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Adventure: The Metropolitan City of Wroclaw, Poland

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Thinking, TravelNo Comments

I recently visited Wroclaw in Poland with my brother and his friends for his stag do and his birthday. It was the first time I had met many of my brother’s friends and they are a great bunch of lads. In this post I’ll be discussing my experience of being in Wroclaw.

The first thing to write is that the architecture is aesthetically pleasing. There are many buildings with a Georgian style and many churches that are exquisitely designed. Here is an example of one such church:

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A Church in Wroclaw, Poland.

Here are two photos of fountains I took:

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Fountain (1).
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Fountain (2).

Wroclaw is vibrant, youthful and has an upbeat feel. It is a clean city, only being let down by graffiti that is everywhere. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, with some even having English menus upon request. The cost of living is cheap with roughly 10 slotty (about £2) buying a double vodka and diet coke. I did have difficulties getting zero sugar drinks in a number of places, which was a bit of an issue with me being diabetic.

The only Polish word I managed to learn was Kawa, which means coffee. The main square is huge and has flower market stalls that appear to be open 24/7. I found myself listening to Polish conversations as I walked around and appreciating the beautiful sound of the language. Some Polish spoke English exceptionally well whereas others didn’t speak any English at all. I found the Google Translate App really useful.

Without doubt it is people that make a city. All appeared happy, content and liberal. Polish people had less inhibitions when it came to dancing than we English have. Polish people will quite happily bump into anyone in their way in pubs and clubs. This is normal to the Polish, but being British I found it a little rude.

As Poland is known for being Roman Catholic and as such conservative when it comes to gay people and their rights. I decided to test the waters with a Polish man who I had been talking to and getting on with whilst smoking a cigarette. I came out and asked his views on gay people. He said:

“I don’t care, I don’t give a fuck. That’s your choice. We’re all just friends here.”

He described himself as not being religious, male, heterosexual and was in his mid twenties.

Overall Wroclaw is a beautiful city, with wonderful people and a place that I will be visiting again.

Take care,

Antony

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Thursday 31 October 2019

Wonderful Websites – Gay Culture and Society

By Gay, The Web8 Comments
wonderful-websites-image This is the seventh blog post in a series titled Wonderful Websites. The first focused on general health and can be read here. The second focused on mental health and mental illness and can be read here. The third post focused on shopping and can be read here.

The fourth focused on money and can be read here. The fifth focused on gigs, shows and theatres and can be read here. The sixth focused on paganism and can be read here.

Here’s Wonderful Websites about gay culture and society:

1. The Gay UK – My number one source of gay news.

2. Gay Star News – My close second source of gay news.

3. Gaydio – A gay radio station that can be listened to in London and Manchester and online.

4. Stonewall – A national charity that campaigns for LGBT rights.

5. The Albert Kennedy Trust – A charity that supports LGBT homeless young people.

6. RUComingOut is a brilliant resource for anyone struggling to come to terms with their sexuality, coming out or thinking about it.

7. GMFA – A gay men’s health charity.

8. LGBT @ BuzzFeed – A news site that has an LGBT section. Has the odd interesting article.

Are there any gay culture and society websites that you think are useful that aren’t on the list? If so leave a comment below and let me know.

In the next post in my Wonderful Websites I will list great TV, Online Streaming & Films websites.

Blog soon,

Antony



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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Saturday 30 June 2018

5 Great Reasons to Come Out as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual

By GayNo Comments

Today (Wednesday 11th October 2017) is National Coming Out Day. Coming out is when a gay man or lesbian woman disclose that they are attracted to the same sex to someone. Coming out for a bisexual is when they disclose that they are attracted to both sexes to someone.

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National Coming Out Day – Wednesday 11th October 2017.

Coming out is a process, rather than a singular experience and is a life long one. Gay, lesbian and bisexual people come out in all areas of their lives including: to family, to friends, to work colleagues, to health & social care professionals, etc. Coming out is diverse, some are out to everyone, some are only out to some people in their lives and some aren’t out at all.

All gay, lesbian and bisexual people remember their first coming out experience and sometimes choose to share their intimate stories with one another. These shared experiences, along with associated emotions can create strong empathetic bonds.

Trans people also go through the process of coming out. I’m not Trans, so this article will only focus on coming out for gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

This article gives 5 great reasons to come out as gay, lesbian or bisexual. But only come out if you feel that it is safe to do so. Don’t put yourself at risk of harm in any way. If you live in a country that mistreats, or persecutes, or where homophobia and biphobia is evident it may be safer not to come out.

Here’s 5 great reasons to come out:

5. More Chance of Meeting Mr or Ms Right
Being out will switch on your gaydar. Suddenly you’ll start to notice attractive gay men, or lesbian women or both sexes everywhere. Being out and becoming part of the out world will lead to more opportunities to meet Mr or Ms Right.

4. A New Lease of Life
Coming out will give you a new lease of life. You’ll become part of the gay community, which is rich with its own unique culture and many sub-cultures. There’s something for everyone in the gay community. You’ll make new friends, lovers and partners.

3. Acceptance
Gay, lesbian and bisexual people going through a process of self-acceptance prior to coming out to others. Part of coming out to others is about gaining acceptance from those you hold dear. Acceptance and tolerance for difference is something that has always been a struggle for humans. But slowly, in more and more countries around the world, we are becoming more tolerant, inclusive and accepting.

LGB (Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual) people in some places gave gained more rights and protections. In some places they have been given truer equality, just think about the legal right marry their partners.

In history most LGB were not able to marry their partners because they were of the same sex. Yet straight people have always been able to marry their partners. By allowing all to marry their partners, irrespective of gender, is true equality. You can read more about The History of Marriage (in the UK) here.

2. Happier and Healthier
You’ll be happier not keeping the secret from people. Keeping your sexuality is a secret is a lot of work: watching what you say, watching what you do and watching how you behave.

Add to the above saying, doing and behaving like others would expect a straight person to. Analysing situations in your head for a long time after they’ve happened, wondering if your act was good enough?

You will be mentally healthier as well. Those who are not out are more at risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health illnesses due to feelings of isolation and the burden of keeping the secret.

1. Be Yourself
Coming out gives you the chance to be your whole self, without having to hide one of the most important aspects of yourself.

Are there any other great reasons to come out? Leave a comment below.

Blog soon,

Antony



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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Wednesday 11 October 2017

Some of My High School Celebrity Crushes

By Amazon, Gay, Happiness & JoyNo Comments

When I was a teenager, I was quiet at high school and spent most of the evenings at home watching soaps on TV. TV is where I discovered some sexy celebrity males and developed some crushes, so here are some of my high school celebrity crushes:

Jansen Spencer

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Jansen Spencer was my first celebrity crush, when I saw him in Neighbours.

 Jansen Spencer was probably my first crush, when he played Paul McClain on Neighbours. I liked his jet black wavy hair, natural tan and cute ears. He looked about my age, although is actually a few years older. I thought he was gorgeous and for a while imagined all Australian’s looked like him.

He didn’t get his top off often enough, but the images below are two rare occasions that he did. I’m not sure what he’s up to these days, but he is on twitter: @JansenSpencer.

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I loved Jansen Spencer’s jet black wavy hair.

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Jansen Spencer on the rare occasion he was topless in Neighbours.
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Jansen Spencer topless.

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Andrew Hayden-Smith

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Andrew Hayden-Smith in Byker Grove.

 I discovered Andrew Hayden-Smith when he played bad boy Ben Carter in Byker Grove on CBBC. He was the only reason I watched Byker Grove. Hayden-Smith went on to be a Presenter and played a minor role in Doctor Who. More recently he’s scored role in Russell T Davies’ Banana and Cucumber. As time has gone on he’s got sexier and sexier. Much to my delight (and the delight of many others) he is happy to be in his birthday suite for the odd photoshoot:
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Andrew Hayden-Smith – Now.
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Andrew Hayden-Smith – Now.
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Andrew Hayden-Smith – Now.
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Andrew Hayden-Smith – Now.
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Andrew Hayden-Smith – Now.

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Andrew Moss

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Andrew Moss in Hollyoaks when I was younger.

 I loved watching Hollyoaks, partly for the eye candy. Andrew Moss played Rhys Ashworth, who was a bit of a player and womaniser. He was always getting his kit off. I’m not sure what triggered my crush, perhaps it was his characters confidence. I just liked him.

