An Egyptian court has ruled to release on bail two people arrested over the raising of an LGBT rainbow flag at a Cairo concert, their lawyer said Tuesday. The appearance of the symbolic banner of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community among the crowd at a gig by Lebanese band Mashrou’ Leila in September sparked a broad crackdown by the authorities.
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Egypt to free on bail two held for raising rainbow flag
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Who’s in Celebrity Big Brother January 2018
Celebrity Big Brother launched last night on Channel 5, but who entered the UK’s most famous house?
The first batch of celebs to enter this year’s house are all female, to celebrate 100 years since women won the right to vote. A slew of powerful, controversial and legendary housemates entered the house on a cold, wet January night.
First to enter was former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe
Controversial and outspoken. Ann Widdecombe made no bones about why she was in the house after Emma Willis asked the former Tory MP, why she decided that 2018 was the year to enter the house, “you asked me” came the curt reply. Ann is known for her divisive opinions and controversial comments. She has been a life-long critic of LGBT+ rights in UK politics. She constantly voted against gay rights during her time as an MP.
Then a Kardashian favourite in the form of American TV star Malika Haqq
Relatively unknown in the UK, Malika Haqq claim to fame is appearing on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and being the best friend of Khloe Kardashian. Speaking about what she was hoping to gain out of her BB experience Malika said, “I’m mostly looking forward to winning Celebrity Big Brother. Isn’t that what everybody would say?”
Another show another Johnson, Rachel Johnson
First the father, now the sister – Boris Johnson’s family are making the reality TV rounds.
“Social influencer” Ashley James
The 30-year-old vlogger, DJ and TV presenter looked nervous in her all-white outfit for the launch of CBB. Speaking about what she was looking forward to during CBB is “celebrating the year of the woman, celebrating our female history.”
Ashley rose to fame on the E4 show Made In Chelsea in 2013.
Newscaster India Willoughby
India is the UK’s first openly transgender newscaster. She is also known for her time as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.
Whistleblower Maggie Oliver
Technically not a celebrity, Maggie Oliver was the witness protection officer at the centre of the Rochdale child sex grooming scandal. Maggie quit the force after serving 16 years to expose the wrongdoings of senior officers within the police force.
Glamour model Jess Impiazzi
She’s an Ex On The Beach and TOWIE alumni. She’s 28-year-old and is the youngest celeb in the house, so far.
Corrie actor Amanda Barrie
82-year-old Amanda Barrie is the oldest housemate in 2018. In 2017 she came out as bisexual in her autobiography in 2014 she married journalist and novelist Hilary Bonner. She’s most famous for her time on Coronation Street.
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Katie Hopkins: Trans women are “Castrated Men”
“don’t ask me to call a castrated man a woman”
Katie Hopkins is under fire after saying that trans women are nothing more than castrated men. The controversial former columnist, former radio presenter, former TV talk show host and former Apprentice candidate was tweeting during launch show of this year’s Celebrity Big Brother.
On Twitter using the Celebrity Big Brother hashtag, she insisted that she wasn’t transphobic by writing, “I am not transphobic. Live your life how you damn well please. Just don’t ask me to call a castrated man a woman”.
Target of Katie Hopkins? India entered the Celebrity Big Brother house during the all-female launch of CBB 2018 During the launch show, one of the new housemates was revealed to be the trans journalist, India Willoughby.
Hopkins went on to Tweet that removing a person’s penis does not make them a woman “A man who castrates his penis is not a women. Just as a cat with no legs is not a slug”
The outburst from Hopkins who was branded “awful” by some on social media, was liked 5,400 times and retweeted nearly 1,500 times within a few hours.
One user responded that Hopkins’ Tweet was the “definition of transphobia.”
That is the definition of transphobia.
— Nicky McElhatton (@nickelhatton) January 2, 2018
Another warned that refusing to use the pronouns of a person was transphobic,
just so you know, refusing to use the right pronouns of a trans person is being transphobic
— Calico Cat (@DandelionReins) January 2, 2018
Year of the woman
India talking to Emma Willis before she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. This series of Celebrity Big Brother is focusing on women, with the launch show featuring a solely female audience and an all-female line up of celebrities entering the house to celebrate that women have had the right to vote for 100 years.
The lineup included former Conservative politician Ann Widdecombe, American TV personality Malika Haqq, writer Rachel Johnson, “Social influencer” Ashley James, Channel 5 newsreader India Willoughby, Whistle-blower Maggie Oliver, Glamour model Jess Impiazzi and Corrie Legend Amanda Barrie.
