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  • OPINION | Trans people: It’s time to come out of the shadows

    Over the past few years, transgender visibility has improved greatly with a number of trans people becoming very public through the media and I was even featured on Match of the Day‘s Premier League football show recently.

    So why do we still need a Transgender Day of Visibility?

    Unfortunately, that visibility has also brought an increase in abuse and bigotry, following my appearances on the BBC the online trolling I received escalated to the point where I received death threats via Twitter.

    The fight for freedom from bigotry isn’t over yet and it won’t be until every trans person can walk down the street, use the toilet of their choosing and express their identity free of fear.

    For so many trans people our overriding aim is to ‘pass’ or to achieve invisibility, to go about our lives as if our transness never existed, we want other people to accept us in our chosen gender without question or judgement.

    But is this actually doing us all a disservice?

    My self-confidence and self-acceptance greatly improved when I let go of the concept of passing. The fear of being ‘read’ and the fear of people discovering that I wasn’t a ‘real’ woman.

    It’s now more important to me to be perceived as a woman, even if logically people see a slight anomaly. It’s important to me to be authentic to myself.

    That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to be the most beautiful, feminine version of me possible and I do love it when people call me Miss, but I’m not scared of people realising that I’m trans, in fact, I’m very open and forthright about it.

    In the same way that gay rights and acceptance improved greatly after they stopped hiding in the shadows and stood up to express their pride is it now time for us to proclaim that we are trans and proud of it.

    Gender dysphoria can be a terrible thing that takes a huge emotional, mental and social toll on people, do those of us that have reached the stage of feeling comfortable with ourselves and our condition owe it to those that are still struggling to show that there is a light at the end of the tunnel?

    Do we owe it to ourselves (and our younger, more scared selves) to stand up and fight for our rights to be recognised as valid members of society?

    Transphobia seems to be the form of social hatred and bullying that is still, if not accepted, ignored by society. Whilst racism and homophobia are abhorred by all but the very narrow-minded few trans people still get the sniggers, tranny jokes and, as happened to me last week, outright abuse.

    We go through hell to finally be our authentic selves and we should be proud of the fact that, even if we haven’t quite won the battle yet, we’re on the road to liberation.

    Why, just at your moment of self-realisation would you come out of one closet only to lock yourself in another, yet again in fear of being outed.

    So perhaps it’s today that we put on our best face, most amazing outfit and strut, proud as hell down our local High Street.

    I’m here, I’m trans and I love who I am, and no one’s petty minded bigotry is going to take that away from me!

    P.s. It’s just been confirmed that there will be an event today at 2pm at New Steine in Brighton including speeches (I’m one of the speakers) and music, all welcome.

    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.

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham

    ★★★★★ | Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham

    If you’re looking for a gorgeous, sumptuous, sexy stay in the heart of Birmingham, make Hotel Du Vin your port of call.

    Deluxe suite

    Located in the centre of Birmingham, Hotel Du Vin is perfectly placed for access to the theatres, restaurants and shopping centres, including the City’s famous Bullring complex, which houses the ever-popular Selfridges. The hotel itself is actually situated in Birmingham’s financial district, in an old Victorian eye hospital, lovingly and rather expensively restored to excellent standards. A true icon in the heart of the hustle and bustle.

    Birmingham’s gay scene is just under a mile away and around a 20-minute walk, but don’t let that hold you back from booking one of their extraordinarily appointed and super cool rooms, which ooze continental European-style embellishments throughout, giving the overall vibe of French romance and Italian passion.

    There are 66 rooms in total and are all named after premiere wine houses and their products, because of the building’s heritage and its former usage as a hospital, the rooms are large, the ceilings are high and the huge windows look down onto the back streets of central Birmingham.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hdv-gallery/6910504499/in/album-72157629403657749/

    As standard, rooms are fitted with monsoon showers over its baths, Nespresso machines and Egyptian linens. The room we stayed in was Penfolds, which boasted the biggest bed we had ever seen.

