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  • Community which filmed the anti-LGBT “No Outsiders” protests has rife homophobia on its Facebook page

    Community which filmed the anti-LGBT “No Outsiders” protests has rife homophobia on its Facebook page

    Alum Rock Community Forum, a Facebook community which filmed the anti-No Outsiders protests outside Parkfield Primary school is filled with vile homophobic abuse.

    Alum Rock Community Forum which was instrumental in bringing live footage from the protests outside the Parkfield Primary school in April has uploaded another video to its group. In this video, Ferhan Khan, an out Muslim activist, who marched in Birmingham Pride’s parade, was denied access to the pride, due to not having a wristband.

     

    However, comments from viewers and members of the group have been widely homophobic and moderators of the Facebook group have as yet, failed to remove any of the vile comments, allowing it to become a breeding ground of hateful bigotry.

    The video currently has around 55 comments, with the majority of the comments calling the activist homophobic names, such as fa***t, “drama queen” and many questioning Khan’s gender.

    One commenter even went as far as to say that security should have battered him.

    Another called upon the “Almighty” to “destroy all gays”.

    The group, which has just under 10,000 users describes itself as “a non-profit organisation that provides a platform for the residents of Alum Rock to share their ideas and work together for a better future”.

    The group first uploaded the video with the following remarks, “#LGBT Muslim campaigner Ferhan Khan who led this weekend’s BirminghamPride parade alongside Parkfield School teacher Andrew Moffat was kicked out of the event security staff. Is this the #love #nooutsiders #Equalities being promoted?”

    It then edited the statement to, “#LGBT campaigner Ferhan Khan who led this weekend’s BirminghamPride parade alongside Parkfield School teacher Andrew Moffat was kicked out of the event security staff. #nooutsiders #Equalities”

    The group has now removed the video as well as all the comments.

    *This story was updated on the 29th May 2019 to reflect the fact that the group had removed the video and all associated comments.

  • Grindr’s IntoMore magazine looses millions of visits

    Grindr’s IntoMore magazine looses millions of visits

    After the effective disbanding of its editorial team, Grindr’s online magazine, Into has lost millions of visitors.

    Into was the world’s most read LGBT+ news site, topping over 7,500,000 hits per month according to SimilarWeb, however after it was announced that the site’s editorial team had been let go, the site has lost over 7,000,000 monthly visitors.

    In the month before the effective closure of the editorial team, IntoMore.com recieved over 7.3 million hits, in April 2019 that had fallen to 360,000 hits.

    It is now one of the smallest players in the American LGBT+ news market.

    Grindr‘s digital magazine, Into, which was launched in 2017, the Chinese-owned dating app company says it was looking to focus on other areas, including “video”.

     

  • Is there a nudist beach in Lisbon?

    Is there a nudist beach in Lisbon?

    If you’re looking to go to a nudist beach in Lisbon, Praia 19 is where you need to head to.

    Praia 19 – Just north of the village of Caparica, Praia is a stunning stretch of beach where Lisbon’s gay community tends to go and strip off.

    Yes, that’s right, it’s a nude beach, set amongst the backdrop of beautiful dunes and woodland with LOADS of convenient spots for cruising.

    There’s a mixed crowd of locals and visitors from all over Europe (and the world) so you’ll have your pick of “friends” to make.

    Getting to Praia 19 – It’s a bit of a schlepp, and while there are public transport links, the best way is to either hire a car and drive or just go on a beach tour. You can book onto a tour on for around €29 per person which includes round-trip transportation between central Lisbon and Beach 19, an English-speaking guide, a Gay Lisbon map and guide and even a beach towel to use during the day… which they hopefully wash THOROUGHLY!

  • This is how employers can ensure well-being in the work place

    This is how employers can ensure well-being in the work place

    We spoke to Dr Mark Winwood, Director of Psychological Services for AXA PPP healthcare, to ask what he would recommend to employers to help them take active steps towards supporting the wellbeing of all of their staff:

    CREDIT: ©-halfpoint-Depositphotos

    “We see many people regretting the fact that they did not seek help with their mental ill health sooner. Most don’t want to admit to having a problem as they are concerned about how this would be received by colleagues and fearful it could affect their careers prospects. We want to help change this.

    Our research has shown that people who have experienced mental ill health want employers to offer free screening for depression in the workplace. If this were widely available, we might see more people seeking and receiving support for their mental health sooner – before reaching crisis point. Employers who adopt this approach would also show employees that their psychological wellbeing really matters – something that should, in turn, help to break down the stigma of mental ill health at work”.

