THEGAYUK

Search results for: “ ”

  • When Being Is Just Not Enough, I Mean What Is A Sapiosexual?

    Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, there wasn’t even an option for being gay on dating websites used mainly by straight people, but now OKCupid has begun offering select users twelve options to describe their sexual orientation.

    What’s even more generous of them is that you don’t have to stick with just one, as they allow you to select “up to five” of those twelve to describe themselves. Some bright spark has worked out that’s a possible 1,585 different combinations.

    Here are the twelve choices:

    1. Demisexual: no sexual attraction toward any person unless they become deeply emotionally or romantically connected to someone
    2. Asexual: does not experience sexual attraction
    3. Straight: attracted to opposite sex
    4. Gay: male attracted to other males
    5. Bisexual: attracted to both sexes
    6. Lesbian: female attracted to other females
    7. Questioning: not sure of sexual orientation
    8. Heteroflexible: mostly heterosexual, with minimal homosexual activity
    9. Homoflexible: mostly homosexual, with minimal heterosexual activity
    10. Queer: someone who does not conform to traditional sex or gender norms
    11. Pansexual: sexual or emotional attraction, desire, or romantic love toward people of any sex or gender identity
    12. Sapiosexual: sexual attraction based primarily on intelligence

    When you have finally decided who you are, then you can pick a gender identity that best describes you too.

    It’s great that such organisations and corporations are now starting to recognise that we are all different.

    We have just one tiny reservation, and that is now incorporating them all as part of the LGBTQI community may make our collective title one very big mouthful.

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • COMMENT | Gemma Collins Vs. Katie Hopkins

    Leading celebrity lifestyle and wellbeing expert weighs in on Katie Hopkins’ comments about I’m A Celeb’s Gemma Collins.

    In terms of public perception, it may appear Gemma Collins has not done herself any favours with such a swift departure from the jungle, but as a therapist, I cannot say I am surprised as there are obviously deep-seated reasons behind her behaviour which I think warrant compassion rather than judgement. An educated commentary on her with relevance to why she left, her naivety or any other general form of discussion and constructive advice on how to overcome her issues that goes with the very nature of being in the public eye is acceptable, but these constant attacks on Gemma’s weight are no doubt having a further damaging effect on her and teenagers everywhere and exacerbating a generation that is already obsessed with weight and body image. I would have liked to have seen Katie Hopkins to draw on the fact she is a mother and not open the floodgates to more media attention on weight issues and focus on the heart of the matter which is that Gemma let her fears get the better of her. Gemma had a moment of weakness, she wanted comfort over proving herself to be the next Bear Grylls. That’s all.

    Gemma could actually do a lot of positive with that message showing people that sometimes you need help to get over fears such as a clinical hypnotherapist, life coach or CBT counsellor and that perhaps with hindsight she might have chosen this route. This could be a great message to lots of people who look up to Gemma out there. Perhaps she could even attempt to go in next year and show her fan base that you can conquer your fears and that in the face of what seems impossible there is always room for inspiration. Katie Hopkins is well known for her blunt opinions and perhaps that is what is now expected of her, but as a Therapist I would question why she takes it to such a base level of personal attacks, after all, we are all human, and fallible, and nobody is perfect.

    For Katie to have the ambition to be a gay icon, she should first know what that means. I have heard many definitions including such an icon to be well-versed in the arts of glamour and others suggesting they are inspirational role models but the one definition that stands out the most to me is that a gay icon should have, encourage and help achieve strength through adversity.

    Katie Hopkins has chosen put herself in the limelight and present herself as someone who preys on those with obvious faults in order to make a name for herself and that she has successfully done, but the people she chooses to talk about are human, and have feelings. I do not believe body shaming, attacks that are tantamount to bullying or twitter jibes can be seen as anything but an unpleasant form of entertainment to some and to others a lack of empathy to those who have issues – but iconic – not at all. It is a primal instinct to attack those you perceive weaker that yourself, and we have seen such throughout history.

    For Katie to have ambitions to be a gay icon i would recommend that she need a rethink of her belief system of what is an acceptable form of treating other human beings. I think Lincoln said it best when he said “I would rather be a little nobody, than to be an evil somebody” Not to say Katie is evil but her behaviour is lacking in social grace and understanding of the human condition and in my opinion not in alignment to the strong anti bullying stance of my friends, colleagues and clients who exist both in and out of the Gay community.

