The underwear brand Aussiebum has found itself having to explain why it ‘liked’ several of Donald Trump’s tweets.
The Australian based underwear brand AussieBum has explained why it liked several of President Donald Trump‘s tweets, by claiming their account was “compromised”.
The official Twitter account of AussieBum apparently liked some of Donald Trump’s more controversial tweets including ones calling Latin American refugees as “illegals”, calling The Washington Post “fake news” and Puerto Rico “one of the most corrupt places on Earth”
The liked tweets were unearthed by a Twitter user. However after the news that Aussiebum had liked the tweets broke on several news sites, the brand swiftly, but without explanation removed their likes.
The brand did reach out to fans on Twitter with the message, “Hi there- sorry for this! We found out that our account was compromised for a short period of time and someone thought it was funny to like Donald Trump. We have now corrected this and secured our account. Cheers, aussieBum Team”.
When we think about a gay-friendly hotel, there are a lot of things that come to mind. While you may not necessarily want a built-in dark room, you’ll want to know that you’ll be safe, comfortable and enjoy your stay. And that’s the experience I had when staying at the Ruby Hotels in Vienna.
Lean luxury – a very millennial style choice
I’m showing my age when I admit that I am on the cusp of millennial – one of the first batches ever produced – and so a lot of the newer hipster shit isn’t of interest to me. What I do love is quirky style, authentic locations, and amenities that I actually care about, and that’s what Ruby Hotels accommodate for.
Ruby Lissi, the third and newest Ruby Hotel to open in the gorgeous capital city of Vienna, is housed in an 18th-century Neoclassical stone building. With various tenants over the years, the striking facade gives way to a somewhat underwhelming entrance, in which guests walk through a long barren corriden that feels like an old, abandoned school building.
However, once into the main reception, Ruby Lissi is a total hipster dream. The spacious reception/dining room/cafe/bar/entertainment space is packed with vintage items that are chosen specifically for each property. Electric guitars, globes, gramophones, all that weird shit that I really love.
Check-in and check-out is all automated, processed through iPads dotted throughout, and the staff are on-hand to answer questions, make drinks, and generally look pretty.
The Rooms
The rooms vary in size, from a ‘nest’ room up to a ‘cosy’ room, then a ‘lovely’ room and a ‘wow’ room. But apart from square footage the rooms are pretty much the same, with trimmed down features with cool and cosy design elements. There’s a flat-screen TV that you can stream your own entertainment to, art deco fixtures, and a guitar amp that you can plug your phone into.
Yes it was slightly weird that the bathroom and shower exist within a glass cube right in the room (so do NOT take a new boyfriend there if you want to retain some of the mystery) but that also meant I could watch TV while I showered.
Amenities and such
The downstairs bar is open 24 hours a day, and as such is the hotel’s main source of food and drink. There are also a few vending machines dotted around along with stations to make your own cups of tea. There’s no mini-bar, no room service, and no main restaurant, the idea being that while you’re in Vienna you should go out and experience Vienna.
Location, location, location
Apart from cool design and affordable rates (below), the biggest win for the Ruby Lissi is its location. Just a few steps from the Danube Canal (yes, it is connected to the famed river), the Schwedenplatz U-Bahn station and the tram system, getting around Vienna is incredibly easy, allowing you to explore the numerous bars, cafés, saloons, and sights of the city.
Rates
From about 80 euros. For more information, visit Ruby Lissi, Vienna.
There are about 12 LGBT+ bars and clubs in Birmingham with the majority of them located in the gay village area of the city, which is in the south-east region of the city. Many of them are dotted around the famous Essex Street – Birmingham’s answer to Manchester’s Canal Street or London’s Old Compton Road.
One of the major critcisms that bars revcieved in Birmingham was overzealous security and bouncer staff. It might worth noting that many bars do not directly hire bouncers but employ outside security contractors.
So here are the best and worse gay bars in Birmingham ranked worst to best by Google Map users.
Eden 4.6 stars out of 72 reviews
(C) GOOGLE MAPS
Eden is located on Sherlock Street and has been voted the best bar by Google reviewers, however, it only has 72 reviews, unlike the Fox which has a whopping 224 reviews. However punters like this bar for its friendly staff and the happy hour. However, some say that the beer is a little bit pricey when Happy Hour ends. One reviewer wrote it was their favourite bar in Birmingham because “ a sense of community here and the owners talk to their customers and care” Another added, “My time in Eden was certainly eye-opening… As soon as I entered the door I felt welcomed, the service was incredible and oh so friendly”.