    According to Dr Mark Winwood, if you’re experiencing stress in the workplace, there are steps you can take to help address it:

    Basic wellness checks – should you be doing more exercise, improving your diet, or getting more sleep? Fairly simple changes in these three areas can improve your outlook and ability to cope with stressful situations at work

    Challenge your thinking – if you find yourself taking a negative perspective on work issues could there be a more balanced or alternative way of looking at things? Write down what’s troubling you and challenge it. Take some time to focus on the positive – what are your strengths and what have you achieved?

    people at work
    CREDIT: ©-monkeybusiness-Depositphotos

    Make lists and plan workloads – by ticking off  jobs on your list you’ll start to recognise your accomplishments and feel more in control

    Find time to relax – reset your mind, listen to your favourite music or take a walk for air. Whether it’s at home or on your lunch break, make time for you. Switching off will also improve your sleep health, allowing you to tackle tasks with a fresh head

    Be fair on yourself – think about what you have the power to change in your current circumstances and prioritise these things, rather than worrying about areas you can’t control. Keep things in perspective. Ask yourself ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ It’s probably not as bad as you imagine

    Try not to avoid – whether it’s faking a sick day or putting something off, ignoring the source of your stress won’t make it disappear and may only add to your to-do list

    Identify the real problem – are you afraid of failing? Sometimes we’re our own worst critics.  Think about what you’d say to a friend or a colleague in the same situation. Would you be as hard on them as you are on yourself?

    CREDIT: © BrianAJackson | Depositphotos

    Protect your work-life balance – don’t abandon social plans for the sake of working late. Overtime can lead to diminishing returns on productivity. Making time to catch up with friends and family will boost your mood and take your mind off work pressures

    Avoid unhealthy habits – excessive food or drink consumption may offer temporary relief but it won’t help in the long run. Explore good habits that can boost your mood and energy levels. Exercise releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine which gives you a healthy high

    Don’t bottle it up – it’s helpful to share your concerns, so speak to your manager or a supportive colleague.  A problem shared is a problem halved

  • Is gay marriage legal in the UK now?

    Is gay marriage legal in the UK now?

    The laws changed in the early twenty-teens to make gay marriage legal. However, the timetable was different for all parts of the UK.

    gay marriage became law in 2013
    CREDIT: © ivonnewierink Depositphotos

    Gay marriage or same-sex marriage has been legal in part of the UK since 2013 when the law was changed to allow partners of the same sex to marry. England and Wales were the first nations of the UK to permit same-sex marriage when the law changed in July 2013.  Royal Assent was given by the Queen on the 17th July 2013 for English and Welsh same-sex marriages. The first same-sex marriage in England took place on the 13 March 2014.

    In Scotland, the legislation took a little longer and gay marriage was given Royal Assent on 12th March with the first weddings taking place on 16th December 2014.

    Is gay marriage legal in all parts of the UK now?

    In Northern Ireland, same-sex marriage didn’t become law until only recently after a long contentious battle.

    Northern Ireland held out in make gay marriage legal
    The DUP held back LGBT+ rights in Northern Ireland vote against gay marriage every time it became before the courts to become law. In total, they voted against it five times. Eventually, it was made law in 2020.

    Northern Ireland made gay marriage legal in January 2020 after a long and drawn-out legal clash between activists, human rights lawyers and the DUP. There were numerous attempts, in fact, there were five attempts to make gay marriage legal in NI since 2012.

    The subject of same-sex marriage was voted on five times by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Each time it was blocked by the DUP.

    There are a lot of differences between civil partnerships and marriages. You can read about them here.

    Are you planning a wedding? Check out our gay wedding guide for the best services and planners.

  • MOTORBIKE REVIEW | Suzuki Katana 2019

    MOTORBIKE REVIEW | Suzuki Katana 2019

    If you were around in the ’80’s you’ll remember that Rocky fought Ivan Drago in Russia and won the hearts of the Soviets, despite the cold war raging on around them. Doc brown made a time machine out of a Delorean, ET phoned home, the Russian nuclear plant Chernobyl blew up and so did a space shuttle, the world discovered crack but most significantly, Suzuki unveiled the fastest production motorcycle ever. The GSX1100S Katana.

    The Katana was a sign of virility and masculinity. You just couldn’t buy anything faster, end of.

    Katana has been around in various guises for a long time. Introduced in ‘80 in 1100 trim (Aircooled 1075cc 16v), (they had a 750cc version in Japan only), but was gone in Europe by ‘85.

    Fast forward to 2019 and the beast is back.

    Suzuki have resurrected the Katana name. In the same way the original Katana was based on the GSX1100, Suzuki have based the Katana on the GSX-S1000 a very competent bike in it’s own right.

    This means the Katana is powered by the street-tuned version of the four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 999cc, inline-four engine that became a legend in the 2005 GSX-R1000. This engine is a masterpiece. 150ps (148bhp) and 108 Nm torque means this is a very strong engine, with a wealth of torque low down and a strong rush of power higher up the rev range.

