In the wake of the attack in Manchester, the UK’s threat level has been raised from severe to critical – the first time this has happened since June 2007.
But the nation doesn’t seem to be bothered, instead, getting into the spirit of the times by pointing out just what constitutes an actual threat to the British way of life. #BritishThreatLevels has been the top trending topic on UK Twitter for most of Wednesday, and the responses are bloody brill.
I’m a political nerd, so I immediately went to check out what the politicians and journalists were saying – and I wasn’t disappointed:
Here is the most marvellously British response to terrorism. #BritishThreatLevels
Originally I thought this was an ingenious idea. I was going to push each column back a day until we reached Thursday, 8 June – election day. So this one was meant to be sent to my editor on Monday night, for publication on Tuesday.
I can’t put into words how utterly devastated I am – how utterly devastated all of us at THEGAYUK are – about what happened at Manchester Evening News Arena on Monday night. 22 beautiful, young lights were snuffed out far too early by a hateful “loser,” as US President Donald Trump rightly called him. Twenty-two young girls and boys, women and men, lost their lives because some twisted soul bought into an ideology of hate.
Speaking only for myself, I have wept uncontrollably for those we lost in Manchester – those beautiful, precious children and their equally precious parents who just wanted to see a pop idol sing. I pray to God that anyone and everyone responsible is brought not only to justice, but to His wrath. I hope they burn in Hell.
In the wake of the horrific attack in Manchester, the parties have halted campaigning until at least the weekend. Some have criticised this decision, but I think it wholly right. At the end of the day, we’re all British (except me; I’m American – but I desperately wish I were British). This is a national tragedy, the likes of which we haven’t seen in twelve years, since the 7/7 attacks in 2005. Politics suddenly seems much less important when our children are being killed by terrorist thugs as end leave what was meant to be one of the happiest nights of their lives.
As the contributing political editor for THEGAYUK, I had a decision to make: do I write in defiance of the terrorists, or do I follow suit with our political parties and cease political coverage for the next few days? I’ve grappled with this question all day, and I don’t know that I have the right answer. But I arrived at my answer.
I’m not going to write about politics today.
Instead, I’m going to talk about the victims who have been publicly identified, talk about their lives, and talk about what it is I think makes Britain so goddamn special.
I hope you’ll understand.
Saffie-Rose Roussos was 8. She became separated from her sister and mum – who at the time I’m writing this is still in hospital and unaware her daughter has died – and was killed in the terrorist attack. According to the Telegraph, her headteacher, Chris Upton said “Saffie was simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word. She was loved by everyone.” She was “unassuming, with a creative flair,” he said, and “she was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly.”
Georgina Callander was 18. Her mother, Leslie, was the first to lay a flower at Tuesday’s vigil in Manchester’s Albert Square. A self-proclaimed “Arianator” (the nickname for those in the Ariana Grande fandom), Georgina was seeing her idol for at least the second time. She was also an avid fan of Once Upon a Time, a television show about fairy tale characters. Several of the cast members, including Rebecca Mader (who played the Wicked Witch of the West) and Emelie de Ravin (who played Belle) tweeted condolences, remembering Georgina. (As a fellow Oncer, Georgina holds a special place in my heart, and I tweeted at series creator Adam Horowitz asking that, as another fan requested, the first episode of series 7 be dedicated in her honour.)
Kelly Brewster was 32. She had just put the deposit on a house with her partner, intent on building a life with him and his daughter. According to the Daily Mail, she shielded her young niece, Hollie, from the shrapnel coming from the nail bomb. Hollie survived thanks to her aunt’s courage, as did Kelly’s sister – Hollie’s mum. The Daily Mail spoke to the father of Kelly’s partner, Ian, who said he is ‘absolutely distraught.’
Alison Howe and Leslie Lees were waiting for their daughters to come out of the concert when they were killed. Both were from Royton, Oldham according to the Mirror. “They took a caring beautiful mum and step mother away from us all she was amazing to us x love you loads Alison Howe xx,” her stepson Jordan Howe posted on Facebook – again, according to the Mirror, who also reports that around the same time Leslie’s brother said she was “gone, but never ever forgotten.” These two mums were trying to collect their daughters from a pop concert. That’s it.
These are the victims, as of 3:33 GMT on 24 May, I know of. More will surely be made known by the time this is published. (ed note: RIP to Martyn Hett)
Their stories are equally worth telling. All 22 (and, God forbid, counting) souls’ stories are worth telling. It would be my honour to write them all.
I may never get that chance, but what I have now is a chance to use my platform as a contributing editor of this magazine and a writer for other British outlets to say this: they will not have died in vain. Their stories will be told, and their loss will redouble our efforts to confront the scourge of extremism within our own borders and abroad – that evil ideology, irrespective of religion, that seeks to divide us. The terrorists won a battle; they will not win the war.
Britain is at its best when it is united. It is what I love most about this country – a country that, no matter who you are or where you’re from can come together over a cup of tea. If that sounds quaint, it is, but it’s also honest – as the assassinated Labour MP Jo Cox said, we have more that unites us than divides us.
Britain is a beautiful, resilient country that will not be cowed by terrorists. No matter our sexuality, our race, our religion – no matter anything – we will always come together. The Mancunians showed us that last night, offering their houses to strangers and their taxi rides free of charge. They took the stranger in. Why? Because they’re British, and their neighbours were in need. That’s what we do in this country.
And though I’m American, I know a thing or two about the British spirit. I know how unbreakable it is. Times are scary, and times are tough. We’ve suffered devastating losses. But as long as we stand together, united, we cannot be defeated.
I’ll get back to politics later this week. I have an interview with Labour MP Peter Kyle that’s not to be missed and my usual witty observations. In the meantime, I ask that you pray for Manchester – or, if you’re of no faith, keep them in your thoughts. After all…
Fans who are due to attend a concert at London’s o2 have pleaded with the venue to cancel the show.
Fans have called upon o2 to cancel a forthcoming Ariana Grande show following the horrific bombing of Manchester Arena, where she was performing on Monday evening. A suicide bomber entered the Manchester Arena at the end of her concert and detonated his explosives in one of the foyers of the venue. The explosion killed 22 and injured a further 59 people.
The 02 have issued a statement saying that they are “in contact with the tour promoters” regarding a final decision on whether Ariana’s tour, Dangerous Woman, will continue with its two London dates at the 02.
She is due to perform at the world-famous London venue on the 25th and 26th of May.
In response to their statement, fans have urged the venue to cancel the show, saying that “no way will Ari be able to perform” whilst another added, “She needs f**king time, people are so selfish honestly. It’s important for her to rest and try to calm down after all this happened.”
Some fans were concerned that Ariana would feel obliged to perform for her fans but were quick to point out that they would rather the 23-year-old singer take “time off to heal” and they “wouldn’t expect anyone to perform after that shock”.
A man who starred and won an episode of Come Dine With Me with his boyfriend has been confirmed as one of the fatalities of the Manchester Bombing on Monday evening.
Martyn Hett has been confirmed, by his brother as being one of the victims of the Manchester bombing, which left 22 dead and 59 injured at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Family and friends were desperately seeking for more information about Martyn’s whereabouts after he failed to check in with them after the concert.
His brother, Dan Hett, left a simple message on Twitter saying, “they found my brother last night. we are heartbroken”.
There’s a chemsex party taking place at the King’s Head Theatre. No, it’s not an actual party – It’s the returning show 5 Guys Chillin’.
In the comforts of the living room of J (David Palmstrom) and M (George Fletcher), them and three other guys (actually men) are enjoying each other as well as the drugs on the table in order to experience the highs, and in some cases, the lows, of what gay men (not all gay men) are getting into nowadays; drugs and sex and more drugs and in some cases unsafe sex in private house parties.
B (Gareth Watkins) and R (Tom Ratcliffe) are a bit of an unmatched couple; R is very young but not so innocent, while muscular big daddy B is experienced and likes it any which way and loose. And the last one to arrive at the party is Pakistani PJ (George Bull). He’s a bit unsure as to why he’s there, but slowly gets into the action. But he’s got a story to tell the other guys; he’s actually married with a young child because it’s what is expected in his culture. Besides him, all the guys have stories to tell; B’s story is particularly vivid as he recounts the time he was spit roasted in Berlin where sexual diseases were not discussed. It’s all a lot to take in; the play’s honesty and brutal nature is scary because know all know these types of gay men, and parties, do actually exist.
And all the actors should be admired for performing such an in your face play shedding emotions as well as bravely shedding their clothes. Writer and Director Peter Darney seems to have gotten the tone and characters right, but luckily I wouldn’t know because I’ve never been and don’t plan to go to one of these parties.
A vigil will take place this evening in Albert Square from 6 PM to pay tribute to the twenty-two killed at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. Manchester’s newly elected mayor, Andy Burnham confirmed the vigil when he spoke to the press earlier outside Manchester’s town hall.
Manchester Police confirmed that a bomb exploded at Manchester Arena. Twenty-two people were killed after a blast ripped through Manchester Arena foyer the end of the concert. Up to 21,000 fans were in attendance of the concert.
At around 10:3o/33 PM as Ariana Grande had finished her concert, thousands of people were streaming out of the concert venue when the bomb was detonated. Police confirm the bomber was killed by his own explosion.
Witnesses say that the bomb went off outside the auditorium.
Friends are desperately looking for their friend, Martyn Hett following the suicide bombing in Manchester.
Friends of TV star and PR manager Martyn Hett have launched a desperate bid to find him after he apparently attended the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. The concert was targetted by a suicide bomber and twenty-two people have been confirmed killed. There are 59 people who have also suffered injuries. Around 8 hospitals in and around the Manchester area are dealing with the injured.
Mr Hett has not been heard of since he apparently tweeted from the venue, a few hours before the bomb exploded.
Friends of Mr Hett took to Twitter to ask if anyone had seen or spotted him in a desperate bid to find out whether he is safe.
His brother, Dan Hett, tweeted that he had not heard from Martyn and that he had failed to check in. He asked if anyone had seen or her from Martyn to contact him.
Mr Hett, starred and won an episode of Come Dine With Me, in which he appeared with his boyfriend. The pair suffered trolling on their appearance from some viewers on social media.
When you sneak out for a toilet break on the Macy Gray song and the entire arena had the same idea #DangerousWomanTour
Manchester’s first openly gay Lord Mayor Carl Austin-Behan has taken to Twitter to share his dismay at the terrorist incident unfolding in Manchester.
DURING HAPPIER TIMES: Carl Austin-Behan celebrating at Manchester Airport with his consort Simon Austin-Behan
The former Lord Mayor of Manchester said that he was “heartbroken, sick and numb” following on from the news that 22 people are dead and 59 injured following a suicide bombing at Manchester Arena.
Wide awake, feeling sick, heartbroken and numb. My thoughts and prayers are with everybody affected by tonight's attack on Manchester.
— Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE “Ozzy” 💙 (@CarlAustinBehan) May 23, 2017
My heart goes out to all those killed or injured this evening at The Manchester Arena please follow @gmpolice for updates.
— Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE “Ozzy” 💙 (@CarlAustinBehan) May 22, 2017
Manchester Police have confirmed that a bomb has exploded at Manchester Arena, killing 22 people and injuring 59. They have been treating the incident as a “terrorist event”.
Twenty-two people have been killed after a blast ripped through Manchester Arena during the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Up to 21,000 fans were in attendance of the concert.
At around 10:3o/33 PM as Ariana Grande had finished her concert, thousands of people were streaming out of the concert venue went a bomb was detonated.
Witnesses say that the bomb went off outside the auditorium.
Sophie Cook has tweeted her support for the people of Manchester following a suicide bombing at Manchester Arena.
Sophie Cook, who is standing for Labour in East Worthing in the GE2017 has tweeted her support for the victims and survivors of the Manchester bombing. Taking to Twitter she said, that she was “heartbroken” on hearing the news. The candidate also mentioned that her 13-year-old daughter was a fan of Ariana Grande.
Manchester Police have confirmed that a bomb has exploded at Manchester Arena, killing 22 people and injuring 59. They have been treating the incident as a “terrorist event”.
Twenty-two people have been killed after a blast ripped through Manchester Arena during the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Up to 21,000 fans were in attendance of the concert.
At around 10:3o/33 PM as Ariana Grande had finished her concert, thousands of people were streaming out of the concert venue went a bomb was detonated.
Witnesses say that the bomb went off outside the auditorium.
Police in Manchester are urging concert goers to upload footage from their phones and cameras to help them investigate the bomb that killed and injured dozens of people at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Speaking at a press conference, Chief Constable of Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins urged concert goers to upload their footage to a special website to help in the investigation into the terrorist event that killed at least 22 people and injured a further 59.
He said,
“It is important that we all continue to remain vigilant, but also to go about our daily lives. We would ask people to be alert and report any suspicious activity to police on the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789321 or dial 999.