The Fox 4.5 stars out of 224 reviews
(C) GOOGLE MAPS
The Fox is one of the most reviewed “LGBT Friendly” bars in Birmingham with a whopping 224 reviews and it is only just pipped by 0.1 by Eden Bar. The Fox is located on Lower Essex Street in the heart of the gay village. One customer called The Fox the best place in town for a night out, while another loved the “cheap beer and friendly people”. One reviewer added “The Fox is a fantastic little bar. The staff are always friendly and professional. The music is great and there is a good atmosphere at weekends” another showed appreciation for the signage saying “The best gay bar in town. So much love for the “No TERFs on our turf” sign. Truly, my spiritual home“.
Equator 4.3 stars out of 60 reviews
(C) GOOGLE MAPS
Located on Hurst Street the Equator is another one of Birmingham’s high ranking gay bars and it serves food – apparently “the best breakfast”. One reviewer suggested “A good bar to start your evening out, in the gay village. A very good atmosphere to meet friends to talk in a pleasant atmosphere. Another added, “Great cosy little bar … friendly staff and customers just a shame it often closes on a Sat night between 11- 11:30.“
The Village Inn 4.0 stars out of 245 reviews
(C) GOOGLE MAPS
The Village Inn seems to be the most popular of all the gay bars in Birmingham with the most Google reviews. It has 245 of them – 21 more than The Fox. Reviewers like the music, but some thought the bar staff were a bit rude and there have been complaints about the security staff. A one-star reviewer revealed, “Horrible, security I was pushed at the entrance and not let in with no reason…” However, others think that the place is great and it serves “first-rate” food.
Boltz 4.0 stars out of 48 reviews
If you’re looking for something a little more on the Fetish side then make sure Boltz is on your “to do” list. Customers love the staff and the prices of the drinks. One reviewer added “Not everybody’s cup of tea but sometimes you need a strong coffee.”
The Core Club 4.0 stars out of 5 reviews
Another more fetishy place is The Core. It has the fewest reviews of any of the gay bars in Birmingham but does manage to achieve a 4-star status.
The Fountain Inn 3.8 stars out of 27 reviews
C) Google Maps
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional look for The Fountain Inn on the edge of the gay village. It has only 27 reviews but manages 3.8 stars. It’s fairly informal and what you see is what you get. Reviewers loved the food.
Sidewalk 3.7 stars out of 102 reviews
The Sidewalk is a trendy loft-style haunt in the centre of the gay village in Birmingham and does 2 for 1 cocktails during the earlier hours. Reviews are generally favourable but does manage to reach 4 stars. One reviewer wrote, “From the minute you walk off the pavement, I was greeted with friendliness and a warm welcome, from door staff, professional and friendly, to bar staff, polite, smiling and engaging. Had a lovely gin and tonic, comfy seat in the leather armchairs, that gives the place a gentlemen’s club feel – gentile. Great ambience”. Another added, “Like the Village, this is perhaps one of the only venues on Hurst Street that I would recommend. It is far classier than The Missing Bar in my humble opinion and you do not have to be on guard 100% of your visit. It is clean, staff are and always have been approachable and friendly, you have a generous selection of cocktails and beverages at the tip of your fingers, and the food is far from shabby too.”
One reviewer did mention that the service could be quite slow writing “So initially this bar seemed quiet and cosy. We stood at the bar for around 5 minutes trying to get served baring in mind there was only a couple of people at the bar but the barman was too busy chatting away.“
Missing Bar 3.7 stars out of 63 reviews
Missing Bar is a popular bar in Birmingham and it manages a fairly respectable 3.7 stars. However one of the latest reviewers complained that the place felt “dreary” and felt that the drinks were expensive. Reviewers also noted that it had a “great buzz”.
Nightingale Club 3.6 stars out of 117 reviews
Another very busy place in Birmingham is the Nightingale Club which received over 117 reviews and it manages a fairly respectable 3.6 stars, however, reviewers complained about security being heavy-handed and “vile”. Reviewers have noted that there is a great atmosphere, with one writing “Great atmosphere, and a fabulous mix of music and entertainment in the different rooms. My only criticism is they need more staff on the bar”
Glamorous Birmingham 3.2 stars out of 58 reviews
Glamorous Birmingham is a club experience in Birmingham with an average rating of 3.2 stars. Some reviewers found the place to be friendly, with lovely bar staff, others had complaints about the security and sticky floors.
