THEGAYUK

Tag: Race Relations

All the latest breaking news on race relations in the LGBT+ community. Browse The THEGAYUK’s complete collection of features and commentary on race relations in the LGBT+ community.

  • Darren Grimes set to “take on the Met Police”

    Darren Grimes set to “take on the Met Police”

    Darren Grimes, an openly gay, conservative journalist, has said that he’s set to take on the Metropolitan police after they opened an investigation after an interview Grimes published on his podcast, in which its subject used terms that have caused offence. In the interview, Dr David Starkey suggested slavery was not genocide because so many black people survived.

    Taking to Twitter, the 27-year-old, said that the UK’s biggest police force, the Metropolitan Police had “threatened an unprecedented use of Public Order legislation to target me and my channel @ReasonedUK“, he added, that it should “concern anyone that believes in freedom of the press”.

    Grimes released a video after he was summoned by the Met, by email, for a “voluntary” interview. However according to Grimes, he was threatened with arrest if he failed to attend. He described the investigation against him as an “outrageous abuse of taxpayer cash”.

    Embed from Getty Images

    In the video, uploaded to his official social media channel he said,

    “So earlier this week I was contacted by the Metropolitan Police and told that if I didn’t attend a voluntary interview with them, I’d be arrested.

    “I’ve been accused for stirring up racial hatred for an interview I did with Dr David Starkey back in June.

    “It’s just such an outrageous abuse of taxpayer cash and the trust that we have in the police as citizens. So much so that at first I couldn’t believe it was real. I went into my local police station to verify the email.

    He continued, ‘The only hatred Dr Starkey stirred up was against himself, even after apologising, the repercussions for him after that interview had been severe. He’s lost every position he ever held, he wasn’t cancelled, he was airbrushed from history.

    “I even said myself in a statement that I hold my hands up and should have robustly questioned Dr Starkey, but why would I bother if my intention was to stir up racial hatred?”

    Does the polices’ action threaten free speech and the press?

    Speaking about the “chilling effect” on free speech, Grimes said that the press has to be permitted to interview a wide range of people.

    He added, “Where does setting this precedent get us if journalists and broadcasters are arrested if the people they’re interviewing say things that can be classed as likely to stir up hatred?

    “In a free and democratic society, journalists and broadcasters have to be permitted to interview a wide range of people, including those likely to make a controversial remark.

    “To then threaten them with arrest will have a real chilling effect on free speech and debate in this country.

    “I’m going to fight this all the way and I’m delighted to say that I’m joined by the Free Speech Union.

    https://twitter.com/darrengrimes_/status/1314608615077052417

  • Six police in Hampshire ‘recorded making homophobic, sexist and racist remarks’

    Six police officers of the Hampshire Police Force are facing a misconduct hearing after being accused of making remarks about LGBT+ people, people of colour and women.

    The six officers will face a misconduct hearing on Monday after the Hampshire Constabulary said they were covertly recorded making “discriminatory”, “inappropriate” or “offensive” remarks at the Northern Police Investigation Centre in Basingstoke.

    A number of the officers are said to have sent emails from work accounts, which the Constabulary say are “discriminatory, inappropriate or offensive” in their nature. It also said that similar messages were found in text and Whatsapp messages. The force did not go into details about what the messages said.

    Detective Inspector Timothy Ireson, Detective Sergeant Oliver Lage, Detective Sergeant Gregory Willcox, trainee Detective Constable Andrew Ferguson, PC James Oldfield and PC Craig Bannerman will face a police disciplinary hearing in Winchester.

    Two of the officers, DI Ireson and PC Bannerman have since retired or resigned from their posts at the force.

    Who and where are Hampshire Police?

    Hampshire Police is responsible for policing the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in South East England. Its largest city is Southampton. It has an annual budget of £337.3 million and employs around 4000 people, with a further 450 volunteers.

    Since 2006 the force has constantly been featured in the top 100 employers in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index. In 2010 it reached its peak of 2nd place.

