THEGAYUK

Tag: Kent News

Get the latest LGBT+ Kent from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Kent, England in the UK.

  • Ashford Pride to take place this weekend: June 2024

    Ashford Pride to take place this weekend: June 2024

    It’s Pride Ashford in Kent this weekend (22nd June 2024) and here’s what you need to know before the weekend.

    A whole list of activities is happening this weekend in Ashford and it’s super easy to get involved. Of course, as with Prides across the country, there will be entertainment and a parade. Expect high glam from drag queens and plenty of fantastic LGBTQ+ visibility and representation.

    On the day here’s what you can expect:

    10:00 Crafting events at Made In Ashford – Fabulous Fan making and Costume Making Sessions

    11:00 Entertainment and performances at the Bandstand

    3:00 Parade Time!

    4:00-23:00 After party at The Coachworks – book a free ticket 

    On Sunday 23rd June, we’ll keep the fun going with Pride Picnic in the Park at Victoria Park

    Where does the Ashford Pride Parade start?

    The Pride In Ashford parade starts at the Bandstand in the middle of the High Street at 3pm. Be sure to get there early and enjoy the whole day!

    Those joining in the parade are to follow the marshals’ instructions, gathering down Bank Street before the parade begins.

    What to wear at a Pride Parade?

    Attending a pride parade is a joyous and colorful occasion, and your outfit should reflect the celebration of love, diversity, and inclusivity. Here are some ideas on what to wear:

    1. Rainbow Colors:

    • T-Shirts and Tank Tops: Opt for a rainbow-colored shirt or one with a pride-themed slogan.
    • Accessories: Rainbow flags, bracelets, necklaces, and hats can add a festive touch.

    2. Comfortable Footwear:

    • Sneakers or Comfortable Sandals: You’ll likely be walking and standing a lot, so wear shoes that are comfortable.

    3. Weather-Appropriate Clothing:

    • Sunny Weather: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat can help protect you from the sun.
    • Rainy Weather: Bring a colourful raincoat or poncho and an umbrella.

    4. Express Yourself:

    • Costumes and Fun Outfits: Many attendees dress in vibrant costumes, glitter, and face paint. Feel free to get creative!
    • Personal Statements: If you belong to a specific community (e.g., LGBTQ+ allies, specific identities), you might wear colours or symbols that represent your community.

    5. Comfort and Practicality:

    • Bags: A small backpack or bumbag is practical for carrying essentials like water, snacks, and your phone.
    • Hydration: Consider bringing a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

    6. Pride Merch:

    • Pins and Badges: Add some pride pins or badges to your outfit to show support.
    • Temporary Tattoos: These can be a fun addition and are easy to apply and remove.

    7. Cultural Sensitivity:

    • Respectful Attire: Ensure your outfit respects the diverse cultures and identities represented at the event.

    Remember, the most important thing is to wear something that makes you feel comfortable and happy. Pride parades are about celebrating who you are and supporting others in the community, so wear whatever makes you feel proud and joyous!

  • Gay man’s ear BITTEN off in horrific homophobic attack

    A gay man had his ear BITTEN off after his neighbour attacked him in a violence homophobic assault, which left him fearing for his life.

    Ryan Kilgariff jailed for brutal homophobic attack | Kent Police

     

    Kent man, Ryan Kilgariff, 21, has been handed a 12 year jail sentence for a violence homophobic attack which left his neighbour Colin Duncan brutalised and needing serious medical care in Folkestone.

    Ex-prisoner Kilgariff pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent after Mr. Duncan tried to befriend him after Kilgariff’s release from prison.

    Mr. Duncan had invited Mr. Kilgariff for a drink – where the pair consumed copious amounts of alcohol. When Mr. Duncan said he was going to bed, Mr. Kilgariff launched a violent attack on Mr. Duncan using his fists, feet and a bottle. He bit off the victim’s ear. The attack was so brutal Mr. Duncan feared for his life.

    Mr Duncan required 20 stitches and doctors were able to reattach a part of Mr. Duncan’s ear.

    During the “sustained” attack Mr. Duncan was called “queer” and “gay”.

    Mr Duncan told the police,

    “All I was trying to do was be kind and neighbourly to a man who had just been released from prison. I thought I was going to be murdered.”

     

    ALSO READ: Anti-gay leaflets distributed to households in margate days before Kent Pride

     

    When Judge Adele Williams handed down the punishment she told Kilgariff,

    “I have seen the photographs of the injuries – they are quite shocking. This was a grave offence.”

    He was sentenced to 9 years in jail  and another three to be served on license.

    Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Cara Ferguson said,

    “This was a particularly violent attack that has had a significant effect on the victim.

    “It was treated as a hate crime and the significant sentence received by Kilgariff reflects the seriousness with which the court regarded his conduct.

    “Kent Police remains committed to stamping out all crime motivated by hate and prejudice.

    “Our message is simple; have the trust and confidence to report hate crimes and incidents to the police.”

