Hundreds of Islamists rallied outside the U.S. embassy in London today in a mock funeral for Osama Bin Laden. Riot police had to step in and separate the group from counter-protesters from the neo-Nazi English Defence League. Many more photos at the link.
As the entire world becomes enveloped in royal wedding fever, tomorrow LGBT activists led by Peter Tatchell will stage a marriage equality protest at Buckingham Palace. Tatchell: We plan to deliver a giant wedding card to William and Kate. As well as wishing the royal couple every happiness, we will highlight the fact that William and Kate can marry, but same-sex couples can’t. Our event will urge the royal couple to support moves to end the ban on gay marriage. We want equal marriage rights for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. Kate and William had a choice. They could get married, or not. Same-sex couples don’t have this choice. We are banned from marriage by law. All welcome. Bring your friends for a party in front of Buckingham Palace. Come with flowers, rainbow flags and pink jack flags.Facebook event page here.
London police have made an arrest in connection with the anti-gay "Fear Allah" stickers that appeared around the city earlier this year. The stickers prompted the formation of East London Pride, a group that was later revealed to have been organized by one of the co-founders of the violent far-right English Defence League. An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with homophobic stickers plastered around London’s east end. The teenager, from Leamouth, was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence yesterday, police said. He has been bailed to return to police on Sunday May 8th pending further enquiries. The stickers, which have been found in Brick Lane, Poplar, Bow and Canary Wharf, show a red line through a rainbow flag and the words ‘gay-free zone’. They say: “Arise and warn. Gay free zone. Verily Allah is severe in punishment.” At least 70 have been reported.Another 18 year-old was detained and released without charges last month after being found in possession of the stickers. The name of the man arrested yesterday has not been disclosed. Some local LGBT activists have long suspected that the stickers were planted by non-Muslim agitators intent on sowing violence between the gay and Muslim communities.
It's become clear that the John Snow pub has closed its doors, presumably fearful of the avalanche of snogging that was about to descend upon it. One Twitter user, who works opposite, reports that a TV crew has arrived and is "filming the locked door whilst bar staff peer from upstairs window". The Press Association has managed to get a few words with Thomas Paget, the licence holder of the pub. He again refused to comment on the row. Asked whether the pub had been the victim of a "misunderstanding", he told PA: "I don't have anything to say."(Via - Towleroad)
Jonathan Williams, a journalist for a financial trade magazine, and James Bull, a charity volunteer, say they were ejected from the John Snow on Broadwick Street, Soho, by a woman who claimed to be the landlady and said they were being "obscene". Bull said he was physically sick after the incident, which happened at about 10.45pm on Wednesday, after the couple had earlier been for dinner on their first date together in Covent Garden. Bull said: "I felt so belittled, and to be made to feel so dirty and cheap over something like that – it's just wrong." The pair say that objections were first raised to their displays of affection shortly after they arrived at 8.30pm by a fellow drinker claiming to be the landlord, who was off duty. They refused what they described as his "polite request" to stop kissing. Williams, 26, and Bull, 23, insist they were not indulging in a "huge display of affection", but were merely kissing on the lips.This Friday night local activists plan to stage a "massive same-sex snog-a-thon" at the pub, which is not a gay bar but is located in Soho's popular gay village.
"It has come to light that Raymond has previously had dealings with the English Defence League, however he has assured us that he is no longer any part of the EDL group. [Mr Berry] stated that he has previously attended march’s [sic] organised by the EDL and UAF [Unite Against Fascism], however he found both organisations too extreme for his beliefs. None of this information was previously disclosed to the rest of the East End Gay Pride team, until it came to light late yesterday evening. The remaining members of the East End Gay Pride would like to state for the record that we do not support or condone anything that the EDL stand for."Pride London, the city's main and long-running event, says that it continues to support East End Pride, which still intends to hold next month's planned parade.
"We have evidently been misled. Pride London remains committed to assisting any such event, and while we continue to accept that Raymond was not fronting the event for the EDL, and that the EDL remains unlinked to the event itself, we believe that his continued involvement would be inflammatory. East End Gay Pride asked our assistance to steward the event to ensure that the event remained only a pro-gay and not an anti-anything event."What a fucking mess.
