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  • OPINION | Rise Like A Mockingjay

    Has Austria given the world a new symbol of hope? Like, I don’t know, Katniss Everdeen? I too felt like raising my three middle fingers in support of Conchita Wurst.

    Like most of the world, I am sure you were in awe at Austria’s entry of the Eurovision Song Contest. It sent shivers as well as butterflies through one’s body. The powerful voice of Conchita filled our ears with delicious harmony, as well as lyrically astounding us.

    There is one thing about her journey that struck me sideways. Despite criticism and idiocy from close-minded bigots, Conchita triggers thoughts of a familiar struggle that, at one point in every gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender’s life, they have gone through and therefore can relate to. For those Hunger Games fanatics and acquaintances, this struggle resonates Katniss’s turmoil when defending her own kind who had been, for seventy five years, ostracised, marginalised and made to live their lives as sacrificial, by the Capitol. The Capitol has a lot to answer for, as they do not want to change, in fact what they want to do is to boycott and silence these protests.

    Is that ringing any bells?

    What were Russia, Belarus and Ukraine trying to do during the Eurovision week?

    I will leave that rhetorical. As I can hear the pennies dropping in your minds.

    Watching the Final was mesmerising and ethereal. I was expecting Conchita’s dress to turn in to ‘Flame’ and her nodding to, a Cinna like person, in the audience as confirmation of the rebellious movement. What really got me were the fire-like wings behind her, on the screen, as Conchita Wurst beautifully bursts in to the last Rise Like A Phoenix chorus.

    The victory was not just about the song and the artist, but it was another triumph for LGBT community’s voice being heard and expressed. It makes me wonder if this same song was played five years ago, would it have had the same effect? Or was it the fact that the world’s views have strengthened in relation to LGBT rights?

    2014 has been a year of so many firsts:
    29th March: Gay Weddings, making it a live broadcast for all to see and celebrate with the happy couple. United Nations advances its stand on Gay Rights with Bollywood style music video depicting a welcoming of a homosexual couple to one’s family.
    Conchita Wurst creates a storm within East Europe and the World with her sheer confidence and ambition. Where to end? This is the beginning.

    As many countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, have views that are eerily intensifying, there is a pleasing air of acceptance around the communities in the Western Culture where it feels okay to hold a hand or kiss someone of the same sex, or even to tell your Mum or Dad who you really are.

    Thank you Conchita Wurst for the emancipation of LGBT presence. We all raise our three fingers to you.

    Keep that Bird Rising!

     

    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.

  • Gay Penguins Become Best Fathers At Zoo

    In a Wildlife park in Kent two male penguins have become surrogate fathers.

    Two male Humboldt Penguins called Kermit and Jumbs at Wingham Wildlife Park have been made surrogate parents for an egg, which has just hatched. The egg was abandoned by the mother.

    Head of birds and mammals at the park Becky Johnson explained: ‘It was a shame to see the hetrosexual pair leave their egg, largely because the male deserted his share of the duties.’

    ALSO READ: Top 10 gay animals

    Park owner Tony Binskin said ‘These two have so far proven to be the best penguin parents we have had. But we have had to bring in two new males to keep the balance of the group.

    ‘We are still very much starting our breeding efforts with this species, and this is only our second year, but having such good surrogate parents available should we need them is a huge bonus for us.

    ‘Being brought up by individuals of the same species always has a better outcome for animals being reared. While we will intervene and hand rear animals if necessary, it is something we prefer to avoid.’

  • OPINION | Meet The Next Generation Of The BNP

    It’s scary, very scary, what happens when you get a bunch of 13-18 year olds and fill their heads with British National Party rubbish.

    We want, we want, we want, never gets – didn’t your mother tell you?

    I’m sitting here, not sure whether to laugh or to shudder in fear – as the British National Party (BNP) releases a video on to its YouTube page with several young people spouting about who they feel is to blame for the downturn of the UK’s moral compass and their demands for the future of this country.

    So who is to blame? Well, us militant homosexuals are given a mention (high five), the media, bankers, businesses and I think My Little Pony had a mention somewhere.