    HT KentOnline

  • Canterbury gay bar’s window reportedly “shot out”

    Canterbury gay bar’s window reportedly “shot out”

    Police are currently undertaking a search of the area surrounding the Limes gay bar in Canterbury after the window was reportedly “shot out”.

    According to Kentonline.com police officers are currently searching the area surrounding Canterbury’s only gay bar Limes Lounge, after a window was allegedly “shot out”. A small hole was discovered in the window, leading people to believe that the window had been shot at.

    It is not yet clear how the hole was created, officers are investigating the possibility that a catapult or air rifle was used. No weapon was seen by witnesses or seized by officers.
    A Spokeswoman for Kent Police said,

    “No injuries were reported and the investigation into the incident continues.

    “A window was broken and the cause of the damage remains under investigation. No weapons were reported to have been seen.”

    Officers were called to Rosemary Lane in Canterbury at 9.50pm on Sunday 19 June following a report of a disturbance after a number of people had been asked to leave a venue. A window was broken in the incident. The cause of the damage remains under investigation. No weapons were reported to have been seen.

    Shortly after 4am two people – an 18 year-old man from Dover and a 17 year-old woman from Hythe – were arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in custody.

    No injuries were reported and officers remain at the scene as investigation into the incident continues.

     

    In 2014 the boss at Limes said he was threaten with arson six months after it opened. The owner  Tony Butcher told Kentonline that he was also approached by a man in a dog collar who suggested that he should be cleansed of his sins by attending his church.

     

  • Anti-Gay Leaflets Distributed To Households In Margate Before Kent Pride

    Leaflets which urge householders not to support gay pride in Margate have been distributed through the letterboxes of Kent homes just days before the annual pride.

    The homophobic leaflet, which was delivered through the letterboxes of hundreds of homes in Margate urges residents to stay away from the pride parade and that Margate will never be MarGAYte.

    Margate’s pride parade returns this year on the 29th August. The parade will start at 11am from the Lido car park.

    The leaflet also seemingly links homosexuality with paedophilia as it calls for residents to “save yourself and your children”

     

    The highly offensive note has been derided by the local community with volunteer pride co-ordinator Tony Butcher telling the KentOnline.co.uk,

    “This is a horrendous act and these people are inciting a riot.

    “The comments are absurd, we are people who like other people of the same sex and to suggest we are paedophiles is absolutely ridiculous.”

     

    This is not the first time a pride event has been targeted by a malicious maildrop in 2014 households in Brighton received an anti-gay flyer and in November 2014 residents in Ely, Cambridgeshire also received a homophobic note through the door.

     

     

  • Man jailed for Horrific Claw Hammer Attack On Gay Man

    A man from Margate, Kent, has been jailed after he attacked his gay flatmate with a hammer as he slept.

    Joseph Williams, 21, was sentenced to 14 years in prison at the Old Bailey for attempted murder of his flatmate, Connor Huntley, who was 18 years-old at the time.

    Huntley’s injuries are so severe he now suffers from epilepsy and restrictive body movements; prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told the court.

    During sentencing Judge Jeremy Donne QC said,

    “On May 28, 2013 you picked up a hammer, went into the bedroom of your sleeping flatmate and brought it down two times on his head.

    “Not only did it fracture his skull but it was embedded in his brain.

    “The injuries suffered by Connor Huntley were little short of catastrophic. They were life-changing.

    “It is fortunate in the extreme for both him as for you that he did not die.

    “That was only down to the skill of the medical personnel treating him but he will never be able to live an ordinary life.

    “He will be never be able to enjoy all the things that young people enjoy doing.

    “You have taken away a good part of his life.”

    The attack happened in May last year. Police who attended the scene described how they found Mr Huntley covered in blood with the claw hammer embedded in his head. He was immediately taken to hospital and was treated for a skull fracture and brain injury.

    During the case, the court heard that Williams was raised a Catholic and had been heard to make derogatory remarks about gay men before the attack.

    Williams will serve his sentence in a high-security hospital after the court found he had been suffering mental health issues at the time of the attack. He will stay there until he is deemed fit to leave.

  • Gay Penguins Become Best Fathers At Zoo

    In a Wildlife park in Kent two male penguins have become surrogate fathers.

    Two male Humboldt Penguins called Kermit and Jumbs at Wingham Wildlife Park have been made surrogate parents for an egg, which has just hatched. The egg was abandoned by the mother.

    Head of birds and mammals at the park Becky Johnson explained: ‘It was a shame to see the hetrosexual pair leave their egg, largely because the male deserted his share of the duties.’

    ALSO READ: Top 10 gay animals

    Park owner Tony Binskin said ‘These two have so far proven to be the best penguin parents we have had. But we have had to bring in two new males to keep the balance of the group.

    ‘We are still very much starting our breeding efforts with this species, and this is only our second year, but having such good surrogate parents available should we need them is a huge bonus for us.

    ‘Being brought up by individuals of the same species always has a better outcome for animals being reared. While we will intervene and hand rear animals if necessary, it is something we prefer to avoid.’