THEGAYUK

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All the latest breaking news on TheGayUK. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on TheGayUK.

  • THEGAYUK Comes Runner Up In The Co Op Respect Awards Loved By You

    Huzzah! TheGayUK has been announced as a runner-up in the Co-Operative Respect ‘Loved By You’ National Magazine of The Year Award.

    It’s with great pleasure that we announce that TheGayUK along with all its contributors have come runner up in the Co-Operative Respect ‘Loved By You’ Awards 2013.

    “We were up against some Titans,’ remarked Jake Hook, one of the co-founders, ‘but we’re so happy with our placement – against two of our incredible colleagues in gay media – DIVA and Attitude. My congratulations goes to both publications and the teams that make them happen and thank you to everyone who voted for us…’

    The awards have generated lots of interest and 8,753 nominations were received and the awards have reached over 2.5 million people on Twitter with lots of support from community groups, celebrities and charities. The winners of the awards are those that received the most nominations.

    The awards were an opportunity for people from all over the UK (anyone in the world could vote too) to vote for their favourites in 27 diverse categories. Categories ranged from ‘LGBT Charity of the Year’ to ‘Inclusive Event of the Year’.

    Winners for the other categories include:

    Village Bakers – LGBT Networking/Social Group of the Year

    UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) – LGBT Community Group of the Year

    Stonewall – LGBT Charity of the Year

    George House Trust -Health & Wellbeing Charity of the Year

    Newcastle Ravens RFC -LGBT Sports Group of the Year

    Out North West – Regional LGBT Magazine of the Year

    DIVA – National LGBT Magazine of the Year

    R U Coming Out – LGBT Website of the Year

    Kieron Richardson Show (Gaydio) – LGBT Radio Show of the Year

    Stephen Fry – Tweeter of the Year

    Matt Fishel – Not Thinking Straight – Album of the Year

    Matt Fishel – Radio-Friendly Pop Song – Song of the Year

    Gravity – Movie of the Year

    Hollyoaks – TV Show of the Year

    The Palace of Curiosities – Rosie Garland – Book of the Year

    The Secret Diaries of a Teenager Queer – Theatre Production of the Year

    Tom Daley – Inspiring Celebrity of the Year

    Manchester – UK Pride Event of the Year

    Amsterdam – International Pride Event of the Year

    The Rainbow Intersection – A dialogue about Race, Sexuality & Culture in Modern Britain – Inclusive Event of the Year

    Polari – LGBT Cultural Event of the Year

    Taurus, Manchester – LGBT Bar of the Year

    Velvet, Manchester – Restaurant of the Year

    Contact Theatre, Manchester – Inclusive Venue of the Year

    Gran Canaria – Holiday Destination of the Year

    Barefoot Wine – Brand of the Year

  • 6 gay things to do for a birthday celebration

    The Gay UK is officially a year old this month. It’s amazing to think that in that time we’ve grown to a dedicated readership of 150,000 gay people per month, not just from the UK but internationally. With birthdays in mind, we thought about ways to celebrate a birthday other than the traditional alcohol-fueled night out or throwing of a party.

    If you’re lucky enough to share a birthday with The Gay UK, why not try something new? Here are some of our ideas:

    1. Dinner and a Show
    They say there’s nothing more social than the breaking of bread. Go to dinner, somewhere with delicious food and with those special to you.

    After dinner go to the Theatre, see a fantastic show and complete celebration of another birthday. Our writers regularly watch shows and write reviews. Take a look at our Theatre Reviews section to find a show you’ll love on in a Theatre near you.

    2. Visiting the Zoo
    When was the last time you got up and close with nature? All sorts of animals in all stripes and sizes from across the world can be seen at your local zoo. Homosexuality has been found in thousands of species of animals, so you might just see a gay zebra, penguin, lion or other animal. Just look for the animals that show a particular interest in others of the same sex.

    3. Visiting a Theme Park
    Feel the exhilarating rush that comes from a day of riding roller coasters. Release your inner child and visit a theme park. There’s something life affirming about your body being flooded with adrenaline as you’re scared out of your wits.

    Many theme parks do gay days – specific dates aimed at attracting the local gay community. So if you’re single you might end up sat on a ride next to your ideal man. Just don’t let him hear you scream!

    4. A Day at the Beach
    Imagine seeing the beautiful horizon as you feel the sand under your feet. You taste of the salty air and hear the relaxing sound of the ocean. Well this can all be yours – if you choose to have a day out at the beach to celebrate your birthday.
    This activity is dependent upon the weather, but if it’s nice make a day out of it by taking a picnic. If this is what you’ve decided to do see our 5 Picnic Basket Essentials Feature.

    5. A City Break
    Take a short break to visit another city. It can be a city in the UK or even a European city. Flights to Europe have never been cheaper.
    Not sure what to do when you get to the city? If you’re planning a trip to a UK city you can see our City Listings/Guides for ideas.

    6. A Holiday
    If it’s an extra special birthday, contemplate splashing out on a holiday. Everyone has individual likes on holiday; for me it would be: sun, sea, sand and sangria. But you may prefer an adventure holiday.

    Whatever sort of holidays you like, you’ll be able to find a reasonably priced one – as long as you don’t look at booking when school children are off school.
    Got other Birthday Celebration Ideas?

    Post a comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

  • 8 Celebrities who share their birthday with THEGAYUK

    As you may have noticed TheGayUK is celebrating its first birthday this month and we’re very proud of this! Who else will be blowing the candles out on a cake this month?

    Lindsay Lohan- former child star, former mean girl, former girlfriend of DJ Samantha Ronson and current tabloid darling thanks to her very public meltdowns.

    Julian Assange- the  Wikileaks founder and international tourist. Assange is currently living in London at the Ecuadorean Embassy under political asylum, to prevent his deportation back to Sweden and the United States. As such he is unlikely to be tucking into a rainbow coloured cupcake this year.

    Tom Hanks- Hollywood’s go to nice guy. Way back in 1993, Tom Hanks starred in the film “Philadelphia” portraying a gay man with AIDS fighting an unfair dismissal case against his former employers. This was considered ground-breaking at the time as it was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to tackle Aids/HIV and Homophobia. It was for this role that Tom Hanks collected his first Oscar.

    Matthew fox- everybody’s favourite “Lost” boy and male grooming promoter. There’s no other reason to why he is include on this list other than for some eye candy.

    Jane lynch – Everybody’s favourite Glee Villain, Jane Lynch portrays cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in the popular musical comedy which has brought her multiple awards. Lynch lives as an openly gay woman and frequently appears on lists of influential out celebrities. Unfortunately, earlier this year she announced her divorce from wife.

    The Hoff- the Man the Icon, David Hasselhoff has huge gay appeal, from the camp talking car to the tight red lifeguard shorts and the dodgy pop career. He counts Radio One DJ Scott Mills as a friend and a fan.

    Daniel Radcliffe- Free from the days of his bespectacled wand waver, Daniel has embarked on many different dramatic roles. In the upcoming film “Kill Your Darlings” he plays Beat poet Alan Ginsberg. Role. The film is already being discussed in terms of the graphic gay sex scenes featuring Radcliffe and I’m sure that it will be the biggest gay audience since “Magic Mike”

    JK Rowling- Author and philanthropist. The only person to have ever bumped themselves from the top of rich list by giving too much to charity. Earlier this month, JK was “outed” as a crime writer Robert Galbraith. This ensured a surge in sales for the novel meaning that Rowling had more money for balloons!

  • TheGayUK Launches the No Excuses Project

    The No Excuse Project is launched today, posting free condoms to your door. TheGayUK and the NHS’s Freedoms Shop have teamed together to ensure that anyone who needs access to free condoms can get them – delivered directly to their door, for free.

    New HIV infections and other sexually transmitted infections in the gay, male bisexual and Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) community are at record levels. So to try and combat this trend TheGayUK decided to launch their No Excuse Project to help out.

    TheGayUK’s co-founder Jake Hook said,

    “I was watching Channel 4’s The Sex Clinic and it occurred to me that somehow we’re being failed as a community in relation to sex health education. With cuts to vital services and the upward trend of new HIV infections in the UK, either people aren’t freely able to access condoms or don’t know that they can dramatically make the sex you have safer.

    “The day after the programme, I rang Katy Harrad at The Freedoms Shop and asked whether Freedoms would be able to help us out with condoms, luckily for us, she’s just as passionate about safer sex as we are.

    “We’re working towards making sure that there is No Excuse – ever – not to have a condom in your home or pocket.”

    Stand-up comedian Pam Ann, who’s offering her full support to the project, says:

    “If it’s NOT ON… it’s NOT ON!”

    The campaign called the No Excuse Project aims to ensure that everyone and anyone in the gay, bisexual or MSM community who doesn’t have access to free condoms, either because they’re too shy or embarrassed, think they’re too young or don’t live close to a gay bar which provides free condoms, can simply fill in a confidential form at www.noexcuseproject.co.uk and receive condoms through the post.

    A team from TheGayUK will be at a number of Prides around the country, including Oxford, Edinburgh, Reading, North Wales, Gloucester, Warwickshire and Doncaster aiming to bring attention to the campaign and giving out thousands of condoms to revellers.

    If you would like to donate towards the running of the No Excuse Project then please visit: Donate Here

    For every £1 donation we can help protect up to 4 partners from catching or spreading STIs.

    Thank you.

  • COLUMN | Happy Birthday To You

    So, TheGayUK has hit a memorable birthday and what a fantastic year it has been. I’ve interviewed choreographers, writers, poets, cabaret artists, actors, painters and singers, reviewed theatre, film, dance and even a book where a poodle showed me the sights of London.

    The site is also going from strength to strength. I just hope that the site has a better track record with celebrating birthdays than I have.

    1976: I’m five years old and have the one and only birthday party of my childhood. My mum organises a treasure hunt and hides sweets all round the house. For the next year we find melted Blackjacks in extraordinary places. The food is fancy for the 70s (i.e. the tomatoes are cut into little crown shapes). The party goes seriously wrong when over-excited, I lean in too close to ‘Pop-up Pirate’ and the little plastic pirate hits my forehead with velocity. Being a trainee diva, I order the party terminated and ask everyone to leave, before flouncing upstairs to my room in a huff born of indignity.

    1989: My 18th was less than monumental. I remember having bad 80s hair and trawling round bars with my partner, drinking gin. That’s where the memory ends. There was a lot of gin. I don’t like being 18 much. I feel gauche and am horribly shy and am hopeful that this will improve with age. It does, mostly.

    1992: I’m 21 and having another tantrum. I’m stuck in an overheated restaurant, which has an American diner theme, drinking cocktails and eating over cooked greasy food with a group of friends and my partner. I feel terribly old and wise (I’m actually neither) and also very unhappy with the life I have and I’m taking it out on everyone around me. The mature option would have been to change the bad things and move forward (e.g. ditch the abusive partner) but I’m not able to visualise that one. My Brandy Alexander (see how sophisticated the 90s were!) isn’t the right drink and I get some hideous banana thing. I do the mature thing and deflect my unhappiness on to the waiter and embarrass everyone around me with a drunken rant.

    2001: I hit 30 and am officially dead in gay terms. I actually don’t mind though. I’ve finally got a partner who is treating me well and we hit London for the occasion. A trip to the theatre, a whiz round the London Eye and a night clubbing in Heaven with a lot of drinks bought for me are all followed by my birthday itself where I feel each and every day of my 30 years as I spend a hung over day clinging to the rim of the marble toilet in the plush hotel, crying in pain and praying for oblivion. I get bought a T-shirt which says: ‘Big Dicks and Vodka’. Although these are valid hobbies, I never wear it.

    2011: After spending the last few years having nocturnal sweats thinking about being 40, I actually love it. I have a new partner, who makes me happier than I’ve ever been, I have a great circle of friends who I love and am more comfortable with myself than I’ve ever been. I hire a local arts cinema and screen a film for my friends and the day is fantastic. I no longer drink vodka, although I still quite admire the big dicks, but from afar now. What’s not to love about being 40? Bring on more birthdays.

    Have a happy birthday GayUK x

  • Gay Vices Survey Results

    This month we’ve been discussing Vices on TheGayUK and at the beginning of the month we invited readers to take a survey to reveal what the gay community vices were.

    In our snapshot survey, porn topped the list of vices of gay men of the United Kingdom, with 42.4% of those polled owning up to viewing porn at least a few times a week (30%), watching it on a daily basis (28%), and over a quarter admitting to watching the bad boy stuff a few times a day.
    Other vices topping the list were Drinking 34% Sex 32% and Smoking 19%.

    Only 1.7% of people revealed that gambling was their vice.

     

    In order (respondents could choose more than 1 vice):

    Porn 42.4%

    Drinking 33.9%

    Sex 32.2%

    Smoking 18.6%

    Chocolate 16.9%

    Working 15.3%

    Drugs 11.9%

    Shopping 11.9%

    Fast Food 10.2%

    Cruising 5.1%

    Adultery 3.4%

    Gambling 1.7%
    Just over half said that they would consider giving up their vice, with 50% of all respondents saying that their addiction wasn’t a problem for them.

    Is the gay community actively looking for help or booking into the Priory any day soon – don’t bet on it, only 13.6% said that they had sought any kind of professional help in dealing with their vice or addiction.

    59.3% of those questioned said that they had been addicted for over 10 years – and openly discussed their issues with their peers (66.1%)

    If you need to talk to someone with anything that concerns you call the London Lesbian And Gay Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 or visithttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Addictions/Pages/Introduction.aspx for more details.

  • Essex Is The Randiest Place In The UK

    According to statistics gathered by TheGayUK, Essex tops the list for randiest County in the United Kingdom.

    (more…)

  • Lord Maginnis Attack On Gay Publication

    The outspoken Lord Maginnis yesterday blasted both Stonewall and The Gay UK over his ‘Bigot Of The Year Award’ nomination.

    Stonewall announced the nomination at the end of last week. Stonewall describes a bigot as ‘An individual who has gone out of their way to harm, hurt or snub lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the last year.’

    At first the former Ulster Unionist, MP mistakenly thought that The Gay UK was nominating him for the award and blasted the LGBT daily magazine – as a ‘perverse pressure group’, ‘aggressive, perverse and corrupting influence on susceptible and vulnerable young people.’

    Editor and co-founder of the UK based online magazine, in an exchange of emails, explained that The Gay UK was in fact an organisation that was reaching out to both nominated bigots and heroes for their comment – not inferring that anyone on the list was or is indeed a bigot.

    “We’re absolutely outraged to be called a perversion,

    ‘The very idea that we are corrupting or influencing susceptible young people is perverse in itself. We are a respected organisation with a clear goal, which is to be the mouthpiece for the gay community in the UK and we take it very personally – as should every member of the LGBT community today, as this is tantamount to calling us perverts and potentially worse.’

    In June 2012 the Ulster Unionist Party whip was withdrawn from Lord Maginnis by party leader Mike Nesbit over his anti-gay remarks, where Lord Maginnis likened gay marriage to bestiality on Northern Ireland’s Stephen Nolan Show. Lord Maginnis said that gay marriage was, ‘a rung on the ladder’ to ‘other deviant practices’ and ‘Will the next thing be that we legislate for some sort of bestiality?’

    The Gay UK called for a public apology from the Lord last night, after it emerged that Lord Maginnis had forwarded private and legally privileged emails to members of the press.

    A representative for The Gay UK said,

    ‘It’s disgusting that in 2012, somebody in a respected position such as a Lord can make these comments about a portion of the community that we aim to represent.

    ‘An attack on us, is an attack on the gay community at large. Our website is community led by contributions from lesbian and gay writers and today is a sad day.’

    ‘Even after we had corrected Lord Maginnis that we were not Stonewall or the organisation that were running the Heroes and Bigot award, he replied, “As I neither know you or Stonewall I don’t think it’s for me to sort out the not-so-subtle differences. If you still want a comment my initial response is adequate from my perspective.”.’

    Stonewall was not immediately available for comment on Lord Maginnis’s accusation.