Tag: UK

X Factor’s Bradley shares horrific story of homophobic attack

Former X Factor singer Bradley Hunt has shared a horrific story and pictures from a homophobic attack he sustained while dancing to Britney Spears in a nightclub.

Bradley Hunt has hit out at homophobes by sharing horrific pictures from a homophobic attack at a nightclub from a man who took issue with the way he was dancing to Britney Spear’s ‘Toxic’.

The star spoke about he was left with a black eye and a missing tooth after the vicious attack from a man he said took offence to the way Bradley was dancing.

The reality star said, “I was dancing in Pop World to Britney Spears, I was flicking my neck, doing my dance moves and this guy came up to me. He said, ‘Can you stop dancing like that?’

“Now I think he was trying to show off to some girls, something like that, and I’m thinking, ‘babes, the girls are loving my dancing. Like, they ain’t bothered at you trying to put me down, you ain’t gonna get a girl that way. Just saying’.

“Anyway, I said to him, ‘don’t tell me what to do’, and I thought, you don’t tell somebody what to do, especially in a club – it’s Pop World! You don’t tell someone to stop dancing like that, I’m sorry, if you don’t like it, go somewhere else.

“The pain absolutely killed”

“Then came the smash right into the nose, then two of his mates on either side ricocheting, punching, thumping me, I’ve never been hit before and the pain absolutely killed.”

Getting emotional, he continued “I had an instant headache and I absolutely panicked, I was screaming. I ran to the bar crying, I can feel one of teeth half of it in my hands, blood. I jumped over the bar because I was so scared, ran down to the beer cellar and was on the floor in tears, panicking. Obviously, I was drunk and it just came as a shock to me.

Arrested

“I called the police, they came and actually managed to find one of them around the corner and arrested him. And he stayed in the cell for a night but other than that nothing really happened. I did a statement at the police station but what can you do?”

He added, “Homophobia’s still here. With me, some people recognise me so there’s a level of, they can say a joke, the can stare, they can laugh, that’s fine. I’ve been on the TV, I was the joke act, you can laugh and stare. But when people say ‘batty boy’, ‘queer’ or anything like that, or try and intimidate me, Nah. I don’t tolerate it.”

Video

The star added a video to explain the full story

20th February 2019
There’s now a seven stripe pride flag

The Mayor of Brent showcases a brand new seven stripe rainbow flag – which features a single black stripe.

There’s been much said on the design of the rainbow flag, originally designed by Gilbert Baker with the flag being redesigned by various third parties to reflect different issues facing various intersections of the LGBT+ community.

Most famously, in 2017 the city of Philadelphia showcased a new flag which contained black and brown stripes in a bid open up a conversation about racial inclusion in the LGBT+ community.

However, a new seven stripe flag has been adopted by Brent council in London and it’s a brand new, never seen before design, which features a single black stripe between the blue and purple stripe.

The Mayor of Brent, Cllr Arshad Mahmood, raised the rainbow flag outside the Brent Civic Centre in honour of LGBT+ History Month, which takes places in the UK in the month of February. He was joined by Councillors and members of the local community.

The London Borough of Brent is home to a large BAME community, with around 63 percent of residents identifying as non-white. Although it’s not clear if the inclusion of the black stripe is to represent race within the LGBT+ community.

A spokesperson for the council told THEGAYUK, “This particular rainbow flag has been a part of our celebration of the LGBT community in Brent for over 10 years. It is the spectrum which gives the flag its special symbolism, rather than the individual colours, but we’re pleased that it has opened up new conversations about the intersections between the LGBT community and BAME groups.”

20th February 2019
THEATRE REVIEW | The Mousetrap – National Tour, 2019

★★★☆☆ | The Mousetrap, National Tour

After a murder in London, and with the snow falling heavily outside, Monkswell Manor, a guest house, opens its doors to welcome its first five seemingly unconnected, guests, some of whom are expected, some of whom aren’t. But the night is interrupted by a phone call and the arrival of the police warning that there is a killer on the loose and that there more murders expected in the isolated house. But who is the murderer, who are the victims and who will survive?

The Mousetrap is the longest running show in the West End and when I first saw it in 2013, having not read or seen any Agatha Christie and with a curiosity to see what made this theatrical legend so special, I found it suitably engaging, and seeing it again on this new tour was just as enjoyable.

As one would expect with Agatha Christie, the story is one of a mixed bunch of characters; including the grumpy old woman, the retired army general and the delightfully camp young bachelor; and the intelligent writing had you casting doubt on each of the characters in turn, as their secrets slowly surface. But the fun comes in the last twenty minutes or so, as the killer’s identity is revealed and you can see whether you were right in your deductions.

On this tour, there are high spec production values, with a sturdy and detailed set and an ambient sound and lighting design; and there are good central performances from Geoff Arnold as Sergeant Trotter, Gwyneth Strong as Mrs Boyle; and in particular, Lewis Chandler standing out from the crowd as Christopher Wren.

Despite the show being somewhat of its time and harbouring a terribly twee closing scene, The Mousetrap retains its ability to engage the audience without flashy visuals or an over the top production, and simply allows some good performances and classic story writing to shine through in a night of old fashioned entertainment.

The Mousetrap is on national tour and details can be found at the show’s website.

20th February 2019
THEATRE REVIEW | Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre, London

★★★★ | Come From Away

Before September 11, 2001, no one had ever heard of the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland. But on that horrible, horrible day, the townspeople (no more than 10,000 people) welcomed in and took in thousands of people who were on Westbound planes that were diverted to this place in the middle of nowhere.

This story is told in the musical Come from Away. Winning many awards in its Washington D.C. and Broadway runs, this popular show has arrived into London with much anticipation. And the show surely lives up to it.

Gander has a small airport, where the nearest Starbucks in four hours away, and where there are a total of 550 hotel rooms. But on 9/11, 6,579 people were grounded in Gander. And it was the townspeople who opened up their homes, and hospitality, to these passengers who at the time at arrival had no idea as to what was happening (this was before everyone had mobile phones).

The characters in this show are based on (and is most cases share names of) real Gander residents and the passengers on these planes. The actors play both the passengers and citizens, switching roles every now and then. While it does get a bit confusing in the beginning, as the show rolls on and the music starts to kick in, Come from Away gets more uplifting, until it, and the residents of Gander, have really won us over.

Beautiful songs such as ‘I Am Here’, beautifully sung by Cat Simmons, whose son was a firefighter in NYC, ‘Stop the World,’ sung by Robert Hands and Helen Hobson who were passengers and ended up falling in love, and ’Something’s Missing,’ sung by the entire company after the 9/11 passengers all left Gander – show us how the human spirit was alive and well the week the world changed. With incredible book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and sharp direction by Christopher Ashley, Come From Away may not only bring you to tears, but it will also lift up your spirits.

It had been announced that there will be a feature film adaptation of Come from Away, with Sankoff and Hein writing the script and Christopher Ashley as director. I’m really looking forward to seeing the movie version of this moving and cathartic musical.

Come From Away plays at the Phoenix Theatre until 19th September 2019. Book tickets here.

20th February 2019
THEATRE REVIEW | The Rocky Horror Show – National Tour 2019

★★★★★ | The Rocky Horror Show

Nearly 45 years on from its debut, Richard O’Brien’s cult musical needs very little introduction. The show follows Brad and Janet, two 50’s Americana sweethearts who stumble upon the castle of Frank-N-Furter; a cross dressing scientist cum force of nature, on the evening that he is to bring his Frankenstein-esque playmate to life.

As a musical it remains larger than life; and like Frank’s creation himself, the show has taken on a life of its own. With its affectionate nod to the B-Movie science fiction genre of the 50’s, it’s cult following is unparalleled and its fans amongst the most fiercely loyal you will find.

The role of Frank-N-Furter is so iconic, that you need a larger than life personality to fill the fishnets, and Stephen Webb does a great job blending Frank’s camptastic alluring persona whilst maintaining an underlying gruffness to his vocal performance, along with Philip Franks as the narrator, brilliantly trading quips with the audience. But to be fair, you would be hard pressed to find a weak link within the cast in this top-notch production.

Rocky Horror is presented here in all its gloriously loud, brash, colourful, neon day-glo garishness, with a set which looks luxurious and holds an almost cartoon-like feel to it; all accompanied by an excellent lighting design by Nick Richings which flooded the stage in reds, greens and purples, and some steady direction by Christopher Luscombe.

Rocky Horror is a phenomenon, and the atmosphere at any Rocky Horror performance is one which has to be experienced. This production provides a fresh feel to a classic show and one which engages the audience like no other. So pull on your fishnet stockings, warm up your vocal cords, leave your inhibitions in the foyer and go and “give yourself over to absolute pleasure”.

Rocky Horror is at the Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 23rd February 2019, before continuing on its national tour. For details visit the show’s official website.

20th February 2019
THEATRE REVIEW | The Price, Wyndham’s Theatre, London

★★★★ | The Price

(C) Nobby-Clark

There is a price to pay for everything in life, and in the new play The Price, this is true.

Now playing at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End, one of Arthur Miller’s least known plays is a study of two brothers who have not spoken to each other in 16 years yet each has their demons, each have paid a price for decisions they had made in life. Brothers Victor (Brendan Coyle) and Walter Franz (Andrian Lukis) have not seen each other for 16 years since their father passed away. During this time, Victor has kept dozens of his parents pieces of furniture in his attic, and he’s decided to get rid of them. So he asks 89-year old appraiser Gregory Solomon (a wonderful and definite Olivier Award in this role for David Suchet) into the home he shares with his wife Ester (Sara Stewart). Solomon is a Miller character, and Suchet injects his character with such panache, humour and vulnerability that it’s a master class of acting.

Meanwhile, Walter suddenly shows up, having not returned any, any of Victors’ phone calls over the years. And, yes, there has been a price in not returning those phone calls, and we learn that Victor paid an even bigger price by remaining at home to care for his father when he was getting sicker and sicker. And all Ester wants is to have enough money to be comfortable, and as the going gets rough between the two brothers, Solomon offers a price for the furniture. Is the price a good one? Is there a price for being a responsible son, versus one who flies the coop and becomes successful? All of this drama takes place with the backdrop of the great depression in their past.

The Price, which was written in 1968, is about estranged brothers facing up to the lasting effect of the Depression on their family three decades on. It’s also about not reaching your dreams, and family conflict. The set, where dozens of pieces of furniture are literally hanging on the side of a wall (by Simon Higlett), is genius. Also genius is the acting. Suchet is superb, and Coyle is at ease as the brother who may or may not have been manipulated by his sick father. Under the direction of Jonathan Church, The Price is worth the price of a ticket.

The Price is playing at the Wyndham Theatre until Saturday, April 27th. Book tickets here

19th February 2019
Over 60 percent of people are unaware that LGBTI people can become foster parents

According to new research over 60 percent of people in Britain are unaware that gay and bisexual men can become foster parents.

© DGLimages Depositphotos

The worrying statistic shows that there’s a long way to go in order to normalise the idea that LGBT+ people can become foster parents.

Across the UK, around 60 percent of people were unaware that LGBT+ people are eligible to foster children.

According to Five Rivers Child Care, there are over 900 children and young people who need foster homes across London yet there are common misconceptions around who is eligible to foster, from age through to living circumstances and sexual orientation.

Over 60% of people across London and the UK as a whole are unaware that same-sex couples or those from the LGBT+ community are eligible to foster. A misconception Five Rivers Child Care is keen to eliminate this February, which marks LGBT History Month, in a bid to recruit more foster carers from currently underrepresented communities.

Misconceptions

In addition to serious misconceptions surrounding LGBTQ rights to foster, a further 60 percent of people across the UK believe that those in rented accommodation are unable to foster, and 40 percent of us believe that those without their own children wouldn’t be allowed to be foster carers.

