Kuwait Public Health Department has announced plans to conduct ‘medical screening’ tests to “detect” gay people entering the anti-gay region.

by Newsdesk | 8th October 2013

IBTimes.co.uk is reporting that the director of public health in Kuwait, Yousouf Mindkar said that ‘routine clinical screening of expatriates coming into the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) will include tests to identify LGBT people who will then be banned from entering the country.’

‘Health centres conduct the routine medical check to assess the health of the expatriates when they come into the GCC countries,’ he told local daily Al Rai.

‘However, we will take stricter measures that will help us detect gays who will be then barred from entering Kuwait or any of the GCC member states.’

Homosexuality is illegal in the region with a potential punishment of 10 years in prison for anyone engaging in homosexual behaviour.

Details have not emerged on what form these tests may take, however numerous commenting members on Queerty have said that the Kuwait government have used rectal tests to determine whether a person has had receptive anal sex.

‘And one of their “tests” for homosexuality involves a rectal exam to reveal whether or not you’ve had penetrative anal sex.’ wrote Kenover on the site.

Emerging fashion designer’s modern twist on dapper dickey bow design, favoured by former X Factor winner Joe McElderry.

by Newsdesk | 8th October 2013

DICKEYBOW Clothing is a new range of T-shirts and vests, each with its own simple but stylish dickey bow design. Incorporating clean, geometric shapes and fun, vibrant colours, there are several prints to choose from.

Designer Karl Dickey, 24, from Gateshead, came up with the concept last year and in December 2012, took the bold move of swapping the office for the catwalk, metaphorically speaking.

His designs are a huge hit on the dance scene in Ibiza, where much of the promotional material was shot, and closer to home the dickey bow motif has already caught the eye of Diversity’s Sam Craske and aspiring boy band RAW.

Following a promising first eight months of business, Karl is struggling to cope with the demand for his designs:

“I started making all of the T-shirts and prints at home but as the orders came in, I soon had T-shirts and vests everywhere. I’ve teamed up with manufacturers and am now seeking larger premises. I’m so pleased with how the brand has taken off, if a little taken aback. I’ve had really good feedback so far and to have Sam from Diversity and the RAW lads wearing my work is great.”

LGBT consulting firm Out Now, has issued a statement to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) that disputes the data that relates to the number of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the UK.

by Newsdesk | 8th October 2013

Out Now Consulting, the global LGBT marketing agency, has today written to the Director General of the Office for National Statistics, requesting the immediate withdrawal of data relating to gay and lesbian people on the grounds that it is inaccurate and misleading.

Out Now says that a flawed and poor research methodology used by the ONS renders it incapable of providing a correct measurement of homosexuality and bisexuality in the UK.

The ONS claims that research, part of the Integrated Household Survey, shows that “1.5 per cent of adults in the UK identified themselves as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual.”

Out Now disputes this figure, saying:

‘This claim is not only inaccurate as a true measure of the prevalence of homosexuality and bisexuality in the United Kingdom, it is dangerous as it is prone to misreporting and may lead to funding problems for organisations focused on the health of LGB people.

‘The research methodology you have employed is not suitable for the purpose of obtaining an accurate measure of homosexuality and bisexuality in the UK.’

The ONS is the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and is the recognised national statistical institute for the UK. It is responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population and society at national, regional and local levels. It also conducts the census in England and Wales every ten years.

An ONS spokesman said: ‘The question on sexual identity was developed and tested on a number of surveys in 2008 and was added to the Integrated Household Survey (IHS) in 2009. A prototype question was developed using focus groups to gain an understanding of the concept of sexual identity, and piloted on an ONS survey prior to inclusion in the IHS.

‘The sexual identity question was asked of respondents aged 16 years and over; it was not asked by proxy, and the question was asked in mainly face to face with some telephone interviews. The data have been collected to provide accurate statistics to underpin the equality monitoring responsibilities of public sector organisations and to assess the disadvantage or relative discrimination experienced by the lesbian, gay and bisexual population.

‘The sexual identity measure is based on what the respondent to the IHS self declare. It is possible that a proportion of responders who are LGB answer with an alternative response to the ONS survey, however the ONS trials and pilots did not suggest this was the case to a significant degree despite concerns that it might be being raised at the time.

