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  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Pasta Nostra, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Pasta Nostra, London

    ★★★★ | Pasta Nostra, London

    Excellent tasting homemade pasta and very very reasonable prices? It’s Pasta Nostra.

    Only open for a couple of months, Pasta Nostra, located on a strip of Old Street between the station and Goswell Road, in an area that sorely needs good and good valued places to eat, is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

    It’s not a very big restaurant (though in the summer there is a conveniently locatedoutdoor space right next door), but the food is big – taste, portion and enjoyment! I highly recommend the Orecchiette dish. The pasta, in the shape of a very small ear, is green in colour because it is basil pesto and green beans mixed with potato. It’s absolutely delicious, and at £8 for a reasonably nice-sized dish, is a starter-priced but main course fulfilment! The Pappardelle – 12-hour braised oxtail and tomatoes, is also absolutely delicious, with the ragu lamb amazingly tasty and tender, the pasta fresh fresh fresh, and not too cheesy parmesan – perfectly priced at £12.

    The starters are also amazingly reasonably priced – so we decided to order three of them. The best of the three was the Watermelon, Mint and Feta Salad. At £5, it was a steal as there was plenty of watermelon while the mint gave it a zing, and just enough Feta to not overpower the watermelon. Excellent! Also worthy was the selection (9 slices) of three different types of Salami, and served with a Salame Bun, which was different but very good – and all for a mere £5! My dining companion wanted to try the Suppli – and I am glad he did! It was a large ball of dough with nice a nice crust of crunchy bread crumbs and stuffed with mozzarella and tomato rice – also £5, and a great deal for a dish we had never heard of!

    One can’t really eat ones way through a menu, but I wish I had the stomach and hunger for it because at Pasta Nostra there were other dishes we would’ve liked to have tried, including the Tortello Carbonara (with crispy cured pork cheek) and Bottonoini (filled pasta with mussels in a tomato sauce). I was very tempted to order the starter Gazpacho, but one of the ingredients was chilli, and the night we went was officially the UK’s hottest day ever, so I didn’t fancy eating anything spicy! But we did fancy dessert, and it was the Sicilian Cannolo(tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling). Yummy! One for £4 so I would recommend ordering two! Give the Tiramisu a miss – it’s served in a coffee cup and it’s too much cream, too much dairy, and just too much.

    Pasta Nostra has a nice menu of drinks, including the usual Italian specialities of Negronis and Campana Spritz, along with wines, beers and soft drinks. It’s a nice small modern-looking restaurant with a small bar in the front and tables in the back and upstairs with a great £10 takeaway special (pasta, sauce, and dessert – though the pasta is uncooked). Pasta Nostra is on a mission, according to its website, to make the best pasta in town. Well, I say they are on their way to a great start! I’ll definitely go back!

    https://pastanostralondon.com

  • Gay-friendly road trips in the USA: The Great River Road To Minneapolis

    The USA is the place to visit if you love yourself a road trip, and with a country of that size there are plenty of routes to choose from.

    You may have already driven up the west coast of California, or road tripped along some of the iconic Route 66, so now it’s time to follow the mighty Mississippi River and drive along the Great River Road.

    Starting in Minneapolis / Saint Paul

    The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are the biggest and capital city of the state of Minnesota respectively. These often overlooked cities are an ideal place to start and/or end your great gay road trip along the Great River Road.

    The twin cities were historically some of the first to adopt bans on anti-gay discrimination, making its fierce determination to be welcoming and inclusive a great reason to make it your starting point.

    Minneapolis & St Paul is also a hub for US airline Delta, making it easy to fly directly in and out from Heathrow.

    No specific gay neighbourhoods

    Unlike a lot of other major cities, Minneapolis & Saint Paul doesn’t have a defined gay neighbourhood. Instead you’ll find gay bars and venues dotted throughout the city, the most prominent being Gay 90s, the supposedly straight-friendly gay venue that is home to the city’s beautiful people. The downside being that, like many mainstream gay venues, it is starting to become overrun with straight people, watering down some – but not all – of its appeal as a gay bar.

