In a move which has left many people on social media baffled, the Conservatives have released an official tea towel feature a picture of PM Boris Johnson with the slogan, “Got Brexit Done”, despite the fact that the UK doesn’t officially leave the EU until the 31st January 2020.
The move has left many on social media questioning whether the account had been hacked or was even a parody account.
Proudly made in the UK
The tea towel, which is “proudly made in the UK” is selling on the Conservative’s website for £12.99 and apparently is the perfect way to “Show your pride in Britain and celebrate Brexit in your kitchen”.
Delivery of the towel won’t happen until the 10th Feb 2020.
Twitter users were quick to slam the product and the Conservatives as “delusional” while another added that they thought the tea-towel would be sold in car boot sales for 50p within a year.
Matthew Hodson commented, “I predict these will age like a fine yogurt.”
You could always team the tea towel with a mug, with the slogan “I got Brexit done” for £15.00.
In a poll by THEGAYUK in April 2016, 82 per cent of our readers thought that the UK was better off in the EU, while only 18 per cent thought that we would be better off out.
Grindr has slapped back at an attempt by Eminem to use its brand.
It’s the social media story of the moment, the Dolly Parton challenge as it has become known, features four pictures of yourself in four different poses for four different platforms, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Tinder – however, GayTwitter TM has obviously swapped out Tinder for Grindr.
Entertainer Eminem thought he’d get in on the action and posted his challenge, asking his fans, “Did I get this right” but instead of Tinder he also used the world’s most popular gay hook up app, Grindr – inexplicably – as he’s not gay or bi – as far as we know.
Grindr took no time in responding with one of the most whithering clap backs we’ve seen in a long time.
In 2018 Eminem apologised for using the homophobic slur “faggot” toward the rapper Tyler The Creator, in his track “Fall”.
This isn’t the first time he’s used homophobia in his music, even going as far to explain his usage of the slurs to the Rolling Stone in 2013, as “… more like calling someone a bitch or a punk or asshole,”
Ah… next he’ll be telling us some of his best friends are gay…
Boyfriends were apparently subjected to 30 minutes of homophobic abuse from a stranger on the streets of Glasgow on Burns Night.
Drew and his boyfriend were subjected to a horrifying homophobic ordeal on Burns night as they held hands in Glasgow, Scotland.
Lawyer Drew McCusker, 29, took to Twitter to explain that he and his boyfriend were subjected to a “really sh*t homophobic incident in Glasgow’s southside” which included them being called “bent bastards” and “f**king poofs”.
His tweet went viral within hours of his report.
According to Drew, he and his partner were holding hands when he alleges that a man walking passed them called them “a pair of bent bastards”.
When challenged, the man repeated what he had said, which is when a call was made to the police.
According to Drew, he spent 26 minutes on the phone with police as the man, he said, called the couple “bent bastards” “bent c*nts” “fucking poofs” “pair of poofs” and stating that it was “not fucking right two men sleeping together”
The man’s outrage continued to spew for 30 minutes, apparently telling passersby what he thought of the two boyfriends. An experience Drew has called ” hugely upsetting” and “humiliating”.
When the police arrived, the man was arrested and both Drew and his boyfriend gave separate statements.
The entire ordeal left Drew crying and deeply upset.
He said, “I don’t know if it was arrogance or hubris that made me think I wouldn’t be the victim of such an incident, or that it would upset me as much as it has.
“I’m still hurt by the demeaning language he hurled at us. He looked at, talked to and treated me like I was shit on a shoe. It felt awful.
“Today I feel confused about how to feel”
On Burns Night, my boyfriend and I had a really shit #homophobic incident in #Glasgow's southside. We were holding hands, and a guy walked passed us and called us a "pair of bent bastards". I challenged him, he repeated the phrase, I called 999.
In 2018 to 2019 hate crimes based on sexual orientation rose by five per cent according to a report on Hate Crime In Scotland. There were 1,176 charges reported in 2018-19. The numbers of crimes reported and charged have risen year on year since 2010, except in 2014/15.
Charges brought on crimes against transgender people actually dropped to 40 (2018/19) from 52 reports in the previous period (2017/2018).
Arrested and charged
According to Police Scotland, a 75-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection to the incident.
They told THEGAYUK.com “Around 6:10 pm on Saturday, 25 January 2020, police received a report of a man being verbally abusive to two men in Queen’s Drive”.
Apparently your cup of coffee in the morning could help keep you alert, in more ways than one.
CREDIT: Pixabay
A few years ago researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, USA, found that men over the age of 20 who consumed the caffeine equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day were less likely to report erectile dysfunction.
The co-author of the study, Dr Run Wang said, that caffeine had properties “similar to ED drugs like Viagra”.
However, it was noted that wouldn’t fix erection problems with men who have diabetes.
