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  • INTERVIEW: Chris Urch on The Rolling Stone: Homophobia In Uganda

    Theatre can evoke many emotions – happiness, sadness, optimism, fear, anger and laughter…. but to be able to combine all of those emotions into one production shows just how powerful theatre can be.

    So when playwright, Chris Urch, decided to write a play about love and homophobia in Uganda, he was determined to ensure that the audience were taken on a journey which drew on a range of emotions and the result is a play which tackles the subjects with compassion, realism and in a way which allows the audience to connect with the characters and events portrayed, despite the disparity of the play’s setting and where it is being performed.

    The play is about Dembe and Sam, who have been seeing each other for a while. They should be wondering where this is going and when to introduce each other to their families. But they’re gay and this is Uganda. The consequences of their relationship being discovered will be violent and explosive. Especially for Dembe, whose brother goes into the pulpit each week to denounce the evils of one man loving another. The Rolling Stone tells the story of two lovers at odds with their society.

    The write of the play, Chris Urch, a Bruntwood Playwriting prize winner caught up with TheGayUK as the play opened its run at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.

    TGUK – Your new play, The Rolling Stone is a story about love, prejudice and homophobia in Uganda. How does the subject matter of the play resonate with the UK audience?

    CU – I’m not going to lie, my play The Rolling Stone is a hard sell. There’s no famous people in it. This is only my second play so my name isn’t of any help. And then there is the subject matter…. The play focuses on a Ugandan family who’s local paper is outing gay men and the repercussions of this are mighty and heartbreaking. The story is fictional but is based on truth. In Uganda it’s still illegal to be gay and this paper did ‘out’ men, some gay, some not. These men’s lives were utterly destroyed. Some went to jail, some had to leave town, some were killed….Yes, the play is about an important subject, prejudice. A subject most of you readers have probably experienced in one form or another. And yes, throughout the play there is the story of two men in love who have been represented as people not lazy stereotypes. But at the plays heart is the subject of family, something a huge amount of us can relate to. How far will we go for the people we love? Can we support those closest to us when who they are goes against our own beliefs and morals? Why should we love our families when they can’t seem to love us?

    TGUK – And the play has been critically well received to date….

    CU – In late 2013, the play won the Bruntwood award which is the biggest playwriting competition in the country and I’m mighty proud of the production which has transferred from the Manchester Exchange to the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

    TGUK – Does your playwriting come from a love of theatre from a very young age?

    CU – I write plays for people who don’t go to the theatre. People who don’t think the theatre is for them. I was raised on a diet of television and VHS movies but no theatre other than the local pantomime. Come to think of it, I don’t think I saw a play until I was eighteen.

    TGUK – So what does theatre give us that film and TV doesn’t?

    CU – Well, it gives us the live experience. Where else do you sit in a room made up of people you mostly don’t know, turn off your phone, turn of your email, your Facebook and Twitter and all watch people pretending to be other people. Sounds bonkers and maybe it is. But some of the best nights of my life have been sat watching someone say or go through something that I’ve felt, experienced or know. That feeling of being less alone. I believe great theatre should make you laugh, cry and gasp but most importantly when I sit down to write a play my mantra is I WILL TRY NOT BORE MY AUDIENCE. So when writing this play I thought about you the audience. That’s why there’s lots of laughter, a few tears and always an audible gasp.

    TGUK – So a completely different experience in your view?

    CU – Absolutely, I say “put down the Netflix for a night and come and let me and six incredible actors tell you a new story”.

     

    The Rolling Stone is currently playing at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds until 23rd May 2015. For full details, tickets and information, visit www.wyp.org.uk or call the box office on 0113 213 7700.

     

     

  • Domestic Abuse Help Instant Chat For LGBTs To Run 7 Days A Week

    Instant chat service to open 7 days a week

    Since its start in 2014 the Broken Rainbow instant chat service has continued to increase in popularity with LGBT people experiencing abuse or violence in their relationships. On busy days this means eight hours of constant user support and Broken Rainbow today runs this service with 25 volunteers across the country. Because of its high demand the Broken Rainbow instant chat will extend its opening hours to weekends, meaning it will be open every day from 10am till 2pm from the 6th of June 2015.

