PInk News: Dear Pot...

The complete lack of self-awareness here is too funny for words or even sentences.

'The Sun isn't the only tabloid to run ridicuolus LGBT stories...'

Gorden Kaye: 1941-2017

'Allo 'Allo! star Gorden Kaye has tragically died aged 75 in a care home.

The star's agent confirmed he had died today but made no further comment.

The actor - who is best known for his role as Rene Artois in the British TV comedy - leaves behind an impressive legacy and career.

He appeared in all 84 episodes of the show for a decade until 1992, and reprised the role 1,2000 times in the stage adaptation...

Daily Mirror.

In early 1989, Gorden heard the News Of The World were going to out him via a story sold to them by a rent boy. He had been tipped off by a journalist from The People who said they should run a spoiler the same day.

Suspicious of their motives and aim, he approached the Daily Mirror who ran a sympathetic coming out interview which nixed them.

The NOTW ran the rent boy story anyway and ran a readers' phone-in poll asking if the BBC should resign from 'Allo 'Allo - inspired by a comment from Geoffrey Dickens, the insanely homophobic Tory MP who began the ridiculous rumours of a 'VIP paedophile ring' and a prime mover behind Section 28. Readers wanted him to stay, by 10 to one.

The following year Kaye was hospitalised following a car crash. Two reporters from the Sunday Sport snuck into the hospital disguised as doctors.

And that, my friends, is how the British tabloid press works.

Stephen Gately: A Boy's Own Secret

Former Boyzone manager Louis Walsh has opened up about late '90s heartthrob Stephen Gately, saying he feared his career would be over if the public found out he was gay.

Kate Thornton, on her BBC radio show Paper Cuts, also quizzed the X Factorjudge on how he made Boyzone famous, and how he helped hide Gately's sexual orientation...

As a manager, he saw it as his job to cover up Stephen's sexuality, even telling the press he was in a relationship with Mariah Carey: "I married Stephen Gately off to so many people because Stephen didn't want anyone to know he was gay at the start.

"He was dreading all of his life that this was going to ruin his career... He was in the end [outed] by The Sun but it didn't matter, in fact it was the best thing for him, he was free then, he had nothing to him.

"At that time it wasn't cool to be gay and be in a boyband, because the girls had to like them." ...

Digital Spy.

The exchange below is interesting.

When I suggested at the time that Stephen had been outed by The Sun - and they'd blackmailed him into 'coming out' by saying they were going to run a story as part of Boyzone's entourage had sold them some photos of him canoodling with a man - their press officer got very angry and assured me this was nonsense.

His big coming out interview in The Sun was most odd - none of the quotes sounded like him, and bizarrely for such a big media event, they neglected to do a photo session.

Walsh: ‘He was dreading all of his life that this was going to ruin his career… He was in the end [outed] by The Sun but it didn’t matter, in fact it was the best thing for him, he was free then, he had nothing to hide.’

Thornton: ‘I remember getting a phone call from you when I was the editor of Smash Hits and you said “Is it OK if I tell the Daily Star that you’re going out with Stephen Gately because he’s gay?”

Walsh: ‘The next day I opened the papers and you had him with Mariah Carey – I phoned you up and said you could have gone with something more plausible! You said “No. It’s global.”‘

Paper Cuts, BBC Radio 2.

Of course, it wasn't Louis Walsh's decision to keep young Stephen in the closet.

And when did you come out exactly?

Gawker: My Pay Pal The Billionaire Bully Boy

Gawker’s history of outing closeted gay public figures may have cost the company $140 million.

In March, former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan was awarded $115 million — with an extra $25.1 million in punitive damages — by a Florida jury in a civil case against Gawker Media. Four years ago, the website published a tape of Hogan engaging in intercourse with Heather Clem, the ex-wife of his former best friend. As Hogan would testify in court, he was not aware the encounter was being recorded. Since the post went live in 2012, it has been viewed 7.5 million times.

Hogan, however, was reportedly not alone in bringing suit against Gawker. According to the New York Times, the case was being privately funded by venture capitalist Peter Thiel [left], who was outed by Valleywag — Gawker’s Silicon Valley-centric blog — in a 2007 post.

