Gay London clubs bars sex: map, calendar/diary, reviews, news from DISCODAMAGED

LIB DEMS TURN ON US. EQUALITY THEIR LATEST BETRAYAL

Not most folks favourite party given the jettisoned most of their principles in the dash to balance the books... but they were still all for equality.  Not any more.  Their Equality Minister has gone all Ruth Kelly (remember her - cave man like Opus Dei New Labour monster with an equality brief but closet religious agenda) in using delaying tactics to stall gay equality legislation.

Peter Tatchell's written a piece you can read if you "continue reading" but suffice to say they're stabbing us in the back. We wonder: is there ANYBODY you'd vote for?!

NIGERIANS VOTE AGAINST THE GAYS. OH, AND THEIR MATES.

Peter Tatchell tells us that "The Nigerian Senate voted on Tuesday 29 November to criminalise same-sex marriages and civil unions, with penalties of up to 14 years jail for participants and 10 years jail for anyone who helps or witnesses such a marriage or union."

COMMONWEALTH AINT ABOUT THE COMMON (GAY) MAN

"The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia, was mixed bag from an LGBTI perspective. On the positive side, Kamalesh Sharma became the first Secretary General to speak out against homophobic persecution at a CHOGM event, the ngo Commonwealth People's Forum. However, there was no agreement on the decriminalisation of homosexuality by the assembled government leaders," noted Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, who worked with Commonwealth, LGBTI and HIV/AIDS groups to lobby CHOGM.

"Continue reading" to get the lowdown on these lowly goings on.

JASON POLLOCK DEAD - REPORTS

The Pink paper is reporting that "the former Chief Executive of Pride London – Jason Pollock – has died".  

He was heavily involved in organising the annual Pride event over the past twenty years - a thankless task requiring the navigation of some very choppy waters. The paper says it thinks he passed away on Tuesday. Many would agree he made Pride happen no matter what obstacles presented themselves in and outside the Pride movement.

SIX ARRESTED WHO PLANNED TO ATTACK SERBIA PRIDE

Serbia Pride was cancelled last week.  The excuse?  The authorities  claimed it was in danger of being violently disrupted - sounded like another lame excuse at the time.  Well, now they've gone and arrested six people they claim are right wing extremists who were planning to attack the event. Here's hoping Serbians can show their Pride soon without the threat of violence.

NEXT YEAR'S PRIDE WILL BE THE "BIGGEST EVER". AGAIN. BUT NO, REALLY!

OK, they might say that every year but next we're hosting World Pride  - Saturday 7 July. They've just submitted their plans to the council. Basically the Leicester Square space is back and there are events planned for our guests on the Sunday. 

"Continue reading" for the info and how you can register to do a float etc.

GAYS BETTER AT 'MARRIAGE' THAN STRAIGHTS?

On the day a poll says half of Britons are against gay marriage, the Office for National Statistics (phwoar!), says “Early figures suggest that marriages are more likely to end in divorce than civil partnerships are to end in dissolution. After four years, 5.5% of marriages had ended in divorce, compared with 2.5% of civil partnerships that had been dissolved, according to figures for 2010."

Do the figures stack up?  "Continue reading" to find out...

GFEST ANNOUNCE LINE-UP

GFEST 2011 runs for two weeks from Monday 7 November 2011 to Sunday 20 November 2011. Check out the progoramme at www.gaywisefestival.org.uk.

EAST LONDON PRIDE THIS SATURDAY. REALPOLITIK IN ACTION.

It's East London Pride this Saturday 24 September. They say "LGBTQ people in East London are coming together to celebrate our diversity and oppose homophobia, transphobia, sexism and racism, including Islamophobia and antisemitism."

Starting at 1300 outside Hackney Town Hall, East London Pride Parade will form a procession to Oxford House Community Centre in Tower Hamlets, by Weavers Fields.

"Continue reading..." to find out who aint going and what Peter Tatchell has to say about it.

DON'T ASK DON'T TELL. BRING IT BACK. PLEASE!

As you may have noted, they've ended the US military's stupid Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy meaning gay military personnel no longer have to lie.  Coming out to your parents seems to have been the first thing many have done.  Being gay, this of course has to be done in as dramatic and public way as you can muster. 

So, who does it best?  Well, see below for an admittedly moving piece of gay coming out theatre.  Over 1 million views. We think he could have done at the Christmas table tho..

