THEGAYUK

Tag: Boris Johnson

All the latest breaking news on the British politician Boris Johnson. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Boris Johnson.

  • Drag and cabaret artists “overlooked” by Government’s tier system

    Drag and cabaret artists “overlooked” by Government’s tier system

    It goes without saying that the bar, pub and club industry has been completely brutalised by lockdowns and Tier systems in place in the UK caused by the on-going coronavirus pandemic.

    As Boris Johnson’s administration announced which areas in England would be placed into which tiers, many cities which have large LGBT+ scenes found themselves in Tier 3, leaving them unable to open unless operating as a takeaway or drive through. Many gay bars are simply not set up to handle or offer food.

    Earlier this week Boris Johnson’s handling of the crisis was described by the CEO of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as “inflicting devastating pain to an industry on the verge of collapse”.

    Live venues and performer in Tier system overlooked by government

    One drag performer tweeted Boris Johnson demanding to know why certain settings like theatres, casinos, theme parks and escape rooms were permitted to open yet live venues which, do not offer food, but offer live entertainment such as cabaret and drag shows were not permitted to open.

    Carrot, a non-binary drag performer wrote,

    “Live performers & venues in music, cabaret & drag need clarity from @10DowningStreet NOW. Why can theatres open and sell drinks in the intervals, when live venues who have spent huge amounts of £s and time making safe allocated seating cannot without selling food?”

    “Why can casinos & theme parks & escape rooms open in tier 2, places that are essentially impossible to clean entirely & keep safe, yet pubs & bars with allocated seating and table service cannot?

    “Live artists & venues have lost so much already & are still being overlooked.

    “It’s really heartbreaking. and yet somehow completely unsurprising.”

    How does hospitality contribute to the rising numbers of Coronavirus cases?

    Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said, “Hospitality has accounted for as little as 2% of Covid cases”, and Kate Nicholls CEO, UK Hospitality said, “Pubs and restaurants pay the price of tougher tier restrictions – no other sector are facing restrictions like these.”

    Government data has shown that house-to-house mixing has the highest rate of rates of transmission for the virus.

    Bars and clubs have closed because of COVID-19 restrictions.

    2020 has seen numerous gay bar closures. Earlier in the year, Birmingham’s Eden Bar was forced to close due to devastating restraints placed on the pub industry. Also in the West Midlands, Midland Zone magazine also fell victim to the economic downturn.

    gay and drag bars closed because of covid tier system

    Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club, Propaganda closed in May and in Brighton, two venues have already shuttered. This month The Broadway closed and earlier in the year Legends fell into administration, before being reopened by new owners.

  • Boris Johnson’s devastating XMAS plan “denies LGBTQ+ community time with chosen family”

    Boris Johnson’s devastating XMAS plan “denies LGBTQ+ community time with chosen family”

    The CEO of one of the UK’s oldest and best-loved LGBT+ bars, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, has hit out at Boris Johnson’s Christmas plan of allowing multiple houses to mix during the height of a pandemic, but not allowing them to mix in Covid-secure settings like pubs and bars is a “road to nowhere”

    He said it was “inflicting devastating pain to an industry on the verge of collapse”.

    James Lindsay, The RVT‘s CEO has written a blistering open letter to Boris Johnson and his cabinet saying that the current Christmas plan to allow up to three households to mix for five days during the festive season is a “mockery” of all the hardship that the hospitality industry has been through in the last 39 weeks.

    He also told the Prime Minister that the plans to allow families to mix in their own homes, but not in restaurants or pubs, was putting “vulnerable people at risk” and denying the LGBT+ community a chance to mix and socialise with their chosen families.

    He wrote, The Government’s olive branch for a ‘family Christmas’ is clearly aimed at appeasing the “party” faithful. As well as putting many vulnerable people at risk this also denies the LGBTQ+ community their much needed time with friends and our chosen families.

    “Our venues offer a safe space for people who often don’t have the ‘normal’ family support”.

    Gay Bars are at particular risk when the tier system returns.

    One of the issues facing many bars, but in particular gay bars, is that many aren’t equipped to serve food – which is one of the requirements for pubs to be able to open in at least two Tiers of the Government’s system. Bars which solely sell drink are unable to open in Tier 2 and Tier 3. Only bars which sell “substantial” food can open in Tier 2 and can only operate as takeouts in Tier 3.

    With most of the country expected to be entered into Tier 2 or 3 when Boris Johnson announces the Tier system today, the Equator bar in Birmingham announced that it might have to close forever, adding “Equator bar is not a restaurant so will not be allowed to open in Tier 2” and added, “Maybe time to call it a day”.

    Speaking about the crisis facing the LGBT+ Scene, Lindsay continued, “The vast majority of LGBTQ+ venues don’t serve food but offer cabaret, DJs, screenings and a whole range of other events that people need to buy tickets in the same way theatres do.

