The UK government‘s official health and safety organization has announced it will stop planned staff secondments to Brunei following its anti-LGBTI laws.

Unions raised red flags over the ethical and safety implications of these temporary transfers after the kingdom quietly introduced its plans to impose the death penalty on queer men.

The Guardian reported today (8 April) that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have ‘paused’ all links to the country, review pending.

What happened?

The HSE planned to sent a team of three to Brunei to help with an equivalent agency’s admin work.

Internal emails and notices seen by the Guardian showed the organization was roping together the team as late as 4 April; just a day after the tiny southeast Asian sultanate announced it would impose an interpretation of the Shariah penal code.

Brunei itself – a tiny, oil-rich patch of the island of Borneo – has only 430,000 people living there.

Yet, this in no way stopped the immense and continuing condemnation of their absolute ruler, the Sultan of Brunei.

However, the HSE were actively putting together the team to help on a short-term project with Safety, Health, and Environment National Authority in Brunei, called Shena.

The project would ‘help strengthen [the] health and safety regulatory function’ of the Brunei agency, one email said.

An HSE spokeswoman told the Guardian: ‘HSE is an inclusive organisation and strongly supports LGBT+ rights.

‘Any commercial discussions will now be paused while we review the situation.’

Adding their voice

HSE are the latest in a long line of companies and people to boycott Brunei in the wake of their laws.

Travel agency STA Travel and Virgin Australia severed ties with the country’s national air carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines.

Similarly, London train network TfL did the same after ads for the airline were spotted by commuters.

Moreover, high-profile celebrities – from George Clooney to Dua Lipa – have spoken bluntly of their decisions to boycott all Brunei-owned hotel businesses.

While the UN denounced the laws as ‘inhuman’ and ‘draconian.’

Background of Brunei

Rulers of Brunei have long enforced strictly traditional interpretations of Islamic teachings. The country, in Southeast Asia, operates under an absolute monarchy.

In other words, the head of state, the Sultan of Brunei, is also head of government. Royalty and lawmaking are one the same.

For example, under the current 51-year-long monarch Hassanal Bolkiah, the country banned alcohol and forbade the proliferation of non-Islamic faiths.

Sharia Penal Code: In three stages

Back in 2014, Bolkiah announced the Brunei governmental bloc would implement the Sharia Penal Code in three stages.

The first stage of legal reforms was no struggle to lawmakers, but its second and third stages experienced holdups.

However, the Bruneian Attorney General’s Chambers website officially posted plans to fast-track implementation of the SPC on 29 December 2018.

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Brunei project cut by UK government health agency over LGBTI death penalty

Hundreds of Floridians braved the mid-day heat to show their support for the LGBTI community this weekend, as Cape Coral’s first ever LGBTI Pride parade took place on Saturday (5 April).

The 86-degree heat didn’t deter the crowds, with hundreds of people lining the streets to wave on the elaborately decorated floats ferrying drag queens, drag kings, and representatives of local companies.

Locals flanked the street parade in equally bright colors, donning rainbow flags, tutus, and feature boas, the News-Press reports.

The festival also hosted live music played, a beer tent, food trucks and a number of vendor booths.

Officiating the event was Grand Marshal Sonique, a drag queen who appeared on season 2 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

1st Cape Coral Pride ever!!!! pic.twitter.com/Wu6JLLzDF7

— 6:45 (@Larrynges) April 7, 2019

‘We’re all the same’

Locals attending the Pride event spoke of how LGBTI inclusivity had increased in the town over the years.

Mike Greenwell, a 48-year-old Cape Coral resident, said that maintaining the visibility was important to building inclusivity in the neighborhood.

‘We’re all the same,’ Greenwell said. ‘It’s good to see everybody out here supporting each other.’

Pride Cape Coral! pic.twitter.com/GW1YZg63gv

— Thamar Alvarado (@thamar58) April 6, 2019

Fellow Cape Coral resident and event volunteer, Chris Kaelin, said there were more attendees than he expected.

