV vaccine

    The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) announced last week that they are starting a clinical trial for a HIV vaccine, based in London and two centres in Africa.

    Laboratories in London – UK, Kigali – Rwanda and Nairobi – Kenya will recruit 64 healthy HIV-free adults for phase one of the trial that is expected to last for two years. Volunteers will receive two vaccines and not be at risk of catching HIV.

    HIV affects 34 million people worldwide, of which there are 96,000-100,000 in the UK. HIV is found in bodily fluids and people are usually infected by: unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive, reusing injecting equipment that has been used by someone who is HIV positive or transmission from mother to baby.

    HIV attacks the immune system in the affected individual, weakening the body’s ability to fight other infections and diseases. You can find out more about HIV on the NHS Choices Website. Over the last few decades there have been massive advances in treatment; that have focused around slowing down the damage HIV causes to the immune system.

    IAVI have admitted that the clinical trials are in their early stages. Clinical trials usually take at least 10 years and usually cost billions of pounds. There are many on-going research projects focused on trying to create a HIV vaccine. So it’s likely that there wont be an effective HIV vaccination for at least a decade.

    Jason Warriner, Clinical Director at Terrence Higgins Trust, when asked about IVAI’s clinical trial said,

    “We welcome investment in the search for a vaccine against HIV. This research is in its very earliest stages. Clinical trials take several years to complete and, even if the vaccine passes this first stage of tests, more research will be needed over the course of many years.

    “Although an HIV vaccine has so far remained stubbornly out of reach, we now understand how to prevent transmission better than ever before. A combination of widespread condom use, regular testing for HIV, and getting those with the virus onto the right treatment, could drastically reduce HIV within a generation.”

    A HIV vaccine would protect people from catching HIV and would most likely be administered to those in high-risk groups including gay men. The ability to prevent people from catching HIV would be a significant step forward in the fight against HIV; as it would stem the number of people becoming infected.

    For those that are already HIV positive, the vaccine will not be a cure. It is likely that they will have to continue with their treatment. However people who are HIV positive should take hope from the fact that there’s a number of on-going research projects looking into potential cures for HIV, and ways to reverse some of the damage HIV causes to the immune system.

    While we wait for a HIV vaccine, health professionals continue to recommend that gay people use condoms when having sex and that they are regularly tested for HIV at least once a year.

  • London a step closer to winning Gay Games 2018

    London was announced as a shortlisted city for the Gay Games in 2018 along with Paris and Limerick.

    London’s bid to host the 2018 Gay Games was given a boost today when it was announced it had been shortlisted to go through to the final round.

    The London 2018 Committee submitted their bid in February this year after 18 months of hard work to secure the support of a range of LGBT groups up and down the country.

    High profile backers of the bid include the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Hugh Robertson Sports Minister, London’s Mayor Boris Johnson and John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, who have all issued statements in support of the bid, highlighting London’s worldwide reputation for tolerance and diversity.

    The London team will prepare for the arrival of site evaluation inspectors in July from the Gay Games organisers. The evaluators will be shown the venues for London’s Games which will include facilities in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and will meet the team and communities supporting their bid.

    The cities shortlisted alongside London are Paris and Limerick. The announcement was made via a video message from the Federation of Gay Games in San Francisco.

    The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said,

    “This is fantastic news and a testimony to the hard work of the London Gay Games bid team. London could host a world-beating event in 2018, underlining our city’s reputation as a tolerant place to live and visit. I wish London’s organising team every success as they progress to this next crucial stage of the selection process.”

    Alex Davis, Chair of the London 2018 bid said,

    “We are thrilled that London has been shortlisted to host the Gay Games in 2018. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase London, and our vibrant LGBT community and we look forward to showing all that London has to offer to the FGG site inspectors in July.”

    Voting was carried out by 30 member organisations of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) along with eligible board members.

  • BOOK REVIEW | Peggy Lee Loves London Katrina Leskanich and Sher Harper

    ★★★★ | Peggy Lee Loves London

    Being on the verge of moving to London, I’ve been looking for a good tour guide to take me around some of the more quirky spots that only Londoners know about. I didn’t expect that my tour guide would be a glamorous lady poodle called Peggy Lee, but I’m very glad that I’ve found her.

    Eurovision has just been and gone and it may serve you well to reminisce about happier times when we actually made a dent on the score-cards. This lovely book was written by our last Eurovision winner, Katrina Leskanich of Katrina and the Waves, along with her partner, writer Sher Harper. They’ve spent the last six years pounding the streets of London along with pretty little Peggy Lee, exploring the curiosities so you don’t have to.

    The book features a wide variety of haunts including bars, open spaces, markets, eateries and landmarks. Each page has brief but tantalising description of each off-beat attraction along with a picture of the aforementioned poodle and links to transport to get there. The pictures are comical, beautiful and intriguing. Although there’s not a huge description of each place, this works well in the context, making you want to go and find out more for yourself.

    It’s a delightful book and if you’re looking for a fun guide to London then look no further. If Peggy Lee is available, I’m also prepared to tag along on the end of a lead. I’m very well behaved and never shed a hair.

