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  • Church Plans Event For People Who Want To “Overcome” Their Sexuality

    The Seventh Day Adventist Church is planning to bring a seminar to London that is aimed at people who have “struggled” with same-sex attraction.

    According to the advert, three people Mike Carducci, Wayne Blakely and Danielle Harrison have found “redemption, victory, healing and freedom from their lifestyle.” and want to talk to members of the public about their “struggles” with homosexuality.

    The advert also claims,

    “This conference will be invaluable for those who are struggling with their sexuality or for those who wish to find out more about issues surrounding sexuality and same sex attraction to reach out to others.”

    GayStarNews has called the free event, called Holy Sexuality Conference a “gay cure summit”.

    Speaking in a video Carducci spoke about how God had anointed him to start a ministry called Exceed, which stands for “Excellence in Christ through evangelism for the erotically defiled.”

    Speaking to GSN one of organisers of the event, said Anamaria, “These three people have overcome what many people are still struggling with, the people who felt so unloved. For them, they have moved out of this lifestyle and embraced Christianity,’ she said.

    “It’s like committing adultery. This conference will teach homosexuals how to overcome similar habits.”

  • FILM REVIEW | Straight Acting

    ★★★★ | Straight Acting

    To most ‘out’ gay men “straight acting” is a derogatory term that is the equivalent of self-loathing. This rather inspiring and enthusiastic wee documentary is one man’s journey coming out of the closet and seeking to define his own concept of being gay when he felt he didn’t fit in with any of the stereotypes that he had known to date.

    Spencer Windes was the middle child of a middle-class Mormon family who always did what was expected of him, most of the time that is. At 19 he went off to be a Missionary as his church told him to do, and then he returned home to find a girl, get married and start his own family. Trouble was it didn’t turn out quite like that as Spencer Windes was a deeply closeted gay man and he just hoped that Jesus would sort him out. And we all know how well that usually works out!

    At 31 years old, a deeply unhappy four times college drop out Spencer, now weighing some 300 lbs, was unemployed and still living at home. And then the planes crashed on that fateful day on 9/11 and this was the epiphany that changed his life. On the plane that crashed into the field in Pennsylvania one of the heroes who had tried to stop the terrorists was Mark Bingham. He was not only a big burly (handsome) man, but he was also openly gay. He was also a member of San Francisco FOG a new all openly gay Rugby Team, and that part blew Spencer away. To be out and gay was one thing, but to be able to play a rough contact sport like that was totally another.

    It inspired him to start losing waiting and sign up to join the LA Ironsides even though he had never played rugby in his life before. Much more importantly it opened his eyes to what was a startling concept to him (and other gay men who live rural lives in particular) to all the alternative gay ‘lifestyles’ that now existed, and which became the subject of this movie.

    He went to gay rodeos in the Mid West and met the riders, and to New York to meet gay hockey players and interviewed men who had also struggled with initially opening the closet door, but once they got a taste of what was the other side, came out fully. The universal message from them all was that they had found a gay lifestyle where they fitted in, and were now happy in the own skins at last.

    He also followed the journey of the (eventual) success of his own rugby team as it flew to London to complete in the Gay Rugby World Cup poignantly named after Mark Bingham, and there is one very emotional scene where Mark’s mother makes a wee speech to the hoards of excited gay rugby players.

    This is no dazzling or profound highly polished documentary but simply the highly personalised account of one very likeable young man’s journey of discovery that I think a lot of others struggling with their own identity would find both uplifting and touching. I really warmed to it, so much so that I can’t wait to start playing rugby! No really, I will.

  • BOOK REVIEW | An Honest Life – Faithful and Gay, Geoffrey Hooper

    Before I review this book I must declare a bias, I know the author.

    Geoffrey Hooper is a 75 year-old gay man that lives in the same village as Andy and I. In the two years we’ve known him he has become an integral part of our life here in Mid-Wales. He has a huge heart, can drink us under the table and used to be an Anglican vicar!

    So when he told us he’d written a book my first instinct was to be afraid – what if I didn’t like it, what if it was bad?

    I needn’t have worried – An Honest Life is a very interesting tale indeed.

    Written in his own words, the narrative recounts key moments in Geoffrey’s life from birth to the present day. It’s the story of a how through being many different versions of himself including a husband, a father, a divorcee, a lover, a counsellor and a priest he has discovered who he is and ultimately embraced his life as a gay man.

    Geoffrey was born a humble greengrocers son on the eve of the Second World War. Growing up in a world before any of the gay freedoms we enjoy today, his path begins with self-denial and fitting in at all costs. It’s hard for me as a reader to contemplate the reality of being gay at the time but Geoffrey’s story offers me a glimpse into a world that I – as a young (ish!) gay man – should never forget.

    The book looks at the two distinct themes of homosexuality and faith, and how they both push and pull the author relentlessly throughout his life.

    The narrative has an almost essay-like feel (especially in the later chapters) which is easy to read in large chunks. I devoured the whole thing in a couple of sittings as each stage of his life led the author closer and closer to what he refers to as his ‘true self’

    Parts of the book left me desperate for more detail – there are specific sections with fleeting references to relationships and experiences that beg to be explored further and in more visceral depth. In a memoir this fascinating it can be somewhat frustrating for the reader to be teased with the hint of an encounter and then left to wonder how it played out. But in a story involving living people I can see the need for discretion, especially considering the subject matter.

    If, like me, you’ve had any sort of experience with organised religion (I went to Sunday School, sung in the choir etc) then this book will have something to say to you. I turned my back on the Church as I grew up and had even less to do with any form of religion once I came out, however reading Geoffrey’s story and seeing how he has kept spirituality in his life throughout his tumultuous journey resonated with me long after I finished the book.

    Homosexuality and religion are such an explosive mix – An Honest Life, is a great read if you have any interest in how being both faithful and gay can cause harm, demonstrate unconditional love and ultimately lead to peace.

    Although written as one man’s story, this book will resonate with you as a reader if you’ve ever struggled with your faith, your identity or with the way the rest of the world sees you.

    So I guess that’s everyone then.

  • $140,000 For #Pizza4Equality Campaign

    The campaign to raise money for homeless LGBT youth in the US, has reached $137,000 in less than a week.

    The campaign that is running in contrast to the Memories Pizza fund, which was started to support an Indiana family who said they would deny service to gay couples, has reached nearly $140,000 in just 6 days and is backed by 3649 donors. The Memories pizza fund was capped at $842,000, before the organisers handed over the funds to the O’Connor family.

    A petition calling GoFundMe, the crowd funding service used to collect the funds, to dump the page was created. Dana Loesch, the commentator who helped the Memories Pizza fund gain traction, jeeringly wrote on her blog, “A whole 24 supporters looks daunting (snicker).”

    The #Pizza4Equality campaign, which backs the Cyndi Lauper True Colors Foundation, was set up by Scott Wooledge who said,
    “There is much disgust and consternation in the LGBT community over a viral fundraiser effort, that has as of this writing, earned $842,387. Many have lamented, ‘if only our cause could raise that much money that fast’

    “I say, yes, we can.

    “So I looked and saw that Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund has set April 29 as the first national #40toNoneDay to end #LGBT youth homelessness! And I thought, would it not be totally awesome if we equality supporters (and pizza lovers) could match that #MemoriesPizza “charity” by April 29? Can we match their amount and help homeless youth get off the street, learn life skills and get an education and jobs?

    “I’m an dreamer, but I say yes, we can!”

  • President Obama Supports Ban On Conversion Therapy For Minors

    In a groundbreaking statement issued from The White House last night President Obama responded to a ‘We the People’ petition urging the government to Enact ‘Leelah’s Law to Ban All LGBTQ Conversion Therapy’ after it had reached more than 120,000 signatures.

    The President is quoted “Tonight, somewhere in America, a young person, let’s say a young man, will struggle to fall to sleep, wrestling alone with a secret he’s held as long as he can remember. Soon, perhaps, he will decide it’s time to let that secret out. What happens next depends on him, his family, as well as his friends and his teachers and his community. But it also depends on us — on the kind of society we engender, the kind of future we build.”

     

    His White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett added,

    “We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer youth…As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors…This Administration believes that young people should be valued for who they are, no matter what they look like, where they’re from, the gender with which they identify, or who they love.”

    Leelah Alcorn was a 17-year-old transgender youth, who stunned her friends and a vast Internet audience in December when she threw herself in front of a tractor-trailer after writing in an online suicide note that religious therapists had tried to convert her back to being a boy.

    In an interview with the New York Times, Ms. Jarrett said Mr. Obama had been moved by the story of Ms. Alcorn’s suicide. But she said the problem went far beyond Ms. Alcorn.