So why?
Well according to Dr Wang, caffeine triggers “a series of effects that cause the arteries in your penis to relax” which means that the blood flow to your penis increases – which is Dr Wang notes is “key to a strong erection”.
So start your morning with a glorious cup of coffee.
Of course if you are concerned with the way in which your penis does (or doesn’t work) book an appointment with your GP!
The seven (and a half) year itch rears its ugly head for one gay couple in the new play ‘Four Play’.
Now playing at the Above the Stag theatre until February 22, 2020 – Rafe (Ashley Byam) and Pete (Keeran Blessie) have been together for most of their adult lives, and unfortunately have not had much experience with anyone else. Yet they feel like their sexual relationship is starting to become mundane, lacking a bit of spark. So they enlist their frIend Michael (Declan Spaine) to spice things up. They then agree a deal among them: Michael will have sex with them separately, while Michael is not allowed to tell his boyfriend Andrew (Marc Mackinnon). But Michael does tell Andrew, and while he and Michael did have an open relationship, Andrew wonders out loud why the couple chose Michael over him.
Meanwhile, Rafe and Pete are enjoying the friends with benefits with Michael, but is temporary gratification going to save their dulling relationship? And what will become of Michael and Andrew’s relationship now that Andrew knows what is going on behind his back?
Through sharp dialogue (Jake Brunger), good acting and good directing (Matthew Iliffe), and with an excellent set (a kitchen complete with a Madonna magnet on the refrigerator), Four Play is game, set, love and match.
A reader asks what are the options for making his penis bigger
Dear AG,
I wondered if it was possible to make my dick bigger, I’ve seen lots of advertisement for pills and various techniques and wondered if any of them actually worked?
Steve
Dear Steve,
For hundreds of years if not millennia, guys have been worried about the size of their manhoods, but there’s so much misinformation out there, that it’s actually hard to know what the truth about penis and size actually is.
In reality, they come (no pun) in all shapes, sizes and indeed colours. First of you should know that here in Britain the average size of an erect penis is… 5.5 inches – which is apparently also the average global average of an erect penis.
So you might actually be well within the average or bigger than you actually think.
So now, down to your question can you make it bigger?
Well yes, there are ways to make it bigger – however, only one is medically proven to actually increase the size of your manhood.
Surgery. You can get your penis lengthened with surgery, however, the cost, which can go up to around £7000 might be a bit prohibitive. The length and girth you’ll actually achieve with this method will be around a 1 to an inch and half for length and girth
Jelqing. This apparent, ancient practice of basically pulling and massaging (not masturbating) your semi-erect penis for what can amount to hours can, and has, an ex has assured me worked – but it’s time-consuming and it’s not been clinically proven.
Pumps. There are numerous vacuum pumps which can in the short term grow the size of your penis. However the side effects are not permanent – and you’ll have to wear a cock ring once you’ve finished pumping to keep the blood inside the penis.
Hanging weights off it. If you’re in for the long haul then hanging weights from your dangly bits may (I’m stressing MAY) make your penis longer, although it could take months if not years of persistence. However, I’d have to advise caution as you could cause long term damage to yourself.
Really easy ways to make your cock look bigger!
(C) BIGSTOCK
Changing the surroundings. Did you know by a careful trim of the pubic area can actually make your dong look bigger. The less hair around the base will give you an extra half inch…
Losing weight can also help. Some guys, as they put on weight can put it on in their pubic area – also known as the FUPA (Fat Upper Pubic Area).
There’s an old adage that for every stone you lose you gain an inch down there – well technically that could be true – depending on the size of your FUPA. It could be actually hiding the first inch or two of your penis.
Whatever you do, don’t believe the hype that any pill can increase the size of your penis.
There’s a sex crime taking place in Soho – it’s ‘Sex/Crime’ the dark comic queer thriller.
Now playing until Feb. 1st, 2020 at the Soho Theatre, ‘Sex/Crime’ had its birth at the Glory bar in Dalston – a venue where shows such as this one are produced. Sex/Crime is a play that explores sex, violence, role-play, fear, drugs, but unfortunately not nudity, as both leads are sexy as hell.
It’s not one to take too seriously, though the dialogue might suggest you do. Jonny Woo and writer Alexis Gregory take us on a ride where man A (Gregory) and man B (Woo) recreate a killing of a famous gay serial killer – for pleasure – and a price, but at what price. Both actors work their damn hardest to entertain, and scare us, as they decide the boundaries of their game – a game that goes a bit too far, all packed into a generous one hour show.
Playing at the Soho Theatre (in the upstairs theatre) gives the show a bit of legitimacy, but it’s still low-brow theatre mostly meant for a small stage of a gay bar. But you can’t knock the energy and sexual chemistry of Gregory and especially sexy daddy Woo – they both alone are the price of admission.