    At the end of the ill-edited, terribly lit video, with a soundtrack that would make Han Zimmer cry into his hands, a youngster, we’ll call him Marvin, looks deadpan into camera and like a BNP Zombie says, ‘This is not a request, this is a demand… We are BNP Youth.’

    And if you’re wondering what exactly what was said about the LGBT+ community, the one in the pink says (we’ll call her Chelsea), ‘The militant homosexuals who push for gay marriage and gay adoption in order to destroy the traditional family unit.’

    Then the one in the black top and festive flower in the her hair pipes up (We’ll call her Edwina):

    ‘We want the promotion of the traditional family and our core Christian values.’

    I can’t help think that these children, yes they are children, have been done a complete disservice by their parents, their political education and the BNP. This video will forever be a monument to their beliefs – and in an ever changing and more progressive society, these kids are already looking like dinosaurs.

    In a time where nothing can be deleted from the omnipotent internet, I wonder what these children will think, when they look back on this, as they get a little more worldly wise in 5, 10, 15 years.

    This video is called, BNP Youth- Fight Back, but I’m not sure they really know who they’re fighting. It seems like everyone as far as I can tell. This is a political party, it seems, hell bent on isolating itself into the nether regions of this country, demanding not to be taken seriously – and I say, good – stay there.

    It seems the BNP have a new generation… My advice – don’t feed them after midnight and keep away from water.

    Interestingly, comments have been turned off for the video on YouTube – but you can leave your thoughts and comments below – play nicely now…

     

    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.

  • We Want To Work With Dustin Lance Black

    This guy ooozes style and panache. (we love that word) (more…)

  • Russian Men Shaving Beards After Conchita’s Eurovision Win

    Conchita Wurst’s win at the 2014 Eurovision has achieved more than just a thumbs up for the LGBT+ community across Europe, it has also encouraged some Russian men to shave off their beards… in protest.

    Conchita’s victory has spurred on some men across Russia to shave off their beards in a backlash against the drag queen’s victory. Conchita’s song Rise Like A Phoenix amassed an impressive 290 points in the 59th Eurovision Competition.

    Wurst, real name Tom Neuwirth, has been the subject of much hate mongering from a few people Russia, Armenia and Belarus. One top Russian politician even called the contest a ‘sodom show’.

    Since the DQ’s win some Russian men have taken to social media to show their distain of the victory – by shaving off their beards in protest and using a hashtag.

    Huffington Post show 3 examples of these men – some using the hashtag Prove You’re Not Conchita.

    Valentin’s video from Instagram has also apparently been shown on Italian News.

    Rise Like A Phoenix is currently at Number 1 in the Russian iTunes’ chart despite the adverse reactions.

  • Conchita Rise Like A Phoenix At No 1 In Russia Despite Backlash

    adda Girl… Conchita’s Eurovision entry is riding high in the Russia iTunes Chart.

    Despite the backlash that Conchita Wurst has received, her song Rise Like A Phoenix is storming the Russian charts and is currently sitting at Number 1 and Number 5 in the iTunes music chart. It is beating Not Alone, Armenia’s entry by Aram MP3.

    Conchita’s victory has spurred on some men across Russia to shave off their beards in a backlash against the drag queen’s victory. Conchita’s song Rise Like A Phoenix amassed an impressive 290 points in the 59th Eurovision Competition.

    Wurst, real name Tom Neuwirth, has been the subject of much hate mongering from a number people Russia, Armenia and Belarus. One top Russian politician even called the contest a ‘sodom show’.

    In the UK the song is charting at number 25 and 35.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Somewhere Under the Rainbow- the Liza Minnelli Story, Landor Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | Somewhere Under the Rainbow- the Liza Minnelli Story, Landor Theatre, London

    Liza is about to go on stage, pacing nervously round her dressing room in a silk robe she bursts into song, tells a few anecdotes and even shows us a few of her dance moves.

    Following on from sell out runs and rave reviews in Dublin and Edinburgh; this show is making its London premiere at The Landor Theatre in Clapham.

    Minnelli is a hard act to capture well but Sharon Sexton absolutely nails it as the gay icon. She’s got an amazing voice and her acting skills are second to none. This isn’t just a tacky cabaret style impression of Liza but a wry yet touching portrayal of a woman full of paradoxes. By turns feisty and brash yet also vulnerable and fragile, this is a Minnelli you can believe in. Sexton’s version of Sondheim’s “Losing My Mind” is heart wrenching and her Mein Herr is performed with breath taking skill. Her whole repertoire is performed with dazzling panache.