    The Saloon on 9th and Hennepin is another popular gay spot for a drink and a dance, while the Eagle/Bolt is more like a leather/bear bar if you’re looking for something a little different. If you’d rather do a big gay brunch instead of – or as well as – a big night out, LUSH have a Saturday and Sunday brunch menu, as well as hosting drag nights and all sorts sorts of big gay fun!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BygCAQ4nwVe/

    Non-gay things to do in Minneapolis /St Paul

    In addition to plenty of gay things to do, there are a few non-gay things that are still quite enjoyable. Grab lunch in the Seventh Street Truck Park, an indoor, super hipster dining experience with a variety of food trucks and beer on offer. Take a selfie or two in the Sculpture Garden or see a show or just grab a drink in the Guthrie Theater, and there’s some great guy-watching to be done in Riverfront Regional Park with plenty of hotties in short shorts, well in the summer anyway. All-in-all a genuinely lovely city that I’m looking forward to visiting again.

    Before you hit the road

    Once you’ve seen enough of the city and decide it’s time to hit the road and travel down the mighty Mississippi, take the opportunity to take a leisurely river cruise along the river (we dare you to try and not sing Tina Turner constantly), and if you have time, Minnehaha Park is a delight with lots of wide open park space next to a cascading waterfall.

    And don’t forget that just outside the city is the imaginatively-titled ‘Mall of America’. This is a quintessentially American experience that you do not want to miss. Loads of shopping (with no tax on clothing or shoes), an indoor theme park, and all the fried food you could eat.

    While there we stayed at the Renaissance Minneapolis Bloomington Hotel, a fabulously millennial hotel a short drive from the world-famous shopping centre. Featuring great design, gorgeously comfortable rooms with big beds and big-screen TVs, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would highly recommend it if you’re wanting to visit MOA as they have regular shuttles to take you there and back.

    The Great River Road

    OK, so once you’re on the open road you could actually follow it all the way down to New Orleans if you have the time and petrol money, but that article would go on forever so I’ll just cover a few of my favourite stops along the Great River Road.

    National Eagle Center

    One of the highlights of the trip for me was the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, where you can learn about the country’s national bird and see rescued birds sitting casually just a few feet away.

    Minnesota Marine Art Museum

    This tiny little town somehow manages to house some of the world’s most famous paintings, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir.

    Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

    Another spot I wish I had had more time to explore, the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is the location of the most civilized prehistoric civilization in the country, with archaeological remains dating back thousands of years.

    When to drive the Great River Road

    This kind of road trip is ideally suited to the summer months, as winters in Minnesota and Wisconsin can be brutal. However, with all the beautiful wide-open plains you may enjoy seeing the leaves change in autumn for something a little different.

    For more information visit exploreminnesota.com

  • Porn star Silas dies just days before his 26th birthday

    Porn star Silas dies just days before his 26th birthday

    A porn star who filmed scenes with Military Classified and Cocksure Men has died at the age of 25, of an apparent drug overdose.

    Silas, who was known to film for the studios Military Classified and Cocksure Men has died after an apparent drug overdose just days before his 26th birthday. He also worked for Raw Castings and Active Duty.

    The star died on the 8th July, but the news of his death was made public last week.

    The news was broken by Rob Navarro who owns the Military Classified studio, who wrote, “With a heavy heart I bring this disturbing news, one of my models, Stephen Morgan, Jr. (SILAS) passed away on July 8, 2019, of an apparent overdose, he was 25. In my 15 yrs online I’ve only sent 2 tweets like this…it’s never easy…RIP Silas, your beauty will live forever now”.

    https://twitter.com/mclassified/status/1154430081302851584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1154430081302851584&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.queerty.com%2Fadult-film-performer-silas-dead-25-20190729

    An obituary for the performer, who’s name was Stephen, said,

    Stephen 25, of Orlando, Florida passed away Monday, July 8, 2019. He was born on July 23, 1993 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    Stephen is survived by his mother, Kathleen Lahr (husband, John Lahr, Sr.); father, Stephen E. Morgan, Sr.; brother, John Lahr, Jr.; brother, Damian Lahr; sister, Carissa Wheeler; sister, Amanda Ross; sister, Olivia Lahr; and maternal grandparents, Douglas and Connie Artin.