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Some people just body shamed Madonna’s daughter and the internet came for them
Let it grow…
Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes is letting her armpit hair grow and it’s divided fans of the original “Material Girl” on Instagram.
The 21-year-old model was posing in a happy photo with her legendary mother in a picture captioned, “We are Ready For You 2018!”
Mother and daughter looked very happy as they rang in the New Year, but it seems as though Lourdes’ choice to let her underarm hair grow has caused division amongst the fanbase.
One sickened user wrote, “Shave it” while another wrote, “Ummm. Why??. I’m done following Madonna.”
Another fan explained, “She’s Italian. Have any of you ever been to Europe? Stop making mean comments about her underarm hair. It’s a natural thing on Europe and all over the world. Just because you don’t like it, don’t put others down. Live and let live. She’s beautiful just the way she is”
Some users were quick to suggest that the look was “not normal” in Italy or Europe.
Another championed Loudres’ look by saying, “Who gives a f**k about underarm hair? So what? If you’re offended then go back to your own Edwardian era”
Be happy people, be happy.
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Comedian Dave Chapelle Comments On Allegations Against Kevin Spacey In Netflix Special
Comedian Dave Chappelle’s New Year’s Eve Netflix stand-up special cast a unique albeit controversial light on the biggest story of 2017: allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct by men in positions of power in politics, media or Hollywood. (more…)
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TV show Neighbours to make history with first gay wedding proposal
Can we hear wedding bells in the distance?
Neighbours is set to make history when it returns to Channel 5 next week as David asks Aaron to marry him… But does Aaron say yes?
Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson) looks shocked and less than impressed as David pops the question, on one knee, dressed as a cupid. (Basically, our dream come true) Will Aaron say yes? The proposal comes as Australia recently voted to legalise same-sex marriage late last year.
Speaking to THEGAYUK.com in 2015, Neighbours‘ stalwart actor, Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy) said that she could see a same-sex marriage in the show’s future, it seems as though, maybe, 2018 could be that year.
Neighbours continues on Channel 5 on the 9th January 2018
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4 things to do on a quiet weekend in Hamburg
Hamburg, here we come.
I’m not usually one for quiet weekends, for me, a quiet weekend usually means I didn’t go out Friday night but didn’t get home on Saturday night until Sunday afternoon. I had a weekend spare, and a friend of mine was having a birthday in Hamburg so I popped up and spent a couple of days touring the city on a surprisingly warm summer day, while still managing to fit in a night at a great club on the city’s party strip, the Reeperbahn. Aside from clubbing and meeting hot German boys, here are 4 things to do in Hamburg on a quiet weekend.
Take a harbour tour. The city of Hamburg is home to the largest commercial harbour in Germany, and the third busiest in Europe. Unsurprisingly, this makes it Hamburg’s largest tourist attraction. Most of the attractions of Hamburg can be found around the water, in fact, the water is almost everywhere: the city has more bridges than any other city in the world, with 2300 bridges within the city limits. While Hamburg is a very walkable city, and there is plenty to see when you travel around the city by foot, but there is nothing quite like taking a harbour tour and seeing it all from the water. The harbour boat tour company Barkassen-Mayer provides several boat trips throughout the day, and are easily found along the main harbour terminal near the Hamburg Hard Rock Café. The tour takes about an hour and takes you past several interesting features of the harbour, including military installations and the largest ships to be found in the port.
Take an open-topped bus tour with Red Double-Decker Busses. Like many cities, Hamburg has a hop-on-hop-off open-topped bus tour. The buses run all day long, and stops are all over the city. There’s even a helpful tour-guide to point out all the interesting things there are to see along the way. To make things easier, you can catch the bus at the main station, and take it down to the harbour to get the boat tour and continue the bus tour to another part of town. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon when nothing much else is happening.
Visit the Hamburg Miniature Wonderland. Not content with having the largest port in Germany or the most bridges in the world, Hamburg is also home to the world’s largest model railway. A really fun way to spend an afternoon – particularly on days when the weather isn’t the best for being outside.
Visit the Elbphilharmonie viewing platform. While bookings to get seats inside the brand-new Hamburg Phil are booked out until sometime in mid-2019, the open-access viewing platform is open to the public for free every day. Free tickets are available online or from machines at the entrance. These give you access to the 6th-floor viewing platform, which aside from providing a great view over the harbour, are also home to a number of great bars and restaurants which offer an excellent view with your dinner or drinks. After spending the weekend touring the city, a relaxing drink overlooking the harbour is the perfect way to wrap up a weekend in Hamburg.
