Latest news with #BrightonPride
Metro
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Erasure's Andy Bell on kissing Boy George on stage
'I just said to him really quickly, kiss me, and he did!' Andy Bell, best known as an iconic figure of the LGBTQ+ scene in the 80s and one-half of Erasure, has just released his latest solo album Ten Crowns and is set to perform at Brighton Pride in August. At 61 years old, the artist has been in the music industry for decades and carved an important path as one of the few openly gay music artists in the industry in the 80s. In a powerful moment during the Brit Awards in February 1989, Andy was presented with an award on stage by Boy George and took this opportunity to kiss him on the lips. 'It was funny because I'm not sure how much kissing I'd seen – I love doing it, I love being out, and I love kissing on people and with my partner and stuff – But yeah, because we weren't really exposed to it very much. 'I just remember, when George came on the stage, I was really pleased that it was him. Just as he passed me the award, I just said to him really quickly, 'kiss me', and he did, and it just happened like that. 'So it was, I think, probably one of the only moments ever where I've done something on purpose,' he said. He explained that the interaction wasn't a pre-discussed or planned moment, but something he thought would be a bold move in the moment. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! 'Because we never ever planned press stunts or anything like that at all.' He said, adding: 'It was a kind of blink and you miss it moment.' The smooch took place the same year that the first on-screen kiss aired to the British public in an episode of EastEnders between characters Colin Russell and his partner Barry Clark. As one of the few openly gay pop stars in the 80s, Andy once told The Guardian that he felt the need to be 'outrageous' at the time, which meant outrageous outfits and outrageous comments, which he said was a 'defence mechanism'. 'I just started developing this character, you know, out of necessity, really, to this larger than life person, just to deal with hecklers and stuff like that. 'I learned most of my stuff from drag queens, you know, from going and seeing drag queens in the pubs and so, yeah, this character is built over the years.' He said that he made his character a 'screamer' and it meant he didn't have to announce his sexuality in every interview. 'In the beginning, especially playing in North America and places you kind of it gets boring saying you're gay all the time, all the time, you know, in an interview. 'So I just thought I'd, I'd make, I'd have this character on stage. It was like a screamer, just so there were no questions asked. 'I know that it's a bit of a cliche now when I look back, but I just didn't want there to be any compromises or anything. 'For me, it felt like, almost like it was a defence mechanism, but like a shield almost,' he said. Andy's new album features a track titled Heart's A Liar with Blondie star Debbie Harry. 'I just feel like that. I feel like I've not struck gold, but kind of been blessed by music royalty,' he said of working with the iconic singer. 'To me, that's better than anybody in the whole of the music industry. You know, she's the top dog, she really is.' He added that in the music industry, relationships are often transactional and somewhat fake, which wasn't the case with Debbie. 'I know they've had really tough times as well, Blondie. So has Erasure, people all have time in the wilderness, and I think just for someone to reach your hand and say, 'Oh, come on, you know, I'll help you.' That's basically what it is. 'You just don't get that either in the music industry. It's all these back-handed compliments and handshakes, and everything's for commercial gain. Nothing is sincere anymore.' Andy has worked alongside his Erasure other half, Vince Clarke, for decades, taking time to do his own solo work, but always coming together to create music as Erasure. 'When we meet, it's kind of like, it is like, like an ex-lover, and you're meeting up again,' he says, revealing that he's only managed to see him twice this year. 'You're kind of defining your roles, or coming back together, and because it's very raw when you're writing together – I mean, I feel almost sorry for people that have been couples like Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. You know how that must be really tough when you're a real couple. 'But just because we haven't slept with each other doesn't mean that you don't have intimate moments.' He explains that when they get back together, after a little initial awkwardness, they are back into the swing. 'Once you've established that trust, it's there forever,' he says. The singer is set to perform at Brighton Pride in August and emphasised that celebrating the LGBTQ+ community is just as important today as it has always been. More Trending 'As long as we're a target, as long as we're in a position where all of a sudden you're being scapegoated by whichever political party, then we're obviously not safe. 'Until everything is just as it should be, normalised and we're all treated the same and we're all treated fairly, we're still working towards something.' Andy Bell's album Ten Crowns is out now, and he is set to perform at Brighton Pride supported by Hayu, on August 3 . Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I attended the UK's biggest true crime convention — it wasn't what I expected MORE: 'I was the only out lesbian MP for 13 years – here's how Parliament has changed' MORE: I told my date my sexual preferences and was immediately ghosted
Evening Standard
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Evening Standard
Come back corporate Pride — we didn't know how good we had it
Pride was a protest, I liked to snarkily remind everyone who would listen to an insufferable baby bisexual back in the 2010s. A reminder of the Stonewall Riots of 1969, all we fought for and still fight for. Not a place for companies to pinkwash their reputations. In 2018, our biggest worry felt like British Airways sponsoring Brighton Pride when the airline faced accusations it was helping to deport queer migrants.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nicola Roberts shares first photo with former footballer fiancé Mitch Hahn during trip to Monaco - one year after becoming engaged
Nicola Roberts finally shared her first photo with her fiancé Mitch Hahn on Tuesday as they celebrated her dad's birthday in Monaco. The Girls Aloud star, 39, and the former footballer, 37, became engaged one year ago during a romantic trip to the south of France. Returning to the luxurious holiday spot with her whole family, the couple smiled for a photo together during dinner, which Nicola shared to Instagram. Nicola looked as chic as ever in a black dress, with a high neck, that she paired with leather mules. She shielded her eyes with a pair of oval sunglasses and pulled her hair back into an updo to complete her look. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Sitting opposite his wife-to-be, Mitch wore a casual brown T-shirt with a pair of aviator sunglasses. Nicola captioned the update: 'The most gorgeous Monday in Monaco for my dad's 60th with the whole family. The bestest trip.' Last summer, Nicola showed off her huge diamond ring on stage at Brighton Pride after Mitch popped the question. According to reports he got down on one knee during a romantic holiday in the south of France in July 2024. A source told The Sun: 'Nicola has met her soulmate in Mitch. She couldn't be happier.' Nicole flashed the sparkler while performing on stage alongside bandmates Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, and Kimberley Walsh. Mitch, who is an accountant and semi-professional footballer, was first pictured with Nicola at Elton John's concert in June 2022. Her fiancé played for Essex team Grays Athletic and captained the Great Britain team at the European Maccabi Games in Israel. Nicola's last public relationship was with Charlie Fennell, who she dated for six years until the end of 2013, citing that the relationship had 'fizzled out'. Prior to this she was in a brief relationship with Carl Davies, who she suffered a campaign of online harassment from following the breakout of the romance. He was spared jail but handed a restraining order after being convicted of stalking Nicola. The harassment included threatening to stab and burn her, after setting up 35 fake social media accounts to send thousands of messages. He targeted the pop-star over four years after their relationship broke down. Nicola never replied to any of the messages but meticulously copied every message which she then handed over to police. He was later jailed for two years and eight months after he admitted sending death threats to former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin and threatening to rape her daughter.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts shares first ever pic with footballer fiancé Mitch – a year on from secret engagement
Nicola gave a follower some recommendations for being boujee in Monaco LUXURY TRIP Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts shares first ever pic with footballer fiancé Mitch – a year on from secret engagement GIRLS Aloud singer Nicola Roberts has shared her first ever photographs with her businessman fiancé Mitch Hahn. The pop star and Mitch, who is also a semi-professional footballer, joined the Roberts family in Monte Carlo for her dad's 60th birthday. Advertisement 4 Nicola Roberts with her fiancé Mitch Hahn Credit: Instagram @lilcola 4 The Roberts family were celebrating Nicola's dad's 60th birthday Credit: Instagram @lilcola They were blessed with gorgeous sunshine on the feelgood trip, which Nicola shared pictures from on Instagram. One shot saw her sitting opposite Mitch at a long dining table on the terrace of Café De Paris, an elegant brasserie in the heart of the district. Nicola, 39, looked typically classy in black while Mitch smiled opposite her in a taupe T-shirt. Among her pictures was the outside of Monaco's famous casino and part of the Formula 1 track which will be a hive of activity this weekend. Advertisement She wrote: "The most gorgeous Monday in Monaco for my dad's 60th with the whole family. The bestest trip." When one fan asked for recommendations ahead of their own visit, Nicola replied: "Wear trainers or comfy slides for the hill. I love lunch at cafe de Paris. Coffee or a cocktail at hotel du Paris if you want to be super boujee. Have a lovely time." One follower commented: "Gorgeous photos. It looks amazing." Another said: "Looks beautiful, hope you're having a well deserved break girlie and happy birthday to your dad when it comes x." Advertisement A third wrote: "This looks so dreamy!!" Nicola and Mitch have been dating for nearly three years. Last summer Mitch popped the question on a holiday to the South of France. Nicola Roberts looks amazing as she shows off stunning hair transformation A source said at the time: 'Nicola has met her soulmate in Mitch. She couldn't be happier.' Nicola wore the ring for the first time on stage when she performed alongside Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, and Kimberley Walsh at Brighton Pride last year. Advertisement The Sun revealed that Girls Aloud reformed in November 2023 to play 29 concerts in memory of bandmate Sarah Harding. Sarah died aged 39 in 2021 after a battle with breast cancer. Nicola and Mitch have kept their relationship out of the spotlight having first been seen together at an Elton John concert in June 2022. As well as being the CEO of accountancy firm Nordens, Mitch played football for Southend United and Grays Athletic and captained Britain to Maccabi European games gold in 2019. Advertisement 4 Nicola got a glimpse of the Monaco F1 circuit Credit: Instagram @lilcola 4 Nicola performing with her bandmates (left to right) Kimberley, Nadine and Cheryl Credit: Splash
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Four of U.K.'s largest Pride marches suspend political party participation
The organizers of four of the United Kingdom's largest LGBTQ Pride marches have banded together to suspend political party participation in their annual events in support of the country's transgender community. 'At a time when trans rights in the UK are under growing attack, our resolve has never been stronger: we will not allow progress to be undone,' the statement issued Monday by Birmingham Pride, Brighton Pride, Manchester Pride and Pride in London said. 'We will not stand by as the dignity, safety, and humanity of our trans siblings are debated, delayed, or denied.' Political parties are often represented at Pride marches in the U.K. For example, the current prime minister, Keir Starmer, attended London Pride in 2022 when he was leader of the Labour Party. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a member of the Conservative Party, also attended Pride marches in a political capacity in 2010 and 2011. The joint decision to prohibit political party participation at these major Pride events follows a ruling last month by the U.K. Supreme Court to exclude transgender women from the legal definition of 'woman' in the Equality Act, a 2010 law that legally prohibits discrimination based on certain protected characteristics. The ruling stemmed from a legal dispute that began in 2018 when the Scottish Parliament passed a law seeking to increase the number of women on public sector boards. The law, to the dismay of some women's rights activists, included transgender women in its definition of women. Last month's court ruling, according to the four Pride groups, 'underscores the urgent need for immediate action.' 'In this moment, we choose to stand firmer, louder, and prouder in demanding change that protects and uplifts trans lives,' the statement said. In a statement shared on X, the LGBT+ Lib Dems, an arm of the Liberal Democrats party, said they are 'sickened to our core' by the blanket suspension on political parties. The group said the Liberal Democrats 'have been at the forefront of campaigning for LGBT+ rights' and have earned the right to be present at Pride marches. 'We look forward to a constructive dialogue with Pride organisers so we can come back bigger and better, while those parties who pander to bigotry and hatred can be left in the past, where they belong,' the statement continued. In an email to NBC News, Albie Amankona, a spokesperson for LGBT+ Conservatives, called the decision "disappointing." "While we regret this decision, our members look forward to attending in a personal capacity with pride in who we are and what we stand for," he said. The four Pride groups, in their joint statement, added that the rollback of trans rights in the U.K. is part of a 'disturbing global trend,' citing the banning of Pride events in Hungary and the proliferation of anti-trans legislation in the United States. So far this year, 575 anti-LGBTQ state bills have been proposed across the U.S., many of them targeting transgender rights, according to a tally by the American Civil Liberties Union. And on the federal level, the Trump administration has made trans issues a priority. In his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting trans rights, including one stating the U.S. government would recognize only two unchangeable sexes and another barring trans people from military service. This article was originally published on
