THEGAYUK

Tag: Dean Eastmond

Dean Eastmond is a 21-year-old journalist and health advocate who was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. He has been working hard through his treatment to help shift stigma and discrimination faced by LGBT people living with cancer.

  • LGBT icons who died in 2017

    Here are just some of the LGBT+ icons that we lost in 2017.

    Lil Peep, Hip-Hop artist and rapper

    In November, Lil Peep, real name, Gustav Åhr, a well-known Youtuber, Hip-Hop and rapper who had accumulated millions of plays died while on tour. His death was confirmed on social media by his manager Chase Oretega, who said, “I’ve been expecting this call for a year. Mother f***” His death was later confirmed to be a drug overdose.

    Henry Badenhorst Gaydar Founder

    The founder of one of the world’s biggest gay chat sites, Gaydar, died at the age of 51 in November. Local media in Johannesburg reported that a 51-year-old man was seen falling from the 23rd floor of Michaelangelo Towers. Gaydar was founded by Badenhorst along with his partner Gary Frisch in 1999 after a mutual friend of theirs spoke about how he was too busy to find a boyfriend. The pair created the website shortly after. Badenhorst and Frisch’s personal relationship ended in 2006, but they remained business partners until Frisch’s death.

    Edith Windsor – gay marriage activist

    Edith Windsor, who helped end the ban on same-sex marriage in the US died at the age of 88 in September. Ms Windsor’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, announced that the same-sex marriage activist had died in New York, US. The cause of her death was not given, but Ms Windsor had been struggling with a heart condition for years.

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  • THEGAYUK’s Influential Tweeters of the year 2017

    Welcome to THEGAYUK’s first annual Influential Tweeter of the year.

    This list represents THEGAYUK.com’s most influential tweeters in the UK. Just a selection of people who got conversations flowing in 2017. Some of our Tweeters of the year courted controversy and through their actions, they actually galvanised the community, which is why they were chosen. Others on the list used their platform to seek justice for their cause. Some are just too funny not to give a special mention. It’s fair to say that without them, Twitter wouldn’t be as entertaining, insightful, infuriating or indeed, influential.

    In no particular order:

    Marcus Collins – Singer

    One of the funniest tweeters and Instagrammers in the UK. There is not a gif or meme that Marcus doesn’t know about. If you’re ever feeling low and need a lift, visit Marcus’s accounts for an instant mood lift. Follow here

    Monroe Bergdorf – Trans and race activist and former L’Oreal model

    Starting out relatively unknown at the beginning of 2017, Monroe became a household name and one of the most talked about people in the UK thanks to being outspoken on the issue of race in 2017. Earlier this year, her comments on racism found her ousted as a model by L’Oreal, which led to a backlash against the cosmetic giant. Her dismissal didn’t stop Monroe from making a bigger platform for herself and the causes she believes in. Since then she has gone on to pen various articles on being trans and non-white in the UK. Follow here.

    Dylan Jones – Editor of QX Magazine

    Brilliantly insightful. Dylan is the editor of the weekly gay listings magazine, QX. Charged with ensuring that QX hits the streets of Soho every week, on time, Dylan has overseen some incredible, diverse covers for a magazine, which has 52 of them to create each year. For insight into the nightlife of London or generally being an out there kind-of-guy give Dylan a follow. Follow here

    Piers Morgan – Good Morning Britain presenter

    Whether you agree with his comments or not, Piers has certainly raised awareness about gender fluidity and non-binary people this year. He has devoted countless segments on Good Morning Britain to invite people who identify as non-binary, transgender or genderfluid to question their lives and how they identify. His response though has always been met with condemnation from many in the LGBT+ community. Follow here

     

    Ryan Butcher – Former Gay Times Deputy Editor

    He has ‘An infuriated gay man” written in his profile and for many, he is just that, but it cannot be denied that Ryan cares deeply about social issues facing the LGBT+ community. After leaving Gay Times in 2017 in a huge shake-up at the magazine, Ryan simply tweeted, this:

    Which makes him a class act. Follow Here

    Owen Jones – Guardian journalist

    When Owen Jones tweets, people listen, even turning out in their droves. Although it has to be said that he receives a lot of hate for his efforts and took a leave of absence from Twitter after he was sent torture and death threats. Look out for rebel rousing from Owen when President Trump comes to the UK in 2018. Follow here

    Dean Eastmond – LGBT+ Advocate for those living with cancer

    Before his death, Dean launched Hiskind Magazine and was an incredible voice for LGBT+ people living with, getting treatment for and survivors of cancer. Tragically he passed away in September 2017. However, his magazine went on to release another issue and his hope lives on in his Twitter feed. Follow here

