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  • 5 Ways to Make Working From Home Easier

    5 Ways to Make Working From Home Easier

    Not everyone can work from home and for those who are on the frontline of the current public health crisis; you have my thanks and my respect. But for those who have to work from home, whether they are social distancing, self-isolating here are a few things which can help to make it a little easier. Here are THEGAYUK’s top 5 tips for getting through the working week.

    Give Your Day Structure.

    It’s great to roll out of bed at one minute to nine and pick up the computer to log on and start work, but don’t be tempted to fall into that trap, otherwise, work-life and home life will simply merge into one. Get some structure in your day. Get up at your usual time, undertake your usual morning routine, have a shower and, most importantly, get dressed. As tempting as it is to slouch on your sofa all day in your PJ’s or underpants if you get dressed, it adds structure to your day and helps you to differentiate between your work life and home life.   

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  • Viewers in shock as YouTuber undertakes “Coronavirus Challenge” by licking the toilet rim in a public restroom

    Viewers in shock as YouTuber undertakes “Coronavirus Challenge” by licking the toilet rim in a public restroom

    People are in shock after a YouTuber uploads a video of him licking the rim of a public toilet.

    In a video, YouTuber, “Larz”, who is well-known for his outrageous and sometimes self-harming videos, walks into a public toilet and licks the rim of a toilet and calling it the “Coronavirus Challenge”

    The video, which was uploaded to Twitter on the 21st March has been viewed over 4.3 million times and attracted thousands of negative comments, including people questioning why he hadn’t been arrested.

    WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

    https://twitter.com/GAYSHAWNMENDES/status/1241192396282646529

    Viewers were dismayed at the video, blasting the entertainer as “nasty” and called from him to delete the tweet.

    Users also branded him a “bad example”. The video also unleashed a wave of homophobic responses to the video.

    Hours after the video was uploaded, it appears that Larz has been hospitalised. He revealed in the short video clip, which at the time of publishing has been viewed just over 90K times, from a hospital bed that he had tested positive for the virus known as Covid-19, which is currently sweeping the planet.

    Speaking in the video he tells his fans that he’s “pretty doped up from his meds”.

    https://twitter.com/GAYSHAWNMENDES/status/1241875381088661506

  • Pride In London Postponed

    Pride In London Postponed

    Pride In London has been postponed but a new date will be announced “in due course”.

    Organisers of Pride In London, the UK’s biggest Pride celebration has been postponed, due to the fears around the spread of Covid-19.

    A statement from the pride’s two co-chairs, Alison Camps and Michael Salter-Church said, “It’s been a tough decision to postpone the Pride in London Parade and events, but the health and safety of our communities is our top priority. With the climate changing daily, we need to think even further ahead and make timely decisions to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, volunteers and participants”.

    Other outliner events have also been postponed including, “Pride Festival, Pride’s Got Talent, Pride in the City, Pride Boxing, the Pride 10K and all other upcoming events”.

    They added, “We fully appreciate the pressures and effects that the current situation is having on all of our communities. Allyship is needed more than ever, so we ask everyone to continue to be kind, loving and generous. Our priority now will be to look closely at how we can support and bring communities together over the coming months”.

    You can still support Pride In London from home as there are still some items left from last year’s Pride merchandise, celebrating the Jubilee of Pride – 50 years of pride.

  • Wondering why your phone battery keeps dying? Maybe you need to chill with Grindr

    Wondering why your phone battery keeps dying? Maybe you need to chill with Grindr

    The thirst from Grindr is real…

    A new report has shown that dating apps are thirsty… and not just in a Chris Pine thirst kinda way.

    The online comparison site, Uswitch analysed 50 of the most popular apps of all major app stores, taking into account the permissions they allow and how many each app has access to, constantly draining the energy from your phone.

    The results revealed that gay favourite Grindr is the most draining dating app, using 28 permissions in total including location, photos and identity.

    Now that social distancing has been encouraged to delay Coronavirus, this has resulted in a spike in online dating app activity. As more find themselves caught indoors, many are relying on digital to ignite romantic and social conversations, here’s a guide to the apps to use to limit your usage (and the ones you will need your charger for) as you look for love.

    What Uswitch found was that Grindr asked for way more permissions (28) that other dating apps including, Bumble (20), Tinder (18) and Hinge (13).

    But if you’re looking for the most permission seeking apps – and therefore most battery-intensive, look no further than Google (72), Facebook (50) and Facebook Messenger (46).


    Based on the permissions they require, Google, Facebook and WhatsApp are the biggest drains on our batteries.  

    Facebook amongst others in the top 10, runs constantly on our mobile phones in the background and is accessing over 50 permissions including; contacts, location and media. 

    It might appear that Amazon’s Alexa is listening more than we realise. The Alexa app requests 39 permissions on our mobile phones ranging from location, camera and photos/media even when it’s not running. 

    Uber also makes the top 10 with 35 battery-draining permissions constantly accessing our location causing your battery to die faster than others. Waze is one of the most raved about map applications but is found to be more draining than Google maps. 

    Other apps such as Tik Tok, Mcdonalds, Grindr and Snapchat all make the top 20 list which can be found here. 

    Ernest Doku, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com advises on how to preserve your mobile phone battery, “It’s estimated that over 5 billion people in the world now own a mobile phone, it’s our main form of communication and for some people even a method of payment. 

    It can cause issues when you’re caught out with a drained battery. There are a few simple ways to preserve your mobile phone’s battery life, such as turning off WiFi/Bluetooth and making the most of low power modes. 

    If all else fails, remember to put a portable charger in your bag on long journeys”. 

  • HIV and Covid-19 | I’m feeling really isolated – what can I do?

    HIV and Covid-19 | I’m feeling really isolated – what can I do?

    During this time, isolation can be just as scary as any other part of the Covid-19 outbreak particularly if you’re LGBT+.

    We asked leading HIV Awareness advocate Philip Baldwin what you can do to keep your spirits up.

    “I have noticed a lot of people on social media complaining that they feel isolated.

    “These are strange times. Many LGBTQ people felt isolated even before Covid-19. Unfortunately most of the charities I would usually recommend have reduced services, such as peer support, because of Covid-19.

    I know that a number of them are still operating helplines and if you are struggling then I encourage you to reach out to someone. I recommend looking at the Terrence Higgins Trust website and also that of the LGBT Foundation. Personally, I am working from home, catching up on Netflix, Amazon Prime and BBC iPlayer.

    “I recommend phoning friends and/or speaking to them via Skype or FaceTime. Interactions do not have to take place face-to-face and we are lucky to benefit from modern technology.”

    THEGAYUK.com has also created a page full of helpful resources, articles and helplines. Click here to visit.

  • BOOK REVIEW | Two Jeeps, An American Road-Trip by Alex Kefford 

    BOOK REVIEW | Two Jeeps, An American Road-Trip by Alex Kefford 

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Have you ever wanted to take to the interstates of America in a vehicle of your choosing and explore the land of the free? That is exactly what author Alex and good friend Vince did with a few twists and turns more worthy of most tricky off-roading courses for any 4×4 out there.

    With the idea set into their minds in somewhere in 1998 where our intrepid travellers met as office workers, it wasn’t until much later that the idea started to become a reality when it was discovered Vince needed to be in Utah for a wedding. A plan to travel coast to coast across America in 2 Jeeps taking in as many national parks as they could was hatched.

    The twist, to import 2 UK righthand drive Jeeps to the starting line in Connecticut. The turn was to turn their UK road-ready Jeeps into weapons for the broken tracks they would encounter in the USA. The reasons for this was in the economies of scale it simply proved to be far more economical to have the Jeeps modified in the US by a company that had access to the many Jeep parts needed. And for the love of the mechanical appliance, there is something quite emotive about taking your own vehicle on holiday.

    So Alex (and Vince) starts the tale with a fraught check-in at Heathrow and cutting it to the wire with an unforgiving schedule that doesn’t stop over the next 17 of the 18 chapters, 222 pages and 5572 miles across 15 states of America. 

    Interspersed within the book are the joyless searches for various motels, the fact that Vince can’t handle his alcohol, the vast array of pancakes eaten and a nice touch of historical relevance to the places visited. It’s these little historical touches that help mark this out to be not another ‘man drives across America’ book. The chapters themselves are relatively short being around a dozen or so pages each and this is broken down into the journey, little snippets of fun in the narrative that carry the reader from one State to another. 

    With all States having their own peculiar ways not just in rules of the road but the local constabulary, the unfathomable way fuel is distributed and some of the crazy laws of the local eating establishments. It makes for an easy and interesting read like Alex is with you telling you the story first hand in a pub garden.

    “Two Jeeps” makes for a lovely travel companion too. It also goes some way into doing the route leg-work if this is something you planned on doing yourselves. You can access this from the website www.twojeeps.com. Fear not however because nothing about the book or the journey is given away on it.