    “It was tragic, but I will tell you, unfortunately, she has a lot of company,” Ms. Jarrett said. “It’s not the story of one young person. It is the story of countless young people who have been subjected to this.

    It also marks another step forward for the President too whose ideas about gay marriage had “evolved”. But he now supports same-sex marriage and has sought greater equality of treatment for gay men and lesbians in the government and the private work force. In his first term, he pushed the Pentagon to end the notorious ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy that had kept gay service members from serving openly.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Barnum, UK theatre tour 2015

    ★★★ | Barnum

    Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Barnum charts the rise and rise of one of America’s most famous showmen, Phineas T. Barum, whose showmanship and panache for the spectacular led him to become one of America’s richest men. Starting off with a small sideshow, brick by brick he builds his entertainment empire into the greatest show on earth, whilst all the time being supported by his patient and understanding wife. The balance between his dreams and her grounded reality are evident, but his love is tested when he meets beautiful opera singer, Jenny Lind.

    Barnum, as a show itself, is perhaps not best remembered for its storyline, which is thinner than the usual musical; nor for its particularly memorable songs. The show itself is a fairly episodic affair, with the set pieces being broken up by scenes, mainly between Barnum and his wife, which carry the narrative. However, what this production will be remembered for is an absolute abundance of colourful, joyful energy during the big numbers, assaulting the senses with rousing singing and spectacularly choreographed routines. Filling the stage with a plethora of circus skills, including tumbling, ribbon work, silks, tightrope waking and balancing, there is no denying the fact that this is a performance which has been polished to within an inch of its life.

    Playing very much to his strengths, Brian Conley won me over in his performance as Barnum, as his wry smile and casual banter with the audience kept him just on the right side of being the confident, consummate showman; both as the character and in himself.

    Whilst this may have been Conley’s show, he was supported by a large and talented cast, including Linzi Hateley, Kimberly Blake and Landi Oshinowo, a packed out ensemble of very talented dancers and circus performers and a live orchestra. The scale of the production is impressive and it is clear to see the budget, quality and experience behind the production itself, with not only the visuals being bold, brash and ballsy, but in also the technical presentation of the show being wholly impressive, nowhere more evident than the superb lighting designed by Paule Constable.

    With its colour, vibrancy, sense of fun and its full throttle energy, Barnum may well be very much style over substance; but the style it has is undeniably top notch.

    Barnum is currently playing at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk) until Saturday 11th April 2015, before continuing on its national tour (www.barnummusical.com) calling at Leeds, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Plymouth, Southampton, Canterbury, Birmingham, Salford and Cardiff.

  • Did Barry Marry Garry? Manilow In Secret Wedding Ceremony?

    There have been several media reports that Barry Manilow has married his long-term manager Garry Keif in a secret ceremony last year.

    Barry Manilow

    US magazine and People magazine are proudly proclaiming that Barry Manilow has married his long-term male manager, Garry Keif in a secret wedding.

    According to a source close to Manilow, 71, the superstar allegedly invited a number of his closest friends to a party at his Palm Springs home, where they were surprised to learn that the party was actually a wedding ceremony.

    The Mandy singer has never publicly come out as gay or bisexual, but he did tell The Daily Telegraph in 2012, that he wasn’t dating anyone and that he was happily single.

    According to Radar online, the source said,

    “Barry and Garry did not tell friends or family that the occasion was their wedding.

    “It was a beautiful wedding and consummated their lifelong love affair.”

    Manilow’s publicist has refused to comment on the reports, stating,

    “We don’t comment on my client’s personal lives – that is all I am going to say about this.”

    Barry Manilow has been married once before, he walked Susan Deixler down the aisle in 1996, but the pair parted after two years together.

  • Nearly 70,000 Sign Petition To Bring Back Looking

    When HBO announced that they were cancelling Looking, many fans were dismayed that the first mainstream gay male programming since Queer As Folk was coming to an end.

    A petition was quickly created and nearly 70,000 fans have already put their names to the request to HBO to “Honour our stories and renew Looking for 3rd season!”

    Before the petition was created, speaking about the demise of Looking, a spokesman for HBO said, “after two years of following Patrick and his tight-knit group of friends as they explored San Francisco in search of live and lasting relationships, HBO will present the final chapter of their journey as a ‘special’’’.

