THEGAYUK

Tag: Top List

  • 10 Hottest Men In Country Music

    If you know anything about me, it’s that I’m an American trying to emigrate to Britain. I’m often asked what I’ll miss the most about the USA. It’s a tough call; there are lots of things that are uniquely American that the Brits just don’t get.

    From gravy and biscuits (which really tastes a lot better than it sound) to Donald Trump (who really is as bad as you think), there’s a lot about this country that doesn’t quite translate.Chief amongst those, though, has to be country music. Sure, there are exceptions—every gay in Soho has seen a drag queen mime a Dolly Parton or Shania Twain tune at some point—but by and large, the songs of the south simply don’t have the same cache in the UK. Country music is a uniquely American genre. But while the music itself may not be to your liking, some of the men who sing it may be.

    So, in an effort to introduce my favourite music to my favourite country, I give you the ten hottest men in country music:

    10. Dustin Lynch

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    Age: 30

    Hometown: Tullahoma, Tennessee

    Must-hear tracks: “Cowboys and Angels”; “Hell of a Night”

    With those sparkling blue eyes and that million-dollar smile, it’s no wonder Dustin Lynch has melted the hearts of country fans everywhere. His deep voice will make you swoon on tracks like “Cowboys and Angels,” while “Where it’s At” and “Hell of a Night” will get you wound up for a night of tailgating and mudding down home on the farm. (Don’t know what those are? Man, you’re missing out.)

    9. Thomas Rhett

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    Age: 25

    Hometown: Valdosta, Georgia

    Must-hear tracks: “Beer with Jesus”; “Crash and Burn”Full confession: “Crash and Burn” is my song of summer 2015.

    I jam it through the streets of Chicago as I’m cruising around town. It’s hardly surprising considering Thomas Rhett is the son of a country legend (his full name is Thomas Rhett Atkins, Jr, making him the son of 1990’s country star Rhett Atkins). With those dark eyes and dimples, he’s sure to break a few hearts. But simmer down, fellas; he married his childhood sweetheart in 2012.

    8. Hunter Hayes

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    Age: 23

    Hometown: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

    Must-hear tracks: “Invisible”; “Storm Warning”

    Country music’s answer to Ed Sheeran, twinkalicious Hunter Hayes is the next big thing in Nashville. His song “Invisible” will speak to LGBT youths everywhere (it could be the theme song to the “It Gets Better” campaign), while his EP 21 was released on Friday. With that smile, we’ll let the obvious Adele comparisons slide.

     

    7. Chris Young

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    Age: 30

    Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

    Must-hear tracks: “I’m Coming Over”; “Tomorrow”
    Chris Young has come a long way since winning Nashville Star, an American Idol-style singing competition in 2006. Since then, he’s produced five number one singles and four top ten albums on the Billboard Country Charts. His baritone voice perfectly captures the heartbreak of saying goodbye on records like “I’m Coming Over” and “Tomorrow,” both of which are guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye.

    6. Reid Perry

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    Age: 26
    Hometown: Greeneville, Tennessee

    Must-hear tracks: “If I Die Young”; “Chainsaw”The only artist on the list that is not a soloist, Reid makes up a third of the brothers/sister trio The Band Perry. They took the country world by storm in 2010 with their single “If I Die Young,” a haunting traditional ballad about a life lost before its time. Since then, they’ve gone on to win Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and Grammy awards.

     

    5. Jake Owen

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    Age: 33 (though he’s got a birthday coming up on the 28th!)
    Hometown: Vero Beach, Florida

    Must-hear tracks: “Alone with You”; “Real Life”I haven’t heard a song this decade that more accurately sums up life in a small southern town than “Real Life,” and I haven’t seen an artist have more fun with summer this side of Kenny Chesney. 2011’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” was his third album, but his first major hit, and it solidified him as one of country’s more laid back, exciting artists.

     

    4. Luke Bryan

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    Age: 39

    Hometown: Leesburg, Georgia
    Must-hear tracks: “Kick the Dust Up”; “Drink a Beer”

    The reigning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year (the two highest honours in country music), Luke Bryan is the undisputed King of Country. From thumping, arena rocking songs like “Kick the Dust Up” and “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” to more stripped down songs such as “Roller Coaster” and “Do I,” Bryan has defined this decade of country music and is the epitome of the “bro country” movement sweeping Nashville. His song “Drink a Beer” always manages to make me cry, as it reminds me of loss of one of my best friends from uni. Say what you will about country, but evoking that emotion is the mark of a true artist.

    3. Canaan Smith

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    Age: 32

    Hometown: Williamsburg, Virginia

    Must-hear tracks: “Stuck”; “Love You Like That”

    Another former reality tv star, Canaan Smith first shot to prominence as a contestant on The Amazing Race. While his first single only peaked at #44 on the Billboard Country Charts, his sophomore effort, “Love You Like That” has already hit #1 on the Country Airplay charts. His eponymous debut album, which dropped in March, has already cracked the top 20.

    2. Easton Corbin

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    Age: 33
    Hometown: Trenton, Florida

    Must-hear tracks: “I’m a Little More Country than That”; “All Over the Road”
    When Easton Corbin first came to Nashville’s attention in 2009, the overwhelming response was swoon. He’s the quintessential boy next door, with his corn-fed good looks and endearing twang. Since then, he’s claimed 4 number one songs, and while his latest two singles haven’t performed as well as some of his previous hits, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

    Sam Hunt

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    Age: 30
    Hometown: Cedartown, Georgia

    Must-hear tracks: “Cop Car;” “Leave the Night On;” “Take Your Time”

You may notice that Sam Hunt gets three “must-hear tracks” whereas every other artist on this countdown gets two. There’s a reason for that; his debut album, Montevallo, is one of the strongest debut albums by a country artist this decade. Mixing elements of traditional country, Americana, rock, and hip-hop, Hunt has created a truly unique musical experience that is currently taking country radio by storm. His cut of “Cop Car,” a song he wrote, has more heart and more passion than the Keith Urban cover which made it famous. This former collegiate quarterback may never play in the NFL, but he’s definitely got a future in Nashville.

    Disagree with my selections? Have your own opinions about who the hottest men in country music are? Sound off in the comments below.

  • Forest Whitaker: His Top 10 Films

    Whitaker, a former college football star turned opera and drama student, is now considered one of the most intense and captivating actors in the film industry.

    He won a Best Actor Academy Award and a BAFTA for his role as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland and was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. On 6th July, he stars opposite Harvey Keitel in TWO MEN IN TOWN. Here is a look at ten of his best to date:

    TWO MEN IN TOWN (2015)

    This gritty, no-holds barred psychological thriller tells the story of troubled youth Will Garnett (Whitaker) who is finally being released after an 18-year long stretch in prison. With the help of an idealistic parole agent (Brenda Blethyn ) and his new-found Islamic faith, Garnett struggles to rebuild his life and overcome the violent impulses which torture and possess him. However, Bill Agati (Keitel), the vengeful Sheriff of the small New Mexico border county where Garnett is released, has other ideas. Convinced that Garnett is irredeemable and major a threat to the security of his county, Agati launches a vicious, sustained campaign to return Garnett to prison for life. A brilliantly understated revenge drama which asks the question: can we ever truly leave a dark past behind and start again?
    BUY IT NOW
    Lee Daniels’ The Butler 2013

    In Lee Daniel’s The Butler, Forest Whitaker dons the role of Cecil Gaines, who served eight presidents as the White House’s head butler from 1952 to 1986. Forest Whitaker shines in this heart-warming story, as Cecil gracefully walks the line between formality and servility. David Oyelowo plays his troubled son, who becomes entrenched in the black power movement with Oprah Winfrey portraying Cecil’s wife. There are also superb presidential turns from Robin Williams, Alan Rickman, John Cusack, Liev Schreiber and James Marsden.
    The Great Debaters (2007)

    Forest Whitaker stars alongside Denzel Washington in this story about a black college debate team in the 1930’s. Although Washington steals the show in this empowering drama, Whitaker gives a powerful and assuring performance, supporting as James Farmer Senior, the father of debater and future civil fights figure James Farmer Jr. A little known fun fact about this great film is that the actor playing Forest Whitaker’s son was named Denzel Whitaker!
    The Last King of Scotland (2006)

    Forest Whitaker took home a Best Actor Academy Award and BAFTA in 2007 for his terrifying yet brilliant portrayal of Ugandian dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. James McAvoy co-stars as Nicholas Garrigan the Scottish doctor who is taken under the wing of Amin and becomes his personal physician. As Nicholas becomes closer to Amin, he uncovers the truth behind the dictator’s savage autocracy.
    Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

    An unorthodox DJ, Adrian Cronauer, played by the eternally missed Robin Williams, shakes things up when he is assigned to the US Armed Services Radio station in Vietnam. There Cronauer meets and befriends Private First Class Edward Montesquieu Garlick (Forest Whitaker), who becomes his sidekick and co-presenter. Cronauer’s irreverence contrasts sharply with many staff members and soon rouses the ire of two of his superiors, Second Lieutenant Steven Hauk and Sergeant Major Phillip Dickerson who do their utmost to have Cronauer and Garlick deposed.
    The Crying Game (1992)

    Forest pushes the envelope of sexuality in his film The Crying Game; about a British soldier named Jody, who is kidnapped by terrorists and held hostage by the Irish Republican Army. While with the IRA, Jody (Forest Whitaker) convinces one of the guards to look after his girlfriend who is actually a pre-op transsexual.
    Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

    This ‘80s teen classic was Forest Whitaker’s breakout film, in which he played the gloomy and intimidating high school football star Charles Jefferson. In a fantastic scene, Whitaker thrashes his Lincoln High rivals on the field, mistakenly thinking they wrecked his car and wrote racial slurs, and wins the big game for Ridgemont in a blowout.
    Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)

    Blending quiet nobility with a killer instinct, Forest Whitaker plays Ghost Dog, a mob assassin and self-taught samurai who is obsessed with order and his strict personal moral code, drawn from the philosophies of the Japanese warriors. When Ghost Dog becomes dispensable to his mob superiors, he must fight for his life in high-octane fights, samurai swords and plenty of action.
    Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

    Visionary director Spike Jonze brings Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book to the big screen In the fantastical Where the Wild Things Are. In the film Forest Whitaker plays Ira, the slow-witted but goodhearted monster who has a very calming effect on the group, despite his talent for punching holes in tree trunks. Whitaker’s soothing voice takes the audience to different world… literally!
    Zulu (2013)

    Orlando Bloom stars alongside Forest Whitaker in this intense drama about policemen, Ali Sokhela (Forest Whitaker) and Brian Epkeen (Orlando Bloom) who investigate the brutal murder of a young white woman, apparently provoked by the availability of a new illegal drug. With an intriguing premise and Whitaker providing excellent tension and grit throughout, this crime drama is a well paced and fairly unpredictable ride for audiences.
    Bird (1988)

    Clint Eastwood directs this heartfelt study of saxophonist Charlie Parker, played by Forest Whitaker. This film shifts back and forth through Parker’s brief life before his heroin overdose at the age of 34. Charlie Parker is beautifully and sensitively acted by Whitaker who took home a San Jordi Award for Best Foreign Actor for his work in this powerful film

  • Top 10 LGBT YouTubers

    YouTube is the video site where you can make a living if you’re watched and subscribed enough. But what are the most popular LGBT vloggers channels?

    I’m basing the list on subscribers and video views. The comprehensive list is as follows…

    10. Superfruit

    Comprising of Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying of the A cappella group Pentatonix, the Superfruit channel is a mix of vlogs and A cappella music videos performed by Grassi and Hoying. They have managed to gather over 1.5 million subscribers and an impressive 136 million video views since 2013. Their most popular video is a Frozen medley with fellow Pentatonix member Kirstie Maldonado with over 10 million views.

    9. Davey Wavey

    31 year old Davey Wavey is the topless star of Youtube. He’s amassed 1.5 million subscribers and over 300 Million views over his 3 channels and has talked about subjects ranging from physical fitness to sex education. His most view video is titled My guilty pleasures with over 17 million views.

    8. Toderick Hall

    The musical parody maker Toderick Hall has 1.6 million subscribers and over 228 million video views. A wonderful mix of parody music videos lampooning different stereotypes and one man band mixes of artists. Toderick has quite a social media following over Twitter and Instagram, and his most watched video on Youtube is Disney Dudez with nearly 15 million views.

    7. Lucas Cruickshank

    Most people probably know Cruickshank better as loveable yet irritating 6 year old character Fred Figglehorn which he started performing when he was only 13-years-old. While he only has 3 million subscribers over his 2 channels, he has garnered an amazing 1.86 billion views on those channels, a vast majority of which are on the Fred channel with the most popular Fred video being Fred goes grocery shopping with 73 million views.

    6. Ingrid Nilsen

    Nilsen came out earlier this year and her coming out video is her most popular video with over 11 million views. She mostly vlogs her daily life, makeup tips and fashion advice, which has lead to a stint on reality show Project Runway: Threads, and has amassed a large fan base with over 3.7 million subscribers and 277 million video views and even works with Covergirl due to her YouTube presence.

    5. Troye Sivan

    South African born, Australian Singer and vlogger Sivan has made quite the impact on Youtube collecting nearly 4 million subscribers and 200 million views on his vlog channel and his VEVO channel. His first EP was released in 2008, and sold well, with his latest EP due to be released later this year. The audio of his single Happy Little Pill is his most viewed video with over 7 and a half million views.

    4. Connor Franta

    Franta’s first book A Work in Progress was released in April 2015 due to his popularity on Youtube, with 5 million subscribers on his main channel and second channel with a combined total video views of over 270 million. He has helped raise over $230,000 for The Thirst project, surpassing his original goal of $150,000 courtesy of his subscribers. With 9.3 million views, British vs America: How We Do It is his most watched video.

    3. Joey Graceffa

    The first Youtuber to come out as gay with a music video, which is his most watched video with 9.3 million views. Graceffa has a huge fan base with over 6 million subscribers and 692 million video views spread across his vlog channel and gaming channel.

    His autobiography In Real Life was released in 2015, where he lays bare his troubled childhood dealing with an alcoholic mother and his own struggles with his sexuality.

    2. Tyler Oakley 

    With a book due out soon. Oakley has cemented himself as a much loved Youtuber with 7 million people subscribing to his channel and garnering 437 million video views and resulting in meetings with Barack Obama and making a video with Michelle Obama talking about education issues. He also has a line of apparel available which have his famous quotes printed on them.

    A collaboration with fellow Youtuber Colleen Ballinger (as her character Miranda Sings) titled The Photobooth challenge has nearly 8 million views.

    1. Shane Dawson

    12 million subscribers and over 2 billion video views later, Shane Dawson is a massively popular star on the site. His vlogs and comedic music videos gain millions of views and likes, with his most popular video, a Wrecking Ball parody getting 27 million views.

    Dawson rarely holds back with tales of his life and came out as bisexual in July of 2015. His book I Hate my Selfie which recounts 18 of his most embarrassing and inspiring stories came out in early 2015

  • 10 life hacks to help you take a break from technology

    Here are 10 Life hacks to help you take a break from technology devised by celebrity life and success coach Sloan Sheridan Williams.

    When technology is starting to rule your life, why not take a step back and take note of Sloan’s top 10 hints at regaining control of your life.

    1. Share a lovingly home-cooked meal or go to your favourite restaurant

    2. Get a boost of energising Vitamin D

    3. Share emotional experiences like watching a movie or sporting event.

    4. Having fun on theme park rides will help you bond with the rush of endorphins

    5. Go on a bike ride or a long walk in the park

    6. Visit a comedy club and laugh out loud

    7. Go out and dance like no-one is watching

    8. Pedalo on the Serpentine or on a nearby lake that offers similar

    9. Fly a kite

    10. Go to a Roller Disco and let your hair down.

    by Sloan Sheridan Wllliams

  • Top 17 Essential Gay Films

    Whether you love screamers or creamers, romances or “the call is coming from with in the house types” there are a lot of amazing gay films out there. THEGAYUK’s Aaron Holloway lists his top 17 essential gay and lesbian films

     

    Make the Yuletide Gay

    When Olaf Gunnunderson returns home for the holidays, his college boyfriend decides to come with him. While they`re both out and proud on campus, Olaf must bury himself in his childhood closet in order to survive the trip. This film is a great holiday film, filled with enough adult humour to keep you laughing throughout the holidays. One of the best gay films.

    AMAZON: BUY THIS MOVIE

    iTunes: BUY/RENT THIS MOVIE

  • 2015: Half Year In Review, The top stories on THEGAYUK so Far

    As we’ve just passed the half way point of 2015 we look back at the most-read stories on TheGayUK from January 2015 to June 2015 end.

    Top Read content on TheGayUK overall:
    1) Benedict Cumberbatch Marries Judge Rinder and his husband
    2) Eleven Facts About Judge Rinder
    3) Gay Films On Netflix
    4) Louis Tomlinson’s Penis Breaks The Internet
    5) Hot Gay Actors Under 40
    6) Top 10 Best Israeli Gay Films
    7) X FACTOR’s Johnny Robinson Drops New Single – As A Woman
    8) 8 Naked Boybands
    9) Do You Have A Gay Name, Christopher Voted Gayest Name
    10) Interview with The Overtones

    Top Read content on TheGayUK overall:
    1) Benedict Cumberbatch Marries Judge Rinder and his husband
    2) Eleven Facts About Judge Rinder
    3) Gay Films On Netflix
    4) Louis Tomlinson’s Penis Breaks The Internet
    5) Hot Gay Actors Under 40
    6) Top 10 Best Israeli Gay Films
    7) X FACTOR’s Johnny Robinson Drops New Single – As A Woman
    8) 8 Naked Boybands
    9) Do You Have A Gay Name, Christopher Voted Gayest Name
    10) Interview with The Overtones

    Top Celebrity story
    1) Benedict Cumberbatch Marries Judge Rinder and his husband
    2) Louis Tomlinson’s Penis Breaks The Internet
    3) X FACTOR’s Johnny Robinson Drops New Single – As A Woman
    4) Interview with The Overtones
    5) Michelle Visage “Most Vain Because I’m A Drag Queen”
    6) Katie Hopkins Not A Gay Icon – The Overtones Rage Over The Thought
    7) Jeremy Jackson Naked Pictures Emerge
    8) Interview with Bianca Del Rio
    9) Big Brother’s Joel Admits He Could Make Out With Aaron
    10) Did Rhianna OUT Cristiano Ronaldo?

    Top Advice Stories:
    1) Top 6 Best Gay Apps
    2) Three Of The Best Teeth Whitening
    3) SEX ADVICE: Can We Use Fruit And Veg In Bed?
    4) Five Top Tips To Keep Your Man Bush Under Control
    5) Why Do I Have Erections In The Morning – 5 Things Guys Should Know
    6) 10 Ways To Make Your Semen Taste Better
    7) How To Massage Your Prostate
    8) How To Last Longer In Bed
    9) Feed Your Penis – Eat these to keep your man bits healthy
    10) Want a stronger penis? Drink more coffee

    Top World News Stories
    1) Another Man Thrown To His Death By ISIS For Being Gay
    2) Three Men Accused Of Being Gay Executed In Iraq
    3) When Bradley Cooper Had His (Gay) Cherry Taken
    4) Frameline Festival Has The Gayest Promo Ever
    5) Bearded Queen Wows Crowd On America’s Got Talent
    6) ISIS Fighters Hug Two Gay Men Before Stoning Them To Death
    7) Chris Hemsworth Massive Penis Is Everything
    8) Twin 10-Year-Olds Abby And Sarah Sing Amazing Sam Smith Medley
    9) We Do Not Like Gays Living Here – Vile Welcome Note To Gay Couple
    10) Westboro Baptist Church To Picket Barry Manilow Concert

    Pages views were up 65.20% and Unique views were up 54.59% from the same period in 2014. Mobile usage increased 97.8% in the same period, tablets 84.5% and a modest 10.6% growth on people visiting the website on their desktops. Access to TheGayUK via mobile devices accounted for 65.3% of all traffic.

  • Hot Gay or Bi Actors Under 40

    There’s a new breed of actors out there who aren’t afraid to be out in Hollywood and beyond… (more…)

  • CAR REVIEW | Auto, Erotic?

    While we all like to think we’re not swayed by fancy cars, there’s no doubt the right motor can aid access to the pants of others. Whether it’s through first impressions or a well-placed mattress in the back, here’s my top 10.

    Aston Martin
    With most of this list I’ve had to specify a single model, with Aston Martin pretty much any car they’ve produced will do the job. Helped no doubt by the James Bond effect, they have been consistently voted one of the coolest brands out there while there’s arguably no such thing as an ugly Aston. Even though they are ridiculously expensive new, they somehow manage to not make you look like a cock behind the wheel. This makes it all the more likely you’ll be getting cock if you’re seen driving one.

    VW Camper (T1 or T2)
    If you’re thinking of a campervan, chances are you’ll think of one of Volkswagen’s old school rear-engined models. Although you can buy a new one, it’s the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s models that have the most appeal with their retro looks and easy going nature. If you’re not sold on the styling, there’s always a freezer for your poppers and a fold out bed for whatever happens afterwards. Just remember, if the van’s rockin’ don’t come knockin’.

    Alfa Romeo 4C
    After years in the wilderness, Alfa has produced a car that is quite simply sex on 4 wheels. From the gorgeous ‘tele-dial’ wheels to the sensuous lines of the carbon fibre bodywork, it’s comfortably one of the best looking cars currently available at any price point. That it costs a relatively low £50k shouldn’t matter as numbers will be limited, ensuring not everyone with the funds can get hold of one. Only the most acrobatic amongst you will be able to get up to anything inside, thankfully carbon fibre doesn’t dent.

    Citroen DS
    When it was introduced back in 1955, the DS was a sensation delivering the kind of styling previously seen in science fiction to the common man. Not only did it look space age but there was plenty of tech under the skin too. Those stunning looks will get the attention of your intended conquest while there’s a big rear bench between the rear doors if you keep their interest. Should things get a little too kinky, there’s a big boot to dispose of the body.

    Jeep Wrangler
    It was a toss up (if you’ll pardon the pun) between this and a Land Rover Defender when it came to picking a macho retro 4×4. Ultimately the Wrangler’s relative rarity sealed the deal, not that I was at all swayed by being lent one (see elsewhere in the issue for my review). Not only do they look great but you really can drive pretty much anywhere to find a secluded spot. Heavy duty rubber floor mats mean the clean up operation is pretty easy too.

    Jaguar E-Type
    Frequently described as the most beautiful car ever made, the E-Type is still a stunning shape today. A meaty straight 6 and later a V12 made sure the car went as well as it looked too. While being classy, it also sports one of the most phallic bonnets every created, its rounded tip stretching far into the distance from the cockpit. The coupe is a bit cramped for getting up to much mischief but there’s always the soft top version for alfresco action.

    Tesla Model S
    With a Tesla, you can have your cake and eat it. Not only do you appear to care for the environment thanks to zero emissions when in use, the all-electric Model S is also seriously fast. In other words, you can still have motoring fun without pissing off any environmentally conscious targets and therefore attracting a whole new demographic. Boss of Tesla Elon Musk was apparently an inspiration for Robert Downey Jr’s portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man, that coolness does trickle down to both car and driver which can’t hurt either.

    Rolls Royce Phantom
    For some people, there’s nothing more attractive than extravagant displays of wealth and nothing quite says ‘I’ve got more money than some third world countries’ than the big Roller. True, the Bugatti Veyron and a few other hypercars may be pricier but do they have built in champagne coolers? No. Do they have carpets thick enough to dull the noise of even the loudest lay you piledrive into it? No. Nor will they have room in the back to do, well, pretty much anything. Just make sure the chauffeur’s partition is closed before things get too messy, unless you like that kind of thing of course. If you’re seriously fugly, this is probably your best bet.

    Fiat/Bertone X1/9
    The problem with mid-engined supercars is that they do suggest you might be compensating for a shortfall in the trouser department. If you do want a vehicle that’s Italian, has the motor in the middle and is an open 2 seater but doesn’t make people think you’re hung like a hamster, the X1/9 is the car for you. At 3.8 meters long it’s shorter than a Ford Fiesta and powered by a dinky 1.3 or 1.5 litre lump. The shrunken supercar look makes for a cute classic that definitely turns heads.

    Koenigsegg Regera
    If you must have a supercar to attract attention, you might as well make it one of the rarest and most bonkers. Koenigsegg will only build 80 Regeras and each one is a technical tour de force with an 1100 bhp V8 and 3 electric motors. 0-248 mph allegedly takes under 20 seconds, crazy numbers for a road car. If pure speed doesn’t impress then you can open the doors, bonnet and entire rear section of the car via your smartphone. If you like ‘em superficial and easy then this is the car for you.

  • GAY HISTORY: Unsung Gay Heroes In History

    We look back into history and highlight other unsung gay men who have made an incredible different to our lives.

