THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • Bobby Norris to give evidence to MPs over online trolling

    Bobby Norris to give evidence to MPs over online trolling

    TOWIE star Bobby Norris is about to give evidence to politicians over his petition to “hold online trolls accountable” for their abuses.

    Norris has spoken openly and numerously on his horrific encounters with hateful trolls – many of whom focus on his sexuality and his looks.

    He created a petition on the official government petitions site in 2019, and it gained over 133,000 signatures.

    The petition, titled “Hold online trolls accountable for their online abuse via their IP address” calls for abusers to have their access to social media blocked by internet service providers and social media companies.

    The evidence session, taking place during Mental Health Awareness Week, will see MPs speak to the reality TV personality about his petition on tackling online abuse. The session will also see Bobby discuss his personal experiences of homophobic abuse since first appearing in the public eye in ITV2 show The Only Way is Essex in 2012.

    He will now talk to the Peititon’s committee over video link to discuss online trolling.

    Bobby is vital for awareness

    Catherine McKinnell MP, Chair of the Petitions Committee, said:

    “I’m pleased that Bobby is able to share his personal experiences of online abuse with the Committee during Mental Health Awareness Week.

    “Highlighting these issues in Parliament is so vital for raising awareness, and can shine a light on the action that can be taken to help stamp out this all too common problem. 

    “Online abuse can affect anyone, and takes many forms. It is a subject that is very close to my heart, and something that the Petitions Committee investigated extensively in the last Parliament.

    “But with online abuse as prevalent as ever, and Coronavirus meaning people are on social media more than ever, it is imperative we take steps to tackle online abuse and stamp it out.”

    The evidence session is the first step from the Petitions Committee in their new inquiry on tackling online abuse. The inquiry will consider issues raised in a number of petitions from the last Parliament and follow up on the Committee’s previous inquiry into online abuse and the experiences of disabled people. More details on the inquiry will be announced following the session.  

  • A second chance for iconic Brighton LGBT venue

    A second chance for iconic Brighton LGBT venue

    According to the Legend’s website, the iconic venue is getting a second chance after it announced its closure last month.

    Legends in Brighton is apparently hoping to welcome back new and old customers alike after seemingly being taken over by new management, according to a statement on the venue’s website.

    In April, it was reported that Legends had entered into voluntary liquidation and had announced that it had ceased trading, however, a new statement released on the company’s website states the hotel and bar is “under new management” and hopes to invite new and existing customers back again soon.

    The website also points to a brand new website which has very limited information on it.

    The venue is unlikely to be open to the public anytime soon, as the UK’s is under lockdown conditions in order to “flatten the curve” of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Hardship for many of the UK’s gay venues

    Since the last week of March 2020, the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs were ordered to shut, along with many other “non-essential” businesses.

    The order also included the UK’s community of gay saunas.

    As it currently stands bars and clubs will not be allowed to open again for the foreseeable future, putting immense pressure onto the “gay scene”, which has already suffered a slew of closures in recent years due to ever-increasing rents in cities and generally falling footfall.

    On May the 10th the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, laid out tentative plans to reopen parts of the UK’s economy. The hospitality industry, arguably the hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, will be one of the last to be reopened.

    Some of the industry would be permitted to commence trading again on 4th July, but that was contingent on a number of factors, including keeping the number of new infections of COVID-19 down and the ability to maintain social distancing measures within the premises.

  • Bus company “rebrands” pride bus for NHS key workers

    Bus company “rebrands” pride bus for NHS key workers

    The rebranding has been blasted as insensitive and “deeply disrespectful”.

    A transport company in Plymouth, Devon, decided to show its support for NHS key workers and their vital role during the Coronavirus pandemic, however, the results spectacularly backfired on social media after it published a picture of a “re-branded” pride bus, featuring the LGBT+ flag.

    Plymouth Citybus decided that it would “re-brand” its Pride bus to an “NHS” bus leading to accusations that the current usage of the rainbow was an appropriation of an LGBT+ icon – the rainbow flag.

    https://twitter.com/plymouthbus/status/1261598471779430401

    Unfortunately, the rebranding also happened to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia, Bi and Transphobia.

    During the pandemic, many have been using the rainbow symbol as a sign of hope and acknowledgement of the tireless work of key workers during the lockdown. However, there is a difference between rainbow designs.

    The most famous and widely used version of the pride flag has six stripes, while other rainbow symbols have seven or eight stripes to them.