“We fear the march will be exploited and hijacked by the far right to create divisions and stir up intolerance against Muslim people. OutRage! opposes both homophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry. All forms of intolerance are wrong. The gay, Muslim, Jewish, Asian and black communities know the pain of prejudice and discrimination. We should stand together, united against hate. Let’s celebrate East London’s multicultural diversity. Don’t let bigotry divide us. Together, we can defeat the hate-mongers.”
An open letter signed by Out East chair Thierry Schaffauser and Terry Stewart of the Hackney Community Engagement Board claims that the Pride march may “divide our communities” or be used “to oppress other marginalised groups”. Out East organises Hackney Pride and the letter has also been signed by Denis Fernando of Unite Against Fascism and the Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils. It says: “We believe that the most appropriate response to the stickers is to liaise with Muslim communities and others to create bridges and communicate with each other. We want both homophobia and Islamophobia addressed as a collective problem and not feed one against the other, we do not recognise these as distinct categories. We will refuse any attempt to divide our communities or take the risk that an LGBTQ event is used to oppress other marginalised groups, in particular LGBTQ Muslims who will be the most affected by this rising antagonism.” In response, the organisers of East End Gay Pride said in a statement: “We can 100 per cent confirm that the EDL [English Defence League] or the SWP [Socialist Workers Party] have absolutely nothing to do with this event in any way, shape or form.Pink News reports that an 18-year old man was arrested last month with some of the stickers in his possession, but he was released without charges because it was unclear whether the stickers violated the Public Order Act on hate speech. The Muslim Council of Britain and local Muslim groups have denounced the stickers.
Iran says that the logo for the 2012 London Olympics secretly spells out the word "Zion." And if the Brits don't change it, they're going to boycott. The logo, a jagged representation of the year 2012, has been said by its critics to resemble many things, from a swastika to a sexual act, but the Iranian government argues it represents a veiled pro-Israeli conspiracy. In a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee, Tehran has called for the graphic to be replaced and its designers "confronted", warning that Iranian athletes might otherwise be ordered to stay away from the London Games. According to the state-backed Iranian Students News Agency, which is frequently used to convey official pronouncements, the letter says: "As internet documents have proved, using the word Zion in the logo of the 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against the Olympics' valuable mottos. "There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the Games, especially Iran which abides by commitment to the values and principles."Nobody knows what "internal document" Iran is talking about. The logo conspiracy theory has been floating around on YouTube for months.
LGBT activists staged a vigil for David Kato outside of London's Uganda High Commission today, after which they delivered a 40,000-name petition to UK Home Secretary Theresa May, demanding that Britain not send lesbian asylum-seeker Brenda Namigadde back to Uganda. Namigadde says she fears that she too will be murdered if forced to return. Add your name to the petition here.
"One moment he might be holding forth to a great perspiring tent at Hay-on-Wye. The next moment, click, some embarrassed member of the Welsh constabulary could walk on stage, place some handcuffs on the former leader of the Free World, and take him away to be charged. Of course, we are told this scenario is unlikely. Dubya is the former leader of a friendly power, with whom this country is determined to have good relations. But that is what torture-authorising Augusto Pinochet thought. And unlike Pinochet, Mr Bush is making no bones about what he has done." - London Mayor Boris Johnson, saying Dubya runs the risk of arrest as a war criminal if he visits the UK.
Famed LGBT activist Peter Tatchell has been honored with one of Britain's historic Blue Plaques, which was installed yesterday outside his London home. Sir Ian McKellen spoke at the ceremony. Mr Tatchell, 58, received the honour for his work in human rights, although he is also known in the borough for campaigning on local issues. The campaigner, who looked smart in a suit and purple tie, admitted he was "a bit embarrassed" at the honour, which is usually accorded to people after they have died. The plaque reads: "Peter Tatchell. Born 1952. Campaigner for human rights, gay freedom and social justice. Lived Here. Voted by the people." Sir Ian called Mr Tatchell "my hero" and added: "As an actor, I admire the chutzpah and showbiz nature of Peter's campaigning. It is absolutely sensational that there is a plaque here." He added: "We don't have the energy, far-sightedness and bravery of this individual. If we did, the world would be a better place. I couldn't be a stronger supporter of him."The above photo of the plaque was tweeted this morning by former Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson.