    View the website: http://peggyleeloveslondon.com

    Available from Amazon to buy

    Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/peggyleeloves

  • One week till Oxford Pride

    A week full of activities to celebrate Oxford Pride will commence from today as Oxford gears up for its 11th Pride

    A fantastic turn out at Oxford Pride’s launch party last night means that the festivities are well underway for what is hoped will be the best Oxford Pride ever.

    There are activities all week in Oxford leading up to the main Parade and Pride event this forthcoming weekend.

    Here’s some of what’s coming up:

    Saturday 1st June

    14:00-16:00 Queer Oxford: Walk on the Wilde Side

    Meeting at Magdalen Bridge. How well do you know the LGBT past in Oxford? Join a casual stroll around Oxford as we explore 600 years in this ‘City of Romance’.

    Sunday 2nd June

    12:00-16:00 Rainbow Families LGBT Picnic

    At Bury Knowle Park Headington – Enjoy an afternoon of fun & games for LGBT families of all shapes & sizes! Look for the rainbow flags.

    17:00-18:00 Pride Dog Show

    At The Jolly Farmers, Paradise Street OX1 1LD – Prizes for Best Trick, Look-a-like, Cutest, Butchest, and more! Donations to Pride.

    19:30-21:00 First Sunday: Labyrinth and Communion

    At St Columba’s United Reformed Church, Alfred Street, Oxford, OX1 4EH A modern take on an ancient meditation practice. A spiritual journey into our self, toward the pine, and back out to the modern world.

    Monday 3rd June

    06:30-07:30 Free Fitness for Pride

    At All Saints Church Hall, New High Street, OX3 7AL – Free Trial of the Fitness and Fat Loss Bootcamp. It’s a 1-hour wake-up workout on Mon, Wed & Fri.

    08:00-16:00 Be Beautifully Strong

    Consultation, Gym Induction & Takeaway Program for Women: Leave your boring workouts behind you … come and be inspired! Bookings essential for your £10 session

    19:00-21:00 The Oxford LGBT Book Club

    Meeting at The Chequers, High Street OX1 4DH – Reading Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

    20:30-23:00 The Pride Quiz

    At The Jolly Farmers OX1 1LD – A fun night with Cash Prizes – Groups of 2-6 people, £2 per person – Free Buffet

    Tuesday 4th June

    20:00-21:30 Lesbian History Group: The notorious Eliza Robertson

    At The Castle Tavern (Downstairs). Talk on how an 18th century Blackheath schoolteacher became notorious for swindling her partner and her neighbours. All women welcome.

    20:00-23:00 Wine & Wisdom

    At The Castle Tavern, Paradise Street OX1 1LD – Join Rob for a unique Cheese, Wine & Quiz night.

    22:00-03:00 Poptarts

    At Baby Love Bar, Kind Edward Street OX1 4HS – Oxford’s longest running LGBT night where town and gown meet in style

     

    Wednesday 5th June

    06:30-07:30 Free Fitness for Pride

    At All Saints Church Hall, New High Street, OX3 7AL – Free Trial of the Fitness and Fat Loss Bootcamp. It’s a 1-hour wake-up workout on Mon, Wed & Fri.

    17:30-19:00 The University of Oxford LGBT Staff Group and Equality and persity Unit: Pride Panel Debate

    At the University Natural History Museum, OX1 3PW – A panel discussion on LGBT issues, how far we’ve come and how we’re still “not there yet”. All welcome

    Thursday 6th June

    From 18:00 Oxford Area LGBT University Staff Social Group: 1st Thursday Drinks

    At The University Club, 11 Mansfield Road OX1 3SZ – This casual monthly after works drinks gathering is an opportunity to meet new people or catch up with friends in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. We will have a rainbow flag on the table to help newcomers find us. All are welcome.

    18:00-21:00 Pride Curry Night

    At The Jolly Farmers, OX1 1LD Come along to an all-you-can-eat curry night for just £6.99. All profits going to Oxford Pride.

    20:00-23:00 Karaoke

    At The Castle Tavern, Paradise Street OX1 1LD – Share your vocal skills for a fun filled evening with Donations to Oxford Pride.

    22:00-23:00 Lashings of Ginger Beer Time presents Fanny Whittington: A Queer Sort of Pantomime

    At the Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, OX1 2AQ – £8 full/ £6 cons. Young orphan Fanny Whittington sets off to London… but whatever the streets are paved with, it’s definitely not gold. Can Fanny save her pet rat Basil from mortal peril (BOO!), win the love interest of her dreams (AWWW!) and avoid becoming the world’s most unpaid intern? Find out in this anarchic LGBTQ+ pantomime! Show 8pm Friday & Saturday too!

     

    Friday 7th June

    06:30-07:30 Free Fitness for Pride

    At All Saints Church Hall, New High Street, OX3 7AL – Free Trial of the Fitness and Fat Loss Bootcamp. It’s a 1-hour wake-up workout on Mon, Wed & Fri.

     

    Saturday 8th June

    12:00-13:00 Pride Parade

    City Centre Starts at Cornmarket & Ship Streets.