‘I thought with as fast as they put this together, it could flop,’ Kaelin said. ‘It doesn’t look like it’s going to.’

Kaelin said he hoped the Pride event would help bring the Cape Coral’s LGBTI residents together.

‘There are so many gay people in Cape Coral, but most of them are coupled, and they don’t go out,’ the 55-year-old said. ‘They don’t know each other.’

Other locals echoed the need to keep the positive momentum of LGBTI visibility.

Sunstate Fort Myers will be at PRIDE Cape Coral this Saturday April 6th! From 4 to 8:30 p.m. stop by and say hi to Admissions and students & get your face painted! Located on SE 47th Terrace in Cape Coral. See you there #PRIDECapeCoral #SunstateFortMyers pic.twitter.com/cVRuRPf2J1

— Sunstate Academy (@SunstateAcademy) April 3, 2019

Weekend-long event

The city’s first Pride event comes two years after Cape Coral passed discrimination protections for the city’s LGBT employees.

Jennifer Nelson and Jessica Cosden, the two Council Members who were fundamental in pushing through the city’s LGBT protections measure, also rode on the street parade.

Celebrations will last until Sunday, where two outdoor brunch events will be held on SE 10th Place and SE 47th Terrace from 10:30 to 1pm, with tickets priced at $25 each.

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Floridians brave the heat to celebrate Cape Coral’s first LGBTI Pride

The city of Orlando, Florida is hoping to become the first Floridian city with a network of certified LGBTI businesses. This way, LGBTI-owned businesses would be better represented for the city’s contracting and training opportunities.

Tell me more

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Patty Sheehan introduced the resolution on Tuesday, 2 April. The proposal is set to be voted on before the City Council on Monday, 8 April.

According to Orlando Weekly, ‘The resolution would allow city officials to develop a base and registry of LGBTQ-owned businesses recognized by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s certification process. It will also provide a means for the city to monitor and track usage of LGBTQ-owned and certified businesses in the procurement of goods and services with the city, as well as develop training programs and services to ensure the businesses are informed about future opportunities.’

Basically, it’s the first step in a plan that would allow LGBTI-owned businesses to thrive.

Why it matters

‘Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of our local economy. And the reason why we have such a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and business-friendly environment,’ Mayor Dyer said in a statement. ‘We must work together to continue to foster an environment that advances opportunities for all.’

Dyer added that the resolution ‘ensures that LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in Orlando will have the opportunity to create jobs and develop innovations that benefit all who live in the most inclusive city in America.’

Sheehan, who represents the city’s 4th District, concurs.

‘One of the misconceptions about including LGBTQ+ owned businesses, or those of any other diverse community, is that someone else’s opportunity decreases as a result,’ Sheehan stated. ‘That simply isn’t so. No one loses when everyone is given a fair shot to win.’

Watch a clip of Mayor Dyer introducing the resolution below:

Tuesday, @OrlandoMayor announced a resolution for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ owned businesses certified by the @NGLCC in contracting and procurement opportunities with the city. pic.twitter.com/xVBXMrQKpy

— City of Orlando (@citybeautiful) April 3, 2019

See Also:

US 2020 Democratic candidates to participate in LGBTI debate

Nashville becomes first Southern US city to recognise LGBTI-owned businesses

US judge dismisses Pulse lawsuit against police and city of Orlando

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Orlando seeks to become the first city with a network of certified LGBTI businesses

Gay hookup app Scruff recently announced that it had changed its rules regarding profile pics.

Following concerns an app store might drop Scruff (the commercial kiss of death!), it stated guys couldn’t post profile images sporting just a jockstrap or bikini-style brief. Such images could still feature in private albums for swapping with other users.

Scruff CEO Eric Silverberg said, ‘Our change is meant to align our content standards with the evolving content standards of our app store distributors.’

The move comes following Tumblr’s high-profile crackdown on adult content. Facebook and Instagram have also announced that it is working harder to ban any sexual content or nudity, including buttocks and females nipples. Together, it represents a shift in the way social media companies and apps censor users’ content.

