THEGAYUK

Tag: RIP

All the latest breaking news on people who have recently died. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on people who have recently died.

  • Journalist Liz MacKean dies aged 52

    The award winning journalist who unveiled the sheer hate towards gay people in Russia and Africa has died at the age of 52.

    Liz MacKean was a veteran journalist who worked for both Channel 4 and BBC. She worked hard to expose the injustices faced by people, including LGBT people suffering absolute hate in Russia and Africa.

    It is reported that she died of a stroke.

    Her shocking Dispatches documentaries Hunted on Channel 4 was a stark view into how hate mobs hunted gay men with dating apps and hook up websites to lure them to beatings and humiliating angry encounters.

    In Gay and Afraid, MacKean’s documentary focused on LGBT persecution in Africa.

    In 2014 she was crowned Journalist of the Year in 2014 and then Journalist of the Decade in 2015 by Stonewall.

    Before working at Channel 4 she worked at the BBC for 20 years, starting at BBC Hereford and Worcester.

    She leaves behind her wife and two children.

     

     

  • RIP | Drag Queen Vanilla Lush dies

    London-based Drag Queen Vanilla Lush has passed away.

    The singer, who had been battling cancer has passed away. Vanilla Lush, real name, Aalbert Martijn Smit was a former member of the drag super-band, the Supreme Fabulettes. The entertainer passed away last Thursday. He was 38.

    He was born and raised in the Netherlands and began his drag career in Amsterdam. In the summer of 1999, he moved to London and became a Powder Puff Girl in Heaven nightclub.

    Tributes from fans and friends have been pouring in on social media. Boy George took to Twitter to say, “Sad about the passing of Vanilla Lush ‘A trouper in high heels and a true character. R.I.P.”

    London pub, Admiral Duncan also paid tribute saying, “Very sad to hear the loss of Vanilla Lush Rest in Peace and sleep tight sweet angel xxx Tonight we raise our glass. Condolence to the family”

    https://twitter.com/admiral_duncan/status/878615277071675393

    Jason Reid, a columnist for QX magazine, took to Instagram to say, “Devastated to hear that Vanilla Lush (Aalbert Martijn Smit) has passed away.
    I’ll never forget the experience of shooting this cover with him. It was a huge deal for the both of us, and I was so incredibly apprehensive, yet he couldn’t have been more kind and caring. That was just his nature. A beautiful person.”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BVuTdM6AH_J/?taken-by=jasonreiduk

     

  • RIP | Simon “Nicksy” Nicks, former presenter of Gaydio radio has died, 44

    One of the founding presenters of Gaydio, the world’s largest LGBT+ radio station has died at the age of 44.

    https://twitter.com/Nicksy/status/869218770056863745

    Simon “Nicksy” Nicks has died at the age of 44. Tributes have been pouring in since his death on the 29th May. His widower, Liam Nathan Nicks has described his late husband as “brave” in a tribute. Mr Nicks died fighting cancer, his husband wrote in a Facebook post that “it has just taken a hold”.

    He had been in a hospital since he was diagnosed in February. In an emotional post, Mr Nicks’ partner said,

    “He was surrounded by me , my mum and dad, His Florence cushion and his Grandma Kitty picture that went everywhere with him.
    And of course listening to Radio!”

    In another statement, he wrote that he was thankful “from the bottom of his broken heart” for the love, support and tribute that had been sent.

    Simon Nicks help launch Gaydio when it was just a fledging operation broadcasting just a few hours a day. He started by hosting a drive-time show. At the time Simon was an establish radio host and his attachment helped put Gaydio on the map.

    He was working as the Head of Content at the British Forces Broadcasting Corporation at the time of his death.

  • Gay TV star dies, 34 after being found ‘unconscious and unresponsive’

    Reality TV star, Danny Dias has died at the age of 34 after being found ‘unconscious and unresponsive’ in his New York home.

    Aged just 34, Danny Dias who starred in MTV’s Road Rules in 2004 and The Challenge: Gauntlet 2 in 2005 has died after being found by a police after a friend had no heard from him for two days.

    Embed from Getty Images

    According to TMZ emergency services found the former reality star  ‘unconscious and unresponsive’. Initial reports allege that Dias may have taken his own life, whilst on the hallucinogenic drug LSD. These claims have not be verified by emergency services.

    An NYPD officer later told US Weekly, “No criminality is suspected at this time. The medical examiner is going to determine the cause of death.