Commenting on the findings, Martin Leitch, Head of Fostering Operations at Five Rivers Child Care, said, “The findings from our recent research paint a massively outdated picture of the fostering industry but it highlights that more needs to be done to reach those within LGBTQ communities to tell them about the career opportunities available to them in fostering. And it’s not just a career, it’s a life choice. It’s deciding to change the life of a vulnerable young person that otherwise might not have a home or a family. It’s extremely important to have a diverse range of foster carers across the country to reflect the diverse nature of the children and young people entering the system and provide role models from all walks of life. We already have some fantastic carers from the LGBTQ community who are enriching children’s and young people’s lives on a daily basis.

“We want to make it common knowledge that anyone can foster, providing they have a spare room and they are over the age of 21. A foster carer is not determined by whether they own a house, or whether they’re married or have children. Single people, those in rented accommodation, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ community all have the opportunity to make great foster carers.”

18th February 2019
THEATRE REVIEW | Rip It Up, Garrick Theatre, London

★★★ | Rip it Up

The 60s are back in the West End, and add a lot of dancing, throw in a few handsome pop stars, and what you have is an evening of very very light theatre.

Rip it Up, now playing at the Garrick Theatre, throws into the mix the best songs from the 60’s with beautiful choreography (by Gareth Walker, who is also the Director), and starring four former Strictly Come Dancing Contestants, and heartthrobs.

Louis Smith MBE (former Olympic gymnast and all around hunk), Aston Merrygold (former member of the X-Factor group JLS), Harry Judd (drummer in the worldwide famous pop group McFly), and last but not least Jan McGuiness (from The Wanted). These men, along with a bevy of young and sexy backup dancers, give it their all with fancy dance moves and upbeat music. But the best part of the show is the amazing singing by Jill Marie Cooper and Ant Brant. Cooper wins the audience over in her renditions of songs from Dionne Warwick to Jefferson Airplane, which lifts this show up a couple notches for without them this would’ve been just another jukebox musical without the jukebox.

All of the four male leads are fine, but they are not allowed to individually shine that much. Merrygold only gets to sing a couple songs, while we are treated to an all too short gymnastics routine by Smith (though luckily for he spends most of the time in the show either topless or wearing tight clothes). He is also a very graceful dancer. Judd is allowed a one minute drum solo (the audience wanted more), while McGuiness really doesn’t seem to offer much, though he tries his darndest to keep up with the dance moves.

Emcee Cavin Cornwall does a fine job guiding the audience through the different musical sounds of the 60s, though he wobbles horribly through ‘Heard if Through the Grapevine‘. Videos of Lulu, Tony Blackburn, designer Zandra Rhodes and the indelible Dionne Warwick tell us what is was really like in the 60s – show us don’t tell us! And Lulu actually comes on a few too many times.

But ultimately Rip it Up will only appeal to fans of the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing (of which all four stars have danced in). I can see this show selling out on the UK tour, but for a West End stage, it doesn’t quite feel right.

Rip it Up plays at The Garrick Theatre until June 2, 2019

17th February 2019
Police are looking to identify this man after an alleged attempted rape of a man in Salford

Cops in Salford are interested in identifying a man after an alleged attempted rape of another man.

At around 1am on Sunday 21 October 2018 the victim – a man in his 20s – was walking on a path that leads from Cottenham Lane to Mary Street when he was approached by an unknown man.

The man asked the victim if he wanted to engage in sexual activity and he said no. The attacker then punched him several times before trying to rape him.

The victim managed to get away and then reported the offence to police.

Detective Constable David Prowse, from GMP’s Salford district, said, “We have been offering our support to the victim since this awful attack occurred and we are doing everything we can to find the man responsible.

“As part of our enquiries we have a picture of a man we need to speak to, as we think they could hold key information.

“I know the picture isn’t very clear but the man is quite distinctive and I think anyone who knows him will recognise him.

