Shakespeare fans “roll up roll up” – thou art in for The Tempest of treats. The young British theatre company, The Faction, have refashioned, revved up, edited, Selfridges-styled and speared Much Ado About Nothing into the 21st century – much like Alessandro Michele’s influence on Gucci.
CREDIT: PR Provided
Popping a pop-up theatre in the basement of Selfridges is poetry to one’s ears. Sampling Roja Parfums: A Midsummer Dream, eau de parfum – a snip at only £295 – while passing through the perfumery. Then straddling the escalator to the lower deck – a quick whizz through Conran and Danish design brand Hay, followed by a spot of wick sniffing in Jo Malone – all before parking your derrière in the contemporary mini-catwalk 122-seat auditorium.
You wouldn’t produce a production of Romeo, and no Juliet – so why a theatre and no bar? #justsayin
Director Mark Leipacher and Co-director Rachel Valentine Smith have sharpened William’s comedy of confused love, slander and tell-tales with news bulletins, Kooples clobber, an enthusiastic, flowery and playful cast thrown in with some horny, animalistic line-dancing. The story is clear and punchy. They’ll be no “wherefore art thou amusement” – the humour is as fresh as the dark amber and ginger lily emanating from the defusers in Selfridges Ultra Lounge.
“The course of true love never did run smooth” – but Shakespeare, Selfridges and The Faction is no question, to be.
Have you seen these posters which have been cropping up in Soho?
Well it’s all about the fact that gay and bisexual men STILL can’t give blood in the UK unless they’ve abstained from sex for ONE YEAR – even if they are in a monogamous relationship or feel that they have been enjoying safer sex.
The posters – which leave out the letters of blood groups – such as A, B, invites people to log on to a website – where they can send a pre-written letter to let the Minster for health, Jeremy Hunt know how you feel.
Jake Berry MP has called upon the Met police to reopen the murder investigation of a talented gay actor and playwright, Drew Griffiths, calling the initial investigation “scandalous”.
Mr X Production Photo
Mr. Griffith was the victim of a vicious homophobic murder in the summer of 1984. Despite an initial investigation nobody was ever found guilty of his murder. The MP for Rossendale and Darwen said that because the case was not properly investigated, someone has “got away with murder”.
Jake Berry MP said,
“It is an absolute scandal that this case was not properly investigated, there is someone out there who has literally got away with murder.
‘There are allegations that this case was not properly investigated by the police at the time because of Drew’s sexuality and his work as an activist. Drew’s friends quite rightly want assurances that all potential avenues to solve this murder are pursued.”
The Metropolitan Police have advised that they are examining the original case files from the 1980’s but have yet to confirm whether the investigation will be formally reopened.”
Drew’s friend, Glynn Kelly, who brought the case to Mr Berry’s attention said,
“Drew was lively, witty, intelligent – and great company; He was a dynamic and positive life force. However, at the time of his murder he was dealing with some mental health issues and was very vulnerable.”
Trans activists used today’s Manchester Pride parade to protest in solidarity with trans prisoners.
CREDIT: Provided by Direct Action for Trans Health , No Prisons Manchester, and the IWW Incarcerated Workers Organising Committee
A number of trans and ally activists used Manchester’s Pride parade to protest trans prisoner conditions.
The group which was led by trans campaign group Direct Action for Trans Health, supported by No Prisons Manchester and the IWW Incarcerated Workers Committee surrounded the Greater Manchester Police float during the parade, bringing the entire procession to a standstill for a few minutes.
The group used their bodies to sit in front of the float preventing the parade from moving for a few moments before the parade was able to start again.
A statement released by the group is arguing that trans people sentenced to jail are often sent to prisons of the wrong gender, citing the high profile cases of Tara Hudson, Vicky Thompson, and Joannne Latham – female prisoners who were sent to male prisons.
The statement said,
“Trans people within the prison population are often housed within prison facilities of the wrong gender. Recently we have seen the cases of Tara Hudson, Vicky Thompson, and Joannne Latham, trans women incarcerated within male prisons, in the news. Thankfully Tara Hudson has now been released but sadly Vicky Thompson and Joanne Latham died as a direct result of the institutional transphobia within the prison system. We believe that police officers, regardless of their own sexuality or gender identity, are complicit in the prison system’s degradation of human lives and the oppression of LGBTQ people.
“Whilst research on sexuality and gender identity within prisons is scarce, we know that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) people are disproportionately policed and disproportionately represented in the prison population.