    Jack Monroe, Writer and activist

    Jack sued Katie Hopkins this year and won. The food writer has had a rollercoaster of a year, successfully winning a libel case against Hopkins and then running in the General Election as a candidate for the National Health Action party. Jack ran on a pledge to stand up for “Healthcare. Services for people with disabilities. Living standards. Jobs. Decent homes.” Jack quit the campaign trail after death threats were sent to the writer’s home. Follow here

    Martyn Hett, the world’s biggest Coronation Street fan

    Our second posthumous recognition is for Martyn Hett, whose death in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack made us all take a closer look at how we choose to live our lives. His name trended on Twitter days after the bombings as he was recognised as an incredible engine for change and an inspiration on how to live life to the fullest. He was recently remembered again on the platform for what would have been his 30th birthday. Follow here

    Christine Burns MBE, activist 

    Christine is a political activist who was awarded an MBE in 2005 for her work representing the transgender community. Christine is also known being the former vice president for the Press For Change campaign, which focusses on the rights and treatment of trans people in the UK. Follow here

    It is important to note that our decision to make someone an Influential Tweeter doesn’t and should suggest that they are necessarily an ally to the LGBT+ community in the UK. It is our belief that those who create space for conversations surrounding LGBT+ issues, who have huge audiences are influencers. 

  • Journalist Dean Eastmond passes away aged just 21

    Dean Eastmond, who created the HISKIND magazine has passed away aged just 21.

    Dean, who had become a bit of a social media legend because of his epic and brave battle against cancer, has sadly passed away at the age of 21. He had been sharing his journey on Twitter – receiving hundreds of messages of support from fans and celebs alike.

    Dean was diagnosed with cancer last year at the age of 20 when he was studying at University. He had been suffering from Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone and soft tissue cancer. Twelve months on and his valiant efforts to keep upbeat during his many treatments made him a social star.

    During his treatment, Dean created the HISKIND magazine, to bring attention to the stigma and discrimination that many LGBT+ people face when diagnosed with cancer.

    In July, Dean, got the surprise of his life when a video message was broadcast in front of thousands in Trafalgar Square at Pride In London.

    Speaking about discovering he was living with cancer he wrote for the Guardian,

    “In mid-Jun, I was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma – a rare soft tissue cancer growing off my ninth rib. I first noticed a problem after my housemates and I decided to have a party to celebrate making it through our first term of uni. The morning afterwards, I felt an excruciating pain in my side. I took a couple of paracetamol and shrugged it off as a drunken bump from the night before, but when I noticed a prominent protrusion of a rib a few months later, I knew something was clearly not right. Within a few weeks, my life went from normal to a series of scans, tests and biopsies, leading to a swift diagnosis”.

    The news of his death has shocked many in the LGBT+ community, with stars and fans of Dean’s work, paying tribute to the writer.

  • WATCH | Gay man fighting cancer for a year, get surprise of his life at Pride In London

    This weekend, 21-year-old Dean Eastmond, got the surprise of his life when a video message was broadcast in front of thousands in Trafalgar Square.

    Who is Dean Eastmond, gay man fighting cancer,

     

    At this Saturday’s Pride in London (8th July 2017) Dean Eastmond, a 21-year-old LGBT advocate and journalist, living with cancer, was surprised with a special video from family and friends, which was beamed across Trafalgar Square to an audience of thousands.

    Dean, was diagnosed with cancer last year. 12 months on he’s still fighting the disease, as treatment so far has proved unsuccessful.

    To help raise awareness of Dean’s work in shifting stigma of LGBT people with cancer, social change company, Shape History, teamed up with Pride in London, to surprise Dean with the emotional video.

    Dean Eastmond, following his surprise, said:

    “I was so overwhelmed and shocked! When the drag queen on stage mentioned a 21 year old with cancer, my initial reaction was “oh wow, there’s someone here like me”. It took a while for it to click on that she was talking about me! The video has really shown me how important my friends are to me and (apparently) how important I am to them! I have no idea how they kept it as quiet as they did, but it was a beautiful last moment until I re-start chemotherapy.”

    Mike Buonaiuto, Executive Director of Shape History said:

    “When we first heard Dean’s story we were truly touched and inspired by what he has been working on in spite of going through treatment for cancer.”

    “He’s campaigned and stopped discrimination faced by LGBT people living with cancer wanting to freeze their sperm, he has launched a successful queer culture magazine across the UK for young people, and has written about his struggles going through cancer –  inspiring thousands online in the process.”

    “When his treatment was unsuccessful we decided as a team we had to do something – and spread Dean’s message to thousands more people in Trafalgar Square on Saturday – surprising Dean in the process. It’s our hope more people will find his work and be inspired.”