    Suzuki’s new Katana is equipped with some of the most advanced rider technology available, including an Advanced Traction Control System², Low RPM Assist, Suzuki Easy Start System and Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) (slipper clutch) and ABS.

    Front brakes are superb 4 piston radial mount monobloc Brembo calipers, working on 310mm floating discs. Forks are 43mm KYB inverted and are fully adjustable for damping, rebound, compression and spring preload. Rear suspension has adjustable rebound damping and spring preload.

    We were fortunate enough to be invited along to the UK press launch of Katana.

    Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t kind to us, it poured with rain all day.

    After a short presentation and some breakfast, we were allocated our bike (mine was no.7) and set off in convoy.

    Our day was spent touring the cotswolds, getting to know the Katana on a variety of roads, with some cool people. The rain was relentless but didn’t dampen the mood. By lunch we were all soaked through. Even my boxers were wet.

    Arguably the rain was a good way to test the manners of the Katana. She’s a big bike with a lot of power, on wet roads. Katana’s engine and power delivery is sublime. Tiptoeing around, looking for trouble, the throttle response proved to be excellent. There was no snatchy, jerky throttle openings and the bike proved to be very user friendly. For the last half hour of the day, the rain stopped, the roads dried and the pace picked up.

    The Brembo brakes are excellent and the front end is very confidence inspiring. It turns quickly and is easy to throw around.

    The Katana is such a great package. It’s fast, very well balanced, well equipped, brakes are excellent, the engine is a masterpiece and those looks!

    Echoes of a legend, a reflection of a icon or maybe a tribute to an infamous motorcycle from bygone era. Whatever you call it, the 2019 Katana is unforgettable.

    The styling is as individual and as unique as you will find on a modern motorcycle. Everywhere you go, people stop and look. Some have no knowledge of the legend that is the Katana, they simply notice the futuristic looks. Some remember the original Katana and stand and stare as memories come flooding back.

    If you’re in the market for a naked retro that radiates charisma like no other, i strongly urge you to arrange a test ride at your local dealer. You won’t be disappointed.

  • Want better sex? Try these incredible foods to boost your sex

    Want better sex? Try these incredible foods to boost your sex

    Adding food to the bedroom is a classic way to spice things up with a partner. But did you know that food can heighten libido and improve your performance between the sheets? We-Vibe has collated the best foodie tricks and tips for you to put to the (taste) test!

    – Figs: These small fruits pack some big benefits. They are bursting with calcium, iron, potassium, and more of that stimulating zinc. They are also packed with fibre, which boosts heart health and satisfies hunger without adding to your waistline.

    – Strawberries: Don’t forget to bring this mouth-watering dessert on your next picnic. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin B, which has been linked to high sperm counts in men. Go one step further and coat them in chocolate, as it is full of libido-boosting methylxanthines! (Why do you think it’s such a popular Valentine’s Day gift?!)

     

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    -Almonds: These healthy nuts are said to act as a sexual stimulant and a fertility aid, so if you’re trying for a baby, start snacking! They are rich in nutrients and in several minerals that are important for sexual health and reproduction, including zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. Zinc can also help enhance sexual desire – added bonus!

    -Avocados: The name for this South American fruit derives from the Aztec language Nahuatl, in which it meant ‘testicle’ – a name chosen for the fruit’s unusual shape. It may seem like a bit of a stretch to us, but avocados do have some sexy benefits! They are rich in unsaturated fats, making them very heart-healthy. And a healthy heart keeps the blood flowing to all the right places! Men with underlying heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction, so feel free to add some extra avocado slices to your salads.
    -Eggs: Poached, scrambled or fried, eggs are sure to rev you up after a long day at work. They are full of protein, which keeps you going without packing on the calories. They’re also an excellent source of amino acids, which combat certain types of heart ailments as well as erectile dysfunction. There’s a reason Dean Martin likes his eggs with a kiss in the morning…

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Barber Shop Chronicles – National Tour

    ★★★ | Barber Shop Chronicles

    Masculinity and culture come sharply under the spotlight in Barber Shop Chronicles, as men go to their barbers to chat, seek advice, bare their soul or just pass the time of day in the company of friends. Presented as a series of snapshots, the play travels between six locations around the world – London, Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra – to share conversations between African men and their barbers covering everything from history to homosexuality, from language to love and from family to fatherhood, all of which are tied together by one televised football match and one terrible joke.

    Set on a minimal stage, and featuring interludes filled with a mixture of traditional African music, grime and hip hop, the scenes are tied together by cape swishing, chair twirling choreographed movement; whilst the show is funny, poignant and political in equal measure, delving into the ordinary conversations held by men in barber shops every day in the six different African nations and holding them up as a mirror to the audience.

