August’s Best & Worst

Featured image by Eduardo Carrasco (via Flickr).

Well here we are at the end of August! Who thought that would come around so fast? We’ve witnessed Pride season in full swing, as well as the worst riots to hit the country in decades.

So, to the best of August 2011…

1. Early in August we saw some of our largest cities hit by rioting – but let’s not dwell on that. The response from everyday members of the British Public was immense. We saw community members in their droves organising themselves into clean-up teams on Twitter and setting out with their brooms in their hands to put their cities back together (see featured image, above). Andy Wasley, So So Gay‘s Editor in Chief, summed up the mood of many, declaring that “We Love London” – and let’s face it, with such fabulous people inhabiting it, who wouldn’t?
2. The August bank holiday saw the Pride vibe sweep Manchester, with the city’s 21st annual festival taking over. Even though the parade was blighted by rain, people were out in high spirits – as if a bit of water could put the LGBT community off. We were treated to performances from Alexandra Burke and the Sugababes, to name but a few, and the celebratory mood was evident across the weekend, proving that Manchester has definitely got what it takes to put on a party!
3. If you’ve not already heard you might be surprised to know that Steps are releasing another greatest hits album entitled, The Ultimate Collection. While we’re sure not everyone will be jumping for joy at the prospect of a return for the poptastic, cheese-laden quintet, we know that you hardcore fans out there will be loving this. Not only will the CD include all the usual favorites, but the group are also including a cover of the ABBA hit ‘Dancing Queen’ as a bonus track.
4. The latest installment in the Glee saga came not to our television screens but the big screen this August, with the release of Glee 3D. For the Glee addicts out there this was literally squeal-worthy (and we imagine cringe-worthy for those among us who can’t stand the all-American teen singers). We saw the cast perform all the favorites from the series including (of course), ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, but sadly there was no Sue Sylvester.
5. Manchester wasn’t the only northern city to be celebrating its LGBT community in August. Early in the month it was announced that Liverpool is to have a dedicated ‘Gay Quarter’ in the already established Stanley Street area. The plans, which have been approved by Liverpool City Council, will include pedestrianised areas to accommodate cafes, bars and restaurants. We think this can only be a welcome development, which will build on the success of Liverpool Pride.

…and the worst:

1. 

   Michele Bachmann

   US Presidential Candidate, Michele Bachmann, is making progress in the US with her race to the White House. Bachmann has previously been outspoken on LGBT issues claiming that being gay is a health risk rather than a genetic trait and has also signed a campaign pledge to work towards banning gay marriage. We can only hope that Bachmann doesn’t convince America that she should be its next president, as who knows what that would mean for LGBT Americans.

2. We’re sure we’re not the only ones who noticed the distinctly cold weather over the summer bank holiday. We’d really like to have been out in our gardens having BBQs, but unfortunately the clouds and the cold have put us off, forcing everyone indoors. Some even considered putting the central heating back on earlier than expected. Let’s hope that we get a September heat wave – although that seems unlikely!
3. Hollyoaks actor, Kieron Richardson, walked off stage at Brighton Pride after being heckled by crowds for (as we understand it) having nothing to say. While we’re really pleased to see Richardson on our screens, compering a large scale event obviously isn’t his bag, as he demonstrated when he exited the stage telling the crowd: ‘I’m off… see you later.’ We are, however, pleased to report that Brighton Pride was a huge success!
4. The Pope has been at it again! His Holiness delivered a speech to 1.5 million people in Madrid during August in which he stated that marriage was a holy union between a man and a woman – a direct rebuke to the gay marriage agenda being pushed by many in the LGBT community. Thankfully, the speech was cut short due to a thunder-storm and heavy rain.
5. A bar in Cork has been forced to apologise after two gay students were asked to leave for kissing. The Old Oak released a statement to the press stating that mistakes were made by both parties and that the venue is not and has never been anti-gay. You would have thought that after the incident earlier in the year at the John Snow in London pub landlords would have learnt their lesson.

We’re always keen to hear your views on whether we got it right, or maybe wrong, so let us know in the comments section below!