Is it time to abandon the top and bottom labels once and for all?

For years, gay men have tried cracking the code for how to determine whether someone is a top or a bottom. Some have suggested climate plays a role in a person’s preferred position. Others say it has to do with how a guy dances. And others say it can be figured out by observing a man’s facial cues and bone structure.

Now, U.K. photographer and creative designer William Baker is saying enough is enough! He is so over this preoccupation with who is the top and who is the bottom, particularly when it comes to dating apps.

Related: How To Tell Whether A Dude Is A Top Or A Bottom, According To Science

“I just have this thing about labels, I just think they’re so bad,” Baker tells The Gay UK. “It’s like this whole top and bottom thing–who the f*ck?–it drives me mad!”

Baker goes on to say that when it comes to dating and sexual role preference, which partner is penetrated or and which does the penetrating “surely just depends” on the situation and the people involved.

Baker, who is BFFs with Kylie Minogue, is currently promoting his new coffee table book, Book of Igor, which features images of 20-year-old Latvian model Igor Stepanov taken over the course of 18 months and explores the beauty of youth. He says he would much rather talk about that than random guys’ preferred sexual positions.

Related: ASK GRINDR: Are The Terms “Top” And “Bottom” Still Relevant?

What do you think? Is it time we abandoned the top/bottom label system once and for all? Share you thoughts in the comments section below…

www.queerty.com/time-abandon-top-bottom-labels-20170303?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Britain’s National Trust Sets Up Tours of Soho District’s Gay History

Britain’s National Trust, a heritage conservation organization, will be conducting tours this March of London’s Soho district, featuring its underground gay past.

With the official title “Queer City: London Club Culture 1918-1967,” the tour will take in buildings that formerly housed illicit gay clubs, survey archived photographs and documents pertaining to the era, and conclude with a vivid recreation of storied members-only club The Caravan:

In the evenings you can become a club “member” and enjoy a bespoke cocktail menu with drinks drawn from clubs of the era provided by the expert bartenders of Freud Café-Bar. This immersive experience will include surprise performances from some of the most sought after cabaret artists in the land. Dressing up is very much encouraged.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in England and Wales, and saw the retroactive pardoning of thousands of gay men who had been convicted under the wrongheaded prohibition previously. The sites and stories featured by the tour highlight the lengths taken by LGBT individuals to socialize and survive in the shadow of legal disapproval:

Joseph Watson, London Creative Director for the National Trust, said: “While the project will be an opportunity to celebrate the partial decriminalisation of same sex relationships, it will also confront the realities of those lives that were fettered, destroyed, or worse, by prejudice of that era.”

The post Britain’s National Trust Sets Up Tours of Soho District’s Gay History appeared first on Towleroad.

Britain’s National Trust Sets Up Tours of Soho District’s Gay History

10 Must-See Films About Women from 2016

The Oscars rarely awards best picture nominations — let alone trophies — to films about women that don’t focus on a heterosexual love story. These 10 excellent films from 2016 are about women, regardless of their relation to men. 

www.advocate.com/women/2017/3/03/10-must-see-films-about-women-2016

Why does alt-right darling Tomi Lahren’s Facebook profile link to an adult film site?

Um, what is going on with alt-right darling Tomi Lahren’s Facebook page?

An anonymous tipster has informed Queerty that in the Contact Info section of the About Page on the self-righteous 24-year-old’s official Facebook profile, there’s a link to the very un-Christian adult site Brazzers.com:

If you click the link, however, it directs you to this 404 error page:

Still, what’s it doing there to begin with?

In the past, Lahren has said LGBTQ Americans should stop whining about things like equal rights and simply be happy they don’t live in countries where they’re stoned to death or thrown from buildings, complained that she and her friends are sick of gay rights “stuff” being “paraded in our faces constantly,” and linked trans rights to pedophilia.

In addition to all that, she’s anti-feminist, anti-black, anti-Democrat, and anti-environment. She calls the Middle East “the sandbox,” doesn’t believe in reproductive rights, thinks President Obama was a total failure, and she absolutely hates Beyonce.

We can’t help but wonder: Has the blossoming white supremacist been moonlighting as an adult film star in addition to her job at The Blaze, or was her Facebook page hacked?

We may never know.

Related: A Hacker Is Keeping Very Close Tabs On Your Visits To Several Gay Adult Sites

www.queerty.com/alt-right-darling-tomi-lahrens-facebook-profile-link-adult-film-site-20170303?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Rattled Donald Trump Tries to Nail Chuck Schumer with Putin Photo, Fails Miserably

Donald Trump, clearly rattled by investigations into his administration’s contacts with Russia and the U.S. election, lashed out at Senator Chuck Schumer, who yesterday called for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign for lying under oath about his conversation with the Russian ambassador.

Trump tweeted a photo of Schumer with Putin, writing: “We should start an immediate investigation into @SenSchumer and his ties to Russia and Putin. A total hypocrite!”

We should start an immediate investigation into @SenSchumer and his ties to Russia and Putin. A total hypocrite! pic.twitter.com/Ik3yqjHzsA

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2017

The photo was clearly one that Trump had spotted on Gateway Pundit, run by alt-right homocon Jim Hoft:

Note: Trump’s tweet comes directly from Gateway Pundit, t.co/iNxbuF2spO pic.twitter.com/3Uq6ArlIo9

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 3, 2017

And Chuck Schumer tweeted back: “Happily talk re: my contact w Mr. Putin & his associates, took place in ’03 in full view of press & public under oath. Would you &your team?”