    A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said to Sky News, “It is alleged that the breaches of the standards of professional behaviour outlined are so serious that, if proven, dismissal would be justified and, as such, it is alleged that the behaviour amounts to gross misconduct.”

    The disciplinary hearing is schedule to last up to three weeks.

  • Sainsbury’s has told bigots that they can shop elsewhere

    Sainsbury’s has told bigots that they can shop elsewhere

    Sainsbury‘s has a long history of speaking out on social issues, including and during Pride season, but for Black History Month, it’s gone a step further, by telling anyone who doesn’t support their inclusive approach can “shop elsewhere”.

    The retail giant has swapped out its Pride logo and replaced it with an equally colourful logo for Black History Month. Black History Month runs in the UK for the whole of October. In the US and around the globe October is actually LGBT+ History Month.

    Posting on social media, Sainsbury’s wrote a thread to communicate how inclusive and diverse they are aiming to be as a company, saying,

    “We are proud to celebrate Black History Month together with our Black colleagues, customers and communities and we ill not tolerate racism.

    “We proudly represent and serve our diverse society and anyone who does not want to shop with an inclusive retailer is welcome to shop elsewhere.”

    Of course, the thread attracted a wide range of comments. Many people took issue with the tone of the retailer’s message, with one writing “How bloody rude! As a long time customer and a loyal customer, I find your tone extremely offensive”

    Another added, “You have just lost my custom”

    Another moaned, “Many thanks for the offensive tweet. I will certainly take your advice and shop elsewhere in future. I would also recommend anyone who like their personal freedoms and does not wish to be preached at by some jumped up shopkeeper to do the same. Bye Bye Sainsbury.”

    Others asked when “white history month” was. An argument which is often heard when talking about the importance of the pride movement.

    “Anyone offended by this post clearly harbours racist views”

    However many people praised Sainsbury’s stance with one confirmed their devotion to the retailer saying “I shop at Sainsbury’s anyway but this just confirms my choice.”

    Writer, speaker and Young Women’s Trust ambassador, Toni Tone said, “So happy to see Sainsbury’s speaking up for what’s right. Anyone offended by this post clearly harbours racist views.”

    https://twitter.com/t0nit0ne/status/1312324744478429184
  • Randy Rainbow apologises for Tweets that may have offended

    Randy Rainbow apologises for Tweets that may have offended

    YouTuber Randy Rainbow has apologised after dozens of Tweets were discovered on his timeline that critics have slammed as racist and transphobic.

    He responded by saying, “I am in no way a racist. I am in no way transphobic… I’m embarrassed by [the tweets]. They make me sick to my stomach.”

    In numerous Tweets, he used race as the punchline and in some, he used the T slur, which some in the transgender community offensive.

    The tweets, some of which date back to 2010, have now been deleted from his timeline, but screenshots still remain, you can see them over at Queerty.

    Embed from Getty Images

    ‘Not funny with no context or nuance’

    In an interview with the Advocate the performer made an apology by way of explaning that the tweets were offensive, “especially with no context or nuance”.

    He told them, “Twitter has recently reminded me about 10 years ago, in my maiden quest to be funny, I tweeted some jokes that were completely offensive and insensitive to look back on them now, especially with no context or nuance and through the prism of where we are in 2020 with racial inequality and the fight for social justice, which I’m proudly a part of”.

    “I deeply apologize to anyone I offended”

    “In light of issues that are now at the forefront, which I’m passionate about and have spoken up about over the years, these tweets just sound racist and awful. I’m embarrassed by them. They make me sick to my stomach, in fact, and I deeply apologize to anyone I offended.”

    “I am known as the guy who calls out bigotry and racism, which is what I want to do”

    He ended by asking his fans to remember that he is a comedian and not a politician.

    ““I am a comedian. I’m not a politician … This scandal I’m going through might seem a little more scandalous to some because I now have this voice in the political world. I am known as the guy who calls out bigotry and racism, which is what I want to do. That’s how I want to use my platform. That’s what’s really in my heart. So these recent tweets resurfacing are not skeletons in my closet; they’re crappy jokes in my shoebox from a decade ago. I think we just need to be careful about considering the source.””