So there we are then: the end and damn it Rupaul, you almost made me cry!
What a journey and how happy I am that I kept watching after a rough start, even though I am now sad about having to let go of my new drag family.
Ruby and AJ have reached their destination: the Dallas pageant and it seems AJ is even more invested in Ruby winning than Ruby is. AJ is worried about how Ruby will fare without her once she leaves for her grandfather and wants her well taken care of.
Meanwhile in New York Cocoa is visited by AJ’s mother again, this time she is ready to listen. Finding out where AJ is and where she is going she seems horrified. Stealing some money from Cocoa she quickly leaves to find her.
AJ and Ruby find themselves in trouble: all the other queens seems to have brought busloads of fans with them to help their chances at winning. Ruby and AJ only have each other. AJ decides on a plan.
Finding her police officer lover has let her down Cocoa travels to Dallas to join her friends. Ruby needs all the support as a call from Sanchez has sent her wavering.
A lot of things happen: Sanchez realises he might have feelings for AJ, Lady Danger has escaped prison and has gone after him – he has all her money. The other queens, including the two divas destined for number one, played by Trinity the Tuck and Jujubee have noticed AJ trying to get their fans on Ruby’s side and they are not happy.
Meanwhile, anti gay/drag protesters have descended onto the pageant.
The pageant rehearsal is a joyous line up of former Racers and seeing Rupaul stand alongside them is so moving. You can see that despite being their former judge she is one of them too, she came from this world and this is her love letter to them, to drag.
Meanwhile, Lady Danger seems rather jealous of the fact Sanchez choosing Ruby and searching for her stolen money she decides to trash her wigs. Finding out Ruby thinks the protesters did it, then the other queens. The speech Ruby gives the protesters is gorgeous but the way the other queens (the bitchy rivals) rally round to get Ruby wig hair so she can still compete is heartwarming.
Sadly Ruby doesn’t get to compete as AJ’s scam and story has sent the police and child agencies to the pageant. Meanwhile, Ruby, in utterly gorgeous drag, is visited by Sanchez – he brings her the money and his heart, or so he claims. AJ drags Ruby out, with money and all – of to grandfather before it’s too late.
While they flee Cocoa decides that even if Ruby can’t compete there is no reason to leave her place vacant. So for the first time ever Cocoa performs again, and she is everything!!
Ruby and AJ have reached grandfather. Fearing he might be conservative AJ asks if Ruby can drag her up, to fit in. Then they say their sad goodbyes. Ruby’s face as AJ explains why Ruby can’t come with her to meet her grandfather is sad.
But things get worse: waiting in her van to make sure AJ gets home to Pop-pop safe and sound she makes a shocking discovery. She has to find her.
Then, in such a beautifully acted and filmed emotional moment Ruby thinks AJ is finally hers. The daughter, friend and companion she always wanted. But then …
No, you will have to watch it yourself to find out, please do. It is a journey that will warm your heart.
★★★ | The Sunset Limited, Boulevard Theatre, London
A middle-aged white male attempts to get on The Sunset Limited but is stopped by a middle-aged black man.
What is The Sunset Limited? It’s the name of a new play that has just opened at Soho’s fantastic Boulevard Theatre, and it’s also a euphemism for committing suicide.
The white man (English Actor Jasper Britton), is on his daily commute (as described by the actors) when, instead of wanting to go to work, he intentionally wants to jump in front of a subway train pulling into a strangely empty NYC subway station. But he is saved by the black man (an excellent Gary Beadle) who in turn takes him to his run-down apartment to discuss his motive for wanting to commit suicide.”
So the play (written by Cormac McCarthy in 2006) takes place in the black man’s apartment (the two leads are not assigned proper names). So for the next 95 minutes we get to learn a lot about both men. The white man is a professor, an atheist, really hates his father and mother, and has very bad thoughts about all of his fellow commuters – everyday he has had these bad thoughts – and has had them for the past 20 years. The black man is an ex-con who served time for a crime we are not told, he is very religious, and is now the guardian angel to the white man, trying, very determined, to understand why he wanted to end his life. The play also tries to explore the meaning of life and especially the lives of people who have to endure a commute back and forth to work every day. But it also raises questions on the question – are we living the lives we want to lead? And when the show is over, and the black man finally lets the white man leave, what happens next, not just to him but also to the rest of us – back to our daily grind tomorrow, one that we might find depressing, depressing enough to take the Sunset Limited?
Perhaps the white man is everyman – one who is sick and tired of his commute, of the people around him, of his life and of his relationships – just plain miserable as hell.
