Jake Hook
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what to write. Now own a magazine. Once a multi-platinum songwriter and music producer. opinions are mine, unless given to me by someone else. 🏳️🌈
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Articles by Jake Hook
Brick-and-Mortar Restaurants Need to Stop Blaming Street Vendors
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Anthony Bourdain knows more than I do about food. I'd be willing to bet he knows more about food than you, too, as well as the vast majority of people not involved in the culinary arts. Because he knows so much, I generally trust his intuitions about where to eat and what best represents a place's culture when expressed through food.
After 34 Years, Hollywood’s Iconic Cactus Taquería #1 Is Being Forced to Close This Sunday
Sometimes nostalgia gets a bad rap. Like it's some kind of purely reactionary force that keeps people stuck in their ways, resistant to change. But nostalgia can also be a way of sharing memories and forming community. "What we're going for more than anything, we want nostalgia to hit when you eat here,” says Marlo Tornel, who runs Cactus Taquería with his family.
Burrito King In Echo Park, 1968-2026
Burrito King, an Echo Park landmark, closed last week. It had been listed for sale for years, including on Facebook Marketplace, but had been unsuccessful in finding a buyer for the space or someone down to pay $6,000 a month for the location. The fate of the business and the small corner building it occupies is unclear as of now. For those who aren't familiar with the elusive charms of Burrito King—where does one begin?
When TV Pretends Gay Sex Has No Logistics
Television has made real strides in how it portrays gay relationships. Where gay characters were once relegated to subplots or stereotypes, many shows now allow them complexity, intimacy, and genuine sexual agency. Gay sex, in particular, is no longer automatically tragic, shameful, or implied off-screen. That progress matters. But for all this newfound visibility, there remains one oddly persistent fantasy: the idea that penetrative gay sex requires no preparation at all.
A Fire Gutted Uncle Henry’s Deli, a 66-Year Sandwich and Craft Beer Sanctuary In Downey
For many residents of Downey and the wider Southeast L.A. area, Uncle Henry's Deli, established in 1959, has long been something of a local secret. Sadly, the third-generation family-owned sandwich shop-cum-craft beer specialists have announced that their store was destroyed in a fire. Although they announced their intention to rebuild the store almost immediately, this still comes as a temporary loss in a time when restaurants across Southern California are struggling to stay afloat.
The Closing of L.A.’s Oldest Restaurant Goes Beyond French Dips
Cole's, the downtown landmark bar and restaurant, and claimed inventor of the French dip, is set to close on August 2nd. No official statement has yet been made on the reason, but members of Cole's staff, who wish to remain anonymous, have confirmed the plans with L.A. TACO. Located on the ground floor of the Pacific Electric building since 1908, Cole's is deeply intertwined with L.A. history, serving as a hangout for infamous figures like writer Charles Bukowski and crime boss Mickey Cohen.
Opinion: Why Downtown’s 100-Year-Old Original Pantry Cafe Needs to Stay Open
The Original Pantry Cafe, Downtown's landmark diner, turned 100 last year. But its legacy may soon end, as KNX News reports that the iconic, formerly 24-hour coffee shop is slated to close on March 2nd, following demands from a labor union representing the Pantry’s staff and the trust who now owns it not willing to meet those demands. In 2023, Richard Riordan, former L.A. mayor and longtime owner of the Pantry, passed away. The Richard J.
How to get a stubborn Silicone Lube stain out of your clothes
When it comes to lube, I believe that silicone lube is king for all things anal. It’s super long-lasting, it’s less tacky than water-based, it warms to body temperature super quick and generally speaking, things (dicks) just basically slide on in. However, unlike its water-based brethren, silicone lube is a pig bastard to shift from your clothes. I found this out the hard way last week when a small bottle I had in my pocket leaked.
Med Center Health Foundation Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Press Release) - The Med Center Health Foundation is pleased to announce nine recipients of our six annual scholarship awards.