    Lux is the first and last word at Hotel Du Vin, with every need perfectly executed. Here you’ll find all the standards of modern living, good strong WIFI, room service, laundry, fitness centre, sauna and steam room.

    Make sure you take a bite to eat in the Bistro for a truly superb meal, read our full review here.

    Staff were very friendly and very helpful and perfectly handled our check-in and check out and with prices from £89 your stay won’t make your eyes water.

    CHURCH STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B3 2NR UNITED KINGDOM 01217943005

  • TRAVEL GUIDE | Gay Guide To Birmingham

    TRAVEL GUIDE | Gay Guide To Birmingham

    BIRMINGHAM is a vibrant hub of old and new buildings nestled between landscaped zones of paved walkways, water features and one of the largest gay scenes in the UK.

    CREDIt: Tupungato / Bigstock

    If you’re looking for a weekend break then you’ll find plenty to do here from the bountiful shopping malls and markets, home to some of the best-loved retailers, to the small market traders offering a wide range of household, clothing, and party goods, to the fully charged nightlife. With nine gay bars and clubs to choose from, a few of which serve great food, you’ll be pressed not to find a place to enjoy a cosy pint, watch some cabaret or dance till the early hours.

    It’s not all just about shopping and clubbing though, Birmingham has a wide range of restaurants offering celebrity branded eateries, favourite chains and a whole global cuisine on offer including the famous Birmingham curry – Do check out the Hen and Chickens, 0121 236 3121 which serves not only the best curry in town (TripAdvisor) but also a range of Asian, barbecue, pub and grill for those friends who prefer something different.

    Birmingham is also the home to a number of theatres including the REP, with a wide season of plays, comedy and drama and the Birmingham Hippodrome bringing you the best of the UK’s national tours such as Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, One Man, Two Guvnors and Wicked.

    If you’re looking for something a little more cultured then do pay a visit to the delightful Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. There’s a wide varied collection to see dating back 200,000 years to the present day, including Pre-Raphaelite art, wrapped Mummies and a detailed look at the history of Birmingham and how over the years it’s grown into one of the UK’s best-loved cities.

     

    Recent facelifts have ensured that Birmingham is a fresh city to eat sleep and play in. The only question is, can you fit it all in with just one weekend?

    Editor’s choice in gay bars:
    SIDE WALK bar and restaurant is located on the busy Hurst Street and serves a wide variety of great affordable food for lunch and dinner. Their vegetarian burger deserves a personal nod of appreciation as does the friendly helpful bar staff who all help to make Sidewalk a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere during the day with the party tunes picking up the pace in the evenings. With walls stripped back to brick and wooden floors there’s a cool pop-up club vibe about the place. Certainly worth a visit.

    THE LOFT LOUNGE is another venue for good food at reasonable prices. Table service is on offer both in the main dining area to the rear or if full, as we found out – which is always a good sign, then the helpful staff will happily find and serve you at any of the comfy sofas or tables around the rest of the bar. A great place to meet friends for both everyday and special occasions with a more relaxed atmosphere during the daytime before the party starts in the evenings.

    Other bars:

    Equator Bar Address: 123 Hurst Street, B5 6SE Telephone: 0121 622 5077 Website: equatorbar.co.uk Twitter: @EquatorBar

    Eden Address: 116 Sherlock Street, B5 6NB Telephone: 0121 622 1953  Website: TheEdenBar.co.uk

    Bar Jester Address: 42 Holloway Circus, B1 1EG Telephone: 0121 643 8344 Website: BarJester.co.uk

    Missing Address: 48 Bromsgrove Street, B5 6NU Telephone: 0121 622 4256 Website: MissingBar.co.uk Twitter: @MissingPartyBar

    The Wellington Hotel Address: 72 Bristol Street, B5 7AH Telephone: 0121 622 2592

    Club DV8 Address: 16 Kent Street, B5 6RD Telephone: 0121 622 1060 Website: ClubDV8.co.uk

    Nightingale Club Address: Essex House, Kent Street, B5 6RD Telephone: 0121 622 1718 Website: Nightingaleclub.co.uk Twitter: @Nightingale Club

    Fountain Inn Address: 102 Wrentham Street, B5 6QL Telephone: 0121 622 1452 Website: TheFountainInn.com

    The Village Inn Address: 152 Hurst Street, B5 6RY Telephone: 0121 622 4742 Website: VillageBirmingham.co.uk

    What is there to do in Birmingham?