The gay dating site Gaydar stationed the above winged hotties on the Pope's route today. Via press release:It's day two of the Pope Benedict's state visit to the UK. This morning he visited St. Mary's University in Twickenham, the same town where gay dating megasite Gaydar.net* is based. On arrival he was met by a large crowd of protestors, including a posse of Gaydar Angels, sent down to underscore the Pontiff's anti-gay stance. Much to the amusement of the gathered press, his procession took him past Gaydar's flock of winged muscle boys and not the eagerly waiting nuns at the other end of the street!Do angels wear codpieces? More photos at the link.
George Michael was arrested early Sunday morning after he crashed his car into a photo shop outside London. He is thought to have been on his way home from London Pride. He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive, taken to a nearby police station and released on bail to return next month. Police confirmed they were called to the shop at 3.45am on Sunday following reports of a collision. Michael is said to have climbed out of his car after the crash and waited for police to arrive. A police spokesperson said: "A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive." He was reportedly not breathalysed because he said he had not been drinking. According to the Daily Mirror, he was tested for drugs but none were recovered.Michael has several previous arrests for DUI, cottaging, and possession of crack cocaine.
London's Mayor Boris Johnson has become the highest ranking Tory to support marriage equality. Johnson made the comments during the city's gay pride parade yesterday. Kicking off the parade with members of the Gay Liberation Front, Mr Johnson said: “If the Conservatives and Liberals can get together in a national coalition and settle their differences, I don't see why you can't have gay marriage”. Mr Johnson is the highest-ranking Tory figure yet to support full marriage equality. His stance indicates his feelings on the subject may have progressed somewhat, as he once wrote that gay marriage "can only ever be a ludicrous parody of the real thing". He added: “Pride shows that London is the most generous, open, diverse city, whatever your background”. He said that London’s Worldpride celebration in 2012 would be “the biggest ever”. When asked whether he wanted to run again as mayor to run the city for the event, he said: “I hope so. I'd be pretty mad not to.” Mr Johnson made his pro-gay marriage declaration in response to a placard being carried by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.Civil partnerships became legal in the UK in 2005.
Sarah Brown, wife of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, made an appearance at the popular Duckie party at London's Vauxhall Tavern on Saturday night to "celebrate LGBT achievements" since the Labour Party took power in 1997. The Duckie event, held at the Royal Vauxhaul Tavern is one of the main arty gay club nights in London and is hosted by lesbian comedian Amy Lame. Mrs Brown was there in the final weekend before the general election, which current polling suggests her husband is to lose. She and the Labour Party have made particular effort to appeal to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) community. Last July, she took part in the London gay pride march, after her husband hosted an intimate reception at 10 Downing Street. She was there officially there to mark 13 years to the day that New Labour won the 1997 general election and began the journey that would eventually lead to an equal age of consent and gays serving in the military.Sarah Brown had tweeted her attendance at the club several hours earlier in the day. While at Duckie, she pulled the ticket for that night's raffle. The winning patron's ticket? Number 10. However, that omen is unlikely to prove true. Labour is currently polling in third place. The election is Thursday.
(Tipped by JMG reader Gareth. Photo credit: Pink News)
Above is a rendering of the 350-foot sculpture chosen for London's 2012 Olympics site. A spiraling sculpture designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor has been chosen as the monument to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games. The 115m tall piece, named the ArcelorMittal Orbit, will be placed in the Olympic Park and will be 22m higher than New York's Statue of Liberty. The £19.1m design incorporates the five Olympic rings and will offer visitors panoramic views of London. London Mayor Boris Johnson revealed plans for the tower on Wednesday. "I am deeply honoured to be invited to undertake this challenging commission," Kapoor said. "I am particularly attracted to it because of the opportunity to involve members of the public in a particularly close and personal way. It is the commission of a lifetime."Backers are calling the sculpture "London's Eiffel Tower." Critics are calling it "bleak and tortured."
