LGBTQ Breaking News Service

I knew I was attracted to men from around the age of five or six. There’s a moment, a foggy memory with a policeman and a hairy chest. I hadn’t even seen a Tom of Finland book, but it made sense many years later in the book section at the back of Tower Records.

I knew that attraction was a problem by the age of 10. In the words of the Queen of Ireland herself, Panti Bliss, I learned to constantly “check myself” from a young age. To make sure I wasn’t doing anything that would make me stand out, to make sure I was as invisible as possible. As a teenager, I retreated to spaces I could control, but eventually got better and better at the lie; every day was an act. I got so good even I began to believe it, for a moment at least, enough to ignore it.

When I was 27, and finishing my photography degree, I unknowingly began the journey seen in this book. X is a raft of memory, specifically related to my many interactions with men, but the series doesn’t focus on any particular group. It’s more biographical than anything else and takes place over a 12-year period. It’s a well-edited diary. There’s a symbiosis between my art and my life.

When lockdown started in London, almost a year ago, I was alone like many others, and after the initial month of living excessively, Zoom family quizzes, and finger-dancing hard to BBC Radio 6, I ran into notions of creativity. The stay-at-home order wasn’t going away, and the relationship with my six black (wild) cats wasn’t improving. I had for many months been toying with concepts for a new book, but finally now lacked distraction.

One day, things clicked. I knew how to begin.

There’s an outstretched hand at the start of the book. It implies openness, and an invitation into my space, my world, to join me on my journey and make it your own. Right up until the eleventh hour this remained the starting point, but as I completed the edit I made a final change and placed a self-portrait at the beginning. That welcoming hand is in some ways for me too.

X is personally confrontational; it forces me to be honest. Learning to be your true self as a gay man is a lifelong project. I am constantly peeling back ideas of myself, unsure whether they are truth or construct.

Sixty-six subjects in the book are part of a narrative that weaves together brief encounters with lifelong relationships, loves and friendships at times broken by landscapes to give pause but also to reflect emotional states.

A carnival ride from a county fair in upstate New York called Trapeze perfectly captures my own feelings while taking photographs, excitement and fear hurled together. Author Gary Needham, who wrote an essay for the book, perhaps describes X best.

“Moriarty acknowledges the enduring power of photography to index histories and desires through acts of artistic disclosure.”

This body of work attaches itself to queer tropes such as Narcissus, which leads us to concepts of identity. Instances of drag push us to acknowledge a sense of duality within all of us. But intimacy is at the core of the book; each present has given me a small part of themselves. They also stand as my mirror. Back and forth, we reflect upon one another, and with a single click like a thief, I try to steal the moment.

For real intimacy, there must be honesty, and now that I’m no longer trying to hide, I can most importantly be honest with myself and with people who care to wonder. X is a vocalisation of the self through a visual medium, sharing the journey I am on with you.

The book is dedicated to my incredible friend and recently posthumously published Irish author Fiona Cribben, still giving me the push I need from wherever she is. Gra mor chailin.

X by Charles Moriarty is available here

The Simpsons recently recast another of its characters, in line with increasing the diversity of its cast representative of the characters they’re playing.

Julio has been part of the show’s LGBT+ community for some time, having previously dated Waylon Smithers. Viewers will know him as Marge Simpson’s hairdresser.

Tony Rodriguez has been recast in the role of Julio in order to accurately portray the character – both Julio and Tony are gay Cuban men. Tony has shared his excitement about his new role across social media, explaining that he’s always been a big fan of The Simpsons.

Getty Images

Related: The Simpsons showrunner discusses its future and how many episodes are left

Posting on Instagram back in March, Tony wrote: “Tonight I make my debut on The Simpsons as gay, Cuban Julio. This is a dream come true for me and I was already a living cartoon.”

Earlier this year, Tony also posted a video on Instagram explaining why he should play the role of Julio, and expressed his love for the show, saying that he’d been watching since it started. He added that the characters, writing and performances are all “brilliant”.

“In the past two years, I have seen myself more in the show, and by that, I mean specifically the part of Julio, who is gay like me, he’s Cuban like me,” Tony explained.

Fox

Related: The Simpsons boss has “ambitious” plans for Apu post-controversy

Previously, the part of Julio was voiced by Hank Azaria, who has faced some controversy for voicing some of the show’s characters.

Hank recently apologised for his portrayal of Indian character Apu, saying that his role on the animated show had become a “slur”.

Speaking on the Armchair Expert podcast, Hank said: “If it’s an Indian character or a Latinx character or a Black character, please let’s have that person voice the character. It’s more authentic, they’ll bring their experience to it.”

The Simpsons is now available to watch on Disney+ in the US and the UK.

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The Simpsons recently recast another of its characters, in line with increasing the diversity of its cast representative of the characters they’re playing.

Julio has been part of the show’s LGBT+ community for some time, having previously dated Waylon Smithers. Viewers will know him as Marge Simpson’s hairdresser.

