A noted supporter of gay rights, the Hollywood star hopes other US States will follow suit. As well as her on-going support for gay rights, Hathaway has also recorded a video message for the It Gets Better campaign.

It isn’t very hard to understand why there is still so much prejudice and diversity inAmericawhen you think that there were still fifteen States that outlawed sodomy until 2003. Florida was one of those States and even though they still don’t accept it, they cannot legally enforce their own ruling on sodomy thanks to the government.

 It’s strange to think of Florida clinging on to this law for so long, especially as the Sunshine State is home to a very large and diverse group of clusters such as Miami Beach, Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and even Disney World. But it must say something about the mentality and tolerance of some of the heterosexual populous. In fact a once celebrated teacher of Social Studies has recently been suspended from teaching after making anti-gay comments on his personal FaceBook account. “I’m watching the news, eating dinner, when the story about New York Okaying same sex unions came on and I almost threw up. And now they showed two guys kissing after their announcement. If they want to call it a union, go ahead. But don’t insult a man and woman’s marriage by throwing it in the same cesspool as same-sex whatever! God will not be mocked. When did this sin become acceptable???”

I am a big believer in freedom of speech, but this man is a school teacher (for Social Studies… maybe he needs to go back to school himself!) He is shaping young people’s minds and how they will perceive the world as adults. Closed-minded and bigoted people should not be allowed to teach in schools (or be in government… yes, I do mean you Michelle Bachmann!)

For as long as I can remember, gay men have been banned from donating blood in the UK. This has always been a bone of contention and just another shocking blow for equality. To say gay men are at a higher risk is factually wrong. There is a higher infection rate of STIs with heterosexuals, homosexuals are more likely to get checked out at the clinic than their straight counterparts – and we get free condoms and lube in every gay bar and club. The gay community is now more savvy when it comes to STIs and probably more cautious ever since HIV/AIDS hit our community three decades ago.

A new petition is currently online calling for an end to the gay blood donation ban. We here at <a href=’http://www.maleforce.com/gay_phone_chat’> Gay Chat </a> Towers signed it today and know that there is an evidence-based review underway with an announcement of any changes from the health association likely to be soon.

But this is not the first time a call on the ban has been incited. In 2008 an identical campaign was put forward (bloodban) and still hasn’t achieved its goal of 5000 signatures. This new petition has already reached almost that in a matter of weeks. Maybe people have now realised that this on-going saga is not just about equality, but about saving people’s lives.

My boyfriend, best friend and I were watching old music videos on YouTube at the weekend. Late at night and rather inebriated, we danced around as we watched Club Tropicana and couldn’t believe just howcamp George Michael and Andrew Ridgley look in that video. How did we not know about George back then? (Okay, we kinda guessed.) Even though they are both very flamboyant, they are still surrounded by and flirting with scantily-clad women. It’s a little unsettling to look back at now!

Since the break-up of 80s pop sensation Wham! George began a successful solo career that wasn’t even damaged by his very public, gay outing in 1998. The music video “Outside” which played homage to and glorified his cruising habits was seen by most as harmless fun – all except Marcelo Rodriguez of course, who was the officer that caught George in the LA public toilet.

George has done a lot for gay rights and HIV/Aids charities over the years. Being a close friend of Elton John who runs the Aids Foundation; together they have performed at money-raising galas and many charity gigs. But George has never really being known as a gay activist even though he has been out of the closet for thirteen years. In NME Magazine recently, George addressed this point by saying he plans to release a gay album to make up for “letting the gay kids down”.

It’s pegged to be a dance album and will be a collaboration with gay/gay friendly artists. “I’ll be 48 when the album comes out, but I have to say that gay men’s relationship with dance music probably doesn’t end at the same time as straight people’s does.” Ain’t that the truth George!

