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.

  • Calls for anti-gay marriage MP Anne Marie Morris to resign after vile racist

    Calls for anti-gay marriage MP Anne Marie Morris to resign after vile racist

    Anne Marie Morris is under fire for using a racist phrase during a Brexit debate.

    Conservative MP Anne Marie Morris who voted against same-sex marriage in 2013 and was absent from a number of other same-sex marriage votes, is facing calls for her resignation after uttering a vile, racist phrase during a Brexit discussion which was recorded by a journalist in attendance.

    The recording was unearthed by HuffPost today who said that the Brexit-backing MP uttered the disgraceful phrase, which has its origins in the late 19th and 20th century, as she described the idea of leaving the EU with no deal.

    Ms Morris has offered an “unreserved” apology saying she was sorry for “any offence caused” by her “entirely unintentional” racism. The MP used the phrase, “And then we get to the real n***** in the woodpile which is in two years what happens if there is no deal?

    A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said they are “urgently investigating” stating that they were aware of the reports.

    Numerous people have called for Ms Morris to have the whip removed from her, which would mean that she would effectively stand as an independent candidate for her constituency.

    Guardian columnist Owen Jones has effectively called for the MP’s expulsion.

    Ms Morris assumed office in May 2010 and managed to increase her majority in the 2017 General Election from 11288 to 17160 votes.

     

  • Toronto Pride parade goes ahead without police in the parade

    Toronto Pride went ahead this weekend with the exception of one long-running supporter in the parade, the police force.

    Gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans police officers in Toronto did not take part in this year’s event after Black Lives Matter protestors disrupted last year’s parade and demanded that they be excluded from the parade along with other requests, which the organisers signed on the spot – without consultation.

    Black Lives Matter said it had launched its objection to hold Pride answerable for its “anti-blackness”.

    Instead of taking part in a parade which was on their home turf, 100 TPA officers and civilians marched in the New York City parade.

    The Pride organisers were keen to clarify that the force was not “banned” saying that LGBT officers were welcome to take part with “select conditions”. They were asked not to include “uniforms, weapons, and vehicles”.

    They said,

    “We welcome and encourage their participation to add to Pride this year as members of our community. LGBTQ+ police officers and their allies can march in the parade with community groups, with the City of Toronto, or even create their own group.

    “We are simply requesting that their participation not include the following elements: uniform, weapons, and vehicles.

    “The Toronto Police Service has been involved and supportive to us throughout our festival planning. They will provide all the necessary services to ensure that the festival weekend and parade are secure and successful.

    What Were The Black Lives Matter demands?

    • Continued space, including stage and tents, funding and logistical support for Black Queer Youth.
    • Self-determination for all community spaces at Pride, allowing community groups full control over hiring, content and structure of their stages.
    • Full and adquate funding for community stages, including logistical, technical and personnel support.
    • Doubling of funding for Blockorama to $13,000.
    • Reinstatement of the South Asian stage.
    • Prioritising of the hiring of Black transwomen, Indigenous people and others from vulnerable communities at Pride Toronto.
    • More Black deaf and hearing sign language interpreters for the festival.
    • Removal of police floats in the Pride marches and parades.
    • A town hall organised in conjunction with groups from marginalised communities, including but not limited to Black Lives Matter – Toronto, Blackness Yes and Black Queer Youth, in six months, where Pride Toronto will present an update and action plan on BLM-TO’s demands

    Black Lives Matter did not take part in this year’s parade saying they wanted to ensure their “presence is felt through the parade” through other organisations.

  • This US city has added two more colours to the Pride flag

    The US city of Philadelphia has added two more colours to the world famous and iconic rainbow flag to include brown and black in a bid open up a conversation about racial inclusion in the LGBT+ community.

    Gilbert Baker‘s iconic rainbow flag has had an addition made to it in the US city of Philadelphia. The organisers of the campaign have added the colours brown and black to the flag and used the hashtag #MoreColorMorePride to drive awareness around inclusivity in the LGBT+ community.