Thiel, an early investor in Facebook and the co-founder of PayPal, has since become a vocal critic of Valleywag, which he has called “the Silicon Valley equivalent of Al Qaeda.” Thiel told PEHub in 2009, “I think they should be described as terrorists, not as writers or reporters.” He would come out publicly three years after the original story was published.

Thiel, a libertarian who has supported Ted Cruz and has pledged to back Donald Trump as one of California’s appointed delegates, has long been a vocal advocate for the freedom of the press. Thiel is behind the Committee for Protection of Journalists, which bills itself as “an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the global defense of press freedom.”

The Advocate.

'A vocal advocate for the freedom of the press.'

Erm...

Ted Heath: Outed By The Ink Girl

Sir Edward Heath was the target of ‘contemptible’ blackmailers who threatened to out the then Prime Minister as gay, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Papers to be kept top-secret until 2042 but obtained by this newspaper under Freedom of Information laws reveal how Heath was ‘plagued’ by what a Foreign Office official called ‘blackmailing and abusive letters’.

Such was the concern over the blackmail plot that it prompted talks at the highest level, including meetings at No 10.

Rumours about the unmarried Heath’s private life dogged him throughout his career. Last year, police opened an inquiry into unsubstantiated allegations of historic child abuse against him, prompting fury from friends.

The blackmailers’ plot came about after a woman belonging to a bizarre cult, The Institute for Personal Development, threw ink over Heath in Brussels in January 1972, an incident that was front-page news at the time.

German-born Karen Cooper, who was living in London and whose real name was Marie-Louise Kwiatkowski, was protesting over a council’s refusal to allow the cult to build a conference hall in Covent Garden. She and the other members held Mr Heath responsible.

She was charged in Brussels with assaulting a head of state, but a series of letters sent in 1972 by her friend and future husband George Martin warned Heath what would happen if the charges were not dropped.

Claiming that Cooper had shouted out ‘You damn homosexual’ during her attack – although this was unreported at the time in the extensive news coverage – Martin made a thinly veiled threat when he wrote that the cult would ‘bring the whole matter to an amicable end’ only if the case did not come to trial.

He warned that he and fellow sect member Anna Darl would brand Heath a homosexual in court, writing: ‘So far as the trial is concerned, may I advise your superiors against it. Does anybody in authority in Belgium and England want all the sensational publicity that such a trial would receive in court and outside the court in Brussels?’

The letter provoked panic in Downing Street and Sir Robert Armstrong, Heath’s principal private secretary, described it as a ‘flagrant and contemptible attempt to pervert the course of Belgian justice’...

Mail On Sunday.

Crikey.

Union J: Non-Entity Half Comes Out

Presuming this is the same definition of bisexual as used by Tom Daley when he came out; ie 'I'm actually a screaming gaylord.'

The Sun. LOLOLOLOL!!!

But was it The Sun's gay showbiz editor Dan Wootton who goaded Shelley into coming out?

PS And a record-breakingly ridiculous piece on Pink News.

Saying she doesn't want to be labelled, when she clearly can't just say she's gay, is such a 70s throwback.

Xmas Silly Season: Zoe Balls

THE boyband singer behind that kiss with Strictly star ZOE BALL has revealed he is bisexual.

The married TV presenter, 45, caused showbiz shockwaves after she was pictured in a steamy embrace with 22-year-old TAYTAY STARHZ.

Rumours that he might not be that into girls started circulating after the snog at gay Soho nightclub Freedom in the early hours of Thursday.

 Last night TayTay told us: “I am bisexual. However I do not feel my sexuality defines me as a person. I’m proud of who I am and so are my family.” 

Word also reaches us that Zoe – married to DJ FATBOY SLIM – believes she was set-up by the wannabe star and is at the centre of a mean publicity stunt.

A source revealed: “Zoe is mortified the kiss has attracted such attention.

“She was very drunk and believes TayTay took advantage of her friendly nature.“He grabbed her while she was on the dancefloor and launched himself at her. TayTay’s friend was conveniently standing by with a camera.”

