THEGAYUK

Tag: Switchboard

  • LGBT Helpline Distances Itself From Gossip Journalist Dan Wootton

    LGBT Helpline Distances Itself From Gossip Journalist Dan Wootton

    The recently re-branded Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline has sought to distance itself from journalist Dan Wootton after “odious” Hollywood HIV article.

    © ITV Photographer: Tony Ward

    The UK’s largest helpline for the LGBT community “mutually” ended Dan Wootton’s patronage of the charity back in June but after an article in which he alleges a Hollywood actor has HIV was heavily criticised for it’s “scaremongering” language and taking reportage of HIV back to the 80s, has sought to distance itself from the controversial writer.

    Dan Wootton, 32, who writes for The Sun and is the showbiz reporter for Lorraine on ITV alleges that an unnamed Hollywood actor has HIV and insinuates that he has “a host of high-profile sexual partners”, which includes “an award-winning actress, a religious movie star, a top Hollywood personality with a controversial past, a TV star, a media personality and a glamour model.”
    A statement released by the Helpline charity reads,

    “Switchboard brought Dan Wootton on as a Patron during our re-brand in June 2015 to provide media support. Following the re-brand we mutually agreed to end our relationship and Dan has had no involvement with Switchboard since that time.”

    Daniel Browne, the founder of LGBT charity Push Projects, writing for THEGAYUK, called Wooton’s reportage “odious” and said,

    “Let’s begin with the fact that regardless of this person’s fame, everybody has a right to privacy and confidentiality, particularly when it comes to something such as medical records. Running this story is an absolute invasion of privacy.”

  • Gay New Years Honours 2015 Announced

    This year’s New Year’s Honours for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans (LGBT) community, voted for by the readers of THEGAYUK magazine for the heroes that have helped, supported or fought for the LGBT Community in 2014.

    Thousands of people nominated and voted for 24 individuals, companies and organisations, which have contributed, to the community in eight categories.

    Adam Lambert, ASDA and the Naked Rowers are just some of the big names that have won the admiration of voters. Amongst those recognised were George Montague, the self-proclaimed ‘Oldest Gay In The Village’ who has just released a book about nine decades of being gay in Britain.

    This is the third year that TheGayUK has run the New Year’s Recognition, deemed to be the gay New Year’s Honours, however 2014/15 is the first year in which members of the public were invited to nominate and then vote for anyone, any company or organisation they deemed to have aided the LGBT community in the previous year. Thousands of people took the opportunity to nominate and then vote on their heroes.

    The eight categories are: Entertainment, Education, Community Project, Politics, Activism and Awareness, Sports, Health and Businesses.

    Full list of winners:

    Education:
    LGBT History Month

    Entertainment
    Adam Lambert

    Community Project
    Proud 2 Be

    Politics
    Angela Eagle

    Activism and Awareness
    Peter Tatchell & George Montague (Tied)

    Sports
    Warwickshire Naked Rowers

    Health
    London Lesbian And Gay Switchboard

    Business Of The Year
    ASDA