THEGAYUK

Tag: Homophobia

The latest news about homophobia across the UK and the globe.

  • LGBT hate crime and how to defend yourself

    According to the Gay British Crime Survey 2013, compiled by Stonewall, one in ten LBGT people were physically abused in an act of hate crime in the previous three years, and twice that number were threatened with violence. Of the attacks that took place, two thirds were carried out by men who were unknown to the victim and half of these were carried out by men under the age of 25.

    Whilst members of the LBGT community continue to feel under threat from homophobic physical assault, it’s no wonder that many people including females, are wanting to learn self-defence, should the worst happen. Throughout the country there are a growing number of self-defence courses being set up to cater for this increased demand. One such high profile course is offered by the University of London, which combines martial arts and personal awareness training to help LBGT students “better understand their personal safety and give them the confidence to protect themselves.”

    For those who are averse to joining a self-defence class but still want some advice on how to protect themselves when threatened with attack, there are a number of fairly easy techniques to use.

    The priority should always be to try to prevent the attack happening in the first place, and there are a number of steps that can be done to do this. Firstly, people should avoid situations in which they make themselves vulnerable to attack. Attacks are less likely in busy places and especially so if the person threatened is with other people. Being drunk or under the influence of drugs also makes people easy targets. LGBT people in threatening situations need to be aware of their surroundings and should seek the help of others.

    Remember that in most cases, the aggressor is looking for an easy target. If they continue to threaten, it’s important to maintain eye contact. By doing this, the person threatened is showing that they are not intimidated and this will often lead to the aggressor backing down.

    Whilst any confrontation is taking place, it’s important for the victim to stay calm and focused. The aggressor will want the victim to give them a reason for striking out. So, do not accept any challenge, retaliate with insults or strike out first. Walking away can help, but if the bully is truly intent on attacking, it gives them the perfect opportunity to strike whilst the victim is most at risk.

    If the aggressor begins to attack, the first thing the victim should do is shout out at them to get off. This lets others know they are under attack and lets the attacker know they are not an easy target. This may lead to intervention by others or make the attacker think twice about continuing.

    Once the attack has started, it’s even more important to stay in control. Rather than simply hitting out, any counter attack needs to be done where it is likely to have the greatest impact on the aggressor; the eyes, nose, neck, groin, knees and legs. The victim should always use their arms to attack the top half of an aggressor’s body and the legs for the bottom half. How close the attacker is should determine where it is best to strike them. Avoid getting too close as this might cause the attacker to attempt a body hold to put the victim on the ground and make them more vulnerable.

    To make it easier to escape a physical assault, it is always best to strike in places that will cause the attacker pain. The victim can scratch, poke, or even gouge the aggressor’s eyes or use the heel of the hand to stun their nose – both of which would hurt enough to give time to get away from the confrontation.

    Other strikes that can be useful include chopping the side of neck using a flat hand to stun an assailant, or kicking their knee, particularly from the side, which will knock them off balance.

    Victims should always remember that the aim of self-defence is to protect oneself – you have a legal right to do so. However, once there is an opportunity to escape it should be taken. If the aggressor is down and out, do not continue attacking; stop and leave. This will protect you from any legal complaint made by the aggressor

    For more detailed instructions on self-defence, it is highly recommended that individuals take part in organised classes run by qualified instructors, whether ones for the general public or ones specifically set up for the LBGT community.

  • COMMENT: Come On Gays Let’s Play Nicely. Why Is Camp A Problem For Some Gay Men?

    One would automatically assume all gay men blissfully rub their pumped-up deltoids alongside other homosexuals. Coexisting side-by-side in one big pink, glittery rainbow chum-fest. That’s not completely the Louis Vuitton case. Queer men can be just as homophobic as any straight man.

    Some of them have a grievance with those disco-ball-swinging, Kylie-loving, hot-pant donners – in other words, camp men. Graham Norton and Alan Carr have been set-upon via Twitter for being part of the screaming, mincing, flamboyant-clothes-wearing brigade. The verbal attacks have mostly come from the straight-acting, masculine trying-to-conform, anti-camp homos.

    The prejudice isn’t just from nasty little quips on social media but also on gay dating sites. Some sites will specify straight-acting only, while others have profile settings you can categorise yourself as straight-acting.

    Their beef: having stereotypical homos in the limelight gives the perception that all gays are lipstick-wearing fairies.

