THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • Want to watch porn in the UK? You might need to ask your newsagent

    The Conservatives are forging ahead with a new law that means that if you want to watch porn on the internet, you will have to prove you are over the age of 18.

    The new system will allow people to buy an anonymous pass to watch porn in the UK.

    Plans are being made to make “porn passes” available at local newsagents, which will allow people in the UK who want to watch porn to bypass inputting personal data which proves their age to various porn sites, according to The Independent. It is a way in which people can access porn anonymously once the new law comes into force.

    The law means that you have to prove you are over the age of 18 before you can access porn sites in the UK and is part of the Digital Economy Act. The rules will apply to any website or platform which offers porn on a “commercial basis”.

    Advocates for the new rules hope that the measures will protect children from online porn.

    “PORN PASS”

    How do you feel about giving over your details to prove your age?

    Buying a “porn pass” means that you will have to hand over personal information to your local newsagent, who will be able to issue you with an anonymous pass, which will allow you access to adult sites in the UK.

    A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which is responsible for the new legislation, said, “We are in the process of implementing some of the strictest data protection laws in the world.

    “A wide variety of online age verification solutions exist, or are in development, and they will have to abide by these high standards. We expect data security to be a high priority in the BBFC’s guidance on age verification arrangements.”

    In December 2014, pornography produced in the UK was subject to strict rules under the David Cameron’s Tory government. The types of scenes which studios could film were severely restricted with an amendment to the 2003 Communications Act.

    Some of the activities banned by the Conservative government could overtly affect the porn consumption of gay men in the UK – including those who watch BDSM, rimming (facesitting) and fisting.

    Thoughts?

     

     

  • Everything You Need To Know About Lancaster Pride 2018

    If you’re planning to go to Lancaster pride here’s everything you need to know before the 2018 event.

    Everything You Need To Know About Lancaster Pride 2018
    The amazing promo poster created especially for Lancaster Pride, by Henry Hate.

    This year’s Lancaster Pride takes place on the on Saturday 19th May 2018 to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT+ community of Lancaster and surrounding areas.

    Lancaster Pride is an LGBT festival organised by Out in the Bay, a local charity providing support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in the Lancaster area, as well as raising awareness for LGBT issues and campaigns.

    Speaking about what Pride mean, Robert Mee, the CEO of Lancaster Pride said, “Pride is about everyone coming together to support each other to stand side by side to challenge hate and intolerance and to be able to build a better future of equality for all of us.”

    What time does Lancaster Pride begin?

    The Lancaster Pride parade officially begins at 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

    Is there a parade?

    Lancaster has a parade at this year’s event, and it will be the second in the pride’s history, with the parade taking place from Dalton Square.

    The set-off place for the parade is Dalton Square and will turn right on George Street and continue along Spring Garden Street. The procession will then turn right onto the A6 and proceed northwards in the right-hand lane.

    The parade will then turn right into Church Street and once located inside the pedestrianised area will temporarily halt to allow the participants a breather and to allow the procession to reform.

    The procession will turn right onto Gt John St and proceed up the left-hand lane. The procession will then turn left to finish in Dalton Sq.

    Speaking at the parade will be Clive Grunshaw, the police and crime commissioner, Erica Lewis a Cat Smith representative, Kara from the multi-faith Church and Doctor Sweeney.

    Where is Lancaster Pride?

    Most of the day’s events will take place in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall. The postcode is: LA4 4AU.

    What does Lancaster Pride cost?

    Lancaster Pride is free for everyone to take part in.

    What entertainment will there be at Lancaster Pride?

    Performing at Lancaster Pride is the singer Whigfield, who you will remember had the massive, number 1 hit, “Saturday Night”. Also appearing is a slew of talent who will be appearing on stage from 11 AM until 6:30 PM in front of Lancaster’s Town Hall.

    Does Lancaster Pride have a website?

    Absolutely. You can view all thing Lancaster Pride HERE

    What should I bring to pride?

    We’ve created a list of Pride survival ideas. Take a look – but don’t forget to bring sunscreen, money and fully charged phone!