7 signs you have a Grindr Addiction
Is the time you’re spending on Grindr time well spent? Are you getting what you want out of it, or do you find yourself spiralling after a night of tapping, blocking and messaging? Do you think you might have a Grindr Addiction? What is Grindr Addiction? Addiction is a complex and chronic brain disease that is usually characterised by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite the harmful consequences that may result.
10 totally gay (NSFW) horny emojis you need to start using
Any advice given in our articles is not intended to replace advice given by your own GP, sexual health practitioner or other mental health advisors. Please, wherever possible seek advice from professionals who know your personal and medical circumstances. THEGAYUK.com cannot accept liability for any outcomes based on advice given in this article.Β _______ THEGAYUK.com is the number 1 listings, news and social network for gay, bisexual and curious men in the UK.
Why putting a pronoun in your signature isn't always a good thing -
Photo by Laker on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/inscription-gender-is-a-spectrum-made-of-scrabble-letters-against-pink-background-6156944/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a> Should putting your pronoun in emails, zoom calls and texts become standard practice? It can be a brilliant way to show allyship, but it can be deeply scarring for those who are still figuring it out. I’m going back to school.
8 ways to keep financially afloat this Christmas
Christmas is an expensive time of the year. There are socials, parties and a tree that needs lots of gifts beneath it. So here are some hacks to keep you financially buoyant this winter. Make a list First of all, you should make a list of all the people in your life that you’re likely to meet between now and Christmas. Once that list is made check it twice. How many of those people do you need to buy for and what level of present do they need and remember not everyone will expect a present from you.
COMING OUT: Top 10 Coming Out Songs
In the olden days (I’m talking about G-A-Y at the Astoria), when I used to go out as an excitable newbie gay and was able to wear stomach revealing tees, Pop music was my haven. Pop music of the late 90s and early 2000s seemed to know my man loving ways and was only to happy to deliver thumping after thumping hit for me to perform my little camp heart out on the sticky floors of that old, fondly missed haunt.
Seven iconic sex scenes from the movies, you need to try at home
The world of cinema can fire the imagination, especially when it comes to sex scenes. The scenes you need to try… The Call Me By Your Name Peach This a relatively easy one to do and even better if you don’t have anyone to play with. Just grab yourself a peach and go to town. In Call Me By Your Name, Timothee Chalamet’s character, Elio, is seen “practising” sex with a peach and put his D in it, and eventually, well you guessed it, climaxes.
These are the 7 Campest Bette Midler Movies… ever
CREDIT: S Buckley | Depositphotos.com There was a time in the 80s and 90s where you couldn’t go to the movies without Bette Midler being in it. Beaches 1988 Okay, it’s not very camp, more of a weepy from Bette, however there are some extreme moments of campness from the Divine Miss M. Hitting the radiator for heat in her dumpster apartment is one of them. Also this film gave birth to the songs: “Oh Industry” and “Otto Titsling”. Camp Camp Camp.
These are the 7 Campest Bette Midler Movies… ever
CREDIT: S Buckley | Depositphotos.com There was a time in the 80s and 90s where you couldn’t go to the movies without Bette Midler being in it. First Wives Club 1996 This is truly the campest movie Bette has filmed to date. It stars Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton along with Bette. The fiesty trio decide to get their lives back on track after separating from their lying, cheating horrible husbands. Dear god man, if you’ve not watched it you must.
These are the 7 Campest Bette Midler Movies… ever
CREDIT: S Buckley | Depositphotos.com There was a time in the 80s and 90s where you couldn’t go to the movies without Bette Midler being in it. The Stepford Wives 2004 Bringing a little bit of reality to the perfect world of Stepford. When she finally “turns” Bette is slightly amazing/unhinged. Camp WATCH THIS ON AMAZON | WATCH THIS ON ITUNES NEXT >>> FIRST WIVES CLUB The editor and chief of THEGAYUK. All in a previous life wrote and produced songs on multi-platinum records. -Advert-
These are the 7 Campest Bette Midler Movies… ever
CREDIT: S Buckley | Depositphotos.com There was a time in the 80s and 90s where you couldn’t go to the movies without Bette Midler being in it. Big Business 1988 When Bette and Lily Tomlin starred in Big Business we knew it’d a be a camp fest. Separated a birth from their real twins, the audience is expected to believe that Lils and Bets are real life identical twins. The movie should be remembered for Bette’s power suits and 80’s power walk.
These are the 7 Campest Bette Midler Movies… ever
CREDIT: S Buckley | Depositphotos.com There was a time in the 80s and 90s where you couldn’t go to the movies without Bette Midler being in it. Down And Out In Beverly Hills 1986 Another 80’s romp. Bette plays a rich (again) socialite who saves the life of a suicidal homeless man. Doesn’t sound like a comedy but it was and it was hilar! WATCH THIS ON AMAZON | WATCH THIS ON ITUNES NEXT >>> BEACHES The editor and chief of THEGAYUK.
17 things you only know if you’ve been a go-go boy in a gay bar
“He’s the greatest dancer”, so says the song – well ever wondered what goes on in the head of a go-go boy? 1) White Pants are a wardrobe must. Don’t ask us why. It’s the go go law. 2) You must be tanned – from top to toe. Your tan will be beautifully set off by those tiny white trunkies. 3) You can be a fronty or a backy… Those are the rules – you’re either a bubble, bootilcious beauty or a elephant’s trunk. Them the rules. Not many people can be both.
THEGAYUK Loves…
Things that we’re really loving this week. Our pick of some of the best books, beauty, style and home gadgets going. Stage Mother ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5. Stage Mother sees conservative, Texas church-choir director Maybelline (Jacki Weaver) inheriting her recently deceased son’s drag club, and surprising her closed-minded husband, and everyone else she knows, by moving alone to San Francisco to save the club from bankruptcy.
Top 10 Homoerotic Horror Movies
I’ve always felt that Horror movies were a bit gay. So I’ve decided to take a look at the top 10 homoerotic horror movies. The way-to-good looking heartthrob, who incidentally always has great hair, teeth and wears Daz white Ts only to eventually get ripped and shredded by an ugly monster, it’s a bit like Saturday nights at The Black Cap. 10. Jeepers Creepers 2 First in our list of homoerotic horror movies is the 2005 flick Jeepers Creepers.
15 definite signs you might be Edina Monsoon
Help Mumma sweetie... 15 undeniably classic quotes from the gay icon known as Edina Monsoon. Single, working mother – with two ex-husbands, a frustratingly intelligent daughter and a leech-like best friend. On Her Eternal Diet Struggle I’m going to be thin… I’m going to do thin things. On Self Belief Eddy: Inside me there’s a thin person just screaming to get out. Mother: Just the one, dead? On Working Wednesday, 8 AM.
25 non trans actors who have played trans parts in films and TV
Some of the most memorable trans characters have been played by cis-gender actors... here's 24 of the most famous roles. Some of the most memorable trans characters have been played by cis-gender actors… here are 25 of the most famous roles. Here are just some of the mainstream films and television shows where a trans character wasn’t played by a trans actor.
TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Harvey Milk murdered
Harvey Milk was one of the 20th century's LGBT trailblazers American politics was filled with a sea of heterosexual faces, sometimes fiercely homophobic, but mostly irreverent towards the gay community, that was until Harvey Milk entered the political arena.
9 foods you shouldn’t eat if you’re planning to bottom tonight
There's a few things you shouldn't eat before you go for the big 'A' sex... A lot of people think that if you’re planning to bottom for a guy that you’ll only be able to eat ice cubes on your date, but that really isn’t true. It actually takes hoursorevendays for the food you eat to turn to poop and for it to be ready to leave your body.
INTERVIEW | ‘You Don’t Look Deaf’ is something I’ve been told countless times - Luke Christian
Luke Christian is an out and deaf entrepreneur who created his iconic fashion brand, DEAF IDENTITY with his redundancy cheque. He talks to us about his love of fashion and why it’s weird to fetishise deafness. Tell us a little a bit about your company, what’s the goal? I created DEAF IDENTITY last September 2019 as I took redundancy from my old job and came to a bit of a standstill where I had an idea of mixing my love for fashion whilst raising deaf awareness.