  • Demand surges for Christopher Columbus statue to be replaced with one of Marsha P Johnson

    Demand surges for Christopher Columbus statue to be replaced with one of Marsha P Johnson

    Nearly 80,000 people have called upon officials to remove a statue of Christopher Columbus removed and replaced with LGBT+ icon, Marsha P Johnson.

    A petition to the City Of Elizabeth, New Jersey, US, is calling for the removal of a statue of Christopher Columbus widely credited to have discovered the Americas. However, as the petition points out the land was already occupied by indigenous groups.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The petition continues,

    “Many believe celebrating Columbus is glorifying European colonialism. Columbus is not a figure to be celebrated, as he enslaved and killed the Taíno.

    “Him and his men also sexually abused Taíno women and girls, some as young as 9 years old. He was even arrested in his own time for crimes he committed against Spanish colonists, which included flogging and executions without trial.”

    Instead the petitioners have suggested that the statue be replaced by Stonewall Riot icon, Marsha P Johnson, who was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

    “We should commemorate Marsha P. Johnson for the incredible things she did in her lifetime and for the inspiration she is to members of the LGBT+ community worldwide, especially black trans women,” said petition starter, Celine Da Silva.

    This petition comes during the 51st anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots (June 28 – July 3), a series of riot demonstrations by members of the gay community in response to the discrimination and raids by police in New York City. These important events were a catalyst to the first gay pride marches in the US Johnson was a key figure in the Stonewall Uprising and movement.

    The call to replace the statue joins a growing movement of racial justice petitions that advocate for the removal of names on buildings and statues that represent a cynical and racist past.

  • Drag Race Alaska issues an apology over past race, trans and sexual abuse jokes

    Drag Race Alaska issues an apology over past race, trans and sexual abuse jokes

    Drag Race favourite Alaska Thunderfuck has issued a statement in which she addresses her past actions including jokes about sexual assault, trans issues and race.

    In the statement on Twitter, the performer admitted that although it was never her intention to cause harm, her intention was not important adding, “it was my privilege that allowed me to only get away these things but be applauded for them”.

    Alaska rose to fame during the 5th series of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she placed runner up. Since then she has amassed a worldwide audience of over 2 million on her social platforms, including Instagram and Twitter.

    “I used racial and transphobic slurs and made jokes about sexual assault”

    Embed from Getty Images

    She starts off by writing,

    “In past performances, I used racial and transphobic slurs and made jokes about sexual assault. I have also used racist imagery in past looks”.

    She continued, “I apologise. I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and damage that I caused in making these stupid harmful negligent choices.

    “I take full responsibility for everything I have done in my past. I have learned that is essential to use my art and my privilege and my platform to make people empowered, uplifted and strong”.

  • TODAY IN LGBT+ HISTORY: The city of Philadelphia reveals 8 stripe Pride flag

    TODAY IN LGBT+ HISTORY: The city of Philadelphia reveals 8 stripe Pride flag

    In 2017 the City of Philadelphia revealed their take on the traditional LGBT+ pride flag, to include two new stripes. A black and brown stripe to represent LGBT+ communities of colour.

    The organisers of the campaign, to drive awareness of some of the issues faced by communities of colour, added an extra brown and black stripe to the flag and used the hashtag #MoreColorMorePride.

    It has proved to be both adored and controversial since its reveal.

    While some maintain that the standard Rainbow Flag was supposed to be inclusive of everybody, regardless of race, colour or creed, others have suggested that for far too long, people of colour have been precluded from LGBT+ history nor given proper credit for some of the culture that has developed and enjoyed by the wider LGBT+ community.

    Since its introduction in 2017, numerous Pride events across the UK, have adopted that version of the flag, particularly in cities where there is a large BAME (Black Asian and minority ethnic) community.

    “Fuelling an important conversation”

    A statement on the campaign’s website says,

    “In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker designed the original rainbow flag.