    Need a place to stay? Check out our Hotel partners at Hotels.com for available hotels and B&Bs in the Lancaster area.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Soap, Underbelly Festival Southbank, London

    ★★★★☆ | Soap, Underbelly Festival Southbank

    Add a little bit of burlesque, a little bit of comedy, sprinkle a bit of singing, and add lots and lots of water, and what you have are the perfect ingredients for ‘Soap’ – now playing on the Southbank at the Underbelly Festival in the world famous Spiegeltent.

    And German circus ‘Soap’ is not just about water. It’s also about the talented performances that take place right in front of our very eyes performed in the round, and have mercy for the poor people who sit in the front (and second and third) rows – there’s water water everywhere.

    But it’s all good fun watching the sexy Anton Belyakov splish-splashing in the bathtub, Marie-Andrée Lemaire running around the stage as our guide and hostess for the evening. And then there is Moritz Haase, who oh so innocently is ‘plucked’ from the audience but soon enough is prancing around on stage. We’re lucky to see the sexy Daniel Leo Stern with his shirt off for most of the show, and Jennifer Lindshield, with her powerful voice providing operatic music for the spellbound crowd. There’s even a mop ballet and an amazing rain finale that will literally leave you wet. If you don’t believe me, have a look at these pictures:

    SOAP – celebrating all things circus in The Spiegeltent – is just a splash away from the Thames, and the actual birthplace of circus 250 years ago!

    Underbelly Festival is back for its tenth year on the Southbank.
    Venue: The Spiegeltent, Underbelly Festival Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX.

    Located in-between Southbank Centre, Jubilee Gardens and the London Eye.

     

  • TRAVEL GUIDE | Gay Exeter

    TRAVEL GUIDE | Gay Exeter

    Exeter is a city in the South of England, it’s known for its history but also a place where you can be accepted for who you are.

    What's gay in Exeter, UK?
    The crowds turn up to celebrate Exeter Pride

    So what is in Exeter for gay travellers and LGBT guests? Well, for a start, Exeter boasts some of the lowest crime rates in the country. In 2018 the county’s major football team, Exeter City took a stance against homophobia and Exeter’s MP, Ben Bradshaw is an openly gay man.

    Gay Bars

    Are there any gay bars in Exeter? Well in 2018 there is one gay venue and it’s called The Vaults, which is located at 8 Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS. Overall it gets great ratings from users on TripAdvisor. It opens daily at 7 PM or 9 PM except on Sunday when it opens at 10 PM.

    Exeter has a yearly Pride event.

    This year’s pride takes place on the 12th May. Exeter Pride takes place in Northernhay Gardens, but there is also a parade to watch. It will run from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens, best of all it’s free to take part and enjoy the event.

    Are there any gay saunas in Exeter?

    The nearest gay saunas/bathhouses to Exeter are in Plymouth (45 miles), Manticore Spa or Torquay, the Steamer Quay Spa (23 miles).

    Any LGBT Hotels in Exeter?

    There’s the “gay-friendly” Woodleigh Coach House, which is set on the edge of Dartmoor, about 11 miles west of Exeter. They have a choice of five rooms, all ensuite.

    There are a few “gay owned” hotels in and near to Exeter. Overcombe House which is about 45 miles away from Exeter is, “just a short distance from the historic market town of Tavistock & there is easy access to the ancient maritime city of Plymouth; whilst having all the benefits and amenities of Dartmoor National Park & the adjacent Tamar Valley area of outstanding natural beauty” right on the doorstep.

    There’s the gay-owned Strete Barton House in Dartmouth which is located 42 miles away.

    There is also a gay-owned self-catering holiday cottage in Sidmouth, which is about 16 miles away.

    Check out all accommodation options and the latest prices with our partners TripAdvisor and hotels.com.

    Meeting gay guys in Exeter?

    If you’re looking for a connect to gay and bisexual guys in Exeter why not join our free social network.

  • Some people in the UK are really not happy about gender neutral toilets

    New research has shown that over half of British people would say “No” to gender-neutral toilets.

    Despite suggestions of turning public toilets to gender-neutral toilets by London’s mayor Sadiq Khan, most people in Britain are still uncomfortable with the idea or all-gender loos. More than half of Brits said that they would avoid them in research recently conducted.

    The Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES) estimates that 1% of the British population are gender non-conforming to some degree.

