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Pink News on Manchester Pride

By Gay, Political, RantsNo Comments

I regulary check PinkNews.co.uk for the latest news in the gay world. Last week this article appeared: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8862.html.It follows an article the week before, where some young people had protested that Manchester Pride had become a money making venture.

In this article the Villiage Buisness Association (VBA) states that we have a ‘Marketing Manchester Pride’, which to me basically means a business. Having given it considerable thought – I would tend to agree. It has become about making money in some senses.

I have a few reasons for saying this. Firstly, for the last few years I have taken young people who identify as gay, lesibian, bisexual or questioning. The tickets are bought by the organisation in advanced, but even in advanced they are £12.50. How many vunerable young people, with little free cash could afford this? In addition to this, some of them are under 16 years of age. Where’s the consession for young people, OAP’s (Old Aged Pensioners), etc.

A friend of mine bought a weekend ticket on the Saturday after the main parade. He had to pay £18. To me that’s the cost of a gig and is outrageous for a so called ‘celebration of gay culture and the diversity of Manchester’. And my final point to make is that I have massively seen an increase in the money Manchester Pride spends on advertising, this year I have seen more adverts for Manchester Pride than ever before. Why do they need to advertise? All gay magazines list the dates of the different pride festivals around the country. And most gay people who have the internet check the Manchester Pride website.

I do recognise the good work that is completed with the funds raised. Support for gay men around HIV and in supporting the work the LGF do. But my question is: Why is it so expensive, therefore excluding the isolated and vunerable LGB people in society?

Answers on a post card…

Antony

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Monday 8 September 2008

No. 10 Petitions

By Gay, Health, PoliticalNo Comments

After discovering e-petitions for No. 10 Downing St (see Get politically active!), I have checked for relevant ones on a regular basis. Here’s a few that are relevant to me and my life:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Blood-Equality/
The has been a big story line in Holy Oaks about gay men (or men that sleep with men) not being able to give blood due to the increased risk of HIV and other blood bourne viruses. I emailed the Blood service a few years back requesting the evidence base for this.

I recieved a response. The evidence base was out of date by several years. I don’t have the email any more, but I may email again to get the info. so I can post it here.

The evidence base does not reflect national stats, which state HIV infection rates are increasing in hetrosexuals faster than gay men for the first time ever. In addition to this, blood is screened, cleaned and broken down in to components anyway so it should be safe for the recipient.

This all of course when there is a national drive, due to the shortage of blood. The irony.

 

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Stopdeportinggay/
This is a petition to stop deporting gay and lesbians who face persecution in their own country. Now, I recognise the need for immigration control. However, is it fair or humanistic to send a person back to their home county where they face being hung. It is enough that we still have oppression, homophobia and discrimination in our society. Let’s not send people back to their own countries where it is worse.

 

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/diabetes-cure/
This petition is to ask the government to fund stem cell research to find a cure for diabetes. As many of you know, I am a suffer. I have also read of the research around stem cells from America and it does look promising. From an economic point of view, if we could cure diabetes it would save the country millions of pounds in what they spend in prescriptions (for insulin, needles, clippers, test strips, BM machines, etc.). Not to mention the costs to businesses that employ diabetic in terms of days off sick (as diabetics are more prone to illnesses).

 

I am by no means asking you to sign these for me. Just sign which of these you feel are relevent to your life. And what you would like to petition Gordan Brown to make a priority.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Tuesday 2 September 2008

Elephant cups…and more news!

By Gay, Gigs & Shows, Life, Love & Relationships2 Comments

I have been seeing more of the attractive stranger, also known as David recently. Quite some weeks ago we went in to a shop called Shared Earth in Manchester. It’s an ethnic shop, filled with bright mutli-coloured objects, usually that are hand made and fair trade. I made a comment about liking some Elephant cups that I saw.

They where two cups in a pair that had their arms out hugging. David must have took this comment on board, as a few weeks later he bought me a suprise:

Elephant Cups

Awwe, they are sooo cute! Thank you soo much David.

In other news:

Take Care,

Antony

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Tuesday 26 August 2008

Lady Boys of Bangkok Amazing, updates!

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Gay, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & JoyNo Comments

Lady Boys of Bangkok. I would like to thank them for putting on a brilliant show. The show consisted of incredable costumes and make up along with good miming. I have watched their show for the last three years now, and it keeps getting bigger and better every year! I would highly recommend you go and see it!

I would also like to thank my good friend Steve and his sister Sarah for coming along with me. Sarah and myself have made a pact – for he to come up to Manchester and watch it again next year! Can’t wait.

This weekend, I am watching Kylie with my mum and Steve.

Updates Wise:

  I have been working on the adventures blog entry for my recent road trip. Here’s is a video of Kay and myself giving you a grand tour of the room we stayed in at the Caladonian Backpakers in Edinburgh:
 

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So there’s the taster of what is coming soon! Just because you may not see the work sometimes, it is being done behind the scene’s.

Blog Soon,

Antony

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Friday 11 July 2008
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