The Sun On Sunday.

I love this line so much I think you should read it again; 'Rumours that he might not be that into girls started circulating after the snog at gay Soho nightclub Freedom in the early hours of Thursday.'

And that name again... TayTay Starhz!!!

Fagburn has a feeling we'll never hear it again.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Incredible

CRISTIANO RONALDO is in a gay relationship with a hunky Moroccan kickboxer, it has been sensationally claimed.

It is alleged the Real Madrid star, 30, regularly jets to Morocco after training for ‘cuddles’ with friend Badr Hari.

According to Spanish press, the Portuguese forward has frequently been flying to North Africa after training sessions on his £14million private jet to spend time with Hari, 30.

And Daniel Riolo — a contributor on French television show ‘Touche pas a mon sport’ — hinted that pair were more than just friends.

The studio audience was heard gasping when Riolo said: “Ronaldo takes three or four jets a week to see a friend in Morocco to cuddle.”

It was also claimed that Ronaldo has had cosmetic surgery on his nose.

PS Saturday's front page news!

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner — who has been linked with a mega-money return to Manchester United — recently shared a series of photos on a holiday he took with Hari.

He was pictured lifted in Hari’s arms with the caption “Just married. Always there to pick you up, bro”... 

Ronaldo’s love of fashion, accessories and grooming has led people to question his sexuality in the past - and he has been voted a gay icon by several publications.

But the 500-goal striker has previously shrugged off any speculation, saying: “I’m at ease with my sexuality so it’s not a problem for me.” ...

The Sun.

Even though one gets the impression this was a joke, and that whatever Ronaldo is so down with Teh Gayz he wouldn't sue, good to see The Sun covering their backs by covering this story with 'incredible allegations' and 'sensational claims'...

Incredibly, Mail Online readers appear to think they actually are an item, but they ain't bovvered!

PS Still trying to confirm if Badr Hari is any relation to disgraced gay journalist Johann Hari.

Update: 'Cuddle friend... also cradled in his muscular arms' etc. LOL.

Charlie Sheen: Shame

Back in 1982 when developing AIDS was viewed as a death sentence, I attempted suicide when I discovered I was HIV positive.

After hearing so many terrifying stories of long, agonising deaths, I just couldn’t face it.

But society’s ignorant response was almost as frightening.

Fortunately my attempt to take my own life failed and thankfully we’ve moved on from the hysterical reaction to AIDS in the 1980s.

Advances in medication and a more open-minded society have helped, but the Government is cutting funding for HIV services, there are new diagnosis every day and not everyone responds to the medication which combats the virus.

Now Charlie Sheen hasn’t helped the struggle to combat the stigma and misinformation that still surrounds the illness.

His claim that it would have been “impossible” to pass it on to other people is particularly damaging...

I understand the difficulties surrounding someone in Hollywood admitting this and it’s appalling to hear he’s been blackmailed.

Though going public about his status could have contributed towards normalising the condition - an important step in combating the spread of the virus.

Sheen is only admitted it because he was forced to do so.

It all contributes to a warped perception of the illness and turns HIV back into the sinister secret it was viewed as 30 years ago.

Joanthan Blake, also of LGSM (note the Pits & Perverts t-shirt), in the Mirror.

Bit of an odd one this, especically when you consider the Mirror's role in trying to (force) out Charlie Sheen, their awful 'Hollywood HIV panic' angle, and the incredibly shitty Fleet Street Fox article; The Hollywood actor with HIV deserves everything he gets - and worse.

But bear in mind this is in the Mirror and may only be very loosely based on what Jonathan said. 

PS A less judgemental piece from Independent Voices...

The Sun: Panic!

The 80s revival starts here.

NB Shamefully, the byline on this story is The Sun's token gayer, Dan Wootton. *

Dan lists a number of gay celebrities who have died of Aids-related illnesses or are living with HIV, but neglects to mention which The Sun and or The News Of The World tried to 'expose'.