Happily talk re: my contact w Mr. Putin & his associates, took place in ’03 in full view of press & public under oath. Would you &your team? t.co/yXgw3U8tmQ

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 3, 2017

The post Rattled Donald Trump Tries to Nail Chuck Schumer with Putin Photo, Fails Miserably appeared first on Towleroad.

Rattled Donald Trump Tries to Nail Chuck Schumer with Putin Photo, Fails Miserably

95-year-old comes out as gay in powerful must-see video

Roman’s story is very complex. On one hand, it’s the triumphant story of a 95 year old man coming out of the closet – and shedding the weight of a nine-decade secret. That is certainly something worth celebrating!

On the other hand, Roman’s story is also deeply emotional and, at times, quite difficult. At some level, it’s the story of lost opportunities. You can’t help but wonder, had the circumstances been different, how Roman’s story could have ended differently. And you also feel for Roman’s wife. While they undoubtedly loved each other in a deep way, both Roman and his wife deserve passion and sexual intimacy. Did they have that despite Roman being gay? I don’t know.

But despite the story’s complexity, Roman’s desire to feel the heartbeat of someone who loves him is fundamentally human. It’s a simple yearning that drives all of us. In it, we see Roman’s humanity. And we see ourselves.

I think there’s a lot to take from this video.

There’s a sense of history in understanding how far we’ve come, and the struggles that this man must have experienced.

There’s gratitude for the LGBT people who marched and rallied and bleed and sweat so that today’s world is different – and that fewer people feel compelled to live in the shadows or closets.

But there’s also raw humanity. Whether you are queer or not, listening to Roman stirs something in all of us. And at a time when the world often feels divisive and divided, it’s good to be reminded of our common humanity.

www.queerty.com/95-year-old-comes-gay-powerful-must-see-video-20170303?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

New Orleans LGBTQ Citizens’ Backwards Parade Sends Powerful Message About Having Rights Reversed : WATCH

New Orleans Tourism launched its “Always Open” campaign in tandem with its marquee Mardi Gras celebration this week to welcome the LGBTQ community in particular to the city.

Proclaiming NOLA a home for diversity and equality, the city held a first-ever “Reverse Parade” on February 12 in order to proclaim its commitment to the hard-won rights LGBTQ activists have achieved, especially in the face of potential rollbacks under Trump:

Through word of mouth, some four hundred citizens gathered and volunteered their time to create a message of diversity and equality. Donning full make-up, Mardi Gras garb, beads, or just plain clothes, the New Orleans community and its supporters marched backwards in a symbolic gesture shedding colorful clothing and masks along the way. Everything stopped, quiet ensued, then a flag appeared stating “We Are Never Going Back.” Music filled the streets as participants marched forward in celebration.

Volunteers offered their enthusiasm for the event and the city in a behind-the-scenes video. “It’s a great place to celebrate—you don’t have to be afraid of who you are,” said one, while another proclaimed the Big Easy an “[LGBTQ] hub since the time of Tennessee Williams.”

New Orleans Tourism, in conjunction with agency 360i, released a highlights video of the event, directed by Trent Jaklitsch and accompanied by the following message:

After years of positive advancement for LGBTQ rights in this country, the New Orleans tourism community wants to send a message of hospitality to all visitors. We will always be welcoming and continue to move forward.

The post New Orleans LGBTQ Citizens’ Backwards Parade Sends Powerful Message About Having Rights Reversed : WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

New Orleans LGBTQ Backwards Parade Sends Powerful Message About Having Rights Reversed : WATCH

Bisexual Daughter of Conservative Radio Host: LGBTQ Southerners Must Tell Our Stories

Brandi Burgess is the bisexual daughter of the popular syndicated radio show co-host Rick Burgess, of the Rick & Bubba show. Earlier this year, Brandi wrote a column for AL.com that caused a minor media frenzy in Alabama where her dad’s show tapes and where he is a morning radio fixture. In the column, Brandi came out as bisexual, and a very public rift grew between her and her father.

This rift was not always there — growing up, Brandi was often featured as a “character” on her father’s radio show. She was known by his wide audience throughout her life, but now, Brandi and her father hardly speak.

Following the column, Rick spoke negatively about Brandi on his radio show. Now, Brandi is speaking out again. She believes that the best way to fight stigma and intolerance in the South is to wholeheartedly embrace who you are, and use that self-assurance to educate others on what it means to be LGBTQ.

Brandi spoke to HRC about her childhood, growing up as an LGBTQ southerner and the rejection she received from her father for fully embracing herself.

Brandi’s story is shockingly common throughout the South, and especially among religious families — when LGBTQ people come out, they can face rejection from their families who claim to be more worried about their “salvation” than their happiness in this life. But, Brandi says, open communication can help change this reality. So, that’s where she’s starting.

Watch Brandi’s compelling story:

www.hrc.org/blog/bisexual-daughter-of-conservative-radio-host-lgbtq-southerners-must-tell-ou?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed