Category Archives: A Gay Old World

Big Pink Crosses (or some such TV nonsense)

This is one for my friend Steve to comment on. Yahoo reports that “In 1994, just 19 of the Fortune 500 companies advertised their brands in gay media in the United States. Last year, 175 did”. [Source: Advertisers out of the closet with gay-themed ads – Yahoo! News] It’s just a shame all those stereotypes still exist. The worst gay ads are the ‘Get Fruity’ Muller sponsorship of Living TV’s Will and Grace. All that cheap innuendo, it’s amazing they don’t give the audience a little more credit.

And talking of Will & Grace, Eric McCormack – who played Will – appears to be struggling to find work now the series and gone and finished. He told Sunday’s Observer that “I have this big pink cross to bear”. Still, I guess with all the money he made from Will & Grace he’s in a position to be able to hire somebody to carry it for him. [Source: The Observer | UK News | I can’t shake off my gay image, says Will]

On this day…

2006: All You Need To Know About Sharon Osbourne’s New TV Show
2006: In The Air Again
2002: Temptation

Civil Partnership: It’s In The News Today

Countdown to civil partnership: According to today’s Independent reports that Sir Elton John is to “marry” his partner David Furnish in St Petersburg this month have sparked outrage among Russian nationalists [Independent].

Also in today’s Independent: Roger Lockyer and Percy Steven have been waiting 40 years for this moment. At eight o’clock in the morning on 21 December, the pensioners will become one of the first gay couples in Britain to formally register their relationship as a civil partnership. In contrast, television presenters and property designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan have been together for 20 years and plan to stay together for the rest of their lives but won’t have a partnership.

In The Observer, Ben Summerskill says changing the law on same-sex relationships is the easy part. Changing the culture is harder [The Observer].

Finally, The Scotsman has a nice summary of the changes in the law: The introduction of the Civil Partnership Act on Monday is expected to see 16,500 Britons register as “civil partners” by 2010. That will grant gay and lesbian couples identical rights to married, heterosexual couples, including recognition of a civil partner as the next-of-kin, rights under the rules of intestacy, if a civil partner dies without a valid will, and adoption rights – as well as the same financial provision on any dissolution.

On this day…

2005: Disturbing half-naked men in the doors of Abercrombie…
2005: Flickr Christmas: Santa’s gathering in Liverpool 4
2004: The Da Vinci Code

Civil Partnership: It’s Not Just Romance

Countdown to civil partnership:

“We are not concerned that we are missing out on wedding presents”,  says Jonathan, a graphic designer. “It is the financial and legal issues that are important to us, but we would like to know all the pros and cons before we go ahead.” [Times Online]

On this day…

2005: Flickr Christmas: Snow Monsters Come Out To Play

Civil Partnership: Locally In Wandsworth

Countdown to Civil Partnership: Locally, eight same sex-couples are preparing to tie the knot at Wandsworth’s register office on December 21. Deputy council leader Maurice Heaster said there had been keen local interest in the new arrangements and he was sure the register office facilities would provide the perfect setting for these couples. [Wandsworth Guardian]

On this day…

2005: Flickr Christmas: Jamie Enjoys Herself
2005: Tribute To Atlantic 252
2003: Gay Dads
2002: Invisible Maps

Civil Partnership: George Michael To Wed

Countdown to Civil Partnership: According to TheCelebrityCafe.com, George Michael and partner of nearly ten years, Kenny Goss, have announced their plans to wed in early 2006 in a small private ceremony.

George Michael and partner of nearly ten years, Kenny Goss, have announced their plans to wed in early 2006 in a small private ceremony.

Congratulations.

On this day…

2005: Flickr Christmas: Advent Is Here
2003: A New Month
2002: Christmas Comes But Once A Year
2002: Link and Think

Civil Partnership: Rabbis Are Doing it.

Countdown to civil partnership: According to Times Online, Rabbis from Britain’s Jewish community have become the first mainstream religious grouping to authorise a gay marriage service. Liberal Judaism, which counts Michael Howard and Michael Grade among its adherents, has produced a new liturgy, Covenant of Love, to coincide with the Civil Partnership Act, which takes effect on December 5.

On this day…

2005: Reduced Commercial Clutter

Civil Partnership: Update From Scotland

Countdown to Civil Partnership: A survey for the Scottish Sunday Herald, yesterday, of local authorities has revealed that councils have received 143 provisional bookings for registering civil partnership ceremonies in the run-up to December 5, when the new law comes into force. Edinburgh City Council has the most applicants, with 59 couples registering their intent to take advantage of the new legislation. [more at the Sunday Herald]

On this day…

2006: Our Masks
2005: All Change At Capital
2004: Oh the fun I’m having…
2004: Gary Lucy’s Birthday
2003: Pop TV
2003: Linguistic Sensitivity

Civil Partnership: Westminster City Council Survey

Countdown to civil partnership: A survey of lesbian and gay people shows that many are still unaware about same sex civil partnerships less than two weeks before the Act comes into effect on December 5, according to Westminster City Council. The first same sex civil partnership ceremonies will take place on 21 December. Westminster City Council Register Office has over 100 bookings and the first couple, Roger Lockyer and Percy Stevens will register their partnership at the Register Office at 8am.

On this day…

2004: I Found Some Of Your Life
2003: Snow is Oslo?
2003: Happy Thanksgiving