    “A venue such at The RVT not only supports its staff and customers but has a whole range of self-employed performers and promotors that rely on us and all the other venues, many of whom are from marginalised groups within our community.”

    How does hospitality contribute to the rising numbers of Coronavirus cases?

    Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said, “Hospitality has accounted for as little as 2% of Covid cases”, and Kate Nicholls CEO, UK Hospitality said, “Pubs and restaurants pay the price of tougher tier restrictions – no other sector are facing restrictions like these.”

    Government data has shown that house-to-house mixing has the highest rate of rates of transmission for the virus.

    Government must compensate the hospital sector

    Government must compensate bars and pubs like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern

    Lindsay continued, “We understand the need for safety and Public Health, since March we have followed every rule the Government has told us to, but now the Government needs to do the honourable thing and financially support the approach to destroy a much loved industry and fully compensate commercially viable businesses who have been operating Covid-19 compliance.

    “That means grants that fully cover their fixed costs and loss of business and loss of profit.

    Road to nowhere

    “It feels like we are on a road to nowhere that will result in the decimation of the hospitality sector as well as more deaths from Covid.

    “Maybe I should ask – What is the purpose of this Government? They have not consulted with the hospitality industry and the advice that has been provided by the industry experts has been ignored. Equally the advice of the Governments own experts with the strategy they have deployed has also been ignored.”

    Read the full statement here

  • Boris Johnson thanks the LGBT community for “inspirational work”

    Boris Johnson thanks the LGBT community for “inspirational work”

    On the 1st June, the start of Pride Month, the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson took to his official Twitter account to speak directly to the LGBT+ community.

    In the Tweet Johnson wrote that that he was thankful for the “inspirational work in fighting tirelessly to overcome the prejudices many face”

    He added, that the contributions by the community had “helped shape a better future for people in the UK and around the world”

    However, many users on Twitter were not pleased for Johnson’s thanks. Many took the opportunity to remind the Prime Minister of the various controversial things that he has written about the gay community over the years.

    Embed from Getty Images

    During the late 90s and early 00s, Johnson was a columnist for The Telegraph and The Spectator. He used his platform to write several comments about marriage between gay men and teaching same-sex relationships in the classroom.

    He also used his platform to say he was a supporter of the very damaging Margaret Thatcher policy, Section 28.

    Since 2001 and in the time in which Johnson has been an MP there have been 16 votes in which he was eligible to vote. Of that 16, he voted positively in three, negatively in 1 and abstained from voting in the rest.

    Lord Michael Cashman responded to the Tweet saying, “We had to fight to overcome you and people in your party. And there are still some there like Liz Truss. To name one from many.”

    https://twitter.com/mcashmanCBE/status/1267582160342523906

    His Tweet which has been liked 4.9K times and retweeted 509 has been ratio’d with over 1.4K comments, the majority of which were negative.

  • What has Boris Johnson said about gay people in the past?

    What has Boris Johnson said about gay people in the past?

    Boris Johnson’s position as the UK’s Prime Minister is problematic for many, particularly as he has referred to members of the LGBT+ community, particularly gay men, in a less than complimentary way.

    Here we look at some of the most controversial things Boris Johnson has written about homosexuality, gay marriage and section 28. If you want to see how Johnson voted on LGBT+ issues during his time as an MP click here.

    On pupils being taught about marriage equality: The Telegraph 2000.

    “We don’t want our children being taught some rubbish about homosexual marriage being the same as normal marriage, and that is why I am more than happy to support Section 28.”

    On Gay Marriage: Friends, Voters, Countrymen, 2001

    “If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men; or indeed three men and a dog.”

    Poofs?: The Spectator, 2000

    “The clerics gave us [journalists] a wigging for being so mean to the Church of England … Why did we draw attention to tricky subjects like homosexuality, aka the Pulpit Poofs issue?” (VIA)

    Bum Boys: The Telegraph 1998

    In a column about Peter Mandelson’s resignation from the Labour government, Johnson said the announcement would lead to “tank-topped bumboys” in “the Ministry of Sound” nightclub, and “the soft-lit Soho drinking clubs frequented by Mandy and his pals.” (VIA)

    Questioning BBC workers’ partner’s rights to a pension – inline with their heterosexual counterparts: The Telegraph 1996

    “In my hand was a magazine from something called the BBC Resources Equal Opportunities Unit. There were letters from gays asking about their “partner’s” right to a BBC pension.”