Terry Gee

For me personally, I love being gay. I am an out and proud man, I love my boyfriend and openly show him affection when we’re out in public with no fear or trepidation. But, I realise I am living in London which is known to be more tolerant than most cities. I also have a good network of friends who accept me for who I am without question. I live in a protected, gay bubble where the heterosexual community poses no threat to my lifestyle or whom I love.

Londonis very different from Yorkshire where I grew up, holding hands with a person of the same sex in public could cause quite a lot of animosity and even violence from fellow residents. I find that lack of education; knowledge and exposure are key factors to homophobia. Think about how most parents react when we first come out as being gay. For mine, there were tears, tantrums, arguments and hurtful things said and done. But as time goes on, they saw that this is who I am. I am still their son and what does it matter who and of what sex I fall in love with?

But then I read stories of people in countries where being gay is punishable by death or lifetime imprisonment; people who fear to walk out of their own home in case they are attacked and tortured. Countries where government officials and religious bodies tell the populous that being gay is a choice and it is wrong. How can being gay truly be a choice? Would anyone choose a life of persecution, the loss of friends and family and fear of the world outside because of who they are? No one would put themselves through that if they could help it. Being gay was hard enough for me growing up in Yorkshire, so I can’t imagine just how bad it is in places like Uganda and some major Muslim countries. If being gay really was a choice, there would be no gay people living in those places at all.

But what about you? Where do you live and how has being gay affected your day-to-day life? I imagine the residents of San Francisco are only too happy to welcome another gay person into their protective care; but what about people who live inmiddle Americaand the deep south? From what I have read, these places still have low tolerance from what they consider “the norm”. Were you forced into a heterosexual union or even been sent to one of the clinics that say they can “cure” homosexuality? Maybe you have been fighting who you really are and have only just come out or are you still in the closet?

We all must face challenges in life and sometimes they can feel too hard to bear. We find a brick wall in front of us with no way of scaling it to get over to the other side. But there is more than one way to get over such obstacles. Most of the people on Maleforce will have gone through similar situations and had to face the wall. Just speak to them and ask. I’m sure most will have a story to tell. A lot of people will have pushed and shoved, knocked through the bricks one by one and fought their way to the other side. For me, I had my friends to help me through it and their faith in me gave me the strength I needed. And then there are the few people who don’t have the support of their peers, don’t have the tools to get through the wall and feel trapped in a place they don’t belong in. It is to those people who I say there is always hope and help out there. For the fortunate ones who don’t live in repressive countries where the internet is monitored and blocked, find a local support centre and speak to someone there. These are always confidential and can help with getting your life back on track and give you the tools to break down that wall.

Always try and remember that if you are gay, this can’t be changed – and why should it? You are a loving human being with the same rights as everyone else on this planet. And as terrible and futile as life can feel at times, remember that there is nothing wrong with you, the only wrong in this instance are certain people’s misguided views on homosexuality. This is changing rapidly and I honestly believe that in time, prejudice will be a thing of the past. Try and keep that in mind. They are the ones we should pity, as they are a dying breed whose beliefs are so wrong they are now being exposed for the evil bigots they truly are. Let that thought to spur you on, find people who can help you grow and get past a stage in your life that is being repressed by the smaller man.

I am a gay man and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Terry Gee

In 1999 writer Russell T Davis (now known for Doctor Who and Torchwood) engaged, shocked and transformed the nation with Queer as Folk. Later to be remade for the American audience, it was first shown in theUKon Channel 4. Queer as Folk was met by high praise and stark controversy in the British press – but with millions tuning in to see the show; Queer as Folk became a triumph of broadcasting and a great step forward for more queer characters.

In the US the previous year, NBC had started the first series of soon-to-be hit comedy Will and Grace; a high camp and hilarious show about a gay guy living with his (usually) single best girl friend.

The wheels had been set in motion by the late 90s for networks and TV stations to say yay to gay and provide the viewing populous an insight into a world that before had only ever been about death and despair. As the years went on, more pro-gay programming and countless gay characters in films, soap operas and documentaries were brought into people’s home all across the US and Europe. Even the once stuffy BBC have had many gay characters on prime time television but have never broadcast a show that was solely about homo life… until now!

To fill the void of the soon to finish Friday night show, My Family – the BBC are bringing together My Family’s Robert Lindsay and Harry Potter’s Uncle Vernon – AKA Richard Griffiths – as a quirky gay couple in a brand new sitcom announced this week. “It’s slightly less than conventional in terms of the family set up but it’s the 21 century and things move one” said one BBC insider.

The new show will start filming in autumn with the working title: George and Bernard Shaw. So far the BBC are only committing themselves to a pilot, but if this works there’s no reason the show couldn’t run for eleven years just like it’s predecessor My Family.

I’m trying to reserve judgement until I’ve seen the show, but I am unsure whether moving the main character from one primetime programme (where he plays a straight father and devoted husband) to being shacked up with another man in the same timeslot on the same channel is the right thing to do. You would think that the core viewing audience is going to be the same and how differently can Robert’s character really be at that time? Perhaps his character is leaving the onscreen marriage to Zoe Wannamaker, coming out as being a gay man to live with a guy… but I can’t see that happening. Who know though – many more extraordinary things have happened on TV shows; Dallas – it was all a dream, Cheers – the doctor is going to get his own more popular show and let’s not even get started on Twin Peaks?

It is great though that the BBC is bringing a gay sitcom to their primetime audience and I am looking forward to seeing George and Bernard Shaw when it airs next year. Both actors are well known, talented and naturally funny so I have no doubt that they will make a storming piece of entertaining television. Now it’s down to the writing and the audience figures to see if this is sustainable.

Terry Gee

Last week it was announced that nine students have committed suicide over the past two years inMinnesota, the state which Michelle Bachman represents. Yet, her own views of homosexuality are tainted – to say the least, and therefore has not (and I doubt will ever) spoken out for gay and human rights.

I reported a few weeks ago that her husband is running a Christian clinic that says they can “cure” gays and in Michelle’s own words, that homosexuality is “sexual dysfunction”.

Since Michelle entered the race for the Presidency; she has refused to talk about her stance on gay rights. Is she ashamed of how she feels? More likely, she must realise that this is not the way to win a lot of people’s votes and although there is still a lot of discrimination in theUS, I’m sure there are a lot more who believe human beings have a right to be themselves.

Children in her State are now dead after killing themselves because the pressure of bullying had led them to believe that there is no way out. And for what? Because they were gay, or at least perceived to be gay by their fellow students? Those poor children felt they had no one to turn to for help and no where to go except six feet under. But when the State has someone like Michelle Bachmann representing it, it’s no wonder they would feel trapped. When your governor is telling you that being gay is wrong, that is surely going to rub off to the schools, parents and children.

As a gay teen, trying to come to terms with your sexuality is never easy and you can feel alone and vunerable. No amount of “It Gets Better” videos can help when you’re the one who has to live through this every day and everyone around you is so anti-you! Being shouted out, punched and segregated because of there’s something inside you that can’t be changed regardless of what people say. If gay was a choice, does anyone really believe that these kids would choose suicide over being straight? Michelle Bachmann surely does and we know that her husband does; so how can anyone that narrow-minded be representing one of the fifty States, let alone be running for President?

Being a UK citizen, it is sometimes hard to follow the politics of the United States (I barely follow my own country’s) and so it was with great joy that today I learned about Nancy Pelosi, a super-politician who has been lobbying for gay rights for many years.Nancyis the Minority Leader for the House of Representatives and is currently the highest ranking female Politian in American History. She also lives inSan Franciscowhich is my favourite place in the world and probably the most out and proud gay city on the planet. We here at <a href=’http://www.maleforce.com/gay_phone_chat’> Gay Chat </a> Towers are already a huge fan of Nancy Pelosi.

In an interview with leading gay magazine The Advocate,Nancycalled for Mrs Bachmann to address the teen suicides in her State. But will she? Bachmann has already criticised the anti bullying legislation saying “there have always been bullies, always have been, always will be.” Oh darling, you were so a cheerleader at High School and the one doing the bullying weren’t you?

But this isn’t just petty name-calling; this is harassment and mental torture leading to death. Surely even she should be able to see this?

Nancyalso talked about the Bachmann’s alleged “gay cure” clinics; “You know, 20 years ago somebody might ask; does it work? I think today, people are asking; why would you want to have somebody be who they aren’t?”

And I think that really does reflect where the world is at the moment. For the majority of us, we are desperately all trying to bring human rights to the forefront and see the good in people whatever their skin colour, sexuality or background. There will always be those who shout and scream to repress these changes, and unfortunately these are the ones that gain the most exposure. But we have to look at the effects of that exposure; does it gain more support for their cause, or does it – as I suspect – turn people away from them and see expose them for the inhuman monsters they really are?

Only time will tell what people really think. If Michelle Bachmann does get chosen to lead the Republican Party in the race forAmerica’s top spot, then I will admit that I was wrong and we really are in bad shape.

The Michelle Bachmanns of this world should never be in a position of power when human beings and the lives of our friends, family and children are at stake. Confusing people with power and religion to turn on their fellow man or woman is simply disgusting and perhaps there should be a regulatory comity that prevents such people ever getting this far in life let alone with a shot to be the most powerful person in the world!

Instead of “In God We Trust” shouldn’t it be changed to “In People We Trust”?

Terry Gee

Today at Gay Chat Towers we are having a happy Monday. There has been so much pain and suffering in the news lately that we thought Monday needed some love.

This isn’t to take away from what’s been happening in Norway or with the troubled singer Amy Winehouse at all; but with the news clogged up with death and despair and then for me to be late to work today as there was a fatality on the train line this morning, I know I needed some happy news – as I’m sure many people do today.

For the first happy story of the day, it’s over to New York which as of yesterday becomes the sixth state to legalise same-sex marriage. When I think of New York I imagine high rise buildings, the Statue of Liberty and Central Park; but I have to remind myself – that’s only Manhattan. The state of New York is huge (in fact, the largest State to sanction gay marriage) and even encompasses Niagara Falls on the border of Canada. That’s where outspoken gay right activist Kitty Right tied the knot with her partner Cheryle Rudd just after midnight yesterday when the law came into effect. What a place to get married! The sound of the falls, the smiling faces of family and friends and your loved one on your arm. It sounds idyllic – especially as Niagara Falls was lit up in rainbow colours to mark the day in glorious celebration!

In Manhattan, people were literally lining the streets to say their vows. There were of course protestors, but none were disruptive to any of the hundreds of celebrations. With such focus on the prominent US state, I wonder how long it will be for the rest of America to follow suit and of course the UK.

And it’s all gay under the Obama regime. The 44th President has nominated openly gay attorney Michael W. Fitzgerald to the federal court in Los Angeles. Fitzgerald becomes the fourth openly gay judicial candidate appointed by Obama in the past 18 months – and why shouldn’t he? I know this is getting a lot of press at the moment because no president has ever sided so closely to the gay community before – but this is simple human rights. We are all human, regardless of our sexuality and therefore demand the same rights as everyone else.

It’s no wonder that Barack Obama gets so much stick for his time in office, but I say good on him. It’s about time someone with real power showed the rest of the world that there is nothing wrong with being gay and we are just the same as everyone else… well, maybe with just a little more style and comedy timing!

Speaking of which; Geeks have gone through a drastic transformation over the past few years. When I was at school, to be outed as a geek was as bad as having a sign around your neck saying “please hit me!”. I was already outed as gay at the age of 13 in school, so to come out as a gay geek could have meant the loss of my favourite Disney folder! But as we’ve grown as a society, the majority of us have noticed that we are all geeks in our own way; our fascination with Apple products would make us a geek, our addictions to TV shows and computer games and of course our love of films and film franchises. (TV show Glee also helped this along with their ‘Gleek’ campaign.) It’s now cool to be a gay geek and the styles seem to be reflecting this fact – or maybe it’s just becoming more accepted to be whoever you want to be?!?

One film franchise that has gets most people moist (ok, maybe just the geeks again) at the briefest mention of a sequel is Jurassic Park. After the third film we were promised a fourth but with the untimely death of writer Michael Crichton came the news that it wouldn’t be made. For the past ten years we have listened to rumours of a sequel, constantly checked IMDB and watched countless fan-made trailers on YouTube (or is that just me?) but still no real news. That was until last weekend. Whilst promoting his new film Tin Tin at Comic Con, director Steven Spielberg announced that he will be making the highly anticipated Jurassic Park 4. “We have a story. We have a writer who is writing the treatment and hopefully we are going to make Jurassic Park 4 in all of our foreseeable futures, hopefully in the next two or three years” Steven announced.

But if you can’t wait to get your fix of cloned dinosaurs, the blu-ray of the original trilogy is out in October.

And for those of you who also thought she was extinct; Madonna is currently in studio recording her 12th album. I feel at this point I must address her royal highness, the Queen of Pop personally and give her some advice on behalf of all the frustrated gay men out there.

Madonna. If you read this, or your assistant does or someone you knew 12 years ago – please tell her to listen to us, the gay masses. Madonna, please stop trying to be Britney and look more towards Cher. You don’t have to lessen your musical style but your personal style should be more in keeping with a woman in her 50s. No more rapping with people half your age, no more out of tune break-beat and please no more leotards. If you want the fans back from Gaga (or at least on timeshare) you’ve got to reinvent yourself again, but this time for the people like me who have been buying your stuff since the 80s. I loved your music Madonna, but there has been nothing good since Confessions. You remember – the disco album you did in 2005? Think who your real fans are and who has the money to keep you going. Stop trying to pick up the tweens and look to the 30+ generation. We are your bread and butter – we always have been – and hopefully you can give us something to spread on it and enjoy.

Was Madonna recording her next album happy news? Only time will tell!

Terry Gee.

I was out yesterday – well I’ve been “out” for many years, but you know what I mean. After my rant last week about how crappy Pride has become in London it was both refreshing and reminiscent of better, bygone days to be at Summer Rites Remixed yesterday.

Summer Rites was last seen in London at Brockwell Park in 1999. That was until yesterday when 10,000 people descended on Shoreditch Park in East London. My boyfriend, Michael and I got there around 3.30pm when the park was still pretty quiet, but within the next hour it was heaving. Although there were a lot of people, the space was perfect to sit, dance, drink and chat without it feeling too crowded. London’s gay scene was heavily represented with clubs, bars and stages to cater for all walks of gay life. We spent most of our time between the bouncy XXL tent and Salvation outdoor stage. The sun shone brightly down on us until we left at 9pm and are still smiling about it today.

The vibe was incredible and the event was really well organised. There were plenty of bars, toilets, eateries and even booths with cash machines and cigarettes. No expense seemed to be spared on the sound systems and stage set ups either; the music pounded through the park lifting people’s moods and getting those toes a tapping. Looking around at all the smiling people, dancing in the afternoon sun I had a flashback to the late 90s. The Pride events I went to back then were very similar to Summer Rites Remixed, and although I was at Brockwell Park 12 years ago, I honestly didn’t think it would be as good this time around. I was wrong – it was better!

When you have huge events like Pride and Summer Rites happening year in, year out – people become complacent, knowing that if they miss this one, there will always be another the following year. But now there hasn’t been anything like this for such a long time, it was like a real breath of fresh air. This is what gay events used to be like – not piled on top of each other in the crowded streets of London like Pride has now become. It’s a shame that we Londoners became so complacent and have had to wait so long for a major event like Summer Rites to resurface and fill the void once again.

Michael and I (pictured above) had an amazing time and looking at the Facebook comments today, so did all of my friends who were there. With it being such good weather, we had our tops off most of the time and at one point were laid out on the grass cuddled up and listening to the pumping house music from the Salvation stage.

My only gripe is that it didn’t take place on a Saturday as I feel rough as a dog today and extremely tired. Even so, I’m still smiling about how fantastic the day/night was and just hope that Wayne Shires and Kim Lucas decide to bring back Summer Rites as an annual event.

I am considering sending them an email – Dear Wayne and Kim, London has missed Summer Rites so much! We’re sorry we took you for granted before and we promise to attend every event from now on until our legs give in through old age. Just please don’t take it away from us again!

Hope that works!

Terry Gee

Since our last shout out, we have been inundated with suggestions of what you would like to see on the MaleForce app. The biggest suggestion by far was for better quality and bigger pictures… so we fixed it! All new photo uploads will now be higher quality than before. You can even view any image that’s sent to your inbox in full screen and see how much clearer they are.

We do have some tips for making the resolution even better. It seems that the faster your connection, the better the quality. We suggest you upload all of your pictures over a WiFi connection rather than 3G as the quality of your image will be far superior.

Speaking of fast; we’ve also improved the app loading speed. We concentrated on packing your app full of fantastic features, we hadn’t considered the knock on effect this could have on the loading time. But after many sleepless nights and our developers overloading on coffee, we’ve managed to noticeably improve the app loading time… who wants to wait when there’s hot guys to chat to?

But don’t take our word for it – use it and find out yourself! Oh, and keep your suggestions coming in; we want to make MaleForce the best gay app there is.

Simply go to the market or app store on your smart phone and download for free MaleForce 2.0

MaleForce

Proud for Pride?

It was London Pride on Saturday. I was there, as I have been nearly every year for the past 13. I’m not sure if it’s my age or not, but I didn’t rate Pride at all this year. It was the busiest I’ve ever seen it; meaning that trying to walk anywhere was a real struggle. I missed the Parade and went straight to Trafalgar Square where the headlining act was Bucks Fizz – they were on stage for all of 10 minutes! At 4pm our group of friends headed into Soho which was heaving and got progressively more and more busy for the next six hours. The queues at the bars were at least six deep – with stupid drinks prices, 20 minute queues for every toilet – and not enough of them around, people pushing and shoving – turning to barging into you the more drunk they got and the entire road became a sea of broken glass, beer cans and bottles. With nowhere to sit, after eight hours on my feet it was time to go home.

I have considered that this may just be an age thing, but how can Bucks Fizz be a headlining act? How can standing around waiting for something to happen that never does for eight hours be fun? I know I’m in my thirties now, but ten years ago Pride had real headlining acts on stage and set in a huge London Park where people could sit, chat and mingle with everyone. London Pride is now a shadow of it’s former self and I know a lot of people who feel the same. While ever there is homophobia, lack of equality and religious nuts blasting us for no good reason, we need Pride, so why are we crammed into a couple of streets with no amenities?

Next year is Euro Pride here in the capital; I just hope London pulls its finger out and gets it right for once!

Gay Islam?

I didn’t really think about it at the time, but at big events like Pride or Glastonbury there is always the threat of terrorist attacks. And it seems the LGBT community have a cause to feel threatened as Islamic extremists are now being told to act gay.

In a 64 page guide written by the Taliban and uncovered by the Sunday Mirror; it details to its followers in Europe what they should do if they feel they are being followed by an MI5 agent:

“Many hotels – especially in busy UK cities – have women hanging around the lobby areas in order to attract men. A young beautiful woman may come and talk to you. The first thing you do to protect yourself from such a ¬situation is to make dua (prayers) to Allah for ¬steadfastness. The second thing is to find an excuse to get away from her that is realistic and sensible, such as you having a girlfriend for the past few years and you are loyal to her or you are ¬homosexual.”

OK, that’s quite scary in itself, but then to think what’s happening here in London in 2012 – keep an eye out for those Islamic terrorists. You’ll know who they are; bombs strapped to their chests and a GAY Late stamp on their wrist.

Psycho killer

Of course, Soho has already been a victim of a terrorist attack. Back in 1999 a 22 year old neo-nazi named David Copeland planted a nail bomb in the Admiral Duncan pub on Old Compton Street killing three people. In a 13 day rampage, he admitted to planting nail bombs in Brixton and Brick Lane previously to the one in Soho in an attempt to damage the minorities of London.

As well as the deaths of three people, he also injured 139 people, some who were amputated because of the attacks. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison which was extended to 50 years in 2007.

David Copeland, who has confessed to idolising Hitler, Starling and Saddam Hussein, said he wanted to be caught to become famous. He felt no emotion whatsoever when he planted the bombs and was concluded by the trail judge that he did this because of his hatred of black, Asian and homosexual people.

Even though he has admitted killing and maiming so many people, he still appealed the ruling to serve an extra 20 years. Last week, his appeal was rejected. But he must have known this would happen and it does make me wonder if this sick individual really appealed to get some extra press exposure and get some perverse pleasure in seeing his name in print once again? Whatever the reason, I hope he rots in his cell.

Copeland is currently serving his time in Broadmoor Hospital after being diagnosed a psychotic paranoid schizophrenic. If he is ever released, with this new ruling he will be 72 years old.

Sealed with a kiss

But don’t let age fool you. We may think that 72 is too old to make an impact on this earth – but a 74 year old gay rights activist is now in the midst of a legal case that is rocking the gay world.

Joan Parker has been charged with assault after she hugged and kissed an anti-gay preacher at a Pride event in North Carolina, USA.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Mrs Parker said: “He was just waving his arms and has a Bible in one hand, up and down, and screaming at the top of his lungs, ‘sodomites’ and ‘you’re going to hell’. I thought he needed a hug. So I gave him a hug.”

As heart-warming as this story truly is, and how amazing Joan is; preacher James Belcher has pressed charges of assault as Mrs Parker’s kiss was “just one of many attempts to silence the preaching to those in need of salvation who practice a death style that they call a lifestyle.”
What a lovely man! But if Mrs Parker is found guilty of assault, she could be made to do 30 days of community service, but as a lot of my friends have said – hasn’t she already done the community a service!

What is it with these religious nuts? 2000 gay rights supporters attended the event in Salisbury but there was also 200 gay right opponents including Mr Belcher. They turn up at every gay Pride event around the world and no one to my knowledge has ever been converted. Do they get some perverse thrill from upsetting people and trying to push their beliefs on others?

So that was my round-up for the week’s gay news. Obviously my unique, personal slant on them all as always – but you wouldn’t want it any other way – or maybe you would? If you want to get in contact with me, please join our FaceBook page and leave your comments and suggestions.

In the meantime, from me and all of the Gay Chat team, have a great week.

Terry Gee

New York announced on Friday that gay marriage will be legal in the US state on July 24. And as Pride took place in the entertainment capital yesterday, there was a lot of celebrating to do. Here at Gay Chat Towers, we think this is fantastic for America and the world who will now have eyes on New York and to hopefully follow suit.

New York is the seventh state to legalise gay marriage, with eight more states offering same-sex civil partnerships.

US States offering gay marriage: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and Washington DC. Of course California did have it for a few months in 2008 as well!

Countries that have legalised gay marriage: Canada, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, South Africa, Mexico City, Argentina.

There are also countless countries that have legalised civil unions all over the world.

