I’m coming out… as an ally

The term straight ally can encompass a whole spectrum of activism, but most importantly a straight ally recognizes the fact that it is not the sole responsibility of LGBTI individuals to create an inclusive culture.

Many straight celebrities have found ways to publicly show their support, most recently Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams both in the same week cancelling their shows in protest to the anti-LGBT laws passed.

Stars such as Charlize Theron and Lena Dunham both stating they wouldn’t want to marry until gay marriage was legal and Brad Pitt donating $100,000 to the fight against Proposition 8.

Strong LGBT rights advocates Daniel Radcliffe and Lorraine Kelly were celebrated as joint winners of Celebrity Straight Ally of the Year at the 2015 British LGBT Awards and Eddie Redmayne recently made waves playing Lili Elbe in the Danish Girl. Furthermore, who doesn’t envy the friendship and antics of Sirs’ Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen!

However, those of us without star status can often underestimate the massive impact we can have by just being a visible ally in our day-to-day lives. To create an inclusive workplace, the engagement and support not only of straight family or friends but also straight colleagues has to be present.

‘Those of us without star status can often underestimate the massive impact we can have by just being a visible ally’

Personally, I have been overwhelmed by the welcome of my LGBTI colleagues and working alongside the Respect steering group has been an amazing and eye-opening experience.

Above all I’ve learnt that a respectful, open and inclusive working environment benefits everyone. I had not realized the extent to which some felt they were not able to bring their whole selves to work, that the Monday morning inevitable ‘what did you get up to at the weekend?’ could fill someone with dread, and the barriers this caused in creating relationships with colleagues.

I recently got the chance to go to the 2016 Stonewall conference. Whilst there I felt an overwhelming sense of community and positivity: another big eye opener in my ally journey.

In one session a speaker highlighted how coming out to a colleague had become a catalyst for others to be open about their own lives and ask for support if needed.

‘Having the support there if we want it is essential!’

Stonewall research has shown that 45% of straight white men feel the need to cover about something in work. I’ve learnt that by having an inclusive, open workplace culture about LGBTI issues can open the doors for everyone to feel more comfortable within themselves, whether this is to do with disability, personal relationships, cultural identity or even work load.

Not that we have to constantly spill our inner secrets to our work colleagues, but having the support there if we want it is essential!

As an ally, I can appreciate the gift of every person and use the power I have as an individual to hold colleagues to account, keep up to date with current issues, attend or support Pride events as well as be myself.

So thank you to the LGBTI community for teaching me these valuable lessons, that I do have a voice and can positively influence the world around me: Paula Barclay, straight ally

For further info, both Stonewall and PFLAG have great guides on being a straight ally.

The Co-op will be hosting a panel discussion on loneliness and social isolation as part of the Digital Pride festival, with guest speaker Vicky Beeching.

Paula Barclay

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Former Grad Student Says He Was Tossed For Refusing To Counsel Gay Couple

A former Missouri State University graduate student claims he was kicked out of the program for refusing to counsel a gay couple due to his religious beliefs — and he’s taking his claim to court.

Andrew Cash started the master’s counseling program in 2007, and in 2011 he told a professor he wouldn’t counsel gay couples. By 2014, he was kicked out of the program.

The Kansas City Star has more (via AP):

The Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based public interest law firm, filed the lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of Cash. The lawsuit in federal court in Springfield names the university’s board of governors and several school officials as defendants. It claims the university denied Cash’s rights to religion and free speech and seeks unspecified monetary and punitive damages.

According to the lawsuit, W. K. Boyce, executive director of the Christian-based counseling center where Cash interned, made a presentation to one of Cash’s classes in 2011. In response to a question during that presentation, Boyce said he would counsel gay individuals separately but would refer gay couples to other counselors who did not share his religious beliefs.

About a week later, Cash’s internship coordinator questioned Cash about his own views on counseling gay couples, the lawsuit said. Cash said he also would counsel gay people individually but refer them to someone else for couple counseling.

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Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Fatal Machete Attacks on Two Gay Activists in Bangladesh: VIDEOS

Yesterday we reported on the terrible killing of two gay activists in Dhaka, Bangladesh, who were hacked to death after at least five militants disguised as delivery men entered the apartment where they were staying. The militants attacked them with machetes, killing them, and injuring a security guard who had come to see what was going on.

The two men killed were Xulhaz Mannan (pictured), the editor, and Mahbub Tonoy, an executive committee member at Roopbaan, the country’s first and only gay magazine, and were organizers of a gay rights rally that had been canceled this year by authorities.

CTV News reports that Al Qaeda has taken responsibility for the killings:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed the main opposition party and allied militants for Monday night’s killings. But a different group of radical Islamists claimed responsibility Tuesday for the attack, raising doubts about Hasina’s repeated assurances that authorities have the security situation under control even as months of deadly attacks continue against outspoken atheists, moderates and foreigners.

The banned group Ansar-al Islam, the Bangladeshi branch of al Qaeda on the Indian subcontinent, claimed responsibility in a Twitter message Tuesday for what it called a “blessed attack.”