    12:00-20:00 Pride Event

    Oxpens Field Next to the Ice Rink, OX1 1RQ

    20:00- late Pride After Parties

    Castle Tavern, Jolly Farmers & Plush Lounge

     

    NOT THERE YET

    Oxford Pride’s theme for Pride 2013 is “Not There Yet”, examining that whilst we have come a long way in recent years in terms of LGBT rights, we still have a way to go to achieve full equality.

    Globally, there are over seventy countries that outlaw homosexuality, and far more where same-sex marriages are not permitted, whether labelled as ‘marriage’ or otherwise. Despite the fact that homosexuality is punishable by the death penalty in Uganda, LGBT Ugandans held their first Pride

    Parade last year with nearly a hundred risking their lives and turning ut for the festivities.

     

    Whilst we in the UK don’t have to fear legal repercussions for our orientation or gender identities like many in other countries do, we still have a way to go to achieve full equality, and the ability to live free from discrimination.

    OXFORD PRIDE is a 10-day arts and cultural festival from Friday 31 May to Sunday 9 June. You are invited to join in the celebration of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer life in Oxfordshire.

    For more information visit: http://www.oxford-pride.org.uk

  • “Gay Cure” app still available on Google store

    Setting Captives Free App is still available for download on the Google play store despite strong opposition.

    The app which offers to cure users of their homosexuality is still available for download via Google’s Play store, even though nearly 70,000 people have signed a petition asking Google to remove it – as well as any other ‘gay cure’ type apps.

    The App, called Setting Captives Free was available from Apple’s iTunes however the company removed the App after just one day of petitioning.

    The apps offers users to ‘escape impurity, over-eating, substance abuse, gambling, smoking and more’

    AllOut.org created a petition has already garnered over 65,000 signatures asking Google to delete the App from it’s store.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION NOW

  • Confessions Of A Male Stripper

    So it’s Friday afternoon, so we thought we’d share these half naked beefcake pictures with you (don’t worry they’re work safe!)

    (more…)

  • OP ED | Gay PDAs

    During a recent online discussion about holding hands in public, I was criticised for expressing the point of view that even though I was comfortable doing this but I don’t always feel like it. The argument levelled to me is that I had missed the point.

    Around 70 countries still hold penalties for same-sex activity and 7 carry the death penalty. On the contrast the UK is one of the more tolerant and supportive countries. To address this, I appreciate that we are lucky to live in a country where we even have the choice.

    I have been called “queer “ and “faggot” for carrying out the outrageous act of holding my boyfriend’s hand in a city centre, but the truth is I do not care. They are the words that they choose to define me with, which is their perception of me, it is not me. Their poison does not drip into my life. They do not dictate my relationship and how I choose to live my life. Sadly the bitchy comments and stares are not only from the straight community, I’m 11 years older than my partner and overweight. My boyfriend is 22 and leads an active lifestyle. I joke with friends that I’m punching above my weight but we’re happy and the relationship works for us. However, within the gay community we can attract as much negative attention because we don’t seem it fit within the gay cookie cutter.

    Part of the criticism is that because I live in a country where I am able to hold my partner’s hand, I should. However this is not me either, sometimes I’m up some days I’m down. Sometimes I will be the more affectionate in the relationship and initiate contact, others times I value my space. I’m a walking messy contradiction of a person, I’m human after all. And so is my partner. I’m secure in the relationship so I don’t need to be tethered to him 24/7. When we are out and I see other guys checking him out I can smile inwardly and outwardly, because I know we belong to each other.

    I have no need to be insecure. I don’t need to walk everywhere hand in hand together to feel that I am with someone, because mentally and emotionally I am.

    Have I missed the point? I don’t think I have, I have the choice to hold my partner’s hand, to hug him and kiss him in public. I have the same rights and freedoms as any straight person in public. Sometimes I will choose not to because I am a person not a living breathing political agenda.

    The fact that this is even a conversation in 2013 says that we still have a long way to go but that will be decided by governments and politicians, not me. My individuality and sexuality are 2 different parts of me, they are for me to decide, no one else.

     

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

  • GROOMING | Traditional men’s grooming

    GROOMING | Traditional men’s grooming

    With men taking more and more pride in their appearance, there is now greater need for there to be places that offer the treatments that men are looking for.

    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter
    Vintage isn’t just a trend in the fashion industry. Hairstyles from the 1950s and 1960s are still very much featuring as a popular trend for guys. With this in mind I think men need to rediscover the pleasure of going to a proper barbershop, and experiencing skills that are tried and tested and tailor made for men.
    There has been a real revival of the Barbershop across the UK and its really exciting what they a real barber can offer. Having a specialist taking care of your hair makes a real difference from going into the big chain unisex salons that populate our high-streets. I have recently discovered an amazing Barber’s and I have loved every experience. I feel very pampered and relaxed and I know I’m not the only one.
    So why not go out and try find your own favourite barber and see what a difference he could make to your hair. It’s time to embrace a more masculine way of getting your hair done.

    Credits:

    Photographer & Stylist: Jack Baxter

    Hair: Swagger & Jacks Gentlemen’s Groominghttp://www.menshairnorwich.co.uk

    Models: Ben Luke & James Crisp

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