NEWS IN THE NEWS...
THE STAG TO CLOSE It has finally been confirmed that The Stag in Victoria is to close down due to the redevelopment of the area. The land on which the pub stands is to become the site office for Land Securities development at Victoria. The Above The Stag Theatre, which has been running above the pub for the last three years, will be homeless from the end of March. The Stag is London’s only theatre with a core programme of gay-themed and gay-interest work. Peter Bull, the theatre’s artistic director and producer, says: “We are commited to continuing Above The Stag’s success, and we urgently need a new home. We would love to hear from property developers, pubs with unused function spaces, or any other property owner who would welcome a resident theatre. We bring a well- respected programme, up-to-date sound and lighting equipment, and a loyal audience. “What we have achieved over the past three years is too valuable to lose, but we need all the help we can get to find a new home. We want everyone to email us via the website or pop in to the pub on Thursday 8 March between 6.30pm and 9pm when we’re saying thank you and goodbye to everyone who has attended or been in our shows.”
ANTI-GAY DERBY MEN SENT TO PRISON Three Muslim men from Derby have received jail sentences for distributing leaflets intended to stir up hatred against gay people. Ihjaz Ali, 42, Kabir Ahmed, 28 and Razwan Javed, 27 – were found guilty of a gay hate crime after handing out leaflets calling for homosexual people to be given the death sentence. It’s the first prosecution of its kind since new laws came into force in 2010. Ali was jailed for two years, and Ahmed and Javed for 15 months. The sentences were welcomed by both gay campaigners and Muslim groups. Farooq Murad, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said: “It is completely unacceptable that in a diverse and vibrant society such as ours any minority group should fear for their own safety. Unfortunately, the leaflets these young men were handing out promoted such fear and division.”
Gay stories from the UK and farther afield...
L-R: Paul Oxley (RVT co-owner), Paul O’Grady, Jason Dickie (bar manager) and Robert Taylor
GARDENS RENOVATED
Paul O’Grady was one of the special guests who helped Vauxhall locals to celebrate the completion of a project to renovate one of London’s most historic public spaces. On Thursday 16 February, the comedian and former Vauxhall resident joined locals and councillors at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern – the pub
CANADIAN HIV VACCINE GOES ON TRIAL
Researchers in Canada have announced that they have received permission to start human trials of a potential new HIV vaccine, dubbed SAV001. Researchers from the University of Western Ontario say they have developed an HIV vaccine that uses the whole HIV virus, unlike other vaccine attempts that have used only certain genes or proteins from the virus. However, the virus they are using has been genetically engineered to be “non-pathogenic,” so that it does not actually cause HIV in recipients. The vaccine’s safety will first be tested in people already infected with HIV. The next phase of testing will be on a group of HIV-negative people to test their immune response. If both trials yield
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where he used to perform as his Lily Savage alter-ego in the 1980s – to celebrate a major renovation of the neighbouring Spring Gardens (formerly Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens). These include the addition of a landmark new entrance introduced on Kennington Lane, framed by two monumental columns. The park’s most recent renovations have cost approximately £200,000, with work being led by local
residents through the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, working with Lambeth Council and architects DSDHA, in association with the artist Martin Richman. O’Grady was joined by the leader of Lambeth Council, Cllr Steve Reed, local MP Kate Hoey and Chair of the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Eamonn McMahon, in cutting a ribbon to mark the restoration.
positive results, the vaccine will undergo a mass trial using around 6,000 people believed to be at high risk of HIV infection. Half will receive the vaccine and half will receive a placebo. However, it could take several years for trials to be completed and results known. In the absence of a vaccine, safer sex practices and condoms remain the best defence against the spread of infection.
IMAGE:
MIKEKEAR.COM
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