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • TRAVEL GUIDE | Christmas in Budapest

    An authentic Christmas Market cannot fail to get you in the mood for the festive season, so why not treat yourself to a break in the run up to Christmas. Often described as “the Jewel of the Danube”, Budapest is a spectacular city, which is easy to get to and can make an excellent city break for a long weekend or an extended stay.

    Christmas is a big deal in Budapest, with the main attraction being the Christmas Market held in the heart of the city at Vörösmarty Square, which is at the top of the main shopping district, Vaci Utca. As you approach, you can smell the scent of mulled wine, home-made biscuits, cinnamon and fir trees luring you into the square. The square is filled with little wooden huts, selling a selection of gifts, from woolly hats and nick naks to handmade Christmas tree decorations and gifts. There are a number of traditional foods available and locals huddle together to chat in the seating areas, warming their hands on cups of mulled wine and eating the fresh street food served up.

    The square itself is dominated by Gerbeaud Coffee House, a traditional and lavish patisserie, which serves a vast and tempting array of handmade cakes. But from the end of November, the building turns itself into a giant advent calendar, with numbered windows. At 5pm daily, there is a light show, a brass band emerges onto the balcony and the crowd gather to watch the day’s picture being revealed. It is a lovely tradition which never fails to charm its audience. There are also two stages which have performances on them throughout the day, ranging from marionette shows to world music. The town is dotted with nativity scenes around the streets and outside the churches. Christmas trees line the streets, with the biggest outside the Parliament building and outside St Stephens Basilica.

    St Stephens Basilica is a simply stunning cathedral and they often hold classical concerts in the evenings. Hearing the elegant sounds of opera and classical music, alongside the huge church organ, soaring into the dome and echoing around the cathedral is breath-taking. You can also climb the dome for great views of the city.

    Heading out of the town centre a little, there is an open air ice rink just behind Hero’s Square at the entrance to the City Park and if you are lucky enough to have snow, walking around the park and the area where the Vajdahunyad Castle stands is a joy. The weather in Budapest can be variable, but one thing for sure is that it will be cold at this time of year, so thermals, coats, hats and gloves are strongly recommended. That said, there are often cold, crisp, clear and sunny days which will give you chance to explore.

    But Budapest has much more to offer than solely a festive atmosphere. Taking time to explore this beautiful city by day and by night is well worth it and the place as a whole is very easy to get around. There is an efficient public transport system, combining trams, busses and a subway which make this city very accessible. Tickets can be bought from tobacconist stands and the public transport operates the European method of validating your tickets immediately before or at the time of travel. Beware, plain clothes ticket inspectors are rife, so don’t get caught out.

    You can’t walk very far in Budapest without stumbling across a park, square or statue, so there is plenty to look at and explore by foot. Whatever you do, don’t miss the opportunity to have a walk down the banks of the Danube at night. Walk on the Pest side to get great views of the castle and Fisherman’s Bastian lit up and check out the illuminated bridges which span the river – the Chain Bridge being the most spectacular. If you want piece of tranquillity in the middle of the city, head to Margaret Island, where you can have a stroll around the open spaces away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

    One of the first things you will notice about Budapest is the eclectic mixture of architecture – ranging from historic buildings and cathedrals in a variety of styles which have survived war and revolution to the concrete blocks built during the Russian occupation and the modern architecture springing up. Budapest is city not only straddling both banks of the Danube, but is a city which straddles both historic and modern.

    The city itself is split into two halves, divided by the River Danube – namely Buda and Pest. Buda is the more historic part of the city and is dominated by Buda Castle, which stands over the city, aside the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church with its ornately decorated roof. From the castle district, there are superb panoramic views over the entire city, and in amongst the medieval, Baroque and 19th Century architecture are a number of museums, shops and restaurants. The castle itself houses the Hungarian National Gallery for those interested in art. The interior of the Matthias Church has to be seen to be believed, with its warmly coloured and intricately detailed decoration. It is truly unique. The Fisherman’s Bastian also provides stunning photo opportunities and beautiful views of Pest, Margaret Island, the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Danube. Access to the castle district is either by walking up the steep streets or by funicular railway which runs up the steep hill from the Buda side of the Chain Bridge. For those up for a steep hike, there is a small museum, some military vehicles and stunning views of the city and surrounding area at the summit of Gellart Hill which can be accessed by a maze of criss-crossing paths that wind their way up the hill.