    I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been sipping a Cinzano in a gay establishment and heard “you’d never know you were gay”.

     

    Depressingly the homosexual recipient usually takes the remark as a massive compliment.

     

    Why is camp a problem to some gay men?

    They want all the joys that come with being a c**ksucker, but without the association or identity.

    Of course not every homo loves shopping, shiny things and Cher. Gays come in all shapes and sizes, have different attributes and mannerisms and come from all walks of life. Gay dating sites never say “effeminate men only” or “no gingham shirt wearers here”.

    With such prejudice against the limp-wristed row-of-tents lot, how is this affecting young camp gay men’s ability to come out, or simply be happy with who they really are, wherever they fit on the campness scale?

    Imagine a camp teenager living outside of London – the Big Smoke isn’t immune from homophobia but is probably the most accepting city. There’s no hiding he’s gay – camp isn’t a quality you switch on or off as you see fit. Yes, it can be accentuated while hamming up an anecdote or prancing around a dance floor with ya mates – but trying to hide the fundamental you 24/7 would be a hard challenge even for the likes of Meryl Streep.

    He would no doubt have come up against plenty of homophobia. Being the Iphone, android internet crazed society we are, this teenager is quickly going to scroll across such bigotry on social media and dating sites. What he should see from other gays is acceptance. Instead he could be pushed to self-loathing and internalise homophobic thoughts – all thanks to other homosexuals.

    Ask any gay man, outside the Big Smoke there isn’t such a high tolerance to homosexuality – especially in less privileged areas. Is it any wonder young gays still find it hard to come to terms with their sexuality. According to Youth Chances (YC), an organisation that helps young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people: 42% of young LGBTs have sought medical help for anxiety or depression; 52% report self-harm; 44% have considered suicide.

    Overtly queer young people suffer enough abuse and bullying from ignorant others. Do we really need to add more fuel to that homophobic fire?

    With so many in today’s society being derogatory towards stereotypical screaming queens, our own kind should be more accepting.

    Whether you’re a raving homo with a penchant for Gaga, a leather-clad bear or straight-acting lumberjack – let’s drop the prejudice and raise our tolerance levels. We’ve enough battles to fight without starting on one another.

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

     

  • 35000 Homophobic Crimes Go Unreported In The UK Every Year

    Shocking new research from University of Leicester’s Centre for Hate Studies reveals that 88 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people had experienced some form of hate incident.

    There is compelling evidence that suggests that over 35,000 homophobic and transphobic hate crimes happen every year in the UK with just a fraction of those actually reported.

    The report from the University of Leicester’s Centre for Hate Studies reveals that 88 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people had experienced some form of hate incident leaving them with emotional and physical scars.

    Based on in-depth interviews in Leicester and Leicestershire the report also states only 14 percent of LGB victims reported their most recent experience of hate crime to the police.

    Even more worrying is that stats show that the victims of transphobia can be targeted up to 50 times in one year, however, only three in ten reports the incident.

    The publication of the report coincides with a major new campaign to raise awareness of LGB and T hate crime by a partnership of 31 organisations, funded by the Commission.

    With the message of ‘Recognise it. Report it.’ the campaign will empower LGB and T people to stand up against hate crime through education and training as well as establishing local partnerships.

    Led by the LGBT Consortium, this is the first time that groups from across England and Wales have come together to tackle hate crime, with a focus on rural communities where reporting is especially low.

    Paul Roberts, Chief Executive of the LGBT Consortium, said:
    “LGBT communities are already working with the police to remove barriers to reporting, and offer practical and emotional support. However, too often, LGBT people don’t know they are experiencing hate crime or just shrug it off.
    “Collectively, we are saying it is time to move on from this. Our message today is recognise hate crime when it happens, report it, and get support when you need it.”

    PRIDE SEASON
    Equality and Human Rights Commissioner Evelyn Asante-Mensah, called for committed action:
    “Pride season is upon us and it seems an opportune moment to reflect on the great steps made towards equality, while highlighting the hidden scandal of underreporting of LGB and T hate crime.
    “Just as the Commission is doing with disability hate crime, we need to bring this problem into the open and create a culture where victims are confident to come forward and society confronts all forms of abuse.”