We rated the best ballads from each of Mariah Carey’s albums
Don’t hate… but Debut “Vanishing” This stripped-back piano-led ballad is probably one of the purest ballads of all time. It perfectly showcases Mariah’s vocal quality – and one epic vocal run (that sounds like the prettiest car alarm in the world) towards the end. Emotions “Can’t Let Go” After a string of number 1s in the US, “Can’t Let You” didn’t manage to reach the coveted top spot – which we think is a travesty. Plus the accompanying music video is one classy affair.
This is why we should stop using "dirty" and "clean" on hook up apps
A doctor has made the case for people to stop using the words “Dirty” and “Clean” when talking about people and their sexual health. Doctor Naomi Sutton who is a trustee for the sexual health charity, Saving Lives, uploaded a thought-provoking video in which she pleaded with viewers to stop using the words “clean” and “dirty” to describe people and their sexual health because of the stigma that those words carry.
Limiting PrEP is holding us back in the fight to end new HIV transmissions
edf The fight to end new HIV transmissions in England and Wales is being severely limited according to the Head of Policy, Debbie Laycock, at the Terrence Higgins Trust. Although there are plans to make PrEP more widely available from April, Laycock says that the “continued lack of detail from Ministers about what a national programme will look like” gives the charity, “serious concerns”.
This is what it’s like to go on a nudist beach, when you’re a nevernude!
It has to be said. I’m a never-nude. CREDIT: Jake Hook / THEGAYUK While my boyfriend takes almost every possible moment to whip his clothes off, I’m happy to keep it AbFab Saffy. He says I’m the only person he knows who dresses up to go to bed. So the idea of a nudist beach outing isn’t a natural fit for me, my Irish Roman Catholic never-naked family upbringing means that nudity to me is best kept in the dark. But as I’ve always said, “don’t say no, till you give it go”.
There are thousands of men just like Phillip Schofield, waiting to come out and that shouldn’t surprise us
The past was deeply homophobic. It drove would be out gays, lesbians and bisexual people deep underground and now is their time to walk, heads held high into the light. When I used to volunteer for an LGBT+ helpline, our extensive training outlined how to help young people navigate their coming out experiences at college or how to tell mum and dad that, actually, they weren’t a daughter but a son.
Conservatives release “delusional” merch to celebrate getting Brexit done
In a move which has left many people on social media baffled, the Conservatives have released an official tea towel feature a picture of PM Boris Johnson with the slogan, “Got Brexit Done”, despite the fact that the UK doesn’t officially leave the EU until the 31st January 2020. The move has left many on social media questioning whether the account had been hacked or was even a parody account.
Adam Lambert launches brand new LGBT+ Human Rights organisation
CREDIT: kathclick-bigstock The hitmaker has launched a non-profit organisation in order to support LGBT+ human rights.
The Oscar nominations have been announced and it’s very very straight
CREDIT: DWilliams / CC / Pixabay #OscarsSoStraight In past years, the Oscars have come under fire for being too white with the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag trending to blast the organisation for its lack of diversity. This year people are saying it’s too white, too male and too straight. #OscarSoWhite became a headlining story in 2015. This year, it seems is the LGBT+ community’s time to shout about how undiverse the nominations are, along with how male and white the nominations appear to be.
Gay marriage now legal in Northern Ireland
CREDIT: © ivonnewierink Depositphotos Gay and lesbian couples are now able to get married in all four nations of the UK. Same-sex marriage is now legal in Northern Ireland – despite repeated attempts by the DUP to thwart legal equality for gay and lesbians in the region. The subject of same-sex marriage had been voted on at least five times by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Northern Ireland is the last nation in the United Kingdom to legalise marriage between two people of the same sex.
Customer outraged after being sent a homophobic slur in an email from ASOS
An ASOS customer has been left outraged after receiving a discount code from the online clothing giant. When Eric Omikunle opened a birthday email sent by ASOS containing a discount code he thought “how sweet and kind” – that was until he noticed the gay slur in the code itself.
