THEGAYUK

Tag: CoronaVirus

The latest news and updates on the Covid-19 pandemic and the LGBT+ community. Stay updated with the latest news and updates about Coronavirus with THEGAYUK.

  • Lockdown an “opportunity to end new HIV infections altogether”

    Lockdown an “opportunity to end new HIV infections altogether”

    If you’ve not been hooking up with other guys during the COVID-19 lockdown and have had no sex with other people since March, now could be the perfect time to get yourself tested for HIV, says, HIV expert Matthew Hodson.

    Taking to social media, Matthew, who is the Executive Director of AIDSMAP, told his followers, that if they hadn’t had sex for five weeks or more, that they could be confident that an HIV test result would be highly accurate, adding that the lockdown has created an opportunity to “root out undiagnosed HIV”.

    Many people have adhered to Government guidelines about self-isolating.

    In a current poll (it is live and subject to change) we asked our readers whether they had abstained from sex with people outside their own homes. The vast majority of people (around 66 per cent) who answered said that they had.

    Only around five per cent said that their behaviour had not changed since the beginning of lockdown at the end of March.

    [totalpoll id=”118500″]

    New HIV Infections to sink faster than before and an opportunity to end HIV altogether

    CREDIT: © rbhavana Depositphotos

    Speaking in a video, Matthew said, “lockdown means far fewer people are having sex, meaning that far fewer people will have just acquired HIV. This is crucial because people are at their most infectious when they’ve just got.

    He went on to say that they were “already anticipating that the number of new infections will go down even faster than before”.

    He added that we have the “opportunity to end new HIV infections altogether”

    The idea is if everyone tests now and receives their HIV status by the time lockdown ends, that anyone who has newly acquired HIV can be on treatment. When people are “virtual suppressed” (UEqualsU) HIV cannot be passed on to anyone else.

    Need an at-home HIV test?

    The charity Saving Lives is offering readers of THEGAYUK a free at-home HIV Testing Kit.

    You can order a FREE at-home HIV test kit from Saving Lives if you use the promo code: GAYUK20.

    Want to know what an at-home HIV test is like? Read our review here.

    Sexual Health is still open

    Although it may seem that many health services might be running at a reduced capacity or you’re unable to physically attend NHS services, but Doctor Naomi Sutton took to social media recently to remind us all that you can still get sexual health advice and, if necessary, access medications and testing if you need them.

    She wrote,

    “The #NHS is still open! Please seek medical advice if you need it.

    “Sexual health services are operating phone consultations, posting contraception, screening tests and medication when needed and seeing patients face to face where necessary”

    https://twitter.com/DrNaomiSutton/status/1255483728366796801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1255483728366796801%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegayuk.com%2Fyes-you-can-still-access-sexual-health-services-during-the-lockdown%2F

  • A second chance for iconic Brighton LGBT venue

    A second chance for iconic Brighton LGBT venue

    According to the Legend’s website, the iconic venue is getting a second chance after it announced its closure last month.

    Legends in Brighton is apparently hoping to welcome back new and old customers alike after seemingly being taken over by new management, according to a statement on the venue’s website.

    In April, it was reported that Legends had entered into voluntary liquidation and had announced that it had ceased trading, however, a new statement released on the company’s website states the hotel and bar is “under new management” and hopes to invite new and existing customers back again soon.

    The website also points to a brand new website which has very limited information on it.

    The venue is unlikely to be open to the public anytime soon, as the UK’s is under lockdown conditions in order to “flatten the curve” of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Hardship for many of the UK’s gay venues

    Since the last week of March 2020, the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs were ordered to shut, along with many other “non-essential” businesses.

    The order also included the UK’s community of gay saunas.

    As it currently stands bars and clubs will not be allowed to open again for the foreseeable future, putting immense pressure onto the “gay scene”, which has already suffered a slew of closures in recent years due to ever-increasing rents in cities and generally falling footfall.

    On May the 10th the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, laid out tentative plans to reopen parts of the UK’s economy. The hospitality industry, arguably the hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, will be one of the last to be reopened.

    Some of the industry would be permitted to commence trading again on 4th July, but that was contingent on a number of factors, including keeping the number of new infections of COVID-19 down and the ability to maintain social distancing measures within the premises.

  • Bus company “rebrands” pride bus for NHS key workers

    Bus company “rebrands” pride bus for NHS key workers

    The rebranding has been blasted as insensitive and “deeply disrespectful”.

    A transport company in Plymouth, Devon, decided to show its support for NHS key workers and their vital role during the Coronavirus pandemic, however, the results spectacularly backfired on social media after it published a picture of a “re-branded” pride bus, featuring the LGBT+ flag.