Whilst in prison, LGBTQ people often face severe discrimination, including increased risk of sexual assault, with many being forced to hide their sexuality or gender identity for their own safety”
Jess Bradley, a participant in the action, said,
“It’s outrageous that police officers, who collude in the oppression of LGBTQ people within prisons, are allowed to march at Manchester Pride. Today we have taken action in solidarity with trans and queer prisoners and against the building of a new US-style prison in Manchester. We call upon the government to implement a nationwide ban on prison expansion and an urgent review into the conditions within prisons for LGBTQ prisoners”.
TheGayUK reached out to both Manchester Police and Manchester Pride for comment.
A gay man had his ear BITTEN off after his neighbour attacked him in a violence homophobic assault, which left him fearing for his life.
Ryan Kilgariff jailed for brutal homophobic attack | Kent Police
Kent man, Ryan Kilgariff, 21, has been handed a 12 year jail sentence for a violence homophobic attack which left his neighbour Colin Duncan brutalised and needing serious medical care in Folkestone.
Mr. Duncan had invited Mr. Kilgariff for a drink – where the pair consumed copious amounts of alcohol. When Mr. Duncan said he was going to bed, Mr. Kilgariff launched a violent attack on Mr. Duncan using his fists, feet and a bottle. He bit off the victim’s ear. The attack was so brutal Mr. Duncan feared for his life.
Mr Duncan required 20 stitches and doctors were able to reattach a part of Mr. Duncan’s ear.
During the “sustained” attack Mr. Duncan was called “queer” and “gay”.
Mr Duncan told the police,
“All I was trying to do was be kind and neighbourly to a man who had just been released from prison. I thought I was going to be murdered.”
In the affluent district of Marylebone lies the street made most famous by Sherlock Holmes – laid in the 18th century and named after William Baker – Baker Street.
CREDIT: PR Supplied
In amongst the commercial premises and behind a corporate and grey exterior sits a little piece of East Asia – Bright Courtyard Club (BCC).
Once we’d stepped into the club we needed for nothing. A warmer-than-a-steamed-dumpling welcome – martial-arts service from start to finish.
We were offered tea as an aperitif – a tradition in China and probably refreshing, but it wasn’t cracking our fortune cookie. Friday nights for TheGayUK involve something a wee bit stronger.
And stronger is what we received – two Old Fashion cocktails arrived made with bourbon and aniseed at £10.50. Liquorice and fennel flavours gave the sharpener a unique edge on this old favourite.
We asked for a selection of what they do best.
To start we shared: Shanghai marinated beef shin slices, boiled chicken slices in chilli oil and edamame beans.
The beef was dry and brought back memories of primary school lunches. The chicken was tender and livened up by chilli.
CREDIT: PR Supplied
As well as: classic Shanghai pork and crab dim sum ‘Siu Long Bao’ at £7.50. Hints of ginger, onion, sesame and garlic elevated both meats. The broth was tart and enhanced the light pastry – Guangzhou’s street market has nothing on them.
The Old Smoke is one of the world’s culinary hotspots, with Asian eateries such as Sexy Fish with her mid-century glamour decor displaying works of Damien Hirst and Frank Gehry. And then there’s Yauatcha Soho with contemporary expertly crafted dim sum and interior – the list is almost as long as the Great Wall of China.You have to stand out. That’s sadly where BCC doesn’t – the ornamental fixtures are cliché and tired.
To wash down the mains we ordered a French Pouilly Fumé Cuvée de Boisfleury at £43: flowery, with a citrus bouquet and suggestions of grapefruit – it yinged our yang.
There were more lobsters in the tanks than there were other diners – an empty-shell like ambience.
For our mains, we shared: Chilean sea bass steamed with preserved vegetables at £15, and braised pork belly with grandmum’s recipe at £16. The fish was succulent and sweet with undercurrents of coriander – setting flames to our paper lanterns, beautiful. Vinegar and plum made the delicate pork moreish – not too fatty, an elegant dish.
There’s an old Chinese proverb: “Ròu bāozi dǎ gǒu” – which translates: to hit a dog with a meat-bun – which we don’t recommend. But we do recommend, if you’re in the mood for authentic Asian cuisine, you don’t have to be one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional characters to dine on Baker Street.
NAT (National AIDS Trust) prepares to defend historic win against NHS England on PrEP
The charity has launched a crowdfunding appeal in order to raise vital funds to cover their legal costs for the appeal. NHS England is appealing the ruling that said they unlawfully cut PrEP, the drug which prevents HIV transmission, from their commissioning process.