“I urge you to get in touch, or if this is you then please also make contact with us.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 5355 quoting incident number 156 of 21 October 2018.

Information can also be passed on to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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14th February 2019
You won’t believe how many people now support gay love in the UK

In the last 30 years the public’s support of same-sex loving has rocketed, new stats today show that support for gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships are at their highest.

Wavebreak-Media-Ltd-bigstock

Nearly 70 percent of people in the UK now say that they support same-sex relationships compared with just 11 percent back in 1987. The figures are also a stark improvement on 2012’s figures of under 50 percent (47%).

According to figures released, 68% of people thought that relationships between two people of the same sex were ‘not at all wrong’.

The youngest generation was the most welcoming – 80% of people age 18-24 thought there was nothing wrong with same sex-relations, compared to 29% of those age 75 and older.

Minister for Equalities, Baroness Susan Williams, said: “On Valentine’s Day everyone should be able to love who they love, and be free to show that love to the world.

“I am encouraged to see that people are changing their attitudes to be more accepting and more tolerant, but as government we still have work to do to make sure our society is truly fair, and truly free.

“That’s why we are working with charities, schools, GPs, and across government to make sure our Action Plan can bring about real, lasting change for LGBT people in the UK.”

What has the LGBT action plan promised?

The Government Equalities Office’s LGBT Action Plan, which was launched last July to make the lives of LGBT people better, includes a promise to test out innovative ways of tackling deep-seated prejudice in communities across the country.

As part of the Plan, 12 UK organisations who work to improve the lives of LGBT+ people have been awarded a total of £2.6 million government funding. The cash will support LGBT people in education, healthcare and the community.

Barnardo’s, Diversity Role Models, EqualiTeach, the National Children’s Bureau, Stonewall, and the Diana Award will split £1 million between them to continue their work in protecting children from anti-LGBT+ bullying. In addition, Advonet, the LGBT Foundation, London Friend, Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, and the Royal College of General Practitioners have received £1 million to improve the lives of LGBT+ people in health and social care.

Rise in Homophobic Crime at odds with the survey

geralt / Pixabay

However, in 2018, crime figures showed that homophobic and transphobic hate crime was on the rise. In October we revealed, that twelve percent (11,638 crimes) of recorded hate crimes in England and Wales were directed at gay and bisexual people which was a 17 percent increase over the previous year. While, two percent of recorded hate crime (1651 crimes) were those against transgender people – up a staggering 32 percent.

Overall recorded hate crimes were up, with nearly 100,000 crimes reported which was double the amount in just five years. The majority of hate crime (75%, 71,251 crimes) were racially motivated. Religious-based hate crime accounted for 9 percent (8336 crimes) of recorded crimes.

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13th February 2019
15-year-old boy hospitalised after a ‘homophobic attack’ in Bury

Another 15-year-old boy has been arrested following the alleged homophobic incident in Bury, to the north of Manchester.

geralt / Pixabay

A 15-year boy has been arrested after an alleged homophobic assault against another 15-year-old boy in Bury, north of Manchester in the UK. Shortly after 3:30PM on Monday, 11th Feb the victim, an unnamed student who is also 15-years-old was set upon by a number of males, according to a police report.

A confrontation then took place on Manchester Road Park, before the boy was assaulted by a number of males. The boy was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged.

A boy aged 15 has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody. Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the incident.

“Cowardly Attack”

Chief Inspector Phil Spurgeon of GMP’s Bury Division said, “This was a cowardly attack on a young man who was subjected to vile, homophobic abuse.

“After challenging his abusers, he was then assaulted by a number of offenders and had to be treated in hospital for his injuries. We are treating this offence with the utmost seriousness. We will not tolerate hate crime and will do everything in our power to apprehend offenders. While we have arrested one person, we are continuing to appeal for information on this crime and would ask that anyone if information contacts police immediately.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8172 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Anyone who thinks they have experienced hate crime should call police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

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Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on-site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

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12th February 2019