    Plymouth Citybus decided that it would “re-brand” its Pride bus to an “NHS” bus leading to accusations that the current usage of the rainbow was an appropriation of an LGBT+ icon – the rainbow flag.

    https://twitter.com/plymouthbus/status/1261598471779430401

    Unfortunately, the rebranding also happened to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia, Bi and Transphobia.

    During the pandemic, many have been using the rainbow symbol as a sign of hope and acknowledgement of the tireless work of key workers during the lockdown. However, there is a difference between rainbow designs.

    The most famous and widely used version of the pride flag has six stripes, while other rainbow symbols have seven or eight stripes to them.

    Worldwide Symbol for the LGBT+ Community

    rihaij / Pixabay

    The rainbow flag has been a world-wide symbol for LGBT+ rights since the late 70s when designer and artist Gilbert Baker unveiled the rainbow as a symbol of hope for LGBT+ people.

    Speaking of the flag’s importance, before he died, Baker said that before the rainbow the only symbol given to gay people was the Nazi’s pink triangle, he said, “no other international symbol for [the LGBT+ community] than the pink triangle which the Nazis used to identify homosexuals in concentration camps,

    “Even though the pink triangle was and still is a very powerful symbol, it was very much forced upon us”.

    Acusations of “deleting pride and appropriation”

    The bus company was accused of “deleting pride” and using the bus for a “branding opportunity”. One user caused the company of “Rainbow capitalism and appropriation”.

    LGBT+ advocate Tom Hayes said, “I understand what you were trying to do, but this is a pretty insensitive way of doing it. And on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia too?

    “LGBTQ+ aren’t just a failed marketing campaign you repurpose. This is deeply disrespectful.”

    https://twitter.com/PositiveLad/status/1261985665409048578

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the Plymouth Citybus said, “The pride bus in Plymouth has been borrowed to show support to the NHS and fellow key workers. It is a temporary measure.We are working with Pride in Plymouth for a new 2020 Pride bus, to show our continued support. Plymouth Citybus is an inclusive company and represents the community it serves”/

  • Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club just announced it’s to permanently close

    Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club just announced it’s to permanently close

    Nottingham’s only dedicated LGBT+ nightclub, Propaganda is to close after the lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions meant it has been unable to renew its lease.

    Propaganda, which has served Nottingham’s LGBT+ community for over 11 years will close with immediate effect, according to a Facebook post the club’s management published yesterday afternoon.

    In the post, the management wrote, that due to the “current economic conditions” the club was unable to come to new terms with its landlord and that they had “no other option but to close”.

    The outpouring of support from the community has been “truly humbling” according to the management after the post announcing the club’s closure, received over 2,300 comments from customers.

    The management of Propaganda sad that they were “humbled to have been part of something special” and wished their “incredible staff, past and present” their thanks.

    Propaganda isn’t the only LGBT+ space that has been forced to close during the COVID 19 lockdown. Last month the iconic Legends Bar in Brighton was also forced to shut its doors permanently.

    Bars to be closed until July

    Andersonville, gay bar
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    Since the last week of March 2020, the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs were ordered to shut, along with many other “non-essential” businesses.

    The order also included the UK’s community of gay saunas.

    As it currently stands bars and clubs will not be allowed to open again for the foreseeable future, putting immense pressure onto the “gay scene”, which has already suffered a slew of closures in recent years due to ever-increasing rents in cities and generally falling footfall.

    On May the 10th the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, laid out tentative plans to reopen parts of the UK’s economy. The hospitality industry, arguably the hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, will be one of the last to be reopened.

    Some of the industry would be permitted to commence trading again on 4th July, but that was contingent on a number of factors, including keeping the number of new infections of COVID-19 down and the ability to maintain social distancing measures within the premises.

  • When will the UK’s LGBT+ clubs and bars be allowed to open again?

    When will the UK’s LGBT+ clubs and bars be allowed to open again?

    As with many of the UK’s businesses, LGBT+ clubs and bars are currently closed and are not permitted to open during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Since the last week of March 2020, the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs were ordered to shut, along with many other “non-essential” businesses.

    The order also included the UK’s community of gay saunas.

    As it currently stands bars and clubs will not be allowed to open again for the foreseeable future, putting immense pressure onto the “gay scene”, which has already suffered a slew of closures in recent years due to ever-increasing rents in cities and generally falling footfall.

    Since the turn of the century over 100 bars and clubs have closed in London alone.

    On May the 10th the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, laid out tentative plans to reopen parts of the UK’s economy. The hospitality industry, arguably the hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, will be one of the last to be reopened.

    Some of the industry would be permitted to commence trading again on 4th July, but that was contingent on a number of factors, including keeping the number of new infections of COVID-19 down and the ability to maintain social distancing measures within the premises.