    The reasons for its popularity are many; partly it can offer greater anonymity to the user than phone support and partly it may give them more time to think before they express themselves.

    Broken Rainbow Managing Director Jo Harvey Barringer explains why she thinks it has become such a popular tool for Broken Rainbow’s service users:

    “Often the people that contact us are in situations where they cannot risk being heard over the phone. We’ve had victims/ survivors contacting us while locked in the bathroom with their abuser on the other side of the door – a situation in which if they were to call someone they may feel even more under threat.”

    The new weekend opening hours will start on the first weekend of June. This means instant chat will be open every day from 2pm till 10pm from the 6th of June 2015.

    You can find out more at http://www.brokenrainbow.org.uk or call 0800 999 5428

  • Rugby Must Change To End Homophobia

    In what is believed to be a world first, international rugby stars from three countries are joining together in publicly condemning homophobia in sport. English star James Haskell and Welsh star Alex Cuthbert as well as Australian Rugby Legend John Eales have all backed a statement specifically calling for an end to homophobic language, the most common form of discrimination.

    They join other sport stars speaking out about discrimination, including Gareth Thomas and David Pocock as well as openly gay rugby referee Nigel Owens who says homophobia has been tolerated for “too long.” This all comes after the first international study found widespread homophobia in UK and international sport.

    – 77% of UK participants in the study had ‘witnessed or experienced homophobia’ around sport

    – Verbal slurs such as ‘faggot’ or ‘dyke’ as well as jokes about gay people were the most common forms of homophobia reported

    -70% thought youth sport in the UK was not safe or welcoming to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
    (Nearly 9500 gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight people took part in “Out on the Fields,” the largest study ever conducted on homophobia in sport. Nearly 1800 were from the UK. It was reviewed by a panel of seven academic experts from six universities. Full UK results: www.outonthefields.com)

    In repose to the study, Dublin-based World Rugby (formerly IRB), reaffirmed its recent, historic commitment to ‘eliminate’ discrimination from the game. It is the first ‘world sport’ to make such a bold pledge and quite a contrast to the position of FIFA.
    Meanwhile, the three international rugby stars – Haskell, Cuthbert and Eales – have all backed a formal statement and will be promoting anti-homophobia messages through social media this Sunday, 17 May which is ‘International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia’ on 17 May.

    The statement backed by the players says:

    “Everyone should be able to play and enjoy sport without fear of discrimination. Homophobic language can be harmful to those struggling with their sexuality and it makes people feel unwelcome to play sport. We want to send a strong message to everyone involved in sport that homophobic language and behaviour is not acceptable.”
    England’s James Haskell, 30, said he decided to back the statement because he was alarmed by the extent of discrimination discovered in the UK and other countries.

    “I feel bad for anyone who struggles to be true to who they are and feels the need to live a lie because they are worried about being rejected. I think homophobic language is still too common in sport. Even if the jokes and banter you sometimes hear are not meant to be harmful I think it creates an environment where gay people don’t feel very welcome,” said Haskell.

    Haskell’s views on the effects of discrimination reflect the experience of openly gay Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas. He says he kept his sexuality secret and nearly committed suicide because language created a hostile environment.

    “I am one of those who hid my sexuality for years because this kind of language created an environment where it seemed impossible to be accepted as a gay man. The good news is I don’t believe most people making these jokes and using these slurs are being intentionally homophobic. After I came out of the closet, many of my greatest supporters were teammates who, in the past, had made the most jokes about gay people,” wrote Thomas, in a foreword for the “Out on the Fields” study.

    Welsh rugby star Alex Cuthbert, 25, says Thomas has helped people understand why this issue is important, “I think Gareth Thomas’s story has helped us all become more aware of the effects of homophobic language and banter. Society has changed and I don’t think this kind of language has any place in sport or anywhere else anymore.”