    Despite a slightly disjointed start, the show soon hits its stride with a range of characters – the businessman, the torn apart family, the local drunk, the ambitious youngster – all seemingly unconnected, but with an underlying association between them across the globe.  The ensemble cast, many of whom play multiple roles; draw in the crowd with a resonating warmth and humour, and bring into focus the importance of male bonding, community and communication.

    Barber Shop Chronicles is a comedy drama which is crammed with anecdotes, arguments and regrets, which come together to provide a thought-provoking, life-affirming piece of theatre which both celebrates and challenges African masculinity.

    Barber Shop Chronicles is currently at Sheffield Crucible Theatre until 1st June 2019, before continuing on its national tour.

  • Grindr killer apparently was having sex with a convicted paedophile in Prison

    Grindr killer apparently was having sex with a convicted paedophile in Prison

    According to reports, Stephen Port had been having sex with Britain’s most notorious convicted paedophile.

    Stephen Port

    Stephen Port and Richard Huckle, who has been dubbed Britain’s “worst paedophile” allegedly had a sexual relationship while they were both in prison together according to the Mirror Online.

    According to the report, Port and Huckle struck up a relationship while both at MHP Belmarsh in London. The pair shared the prison with 90 other inmates and apparently, there are only three guards to keep tabs on all the prisoners.

    The two have now been separated, but their relationship was an “open secret” according to the paper.

    The relationship allegedly happened while Port was waiting to be sentenced for the raping and murdering of four men.

    Remembering Port’s victims: Who were the Grindr Killer’s victims?

    In 2016 Port was imprisoned for life for the murders of Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21 and Jack Taylor, 25. Their bodies were dumped in or near a graveyard in Barking. The graveyard was 500 meters away from his flat in east London.

    The 44-year-old was also found guilty of 10 offences of administering a substance with intent, four rapes and four sexual assaults.

    “Open secret”

    Stephen Port

    A source at HMP Belmarsh told Mirror Online, “It’s an open secret the two of them had sex, everyone knows about it.

    “They were both in the max area of the prison but when the cells door are open those in that area can mix.

    “You have 90 inmates being overseen by three guards, they can’t see everything going on in every cell.

    “It happened when they were both here before Port was sentenced, their paths crossed.

     

  • Turns out the “paedophiles” flag was just a “troll experiment” hoax

    Turns out the “paedophiles” flag was just a “troll experiment” hoax

    In 2018 a flag that purported to be a pride flag for paedophiles made headlines, but it turns out it was just a hoax.

    A pride flag, with colourful stripes, made the rounds in 2018 and it was reported by many outlets, including THEGAYUK, that it was the pride flag for MAPS (minor-attracted people) however the rumours are simply untrue and turns out that it was a “troll experiment” that started on Tumblr.

    We are happy to set the record straight.

    The fact-finding website, Snopes has declared the reports, untrue.

    In its report, Snopes.com remarked, “A number of fear-mongering campaigns over the years have attempted to link paedophilia to the LGBTQ community, despite an utter lack of scientific proof of any such connection. In December 2017, for instance, internet trolls spread a false rumour that the letter “P,” representing “pedosexual,” was being added to the initialism LGBT (for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender”).

    “An eerily similar rumour was spread via social media in June 2018 in the form of an image purportedly showing a “MAPs (Minor-Attracted Persons) Pride Flag” supposedly created for Gay Pride Month.

    “This picture does not represent a “MAPs Pride Flag.” Rather, the image was created as part of a troll experiment on Tumblr.”

    So there you have it, there is no flag for paedophiles and they are not part of the LGBT+ community.

  • Gay or Bi men still can’t donate blood, if they’re having sex… Here’s what you can do about it

    The group FreedomToDonate, who successfully led the campaign to update the Government’s rules on gay and bi men donating blood in 2017, are now calling for people who still aren’t allowed to donate to make their voices heard.

    kropekk_pl / Pixabay

    FreedomToDonate is asking people who could donate but are prevented from doing so to #PledgeAPint to show how many pints are being missed each year: https://www.freedomtodonate.co.uk/pledge-to-donate/

    Ethan Spibey, founder of FreedomToDonate, said, “the progress we’ve made in the UK is amazing and while the UK now has a world-leading policy. However, our end goal has always been to have a truly individualised risk-based policy introduced. This means that every person who wants to donate blood is assessed individually rather than subject to blanket restrictions.

    We’re asking anyone who otherwise would be able to give blood but can’t because of the remaining restrictions to shout about it. We want to understand just how many people are being excluding from making the life-saving gift of donating blood.”

    Until recently, men could not donate blood if they had had sex with another man in the last 12 months, regardless of type or frequency of sexual activity.

    FreedomToDonate spearheaded a campaign which resulted in the 12 months being reduced to three months alongside LGBT charities including the Terrence Higgins Trust, Stonewall and the National AIDS Trust.

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