Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Behind The Spandex

One of the original Power Rangers stars quit because he was the victim of homophobic bullying.

David Yost played the original Blue Ranger/Billy Cranston in the 1990s TV series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and became a fan favourite.

In a 2010 interview that has resurfaced online this week, Yost opened up about his reasons for quitting the show in 1996 – and the reasons might ruin your childhood memories.

Speaking at the Anime Festival Orlando 2010, he said he fell out with the show’s production team and creators because of his sexuality.

He said that his co-stars were repeatedly quizzed about what they knew about his sexuality, and he was also the victim of vile homophobic abuse.

He said: “I walked off set one day during the middle of lunch – I had made a decision, I had been thinking about it for a good week, and the reason I walked off was because I was called faggot one too many times.

“I had heard that several times while working on the show from creators, producers, writers, directors.

“It’s not that people can’t talk about me, and have their opinion about me – but continuing to work in an environment like that is really difficult."

He added: “That’s the vibe I was getting. I know my co-stars were getting called in a couple times to different producers’ offices to be questioned about my sexuality, which is a humiliating experience.

“There were a lot of issues – it felt like a bad marriage. I could either stay and finish six more months, or just go – and I was worried about my life. “I was worried I might take my own life, and in order to get a handle in what was going on, I needed to leave when I left. That’s why I left the show.” ...

Pink News. 

When two notoriously homophobic worlds - Hollywood and kids' TV - collide!

I am convinced this happened exactly as described!

LGBT Charities: Under Pressure

In recent months, an alarming number LGBT charities have been forced to shut their doors, with many others looking set to follow suit. Last month, Pace, a London-based charityworking on LGBT mental health unexpectedly shut up shop. Just last week, the UK's only LGBT domestic violence charity, Broken Rainbow, announced that it is once again facing closure. Now Mosaic Youth, a North London charity supporting young LGBT people with counselling, mentoring and a youth club will become the next victim.

As ever, the picture is even bleaker outside the confines of London. Since 2010, the number of LGBT youth groups in the North West run by local councils has dropped by a staggering 58%. Of the 35 charities once providing invaluable support to struggling queers, only 15 remain.

LGBT service providers aren't just comforting yet irrelevant safety nets now that #LoveWins. They're the ones supporting the trans kids driven to suicide by brutal, state-sanctioned hatred. They're the ones who are helping queers cope with the stigma of HIV as the pandemic rages on. They're the ones rescuing people of all genders and sexualities from life-threatening domestic abuse. They aren't a privilege, or a relic of a bygone era. They're saving lives on a daily basis...
Michael Segalov and Edward Siddons, Vice.

Seth Bogart: Post Hunx

Seth Bogart releases his eponymous kinda debut solo album today.

Enjoy your weekend.
x

Harper Lee: 1926-2016

Author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning To Kill A Mockingbird, which her childhood friend, Truman Capote had to rewrite, though in turn her contribution to In Cold Blood was also unacknowledged, let's forget about that 'sequel', lesbian of note, devoted mother of Bruce and Christopher.

No-Platforming: A Golden Age

Bindel and Tatchell as activists for feminism and gay rights have recognised the truth about free speech: free speech is in the eye of the beholder. It is the frequent defence of the oppressor who knows that minorities lack the same power to exercise their own free speech in approved ways.

Bindel and Tatchell sought to express their politics and defend against powerful majorities using whatever tactics they could to rectify an imbalance of power in society in favour of women and gay people. How strange that now they scorn this in students and trans people.

No-platforming is as valid a means to exercise free speech as any other. We are not in a declining era of free speech - but we appear to be in a golden age of entitled hypocrisy.

Sean Faye, Independent Voices.

Best thing I've read all week.

Though the list of Tatchell's long-standing and passionate opposition to free speech is far, far longer than indicated here.

For the record, I should stress I'm against no-platforming.

PS Statement Of Solidarity With Fran Cowling, Solidarity For Students.

We are appalled at Peter Tatchell’s actions in dragging a dedicated, hard-working and passionate activist through an appalling media circus which has led to them receiving a torrent of vile abuse with no other apparent purpose than to salve his own ego.

Gay Christians: Articles I'll Never Read Part 279

Spectator.

Oscars: Straight Acting

The Advocate.

RTUK: Presents Britain's Funniest Gay Comedian

I actually feel rather sorry for Peter right now.

It can't be much fun knowing everyone's talking about what a hypocrite, bully and deranged egomaniac you are.

Was sent this by RTUK - I asked if they could film Saint Pater making an apology to Fran Cowling...

PS The desperate reverse ferret continues. Has it taken you six days to clarify this?

@JonWarner9 I was not no-platformed. I wish people (not you) would stop saying I was. Fran had every right to not share a platform with me.

— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) February 19, 2016

Grayson Perry: Man Made

Pretty slim pickings in today's papers but The Guardian has published a selection from Grayson Perry's sketchbooks.

Laters, I've got important things to do. x

• Sketchbooks by Grayson Perry is published by Particular next week. Grayson Perry: All Man begins on Channel 4 'in the spring'.

Ted Heath: Police Wasting Their Own Time

Residents of Wiltshire would be well advised to invest in new safety locks, high-tech alarms and alsatian dogs. Their constables are busy elsewhere.

As The Times discloses today, the county’s finest are going to be occupied for the next year or so working their way through 4,500 crates of the late Edward Heath’s private papers. This will be in an attempt to shed light on sexual offences allegedly committed by the former prime minister. The officers are determined to leave no stone (or piece of paper) unturned. Not only will they be embarking on industrial levels of research in the Bodleian Library, they will also be questioning people who crewed on his yacht, housekeepers, drivers, musicians and political aides.

One by one, claims against Heath have fallen apart as soon as they have been subjected to minimal scrutiny. Other forces have been tugged into this increasingly grotesque case. An allegation that Heath moored Morning Cloud off Jersey to use the yacht to abuse and murder local care home boys was quickly exposed as nonsense. It was a racing vessel that needed a three-man crew and had no private space.

It could of course be that the police have found a credible victim who can give substance to the many extravagant claims. They have, however, made no such public pronouncement. Most of the allegations, notably those stemming from testimony made by the informant “Nick”, seem to be built on foundations of fantasy. Instead the investigation is an opportunity for police grandstanding. Superintendent Sean Memory of Wiltshire police set the tone last year by addressing the public outside Heath’s former home.

Some forces seem to have suspended their power of judgment, such is their fear in the post-Savile era of being accused of a cover-up. It’s time they recovered a sense of proportion.

Times editorial. 

What the fuck is this meant to achieve?

Do you really think he would have donated some secret diaries about child rape and murder to Oxford?

Unfuckingbelievable.

Nick Grimshaw: Do Fear The Reaper

This is terrible news - the man's career is in tatters.

He'll be back on North Norfolk Digital by June, mark my words.

Bentcousin: Advertisement

Fagburn's close personal showbiz pals, Bentcousin, release their debut album today.

Here's their website.

x

Norfolk Police Firearms Unit: Rainbow Laces

Norfolk Constabulary’s firearms unit can ‘string a rainbow’ after they joined Stonewall’s national Rainbow Laces campaign against homophobia.

The constabulary’s firearms unit have joined the campaign as another gesture of support for Norfolk’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities during LGBT History Month.

The Rainbow Laces campaign originated as a means of removing homophobia from sports, playing fields, terraces and stadiums across the country, with the campaign now having extended to organisations and public services to fight homophobic stigma and abuse.

Norfolk Police have already displayed the rainbow flag – a universally recognised symbol in support of LGBT pride – outside their headquarters in Wymondham during February and are continuing to promote initiatives throughout the month.

Inspector Lou Provart, Co-Chair of the National LGBT Network, said: "Norfolk Constabulary has a long history of supporting our LGBT staff and wider LGBT communities, as well as challenging stereotypes in all forms.

"It has been fantastic to work with our Firearms Training Department as well as the Norfolk Fire Urban Search and Rescue Team to clearly demonstrate just that." ...

Norfolk Constabulary.

Via How Upsetting.

The Economist: Corporate Irresponsibilty

LGBT people should not wait for business to help them, argues @HumanDignityT. #LGBTbusiness https://t.co/jRGgF98IcT pic.twitter.com/aQoAtrw7YH

— The Economist (@EconBritain) February 18, 2016

There will never be a way to hold businesses to account for standing by and not using their financial muscle to the utmost to fight for LGBT rights. However, governments can be held to account for violating their obligations under international law. The UN and other such organisations give us a mechanism. Governments have rules they are bound to follow, and the criminalisation of homosexuality violates all of them...

Big business has a role to play and I am grateful when it chooses to use its influence. But it is just that: a choice, dependent on the whims of those at the top. We can see already that the energy and efforts behind this cause vary by company, as some business leaders choose to make this their area of interest and others do not. It is a hobby for some and, although that is welcome, a voluntary hobby is not akin to the obligation that weighs upon states. Furthermore, states must be considered the duty-bearer in this case because they are the reason that these criminalising laws continue to exist...

Jonathan Cooper, chief executive of the Human Dignity Trust, contributing to The Economist's online conference, LGBT Rights And Business.

Most of it is completely baffling.

They're doing this next.

Wooh etc.

North Korea: Totally Weird

By North Korean standards Jang Yeong-jin had a normal start in life: he joined the military at 19, completed 10 years of national service and married soon after.

But trapped in his country, which he has called “one huge prison without bars”, problems with his marriage led him to defect to South Korea.

It was only when he crossed the border and spent time in a more open society did it become clear to him that he was homosexual, something he had never previously had a name for. The 55-year-old is now the only openly gay North Korean defector living in the South.

“I was too embarrassed [at first] to confess that I [defected] because I felt no sexual attraction to my wife... I couldn’t explain what it was that bothered me so much,” he told the New York Times in June.

“I didn’t know until after I arrived here that I was a gay, or even what homosexuality was.”

In his recently published memoir, A Mark of Red Honour now translated into English, Jang describes how it felt to be thrust in to the limelight living his life as a double alien: “an alien North Korean escapee in South Korean society and an alien sexual minority in a heterosexual society.” ...

A brief Q&A follows...

Guardian online - from their shady North Korea Network section.

Traitor!

PS Kim Jong-un's brother, Jong-chul,is as gay as a daffodil, btw.

Nike: Paragon Of Ethical Business Practices And Noted Defender Of Human Rights!

NIKE is ending its business deal with Manny Pacquiao after the legendary boxer labelled gay couples "worse than animals" in an interview to promote himself as a politician.

The 37-year-old's comments have sparked outrage across the world.

Approaching the end of his lucrative career, Pacquiao is preparing for a career in politics in his homeland Philippines.

Asked for his views on gay marriage, he said: "It's common sense. Do you see animals that go male to male or female to female? So the animals are even better.

"Because they know how to distinguish from male to male or female to female. Right? Now if we allow male to male or female to female, then that makes us worse than animals."

But despite Pacqulao's apology Nike has pulled the plug on its lucrative business deal with the boxer.

"We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent," the company said in a statement released Wednesday, ESPN reports.

"Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community.

"We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao." ...

Daily Star.

Well done for dumping this man who's made many anti-gay comments in the past now he's basically retired!

PS CounterPunch on the child labour loving megacorp.

British LGBT Awards: Winners & Losers

Christ on a tricycle, where do you even start?

Categories include; Corporate Rising Star, Corporate Straight Ally, Inspirational Role Model, Celebrity Straight Ally, Global Icon and Brand/Marketing Campaign!

Sponsors include the Royal Air Force and the Telegraph!

Their 'main beneficiary' is the Peter Tatchell Foundation - an odd choice as their (his) accounts show they have a substantial cash surplus.

Still, I'm sure Saint Peter will redistribute the money to the needy of the parish.

You may recall the star guest at last year's event was... Katie Hopkins!

And hey, Meet The Judging Panel!

It doesn't tell you how much it costs to book a table, but safe to assume it's several thousands.

To attend a lavish exercise in LGBT utter pointlessness!

Well, obviously it has a point - to make lots of money for Square Peg Media.

PS The Independent reports on people being somewhat flummoxed and/or pissed off by the likes of Zayn and Zoella - whose contribution to gay life is close to fuck-all - being shortlisted... the Z list?

EastEnders: Young Gay Man's Head Transplant Declared A Success

EastEnders are bringing back Danny Dyer's on-screen son Johnny Carter with hunky new actor Ted Reilly playing the role.

Johnny Carter, played by Sam Strike, came out as gay on the soap before leaving to “go travelling” with his boyfriend and made his last appearance in December 2014.

Now Johnny will return back on screen next month, only this time he will be played by Ted.

Ted is a rising star, having appeared in a number of London theatre productions as well as TV dramas including Call The Midwife, Casualty and Grantchester...

Mirror. 

Preferred the older - ie younger - one.

Is there anyone, apart from journalists, who actually uses the word 'hunky'?

PS It's pretty obvious Sam Strike quit the role as he thought the plotlines for the young gay character, post his coming out, were beyond lame.

Homophobia: My Funny Valentine

20-year-old Degas Sikorski is openly gay – and has spent three years working at the Party City in Edmonton [Canada].

However, the retail worker spoke out after he was the victim of a homophobic ‘prank’ at the store on Valentine’s Day.

On the Saturday Valentine’s Day shift, a supervisor had put up the Valentine’s cards left for all the employees in the break room.

However, one for Mr Sikorski had been defaced with the words “Faggot – you are not getting shifts for a reason”.

Mr Sikorski had not been assigned a shift for six weeks.

The worker told Global News he has never had issues with staff or management over his sexual orientation – and is in the dark about the nasty message.

He said: “My jaw hit the floor. [I thought] Oh my God, I’m not safe here.”

“Suddenly I can’t be myself. Suddenly I can’t accept myself and be who I am at Party City for fear of retaliation from somebody in the staff." ...

Pink News.

Seeing as so many of these cases where someone has gone public claiming to be the victim of homophobia have turned out to be hoaxes, you'd think the gay media would have learnt to treat them with some caution.

Alan Turing: Oh No He Didn't

Alan Turing could not have cracked the Enigma Code without the help of Polish mathematicians and it is time to "right the wrong" and acknowledge their contribution, the Polish government has said.

Deciphering the German system is believed to have shortened World War Two by two years and saved countless lives. 

But few people realise that early Enigma codes had already been broken by the Poles who then passed on the knowledge to Britain shortly before the outbreak of war.

They even taught Turing how to build electro-mechanical devices which simulated the workings of the Enigma machine and enabled operators to cycle through one possible setting after another.
By the time war broke out the Germans had increased the sophistication of the machine and the Poles were struggling to make more headway. But based on the Polish knowledge, Turing managed to build a huge computer that would finally crack the cipher.

However, despite their help, history and Hollywood has largely ignored their role. The most recent film The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, barely mentioned the Poles.

Now the Polish government has launched a touring exhibition entitled "Enigma – Decipher Victory” to remind the world of their crucial contribution. They have already taken the exhibition to Canada and Brussels...

Poland’s main codebreakers were Jerzy Rozycki, Henryk Zygalski and Marian Rejewski who joined the Polish General Staff's Cipher Bureau in Warsaw... 

Telegraph.

Seems to be the gay media who are keenest on the lie that 'Alan Turing cracked the  Enigma code', partly as so many of them seem to revel in ignorance, and partly to push the myth of Turing as The Great Gay Martyr - even though it's far from certain he committed suicide.

Star Wars: A New Hope

John Boyega and Daisy Ridley may play the main charcters of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it's his relationship with Oscar Isaac that keeps us talking.

While many fans have been shipping Finn and Poe together ever since the seventh film in the franchise premiered in December, we were heartbroken when John came forward saying a gay romance was probably not going to happen.

However it sounds like he's changed his mind!
 
John spoke to reporters about his character's potential love interes afer winning big at the Baftas on Sunday, saying:

“What’s so funny, I posted a video the other day of myself working out, skipping, and in the background Oscar is just like, ‘Yeah baby go on!’ and people just went crazy.

“But as far as I’m concerned, when JJ [Abrams] sat us down to go through the script, it was a bromance,” he continued. “But now I’m learning what Mark Hamill said before when he didn’t know that Darth Vader was Luke’s father: you never know what they’re going to pull. I’m looking at the director Rian [Johnson] closely so he can get me involved early, so I can prepare myself. So who knows?”

This needs to happen.

Perez Hilton.

Wouldn't be the first gay couple in Star Wars, of course.

Gay Misogyny: No Problem

Telegraph.

This is too crass for words.

Yes, Chas - Charles - Newkey-Burden actually argues that 'fag hags' and drag - never mind Stephen Fry's 'baglady' joke - are signs of gay men's misogyny!

He claims gay men call women 'fish'.

I've never heard this in 20 years, but then we must move in very different circles.

And that is the case for the prosecution!

Whilst there are certainly sexist gay men, to say this is a massive 'problem', or that we excel at it, is utter bollocks.

It's obvious most gay men adore women; from their friends, to their family, to their idols.

Some women are homophobic, but does this tell us anything about an entire sex?

The real issue here is Newkey-Burden's hatred and snobby contempt of ordinary gay men.

This is self-loathing masquerading as critique.

Charles was an 'anti-gay' gay journalist for OutCast magazine.

He's also, you may not be surprised to hear, posh as fuck, extremely right-wing and a Zionist.

He now writes shitty pulp biographies of the likes of One Direction and Justin Bieber.

The cunt.

PS Fry defended by Brendan O'Neill!

Daily Mail: Our Kinda Gays

They're soldiers and they're married!

Is it any wonder the Mail loves them?

PS Obviously the gay media are spunking in their overpriced underpants over this heteronormative hokum, too. 

Give me conformity or give me death!

Stephen Fry Watch: Bagladygate

LOL.

Bye then.

Are You Being Served?: Shop Soiled

Are You Being Served? is to be rebooted with an 'all-star cast'.

The sitcom had been rumoured to be in line for a makeover as part of the BBC's landmark comedy season later this year. Now it has been confirmed that the Corporation will return to Grace Brothers with a studio audience recording confirmed for March 5.

The BBC says the one-off episode will 'pick up where Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft's much loved comedy left off,' and promises to 'bring some of the nation's all-time favourite sitcom characters including Mrs Slocombe, Captain Peacock, Miss Brahms, and Mr Humphries back to life with an all star cast'.

The original sitcom ran for 69 episodes over ten series from 1972 to 1985 on BBC One and made stars of the likes of Mollie Sudden, John Inm and and Wendy Richard.

The BBC are also reportedly planning reboots of Porridge, The Good Life, Up Pompeii!, and Keeping Up Appearances as part of the landmark sitcom series, marking 60 years since Hancock's Half Hour first made the transition to TV.

However Christopher Biggins, who played Lukewarm in Porridge, has expressed the views of many when he said: 'I wish they would leave these things alone. I wish they would go and find new ideas.'

Visit the BBC website for to enter into a draw for free tickets to be in the recording of Are You Being Served?

Chortle.

Sake.

What next?

Love Thy Neighbour?