    “There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.”

    MTV have responded to the news by issuing a statement that read, “We are saddened by the news of Danny Dias’ passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

     

  • Designer David Delfín has died, 46

    Fashion designer David Delfín has died following a battle with brain cancer.

    The 46-year-old Spanish designer and fashion professor David Delfín has died following a long battle with brain cancer. Tributes poured in as the fashion community mourns the loss of the designer described as “transgressive”. He was the creative director of Davidelfin, a high fashion brand which he created in 2001.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    He leaves behind his partner, photographer Pablo Sáez, who documented his boyfriend’s illness and surgeries through a series of photos. The pictures of David’s brain surgery scars were uploaded to his Instagram account. He endured three separate brain operations, combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BHEaAyLBjic/?taken-by=davidelfin_co&hl=en

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BG_RS44kn-I/?taken-by=davidelfin_co&hl=en

     

    His life was memorialised in this Twitter moment.

     

    https://twitter.com/i/moments/871145174742646784

     

    Director of communications Macarena Blanchón said,

    “With great pain we inform you that David Delfín has died tonight in his house in Madrid surrounded by his loved ones. We appreciate the warmth and support you have transmitted to David during this time. Thank you for your love and respect, “

  • Family pay tribute to gay man killed in Manchester Bombing

    The family and partner of John Atkinson have paid tribute to him in a heartbreaking statement. Family pay tribute to John Atkinson, who was a Manchester bombing victim

     

    The partner and family of one of the Manchester bombing victims have paid tribute to a “loving, loyal, kind and caring” man who had been with his partner, Michael for 15 years. They described their loss as immeasurable.

    John was one of the first victims to be announced shortly after the bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

    Through a statement the family said,

    John was the devoted Son of Daryl and Kevan. He was the loving partner of Michael, they had been together for 15 years. He was a caring and thoughtful Brother to Stacey, Laura and Amy. John was also a dear Uncle, Nephew, Cousin and friend to many people. He adored his Sisters and his nephews – his loss to them is immeasurable. John would text his Mum and Sisters every day making sure that they were okay.

    John worked as a support worker, looking after people with Autism and Asperger’s. He loved his job and particularly enjoyed taking the service users out into the local community. John had a huge positive impact on the lives of the people that he looked after. They will feel his loss greatly.

    John loved life and he lived his life to the fullest. He was loving, loyal, kind and caring. Nobody mattered more to John than the people that he loved. He was the life and soul of his family and was larger than life. John was well loved for his ‘on point’ eyebrows and his Nike flip-flops – He was never seen without either. Recently John lost 8 stone with Slimming World and he was immensely proud of this achievement. He had also taken up going to the gym and daily he would swim a mile at the local leisure centre.

    He was music mad! He adored pop music, particularly anything that he could sing along to. John was not somebody that you could have a cross word with – he was too kind and thoughtful for that. He had a heart of Gold.

    John’s senseless death has left our family broken hearted. Our lives have been shattered beyond belief. We will continue to miss John every day, until the end of time.

    RIP John

  • Orlando Massacre survivor dies in tragic car crash

    A survivor of last year’s ISIS attack on a gay bar in Orlando has died following a head-on car crash in Orlando.

    Jahqui Sevilla has tragically passed away after a head-on car crash nearly one year on from the Pulse nightclub massacre which left 49 people dead. The 20-year-old college student died on State Road 417 when her vehicle drifted into the opposite lane and hit another car head-on. Both drivers were killed.

    Sevilla survived last year’s terrorist attack on the Pulse nightclub. After the gunman opened fire, one of her friends was hit in the forearm, Sevilla applied pressure to the wound and stayed with the friend, helping her move to safety, outside the club where emergency services were able to help.

    Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

  • Come Dine With Me star, Martyn Hett confirmed as one of the dead in Manchester bombing

    A man who starred and won an episode of Come Dine With Me with his boyfriend has been confirmed as one of the fatalities of the Manchester Bombing on Monday evening.

    Martyn Hett has been confirmed, by his brother as being one of the victims of the Manchester bombing, which left 22 dead and 59 injured at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Family and friends were desperately seeking for more information about Martyn’s whereabouts after he failed to check in with them after the concert.

