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  • Homophobia on Twitter spiked on days around the US election

    Homophobia on Twitter spiked on days around the US election

    Statistics provided by NoHomophobes.com show that online homophobia spiked the day after the US election on the 8th and 9th of November.

    has homophobia increase in the US since Donald Trump victory
    CREDIT: NoHomophobes.com

    • Trans’ hotline report that their call volume tripled during the period.

    • Alleged abusers cite Donald Trump’s victory during their reported attacks.

    • Homophobia on Twitter reaches levels not seen since January 2014.

    Bucking the downward trend of homophobia on Twitter, the Twitter homophobia monitor NoHomophobes.com recorded a staggering increase of homophobic tweets on the 8th and the 9th of November.

    The monitoring service checks every tweet sent on the social network for one of four terms “faggot”, “no homo”, “so gay” and “dyke”. The website was created by the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, at the University of Alberta, to “show the prevalence of casual homophobia in our society.”

    Since January 2014 the use of those terms has actually decreased to around 45,000 uses of the word “faggot” per week, however, on the 10th November, the term “faggot” was Tweeted over 32,000 times in just one day.

    Doctor Kris Wells, pulled the data for the use of the word “Faggot” for us and it’s pretty grim reading,

    •  March 5 – 6,509 (times the word was used)
    •  April 3  – 11,406
    •  July 24 – 6,963
    •  August 14 – 7,209
    •  Sept 11 – 7,089
    •  Oct. 16 – 5,598
    •  Oct. 21 – 3,344
    •  Nov. 4 – 5,869
    •  Nov. 7 – 6,407
    •  Nov. 9 – 10,225

    •  Nov. 10 – 32,167

    •  Nov. 11 – 8,863
    •  Nov. 12 – 6,110
    •  Nov. 14 – 7,659
    •  Nov. 20 – 6,747
    •  Nov. 27 – 6,386

    Commenting on the finds Dr Wells commented, “So we definitely see the reality of a Trump presidency kick in on Nov 10th, two days after the election”.

    Donald Trump Cited

    In fact, the spike of homophobic language on the two days around the US Election returned to levels found in April 2014. The Guardian noted that there was a spike in reports of hate crimes in the aftermath of the result. Many victims claimed that their alleged abusers cited Donald Trump’s victory as their reasoning for their attacks.

    The national trans’ hotline, The Trans Lifeline, told the Guardian that call volume had tripled on the Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

    There were numerous reports of death threats, physical assaults and anti-gay and anti-trans graffiti sprayed onto cars. One car had a note left on it which noted,

    “Can’t wait until your ‘marriage’ is overturned by a real president,” read a sign left on a car in North Carolina. Gay families = burn in hell. Trump 2016.”

    Another gay man was assaulted in an alley in Santa Monica who was told, “We got a new President you f***ing f****ts”.

    Have you experienced a homophobic assault since the US election? Get in touch to share your experience.

     

  • Michelle Visage: I block hate because you can’t reason with stupidity

    Michelle Visage: I block hate because you can’t reason with stupidity

    Michelle Visage has blasted her haters by saying that stupidity can not be argued with.

    Michelle Visage
    CREDIT: PR SUPPLIED

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com ahead of her Christmas Queen‘s tour in the UK, Michelle Visage revealed the real reason she famously blocks all hate on her social media timelines.

    The outspoken LGBT ally told us,

    “Here’s the thing, and I learned it from Ru, you can’t reason with stupidity. Stupidity is just stupidity. You can be as negative as you want.

    “Why would I waste my great, beautiful, zen, happy energy trying to convince you? Absolutely not.”

    Michelle who has been blasted on social media for her sometimes harsh constructive criticism of contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race said that she pays the haters no mind and she doesn’t want to validate the hate by giving it any time.

    She continued,

    “There’s absolutely no need in trying to validate hate.

    “Me giving my energy to that hateful energy is completely giving away my power. I need my power for good, not evil.”

    Too right!

    Read the entire interview for FREE by subscribing to our magazine. Become a subscriber for FREE.

     

  • One dead and three wounded at NY gay club after shooter opens fire

    One dead and three wounded at NY gay club after shooter opens fire

    A gun attack has left one dead and three wounded in a gay club in Albany New York

    Rocks
    CREDIT: Google Maps

    Police responded to an emergency call out when shots were fired at a gay bar in Albany, New York at 2:00AM Thursday morning. Police report that four people were shot inside the Rocks On Central Avenue night-club.

    The venue’s management describes it as “proudly gay owned and operated”.

    Among the injured were two men and two women. Of the men, one died from his injuries according to reports.