    ASTON HALL Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6JD Tel: +44 (0)121 675 4722

    Entry: Charges apply to house only. Gardens, grounds and visitor facilities are free to all visitors.

    Adults £4
    Concessions £3
    Children under 16 FREE
    Free entry on the first Sunday of the month.
    Opening Times: Aston Hall opens again on Saturday 12 April 2014.

    THE REP Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2EP
    Tel: +44 (0)121 236 4455

    BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME Hurst Street, Birmingham, B5 4TB
    Tel: +44 (0)844 338 5000

    BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
    Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH Tel: +44 (0)121 303 1966
    Entry: Free entrance.
    Some exhibitions and events may charge.

    BBC BIRMINGHAM TOURS Do you fancy yourself as a TV presenter? Visit BBC Birmingham’s Public Space at The Mailbox and have a go at presenting the news and a weather forecast. Take a look through the window into the television gallery. This is where the BBC Midlands Today team choose shots, cue the studio and keep everything on air!

    If you’d like to get inside the television gallery and see it up close, a studio tour is for you.

    Guides will take you into BBC Birmingham and show you around the state-of-the-art studios.

    Tours last approximately 1.5 hours and give you a fascinating insight into the world of broadcasting. Do Visit: bbc. co. uk/tours for more information BBC Birmingham The Mailbox Birmingham B1 1RF Tel: +44 (0)370 901 1227

    Where is the shopping Birmingham?

    SHOPPING If you’re the kinda guy that just loves to shop, then Birmingham has it all from large retailers like Selfridges and Harvey Nichols to small market stall owners selling a wide variety of household goods, pet foods and party supplies.
    The shopping areas are well planned out, open and pedestrian friendly so you get a good chance to explore the city by foot.
    There’s plenty of opportunity to stop for a bite to eat. With over 150 restaurants and coffee shops you’re bound to find something to fuel the next round of shopping and with bus and rail transport close by you’ll soon have the bags home.
    Be sure to also check out Chinatown just the other side of the markets nestled in Southside close to the gay scene.

    BULLRING This much-photographed part of the building with its circular disk covered curved walls is the home to Selfridges. Explore the rest of the building and you’ll find over 160 retail shops and restaurants. This modern art of the city blends with the old St Martin church perfectly without even looking out of place. A real treat for shoppers in the heart of Birmingham.

    THE BULL RING MARKET is a large indoor market with traders calling out for you to buy their goods. There’s plenty of bargains to be had and a wide selection to see from fabrics, pet foods, cosmetics, CDs and DVDs, old console games, and a personal highlight of ours – the party shop. Every coloured wig, mask, costume, make-up is all here for Pride events or your usual weekend party outfit

     

    Where’s good to stay in Birmingham?

    We can recommend:

    Hotel La Tour and the Hotel Du Vin

  • HSBC announces trans friendly banking

    HSBC will now allow its customers to choose from a variety of different titles as well committing to training its branch staff to understand issues surrounding the trans experience.

    HSBCFrom Friday 31st, trans customers of HSBC will be able to choose from 10 gender titles including, Mx, Ind, M, Mre, Msr, Myr, Pr, Sai, Ser and Misc instead of the binary Mr or Ms. The bank has also pledged to train all its branch and contact centre staff to be more trans-inclusive and aware.

    The decision to offer customers a wider range of options coincides with International Transgender Day of Visibility.

    HSBC UK has also introduced a process which makes it simpler for customers who are transitioning to change their gender on their bank account. Customers simply need to bring a passport, driving licence or birth certificate that supports the change of gender to update their details in a branch. This has been supported by training for all branch and contact centre staff that aims at helping HSBC UK employees understand the issues experienced by transgender customers.

    This has been supported by training for all branch and contact centre staff that aims at helping HSBC UK employees understand the issues experienced by transgender customers.

    The changes were developed in tandem with HSBC Pride, the bank’s LGBT+ employee network, which played a key advisory role in ensuring the new services reflect the financial needs of the trans community.

    Stuart Barette, Senior Project Manager and Trans Lead of HSBC UK Pride Network said,

    “On the day that I went into the branch to change my name and my gender I was terrified, to be honest. Coming out to anyone is difficult, as you don’t know people are going to react. That’s why the changes we’ve been making are so important so that our trans customers can feel confident that they’re going to have a good experience and be speaking with someone who has been trained to better understand them.”

    Stuart Haire, HSBC’s Head of Retail, UK commented,

    “The changes announced today are part of a broader priority for us to ensure our products and services are relevant for the unique financial needs of all of our customers. We want everyone to be able to access simple and smart banking solutions that work for them, and we will continue working with our LGBT+ colleagues and customers to ensure we’re getting it right.”

  • Popular gay bar closes in Soho

    Another popular gay bar has closed in Soho, without warning.

    Molly Moggs has become the latest LGBT venue to close its doors. It’s not known why the bar has closed, according to sources even staff members are shocked at the sudden closure of the ever popular bar.

    A note on its Facebook page told fans,

    “Unfortunately today we say goodbye to the Molly Moggs that we’ve all loved for many years.

    “We can’t thank our loyal customers and our new customers enough for sticking with us through the thick and thin and making it such a valuable part of Soho.

    “Who knows what the future holds for good old Molly’s but for now ‘there will be no singing drag queens at Molly Moggs.

    “Once again, thank you from all of us. The queens, the management, the staff and the owners.”

    In 2015 the pub’s lease went up for sale for £275,000, with only 20 years left on its lease. Molly Moggs is set in a listed building so only the leasehold is available to purchase and it is likely to remain a pub because of the licensing conditions, this is not a guarantee that it will remain a gay venue once new owners are found.

  • Did you know that every search you do on the internet could plant a new tree?

    These are wonderful times we live in… besides all the shiz that’s happening…

    tree planted for every search
    web img
    Now, people, you can plant a tree for every internet search that you do… That Tom Daley bulge search you just did could have planted a brand spanking new tree. Yep. Feel good about yourself before the self-loathing from that search kicks in.

    So far, here in the editorial department, we’ve planted 108 trees. Not bad going, considering we’ve not left our desks for 14 days.

    Search company behind the tree planting, Escosia, are vowing to plant a tree for every search that you do with their company. According to their stats, Ecosia funds the planting of a new tree roughly every 11 to 16 seconds. They funded the planting of over seven million trees already.

    You even get a little counter at the top of your browser showing how many trees you’ve helped to plant.

    So why are they doing this? Well, they have this to say about trees:

    “In short: Trees are the superheroes of the planet. The positive effects they can have on their environment and the people living in it are as versatile as the different shapes they come in.

    “Of course planting trees is excellent for the environment. After all, trees are the most efficient CO2 absorbers on the planet. Trees help mitigate climate change, restart water cycles, keep deserts from spreading and turn barren grounds back into fertile woods and farmland.

    “So by planting a tree, you can fight climate change, restore landscapes, protect wildlife, provide nutrition, employment, education, medical assistance and political as well as economic stability. Mind-boggling, isn’t it?”

    Fair enough.

    Get planting /searching….

  • UK’s first all-male naked workout gets new class date

    The UK’s first all-male naked workout is about to start again, with a new class launched in April.

    NKDTraining, the UK’s first all-male naked workout has a new group session booked, for the 2nd of April at The Gym Clinic in Chiswick, west London. Speaking about the group, Paul, who founded the class, writes,

    “This is a group training session for men in West London. We usually get between 10 and 20 guys for our group sessions. You’ll get a structured fitness class designed to give you a fun but challenging workout. Sunday afternoons at 4pm.”

    So what is naked training like? Well, according to the website it’s all about being “free from the restrictions of clothes” and to be more “in tune” with our bodies.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com Paul spoke about the benefits of naked training from a personal trainer’s perspective,

    “As a trainer, there are a lot of benefits. I can see more of the muscles that are working and I can see if there’s an imbalance, say when they’re doing a chest press. You don’t just see the bar moving, you see the muscles that are working, the ones that aren’t and the ones that should be. And it builds a bond, being naked. I don’t know how to explain it.”

    We were so curious, we sent our very own Nick Baker to a class to try it out. What did he think?

    “It was definitely a unique experience for me, but one that I really wanted try. Not so much to see hot naked guys (again, yes there are plenty of them there) but to come more to terms with my own nakedness. Gay men are often plagued with insecurities about our bodies and the act of stripping off completely in a bold attempt to better yourself takes balls and not just the ones on display.”

    Read his full article here.

    So what are the class requirements? Well, every participant needs a towel and for health and safety footwear must be worn. You’ll also need to fill out a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire before the class.

    Find out more about the class here.

     

  • The best at BFI Flare – London’s LGBT Film Festival

    The best films of BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival 2017

    It was always going to be hard to choose. There were so many wonderfully well-done, and in some cases, amazing films that were shown at the film festival – one of the biggest, and best, in the world. There were over 50 features and more than 100 shorts shown, as well as a wide range of special events, guest appearances, discussions, workshops, club nights and more. And while it was virtually impossible to watch all of the features and shorts, I did manage to catch most of them. So herewith is my non-exhaustive list of the best of Flare:

    154 1

    1:54 is an explosive film that stars the excellent Antoine-Olivier Pilon (Mommy) which goes from a simple gay love story to an unexpected and shocking direction. It touches on all the relevant themes (bullying, young love, etc.) and first-time director Yan England excellently pulls it all together. A must see!

    Pushing Dead, directed and written by Tom E Brown, is a lighthearted comedy about an HIV+ man (a very good James Roday) and his trials and tribulations in getting his medication, finding love, and dealing with his boss and female roommate in San Francisco. It’s bittersweet, funny and lighthearted and will tug at your heart.

    Dear Dad is an excellent Indian film about a middle-aged father who comes out to his son while driving him to boarding school. It’s heartwarming and funny, with great performances all around.

    Eight long-term HIV+ survivors discuss their fears, challenges and milestones in the relevant and timely documentary Last Men Standing. With the HIV+ population getting older, these men celebrate life as they remember the past.

    The Trans List is an important documentary where several prominent trans and nonbinary people get to tell their story. Well known celebrities Laverne Cox, Caitlyn Jenner and Buck Angel are featured, but it’s the less well-known who make more of an impact; lawyer and activist Kylar Broadus, teenage student Nicole Maines who won a landmark lawsuit in America after she faced discrimination for wanting to use the girl’s bathroom, and Bamby Salcedo, founder of the Los Angeles-based TransLain Coalition and who faced lots of issues growing up. There are a total of 11 interviews in this documentary, but I could’ve watched a dozen more. It’s an important and relevant documentary.

    Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four, another important documentary, is about four Lesbians who were tried and convicted of sexually abusing children in the 1990’s. Fast forward and the women are finally exonerated for their alleged crime, and this documentary shows – through interviews and news footage – the women’s journey of their nightmare. Gripping, and bittersweet.

    Chilean film Jesús starts out as a buddy movie where the two young leads hang out with their friends and then have sex with each other, but their lives are changed, and the film takes a surprising turn, when they are involved in a crime. This event will tear their lives apart and the ending packs a wallop!

    Lauren (Velinda Godfrey) has to deal with the death of her girlfriend in the film Heartland. She also gets kicked out of the house they shared, so she has to move in with her bigoted mother, while her brother and his long-term girlfriend are visiting in order to set up a local wine business. But Lauren and the girlfriend develop more than a friendship in an event that tears the whole family apart, and brings up bad memories.

    Blow Job 2017 is a reimagining of the Andy Warhol classic, directed by Charles Lum and Todd Verow, that, for it’s four full minutes, focuses on David J. White, getting, as you guessed, a blow job. Why remake the 1963 classic? Because it was time to do so, and Lum and Verow do it in an excellent, grainy style.

    A film with commercial potential is Handsome Devil. Out gay student Ned (a wonderful Fionn O’Shea) is faced with another year in boarding school. His new roommate, lucky for him, is the star rugby player. But most memorable is Andrew Scott who plays a gay and sympathetic teacher. Scott is brilliant (and extremely handsome) as always.

    A film that will astound you is the documentary Out of Iraq. It’s amazing that this film was even made as it’s the true story of two Iraqi soldiers who fall in love, but of course, living in a country where gay men are killed is not the ideal place for a gay relationship. So one of them is lucky enough to move to the U.S. and it’s a four year wait for them to be back together. Their long-awaited reunion, and eventual wedding, will leave you in tears.

    This was just a few of the highlights of the BFI Flare film festival.
    The entire program can still be found on the link below and hopefully, some of these films will find their way to the cinema, or to the BFI website, or anywhere online. Let’s support and celebrate gay cinema.

    http://www.bfi.org.uk/flare

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Northern Ballet’s Casanova – National Tour

    ★★★★ | Despite his reputation for romance and his wild sexual liaisons, Casanova remains a historical figure with much more to offer than just a debauched lifestyle; and it is those lesser known aspects of his life which are subject to a brand new feature length ballet. Casanova was a trainee priest, musician, writer, social climber, mathematician, prisoner, gambler, food lover and fluent in seven languages. There is much more to Casanova than there first appears and this ballet explores his life and reputation in a way which debunks the perception that he was little more than a philandering Lothario.

    Photo Credit – Justin Slee

     

    With striking visuals, choreographer Kenneth Tindall tells the detailed and intricate story of Casanova’s extraordinary life and manages to pack in many aspects of his life in a way which never feels rushed or forced. Using a range of techniques, Tindall brings out the best in the company with routines that range from grand, sweeping set pieces to intimate movements; all of which combine to convey the story not only efficiently, but also in an absorbing and intriguing way. On a stage flooded with golds, oranges and purples, the first act is faced paced and dramatic; which subsequently yields to a more intimate second act filled with gentile and tender routines; leading to a finale which beautifully rounds off the show.

    There is an abundance of flesh on display, and the ballet does not shy away from Casanova’s sexual appetite, finding himself in the company of both men and women. In a refreshingly open way, there are scenes of sensuality between Casanova and a number of men; and the number of muscular arms, tight pecs and washboard abs on display gently, but tastefully ,nudge the production towards an edge of homoeroticism at times.

    Photo Credit – Caroline Holden

    Giuliano Contadini makes the most of his characters many layers and provides what is perhaps is most rounded performance to date as the titular character and the remainder of the cast are all proficient in their multiple roles.

    The production values are high, with lavish costumes and gilt edged props which reflect the sumptuousness and extravagance of the period setting. Add into that a set which creates a versatile dance space and multiple locations by the use of three pillars and a variety of forced perspectives; a stunning lighting design and an original score which is cinematic, sweeping and stirring and you have all of the elements of a very fine production.

    Casanova is currently playing at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre until the 1st April 2017 before visiting Norwich Theatre Royal, Milton Keynes Theatre, Cardiff New Theatre, Salford The Lowry and Sadlers Wells. Visit www.northernballet.com for full details.

     

     

  • So what’s it actually like to work out naked in a room full of other naked guys?

    Yeah, it’s a thing. Exercising and group training in the buff is a relatively new concept (no, those “squats” you’ve been doing do not count as training) and NKD Training’s founder Paul was kind enough to invite me along to try it out.

