Are there any gay saunas in Manchester and where you can meet guys for hookups?
Manchesteris one of the gayest cities in the UK, famous for its gay village, which thanks to Queer As Folk is known world-wide. There’s plenty of gay bars and restaurants, but are there any saunas?
The short answer is yes, but not as many as you’d think for a city as large as Manchester. There are a couple, notably, Basement Sauna, the other that you might consider is the Heat Sauna which is outside Manchester in Stockport, about a 30 minute drive away from the city’s centre.
Basement Sauna is located on 18 Tariff Street, just around the corner from Canal Street. Its telephone number is 0161 236 8131. Check out the latest deals and opening times on its website.
With the gay scene constantly evolving in Nottingham, we look to see if there are any gay saunas or hook up clubs in the English county of Nottinghamshire. Currently, there are two gay saunas in Nottinghamshire, Wolf Spa and Metro Sauna.
Wolf Spa is located in the city of Nottingham, while Metro Sauna is in Mansfield about a thirty-minute drive from Nottingham city centre.
Here we have Toyota’s Yaris GR Sport fitted with hybrid technology. It’s also fitted with tuned suspension for a more sporty feel. It’s divided opinion. THEGAYUK had a go and here is what we thought of it.
Driving
I’ve not been kind in the past when describing Toyota’s CVT transmission systems but that is going to change. I rather liked this, unless you floor the throttle, then it shows up all the traits of the CVTs woes of engine revving away.
It’s a strange mix really for a 1500cc petrol engine with 16 valves and twin cams making just 98bhp. The engine is quite lacking in sparkle and feels a little lazy. Here then is the bonus for your lazy engine, the extra oomph given by the electric motor. Even at high speed, press the throttle and the engines high revs do at least translate to make progress faster.
The ride has come in for some criticism for being too hard. Taken from the rapid GRNM model, I personally found it totally acceptable and ideal for when you want to use the chassis potential. It is a fun car to hustle around on the right roads.
Inside
Sadly, the Yaris of old is no longer to be seen in the new model. And that means no dashboard innovations. It’s all become a bit ‘normal’ though typical of Toyota, the layout is logical. However, I am puzzled as to why the infotainment screen flashes up changes to the heating system when you can clearly see the selected temperature in the digital display within the heater control panel.
The suede faced GR badged bucket seats are just fine by me. An absolute joy for the derrière to sit in. They offer ample support in all directions. And they don’t encroach into the rear legroom area either. I found there to be more than adequate space for my 6’ frame in the rear seat. Much better than some larger cars out there too.
The boot is ok for this size car. My biggest problem I have are the poorly painted areas around the boot shuts.
Living With It
It’s not as engaging to drive as the name would suggest. You do lose your buzz after a while though. Despite there being the option to use some engine braking assistance when selecting ‘B’ on the gear shift, it isn’t enough to hold it back and therefore you are having to dab the brakes more than you would with a conventional gearbox or selectable automatic. And a shame too because you just can’t quite exploit the fun handling.
The economy is good as a city slicker. It’s a little less so on the motorway though thankfully, unlike some of the CVT systems, the engine doesn’t need to sing for its supper.
The Verdict
Once you get over the asking price, the Yaris GR Sport makes for a fine city car. There are the typical road noises I’ve now become accustomed to in Toyota’s hybrid cars though thankfully, at speed, it gets quieter.
And this is what the Yaris does so well, it goes about its business quietly and efficiently.
Taking care of your hair doesn’t just involve expensive products and regular trips to the hairdressers. Eating the right food is just as important for your hair as it is for your skin and wellbeing.
In many cases, a simple change in diet can be helpful in slowing hair loss, making hair thicker and healthier. Much like the skin, the condition of your hair can be an outward sign of inner health.
The Farjo Institute, a centre of excellence in the UK for hair transplant surgery, hair loss medicine, hair biology research and hair restoration education and has been for 25 years, have shared their top 5 foods for healthy, full, glossy, thick and hydrated hair.
Low levels of protein can result in dry, weak hair, with extremely low levels even stunting hair growth and leading to hair loss. After all, our hair is made up of keratin – a protein that makes up the majority of the scalp – so to stimulate hair growth, it’s important to keep the hair follicles strong, with a regular intake of lean meats. This includes red meat, chicken and turkey. For vegetarians, lentils and beans, including kidney beans, split peas and soybeans, are the best sources of protein.