It said the two were killed because they were “pioneers of practicing and promoting homosexuality in Bangladesh” and were “working day and night to promote homosexuality … with the help of their masters, the U.S. crusaders and its Indian allies.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the “barbaric” murders in a statement Monday and said the U.S. government would support Bangladeshi efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Wrote Kerry in a statement obtained by Towleroad:

The men and women of the U.S. State Department join me today in condemning the barbaric murder of Mr. Xulhaz Mannan, a locally-hired employee of our embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and another of his activist friends. We are profoundly saddened by the loss of one of our own in such a senseless act of violence, and we extend our deepest condolences to Xulhaz’s family and loved ones.

Xulhaz, who worked for the United States Agency for International Development, was a trusted colleague, a beloved friend, and advocate for human rights and dignity in Bangladesh. In many ways, he embodied the spirit of the people of Bangladesh and the pride with which they guard their traditions of tolerance, peace, and diversity.

We offer our full support to the government of Bangladesh as they investigate these murders and bring the perpetrators to justice. We remain committed to the principles that were so important to Xulhaz, and we promise to support all those who work on behalf of tolerance and human rights in Bangladesh and around the world.

Deplore brutal murder of @USAID local staff member and another Bangladeshi advocate in Dhaka. Those responsible must be brought to justice.

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) April 25, 2016

Two reports on the killings from Euronews and the BBC:

The post Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Fatal Machete Attacks on Two Gay Activists in Bangladesh: VIDEOS appeared first on Towleroad.

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The World's Largest AIDS Service Provider Is Stifling PrEP Information

While some organizations are trying to offer gay and bi men more details on preventive HIV medication, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is doing the exact opposite.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/4/26/worlds-largest-aids-service-provider-stifling-prep-information

Gran Canaria mayor responds to fears that new rules and regulations could kill the gay scene

Will new rules and regulations kill Gran Canaria’s gay scene? Well, it remains to be seen.

Marco Aurelio Pérez Sanchez, the mayor of Maspalomas – the municipality where the Yumbo Centre, the hub of LGBTI life on the Spanish island – has responded to petitions over the new regulations put in place to ensure bars and venues comply with EU regulations.

Under the rules, bars on the ground floor must remove tables from the shopping area of the street unless they have a specific permit. Venues must also close according to the license, which for the majority is 2.30am, compared to staying open until a lot later. Many feared bizarre rules like the height of sunshades and transparent windbreakers could cause undue stress to LGBTI bar and venue owners.

And if police are cracking down on people congregating in outdoor spaces, this could be fatal to the scene. Gran Canaria has a warm climate and many venues depend on outside space for entertainment.

In a statement, Sanchez claimed the new rules will ‘enhance’ the area as a LGBTI destination. He said the ‘project’ is to ‘give a boost to control the quality and safety of all events’.

The mayor claimed the contradictory reports online was ‘undermining’ the good work of the organizers.

He said: ‘In this regard, officers of the local police have developed an action plan to inform the business owners of the premises of the Yumbo Center, expressly telling them: “During the week from 18 to 24 April 2016 several actions will be taken at the Yumbo Center regarding occupation of terraces, controlling permissions of nightlife business´ and removing obstacles in front of fire hydrants. It is communicated to all premises on the ground floor which have terraces located on the public road within the Yumbo Center, that this is not allowed without the required municipal authorization.”

‘This measure has been adopted by the townhall for the sole purpose of leaving fire hydrants free from obstacles to guarantee access at all times and offer the maximum safety possible to the visitors of the event.’

But LGBTI rights activists are not convinced. For the first time in 15 years, the organization of Pride was taken away from the island’s main LGBTI rights organization GLAY and instead given to a new group, the Freedom Association.

GLAY are still urging officials to give businesses a reasonable time to adjust to new legislative conditions or apply for a new permit that is more applicable to their business model or venue.

The Townhall of San Bartolomé de Tirajana recommends to those interested in participating in this international event to monitor it through the official channels to avoid confusion and errors that are currently causing information beyond reality.

‘We’re happy that people feel involved in the community,’ André Wanrooij, the head of GLAY, told Gay Star News. ‘We have a very special situation, unique in the world, as this island is a mini-continent of cultures. This community needs to be preserved and maintained. It’s important we can create a dialogue with the governmental bodies to find a solution to the problems regarding sound and health and opening permits and all these bureaucratic issues need to be resolved.’

A petition, signed by many LGBTI venue and bar owners in Gran Canaria, has been signed by more than 5,000 people.

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Nyle DiMarco shaves off his scruff and becomes totally unrecognisable for Dancing with the Stars

Our favorite top model Nyle DiMarco has gotten rid of his beautiful beard and gone completely unrecognisable for his latest dance number on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Nyle and his female partner, Peta Murgatroyd, were among the nine teams still competing in the sixth episode of the dance show on Monday.