We are responding directly to the comments made by OutNow and we will examine their concerns.’

Out Now founder and Ian Johnson today wrote to the ONS saying:

“The data you are responsible for publishing is not fit for purpose and risks being used by those who may not ‘like’ gay, lesbian or bisexual people to undermine their rights. It may be used similarly to seek to reduce funding for government and NGO initiatives focused on LGB people in the UK.”

Social media users, have taken to Facebook and Twitter to also disagree with the claims from the ONS. Antony Simpson on Facebook wrote:

‘Disagree many, many more!’

Another wrote:

‘I think there’s many more gay people out there. So many are married to women and living a heterosexual life (with some ‘fun’ with men on the side, as we all know if we log on to Grindr and the like). Admittedly many of those people in marriages will perhaps be bisexual, but still I imagine there are a lot more gay people than anyone realises.’

So here it is… your Christmas Number 1 starts here. We take a look at the final 12 to make it into this year’s live shows on the X Factor.

by Newsdesk | 7th October 2013

The Boys

Luke Friend

AGE: 17

LOCATION: Devon

OCCUPATION: Student

ROOM SONG: Stand By Me – Ben. E King

ARENA SONG: Too Much Love Will Kill You – Queen

BOOTCAMP SONG:

Nicholas McDonald

AGE: 16

LOCATION: Motherwell

OCCUPATION: Student

ROOM SONG: You Raise Me Up – Westlife

ARENA SONG: 1000 Years – Christina Perry

BOOTCAMP: I won’t give up – Jason Mraz

Sam Callahan

AGE: 19

LOCATION: Essex

OCCUPATION: Barman

ROOM SONG: You’re Beautiful – James Blunt

ARENA SONG: You Need Me- Ed Sheeran

BOOTCAMP: Iris – GooGoo Dolls

The Girls

ABI ALTON

AGE: 19

LOCATION: Guisborough

OCCUPATION: Morrison’s sales assistant

ROOM SONG: Travelling Solider – Dixie Chicks

ARENA SONG: Jigsaw – original song

BOOTCAMP SONG: I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston

TAMERA FOSTER

AGE: 16

LOCATION: Gravesend, Kent

OCCUPATION: Was due to start college in September to study Musical Theatre

ROOM SONG: End of Time – Beyonce (as part of Silver Rock)

ARENA SONG: I Have Nothing – Whitney Houston

BOOTCAMP SONG: Stay – Rhianna

HANNAH BARRETT

AGE: 17

LOCATION: South London

OCCUPATION: Student, studying her A Levels

ROOM SONG: Read all About it – Emeli Sande

ARENA SONG: One Night Only – Jennifer Hudson

BOOTCAMP SONG: I’d Rather Go Blind – Etta James

The Overs

SHELLEY SMITH

AGE: 34

LOCATION: Devon, Farringdon

OCCUPATION: White van driver (delivers car parts)

ROOM SONG: Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin

ARENA SONG: Feeling Good – Nina Simone

BOOTCAMP SONG: Respect – Aretha Franklin

SAM BAILEY

AGE: 35

LOCATION: Leicestershire

OCCUPATION: Prison Officer

ROOM SONG: Listen – Beyonce

ARENA SONG: Whose Loving You – The Jackson’s

BOOTCAMP SONG: Clown – Emeli Sande

LORNA SIMPSON

AGE: 26

LOCATION: South Norwood, London

OCCUPATION: University student

ROOM SONG: I Have Nothing – Whitney Houston

ARENA SONG: A Moment like This – Leona Lewis

BOOTCAMP SONG: Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston

The Groups

ROUGH COPY

AGE: (left-right) Kaz (24), Sterling (25) and Joey (27)

LOCATION: Croydon

OCCUPATION: Sterling (unemployed), Joey (Sales Assistant in New Look), Kaz (Carpenter)

ROOM SONG: Do it Like a Dude – Jessie J

ARENA SONG: Little Things – One Direction

BOOTCAMP SONG: Stop Crying Your Heart Out – Oasis

KINGSLAND ROAD

AGE: (left to right) Josh (20), Connor (19), Thompson (22), Matt (25), Jay (19)

