Sunday, 07 February 2010 11:38
Don’t let Cupid’s arrows make your eyes water, with new guide to passionate safer sex from THT.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is publishing an online guide with top tips on how to use condoms and protect your sexual health without killing the romantic mood.
A recent study found 43% of men didn’t always use a condom when having sex with a new partner. Some argue that safer sex and romance just don’t mix, with worries that condoms are uncomfortable, ruin the sensation, or even interrupt those tried and tested seduction techniques.
THT’s new guide (www.tht.org.uk/romance) aims to challenge some of these old-fashioned attitudes, with easy-to-follow advice on how to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without spoiling the intimacy. Tips for men include exploring the different sizes available to find the most comfortable fit, and investing some time in a ‘dress rehearsal’ to make sure you can tackle your tackle with total confidence, plus a special hands-free technique for getting your partner ready for action.
Saturday, 06 February 2010 13:05
The launch of a short video advert aimed at tackling homophobia in football have been cancelled by the Football Association.
Sue Law, FA’s Head of Equality and Child Protection, has said that the Association have chosen to postpone the event in order to strengthen their anti-homophobia strategy by working more closely with their Tackling Homophobia Advisory Group and testing the film more widely.
The Justin Campaign are saddened at the FA’s announcement of postponing the launch of their new video aimed at tackling homophobia in football. However after having the opportunity to read John Amaechi’s take on the content of the video; think that the FA have been wise in their decision to seek further consultation on the videos production and subsequent release.
Saturday, 06 February 2010 13:00
Mathew Horne, Marc Warren, Mark Gatiss and talented newcomer Douglas Booth are announced to star in Worried About The Boy, a BBC Two drama about a young Boy George and his journey to become a star on the Eighties fashion and pop music scene.
Written by Tony Basgallop (Hotel Babylon, Hughie Green Most Sincerely) and directed by Julian Jarrold (Red Riding, Brideshead Revisited), Worried About The Boy follows George's journey from cloakroom attendant to cultural icon – from falling in love for the first time, to embracing his unique style, to meeting his Culture Club bandmates.
As a teenager, George O'Dowd realised he was not like the other boys his own age – sharp-witted, independent-minded and with a passion for clothes and make-up, he dreamt of becoming a star.
Friday, 05 February 2010 17:11
This Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all cards and candle-lit dinners with the four fabulous fundraising events benefitting GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, over Valentine’s weekend.
On Saturday, 13th February, whether sexy and single or cute and coupled, people can show their support by partying at one of three Red Party theme nights at the Yard Bar in Soho, Kazbar in Clapham, and The Green in Islington. For those who don’t have a special someone, on Sunday 14th, Village bar in Soho will be playing cupid with their “Valentine’s Free” event. GMFA’s volunteers will be in attendance at all the events and will be rattling their buckets asking you to show some heart in support of gay men’s health.
Matthew Hodson, GMFA’s Head of Programmes, says: “We’re extremely grateful to the Yard Bar, Kazbar, The Green and Village for their support. These events and the individuals who support them make a valuable contribution to ensuring GMFA continues its vital work for gay men’s health.”
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 10:13
Stonewall held the premiere of FIT at the Soho Curzon in London. FIT is a film being sent to every school to tackle homophobic bullying, it is the first of its kind.
The Mayor of London has welcomed the initiative. Boris Johnson said, "Homophobic bullying is not only distressing, it can have tragic consequences, so I am pleased to have been able to put funding into Stonewall’s new film for schools. I hope it will help to increase teachers' confidence to tackle the problem in secondary schools and this in turn will encourage young people to report incidents. This resource should go some way in fostering an environment in which homophobic bullying is recognised as being utterly unacceptable and doesn't occur in the first place.”
FIT is an intelligent, powerful and entertaining film. The storyline uses hip-hop, humour, colourful Adidas tracksuits and lively writing similar to Channel 4’s Skins to communicate with pupils in a way that makes it easy for them to engage with the issues raised.
Monday, 01 February 2010 20:02
Gay humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust has reacted angrily to the statements made by the Pope concerning his impending visit to the UK.
Referring to the UK's commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society, the Pope has said, "The effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs. In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed."
The PTT's secretary, George Broadhead, commented, "This is a thinly veiled attack on the anti-discrimination legislation concerning LGBT people. His claim that our equality laws undermine religious freedom suggests that he supports the right of churches to discriminate in accordance with their religious ethos. He seems to be defending discrimination by religious institutions and demanding that they should be above the law.
Monday, 01 February 2010 09:44
Legendary music maestro Pete Waterman will produce this year's UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
The multi award-winning music maestro has been responsible for producing and writing more than 200 hits in over 25 years, and worked with pop sensations from Kylie Minogue, Donna Summer, Geri Halliwell, Westlife and Bananarama to Steps, Rick Astley and Dead Or Alive.
The song will be performed at Eurovision 2010, which takes place in Oslo in May. Details for the selection process for the act that will perform the song will be announced at a later date.
Pete Waterman said: "Eurovision is one of those iconic competitions that has stood the test of time and keeps coming up with great acts, great tunes and great performances. Life's full of challenges and I'm relishing the opportunity to put my own stamp on this one."