    Alan Turing (1912–1954)

    Alan Turing was a British pioneering computer scientist, mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, philosopher and mathematical biologist. During the Second World War, Turing worked for the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park, Britain’s code-breaking centre. For a time he led Hut 8, the section responsible for German naval cryptanalysis and created the Turing Machine which decrypted the “unbreakable” German Enigma code. Turing’s pivotal role in cracking intercepted coded messages enabled the Allies to defeat the Nazis in many crucial engagements, including the Battle of the Atlantic. It is said by some historians that Turing’s work at Bletchley Park shortened the war by two to four years and saved approximately fourteen million to twelve million lives. Nevertheless, Turing led a sheltered and castigated life due to his homosexuality. Whilst he was briefly engaged to fellow Bletchley Park worker Joan Clarke, it was a purely plutonic relationship and they soon divorced. Turing was prosecuted by the police in 1952 for homosexual acts, when such behaviour was still criminalised in the UK. He accepted treatment with oestrogen injections (chemical castration) as an alternative to prison and became incredibly depressed. He committed suicide in 1954. Turing’s wartime heroics were not celebrated until he received an official pardon from Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009 following an internet campaign, and then a further royal pardon from Queen Elizabeth II in 2013. From 9th March, 2015, the biopic of Alan Turing’s life and heroics, THE IMITATION GAME, will become available on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of StudioCanal.

    Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)

    Bayard Rustin was the brain behind Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement in 1960s America. Rustin was one of the driving forces behind the Congress for Racial Equality and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Most significantly, Rustin organized the 1963 March on Washington — where King gave his legendary “I have a dream” speech. However, due to his homosexuality and his membership in the Communist Party, he has often received short shrift from historians and his integral role in the civil rights movement is often overlooked. At the time, Rustin selflessly avoided the limelight because he knew that elected officials and politicians would attempt to discredit the civil rights movement by pointing out his sexual and political leanings. Rustin was also heavily involved in the anti­–Vietnam War and gay rights movements before his death in 1987.

    Sergei Diaghilev (1872-1929)

    Sergei “Serge” Diaghilev was a Russian art critic, patron, ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes, but also one of the first outspoken and unapologetically gay men of the early 20th century. Sergei Diaghilev reshaped that epoch’s ideas about art and performance, and was a pioneer in adapting new musical styles to modern ballet. He created the Ballets Russes mainly as a showcase for his lover and protégé Vaslav Nijinsky, who is still considered one of the greatest dancers who ever lived. Diaghilev had exquisite tastes, bringing the work of such artists as Balanchine, Picasso, Pavlova and Cocteau onto the stage in his cutting-edge productions, which were often unabashedly erotic. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Diaghilev was condemned as an especially insidious example of bourgeois decadence and his contribution to Russian art was written out of history by the Soviets for more than sixty years.

    Larry Kramer (1935-present)

    Every movement needs a voice of anger and righteousness, and when the AIDS pandemic hit, the gay community was lucky to have Larry Kramer, whose editorials and plays (particularly The Normal Heart) demanded that the government take action and that gay men take responsibility for their health. A fascinating author and a rabble-rouser in the best sense, Kramer continues to be a vital and often infuriating presence. Kramer co-founded the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), which has become the world’s largest private organization to raise funds for and provide services to people stricken with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

    Harvey Milk (1930–1978)

    Harvey Milk was an American politician who became the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisor.

    Milk moved from New York City to settle in San Francisco in 1972 amid a migration of gay men to the Castro District. He ran unsuccessfully for political office three times. Nevertheless, his theatrical campaigns earned him increasing popularity, and Milk won a seat as a city supervisor in 1977. Milk served almost 11 months in office and was responsible for passing a stringent gay rights ordinance for the city. On November 27, 1978, Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Dan White, another city supervisor who had recently resigned but wanted his job back. Despite his short career in politics, Milk became an icon in San Francisco and a martyr in the gay community. In 2008 a Hollywood biopic Milk, starring Sean Penn, honoured Harvey Milk’s transformation of San Fransisco into a mecca for LGBT Americans and in 2009 Milk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

    The Imitation Game is out on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download platforms now , courtesy of StudioCanal

  • REVIEW: The Top 10 Best Gay Dating Apps

    REVIEW: The Top 10 Best Gay Dating Apps

    Recently the opportunity came up to review gay dating apps. Now being a single pringle ready to mingle I thought to myself, why not? I need to get my lazy butt back out there and this seemed like my kind of thing and I do enjoy a good app (who doesn’t??).

    Well I can safely say I’ve been on a little journey boys and girls and let me tell you it’s a maze of nonsense out there.

    Ranging from the apps that Cupid would be proud of to the apps that try and fail miserably there are literally countless numbers of apps out there for you to chose from. I’ve gone with a small selection of the ones most people appear to have heard of (or that came recommended to me).

    Let’s begin with the usual suspects. Number 1, good old Grindr…

    Grindr Xtra

    Now if you haven’t heard of Grindr then where have you been for the last five years or so? Love it or hate it the fact is that most (emphasis on most, but not all) gay men have been on it at some point over the last six or seven years. I gave it up for two years when I was with my boyfriend and didn’t miss it but now that I’m single again it does become a little habit. Good or bad, I’ll let you decide.

    Grindr sells itself as “the best gay dating app” and yes as far as technology goes it is the simpler of the apps out there. It simply shows 1 profile picture for you, shows you people around you and lets you input basic information about who you are and what you are looking for. I currently pay for Grindr “xtra” (because I’m sad like that) and it basically gets you unlimited blocking capability and a much larger list of guys to view. I’m undecided if it’s worth paying the extra few pounds for. It could be to remove the ridiculous amount of adverts that are on the free version.

    Now because it is location based it’s also very handy for those that want “a quick hook up” and nothing more. Hence there are a lot of guys on there that are after one thing and one thing only. On the ‘looking for love’ scale, if you go onto it with low expectations when it does happen (and I know that it has) then it’s a pleasant surprise. Otherwise, I’d recommend it for visiting new areas and seeing who is about or for those days when a booty call is really all you want (and don’t deny that you have those days, because we all know that you do!).

    POF

    For months I have resisted the urge to join Plenty of Fish because, rightly or wrongly, I saw this type of site as the last chance saloon of singledom. And I don’t think I’m quite there yet… (Famous last words). Now I fully accept that was being prejudiced having that view and I took the plunge some months ago and signed myself up with an account. I’m all about challenging perceptions and all that so why not start with my own? I have to say that I was surprised a little with what you are given. Yes, it’s the same faces on here as there is on Grindr but actually, this is geared up more to those just looking about to see who wants to connect.

    Yes, you do get the people that start off all sweet and lovely and then declare that they are horny and “can our date be moved forward to right now”, but actually that’s just men. We can’t really blame an app for what an arse your average man can be.

    But actually, if you’re looking for something different then POF could be for you. Unfortunately, the app does load other users that are near you so if you happen to check it while travelling about you may have to disappoint some people that message you thinking you are local when in fact you are just travelling through.

    If you are concerned like I was that being on there is “sad” or not something to admit in public then I would challenge you do try it out. You might be surprised at what you see. Again, the app is only as good as what you put into it. Put rubbish in, get rubbish out.

    Tinder

    Like POF tinder a simpler app designed to “match” people based on their personalities and likes/dislikes. Tinder asks you to complete a survey and provide as much information about you as possible so that it can create a list of possible matches for you and ask you to “like” or “not quite right” profiles that it presents to you.

    The traditional features are all there including location-based searches but like POF there are very little opportunities to declare your sexual preferences or put on your profile that you’re horny. Like POF they are still on there but this app is geared up to be very “blind date” matchmaking.

    It sounds cheesy but it really isn’t. I’d recommend checking it out as it’s fairly modern in design, appears to be stable and like
    POF if you put some real effort in you may be surprised with what you get out.

    Jack’d

    Jack’d is a really odd app as it is very simple to use, a little more functionality that Grindr does (more pictures for example and a “matching” service) but it’s also very basic, very clunky in places and has a habit of presenting you to a lot (and I do mean a lot) of US-based guys. I’d say out of all of the profiles that messaged me during my time on here a good 50% were “non-UK” based. Which is great if you’re looking for a long distance to marry and move to the states with. But for us lowly average gays it doesn’t really do much for your chances.

    It also seemed to struggle with logging in quite a lot (more than Grindr anyway which is saying something). Can you see Willam Belli or another drag queen making a song with a reference to Jack’d? No me neither!

    As far as “hook up” usefulness, yes like Grindr it is location based so can show the guys around you it doesn’t really sell itself as a hookup friendly app. You will find the same guys on it mind you. Except on this one its long walks and snuggles and on Grindr its long dicks and group sessions. That’s a massive generalisation but you get the point.

    Wapo

    “Wapo” (what used to be called Bender before someone cottoned on that it really is a stupidly unwise name) apparently is Spanish for ‘handsome man’. Far be it for me to quote trade descriptions at them as I oversell myself but seriously?

    In recent years it’s undergone a major overhaul so that now it’s not bad looking. It gives you more functionality than Grindr (ability to view your profile views for example without having to pay for it) but it is slightly temperamental. Not only in my experience but some of the reviews on the app store also give it a scathing report that it is unstable and not very user friendly. On the upside it does let me detail my height in feet and inches (it’s the small things. Oh and I’m 6 foot 3).

    Again, most of the people you’ll find on Grindr or Jack’d you’ll find on Wapo but it does seem to be more of a mixed bag. Worth a look and see what you think. I do however think the name is lame.

    Hornet

    Now hornet seems to be a mix of all the others. It has a very simple setup like Grindr with some added features liked Jack’d (public and private photos, view tracks, add favourites etc) but isn’t quite as ‘tidy’ or as finely tuned as Grindr. The Hornet app is also geared up for those looking for something more as not once does it ask you your “role” or if you are listed as looking for “hook-ups”.

    What I also like about Hornet is that it asks you if you know your HIV status and when you were last checked. You can choose not to provide that information as it’s not mandatory but alongside asking you it also encourages you to find out and get checked. As a promoter of good sexual health, this is a big tick in the box for me. An app that seems to actually care…

    Booty call usefulness again depends on your profile. Like the others it is location based so if you are anywhere near another user then you’ll show up and who knows what could happen. It doesn’t appear to offer any sort of “matching” service nor does it offer chances to detail your sexual preferences so in the battle between “sex app” vs “dating app” Horney remains decidedly neutral.

    Gaydar

    For those guys, that like me had a gaydar profile back in the days when it was just a dating website I couldn’t not mention the app they now have. Given all the changes Gaydar has been through lately the app isn’t bad overall. It is reasonably well designed, clear and easy to understand. It follows the same sort of layout as the website profiles and gives you pretty much all the same information as the full website.

    As Gaydar is the longest serving gay dating website that I’m aware of, its ‘looking for love’ factor is quite high. The days of sitting on Gaydar just for the chat rooms are long gone. Having a look around online and talking to other people I get the impression that everyone has a profile on there, but not many people actually use it or update it.

    This means that Gaydar does have a chance of helping you find love, little to no chance of finding a hook-up and providing you’re in no hurry to find anyone or get a reply to your messages then this is the app for you.

    (After this little exercise I decided to completely delete my profile on there… No real reason other than I very rarely got anything from it and I decided it was the end of an era).

    Fitlads

    Now I’ve always liked the Fitlads main website. Yes, it is basic but functionality wise it offers a lot and some of the guys on there are a laugh. I’ve had many a good night on Fitlads and made a few online friends from it.

    But having said that I wouldn’t recommend the app. It’s very basic, not very stable and makes you want to log on to the website to see what it’s trying to present to you. You can search for members, use your location to find other people, message and post on the forums but is pretty much it. Whereas the mobile web page lets you do much more. I mainly use the mobile web page now, to be honest. I may also be the person that subscribes monthly to get access to the porn videos. Far better than storing them on my laptop. ;o) I’d recommend checking out the website www.fitlads.net as it’s a pretty good, albeit basic, site for meeting guys, getting dates and various other things. I think I bought my first sex toy from the Fitlads shop. For that reason, well that reason and others, it will always have a little soft spot in my heart.

    If I was to tell you that I was ever so slightly hairy and fell into the category of “otter” would you be surprised? No? Didn’t think so! Well for those that also love the male form with a little bit of hair (or not) then Scruff is the app for you. It’s got all of the functionality of Grindr and Jack’d and is a little more stable and easy to navigate. It’s a little more complex than Grindr as you can have private “albums” and search internationally for people but essentially it is simple to use. Having been on Scruff during my single years I’ve found it to be very handy for meeting guys that not only like the hairier male form but also some real guys that are looking for something more. I’ve got a couple of dates out of Scruff and while they haven’t developed into a relationship (because not everyone has to fall in love with the first guy they meet) I’ve actually made some good friends from it. And yes I have also had some good times from it. As it is location-based and allows for private album sharing it is very “hook up” friendly. But like all the others, it is an app where what you put in is what you get back out again. If you’re after the more masculine man then Scruff is for you. If not, then I’d stick with Grindr.

    Recon.

    Now I thought I’d throw this one into the mix purely because of my last article about kink in the media. If you are looking for love on here then you will be hard-pressed to find it but that isn’t to say that you can’t. I know a fair few people that have met their partners in a roundabout way through Recon. So don’t automatically dismiss the idea.

    Now that being said, Recon is very much aimed at those with a kinkier side to their personality. From the hardcore through to the milder tame stuff. The app, just like the website, is very geared up at the sexual aspect detailing what you are into, what your body is like and what you can be contacted for. The app allows messages, searching based on your current location, editing your profile and searching for Recon events in your area.

    Check it out. Go on, it may surprise you…

  • Top 5 Tips To Keep Your Man Bush In Check

    We all know manscaping is a necessary chore that all us men have to go through to keep our junk in an aesthetically pleasing state.

    How ever necessary this process is it does not make it any less tiresome. Here are my top 5 tips to achieve the perfect haircut for your downstairs.

    1. Nobody wants to feel like they’re going down on a 9-year-old so when your hacking around your tool with the trimmers make sure you leave yourself some stubble.The only people to get away with the bald look are porn stars and even then I prefer to see something down there.

    2. One place baldness is generally preferred is around the ass so if you’re using hair removal cream to achieve a silky smooth tushi make sure you go with a sensitive cream. Don’t and you’ll regret it when your ass is red raw and itching like a b*tch.

    3. After care is a must. When your hair starts to re-grow it is going to itch and without the aid of a moisturiser you’ll probably end up with a rash. I recommend the same thing that was recommended to me be a stripper friend of mine and that’s Sudecrem. Sudecrem is officially your best friend.

    4. Pull it tight. Remember that feeling when you accidentally cut your face with the razor when you shave? Imagine that on your crown jewels, omg cringe! Remember the skin on your boys is thinner and looser than the skin on your face so avoid any unfortunate slip ups by pulling the skin taut.

    5. Last but not least, use a fresh razor to avoid bacteria infections and keep your electric trimmers clean and free from old hair.