* Readers of Private Eye will know that Mr Wootton regularly takes credit for his Sun Showbiz staff's stories, but this one's so crappy we shouldn't let him off the hook even if he 'only' approved it.

Update: An unbelivably shitty piece by The Mirror's Fleet Street Fox - erm...

This poll was deleted after it was pointed out it was also really shitty...

Business News: Saved You A Click

Forbes.

Yes.

An interview with the convicted corporate killer and all-round cunt, Lord Browne, formerly CEO of BP.

“It’s about having good conversations with managers from the top to the bottom [Fnar fnar!]. CEOs are very good at talking about making their places of work inclusive. It’s about finding time to do something about inclusion, make it safe and allow people to be themselves.”

For that to happen, Browne believes more CEOs need to come out as gay and make a stand. “I don’t want to have the title of the most senior person in business to have come out as being gay,” he said. “I would like to lose that title.”

Erm, but you didn't 'come out', dear, you were outed by an ex-boyfriend in a kiss-and-tell in the Mail On Sunday - which you had gone to the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords to try to ban - and then resigned immediately. 

• With apologies to @SavedYouAClick.

Marti Pellow: Wet

Some say Marti Pellow sold a story to Murdoch about drugs, if they wouldn't out him.

Fagburn finds this very hard to believe.

PS Marti is now starring in a West End musical...

Paul Ross: Shame

-

BBC star Paul Ross last night confessed to cheating on his wife of ten years in a drug-fuelled gay affair.

Ross, 58, was filmed with his lover. He told The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve done things beyond awful.”

He told how he snorted deadly drug mephedrone up to six times a day during his year-long gay affair.

Dad-of-five Ross, 57, started cheating on wife Jackie with former English teacher Barry Olivier after having sex with him in bushes at a dogging hotspot.

The Sun On Sunday.

The Sun does not out people anymore.

But if a disgruntled ex-boyfriend approaches them with a provable story about a celebrity, they may contact the star and ask them if they have anything to say about it.

PS That journalese headline 'My gay drugs romp shame' is so 70's Sun retro - fittingly.

Why not 'My gay drugs romp FUN'?

Peter Tatchell: An Outing

In a shock move, the controversial but publicity-shy gayhumanrights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, has said he will now out himself.
'I have been left no option but to try and get my face in the papers again,' he said in a press release.
'Yes, I am a rampant self-publicist and it's time someone stood up and said so.'
He continued.
'Even though I say I single-handedly gave birth to gay liberation in the 70s, I went back in the closet during the Bermondsey by-election in 1983.'
'I would now like to out myself as a hypocrite'.
Asked whether his media-hungry egotism was in any way responsible for the decline of grassroots left-wing gay activism, Saint Peter clutched a mirror and kissed it.
'Do you think Pink News and The Independent will run this?' he faxed. ''Only everyone else puts my stuff in the bin.'

Outing: Oops!

Pink News.

Twenty years ago OutRage! - meaning by then Peter Tatchell's personal fiefdom - threatened to out 10 CofE bishops and 20 MPs.

On March 20th 1995, the Belfast Telegraph ran a front page story saying that a leading Northern Ireland MP was on the list, and had been sent a warning letter.

Later that day, the Ulster Unionist MP, Sir James Kilfedder, suffered a heart attack and died.

Tim Cook: Oops!

It's hardly a secret.

Out magazine.

Simon Callow: For Weddings (GEDDIT???)

When I went to work at the National Theatre in the late Seventies — fully 10 years after the legalisation of sex between men — if I ever wrote or spoke about the man I was then living with, it was censored or repressed, either by the ever-vigilant press officer (“Simon, I can’t allow you to destroy your career”) or by the press itself, which helpfully refused to report any admission of homosexuality — they didn’t want to be told, they wanted to find you out. Never mind whether what they were doing was legal or not, they wanted to expose people. Even as late as the Nineties, Nigel Hawthorne, frail and frightened, was confronted on his doorstep, in his dressing gown, after being nominated for an Oscar, his filthy secret revealed to all the world: all these years he had been living quietly and happily with a male partner. Partners was the word now, a useful phrase, to be sure, nicely neutral — you could be business partners, after all, partners in a law firm, partners in crime, wha-hey!