    Pest is the more modern side of the city, with its shopping and business districts. The main shopping area is Vaci Utca, which is bookended by the historic market at one end and Vörösmarty Square at the other. A number of restaurants line the street at the bottom end and yield to a number of clothing shops as you progress, ideal for picking up those Christmas gifts.

    Wherever you go in Budapest, you are never very far away from a patisserie. Taking afternoon tea is the done thing and generally, each patisserie makes their cakes every morning and they all have a special, unique signature cake which is exclusive to them. Sitting with a huge slab of cake and a hot chocolate whilst watching the world go by is the perfect way to spend an hour in the afternoon.

    There are a number of museums dotted around the city, although they are all closed on Mondays. The National Museum presents a broad history of Hungary, whereas the Ethnographic Museum is more focussed on the people of Hungary rather than the country itself. But for an experience which is both fascinating and humbling, the Terror House is a must see. This museum is set in the building which had been the headquarters of the Nazi’s during their occupation of Hungary in World War Two and subsequently occupied by the secret police after Stalin imposed a communist government on the people of Hungary after the war. This brilliantly put together museum deals sensitively with a dark period of recent history. There is also the Museum of Fine Art and the Palace of Arts which flank opposite sides of Hero’s Square.

    Budapest is also a spa town, with bathing being a huge tradition. There are a number of thermal baths around the city. The Rudas Baths is one of the oldest in the city and the coloured glass stars in the dome of the building penetrate the steam rising from the warm waters with beams of coloured light. The stone building also houses a sauna and steam room and you can have a massage there, but it is more akin to a Turkish massage than anything relaxing. Prepare to be roughly manhandled if you decide to give it a go. The bathhouse operates separate days for male and female guests, and still operates the apron policy – where all bathers are nude save for a small apron worn at the front for modesty and turned around to the rear when seated. Very little is left to the imagination once you have dipped yourself in the water. For mixed bathing, head to the Gellart Spa and Hotel, which is luxurious and welcoming. Standard swimwear is required at the Gellart. But for those who are brave enough or want a slightly different experience, then head to the Széchenyi Baths in the City Park, which has huge outdoor pools, where you can sit and enjoy the thermally heated mineral waters whilst it is snowing around you.

    Budapest offers a lot to the gay traveller, with a broad range of places to suit everyone. There are a number of gay pubs, clubs and restaurants which range from the discrete and low key to brash and sleazy. The rainbow flag is often displayed in venues and restaurants and the Hungarian word for gay is “Melag”, meaning gentle.

    If you want a gay friendly place to eat, then head to the Pizzeria Club ’93 which offers an abundance of pizza and pasta in a low key atmosphere and Ruben which offers a reasonably priced menu of traditional Hungarian and international food.

    For pubs and clubs, gay men are catered for more than lesbians, although there are some venues including Club Underground have a mainly lesbian clientele (although there is a minimum drink policy at this club). For gay men, there are an abundance of pubs and clubs ranging from the quiet to the cruisy. Action bar and CoXx are both well known for their cruising and darkrooms, whereas Why Not and the Mystery Bar are more social. Just beware that a number of the bars don’t have an entrance fee, but have a minimum drinks policy which can prove quite costly, so be careful. One thing that is common in all of the bars are the number of male escorts offering sex quite openly and freely. Even if you are sat with your boyfriend, they will come and talk to you, and some of them can be quite persistent.

    Alterego is a cabaret bar and club which is very popular with both locals and tourists, with a nightly cabaret show, and Score is the newest gay club in Budapest. The Capella Club has a nightly drag show, but has a more straight clientele base than a gay one.

    There are a number of sauna’s in the city, including the Magnum Sauna, but a lot of the thermal baths are quite cruisy in any event.

    Getting to Budapest is fairly easy, with a number of budget airlines offering flights or flights and accommodation packages. There are plenty of apartments for rent and these can be fairly easily tracked down on line. Hotels can be booked separately online, or a number of travel agents offer a package deal, which are usually quite reasonably priced.

    There are a number of hotels in the city, ranging from traditional to modern. For sheer Art Deco indulgence, stay at The Astoria Hotel, with its beautiful patisserie which transports you back to the decadent age of the 1920’s and 30’s. For something luxurious, stay at the Gellart hotel with its quality food, famous buffet breakfast and grand, opulent thermal bath.