    Worldwide Symbol for the LGBT+ Community

    rihaij / Pixabay

    The rainbow flag has been a world-wide symbol for LGBT+ rights since the late 70s when designer and artist Gilbert Baker unveiled the rainbow as a symbol of hope for LGBT+ people.

    Speaking of the flag’s importance, before he died, Baker said that before the rainbow the only symbol given to gay people was the Nazi’s pink triangle, he said, “no other international symbol for [the LGBT+ community] than the pink triangle which the Nazis used to identify homosexuals in concentration camps,

    “Even though the pink triangle was and still is a very powerful symbol, it was very much forced upon us”.

    Acusations of “deleting pride and appropriation”

    The bus company was accused of “deleting pride” and using the bus for a “branding opportunity”. One user caused the company of “Rainbow capitalism and appropriation”.

    LGBT+ advocate Tom Hayes said, “I understand what you were trying to do, but this is a pretty insensitive way of doing it. And on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia too?

    “LGBTQ+ aren’t just a failed marketing campaign you repurpose. This is deeply disrespectful.”

    https://twitter.com/PositiveLad/status/1261985665409048578

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the Plymouth Citybus said, “The pride bus in Plymouth has been borrowed to show support to the NHS and fellow key workers. It is a temporary measure.We are working with Pride in Plymouth for a new 2020 Pride bus, to show our continued support. Plymouth Citybus is an inclusive company and represents the community it serves”/

  • Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club just announced it’s to permanently close

    Nottingham’s only LGBT+ club just announced it’s to permanently close

    Nottingham’s only dedicated LGBT+ nightclub, Propaganda is to close after the lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions meant it has been unable to renew its lease.

    Propaganda, which has served Nottingham’s LGBT+ community for over 11 years will close with immediate effect, according to a Facebook post the club’s management published yesterday afternoon.

    In the post, the management wrote, that due to the “current economic conditions” the club was unable to come to new terms with its landlord and that they had “no other option but to close”.

    The outpouring of support from the community has been “truly humbling” according to the management after the post announcing the club’s closure, received over 2,300 comments from customers.

    The management of Propaganda sad that they were “humbled to have been part of something special” and wished their “incredible staff, past and present” their thanks.

    Propaganda isn’t the only LGBT+ space that has been forced to close during the COVID 19 lockdown. Last month the iconic Legends Bar in Brighton was also forced to shut its doors permanently.

    Bars to be closed until July

    Andersonville, gay bar
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    Since the last week of March 2020, the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs were ordered to shut, along with many other “non-essential” businesses.

    The order also included the UK’s community of gay saunas.

    As it currently stands bars and clubs will not be allowed to open again for the foreseeable future, putting immense pressure onto the “gay scene”, which has already suffered a slew of closures in recent years due to ever-increasing rents in cities and generally falling footfall.

    On May the 10th the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, laid out tentative plans to reopen parts of the UK’s economy. The hospitality industry, arguably the hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, will be one of the last to be reopened.

    Some of the industry would be permitted to commence trading again on 4th July, but that was contingent on a number of factors, including keeping the number of new infections of COVID-19 down and the ability to maintain social distancing measures within the premises.

  • When will the UK’s LGBT+ clubs and bars be allowed to open again?

    When will the UK’s LGBT+ clubs and bars be allowed to open again?

    As with many of the UK’s businesses, LGBT+ clubs and bars are currently closed and are not permitted to open during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Since the last week of March 2020, the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs were ordered to shut, along with many other “non-essential” businesses.

    The order also included the UK’s community of gay saunas.

    As it currently stands bars and clubs will not be allowed to open again for the foreseeable future, putting immense pressure onto the “gay scene”, which has already suffered a slew of closures in recent years due to ever-increasing rents in cities and generally falling footfall.

    Since the turn of the century over 100 bars and clubs have closed in London alone.

    On May the 10th the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, laid out tentative plans to reopen parts of the UK’s economy. The hospitality industry, arguably the hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, will be one of the last to be reopened.

    Some of the industry would be permitted to commence trading again on 4th July, but that was contingent on a number of factors, including keeping the number of new infections of COVID-19 down and the ability to maintain social distancing measures within the premises.

    No help from landlords

    The iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London has called upon its customers to help it make ends meet during the lockdown.

    In a Tweet sent via its official account, the pub’s management said that it didn’t meet criteria for a £25,000 business grant and was only receiving relief for its business rates. It said that it was still liable for rents, which its landlords had refused to consider restructuring.

    The statement said, “We are a small independent company that has gone from being a vibrant cabaret, performance and club venue to zero income overnight.

    “Since 20 March the financial support we have received from the Government, City Hall, Local Authority or our landlord is relief on business rates.

    “We do not qualify for the £25,000 grand that some smaller venues are eligible for.

    It urged fans to donate via a funding page.

    The closure of the UK’s LGBT+ bars and clubs has put tremendous pressure on the UK’s vibrant LGBT+ performers as well.

  • Gay Dating | What does “cut/uncut” mean?

    Gay Dating | What does “cut/uncut” mean?

    One of the options you’ll find on many dating / hook up apps to help describe yourself to would-be partners is a question about whether you’re cut or uncut.

    Sometimes, “cut” can mean how well defined your muscles are, but in this case, they are talking about your cock.

    Simply put, Cut is for those guys who don’t have a foreskin, whilst Uncut is for guys who still have their foreskins or “intact”.

    How common is being “cut”

    What does uncut mean

    Across Europe and many parts of the world, guys are still intact, whereas in North America up to 75 per cent of guys are circumcised – usually for no medical reasons.

    However, some men have to have circumcisions due to a foreskin that doesn’t roll back, which can make erections and intercourse quite painful. It can also affect how well you are able to clean the head of his penis.

    Of course, some religious people are circumcised such as Jewish and Muslim males.

    There is a growing call for non-medical circumcision in young boys and men to be treated in the same way as Female Genital Mutilation.

    In a recent poll conducted by THEGAYUK.com over 70 per cent of people, who voted, said that non-medical circumcision should be made illegal.

    Currently, in the UK, the practice of religious or cultural FGM is illegal, while the religious or cultural circumcision for males is still sanctioned by the Government. It is thought that less than 20 per cent of males are circumcised in the UK.

    Check out more gay dating terms.

  • It’s Deaf Awareness Week, so here’s how you can say, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender in Sign Language

    It’s Deaf Awareness Week, so here’s how you can say, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender in Sign Language

    This week (4th May – 10th May) it’s Deaf Awareness week in the UK. So here’s how you say some important LGBT+ terms in British Sign Language.

    A few years ago, Deaf Direct produced a video, just before Pride season, which included various British Sign Language signs to help everybody get to grasp with a few LGBT+ terms.

    The video was created by Deaf Direct to “celebrate the diversity of our community”.

    If you’ve ever wanted to know how to sign the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, this simple video helps you say those words perfectly.

    William and Simon, who both appear in the video explain that in the UK we use BSL – rather than ASL (American Sign Language) and they take us through the gestures you need to make to say, in BSL, a few terms which identify LGBT+ folks.

    The words they recreate are:

    Lesbian

    Gay

    Bisexual

    Transgender

    Queer

    Straight

    Leather

    Bear

    Drag

    Pride Day

    Happy Pride Day

    Fabulous

    So go learn how to say Happy Pride Day you Fabulous Queers

  • GAY HISTORY | Remembering the first time at The Catacombs

    GAY HISTORY | Remembering the first time at The Catacombs

    A contributor to our Lost LGBT+ Scene project left this recollection of his first encounter at The Catacombs as an 18-year-old in the heydays of the early 70s.

    Vivid memories of The Catacombs…..

    At the tender age of 18, new to London, very green and exceedingly shy and discovering freedom!

    Soon discovered Gay News (a now-defunct gay newspaper) and the gay scene at Earls Court. Must have been incredibly brave to go on my own.

    Saturday nights. There were bouncers on the door, and the club used to provide square gold coloured metal keyring fobs with raised lettering CATA top-line COMBS bottom line to help ID.

    There was a steepish narrow flight of steps down to the dance floor and a bar on the right I think. I THINK they did sell beer, but I only ever drank Coke, so might be mistaken.

    The dance floor was always dark, illuminated with numerous flashing disco spotlights. I vividly remember the packed floor and the heads bouncing to Motown, Stevie Wonder-Superstition, Temptations-The Law of the Land, Timmy Thomas-Why cant we live together.

    I hear those on the radio sometimes, shut my eyes and I’m back there in 1971/2 such was the huge impression. Around the dance floor which was circular or multi-sided such as Octagonal was a series of arches which led on to a corridor around the dancefloor.

    There was a series of arches into open rooms around the outside of this corridor, each room with tables and seating around. There was always a row of stationary figures around the wall just watching the dancefloor and a similar row around the corridor, all awaiting the next pickup. I don’t remember where the toilets were, very shy and maybe didn’t use them, nor the disco, nor if there were any emergency exits and looking back.