While staying in Hamburg, you’ll need a convenient and well-appointed hotel. The Radisson Blu Hamburg Airport is a great option as it puts you a short walk from the airport, and is on the metro line that runs directly to the main station and on to the main party district of Hamburg city. The Radisson offers the level of comfort you expect from a high-quality hotel. The rooms are spacious and the large beds are comfortable and probably can give you a great night’s sleep – but whoever came to Germany to use a bed to sleep? They do however offer a great bar in the lobby, and the breakfast buffet is also excellent, with a wide range of options to suit all your needs. I’m a particularly big fan of the whole smoked salmon, but that’s just me.
The best way to get from A to B in Hamburg is the public transport system. Metro and buses run 24 hours to all parts of the city and there are handy machines at every metro station (including the one at the airport) where you can buy a Hamburg card which gives you unlimited travel on the HVV public transport system, as well as discounts on many museums, tours, and restaurants. Cards are also available online, can be purchased for groups of up to 5 people, and are valid for the day of purchase until 6 am the following day.
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The most romantic proposals are always in the snow
YouTuber Nick Horton, just melted our hearts… but not the snow, but it’s not what you think it is…
Nick Horton surprised his (now confirmed) boyfriend, Brandon in the snow. The YouTuber popped a question to Brandon (together they are called “Brick”) to ask if he would officially be his boyfriend (usually you get down on bended knee to propose marriage, but hey!).
The question came with a “promise” ring, in a chilly-looking location, with snow on the ground and an iced-over lake in the background.
Nick also celebrate one year of being out…
Today marks 1 year since I have came out publicly to the world. This past year has been amazing and it’s all thanks to you, be true to yourself, and be one of a kind. ❤️?️?
— ♥ Nick Horton ♥ (@itsnickhorton) December 30, 2017
In a video posted by Nick, who has nearly a quarter of a million subscribers on YouTube, he revealed that he actually asked Brandon in a bedroom on Boxing Day – after the cute couple opened each other’s Christmas gifts to each other – that’s when Nick popped the “promise” question.
Watch it all unfold here
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18 celebs who came out in 2017
2017 has been a great year for celebs to come out as LGBT+
A racing driver, a butler, a police chief, singers, actors and even an X Factor star all decided that 2017 was the year to come out about their sexuality.
Here are just 18 of the stars who decided 2017 was time to share their news.
November
Jonathan Bennett
Whilst not exactly stating whether he is gay or bi, Mean Girls actor Jonathan Bennett quashed some of those rumours about his sexuality by casually uploading three totally cute pictures of himself and his boyfriend, TV host, Jaymes Vaughan. Jaymes posted a number of pictures on to his social media as well.
October
Kevin Spacey
Not the proudest moment of coming out history. When the allegations against Kevin Spacey started to gather momentum, Spacey used his apology to inform the world that he was now “living as a gay man”. He wrote on Twitter,
“This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life. I know that there are other stories out there about me and that some have been fueled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy,
“As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life and I choose now to live as a gay man,Gordon Thomas
Dan Amboyer
“Younger” actor Dan Amboyer came out as a gay, and he opened up about his struggles and relationship with financial planner Eric P. Berger.
September
Brandon Flynn
13 Reasons Why actor, Brandon Flynn came out in an emotional Instagram post. The actor, who is most notable for his character, Justin Foley in the hit Netflix series, 13 Reason Why used his coming out to target those who were against same-sex marriage in Australia. The Australian actor, who was at the time 23-years-old, was spurred on to come out following the No vote campaigns currently active in Australia.
August
Haaz Sleiman
Nurse Jackie cutie, Haaz Sleiman came out as gay – and not just gay – but a total bottom – spelling it out for people, he said, “Not only am I a bottom, but I’m also a total bottom, which means I like it up you-know-where.”
Colin Jackson
Former Olympian and BBC presenter Colin Jackson came out as gay in the most chilled way in August. The 50-year-old came out in a TV interview with SVT reporters Kajsa Bergqvist and Peter Häggström. He had previously denied rumours about his sexuality when a kiss and tell story surfaced about him in the mid-noughties. He told Kajsa, “The way you asked me, it was a whole storytelling kind of thing and you were just interested in the way it affected me sports-wise, emotionally-wise and my preparation.”
Lil Peep
Another music star came out as bisexual a week after Aaron. Lil Peep, a rising hip-hop artist came out to his fans. Tragically, the star would die later in the year from an overdose.
