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.

  • LGBT icons and allies who have died in 2017

    LGBT icons and allies who have died in 2017

    In memory of the LGBT icons and allies who have died in 2017

    gay icons and celebrities who have died in 2017

    January

    10th January

    John Travis, Porn Director.

    13th January

    Larry Steinbachek keyboardist from Bronski Beat

    23rd January

    Gorden Kaye, star of ‘Allo ‘Allo

     

    March

    7th March

    Tommy Page, chart-topping singer

    12th March

    Joni Sledge, One of Sister Sledge sisters.

    The creator of the iconic LGBT rainbow flag, Gilbert Baker dies aged 65.

     

    May

    24th May

    Martyn Hett and John Atkinson were both killed in a terrorist attack at a pop concert in Manchester

     

    June

    4th June

    Fashion designer David Delfin dies after a battle with brain cancer.

    1oth June

    Reality TV star Danny Dias, who starred in an MTV show died. He was found in his New York home. He was ‘unconscious and unresponsive’.

    14th June

    One of the founding presenters on Gaydio, Simon “Nicksy” Nick died aged 44.

    25th June

    Famous London-based drag Queen, Vanilla Lush died after a battle with cancer.

     

     

     

     

  • We Are Family singer, Joni Sledge, dies, 60

    We Are Family singer, Joni Sledge, dies, 60

    Sister Sledge singer, Joni Sledge has died at her Phoenix home.

    Joni Sledge, who was part of the disco super group Sister Sledge has died at the age of 60. She died at her home in Phoenix, Arizona. No information surrounding the cause of her death has been released. It’s not known whether she was ill before she died.

    Her death was announced on social media with the news appearing on the Sister Sledge official Twitter account.

    Sister Sledge were formed in 1971 and have had a career that has spanned over 5 decades.

    ALSO READ:

    A statement release on Facebook said,

    “We are saddened to inform you that our dear sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin, Joni passed away yesterday. We miss her and hurt for her presence, her radiance, and the sincerity with which she loved and embraced life.”

  • Schoolboy found dead just weeks after video about bullying because he was gay

    A 14-year-old schoolboy has been found dead just weeks after he released a video revealing he was gay and that he had been bullied for being gay.

    CREDIT: © tomwang Depositphotos

    Liam McAlpine from Fife in Scotland was found dead at his home on Sunday afternoon. He was just 14. Before his death he had recorded and published a number of videos on YouTube about being gay and the bullying he had been a victim of.

    In his first video, Liam spoke about coming out and speculated that he would be ridiculed for being gay from some of his classmates.

    In his coming out video he said,

    “For three years I have been gay, go ahead and judge me, I don’t care… My true friends will stick by me, fake friends, will just f**k off and leave me behind… That’s who I am, I’m proud to be gay”.

    In a second video entitled “Bullying” he gave a heartbreaking speech urging those who are bullied to reach out to “someone who could help you… friends, teachers – someone who can help you through the situation, even a police officer”.

    He said, “You don’t go to school to get bullied everyday. You go to learn. School is meant to be a safe place but getting bullied everyday and picked on, is that really safe?”

     

    Liam was publishing videos as recently as last week.

    The Daily Record is suggesting that there is wide-spread speculation that he took his own life. The police are treating his death as “unexplained”.

    A Police Scotland spokesperson said,

    “Police in Fife are investigating following the death of a 14-year-old boy at an address in Elgin Drive, Glenrothes .

    “The incident was reported to police around 3.40pm on Sunday, March 5.

    “The death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing.

    “A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

    If you are affected by this story or you’d like to talk to someone please call Switchboard on 0330 330 0630 or Samaritans on 116 123.

  • Out gay chart topper dies, 46

    Out gay chart topper dies, 46

    Out singer Tommy Page has died at the age of 46 after committing suicide leaving behind his partner and three children.

    Tommy Page
    CREDIT: Tommy Page

    Tommy Page, who topped the US charts in 1990 with his hit “I’ll Be Your Everything” has died at the age of 46, after ending his life on Friday 3rd in New York.

    His death was reported on Billboard.com.

    The singer recorded and released seven album, the last of which, Ten ‘Til Midnight was released in 2000, although he continued to write music and tour.His career was launched after he was asked to write the theme for the film

    His career was launched after he was asked to write the theme for the film Shag, which he later released as a single.

    Tommy had 3 children with his partner, Charlie.

