THEGAYUK

Tag: London News

All the latest from London, the capital of the UK, home to the UK’s largest gay community.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | GH Boy – Charing Cross Theatre – The Gay Party scene – Warts and all

    THEATRE REVIEW | GH Boy – Charing Cross Theatre – The Gay Party scene – Warts and all

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Robert seems to have it all but in reality, he doesn’t. His fate is revealed in the new hard-hitting play GH Boy.

    Now playing at the Charing Cross Theatre until December 20th Robert (Jimmy Essex) has the perfect boyfriend in Sergio (Marc Bosch). Sergio is young, cute, fun and just adores Robert – who in Sergio’s eyes can’t do no wrong. Robert also has an understanding mom (now played by Nicola Sloane after Buffy Davis injured herself), a very good friend in Jasminder (Anryana Ramkhalawon) and an understanding therapist (Devesh Kishore). But Robert hides a secret – he’s way over his head in East London’s party scene (party = drugs).

    Meanwhile, there are whispers of a gay serial killer who entices gay men with promises of drugs, drugs, and more drugs. Robert desperately wants to leave the scene behind him and to enjoy his engagement with the adorable Sergio – but Robert can’t seem to escape the clutch on drugs – and this might just lead to a rendevous with the serial killer who seems about to snare Robert into his dangerous web.

    GH Boy tackles the misconceptions around gay culture and promiscuity and questions why gay men like Robert are drawn to this scene to the point of self-destruction in this show by debut playwright Paul Harvard.

    Originally supposed to run at The Vaults earlier this year but cancelled due to COVID 19 – catch it now while you can before possible tier 3 restrictions come into effect.

    Find out more https://ghboy.co.uk and book tickets here

  • This Friday is the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front demonstration in Britain

    This Friday is the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front demonstration in Britain

    Veterans from the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) will be holding a torchlight rally this Friday to mark 50 years since the first LGBT protest in Britain.

    The rally was held to highlight anti-gay laws and police harassment, specifically in response to the arrest of the then leader of the Young Liberals, Louis Eaks, in Highbury Fields, Islington.

    The veterans and allies will meet at 6 pm in Highbury Fields, opposite Highbury and Islington tube station, beside the pink triangle plaque that commemorates the protest that happened there 50 years ago.

    To conform to lockdown regulations, participants will wear masks, remain in two-person groups and keep socially distanced from each other.  

     “27th November 1970 was a watershed moment that challenged police persecution for the first time in the UK. It began our fightback, igniting an LGBT+ protest movement that in the following five decades rolled back straight supremacism and won the repeal of anti-LGBT+ laws,” said Peter Tatchell, who was a member of GLF 1971-74.

    This 50th commemoration, we will replicate the torchlight rally of 50 years ago and read the original Gay Liberation Front demands A plaque commemorating the protest on 27 November 1970 was affixed to the former public toilet by the LGBT+ group OutRage! and Islington Council.

    It was unveiled on 27 November 2000, on the 30th anniversary of the first demonstration, in the presence of then Culture Secretary Chris Smith MP, local MP Jeremy Corbyn, the Mayor of Islington, and GLF veterans.

    Embed from Getty Images

    86 and sending love

    “In 1970 I suggested that the Gay Liberation Front’s first demo ought to be in Highbury Fields against the arrest of Louis Eaks. I’m now 86 and send my love. I remind everyone that the word for the Highbury Fields demo, in the slang of 1970, was a ‘zap’, meaning a bolt of electrical energy. Highbury Fields forever! In solidarity and disgrace.” Eric Thompson

    “From the dark of Highbury Fields to the light of the pub afterwards, we saw each other anew. We had shared our beliefs and convictions in public and acted them out in the world. We had made the first-ever openly public demonstration in this country by homosexuals. Whatever barriers there were between us were let down that night. An emotional connection of solidarity and respect, for ourselves and each other, was forged. It remains palpable to this day.” Stuart Feather, author of the Gay Liberation Front memoir, Blowing the Lid.

    A defining moment in LGBT history

    a plague marking the the first ever gay liberation front protest

    “Highbury Fields was a UK defining moment in a global LGBT+ uprising and revolution against oppression and for liberation with sexual liberation at its heart.” John Lloyd

    “In 1970 gay men, lesbians and trans people protested together on Highbury Fields, not just about police abuse of power and unjust laws, but also for liberation, including sexual liberation for everyone – a revolution. Love and liberation.” Nettie Pollard.