Bar Jester 2.7 stars out of 38 reviews
Bar Jester is a little way out of the gay village area of Birmingham and is a little venue, however, it doesn’t do so well in the eyes of Google reviewers. Again reviewers highlight issues with security staff – with one calling them “unprofessional”.
Police have opened an investigation after a report of a man being raped in Manchester’s City centre. Police have released three CCTV images of people they’d like to speak to.
At around 1.30am on Wednesday 3 April 2019, police were called to a report that a 28-year-old man had been raped.
The man had met with two men in the Canal Street area before walking towards Back Piccadilly, where he was then raped and robbed.
After the attack, it is believed the offenders met up with a further man before all three travelled via Birmingham and London Victoria on the National Express Coach, arriving in London around 6 am.
Since the rape occurred, officers have been examining CCTV footage to establish the circumstances surrounding the offence.
CCTV images released by investigating officers show three men they want to speak to in connection with the investigation.
Detective Constable Louise Kelly of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said, “Since the attack, we’ve been following numerous lines of enquiry, but unfortunately we have yet to find the men responsible.
“We have now released images of three men we want to speak to.
“Anyone who recognises these men should get in touch with us as soon as possible.
“We urge people to pass on any information, no matter how small, so that we can progress this investigation further.”
Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 4409 quoting reference 133 03/04/19 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The final headline act the 2019 Underbelly Festival Southbank is the Australian circus cabaret act Rouge. The award-winning group is in a long line of acts that have played at the famous Southbank venue, the most memorable of them Little Death Club – a naughty but nice cabaret act from Berlin that tore the house on fire. While Rouge doesn’t quite attain this level of scandal (and nudity), they give the audience what they want: jaw-dropping acrobatics, skin, and lots and lots of chairs.
The cast includes the mind-bending Cyr wheel action and the phenomenal fire routines of Jessie Mckibbin, astonishing acrobatic feats from Lyndon Johnson, Liam DeJong and Madison Burleigh, aerial antics and more than a little cheek from dancer Paul Westbrook, plus the powerhouse operatic vocals of Issie Hart (who had laryngitis the night we were there).
The sexy Westbrook is the emcee for the evening – all he really needs to do is just stand on stage and that would be enough! But he’s got a job to do – not just to emcee but also to perform in some of the acrobatics – and perform he does!
Rouge is 60 minutes of twirling (the acts) and slurping (you – from drinks at the bar). And at the end of the show, you can meet the cast at the bar outside – what other show lets you do that? So go on and experience a naughty night – at the hands of Rouge!
Rouge plays at Underbelly until Sunday 15 September 2019. Book tickets here
TV star India Willoughby said that those four years had been “the best years” of her life.
Celebrity Big Brother star India Willoughby is celebrating her fourth birthday as India. Taking to Twitter she said that she had “no regrets” and advise anyone on a waiting list should “hang in there”.
She wrote, “I’m four years old today – and despite one of two things, they have been without doubt the best years of my life. Being true to yourself: priceless. Anyone stuck on a waiting list – hang in there. You’ll get there. No regrets”.
India Willougby was the UK’s first transgender newsreader and has since gone on to star in Celebrity Big Brother, Loose Women, and Good Morning Britain.
Fans of the outspoken journalist congratulated her on the milestone with one adding “Chuffed for you … lovely you’re happy now” while another tweeted, “Happy birthday India. I might not agree with every single thing you say but I commend your audacity to say what you think, not what every 1 expects you should think you’ve taught me to be proud to have an opinion&I don’t always agree with the majority either but I now embrace that”
Milo Yiannopoulos, who has been booted from almost every major social platform became the poster boy for “Straight Pride” in Boston over the weekend.
He was the “pride’s” Grand Marshall. The British born, openly-gay journalist and author wore a school uniform costume, complete with a red glittery ‘Make America Great Again’ hat and red glittery shoes.
Reporter Ryan Broderick from Buzzfeed News, who was at the scene, when Milo took to the stage to make a speech wrote on Twitter “After about an hour of confusion, about 75 remaining paradegoers are trying to give speeches in city hall plaza.
“About 700 counterprotesters outside are drowning them out. Can’t hear anything”.
With the news that leading LGBT+ website, Gay Star News has ceased to trade we look at some of the other sites that no longer exist.