     

    Billboard Entertainment Group President John Amato said in a statement, “We are all mourning the loss of our friend and colleague Tommy Page.

    “He was a magnetic soul and a true entertainer. Our thoughts are with his family.”

    In January, Tommy told his fans that he was working on new music and said, “You haven’t seen the last of me yet!”.

    https://twitter.com/Tommypage/status/817237797069324288

     

    If you are affected by this story or you’d like to talk to someone please call Switchboard on 0330 330 0630 or Samaritans on 116 123

     

     

     

  • Gay-porn star Max Schutler dies aged 35

    Gay-porn star Max Schutler dies aged 35

    Gay-porn star Max Schutler dies aged 35

    https://twitter.com/starchydish/status/829428342826876928

    Max Schutler, whose real name was Jorge Schmeder, has had a long-spanning career as an adult star and has performed for many of of the world’s biggest gay porn studios including Raging Stallion, Lucas Entertainment and Jet Set Men. His career lasted a nearly a decade after starring in his first film in 2007.

    The cause of his death has not yet been announced.

    In 2008, the star won the Mr Argentina competition. He was asked to withdraw from the International Mr Gay competition after his porn past came to light.

    The star worked in gay porn until 2011. He returned in 2015 to star a number of scenes for Lucas Entertainment.

    Friends and family have paid tribute to the performer on Facebook.

    Jordan Fox, another gay porn actor, said,

    ‘So sad to die so young and beautiful! RIP, your friends and fans will never forget you.

  • ‘Allo ‘Allo! star Gorden Kaye dies aged 75

    ‘Allo ‘Allo! star Gorden Kaye dies aged 75

    Bata-Nominated actor Gorden Kaye has passed away at the age of 75. The star was best known for playing René Artois in the TV comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo!

    Kaye, born in 1968, appeared in all episodes of the TV comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo! as well as hundreds of stage performances of the same name. In his 1989 autobiography, he talks about his acting experiences as an overweight, shy and gay man.

    Other roles included appearances in Coronation Street, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Till Death Do Us Part and camp classic Are You Being Served?

    Of course, he was best known for his role as Rene in the hit sitcom, ‘Allo ‘Allo! which followed the fictional exploits of a cafe owner and his staff (and wife) in German-occupied France during World War Two. The show ran for 84 episodes and a stage version of the show.

    The star’s former agency confirmed to the BBC that he died at his care home on Monday morning. He was 75.

     

  • Bronski Beat’s Larry Steinbachek dies aged just 56

    Bronski Beat’s Larry Steinbachek dies aged just 56

    The Bronski Beat keyboardist Larry Steinbachek has died aged 56 after battling cancer.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The musician Larry Steinbachek died last month according to his sister, who told the BBC that he passed after a battle with cancer. Bronski Beat was formed in 1983 and the lineup included Jimmy Somerville and Steve Bronski.

    Larry was just 56, friends and family were at his bedside when he passed away.

    One of the band’s biggest hits, “Smalltown Boy” focused on key issues faced by the gay community in the 1980s and featured on the album Age Of Consent, which highlighted the inequality facing same-sex relationships at the time. Whilst most European countries allowed sexual relationships between gay people at 16-years-old, the UK’s government resisted leaving the age of consent at 21, despite the age of consent for heterosexuals being set at 16-years-old.

    The song reached a peak of number 3 in the UK.

    The song was co-written by Larry Steinbachek.

    Marc Almond was one of the first stars to Tweet about the musician’s death saying he was “sad” to hear of Larry’s passing and that he enjoyed working with Bronski Beat back in the 1980s. The collaboration on “I Feel Love” was a top ten hit.

    https://twitter.com/MarcAlmond/status/819814905503064064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

    Larry’s bandmate, Jimmy Somerville also paid tribute by saying that they were “young, brave and determined”.

    https://twitter.com/JimmySomerville/status/819887297147666432

     

     

  • Legendary gay porn director, John Travis has died

    Legendary gay porn director, John Travis has died

    The porn director who discovered adult star Jeff Stryker has died.

    https://twitter.com/DJChiChiLaRue/status/818203766067314688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

    The porn director John Travis has died. He was famed for discovering one of gay porn’s most successful adult stars, Jeff Stryker. Jeff Stryker has gone on to perform in gay, bisexual and straight porn and describes his sexuality as “universal”.