    Vegetarians may find it difficult to eat out, as the Hungarian diet is very meat based, so unless you fancy living on chips and cheese sandwiches for the duration of your stay, then you may prefer staying in a self-catering apartment. Unfortunately, vegans will really struggle to eat out.

    Most people in shops and restaurants are able to speak English and most tourist information can be found online or at access points which are written in English (especially useful when buying tickets etc at the stations).

    So what are you waiting for? Wrap up warm and head out to see what this superb city has to offer.

    Useful links
    For general information, head to http://www.budapest.com/ which also has a gay section. A lesbian website can be found at http://www.labrisz.hu/ and plenty of information for the gay traveller can be found at http://budapest.gayguide.net/

    by Paul Szabo

  • INTERVIEW: Daniel Ribeiro: On The Way He Looks

    In 2011 a newbie 29 year-old Brazilian filmmaker Daniel Ribeiro showed his 3rd ever film ‘I Don’t Want To Go Back Alone’ at a Film Festival in Cardiff and won THE IRIS PRIZE, the most prestigious award in the world for a LGBT short film.

    (more…)

  • FILM REVIEW | Life Itself, Totally Unmissable

    ★★★★★ There are very rare occasions when the somewhat jaded and skeptical Press and Movie Industry audience at the Sundance Film Festival are ever moved to tears.

    (more…)

  • FILM REVIEW | Campaign Of Hate: Russia And Gay Propaganda

    ★★★★ | Campaign Of Hate: Russia And Gay Propaganda

    Uber gay porn king Michael Lucas has kept his clothes on in front of the camera for a second time with his new documentary about the plight of gay men and women in Russia. It is a vast improvement on his first attempt at getting serious with his ‘Undressing Israel’ movie where life for the stream of hot gay hunks he interviewed couldn’t have been any rosier. Here Russian-born Lucas (born Andrei Lvovich Treivas) was back in Moscow his birth city to discuss that being a homosexual during Putin’s regime can be a serious danger to your health.

    It’s hard to get past a culture where the first time young gay kids learn anything about their sexuality is when they open their Soviet Encyclopedia and turn to the letter H. There for homosexuality they read just three facts. 1: it’s a sickness, and 2: a harmful influence of the West, and 3: it;s a crime for which you can go to prison for. And it doesn’t get much better for when the boy turns into a young man he will not just be mocked and humiliated by society but gay bashed several times and quite severely.

    The personal accounts of the gay Russians trying to lead normal lives, albeit almost all of them in the closet, were grim and depressing. Given the fact that they have to deal with so much sheer undisguised hatred every working day, it is no wonder that all of them without exception would choose to leave and move anywhere else in the world to live if they could.

    One of the commentators that Lucas interviewed made several good observations about in this present tough economic climate in Russia, Putin needs to distract people’s attention from his main problems and focus them on other media grabbing agendas. The harassment of gay people is one such target especially as they are considered a soft option and will not fight back. It has eerie overtones of the old Bush campaign that stirred up the US conservative wing about gay marriage in such a way that they would be sure to turn out to vote on Polling Day and at the same time re-elect him. Coincidentally our economy was in ruins then, but somehow that was hidden from us at the time.

    The rhetoric spouting by one of the vehemently anti-gay legislators as he justified his unequivocal hatred of the LGBT community was barbaric and heinous and he refused to accept either reason or factual information. When Lucas informed him that there was data that showed that the largest single group of people who committed suicide in Russia where young gay teenagers, I thought the man would explode with rage.

    Some of the gay and lesbians that Lucas interviewed tried to put a brave spin on the situation saying that things were definitely improving and that LGBT was now becoming accepted as part of the general protest. The majority of the others, however, thought it was just getting worse.

    Lucas’s interesting film probably didn’t say anything new, and it avoided drawing its own conclusion as to what lie ahead for the gay community there. It does however quite rightly serve as a wake-up call for those of us that live in the relative freedom of the West, lest we should ever think that gay rights are the rights for everyone.

  • Is this the song that will destroy Christmas?

    Television X has announced the launch of the festive single by TVXbabes in a bid to hit the No.1 in the UK music charts this Christmas.

    The original song called ‘Coming For Christmas’ is described as a ‘high-energy, fun and poptastic Christmas contender’ for the coverted number one slot for Christmas day.