As well as being another fantastic source of protein, oily fish like salmon, herring and mackerel are packed full of B vitamins, which help to promote hair growth. The omega 3 that can be found in oily fish is an important fat that our body can’t make itself, so must be obtained through our diet. Omega 3, which is also found in avocados, keeps our hair hydrated, and a lack of it can result in a dry and flaky scalp.
Green leafy vegetables
CREDIT: mythja-bigstock
Green, leafy vegetables are full of beneficial nutrients for the hair. Vitamins A and C aid in the production of sebum, an oily substance created by hair follicles to keep the hair naturally conditioned, and iron assists in the production of red blood cells that transport oxygen to the scalp. Kale, broccoli, lettuce and spinach are best, but other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots and asparagus can all assist with hair growth.
Adding fresh fruits that are rich in vitamins A, C and E, to your diet is also another easy way to help keep your hair in great condition. For example, oranges, blueberries, limes and kiwis are a strong source of vitamin C – known for it’s antioxidant properties and assistance in producing collagen. This is an essential protein which strengthens the blood vessels that support hair shafts. A lack of these vitamins can result in hair being brittle and weak.
Nuts and seeds
CREDIT: bigstock-parkershots
Not only are nuts easy to snack on, they’re full of vital vitamins and minerals. Zinc, in particular, is a mineral that regulates the production of androgens and low levels of androgen have been associated with stunted hair growth and dandruff. Vitamin E, which is present in nuts and seeds, protects the hair from DNA damage and UV rays, keeping it as healthy as possible.
Adult star Brent Everett has hit out at Instagram after it removed one of his pictures.
Gay porn star, Brent Everett has slammed Facebook-owned Instagram after it removed one of his images from the site. In a post, he slammed the photo network for “double standards” asking, “why is it okay [that] some can do it and others cannot?”
On Twitter he added, “Whenever I open Instagram all I see is peoples butts and bulges when I post one pic of my butt i get deleted”
Instagram has, in the past, come under criticism from many in the LGBT+ community as it has deleted, non-pornographic images of body-positive campaigns and removes entire accounts, even when they haven’t seemingly broken any of the service’s “community guidelines”.
The picture that Brent had removed is available to see on Twitter and shows him standing in a field, naked – but it is debatable with the picture can be described as pornographic.
Instagram said it had removed the photo, asking Brent to only post pictures to his 105,000 followers that were “appropriate for a diverse audience” saying that their standards were based on a “global community”.
If you come across a guy’s profile and it says he’s into 420, it means that he’s into getting high with cannabis (weed, pot, grass). This is quite popular amongst some gay and bi men as it relaxes and heightens sensitivity throughout the whole experience. It can reduce stress, which is also great for those who have anxiety-related erectile dysfunction.
However, you have to pick the right weed if you’re planning to have sex. Sativa products, those products which are made from the Cannabis sativa plant are considered better by some because they can help lift your mood, heighten your sensitivity and intensify orgasm, however, some people have suggested that it can make your mind wander. Some users suggest Indica for “mind-blowing” sex.
Some cannabis strains or more powerful drugs like skunk will leave you too relaxed to get much done, or you may find it impossible to concentrate, climax or perform.
As with most drugs, cannabis and the various strains will affect different people in different ways.
Advice from TalkToFrank suggests, “…only take cannabis when you’re feeling happy and relaxed, in a safe environment, and with people you’re comfortable with”.
And again with the lube
(C) BIGSTOCK
Don’t forget to use lots of lube and if you’re looking for a way to relax during sex and don’t quite fancy the idea of smoking weed or taking an edible, why not try CDB lube. CBD is legal in the UK and could be a great way to relax.
Remember, depending on how you take cannabis, the effects can take a while to subside. Effects can last from 10 minutes to an hour if you smoke weed. Ingesting cannabis through an edible could take between two and four hours, according to TalkToFrank.
Don’t forget as with any sex and drug-taking to use lube and if you’re not sure about your partner’s sexual health status, use condoms. To stop the passing on HIV you might want to use PrEP as well.