    Famed drag star, DJ and porn director Chi Chi LaRue took to Twitter to break the news of John’s passing,  revealing “I learned so much from John Travis!“

    John Travis’s career began in the early 70s in San Francisco. He began filming and director Falcon, moving on to Brentwood, Huge and Cataline. In 1992 he formed Studio 200 with Scott Masters. Studio 2000 was purchased in 2006 and then again in 2011.

  • Film star Debbie Reynolds dies a day after daughter, Carrie Fisher

    Film star Debbie Reynolds dies a day after daughter, Carrie Fisher

    US actress, Debbie Reynolds has died at the age of 84, just a day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher died.

    Debbie Reynolds
    By Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26603665

    It has been confirmed that acting icon and Oscar-winning actor, Debbie Reynolds has died following a suspected stroke a day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher passed away. She was 84-years-old. Her son, Todd Fisher said that the stress of her daughter dying had been “too much” for her. He is reported to have said that her last words were that she wanted to be with Carrie.

    One of the first celebs to react to her passing was gay icon Bette Midler who said that the news was just, “to hard to comprehend” before adding that the actress, who was most famous for her role in Singin’ In The Rain, was “beautiful, talented, devoted to her craft”.

    ALSO READ: Why have so many stars died in 2016?

    Debbie was active on social media hours before her death. On Facebook yesterday she thanked fans and well-wishers after the death her daughter for their “thoughts and prayers”.

    She wrote,

    “Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter,” Reynolds wrote. “I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carries Mother”

    Debra Messing added that her on-screen mother in Will And Grace was,

    “The epitome of clean-cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working.”

    Speaking to her surviving son, Todd said she, “was with Carrie”.

    ALSO READ: The LGBT icons and allies that have died in 2016

    Debbie Reynolds told The Telegraph in 2014 that every man she dated was gay, except Robert Wagner. She spoke about how Hollywood’s men during the ‘golden age’ of film had to hide their sexuality or they “wouldn’t get hired”.

    In 2012 she spoke about her relationship with the gay community saying,

    “Over the years many of the boys that have worked for me as dancers have been gay. The creative people were all gay people, from producers to writers. To me, they were just family.

    “I have a gay boy that takes care of me and lives with me. He’s an angel. He cooks for me and works in my dance school. I have had this dance school for 25 years to teach young people how to dance. They want to learn hip-hop, not tap dancing, these days. It is not my favourite thing but it is fun to watch.”

  • Carrie Fisher dies 60

    Carrie Fisher dies 60

    Mental health advocate, actor and icon, Carrie Fisher, has died at the age of 60 a spokesperson for her family has confirmed.

    Carrie Fisher
    By Riccardo Ghilardi photographer (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

    The actor, Carrie Fisher has died at the age of 60, days after it was revealed that she had suffered a heart attack.

    A family statement expressed a “very deep sadness” hours after her death. She had taken ill on a flight from London to LA on Friday.

    The statement released on behalf of her family read,

    “It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning.”

    “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

    She became famous for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars film franchise. She also appeared in The Blues Brothers, When Harry Met Sally and Hannah and Her Sisters.

    Carrie was born to actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher in 1956.

     

     

     

  • Pop Icon George Michael Dies 53

    The pop legend George Michael has died, 53

    George Micheal
    CREDIT: ©-S-Buckley-Depositphotos

    It has been confirmed that British singer George Michael has died at the age of 53. He was found dead in his Oxfordshire home in Goring. His manager, Michael Lippman, confirmed that the singer has passed away at 11 PM Christmas day, peacefully after suffering heart failure. Police are reporting that the death is unexplained but not suspicious.

    Writing on Twitter and calling Michael by his family nickname of “Yog”, his former bandmate from Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley said, he was,

    “heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend, Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx”

    The singer’s family announced his death in a statement issued through the singer’s publicist.

    “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” it said.

    “The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”

    George Michael was one of the most successful British solo artists with a career spanning several decades and selling over 100 million records. Some of his biggest solo hits included, Careless Whisper, Outside and Faith. He found fame in a band he started with Andrew Ridgeley called, Wham!, their hits included Last Christmas and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.

    George Michael had a unique work ethic and was considered a great multi-tasker as an artist, who not only sung, but wrote and produced most of his hits.

    George came out as gay during the late 90s after initially identifying himself to his band mate, Andrew, as bisexual.

    George Michael is just one of a number of high profile deaths to have taken place in 2016. He is the third musical legend to die in 2016 after David Bowie and Prince.