    Three others had injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

    WTEN reports that at least one person was taken into custody.

    Police believe that the venue was not targetted because of the patron’s sexuality but that the shootings happened for no specific reason.

    Steve Smith, a spokesperson for the Albany Police Department, told Time Warner Cable News.

    “The one thing we want to let members of our community members know, especially the members of our LGBT community know that this is not a random act, this bar was not targeted for any specific reason.”

    No motive has been made clear at this time and the suspect’s details have not been released.

    America’s LGBT community have been on high-alert since June 2016, when a lone shooter killed 49 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

    Were you near the area or affected by the situation please get in touch with us.

  • What has Aaron Frew done to his FACE!

    What has Aaron Frew done to his FACE!

    OUCH! Big Brother star Aaron Frew has done something to his face!

    So the Big Brother star has had something done to his face and it looks painful but he assures us he is ok!

     

    So Aaron has joined the legion of celebrity fans, including, apparently Rupert Everett, that have had the infamous Vampire Facial. The treatment, first made world famous by Kim Kardashian, involves your own blood and a lot of injections. Aaron smiled through his procedure and Snapchatted the entire thing.

    The Vampire Facial is a way to “Rejuvenate your skin, using your own platelets” according to The Garrett Clinic where Aaron had his treatment.

    The procedure which costs £550, uses your body’s own ability to heal itself using platelets in your own blood.

    Aaron told us, despite looking like a drastic treatment as there are quite a few injections involved, that it wasn’t painful and “was okay”.

    Apparently to get the full benefit of a vampire facial you will need 3 sessions at 4-6 intervals. Would you be tempted to try out the vampire facial?

  • THEATRE REVIEW | La Soiree

    THEATRE REVIEW | La Soiree

    16-la-soiree-leicester-square-jarred-dewey-credit-brinkhoff-moegenburg-435-jpg
    PR Supplied

    ★★★★ | La Soiree

    The best show in Central London is now playing for a limited time only in Leicester Square – it’s La Soiree!

    Back in London for a 7th time, La Soiree is a theatrical experience that will wow and shock you – it’s circus, vaudeville and burlesque all rolled up into one in a show that’s funny, mesmerising, and very enjoyable. In the especially-built venue that is the Spiegeltent right in the middle of Leicester Square, it’s a show in the round, in a velvet-draped salon of carved wood, polished mirrors and the feeling of having stepped into another world, and where every seat has a good view of the shenanigans the performers get up to. Grab a drink at the bar and have fun watching these amazing performers:

    -Denis Lock is a bubble-making master. He makes bubbles in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including a carousel – he really needs to be seen to be seen!
    -Songstress Acantha Lang, from New Orleans, sings intermittently throughout the show – her vocals are large and high octane! She’s a diva and she owns it!
    -Captain Frodo is a hilarious comedian who is able to put his whole body through two small tennis racquets – it’s contortionism at it’s very best!
    -The very naughty and funny Ursula Martinez – she finds hankies in the most unusual places – enough said!
    -Daredevil Chicken is a man and woman duo who do incredible costume changes and are able to toss bits and pieces of bananas into theirs (and audience members) mouths. They are side-splittingly funny!
    -Jarred Dewey likes to swing, on a swing (he’s a trapeze artist)! And he does it with very little clothes on.
    -Hamish McCann, while shirtless, performs a jaw-dropping pole act that makes it look like he’s literally walking up a light pole. He makes it look easy.

    For two hours you will be entertained, and your jaw will drop, not only at the amazing feats these performers accomplish, but also because it is all very hilarious and raucous.

    So step away from the busy and blustery streets of London into this plush cabaret venue where you will have a really good time!

     

    Christmas in Leicester Square run until 8th January 2017, 0207 492 9942

     

  • Five ways not to be racist on gay dating apps

    No Blacks. No Asians. No Queens.

    I bet you already know where these quotes come from. I am also pretty sure you’ve seen them. Yes, these are common quotes from Grindr profiles. What’s worse is that I imagine you can think of more Grindr, Gaydar, GayRomeo profiles with further offensive and racist remarks on them.

    But surely we can discriminate on who we fancy? Of course.

    We must have the right to decide what shape, size and colour the dick is we choose to squeeze, suck or sit on? Without a doubt.

    And if I want to say what I don’t like then it saves time doesn’t it? Perhaps.

    So if I don’t fancy a black or white guy then I have the right to say so, don’t I? Maybe.

    But there are ways of saying things.

    So… Here are 5 things not to do on gay dating apps.