    Meanwhile, former New Zealand All Black Josh Kronfeld says homophobic language is common among spectators, “The biggest issues would probably be driven by the fan base. There are dumb and ignorant people around.” Australian Wallabies star David Pocock has called the extent of homophobia discovered by the study “awful” and wants “more education through all levels of the game.” Pocock recently complained to a referee about homophobic slurs during a match, leading to a player being fined $20,000 by the Australian Rugby Union.
    In Ireland, rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll and current players Cian Healy and Peter O’Mahony also back an end to discrimination against gay people. All three have urged people to vote ‘yes’ in their country’s upcoming same-sex marriage referendum.
    Rugby legend John Eales, the most successful Wallaby captain in Australian history, is proud so many rugby players around the world are taking such a strong stance on discrimination against gay people. He also praised the commitment by World Rugby (formerly IRB) to “eliminate” homophobia from the game. (www.worldrugby.org/news/59705)

    “I think we were all surprised by the extent of homophobia that was found by the study but I am glad rugby is leading internationally on this issue. I think World Rugby’s commitment to eliminate homophobia from the game is very powerful. It will help end the problem because it sends a strong message to everyone involved in sport that homophobic language or any behaviour that makes people feel unwelcome is no longer acceptable,” said Eales.

    Jeff Wilson, the London based Chairman of International Gay Rugby, signed the recent agreement with World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset to “work together to educate and eliminate homophobia in rugby.”

    “Unfortunately there are still alarming rates of discrimination in sport and I think we have a lot more work to do than we expected. However, despite its tough and macho image, I think rugby is very well placed to become the most inclusive and tolerant sport in the world. We are very grateful to have such strong support at all levels of the game, from the players up to the international leaders. I’m hopeful that rugby’s success will inspire other sports to also rid their games of discrimination,” said Jeff Wilson.

  • Want To Give Up Blood In The US? Give Up Gay Sex

    If you are gay, then the US’s powerful Food & Drug Administration still does not want your blood.

    That is unless you can prove you have been celibate for a whole year. After years of pressure to reform the ban, the FDA announced plans in December 2014 to ease the rules slightly and officials issued a formal recommendation on Tuesday which effectively still stops gay men from donating blood.

    The FDA has banned blood donations from men who have had sex with another man anytime since 1977, a rule approved more than three decades ago during the AIDS epidemic. However, as blood screening and HIV testing have made advances, the policy has been criticised as unscientific and discriminatory by some medical organisations, Congressional Democrats, and advocacy groups.

    “The FDA may have had good intentions behind this policy, but asking gay and bisexual men to be celibate for a year before donating blood is in practice still a lifetime ban,” said a statement issued by Kelsey Louie, the CEO of LGBT health advocacy group Gay Men’s Health Crisis. “By contrast, the new policy does not require heterosexuals to be celibate for one year in order to donate blood, even if their sexual behaviour places them at high risk for HIV.”

    However the out gay US ambassador to Spain may be banned from donating blood at home in the United States but he appeared eager to post a photo of himself donating blood in Spain, where the rules are different. Smiling and giving a thumbs up, James Costos appears in a photo on his Instagram account wearing a tourniquet and giving blood along with a glowing message to his followers. “I joined Team U.S. Embassy Madrid donating blood. Please join us, it feels good to give, trust me!” he wrote. The Instagram account belongs to Costos and his partner, Michael S. Smith, an interior designer who have been together for 15 years.

    In Spain, however, being gay does not disqualify potential blood donors. The donors are screened based on the individual’s risk factors, such as how recently they became intimate with a new partner and other behaviors that could raise chances of exposure to HIV.

  • Over One Third Of Gay Men Are Unhappy With The Size Of Their Penises

    Over One Third Of Gay Men Are Unhappy With The Size Of Their Penises

    Up to 34 per cent of men are unhappy with the size of their penises according to a new survey by THEGAYUK

    A survey undertaken for issue 11 of THEGAYUK found that over a third of men questioned had issues with the size of their manhoods, with a further 12 per cent actually considering penile enlargement surgery to increase girth or length.

    The majority of men asked hadn’t tried other non-surgical methods of penis enlargement, such as hanging weights or jelqing. The most popular method of non-surgical enlargement was penis pumps.