Aaron Carter
Singer Aaron Carter told his fans in a heartfelt note that was bisexual. Aaron Carter made his fame in the late 90’s as pre-teen pop singer. At the time of coming out he had recently split with his girlfriend Madison Parker, the Daily Mail reported.
July
Honey G
One of X Factor‘s most controversial acts, Honey G, came out in an interview with The Sun, revealing her perfect woman is Queen Latifah. Honey G, real name Anna Gilford told The Sun‘s Dan Wooton that she has decided to come out and reveal that she wants to be with women.
Greyson Chance
Singer, Greyson Chance who is signed by Ellen Degeneres’s record company after appearing on her show took to Instagram in July 2017 to confirm his sexuality. Talking on the social media site and sharing a rainbow picture, he said
“I came to fully recognize that I was gay when I was sixteen. I decided not to publicize my sexuality largely due to a matter of privacy, as I was still trying to find comfort and confidence within my own skin”
Thomas Dekker
Terminator actor, Thomas Dekker publicly came out as gay after comments made by entertainment exec Brian Fuller. Fuller had alleged that a gay storyline in the hit TV series Heroes, had to be axed following a dispute behind the scenes. The actor’s management allegedly threatened to pull the actor if the storyline went ahead.
Tyler The Creator
It appeared that Tyler, The Creator, real name Tyler Gregory Okonma came out as gay or bisexual in a track on his latest album.
Tyler left fans questioning whether he had come out, after lyrics on the track from his album, Flower Boy revealed that he had been kissing boys since 2004.
April
Cressida Dick
London’s highest-ranking police officer, Cressida Dick revealed in April that she was in a same-sex relationship with a co-worker. Cressida Dick was appointed London’s Commissioner in February 2017 and is the first woman to take the job. She was appointed by the Queen and was recommended by the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd.
Barry Manilow
After decades in the closet, singer-songwriter, Barry Manilow decided to come out. He’s the oldest person on our list to come out in 2017. He said that he kept his sexuality secret for so many years for fear of disappointing his fans, although as the People Magazine article notes, it was an “open secret to some in his long-devoted, mostly female fan base”.
March
Daniel Newman
Walking Dead actor Daniel Newman came out in March. He decided to use YouTube as a way of telling his fans.
Paul Burrell
In March the world’s most famous butler, Paul Burrell came out and told the world about his plans to marry his partner.
February
Danny Watts
An award-winning, high profile racing driver came out as gay and is believed to be the first in the sport. Speaking to THEGAYUK.com he said it was “such a good feeling” to be out. He came out in an interview with Autosport.com in which he revealed that he felt he had to hide his sexuality within his industry because “it’s a very masculine sport”.
January
Rob Mallard
Coronation Street Actor Rob Mallard spoke out about his sexuality for the first time in a revealing interview with Gay Times in the beginning of 2017. He said that he didn’t want to hide who he is, despite being out to his family and friends since he was 17.
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2017 in review: THEGAYUK’s most searched for celebs
It’s been a year of celeb hunting on THEGAYUK, but which celebs got people clicking?
Here are the top 10 celebrity searches on THEGAYUK.com
10) Tom Holland
People couldn’t get enough of the new Spiderman, Tom Holland. He’s a brand new entry for most searched for celebrity on THEGAYUK.com
9) Harry Reid
Most famous for playing the bisexual character Ben Mitchell in EastEnders – seems as though EastEnders‘ fans wanted to know about the actor Harry Reid, behind the character
8) Richard Osman
Osman caught the attention of viewers this year – another new entry
7) Will I Am
The Voice’s number 1 judge, will.i.am has people reaching for their smartphones during the show to find out more about the songwriter, producer and serial entrepreneur.
6) Robert Rinder
Judge Rinder was last year’s number 1. This year as more and more people have come to know who Robert is, we’re finding fewer search requests for him.
5) Leigh Francis
Well, in reality, most people are actually searching out information on Keith Lemon. They can’t get enough of his outrageous behaviour and flamboyance!
4) Joe McFadden
This year’s highest mover. Joe McFadden, who won 2017’s Strictly Come Dancing had people reaching for their smartphones during the phone, trying to find out more about the actor.
3) Andi Peters
People can’t get enough of Andi Peters – everyday people search THEGAYUK.com for news about the stalwart, legendary presenter.
2) Louis Walsh
In the second position again, Louis Walsh is loved by the readers.
1) Jedward
The cheeky chaps John and Edward top our list for most searched for celebs on THEGAYUK – this was largely thanks to their appearance on Celebrity Big Brother at the beginning of the year.