  • MICHAEL CASHMAN: Boris Johnson “like Tissue Paper without the depth”

    MICHAEL CASHMAN: Boris Johnson “like Tissue Paper without the depth”

    Lord Cashman has branded the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson as unimpressive amidst the Dominic Cummings controversy.

    https://twitter.com/mcashmanCBE/status/1265755395190075393

    The former Eastender‘s actor and co-founder of the LGBT charity, Stonewall, has slammed the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “unimpressive” and like “tissue paper but without the depth”.

    Tweeting directly to Johnson, Cashman said that when he met the PM he was “so unimpressive”.

    The Tweet, which was sent from Lord Cashman’s official account, has been retweeted hundreds of times and garnered over 1.3K likes.

    Human Rights’ advocate Peter Tatchell replied “Well said Michael”

    [totalpoll id=”118667″]

    The comment comes after a highly turbulent few days at Downing Street, where Johnson’s top advisor, Dominic Cummings faced questions about his movements and decision making during the coronavirus lockdown.

    U.S. Embassy photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

    Sliding public support

    According to some polls, Johnson’s approval rating has taken a battering over recent days. The Independent reports that Johnson’s rating “plunged by 20 points in four days”

    Johnson’s approval peaked at 47 per cent on the 8th April, when he went to intensive care after he was infected by Coronavirus. However, since his return to work, approval from the general public has slid on a downward trajectory. On the 25th May, it was at -1 per cent according to the poll by Savanta.

    Calls for Cummings to be fired

    Embed from Getty Images

    Lord Cashman has also called for Dominic Cummings to be sacked from his position within the Government – and shared a Change.org petition, which has nearly gathered 1 million signatures.

  • G-A-Y Owner: Boris Johnson is a c**t

    G-A-Y Owner: Boris Johnson is a c**t

    Jeremy Joseph has launched a blistering attack on the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, calling him a c**t over his response to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

    In a social media post, blasting the PM, the owner of the world-famous G-A-Y brand wrote, “Boris Johnson, you are a c*nt”.

    His outburst was in relation to Boris Johnson’s media briefing yesterday suggesting the general public should start social distancing, by not using pubs, restaurants and theatres but not mandating that those businesses close.

    Embed from Getty Images

    In a Facebook post Jeremy wrote,

    “Telling people to avoid pubs, restaurants & theatres but not closing them, in other words, unofficially closing venues but making sure Government isn’t liable for staff to get sick pay”.

    Embed from Getty Images

    G-A-Y operates in four venues, three in London and one in Manchester.

    Jeremy has decided for the time being to close all the venues saying, “I no longer feel comfortable being open, so G-A-Y will be closed until further notice”

  • Conservatives release “delusional” merch to celebrate getting Brexit done

    Conservatives release “delusional” merch to celebrate getting Brexit done

    In a move which has left many people on social media baffled, the Conservatives have released an official tea towel feature a picture of PM Boris Johnson with the slogan, “Got Brexit Done”, despite the fact that the UK doesn’t officially leave the EU until the 31st January 2020.

    The move has left many on social media questioning whether the account had been hacked or was even a parody account.

    Proudly made in the UK

    The tea towel, which is “proudly made in the UK” is selling on the Conservative’s website for £12.99 and apparently is the perfect way to “Show your pride in Britain and celebrate Brexit in your kitchen”.

    Delivery of the towel won’t happen until the 10th Feb 2020.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Twitter users were quick to slam the product and the Conservatives as “delusional” while another added that they thought the tea-towel would be sold in car boot sales for 50p within a year.

    Matthew Hodson commented, “I predict these will age like a fine yogurt.”

    You could always team the tea towel with a mug, with the slogan “I got Brexit done” for £15.00.

    In a poll by THEGAYUK in April 2016, 82 per cent of our readers thought that the UK was better off in the EU, while only 18 per cent thought that we would be better off out.

  • ANALYSIS | How has Boris Johnson voted on gay and LGBT+ rights

    ANALYSIS | How has Boris Johnson voted on gay and LGBT+ rights

    Just how gay-friendly in the voting booth is the Conservative leader Boris Johnson?

    We looked into Boris Johnson‘s voting record on gay issues to see how LGBT friendly he is.

    Since entering the House of Commons as an MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in 2001, Boris Johnson has voted in a mixed way for gay rights.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Since 2001 and in the time in which Johnson has been an MP there have been 16 votes in which he was eligible to vote. Of that 16, he voted positively in three, negatively in 1 (an amendment of the Adoption and Children Bill — [2nd Allotted Day] — Applications for adoption) and was absent from a huge 11 votes.

    One vote was for an impact report on the repeal of the hugely damaging Section 28.

    What gay rights did Boris Johnson vote against, or was absent for?