PrEP could be the beginning of the end for HIV – a condition more than 6,000 people a year are diagnosed with in the UK – but NHS England says it doesn’t have the legal power to pay for it because it’s a prevention drug. However in August, following Judicial Review by NAT, Mr Justice Green ruled that they are wrong and there is no legal impediment to them funding PrEP.
Despite the strength of the ruling against their stance, NHS England is forcing the case to go back to court. NAT is now aiming to raise at least £15,000 by 22 September in order to support the costs of the case. The hearing for the appeal will take place on 15 September at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Deborah Gold, CEO at NAT, said,
“We are very disappointed to be having to go to court again to ensure that the NHS can’t just shut the door on PrEP.
“By unlawfully and suddenly removing PrEP from their commissioning process, NHS England denied the rights of those who need it to have the case for PrEP heard in a fair and impartial way. We can’t stand back and allow poor decisions like this to go unchallenged.
“The truth is that PrEP not only works – it is cost-effective. We will continue to fight for PrEP to be made available on the NHS because it is the right thing to do and it makes financial sense for the country.”
Ian Green, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust which supported the crowdfunding campaign with a £3,000 donation, said,
“We are extremely grateful to NAT for taking on NHS England in the High Court, as part of the ongoing effort to see PrEP made available to those at risk of HIV.
“PrEP – alongside condom use, treatment and testing – could be the final piece of the jigsaw in stopping HIV transmission in the UK. This is a cause worth fighting for.
“We stand united with NAT and the HIV community in continuing the fight for this game-changing preventative treatment, and have been pleased to be able to provide a donation from Terrence Higgins Trust towards the charity’s legal costs.”
Deborah Gold added,
“We want to thank everyone who has so far contributed to our legal costs throughout this part of the fight for PrEP as well as those who would like to now. You have enabled us to stand up for the rights of people whose voices may otherwise not be heard.”
This article was written by NATIONAL AIDS TRUST, but is not a paid for piece of content.
Trans Voice star Jordan Gray is called a transphobic slur as she kisses her girlfriend in Luton Park.
CREDIT: TheGayUK
The Voice’s Jordan Gray who has been touring the UK for Pride season has spoken up about a transphobic encounter she and her girlfriend endured on the 22nd August.
The verbal assault took place in Stockwood Park in Luton as the couple kissed.
On the 22nd August, as Ms. Gray and her girlfriend kissed a man approached the pair and told them to stop as he didn’t want his children to see them displaying affection in public.
Gray’s girlfriend asked the man what the problem was.
Speaking to GayStarNews Ms. Gray said,
“He then turned to me and kept asking, ‘You’re a tranny, are you a tranny?’.
“I very calmly told him that’s not a word you use.
“I said it as diplomatically as possible. And then when he said it again, I said I would call the police.”
When the man continued, Ms Gray called the police, but the perpetrator fled the scene with his children before they could turn up. However Ms. Gray was able to take a picture of the man’s license plate before he escaped.
She added,
“It hurts and that’s not an exaggeration,
“He was completely sincere in his beliefs, and what he believed is completely counter to my existence. It hurt my core.”
This is not the first crime against a trans person, last week (18th August) a trans man was attacked in Leighton Buzzard. He was sitting in the recreation ground in Parsons Close.
The victim was punched and kicked by a group of youths and adults after they attempted to take his bag.
Call DC Godfree on 101 with information, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Startling statistic show that gay and bisexual men are taking huge risks with their health as they make up 90 per cent of syphilis cases in London.
(C) BIGSTOCK
A new report released by Public Health England (PHE) shows that the rate of syphilis diagnoses is three times higher among Londoners than anywhere else in England. In 2015 nearly 3,000 cases were diagnosed in the capital, accounting for 56% of all cases in England (5,042).
Syphilis, like other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), is transmitted through sexual activity including oral sex. Most cases of syphilis are treatable with antibiotics and it is preventable through safe sex practices which include using condoms, regularly being tested and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships.
With cases of syphilis continuing to increase in recent years (since 2010 cases among Londoners have soared by 163%) PHE is raising awareness of syphilis and reminding Londoners to practice safe sex, which prevents infection.
Syphilis has been diagnosed in all 33 London local authorities and in 2015 most saw an increase in numbers. Cases of syphilis have been reported among heterosexuals and gay and bisexual men. However gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by the infection. Despite representing around 2% of the London population, in 2015 gay and bisexual men made up 90% of all syphilis cases. This group has seen an 18% increase in cases from 2014 to 2015 alone.
This continued rise in syphilis cases in the capital suggests that too many Londoners are putting themselves at risk through unsafe sex.
