THEGAYUK

Search results for: “ ”

  • OP ED: Domestic Violence: We need to talk about the female perpetrator

    As we are coming up to International Women’s Day Broken Rainbow UK would like to discuss the on-going issue in contemporary society of the female perpetrator and how we come to terms with her existence.

    For many this is an uncomfortable conversation to have, but having it does not undermine the decades of work by feminist movements in raising awareness of men’s violence against women. Talking about the issue doesn’t mean that domestic violence isn’t overwhelmingly a gendered issue, but what it does mean is that the conversation needs to be broader and the support in place more inclusive.

    For too long we appear to have been convinced domestic violence and abuse can only occur between a man and a woman in a heterosexual relationship and it is high time we try and understand that women in same-sex relationships can be as violent and abusive as their male counterparts.

    Following the sentencing of the mother of the killed eight-year-old girl Ayesha Ali and her partner this week, it has become very clear just how the female perpetrator is described as someone ‘possessed’ or ‘acting like a witch’ rather than an individual who has committed a crime.

    This in many ways belittles the violent act committed by these two women and also makes a very complex and traumatic series of events, into a very simplified and one-sided narrative.

    It is clear that the child and the mother were both subject to systematic domestic abuse and violence by the mother’s partner. The mother in this situation must be understood as simultaneously a victim and perpetrator of violence.

    As an LGBT confidential helpline for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse Broken Rainbow supports many female perpetrators of violence and we are aware of the complexity of the situation and the constant silencing of the issue.

    We need to start recognising that just as heterosexual men can be violent and abusive, so can women, and that these acts are not ‘supernatural’ but in fact sadly form part of many people’s every day life, heterosexual as well as LGBT. Embracing a traditional narrative about domestic violence, that women are victims of male violence, doesn’t just mean that same sex violence falls through the cracks. It also means that children like Ayesha living in abusive households with same sex parents stand a much better chance of survival.

    by Jo Harvey Barringer

    Broken Rainbow: http://www.brokenrainbow.org.uk

     

  • RIP: Albert Maysles: Director Of Grey Gardens Dies

    Albert Maysles, the director who, alongside his brother David, revolutionised documentary filmmaking, died at the age of 88 Thursday night. Amongst his long body of work, he will always fondly be known for introducing Little Edie to the world in Grey Gardens which has become classic particularly among the gay community.

    In 1975 the Maysles had been making a film on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ younger sister Lee Radziwill, the brothers met Edith Bouvier Beale, Onassis’ free-spirited cousin, and her mother, affectionately known as “Big Edie.” The Maysles scrapped their planned film on Radziwill and began to film the story of Big and Little Edie living in squalor in their near-condemned Long Island mansion.

    Best known for their love of cinéma vérité the Brothers worked spanned from their documentary in 1964 The Beatles: The First US Visit to a series of movies on the artist Christo which earned them an Oscar Nomination.

    David Maysles, the younger brother died in 1987 and since then Albert has continued to make films the latest of which is Iris a profile of 93-year iconic fashion maven Iris Apfel which is being released next month.

    PS. Iris is being screened at Miami International Film Festival this weekend and Mr Maysles and Ms Apfel had agreed to an interview with THEGAYUK Film Editor Roger Walker-Dack.

  • “We Do Not Like Gays Living Here” Vile Welcome Note To Gay Couple

    A gay couple that have recently moved to a small town in Yorkshire, England, were shocked to find this most unwelcoming note from a neighbour.

    A note that a gay couple reportedly received when they moved to a village near York has surfaced on Twitter and Facebook. The letter contained outrageous homophobic terms such as backstabbers and s*** stabbers.

    The person who wrote the note was quite adamant that the couple would cause trouble for the neighbourhood saying, “This is a respectable village. We do not like gays living here, we do not want a load of gays coming and going day and night.

    We have heard about the partys (sic) you have, and the young lads you having stayed the night.

    “You only have young lads for one thing.

    “You [are] a pair of s*** stabbers,

    “You pair of dirty b*****ds,

    “We will have you run out of the village.

    “This is a warning so get this house up for sale and push off back where you came from, you are not welcome here.
    “S*** stabbers.”

    It is unclear whether the police have been informed, however, The Mirror states that the police are believed to be investigating the note.

    The York Pride facebook page wrote, “Why are pride events important in 2015? Read this letter received by someone right here in North Yorkshire to see what views still exist in 2015!”

  • Gay Domestic Violence Helpline Funded For Another 12 Months

    Broken Rainbow UK, the LGBT domestic violence charity, received confirmation this afternoon that the funding for their helpline is secure for another 12 months.

    The charity that has been campaigning for several months to save the helpline, received the news just hours before their board was due to meet to decide on its closure.

    Managing Director of Broken Rainbow, Jo Harvey Barringer, says, “What has kept us going these past difficult months has been the incredible level of support from the general public particularly those from within the LGBT community and the women’s domestic violence sector.”