    Services will be held privately at a later date.

  • South Wales police denies making any stipulations over who can attend Rhondda Pride

    Police in South Wales have stated that they have never stipulated who can and can’t attend.

    In an initial email sent by organisers of Rhondda Pride to Leathermen Cymru, they alleged that South Wales police had made stipulations about who could and couldn’t attend the pride.

    South Wales Police have set the record straight by releasing a statement saying, “just to confirm, our role at events such as this is public safety. We have played no part whatsoever in stipulating who attends”.

    The pride has received a huge backlash over a now-deleted statement, in which the pride warned that “no bondage or sexualised costumes” were allowed as they were “trying to make this a safe space for under 18 LGBTQ+ individuals and families and a place for parents of young LGBTQ+ people who want to understand and support their children”.

    “Picking and choosing”

    The UK Pride Organisers Network said that it did not support the erasure of any part of the LGBT+ community. It went on to blast the event for “picking and choosing” who is and isn’t allowed to be at the event”.

    “We don’t support erasure of any part of our community. Rhonnda Pride you are NOT a Pride, you are a family fun day that is picking and choosing who is and isn’t allowed to be at your event. There is NO Pride in Exclusion! We are 1! #WeStandWithEveryone Together we are UKPON!

     

    We may have to pull our event due to the actions of the BDSM community. This is a tragedy.

    In a statement to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the event said,

    “We should start by saying that we are a small valleys Pride with a capacity for 500 maximum people plus a market. We only asked for no charity or political stalls due to the fact that we don’t have enough room to hold them. This was not exclusion this was practical. As for the Leathermen we have never banned leather, that is ridiculous. What we have requested is due to the family friendly nature of the event and the fact our headline act is 13 years old no BDSM wear or sexual costumes be worn. I don’t see any issues with wanting to be family friendly however we may have to pull our event due to the actions of the BDSM community. This is a tragedy for the LGBTQ + children, adolescents, teenagers, young adults and families who wanted to support an event of this nature.”

     

  • COMMENT | Why I’m going to be naked at this year’s Amsterdam Pride

    COMMENT | Why I’m going to be naked at this year’s Amsterdam Pride

    The Netherlands. July 25th. Over 40 degrees. This is the hottest day in the history of the Netherlands.

    And this is happening just a couple of days before the start of Amsterdam’s Pride Week, the largest gay event in the Netherlands and one of the largest in the world.

    The world-famous “Canal Parade”, which occurs every year along the Amsterdam canals, with 80 boats and over half a million spectators, is the highlight of Amsterdam’s Pride week, which will take place between July 27th and August 4th. The theme chosen for this year was “Remember the Past, Create the Future,” an obvious reference to the Stonewall’s riots, happened exactly 50 years ago and which mark a turning point in the history of the LGBTQ + movement.

    Different events will take place throughout the week, such as the Pride Walk, the Drag Olympics, exhibitions, films, concerts, STI tests and many, many parties throughout the city.

    In addition to the official events, many companies are also supporting this cause and will be fighting side by side with us. A good example of this is Polette, a well-known eyewear brand, which I agreed to collaborate with. The brand invited 6 people, me included, to share our experiences while members of the LGBTQ + community.

    The other five people and I agreed to undress emotionally so that we could share our experiences, but also literally. The six of us together, without any shame, will undress, be body painted in different colours and form a human rainbow flag. This human rainbow flag will walk on August 2, from 6 pm, from Amsterdam Central Station to the iconic Dam Square in the historic centre of Amsterdam. Allow me to invite you to join us in case you are planning a visit to Amsterdam on these dates.

    If not, you will be able to watch the documentary which will be released shortly after.

    The question remains: Are Gay Pride celebrations still necessary? According to the latest annual report from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex Association (ILGA), 70 states around the world continue to criminalize same-sex consensual relations. LGBTQ + community members continue to be fired for the simple reason that they are different, people still have to think twice before going hand in hand with their partners in public, as well as plan their vacations taking into consideration which countries should be avoided for safety reasons, not forgetting the unpleasant experience of having to “get out of the closet” to their families and friends. Based on these facts, the answer – at least for me – is obvious: Yes, this is still necessary!

    Miguel Martins
    (Mister Senior Netherlands 2018 3rd Runner-Up / Winner Public Choice / Winner Best Talent)

  • Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show: Part Folies Bergére, part cabaret, part Rocky Horror Picture Show, and all fashion, you’ll be mesmerised!

    Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show: Part Folies Bergére, part cabaret, part Rocky Horror Picture Show, and all fashion, you’ll be mesmerised!

    ★★★★ | Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show

    The life of Jean Paul Gaultier is told in very unique style at the Southbank in a show appropriately called Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show. And what a show it is!

    Ever since JPG was a little boy he always had a thing for fashion. You see, his parents told him to be whatever he wanted to be – which helped him become the man he is today – one of the most well-known fashion designers of his generation. And JPG is the Créateur du spectacle et des costumes (Creator of the show and the costumes), Metteur en scéne (Director),and the Librettiste. Basically it’s his show, and it’s all about him, and of course his costumes!

    Part Folies Bergére, part cabaret, part Rocky Horror Picture Show, and all fashion, you’ll be mesmerized by what is taking place on the stage. It’s a full-on show that takes you through JPG’s life, which includes the soundtrack to his life, with songs like ‘Smalltown Boy,’ ‘I Want Your Love’ ‘Sex,’ ‘Relax,’ ‘Le Freak,’ ‘Respect Yourself,’ and the huge dance anthems ‘Work’ and of course ‘Vogue,’ where the young, virile, lithe performers give their voguing all on the stage. Also in the show is the story of JPG meeting his partner Francis while they were still students in the Paris suburbs. But it’s not JPG if it were not for the fashion, and fashion we get plenty of. Costumes in all shapes and colors, with nods to classic, simple, outrageous and of course fetish, and let’s not forget the cone bra that JPG famously made for Madonna – it’s all here in many cone dimensions.

    Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show (an invitation, according to JPG, to dream and to make your dreams a reality) is a show that, while is slightly artificial and over the top (like the fashion world), is a helluva good time, and a good way to spend two hours.

    TICKETS
    From £30
    Box Office: 0203 879 9555
    Website: www.southbankcentre.co.uk

  • MP CHRIS BRYANT: Rhondda Pride org hasn’t “thought this through”

    MP CHRIS BRYANT: Rhondda Pride org hasn’t “thought this through”

    The MP for Rhondda, Chris Bryant has called for pride in Rhondda to be done “properly”

    The openly gay MP for Rhondda in Wales, Chris Bryant has made a statement suggesting that the organisers of the Rhondda pride event, which has faced a backlash due to its policy of excluding various communities from its event, haven’t thought through their policy.

    He wrote in a Facebook post,

    “If I’m truly honest, I don’t think the organisers, whoever they are, have really thought this through. It seems a bit self-defeating already and bizarre not to have involved the Rhondda MP who happens to be gay.”

    The MP also said that he was concerned that the fallout from the exclusionary policy would make people believe that Rhondda was as an unwelcoming place. Which he said  “couldn’t be further from the truth”

    He finished his message by saying that there will be a Rhondda Pride – but added, “let’s do it properly!”

  • This UK pride event is telling people what they can’t wear and people aren’t happy

    This UK pride event is telling people what they can’t wear and people aren’t happy

    Rhondda Pride has faced a huge backlash after it said that people wearing bondage and kink attire were not welcome at its event.

    close-up of man wearing black fetish leather pants

    A pride in Wales has outraged many in the LGBT+ community after it said it was excluding political parties, religious organisations, charities and anyone wearing bondage or “sexualised costumes” effectively erasing a number of communities from its event.