LOCATION: East London

OCCUPATION: Connor (Bartender), Matt (Bartender), Jay (Waiter), Josh (Bartender),

Thompson (Sales Assistant)

ROOM SONG: Don’t you Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia

ARENA SONG: Treasure You – Bruno Mars

BOOTCAMP SONG: For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder

MISS DYNAMIX

AGE: (Left to right) – Jeanette (21), Rielle (16), SeSe (22),

LOCATION: SeSe (London), Jeanette (Romford Essex, originally from South Africa), Rielle

(Manchester)

OCCUPATION: SeSe (Full time mum), Jeanette (Beauty consultant), Rielle (Student)

ROOM SONG: N/A

ARENA SONG: N/A

BOOTCAMP SONG: We Found Love – Rhianna

A gay couple is to take part in a sex experiment in front of a live studio audience for a Channel 4 progamme that aims to look at the sex lives of ‘normal Britons’. Airs tonight at 10:00PM

by Newsdesk | 7th October 2013

Three couples, which includes a straight engaged couple who were childhood sweethearts, a gay couple who have been together for 3 years and couple in their 20s are to have sex on Channel 4 tonight.

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said that the gay couple had wanted to take part in the show because it was a brilliant opportunity to show how ‘normal’ gay sex could be.

Speaking to theGuardian the gay couple Matt and John said that they had been approached by the makers of the programme whilst they were on holiday in Manchester to coincide with Manchester Pride.

‘Our private life isn’t exactly private. You can’t really do anything. You can’t have anything delivered without them knowing – oh, another parcel for the gay couple upstairs.

‘We were hoping to put a few facts right, that not all gay men wear dresses.

‘We’re both gay but we’re not really in a gay community as such. We don’t have loads of gay friends. We thought just by being part of the conversation , we’re doing our bit to show what it’s like.’

Mariella Frostrup hosts the new show for Channel 4, which aims to reclaim sex from porn by ‘exploring how the ever-increasing consumption of pornography is distorting people’s expectations of sex and ultimately damaging the sex lives of Britons.’

The show was recorded in front of a live studio audience, who like TV audiences did not see any sex or nudity.

After each couples’ time in the box, they talk with Frostrup and a panel of sexperts, which includes psychotherapist, broadcaster and author Phillip Hodson, sex, body language and relationship expert Tracey Cox and internationally syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage

Sex Box presenter Mariella Frostrup said: “Ten years as the Observer’s Agony Aunt has given me plenty of insight into what an important role sex plays in our lives but also how difficult we find to talk openly about it to each other. The sex we see on screen, in magazines and increasingly online bears little relation to the real experiences of real people. I’m delighted to take part in this attempt to have a frank conversation about an essential element of all our lives. “

The actual Sex Box is a completely sound proofed box – however the walls are opaque, so audiences or the production crew will see little.

Dan Savage said: “Many people have an easier time speaking honestly about sex with their friends – or with anonymous strangers online – than they do with their partners. But honest, fearless communication with the person (or persons!) with whom you actually have sex is central to creating successful long-term relationships. Sex is that important.”

As a child, I recall sitting in our home in Yorkshire, reading and re-reading two books of humorous poems. I read the verses out loud wherever possible, or I speak them in my head. The lady on the cover of the books looks friendly and, well, normal.

by Robin Foreman-Quercus | 7th October 2013

★★★★

25 years later, armed with this memory, I leap at the chance to see that very lady on National Poetry Day, performing at the glorious Cadogan Hall as part of a national tour celebrating her latest book of poems, You Made Me Late Again!

Pam Ayres has been a writer, broadcaster and entertainer for almost 40 years, known for her sharp perception of the comic detail of everyday life. She is the author of several bestselling poetry collections and, in 2004, was awarded an MBE for services to literature and entertainment.

An Evening With Pam Ayres is a collection of poems and anecdotes; some new, some not-so-new, but all delivered with Pam’s natural homely warmth. Her husband, Dudley, is the subject of several verses, as are her many animals (she has dogs, cows, bees, sheep, guinea fowl and hens). This is a glorious insight into her life and the unique way in which her mind interprets it, providing many laugh-out-loud moments.

