UK – news.lgbti.org

Polari, The Forgotten Gay Language

When homosexuality was illegal up until 1967 the Gay Community had to use own language.

Since LGBTI+ people have recently been able to exist more openly in society without fear of persecution by the state we have been able to talk openly about express our feelings and personalities in public. But this has not always been the case. Homosexuality was driven so far underground in the United Kingdom that many turned to a new, secretive yet expressive form of communication.

Polari first came about in the theatre and the gay subculture in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s, becoming more widely known from its hidden use by camp radio characters in a popular BBC radio show which ran from 1964 to 1969. It grew up primarily to disguise homosexual activity from potentially hostile outsiders (such as undercover policemen), but also because many gay men worked in entertainment (including circuses, hence the many borrowings from Romany in Polari). It was also used extensively in the Merchant Navy, where many gay men joined cruise ships (particularly P&O) as waiters, stewards and entertainers. It was mainly used by camp or effeminate gay men, who tended to come from working class backgrounds. In a sense, they had the least to lose by being “out”.

Polari had begun to fall into disuse by the late 1960s, the popularity of Julian and Sandy ensured that this secret language was public property, and the gay liberationists of the 1970s viewed it as rather degrading, divisive and politically incorrect (a lot of it was used to gossip about or criticise people, as well as discussing sexual exploits). Since the mid-1990s, with the redistribution of tapes and CDs of Round the Horne and increasing academic interest, Polari was undergone a slight revival. It will probably never die out completely, but new words are continually being invented and updated to refer to more recent cultural concepts – for example, the recent term “Madonna claw” means an old withered hand. In 2002 two books on Polari were published, Polari: The Lost Language of Gay Men, and Fantabulosa: A Dictionary of Polari and Gay Slang (both by Paul Baker).

Polari Dictionary

ajax = nearby (from adjacent?)
basket = the bulge of male genitals through clothes
batts = shoes
bijou = small
bod = body
bold = daring
bona = good
butch = masculine; masculine lesbian
camp = effeminate (origin: KAMP = Known As Male Prostitute)
capello = hat
carts/cartso = penis
carsey = toilet, also spelt khazi
chicken = younger male
charper = search
charpering omi = policeman
cod = naff, vile
cottage = public loo (particularly with reference to cottaging)
cottaging = having or looking for sex in a cottage
crimper = hairdresser
dish = an attractive male; buttocks
dizzy = scatterbrained
dolly = pretty, nice, pleasant
drag = clothes, esp. women’s clothes
ecaf = face (backslang)
eek = face (abbreviation of ecaf)
ends = hair
esong = nose
fantabulosa = wonderful
feele = child
fruit = queen
gelt = money
glossies = magazines
handbag money
hoofer = dancer
jarry = food, also mangarie
kaffies = trousers
khazi = toilet, also spelt carsey
lallies = legs
latty room, = house or flat
lills = hands
lilly = police (Lilly Law)
luppers = fingers
mangarie = food, also jarry
measures = money
meese = plain, ugly (from Yiddish)
meshigener = nutty, crazy, mental
metzas = money
mince = walk (affectedly)
naff bad, = drab (from Not Available For Fucking)
nanti = not, no
national handbag = dole
nishta = nothing, no
oglefakes = glasses
ogles = eyes
omi = man
omi-polone = effeminate man, or homosexual
onk = nose
orbs = eyes
palare pipe = telephone
palliass = back (as in cpart of body)
park = give
plate = feet; to fellate
polari = chat, talk
polone w= oman
pots = teeth
riah/riha = hair
riah shusher = hairdresser
scarper = to run off (from Italian scappare, to escape)
scotch = leg
sharpy = policeman
shush = steal (from client)
shush = bag holdall
shyker/shyckle = wig
slap = makeup
strillers = piano
thews = thighs
trade = sex
troll = to walk about (esp. looking for trade)
vada/varda = see
willets = breasts

Do Gay Men Have Less Stable Relationships?

No one really knows why, but for decades, social studies have hinted that gay men are more promiscuous and less faithful in relationships. Formal studies that have been done to pick apart claims that gay men are less capable of committing to one person however have failed to prove anything. So why are we worried?

The HIV/AIDs epidemic is the major concern. Responsible monogamous couples have very little reason to worry about contracting HIV/AIDs or any other sexually transmitted disease, but young homosexual and bisexual men make up an astoundingly large percentage of new HIV/AIDs diagnoses, and these individuals tend to fall into a “high risk sexual behavior” category also. Although this is hardly proof that gay men are less monogamous, it certainly suggests that they are. There are other reasons to think that promiscuity is a real issue in gay male relationships; past studies that were done on monogamy and relationship security and satisfaction have found that when they compared lesbian, heterosexual, and homosexual relationships women reported feeling more secure and satisfied than men in general. No differences were found to be a result of sexual preference, just gender.

