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Tajikistan announces official register of gay citizens
Authoritarian Tajikistan announced Tuesday it had drawn up a register of 367 allegedly gay citizens, suggesting they would be required to undergo testing to avoid “the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases.”
Due to licensing this article must be read on our website
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TV REVIEW | Red Dwarf XII Siliconia
You’d be forgiven for wondering why so many Sci-Fi shows have such high budgets when you see what Red Dwarf pulls off this week on a far lower one.
The much announced and high awaited “Siliconia”, aka “The One Where Everyone is Kryten” has it all: questions about obedience, sides and morality, an epic fight scene and oh such feels! Yes, hidden behind his android mask and by own admission feeling rather ill because of it, Chris Barrie delivers a heartbreaking speech that will stick with you for quite some time.
Meanwhile, Danny John-Jules gets the laughs this week with several zingers while Craig Charles makes a meal of Lister’s battle against his new android mind taking over.
In other scenes, Robert Llewellyn shows off the humanised traits of the original Kryten very well as the android questions where his loyalties lay.
An almost cinematic effort by Doug Naylor who by now is clearly a seasoned writer/director.Red Dwarf XII is tonight (19th October) 21.00 – Dave
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THEATRE REVIEW | The Kite Runner, Sheffield Theatres
★★★ | The Kite Runner
Set against the historical backdrop of social and political change in Afghanistan, The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir and Hassan, who are best friends despite their difference in religion, class and social standing. The pair are inseparable, until Amir stands by as a shocking event tears apart their world and their friendship. But as the years pass, Amir has the opportunity to redeem himself and redress his guilt in a way which he would have never imagined possible.
The play is based on the best-selling book by Khaled Hosseini and is a heart-breaking tale of friendship, betrayal, divided loyalties, family acceptance and social pressure. It also touches on themes of culture, religion, terrorism and of the life experienced by a country faced with invasion, dictatorship and war. Whilst the central the themes are numerous and remain relevant, the staging is stripped back and straightforward; and the whole show is presented with no fuss or spectacle, which allows the writing, script and narrative to shine through. The play’s strength lies in its flowing language which reflects the source material and, as you listen to the actors, you feel like you are reading a book. The addition of traditional Afghan instruments providing an atmospheric, minimalist soundtrack which enhances the uncluttered approach and provides a real atmosphere to the proceedings.
In terms of performances, David Ahmad was broadly engaging in his performance as the narrator and protagonist, Amir, although never fully convinced in terms of his emotions; whilst Jo Ben Ayed provided a subtle turn as the meek and withdrawn Hassan. Standing out from the ensemble cast was Emilio Doorgasingh as Baba, Amir’s father, with a commanding and intimidating stage presence befitting of his character.
It is an ambitious play which encompasses many themes and many key aspects of the character’s lives over a number of years, meaning that there is a lot to get through, and the second act does feel slightly crammed and borders on being a little overlong towards the end; but the story overall remains absorbing and holds the attention.
The Kite Runner is a visually restrained production which provides for a thought-provoking, relevant and touching story which carries with it a lot of emotion.
The Kite Runner is at Sheffield Theatres until 21st October 2017 before continuing on its national tour.
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What it’s like to come out as gay when you’re married to a woman
David Christel has written a book about what it’s like to come out as gay, when you’re married to a woman and gives top tips on how to overcome fear, accept yourself and let people know about who you are.
Free-Photos / Pixabay The book Married Men Coming Out! is about the evolution of personal identity when a man who has previously been identified as heterosexual and married finally comes to terms with his true sexuality and chooses to accept, with conviction, who he really is: a gay man.
This is a guidebook for those who realise that they’ve made an error by denying and suppressing their true identity and they can no longer live a double life. They need to be who and what they truly are: gay.
Here are 10 key tips for successfully manoeuvring through the coming out process and becoming the man you born to be.
Be brutally honest with yourself.
You’ve been hiding from your true self long enough, so playing games isn’t going to help you. If you truly want to be free, then face facts and face your challenges with heart, compassion, and truth.
Accept yourself for who you are.
Trying to get others to accept you for who and what you are is a bottomless pit. The only way past this is to be fully accepting of yourself. Your confidence will radiate outwardly and your sense of wellbeing will not be dependent on others.