    HATE CRIMES ARE ROUTINE
    Report author, Dr Stevie-Jade Hardy, a lecturer at the University of Leicester’s Centre for Hate Studies, said:
    “Hate crimes are a routine, and mostly unreported feature of many LGB and T people’s daily lives.
    “Simply expecting victims to report without taking meaningful action to dismantle perceived and actual barriers is futile, particularly when the evidence shows that many have little confidence in the capacity of authorities to act empathetically or effectively.”
    The Commission is also funding the UK’s only 24/7 nationwide LGB and T hate crime helpline, run by Stop Hate UK – 0808 801 0661.
    Other regional helplines can be found at www.lgbthatecrime.org.uk

  • Gay European Men In Homophobic Countries At Greater Risk Of HIV

    Europe’s most homophobic countries may be paving the way for a rise in HIV cases among gay and bisexual men, according to new research published in the journal AIDS.

    An international team of researchers from Europe and the US looked at HIV-related service use, need and behaviours among 175,000 gay or bisexual men living in 38 European countries with differing levels of national homophobia.

    They found that men in homophobic countries had fewer sexual partners and were less likely to be diagnosed with HIV. However, they also found those men knew less about HIV, were less likely to use condoms and are at greater potential risk of getting HIV when they do have sex.

    As technological advancements such as mobile sex-seeking apps mean men in the most homophobic countries have increasing opportunities for sexual contact, they are quickly overcoming the relative lack of brick-and-mortar sex venues such as bars and saunas. The researchers warn the effects of homophobia could therefore have a very concerning impact on the spread of HIV.

    Co-author Dr Ford Hickson from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “Our findings are surprising as it may appear it’s effectively safer for men to stay in the closet in the most homophobic countries because their HIV-risk is lower there. But the closet is a difficult, shameful place which is particularly harmful to mental health and wellbeing. It’s also a place where men are kept ignorant, under-resourced and poorly skilled when dealing with sex and HIV. As the way people meet changes with technology, the homophobia that may have appeared to be protecting these men will now be exposing them to huge risk.”

    The research was conducted by the Yale School of Public Health, Columbia University, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Health Services, and the German Robert Koch Institute.

    Researchers measured national homophobia across Europe using a combination of the laws of a country and the results of social attitudes surveys. They then analysed data from 175,000 gay or bisexual men in 38 European countries who completed the European MSM Survey (EMIS) in 2010 to compare the level of HIV-related service use, need and behaviours among groups of men living in more homophobic and less homophobic countries.

    The researchers say their findings suggest new approaches need to be considered to reduce oppression without increasing the HIV risk.

    Dr Hickson added: “Previous research on HIV prevention in Europe has shown there are four key interventions in suppressing HIV: condom distribution, peer-led group education, peer-outreach education projects, and universal access to anti-retrovirals for men with HIV. All health authorities could be commissioning these services as well as working to protect the human rights of sexual minorities.”

  • Club Owner Outs “Third” Of Staff To Prove Business Is Not Bigoted

    A gay couple in Cardiff have claimed that they were thrown out of the DC nightclub after security staff saw them kissing. In response, the club’s owner Richard Jackson outs a third of his staff in the national press in an attempt to show that bigots do not run the venue.

    Oliver Brown, 21, and Hugh Squire have reported that they were subjected to homophobic remarks by bouncers and accuse the nightclub management of throwing them out after they were spotted kissing at the establishment during an office party in December.

    According to the Daily Mail, the club faces closure following the claims by the couple.

    Oliver Brown, a student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said:

    “I believe we have been targeted because we are gay.

    “If the bouncer had said he was kicking us out because we were fighting I wouldn’t have a problem with that.

    “But he saw us kissing so it was clear that was his problem, it wasn’t anything we had done.”

    In response to the claims and according to the DM the owner Richard Jackson said about a third of his staff are lesbian and gay and refuted the allegations. He said the club’s gay manager warned the couple about their rowdy behaviour.

    He said:

    “I can assure you all they were asked to leave due to rowdy behaviour. They were asked to leave because they were either spraying drinks into the staff.

    “When security came over and asked them to leave that’s when they started hugging and kissing and saying, ‘Oh, you’re only throwing us out because we’re gay’,

    “My gay staff and friends are furious about this”

    “We operate a zero-tolerance attitude towards any kind of discrimination.

    “It wasn’t too long ago that Tom Daley and his partner came in with many of my gay friends – to say we are homophobic is a lie.”