Free-Photos / Pixabay
It’s not just LGBT+ venues that are closing at an astonishing rate, gay media is also under threat with many sites, unfortunately shuttering. Here are a few that no longer exist or haven’t been updated in a long time.
Puffta was an online lifestyle site which ran from the early noughties. Although the domain still exists it hasn’t been updated in years.
AXM
AXM magazine was a printed and online magazine which ceased printing in 2008. It was turned into an online-only venture but only one issue was ever created. Although the website was updated sometime after the last issue, the news site no longer exists.
G3
Part Square Peg Media group, g3 was a lesbian and bi women’s magazine. It was launched in 2001 by Lisa Knight and Sarah Garrett but ceased trading in 2013.
Out In The City
Another of Square Peg Media’s products which was created in 2007, but ceased to print in mid-2014. While the website is still online it has not been updated in quite some time.
SoSoGay
SoSoGay was a website that launched in 2009 and was a culture review heavy. It took a “hiatus” in the latter part of the 2010 and never really came back. It was seemingly spun off on to a website called Gayist, but that no longer exists either. It may still return – and when it does the LGBT+ reviews category will have gained a valuable resource.
Into
Into was the world’s largest, by hits, LGBT+ news brand, owned by the dating app, Grindr. It was closed abruptly in early 2019 – without notice. Grindr bosses say they wanted Into to become a “video-first” digital property.
Polari Magazine
PolariMagazine.com is still online, but it hasn’t been updated since 2014 when the site ceased to upload any new articles on its sixth birthday. As a way of explaining the site’s founder, Christopher Bryant wrote, “the way that we use the internet has changed, and the way that people obtain information from it has evolved. The idea of a magazine website is not the same as it was even 3 years ago”.
I’m Playing Out
I’mPlayingOut.com was a small but informative gay website which was around for a few years in the early to mid-2010s.
AfterElton.com
AfterElton was an American website aimed at gay and bi men, which launched in 2005. It was in 2013 that the site changed its name to The Back Lot. TheBackLot didn’t last too long as it was taken over by NewNowNext.com in 2015, which is unavailable for readers in EU countries.
TheBackLot.com
Was a shortlived gay news website which was taken over by the Logo owned, NewNowNext.com in 2015.
The Pink Paper
Pink Paper was a printed and online news brand which finally closed in 2012. It was founded in the late 80s – but its printed edition closed in 2009. It was owned by the Milrves Prowler group, which also no longer exists.
HisKind
An LGBT+ news site and magazine that was set up by Dean Eastmond, who sadly passed away in 2017. Although his magazine continued for a while after his death, the site and related social medias haven’t been updated since June 2018
Do you know of any more? Send us an update: newsdesk (@) thegayuk.com
A shocking article has unearthed how a national newspaper wrote about the discovery of a now-debunked “gay gene”.
“Abortion Hope” reads the headline of a Daily Mail article after scientists in America thought they had made a definitive link between homosexuality and genetics.
‘Abortion hope’! Here’s how a national newspaper wrote about ‘gay genes’ in 1993. The article repulsed me so much I cut it out and have kept it to this date. It reminds me to be proud about who I am! #LGBT#LoveIsLove 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/UZaQG9dVUp
The article appeared in a July 1993 edition of the Daily Mail and so disgusted Communications Director Antony Tiernan, that he cut out the article to keep to remind him to be proud of who he is. Writing on Twitter he said, “The article repulsed me so much I cut it out and have kept it to this date. It reminds me to be proud about who I am!”
In the article, journalist Jason Lewis wrote, “isolation of the genes means it could soon be possible to predict whether a baby will be gay and give the mother the option of an abortion”.
An interviewer’s job is to get into the nooks and crannies of their subject’s life, but how far to probe is too far?
Asking a gay pop star whether they’re a top of a bottom might just be that line and Troye Sivan, was not here for the questioning – saying that he was “passing the question” and called the interviewer, Matt Fistonich, “wildly invasive, strange and innapropriate”
Turns out the internet, well, Twitter wasn’t for the line of questioning either, with many on social media calling out the journalist who conducted the interview for his line of questioning.
I thought about asking the interviewer about his absolute fave sex position after that last question, but then i remembered how wildly invasive, strange and innapropriate that would be. Didn’t stop him though! https://t.co/mo80DziQrH
In the interview, for Express Magazine in NZ, Matt asked a variety of questionings including, whether Troye’s boyfriend would give him a “hall pass” for his celebrity crush, Shawn Mendes and whether he likes Will And Grace – because, well you know, gay…
Troye’s fans blasted the journalist calling on Matt to apologise for the questions and some even suggested that he should be fired from his job… because you know… Twitter.