Simon Callow writes on gay marriage and cultural change for the Evening Standard.

The Standard has a rainbow in its masthead today. Wha-hey!

Thought For The Day (June 28th 1986): George Michael

Rumour has it that the News Of The World has a George Michael scandal story that they’re not going to run until his crown starts to slip.

People do keep telling me there’s a story, but I can’t think what it would be. The News Of The World’s angle would have to be, if it’s big enough that they’re waiting, some kind of gay story. Either that or a pregnant girl. It’s unnerving to think that they’re only waiting because they think the public likes me enough at the moment. Hopefully they’ve got a long wait, and even then I’ll sue the arse off them, ha ha!

Guardian Music mark the return of the Yog by reprinting a 1986 NME interview.

Lots of today's papers have felched quotes from last night's BBC Radio 2 programme, Up Close With George Michael, eg...

For some strange reason, my gay life didn't get easier when I came out. Quite the opposite happened, really. The press seemed to take some delight that I previously had a 'straight audience,' and set about trying to destroy that. And I think some men were frustrated that their girlfriends wouldn't let go of the idea that George Michael just hadn't found the 'right girl'. Which is still what a lot of my extended family still think!

[On not judging celebrities who haven't come out] Because it's about family. In the years when HIV was a killer, any parent of an openly gay person was terrified. I knew my mother well enough that she would spend everyday praying that I didn't come across that virus. She'd have worried like that.

Getting banged up on nonce wing really turned me round and no mistake, guv. 

etc etc.

You can hear the first part on iPlayer here.

PS George is narrowly ahead of Kylie Minogue in the race for number one album.
Excitingness!
Who will buy more?
Middle-aged George-loving straight women?
Or middle-aged Kylie-loving gay men?

Africa: First Do No Harm

Governments have always had a grubby habit of getting involved in their citizens' sex lives. But it is relatively new to see sexuality as part of foreign policy. In the past few months we have watched the peculiar spectacle of Russia and the United States transposing their geopolitical antagonisms onto a struggle over gay rights in Russia. Now, Ugandan leaders are using homophobia to pursue anti-imperialist politics, while Western leaders are painting their criticism of this as indicative of their concern for human rights. But neither posture is genuine. There are two truths in this sad tale: mutual hypocrisy and the victimisation of Uganda's LGBTQ community...

David Schneider, Independent Voices.

But sit back and watch as certain gay media and 'campaigners' now forget all about 'uncivilised' Russia, and start obsessing over 'backwards' Africa...
These people don't play by our rules! etc etc.
Let's see how many pro-gay progressive voices from Africa are quoted.
Oh, and President Museveni doesn't give a hoot if you sign a silly online petition...

Presumably in the interest of balance, Independent Voices have also published this daft piece of knee-jerkery; LGBT Ugandans are facing a crisis - what action will the UK take?

See also: Has Britain's promotion of gay rights in Africa backfired? Telegraph blogs.

What's also worrying are the comments from Mr Museveni's spokesman when he made the announcement this morning [Monday]. The president, he disclosed, did not opt to quietly sign the bill over the weekend, while the world was distracted by the revolution in Ukraine. Instead, he wanted "the full witness of the international media to demonstrate Uganda's independence in the face of Western pressure and provocation".

In other words, this is no longer just about gay rights, in Mr Museveni's view, but about the West lecturing an African country on how to run its internal affairs, in this case on a matter of sensitive sexual morality...

The new issue of Uganda's Red Pepper

PS African LGBT campaigners queue up to condemn Peter Tatchell's interventions as dishonest, unhelpful, patronising, counter-productive... Follow @TatchellWatch

Correction Of The Day: The Guardian

The Guardian.

Sorry Jane, but writing an article about how someone famous coming out shouldn't be newsworthy is such a cliché.
Not that The Guardian's Cif now specialises in articles repeating tired gay truisms they've said a million times before - here's one about Africa!

PS The Independent's bigging this up online - it's not like The Independent has a history of regularly fucking up gay stories.