    If you know much about Liza already then you’re not going to get a deep and detailed insight into her life and her marriages, drug addictions and traumas. The show does, however, give us a glimpse of what Liza is about and how she’s fought her way through life with a smile on her face and a pair of tap shoes never too far away.

    This is definitely fringe theatre at its best and a show worthy of a larger venue. This is definitely one to catch during its short run

    Somewhere Under the Rainbow runs until the 17th of May 2014

    Buy tickets here: http://www.landortheatre.co.uk/index.php/booking-office/musicals/somewhere-under-the-rainbow-84/

  • Meet Vito Cammisano: The Super Hot BF Of Michael Sam

    Their kissing faces have been splashed across the world’s media for two days now… and we were wondering who the cute dude Michael was kissing… meet Vito Cammisano

    We did some digging (basically Instagram stalked) and here’s what we’ve discovered…

    They make a beautiful couple and Vito’s got a rocking body… Vito used to swim for the University of Missouri, but is now interning for a radio company. Vito is 23, Michael is 24.

  • Ian McKellen And Patrick Stewart Talk Gay Rights On Channel 4 News

    Tonight on Channel 4 News Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen Talk Gay Rights, Bromance and UKIP.

    Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen talk gay rights, bromance and UKIP with Cathy Newman on Channel 4 News from 7PM.

    On her blog Newman revealed:

    ‘If the film deals with the wisdom of age, it’s as much about mankind’s persecution of minorities – the mutants, as Sir Ian freely recognises.

    “When Bryan Singer [the X-Men director] asked me to be in these films he sold it to me on just this point: as a gay man you can identify with mutants – people who have talents [but] are despised by society as they’re different…

    “In many areas of the world being gay is still a mutancy which is clearly not tolerated in some societies. You can be put to death for your sexuality. Not in this country. We have advanced – it’s been one of the great joys of my life – since these films have been made.”

    So what does he make of the Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s declaration over the weekend that most British people over 70 are “uncomfortable” with homosexuality?

    “He hasn’t talked to this over-70-year-old or this one,” he says, gesturing at Sir Patrick. “Farage needs to get out more…Gay people come and get married. The story is over.’

  • UK Football Club, Sunderland To Fly Rainbow Flag For Gay Rights

    Sunderland Football Club Backs IDAHO

    Sunderland AFC is marking the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) by flying the rainbow flag at the Stadium of Light today.

    The flag-raising is a mark of recognition of IDAHO Day, which calls for respect for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

    The Deputy Mayor of Sunderland will also raise a rainbow flag at the Civic Centre to show the city’s support.

    Sunderland AFC’s commercial director Gary Hutchinson said: “The club is very proud to support IDAHO Day. The Stadium of Light should be a safe and welcoming environment for all members of our community and IDAHO offers a great platform on which to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.”

    Ryan Houston, Chairman of Sunderland Pride, said: “It’s fantastic to see a group like SAFC supporting International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia. As such as powerful figure within the City, it’s great to see their attitude towards equality and diversity being showcased with an event such as this.

    “IDAHO(BIT) is being celebrated across the world from Friday 16th May to Sunday 18th May, and I am delighted to see support to the events we are hosting within the City.”

  • TODAY IN GAY | Katharine Hepburn Born in 1907

    TODAY IN GAY | Katharine Hepburn Born in 1907

    Today In Gay: Katharine Hepburn Born in 1907

    From Wikipedia: Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress of film, stage, and television. Known for her headstrong independence and spirited personality, Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years. She appeared in a range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama, and received four Academy Awards for Best Actress—a record for any performer. In 1999, Hepburn was named by the American Film Institute as the greatest female star in Hollywood history.

    Rumors have existed since the 1930s that Hepburn may have been a lesbian or bisexual, which she often joked about. However Hepburn never publicbly came out.

    In 2012 Gore Vidal vouched for his friend Scotty Bowers, who claimed that he set Katharine Hepburn up ‘with over 150 different women’ in his book Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of Stars.

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