The theme was ‘Famous Dances Night,’ and Nyle and Peta had decided to go with the famous 1994 Jim Carrey movie, The Mask.

Nyle shared with People magazine that he’s a huge fan of the comedic movie, which he sees as a ‘masterpiece’:

‘Growing up, I watched the mask probably over 100 times. I love Jim Carrey,’ he said.

Nyle also revealed that a lot of effort had been put into the creation of the iconic look:

‘They are actually spending a lot of money for me to actually wear a prosthetic mask with fake teeth, the costume, everything,’ said the 26-year-old deaf model. ‘You’re basically going to see 100 percent of The Mask in me.’

To wear the green mask, Nyle had to first shave his face:

Bye bye beard

The cover up also involved hiding his ears, which Nyle joked that he’s already deaf:

Where are my ears?!!!??

Oh wait… I’m already Deaf

Not #DeafProbs, but a #DeafGain! #DWTS pic.twitter.com/iZDEMsQTCx

— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) April 25, 2016

Nyle also had some hilarious fun with Snapchat while he had his game face on:

The Mask likes @Snapchat #DWTS pic.twitter.com/02VjVPK4Kv

— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) April 25, 2016

Would you be able to recognise Nyle in his new face?

Watch me and Peta live on @DWTSAllAccess t.co/Xv3ikWD1yN pic.twitter.com/KgGHj59Pjj

— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) April 26, 2016

Before his show, Nyle had also forked out some time to meet up with some fans in his incredible look.

In the Monday show, Nyle aka The Mask scored a high scoring of 25 out of 30 points and was saved from elimination.

The post Nyle DiMarco shaves off his scruff and becomes totally unrecognisable for Dancing with the Stars appeared first on Gay Star News.

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Serial rapist who targets handsome male models sentenced to 15 years for killing victim

A Taiwanese man who had used date-rape drugs on over 10 male models in China has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after his latest victim was found dead from drug overdose.

Du Bo Wen, 43, met his 21-year-old victim, Xiang Hai, a top male model in China, on the fake online modelling agency he set up.

Du, who worked as a Chinese-Japanese translator at an electronic company in China, had called himself a high-ranked TV commercial producer.

In 12 February 2014, the pair met up at a hotel in the city of Wuhan, central China, for an audition. Du then spiked Xiang’s beer with date-rape drug, FM2.

After Xiang passed out, Du went on to masturbate and then sexually assault him by fingering his anus and more.

However, Xiang, who had traces of Ketamine in his body, suffered a drug overdose and died on the spot. Du then escaped the crime scene, and subsequently went back to Taiwan to elude arrest.

It was only in September 2014, after the Chinese police collaborated with the Taiwanese police department, that Du was arrested at his home in Taipei.

From police records, this is not the first time Du had committed a drug-rape-and-run attempt on a tricked male model.

Back in 1994, Du was offering fake TV commercial contracts to male models online. He would promise them around USD700-900 for a 3-day shoot, with provision of hotel stay and plane tickets.

At the ‘casting,’ Du would drug the male model’s coffee or beer and then film the subsequent sexual assault. Du would also rob the unconscious victim of his valuables before fleeing.

Du had then been arrested in 1997 and served a sentence of over a year.

But upon his release, he continued his vice, but stopped the filming to avoid leaving traces of evidence.

It was in 2011 when Du set up his own fake online modelling agency to meet more male models.

Culprit, Du Bo Wen, escorted by police officers to his court hearing

The security cameras at the hotel where Du and Xiang met caught Du pouring away the laced beer into the bin at the lift lobby before he escaped.

In court, Du admitted that he had drugged Xiang, but denied that it was rape, saying that their sexual contact was consensual. Du also claimed that he did not know that Xiang had taken Ketamine beforehand.

A judge had initially sentenced Du to 18 years imprisonment based on the charge of ‘homicidal date-rape with the use of drugs.’

However, another judge argued that Du could not have possibly known that Xiang would suffer a drug-drug interaction causing the OD, and thus removed homicide from the charge and gave Du a lighter sentence of 15 years in prison.

It’s been reported that over the years Du had committed multiple date-rapes in different regions in China, including Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and lastly, Hubei, where Xiang was killed.

Investigation also showed previous police reports linked to Du.

In September 2011, a male model from Guangzhou city named Xu reported to the police that he met up with Du at a hotel and was then drugged and robbed. Xu said that when he woke up he found his clothes taken off and his valuables, including his iPhone, watch and money, missing. Xu also told the police that his ‘anus had felt weird.’

In May 2012, a similar report was filed by a male model from Shenyang city named Gou. He said that Du got him an air ticket to come to Guangzhou, and had then sexually assaulted him when he was drugged unconscious. Another male model named Zhang filed a similar report later that year.

Investigators suspected that there were many more victims involved in this case, but only a handful had gone to the police to file a report.

When accosted by reporters at his hearing, Du kept his head low and said that he’s filled with regret and apologised for causing the death of Xiang.

Deceased 21-year-old Xiang Hai was a top model in China

H/t: DW News, Life The Dog

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