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You Will Not Believe What This Former Boy band Member Looks Like Now
From boy band beauty to BLUE HAIRED, g-string wear glam rocker.
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University Awarded £50,000 To See Whether Calling Toilets “Gents” Or “Ladies” Is Discriminatory
A research team from Sheffield Hallam University have been awarded nearly £50,000 to discover whether the terms “Gentlemen” “Ladies” and “Men’s Toilets” are accessible.
The award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council is to fund research on the way public toilets are designed, ” in an effort to assess if they are fit for purpose for the UK’s diverse 21st Century society.”
Led by Sheffield Hallam University’s Dr Jenny Slater, the Around The Toilet project is looking at the lack of adequate or accessible toilet provision for disabled and transgender people, amid fears that definitions such as “Gentlemen” “Ladies” and “Men’s Toilets” are out-dated and discriminatory.
Dr Slater, from Sheffield Hallam University’s new Sheffield Institute of Education, will lead a project team including the University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, Action for Transgender Health, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP) and Queer Of The Unknown Arts Collective on the nine-month project.
She said,
“Toilets may seem a frivolous subject but they are at the heart of important discussions about how we understand our own identities. The starting point for us is to explore how disabled people and those identifying as trans, gender-queer or non-binary are treated in modern society.
“As well as issues around toilet closures we have much anecdotal evidence that suggests there is a lack of suitable facilities for our diverse population.
“This project will also consider issues of race, ethnicity, age, religion, faith and homelessness through reflective storytelling, creative arts and performance.”
Along with the announcement of their research, Dr Slater has also encouraged members of the public to post their experiences of toilets in Sheffield and beyond.
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Sir Patrick Stewart Supports Anti-Gay Marriage Bakers
Long time very vocal ally of the gay community Sir Patrick Stewart shocked many of his fans the other night during an interview on BBC’s Newsnight by publicly supporting the Northern Ireland anti-gay marriage bakers.
Gay rights activist Gareth Lee had commissioned Ashers Baking Co., a Christian-owned bakery in Northern Ireland, to make a cake that was decorated with “Support Gay Marriage’ which they refused to do, quoting their religious beliefs. So Lee sued them and won the case, and the bakery now plans to appeal the decision.
Later on Facebook Sir Patrick wrote:
“As part of my advocacy for Amnesty International, I gave an interview on a number of subjects related to human rights, civil rights and freedom of speech. During the interview, I was asked about the Irish bakers who refused to put a message on a cake which supported marriage equality, because of their beliefs. In my view, this particular matter was not about discrimination, but rather personal freedoms and what constitutes them, including the freedom to object. Both equality and freedom of speech are fundamental rights—and this case underscores how we need to ensure one isn’t compromised in the pursuit of the other.
“I know many disagree with my sentiments, including the courts. I respect and understand their position, especially in this important climate where the tides of prejudices and inequality are (thankfully) turning. What I cannot respect is that some have conflated my position on this single matter to assume I’m anti-equality or that I share the personal beliefs of the bakers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could be further from the truth. I have long championed the rights of the LGBT community, because equality should not only be, as the people of Ireland powerfully showed the world, universally embraced, but treasured.”
Sir Patrick’s last movie role was in Match when he played a gay dance professor.
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The Boystown Series by Jake Biondi
Looking for a steamy page-turner for your summer holidays? Jake Biondi’s Boystown series are proving to be popular with readers in the United States and Europe.
Whether you’re sweltering in San Tropez or freezing in a gale in Blackpool; this series with its hot male cover stars and cliff-hanging plots is sure to crank up the heat. Biondi started writing the books as a regular serial (much like Dickens and Maupin; although they were in newspapers rather than online) but the popularity of the stories led him to launch them in book format.
Chicago’s Boystown is one of the most diverse and lively neighbourhoods in the country with something for everyone. It’s no wonder that Jesse Morgan and Cole O’Brien chose to live there upon graduating from college. Ready to begin the next phase of their lives in an exciting new city, Jesse and Cole quickly find themselves at the centre of a new group of friends. Joyelle and Derek Mancini have been happily married for years but Derek is harbouring a secret that could tear them apart. Derek’s brother Emmett is about to discover that his boyfriend Keith Colgan has a past that will haunt them both.
Long time couple Logan Pryce and Max Taylor must face a crisis that neither of them expected. Before they realise it, Jesse and Cole find themselves at the centre of it all in the adult playground known as Boystown.
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Gay Icon Shirley Bassey To Be On £20 Note?
With the Bank of England holding a public poll to pick the next face to appear on the new £20 note, one of the UK’s leading voices on popular culture has called for a black Briton to be celebrated on the note, with Welsh singer Dame Shirley Bassey their chosen candidate.
Professor Ellis Cashmore, Visiting Professor of Sociology at Aston University and author of Celebrity Culture and Beyond Black: Celebrity and Race in Obama’s America, says Bassey is the perfect choice as the face of modern British culture.
Professor Cashmore comments:
“Born into poverty to a Nigerian father and Welsh mother, going on to sell more than 130million records and sing no fewer than three Bond theme tunes, she became a diva to compare with the likes of Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and Mariah Carey. Dame Shirley Bassey is known and admired around the world; she symbolizes not only a very British kind of success, but the multiculturalism and diversity the British establishment needs to welcome.”
Professor Cashmore argues that “dead white males” have for too long dominated the face of the notes and that the public should back a black British hero on the £20 note. He says:
“From Paul Ince, the first black England football captain to cricketer and coach Basil D’Oliveira, modern British culture has an array of national treasures that aren’t the usual male, pale and stale stereotypes. We should reflect the achievements of people like Ince, D’Oliveira, and yes, Dame Shirley by putting their faces on that very British symbol, the £20 note.”
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RECIPE: Steak Slice with Artichoke, Feta and Spinach Pasta
Steak Slice with Artichoke, Feta and Spinach Pasta
Serves 2 (with leftovers of the pasta)
Prep 10 mins
Cook 45 mins
Healthy Bones / Antioxidant Rich
This combination works really well together. A beautiful slab of beef sliced and topped upon a sticky onion, spinach and feta penne bake, with the lovely creamy sharpness of artichokes running through it. A weekend winner.
SPINACH – No wonder this was Popeye’s food of choice. 180g of spinach provides the following DRI; 987% vitamin K (healthy bones and teeth), 104% vitamin A, 84% manganese (another one for bones, and also skin integrity, collagen and blood sugar), 65% folate (skin, liver, eyes, hair), 39% magnesium (another good one for bones, and also heartburn), 35% iron, 34% copper, 32% vitamin B2, 25% vitamin B6, 24% vitamin E, 24% calcium, 23% potassium, 23% vitamin C, amongst others!
ARTICHOKES- A long standing digestive aid, first discovered by the Egyptians, used to also combat acid reflux, stomach discomfort, and bloating. Artichokes are also a good source of anti-oxidants; silymarin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. Artichokes are also great for detoxification and cleansing the liver.
(SOURCE: http://www.livestrong.com/article/471274-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-artichoke-hearts/ )
BEEF- Around 85g of beef provides you with the following of your daily requirements; 50% protein, 39% zinc, 37% B12, 24% selenium, 20% phosphorous, 18% niacin, 16% B6, 14% iron, 12% riboflavin. ( SOURCE: http://www.beef.org/udocs/Beef%20Bytes%20Health.pdf )
Ingredients
1 red onion, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
1 garlic clove, sliced
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and hearts in half
100g bag young leaf spinach
100ml pasta cooking water reserved
½ block feta, chopped
250g penne pasta (I use Dove’s gluten free)
2 sirloin steaks
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 220c / 200c (Fan) / Gas Mark 7
- Get a saucepan of boiling water on the go and cook the pasta according to packet instructions. Meanwhile…
- In a small frying pan heat a tablespoon of oil and over a high heat fry and char your shallot and red onion for 5-6 minutes.
- Add in the sliced garlic and fry for a further minute. Set Aside.
- Once your pasta is al dente, drain but remember to reserve 100ml of the cooking water.
- Mix together the pasta, artichoke hearts, spinach, onions and garlic, 100ml cooking water along with some of your feta (reserving some to sprinkle on top).
- Place into a baking dish, top with remaining feta and drizzle in olive oil.
- Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes so you have a crispy, golden top.
- You want to get the steak on the go in time for when your pasta is ready to be taken out of the oven.
- Get your griddle pan really, really hot. I oil my steaks before frying, some people do some don’t.
- Cook according to guidelines below, and after the meat resting, cut into slices.
- Remove pasta from oven, plate up with the steak slices resting on top.
HOW LONG TO COOK STEAK
For between 2 and 2 ½ cm thickness steak:
Blue Fry for 1 to 2 minutes on each side and rest for 6 minutes.
Rare Fry 2 ½ minutes on each side and rest for 5 minutes.
Medium Rare Fry for 3 or 4 minutes on each side and rest for 4 minutes.
Medium Fry for 4 minutes on each side and rest for 3 minutes.
Medium Well Fry for 5 minutes on each side and rest for 2 minutes.
Well Done Fry for 6 minutes on each side and rest for 1 minute.
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Pride London bans UKIP LGBT from March
London’s pride event has banned UKIP’s LGBT group from marching in the parade over “safety fears”
Pride London’s committee has rejected UKIP Pride’s application to march in the world famous parade.
The board of Pride London released a statement that said,
“For this year we have reached the decision that UKIP’s application to join the Pride in London Parade, 27th June 2015, will be turned down.
“This decision has been made after careful consultation in order to protect participants and ensure the event passes off safely and in the right spirit, it has not been made on a political basis.
“We appreciate many in our community have strongly held views about UKIP, their policies and comments, but is undeniable that there are LGBT+ members of UKIP, including their MEP for Scotland, and it is important to remember that Pride in London aims to be an inclusive event.
“However, of paramount concern to us is the experience of all participants at Pride, most especially the position we would be putting our volunteer stewards in.”
A petition for the ban of UKIP LGBT had reached just 2383 supporters.
UKIP LGBT decried the ban saying it was “a sad day for diversity and freedom.”
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COMMENT | Is Pride In London Right To Ban UKIP? Either Allow All Political Parties Or Ban Them All
I pose this question because over the past few days there has been a lot of debate around London Pride’s decision to allow UKIP to be involved in their parade, before then backtracking and banning UKIP from being a part of the festival.
With many LGBT people feeling that UKIP should not be part of Pride events due to many of their representatives holding homophobic, biphobic and transphobic views, I can see why London Pride have backtracked. However, my personal view is that London Pride should not have banned UKIP.
In my opinion, UKIP should be allowed to march.
For the past three years, I have organised the Warwickshire Pride festival, which takes place in Leamington Spa each summer. Among the 75+ stalls that attend the festival, there are usually a number of political parties represented. Labour have a stall each year, my Conservative MP typically gives a speech and sticks around to enjoy the day, and other parties get involved in some form too.
This year I received a stall application from UKIP. Along with the application was a passionate email from a representative of UKIP’s local branch, who said that although he is not LGBT himself, he supports equality and had contacted UKIP’s LGBT network to ask them to join him in supporting Warwickshire Pride. The representative acknowledged that not all people would be pleased about UKIP having a presence at a Pride event due to the reputation that the party has, but demonstrated that the local branch is willing to engage positively with the LGBT community.
At first, I thought there’s no way that I could allow UKIP to have a presence at Warwickshire Pride. As an individual, I am wholly opposed to what UKIP stand for. I believe that the homophobic and racist comments that some of their representatives have made are abhorrent. However, once I calmed down a bit I began to consider that if I allow other political parties to have a presence at the festival, it’s not fair of me to ban UKIP. That would be discrimination, which is not in the spirit of Pride, and I would also be allowing my personal views to affect my professionalism. Therefore I decided to allow UKIP to book a stall.
I also took the issue to my board of trustees, who agreed that we cannot discriminate against a political party because we don’t like their views. It was decided that we either allow all political parties who want to join in with the Pride celebrations to do so or ban them all.
The fact that UKIP is making an effort to become involved with a Pride festival shows that they’re not all bad people. In every political party, there are positive and negative representatives. Just look at how many Conservative MPs were against marriage equality and other LGBT equality laws. Yet there doesn’t seem to be any protest against the Conservatives having a presence at Pride events.
Ultimately Pride is about representing all LGBT people and the entirety of our culture. I am mindful that there are LGBT people who support UKIP, despite how the party is perceived. When I began organising Warwickshire Pride I was keen to create something for everyone to enjoy, and as much as I may not like it on a personal level, that does include allowing UKIP to come along and join the celebrations.
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Preview Of I Am Cait Hits The Internet. Internet Goes Mad For It
The US cable company E TV today released the first preview of Caitlyn Jenner’s new reality tv show ‘I Am Cait’ due to be aired from July 26th.
No release date has been set for the UK …. but we will update you as soon as we know