    Of those surveyed, 54% of men had a penis length of 5 to 7 inches, 12 per cent had a penis size less than 5 inches. According to a recent worldwide poll of men, 5.16 inches is the average size of an adult male’s erect penis.

    Penis surgery can be an expensive route to take, with the average procedure costing thousands of pounds.

    Tristan, owner of all a male striptease Adonis Cabaret Show said that there were ways men could forego surgery with a few insider tips and he and his crew of stunning male dancers and models use to look good on stage.

    Firstly he suggested: “Trim that bush to unhide your sausage!”

    Up to an inch of your manhood could be covered by pubic hair so make sure you get the trimmers out and cut back to reveal more and generally make it look tidy down there.

    Secondly, he suggested what’s known in the business as “tying it off”, whereby you excite yourself but stop before you become actually erect. Then using something to “tie off” like a cock ring or elastic band you place the tie at the base of your penis, so the blood can’t leave the penis quickly.

    “It’s not much use, but it does look impressive!” He quipped.

    However, you must be careful you don’t tie it off for too long as it could turn purple and cause serious medical problems.

  • Andi Peters “I’m Only 21”

    Andi Peters likes a joke. Proclaims to be only 21.

    Recently the former Live And Kicking star was pictured with sporting legend Daley Thompson along with day time TV hunk Ben Shephard, who quipped in a tweet: “Is it me or is @Daley_thompson actually younger than @andipeters??”

    Before adding: “Looks Awesome” – Seems like Ben Shephard might have a budding bromance on the rise. However was Andi less than impressed by being compared with Thomson is 12 years his senior?

    Andi Peters was quick to jump in with: “I’m Only 21.”

    Andi Peters who has a rigorous workout regime looks quite honesty stunning. The presenter is now aged 44 and will be turning 45 in July.

  • Want Perfect Teeth? Experts Suggest Swigging Oil For 20 Minutes

    Thanks to a host of celebrity endorsements, ‘oil pulling’ has become one of the latest health crazes to sweep the nation. Pulling involves swishing a mouthful of oil around your mouth for up to twenty minutes and then spitting it out.

    A supposedly ancient holistic practice, pulling is claimed to have a range of health benefits and coconut oil is said to be one of the best oils to use because of its apparent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits. However, despite the growing popularity of the practice, there has been little or no scientific evidence to show that it works…until now that is.

    A new study has been published looking at the effect of oil pulling in 60 people. The study was carried out over a 30 day period and measured how using coconut oil for pulling effects the levels of plaque and plaque induced gingivitis (gum disease) in the mouth.

    The researchers found that by day 7 pulling with coconut oil had significantly reduced levels of plaque and gingivitis since the start of the study. They then observed that these levels continued to drop until the end of the study.

    So it seems, on this occasion at least, celebrities have got it right!

    If you’re going to swill a spoonful of oil around your mouth for 20 minutes you’ll want it to be both tasty and effective, one such product is Coconoil which makers claim is both of these.

    With fans ranging from Olympic skeleton bobsleigher Amy Williams to Tinie Tempah, Coconoil is one of the highest quality virgin coconut oils available. Not only is the oil organic, ensuring there are no nasties in sight, but it is cold pressed, meaning coconut flesh effectively has the oil squeezed out of it – many other coconut oils are prepared using high heat, which can be detrimental to its taste and health benefits.

    It’s also high in lauric acid, which is the main active component of coconut oil and the sign of a quality product.

    Furthermore, Coconoil also helps more than just the health of those using it. The brand was set up after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami as a way to help rebuild the livelihoods of Sri Lankan farmers and today helps keep over 200 Sri Lankans in employment. The brand has also just started a new project with 200 smallholders from five villages in Ghana, and hope throughout 2015 they can replicate some of the success they have seen in Sri Lanka and help to create new jobs and income streams for those involved.

  • Queer As Folk Actress Returns To Emmerdale

    Viewers last saw Joanie when Kyle’s mother, Amy Wyatt (Chelsea Halfpenny) went on the run leaving on a ferry. Joanie took custody of her adopted grandson Kyle and returned with the boy, to her life in Leeds.

