The Gay Classic Car Group (GCCG) hosted Eurotour 2023 – an annual event that takes places cyclically in Germany, Switzerland, Germany and Holland and of course the UK – in glorious Yorkshire. Over 200 people and 120 cars attended from the UK, Europe, USA and New Zealand for an epic weekend of driving, sightseeing, dancing, eating and drinking. The event was an opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new friends, show off a latest car purchase, or just car tart and go for rides.
GCCG said: “We were blessed with good weather that made the stunning country drives even more memorable. Brodsworth Hall gave a touch of elegance and history, for the art lovers the vast grounds of the Yorkshire sculpture park gave time for reflection. The rally started at the historic Thwaites Mill in Leeds – one of the best last-remaining water-powered mills dating from 1823.”
All of the venues gave spectacular backdrops to the huge variety of cars. Imposing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Bristols and a distinctive bright blue Alvis through to a very original 11k miles from new aqua Austin 1100, plenty of open top sports cars and some very rare cars too.
GCCG added: “We saw plenty of Lancias from Europe and one was celebrating its 90th year. One of our more recent members who loves Japanese K-cars brought along a very rare Daihatsu.”
The GCCG’s 1,000 LGBTQ+ members are as diverse as their cars. The GCCG hosts regular national and international meetings. Members receive a quarterly magazine and monthly email bulletins.
For more information or to join, CLICK HERE, or follow the GCCG on Twitter @GCCG, Instagram @gccguk, and GayClassicCarGroupUK on YouTube.
LGBTQ+ personalities including Drag Race’s Bimini, stylist Gok Wan, DJ and writer Nick Grimshaw and dancer Queen MoJo are joining with Transport for London (TfL) to celebrate Pride across the capital’s transport network.
The stars will be telling their stories as part of a poster campaign, alongside further LGBTQ+ community stories and vehicle wraps ahead of London’s Pride celebrations on Saturday, July 1.
The posters have been created to amplify voices within the community to inspire passengers to share their own stories under TfL’s #EveryStoryMatters theme. A diverse range of people are being featured on TfL’s posters this year including drag superstar, Bimini; stylist, Gok Wan MBE; dancer and fashionista, Queen MoJo; comedian, Dee Allum; drag queen, Asifa Lahore, as well as staff members.
Gok Wan
As well as showcasing TfL’s diverse workforce, staff members have expressed their Pride creativity through designs, poems and craftwork. In addition, TfL’s whiteboard posters in various stations are being adorned with quotes from LGBTQ+ books, such as Soft Lad by Nick Grimshaw which are available as e-books on TfL’s Book Club website.
Pride bus 63
Also on the network, a number of TfL services including a London bus, a London Overground train, an Elizabeth line train and an Underground engineering train have been wrapped in a unique and vibrant design. The design, shaped by the lived experience of the LGBTQ+ community, reflects the diversity of London and will be seen by people across London to as far as Essex and Reading. Customers using the route 63 bus between Honor Oak and King’s Cross can already see the design which has been on display since mid-June.
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “As London’s Pride celebrations approach, I’m delighted that we are once again using the TfL network to celebrate our fantastic LGBTQ+ communities. From sharing the stories of Londoners to wrapping trains in this distinctive livery, we are joining together to show the world that in London we celebrate our diversity.”
Amy Lamé, London Night Czar, said: “Our LGBTQ+ communities make an enormous contribution to life in our capital and this year’s campaign across the transport network is a wonderful way to celebrate that. Across the globe too many people still face prejudice because of who they are, and we are seeing very troubling efforts to stifle hard won rights, so it is more important than ever that we stand together in solidarity and celebration.”
Queen MoJo
Patricia Obinna, TfL’s Director of Diversity & Inclusion, said: “This year’s Pride campaign on our network seeks to amplify the important voices and rich stories within the diverse LGBTQ+ community. Services across TfL are displaying a vibrant design in support of the LGBTQ+ community and this year’s corporate message of “Every Story Matters” has also been brought to life through our partnership with well-known LGBTQ+ personalities and with the unwavering support of our Colleague Network Group, OUTbound, who helped to shape this campaign.
“We are proud to continue to support Pride by sharing Pride messages across our network, and we hope people connect with the different stories as they travel on our network.”
Bimini, a drag artist who is part of the campaign, said: “It’s incredible and amazing to highlight people’s experiences of being part of the LGBTQ+ community cause it’s not always easy for everyone. If you’re younger and you see people speaking about what they’ve been through, it makes you feel seen and heard.”
UK retailer Argos, which is owned by Sainsbury’s, has added the gender-neutral title Mx to its online order forms, following years of pressure from Include Mx, a campaign which celebrates organisations that include the gender-neutral title Mx as a title on their forms, and encourages others to adopt Mx.
Include Mx was started by LGBTQ+ activist and journalist Tom Pashby (they/them) in late 2020. It was founded because Tom was forced to misgender themselves in order to buy household items from Argos, due to Argos’s online order form which required a title and didn’t offer one which is suitable for non-binary people.
In summer 2022, Include Mx started a petition on change.org asking Argos to add Mx, which attracted over 12,000 signatures. During the same summer, Include Mx coordinated an open letter, which was signed by Emma Best, Conservative London Assembly member, addressed to the board of Sainsbury’s asking them to use their power to get Argos to add Mx.
Tom Pashby
Tom Pashby, founder of Include Mx, said: “I am over the moon to see that Argos has added Mx to its forms, finally ending its exclusion of non-binary people.
“Non-binary activists have been asking Argos to add Mx since as early as 2011, and Include Mx has shone the spotlight on this injustice since 2020.
“It should not have taken all this campaigning to pressure Argos into doing the right thing. Brands need to respond much faster to changes in society and implement systems which are inclusive of all their staff and customers.”
Include Mx has been spending Pride Month highlighting major brands which have chose to incorporate the Pride colours into their logos and stating whether they include Mx on their forms.
Fresh on the heels of his top 10 dance single NO!, London-based singer-songwriter Rhian! released You Got This on June 30 – just in time for Pride in London. The track, a special remix by producer Joseph Copplestone (Lostchild), features Trans Voices who recently performed with Years and Years at this year’s Mighty Hoopla. They are the UK’s first trans choir and Rhian! was thrilled to work with them on this record.
You Got This is a catchy dance-pop track about believing in yourself and overcoming obstacles. Rhian! said: “I wrote this song for anyone going through the tribulations of life to know that there is hope and that everything that you need is already within you.”
Originally born in Trinidad, Rhian! started his journey singing in the church choir at the age of 4 and faced the challenges of concealing his sexuality in his early years. By his teens, made London his home obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Performance and Production from the London Centre of Contemporary Music before landing performances at a wide variety of venues in London and other parts of the UK dazzling audiences with his exuberant style and stage presence.
You Got This comes one year after the release of his debut single I Need Your Love which appeared on multiple iTunes charts around the world. Rhian! has since racked up over 100,000 Spotify streams with his three singles. He has been featured on numerous music blogs as well as BBC Introducing in London and was recently interviewed on BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey.
Rhian! has been keeping himself quite busy this year. He is a Mr Gay Great Britain finalist and will be donating the proceeds of You Got This to the Charlie and Carter Foundation and Northumberland Pride as part of his fundraising duties.
Follow Rhian! on his social media accounts to keep up with the latest releases and live performances.
For Pride Month, as Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland flew the Pride flag, one openly gay volunteer shared his experience of being part of the crew.
Brad Johnson first joined RNLI Skegness as shore crew in 2021, before becoming lifeboat crew and is now a launch authority, responsible for authorising the launch of the station’s two lifeboats.
Brad said: “A couple of friends encouraged me to join up, and it’s fair to say I was a bit nervous about going into what was a very male, heterosexual environment.
“After a couple of weeks, my sexuality just came up in conversation, and it’s never been an issue. I’ve been truly overwhelmed by the love and acceptance from all crew members. There’s more love in our lifeboat station than anywhere else I know.”
Finding support among his fellow volunteers at the station, Brad reassured them that he didn’t want to be treated any differently.
He said: “I think people were a little nervous about saying the wrong thing. They didn’t want the joking and humour that’s such a big part of the station to upset me, which was really nice, but I made it clear that I wanted to be part of that.
The Pride flag flies at Withernsea Lifeboat Station
“My attitude is: ‘Please don’t be offended for me.’ If I am offended, I’ll let people know and we can have a conversation about that. And that conversation isn’t about a telling off, it’s always about learning and sharing experiences.
“The key is to treat everyone as an individual, not a stereotype.”
For Brad, humour and camaraderie are vital parts of being on the RNLI’s crew, and – in a role which involves confronting often serious, life-threatening situations – those relationships are what help them cope.
“It’s a weird friendship group, let’s face it, when you meet because your pagers all go off at 2am and you jump in a boat to go out to sea in all kinds of weather,’ he said. ‘But there’s more love in our lifeboat station than anywhere else I know.
“I’ve never felt more part of a family and a community than I have since I joined the RNLI. We’re a group of brothers and sisters, a family. And underpinning all families is love, trust and the unwavering level of respect. This is my second family, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
And to anyone thinking of joining the RNLI, Brad said: “Do it! It has been the best decision I’ve ever made and has become an integral part of my life. The crew and charity mean so much to me, it’s an experience you won’t want to give up, and you’ll create lifelong connections while making a real difference in your community.”
Among its internal people networks, the RNLI’s LGBT+ Harbour Network is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion and helps the charity identify where it could improve in these areas as well as what it is doing well.
The network gives support to LGBTQ+ volunteers and staff, runs events and workshops, and works with the People Department on charity-wide training.
Neal Somerville, Harbour Network Chair, said: ‘At the RNLI we save lives with love and pride, and Brad’s positive experience of love, acceptance and inclusion is one that is shared by many LGBTQ+ volunteers, supporters and staff.
“But we know that as an organisation we still have work to be done to ensure that this experience is felt by all. The Harbour Network is committed to creating a place of acceptance for all our people and to ensure we respect each other.”
Nathan Taylor (Les Mis, Mary Poppins, Spamalot, Rocky Horror, Our Gay Wedding) hosts a piano bar / open mic event – with songs from the era of AIDS (1981 – present day) – at Bar Soho, 23-25 Old Compton Street London W1D 5JL on Thursday, June 29 from 7.30pm. Profits to AIDS Memory UK, a campaign to establish a London and a National UK AIDS Memorial.
Let Me Sing… And I’m Happy! Pride Special fundraiser for AIDS Memory UK at Bar Soho, 23-25 Old Compton Street London W1D 5JL on Thursday, June 29 from 7.30pm. More info HERE
Multi-platinum, lesbian singer-songwriter LP has shared One Like You, the second offering from their highly anticipated studio album, Love Lines. The sentimental timeless song compliments the infectious energy of the previously released single Golden, effectively showcasing LP’s versatility as both a captivating performer and skilled songwriter that feels modern, and from a multitude of eras. Golden has since garnered 2M streams/views across platforms since being released in May.
Alongside the release, LP shares the official music video directed by Juan David Salazar (Moby, LP, Adidas). The visually captivating video, filmed in Prague, unfolds a thrilling narrative set in a 1930s cabaret club where LP takes on the role of a spy agent engaged in a high-stakes operation. The story weaves together elements of suspense, sexual tension, and a daring heist. LP’s character in the video pays homage to their previous music videos, One Last Time and Goodbye, creating a cohesive and interconnected visual universe that adds depth to their artistic journey.
Love Lines, due September 29, offers a deep and reflective look into LP’s life experiences, including their relationships with romantic partners, family, and self. Written during sessions held between the island of Grand Cayman and Palm Springs, LP worked with collaborators Ashton Irwin (5 Seconds of Summer), Andrew Berkeley Martin (Palaye Royale), and GRAMMY-nominated producer-songwriter Matthew Pauling to deliver a poignant and emotionally resonant work that showcases LP’s personal growth and self-discovery. Love Lines encapsulates LP’s unmistakable voice, honest storytelling, and unabashed rock and roll combined with heartfelt, unforgettable emotion.
“This is the essence of me and what I’ve spent my life doing and cultivating and trying to understand and figure out,” shares LP who exhibits a newfound level of confidence with Love Lines. “Even as a human, I feel like I just keep getting more and more dense, concentrated. I’m more me every fucking year. I’m like that coffee that you gotta add water to that’s like 15 times the strength.”
Green Party councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council have called Labour plans to scrap the city’s seafront cycle lane, which the Greens argue was “debated and supported in council committees, consulted on with the public, fully funded and ready to launch”, as “uncosted, unconsulted and undemocratic”.
In a press release, the Green Group of Councillors say Labour’s plans are “already costing the city £20,000 a week for delayed contractor costs”, which “would be avoided if Labour simply got the scheme started”. It will also “cost at least £70,000 for redesign work and potentially hundreds of thousands in rework, contract termination and funding retraction costs”. Greens are arguing that this is “not only financially irresponsible but it has not been something anyone has asked for. It was also not featured in Labour’s 2023 manifesto”.
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, Green Transport Spokesperson, said: “The active travel scheme that was proposed by the Greens and supported by Labour previously had been costed, funded, debated and supported multiple times in council committees, supported across the city and primed to begin any day. By contrast, Labour’s proposal is uncosted, unconsulted and undemocratic.
“Labour’s first decision about transport in this administration has already costed the city thousands in contractor delay costs and, judging by the rough estimates offered to the committee, will cost the city hundreds of thousands more.
“There is not just a financial cost, but a cost of time. The planet is on fire now, and we need infrastructure that addresses that urgently. Instead, and shockingly, Labour have actively paid contractors to delay progress.”
“What’s more, the costly decision to cancel the scheme has not been consulted on with the city’s residents, and it was not in their 2023 manifesto. Labour promised they would listen to the city, but just weeks into their administration they’ve already thrown that aside.”
A single dose provides robust protect against HPV that is comparable to two doses. The vaccine helps to prevent HPV-related cancers, including cervical, head, neck and anal cancer.
The NHS’s routine HPV vaccination programme for all children in year eight will move from two doses to one from September. Eligible gay and bisexual men under the age of 25 (who missed out on vaccination when the programme was just for girls) will also move to a single dose. However, those who are eligible and living with HIV (young people and gay or bisexual men under 45) will continue to be get three doses.
The move brings England in line with other countries such as Scotland and Australia.
Richard Angell, Chief Executive of HIV / sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “The life-saving HPV vaccination programme has had a huge impact in driving down rates of both HPV-related warts and HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer. In fact, rates of HPV-related warts have fallen by two-thirds in the last 10 years.
“It’s great news that the same robust protection will be delivered as a single jab from September to protect all young people before they start having sex, as well as gay and bisexual men under 25.
“It’s fantastic to see this proactive, evidence-based decision being made and implemented. This now needs to become a blueprint for other aspects of sexual health to improve and expand access to services and sexual health care. Because, while HPV is a success story, the nation’s sexual health is in a dire state which is exacerbating sexual and reproductive health inequalities.”
An iconic dress made of 68 flags of nations where homosexuality is illegal was unveiled in Sunderland last month, as part of an international LGBTQ+ conference hosted in the city.
The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress is a living work of art, made of all the national flags from countries where being LGBTQ+ is illegal, on penalty of imprisonment, torture or capital punishment. When a country adopts LGBTQ+ inclusive legislation, the respective flag is replaced with a rainbow flag.
The dress was on display at the National Glass Centre (NGC), part of the University of Sunderland, for one night only, joining a list of worldwide locations where it’s been photographed including Amsterdam, San Francisco, Madrid, Athens, Seoul, Antwerp, Johannesburg and Brussels, sharing its global message of inclusion and equal rights.
With a diameter of over 16m (52ft), the dress is a visual representation of the scale of homophobia, and has travelled to Sunderland to support the launch of the first International LGBTQ+ Community Conference in June, addressing the rights of sexual and gender minorities.
Visitors were able to view the monumental dress during a drinks reception at NGC, with speeches by members of the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation and ReportOUT.
Steven Irvin-Duffy, Treasurer ReportOUT; Jodie Weatherston, Lecturer in Social Studies; Izak De-Dreu, Rainbow Foundation Assistant; Arnout Van Krimpen, Director at the Rainbow Dress Foundation; Drew Dalton, Chair of Trustees at ReportOUT, and Senior Lecturer in Sociology / Programme Leader MSc Inequality and Society
Arnout Van Krimpen, Director at the Rainbow Dress Foundation, said: “It’s great to bring the dress here for the first time in the UK.
“When ReportOUT contacted us to explain more about their conference during Pride Month, I thought ‘yes’ we need to be here. Sunderland just seemed like the natural choice for the Rainbow Dress to be shown for the first time to a UK audience.
“We take this dress around iconic locations worldwide doing photoshoots, in order to reach as many people as possible and tell the story behind the dress, which on one layer it’s the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people, also about the broader discrimination worldwide.”
He added: “The dress should be seen as a conversation starter about the broader rights of LGBTQ+ people. It is beautiful, so we can draw people in, it opens their mind, they want to know the story behind it and we can then feed them with the not-so-beautiful story behind it, they are then much more open to listen to that story, realising that a third of countries in the world are still criminalising LGBTQ+ people.”
Drew Dalton with the Rainbow Dress
Drew Dalton, the Chair of Trustees at ReportOUT, and Senior Lecturer in Sociology / Programme Leader MSc Inequality and Society, says: “It was fantastic to see so many guests attend our launch night, to view the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress and listen to its history as a symbol of protest.
“The launch event gave us an opportunity to talk more about the important work ReportOut is doing all over the world. We want #SaferToBeMe to be open to all, find out more about global LGBTQ+ rights.”
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