    Jake Hook editor of THEGAYUK remarked:

    “Outing staff to prove whether a company operates a zero tolerance on discrimination not an appropriate way of showing acceptance for LGBT customers. Employee’s personal and private lives should never be traded as means to elicit good will. Staff sexuality should have no bearing on whether motives of removal were homophobic or bigoted and does not prove any policy.”

  • Harry Potter Actor Goes Off On Anti-Gay Internet Trolls

    An actor who starred in the Harry Potter franchise of films has unleashed her disgust at anti-gay social network trolls, telling them to un follow her if they don’t back gay rights.

    The Irish actor Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood blasted nasty, scathing and downright cruel’ users who left remarks on an Instagram post which outlaid her belief in marriage equality.

    Last week Ireland had a public referendum to change its constitution to allow same-sex marriage. An overwhelming 62% of the votes cast were in favour of the change.

    In her statement on Facebook, she said that she would block anyone ‘breeds hate or revulsion or shame’.

    Read the full letter below:

    I am making a special request to all of you today in light of an ugly instagram thread that is really bothering me. Simply, if you are someone who perceives homosexuality as ‘disgusting’ or ‘f**ked up’ or ‘unnatural’, will you do me a kindness and please unfollow me on all social media platforms. And then block me.

    If I was someone who wanted to devote her life to fighting this fight to expand people’s minds on the definition of marriage and to break down people’s prejudices towards homosexuality I would probably encourage this constant antagonistic debate and I would invite the radicals to do verbal morality battles with me.

    But this is not my life’s purpose, it’s just life as I see it, something I endorse and the nasty, scathing and downright cruel remarks just Wear. Me. Out. I believe in always promoting a positive message and I don’t want your poison all over my carefully curated wall of light and positivity heart emoticon And let me be very clear and say people’s ‘beliefs’ have nothing to do with this. It is your attitude and the way you choose to react. Please don’t for a second pin the intolerance and hatred you spread on ‘religion’ for no religion endorses the darkness you’re spreading. It is possible to not like the idea of homosexuality, to find it a wholly alien, uncomfortable concept and to NOT impose this view on the people it affects and above all to NOT shame people for the way they are.

    Coming from Ireland, I am friends with a lot of people who handle their oppressive views on other people this way. I admire the grace with which they struggle to reconcile their beliefs with this changing society, and their respect for other humans. I have so much respect for these people, even though I will always consider their views misguided. If you can’t handle this concept then kindly LEAVE my page. There are other fiercer, more articulate, more outspoken and more controversial figures who lead the LQBTQ+ community and will gladly engage in fiery debate with you, will be fueled and energised by your anger and vitriol even and I ask that you go to them to wrestle verbally with your conflicting beliefs. I cannot deal with this kind of venom, and more to the point it is wasted energy on your part to put it here.

    And on a not-unrelated note, why are you following me? I think it’s safe to assume that the majority of you on here clicked ‘like’ on account of my portrayal of the character ‘Luna Lovegood’ in the Harry Potter films (Mackenzie Price fans…gosh, I am sorry but you’re a bit off track here). The clue is in the name, people! Luna Lovegood’s love is a GOOD kind of love. It is not conditional or possessive or needy or demanding. It doesn’t fall apart the moment you expose a piece of yourself that is unconventional or even unbecoming. Luna is a character who accepts all people and creatures in all forms, loves them for exactly what they are and who is constantly in awe at the diversity, strangeness and newness of each being she encounters.

    Did you ever wonder why she stares openly, unblinkingly and for uncomfortable periods of time at people? It’s because she is literally falling in love with an odd shaped freckle on their nose, the quirky way they pronounce ‘asked’, the uncontainable awkwardness they can’t hide for a beat longer under such loving scrutiny. And lastly the only way Luna can be quintessentially Luna is because she loves and accepts herself fully.

    If Luna were to condemn and villify such an intrinsic human thing as our sexuality and see ANY colour of it as wrong she would not sit so comfortably within herself and she would not be who we know and love. Luna is someone who has always taught me to love myself and I don’t know what you are doing on my instagram, facebook or twitter helping others feel awful about the way they are. If you are one of the people who bred hate or revulsion or shame on my instagram post today then you clearly haven’t thought very deeply about what I or Luna Lovegood represent and it’s time for you to unfollow.