    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”.

    https://vimeo.com/220799582

     

  • Fashion Label Perry Ellis Denies Anti Gay and Anti – Black Ad Policy

    Lawyers for the Perry Ellis fashion label have categorically denied claims by a former employee that the firm’s boss is homophobic and racist.

    A former employee is suing the Perry Ellis label after claiming that the company’s president Oscar Feldenkreis demanded that there be “no blacks in my ads” or “anyone who looked too gay”. Cook claims he was “frozen out” after he made a complaint.

    The action is being brought by a former employee, Joseph Cook who claims that he endured highly offensive homophobic, racial and ethnic slurs” from Feldenkreis and alleges that during a meeting to discuss an advertising campaign the president told him he did not want anyone who looked too gay” in the campaign.

    The company, which is named after its gay founder, denies all allegations saying that “it is probably one of the most diverse companies in the apparel business following its multicultural roots, stemming from Puerto Rico and Cuba.”Perry Ellis founded the company in 1978. he died at the age of 46 in New York in 1986.

  • OPINION | Out of line, online; Racism and gay dating

    No Blacks. No Asians. No Queens.

    I bet you already know where these quotes come from. I am also pretty sure you’ve seen them. Yes, these are common quotes from Grindr profiles. What’s worse is that I imagine you can think of more grindr, gaydar, gayromeo profiles with further offensive and racist remarks on them.

    But surely we can discriminate on who we fancy? Of course.

    We must have the right to decide what shape, size and colour the dick is we choose to squeeze, suck or sit on? Without a doubt.

    And if I want to say what I don’t like then it saves time doesn’t it? Perhaps.

    So if I don’t fancy a black or white guy then I have the right to say so don’t I? Maybe.

    But there are ways of saying things.

    If you in fact only like Arabic men, regardless of your own racial or ethnic identity then why not say so rather than banishing other minorities outright. Equality and Diversity principles do not dictate that you have to be tokenistic in your relationships or sexual exploits but it does support a community where everyone feels included. With the social battles fought by the LGBT community in the past sixty to six hundred years surely we can be slightly more embracing of difference.

    Not into camp. Not in fairies, sorry.

    This is another angle of exclusion on ‘social networking’ apps frequented by the predominantly gay and bisexual male. Campness is labelled as undesirable, separated from the profile holder. He isn’t into it, he doesn’t like it. If you are camp he doesn’t like you – it’s there for you to read. How does it make you feel?

    Maybe you do sprout wings and poop glitter? But that’s who you are – should you change it for the faceless, headless body? No, but it makes you feel badly about yourself and he still hasn’t found himself a date because the butch bull he is looking for actually doesn’t like guys who bully and discriminate.

    So in summary, let’s start with the basics: How not to be a racist in five easy steps.

    1) Do not use racist language. We all know what they are. No one thinks you’re big or smart or edgy for using them. And being practical, not many guys invite racists round to their houses.

    2) Put what you like, what you ARE into. It’s more positive and inclusive and appealing to a wider range of people. Saying you like something, or love something is much more attractive than associating you with ‘No this’, ‘No that’ or other negative concepts.

    3) Be polite. If someone messages you that doesn’t give you butterflies in your stomach (or lower) then just say thanks but no thanks. Most people will get the hint, and if they don’t just block them. It’s easier than resorting to a racist rant.

    4) Be inclusive. Try not to see people as one dimensional. Not all ethnicities are the same. Look at your arm – it everyone with that similar shade the same as you? Do they eat the same food, socialise in the same way, believe the same as you do just because your skin matches? Of course not, so don’t apply this ignorance to other arm shades.

    5) Challenge yourself. How many of your friends are the same as you? Do they all look the same, come from similar backgrounds? Most are probably the same age. How about bringing some diversity to your life? Speak to someone new, someone with maybe a different experience, a different outlook, a different skin colour – they might be able to shed new light on life. How does your coming out experience compare to the Asian guy 200 meters away or the polish guy four roads away, or the twink smiling at you at the bottom of your screen?

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