Matt Fistonich whoever he work a for shoukd be fired. Not only do the questions suck and seem like they're out of a trashy 2000s mag but the last is inappropriate 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️ fire his ass
There are lots of pubs in London that serve food but only a small handful where the food is excellent. The Hayden is one of these.
The Hayden is serving classic pub and is well worth the trip to Westbourne Grove. Their menu is a superb take on many classics, but of higher quality.
The slow-cooked BBQ Ribs were perfect! 2×6 pork ribs (12 in total) where the meat literally was very easy to tear off from the bone with a fork (no need to get your fingers messy), was very succulent, tender, and came with sumptuous bourbon BBQ sauce (tasty and yummy), and were the best ribs I’ve had in years. The ribs came with a large bowl of skin-on fries and a small salad for a bargain £17. I have been craving ribs for a long time and these filled the bill! My dining companion had the Pan-Fried Sea Bass. They were two smallish chunks served over tomato & mascarpone sauce, with asparagus and saffron braised fennel, and for him, it was a nice summer dish – not too heavy and no bones which made it easy to eat (£17.50). A man at the table next to us had the mouth-watering looking Sirloin 8oz steak – it was nicely grilled and nicely sized – and he looked like he was enjoying it (£19.50)!
We actually started the meal with, I failed to mention, starters, and both were just perfect. The Original Popcorn Shrimp, well cooked and plentiful, served with sweet chilli sauce, is highly recommended (£9). Very tasty and very good quality. The Pulled Chicken quesadillas – four, nicely-sized, browned all over and not too cheesy (mature cheddar), with a few jalapeños (not spicy), and a side of guacamole was a large portion, (and cheaply priced at £7), and was also very very good.
At times cocktail menus at pubs all blend into one, however, The Hayden has a special cocktail that will satisfy your thirst and knock your socks off! You have to, have to, try the Chora (it’s NOT on the online menu but on the drinks menu at the pub). It’s a beautiful-looking vodka drink made with lime juice, egg whites, cinnamon & almond syrup (producing a luscious foam froth) with Skinis Mastiha Liqueur (white Greek spirit made from resin). The Chora was just divine. The little flower on top of the foam added to the beauty of the drink (it was almost, I say almost, too beautiful to drink). Very sweet, beautiful burst of colours, delicious, refreshing and superb to say the least (£10.50). I also had the Watermelon Refresher (£7.50) and it tasted more icy and watery then watermelony (is that even a word)? My companion had the Red Pinot Noir with his dinner, he said it was fine, and a small glass is nicely priced at £7.25).
Now on to the desserts. My companion is an expert at cheesecake – and he simply devoured his. It was light and lively and a nice size, served with raspberry jam (£5), while I had the Eton Mess which had chunks of strawberries and chunks of meringue. It was cream heavy which I find most desserts are (£6). I long for the days when I will see healthy desserts (fruit dish & sorbet anyone?). Desserts are always creamy, dairy, and very full of chocolate, but the desserts at The Hayden were again, very good.
The Hayden has a cool pub look; dark interiors, with plenty of tables, a nice size fireplace – and a private area if you have a semi-large party and want some privacy. The night we were there there were lots of customers with American accents – I guess being in the vicinity of Notting Hill it’s a bit of an American enclave. But the pub is not just for locals. It’s on a strip where there are lots of cheap dining options (Nando’s is next door, Tinseltown Diner a block away, and a Gourmet Burger Kitchen across the street). Just bypass these and go directly into The Hayden.
I guarantee you The Hayden will have better chicken (Half corn-fed Rotisserie Chicken @ £16.50), better burgers (various types at between £14.50 and £16.50, with skin on fries), and The Hayden will sure beat the diner food they serve down the road.
And if you go to The Hayden Mon-Wed, you get 30% off your food. Or there is a set menu Mon – Fri until 7 pm where you get 2 courses for £16.50. And there are 2-4-1 cocktails from 5-7 pm Mon-Wed and Thurs & Friday 12 noon to 7 pm.
There is plenty on the menu at The Hayden to keep wanting to go back for more. It’s a cool pub that’s also a perfect spot for drinks at the bar – but eating there is a must. With very staff, a trendy but not too trendy vibe, and great food and drinks – what more from a pub could you ask for?