Writer McCarthy wrote the brilliant ‘The Road’ (which went on to win a Pulitzer Prize, and which was turned into the classic 2009 film), which had themes of suicide and doom, was a brilliant piece of work. The Sunset Limited, apart from very good acting (Beadle is superb) and very good direction (Terry Johnson), is just a bit too thin to really care about the characters (white man is still a mystery to me) and what happens to them next.
The Sunset Limited is now playing at Soho’s Boulevard Theatre until February 29th.
Queens Everywhere!! The Queens of Rupaul’s Drag Race 12 have been Ruvealed!!
Oh Girl!! It’s happening!! Drag Race 12 is almost here, and after that reveal I can’t wait till February 28.
Introduced by last year’s winner Ivy Oddly thirteen fresh new queens paraded the runway all looking fierce.
Going by their introduction videos we’re in for a treat. There is a queen for everyone: Comedy, glamour, horror, sci-fi, fashion, gender f and anime, it’s all there.
Their backgrounds are as fabulous as their looks. We have our first Armenian queen, a queen that immigrated just to join the show, a queen that did America’s Got Talent, a queen that is championed by Adele and various queens that have some well-known drag mama’s.
Meanwhile, mama Ru herself is looking fierce in her trailer. She is looking passionate and ready for business.
It looks like Drag Race UK and AJ and the Queen have given her a new groove.
Check out the Ruveal, the trailer and the queens below.
New Year, New Skin: This year I’ll have spot-free skin…
So we’re well and truly into the midst of January and the start of a new decade. With many amongst you making new year’s resolutions and trying to better yourselves. We at The Gay UK have decided to help you along the way. If your skin has ever caused you insecurities, carry on reading. Our grooming expert Thomas Swallow will have you skin-confident in no time!
This year I’ll have spot-free skin…
Like everyone, we’re all prone to the occasional spot and there are lots of factors that cause the appearance of our little red friends. Some of these are out of our control unfortunately and I’m sorry to tell our younger readers, that hormonal acne is something we can’t get rid of. There are steps we can take however, to keep our skin spot-free and manage hormonal breakouts. The main two are nutrition and our skincare regime. It goes without saying really if we eat a healthy and balanced diet our skin will reflect this. This means cutting down on processed food and instead basing our diets around nutritious whole foods. Don’t be alarmed if your skin seems to get worse when changing your diet. Things like this always seem to get worse before they get better and your skin is no exception. Persevere and reap the rewards.
When it comes to skincare however, it is a little more complicated. The main focus here is controlling your skin’s oil production and there are many ways to go about this. My top 3 tips though would be…
To cleanse your skin twice daily with a lightly exfoliating cleanser
Probably the most important factor in keeping our skin spot-free is to keep it clean. The easiest way we can do this is to wash our face twice daily. Now there’s a myriad of cleansing products out there, all with ‘miraculous’ benefits and selling points. The best way I’ve found of ensuring the product I’m using is doing the job I need it to however, is to make sure it is a lightly exfoliating cleanser. Now when I say this, I don’t mean it’s physically exfoliating my skin twice a day but that there is a chemical exfoliant present within the product, that helps break down all the dirt and oil. Which when living in London, is a godsend!
My current go-to cleanser is Fresh Wash by Monuskin, that uses papaya enzymes to lightly exfoliate the face. Leaving my skin clean and fresh but not stripped.
One of the biggest misconceptions people have when dealing with oily/spot-prone skin, is that they shouldn’t moisturise. This is such a big mistake to make. No matter what your skin type, your skin needs moisture and by all means, I’m not telling you to slap a thick cream all over your face each morning. You do however need to apply something to your skin or it will just became dry and irritated. In the case of oily/spot-prone skin instead of leaving this step out, opt for a gel/mattifying moisturiser. Not only will this keep your skin moisturised and healthy, it will help control shine/oil production throughout the day.
My personal favourite is Recipe for Men’s Anti-Shine Moisturiser. This beauty has seen me through the hottest of London heatwaves and tube rides. Always keeping me shine-free and looking fresh. If you’re familiar with the Central Line, you know this is no easy feat.
Incorporate a clay mask into your weekly skincare regime
Finally masking to many people is a luxurious and unnecessary step in a skincare regime. If you have oily/spot-prone skin however, I think this step is a definite must and by no means does it have to be expensive. By incorporating a clay mask into your skincare regime once a week, you can drastically improve control over your skin’s oil production. The clay mask absorbs excess oil and impurities, leaving skin purified and shine-free.
A great option for this is Bulldog’s Oil Control Face Mask. This inexpensive and effective mask will leave your skin clear and control oil production, when used on a regular basis. Plus it won’t break the bank balance, always a selling-point!
Want more tips from our grooming expert? Make sure to follow him on Instagram and Twitter (@urbanmaleuk) and look out for his next article, where he’ll tackle the age-old question of how to eliminate dark circles.