    In January there were fears that the charity would not be funded after the Home Office failed to announce whether funding would be extended for another year. The potential closure was lambasted by MP Caroline Lucas as “perverse and counterproductive”

    Broken Rainbow has received over £25,000 for the campaign ‘There is no Pride in Domestic Abuse’. And tens of thousands of people have shared the campaign and cause on social media. Just this morning a petition with 30,000 signatures on it was delivered to the Home Secretary.

    Broken Rainbow has been overwhelmed by some of the comments it has received from past service users.

    Jo Harvey Barringer continues, “We know what we do makes a difference to many people’s lives, but for them to share what has been some of their most difficult life experiences and how we made a positive difference to that, has been humbling and affirming that the service we offer is a vital one that needs to continue.”

    Here are some of the amazing comments Broken Rainbow has been sent in the past months, thank you so much for sharing:

    ‘As a lesbian whilst coming out in my teens I found help and support from various groups now it’s a chance for me to give something back. Even though I have never been a victim of any sort of domestic abuse I do know those who have with nowhere to turn to these organisations are lifelines please keep them operating’

    ‘This is one cause you can not drop…too many depend on Broken Rainbow, without their help there would be nowhere to turn to… and more will suffer in silence.’

    ‘A vital service. I have been through d.v with an ex-partner and found support through your website. Thank you’

    Broken Rainbow is extremely grateful for your support and we will continue to work for a society where LGBT victims of domestic violence and abuse have access to the services they need, free of any prejudice and homophobia.

  • Three Men Marry In Thailand In First Ever Gay Thruple Marriage

    Three gay men in Thailand have entered into what is thought the world’s first three-way same-sex marriage.

    Art and Joke have been together since and they later met Bell in a hospital and they proposed marriage to him. Bell said, “Some people may not agree and are probably amazed by our decision, but we believe many people do understand and accept our choice. Love is love, after all.”

    Although same-sex marriage is not recognised in Thailand, the three men all in their 20s were able to marry under Buddhist law, and they exchanged vows on Valentine’s Day in Uthai Thani Province.

  • Gay Marriage Could Still Be Halted In Slovenia

    Slovenia’s Parliament voted yesterday to legalise same-sex marriages and grant such unions equal rights to those of heterosexual couples, which means it also enables same-sex couples to adopt children too.

    The bill was approved by a vote of 51 to 28 in the 90-seat Parliament.

    During the session, some 2,000 people gathered in front of parliament to protest against the bill and announce they will launch a petition for a referendum to prevent it from entering into force. According to Slovenia’s legislation, a referendum on the implementation of a bill can be called if 40,000 citizens with their signatures back such a vote.

  • First Former Communist Country, Slovenia To Make Gay Marriage A Reality

    Slovenia has become the first post-Communist country to announce the legalisation of same-sex marriages in time for the second annual Pink Week 2015 celebration in May.

    Two million more people in Europe will be living with marriage equality as the Slovene government announces the introduction of same-sex marriage in time for PinkWeek 2015.

    On Tuesday the 3rd of March the Slovenian parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriages. This makes Slovenia the first of any former Yugoslavian/Balkan country to pass such a law.

    In the past two years, Slovenia has become increasingly recognised as one of Europe’ s most LGBT-friendly locations, not least due to the establishing of special LGBT tours and the country’s annual Pink Week.
    Designed specifically for the global LGBT community and their open-minded friends, Pink Week encompasses an exclusive full-spectrum getaway experience that allows participants to discover Slovenia’s hidden gems and culinary delights in a single three-night break.

    Matej & Mattej founders co-creator of Slovenia’s Pink Week, said, “We are absolutely delighted that Slovenia has become the first post-Communist country to legalise same-sex marriage. It is yet more proof that this beautiful country is now one of Europe’s top destinations for LGBT travellers.”

    As it stands in March 2015 LGBTs in Slovenia celebrate the following rights:

    ◉ Same-sex sexual activity legal (since 1977)
    ◉ Equal age of consent (since 1977)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in employment only (since 1998)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services (since 1998)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) (since 1998)
    ◉ Same-sex marriages (since 2015)
    ◉ Recognition of same-sex couples (since 2006)
    ◉ Step-child adoption by same-sex couples (since 2011)
    ◉ Joint adoption by same-sex couples (since 2015)
    ◉ Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military
    ◉ Right to change legal gender
    ◉ MSMs NOT allowed to donate blood
    ◉ Access to IVF for lesbians
    ◉ NO Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples (banned for heterosexual couples as well)

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Beautiful

    ★★★★ | Beautiful

    Will you Still Love me tomorrow. I feel the Earth Move. You’ve got a Friend. These are just a few songs written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin that are included in the new West End Show Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

    While Carole King might not be known to the younger generation, anyone 50 and older know her, and her music, very well. In the 1960s she, along with her husband Goffin, wrote dozens and dozens of hit songs including The Locomotion, You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, and Up on The Roof. Beautiful tells the story of King’s life, how when she was a young girl and sold her first song to music producer Don Kirshner, to meeting her songwriting partner, and partner in life, Gerry Goffin, to being a single mother as well as a very very successful singer and songwriter. In Beautiful, King is played by the energetic Katie Brayben, from the piano playing right down to the curly hair, the resemblance is very good.

