Choices, choices

Sport:

Rugby...

...athletics...

...or diving?

You choose.

Sport of the Day

DARTS!

...but not as we know it:

Not the Nine O'Clock News: "Fat-belly and Even-fatter-belly"

Take a stand!

Hurrah! With consummate timing, seventeen-year old footballer Jake Daniels has become the first out-gay male professional player in the UK, in a traditionally less-than tolerant sport - right on time for the International Day Against Homophobia (and bi- and trans- these days)!

If only other sports would follow suit (although the Olympics seems to be increasingly seen as a safe environment in which to come out in public) - and, for that matter, the world's organised religions, regimes and political bodies!.

From a statement to mark this annual event by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet today:

...Thanks to the arduous work of LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders, we have seen many positive changes around the world: decriminalization of consensual same-sex relations, the adoption of laws protecting LGBTIQ+ persons from discrimination, recognition of the gender identity of trans persons, marriage equality, and measures to combat hate crimes, harmful practices and advance social and economic inclusion.

LGBTIQ+ people are entitled to the equal respect for their dignity and equal respect, protection and fulfilment of their fundamental human rights, just like everyone else.

And yet, widespread violations continue: killings, torture, sexual violence, criminalization, arbitrary detention. Harmful practices such as “conversion” therapy, forced sterilization, surgery and treatment on trans and intersex people, degrading examinations. Widespread stigma, harassment, bullying and discrimination at work, at home, in education, health, housing, sports and access to public services. And the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have only exacerbated exclusion and inequality.

Despite advances, consensual same-sex relations are still criminalized in close to 70 countries. Only one out of three countries legally protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, only one out of ten protect people based on gender identity, and only a handful based on sex characteristics.

I am concerned by continued harassment against LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders, discriminatory restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and new proposed discriminatory measures in a number of countries, including some that specifically target trans people.

I urge States to act swiftly to repeal discriminatory laws, prohibit harmful practices, including in medical settings, combat hate crime and violence, adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and policies, legally recognise the gender identity of trans persons based on self-identification, recognise same-sex couples, and protect LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders.

Tackling these issues does not just require changes in laws and policies – it also requires greater acceptance, support and celebration of LGBTIQ+ persons by everyone in society, including within the family...

...The United Nations will continue to stand up for the human rights of everyone, including LGBTIQ+ people – today and every day.

For a full list of countries that hate us and discriminate against us, check Wikipedia.

And to each and every one of the bastards, here's our "Anthem for the Day"!

GayClic Collab Against Homophobia - Fuck You!

Look inside
Look inside your tiny mind
Now look a bit harder
'Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired of all the hatred you harbour

So you say
It's not okay to be gay
Well I think you're just evil
You're just some racist who can't tie my laces
Your point of view is medieval

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate
And it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Do you get
Do you get a little kick out of being slow-minded?
You want to be like your father
It's approval you're after
Well that's not how you find it

Do you
Do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful?
'Cause there's a hole where your soul should be
You're losing control of it and it's really distasteful

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you,
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you,
Fuck you

You say, you think we need to go to war
Well you're already in one,
'Cause its people like you
That need to get slew
No one wants your opinion

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you

---

Speaking of "fucking"...

click to embiggen

...Happy Birthday, Baby Steve!

Enough of the nonsense

I don't know what they're like in other places across the globe, but betting shops over here have a reputation for being the last home of the lost, the odd, and the somewhat shifty "older bloke" - a type that would hardly be likely to be concerned with the well-being of us gayers.

However, top scores go to one of the biggest gambling chains on the High Street, Paddy Power, who - recognising the loathsome homophobic record of Putin's Russia, host of the Football World Cup which starts today - have launched an awareness campaign of unprecedented candour. For a betting shop...

Paddy Power - From Russia, With Equal Love

According to its spokesman:

"Given they invented Russian Dolls, you’d be forgiven for thinking Russia wouldn’t have an issue with women being into other women.

"Likewise, their appreciation for bears is one shared around the world by the LGBT+ population, so it really is astonishing that they have not used their stewardship of this tournament to champion LGBT+ inclusivity.

"As a result, we’ve stepped in to help. When Russia 'Put-in' a goal, we’ll Put-in £10,000 to Attitude magazine’s Foundation, who will use the funds to make football more LGBT+ inclusive. I cannot wait to see the LGBT+ community get behind the Russians – or the Russians’ baffled reaction."

Indeed.

Thought for the Day

Sport.

What is it good for?

Totty of the Day

Happy 50th birthday today to Olympic hurdler and fellow Welshman Colin Jackson. Who could not love a man who "always could get his legs up higher - and wider - than anyone else"?



And indeed, rumours persist that the never-married Mr Jackson is in fact in a long-term relationship with fellow Olympian, swimmer Mark Foster, despite his denial in an interview several years ago that he was gay...