The reality is men usually feel less commitment than women do in relationships, and less satisfied. National surveys that track the prevalence of cheating in married couples have found that, in the U.S. and the U.K., married men are almost twice as likely as married women to have slept with someone other than their spouse. Since most gay couples aren’t married the odds that one of the partners will cheat could be even higher. It’s probably not a terrible thing that gay men are less committed.

Some ultimately suggest that monogamous partnership is unnatural. But, regardless, the contribution that young gay men make to the HIV/AIDs epidemic is something that needs to be taken more seriously. Condom use is not enough. Gay men must take the initiative to know their sexual partners’ history. Like all sexually active people with more than one partner, Gay men should be tested for STDs routinely. Psychologically healthy monogamy may be bogus, but we can’t pretend that having multiple partners is just as safe.

The Gay Man in Margaret Thatcher’s Government

Nicholas Eden, 2nd Earl of Avon, was born on 3 October 1930 and died on 17 August 1985, from Aids. He was a British Conservative politician and was the younger son of former Prime Minister Anthony Eden and his first wife, Beatrice. He was educated at Eton. He succeeded in the earldom on the death of his father in 1977. His older brother was killed on active service in Burma.

Nicholas Eden served under Margaret Thatcher as a Lord-in-Waiting from 1980 to 1983, as Under-Secretary of State for Energy from 1983 to 1984 and as Under-Secretary of State for the Environment from 1984 until shortly before his death in 1985. Lord Avon was unmarried and his titles died with him. He was openly gay.

The London Gay Teachers Group

The London Gay Teachers Group, known as Schools’ Out, was co founded by the late Paul Patrick, who came out in 1969, before he became a teacher, and some colleagues. The organisation became an effective campaigning organisation which published a series of ground breaking discussions and booklets, including “Aids Hysteria” in 1987 and “Schools Out” in 1989.

In 2004 Paul Patrick and Sue Sanders of Schools Out founded the UK Gay History Month.

Paul Patrick was born on July 23rd, 1950 and died on May 22, 2008.

The Hall-Carpenter Archives at the LSE hold some archive material for the London Gay Teachers Group.

Gay Centres

During the 1970s era of gay liberation, gay centres were established usually by squatting in unused or unwanted, dilapidated premises in various cities around the world. One such gay centre was The South London Gay Community Centre at 78 Railton Road, Brixton, London, an empty shop, which was established in the mid 1970s.

Gay centres afforded a safe space where, often for the first time, gay men and lesbians could meet and exchange ideas, and discuss politics. Not only campaigns were formed in them, but also gay groups and organisations, businesses, theatre companies, dance companies and the like. It was such a catalyst for ideas and activity that within months, the immediate area was home to two women’s centres, the Anarchist News Service, Squatters Groups, a Claimants’ Union for those on welfare benefits, the Brixton Advice Centre, Icebreakers, the Race Today Collective and a food cooperative.

The centre at Brixton is important in the UK’s gay history because it was the first one, and formed the template for those following. The squatters were evicted after two years.

The Lesbian and Gay Miners’ Support Group

The Lesbian and Gay Miners’ Support Group were set up during the 1984-85 miners’ strike and challenged prejudices held by many in the labour movement.

by February 1985 there were eleven lesbians’ and gay men’s miners’ support groups all over the country. By December 1984 the London group alone had collected over £11,000 through pub, club and street collections, benefits, parties and other events. The highlight event was undoubtedly the ‘Pits and Perverts’ gig at the Electric Ballroom where Bronski Beat headed the bill; it raised £5,650.

The London group was the first to be set up in July 1984, and started with 11 members. Six months later it had grown to 50 members.

The Lothian Lesbian & Gay Miners Support Group was set up in September 1984 with 12 members raising £40 a week for the White Craige strike centre in East Lothian.

Lesbians Against Pit Closures followed in November 1984, involving more than 20 women who collected £50 a week for the Rhodisia Women’s Action Group, Worksop. The gay community’s support for the miners received much coverage in the left-wing and trade union press. The lesbians’ and gay men’s ‘fringe meeting’ at the October 1984 Labour Party conference was attended by about 250 people.

The recognition of gay rights issues by the union and Labour movements and the contacts forged during the miner’s strike between them and the gay movement led to the formation of a network of gay groups for the members of trade unions which continues to thrive. It also led to gay and lesbian issues being included in training courses for union representatives in the workplace, and the adoption of gay rights policies by the Labour Party.

The Birmingham Lithuanian Community publicly stands for LGBTQ+

The Lithuanian Community in Birmingham United Kingdom is one of the first Diaspora communities which publicly supports Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius, a member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the chairman of the Human Rights Committee, as the only homosexual of 141 members of the Seimas.