Cannabis is still illegal in the UK and is classified as a Class B drug – which means it is illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell.
If you’re wanting to talk to someone about addiction or have an issue with your or your partner’s drug usage you can reach out to TalkToFrank for more information.
In an exclusive poll by THEGAYUK, lots of people say they just want to hear the truth…
CREDIT: GaudiLab/bigstock
What do you do when someone you’re not interested in, messages you on a hookup app like Grindr? Do you ignore, block or tell them truthfully that you’re just not into them? Trouble is, it’s quite difficult to be truthful to someone about your lack of attraction to them, without coming off rude.
Well according to our research users of dating apps would prefer that you told them directly that they aren’t your type. In fact, overwhelmingly, 68 per cent of us would, apparently prefer to know the truth.
Twenty-five per cent would prefer to just be ignored and the other seven per cent said that they’d be happy to just be blocked.
How do we actually react?
However, in contrast, when asked how people actually react when someone they don’t fancy hits them up on a dating app, most people admitted that they just tend to ignore or just block. Only around 44 per cent of guys say they are actually truthful and tell the other person that they’re not interested.
What’s the best way to tell someone you’re not interested?
CREDIT: Ryazan / BIGSTOCK
We asked our readership on Facebook what the best way of letting someone down. Jonathan told us, ” Imagine that it is you who is being rejected. Speak to them as you would like to be spoken to”
Whereas, Robert kept it nice and simple saying “Not my type, sorry fella”.
Gaz revealed that he’d write, “Hi, thanks for dropping me a message. Great profile but don’t think we are a match. Gaz”
Billy suggest that typing, “Politely say sorry I’m not interested we are looking for different things” might be the politest way of letting someone down gently.
Social media is everywhere. If we’re not updating our connections about where we’ve been or what we’re seeing, we’re no doubt uploading a photo of the delicious meal we’re about to eat. The popularity of sharing our experiences via social channels can’t be denied, with an estimated 2.77 billion social media users globally, and it plays a significant role in our lives – both at work and at home. But has our need to keep people updated on our every move or thought gone too far?
An often debated benefit of social media is that it reduces isolation by connecting people all over the world, as you are able to track what your friend in New Zealand is up to, without needing to stay up late to Skype. However, in many ways, this connectivity can be a ‘false reality’ – simply a window through which you see just a snapshot of another person’s life – you don’t know what they’re really thinking or feeling, emotions which can only be delved into during a conversation.
Additionally, this snapshot is often carefully choreographed, and portrays the subject at their best, without realities to impair the moment. As a result, when seeing these pictures of perfection, it’s natural to envisage their perfect life and compare their experiences to yours, which may not live up in comparison. It’s not surprising to learn that a recent study by researchers from the University of Houston in Texas has shown that social media is contributing to depression due to users comparing themselves to others.*
So, bearing this in mind, is it time we put down Snapchat, deleted Facebook or disabled Instagram for a while, to give us not only a break from the perfect lives of others, but also to regain perspective?
If you’re considering taking a social media holiday, bear the following in mind:
Suspend your accounts – suspending them for a week means you can take a break without the temptation to check for any new notifications.
Take the time for face-to-face – cutting down on virtual messaging may free up time to meet your friends in person. This not only allows you to have a proper catch up, it also fills the void in terms of knowing what’s going on
Regain your focus – how many times have you missed a crucial moment on TV due to checking someone else’s holiday photos? Not having these distractions will help you tune into the moment more freely.
Get an alarm clock – it’s easy to use your phone as an alarm clock, but this encourages you to look at it as soon as you wake. Try a conventional alarm clock and turn your phone off overnight. The blue light used by phones disrupts sleep**, so it may help your sleep quality too by switching it off completely.
Rather than going cold turkey it’s best to start small and build up to something. Why not start by turning off notifications for an hour, then two, building up to a whole day, or even a week at a time? Check out apps designed to block sites at certain times of the day. This helps to avoid that mindless checking and re-checking we all fall victim to!
Taking the plunge and giving up social media for a week or more can be an incredibly refreshing experience. It lets you live in the present, and remember memories in real-time, instead of via a camera lens. Technology has made it so easy for us to stay connected and to know our friends’ ins and outs, but it shouldn’t replace face-to-face contact as this is not always the healthy or desirable option.
Experiencing stress and mental health challenges is a normal part of many people’s lives – for additional support, visit AXA PPP healthcare.
Whether you love or loathe the idea of anonymous outdoor gay sex, it’s hard to escape the fact that gay cruising grounds are all around us.
You probably don’t even know, but from where you’re sitting or standing right now there’s probably a cruising or dogging ground just metres away from you in London, and they’re a hangover from more homophobic times in the UK.
Gay cruising is not a new phenomenon. It dates back to when sex between men was illegal in the UK. Finding a place where two men could be intimate with each other without too many questions being raised was tricky until it was realised that men’s public toilets were a perfect place.
These were named cottages because they actually used to look like quaint little cottages.
The act of finding sex in these public conveniences became known as “cottaging“.
The sex between men who would frequent a cottage would usually be anonymous. Gloryholes, a hole drilled between stalls in public toilets became a way in which this sex could remain faceless.
Generally speaking, not a lot of talking goes on when cruising. A series of looks and gestures would let others know what you were up to. At urinals, guys would stand, playing with themselves subtly to let others know that they were up for some play. Then if the feeling is mutual the pair could make their way to a cubicle for more privacy.
At cruising grounds, much of the same would happen, except the action took place away from public footpaths.
Is Cottaging Illegal in the UK?
Cottaging is illegal in the United Kingdom under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and applies to both heterosexual and homosexual acts.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 doesn’t say however that sex in a public place is illegal. Cruising grounds and cottaging are two different spaces. Cruising grounds are defined as open spaces, where men can hook up with men, or straight couples can meet for sex (often referred to as dogging), as long as no members of the public can see you.
You risk being arrested if reported by a member of the public. If this happens you have the right to legal advice from an on-duty solicitor at the police station. If convicted you could be sentenced to 6 months in prison and /or a fine.
Police in Newcastle are looking into an incident after a man tried to put a lit cigarette into another man’s eye.
Police were called to a Newcastle gay bar, Pink Rooms, after a man allegedly tried to extinguish a lit cigarette into another man’s eye. Police were called to the bar at around 4 AM Monday morning on the 24th June. They are now looking to trace a man in a CCTV image recovered from the bar.
In a statement Newcastle police said, “The incident happened at 4am on Monday, June 24, when a man was assaulted in the Pink Rooms pub in the city centre.
“It was reported that a man had tried to put a lit cigarette in another man’s eye following an altercation.
“Enquiries to trace those responsible are ongoing.”
Police released a CCTV image of the man, who was inside the bar at the time of the incident.
The man, or anyone who knows him, are encouraged to contact police on 101 quoting crime number 081439Y/19.
Parents of children at the Parkfield Primary school have said that they plan to home educate or move their children to a different school.
Parents say they will home school their children
Parents say they held a mass walkout of their children on the 12th of July
Say they feel victimised and discriminated against
Offer an apology to the LGBT community
In a statement, parents of children at Parkfield Primary School on the Alum Rock Community Forum have said that they will homeschool or move their children out of the school because of the No Outsiders programme. They have also said that they have felt discriminated against over the “hijacking” of their children’s education.
Parkfield Primary, where 98 percent of pupils are Muslim, has become the centre of a row over whether children should be taught about same-sex relationships and differing gender expressions via a programme called No Outsiders.
The No Outsiders programme deals with social issues, race, religion, gender identity, age and disabilities, however, the parent’s protests have seemingly become a one issue protest, over the LGBT+ aspects of the lessons.
They wrote, “We would like to reach out once again to our LGBT community to clear up any misconception, build bridges and strength [sic] our bond in this diverse community by offering our apology for any actions that may have upset them as this was not our intention”.
Considering homeschooling
Parents say that they feel that they’re not being listened, reaching an “impasse” with the school’s leadership team – saying that the school has an “unwillingness to build, repair and bridge this important relationship with parents”.
The statement continues, “therefore as a consequence… are currently seeking to move their children to alternative local schools and considering homeschooling option to best sever [sic] the needs of their children’s educational needs”.
