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.
Millions of people unable to leave their homes due to new lockdown restricions enacted by the government, but it’s important to remember, that if you’re or you know someone who is in danger from someone you or they live with, that there are resources to help.
Northumbria’s police force was keen to say that they were there to support survivors during the next month and beyond.
If your home is not save seek support
Northumbria Police’s Detective Superintendent Deborah Alderson, of the Safeguarding Department, said: “We know that home is not a safe place for those experiencing domestic abuse, and another lockdown vastly limits a physical escape and access to friends, family and support networks.
“If your home is not a safe environment then we urge you to seek support, to contact police. We will do everything we can do to support you which can include finding safe accommodation for you and your children or removing abusers from homes.
“The police are always here for you and lockdown should not mean locked up with your abuser. Anyone suffering abuse is allowed to leave their home and seek support from police, charities, friends or family.”
What are the helplines available for victims of domestic abuse
The TOWIE star, Bobby Norris, says he was “declined” by an NHS Hospital for an ultra-sound to check for a lump he found while checking himself for signs of cancer.
A shocking side-effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that some people are being turned away from treatment or health checks like Bobby recently discovered.
In a video, the reality star turned anti-bullying advocate said that he had found a lump while checking himself. He went to see his GP who referred him to a hospital for an ultrasound for further exploration, however, the referral was “declined” with Bobby saying that it was due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Fortunately for Bobby, he was able to afford a private screening, which he said he knew he was in a privileged position to be able to afford, but admitted that he was “terrified” to go for the scan.
Again, fortunately, Bobby’s lump turned out not be something for concern, but the experience has obviously left the star shaken. and determined to share with fans, how important it is for people to check themselves for signs of cancer.
He went on to explain how important it was for guys to check themselves every month for lumps and bumps and said, “if you find something go to the doctor, get it checked”.
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.
Here is our new safety video which will be played in-house before shows.
Many thanks to global megastar and RVT resident @myradubois 💋
Another LGBT+ bar has said it is to close after trading in 2020 became unsustainable due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions imposed by the government to try and curb the rising infections.
Eden Bar in the heart of Birmingham‘s gay village wrote an emotional goodbye post on social media saying that it was closing with its last day of trading on the 24th October.
The owners outlined how the government’s response to the pandemic had stretched many businesses, like theirs, beyond their limits, saying,
“Like many small businesses, 2020 has stretched Eden beyond belief. A reduced capacity to 25% then further reduced to 10% under Region Tier 2, heavy staff costs due to the ongoing changing government guidelines, the recent 10 pm curfew and an imminent Region Tier 3 lockdown, has meant we have decided to bite the bullet, making this drastic commercial decision.”
Closures across the Midlands due to COVID
Eden had hoped that 2020 would be its most successful year to date and had plenty of events planned, which all had to be cancelled. It had also opened a new venue called Sherlocks in Blackpool, which they have had to “inject finance into… in order to stay afloat, despite adapting to the “new normal”
The statement, however, did state that the owners would be looking for new premises. They continued,
“Our focus now is to look to the future with positive eyes, and wait for the pandemic to calm, albeit months. It has always been our long term plan to find alternative premises, therefore, once the pandemic calms, we will be taking active measures, looking for other premises in Birmingham, which we feel would be suitable for a ‘New Eden’
“What is important, is that Eden’s closure is not clouded by COVID but instead, is celebrated for its fantastic atmosphere and countless acts and events, which have graced Eden over the last 13 years”.
Read the full statement here:
After careful consideration, it is with great sadness that we have to announce, Eden will be closing its doors for business, on Saturday 24th October 2020, at 10 pm. Like many small businesses, 2020 has stretched Eden beyond belief. A reduced capacity to 25% then further reduced to 10% under Region Tier 2, heavy staff costs due to the ongoing changing government guidelines, the recent 10 pm curfew and an imminent Region Tier 3 lockdown, has meant we have decided to bite the bullet, making this drastic commercial decision.
Understandably, the fear of COVID is apparent, despite huge efforts to ensure a safe environment, making current conditions none financially viable. 2020 was set to be our best year, with many new events booked, the planned closure of Lower Hurst Street for “The Eden Pride Street Party” and the opening of Sherlock’s Blackpool. Instead of this anticipated bumper year, each week we have had to inject finance into the business in order to stay afloat, despite adapting to the “new normal”, being at full capacity and having to refuse entry. We have all worked so hard to try and make it work, but it is now apparent, we can no longer sustain this form of attack, without jeopardising Eden’s long term future.
Even today’s government announcement is just too little too late. Sadly, now we have to remove emotion and let common-sense prevail. We can only give so much until there’s nothing left to give. Our focus now is to look to the future with positive eyes, and wait for the pandemic to calm, albeit months. It has always been our long term plan to find alternative premises, therefore, once the pandemic calms, we will be taking active measures, looking for other premises in Birmingham, which we feel would be suitable for a “New Eden”.
It is not the bricks and mortar which makes Eden so special. Its a collection of people including our customers, fantastic staff, DJs, entertainment and those who work behind the scenes which share our vision. It is this vision which we believe can be transferred to another venue, once the pandemic calms.
We see this as an opportunity to take stock of the business and come back stronger and fighting fit. In short, Sherlock’s will still go ahead next year, hopefully, once government guidelines are relaxed. For Eden, as stated, our plan is to look for alternative premises in Birmingham and re-establish, once we are in a position to.
Putting the breaks on now will give us the opportunity to do this, protecting the Eden brand and future business, instead of trading at below breakeven using additional finance as a crutch, putting our long term future at risk. What is important, is that Eden’s closure is not clouded by COVID but instead, is celebrated for its fantastic atmosphere and countless acts and events, which have graced Eden over the last 13 years.
Too many to mention individually, but we’re sure you all have your favourites, along with fond memories. We would like to thank all our staff, DJs, entertainment, community groups and customers, in particular those whom have continued to support Eden post lockdown, when we needed you most.
We look forward to welcoming you all back once we are in a position to, along with the opening of Sherlock’s Blackpool next year. So please watch this space for our next chapter. Tickets for our final night will go on sale tonight at 7.30 pm. To open the night we have the fantastic Fanny Burns. There is however only one person who can close this current era, and that’s the fabulous La voix.
During Dan Wootton‘s drive time live Talk Radio show, Labour MP, Chris Bryant called Wootton a “nutcase” and “dangerous” after Wootton said he believed in herd immunity as a way to control COVID-19.
The fiery exchange happened during Wootton’s evening show when Bryant was invited on to speak about the Welsh government’s decision to put Wales into a total lockdown for two weeks, but it soon descended into name-calling from the Labour MP for Rhondda, who branded the journalist a “nutcase”, and labelled his way of presenting radio as “tedious”. He also said that Wootton was dangerous and questioned his intelligence.
“Well you don’t seem very bright”
When Wootton asked what the Welsh government was hoping to achieve by a nationwide lockdown, Bryant retorted, “Well you don’t seem very bright” before outlining that hospitals in Wales were “rammed full”, when pushed Bryant admitted that his local ICU (Intensive Care Unit) was 75 per cent full, which according to Bryant, is double what it was in 2019.
He stated that the aim of the lockdown was to ensure that “the NHS isn’t overwhelmed”.
Herd Immunity
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However the real fireworks happened when Wootton asked about the idea of Herd Immunity, saying “You do understand that science has forever used herd immunity to deal with these corona viruses”
To which Bryant responded, “So you subscribe to herd immunity do you?”
Wootton answered, “yeah and protecting the vulnerable…”
Bryant then asked how you’d protect the vulnerable before stating, “you’re a nutcase, you’re a complete and utter nutcase and you’re dangerous as well”.
Wootton then banished Bryant from his show.
Watch the drama unfold here:
Dan Wootton and Labour MP Chris Bryant have a disagreement over the effectiveness of coronavirus lockdowns.
An LGBT+ bar in Wales has said that a two-week lockdown enforced by the Welsh government “isn’t that bad” and has said that it made it through the first one and it will make through the next.
From the 23rd of October Wales will place all its citizens in a strict lockdown for 17 days in order to reduce the rising cases of coronavirus in the nation.
The bar’s owners added that they would do their best to keep all its clientele updated and revealed that they have planned a whole two weeks of Facebook Live shows, including a Halloween Special on the 31st October.
With reported cases of COVID-19 rising across the country, the devolved governments of the UK are permitted to enact whatever policy they see fit to bring the number of Covid-19 cases down.
Back in March, the whole of the UK was placed in lockdown, about the only time that the UK, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh government have had a coherent approach to dealing with the pandemic.
We surveyed readers of THEGAYUK on whether they’d support a second “circuit breaker” lockdown. 58 per cent of readers said that they would support another lockdown, 30 per cent said they didn’t why the remaining 12 per cent said they were unsure.
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?
Just in case you weren’t aware that you’re required to socially distance at the moment as the Covid-19 infection rate continues to climb, one dating app has put a visual reminder in its listings.
So aside from signs in supermarkets, on pavements, on public transport, on TV, radio and billboards, you can now get social distance reminders in your dating app.
David Minns – Founder of Butterfly Dating, said “Many regions of the world are now seeing accelerated cases of COVID-19 and additional restrictions. Adding a social distancing zone into the app and site is a simple way to remind people.
“A small graphical change today could save several lives in the coming weeks and months.”
One of the UK’s longest-running LGBT+ venues, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, has demanded to see evidence that the hospitality setting is a ‘high-risk setting’ when it comes to spreading the coronavirus. The hospitality industry has been targetted by the UK’s governments, which have introduced numerous restrictions on the sector that could lead to job losses and closures.
Taking to Twitter the RVT stated simply, “Show us the evidence. Be more precise” after MP Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, insisted that there was “academic evidence” to show “quite a high risk associated with hospitality settings”.
RVT went on to Thank Sky News‘ Kay Burley for her robust questioning of the MP who was unable to provide details, or to name the study on the show, in which he was invited on to talk about the measures the government were taking. He said there was “academic evidence” from the US, but was unable to cite the study or researchers who provided the evidence, but said that it was “robust”.
Business owners are planning to sue the government after the hospitality industry, in particular, has been heavily hit by Government-mandated restrictions.
"Tell me what this evidence is?" #KayBurley@OliverDowden insists there is "academic evidence" to show there is "quite a high risk associated with hospitality settings", amid reports some business leaders are mounting a legal challenge over restrictions.https://t.co/uWqiZ4U2Vqpic.twitter.com/SfqKs3HGGh
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.
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
Jeremy Joseph who owns the G-A-Y brand has launched a legal challenge to the government’s controversial 10 PM curfew, arguing that it not put forward any scienciftic evidence to show that the new restrictions would work.
The curfew is supposed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among patrons of venues across the UK, except since its introduction on the 24th September, scenes of overcrowding on streets and public transport have been witnessed across the country as bars and restaurants “kick out” at the exact same time.
“No sense”
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Jeremy Joseph said he was launching a judicial review of the new restrictions, saying that the new policy made “no sense” and did the opposite of protecting people.
He said, “The government has failed to show why the 10 pm curfew was put in place and has published no scientific evidence to substantiate its implementation.”
He added that he thought that the hospitality industry had been “thrown under a bus” and they hadn’t done anything to protect businesses.
Striking a balance
G-A-Y had introduced its “Covid-secure” screening and systems back in July. It included screens around the payment and ordering areas and perspex bubbles for people to sit and drink.
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary has defended the measure saying that it was a “necessary measure”.
A government spokesperson said, “Our measures strike a balance between saving lives by protecting our NHS and the most vulnerable and minimising the wider impact on the economy and schools.
“The latest data suggests a considerable rise in the infection rate following people socialising in hospitality venues serving alcohol in recent weeks, so we have taken immediate action to cut the transmission rate and save lives and will keep all measures under constant review.
“The 10pm closure allows people to continue to socialise while reducing the risk of failing to socially distance.”