The Parliamentary elections were held in Lithuania on 11 and 25 October 2020 to elect the 141 members of the Seimas. 71 were elected in single-member constituencies using the two-round system, and the remaining 70 in a single nationwide constituency using proportional representation. Furthermore, the 4th party by elected seats were Liberal Movement and they received 13 seats in Seimas. Among these 13 elected people were Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius which spoken publicly about his sexual orientation and his presence as a member of LGBTQ +.

In 20 of November 2020 a members of the Human Rights Committee elected a chairman which was Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius who is the only one person from LGBTQ +.

However, the chairman of Human Rights Committee received a negative opinion, expression of hatred from the public, organizations, influencers, members of the Seimas and public figures. A Lithuanian liberal MP has been under attack for advocating pro-LGBTQ+ policies, with a petition, allegedly signed by 300,000 people, calling for his dismissal as a committee chairman. Critics of the initiative say the petition is clear discrimination.

The Birmingham Lithuanian Community publicly stands for LGBTQ+

So, we are The Birmingham Lithuanian Community in United Kingdom and we are the first Community from all Lithuanian’s Communities in the world which is going to hold 4th of March live meeting with Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius and we will speak publicly about our support to him and to continue to be as chairman of the Human Rights Committee.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/259551035762314

Source: E-mail Newsletter

British MI6 Chief Apologizes for Past Discrimination

The head of MI6 has issued a public apology for unjust treatment in the past of staff and recruits because of their sexuality, acknowledging that talented and brave people who wanted to serve their country suffered because of ignorance and prejudice.

Moore, who took over as MI6 chief in October, said that until 1991 — nearly 25 years after same-sex relationships were decriminalized in the U.K. — being an openly LGBTI person while working as a spy “would cause you to lose your job or prevent you from being allowed to join in the first place.” A directive that stemmed from “the misguided view that [LGBTI spies] would be more susceptible to blackmail than straight people.”

Moore’s first prominent appointment was as the British Ambassador to Turkey. He held this post for three years, from 2014 to 2017. He spent a short period of time working as Deputy National Security Advisor (Intelligence, Security and Resilience) in 2018. He held the appointment of Director-General, Political in the FCDO from 2018 until August 2020. On the 29 July 2020, it was announced that Moore would become the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) in autumn 2020.He took up this position on the 1 October of the same year.

UK’s First Openly Lesbian MP Maureen Colquhoun Has Died

Maureen Colquhoun passed away on February 2 at the age of 92. She was a member of the Labor Party, the first openly lesbian MP and a radical feminist far ahead of her time.

Calquhoun was born on August 12, 1928 in London, England. She graduated from the London School of Economics. She entered politics in the British Labor Party. She was a delegate to the UK Parliament from 1974 to 1979. First woman politician to enter parliament as a lesbian .

Colquhoun dies on January 2, 2021 at the age of 92 in London, England, birthplace.

British Military: Top Employer for Gays & Lesbians

In a statement, a British Ministry of Defense spokesperson declared, ‘The Army has worked tirelessly over the last 15 years to become more inclusive and is very proud to be recognised by Stonewall as a top 50 lesbian, gay and bisexual employer. Our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender forum is vibrant and offers confidential support, advice and mentoring to any personnel who are considering coming out.”

Prince Harry Sets a High Standard for Tolerance and Equality

In 2013 another Household Cavalry soldier, James Wharton, disclosed in his book Out In The Army, My Life As A Gay Soldier how Prince Harry once protected him from homophobic bullies. In one interview, Captain Hannah Winterbourne, the highest ranking transgender officer in the Army, tells of her decision to have transgender surgery. But the general said: ‘The MoD needs to do more than just put one or two junior and middle-ranking officers up for interview and claim it’s all nice and rosy in the garden. There is still a lot of homophobic bullying and abuse.’

Transgender Persons Speak Out

In one interview, Captain Hannah Winterbourne (above), the highest ranking transgender officer in the Army, tells of her decision to have transgender surgery

Captain Hannah Winterbourne is the highest ranking transgender officer in the Army, and she has openly spoken of her decision to have transgender surgery

Army General to “Come out”?

One of the British newspaper, “The Mail” ran an article about an Army General who is planning to “come out of the Military Closet.” He is not named and therefore it is mere speculation. “The Mail” claims an interview with the General who was furious over a colleague’s inappropriate and demeaning gay comment. Friends who know the General’s sexual orientation has warned him that this could severely damage his career.

The General is married with three children and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan with 30 years of distinguished service. He states that he has a very loving relationship with his wife who knows that he is gay. She does not want to divorce him. In the interview, the general is reported to have stated that he is part of a ‘small number of senior officers in the Army, RAF and Royal Navy who have decided to keep their sexuality secret because of the potential impact it might have on their career’.He added: ‘It might come as a shock to some people but there have been and there are gay members of the SAS. (Crack special forces team).I have met them.”

‘Gay soldiers won medals in Iraq and Afghanistan. And yes, there have probably been many gay generals over the years.’

Paula, 2015, stories4hotbloodedlesbians.com