    London Mayor, Sadiq Khan championed plans to increase the number of shared facilities in the capital last November but it appears the plans are not as popular as originally thought.

    A new survey by Bathroomtakeaway.co.uk reveals that 55% of Brits would avoid using shared facilities.

    Of the 45% of Londoners who said they’d welcome gender-neutral loos, just one in five of those would actually use them.

    Those living in Yorkshire and the Humber are most opposed to the facilities, with 75% saying they’d shun them, followed by 70% from East Anglia and 69% from the North East.

    Despite these figures, the North East also had one of the most receptive groups, with one in ten saying they would rather use shared facilities.

    All-gender toilets are public toilets that can be used by anyone, regardless of their sex. They can provide a welcome space to individuals who don’t identify with the male or female gender binary. Unisex toilets can make it easier for trans people at various stages of transition.

    However, when quizzed, 65% of those that would avoid gender-neutral toilets said they would do so to avoid feeling awkward.

    Just under half of cis females (49%) claimed they would feel unsafe in shared public loos.

    Beatriz Pardo, Marketing Manager at Bathroomtakeaway.co.uk: “We were keen to see how open-minded Britons are when it comes to public loos.

    “The notion of gender-neutral toilets have been in the headlines recently but it is clear most people in the UK feel very uneasy about them.

    “Our research has revealed some surprising statistics and it seems these plans aren’t as popular as originally thought, so we’ll be interested to see how they work out!”

  • Police officer given final written warning after “homophobic” comments about fellow officer

    A police officer based in London has been given a final written warning after admitting that she made comments that were alleged to be homophobic, but denied that the comments were against the officer’s sexuality .

    An Enfield-based PC has been given a final written warning after she admitted that she made comments about a fellow officer’s sexual orientation, but denied that they were homophobic.

    PC Cara Power, attached to Enfield borough, attended a public misconduct hearing on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 April to answer allegations that her conduct amounted to a breach of standards of professional behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy; equality and diversity; and discreditable conduct.

    It was alleged that on 7 January 2017, PC Power used unacceptable and abusive language on a number of occasions in reference to a fellow officer. On one of these occasions, PC Power’s conduct was alleged to have been homophobic.

    PC Powers admitted to the panel that she made the comments, but denied that the comments were intended to discriminate against the officer’s sexual orientation. The panel found that her comments were reckless but there was no discriminatory intent.

    The panel took into account PC Power’s previous good character, and no allegations of past discriminatory behaviour or actions.

    The panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, found gross misconduct proven overall and issued PC Power with a final written warning.

  • What time and where is Exeter Pride 2018?

    Exeter will become an explosion of colour and celebration this weekend for the city’s 10th annual pride.

    Everything You Need To Know About Exeter Pride 2018

    Exeter’s pride is celebrating its 10th year in 2018 and here’s everything you need to know about the pride event which will take place on the 12th May 2018.

    The Pride’s chair, Adam Rank said,”There will be a real celebration feel this year, being our 10th anniversary, it is the perfect time to consider how far we have come since Exeter Pride began.

    “We work closely with a range of partners to stage the event, including Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and local businesses.

    “It would not be possible without generous donations or sponsorship from local and national businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts and assistance of many volunteers. We are currently welcoming approaches from those who would like to get involved as volunteers, have a stall or be a partner or sponsor. In addition, we are running our usual wristband scheme which offers year-long discounts at restaurants/shops etc, which makes them very desirable.”

    This year the pride is Celebration.

    Photo Credit – Paul Szabo

    What time does Exeter Pride begin?

    Exeter Pride officially opens with a parade from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens. The highlight will be a 50-metre rainbow flag carried by volunteers from Exeter Pride. The time is yet to be announced.

    Is there a parade?

    This year’s parade will involve thousands of people including: roller skaters, Street Heat samba band, a fire engine, an ambulance, Morris dancers, police officers, representatives from community groups and organisations, and volunteers carrying an incredible 50-metre rainbow flag.

    Where is Exeter Pride?

    Exeter Pride takes place in Northernhay Gardens, but there is also a parade to watch. It will run from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens.

    What does Exeter Pride cost?

    Exeter Pride is a FREE event for all of the community to enjoy, however, you can buy a wristband (£10) which helps support the pride – and you can get discounts at a variety of business across the city until 2019.