    The single, will be officially launched on 1st December with the unveiling of the full video on 27th November on the TVXbabes You Tube channel.

    Artists that currently have their sights set on gaining an elusive Christmas Number 1 slot include: Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas, John Lewis’s Real Love, the X Factor winner and Iron Maiden.

    Sneak a peak at the teaser video here

  • INTERVIEW | Sassi Afrika, Refusing To Let Anything Hold Her Back

    If there was ever an award handed out for the most apt Drag Queen name, it would surely go to Sassi Afrika. Sassy in every sense of the word, Sassi Afrika is lively, bold and full of mischief. However, there’s another side to Sassi. She has a heart of gold and does a lot for charity. She also lives with disability and is a champion for people who refuse to let their disability hold them back from achieving their dreams. With a new album coming out and a message to spread, I sat down for a cuppa and a natter with this one of a kind Queen.

    DB: Sassi, you claim to have landed on Earth in 2013. What’s the reaction to your arrival been like?
    SA: Oh it’s been outstanding, honey. I’m so grateful to have been accepted by the people of Earth. Really I’m just a simple girl from Sassimus Prime, but I came here seeking fame and fortune, and it’s happening. I’m the modern day Madonna.

    DB: You’ve been performing at Pride festivals and earlier this year were named as one of the judges of Warwickshire Pride’s Got Talent. What is it about LGBT events that you love so much?
    SA: I just love the gays! I also heard that Warwickshire is full of them, so had to make it my destination. To be on the judging panel of Warwickshire Pride’s Got Talent is an absolute honour. Being a woman of many talents, it’s fabulous to be able to pass on my pearls of wisdom to others seeking fame and fortune. Performing at Pride events is always so much fun as I can be as Sassi as I like. And like I said, I just love the gays!

    DB: Your debut album, Shockaholic, is being released at the end of November. What can we expect from it?
    SA: It is shocking, believe me. You can expect lots of upbeat songs, dance tracks, and even a bit of hip-hop. Sassi sings, Sassi raps, and Sassi knows how to work it! I’m very proud of this album. I can feel a Grammy coming on.

    DB: And it’s for charity, right?
    SA: Yes that is right. Sassi likes to give back. As I love the gays, I have chosen to donate all of the proceeds from Shockaholic to Push Projects LGBTQ Youth Support charity. They do amazing work with young people and I am like their fairy godmother. So buy my album. It’s all for a good cause.

    DB: Aside from being a diva, you do a lot for charity and champion a number of good causes….
    SA: I do, darling. It keeps me grounded. I firmly believe in helping others if in a position to do so. I work with young people struggling with their sexuality, I volunteer for numerous charity events, and I also try to be a beacon of hope for people like me.

    It’s no secret that I have disabilities, but I have never allowed them to hold me back. I’m no different to anyone else, apart from being more Sassi obviously, and I am here to show that despite being disabled I can get out there, work it, and do the things I want to do. We should all do that.

    DB: What’s in store for Sassi Afrika in 2015?
    SA: Well 2015 is looking very Sassi indeed! I can exclusively reveal that I will be returning to the Warwickshire Pride’s Got Talent judging panel, which I am excited about. No doubt I’ll do a Cheryl Fernandez-Thingy and perform too; except I sing live. Then I will be appearing at various Pride festivals and other events. I’d like to go on a Sassi tour to promote my album, but as a woman in demand I’m not sure I’ll fit it in. In 2015 I’d also like to cement my status as a fashion icon and muse to the designers. I’m just waiting for Donatella to call me back. If you’re reading this, ring me babes. There’s so much happening in 2015. Like Cleopatra, Sassi’s comin’ atcha!

    Sassi Afrika’s debut album ‘Shockaholic’ is out on Monday 24th November. Check out her Bandcamp page to get your copy. You can also delve into the Sassi world at www.sassiafrika.moonfruit.com or tweet her @SassiAfrika.

  • Eight Artworks Stolen From Winter Pride

    Eight artworks by the artists Jane Moore and Eleanor Pearce were stolen over the weekend at the annual Winter Pride.

    The artworks were stolen off the exhibition wall of the ‘John Sizzle and A Man to Pet Cabaret Room’ (Great Gallery upstairs) at Tobacco Dock, in London, during the Winter Pride Art Awards 2014.