    The show is being cancelled despite rave reviews from critics both in the US and here in the UK.

    The creators of the petition said,

    “Looking is a breakthrough show that provided one of the most honest and refreshing portrayals of modern gay culture. Looking features story-lines and characters that depict the real emotional complexity of people living with HIV, and tackles tough issues like transgender homelessness. It truly is like nothing else on TV.

    “To some fans of the show, it is the truest representation of themselves on TV; for others, it is a rare opportunity to see characters that remind them of their friends, loved ones and fellow community-members.

    “HBO has a history of taking risks for the sake of artistic expression and producers around the world look to HBO as a trendsetter.”

  • Gay friendly pub in Wakefield opens itself to UKIP rallies and events

    A gay friendly pub in Wakefield, Yorkshire has opened its doors for UKIP to hold meetings and events in.

    The Harewood Arms, a gay friendly pub in Wakefield is open to opening its doors to UKIP meetings and events, in what is thought to be the UK’s only gay friendly UKIP endorsing establishment.

    Many of the pubs regulars have reacted with dismay that UKIP, a party with members who have had their fair share of homophobic headlines like this and this, could be allowed to use the pub for meetings and events.

    The announcement was made last weekend on Facebook, when landlord Matt Eason wrote in a message to UKIP Wakefield,

    “We’re not planning on painting the interior yellow and purple any time soon, however we do support the ukip stance on the pub industry. Not one person can agree 100 % with any parties policies, you have to choose the few that are right for you. That’s why it’s called politics.”

    “We may loose one or two customers ‘support’ but will gain more in other ways. Im not going to sit by and watch our current government tax us thousands a year in unfair business rates and continue to take the piss with beer duty.

    “Increased tax on beer and the smoking ban is what has ruined the pub trade and I’m not gonna sit here and say that it’s fine and not do anything about it. In the 3 years I’ve controlled the business side of the Harewood it has never made a profit, ever !

    “I can confirm there will be a rally style meet and greet evening at the pub the dates will be confirmed so that people offended by it have the choice to not visit the pub that day”

    Yesterday a theatre company in London sent an open invite to Nigel Farage to it’s comedy play about HIV after he was criticised by the other leaders on the televised debate, with Plaid Cymru’s leader Leanne Wood winning the first applause from the audience after saying that he should be “ashamed” for his remarks.

  • Is this the most romantic proposal ever? Instagram boyfriends get engaged

    Two men who found love on Instagram have become engaged via the social network, in a heart-warming video surprise.

    Ryan and Scott get engaged / YouTube
    Ryan and Scott get engaged / YouTube

    Ryan and Scott have been together ever since they met via Instagram. Last week, Ryan asked Scott to marry him after a day of secret tasks sent via instagram messages. The video on YouTube has gone viral clocking up nearly 70,000 views.

    Speaking to TheGayUK Ryan said, “Scott and I met on Instagram (@scttsndr and @ryanpdonegan) and have been inseparable ever since. I created his perfect day of surprises (including out of town friends and family) for him using Instagram to post clues along the way.

    “I grew up in a Southern state here in the US where gay rights are few, so I think it’s important to share our stories.”

  • Nearly 70,000 Sign Petition To Bring Back Looking

    When HBO announced that they were cancelling Looking, many fans were dismayed that the first mainstream gay male programming since Queer As Folk was coming to an end.

    A petition was quickly created and nearly 70,000 fans have already put their names to the request to HBO to “Honour our stories and renew Looking for 3rd season!”

    Before the petition was created, speaking about the demise of Looking, a spokesman for HBO said, “after two years of following Patrick and his tight-knit group of friends as they explored San Francisco in search of live and lasting relationships, HBO will present the final chapter of their journey as a ‘special’’’.

    The show is being cancelled despite rave reviews from critics both in the US and here in the UK.

    The creators of the petition said, “Looking is a breakthrough show that provided one of the most honest and refreshing portrayals of modern gay culture. Looking features story-lines and characters that depict the real emotional complexity of people living with HIV, and tackles tough issues like transgender homelessness. It truly is like nothing else on TV.

    “To some fans of the show, it is the truest representation of themselves on TV; for others, it is a rare opportunity to see characters that remind them of their friends, loved ones and fellow community-members.

    “HBO has a history of taking risks for the sake of artistic expression and producers around the world look to HBO as a trendsetter.”

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