    1) Do not use racist language. We all know what they are. No one thinks you’re big or smart or edgy for using them. And being practical, not many guys invite racists round to their houses.

    2) Put what you like, what you ARE into. It’s more positive and inclusive and appealing to a wider range of people. Saying you like something, or love something is much more attractive than associating you with ‘No this’, ‘No that’ or other negative concepts.

    3) Be polite. If someone messages you that doesn’t give you butterflies in your stomach (or lower) then just say thanks but no thanks. Most people will get the hint, and if they don’t just block them. It’s easier than resorting to a racist rant.

    4) Be inclusive. Try not to see people as one dimensional. Not all ethnicities are the same. Look at your arm – it everyone with that similar shade the same as you? Do they eat the same food, socialise in the same way, believe the same as you do just because your skin matches? Of course not, so don’t apply this ignorance to other arm shades.

    5) Challenge yourself. How many of your friends are the same as you? Do they all look the same, come from similar backgrounds? Most are probably the same age. How about bringing some diversity to your life? Speak to someone new, someone with maybe a different experience, a different outlook, a different skin colour – they might be able to shed new light on life. How does your coming out experience compare to the Asian guy 200 meters away or the polish guy four roads away or the twink smiling at you at the bottom of your screen?

     

     

    A version of this article first appeared on THEGAYUK.com in July 2013

     

  • Saara Aalto announces her engagement to her girlfriend

    Saara Aalto announces her engagement to her girlfriend

    Saara Aalto has announced her engagement to her girlfriend, Meri Sopanen, in an interview with OK Magazine.

    Saara Aalto
    ©Thames / Syco

    She’s come a long way from her shaky start in the first few weeks of this year’s series of the X Factor to become one of the show’s most popular stars and now she has announced her plans to marry her girlfriend, Meri Sopanen, of two years.

    Twenty-nine-year-old Saara, revealed her engagement through an interview with OK Magazine and apparently her girlfriend waited for a quiet moment when they were together at home.

    It was super low-key.

    Last August, on their two-year anniversary, her girlfriend popped the question, whilst the singer was in her PJs after a long and happy day.

    Saara joked,

    “She just said: ‘Oh, we had a lovely day…’ Then: ‘Will you marry me?’”

    Meri was quick to point out,

    ‘We did have candles! I wanted to do it when she wasn’t wearing make-up – I love her soul.’

  • Did you ever have contact with serial killer Stephen Port?

    Did you ever have contact with serial killer Stephen Port?

    The Independent Police Complaints Commission, who are currently investigating the Metropolitan Police for their response to the deaths of four men in London are looking for witnesses who may have had contact with Stephen Port to come forward.

    New Scotland Yard, Met Police
    CREDIT: TheGayUK/JakeHook

    The IPCC is investigating the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) response following the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25. Stephen Port was found guilty of their murders following a trial at the Old Bailey in London.

    The bodies of all four men were found in the Barking area, between June 2014 and September 2015.

    The Metropolitan Police Service referred itself to the IPCC in October 2015 after it identified concerns regarding the initial investigations into the men’s deaths.

    Stephen Port was a member of a number of services and had a variety of handles on services, these were: shyfitguy on Flirt, Daddy4son2012 on Daddyhunt, topdomhunk on Hornet, knockknock2014 on PlanetRomeo, untilwemeet on Manhunt and StephenPort on Couchsurfing.

    On gaydar his profile name was, skygay502 and on Grindr he was known as Top Fun Joe.

    Peter Tatchell, gay rights activist, said,

    “Appallingly, even after the third murder the police were still maintaining that the deaths were ‘unusual’ but ‘not suspicious.’ They did not issue a public alert to the gay community that a serial killer could be on the loose. This failing ignored Met Police best practice advice which was agreed two decades ago, after previous murders of gay men.

    “The police appeal for public information came in October 2015 – a year too late. Four young men were already dead. This appeal should have been made in August 2014 after the first two killings. If the police had done this, further deaths may have been prevented. Two of these men might still be alive.

     

    IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said,

    “Today our thoughts are with everybody affected by the tragic deaths of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack at the hands of Stephen Port.

    “It is important we establish whether the police response to the deaths of all four men was thorough and appropriate in the circumstances, including whether discrimination played any part in actions and decisions. As his trial established, Port was known to the police in connection to the death Mr Walgate. We now know that tragically, three more young men went on to lose their lives.

    “I have met with LGBT community members in Barking and Dagenham to explain the IPCC’s role, and would like to provide the assurance that our investigators are continuing to work hard to scrutinise the police response to the tragic deaths of these four young men.

    “We would like to hear from anybody who provided information to the police about Port, or any of his victims, between 19 June 2014 and 15 October 2015.”

    Anyone with information should contact the IPCC on 0800 151 0021 or email barking&dagenham@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk.

  • Stephen Port found guilty of murdering four men he found on gay dating apps

    Stephen Port found guilty of murdering four men he found on gay dating apps

    Stephen Port has been found guilty of a fourth murder, that of Anthony Patrick Walgate, a 23-year-old who was his first murder victim.

    Stephen Port

    The BBC are reporting that Stephen Port,41, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in London, for the murders of four men he met via gay dating apps. He was also convicted of three rapes.

    He has been found guilty of 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.

    Port has denied 29 charges in total.

    Initially, he was charged with four counts of murder in relation to the deaths of four men between June 2014 and September 2015.

    The charges relate to the deaths of:
    – Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, from Barnet, who was pronounced dead on Cooke Street, Barking on 19 June 2014.
    – Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 28 August 2014.
    – Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 20 September 2014.
    – Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, whose body was found near the Abbey Ruins close to North Street, Barking on Monday, 14 September.

    The Met Police is currently under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission following concerns on how it handled the initial investigation into Mr Whitworth’s death.

    Human rights advocate Peter Tatchell monitored the police handling of the serial killings of young gay men in east London from October 2014 and liaised with a friend of one of the victims, Gabriel Kovari.

    Commenting on jury’s guilty verdict and the way police responded to the multiple murders by Stephen Port, he said,

    “While timely and commendable, this verdict is no compensation for the loss of four young gay men who had their lives, hopes and dreams cut short.

    “Appallingly, even after the third murder the police were still maintaining that the deaths were ‘unusual’ but ‘not suspicious.’ They did not issue a public alert to the gay community that a serial killer could be on the loose. This failing ignored Met Police best practice advice which was agreed two decades ago, after previous murders of gay men.

    “The police appeal for public information came in October 2015 – a year too late. Four young men were already dead. This appeal should have been made in August 2014 after the first two killings. If the police had done this, further deaths may have been prevented. Two of these men might still be alive.

    This is a breaking news story and will be updated as it develops.

     

  • Five thing you probably didn’t know about Chris Ramsey

    Five thing you probably didn’t know about Chris Ramsey

    He’s part of the I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here presenting team, but just who is Chris Ramsey? We find out all the T.

    Is Chris Ramsey gay
    CREDIT: ITV2

    What is Chris Ramsey most famous for?

    He might becoming a household name thanks to his stint of being a presenter on the I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp on ITV 2, but Chris, first made his name by being a stand-up comedian hailing from South Shields, South Tyneside in the north of England. He began his career in 2007, when he hosted an open-mic night in Newcastle. Since then he’s amassed a massive fanbase and has over 350,000 followers on Twitter.

    Is Chris Ramsey gay?

    Chris Ramsey is not gay or bisexual. He’s actually married to the singer and actress Rosie Winter. They married in 2014.

    Who is Chris Ramsey’s favourite campmate ever?

    Gillian McKeith is Chris’s favourite campmate? He said, “you always want someone who finds it all a bit too much. I did feel sorry for her but it was just so funny.”

    How old is Chris Ramsey?

    Chris was born in 1986, on the 3rd August, which makes him 30 (2016)

    Does he have any special talents?

    Apparently his a complete whizz at yoyo. He said,

    “I’m pretty decent at the yoyo. I can do tricks and stuff. So decent that if I did it in a room full of people who can’t do it, they’re really impressed…”

     

     

  • Serial Killer found guilty of murdering three men he met on gay dating apps

    Serial Killer found guilty of murdering three men he met on gay dating apps

    A man has been found guilty of murdering three young men he met on gay dating apps and websites.

    Stephen Port

    The Press Association are reporting that Stephen Port,41, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in London, for the murders of three men he met via gay dating apps. He was also convicted of three rapes.

    He has been found guilty of the murders of Gabreil 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.

    Port has denied 29 charges in total.

    Initially, he was charged with four counts of murder in relation to the deaths of four men between June 2014 and September 2015.

    The charges relate to the deaths of:
    – Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, from Barnet, who was pronounced dead on Cooke Street, Barking on 19 June 2014.
    – Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 28 August 2014.
    – Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 20 September 2014.
    – Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, whose body was found near the Abbey Ruins close to North Street, Barking on Monday, 14 September.

    Jurors have yet to decide on a verdict on the murder of Anthony Patrick Walgate, a 23-year-old who is alleged to be the first murder victim.

    This is a breaking news story and will be updated as it develops.

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