    “Marking the 50th anniversary of the first LGBT protest in London is of paramount importance today in bringing together queer individuals spanning multiple generations in order that we can celebrate and learn from those who have continuously fought for our rights over the last 50 years.” Graham Martin

  • You have to watch Royal Vauxhall Tavern’s hilarious “in house safety video”

    You have to watch Royal Vauxhall Tavern’s hilarious “in house safety video”

    The Royal Vauxhall Tavern has created an “in house” safety video which will play before all its shows, very much like an inflight safety video, instructing patrons on how to keep safe during these COVID times.

    The video stars Myra Dubois and she gently reminds customers that they must sign in or use the track and trace app, check all coats and bags to make sure that the floors are kept clutter-free and ordering drinks from the official RVT app.

    She also asks customers not to cheer or sing along to the show and to “follow the rules”.

    Lastly there’s a reminder that last orders are at 9.30 PM and that the bar must close at 10 PM.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Buyer & Cellar – Above the Stag Theatre – Barbra Streisand’s shopping mall!

    THEATRE REVIEW | Buyer & Cellar – Above the Stag Theatre – Barbra Streisand’s shopping mall!

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Take a tour through Barbra Streisand’s underground shopping centre – in her home – in the new play Buyer & Cellar.

    Is the shopping centre real? That’s for you to decide, but in this brilliant production, you’ll get a bit of insight into the woman who is the most talented, respected and perhaps loneliest biggest celebrity in the world.

    Now playing at the Above the Stag Theatre (until November 8th) in a show that never had it’s premiere as it was scheduled to open in mid-March, Buyer & Cellar is nowhere and it’s your chance to go see it in a socially distanced theatre which is perhaps one of the cleanest around!

    And Aaron Sidwell is brilliant as Alex More, an out of work actor who gets hired for a mysterious job, it’s a job that no one knew ever existed – to run the shops beneath Barbra Streisand’s Malibu home, shops that are full of her memorabilia. But when Alex encounters La Streisand when she enters the basement, he treats her like any other customer in shops where there will be only one customer – HER. And when she wants to buy a doll, Sidwell cleverly and quickly jumps inter her character, and he effortlessly does her throughout the show. Eventually, Alex feels like he and Streisand are forming a bond each time she comes to the shops, and he yearns to know whether she sees him as a friend or just another employee. As the lines get blurred Alex maintains his composure until he’s invited upstairs to see the house, and he’s hoping this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

    In this 100 minutes plus show, Sidwell who holds your attention and masters the dialogue, and draws us into his world – and Barbra’s basement shopping mall. It’s a one-man show – with a larger than life celebrity at its centre, but Sidwell getting the applause.

    Tickets available at AboveTheStag.co.uk

  • Jeremy Joseph perfectly sums up why the Tier system is causing a lot of confusion

    Jeremy Joseph perfectly sums up why the Tier system is causing a lot of confusion

    The owner of the G-A-Y brand, Jeremy Joseph, has perfectly laid out why the new “tier” system that Boris Johnson’s government has imposed to tackle the increasing number of positive coronavirus test results is so confusing. The new system leads to many questions about who exactly is responsible for policing it.

    As London is to follow a number of places around the UK into “Tier 2” this weekend, – the “High” tier, the hospitality sector once again finds itself at a loss for answers from the Government. There are three tiers, Medium, High and Very High. As it stands the only major city that is in the “Very High” tier” is Liverpool.

    Under the “High” tier rules, according to the Government website,

    • People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
    • People must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space.
    • People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

    Taking to social media, Jeremy Joseph explained why the new tier system was confusing.

    “I’m So Confused, just done an interview about London going into Tier 2 & don’t know any of the answers

    “The legislation refers to people not participating in gatherings which consists of two or more persons indoors, which would suggests two people from different households (one from each) can meet indoors. So can you meet in with one person in a different household?

    “Tier 2 is no indoor mixing between households (including in bars). So who is responsible that households are not mixing, is it the venue or the households. How does a venue manage this?

    “Does The Social Bubble Still exist? How does a venue know who is in each other Social Bubble?