    He was absent for

    2001: Relationships (Civil Registration)

    2002: Adoption and Children Bill — Suitability Of Adopters

    2004: Gender Recognition Bill — Allow Marriages to Remain Valid If They Become a Same-Sex Marriage

    2007: Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations

    2007: Categories of civil partners other than same-sex couples

    2019: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill — New Clause 1 — Marriage of Same-Sex Couples

    2019: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill — Lords Amendments — Abortion — Marriage and Civil Partnerships — Transparency etc.

    Was Boris Johnson Pro on Civil Partnerships?

    However, Johnson voted pro on civil partnerships in 2004 and voted to repeal Section 28 in 2003.

    Boris Johnson was not an MP during the time of the same-sex marriage vote – so we have no data on what his choice for that vote may have been in 2013.

    This article has been updated to include the negative vote and a vote which was on an impact report.

  • Around a third of LGBT+ people could support Boris Johnson to become the UK’s next Prime Minister

    Around a third of LGBT+ people could support Boris Johnson to become the UK’s next Prime Minister

    U.S. Embassy photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

    THEGAYUK conducted a flash poll of its Facebook audience to find that over a third of people, who follow THEGAYUK on that platform, said they’d vote for Boris Johnson on the back of his debate alongside Jeremy Corbyn.

    Although Jeremy Corbyn was the overall preferred candidate for LGBT+ readers of THEGAYUK, over a third said that they’d vote for Conservative leader, Boris Johnson in the next general election.

    Over 430 people took part in the flash poll, which offered readers just two options. Johnson Vs Corbyn.

    When given a choice between just the two leaders and asked to base their decision solely on the candidate’s performance on the ITV leaders’ debate earlier this week, 66 per cent of people voted for Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, while 34 per cent would trump for Boris Johnson.

    This is despite Boris Johnson’s rather chequered past on LGBT+ issues and Jeremy Corbyn’s near-perfect score on LGBT+ issues during his time as an MP.

    Who makes up THEGAYUK’s Facebook readership?

    Around 88 per cent of THEGAYUK‘s Facebook followers identify as male, with 40 per cent of those being in the 25-34-year-old bracket. The majority of its audience lives in the nation’s capital, London, with Manchester as the next most popular city.

  • Boris Johnson: Kids need to be taught to reflect society

    Boris Johnson: Kids need to be taught to reflect society

    Speaking on LBC today, Boris Johnson said that pupils across the UK should be taught “about the world as it is”.

    Tory leader and Prime Minister hopeful, Boris Johnson fielded a call today, while on LBC with Nick Ferrari, from an organiser of Shetland LGBTQ, who asked the candidate whether children should be taught about LGBT+ relationships and acceptance in schools across the entire UK.

    The line of question comes after hundreds of mostly Muslim parents in Birmingham protested LGBT+ acceptance and relationship lessons being taught in schools through the No Outsiders‘ campaign.

    Answering the question, Mr Johnson said that he believed that, “People should be able to love whomever they chose” and said that the country was “all the greater” for that right.

    He told Nick Ferrari, “People should be able to love whomever they chose and that’s the way we live our lives in the UK. Our country is all the greater for it. I do think it’s important that kids are taught about the world as it is.

    He added that he believed that teachers and schools have “a responsibility to teach kids about the world as it is”.

    Hundreds of parents removed their children from the Parkfield Primary school in April in protest of the ‘No Outsiders’ lessons.

    When pushed further about whether the parents were right or wrong to take their children out of classes in schools in Birmingham, Mr Johnson continued, “I don’t think kids should unreasonably be taken out of school”

  • Where do Tory PM potentials stand on LGBT rights?

    Where do Tory PM potentials stand on LGBT rights?

    With David Cameron going and a new Conservative leadership campaign triggered we check to see what each candidate’s LGBT credentials are.

    David Cameron, who made LGBT equality one of the cornerstones of his administration has announced his resignation after the UK voted to leave the EU. A Tory leadership battle is now underway. We look at the possible candidates and their views and voting records on LGBT+ equality

    How we calculated our results.
    Using TheyWorkForYou.com we were able to define MPs’ voting records on equality issues. We made conclusions on an MP’s voting record – we counted Absent votes as a negative.

    The likelihood on responsiveness was a mix between a 2015 survey on how MPs responded to their own constituents’ emails and their voting record on LGBT matters.

    This list will be updated as new candidate come forward or denounce their candidacy.

    PERFECT: Voted to give equality each time

    GOOD: Voted to give equality most of the time

    MIXED: Voted equally for and against equality

    POOR: Generally voted against equality

    TERRIBLE: Always voted against – or abstained.

    REFORMED: Used to vote against, now has good record.

    STEPHEN CRABB | LIAM FOX | MICHAEL GOVE | JEREMY HUNT (not running) | SAJID JAVID (joint ticket) | BORIS JOHNSON | ANDREA LEADSON | THERESA MAY | NICKY MORGAN (not running) | PRITI PATEL (not running)