    Three men were seen removing the artworks between 2am and 3am.

    Winter Pride has given a description of the men: one man dressed in all black, the other man was aged between 30-45, 5’9″ bald with thick rimmed glasses.

    Simon Tarrant the organiser of the event said,

    ‘The artists are devastated,

    ‘Please help us recover these artworks, we just want to get them back to Jane and Eleanor.’

    Anyone with information should contact Simon on the email: info@simontarrant.com

  • FILM REVIEW | In Their Room: London / Berlin / San Francisco

    US Filmmaker Travis Mathews is a professional voyeur.

    His documentary movies all focus on gay men and their intimacy and are very raw and explicit. His most successful project to date is ‘Interior Leather Bar’ where he, and a somewhat obsessed James Franco, pieced together what they thought maybe the content of the chunk of William Friedkin’s 1980 gay classic ‘Cruising’ that the Censors insisted on being deleted. Before this however, Mathews embarked on series of videos, that have now been released under the banner of ‘In Their Room’.

    The first ‘episode’, a 20 minute short, was filmed in Mathews hometown of San Francisco where armed with just a simple video camera he visits 8 men alone in their bedrooms. Some are clothed, some naked, some are silent or reticent to share, whilst others are happy to expose every intimate detail of their thoughts about love and sex. Although it is always mainly the latter.
    The second film, shot in 2011, continues to voyeuristically document what goes on in the minds and bedrooms of urban gays. Now in Berlin, Mathews lingers on the tension and circular nature between intimacy and loneliness by documenting a handful of gay men as they troll the web looking for hook-ups or love. It is the only film in which he actually features a coupled pair, and is probably the most explicit of the three films.

    The third and final film made last year focuses on 8 gay men in London. I’m not sure if it was deliberate on Mathew’s part, but the bed-sitting rooms of his subjects this time around look decidedly squalid. Again he manages to draw out the men’s most private thoughts and aspirations as they talk aimlessly as he films them doing the banalest daily tasks. It is also the one episode when the vulnerability and loneliness of urban gay men really starts to seep through.

    The work is an interesting experiment, which although shares nothing new with us, at least gives us a moment to reflect on parts of our lives that many gay men have difficulty discussing. The series is definitely not for everyone, but at least you don’t have to have a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology (like Mathews has) to appreciate it.

    Out December 2015

  • UK Leaflet: The Judgement Of God on Homosexualism Reveals Itself In AIDS

    An Anti-gay and abortion leaflet has left residents in Ely, Cambridge shocked and outraged.

    The leaflet which is titled Works of Darkness has been put through the doors of houses in Ely.

    Cambridgeshire Police have been notified.

    The leaflet contains paragraphs on fornication, contraception, euthanasia, homosexualism/lesbianism and divorce.

    For homosexuality, it reads: ‘Homosexuality is not inborn, it is a development disorder, a traumatised condition arising out of a dysfunctional family, or it is a lifestyle choice.

    ‘It is utterly opposed to the law of God and to nature, and should in no way be condoned or promoted.

    ‘Also, the adoption of children by gays and lesbians constitutes a form of child abuse. The judgement of God on homosexualism reveals itself in the AIDS/HIV virus.”

    According to Ely-News.co.uk one resident said, “I came home to find this vulgar, offensive thing on my doormat.

    ‘I find it extremely disturbing and I have reported it to the police. Whoever is responsible for delivering them needs to be dealt with immediately’

    Another resident said: I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I think whoever is responsible for these leaflets should be prosecuted by the police.’

    This is one of a number of leaflets that have been delivered to residents around the UK. In August residents in Brighton were outraged when similar hateful leaflets were delivered through their doors.

    A Spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said, ‘Leaflets of a homophobic nature were distributed in Cambridge earlier this year. Additionally, similar material has been distributed in other areas of the county and indeed, the country.

    ‘Whilst it is acknowledged that many recipients will be offended by the leaflet’s content, Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights gives individuals the right to Freedom of Expression – the right to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideals without interference by public authority. This includes opinions which may offend, irritate, shock or disturb.

    ‘While the material being distributed earlier this week will in many cases offend, irritate, shock or disturb, the content, context and actions of the male concerned fall short of any criminality at this time.

    ‘We will however continue to monitor the situation both locally and nationally. Anyone who is approached or receives any of this literature should contact police by calling 101.’

More posts