    To cap off his statement, Jeremy reminded readers that he was still awaiting answers from the Government about why the 10 PM curfew had been introduced, when there was no scientific data, readily available to back up their policy.

    He added, “I would ask someone from Government, but they still haven’t answered the reasoning behind 10 pm Curfew.

  • Met police supports National Hate Crime Awareness Week

    Met police supports National Hate Crime Awareness Week

    The Metropolitan Police Service supports National Hate Crime Awareness Week which launched on Saturday, 10 October, and across London officers will be holding a range of events to get the public talking about hate crime and how to tackle it.

    National Hate Crime Awareness Week (National HCAW) is an annual event organised by charity 17-24-30 National HCAW, which aims to bring people together in solidarity against hate crime in all its forms. 

    Throughout the week, the Met is working with partners, charities and local authorities to highlight support available to victims, raise awareness, and encourage victims of hate crime to report it.

    Due to the coronavirus restrictions, most of the events are being held online. However, there will be real-world community drop-in events at venues that can be made COVID-19 safe, throughout the week. There will also be enforcement activity, targeting offenders wanted for offences where hate crime is a feature.

    The outbreak of COVID-19 has presented many new challenges for the Met and policing as a whole. In London, there was a rise in reports of racially-aggravated hate crime incidents where certain communities were targeted due to the pandemic.

    In response to this, alongside our enforcement work, hate crime advice leaflets and videos were translated into a number of languages and distributed to the affected communities to ensure victims knew where to go to seek support, and how to report to police or other organisations.

    Between September 2019 and August 2020, hate crime reports saw a 12.7 per cent increase compared with the previous 12 months.

    Superintendent Waheed Khan, the Met’s Lead Responsible Officer (LRO) for hate crime, said, “London is a city that celebrates diversity and tolerance, and in 2020 no-one should be discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

    “The Met takes all reports of hate crime extremely seriously, and we work with partners to support victims and identify offenders. During the coronavirus pandemic, we have continued this work despite the challenges. 

    “We have Hate Crime Co-ordinators working across all London boroughs engaging with affected communities. The Met also has a Central Hate Crime Hub which supports investigations into hate crimes committed both in the real world and online.

    “While there has been a rise in the number of hate crimes reported which may be due to victims feeling more confident and empowered to report incidents, there is still work to be done. 

    “We know that some victims might be reluctant to, or not think to report hate crimes committed against them to police, and they often aren’t aware of the support available to them. 

    “We would urge anyone who has experienced hate crime and not spoken to police to come forward – we will take it seriously. If you don’t want to speak to police, there are other ways you can get help and support.”

    The Met’s main hate crime partners form the CATCH alliance, a group of anti-hate crime charities which include TellMAMA (Islamophobia) Galop (anti-LGBT+ hate crime), and the Community Security Trust (anti-Semitism).

    Hate crime is any crime deriving from hostility or prejudice towards a person because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Incidents may involve a physical attack, damage to property, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse, or abuse using social media.

    How to report a Hate Crime

    To report a hate crime, call police on 101, report online or tweet @MetCC.

    If there is an immediate risk or an emergency situation, always call 999. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online, or via the TruVision website.

    For advice about how to report hate crime, go to our website. 

    + The Met has arranged a large number of free hate crime events online that are open to the public and will feature a range of guest speakers. They will be held on Zoom and British Sign Language will be available. Many of these events have been organised locally.

    Further information about a small selection of webinars is available by clicking the links below:

    – Race: Monday, 12 October – 14:00 to 17:00hrs

    – Religion: Tuesday, 13 October – 11:00 to 13:00hrs

    – Disability: Wednesday, 14 October – 12:00 to 14:00hrs

    – Sexual Orientation: Thursday, 15 October – 09:30 to 12:30hrs

    – Gender Identity: Friday, 16 October – 11:00 to 13:00hrs

  • These might be London’s LGBT+ friendly places for flatmates

    These might be London’s LGBT+ friendly places for flatmates

    A study which identified LGBT+ friendly flat listings has shown that there is one particular borough in London, which stood above all others as the most progressive if you’re looking to move into an accepting household.

    A new study by CIA Landlord has identified the most desired roommate traits in London by analysing the most popular adverts by age, gender, job title and even preferences including LGBT friendly, smoker friendly and pet friendly, and it turns out that some of London’s most ethnically diverse boroughs are also, seemingly, the most accepting of LGBT+ people.

    With remote working taking over the capital, finding the perfect flatmate has never been more crucial – after all, you’re likely to be spending 24/7 with them whilst working from home.

    For LGBT+ people, finding flatmates who totally and completely support your sexuality and/or gender identity is especially important. Analysing SpareRoom data, CIA Landlord has revealed the most LGBT+ friendly boroughs to live in.

    Take a look at the top 10 boroughs with the most LGBT friendly flatmates below:

    RankLondon BoroughLGBT+ Friendly House Listings
    1Waltham Forest59
    2Lambeth49
    3Hackney48
    4Southwark30
    5Islington25
    6Newham24
    7Tower Hamlets16
    8Camden10
    9Westminster9
    10
    		Greenwich8

    At just a short 30 minute journey into central London, Waltham Forest has been dubbed the most LGBT+ friendly borough for roommates, with over 17.56% of all LGBT+ room wanted listings in London based in the area. Lambeth follows in second, which unveiled the UK’s very first permanent Rainbow crossing in 2019 and the borough’s various involvements in supporting the community stays true to its citizens – with over 14.58% of all of London’s LGBT+ house listings featured in the area.

    Where isn’t so LGBT+ Friendly?

    The least friendly boroughs, according to the study included, Richmond Upon Thames, Havering, Bexley, Hillingdon and Barnet – which offered no explicitly LGBT+ friendly listings.

    RankLondon BoroughLGBT+ Friendly House Listings
    1Richmond Upon Thames0
    2Havering0
    3Bexley0
    4Hillingdon0
    5Barnet0
    6Enfield1
    7Hounslow1
    8Kingston Upon Thames1
    9Brent2
    10
    		Sutton2

    Enfield, Hounslow and Kingston Upon Thames each offered one listing, while, Brent and Sutton had two listings available.

    How did the researchers come to their findings?

    To find the most desired and least desired roommate traits, CIA Landlord analysed SpareRoom data to reveal the most commonly advertised professions, ages and preferences throughout London.

    Job titles have been searched as keywords exactly as listed into SpareRoom. This may result in the exclusion of keyword listings where the title was similar but not the same due to the functionality of the source’s search.

    Each option point has been treated individually. Where data has been combined to show the “worst” combination of traits, this has been done on an index basis rather than using each as an individual search.

    e.g. No searches have been performed for homes that are “LGBT friendly with pets and smokers allowed”. Instead, individual searches have been performed for LGBT, pets, and smokers, and these combined into a single index to show the least desirable combination.

  • Royal Vauxhall Tavern backs G-A-Y’s legal challenge to 10 PM curfew

    Royal Vauxhall Tavern backs G-A-Y’s legal challenge to 10 PM curfew

    One of London’s longest-running LGBT+ pubs, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) has backed G-A-Y’s Jeremy Joseph in his quest to legally challenge the controversial restrictions placed on the hospitality sector across the UK, which the government has said is a “necessary measure” to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

    In a message of solidarity, the RVT’s CEO James Lindsay echoed Jeremy Joseph’s comments that the 10 PM curfew “made no sense” adding, “not only us it another massive blow to us as a business, but it also puts our customers at more risk” as the 10 PM kick out means that hundreds of pub and restaurant-goers are forced out into the street at the same time.

    No science to back up the curfew

    four women chatting while sitting on bench
    Photo by ELEVATE on Pexels.com

    They added, “We totally support Jeremy Joseph and the action he has taken with the NTIA (Night Times Industries Association) to hold Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock account for this dangerous and shortsighted action that seems designed to blame the night time industry for increased numbers of Covid-19 cases when there is no science to back it up.”

    Adding her voice, London’s night czar Amy Lamé wrote on social media, “Another weekend of London’s struggling hospitality businesses closing early due to the Govt’s arbitrary curfew. When will @10DowningStreet realise they are part of the SOLUTION, not the problem? @SadiqKhan and I are calling for an urgent review + financial support

  • Football Homophobes convicted after shouting abuse at a match

    Football Homophobes convicted after shouting abuse at a match

    Four men have been convicted of a Public Order Act offence after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police and slapped with a £200 fine and are banned from attending future football matches.

    The men were found to have shouted homophobic comments and actions at a West Ham Match in early 2020.