    No help from landlords

    The iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London has called upon its customers to help it make ends meet during the lockdown.

    In a Tweet sent via its official account, the pub’s management said that it didn’t meet criteria for a £25,000 business grant and was only receiving relief for its business rates. It said that it was still liable for rents, which its landlords had refused to consider restructuring.

    The statement said, “We are a small independent company that has gone from being a vibrant cabaret, performance and club venue to zero income overnight.

    “Since 20 March the financial support we have received from the Government, City Hall, Local Authority or our landlord is relief on business rates.

    “We do not qualify for the £25,000 grand that some smaller venues are eligible for.

    It urged fans to donate via a funding page.

    The closure of the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs has put tremendous pressure on the UK’s vibrant LGBT+ performers as well.

  • Are there any gay saunas open during the Covid-19 lockdown?

    Are there any gay saunas open during the Covid-19 lockdown?

    As with many businesses the UK’s government has said that all non-essential shops and venues open to the public should not be open during the lockdown to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus.

    Since the last week of March 2020, many businesses and services that were open to the general public across the UK have been ordered to shut including many shops and venues deemed not essential.

    The ruling applies to massage parlours, gyms and other health resorts – so unfortunately if you’re looking for an open gay sauna, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one open – and if you do, it’s most likely operating outside of the Government’s guidelines.

    When can we expect gay bars and saunas to reopen?

    The Government is expected to review its lockdown policy on the 7th May – and will make decisions about the types of businesses which will be allowed to reopen.

    It’s unlikely however that gyms and health spas will be high on the priority list for the Government to allow opening.

    Bars and clubs are also low on the priority list of business expected to be allowed to open once the UK’s lockdown is eased.

  • Yes, you can still access sexual health services during the lockdown

    Yes, you can still access sexual health services during the lockdown

    It’s important that you look after yourself, even your sexual health during the Coronavirus lockdown.

    Although it may seem that many health services might be running at a reduced capacity or you’re unable to physically attend NHS services, but this sexual health doctor wants you to know that you can still get sexual health advice and, if necessary, access medications and testing if you need them.

    The NHS is still open

    You can still get sexual health checks during covid 19 lockdown
    Photo by Pranidchakan Boonrom on Pexels

    Doctor Naomi Sutton took to Twitter to remind followers that the NHS sexual services are still available and that you should phone your usual sexual health clinic and access the current phone consulting services being offered.

    She wrote,

    “The #NHS is still open! Please seek medical advice if you need it.

    “Sexual health services are operating phone consultations, posting contraception, screening tests and medication when needed and seeing patients face to face where necessary”

    https://twitter.com/DrNaomiSutton/status/1255483728366796801

    You can also order sexual health testing online. The charity, Saving Lives are posting out HIV kits.

    At Home Testing is available

    It is recommended that sexually active people, who have a number of different sexual partners should go for an STI test at their local Sexual Health clinic every 3 to 6 months, or order a FREE at-home HIV test kit from Saving Lives if you use the promo code: GAYUK20.

  • The UK’s biggest Pride flag used to celebrate the UK’s key workers

    The UK’s biggest Pride flag used to celebrate the UK’s key workers

    The iconic rainbow flag has become the symbol of hope once again, this time it’s in the battle against coronavirus.

    One Pride team from Cornwall Pride have found a way to utilize their very own rainbow flag, the biggest in the UK in an amazing tribute to all key workers in the UK.

    Ensuring social distancing, the team from Cornwall Pride including artist, Pat Fete, used Cornwall’s biggest canvas, Towan Beach, and the UK’s biggest pride flag, to write a special message to all key workers across the UK.

    Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, from Cornwall Pride, told THEGAYUK, “It is our way to show support from Cornwall Pride as we have an amazing rainbow flag and its one of the largest in the UK. So sharing it right now, saying “thank you” as a community rainbow is the most important thing we can do. To bring people together with an image of hope and love.

    “With support from Team Newquay and the local Police Diversity Team to share it in solidarity with NHS and all key workers. Again to truly say a HUGE thank you to everyone for everything’.

    Perfect way to say ‘thank you’

    Jon Goodman, from Team Newquay, said, “This is a perfect way for Newquay to say “Thank You” ….a rainbow on a beach!

    “I was asked to help put it together and this is something you just can’t say no too, my daughter is a keyworker and I have friends that are carers and work in the NHS, I and all are full of pride for them all.”

    The whole project took a little over 2 hours and four people all following social distancing and washing hands when changing equipment. Two for the flag, one artist, one photographer.

  • Gay marriage linked to COVID-19, according to religious leader, Pat Robertson

    Gay marriage linked to COVID-19, according to religious leader, Pat Robertson

    Pat Robertson has doubled down on his anti-gay teachings by linking the current coronavirus pandemic with gay marriage and abortion.