But gay marriage is not a new thing; it was legal throughout the ancient world until Christians deemed it to be “against god” in 342 CE. For centuries before that, same-sex unions, relationships and marriages happened all over the ancient world and were not only accepted but encouraged. The Greeks are famous for depicting homosexual unions in their artwork – as are the Chinese – and the Romans were widely regarded as bi-sexual at the very least.

Love is the reason for marriage; so regardless of sexuality, that one emotion should be enough to convince anyone that this is a good thing… unfortunately, it has been hit back (once again) by the religious sect. “The end of the world is nigh”, “New York – the new Sodom and Gomorrah”, “judgement day is coming.” Really? Eleven countries have already had gay marriage for years – I haven’t seen fire and brimstone envelope those lands, have you?

Let’s face it; it is man who has put into place these restrictions and sexual segregation, not a god figure. And why would any ‘being’ end the world because two people choose to show their love for each other? People’s prejudices are what harm this world and the outdated, misguided writings of men 2000 years ago. It has taken far too long, but finally the bible is being recognised for what it truly is; a fictitious book to install fear and order into the populous 2000 years ago. It is not relevant anymore and we are only now waking up to that fact. I for one can’t wait for religion to finally fall and humans to move on to a higher, more evolved plane of thinking where they love their fellow man and worship the things that he or she has achieved – regardless of sexuality.

Instead of closing their eyes and praying for a rapture that will never come – how about opening them and standing in rapturous applause aimed at their fellow man. The world is amazing, wonderful and full of love, but hiding behind outdated text to fuel ones discrimination and hatred can only colour it grey at best.

Terry Gee

No, this isn’t the new novel from Dan Brown but actually a reflection on something that has just happened at the United Nations (UN).

Here at Gay Chat Towers we are pleased to announce that on Friday the UN passed a resolution endorsing the rights of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Brought to the table by South Africa, the declaration outlined “grave concern” for the wellbeing of the global LGBT community through abuse and discrimination.

This shouldn’t come as a shock that South Africa were the ones to outline the necessity for immediate action; they have been pro-gay for many years and were one of the first countries in the world to pass the gay marriage law back in 2006; something that the UK still hasn’t managed to achieve!

Also not surprising is the backing from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. A big supporter of gay rights, she said, “This represents a historic moment to highlight the human rights abuses and violations that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people face around the world based solely on who they are and whom they love,”

Although this resolution has been passed, it was a very close call with just 23 votes to 19. Three countries also abstained from voting even though this is about human beings being discriminated against and treated (in some countries) like a bacterial poison expelled from the fictitious biblical character, the devil.

23 For: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, USA, and Uruguay.

19 Against: Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and Uganda.

3 Abstained: China, Zambia, and Burkina.

It appears that religion is once again playing the main deflect to this resolution. The countries against have made it clear that South Africa and the UN are actually the anti-Christ. Blog and news sites have been inundated with comments from the god squad from all countries, including the US quoting passages from the bible, how the UN are supporting another world ending catastrophe akin to Sodom and Gomorrah and that all gays are perverts and children of the devil.

How can gays be perverts for falling in love with another human being? And as for the devil; it’s hard to be children of a fantasy character made up for the bible. Just like a lot of stories, the bible has a good vs evil conflict in which the good is represented by god – who incidentally kills 2,038,344 people in the bible whereas satan kills just 10. Good?

And if you need more proof that the bible is fiction, just read the first chapter, Genesis; there are two creations of the Earth in the same book. It contradicts itself all the way through, because it is a made up story to keep people in check according to the feelings of the church 2000 years ago.

What is real is that human beings who are alive right here and now are suffering because of religious beliefs and uneducated people. How dare anyone make someone else suffer either mentally or physically because they believe it is right? Isn’t that what Hitler did? There is no difference; we are all human beings regardless of who we love, sleep with or what we believe.

Now is the time for the world to stop focussing on out of date, fictitious religious books as they only inflict pain, confusion and mistrust between our races. It’s time to actually base our views on living people, current issues and equality.

Terry Gee