    Joanie is now down on her luck, living in temporary housing and struggling to bring Kyle up. With nowhere to turn, she contacts Kyle’s real father Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) for some money, to help her with a flat deposit, safe in the knowledge Cain would never want Kyle in his life.

    Yet when she’s suddenly mugged, robbing her of Cain’s hand-out, Joanie is at rock bottom, knowing Kyle could be taken away as she doesn’t have a proper roof over their head.

    A desperate Joanie soon arrives in Emmerdale village where Cain is furious to see her but could it be the Dingle family who offer Joanie the help she so badly needs?

    Denise explains: “I am very excited to be coming back to Emmerdale. It’s a lovely show to work on and I’m well set for Joanie’s revival. I bet she has learned a thing or two since we last saw her. Is she still a single grandma? Has she changed? How is Kyle? I can’t wait to find out.”

    Denise also have a brief appearance in Channel 4’s hit Cucumber.

    Denise’s reappearance is screened from Wednesday 17th June on ITV’s Emmerdale.

  • Sexy Lingerie For Men Is Here

    Sexy Lingerie For Men Is Here at Last (!)

    According to a report in The Independent today it appears that is not just women who are interested in wearing sexy lingerie nowadays. In fact some Australian men have been wearing it for years, and now the brand HommeMystere that was launched in 2008, was recently was made available to buy online and has since been attracting customers from across 30 countries.

    The label was created by couple Brent and Lara Krause who wanted to give men more choice beyond our standard tighty whities. They offer a wide variety of lace-trimmed boxer briefs, suspenders, racy thongs and even bras, also known as manssieres, and whilst all the lingerie pieces look like women’s underwear, they are specifically designed to fit a male body.

    HommeMystere describe their customers as “male, married and older than 40 with impeccable taste.’ “He has discerning taste in underwear and wants luxury garments, but does not need to show it off to others. He wants something new and exciting to buy. Our goal has always been to offer an alternative style of underwear for men, based on their physique rather than their sexuality,” the company says on its website.

    Despite many people thinking the designs are meant to cater primarily for the LGBT community, a survey carried by the brand has actually revealed that 90% of customers are in heterosexual relationships.

    Explaining why men like to wear sexy hosiery, founder Brent recently told ‘The Huffington Post’ ”I think bras are just something they [men] like the feel of. I don’t know whether it’s the tightness around the chest or what it is, but it’s definitely the feeling that they’re after.’

    The Jury is definitely out on this one at TheGayUK but if this your ‘thing’ then shop away at https://www.hommemystere.com

    @RogerWalkerDack

  • Ex Policeman Wows Simon Cowell With Beyonce Drag Act

    Aaron Carty a 29-year-old ex-policeman from London went full-on Sasha fierce in the last episode of Britain’s Got Talent.

    Aaron wowed the judges with his drag dance act to a medley of Beyoncé hits.

    https://vimeo.com/127143487

     

    Even Alesha got up and had a wiggle.

  • Is The Simpsons Losing Its Main Gay Character?

    Will The Simpsons be left without its main gay character?

    Harry Shearer who voices the openly gay character Waylon Smithers in The Simpson might be leaving the long running comedy possible contract disputes.

    Shearer who also voices Ned Flanders, Skinner and Mr Burns is said to be leaving after 26 seasons of the Fox show after a disagreement on the freedom for its actors to take on other work.

    The actor who is reportedly paid up to $300,000 per episode has allegedly had contractual disagreements over the voice actors taking on other work, whilst under contract with The Simpsons. In 2011 Shearer released a statement after Fox, the programme’s owners said that they needed to reduce costs as it said the economic model was becoming unviable. The cast including Shearer stated that they would be happy to take a pay cut in order to keep the show running.

    SMITHERS’ GAYEST MOMENTS

     

    TWITTER BLAST

    Show executive producer James L. Brooks’ lawyer said: ‘Show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best”

    Shearer responded with: “This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best.”

    According to the The Hollywood Reporter the actor was the last hold up in the latest round of re-negotiations of contracts, with the rest of the cast signing up for season 27 and season 28.

    Last year Shearer appeared in Daytona with Maureen Lipman.

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