    Leathermen Cymru had asked to be involved with the event but were told that “certain groups who are not family-friendly” were not permitted to attend. It said that Leathermen and its sexual connotations did not “sit well in an event of this nature”.

    It also said that the police had made stipulations on the pride, THEGAYUK.com has reached out to South-Wales Police for clarification.

    “Safe Space for under 18s and their parents”

    In a now-deleted statement, the pride warned that “no bondage or sexualised costumes” were allowed as they were “trying to make this a safe space for under 18 LGBTQ+ individuals and families and a place for parents of young LGBTQ+ people who want to understand and support their children”.

    It continued, “Over 18s LGBTQ+ are going to have a fun, inclusive event without politics, religion and over-sexualisation of the community.

    “Our acts on stage will be suitable for all ages”.

    “We are celebrating our rights in an open way. Pride is about celebration and acceptance”.

    The Tweet and both the organisation’s Twitter and Facebook account have since been removed.

    Calls for resignations

    Many in the community felt that Rhondda Pride’s policy went against the spirit of pride and some were calling for a change in policy or for those in charge to stand down.

    Nick wrote, “This nonsense contributes to the homophobia still aimed at GBQ ppl (men esp), suggesting that our sexual practices are depraved & that we are a sexual threat to children. It is the antithesis of gay liberation. I hope that the organising committee will review this or stand down”

    https://twitter.com/nikku_man/status/1155942365195976706

    Buster added, “Pride is about acceptance, and you are having none of it. You should hang your heads, as you promote division in the community & exclude others so you can appeal to straight people. Call yourself Mardi Gras if you want, but don’t act like you have any Pride in our great community.

    https://twitter.com/BusterBDSM/status/1155935178188918784

    While Mr Leather Wales wrote, “This is exactly the kind of whitewashing Pride should be protesting against”.

    https://twitter.com/MrLeatherWales/status/1155938454313635840

    Picking and choosing”

    The UK Pride Organisers Network said that it did not support the erasure of any part of the LGBT+ community. It went on to blast the event for “picking and choosing” who is and isn’t allowed to be at the event”.

    “We don’t support erasure of any part of our community. Rhonnda Pride you are NOT a Pride, you are a family fun day that is picking and choosing who is and isn’t allowed to be at your event. There is NO Pride in Exclusion! We are 1! #WeStandWithEveryone Together we are UKPON!

    Pride responds: This is very upsetting to all of us.

    The organisers of the pride have claimed that there has been a lot of “hatred” stirred up against them and it was “very upsetting to all of us”

    Writing on their Facebook page they wrote, in a now-deleted message,  “Hello everyone. We wanted to put on a small valleys Pride which was child friendly. Unfortunately asking members of the community not to wear BDSM clothing and bring their boyfriends on dog leads has caused a backlash. We have at NO POINT asked anyone not to wear leather we asked for family friendly costumes.

    “The aggressive nature of the hatred being stirred up by the Leathermen and their allies is now being made personal against our organisers. We have therefore suspended our social media temporarily.

    “The Leathermen are apparently writing to various equality groups to get our small valleys Pride shut down before it’s even started.

    “A family friendly event with no politics, bondage, overt sex or sexualised costumes is not what parts of the community want. I have been even emailed that Pride cannot be family friendly. This is very upsetting to all of us. If you want this Pride to happen then please stand up for us against this hatred.”

    We may have to pull our event due to the actions of the BDSM community. This is a tragedy.

    In a statement to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the event said,

    “We should start by saying that we are a small valleys Pride with a capacity for 500 maximum people plus a market. We only asked for no charity or political stalls due to the fact that we don’t have enough room to hold them. This was not exclusion this was practical. As for the Leathermen we have never banned leather, that is ridiculous. What we have requested is due to the family friendly nature of the event and the fact our headline act is 13 years old no BDSM wear or sexual costumes be worn. I don’t see any issues with wanting to be family friendly however we may have to pull our event due to the actions of the BDSM community. This is a tragedy for the LGBTQ + children, adolescents, teenagers, young adults and families who wanted to support an event of this nature.”