    Within the chapters come the reason why they went through all they did to get here. To drive through the various national parks with their breathtaking views in vehicles capable of a lot more. The main focus for this comes halfway through the book but it is here were the short travelog of stories could be somewhat elaborated into a more in-depth talk about the surrounding land and the perilous passes endured. That is my only criticism of “Two Jeeps”.

    The ending is coming close for them and you the reader at chapter 15. In Hollywood fashion, they must depart Moab as a storm of unknown magnitude is brewing that could be seen in the distance and there are still over 700 miles to travel.

    So did they make it out past the storm and into LAX on time to depart for Blighty? The Cherokee had given trouble motoring along the way while the Wrangler had been free of problems. It would be telling to give away the outcome over the last 3 chapters but it is here that the reading intensifies to the books ends. So I suggest you buy the book and find out for yourself. 

    Available in paperback, ebook and audiobook from most notable online book retailers, including Amazon. More information on the website www.twojeeps.com

    Photos: Alex Kefford / PR SUPPLIED

  • RED DWARF | Lister is a God and Rimmer goes through changes in new Red Dwarf trailer

    RED DWARF | Lister is a God and Rimmer goes through changes in new Red Dwarf trailer

    To help us through the dark days the Red Dwarf team decided we could do with another dose of a trailer to lift our spirits.

    And what a trailer it is!! We are treated to Lister reacting to the news that many decades later the cat race is still dying for their belief in him. The man who never wanted to be a God explains he isn’t one and all the Dwarfers agree.

    The next snippet tells us that circumstances change. Soon the Dwarfers become part of the war and Lister might have to “act like a God” after all, even though he “scarcely mastered human”, according to Rimmer.

    Rimmer’s arc is intriguing: we see him going through a lot of his old wardrobe, presumably before settling on that interesting new getup we showed you earlier this week. Then we see Lister throw what looks like his lightbee into the corridor. With Rimer saying what seems like his goodbyes to Lister in trailer one, we wonder: could Rimmer be sacrificing himself for him?
    We will find out on Dave Channel, April 9.

  • HIV And Covid-19 | I’m living with HIV – is it safe for me to hook up with people?

    HIV And Covid-19 | I’m living with HIV – is it safe for me to hook up with people?

    Does social distancing also mean hookups? What about hooking up and having sex during the current situation, particularly if you’re living with HIV?

    Firstly we asked Doctor Earim Chaudry, the Medical Director at Manual, who told us that Covid-19 isn’t sexually transmitted, but the virus can still be transmitted by direct contact between two people, particularly through droplets from coughs and sneezes – it goes without saying, if you’re swapping saliva you’re at risk if the other person is positive for Covid-19.

    We also asked, leading HIV awareness activist, Philip Baldwin who told THEGAYUK.com, that there is no evidence to suggest that “HIV positive people are more vulnerable to Covid-19” or that people living with HIV would be more severely affected.

    However, he added, “HIV positive people, LGBTQ people and the population, in general, should aim to follow the Government’s guidance on social distancing and self-isolation.”

    He continued,

    “As we are not even supposed to be sitting or standing next to each other in restaurants or bars, I think it is a struggle to interpret the guidance as not prohibiting hooking up! However, the Government has currently only issued guidance. I suggest you follow it, for your own safety and that of others, but (at the moment) no laws have been passed to enforce it.

    “It is therefore not illegal to hook up with people. This could change. It could be the case that, as in other parts of the world, legislation will be passed enforcing curfews in the UK.

    “I urge you not to switch on your dating apps and start hooking up”

    CREDIT: ©-Maridav-Depositphotos

    Philip went on to say, “It has to be noted that human beings are social creatures. We were not made to be stuck indoors for days, let alone months. Especially alone.

    “Sometimes we all crave intimacy or escapism, particularly in times of fear. However, I urge you not to switch on your dating apps and start hooking up. Society as a whole, including the LGBTQ community, needs to observe the emergency health measures.”

    If you’re living with HIV and you are concerned about the ability to get HIV medications during the current Covid-19 outbreak we’ve got some reassuring news for you. Click here to find out more

  • HIV and Covid-19: I’m worried about getting my meds if there’s a lockdown – what can I do?

    HIV and Covid-19: I’m worried about getting my meds if there’s a lockdown – what can I do?

    If you’re living with HIV and you are concerned about the ability to get HIV medications during the current Covid-19 outbreak we’ve got some reassuring news for you.

    THEGAYUK.com spoke to leading HIV awareness activist, Philip Baldwin, who told us that, “both the NHS and the British HIV Association have made it clear that everyone will be able to access their HIV medication”.

    He also recommended that people have at least 30 days worth of medication in case of a quarantine situation.

    He added, “Call your HIV clinic if you are worried and follow their advice. Listen to your healthcare professionals. You can also check your clinic’s website, which should have up-to-date information.”

    CREIT: © garyphoto Depositphotos

    If you’re unable to actually leave your house to collect medication Philip said,

    “Many people living with HIV receive their medication through Homecare (home delivery rather than collecting it from a pharmacy). Homecare will continue where patients are already registered. Do not panic and try to stockpile – the UK has more than adequate supplies as long as we remain sensible.”

    Feeling panicky, isolated or anxious during these uncertain times? We’ve created a resource page which has important phone numbers, articles and support groups listed. Click here to go there.

  • So why are people bulk and panic buying? An expert in human behaviour explains

    So why are people bulk and panic buying? An expert in human behaviour explains

    We’ve all seen the pictures of empty shelves at supermarkets from people buying more than they need – but why are people bulk buying?

    The reason we are panic buying due to the imminent threat of COVID-19 is that the brain’s survival mode overrides any rational decision making, says Dr Ali Fenwick, an expert in human behaviour at Nyenrode Business University.

    According to Dr Fenwick there are four major reasons why we bulk buy:

    1) Survival mode


    When we are put in an uncertain or threatening situation, our more primitive part of the brain takes over. We fall back on survival mode, suppressing or distorting rational decision-making, which in the case of grocery shopping leads to bulk buying.

    We are buying to ‘survive’. Although the government promises there will be no disruption to the food supply, we don’t know this for sure as most of us have not been in a similar situation before. So, we rather buy more food than we normally would.

    2) The Scarcity Effect

    (C)THEGAYUK

    When products become scarce, people perceive them as more valuable. We are more willing to go out and buy, and even pay more, for scare products. Scarcity drives buying behaviours, even for products we might not actually want. Which explains why we buy more food than we need to have or why so many people are currently on the run for toilet paper.

    3) Herd Behaviour


    Although you might not bulk buy yourself, the fact other people around you are, creates an immediate urge for you to do the same. In uncertain situations, we tend to follow what other people do or say, especially people similar like us. So, if your friend, family member, or colleague is bulk buying you feel you should do the same.

    4) Sense of control

    The global pandemic is a cause for a lot of uncertainty in the world and has resulted in many countries closing their borders and imposing self-isolation. These external constraints create an internal need to exert personal control as a way to feel safe. Being able to buy things provides us with a sense of control over our surroundings, which also leads to us buying more than we need to have.

    According to Dr Fenwick,
    “In summary, bulk buying is caused by various psychological and environmental cues which throw rational-thinking out of the window. When in survival mode, we let mainly our emotions drive decisions and are more susceptible to social influences. So, we will rush out and buy more because we believe others are doing the same”.

  • Red Dwarf fans in a frenzy about Chris Barrie’s sexy makeover for upcoming special

    Red Dwarf fans in a frenzy about Chris Barrie’s sexy makeover for upcoming special

    Only a few more weeks until the return of Red Dwarf on Dave, not in sitcom form this time, but a massive movie-style special called: Red Dwarf The Promised land.

    Over the last few days, we have been teased with cast pictures, a teaser trailer that tells us big things are afoot and today the poster was revealed.
    It’s all looking good!!

    None of these revelations, though, caused as big a stir as the single new picture that was revealed of the series resident hologram Arnold J Rimmer (Chris Barrie).

    He is expected to receive an upgrade in the special that has him looking rather … different.

    A lot of fans were shocked by the change from his usually smart look, but many rather appreciated the change as well.
    What do you think?

    Meanwhile here is the trailer and our info on the special so far, from he official synopsis:


    The new 90-minute special is the thirteenth outing of the legendary sci-fi comedy. It reunites the original cast of Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Craig Charles (Lister), Danny John-Jules (Cat) Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) and sees the return of Holly (Norman Lovett) the much-loved ship’s computer. Written and directed by Doug Naylor, it was recorded in front of a live studio audience over two nights at the world-famous Pinewood Studios. 

    Three million years ago… David Lister, a vending machine repairman, was sentenced to eighteen months in suspended animation for smuggling his pregnant cat aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf. While Lister remained in stasis, a radiation leak killed the rest of the crew. Safely sealed in the hold, the cats evolved into humanoid form. The cats now roam deep space in a fleet of their own… 

    The special will see the posse meet three cat clerics (Tom Bennett, Mandeep Dhillon, Lucy Pearman) who worship Lister as their God. Lister vows to help them as they’re being hunted by Rodon, the ruthless feral cat leader (Ray Fearon) who has vowed to wipe out all cats who worship anyone but him. 

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