The cast of Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre in the heart of London’s gay scene has released a beautiful video about what Pride means to them.
Aladdin will be performing at the opening of Pride, ahead of this Disney have created a video featuring the West End cast of Aladdin talking about what Pride means to them.
A gay man who went missing at the beginning of March has been found and is now back at home with his partner Marc. Phil Nicol went missing on the 1st March 2018.
Today, Marc tweeted a picture of the pair together and thanks everybody who took part in the search for Phil. In particular, Marc thanked the Met Police and the missing persons’ charity Missing people.
The campaign to find Phil reached over 6 million people.
Happy to say that Phil Nicol has been found safe and well, and is now back home. I’d like to say a heartfelt thankyou to all who supported me and shared the appeal (6million+ views due to your RTs). Special thanks to @metpoliceuk @missingpeople who found Phil and supported me. pic.twitter.com/9meB2wreOG
— Marc Bates #FBPE (@marcbatez) June 28, 2018
People, who had been following the disappearance on Marc’s Twitter feed were quick to congratulate the safe return of Phil.
Don’t be confused by the name. 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen is not at the address number of 28-50. It’s actually the name of the restaurant, and if you are seeking it out, it’s worth the find!
28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen can be found in two locations in London – two trendy and expensive neighbourhoods. There is one location at 15-17 Marylebone Lane in, of course, Marylebone. Then there is the other location – in posh Mayfair – at 17-19 Maddox Street, and it was this location that a friend and I visited on a warm Thursday night.
Instantaneously walking in we felt such a cool vibe, a good buzz. The music was good, the place was packed but not loud and the customers, and staff, all seemed very happy, and after we were done, we understood exactly what all this happiness was about, it was the wonderful food and the excellent selection of wines.
28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen, according to its website, says that if you love wine, you will love them. It takes the traditional wine bar experience to a whole new level (hence with the word ‘wine’ in the title we can understand why). Both of their restaurants feature over 30 carefully chosen wines, so it’s not just run of the mill stuff. 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen prides itself in the wine they sell. But they also have a wonderful, and thankfully small, food menu which makes it easier to decide what to eat.
The Truffle Popcorn (at £4.00) is a wonderful way to start the night if you want to take your time to order. But my dining companion and I knew right away what we wanted. I had no doubt in my mind that it was going to be the Seared Yellowfin Tuna, and I was not disappointed. It was served with artichokes, almonds, breadcrumbs and bathed in herbs and a Romesco sauce, and at £21.50, was well worth it. My friend chose the Welsh Spring Lamb – and it was a beaut! Served like a stew, there were chunks of lamb with carrots, potatoes, onions, peas and broad beans in a gravy sauce, and it was an extremely juicy and meaty dish – and it’s one I will order (at only £19.50) next time I go back.
Of course, the main courses wouldn’t be worth their salt if they weren’t accompanied with good wine. I had an amazing, and new to the restaurant, Audacia – South African wine – which went very well with my tuna. My friend was more than delighted with his Côte du Rhône from France which he agreed went well with his lamb. These were chosen by the very friendly Sommelier who really knew her stuff. We were also given, when entering the restaurant by the super-friendly and charming host Olga, a glass each of the excellent Henriot, Souverain, Brut champagne from France. It was sweet and just what was needed after a long day. I could talk all about the wines 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen have but you have to visit to fully understand the care that they have selected the wines on the menu.
Of course we ate more food than just our main courses. The Thai Pomelo Salad, with coconut, lime leaves, ginger and peanuts, and very colourful and was just perfect for a warm summers evening, as is the Salmon Gravlax, served with mustard sauce and rye bread.
Equally satisfying are the deserts. All I can say is that the perfectly cooked and amazing Apple Crumble was a highlight of the meal. and the coffee we ordered was very good too! And I have to give thanks to our waitress who was just as bubbly and friendly as the champagne!
What’s there left to say about 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen? Well, everything and nothing – it’s just about perfect. Whether you want a full-blown meal with wine pairing or if you just want to sit at the bar and have a glass of wine or two, 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen is the perfect place. And if you want to book a party, the Maddox Street location has a full downstairs area to suit your needs.
http://www.2850.co.uk
28° – 50° MADDOX STREET
OPENING TIMES
THE BAR
Monday – Wednesday 12pm-11.30pm (last orders 11pm)
Thursday – Saturday 12pm-12am (last orders 11.30pm)
THE RESTAURANT
Monday – Wednesday 12pm-10.30pm
Thursday – Saturday 12pm-11pm
28° – 50° MARYLEBONE LANE
OPENING TIMES
THE BAR
Monday – Wednesday 12pm-11.30pm (last orders 11pm)
Thursday – Saturday 12pm-12am (last orders 11.30pm)
THE RESTAURANT
Monday – Wednesday 12pm-10.30pm
Thursday – Saturday 12pm-11pm
15-17 MARYLEBONE LANE
LONDON W1U 2NE
MARYLEBONE@2850.CO.UK
020 7486 7922
In 2003 Key West was the staging ground for the world’s largest Pride flag, which measured 1.25 miles. It ran the length of Duval Street – 14 blocks to be precise. Duval Street is where most of the island’s gay venues are situated.
The flag was created by the original designer Gilbert Baker who spent three months in Key West assembling the flag. It weighed a massive 3 tons and took about 17600 linear yards of fabric. It took 2000 volunteers to raise the flag in 2003.
The flag has, since 2003, had sections displayed at global events, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, and Australia’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. They have been shown internationally in Canada, Sweden, Norway, Germany, England and Australia; and domestically in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta.
The UK’s biggest pride flag was revealed by Cornwall Pride and was extensively photographed at the world’s first pride tour, which stopped by 11 towns and cities in England’s southernmost county. Here it is being displayed by St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall.
A straight couple, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, have won their legal case, which will allow them to have a Civil Partnership instead of a traditional marriage.
Up until now, the only couples permitted to have CPs were gay and lesbian couples.
It was a law introduced by the Labour government in 2004, before the Conservatives, under David Cameron were able to vote and pass Same-Sex marriage.
Civilly Partnered couples are entitled to many of the protections offered by marriage including, inheritance, tax, pension rights and next of kin arrangements.
Steinfeld and Keidan argued that the Civil Partnership act was unlawful before it was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Speaking about the ruling, leading Human Rights activist, Peter Tatchell said, “This is a victory for love and equality. It was never right to deny opposite-sex couples the option of having a civil partnership. In a democracy, we are all supposed to be equal before the law. It is wonderful news that the Supreme Court has ruled against the government and in favour of equal civil partnerships”.
This ruling overturns a previous judgement made by the Court of Appeal made in February 2017.
Peter Tatchell has supported Rebecca Steinfeld’s and Charles Keidan from the outset of their legal challenge in 2014.
Indeed, he championed the right of opposite-sex couples to have a civil partnership from the moment Tony Blair’s government announced in 2003 that the option would be available to same-sex couples only, condemning it as “blatant discrimination based on sexual orientation.”
Speaking about today’s victory in the Supreme Court, Mr Tatchell said, “The ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships was discrimination and a violation of human rights. It is outrageous that the government was unwilling to legislate equality and that this couple were forced to go to court to get a basic human right – the right to be treated equally in law.
“It was never fair that same-sex couples had two options, civil partnerships and civil marriages, whereas opposite-sex partners had only one option, marriage,” said Mr Tatchell.
In May THEGAYUK.com ran a poll of its readers which found that 62 percent of LGBT+ people who answer believed that Civil Partnerships should be open to all couples, while only eight percent believed that they should remain for just same-sex couples.
Thirty percent believed that Civil Partnerships should be scrapped altogether.
A straight couple, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, have won their legal case, which could allow them to have a Civil Partnership instead of a traditional marriage.
Up until now, the only couples permitted to have CPs were gay and lesbian couples.
It was a law introduced by the Labour government in 2004, before the Conservatives, under David Cameron were able to vote and pass Same-Sex marriage.
Civilly Partnered couples are entitled to many of the protections offered by marriage including, inheritance, tax, pension rights and next of kin arrangements.
Steinfeld and Keidan argued that the Civil Partnership act was unlawful before it was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
This ruling overturns a previous judgement made by the Court of Appeal made in February 2017.
In May THEGAYUK.com ran a poll of its readers which found that 62 percent of LGBT+ people who answer believed that Civil Partnerships should be open to all couples, while only eight percent believed that they should remain for just same-sex couples.
Thirty percent believed that Civil Partnerships should be scrapped altogether.
Deaf Direct has produced this video of signs to help everybody speak a little BSL (British Sign Language) this pride season. So if you’ve ever wanted to know how to sign lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, now’s your chance!
William and Simon, who both ID as gay, explain in the video that here in the UK we use BSL – rather than ASL (American Sign Language).
Here they take you through the way in which you can communicate with people who know BSL.
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
Soho salon Blade Hairclubbing® is nodding to Pride both through the styling team and through a special offering from the resident mixology wizard Stroo Despot-Olofsson.
Revellers will be able to enjoy the limited edition Rainbow Maker – a rainbow-coloured flight of top-shelf liqueurs with a craft lager chaser. A heady line-up of Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Green Chartreuse, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Walcher Biostilla Deluxe Organic Amaretto and De Kuyper XO Cherry Brandy is rounded off with a refreshing chaser of Harviestoun Schiehallion Craft Lager and will be available from now until 8th July.
Those looking to up the ante style-wise can then go for a Pride Glitz; Blade’s top stylists will make sure that guests are Pride-ready by applying glitter to your roots, hairline or parting, ensuring that everyone leaves ready to join the party, sprinkled with sparkle and full of rainbow spirit – quite literally!
This Pride, Soho favourite HIPCHIPS – which is based right on the Pride March route on 49 Old Compton Street – will be offering visitors to the parlour a chance to Pimp for Pride. All partyers will have the chance to pimp up the usual dip options, adding a touch more glitz and glamour in honour of Pride In London. HIPCHIPS will also be serving some pink bubbly to help visitors to the parlour get in the mood for revelry in the most fabulous way possible. All offerings available throughout the first week of July.
Selling all manner of goodies and pride merch Pride In London’s pop up shop is now open at 72 Old Compton Street. Teeming with pride ideas the store also doubles up as a community centre for LGBT+ with plenty of activities to keep you entertained and informed. Don’t fret if you can’t make it into London you can always do your shopping online with THEGAYSHOP.co.uk, the official online merchant for Pride In London.
55 million people can’t be wrong, which is why Wicked is one of the world’s most successful musicals. Wicked is going into its 12th year in London and it’s still fresh, timely and defying expectations.
The story is believed, by many, to be the prequel to L Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, however, its creator has actually suggested that the story is more of an alternate universe, Gregory Maguire, who wrote the novel on which this musical is based, says it’s a “re-imagining” of the same world – and the action takes place before, during and after the original story.
Wicked takes you behind The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz story to find out about the two witches featured in the original story, “Wicked Witch”, Elphaba (you know the one – green and gets the bucket of water) – played by Alice Fearn and the “Good Witch”, Glinda (you know, the one that arrives by bubble) played by Sophie Evans.
After meeting and becoming roommates at Shiz University, (think Harry Potter meets Clueless) the two witches form a love/hate relationship. They decide to make their way to meet the great and powerful Oz, where they discover that something incredibly sinister is being pushed onto the citizens of Oz.
What follows is a moving story of overcoming discrimination, learning to trust and believe in yourself and two strong women changing the world for the better.
I have just two criticisms. Although the central relationship is about two women, which makes a wonderful change from the heteronormativity of most musicals – boy girls, girl sings to boy, boy and girl fall in love – the end – I couldn’t help but notice that when it came to the massive, impressive ensemble pieces, the dancing was still male on female, which is a shame. Watch any TV show, (a particular shoutout to Netflix) now and if there’s a school dance or a group scene you’ll always see a nod towards its LGBT+ audience, but not Wicked – which, based on musical theatre’s huge gay fan base, is a missed opportunity.
The second is the finale. It’s such a disappointment.
It’s not the way in which the story wraps up, it’s just there’s no finishing song, no reprise of any of the show’s standout hits of which there are four main songs, ‘Popular’, ‘I’m Not That Girl’, ‘For Good’ and of course, the hit ‘Defying Gravity’. To summaries two hours and 45 minutes of stratospheric vocals, incredible costumery and feel-good, sparkling story-telling, the audience is delivered a sub-2-minute song with a walk down.
Shame really, it deserves much better.
The British Transport Police are looking for a man in connection to an alleged homophobic hate crime against two men aboard a train in Southend, Essex, on the 7th May.
British Transport Police report that at around 7.40pm, a man approached two men and verbally assaulted them with homophobic comments as he sat next to them. He then continued to mock them by rubbing one of the victim’s thighs and making offensive remarks about gay people.
The victims then left their seats and got off the train at Chalkwell because they felt unsafe.
Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte said, “Everyone has the right to travel without fear or intimidation and nobody should be subjected to offensive or homophobic language. I am keen to speak to anyone who was on the service and saw this incident.”
Officers would like to speak to the men in these images as they believe they may be able to help them with their enquiries.
Text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting 380 of 1 June, if they look familiar or you have any information that could help our investigation. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
On April 13th a man starting to shout homophobic abuse at two men waiting for a Northern Line train at Bank station in central London.
The two victims moved to a different part of the platform and boarded the next train. However, the man continued to verbally abuse them, according to British Transport Police.