  • INTERVIEW: Chris Urch on The Rolling Stone: Homophobia In Uganda

    Theatre can evoke many emotions – happiness, sadness, optimism, fear, anger and laughter…. but to be able to combine all of those emotions into one production shows just how powerful theatre can be.

    So when playwright, Chris Urch, decided to write a play about love and homophobia in Uganda, he was determined to ensure that the audience were taken on a journey which drew on a range of emotions and the result is a play which tackles the subjects with compassion, realism and in a way which allows the audience to connect with the characters and events portrayed, despite the disparity of the play’s setting and where it is being performed.

    The play is about Dembe and Sam, who have been seeing each other for a while. They should be wondering where this is going and when to introduce each other to their families. But they’re gay and this is Uganda. The consequences of their relationship being discovered will be violent and explosive. Especially for Dembe, whose brother goes into the pulpit each week to denounce the evils of one man loving another. The Rolling Stone tells the story of two lovers at odds with their society.

    The write of the play, Chris Urch, a Bruntwood Playwriting prize winner caught up with TheGayUK as the play opened its run at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.

    TGUK – Your new play, The Rolling Stone is a story about love, prejudice and homophobia in Uganda. How does the subject matter of the play resonate with the UK audience?

    CU – I’m not going to lie, my play The Rolling Stone is a hard sell. There’s no famous people in it. This is only my second play so my name isn’t of any help. And then there is the subject matter…. The play focuses on a Ugandan family who’s local paper is outing gay men and the repercussions of this are mighty and heartbreaking. The story is fictional but is based on truth. In Uganda it’s still illegal to be gay and this paper did ‘out’ men, some gay, some not. These men’s lives were utterly destroyed. Some went to jail, some had to leave town, some were killed….Yes, the play is about an important subject, prejudice. A subject most of you readers have probably experienced in one form or another. And yes, throughout the play there is the story of two men in love who have been represented as people not lazy stereotypes. But at the plays heart is the subject of family, something a huge amount of us can relate to. How far will we go for the people we love? Can we support those closest to us when who they are goes against our own beliefs and morals? Why should we love our families when they can’t seem to love us?

    TGUK – And the play has been critically well received to date….

    CU – In late 2013, the play won the Bruntwood award which is the biggest playwriting competition in the country and I’m mighty proud of the production which has transferred from the Manchester Exchange to the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

    TGUK – Does your playwriting come from a love of theatre from a very young age?

    CU – I write plays for people who don’t go to the theatre. People who don’t think the theatre is for them. I was raised on a diet of television and VHS movies but no theatre other than the local pantomime. Come to think of it, I don’t think I saw a play until I was eighteen.

    TGUK – So what does theatre give us that film and TV doesn’t?

    CU – Well, it gives us the live experience. Where else do you sit in a room made up of people you mostly don’t know, turn off your phone, turn of your email, your Facebook and Twitter and all watch people pretending to be other people. Sounds bonkers and maybe it is. But some of the best nights of my life have been sat watching someone say or go through something that I’ve felt, experienced or know. That feeling of being less alone. I believe great theatre should make you laugh, cry and gasp but most importantly when I sit down to write a play my mantra is I WILL TRY NOT BORE MY AUDIENCE. So when writing this play I thought about you the audience. That’s why there’s lots of laughter, a few tears and always an audible gasp.

    TGUK – So a completely different experience in your view?

    CU – Absolutely, I say “put down the Netflix for a night and come and let me and six incredible actors tell you a new story”.

     

    The Rolling Stone is currently playing at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds until 23rd May 2015. For full details, tickets and information, visit www.wyp.org.uk or call the box office on 0113 213 7700.

     

     

  • Rugby Must Change To End Homophobia

    In what is believed to be a world first, international rugby stars from three countries are joining together in publicly condemning homophobia in sport. English star James Haskell and Welsh star Alex Cuthbert as well as Australian Rugby Legend John Eales have all backed a statement specifically calling for an end to homophobic language, the most common form of discrimination.

    They join other sport stars speaking out about discrimination, including Gareth Thomas and David Pocock as well as openly gay rugby referee Nigel Owens who says homophobia has been tolerated for “too long.” This all comes after the first international study found widespread homophobia in UK and international sport.

    – 77% of UK participants in the study had ‘witnessed or experienced homophobia’ around sport

    – Verbal slurs such as ‘faggot’ or ‘dyke’ as well as jokes about gay people were the most common forms of homophobia reported

    -70% thought youth sport in the UK was not safe or welcoming to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
    (Nearly 9500 gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight people took part in “Out on the Fields,” the largest study ever conducted on homophobia in sport. Nearly 1800 were from the UK. It was reviewed by a panel of seven academic experts from six universities. Full UK results: www.outonthefields.com)

    In repose to the study, Dublin-based World Rugby (formerly IRB), reaffirmed its recent, historic commitment to ‘eliminate’ discrimination from the game. It is the first ‘world sport’ to make such a bold pledge and quite a contrast to the position of FIFA.
    Meanwhile, the three international rugby stars – Haskell, Cuthbert and Eales – have all backed a formal statement and will be promoting anti-homophobia messages through social media this Sunday, 17 May which is ‘International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia’ on 17 May.

    The statement backed by the players says:

    “Everyone should be able to play and enjoy sport without fear of discrimination. Homophobic language can be harmful to those struggling with their sexuality and it makes people feel unwelcome to play sport. We want to send a strong message to everyone involved in sport that homophobic language and behaviour is not acceptable.”
    England’s James Haskell, 30, said he decided to back the statement because he was alarmed by the extent of discrimination discovered in the UK and other countries.

    “I feel bad for anyone who struggles to be true to who they are and feels the need to live a lie because they are worried about being rejected. I think homophobic language is still too common in sport. Even if the jokes and banter you sometimes hear are not meant to be harmful I think it creates an environment where gay people don’t feel very welcome,” said Haskell.

    Haskell’s views on the effects of discrimination reflect the experience of openly gay Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas. He says he kept his sexuality secret and nearly committed suicide because language created a hostile environment.

    “I am one of those who hid my sexuality for years because this kind of language created an environment where it seemed impossible to be accepted as a gay man. The good news is I don’t believe most people making these jokes and using these slurs are being intentionally homophobic. After I came out of the closet, many of my greatest supporters were teammates who, in the past, had made the most jokes about gay people,” wrote Thomas, in a foreword for the “Out on the Fields” study.

    Welsh rugby star Alex Cuthbert, 25, says Thomas has helped people understand why this issue is important, “I think Gareth Thomas’s story has helped us all become more aware of the effects of homophobic language and banter. Society has changed and I don’t think this kind of language has any place in sport or anywhere else anymore.”

    Meanwhile, former New Zealand All Black Josh Kronfeld says homophobic language is common among spectators, “The biggest issues would probably be driven by the fan base. There are dumb and ignorant people around.” Australian Wallabies star David Pocock has called the extent of homophobia discovered by the study “awful” and wants “more education through all levels of the game.” Pocock recently complained to a referee about homophobic slurs during a match, leading to a player being fined $20,000 by the Australian Rugby Union.
    In Ireland, rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll and current players Cian Healy and Peter O’Mahony also back an end to discrimination against gay people. All three have urged people to vote ‘yes’ in their country’s upcoming same-sex marriage referendum.
    Rugby legend John Eales, the most successful Wallaby captain in Australian history, is proud so many rugby players around the world are taking such a strong stance on discrimination against gay people. He also praised the commitment by World Rugby (formerly IRB) to “eliminate” homophobia from the game. (www.worldrugby.org/news/59705)

    “I think we were all surprised by the extent of homophobia that was found by the study but I am glad rugby is leading internationally on this issue. I think World Rugby’s commitment to eliminate homophobia from the game is very powerful. It will help end the problem because it sends a strong message to everyone involved in sport that homophobic language or any behaviour that makes people feel unwelcome is no longer acceptable,” said Eales.

    Jeff Wilson, the London based Chairman of International Gay Rugby, signed the recent agreement with World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset to “work together to educate and eliminate homophobia in rugby.”

    “Unfortunately there are still alarming rates of discrimination in sport and I think we have a lot more work to do than we expected. However, despite its tough and macho image, I think rugby is very well placed to become the most inclusive and tolerant sport in the world. We are very grateful to have such strong support at all levels of the game, from the players up to the international leaders. I’m hopeful that rugby’s success will inspire other sports to also rid their games of discrimination,” said Jeff Wilson.