    What entertainment will there be at Exeter Pride?

    There is plenty to do at Exeter Pride in 2018. The organisers have created an event with the local community at heart. There will be a showcase stage, where local and emerging artists will perform from 2:30 PM to 9:00PM – and in the Festival zone there are performers such as X Factor’s Freddy Parker and Lauren Harries.

    If music isn’t your thing there are drumming workshops, a talk zone and a film festival. To find out more about what’s happening on the day visit the Exeter Pride website.

    Does Exeter Pride have a website?

    Absolutely. You can view all thing Exeter Pride HERE and buy your wristbands to support the pride.

    What should I bring to pride?

    We’ve created a list of Pride survival ideas. Take a look – but don’t forget to bring sunscreen, money and fully charged phone!

  • Three men facing “lasting” injuries after acid attack close to gay venue in London

    Three men could be facing”life-changing” injuries after a vicious acid attack outside a popular gay venue in east London.

    Three victims have been left with acid burns to their bodies close to a popular gay venue in Hackney, the Metropolitan police are reporting. The Evening Standard reports that witnesses saw the three men walking away from the venue, Dalston Superstore, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

    The incident occurred at 5:20AM on Sunday morning. The three male victims aged 17, 22 and 27 years old, were taken by the London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital.

    Their injuries are not life-threatening. However, at this early stage, it is still to be determined whether the injuries will be life-changing.

    It is possible that more people were injured during this altercation and that footage of the incident may have been captured on mobile phones.

    “Vicious and unpleasant incident”

    Detective Sergeant Quinn Cutler investigating said, “This is a particularly vicious and unpleasant incident which has left a number of people with potentially lasting injuries.

    “I know that a number of people witnessed this incident and I urge those people to come forward and share their information and/or footage with police.”

    The police are not currently treating this incident as a homophobic attack.

    Anyone with information is asked to call Hackney CID on 07825 793 215 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Chess, London Coliseum

    ★★★ | Chess, London Coliseum

    Chess is a show about Chess……and it sort of works!

    This new production is its first in London’s West End in over 30 years. With music and lyrics by Tim Rice and the two B’s in ABBA (Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Chess, which deals with the intense chess rivalry between the U.S. and USSR in the cold war days of the 1980s, has a political message that’s just as timely now as it was back then.
    But, you might ask, how exciting is a show about the game of chess? Well, the real answer is not very exciting, nor it is very sexy. Chess can easily be described as an opera, and if opera is your thing, then you’ll will love this show. For the rest of us who like catchy memorable tunes and some razzle-dazzle and great choreography ensemble dancing, i.e. Chicago and almost everything else playing in the West End, then you will be bored at ‘Chess.’ However, Chess, which specifically deals with the rivalry between Anatoly Sergievsky (an amazing Michael Ball) and an inappropriately named Freddie Trumpier (Tim Howar) – both fictional characters – is slow to build, very slow. I was actually quite bored in the first half, but by the end of the show, I was standing on my feet.
    This is not because the storyline is great or the ensemble dancing was amazing (it wasn’t), it’s because of the truly talented singers on stage. Ball, who was the original Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, commands the stage in every song he sings. Cassidy Johnson, who plays Florence, Freddie’s agent who happens to fall in love with Anatoly, is almost as good. Johnson, who most recently played Carole King in ‘Beautiful,’ has quite a few showstoppers, including the famous hit ‘I Know Him So Well.’ Also included in the cast is  X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke, who shows up in the second half, and makes a great effort in playing Anatoly’s suffering wife.
    Chess starts out as Freddie arrives in Russia on a plane, cleverly staged, to take on Anatoly in a chess match to determine who is the world champion. But besides the match, Chess is, as previously mentioned, about the cold war, and the longstanding chess rivalry between both countries. It’s cleverly staged, with cutting edges to resemble a chess board, with video screens that show close up the actor’s facial emotions while they sing. And while some of the musical numbers don’t seem to work (’One Night in Bangkok’ is a bit out of place as well as an over-the-top American cheerleader sequence, and a video tribute to former chess champions has no impact), Sergievsky and Trumpier’s chess rivalry is just as intense as is the political situation between both countries then and now. Would I recommend you taking a gamble to go see Chess? The answer is yes!

    CHESS plays at the London Coliseum until the 2nd June

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Bat Out of Hell, Dominion Theatre

    ★★★★★ | Bat Out of Hell, Dominion Theatre

    Bat Out of Hell returns – and it’s just as rocked up and fantastic as it was when it played in London its first time around.

    Bat Out of Hell had a sold out run at the London Coliseum last year, and it was practically begging to open again – and it has – this time in a bigger venue (Dominion Theatre). It’s the same story – a musical set to Meat Loaf’s mega-selling 1977 album of the same name. While some of the actors have not returned from it’s original run, it’s still a rocktastic, fun and mega exciting ride.

    Raven (Christina Bennington – returning from the original show) is literally locked up in a mega mansion in the sky by her parents Falco (Rob Fowler) and Sloane (Sharon Sexton). Raven is a lonely girl – she’s not allowed outside at all – but she really wants to experience the outside world, to ride the subway, to meet a boy. In the outside world Strat (Andrew Polec) leads a gang of nomads and hangers on, and he’s always dreamt of catching the girl – particularly Raven, but she’s not available. So all sorts of musical mayhem takes place including Strat trying to kidnap Raven so that him and her can be together. Meanwhile, one of the gang members (a fabulous Danielle Steers – returning) is slowly falling in love with another gang member, while she’s actually a maid in the Falco household. She knows their secrets, and lies.

    This is the story, in a nutshell, but the way it’s told is spectacular. Motorcycles, explosions, video projection, skimpy costumes, a convertible on stage that was formerly a dining room table, and said convertible plunging off the stage into the orchestra pit – it’s all musical mayhem – from a rock classic album, and it is just as good on stage as it is on the album and when it played at the Coliseum. The cast dance and prance on stage, and with most of the songs dealing with love, Bat Out of Hell is a love story set to rock music. It’s loud, it’s crazy, it’s superb!

    BAT OUT OF HELL is currently booking until 27 October 2018.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Fat Friends The Musical – Glasgow

    ★★★☆☆ | Fat Friends The Musical, Glasgow

    *Review taken from the Sheffield production*

    As her wedding day approaches, Kelly buys her dream wedding dress, even though it is two sizes too small for her.

    When Julia Fleshman, the head of a national slimming club chain, comes to town to judge a slimming contest live on TV, Kelly ends up going viral with her body confident comments; and seizing the opportunity for some publicity, Fleshman offers to pay for Kelly’s wedding if she can slim into the dress in time for the big day. But with the wedding only six weeks away, the pressure is on…

    Fat Friends is very much a piece of crowd-pleasing theatre. Pulling together multiple stories of the good folk of Headingly, a town near Leeds, the stage is filled with likeable, if slightly caricatured, characters and is a straightforward evening of undemanding fun.

    The show boasts a good cast, with Jodie Prenger taking the lead as Kelly, and doing so with a cocky northern confidence and a belting singing voice. Sam Bailey (The X-Factor) is great as Kelly’s Mum and Natasha Hamilton (from Atomic Kitten) is the scheming Julia Fleshman. Thrown into the mix is an affable turn from Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) and ex-cricketer Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, who takes to the stage and fares better than expected with a slightly stilted, if not tongue in cheek, portrayal of Kevin, Kelly’s nice but dim fiancé.

    The songs are amiable enough and used to move the story forward, and whilst they were perfectly pleasant to listen to and shoehorned a few laughs into the lyrics, they served their purpose well enough in terms of keeping up the show upbeat and jolly, but were ultimately fairly forgettable. The live orchestra added to the atmosphere within the theatre and the set design was a colourful cartoonish affair which was well lit and effective in its simplicity.

    Written and directed by Kay Mellor, who wrote the original TV series that the show is based on; Fat Friends is a rather loud, boisterous and upbeat show, which really resonates with its target audience. It’s a rather clichéd musical by numbers, with a heavy-handed script, fairly trite lyrics and a rather unsubtle approach to its humour, but what it lacks in sophistication, it makes up for with likeable characters, a few good belly laughs and buckets-full of near the knuckle, northern charm.

    Fat Friends is at the King’s Theatre Glasgow, Glasgow until the 5th May 2018, book tickets click here