Be honest with everyone.
“Honesty is the best policy,” but disclosure must be handled delicately. Put yourself in others’ shoes to understand how they might feel and react to your coming out. Very often, your announcement can cause a huge shift for others as they question their relationship and relationship dynamic with you, their personal values and beliefs, their history with you, and more.
Take some time before you jump into a relationship with another man.
You’re going through a major transition and re-identification process. The last thing you want to do is bring into a new relationship unresolved issues concerning your former marriage, as well as a lack of understanding about who you truly are and your beliefs and values.
Don’t let others manage your coming out process.
No one appreciates being outed and we all appreciate managing our own lives. For most men, the coming out process is a long one and has many issues connected with it. It requires timing, addressing issues when it feels right within oneself, and sensitivity to one’s environment and circumstances.
Communication is key.
The people you come out to are going to have questions, opinions, and judgments. The more clearly and authentically you communicate with others, the less complicated the process will be. Very importantly, others will truly begin to understand just who you are.
Don’t be a slave to fear.
The biggest fear with coming out is that of loss: loss of family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, status, job and career, lifestyle, inheritance, home, love, acceptance, inclusion. People will try to use your fear against you to satisfy their own beliefs, values, agendas, and fears. I think you can see the fallacy in that.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
You are not alone on your journey. There are so many resources available to you from support groups to therapists, community activities, and LGBTQ centers. Coming out means also coming out of your shell by connecting with those who are on similar journeys of self-discovery.
Be authentic, be YOU.
No one else can do you better than you. You are unique and you have gifts, so don’t try to be someone else or something you’re not. Let the truth of your being and inner light shine for all the world to see. The greatest gift you can give yourself and anyone else is the truest essence of your being.
Become a pioneer, model, and educator for the LGBTQ community and other married men desiring to come out.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” You never know who will benefit from the sharing of your life experience. You may save a life by it. That’s how important each of us is in the world.
At heart, this book is about authenticity. The need for this book is paramount as we each seek to live authentically and in so doing, find some level of inner peace, self-acceptance, integrity, joy, and love. Without this, the world may not evolve to reflect these essential attributes for all of mankind.
To learn more about David Christel and Married Men Coming Out!, visit his website: www.TheEssentialWord.com
Available to buy now on Amazon
Married Men Coming Out by David Christel -
Realty star Mychael Knight dies, 39
Reality TV star, Mychael Knight has died unexpectedly at the age of 39.
Mychael, who most notably came fourth in the third series of Project Runway in 2005, has died at the age of 39. He also starred in an All-Star version of the show in 2010.
TMZ reports that Knight died shortly after checking into a hospital in Georgia. He was apparently being treated for intestinal issues and died around 7:30 AM on Tuesday morning.
His family has since posted a statement, reading: “We are still processing the untimely death of our son, brother, friend, and uncle.
After his appearance in the show, he went on to have a successful career in fashion and created T-shirts for Starbucks, created male and female underwear, as well as launched various fragrances.
The cause of his death has not been revealed, but earlier in the year, writing on Facebook, the Runway star wrote: “this year has really taken a toll on my health… badly.” Before revealing that he had IBS which meant that he wasn’t able to digest nutrients properly.
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COMMENT | Just what has happened to Gaydar?
Gaydar – The death of an icon?
I used to be a regular on Gaydar chat. I enjoyed that it was all-encompassing; in that, I could elect to be in rooms that were either fetish or location driven and that I could see them all at the same time. Then one night it all changed as Gaydar had a makeover. Less of a makeover really, more of a demolition.
It went from being something similar to a magazine one might find on the top shelf in the newsagents and changed in likeness to the reading material in a doctors or solicitors waiting room.
It had metamorphosed into what I would describe as “coffee shop gay”, having been ethically and morally cleansed, and coming out the other side as Conservative with a small “c.”
There are those who are still reeling from the change to the site. I laid a small posy on my router to mark its passing. I sent an email to PinkNews asking they put a notice of obituary as a gesture at its loss.
Then came the attempted resurrection, the chat facility had a couple of new rollouts. Early indications suggested from my appraisal it had been written by someone in London who felt the place was the centre of the gay world as whilst there were rooms for every direction in the capital those of us from the provincial hinterlands were left out in the cold, though this was subsequently addressed.
I try it again every month or so. I miss it. Reminds of the line in the Billy Joel song Italian Restaurant “but you can never go back there again,” because it has changed and so have I.
Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.
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Could George Michael be Christmas number 1?
Last Chrisssstmassss….
So could George Michael and WHAM! finally get to number 1 this Christmas with their hit “Last Christmas”?
Fans of the late superstar have vowed to get WHAM! to number 1 in 2017. Despite its success as a Yuletide favourite, the WHAM! superhit has never been Number 1 in the UK. In the year it was released, 1984, Band Aids’ “Do They Know It’s Christmas” knocked them off the top spot.
“Last Christmas” has sold over 2 million copies as of January 2017 and is the biggest-selling single in UK chart history not to reach number one.
Betway has now placed WHAM’s chances of getting to number 1 at 4/6.
Betway’s Alan Alger, said: “We’ve seen some interesting early money for Wham! to be this year’s Christmas No.1 and have had to cut our offering from 11/4 to 4/6.
“Considering we don’t know which tunes will be launched ahead of the festive season, 4/6 is a short price and could get even shorter as we approach the festive countdown.
“The X Factor was once a safe bet for Christmas No.1, with Shayne Ward and Alexandra Burke bookending four years of chart-toppers from 2005 to 2008, but this year’s winning act is as big as 6/1 to return to the top.”
So who else is in the running, well, there’s the usual suspects, including Cliff Richard (50/1), Slade (100/1), The Pogues (100/1) and Wizzard (100/1).
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Shane Bitney Crone: My connection with Tom – his spirit and soul – can’t be buried
“Sometimes I am overwhelmed by my desire to see him again, even just one more time. I would give anything to give him one more hug, to have one more conversation, to share one more laugh.”
Shane Bitney Crone has shared an incredibly emotional tribute to his late former partner Tom Bridegroom. Tom’s life and death became the subject of an award-winning documentary called Bridegroom which tackled the issue of marriage equality and the discrimination many same-sex couples faced, in the US, before gay marriage became legal.
After Tom fell to his death in 2011, his parents would not allow his partner, of six years, to be part of, or even attend the funeral. They even, he alleges, threatened violence if he dared to show up.
During a recent visit to Indiana, where Tom is buried, Shane stopped to visit the graveside which years before he was denied access to.
Happier times: Shane and Tom stand in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France during their six-year relationship. Shane, who has become an LGBT+ advocate and speaker, published a heartwrenching post on Instagram after he visited the grave of his former partner.
The rain was heavy and the wind was strong as I drove through Indiana yesterday. While on my way to the next stop on my fall college speaking tour, I decided to take a detour and visit Winamac Cemetery, where Tom is buried. ———————————————————- Every time a car drove by me while I stood at his grave, I held my breath, worried that it was someone from Tom’s family: the family from whom I’ve been estranged since his death; the family who threatened me with violence if I dared to show up for Tom’s funeral. I got angry at every car driving by, projecting my fear and resentment of some of his family onto the unassuming inhabitants. I felt like I was being robbed of my time with Tom, which made me more upset. ———————————————————- It took a long time for me to accept that Tom’s body would forever rest in the ground, in a place from which he had felt completely disconnected during the years before his death. But I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that where his physical remains lie is of no consequence. I know that my connection with him—his spirt and soul—can’t be buried, and the memories we shared travel with me wherever I am, transcending time, space, and six feet of dirt. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by my desire to see him again, even just one more time. I would give anything to give him one more hug, to have one more conversation, to share one more laugh. I know it’s impossible, but I’ll never stop wishing he was still here, for my sake and the world’s. Fortunately I know that in a way, he will always be here, making the world a better place, through everyone he ever met and/or inspired. ———————————————————- Tom’s grave serves as a potent reminder that life is fragile and tomorrow is never promised. I hope that by sharing this photo and these thoughts with you, you’ll be reminded to tell those who are special to you that you love them. Kiss your loved ones. Hug them. Cherish every moment. You can never show too much love to the people who matter because one day, you may not have the chance.
The comment in full reads,
The rain was heavy and the wind was strong as I drove through Indiana yesterday. While on my way to the next stop on my fall college speaking tour, I decided to take a detour and visit Winamac Cemetery, where Tom is buried.
Every time a car drove by me while I stood at his grave, I held my breath, worried that it was someone from Tom’s family: the family from whom I’ve been estranged since his death; the family who threatened me with violence if I dared to show up for Tom’s funeral. I got angry at every car driving by, projecting my fear and resentment of some of his family onto the unassuming inhabitants. I felt like I was being robbed of my time with Tom, which made me more upset.
It took a long time for me to accept that Tom’s body would forever rest in the ground, in a place from which he had felt completely disconnected during the years before his death. But I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that where his physical remains lie is of no consequence. I know that my connection with him—his spirt and soul—can’t be buried, and the memories we shared travel with me wherever I am, transcending time, space, and six feet of dirt. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by my desire to see him again, even just one more time. I would give anything to give him one more hug, to have one more conversation, to share one more laugh. I know it’s impossible, but I’ll never stop wishing he was still here, for my sake and the world’s. Fortunately I know that in a way, he will always be here, making the world a better place, through everyone he ever met and/or inspired.
Tom’s grave serves as a potent reminder that life is fragile and tomorrow is never promised. I hope that by sharing this photo and these thoughts with you, you’ll be reminded to tell those who are special to you that you love them. Kiss your loved ones. Hug them. Cherish every moment. You can never show too much love to the people who matter because one day, you may not have the chance.
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PrEP ‘will save money in the long run’ says leading HIV charity
A new report out today says that the HIV prevention treatment, PrEP would be “cost-effective” and could save the NHS money in the long run.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases published a report today that states PrEP would be cost-effective. It also says that when used properly, PrEP could prevent one in four new infections of HIV.
Many opponents of PrEP have claimed that the medication, which is offered to high-risk groups, including gay and bisexual men, at risk of contracting HIV, is too expensive for the NHS to fully embrace.
Doctor Michael Brady, Medical Director at Terrence Higgins Trust has welcomed the report saying,
“One of the key arguments against PrEP has been that it will cost the NHS too much money. This study firmly puts that claim to bed by demonstrating that, when appropriately targeted at those at risk of HIV, it is not only highly cost-effective but, as the price of HIV drugs falls, will actually save the NHS money in the long run. Each HIV infection we prevent saves the NHS £360,000 of a lifetime of treatment and care.
“The study also highlights the importance of cheaper, generic versions of PrEP, which are currently being used in NHS England’s PrEP Impact trial and have been commissioned for PrEP use in Scotland.
“This cost-effectiveness data underlines the importance of PrEP in the fight against HIV. It is not only highly clinically effective it is also cost-effective. The NHS England Impact trial, which will provide access to PrEP for 10,000 people over the next 3 years, is a welcome step in the right direction. However, it is important that all who need PrEP can access it and evidence like this reinforces the need for PrEP to be fully commissioned and given a long-term, sustainable home on the NHS in England.”
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Wowzers… Colton Haynes and Billy Eichner are really going for it in this scene
Amercian Horror Story is back with a bosch! There’s some mighty hot moves between Colton Haynes and co-star Billy Eichner.
So thing between Detective Jack Samuels (Colton Haynes) and Harrison Wilton (played by Billy Eichner) hot up as they do it on the dining room table… and there’s a lot of sound effects too! The pair gets raunchy together in the latest episode of AHS, with Colton ending up underneath Billy.
Oh there’s a lot of groaning and slapping noises – which we loved tbh.
et voila pic.twitter.com/uJ1rJ9o9IH
— James Besanvalle (@JamesBesanvalle) October 12, 2017
Apparently, Colton’s husband to be, Jeff Leatham, doesn’t mind seeing Colton getting up to naughties on the show. Colton recently revealed, “I just showed him [the scene] in the car and he was laughing,”
“He loves Billy Eichner and so do I,
“Jeff’s so used to it. That’s my job. We had protection on. We had clothes on and it’s just fun. Billy and I laugh the whole time … it was awkward. So awkward, but we got through it.”
America Horror Story broadcasts on FX in the US. You can catch previous seasons on Netflix in the UK.