  • Arrest made after homophobic abuse shouted at Pride event

    Arrest made after homophobic abuse shouted at Pride event

    A woman in her late 30s has been arrested following a homophobic incident at a Pride event over the weekend.

    A 38-year-old woman has been arrested in connection to homophobic abuse levelled at pride attendees last weekend. Footage emerged of a woman dressed in a niqab shouting “shame” and “despicable” at pride goers in Waltham Forest.

    In the video, which has been seen over 3.6 millions times taken, she could be heard shouting, “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

    “Shame on you, shame on all of you.

    “Shame on you, you despicable people. Shame on you, you shameless people.

    Arrested under section 4a of the Public Order Act

    The Metropolitan Police’s Waltham Forest Twitter account said on Monday: “Officers investigating footage circulating on social media of abuse directed at those taking part in a Pride event in Waltham Forest have arrested a 38-year-old woman under section 4a of the Public Order Act.

    She has been taken into custody at a north London police station.”

     

  • LGBT+ News brand GayStarNews to cease trading

    LGBT+ News brand GayStarNews to cease trading

    GayStarNews, which was created in 2012 will cease business today, leaving around 20 staff members without a job.

    GayStarNews, which enjoyed around a 23 per cent share of the LGBT+ news market is entering insolvency according to BBC LGBT+ correspondent, Ben Hunte.

    GayStarNews was the brainchild of Tris Reid-Smith and Scott Nunn. The brand was opened in 2012. According to SimilarWeb the website attracted around 1.5 to 2 million hits a month, (although the publishers claimed a readership of over 5 million) and was number 19 in the list of LGBT+ websites on the planet.

    It also created the world’s first Digital Pride.

    According to Hunte, around 20 staff members were told that the company was to cease trading through a series of meetings.

    Replaying the news, Hunte wrote on Twitter, “LGBT media group Gay Star News will cease trading tomorrow. It is entering insolvency resulting in ~20 job losses. Staff were reportedly told 48hrs before pay day via meetings”.

    GSN has yet to confirm the news, but the last piece of content published was yesterday afternoon and the last Tweet sent from its account was over 18 hours ago (from the publishing of this article).

    Founder of Pink News, Ben Cohen wished the staff of GSN “good luck” for the future, while Ally Camps, the co-chair of Pride In London wrote that it was “terrible news”.

    Darren Styles, who publishes Attitude Magazine, “That is a great shame, LGBTQ media is a small enough place as it is.”

    Tough world

    The entire media industry has had a tough few years with many reported closures and hundreds of journalists losing their jobs. As consumers move online to read their news, some newsgroups are finding it hard to adapt and find sustainable financial models.

    The online advertising market is incredibly challenging and news brands can find it hard to compete with both Google and Facebook, which swallow huge proportions of advertisers’ money.

  • Woman in Niqab seen shouting “SHAME” at LGBT+ people at Pride event

    Woman in Niqab seen shouting “SHAME” at LGBT+ people at Pride event

    A woman dressed in a full-face veil seen shouting “shame” and other homophobic slurs at participants of a pride event in London.

    Police are investigating after footage emerged purportedly showing a woman in a niqab shouting homophobic abuse at a pride parade in Waltham Forest, London over the weekend.

    The woman in the traditional strict Islamic niqab can be heard screaming “shame on you” and “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve”, before yelling “shame” repeatedly and calling the attendees “despicable”.

    The attendee was being protected by a pride volunteer.

    The identity of the alleged abuser is obscured by the full-face veil. Police are investigating the incident. The footage has now been watched over 3.6 million times.

    A police spokesperson told The Independent: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media of abuse directed at those taking part in the Waltham Forest Pride event and enquiries are taking place.

    “Abusing someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is a hate crime and we would encourage victims and those who were there when this took place to come forward.

    “If you have been verbally or physically abused, harassed or attacked in any way by someone because you are or they think you are LGBT+ please report these crimes to the police.”

    The footage was captured by Twitter used, Yusuf Patel

    Police have responded by tweeting that they are aware of the footage and ‘enquiries are underway”.

     

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