Moss moved on from Hollyoaks and I’m not sure what he’s up to now. But he has twitter: @AndyMoss.

Below are two topless pictures of him, one in a jacuzzi…just because:

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Andrew Moss in Hollyoaks now.
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Andrew Moss in a Jacuzzi…just because.

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Guy Burnet

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Guy Burnett in Hollyoaks when I was younger.

 Another Hollyoaks crush of mine was the stunning Guy Burnet. Gorgeous body, straight white teeth and big brown expressive eyes.

Burnet played Craig Dean in Hollyoaks and had loads of great storylines. One of the biggest storylines was the development of a gay relationship with character John Paul McQueen (James Sutton).

Burnet left Hollyoaks in 2008 to try new things. Unfortunately I was unable to ascertain what Burnet has been up to since he left Hollyoaks.
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Guy Burnett in Hollyoaks – looking fit.
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Guy Burnett in Hollyoaks gay storyline.

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Karl Davies

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Karl Davies first discovered in Emmerdale.

 In Emmerdale, I developed a crush on Karl Davies who played bad boy Robert Sugden. I thought he was hot when he first came into the soap and has only got hotter since.

After leaving Emmerdale, Davies has continued to work on screen as an Actor. According to this website and Wikipedia he has played several different roles on TV and in films.

Recently my crush on him was reignited when I watched him in The Syndicate (series 2), which was a series about a syndicate winning the lottery.

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Karl Davies topless once he’d began working out.
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More Karl Davies topless.
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Even more Karl Davies topless.

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Kieron Richardson

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Kieron Richardson as Bad Boy Ste in Hollyoaks.

 My final Hollyoaks crush was the attractive Kieron Richardson, who played another bad boy (I’m starting to sense a theme here!) Ste Hey.

Ste has had loads of storylines over the years, including a coming out storyline were his character came out as gay. I read that Ste is currently in a relationship with John Paul McQueen and has recently been diagnosed HIV positive.

Actor Richardson has come out gay. As well as continuing to work on Hollyoaks, Richardson also presents a radio show on Gaydio. Richardson is on twitter: @MrkieronR.

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Kieron Richardson’s character Ste later became gay.
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More Kieron Richardson.

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Prince Harry

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Prince Harry – my weird celebrity crush.

 Prince Harry (in the photo left) was my weird crush. I saw this photo and thought Oh, he’s cute. There was just something about him. I think I was attracted to him because of his looks as well as his hereditary power and wealth.

Harry has grown up and been known to defend the rights of gay people. He is still reasonably attractive, especially with his top off (see below) but I no longer have a crush on him. Sorry Harry.

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Prince Harry Topless.

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Jon Lee

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Jon Lee from S Club 7 was perhaps my first pop crush.

 Jon Lee from 90s pop band S Club 7 was probably my first music crush. To me his big smile, blonde hair and brown eyes made him beautiful.

Since the band split, Lee has focused on his stage career, released a solo album and come out as gay.

These days he’s still good looking, although I’m not sure about some of the tattoos.

S Club 7 are reuniting for a small UK tour this year. Jon Lee is on twitter: @JonLee321.
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Jon Lee topless.
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More Jon Lee topless.
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Even more Jon Lee topless.
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Now: Jon Lee topless, not sure what I think of the muscles or tattoos.
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Another Jon Lee Now.

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Tom Cruise

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Tom Cruise, my first movie star crush.

 After I watched the sex scene at the beginning of Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise instantly became my first movie star crush. His jet black hair, defined check bones and body were all appealing. I will add that for a long time I didn’t realise how short he was. Not that this would have made any difference, as I have always tended to like men shorter in height than myself. Cruise has aged well, looking great for his current age of 52 years old.

Cruise has had a long career Acting in films. My favourites have to be the Mission Impossible films, with a new Mission Impossible film (MI5) coming out this year. I have also enjoyed his recent futuristic action films Minority Report and Oblivion.

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Now: Tom Cruise.

Who were your celebrity crushes when you were younger? Leave a comment below.

A note on Image Credits & Copyright:
Images have been collected off the Internet. I am unsure where most of them came from, apart from the images with a source identified.

I am not the copyright holder of any of the images in this post. If you think you are the copyright holder and would like the image removed please contact me.

Blog soon,

Antony

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I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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Saturday 23 May 2015
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