On 22 April 2020 Conservative equalities minister Liz Truss announced plans for reforms to the Gender Recognition Act yesterday, which would not only deny vital life saving medication and puberty blockers to trans youth and limit Trans people to using gender-neutral toilets, but would also set us back years, seriously diluting progress. Here is the Pink News article with all the facts.

My awesome friend (proud to say) Jacqui Devon hear this and decided that she would use her time in lockdown to do something about it. Jacqui’s Not a Phase campaign jumped off straight away and her self-designed tees starting popping up all over social media, raising awareness of the need to support trans you, but also raising loads of money for Mermaids UK. When we recorded, Not a Phase had raised nearly £1,500, which will 100% have surpassed that by now as the campaign grows daily.

Jacqui honestly discusses her experience of bullying, leading to her being taken out of school. Sadly, her experience is not uncommon, highlighting exactly why we need to support trans rights and fight to dissolve the proposed GRA reforms. Jacqui knows first-hand why organisations like Mermaids UK are vital to helping gender-diverse kids, young people and their families.

PLEASE get yourself a Not a Phase tee and post it on social media and tag @mermaidsgender @jacquidevon and @lgbtpillars, using hashtags #notaphase and #lgbtqpillars . They’re only 15quid and 100% of the profit goes to Mermaids UK.

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When I first spoke with Moosa I made no secret if the fact that i knew very little about Islam, about Oman or about living as Queer Muslim, and that is why I was so pleased that he agreed to talk to me. Part of me felt embarrassed that I didn’t know more about the lives of my neighbours and colleagues, or the people I see on the street daily. I felt pretty ignorant, but Moosa was very kind and explained that he enjoyed how genuine I was and he handled my questions gracefully.

I was excited to learn more about Oman, about Islam and his experience of growing up Queer in a muslim country, but also how his perception have changed since moving to the UK. I thought that people like me, who have had little opportunity to engage in open conversations about Islam would feel massively enlightened by the conversation, but equally i felt that Muslim people, specifically Queer Muslims would be inspired by hearing an openly Gay Muslim man share his experience of balancing both parts of his identity and living a happy and fruitful life.

Moosa moved to the UK in 2008 to study in Aberdeen, before moving to Cardiff. After moving to London, Moosa founded London Queer Muslims in 2017 to challenge the dominant narratives about Queer Muslims. LQM, and Moosa do this “not by debating whether or not it is correct to be Muslim and Queer, but by actualising a post-debate space, where Islamic identity is agreed and accepted as something that is not at odds with Queerness.”

LQM's work support other Queer Muslim networks such as Hidayah, Imaan and Naz and Matt Foundation.

We recorded this at the beginning of Ramadan and I want to thank Moosa for giving up his time during such an important time of year for him and Muslim people worldwide. 

Due to timing, it worked out that this would be released on Eid, at the of Ramadan and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a wonderfully warm, open and educational conversation with Moosa.

Eid Mubarak.

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This is not the story of a wedding planner. This is the result of decades of individuals doing selfless activism to achieve something so very simple, the right to love. Lorna is one of those people and she has an Instagram full of beautiful photos to prove it.

I met Lorna in 2018 when volunteering with Diversity Role Models. I remember her telling us how how she had just started My Oh My Weddings. It was then the only LGBTQ+ dedicated wedding service in the UK, which is mad when you consider that the marriage equalities act was passed fiver years earlier in 2013.

Lorna has never been one to fit the mould, or 'cookie cutter' as she says. Deciding against university, she landed the job every cool kid dreams of, with the Met forensics team. Shortly after she met her lovely partner Sharon and came out to her parents. Lorna got tired of having to 'out' herself throughout her own wedding journey, constantly explaining to venues, photographers and suppliers, "my wife's name is Sharon, not Aaron." She wanted to make it easier and more pleasant for Queer people to plan their special day, so My Oh My Weddings was born. This beautifully organic process has not only brought real happiness to so many people, but this revolutionary act and dedication to love, meant that Lorna was awarded Wedding Planner of the Year at the National Wedding Awards 2019, just 11 months after starting.

Lorna has been volunteering with Diversity Role Models for a few years and like myself, she adores them and everything they do. Not only does she give up her time to tell her story in schools, but she donates a percentage of every wedding to help them provide diversity and inclusion education for the next gen.

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I was introduced to Aaron through a mutual friend; they had met while working for UK Black Pride together, but of course I’d been following his epic success with The Beyonce Experience since he blew up on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015. What started as a bit of holiday banter at Sitges Pride, has grown to become one of the biggest international drag performances and arguably the most acclaimed Beyonce impersonator in recent years.

On a cold, dark and rainy night in January I ran from Liverpool Street station to Aaron’s townhouse in Spitalfields, with an umbrella in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. I was greeted at the door by Aarons big, beaming smile and his three gorgeous little pugs, Bowzer, Bruce and Gaston. I’m so please that Aaron wanted have this conversation with me and that he agreed to a bottle of wine on a Tuesday evening.

Before I met Aaron I thought his story was a nice of example of being in the right place at the right time, but I was wrong. To dilute his journey with clichés would be a huge discredit to his hard work, his tenacity and his willingness to take opportunities that manifest as a result of his courage. For me, Aaron’s story represents how not following your passions, but following your curiosity can reveal new and exciting paths, and if you trust in yourself enough, then one day you might just become Beyonce.