    Police investigated reports of several men shouting homophobic comments or making homophobic actions towards visiting supporters at the West Ham v Brighton & Hove Albion game on 1 February 2020.

    Two men were arrested during the fixture at the London Stadium on the day of the game.

    Thomas Hill, 25 of Slough and Samuel Marshall, 21 of Hornchurch appeared on 3 September at Thames Magistrates’ Court. They pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and were each fined £200 plus costs.

    The investigation continued and two other men were summonsed.

    On 30 September at Thames Magistrates’ Court, Damian Critten, 24, of Rainham and Jack Wood, 25 of London both pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act. They were each fined £120 and given three-year football banning orders.

    Chief Inspector Chris Green of Met Operations said, “This investigation and these convictions show that we will not tolerate homophobic behaviour or hate crime at football matches and more broadly in our city.

    “If you have information about people committing these type of despicable offences, please share that information with police. These offenders may happen to support the same football team as you, but they do not deserve your support.”

  • In the midst of COVID misery, a new LGBT+ bar has opened

    In the midst of COVID misery, a new LGBT+ bar has opened

    Everything is doom and gloom in the hospitality industry as you might expect. With restrictions and ever-changing guidance from the government, the industry has become, for many, almost unsustainable.

    One bar in Cardiff has been forced to close for the duration of the newly introduced 10 PM curfew.

    However, Zodiac Bar London is bucking the trend and has actually flung open its doors, which for some may seem a strange business move what with everything going on in 2020, but it turns it’s been very popular with the local community.

    The bar actually opened its door back in July and has proved a success for LGBT+ folk in the North London area.

    From a one-off to extended days and opening hours.

    Zodiac Bar started off as an LGBT+ night in July at a “Northern Soul” bar on Junction Road, N19, but due to the success it’s actually taken over the venue from Wednesday to Saturday, 5 PM until 2 AM, (now 10 PM due to COVID-19 restrictions).

    According to the venue’s website, the bar was “The brainchild of TransWoman Jade (aka Lady Phoenix) and her partner, they have now introduced theme nights for Bears, The Trans Community (including TS,TV & CD), Lesbians; and also plan to include fetish nights, Drag Acts & Cabarets (when rules allow), LGBTQ talent contests and Bingo/Quiz nights in the near future.”

  • Police are looking for these people after “vicious” homophobic attack in North London

    Police are looking for these people after “vicious” homophobic attack in North London

    Detectives investigating an alleged homophobic attack in Stamford Hill, in North London, are releasing images and moving footage of individuals they would like to speak to in connection with their enquiries.

    Police were called at 01:00hrs on Sunday, 26 July following reports of a homophobic assault and robbery near the junction of Seven Sisters Road and Amhurst Park.

    Officers attended the scene and spoke with the victim, a man in his 20s, who had suffered minor injuries and had his headphones stolen.

    The victim was walking across the junction when he was approached by two men who began shouting homophobic abuse before physically assaulting him. 

    The men are both described as white and in their mid-20s. One man is believed to be around 5ft 6ins tall, with a beard and was wearing a green baseball cap at the time.

    The other man is believed to be approximately 6ft 2ins tall with curly blond or ginger hair, and was wearing a leather jacket with a T-shirt underneath. 

    Once the men had left the scene the victim called police.

    The two men then returned and stole the victim’s headphones. They also attempted to steal his phone.

    Detectives are releasing CCTV footage of two men seen running from the scene shortly after the incident, as well as two e-fit images.

    Detective Sergeant James Rush, said: “This was a vicious attack on the victim, all the more appalling because of the homophobic abuse the victim received. I implore any witnesses to this incident to get in touch to tell us what you saw.

    “I would also appeal to the men in the CCTV footage or anyone who knows them to contact us as we believe they could have significant information. The victim has also worked with us to create efit images of the two suspects which we are also releasing in the hope someone may recognise them. 

    “Any information you have no matter how small may be pivotal to our investigation. The Met stands against hate and will make every effort to track the suspects down and hold them responsible.”

    In an earlier appeal, officers were looking to trace two witnesses. One of those individuals – a man in the back of a large black car, passing at the time – has now been spoken to police. But a woman in a white car who asked the victim if he needed help remains outstanding, and officers are still keen to hear from her; as well as any other witnesses.

    Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 580/26Jul. 
    Alternatively, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.