Tony Rodriguez has been recast in the role of Julio in order to accurately portray the character – both Julio and Tony are gay Cuban men. Tony has shared his excitement about his new role across social media, explaining that he’s always been a big fan of The Simpsons.

Getty Images

Related: The Simpsons showrunner discusses its future and how many episodes are left

Posting on Instagram back in March, Tony wrote: “Tonight I make my debut on The Simpsons as gay, Cuban Julio. This is a dream come true for me and I was already a living cartoon.”

Earlier this year, Tony also posted a video on Instagram explaining why he should play the role of Julio, and expressed his love for the show, saying that he’d been watching since it started. He added that the characters, writing and performances are all “brilliant”.

“In the past two years, I have seen myself more in the show, and by that, I mean specifically the part of Julio, who is gay like me, he’s Cuban like me,” Tony explained.

Fox

Related: The Simpsons boss has “ambitious” plans for Apu post-controversy

Previously, the part of Julio was voiced by Hank Azaria, who has faced some controversy for voicing some of the show’s characters.

Hank recently apologised for his portrayal of Indian character Apu, saying that his role on the animated show had become a “slur”.

Speaking on the Armchair Expert podcast, Hank said: “If it’s an Indian character or a Latinx character or a Black character, please let’s have that person voice the character. It’s more authentic, they’ll bring their experience to it.”

The Simpsons is now available to watch on Disney+ in the US and the UK.

Digital Spy’s digital magazine is back! Read every issue now with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy’s weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox – and don’t forget to join our Watch This Facebook Group for daily TV recommendations and discussions with other readers.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Cereal giant Kellogg’s will release an LGBT Pride-themed cereal to help raise funds for LGBT media watchdog GLAAD.

Together with Pride is a cereal of rainbow hearts and edible glitter. Some of the cereal giant’s most celebrated mascots appear on the box cover, including Toucan Sam (Froot Loops), Tony the Tiger (Frosted Flakes), Dig ‘Em Frog (Honey Smacks), Cornelius (Corn Flakes), Sunny the Sun (Raisin Bran), and Snap, Crackle, and Pop (Rice Krispies).

Together with Pride will arrive on supermarket shelves in May to help celebrate LGBT Pride, which takes place in June.

Kellogg’s will donate $3 from each $4 box to GLAAD. (Consumers must upload a copy of their receipt at KelloggsFamilyRewards.com to complete the donation.)

Kellogg’s, which is headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan, also released a cereal with GLAAD in 2018 to help celebrate the group’s annual Spirit Day, which seeks to increase awareness surrounding the bullying of LGBT youth.

A Cardiff-based LGBT organisation has been nominated for an award.

Drag Queen Story Hour UK, which aims to engage children’s creativity and love for reading stories, has been nominated for a British LGBT Award.

The 2021 awards celebrate the likes of Demi Lovato and Lil Nas X, bringing awareness to organisations and individuals who are making a positive impact within the LGBT + community.

Sab Samuel from Cardiff, the person behind the organisation, is also the drag artist Aida H Dee who regularly reads to young people all over the UK in an effort to diversify learning and acceptance.

Since it’s creation in December 2019, the enterprise has gone on to amass an impressive following online with Sab aka Aida being booked by the likes of Pride Cymru, Green Peace and more.

Despite falling under immense criticism and abuse online by various exclusionary feminist groups last year, the organisation has gone from strength to strength. From being featured on Forbes and even publishing their very own children’s book ‘The Three Goats United ‘ it is a full circle moment for the Welsh enterprise.

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“There’s lots of emotions. I’m obviously supper happy, I’m ecstatic”, Sab said.

“There’s lots of tension doing what I do because you’re constantly wary that you’re going to get hate from people. And this just feels like a complete relief. It’s just great to get the recognition I think.”

Last year, Sab was forced to cancel a Drag Queen Story UK event in Leeds following homophobic abuse online. According to a BBC article, the virtual event was cancelled by Leeds City Council as it “received a number of concerns.”

The remarks online labelled the performer as a misogynist, paedophile and guilty of sexually objectifying children. Disgustingly, death threats were also sent to the drag queen stating that he should be crucified. Despite the traumatic experience, Sab has continued to press on with Drag Queen Story Hour.

“I don’t think that there’s much to be done to ease the trauma due to the scale of hate I received,” Sab explained.

“It’s one of those things where you have to sit there and take it on the chin, no matter how many people stand up for you online. You battle through it and you come out the other side and you keep trying to do what you think is right in the world. It doesn’t put a plaster over the wound but it does make me feel much more positive about the future.”

Sab said parent’s positive feedback has kept him motivated to continue reading to children across the country. In one heartfelt instance, Sab recalled how a parent used Story Time as a way to help their child sleep following a traumatic experience.

“There’s a story I was told about a young person who went through extensive trauma and sometimes they struggled to sleep”, he said.

“And they told me the one thing that puts them to sleep is a story time from me. That type of good I’m doing is something I’d never expect to be doing. It’s so valuable to get messages from parents telling me about their young people who find what I do so helpful.”

Nominees for the British LGBT Awards 2021 can be found here.

A former Swedish LGBT activist has been convicted of raping four migrants during his work.

The 56-year-old man was a member of Sweden’s largest LGBT organisation, RFSL, where he allegedly helped migrants obtain asylum on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

In April 2020, he was accused of raping four men and exposing two of them to sexual harassment in his office.

He was found guilty by the Stockholm District Court and sentenced to four years in prison. He must also pay damages to the victims.

The crimes all took place between October 2018 and October 2019, the court said.

“The victims had all turned to the migrant consultant with the hope of getting help in their asylum processes,” the court said in a statement.

“They have either been asylum seekers, undocumented, awaiting execution, or worked under a temporary work permit.”

The court found that the migrants were in a “particularly vulnerable situation” when they approached the consultant, who had abused his power. Police are now investigating six more potential victims.

In a statement, the RFSL welcomed the decision and urged those affected to seek redress.

“No perpetrator should be able to use RFSL’s operations to abuse people in a vulnerable position,” the organisation said.

RFSL said their Stockholm branch had immediately launched an internal investigation when the first allegations of sexual assault were made against their former employee.

But the organisation acknowledged that the initial probe had been “insufficient” and had not provided enough evidence to take action.

“At the time, the victim was not willing to file a police report because, among other things, they were undocumented,” RFSL said.

But when more accusations surfaced and victims were ready to file a police report, the employee was dismissed. RFSL said they are continuing to review routines and guidelines for their employees, volunteers, and trustees.

“All RFSL’s operations must be safe, continually evolving and quality assured through systematic work,” the organisation said.

“RFSL is an organisation built on values, of protecting and supporting LGBTQI people subjected to violence, threats, and hate. Sexual acts that cause a person harm or suffering can never be accepted.”

The LGBT group acknowledged they had “important work” ahead to regain the community’s trust and reiterated their condemnation of “all forms of abuse”.

“The most important thing is that the victims of this abuse now obtain redress,” said RFSL’s president Deidre Palacios.

“RFSL has a lot of work to do to make sure this does not happen again.”

Leading Merseyside football figures have been shortlisted for a prize at the British LGBT Awards.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his captain Jordan Henderson are joined by Richarlison of Everton with all three among the nominees for the new Football Ally accolade.

The British LGBT Awards has released its shortlist ahead of the annual ceremony which will take place in London on Friday. August 27.

The Awards, in association with Tesco, celebrate leading LGBT+ activists, allies and celebrity figures who have worked to advance the rights of LGBT+ people during the past 12 months.

For the first-time ever the British LGBT Awards will shine a light on the absence of an openly gay football player in England’s Premier League and highlight ‘allies’ from the sport.

The new ‘Football Ally’ award, for 2021 only, will highlight football personalities who are working to break down barriers and help to reach the moment when footballers can be their authentic selves on the playing field.

Henderson’s recommendation reads: “In December 2020, the Liverpool captain showed solidarity with the LGBT+ community by donning a rainbow coloured armband and tweeting ‘football is for everyone.’

“This caught the attention of a 24 year old LGBT+ fan named Keith Spooner who responded in praise of the social media post saying it will help gay football fans.

“The England star, who is an ally of the LGBT+ community, replied: ‘You’ll never walk alone Keith. If wearing the #RainbowLaces armband helps even just one person then it’s progress.’”

Liverpool’s manager Klopp is also on the list with his biography stating: “Jurgen Klopp, is the only Premier League manager known to have taken part in Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign last season.

“The Premier League-winning manager was spotted showing his support for LGBT+ people in football during his team’s 5-2 win over Everton.

“The former Borussia Dortmund manager has also spoken about his personal support for LGBT+ equality and diversity in sport.”

Across Stanley Park, Everton forward Richarlison is also in contention.

The Brazilian’s synopsis says: “Everton star Richarlison is a supporter of the clubs LGBT+ supporters group, Rainbow Toffees and has spoken publicly on his support for footballers coming out as gay.

“Richarlison said: ‘We can no longer live as people did 100 years ago. We are all the same and we should be treated the same. Everyone must be treated, first, with respect and equality.’ “Richarlison, and his Everton teammates, are also supporters of Liverpool City Region’s annual Pride festival.”

Some ex-Reds and Blues aces are included too with former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness, former Liverpool player Conor Coady and former Everton player Gary Lineker all on the list.

Members of the public can view their nominations and vote by clicking here to go to britishlgbtawards.com

North Dakota governor Doug Burgum speaks at a press conference announcing plans for the clean up of the Oceti Sakowin protest camp on 22 February 2017 in Mandan, North Dakota. (Photo by Stephen Yang/Getty Images)