    When asked whether the world could ever be forgiven for its “sins” like abortion and gay marriage Robertson was keen to stress that we won’t be forgiven because mankind has broken its covenant with God. Actually we’ve apparently “violated his covenant”.

    Because… of course he did.

    Using his TV platform, “The 700 Club” Pat was joined by his co-host, Terry Meeuwsen who read out a viewer’s question: “Pat, last week you were talking about COVID-19. You quoted Chronicles 7:14. How can God heal our land and forgive the sins when abortion and same-sex marriage are laws and many people are anti-Israel. Doesn’t this prevent his healing and forgiveness?”

    To which Robertson replied,

    “You know, I think you put your finger on something very important. You know the Bible says — they turn from their wicked ways. They didn’t get forgiven. They will turn from their wicked ways. And part of what we’ve done is turn.

    “We are not turning when we have done terrible things. We have broken the covenant that God made with mankind.

    “We have violated his covenant. We have taken the life of the innocent, slaughtered them by the tens of millions. Children made in the image of God. And we have abused the poor.

    I mean, we’ve allowed this terrible plague to spread throughout our society. And it’s a small wonder God would hold us guilty. But the answer is, you know, you confess your sins and forsake them. Then he heals the land. It’s not before. You are right”.

    In 2013 Robertson was nominated as Bigot Of The Year by the LGBT+ charity Stonewall.

    H/t Media Matters

  • April’s Acts Of Remembrance by 17-24-30 cancelled, and to go online

    April’s Acts Of Remembrance by 17-24-30 cancelled, and to go online

    The annual Acts Of Remembrance organised by the 17-24-40 National Hate Crime Awareness Week to remember three attacks that terrorised London’s minorities during April 1999, resulting in the nail bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub have been cancelled following the Government’s advice that there are to be no public gatherings of more than two people.

    The nail bomb attack on the Admiral Duncan pub killed three people and injured 70 more.

    Every year the charity organises three events to mark the bombings that took place in Brixton, Brick Lane and in Soho. This year those events have been cancelled and an online event will take place instead.

    The organisation also paid tribute to a volunteer who sadly passed away in March.

    Paul Quigley volunteered for the organisation sadly died in March from complications from COVID-19.

    17-24-30 cancelled all volunteer sessions on the 10th March – before the government ordered the UK into lockdown.

    “One of a kind”

    A spokesperson for 17-24-30 said, “It’s very difficult to find the words we need to express our sadness at losing Paul, he was one of a kind.

    “Paul was a popular guy, a genuine warm-hearted soul who could be quite outspoken at times. He had a gorgeous smile and the ability to make those around him laugh with his witty observations. He will be sorely missed. Our love and condolences go out to his family and friends”.

    Where will the Acts Of Remembrance take place?

    There will be three online Acts of Remembrance to mark the 21st anniversaries of the London Nail Bomb attacks on Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho.

    You can register to join here: Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho.

  • This porn studio has worked out how to continue shooting during the lockdown

    This porn studio has worked out how to continue shooting during the lockdown

    As studios across the UK and the US start to limit the number of new scenes they are able to share with their customers, due to the COVID-19 lockdown one studio is starting to think outside the box when it comes to fresh and new content for its thirsty fans.

    Himeros plans to shoot a couple through the windows of their home as they have sex.

    Yes, you read that right. Using a real-life couple, Himeros founder, Davey Wavey said that the studio was going to be keeping a safe distance from its models – going as far as staying behind glass in order to shoot the scene.

    He said, “We’re in a good position because we have a lot of content already filmed, but we want to keep added to the stockpile of content that we have…”

    “We’re going to have glass between us and the couple, it’s about finding creative ways…”

    He described the idea as very “voyeuristic”.

    Using a real-life couple in his local area, Davey told fans on his podcast, episode 101, that the studio was looking into new and interesting ways to keep production going.

    Davey said that he had reached out to a local gay couple, who jumped at the chance to shoot their first porn for the studio, which has garnered a fanbase for its unique approach in creating porn that is erotic, but distinct from mainstream gay porn.

    The scene is expected to be released later on in 2020.

    Sex workers and adult stars hard hit by lockdown

    Across the globe, sex workers and adult performers have found their work potential decimated as lockdown and physical distancing measures brought in by governments as a means to “flatten the curve” of new COVID-19 infections, mean that they aren’t able to work in the normal way.

    According to Porn blog StraightUpGayPorn, studios like Falcon and Nextdoor have announced that they are cutting the number of scenes they are making available to their subscribers.

    Of course, many porn stars are now working separately from studios on their own sites or via OnlyFans.