VIDEO: PETER TATCHELL'S MAGNIFICENT TIME FIGHTING FOR US LOT

Mugabe, entrapment, the Pope - this fascinating interview covers all of Peter Tatchell's remarkable 44 years of campaigning. A kinda gay history action movie with a twist at the end - you know, where the boy's meant to get the girl?!  (Flash...)

YOUR VOICE WORKS. USE IT TO BITCH SLAP SOME BIGOTS.

When the going gets tough, the weak distract folks with a populist campaign shifting attention away from the real problems - as is happening in Cameroon where gays are being scapegoated horribly in an organised witch-hunt.  Again, helped along by the religious smelling a cheap opportunity to spread hate.

We know petitions are ten a plenty but this place needs our cash so your voice does matter. So, before you take your fun seeking ass out tonight for some gay abandon, remember your voice can make a difference for those who can't - use your voice now.

"Continue reading" to find out what's going on and what you can do.  Please RT, Like and +1 if you're so inclined.

BRIGHTON GUIDE: PRESTON PARK LINE-UPS

Here's the confirmed running order/ line-up for what's on in the park - supplemental to the guide (below) which has ticket info, train times and what's on outside the park. They've been honest and not given exact times just the chronological running order.

"Continue reading" for the line-up...  

BRIGHTON PRIDE GUIDE (UPDATED WITH MORE FREE STUFF)

Here's our quick guide: tickets, train times, Preston Park tent guide, where to go if you don't have a wrist band, what's on after the park - note that full and confirmed line-up for the park is  in the BRIGHTON PRIDE: PRESTON PARK LINE-UP post below. 

Don't forget the keeping it real and free event at Audio - listed below!

We've kept the info text based so it aint data hungry and you'll find everything in the calendar on our mobile site too. We also recommend the REALBrighton app - venue guide, maps and more.

"Continue reading" for the quick guide... 

BUNGABUNGALAND STILL BACKWARD SHOCK

Italy's continuing shame as she's unmasked as nothing but a pretender to be a modern western democracy continues apace!

Their shameful parliament of fascists, communists, bikini models and weather girls has just voted against gay rights. Again. The more we look at Italy the more she resembles a really well-dressed moral vacuum more suited to the developing world than modern Europe. Much loved husband of said writer aside.

NEXT YEAR'S PRIDE THEME. GLITTER? THINGS THAT OR PINK?

Peter Tatchell's had a great idea. Again. Instead of choosing a vague fluffuy theme for next year's World Pride in London, why not go for something serious? He's suggesting decriminalising homosexuality around the world - cause you know, we only focus on the party because we've got rights already.  Others don't.  Yes, no?  Got a better suggestion? Glee?

EQUAL LOVE - SIGN THE BLOODY PETITION ALREADY.

The Equal Love petition was launched yesterday.  You and yours can sign it here...

If you're not up on this campaign "continue reading" for Tatchell's Take On It. To summarise, it's a campaign pushing for same sex and opposite sex civil partnerships - we should all be allowed to commit outside of the organised church.  Geddit?

You can also watch some this short film, "like anyone else" produced by womenwithamoviecamera - it was shot on the day of Royal Wedding and features plenty footage shot around the RVT.

like anyone else from women with a movie camera on Vimeo.

"Continue reading" for more info on the campaign.

PRIDE GUIDE

PRIDE GUIDE!

The diary's up-to-date (email us if you've updates), the toilets have had their loo roll removed in advance and folks are running around like mad sorting themselves out. If you don't know Pride, here's the rub: big parade then a big main stage with speakers/ entertainment, a huge party in Soho where the roads will be closed  and some wholesome stuff in-between it all. Over 1m people are expected. Expect a party atmosphere, big efforts in the dressing up dept people from the north dressed for a Hen Night, vomit (see former), disco bunnies who are only there to party, gurning (see former), moving speeches and everything that makes us proud to be gay- it's our day, jokes aside;)

NB: Team Damaged is off cruising on a boat for the next week so enjoy it:)  

LONDON'S FIRST GAY DOG SHOW AT FIRE - THU 30 JUN

They say, NO REALLY, they say: London's first gay dog show is being held tonight at Fire nightclub, Vauxhall.  This is a joint event between Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Pride London as part of this year's Pride festival.  Media are invited to attend.

SWEATBOX PRIDE SPECIAL