    “An iconic symbol of LGBTQ+ unity. So much has happened since then. A lot of good, but there’s more we can do. Especially when it comes to recognizing people of color in the LGBTQ+  community. To fuel this important conversation, we’ve expanded the colors of the flag to include black and brown.

    “It may seem like a small step. But together we can make big strides toward a truly inclusive community”.

  • Gay guys open up about some of the social issues that our community is facing

    Gay guys open up about some of the social issues that our community is facing

    As a community, we’ve faced some immense challenges. Some, across our world, are still facing untold tragedies and discrimination. Sometimes, however, the worst issues can come from within.

    So when Reddit user dprince1988 asked “What gay social problems do you see which aren’t talked about enough”, the AskGayMen community did some soul searching and came up with a list.

    Here are some of the issues it raised.

    Suicide Rate

    The LGBT+ community has one the highest suicide rates of any minority demographic.

    The Trevor Project details how suicide is one of the biggest killers of young people, and that Lesbian, Gay and Bi youth are three times more likely to contemplate suicide over their heterosexual counterparts.

    One commentator added, “I should submit a picture of my arm. So many cuts that I can’t even differentiate between normal and scar tissue. When meeting new people I have to wear long sleeves or else they freak out”.

    Sober spaces

    The lack of sober social spaces was also raised. However, there are services such as meetup.com which are helping to facilitate social situations that don’t centre around drinking.

    Loneliness and isolation

    At the moment, thanks to COVID-19 many people are facing isolation, but for many in the LGBT+ community, loneliness is a real issue outside of lockdown.

    Rural Isolation

    Outside of large cities and towns can be a real issue for LGBT+ people. Sometimes hook up apps and chat rooms are a vital lifeline for LGBT+ people who don’t have a local scene.

    Domestic Violence

    In a recent article for THEGAYUK.com legal expert, PAULA RHONE-ADRIEN shared, “…sadly, in such a small minority of just 1.1 million, at least 1 in 4 victims of domestic abuse are lesbian and nearly 1 in 2 victims are gay. The figure rises to nearly 80% if you identify as transexual”.

    Bottom shaming

    On bottom shaming one user-added, “Bottom shaming is internalized homophobia and societal view of women (the feminine) being less-than.”

    Lack of LGBT sex education

    As schools don’t tend to offer gay sex education there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding STIs, the purpose of PrEP and consent.

    Ageism

    One user added, “Gay men are notorious for being disgusted and belittling older guys… even older guys do it to each-other… there’s an old cliche called the “gay death” which means once you turn 30 you’re ugly, old, and undesirable.”

    Ableism

    One user added, “Pretty tragic given how much more likely queer populations are to suffer psychological or physical ailments.”

    Drugs and Chemsex

    PNP and HnH orgies are becoming more and more commonplace and normalised on dating apps.

    Racism

    User HereForHope wrote, “This 100%. Racial dynamics are never talked about introspectively. Be that homophobia in communities of color to the fact that it’s apparently totally fine to have racist shit like “no blacks no rice” in your dating profile”

    Erasing the T

    User Atlask wrote, “I don’t know if it fits what you are looking for but that whole lgb movement who focuses mostly on erasing the trans…”

    Aesthetics

    “Not conforming to a few very specific aesthetics” Another used also noted that eating disorders were rife in the community, saying, “

    I know so many gay men with eating disorders. They either are or have been out-and-our anorexic/bulimic, exercise bulimic, or take hard drugs to stop themselves from eating.

    “Others are on steroids to build up muscle.

    “And they’re all still unhappy, even the ones that have great bodies”.

    Friendships without sex

    Gay friends without sexual interest

    Bi-erasure

    Bi Erasure is a form of erasure directed towards the bisexual community It can take many forms including when society sidelines bisexual stories for gay or lesbian stories.

    Bi Erasure is also the ignoring or rewriting of LGBT+ history where bisexual people of note are effectively erased from the LGBT+ movement.

    Hookup culture

    Which could lead to invalidating other communities such as asexuals.

    Political Persuasions

    What happens when you’re not a democrat? One user suggested, “Gays assumed to be liberals/democrats. I know a lot of conservative/ republican gays and they always get the “but you’re gay!” attitude and called Uncle Toms. Really I think this is the biggest prejudice against gays now in the US. Gays are capable of free thought, not mindless hive mentality”

    Use the comments below to let us know your thoughts.

  • ASIFA LAHORE | Brown Drag Artists Exist, so start including us

    ASIFA LAHORE | Brown Drag Artists Exist, so start including us

    SOAPBOX /

    South Asian Drag has been kept behind the veil for far too long. Brown Drag Exists and it is time for it to be made visible in all spaces, virtual and physical. 

    On the 11th April Buzzfeed released a list compiled by The Drag Bible, an influential platform highlighting drag performers and drag culture. This list, titled ‘Forty Drag Queens You Need to Follow On Instagram’ was globally diverse in terms of race and geography, however, it failed to include any drag artist of South Asian heritage. After social media commentary on this omission which resulted in the deleting of the list by Buzzfeed, the Drag Bible publicly acknowledged this mishap and strived to be fully inclusive. Buzzfeed however, is yet to comment. 

    Unfortunately, this is a trend prevalent in mainstream drag and LGBT+ communities, be them virtual on social media platforms, or in physical spaces such as bars, clubs and Prides where few or no South Asian drag performers are featured talent. It is particular to note that the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise has not featured a single queen of South Asian heritage in its many international variants. The South Asian subcontinent does not have its own Drag Race yet, however, the diaspora is far and wide, permeating all corners of the globe including the USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia, the West Indies and Africa. To suggest that queens from a South Asian background don’t exist internationally is to be a perpetrator of erasure. 

    Blocked by The Drag Bible

    This is a harsh reality facing those from a South Asian background wanting to follow a career in drag, cabaret, burlesque and the performing arts. 

    We have to fight the hardest and the loudest in order to be heard or our art to be seen. In many cases we are denied work and opportunities because our art is either not understood, too political or too risky. More often than not this is down to pure ignorance, a lack of research, the unwillingness to listen, understand and blatant racism. 

    Not ensuring to include a diverse panoply of performers encompassing all diverse backgrounds is risking contributing to the erasure of identities and experiences.

    “Erasure is tantamount to racism”

    Erasure is tantamount to racism and as performers, we wish for opportunities to be included at the table of mainstream drag.

    In this spirit, South Asian Drag Artists from across the world and different spheres of drag [AFAB, Trans, Drag Kings, Drag Queens etc.] came together to compile this campaign video and spill the masala tea. 

    #BrownDragExists

    #BrownDragExists

    A response from The Drag Bible was made on their Twitter account on the 16th April:

    https://twitter.com/thedragbible_/status/1250863113982947331
  • Sharron Davies just likened Drag to Blackface

    Sharron Davies just likened Drag to Blackface

    “A parody of what real woman is, like blackface”

    Embed from Getty Images

    Sharron Davies is taking heat on social media after likening drag to blackface. The former athlete, taking to Twitter, asked if anyone else was fed up of drag shows before stating that drag was a “parody of a real woman” before likening it to the wholly unacceptable practice of blackface.

    Her tweet quickly found Davies ratio’d as nearly 1600 people took to comment on the tweet, while the tweet received only 360 retweets.

    The majority of the tweets were negative towards Davies’ comments, with many criticising her “stereotyping of women” and ‘narrow mindedness”.

    The 57-year-old then reeled off a list of what “real women” do including, juggling kids, cooking wholesome food, doing the laundry and other house chores. She also included “holding down a job” dealing with period pains and “leaky boobs” from breastfeeding.

    She finished her tweet by telling drag queens to stop with the stereotypes.

    https://twitter.com/sharrond62/status/1208312498086187009

    “Strong women aren’t threatened by drag queens”

    Michelle Visage
    CREDIT: Michelle Visage/Instagram

    Michelle Visage, judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the only Drag show currently broadcasting on mainstream media in the UK (and even then it’s on the digital-only platform BBC 3) hit back at the MBE saying, “or you can see it for what drag actually is, a celebration and homage of all things feminine.

    https://twitter.com/michellevisage/status/1208346111615885313

    “Strong women aren’t threatened by drag queens but rather empowered by their chutzpah”.

    Michelle then added that she had “officially muted” Davies.

  • Ground-breaking HIV testing campaign ‘Me. Him. Us.’ returns to the streets of London.

    Ground-breaking HIV testing campaign ‘Me. Him. Us.’ returns to the streets of London.

    The campaign by GMFA, which was developed by and for black gay and bisexual men, will appear on a digital billboard in Lambeth and on digital advertising hubs across East London.

    After the incredible impact of the original Me. Him. Us. campaign in March 2018, GMFA – the gay men’s health project has launched a second phase of the campaign, focusing on community, representation and home HIV testing.

    GMFA brought together 17 young black gay men to lead in the latest iteration of the campaign and to effect a positive change in their community, as well as making sure that black gay men are properly represented in sexual health campaigns.

    Marc Thompson, Co-Editor of BlackoutUK, who worked as an advisor on the campaign, explains why he came back to the project: “The reason I took part in Me. Him. Us. again was to build on last year’s success. The first Me. Him. Us. campaign focused on the role of the individual, but with the new campaign we have a larger group of men, so it was really about stressing the importance of community involvement and how we can all play a part in ending HIV.

    “The day of the photo shoot was powerful and moving. We had 17 black gay men who came together to make a difference in their community. They wanted to make sure that their diversity was represented. It highlighted that the needs of black gay men, and the fact we are disproportionally effected by HIV, is still at the forefront of the work we do. Leading these campaigns and being represented is still incredibly important.”

    Activist and writer, Phil Samba who starred in and helped develop last year’s campaign said, “It’s important for us black men to take care of our sexual health and get tested regularly because sadly we are disproportionately affected by HIV.

    “We deserve to have the sex we want, which is right for us, with the least amount of harm. If other queer men are the main source of sexual health information for queer men, it is extremely vital that we all teach ourselves and others about all the preventative tools available today, how they work and how to access them. Black queer men especially need to be able to have open and honest conversations destigmatising sexual health among themselves and their friends from different backgrounds.”

    Gus, 24, one of the men to lead this year’s campaign, told us why he wanted to take part in Me. Him. Us. “I originally wanted to do the campaign because it’s something fresh and new. You don’t see it every day. It’s nice to finally be represented in a positive way. Usually you don’t see black men in a photo shoot or a campaign when you’re walking down the street. It’s refreshing to be shown in a positive way too, and not just seen in a negative stereotype. It’s something beautiful to be a part of, knowing that we are helping to effect a change.”

    Tre, 19, said: “It was empowering to be surrounded by so many young gay black men who are so passionate about spreading awareness of HIV testing. Everyone who took part in the shoot came from a variety of different backgrounds and it’s powerful to see the representation of people from the gay black community from all different parts of the country as well. I think it’s really important for young gay black men, especially for people who might be struggling with their own identity, to see people that look like them on billboards and social media, talking about the important of getting tested.”

    Ian Howley, Chief Executive of LGBT HERO, the parent organisation of GMFA said: “When Me. Him. Us. launched last year we saw something I have never seen in HIV prevention. There was a movement behind Me. Him. Us. black gay men felt emotionally connected to this work and helped us spread the campaign’s important message about looking after your own health, your partner’s health and your community’s health to over five million people. So, I was delighted that we were able to continue this important work in partnership with black gay and bisexual men. These men deserve more than one-off campaigns or to be involved in a tokenistic way without any say. And they deserve to create work that is by them, for them, and empowers their community. I hope that through GMFA, LGBT HERO can continue this successful partnership for years to come.”

    The Me. Him. Us. campaign will feature on billboards and digital hubs in London and online over the course of the summer.