Although most cases of syphilis are treatable with antibiotics, people can be infected and not show any symptoms for years; treatment is more effective the earlier syphilis is diagnosed and so more awareness is needed around the infection.
Syphilis progresses through three main stages. Primary syphilis infection will often present about three to four weeks after someone has been infected with the bacteria and individuals may develop a painless ulcer or rash (lasting for three to six weeks) on the genitals, rectum or inside the mouth, which people can fail to notice straight away. The infection then develops into the secondary stage causing fever, headaches and night sweats (among others). If left untreated it can progress into latent and late-stage syphilis. This stage of the STI is characterised by more serious and damaging health complications including cardiovascular problems and central nervous disease; it can even be fatal.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said:
“Worsening sexual health remains one of the biggest public health concerns facing London and it is worrying to see such alarming rises in syphilis year-on-year. Most cases of syphilis are treatable with antibiotics and it is preventable if you practice safe sex.
“We are seeing large increases in cases of syphilis among men who have sex with men and they now represent 90% of syphilis cases in London. Although diagnoses among heterosexuals in the capital are more stable they too continue to be higher than we would like given the effective preventative measures in place.
“In London we have excellent open access sexual health services providing free STI testing and treatment, notification for the sexual partners of those diagnosed with an STI and free provision of contraception. With these services available across the capital there is no reason for people to be taking unnecessary risks with their sexual health.
“I hope today’s report will further raise awareness of sexually transmitted infections including syphilis and drive home the messages about the importance of practising safe sex, which includes using condoms, regularly being tested and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships. All of these will reduce the risk of STIs.
“Improving the sexual health of Londoners is a priority area for PHE London and we will continue to work with partners across the healthcare system to reduce the burden of poor sexual health in the capital.”
Dr Patrick French, a sexual health specialist and genitourinary medicine consultant at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, said,
“When I started working in sexual health in London we might have diagnosed four or five people with syphilis in a year; we can now see that number of people with syphilis in a day or two.
“Syphilis has established itself as a major problem in London among men who have sex with men, but there is now a considerably smaller but worrying rise among heterosexuals.
“The increase we are seeing in syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections is a marker of a more general problem within sexual health and tackling this must be a priority across London. More awareness is needed around STIs, how they can be prevented and why it is important to have a check-up if you think you are at risk. Anyone having sex with new or casual partners should always use condoms and have regular sexual health checks.”
PHE recommendations for safe sex
Anyone who suspects they may have syphilis should get screened at their local sexual health clinic as soon as possible.
Consistent and correct condom use, reducing the number of sexual partners and the avoidance of overlapping sexual relationships all reduce the risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections.
For people in the highest risk groups, getting screened regularly will lead to early diagnosis and treatment, which is vital as some STIs can be symptomless.
PHE recommendations for safe sex among gay and bisexual men.
Have an HIV and STI screen at least annually and every three months if you are having unprotected sex with casual or new sexual partners.
Always use a condom correctly and consistently, and until all partners have had a sexual health screen.
Reduce the number of sexual partners and avoid overlapping sexual relationships.
Unprotected sex with partners believed to be of the same HIV status (serosorting) is unsafe. For the HIV positive person, there is a high risk of acquiring other STIs and hepatitis. For the HIV negative person, there is a high risk of acquiring HIV infection as well as acquiring STIs and hepatitis.
Introducing a hexagon of narratives that will surge a memory, ignite a demon or pep your G spot.
PR Supplied
If you’ve never darkened the dimly lit doorway of a chill-out, you’ll grasp that the etiquette for accepting others’ pharmaceuticals is to putout; sexual health workers hand out condoms in saunas to the beats of Kylie; Bermondsey is a hotspot for Roman style orgies; gays high on meth get lost buying cigarettes; G-o’clock equals a contorting face; overdoing the liquid-high could leave you with an unexplained bleeding rectum.
Writer Patrick Cash leans on the darker side of the drug-fueled free-for-all, with more authenticity than an Eastenders’ Christmas double bill – graphically touching on a mosaic of very real circumstances.
Sex, high on narcotics, can rocket your orgasm to another sphere, but, for some, what happens when the euphoria fades?
Denholm Spurr (Nameless), snorts Andrex-Puppy-ness into a character you’ll know, have seen or can relate to. Charly Flyte (Fag Hag Cath) is credible and injects a decent size syringe full of humour.
Leave ya poppers at home and there’s no need for laughing gas. You’ll rush, and sink to the bottom, in this well-quilled chem-hole.
The Chemsex Monologues plays at The Kings Head Theatre until 20th August 2016, 0207 226 8561