    Beautiful covers King’s life from age 16 to the age of 29, when she’s at Carnegie Hall performing So Far Away – a hit single from her mega-selling and multiple grammy winning album Tapestry. It’s just Brayben and the piano on stage. The show then goes back in time, the time when teenager King (Brayben) is at home in Brooklyn wanting to go into Manhattan to sell songs to Kirshner, but her mom tells her that she’s not going into Manhattan all by herself. When King does get to Kirshner’s (played by Gary Trainor) office, she meets people there who will be the key players in her life. She meets Cynthia Weil (Lorna Want) and Barry Mann (Ian McIntosh), a songwriting couple, but more importantly she meets Goffin (Alan Morrissey). They start a romance, but King gets pregnant so her and Goffin (played by Alan Morrissey) get married. He loves her, and they literally make beautiful mussic together – they are at their best when writing songs, and they write some of the biggest hits of the 1960s. But over time Goffin starts to feel like he’s being tied down and wants to take advantage of their new celebrity status, while King wants them to go home at the end of each day and spend time as a family. It’s a stressful situation for King, and it doesn’t help that Goffin is having mental problems to go along with his infidelity. And this is the plot of Beautiful – the relationship between King and Goffin and their very close friendship with Weil and Mann.

    But in between this storytelling we get great musical performances by the ensemble in the show – the actors who play the musicians that King and Goffin write songs for. And this is when Beautiful comes alive. The ensemble really lets it rip, and brings life and colour to the show when they perform songs such as 1650 Broadway Melody, Some Kind of Wonderful and On Broadway, among others.

    Beautiful is a female singer, songwriter, mother, daughter, an American, and British-born Brayben does a fine job in portraying King. Recently seen in American Psycho, Brayben can sing and act, and can hit all the notes, and like King, Brayben writes her own music. Her hairstyle changes throughout the course of the show, most of these styles, however, make her look much older than the character she is playing.

    Morrissey is fine as Goffin, excited about their love yet still not sure that’s he’s happy or not in their relationship. Want and McIntosh are excellent as their best friends, and even more so when they provide emotional support after King’s breakup of her marriage. The staging of the show is fine, moving from living rooms to recording studios to Kirshner’s offices – but it’s Peter Kaczorowski‘s lighting that literally and figuratively lights up the stage. If only the book of the show was as good. By Douglas McGrath, the book is very mundane and not very dramatic – sure we care about King’s life but give us more of the music and razzle-dazzle and less of their bickering and conversations.It’s a musical that should be a musical, yet Beautiful plays more like a drama show with bits of music thrown in. But the show redeems itself when near the end, Brayben (as King) and the ensemble bring down the house with the song ‘You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” – it’s a moment when you realize that King really is the greatest female songwriter of all time.

    Beautiful The Carole King Musical plays at the Aldwych Theatre,  until 5th August 2017

  • Final Moments Of Man Accused Of Being Gay Captured By ISIS Supporters

    Final Moments Of Man Accused Of Being Gay Captured By ISIS Supporters

    The sickening last moments of a man accused of being gay in Raqqa, Syria were captured by a throng of on lookers, as ISIS’s murderous rampage against gay men continues.

    (more…)

  • FILM REVIEW | Global Warming

    Do not be put off by this ominous title as this is not an environmental doomsday prediction about the state of our planet, but simply a selection of four boy-lit short movies where the action sometimes gets steamy.

    ★★★

    The first is You Can’t Curry Love which is the story of a young Asian gay man who cannot get a boyfriend back home in the UK, but when he flies to India on a business trip he falls in love with the very first man he meets and who happens to be Sunil the handsome front desk clerk at his hotel. This too-cute-for-words tale also serves as an infomercial with Sunil preaching on how far gay rights have/have not progressed in his country. They wrap up this happily-ever-after very slight story with one of those camp song and dance numbers that are the mainstay of every Bollywood movie.

    Daddy’s Big Girl is a less than satisfactory tale of a sad overweight girl desperately trying to reconcile with her self-centred man-hungry father who is only interested in being a ‘daddy’ to the stream of young gym trainers he beds.

    The third movie in this compilation, and probably the best, is Foreign Relations. Shy Tom is assigned to bunk up with handsome Greek Nikos on a group vacation trip. Unsurprisingly Tom totally falls for Nikos even though he has no idea if his new friend shares his preference for boys. By the time this sweet tale ends you are hoping for Tom’s sake that he does.

    The fourth and final movie is Performance Anxiety which is the most amusing one in the quartet. It is the tale of two straight actors who have been cast to play gay in a movie. Both are naturally cute to boot and unnecessarily are as worried as hell. They really needn’t be, as they both would fit in extremely well on our team any day. Or night.

    All written and directed by filmmaker Reid Watererand filmed with a cast of engaging young actors, this enjoyable new collection would make a perfect date movie. It may not warm the globe, but it will probably get you hot under the collar at times.

     

  • Could this be the most homoerotic music video of all time?

    Could this be the most homoerotic music video of all time?

    Stand aside George Michael, The Janoskians might have just released the most homoerotic music video of all time for their single: LA GIRL. (more…)

More posts