The Scruff decision raised eyebrows, however. Unlike Tumblr or Instagram, it is specifically aimed at an 18+ audience.

Athletic and uplifting

Are jockstraps – originally designed to provide athletic support – that obscene? Clearly, if someone’s bending over and parting their butt cheeks, we could understand the concern a little better. But, as these images of guys in jocks demonstrate, what’s wrong with just showing a little flesh on a site designed to put you in touch with other guys for dating or sex?

Some of the men we contacted got back to us with their own thoughts.

‘Jockstraps are comfortable and make me feel sexy, they fit amazing and lift everything in the right places,’ says @maoribeef (above).

‘I recently uploaded this photo to Scruff (see below). However it was rejected and moved to my private folder as it was considered nudity.

‘I understand the big crackdown on nudity lately and being more strict. However, I personally don’t find it an issue wearing/showing off one’s body sexually, and don’t understand why all these changes are happening especially considering Scruff is a sexual/adult app for meeting people for sex? I mean, not everyone, but you know…’

‘I can understand why Scruff changed its guidelines’

‘It’s an interesting topic which I’ve been discussing with people lately,’ says red-haired actor and dancer Gerard (@gwsgingerface).

‘In my experience of Scruff, like with Grindr, it’s less of a dating app. The majority of people are “open” couples or people just looking to hook-up.

‘As a single man, I find people on Tinder to be more open to going on dates rather than hooking up and even though I know the positive side of a polyamorous relationship, having less people into polyamory on there actually gives us a chance to find a boyfriend. Instead of falling for someone already taken.

‘The photos on Tinder are still flirty and show someone’s personality but more often say “I’m looking for a boyfriend”, which I prefer.

‘So, I can understand why Scruff changed its guidelines and hopefully they can have more of a Tinder vibe. I’ve met [co-founder] Johnny Scruff before, he seems like a great guy so I wish him all the best with it.’

Impact on sex workers and models

Underwear model, go-go dancer and personal trainer Jesse Diamond has a different take.

‘When apps like Scruff ban photos of guys in jockstraps and Tumblr bans NSFW content, it directly affects sex workers and can have a negative impact on their life.

‘These are the types of platforms that camera models and adult film industry workers will use to promote themselves and network with other artists. When sex workers are censored in these ways, it will have a direct affect on their income.

‘This ban will do a lot more harm than good in my opinion.’

This image declined by Scruff as a profile photo

‘I just re-downloaed Scruff and I think it’s silly what they’re doing,’ says personal trainer Dave Tyson (@dtysmotivation). ‘I used this photo and they removed it.

‘That’s going to steer more people away from the app. I doubt I’ll keep it downloaded. Yes some people are overly sexual with their pics but thats not the case here! I think the pic is sexy, not sexual!’

Another personal trainer is also critical of the Scruff ban and other recent moves to reduce adult content online.

US-based Brian Michael (above) told Gay Star News: ‘I can google search our First Lady and find her artistic nudes. Rather than read her for it, I applaud her bravery and freedom to express herself.

‘The human body, male or female of any shape or size is poetry in motion. Jockstraps? I own plenty, some are functional for sports and others just make me feel sexy.

‘Actually all my underwear makes me feel sexy. It’s why I buy it. Which is my final point. Everyone deserves to feel sexy in the skin they’re in and express that with or without clothing.’

See also

Meet the first trans man to model for an Andrew Christian underwear campaign

Real-life gay couple feature in new underwear campaign

What do gay men love so much about jockstraps?

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Men in jockstraps react to Scruff’s ban on men in jockstraps

Grace and Frankie, the Netflix show starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, has released the trailer for their upcoming 5th season. In it, we see the first glimpse of this season’s very special guest star, RuPaul.

The trailer

The official trailer was released on 8 January and currently has over 200,000 views.

On season 5 of Grace and Frankie, RuPaul plays Benjamin Le Day, a ‘formidable and quick-witted adversary.’ He is first introduced when Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) break into his house.

‘Someone’s coming,’ Grace whispers to Frankie upon realizing someone is home after the break-in. The two women duck behind the kitchen counter.

‘It seems you’re breaking and entering,’ Benjamin says to them.

‘Hey girl,’ Grace responds, flustered, and holding a toaster.

‘Who the fuck are you?’ Benjamin calmly asks.

‘Who the fuck are you?’ Frankie replies, louder.

News of RuPaul’s role on Grace and Frankie broke last year, following a Twitter thread between RuPaul and Jane Fonda which hinted at a cameo appearance.

Fan reactions

Fans of the show took to Twitter to express excitement at RuPaul’s guest role.

Oooo I’m excited for Grace and Frankie. RuPaul is gonna be in it. I also hope Lisa Kudrow is back.

— Danny (@TempestKey) January 12, 2019

Oh FUCK IT! Can’t wait for Grace and Frankie back on #Netflix January 2018 with tones of celebrity cameos including RuPaul. Truly one of my favourites! https://t.co/QbHhjWdOHv

— Anthony Lund (@AntoPod) January 11, 2019

RuPaul is a regular on season 5 of Grace and Frankie?!! Yasss. Literally cannot wait! My favorite show ever. Besides BMJ sha

— Abi Bamigboye (@abibamigboye) January 11, 2019

I just saw a trailer for Grace & Frankie with mother @RuPaul in it and I am losing my GD mind

— Brandi Nicole (@Brandi_Lud) January 11, 2019

Hey y’all!! @RuPaul is guest staring on this season’s (season 5) @GraceandFrankie on @netflix !!! Now if that ain’t an “Extra Special” reason to watch, I don’t know what is!!

— Michael-Paul Rieth (@mpinmaui) January 10, 2019

RUPAUL IS IN THE NEW SEASON OF GRACE AND FRANKIE

— ashlyn ◟̽◞̽ (@softsoundlarry) January 10, 2019

I am breaking a self imposed hiatus because of how lit @GraceandFrankie s5 trailer is. THEY GIVE ME LIFE @LilyTomlin and @Janefonda and @RuPaul ?!?!???

— n_gordier_ (@nikigordier) January 10, 2019

i screamed when i saw @rupaul in the grace and frankie s5 trailer!!!!!

— pm // panic! in 73 // (@philippa1153) January 10, 2019

Season 5 of Grace and Frankie will be streaming on Netflix beginning 18 January.

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https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/grace-and-frankie-trailer-rupaul-season-5/

Netflix’s Queer Eye reboot is immensely popular, especially with season two’s recent premiere. Now, the show’s foodie heartthrob Antoni Porowski has announced plans to open his own New York restaurant.

Tell me more!

During a panel discussion at the 92 Street Y, Porowski spoke about this upcoming endeavor.

‘I’m all about, like, cheese and pork belly and decadence, and as a result of the increased vanity of being on camera all the time and working out and eating healthy, I’m developing a fast-casual food concept restaurant that I’m gonna be opening here in New York,’ Porowski said, according to Out.com.

As Porowski officially isn’t able to talk about the project yet, not many details are known. Still, it is clear that he’s excited for it.

Fans love Antoni

Considering how fans on Twitter react to Porowski’s role on Queer Eye, one can only assume the restaurant will be a hit.

WHEN IS ANTONI GETTING HIS OWN COOKING SHOW @netflix WHERE U AT #QueerEye

— Emma (@graneadloaf) June 23, 2018

Can Antoni from queer eye PLEASE teach me how to properly cut an onion

— haley hill (@hhill3060) June 23, 2018

*me, watching queer eye*
antoni: i wanted to teach you a simple dish, take the avocado and this dip-
me: you’re so smart let me love you

— kia (@LADYBlIRD) June 23, 2018

I want Antoni from Queer Eye to be my friend and teach me how to cook

— Buddy Glass (@cannon_27) June 23, 2018

‘Queer Eye’ Star Antoni Porowski Plans to Open Up a Restaurant in New York City. Can I please work here? https://t.co/ukQTaAa1cR

— The Bitchy Waiter ® (@bitchywaiter) June 23, 2018

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Queer Eye’s Antoni to open a restaurant in New York

Andrew Garfield has used his Tony Awards acceptance speech to honor LGBTI activists who fought for community’s equal rights.

Garfield won the Tony for best lead actor in a play for his role as Prior Walter in the iconic gay play,  Angels in America.

The actor who has long advocated for the LGBTI community called out bigotry against the community in his acceptance speech.

‘At a moment in time where maybe the most important thing that we remember right now is the sanctity of the human spirit, it is the profound privilege of my life to play Prior Walter in Angels in America because he represents the purest spirit of humanity,’ Garfield said.

‘And especially that of the LGBTQ community. It is a spirit that says no to oppression. It is a spirit that says no to bigotry, no to shame, no to exclusion. It is a spirit that says we are all made perfectly. That we all belong.

‘So, I dedicate this award to the countless LGBTQ people who have fought and died to protect that spirit, to protect that message: For the right to live and love as we are created to.’

Let them bake cakes!

Garfield wrapped up his moving speech with a quip throwing shade at a recent Supreme Court decision to rule in favor of a baker who refused to bake a cake for a gay couple’s wedding

‘We are all sacred and we all belong, so let’s just bake a cake for everyone who wants a cake to be baked,’ Garfield said.

Andrew Garfield won Best Actor at the #TonyAwards for Angels in America. During his acceptance speech he gave a message of support to the LGBTQ community (and threw shade at conservative evangelical snowflakes): “Let’s just bake a cake for everyone who wants a cake to be baked.” pic.twitter.com/g9RBGSxZGF

— Adam Best (@adamcbest) June 11, 2018

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Andrew Garfield dedicates Tony Award to LGBTIQ community

LA Pride turned away hundreds of ticket-holders after overselling an event last night (9 June).

As part of a special LA Pride Festival concert in West Hollywood, many people showed up and then got turned away.

According to eye witness reports, organizers were turning people away from as early as 8:30pm. This is despite having a prepaid ticket to the event or not.

Pride-goers even noticed a helicopter hovering above, telling people not to bother trying to get in and to go home.

One Twitter user wrote: ‘Y’all made a huge mess here. Way over capacity, easily the worst, most uncomfortable, dangerous Pride I’ve ever been to. There’s a literal helicopter flying around telling people to go home at 9:45pm!’

‘You guys created an extremely dangerous environment’

As a result, a lot of people became angry and riot police became involved.

One Twitter user wrote: ‘You guys created an extremely dangerous environment. Besides paying for bracelets at the table and seconds later be denied entry at the metal detectors (due to “over capacity”), you mfs did not protect anyone from the treatment ppl recieved outside of these gates.’

Another wrote: ‘Dear LA Pride, I got my weekend ticket and couldn’t event go inside the festival. The real question is why you oversold so many tickets leaving people who got them b4 out? I want my money back!’

LA County Scanner then reported an escalation of events, with people trying to rush through the metal detectors.

They tweeted: ‘Crowd is forming and is about to breach the metal detectors. Tactical Response team responding.’

GRAVELY disappointed in L.A. Pride. Went in earlier, had to leave, then came back to only be told to go into this ONE LONG LINE, WAIT 2 HOURS, THEN 300 FEET FROM THE GATE WE’RE TOLD IT’S CLOSED?!? #fail #LAPride

— Andrew (@ABrooks2007) 10 June 2018

One attendee took to Twitter to express how terrified she was with the heavy police presence. She tweeted: ‘I honestly feel like crying having just witnessed a riot police presence at a pride event. Police with pellet guns standing under the pride banner. It was terrifying.’

In response to the confusion on the night, LA Pride tweeted a statement: ‘We are sorry and want to apologize to everyone who could not get in after the venue hit capacity.

‘If you have a ticket or wristband that was never used yesterday, we will exchange it for a Sunday ticket at the box office,’ they said.

It is not yet clear if LA Pride plans to issue full refunds to ticket-holders turned away at the door.

Gay Star News reached out to LA Pride for further comment.

Kehlani: ‘Y’all deserve refunds’

Openly bisexual singer Kehlani was one of the headlining acts on the night.

She took to Twitter to address the angry reactions to LA Pride being overcapacity. She said: ‘i’m seeing all your tweets and messages. i’m sorry LA Pride reached their full capacity and aren’t letting any more people in. y’all deserve refunds and i hope we get a chance to jam soon.’

Kehlani then later tweeted: ‘as fun as that was my heart goes out to all the folks who drove, flew, train & bussed here and weren’t allowed in. my heart is wit those who had scary run ins with the LAPD & bad security tonight. we gotta do better.’

through all the mishaps.. tonight we broke a record. made history. LA Pride committee said they’ve never seen ticket sales like this. thank you again. really.

— Kehlani (@Kehlani) 10 June 2018

She also addressed technical difficulties from the night.

Kehlani said she had to perform with no functioning ear monitor, after taking it out during the first song. She also had to start her first song again because her microphone wasn’t even on during the beginning.

Kim Petras also performed with technical difficulties. During the live-stream of her set, the audio cuts out from the broadcast.

The LA Pride parade occurs today (10 June), starting at midday.

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Anger as hundreds of ticket-holders turned away from LA Pride

Stoli Vodka in the US yesterday unveiled a special limited-edition bottle commemorating the late LGBTI activist, Harvey Milk.

Yesterday was Harvey Milk Day in the US. Milk became the first openly gay man elected to public office in the US when he became a city supervisor in San Francisco in 1978. Another city supervisor, Dan White, assassinated Milk later that same year.

The Harvey Milk Foundation worked in conjuction with Stoli to produce the limited edition bottle. Stoli said in a statement it was donating to the non-profit to help it continue its work honoring Milk’s memory.

‘We are excited to take our partnership with Stoli to a higher level this year as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of my uncle’s historic 11 months of public service,’ said Stuart Milk, Global LGBT advocate and co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation.

‘The Stoli Harvey Milk Limited Edition bottle recognizes our history and commemorates who helped lead us forward towards visibility, a visibility that will be enhanced by this wonderful tribute from a creative and passionate brand.’

Vodka boycott

Although vodka companies promoting their LGBTI-friendly credentials is nothing new, Stoli has been keener than most to demonstrate its gay-friendly credentials.

In 2013, some gay activists called for a boycott of Russian vodka – including Stoli – in response to the discriminatory way the Russian government treats LGBTI citizens.

However, the ownership of Stoli has been the subject of several legal disputes in certain areas of the world. Originally owned by the Russian state, following the breakup of the Soviet Union in the 90s, Stolichnaya passed into the hands of SPI Groups (Spirits International).

Russian tycoon Yuri Shefler controls SPI. The company, headquartered in Luxembourg now produces and distributes the vodka as ‘Stoli’ across the world (including the US). However, its copyright ownership has faced challenges in Russia itself and the Netherlands.

When activists called for a boycott, Stoli issued a statement saying it did not agree with the Russian Government. It pointed out that Stoli was not made in Russia but in Latvia. The brand has also consistently donated to LGBTI causes.

It even appointed a Stoli LGBT National Brand Ambassador, Patrik Gallineaux – a first for any vodka brand.

The Harvey Milk limited edition bottle features artwork by Paraguayan artist Oz Montania. It launched yesterday at San Francisco’s The Café, where Montainia unveiled a mural to the gay rights hero. It will receive a second launch event tomorrow evening (24 May) at The Abbey in Los Angeles.

Stoli is not the first brand to celebrate Milk. Last year, Levi’s unveiled a range of clothing that paid tribute to the former politician.

See also

Stoli Vodka donates US$300,000 to fund gay rights leadership program in the US

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Stoli vodka unveils Harvey Milk limited-edition bottle