Tag: London News
All the latest from London, the capital of the UK, home to the UK’s largest gay community.
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Man Dies At Gay Sauna In South London
A man was pronounced dead at one of London’s most popular gay saunas last weekend.
The unnamed man was pronounced dead at the Waterloo branch of Chariots by paramedics and is being treated as “non-suspicious” the Evening Standard reports.
The Chariots group of saunas, which operates a zero tolerance on drugs, has four venues across London and describes itself as the “the UK’s biggest gay and bi-sexual men sauna group”.
A source at the sauna said, the man had died of natural causes, “from a heart attack”. The man’s death was not related to drug usage.
In February three men were taken to casualty after falling ill at the Vauxhall branch.
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POLICE: “Appropriate And Proportional” Policing Plan Is In Place For Pride In London
Police in London are on high alert today as up to 750,000 people are expected to turn out to take part and watch London’s Pride parade.
London’s LGBT+ parade is due to take place just 24 hours after a number of terror attacks took place in Tunisia, Kuwait and France leaving question marks over the safety of the general public in crowded spaces in cities across the world.
Extra security has been promised for Armed Forces day and the gay pride parade today in London, however spectators are being asked to be extra vigilant.
The UK’s terror threat level is placed at Severe after ISIS claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Tunisia. The Sun newspaper is claiming that an Armed Forces Day parade in South London had been a target for ISIS. According to the paper a thwarted suicide blast was intended to strike at soldiers from Lee Rigby’s unit during today’s parade.
According to The Mail, the Met Police’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, said: “Our priority is to keep people safe and we continue to review our ability to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents and potential threats.
“And as we approach a weekend of large public celebrations around the country, including Armed Forces Day events and Pride London, we will be putting in place additional security measures to help protect and reassure the public.’
PARADE DETAILS
The London LGBT parade will leave Baker Street at 1.00PM and end in Whitehall at 4:30PM.The Metropolitan Police report that they have been liaising with the organiser of this year’s Pride event for some months and that an appropriate and proportionate policing plan is in place.
This year’s Parade is one of the biggest ever with over 250 groups registered to take part in the parade.
Numerous worried members of the public have taken to social media to question the safety of London and the event.
The Pride In London committee have commented that they have over 1000 stewards and have been working closely with the Met Police to ensure the safety of those attending the parade.
Tweeting from their official Twitter account, they said, “All our usual precautions, and we work very closely with the @metpoliceuk to deliver a safe event.
“Safety is our utmost priority, above all else.”
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Boris Johnson Backs Campaign To Save The Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Boris Johnson has joined Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady in the campaign to secure one of London’s most iconic LGBT venues, The Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Speaking about the RVT Future’s campaign, which is fighting to turn the RVT building into a listed building, Boris Johnson said,
“The Royal Vauxhall Tavern has been a lynchpin at the heart of London’s LGBT community for more than six decades. This week, New York gave the Stonewall Inn landmark status, recognising its place in that city’s history. The RVT’s unique contribution to the vibrancy of London life should also be celebrated. It is a beacon that is known around the world and must be made a listed building so it can continue to shine for years to come.”
Amy Lamé, chair of RVT Future – a group of performers, producers and punters concerned by the RVT’s purchase by property developers last year – said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have Boris’s support. It’s great to know he takes the LGBT community’s interests seriously and loves the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as much as we do. We hope Historic England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport give the Mayor’s view due consideration as they consider the listing application. Ultimately, we’d like the RVT to be owned by the community that cherishes it, so we hope this will be an important step on that path.”
Yesterday, Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady – who developed his legendary character Lily Savage during a long-running residency at the RVT – gave their support to the campaign.
O’Grady developed his legendary character Lily Savage at the RVT during a long-running residency in the 80s. “I consider the venue to be my very own school of dramatic art,”
O’Grady writes. “The Vauxhall Tavern was our village hall” during a turbulent era marked by homophobia, police raids and the AIDS crisis.
More than 30 performers, producers, local residents, LGBTQ charities, architects, historians and politicians have written to Historic England (formerly English Heritage) to back the listing application made by RVT Future.
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Sir Ian and Paul O Grady Support Turning The RVT Into A Listed Building
The action plan to turn the iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern into a listed building has being given celebrity backing as Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady put their weight behind the campaign.
Many of London’s gay venues have closed recently forcing the iconic RVT to seek landmark status as a listed building, which could protect it from redevelopment.
In recent years over ten LGBT venues have shuttered.
New York’s Stonewall Inn was awarded Landmark Status in recognition of its role in LGBT+ history.
The application for listed status was made by RVT Future, a group of performers, producers and punters concerned by the RVT’s purchase by property developers last year. The new owners have refused to discuss plans with the community about the fate of the RVT.
McKellen and O’Grady are among more than 30 performers, producers, local residents, LGBT+ charities, architects, historians and politicians who have written to Historic England (formerly English Heritage) to back the listing application made by RVT Future, a group of performers, producers and punters concerned by the RVT’s purchase by property developers last year.
The pub’s local vicar is on board with the campaign too.
O’Grady notes that following the closure of LGBT+ spaces across London, including the Black Cap in Camden, Madame Jojo’s in Soho and the Joiners Arms in Hackney, the RVT “is now one of the few remaining venues to showcase new and old talent every week”.
He believes the Tavern “should be offered protection to withstand today’s developers… Without listing the threat to its future is all too real. With listing I know the community will rally round and ensure it remains an important venue for many decades to come.”
Sir Ian McKellen has also written to Historic England to support the application. “I support the campaign to grant the Royal Vauxhall Tavern listed status”, says Sir Ian.
McKellen was among the founders of Stonewall UK in 1989 and is himself co-owner of a listed pub, The
Grapes in Limehouse.The Tavern was built on the former grounds of the Vauxhall pleasure gardens around 1862, and has been a site of LGBT+ community and culture since the 1950s, if not earlier. The RVT featured in last year’s international hit film Pride, ‘playing itself’ as a hub of community activism.
A number of venues in recent years have closed, these include: The Black Cap, Barcode Vauxhall, Candy BAr, Covert, Escape, Madame Jo Jos, Green Carnation, Joiners Arms, Lo Profile, Profile Bar, Oak Bar,
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RESTAURANT REVIEW | Q-Grill, Camden
Around five minutes stroll from either Chalk Farm or Camden tube is the Q-Grill, and no introduction necessary with the main method of cooking here. Plenty of smoky dishes on the menu using their house smoker, in fact they have a special smoked beer ‘Rib Tickler’ designed to be paired with one of the rib dishes on the menu. I had a small sip of the beer just to try, and could have easily had a pint of the stuff.
The vibe is very Camden, the décor channelling a beach bbq shack, and has an open kitchen on view. Our waiter, Armand, had impeccable customer service and clearly knew the menu well, he suggested his favourites for the starters – to which we had all 3 between us both.
Baked Butternut Hummus (£6.00), not the usual hummus as not a chickpea in sight! A vivid orange pool of spicy thick butternut puree, adorned with fat feta chunks lightly charred, and some cubed butternut too. Homemade flatbreads charred & chewy make good for mopping up all that nutrition in neon.The Seabass Ceviche (£9.75) was so lovely, it couldn’t have been any fresher. A healthily herbed dish spiked with flecks of chilli. So many ceviche can be spoiled by being overly acidic, but the proportions here were spot on. This dish also came served with golden boat-like shaped strips of fried plantain which provided some texture contrast against the silky sea bass.
Our final starter was rather odd, but totally moreish. The Spiced Cornbread Waffle (£3.50) which was screaming out “WHERE DO I BELONG”, being served with an absolutely heavenly scoop of maple syrup whipped butter, but then all of a sudden the chilli kicks in and the whole dish makes perfect sense. I will be dreaming about that naughty dirty maple butter for the foreseeable future.
For our mains we decided to maintain sharing (there is a separate menu for sharing platters but we wanted to make our own up!). Chargrilled Tiger Prawns (£19.75) came in a generous portion, although the unnecessary inclusion of the heads on the plate gave the impression there were more. Lovely lime and chilli notes, and prawns perfectly plump and cooked beautifully. For me this was the star of the meal. This really did make me feel like I was on a beach, and then wish that I was.What should have been the star of the meal, was the Rare Breed Pork Baby Back Ribs (£15.00) off the specials menu. Even though the flesh was as you’d like ribs to be, flaky, falling and soft- its spice rubbed exterior had been burnt leaving a bitter taste on your palette. Even the chipotle sauce served alongside the ribs could not act as flavour saviour, unfortunately being watery and tasteless. Again, like the sauce, the pot of ‘slaw tasted tired and far from the freshness we had experienced from everything else on the table. Such a shame!
Parmesan Truffled Fries (£4.00), served beautifully crisp, smoky, and with a heavy shaving of parmesan- I don’t normally have fries so to have a touch of truffle in there too was a total treat. Green Beans (£3.75) – sadly these were extremely greasy, I’m not entirely confident how these were cooked, as the smoked aioli they were smothered in made it all overly oily. I think it would be received better if the aioli was in a pot on the side.After the waffle as a starter and the fries, we were struggling for room for dessert. Our waiter suggested the peanut butter cookie stack but a stack at that point felt like our Everest. But there is always room for ice cream, right? Homemade delights, (£1.50 per scoop) we chose firstly the peanut butter, which was really well balanced with just the right amount of peanuts. Overdoing the PB can make dishes claggy. Lastly, a G&T sorbet which would have been a crime not to have picked. Refreshing, icy and strong in citrus, you could definitely detect the gin! An odd combination peanut butter and gin, but we didn’t even care.
It’s such a shame that our ribs were ruined by being overcooked on the outside, and the ribs dish as a whole being a little underwhelming with flavour (other than burnt). The starters were fantastic and the homemade ice cream were both winners, and I wish we did have room for the peanut butter cookie stack as I’m sure it would have been cookie monster heaven.
The food was delivered to the table at a good speed and with stupendous service. I would definitely eat here again, especially as you are also presented with a £20 gift card off your next visit (you must register the card online initially). Q-Grill also has another restaurant opening this Summer, check their website for details. Home delivery is also available through Deliveroo.
Reviewed by @LohanJordan
ADDRESS: 29 – 33 Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AJ
PHONE: 020 7267 2678
PRICE: ££££ (explained)
STAR RATING: *** (explained)
TIPPING POLICY: http://q-grill.co.uk/camden -
Watch As London Transport Turns DLR Proud For Gay Pride
This amazing timelapse video shows the process of turning an ordinary DRL carriage into a brightly coloured rainbow transport ready for London’s Pride event.
The DLR train completes a hat-trick of rainbow wrapped transport vehicles, which includes a New Routemaster and an iconic London black cab. The wrapped vehicles were designed to celebrate London’s diversity and the 10th anniversary of TfL’s LGBT+ staff network group, OUTbound.
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London Transport Goes Gay For Pride
Some of London’s transport options are getting a rainbow makeover in time for Pride this weekend.
Some of London’s buses, taxis and now DLR carriages are to be given a rainbow makeover to celebrate Pride in London, which takes place on the 27th June.
The DLR train completes a hat-trick of rainbow wrapped transport vehicles, which includes a New Routemaster and an iconic London black cab. The wrapped vehicles were designed to celebrate London’s diversity and the 10th anniversary of TfL’s LGBT+ staff network group, OUTbound.
Martyn Loukes BEM, Chair of TfL’s LGBT staff network group, OUTbound, said: “The wrapping of the DLR train completes a trio of our rainbow themed projects this year to celebrate London’s diversity. We’re extremely grateful that Barclays has paid for the train to be wrapped in our iconic design. This is another great example of two organisations working together to celebrate LGBT staff and customers.”
The two-car DLR train will be in service on the Canary Wharf to Stratford route from Monday 22 June and will remain on the network until later this year. The train wrap has been sponsored by Barclays and complements the #PrideHeroes advertising campaign featuring the bank’s employees sharing their experiences of working in an environment that is inclusive and engaging for everyone. The campaign will run across the TfL network during the festival and will also feature volunteers and members of the public who have been nominated as #PrideHeroes.
Mark McLane, Barclays’ Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, said: “The financial sector continues to make great strides in embracing diversity and what better way to celebrate this than with a Pride-themed train running between London’s two financial centres, Canary Wharf and the City. We’re delighted to be helping Londoners support Ride with Pride.”
Rory O’Neill, DLR Director, said: “We are delighted to have this iconic artwork on our trains. It has taken a great deal of collaboration with our operator, KeolisAmey Docklands to get it done but it is well worth the effort.”
Last year, more than 750,000 people attended the Pride in London festival with 30,000 joining the annual parade, which is one the Capital’s biggest one-day events.
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Museum Tries To Turn Moths Gay To Stop Them Ruining The Exhibits
The National History Museum is trying to confuse male moths into believing that other male moths are female in an attempt to stop them reproducing.
The Telegraph is reporting that the museum located in Kensington, London, is trying to trick male moths into mating with other each other so they stop reproducing and damaging the ancient art exhibits. The museum has had a moth infestation for four years and cannot use ordinary chemicals to get rid of the moths.
Speaking to the Telegraph Armando Mendex, quarantine facility manager at the museum, who is heading the project said,
“It’s called the Pheromone Destruction System and in simplistic terms, it makes male moths attracted to other male moths
“They only live for a couple of weeks and during that time there is only a small window in which they can reproduce. If they spend this unknowingly attempting to attract and fertilise male moths, then it reduces the offspring we are up against.”
Using the Pheromone Destruction System, male moths are attracted to traps set about the museum and are covered with female pheromone. When they fly out of the trap the pheromone disruption causes other male moths to think they are chasing females rather than another male.
A spokesperson from the museum confirmed to THEGAYUK,
“We do not modify the moths’ behaviour in any way. Part of our programme includes spraying male clothes moths with female pheromones. Other males are attracted to the female pheromone but find a male when they get there – they are not attracted to the males themselves. This makes it harder for the moths to breed, helping to protect our collection of 80 million specimens.”
Convinced? Is sexuality about pheromones?
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RESTAURANT REVIEW | Darwin Brasserie, The Sky Garden
Dining up at the Sky Garden sounds exciting doesn’t it? A little novel? Darwin’s menu boasts being “inspired by the very best of British”, but in reality means they have no imagination, catering for tourists that expect British food to be bad, and will charge what they like (extortionately).
A prime example of somewhere relying on what and where it is, rather than what it does. The setting of the Sky Garden is also spoiled by this familiar airport lounge look with an underlying sense that they don’t want you hanging around for too long. Having to put on sunglasses as the sun sets in your eyes is also where the novelty of dining in a glorified conservatory began to wear off.
Darwin’s décor comprises of creams, pastels, greys (perhaps symbolising shades of clouds), and cute little succulent plants on each table. I liked the way the cocktail menu was set out, in that it would describe each one’s composition and then break it down into two/three of its dominant flavours, enabling (and potentially persuading) swift decisions.
Their wines start at around £24 for a bottle of white. With so many lovely and popular roses around it was a little disappointing to only find one on the menu and priced at £39 (2014). Our waitress was on the ball and everything seemed okay at this point. That was until our food came- at a concerning speed consistently through courses (again feeling like another “please leave” nudge).
To start I had the Ham Hock & Parsley Terrine (£9.50). There wasn’t much to the actual terrine, and the amount of parsley was depressing with only a few flecks. The sourdough bread served was over oily and felt more like fried bread than grilled. However, the sharp and fresh veg piccalilli that came with the dish was really lovely and packed flavour where the ham lacked. Altogether the plate needs more oomph and cannot solely rely on the pickle as its star.
Also to start, English Aparagus (£14.50)- not entirely sure where the price for this dish was plucked from (literally from the Sky it would seem, sorryboutit). Bearing in mind asparagus is in season, and the pot of sauce that came with it is basically made from cream, egg, and lemon- all relatively minimal costing. The dish was served a little too cold and verging on undercooked.
For my main, Cornish Lamb Rump (£26), and I’m baffled as to how the classically strong lamby flavours of the flesh had been utterly eradicated. The “aromatic” couscous was screaming with colossal amounts of cumin and the “ras el hanout jus” tasted more like just jus, which actually suited me after taste bud apocalypse via the couscous. On the plus side, the lamb was not stringy fatty.
Roast Chicken Breast (£17.50) – A dish laden with errors for me. Its fricassee of cocoa beans, peas, broad beans & rosemary- lacked even the most subtle of cocoa notes and its gravy tasted a little akin to my “ras el hanout jus”. Cold tomatoes were laced through the dish, and came served in a bowl. Confusing as it resembled a warm salad, but we didn’t want a salad- otherwise, we would have ordered off the separate salad menu. Whatever it was- this dish was limp.
A sad affair for the sides of Tenderstem Broccoli (with chilli & preserved lemon), and Steamed Spinach (both priced at £5 each). They both tasted rather odd and almost metallic. I did bring this up and was advised that one of the dishes was cooked in a steamer so possibly that is where the metallic-y thing is coming from. Oh.
Choosing from a dessert menu comprising of tediously boring dishes, we went for the Chocolate Pudding with hazelnut praline, and the Champagne Strawberry Jelly with pannacotta and lime (Both @ £7.50) To detract from the dishes plain titles (all I read was ‘cake & jelly’), it would only take a bit of re-jigging to sound a little more exciting. i.e. Hazelnut Praline Pudding / Lime & Panna Cotta with Champagne Jelly. Perhaps its over simplicity again is a reach out to the tourists.
The chocolate pudding was singed and there’s nothing worse than bitter, burnt, dry cake. The jelly dish was served in a martini glass, yes really. Jelly, fruit, pannacotta and a meringue which was literally egg froth with a blow torched top. It would have been nice to have a crumbly meringue to give texture amongst the different wet consistencies of the dish.
Darwin also has a cheeseboard (£9) on the menu with cheese from Neal’s Yard. This was probably the best part of the meal. Climaxes came from the Brie, the blue and goats. So if you do visit the Sky Garden and find yourself dining at the Darwin, I’d recommend you have the cheeseboard.
I must firstly say as I conclude, that the service we received from our waitress was consistently caring- she was wonderful. I can totally understand when venues and menus are designed with tourists in mind, so I never would expect five-star dining from the Darwin. But with high prices and low levelled execution you really feel like they just don’t care, reinforcing that going to the Sky Garden is probably something you would only ever do once in your life- tourist or not. Perhaps being on level 36, they have spent too much time with their head in the clouds.
REVIEWED BY: Jordan Lohan
ADDRESS: Darwin Brasserie- Floor 36
Sky Garden
20 Fenchurch Street
London
EC3M 3BY
PHONE: 0333 772 0020
PRICE: £££££ (explained)
TIPPING POLICY: http://skygarden.london/darwin -
Giant Photocall To Protest Nigel Farage HIV Remarks Today
Activist group ACTUP are hosting a giant selfie-photo call to protest UKIP leader’s HIV remarks during the leaders’ debate, prior to the general election earlier in 2015.
ACTUP are hosting a giant selfie photocall in protest against Nigel Farage’s HIV-phobic remarks towards migrants in Trafalgar Square. This peaceful photocall pays tribute to the founders of the gay liberation movement and HIV activism. HIV+ and HIV- migrants and leading figures from within the gay liberation movement and HIV activism will speak.
ACT UP FOR LOVE, will protest today from 6pm in Trafalgar Square, organised by ACT UP London and London Artists Projects.
Speakers will be:
620pm Garry Brough, Bloomsbury Patients Clinic
630pm Jose Resinente, NAZ Project
640pm Natalie Bennett, Green Party
650pm Andrew Keates, director of the AIDS play ‘As Is’ at Trafalgar Studios
7pm Vincent Manning, Catholics for AIDS prevention and Support
710pm Sophia forum, People Living With HIV
720pm Precious Lubunda, NAZ ProjectNigel Farage questioned whether immigrants who live with HIV in the UK should continue to receive treatment. His remarks were widely criticised by the other leaders and the public at large.
He said: “You can come into Britain, from anywhere in the world, get diagnosed with HIV and get the retro-viral drugs which cost up to £25,000 per year, per patient.
“We need to put the National Health Service there for British people and families.”