    I’ll be honest, this whole endeavour started as an excuse to ogle hot guys working out veiled under the thin disguise of journalism. As the day of my naked group training drew closer I began to have some serious doubts. What if the group was full of creepy fat old men? Or worse, what if it was full of hot young men and that I would actually be the creepy fat old man?! As it turns out, there was a healthy mix of both. NKD Training is run at the Gym Clinic in West London, a small but well equipped (that’s what they say about me … sorry, too many penis jokes) gym not far from Gunnersbury tube station. The main entrance is closed off during naked training so you have to enter through the back door (not saying a word) into the clean and professional workout space. That just happens to be full of naked men exercising.

    The session is divided into two parts: the first is an hour of free gym time in which you are invited to use the facilities as and how you want, dressed in as little as you want – as long as you’re wearing trainers. You can wear shorts during this time, as I did, but you will be silently yet harshly judged by the guys training in the altogether.

    The second half of the session is similar to a circuit class, during which Paul takes you through a warm up – set to your favourite drag queen lip sync music – and then through a solid 45-minute workout. Newcomers are likely to feel strange and probably a bit uncomfortable when first stripping off, but after a while of lunging and crunching and curling, you almost forget that your dick is hanging out while you do it. Almost.

    There were some aspects to naked training that were more complicated than I had anticipated. Running on a treadmill was obviously more uncomfortable than I’m used to, but trying to do squats without giving the guy behind you an eyeful of ass-crack, that was damn near impossible.

    I can certainly see the appeal of naked training and, as Paul explains, the benefits of a personal trainer are significant. “As a trainer, there are a lot of benefits. I can see more of the muscles that are working and I can see if there’s an imbalance, say when they’re doing a chest press. You don’t just see the bar moving, you see the muscles that are working, the ones that aren’t and the ones that should be. And it builds a bond, being naked. I don’t know how to explain it.”

    It was definitely a unique experience for me, but one that I really wanted try. Not so much to see hot naked guys (again, yes there are plenty of them there) but to come more to terms with my own nakedness. Gay men are often plagued with insecurities about our bodies and the act of stripping off completely in a bold attempt to better yourself takes balls and not just the ones on display.

    For most of the men in that room, being naked was the most normal and natural thing in the world. It was the realisation that whether your body is perfect or not, it’s the only one that you’ve got. So learn to love it while you work to make it better. And go on, have a sneak peak at yourself training naked in the mirror. You may be more impressed than you thought.

    NKD Training takes place every Sunday in West London and costs £15 per session.

    You can also book naked personal training sessions either in your home or Paul’s.

    Contact paul@nkdtraining.co.uk or visit nkdtraining.co.uk for more information and to book.

  • Brighton Homophobic attackers’ sentence increased

    Brighton Homophobic attackers’ sentence increased

    Two thugs who attacked and hospitalised two men in Brighton last year have had their prison sentences increased.

    CREDIT: Brighton Police

    Gage Vye-Parminter, 18, of Breydon Walk, and Matthew Howes, 19, of Weald Drive, were both originally jailed for five years in a young offender institution for the homophobic attack on two men in Brighton last year. They admitted GHB and assault on two men in the city’s centre. They were ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

    The youngest of the two victims suffered fractured eye sockets, nose and cheekbones. Pictures of the victims shocked the community last year after news of the attack made its way onto social media.

    However, their sentences have been increased to seven years after the Government’s Solicitor General Robert Buckland challenged the “unduly lenient” sentence. The court agreed to extend the time to reflect that it was a hate crime.

    Speaking after the hearing, Mr Buckland QC said,

    “This vicious attack was totally unprovoked and has left the victims with long-term emotional and physical scars. It will take the victims a considerable amount of time to recover from this.

    “I thought the sentence was unduly lenient as it failed to adequately take into account that this attack was motivated by hate.

    “I hope the court’s decision to impose a longer prison sentence, to include the sentence uplift, sends a clear message to society that such offences will not be tolerated.”

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