    His brother, Dan Hett, left a simple message on Twitter saying, “they found my brother last night. we are heartbroken”.

    https://twitter.com/danhett/status/867312853098909696

    Martyn was due to embark on the holiday of a lifetime, having booked a two-month trip to USA. He was due to leave this week.

    Martyn had also starred in an episode of Tatoo Fixers – and was well-known for having an incredibly realistic tattoo of Deirdre Barlow on his calf.

    The last tweet sent from his Twitter came from within the Manchester Arena.

  • George Shelley devastated after the sudden death of his sister

    George Shelley’s sister, Harriet Shelley has been killed in a car accident, leaving her family devastated and heartbroken.

    • Harriet Shelley, 21 was in a car accident at the end of April.

    • She sustained serious head injuries in the crash.

    • George Shelley rose to fame during X Factor in 2012

     

    Former Union J star George Shelley is mourning the death of his sister, Harriet who killed in a car accident in Bristol last month. She was just 21 when she died. Ms Shelley had been in intensive care since April 28, when the car she was travelling in crashed. She suffered several severe head injuries and was put into intensive care.

    A source for the family told The Sun,

    “George and the entire family are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of their beloved, beautiful Harriet.

    “They are all together, supporting each other at this difficult time and would appreciate the time and space to do so before they make any further comments.”

    George’s bandmate, Jaymi Hensley paid tribute to Harriet, saying that she was the “most beautiful spirit” and a “truly wonderful person”.

    So far George has remained silent on social media and has not commented on the death of his sister.

    The former boy bander has been holidaying with his boyfriend and was abroad when the accident happened.

     

  • The creator of the rainbow flag, Gilbert Baker has died

    The creator of the rainbow flag, Gilbert Baker has died

    Members of the LGBT community are in mourning this evening as the creator of the world famous and iconic rainbow flag Gilbert Baker, has passed away.

    The creator of the iconic rainbow flag, Gilbert Baker has died at the age of 65.

    The rainbow flag was first seen in 1978 in San Francisco and originally had eight colours to it, to reflect the diversity of the LGBT community. Today the flag has six stripes, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Baker referred to this version of the flag as the “commercial version” because it was too expensive to include the hot pink colour in mass production.

    Gilbert was a gay rights activist, Army veteran before becoming a self-taught tailor. He created the LGBT flag 39 years ago.

    Gay rights activist Cleve Jones was one of the first to pay tribute to Gilbert saying,

    “My dearest friend in the world is gone. Gilbert Baker gave the world the Rainbow Flag; he gave me forty years of love and friendship.”

    https://twitter.com/CleveJones1/status/847915825885462529

    Gilbert would have been 66 this pride season.

    Dustin Lance-Black, who included Gilbert in his TV series, When We Rise also praised the designer on Twitter by saying,

    “Even rainbows weep. Our spectacular Gilbert Baker has left us our LGBTQ world is far less colorful without him.

    But he created the Rainbow Flag to unite us. To make us stronger. In Gilbert’s memory #UNITE again. In Gilbert’s memory find #STRENGTH. Find #BEAUTY. Find #LOVE. #RISE UP.”

    There are no confirmed reports to why he died.

  • Martin McGuiness, has died aged 66

    Martin McGuiness has died at the age of 66.

    Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuiness has died. He was Northern Ireland’s former deputy first minister. He was 66 at the time of his death. It is believed that he was suffering from a rare heart condition.

    The BBC reports him as a “former IRA leader turned peacemaker”, who worked at the heart of the power-sharing government of Northern Ireland following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

    Despite Northern Ireland’s long-standing block against many LGBT rights, such as same-sex marriage, Martin McGuiness had in the past spoken up for LGBT rights. In 2015 his party, Sinn Féin campaigned on the Yes vote for same-sex marriage.

    Speaking after the historic public referendum in Ireland where the public majority voted yes on gay marriage, McGuiness said,

    “Politicians, particularly in the north need to reflect on this progress. The world is moving on and Ireland is taking the lead. Pride in Ireland has taken on a whole new meaning.”

    In April 2015 he called on Norther Ireland to hold a referendum on the subject of same-sex marriage. Currently, Northern Ireland remains the only part of the United Kingdom that does not allow gay marriage. It has been voted on by the Northern Ireland government four times, each time a same-sex marriage bill has been rejected – despite surveys showing there is overwhelming support for the law.

    Sinn Fein said in a statement,

    “It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and comrade Martin McGuinness who passed away in Derry during the night.

    “He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”