Tag: UK
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La Manif Pour Tous Plans Demonstration In UKs Capital
The French anti-same sex marriage organisers of La Manif Pour Tous (Demo For All) are allegedly planning a demonstration in London on the 24th March 2013.
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Peter Tatchell Criticises The Queen For “Disrespect” To LGBT Community
Peter Tatchell suggests Queen is ‘disrespectful’ for double standards, in PinkNews article. Does he have a point?
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Will The Queen Address Anti-Gay Discrimination In Commonwealth Speech?
For the first time in Her Majesty’s 61 year reign, the Queen has signalled that she supports gay rights.
In a live television broadcast the British monarch will sign a new Commonwealth charter designed to stamp out discrimination against the LGBT community and promote the ‘empowerment’ of women. The broadcast has been described as a “watershed” moment.
The charter reads:
“We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.”
The ‘other grounds’ clause within the charter is intended to refer to sexuality, however, the Daily Mail reports the terms gay and lesbian were omitted because some Commonwealth countries still have anti-gay laws.
A diplomatic source said:
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace, said:
“In this charter, the Queen is endorsing a decision taken by the Commonwealth.”
But he added:
“The Queen does not take a personal view on these issues. The Queen’s position is apolitical, as it is on all matters of this sort.”
Ben Summerskill of Stonewall, said the Queen had taken “an historic step forward” on gay rights, and said “The Palace has finally caught up with public opinion.”
Homosexual acts are still illegal in 41 of the 54 Commonwealth Nations – and include penalties such as the death sentence in parts of Nigeria. Those found guilty of a homosexual act can expect life sentences in prison in Trinidad, Tobago, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh and Guyana.
Only five Commonwealth countries recognise same-sex relationships, the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.
The Queen will be joined by Beverly Knight, the Noisettes and Sir Richard Branson at a service at Westminster Abbey, before making her address.
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BalletBoyz Go On Tour
Does the word ‘ballet’ conjure up images of fey young women taking dainty steps or ‘Black Swan’ type divas having meltdowns? You obviously haven’t copped a glance at the testosterone fuelled force that is BalletBoyz yet.
Following triumphant UK and international appearances on stage and screen, the phenomenally popular BalletBoyz return with a brand new show featuring the rippling torsos and raw talent of 10 exceptional young dancers, in an exhilarating evening of exciting and explosive dance. “the TALENT 2013” premières two stunning new dance pieces by internationally celebrated choreographers Russell Maliphant and Liam Scarlett.
BalletBoyz is one of the most cheekily original and innovative forces in modern dance. Led by former Royal Ballet lead dancers Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, the company thrills audiences and critics the world over with its distinctive style, fusing spectacular dance both energetic and graceful, with stunning music and film.
They’re currently wowing audiences at Sadler’s Wells before moving on to their national tour which kicks off at Curve in Leicester on the 15th and 16th of March.
Tickets available here: http://www.balletboyz.com/tour-dates
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THEATRE REVIEW | The Mousetrap, National Tour
★★★★ | The Mousetrap
I have to confess something. I love a good Agatha Christie. There’s something about those comfortable characters, nostalgic settings and contorted plots which always thrills me.
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What Are The Differences Between Surrogacy In The UK Vs. The USA
Surrogacy is increasing its viability in being the choice of many individuals who wish to have a child.
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Gay Games Committee Submit Bid For London 2018
London 2018 Bid Committee submits London’s bid to host the Gay Games in 2018.
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BFI Lesbian and Gay Festival To Open With Divine Documentary
The 27th BFI Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is set to open with new documentary film I Am Divine. (more…)
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The Full Monty Comes To Sheffield
The acclaimed Sheffield Theatres are going from strength to strength, with the latest jewel in their crown being a re-working of the 1997 locally based film, The Full Monty.
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NEWS: Condom Use Stopped Over 80,000 News HIV Infections In Gay Men
Study shows that consistent condom use has stopped over 80,000 new HIV infections among gay men.
Research by the HPA and UCL published in PLOS ONE will show that consistent condom use by gay men has stopped over 80,000 new HIV infections between 2000 and 2010. The research provides an unprecedented insight into how HIV prevention measures have shaped the epidemic and quantifies the direct impact of condom use by gay men for the first time.
The research also adds to a scientific evidence base which underlines the need for investment in targeted campaigns focusing on three pillars of HIV prevention: promoting safer sex and condom use, encouraging at-risk communities to test regularly for the virus and early use of anti-HIV drug therapy.
Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said:
“This research provides concrete evidence of the vital role which condom use by gay men has had in containing the spread of HIV in the UK. Without it, there would have been 80,000 more gay men with HIV between 2000 and 2010. The study also confirms the impact of the combined HIV prevention strategy, spearheaded by Terrence Higgins Trust, of promoting condom use and safer sex, increasing regular HIV testing and encouraging the earlier use of anti-HIV drug therapy for people with diagnosed HIV, campaigns which have all contributed to reducing transmission over the past 10 years. At a time when funding for local HIV prevention programmes is under threat, this only reinforces the important role which local authorities can and must play in funding local HIV prevention as they inherit responsibility for public health in April.
“Condoms remain the best protection against HIV. But this study also tells us that 82% of transmissions among gay men in 2010 came from people who were unaware they had the virus. This highlights the importance of regular testing to drive down the rate of undiagnosed HIV, which continues to fuel the epidemic among gay men.”
In 2012 Terrence Higgins Trust was awarded a three-year contract from the Department of Health to lead a new partnership of organisations (called HIV Prevention England) in delivering HIV prevention work in England among gay men and Africans. In November this partnership launched England’s first ever National HIV Testing Week, which saw clinical and community organisations across England work together on an unprecedented scale to drive down rates of undiagnosed HIV.
The charity will build on this work in late March, when it will launch major new HIV prevention campaigns targeted specifically at gay men and Africans living in the England.