Since we recorded the whole country went into lockdown. We thought it would be a good idea to have a catch up.

Check out The Aaron Carty Experience pt 2: Lockdown Update- Survivor hear what the global pandemic means for The Beyonce Experience and UK Black Pride.

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Since we recorded The Aaron Carty Experience pt1: Hair, Heels and Everything in In-between the whole country went into lockdown in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic. We thought it would be a good idea to have a video catch up and discuss what the global pandemic means for The Beyonce Experience and UK Black Pride.

Another gorgeous conversation with Aaron about adjusting and cracking on, so that everyone involved can be cared for, emotionally and financially. Each time we speak I feel inspired and full of hope that even if I feel a challenge may break me, if I stay open and push through, I will emerge a survivor. *Cue me on a beach (my living room) in camo combats*

Sadly, UK Black Pride 2020 has been postponed, however there is good news! To find out how you can contribute to this year's UKBP online festival, click here to get involved.

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Growing up in a small countryside town may sound idyllic, but being the only Queer kid in the middle of nowhere was confusing and I felt completely out of place. For years I searched for a magic resolve or a miracle opportunity to ‘cure’ my Gayness, transform my life and save me from myself. I didn’t know that I didn’t need it and that I was fine as I was. I never thought to look to myself as a source of empowerment.

Homeless and lonely, with no-one to blame was the biggest wake up call; a true example of my toughest challenges becoming the foundations of some my proudest moments. Do I have my shit together? Not entirely, but reflecting on my personal growth over the last few years is encouraging and the process has been enlightening.

I don’t have all the answers, but I started a podcast to meet inspiring people and try and find a lot more of them.

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I first met Greg Owen early 2018 at a chemsex first-aid workshop for 56 Dean Street run by the wonderful David Stuart.

I was pleased when I saw Greg a week or so later at the last Let’s talk about gay sex and drugs. Greg was different that evening. He was shy and humble and clearly overwhelmed by the support in the room. His honesty was clearly appreciated and his passion admired.

In the BBC documentary The People vs The NHS: Who gets the drug, Greg candidly discusses how his HIV diagnosis sparked the beginning of his activism leading to him co-found iwantprepnow.co.uk alongside Alex Craddock- this is currently funded equally by the Elton John Aids Foundation and Terrence Higgins Trust, where Greg is lead for PrEP.

The courageous act of embracing this life changing moment and using it to drive conversations around around the advancement HIV prevention and treatment, is not only the reason he was one of the first people I thought of when planning this podcast, but also the reason he has gained admiration and amongst HIV, PrEP and sexual health activists, but also among his online followers, who I’m sure share the thanks I have for the hard work and tireless dedication that Greg, as well as all the activists and campaigners involved in making PrEP available to those who need it.

Since then he has fought to make PrEP readily available on the NHS. and in this episode Greg also highly credits the work of Prepster for reaching out and engaging gay and bi men, Black African communities, trans people, sex workers and migrants, helping them access PrEP.

Greg invited me to the Terrence Higgins Trust to discuss his journey from Belfast to London and to explore what it is that drives his activism.

That was in January when we had no idea of what was unfolding with the global coronavirus pandemic. Since then on 15th March UK health secretary Matt Hancock announced his commitment that PrEP would be made available on the NHS.

In the meantime, global priorities have change so Greg and I thought it would be a good idea to have a little socially distanced chat via video call, for an update on the PrEP roll out and what the pandemic means for PrEP users.

Greg Owen: Lockdown Update; PrEPping, testing, fucking and kindness in a global pandemic is available to stream directly after this episode.

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Greg invited me to the Terrence Higgins Trust to discuss his journey from Belfast to London and to explore what it is that drives his activism.

That was in January when we had no idea of what was unfolding with the global coronavirus pandemic.

Since then on 15th March UK health secretary Matt Hancock announced his commitment that PrEP would be made available on the NHS.

In the meantime, global priorities have change so Greg and I thought it would be a good idea to have a little socially distanced chat via video call, for an update on the PrEP roll out and what the pandemic means for PrEP users.

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BONUS CONTENT FOR BANTS: Lockdown boredom can cause us to to do many things for the sake of having a laugh. With the aim of lifting the mood and making you smile, I thought I kick off the series with a remake of Baz Luhrmann's Sunscreen.

Ladles and Jellyspoons, this is my pandemic anthem, 'Stay Home.'

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Pillars host and creator, Jordan Yedermann wants to give you a quick overview of what the podcast is all about.

Pillars: The Podcast will inspire by sharing personal stories from LGBTQ+ people and hopes to encourage individual, personal empowerment.

Unity and coming together has been crucial to the LGBTQ+ community, with social groups and connection campaigns providing vital opportunities to connect with others who share the same interests and passions.

However, amongst the crowds of clenched fists, rainbow flags and glitter cannons- are individuals, all with very different and important stories to tell.

Jordan wants to reinforce the important message of individual strength and empowerment. Strengthening the community, by empowering the individual. 

"We can't build a home out of broken bricks. We need Pillars."

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