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  • Gay Couple Sprayed With Pepper Spray In Violent Homophobic Attack In Kiev

    A violent gang in Kiev physically attacked a young gay couple after trying an experiment to see what social reactions they would get if they held hands or showed public affection.

    Zoryan Kis and Tymur Levchuk from Bird In Flight TV repeated an experiment filmed by a Russian Vlog team, ChebuRussia TV, to see what would happen if two men showed affection in public in Kiev, unlike the Russian experience, Kis and Levchuck found themselves in the centre of a violent attack involving pepper spray and kicks to the head.

    The shocking video reveals the real danger posed to openly gay men in the city of Kiev.

    In the video, the two men start by holding hands around the city. Their actions weren’t met with anything more than stares. Kis said, “We never heard any insults and those people who did have a verbal reaction… we were like aliens to them.”

    The couple then decided to heat up the action a little by sitting on each other’s lap and giving flowers. It was then that they were approached by a group of 10- 15 reportedly neo-Nazis, with one of them saying:

    “It looks like they’re f**king mistaking this place for America.”

    Luckily for Kis and Levchuk the attack was quickly broken up when a man in blue stepped into to separate the group, but not before at least three of the gang had landed kicks to the faces and bodies of the gay couple.

    Neo-Nazi groups have been accused of violence and even the murder of several gay men in the last few years. In 2013 it was reported that neo-Nazis were posting fake personal ads in Russia in order to lure gay teens into an ambush.

    In June 2013 an 18-year-old French gay rights activist Clément Méric was left brain dead after a violent attack by a gang of neo-Nazis.

    The Uk’s Foreign Office warns gay travellers that, “Although homosexuality is not prohibited by law, public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and public displays of affection may attract negative attention. There is no provision under Ukrainian legislation guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and there has been an increase in intolerance towards the LGBT community.”

  • TECH TOCK, Is Technology A Time Bomb Creeping Up On Us?

    In today’s fast paced world, technology plays an increasingly important part of how we function on a day-to-day basis in practically every aspect of our lives from working effectively in our jobs to how we enjoy our leisure time and even to how we interact with our friends and family.

    Social media channels like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram allow people to share much more of their lives than ever before. The introduction of gay dating sites and mobile apps like Grindr and Scruff have opened up new and exciting opportunities to meet potential partners which would never have been possible even as little as ten years ago.

    However the pervasive nature of technology – and in particular digital technology – in our lives has increased the pressures we face. From the constant ping of emails and texts coming up on our mobiles demanding to be answered to the celebrity selfies on Twitter and Instagram which affect self-esteem, we are bombarded from all sides with images and messages that create expectations based on how we perceive such influences. Not to mention the rise in cyber bullying, revenge porn and pro-ana websites. It has even been suggested that some of us now suffer from “tech envy” with 30% of office workers saying they were very envious of the devices such as iPads that their colleagues brought into work.

    Technology & The Unreasonable Expectations We Set Ourselves
    The benefits of digital technology are obvious in providing value and possibility to millions of people. Our lives are more efficient because of such technology and important messages on issues such as equality, education and social change can now be transmitted to a global community. Yet for all the payoffs of technology, for some being online can cause a huge cost to fulfilment and emotional wellbeing because of the unreasonable expectations that can be created. Such expectations can be anything from the expectation that you should always be available on the other end of a text, instant message or Snapchat to the damaging expectation that if your latest Instagram photo doesn’t get enough likes or you don’t have lots of followers on Twitter then there must be something wrong with you.

    Although you may think you have to meet these expectations to be happy and keep up with the Joneses but actually you need to put such unreasonable expectations to one side and put your physical and emotional health first to truly ensure you live a happy and fulfilled life. The best way to do this is to shift your focus and concentrate on what you are grateful for and that which you do have. Avoid others opinions and expectations. Keep you standards high while lowering your expectations of yourself and others.

    Symptoms of Technology Overload
    The paradox of online technology is that whilst it connects people on social networks and increases our circle of friends across time zones, it also can have a negative impact on the quality of those friendships. A recent study suggested that the majority of respondents thought that social media had an adverse effect on friendships with many feeling that their relationships with others were more superficial because of social media. This could be because many of us use social media as a substitute to meeting friends in the real world which is not surprising as a quick like or comment online to a friend’s latest post is so easy to do and requires very little commitment or personal responsibility.

    It is also not unusual for people to feel addicted to checking their social media accounts throughout the day with the focus being on Facebook updates and Twitter notifications rather than speaking to friends on the phone or meeting in person. Even those who tried to delete their accounts struggle with being offline with one in three signing themselves up again less than a week later and one in ten lasting less than 24 hours before succumbing to the need to reactive their account and go back online.

    Technology Does Not Satisfy Our Need For Connection
    Connection is a fundamental human need which needs to be satisfied in a healthy way to create a truly meaningful and fulfilled life. The health benefits of social interaction from the release in oxytocin during a hug to the reduced incidences of depression are greatest amongst friends who meet in person opposed to those who purely interact online.