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The Motoring New Years Honours 2018
New years honours 2018
What a year 2017 has been. Some launches, some vehicles with a difference and now to the top three.
The Almost Ran
There are things l like and then there are a few things l really dislike. I’m talking about the Fiat 124 Spider.
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 that it shares its platform with, it is more expensive. What’s more, the engine needs you to work it to get the best from it. The Mazda (in 1500cc form) was on the boil all the time and the MX-5 is cheaper and with the limited slip differential that Fiat only gave you on the Abarth 124, it made the handling safer and more surefooted.
What l can’t forgive it though is Fiat using the MX-5 dashboard. Such a silly mistake to make. And lazy too. Even the fitments of a different facia binnacle would have been better than this.
So how has this made it into the almost ran if I dislike it so much? I’d go out and buy one tomorrow. Unlike the MX-5, it is dressed in a very stylish suit that makes you look back and admire its style. Admittedly the handling is more twitchy and it’s this that makes it more alive and risky. Get some rear end out action going to work and you can wait until lunchtime before your first coffee. It’s the adrenalin rush it gives you.
And the dashboard? When you’re going fast, you don’t look at it anyway.
And so to my top 3 of 2017.
Dacia Duster. £ 14,990
It’s cheap and cheerful execution actually made this a joy to have for the week. What’s more, it’s an SUV and yet l don’t really like SUVs. Certainly not faux SUVs in 2 wheel drive form anyway. So what is it doing on my New Years Honours list? Its looks are a bit like an estate car and l like estate cars, they ooze practicality. The Duster though is available for not a lot more with a proper 4 wheel drive system. Win win.
New engines available have also made it reach up to today’s standards of performance and economy. Just as it’s about the be replaced by a new model, it was given a brief new lease of life.
There is nothing pretentious about the Duster in any way even in the midrange Lauréate trim level. And yet what surprises, is the way it was put together. Admittedly it isn’t even up to Renault’s standards of today and yet that’s OK.
It’s a Dacia, It’s no-nonsense transport for you and whatever you throw at it. At this price, you will throw everything at it without a care in the world. Not because you won’t actually love it, you will. It will do all that is expected. It’ll be because it feels it can just handle it.
Ford Mustang Convertible. £43,095
Again this is another car that exudes a bit of cheapness. It’s not up to European standards. The fit and finish inside aren’t as tactile as in the new Fiesta and yet for about the same as the highest spec Focus RS, give or take £6000, you get a V8 muscle car with a retractable roof that can light up the tarmac without too much of a problem.
It’s also a car to pose around in. The V8 under the hood rumbles away like a good old Yankee V8 should except this time it’s not as bad for the environment and now fitted with green bits like catalysts and an engine management system keeps tabs on the nasty stuff that comes out of the back. Your grandmother will love it.
Ford thankfully have addressed the rear end and made it a little more acceptable to European standards. It’s now all multi-linked with wishbones and anti-roll bars of a sort and manages to go around corners albeit with a little naughty fun if you so wish it to.
It also has those classic Mustang looks. It makes the car unmistakable from any angle or in any light. You can never mistake it for a…There you go. There is nothing that looks like it apart from an older style mustang.
What is not to like? The Ecoboost engine that’s what. Avoid it. No one wants to hear a muscle car sound like a Fiesta.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Voloce. £ 39,205
What a car. A car that pipped my proposed number one from the entire list that we had back in the summer. It did everything right. Then we got the Alfa Romeo. And this isn’t if l am honest the best car overall that we tested this year. It is, however, the best driver’s car, with the best seat in the house. It’s so good, that I had to put £30 of my own money into the fuel tank. I couldn’t stop driving it!
Every so often some manufacturers allow their engineers to forget the bean counters and go against the tide of normality to make a car that is available for every man (or woman) to be great to drive. It’s a car that puts the driver first. It isn’t cheap, then again it isn’t the most expensive of the drivers’ cars out there. You’ll be needing deeper pockets for something similar from BMW or Audi.
Stories will unfold about the thing breaking down and it will have its faults. If it didn’t then it wouldn’t be an Alfa Romeo. A car company built with passion over precision of the finer things like a stupid switch working with fluidity. Passion isn’t built into a car, it comes from within. You just can’t manufacture it in a laboratory. It makes you spiritually aware. It has a human touch and quality to it.
The Giulia is a return to form for Alfa Romeo that hasn’t been seen for over 2 decades. The crime is it shouldn’t have happened in the first place so this return should be celebrated and for this l award it THEGAYUK car of the year 2018.