  • JD Sports Clarifies Position On Workers Suspended For Homophobic Slur

    Sportswear retailer JD Sports has suspended two staff members after gay couple were allegedly called “battymen” and a customer representative no longer works for the retailer after failing to escalate the complaint.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK, a spokesman for sports retail giant JD Sports have made it clear that the corporation “deplores discrimination of any kind”. A point they make clear to their 10,000 staff.

    Gavin Matthews, 35, and his boyfriend Craig Hards were reportedly called “battymen”, a slur word used against gay men, as they shopped for new trainers at their local store in Eltham in southeast London.

    Mr Matthews informed JD Sports of his complaint via the online customer service centre following the incident on Sunday 5 April.

    According to JD Sports, a new member of agency staff, who was working on trial period at the time, unfortunately failed to properly escalate the complaint to the senior management team, who became aware of this incident on Friday 17th April.

    This individual is no longer working on behalf of JD Sports.

    The spokesman said,

    “We deplore discrimination of any kind and take this matter very seriously and took action as soon as this mistake was realised. The two employees from the Eltham store were suspended on Saturday 18 April pending a disciplinary hearing which is scheduled to take place later this week. The head of our customer service team spoke with Mr Matthews yesterday and he is aware of the action we are taking and will be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary process.”

  • JD Sports “Suspends” Two Workers After Homophobic Slur

    JD Sports “Suspends” Two Workers After Homophobic Slur Aimed At Customers

    Sportswear retailer JD Sports has “suspended” two staff members after a gay couple were allegedly called “battymen”.

    The Evening Standard is reporting that three staff members from a JD Sports store have been “suspended” after one shop assistant allegedly called a gay couple “Battymen”.

    Gavin Matthews, 35, and his boyfriend Craig Hards were reportedly called “battymen”, a slur word used against gay men, as they shopped for new trainers at their local store in Eltham in south-east London.

    Gavin is said to have overheard a male store assistant use the term, which left the couple “mortified”. Mr Matthews also is quoted in saying that he has never been subjected to homophobic abuse in all the time he’s lived in the area, around 30-years.

    After making several complaints to head office, he was told that three members of staff had been “suspended” over the incident pending a full investigation.

    He told the Standard:

    “I was mortified. I have not heard that kind of talk before. I wasn’t expecting to be treated like that as a customer – it was very offensive.

    “My first thought was to go over there and speak my mind. He was totally oblivious to the offence he had caused – he was just standing there laughing.”

    He continued:

    “If I had been a young person, just coming out, then that would have been even more upsetting.”

    Speaking to the Standard Mr Matthews explained the incident:

    “There was this shop assistant in my way and I heard him say to his colleague ‘those battymen over there’. He was laughing away as he stood in the shop doorway.

    “I looked over at his colleague and he was so embarrassed. By this point my partner came back to me to ask what was going on. I thought I was going to get angry but I just left the store. My partner later said he had had worse [abuse] but I said ‘that is unacceptable’. There is no way that someone in a customer service position should get away with that.”

    TheGayUK reached out to JD Sports for comment.

  • Mirror Reports Ed Sheeran alleged Homphobic Rap Pulled From YouTube

    A video clip in which million selling singer Ed Sheeran is seen rapping about a “fagotty man” has been pulled from the internet.

    The Irish Mirror is reporting that a film made of Sheeran in 2011 has been pulled from the Internet because it contains deeply offensive, homophobic words.

    In the “freestyle” rap battle with fellow artist Devlin, Sheeran is reportedly heard to say,

    “Yo, I freestyle to the faggoty man.”

    He continues: “I go on the bus and I sleep for a day, then I come back and they’re like, Ed, you look like this gay.”

    He adds: “These guys are safe they’re not gay mans.”

    The video is thought to be shot in late 2011.

    A spokesperson from Ed’s label, Warner Music, said,

    “Ed was sending up rappers who make homophobic remarks. He is clearly not ­homophobic.”

    According to The Mirror, a spokeperson from Stonewall said,
    “It’s important to think about the words you choose to use, as what some people see as ‘banter’ can have a ­negative and lasting effect.”

    In 2013 former X FACTOR winner James Arthur released a rap in which he used words like “queer”. He said:

    “Some of the things said in this rap can be mistaken for homophobic slurs and I assure you homophobia is something I do not believe in’”.

    The artist was dropped by his label, SYCO, shortly after.