I leave it to the Three Degrees to have the last word on that one, methinks.

Three Degrees - The Runner

The taste of his skin, the gentle touch of his hand
Is worth waiting for, so I must understand
Yes you run, you just won't show love
That's the thing you're frightened of

He's a runner, he's a runner

Indeed.

Colin Ray Jackson, CBE (born 18th February 1967)

Life is but a dream

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream,
Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream

Hallelujah!

...the Warwick Rowers calendar 2017 is here!

Warwick Rowers calendar 2017

The Warwick Rowers 2017 calendar raises money for the Sport Allies Charity, that leads the fight against homophobia in sport. And they are gorgeous!

Dem bones

I have broken a bone in my foot.

Apparently it is known as the footballers' fracture".



Funny, that. The only balls I like playing with don't seem that dangerous...

From our sports correspondent...

Wrestling.

It's for team players, apparently.

Totty of the Day

Nicknamed "The Hammer" - because of his powerful left foot, apparently; no other (ahem!) reason - former Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham and German national footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger has become one of only a few (and certainly the most prominent, given the fact he played for his country 52 times) professionals in the game to publicly come out as gay.

He said today in an interview with newspaper Die Zeit:

"I'm coming out about my homosexuality because I want to move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sportspeople forwards.

"In England, Italy and Germany being a homosexual is no big thing, at least not in the dressing room.

"I was never ashamed of being who I am but it was not always easy to sit on a table with 20 young men and listen to jokes about gays. You let them get on with it as long as the jokes are somewhat funny and not too insulting.

"Being gay is a topic that is 'ignored' in football and not 'a serious topic in the changing room'. Fighting spirit, passion and winning mentality are."

I am no sports fan, but this is really good news in the "macho" world of football - traditionally associated with so much ignorance and boorish behaviour amongst its fans. Tolerance and acceptance can only be learned when their "heroes" tell it like it is.

Football vs Homophobia

World's sexiest GAY man!

From The BBC:

"In spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone, and they make me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great.

"That someone is a guy."

Daley, from Plymouth in Devon, was recently named the "world's sexiest man" by a magazine and is presenting a second series of dive show Splash.

Daley said: "It did take me by surprise a little bit. It was always in my head that something like that could happen.

"But it wasn't until spring this year that things just clicked. It felt right and I thought 'Okay'.

"And my whole world changed there and then."

Open season...

An enlightened environment

"Educating through the curriculum is key to creating an enlightened environment in which our teachers and students can thrive and be who they want to be without fear of discrimination." Elly Barnes.

And so it ended...

As Co-chairs of Islington Council Staff LGBT Forum, David Dickey and I felt like proud dads yesterday (Thursday 28th February) as we mingled with the assembled teachers, schoolchildren, campaigners and representatives of one of the UK's top football clubs, Arsenal (no actual footballers in attendance, more's the pity).

The occasion? The Educate and Celebrate Showcase (organised and set up by local teacher Elly Barnes, who was rated No.1 on the Independent’s "Pink List" of the unsung heroes and heroines who make life as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person better), which also happened to be the closing event of Camden and Islington LGBT History Month.





In the imposing surroundings of Arsenal's multi-million-pound Emirates Stadium (even I, no sports fan, was impressed!), we were there not just to celebrate the end of a wonderful month's events promoting knowledge of our proud history and experience, but also to witness a ground-breaking debate on homo- and trans-phobia in a home of that last bastion of "feral masculinity", football. The club is among very few in the UK that have signed up to challenge discrimination on the grounds of sexuality in any meaningful way, and indeed, some of their fans are impressed:

"Watching Arsenal play at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday afternoon there were rainbows on the screens and the words 'Arsenal for Everyone supports LGBT History Month.' In the week that Robbie Rogers came out as gay I guess it was good to see. It prompted some wags in the crowd to then chant, 'we're not homophobic, we're not homophobic, we're not homophobic anymoooore, we're not homophobic anymoooore.' Ha ha."

Arsenal supports Camden & Islington LGBT History Month

The rainbow banner on the electronic display at Arsenal's match

We were there for the debate, but there was a lot more to the day's events than that. A "Football vs Homophobia" match had been played earlier in the day, and even politicos were there to show their support.


Elly Barnes and Yvette Cooper

Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “We want as many schools as possible to tackle LGBT equality. We want every student to be proud of who they are.”

Taking part in the discussion itself [see photo at top of page] were trans activist Delia Johnston, spokeman for the LGBT Arsenal supporters club "The Gay Gooners" Stuart Selby, Chair of Camden LGBT Forum Nigel Harris (whose magical string-pulling talents had made the month such a massive success), Pride Sports UK Executive Director Lou Englefield, and Gay Games supporter and president of Phoenix FC gay football club Leviathen Hendricks.

It was a lively debate, covering topics and challenges ranging from why there are no out-gay footballers in any league in the UK, what it means to be a transgender person in sport, challenging bigotry in all its forms - from the school playground to the football terraces - and why "name-calling" is not as harmless as it could be perceived.



What impressed me most, however, were the contributions of the kids in the audience, and how au fait they were about the issues. Some (older ones) may have come to terms with their own identity, but even the younger ones seemed to have a wise head beyond their years. It was a well-constructed and useful session, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.


"I smell children..."

Unfortunately having been double-booked, I could not stay for the rest of the evening's entertainment - which included music, readings and drama performances - but I am assured that everyone found it a rewarding experience, as pupils from schools in some of our multi-cultural inner-city (often perceived as "difficult") areas all performed under a rainbow banner!

School governor Henry Stewart writes:

"Year 7 students explained how they had studied Alan Turing in ICT. A year 10 student sang “Dead End Justice” in tribute to the 70s band The Runaways. She explained how lyrics of the band, whose two female singers had a lesbian relationship, had helped her in working out her bisexual identity. Another student moved those around me to tears with the song she wrote herself about dealing with hate."

He also makes a wise comment on the staging of the event itself:

"That the event took place at the Emirates Stadium felt a significant step, at a time when there are no openly gay professional footballers. Samir Singh from Arsenal in the Community talked of how proud they were to be hosting the LGBT celebration and indeed the club’s web site promotes its support for LGBT month.

A huge congratulations to Elly Barnes... and to all the staff and students involved for their great work..."

Lou Englefield, speaking after the event, said she was encouraged by how young people received the campaign against homophobia in football.

“The kids totally took on board the message that we were trying to spread,” she said. “It’s all about beginning this kind of conversation and them taking that message home. The more we talk about it the more normal it will become.”

Indeed.



Roll on next year's LGBT History Month!

Totty of the Day

"I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined... I could not be happier with my decision. Life is so full of amazing things. I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest. Honesty is a bitch but makes life so simple and clear. My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on..."

Robbie Rogers, former professional footballer with Leeds United and the USA national soccer team, who came out yesterday.

We'll just tell them that we're practicing

As the telly is taken up with a lot of men playing with their odd-shaped balls, I give eternal thanks to the ever-fabulous and informative Towleroad blog for this one...

Hilarious!

Dead Cat Bounce - Rugby

In a spin

"Controversy" and "figure-skating" are not normally terms that are associated with each other. However, in the "Land of the Free" [sic] one particular flamboyant character has raised a few eyebrows.

Heaven forfend that such a butch sport should be tainted by the presence of someone like Johnny Weir...

Johnny Weir - The Swan (2006 Olympic Games Short Program)

Be Good, Johnny Weir promo

Johnny Weir online

'Bend the knees and keep the back straight'

Back in 1976 the consummate figure skater John Curry, who would have been 60 years old today, won Britain's first Olympic gold in the sport - the UK's first medal at the winter games for 12 years (and he scored the highest points total in the history of men's figure skating). I remember it well, and the hysteria which surrounded this lithe man and his near-perfect grace on the rink.

Mr Curry, who had longed to become a ballet dancer (despite his father's refusal to let him), fused for the very first time the artistic styles of ballet into his skating and created a new way forward for the event - even though the sport's traditionally-focussed governing body criticised his "graceful" [read="effeminate"] technique.

And it seems that these stuffed shirts of the establishment set an unhealthy precedent, as the gay sporting hero was thenceforth subjected to typically bigoted and intrusive tabloid interest in his personal life, which distanced the public from his triumphal successes and may well have contributed to a homophobic assault he suffered in the late 70s.

Despite a couple of TV spectaculars and numerous balletic stage productions in Europe and in the US, the appeal of his ice dance shows waned and commercial success eluded him. In 1987 he was diagnosed HIV positive, and in the 90s his condition declined. According to recently published information he apparently died in 1994 in the arms of his lover at the time, the Oscar-winning actor Alan Bates - which in itself is quite a revelation.

RIP, a genuine sporting legend.

John Curry 1976 Innsbruck Olympics

John Curry obituary

It’s an up and under!

This made me laugh! Apparently, on Sunday afternoon New Zealand rugby fans watching a regular sports programme found themselves viewing hardcore pornography instead.

Read the BBC article

This gives me the spurious reason - as if I need one! - to post some gratuitous pictures of semi-naked rugby players...







Dieux du Stade official site

Basket balls indeed

This beautiful man DeMarco Majors (who??) has made it to the American Out magazine awards for the most influential gay people list this year. He is certainly recognised for his - ahem - talents!



PS he's a basket-baller. Apparently...