    I always think the place could have been an inferno if the worst happened, but oh! such happy memories.

    Written by Paul

    Have you got memories you’d like to share? Check out our list of now-closed LGBT+ venues and leave you recollections in the comments.

  • The UK’s biggest Pride flag used to celebrate the UK’s key workers

    The UK’s biggest Pride flag used to celebrate the UK’s key workers

    The iconic rainbow flag has become the symbol of hope once again, this time it’s in the battle against coronavirus.

    One Pride team from Cornwall Pride have found a way to utilize their very own rainbow flag, the biggest in the UK in an amazing tribute to all key workers in the UK.

    Ensuring social distancing, the team from Cornwall Pride including artist, Pat Fete, used Cornwall’s biggest canvas, Towan Beach, and the UK’s biggest pride flag, to write a special message to all key workers across the UK.

    Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, from Cornwall Pride, told THEGAYUK, “It is our way to show support from Cornwall Pride as we have an amazing rainbow flag and its one of the largest in the UK. So sharing it right now, saying “thank you” as a community rainbow is the most important thing we can do. To bring people together with an image of hope and love.

    “With support from Team Newquay and the local Police Diversity Team to share it in solidarity with NHS and all key workers. Again to truly say a HUGE thank you to everyone for everything’.

    Perfect way to say ‘thank you’

    Jon Goodman, from Team Newquay, said, “This is a perfect way for Newquay to say “Thank You” ….a rainbow on a beach!

    “I was asked to help put it together and this is something you just can’t say no too, my daughter is a keyworker and I have friends that are carers and work in the NHS, I and all are full of pride for them all.”

    The whole project took a little over 2 hours and four people all following social distancing and washing hands when changing equipment. Two for the flag, one artist, one photographer.

  • Man jailed after drugging, sexually assaulting and stealing from another man

    Man jailed after drugging, sexually assaulting and stealing from another man

    A man is facing over eight years of jail time after pleading guilty to drugging, sexually assaulting and stealing from another man in London.

    Romanian national, Carol Simon, 46, has been jailed for 8 months and 5 months after being pleading guilty to sexual assault, administering a substance with intent to overpower to allow sexual activity, possession of class C drugs and theft following an incident in Marble Arch.

    On 24 March 2019, Simon was loitering outside The City of Quebec pub on Old Quebec Street in Westminster, London when he approached the victim and asked to share a taxi home. 

    The man, in his 50s, accepted and once they arrived at the victim’s home, Simon invited himself in for a drink where he then administered the drug, sexually assaulted the victim and stole his wallet, watch and phone.

    The victim reported the incident to police who began an investigation. Detectives were able to trace Simon as the suspect through a DNA match. 

    He was arrested on 4 April 2019 at the same venue where he targeted the victim. On arrest, officers found a small bottle with liquid inside that Simon claimed were eye drops. However, the substance was tested and was in fact Diazepam.

    According to the Met, Simon was charged the following day.

    Detective Constable Sophie McLoughlin led the investigation. She said, “The victim has been incredibly brave throughout this ordeal and it is because of his courage that Simon is behind bars where he belongs.

    “Simon had clearly set out that night to harm someone for his cowardly gain, his actions were completely evil and he will never know the trauma he has caused.

    “We encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to come forward and speak to us, we will support you.”

  • Cornwall Pride organisers baked nekkid for charity

    Cornwall Pride organisers baked nekkid for charity

    Husbands Matthew and Nathaniel Kenworthy-Gomes went nude (almost) on a marathon baking session on Facebook live yesterday night to raise money for Cornwall Hospice Care.

    The hunky duo, who are usually behind the scenes preparing to stage Cornwall’s only Pride, garnered thousands of viewers and hundreds of comments and likes from friends and fans who cheered the couple on as they attempted to cook the perfect cake.

    The plan was to go completely nude, but anyone who knows about Facebook’s nudity policy will know the pair would have been knocked off the platform very quickly if they had actually bared butt.

    However there was still plenty on show for thirsty fans of the couple.

    Matthew and Nathaniel, who run Cornwall Pride are trying to raise £1000 for the Cornwall Hospice Care (click here to donate) and currently have raised nearly a third of their target.

    Cornwall-Pride-husbands-raise-money-for-charity

    The husbands swigged multiple glasses of red and white wine during the epic three-hour session and were even joined by Matthew’s mum, who chinked glasses with the pair.

    The hilarious antics are available to catch up with on Facebook. Take a look and get donating, if you can!

    Watch the video here: