Internalised Homophobia

Many gay men came out at an early age and their life have been shaped by that event. Many others have not done so in their lifetime and, according to a published report, some of those men may be suffering from an Internalised Homophobia that could put their sexual health and that of others at risk by engaging in unprotected sex.

During a research project among a group of HIV people, the study revealed that internalised homophobia was shown through different parameters set for the study:

• self-assessed sexual orientation;
• comfort with one’s sexuality and one’s body
• compulsive sexual behaviour
• alcohol use
• drug use
• mental health
• comfort using condoms
• and unsafe sex.

Using these parameters above, the research established some evidence that those in low income, with problems accepting their body image, or those who have a strong religious belief were more likely to engage in risky sexual encounters, either by not using condoms or not disclosing or asking for HIV status.

It also helped to understand that many of the problems gay men face at some point may be related to the level of acceptance of their own sexuality.

On reflection, how many of us can really say we are happy with our sexuality? If you do, then feel proud of it.



You can read the article at Aidsmap

Obama´s ceremony: Two sides of the Church.

A few weeks ago, Obama upset some members of the LGBT community by having invited Rev Rick Rave, a outspoken supporter to the opposition of gay marriage in the U.S, to give the invocation at Mr Obama´s inaguration. This casted shadows over Obama's good intentions and doubts about his liberal attitudes.

Now, Rev Gene Robinson, who is in an openly-gay relationship with the same partner for 20 years, have also been invited to the procedings in the ceremony causing some outrage among member of the Christian community.

In a balancing act and, in another sign of his intention to group in the same table as many different opinions as possible, Barak Obama may be forcing the different attitudes within the Anglican Church in America to split over the fact of accepting homosexuality.

It is a good thing for the American Society as it will contribute to a debate and hopefully recognistion of gay marriage by the legal establishmet and the society itself.

My own personal contribution is in the shape of the "montage" you can see in the cartoons.

Miguel Angel Silvestre by popular demand

Saint and Sinner: January

The first SINNER award is rightfully won by the Vatican and the U.S. and South Africa together, as these countries were among those which have not signed an U.N declaration of Human Rights, in which a statement affirming that all the people are entitled to respect regardless of their gender or sexual orientation was included.
The fact that the Vatican continues with its crusade against Gay people in the world is well-known, it it more shameful that other countries follow it.

An extra SINNER award to the Pope and the Vatican for their comments comparing homosexuality to the destruction of rain forests, or the Vatican decision not to accept Italian laws to avoid future pro-gay legislation.

Our SAINT award to the Employment Appeal Tribunal for its ruling of a case in which a Christian registrar was lawfully sacked for her refusal to carry civil partnerships ceremonies for consider them "sinful". A civil servant cannot put their religious belief above citizens' rights to receive the services that the law establishes.

Big Fat Gay

In a piece of news published on The Pink Paper, Carphone Warehouse apologised to a customer for having been branded a "Big Fat Gay" in a note written on the paperwork handed for a phone repair.
It must be really naive for the company to justify such abuse as a "internal note not meant to be seen by the customer" and as "foolish message". It is totally irrelevant the fact that it should have been for staff only reading, it though shows that it is a case of "internalised" homophobia and a lack of respect by the person who wrote the note and a total misjudgement from the company when it came to justify the message.

If the message is not clear, people will feel that incidents like these are allowed or permitted to some extend. If the person who wrote the message cannot understand the consequences of his language, how could that person deal with gay people in the future?
Perhaps, it is just another example of the reasons because gay activism has a reason to be nowadays.

Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse has apologised after a customer with a broken phone was given paperwork that described him as a "big gay."

Muddasser Ishaq from Birmingham, England visited a Carphone Warehouse branch in the city centre to return a broken phone.

The following day when looking through the paperwork he was handed, he found the offensive note.

Mr Ishaq told BBC Birmingham, "When I got the repair form I didn't take much notice of it until the next day when I was reading through it and I noticed what it said on there.
"Basically I was disgusted by what had been left by the member of the staff."

Carphone Warehouse said that it was a note that was not meant to be seen by the customer. They described it as a "foolish" message between colleagues

The company said that it would ensure that it does not happen again but would not comment on whether staff would face any disciplinary action. The BBC report that the customer may be offered compensation.

By Staff writer, by The PinkNews.co.uk

Pepsi Ad with a Twist

Theatre: Fucking Men

Feeling the credit crunch but desperate to enjoy plays at the theatre?

The King's Head Theatre might be the answer to that question. They are currently looking for ushers that will enjoy seeing plays for free in return for a non-paid volunteer usher job. One of the plays you might be interested is:

F**KING MEN.

Set in today’s U.S, this insightful drama looks at a succession of couples and strangers as they negotiate the before and after of lust, love and betrayal and the pursuit of sex. Some stories are poignant, some hilarious, but collectively they provide a fascinating snap shot of the modern-day male. A fearless dissection of homosexuality that will fascinate male and female audiences of every persuasion.

For more information about volunteer usher, call 020 7226 8561 or email danielle@kingsheadtheatre.org

The King's Head Theatre
115 Upper Street,
Islington,
London
N1 1QN |
Map

Film: Milk

We will soon have the chance to watch a film about a key person in the gay rights history, Harvey Milk. His role as a candidate to a seat in a public office in California and his assassination took attitudes towards the LGBT community to be considered in a new perspective from some of those in the American society. His life is been portrayed on the screen by Sean Penn in the movie MILK

Watch the trailer here

Porn bosses want "big package"

One of the things that we will remember about this world economical crisis is that it has affected everyone. Banks collapsed, companies felt how their sales went down and consumers' confidence dropped and it seems that is not the only thing to have come down.
Two of the big names in the porn industry in America, Joe Francis and Larry Flynt have requested an aid money "package" from the government since the sales of pornographic material has fallen by 22%, according to a piece of news published in a newspaper. It seems that our economical worries have had an effect not just in our pocket and head but also in our libido.

Well, if governments think that helping people to spend can increase their morale and the economic, surely a well-spent money towards a good rumpy-pumpy will do as much, too.

Eye Candy

He was chosen as the sexiest men in Spain in one of the online newspapers. Funny enough, he starts a series called "Sin Tetas no hay Paraiso", literally There is not heaven without the tits.