Unusually, for a show of this nature, she also includes one or two more poignant tales and the poem she dedicates to a dead dog is heart-wrenching. Rather than detracting from the humour, this is hugely effective in making it seem somehow more real; an intimate look at the realities of life.

But above the remarkably clever witticisms and touching tales rises Pam’s performance. She has exceptional comic timing and this, combined with her refreshingly confident delivery of some truly great material, provides an evening which firmly cements her status as a genuine national treasure.

I recall a recent interview she provided for the Express in which she said she never writes for the page but that her words are meant to be spoken. I like to think I recognized that as a child.

An Evening With Pam Ayres is on an extensive national tour over the next few months. Dates and tickets are at http://www.pamayres.com/index.php/category/tourdates

If, like me, you’re a sucker for a musical about voguing set in LA, with a mainly unknown cast and containing some catchy tunes you’ve never heard of – this is the movie for you!
by Chris Jones | 7th October 2013

Rotten Tomatoes describes this as a si…

Yesterday I spent time looking at instruments of torture and some really gruesome looking antique sex toys. I was out strolling round London with my partner and we’d done the usual stuff (theatre, coffee, Vintage clothes shops) when we happened on a fetish wear shop and decided this complemented. It had an enticing window display and the place looked intriguing so we rang the bell and popped in.

by Chris Bridges | 6th October 2013

It was beautifully laid out and the orifice ripping metal wear and rubber ball gags were laid out with aplomb. I’ll give them that. I winced a little as we walked around, browsing and clenched my buttocks as I admired the patina on one highly polished ergonomic device designed to cause pain after another.

There’s a fine line between the two things. Like love and hate, pleasure and pain are sensations that our hardwiring seem to allow crossover with. I almost envy the S and M fanatics. I’m the kind of person who would take to my bed with a bad corn and am known for my stash of painkillers which I heft around in my bag. I struggle enough with my dodgy back, creaky neck and achy knees to want to invoke further trouble by being paddled mercilessly on the buttocks in a dungeon in Vauxhaul. Nor am I one who is keen to inflict pain. I get upset if I accidentally tread on a spider.

I once slept with a man who asked if he could put me in a half Nelson during intercourse and I wasn’t keen. He also asked if he could pull my hair which for a man over the age of forty is a definite no-no. I’m already at the point of reaching for the Regaine without having the risk of clumps of it coming out during someone’s boisterous orgasm.

I admire the style and the commitment of the sadomasochistic scene devotees but I think I’ll stick to the Vintage clothes shops on my next ramble round town. There was a lovely Harris Tweed that hid my flabbier areas better than any PVC suit would and the ties there did more for my eyes than the gimp masks would have.

Speaking last week during a press conference in Sochi, Jean Claude-Killy; Coordination Commission Chairman of the IOC, said that he was “fully satisfied” that recent controversial Russian laws banning homosexual propaganda, does not violate the anti-di…

After a bad breakup, having to start over and put myself on the market again after 6 years, I seem to have grown up a little when it comes to guys. Over the last few months I’ve met my fair share of new men. Some have been good, some downright awful and some complete assholes.

by Kevin Banks | 5th October 2013

Luckily for me one guy in particular taught me everything there is to know on how to become a player. So I have come up with this short, fail proof guide for anyone who would just like to become an asshole in general or would like to play these ‘players’ at their own game. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!

1. Use social media to your full advantage. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Grindr. This will give you access to hundreds of guys without the bother of actually having to meet any in real life. Poke them, tweet them do what you have to do to grab their attention!

2. Pick your first victim. Preferably one who doesn’t seem in the least bit interested in you! This will give you a real sense of achievement when you play them. Send them a message, be friendly and ask probing questions to gain information that you can then use against them at a later stage. Chat away, build rapport and pretend to be friends. Withhold information about yourself or even make up lies.

3. Swap phone numbers, inundate them with texts, compliments and calls every day.

4. It’s now time to try and get your victim to fall hook, line and sinker. Use buzz words such as hot, handsome, puppies, love, marriage, babies, forever and phrases such as ‘we just click,’ ‘I’ve liked you from day one,’ ‘settle down,’ and so forth. Suggest you are both looking for the same thing and are a match made in heaven. Manipulate them into thinking they must have been wrong about you initially.