    Connecting with those you care about on social media only adds a small element to satisfy your need for connection because research shows that the quality of your relationships is correlated to the amount of time you spend together and those who spend more time engaging in face-to-face contact with friends feel that their bond is stronger. In my experience working as a life coach over the last decade, it is the clients that cultivating their relationships in person by meeting friends face-to-face to catch up over a coffee or meal who have the best quality interactions and greatest feelings of intimacy.

    Technology Antidote
    Spending time online with friends should be a last resort not your first port of call. If you want to shift your focus from unhelpful social media habits to meeting friends in the real world but don’t know where to start, here are my top ten suggestions to get out from behind your handheld device and re-connect with the people that matter.

  • 10 life hacks to help you take a break from technology

    Here are 10 Life hacks to help you take a break from technology devised by celebrity life and success coach Sloan Sheridan Williams.

    When technology is starting to rule your life, why not take a step back and take note of Sloan’s top 10 hints at regaining control of your life.

    1. Share a lovingly home-cooked meal or go to your favourite restaurant

    2. Get a boost of energising Vitamin D

    3. Share emotional experiences like watching a movie or sporting event.

    4. Having fun on theme park rides will help you bond with the rush of endorphins

    5. Go on a bike ride or a long walk in the park

    6. Visit a comedy club and laugh out loud

    7. Go out and dance like no-one is watching

    8. Pedalo on the Serpentine or on a nearby lake that offers similar

    9. Fly a kite

    10. Go to a Roller Disco and let your hair down.

    by Sloan Sheridan Wllliams

  • Free Pride U-Turn On Drag Ban

    The organisers of Free Pride have made a U-turn on its policy to ban non-trans drag queens at its pride event in Glasgow

    A controversial pride event which made international headlines when it banned non-trans Drag Queens from performing at its pride event has u-turned after being slammed by social media users, celebrities, drag queens and other pride organisers.

    In a statement released the unnamed organisers said:

    “Sadly, this attracted not just fair criticism, but also an immense amount of harassing, abusive behaviour. This harassment took the form of rather nasty insults and threats which were aimed at free pride organisers.

    “The original decision was made because many trans members of Free Pride have had negative experiences with drag acts veering towards racism, misogyny and transphobia; the lack of contact with the drag community contributed.

    “We made a mistake, and we apologise.”

    The organisers, which haven’t yet made public whether the organisation is a charity, a CIC (community interest company) or how it is managed added:

    “We hope to learn from this in order to foster the kind of community we want to see. We believe there is a greater need for dialogue within, and indeed between the trans and drag communities. We look forward to creating spaces where these dialogues take place with mutual compassion and respect.”

  • GROOMING | Wingman Scrubs Up Well

    There’s no other time of year when one needs a good wash! Long hot sticky summer days, lashings of suntan lotion and muddy weekends in a field camping – whilst sipping cider from a can listen to a variety of folk and rock music as thousands of others jump beside you. Well fear not for there’s a new Wingman in town who’s got your back… your face… your whole body actually.

    It’s not often I get excited about taking a shower. It happens daily and is a part my morning routine along with drinking two coffee’s to get out of bed, the blended fruit breakfast and hatred of other commuters. However, I now look forward to time spent in the water box thanks to Wingman’s range of face scrubs, washes and moisturisers that turns your morning or work aged body into a new man ready to take on life.

    The face scrub, wash and moisturiser – handily numbered 1,2,3 in case you’re still not quite awake and try to moisturise before you’ve scrubbed – have a fresh scent using ginseng and vitamins to help cleanse and brighten the skin. Another shower great is their 3-in-1 range suitable for body, hair and shaving. Available in Jet, Mint and my favourite Citrus, this is the perfect travel companion if packing space is limited. If like myself you have longer hair then you may also want to pack a conditioner as well.

    Overall a great new ‘man-brand’ to hit the shelves of Waitrose, Tesco, ASDA, Superdrug and Sainsbury’s or available online from www.WorldOfWingman.com ranging between £2.99 – £5.99.

    You can also pick up a free Wingman Gift Set with a year’s subscription from THEGAYUK’s stall at our sponsored Pride events across the UK, including upcoming Glasgow, Cardiff and Swindon. If you see us come and say hello and pick up a set before they’re gone!

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Oklahoma! National Tour

    ★★★ | Oklahoma! National Tour

    Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, Oklahoma!, is revived in this touring production, bringing with it a plethora of muscly armed cowboys, giggling girls and barn dances aplenty.

    Oklahoma is one of the classic American musicals, featuring songs including “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’”; “People Will Say We’re In Love” and the title song, “Oklahoma”. The tale is a familiar one, of will they/won’t they love, a jealous potential suitor and a host of colourful supporting characters, all set against the backdrop of the turn of the century Old West.

    The show itself remains the fairly easy going and generally pleasant experience that it has always been, where the whimsical plot and jolly songs require no effort on behalf of the audience. It’s a fairly typical musical of the era, and this version remains fairly simplistic in its presentation. Ashley Day, as the lead cowboy, Curly, has the right balance of looks, charisma and natural singing ability to carry off the part, and Simon Anthony does an equally good job as Will Parker. Standing out from the crowd was Gary Wilmot, as Ali Hakim, the pedlar, remaining, as ever, the consummate professional and looking like he genuinely hasn’t aged a day. The remaining cast generally were in fine voice, but the female characters were hampered by ultra-thick American accents and a far too high pitched and squeaky tone.

    But where the production was let down was in its rather straight forward presentation. The majority of the (95 minute) first act took place on a static stage with only one key set change, which led to a set which was not as visually stimulating or dynamic enough as it could have been. Added to this was the fact that it was genuinely difficult to hear what was being said or sung which made the play harder work then it should have been. The direction was generally functional rather than dazzling and the choreography came across as slightly clunky at times. Those issues aside, the cast’s enthusiasm was undeniable, the performances were polished and the whole thing did pick up in the second act, finishing with a rather rousing chorus of “Oklahoma” and a standing ovation from the audience.

    Overall, this was a fairly basic and incredibly safe production of a classic musical. I do feel it slightly missed the chance to be something much better than it is, but for a straight forward production and to enable the audience to hear those classic songs sung well, it is a pleasant enough evening at the theatre.
    Oklahoma! is playing at the Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 1st August 2015 (see www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk for details and tickets); before rounding off its national tour at High Wycombe from the 4th to the 8th August 2015 (see www.wycombeswan.co.uk for details)

  • RECIPE | Lemon And Garlic Roasted Halloumi

    Serves 2 | Prep 5 mins | Cook 30 mins

    The flavours of this summon fond memories of visiting family in Cyprus when I was younger. The marriage of flavours is perfection. Sweet, salty, lemony, garlicky, and herby. For my palette it ticks every box for a simple starter. This could easily become a main by having quinoa or couscous along side it. As a starter, just a plain green salad with cucumber slices, and spring onion goes perfectly. You could even add some pistachios to the salad for extra texture.

    HALLOUMI- A reduced fat or lighter halloumi will provide you with more protein within the cheese. Around 30g of the cheese provides you with 20% of your recommended intake of calcium. Usually made from goat’s or sheep’s milk, all milk contains tryptophans. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that cannot be manufactured within our body. Tryptophan is what we are able to produce serotonin out of, which encourages positive mood and better sleep.

    Ingredients.

    2 tsp herbes de Provence

    2 tbsp olive oil

    1 block light Halloumi, Sliced into 4

    1 tbsp honey

    1 garlic clove, finely chopped

    1 lemon

    Method.

    Preheat your oven to 200c / 180c (fan) / Gas Mark 6

     

    1. Use a quarter of the lemon to slice into 4 rounds that will sit on top of the halloumi pieces.
    2. Squeeze the remainder of the lemon into a bowl and mix with the garlic, honey, olive oil and herbs.
    3. Sit the halloumi pieces in the bowl and toss gently in the marinade.
    4. Place the halloumi pieces in a baking dish, top with a lemon round each and drizzle over any marinade from the bowl.
    5. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes and turn each halloumi piece over.
    6. Roast for a further 10-15 minutes until the edges of the cheese start to turn golden.
    7. Remove from the oven and using a spatula to remove the halloumi, flip over onto plates so they are served lemon side up.

  • There Are Just 20 Openly Gay Athletes In This Year’s Olympics

    According to Outsports.com there are twenty openly gay and lesbian athletes competing at the 2012 Olympics in London this summer.

    (more…)

  • Channel Island Gay Pride Starts Fundraising

    An organisation called Liberate Jersey has started a fundraising campaign to start a gay pride event in September.

    The crowdfunder is looking to raise £2500 to help launch the very first LGBT+ Pride, because the organisers state, “it’s long overdue”.

    Homosexuality has been legal in Jersey since 1990 and same-sex couple has been able to get civilly partnered since 2012, however same-sex marriage is still illegal.

    TheGayUK reached out to Liberate for comment.

  • MR SHOWBIZ Set To Release Single

    The man who screamed “Showbiz” at anyone who would listen during this year’s Big Brother is set to record and release a single, called… you guessed it Showbiz.

    Simon Gross, who was the first housemate to be booted and then reinstated became known for his “Showbiz” catchphrase which he shouted constantly during his first few hours in the Big Brother house and then in subsequent TV appearances.

    He eventually became the ninth housemate to be evicted back in June

    According to his Twitter feed, he’s started working with “top producers” to record and release his debut single, which will be out in September.

  • Emmerich Stonewall Film Has Oscar Desires

    Film producer and director Roland Emmerich is eyeing up Oscar inclusion with a film dedicated to the Stonewall riots of 1969.

    The film documents the Stonewall riots. The protests, which happened around the Stonewall Inn in New York, were the results of a gay community relentlessly discriminated against and bullied by the police force in New York. The Stonewall riots are often cited as the start of the modern gay rights movement.

    The film, which stars Jeremy Irvine, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Ron Perlman will be released in time to be included in 2016 Oscars considerations. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will have a late September release date in US cinemas.

    Speaking about the film Emmerich said:

    “I was always interested and passionate about telling this important story, but I feel it has never been more timely than right now. Less than 50 years ago, in 1969, being gay was considered a mental illness; gay people could not be employed by the government; it was illegal for gay people to congregate, and police brutality against gays went unchecked.”

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