So So Gay
It’s Sunday, and that means one thing here at So So Gay: it’s time for our run down of the biggest LGBT news stories of the week. Read this, and then your friends will think you’re a complete fountain of knowledge. Perfect.
Sunday 9 September 2012- Nicki Minaj: did she lie about being bisexual?
Queen of the charts Nicki Minaj has never shied away from creating controversy, but now reports sugest that maybe she’s not as wild as the songstress would like us to believe. When Minaj first burst onto our radios, the question of her sexuality was a much debated topic, but now the singer admits to only fuelling the rumours surrounding her sexuality, which many see as a deliberate attempt to gain more attention. During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the reporter says, ‘Early in her career Minaj claimed to be bisexual, but now says she just did that to get attention. ‘I think girls are sexy’, she says. ‘But I’m not going to lie and say that I date girls.”
Monday 10 September 2012- New guidance for the care and support of older gay people
New guidance published last week by Stonewall gives care and support services practical advice about how to meet the needs of older lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Entitled, Working with older lesbian, gay and bisexual people, the guide offers recommendations and models good practice for all public bodies that work with older gay people. It also makes tailored recommendations for care and support workers. Further recommendations are included for homecare providers, care homes, housing providers, health services and local authorities. Recent research by Stonewall showed that a significant proportion of older gay people are likely to live alone, have limited family support and rely on formal services for help in the future. Stonewall’s Senior Health Officer, James Taylor said, ‘We hope this guide helps professionals deliver better services, treating all older people with the dignity and respect they deserve.’
British producer arrested in Uganda over gay rights play
The British producer of a play that looks at the difficulties of being gay in Uganda has been arrested after staging the production despite a ban by regulators. The play, entitled ‘The River and The Mountain’, was not granted clearance by the Ugandan ethics minister, because it ‘justified the promotion of homosexuality’. In August this year, whilst waiting for a decision on whether the play could go ahead, David Cecil performed the play at two small venues in the capital, Kampala. Ugandan ethics minister Simon Lokodo said the play was not granted clearance because it was ‘justifying the promotion of homosexuality in Uganda, and Uganda does not accommodate homosexual causes. We will put pressure on anyone saying that this abomination [homosexuality] is acceptable.’ Cecil now faces up to two years in prison.
Star-studded dinner set to support people living with HIV
On 31 October 2012, celebrities and food-lovers will come together to host a night of dinner parties in London’s top restaurants as part of a luxurious dine-off in aid of HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust. Around 500 guests are expected to dine in style at more than 50 dinner parties across London, as part of the charity’s annual Supper Club event. Celebrity chef, Angela Hartnett, who is the Supper Club Ambassador, is encouraging more hosts to be part of the unique gastronomic event. Hosts at this year’s event will each invite a group of guests to join their table. Guests will pay £155 to attend, with all proceeds going to Terrence Higgins Trust. If a fancy dinner doesn’t sound enough, then afterwards Supper Club guests will be chauffeur-driven to One Mayfair, where the evening will be rounded off with cocktails, DJ entertainment, and dancing at a star-studded after-party. Celebrity dinner hosts and guests at past events have included Yasmin le Bon, Ewan McGregor, Tracey Emin, Cilla Black, Graham Norton and Russell Tovey. To find out more information on hosting a party for this year’s event, read the full article by clicking on the link title.
Thursday 13 September 2012- ‘Fashion Week Internationale’ spotlights Rio’s transgender models
Fashion Week Internationale has returned with an episode spotlighting Rio’s transgender models. The online documentary, which focuses on fashion scenes across the world, and in particular alternative fashion weeks, has turned it’s spotlight on the Brazilian city for Vice.com. The first episode sees host Charlet Duboc investigate Rio de Janeiro’s willingness to embrace transgendered models on the catwalk. You can watch it here.
We’re delighted to announce that Steve Greer has won a complete Iris Prize Festival 2012 package, including access to all screenings and events, as well as travel and accommodation. So So Gay would like to thank everyone else for their entries, and despite not winning the prize, we hope to see you all in Cardiff nonetheless, for what promises to be a fantastic year for the prize! The Iris Prize Festival takes place between 10-14 October 2012 in Cardiff. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.irisprize.org.
Saturday 15 September 2012- Malaysian teachers given tips to help spot ‘gay children’
The Malaysian government has started to hold seminars which aim to help teachers and parents spot signs of homosexuality in children, causing a rise in religious conservatism in the country. So far, 10 seminars across the country have been organised by the Teachers Foundation of Malaysia, with over 1,500 attending the courses in which participants are told the signs to look out for to spot ‘gay children’. In a handout issued at a recent seminar, signs of homosexuality in boys may include preferences for tight, light-coloured clothes and large handbags, local media reported. The information went on to say that girls with lesbian tendencies have no affection for men and like to hang out and sleep in the company of women. Read the full report by clicking on the title link.
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