5. If you have completed steps 1 – 4 correctly, this step should be easy and work a treat. Suggest a date, somewhere original say like the zoo, dinner, a movie or maybe even a picnic in the park!

6. It is now time to meet your victim, do whatever is necessary to lure them into the bedroom. Have shit sex, my suggestion would be to let them make you cum and then give them half a hand job, yes half don’t finish. This part is crucial. Don’t pay any attention to pleasing them. Who cares if they get off? Just make sure you do!

7. Proceed to ignore your victim. At this point you should already be at stage 3 with a new victim or if you are feeling super confident you could even try it with their best friend. You’re a player now kid!

And there it is ladies and gentleman! How to become a top class tool in 7 easy steps. Follow this guide meticulously and you are well on your way. You can even use it to play someone who wasn’t interested in you in the first place! Clever eh? Word of warning though, karma is a bitch!

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

So the IOC is “fully satisfied” that Russia’s anti-gay law doesn’t violate the Olympic Charter. Principle 6 of the Charter says: “Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”
by Greg Mitchell | 4th October 2013

Sexuality isn’t mentioned specifically (though, in the light… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit OPINION: Olympic Shame

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

In today’s high-brow news, a video has emerged showing the brand new iPhone 5s being unlocked by a penis.
by Newsdesk | 4th October 2013

In what was hailed as a break-through technology for smartphones, the new fingerprint unlocking system on apple’s brand new iPhone 5s seems to have a slight flaw, in that you can open your iPhone with more than just your thumbprint.… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit NEWS: Your iPhone Can Be Unlocked With Your Penis

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

Michael Sheen is one of Britain’s most accomplished and respected actors, having starred in three films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Equally at home on stage or screen, his versatility has seen him play roles including Tony Blair, Brian Clough, David Frost, Kenneth Williams and Hamlet! In his latest project, Masters of Sex, a twelve-part drama set in 1950s in the Midwest USA, he… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit INTERVIEW: Michael Sheen, Masters Of Sex

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

Ellie and Joe are a happy, elderly couple who share a passion for ballroom dancing and aim to win the next big local competition. As Elli is out one evening, putting the finishing touches to her ball gown, Joe answers the door to an unexpected visitor who is someone from their past bringing shattering news to their door and disturbing their settled domestic happiness. But… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit THEATRE REVIEW: Daytona (Sheffield Lyceum & National Tour)

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

It’s totally fabulous to explore different gay scenes when travelling. You can dance the night away to some truly camp-tastic tunes, or cruise the darkrooms for Mr Right Now. Perhaps you want to enjoy feathers and frills at a drag queen cabaret show? We’ve looked at some of the best gay hotspots in Europe to suit everyone’s needs.
by Matthew Payne | 2nd October 2013… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit TRAVEL: 5 Best Gay Scenes in Europe

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

We love a good Brit Brit music video… We do! Here’s 15 moments from Britney’s latest offering that blew our minds.
When she managed to find electricity in the middle of the desert to power her dressing table.

When she whipped it… Back and forth, but mainly forth…

When she had that moment of ‘Bitch been here before… love me for I am Britney’

When… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit 15 Moments Of Britney’s Work B*tch That Blew Our Minds

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

Global megastar Britney Spears has premiered her brand new video for Work Bitch via YouTube/ Vevo.
by Newsdesk | 2nd October 2013Looking incredibly slim, toned and tanned Britney takes her back up dancers into the dessert, sits a top a plinth in shark infested waters, has a love affair with a Maserati and doesn’t forget to product place in her brand new video of Work… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit NEWS: Britney’s Back B*tch

(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

This is a question that I think I already know the answer to; of course lesbians are more accepted. But why? What is it about lesbian women that make them more accepted by society than gay men?
by Daniel Browne | 2nd October 2013I believe there to be a number of reasons why lesbians appear to be more accepted than gay men. Some reasons are… Read the rest

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To republish this post please visit OPINION: Are Lesbians More Accepted Than Gay Men