When is Pansexual Awareness Day in 2020?
The Pansexual Awareness Day, also known as Pan (Pansexual and Panromantic) Visibility Day is an important part of the LGBT+ calendar and it takes place, annually at the end of May. In 2020 Pansexual Awareness Day takes place on the 24th of May. Pansexual Awareness Day was first observed in 2015 and was created to ensure the visibility of the pansexual community. What are the colours of the Pansexual Pride flag? The pansexual flag was designed sometime in the mid-2010s. The designer is unknown.
‘Ugly Betty’ creator, Silvio Horta has died
He was just 45. The creator of one of the 00’s most enduring US comedies, Ugly Betty, Silvio Horta has died at the age of 45. Representatives of the creator confirmed his death but did not confirm the cause of his death. He was found dead at a hotel in Miami where he was staying. Embed from Getty Images The cast of the show has mourned his passing, with Michael Urie saying, Horta had given him his first break.
Former gay adult star dies, Mancano Torres 35
The Spanish former porn star dies after apparently taking his own life. An adult porn star Macanao Torres was found dead at his home on the 29th December 2019. Apparently he died after falling to his death. Torres left the porn industry in 2016 after a career that spanned a decade. When he retired in 2016 he told fans that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. The star was known to have worked with Hardkinks, Treasure Island Media and Butch Dixon.
INTERVIEW | Alexis Houston
Say what you will about Alexis Houston, Whitney’s half-sister, you can’t deny her persistence, her undeniable talent or ability to divide opinion. In 2010 Alexis rocked the tabloids and gossip websites, when rumours about her real identity were thrown into dispute. It wasn’t long before she was branded a liar and a 60-something-year-old man born in the Bahamas. We speak to Alexis to clear up those rumours and get to the bottom on who the real Alexis is. Will the real Houston please stand up.
Sam Smith’s topless picture has got people falling in love
The Non-Binary Sam Smith star took posted a topless picture saying that the sun was healing… and people are loving the positivity. So 2020 hasn’t gotten off to a great start – with the threat of WWIII and the Australian Bush fires raging but some are finding comfort in Sam Smith’s timeline. In a recent post, the star admitted that despite hiding their* body away from the sun, that it felt good to “have my top off on holiday * Sam Smith uses they, them and their pronouns.
What you post online could be wrecking your relationship
CREDIT: Wavebreak Media Ltd bigstock Is your relationship on the rocks? Was 2019 a tough year, research has shown that people are rowing about what their other after is posting online! Just under half of all Brits admit they have secretly checked their partner’s Facebook account and one in five went on to row about what they discovered, new research has revealed.
MP Layla Moran comes out as pansexual
Liberal Democrat MP becomes the first MP to identify as pansexual. “Last year I fell in love with a wonderful woman” is how Lib Dem MP Layla Moran chose to describe her decision to come out as pansexual on Twitter. The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon wrote on Twitter that she was “happy” and that the beginning of a new decade was the perfect time to start on a new path. She published a picture of her and her partner.
Are you about to fail Dry January? Here’s 11 things you won’t miss – and will keep you on track!
When I gave up drinking 5 and half years ago, I thought that life as I knew it would end, the parties, the laughter, the falling over in the ditch… but it hasn’t and in fact, I can still outstay my welcome, be the last to leave a party and fall over at any time as required. It wasn’t the booze after all. Here are the 11 things you won’t miss if you go sober. 1) White wine guilt.
Should we throw condoms in the toilet after use?
Flush or Bin? Here’s what you should with your used rubber. Condoms are an important part of safer sex, especially if you’re not on PrEP and are engaging in anal sex, but what should you do with the rubber once you’ve spaffed your load. Once you’ve removed your penis (while still hard) from your partner’s ass, you should roll the Johnny up from the base of your penis towards the end.
These were the biggest stories in 2019
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A reminder to straight people going to an LGBT+ club this party season
Free-Photos / Pixabay “be an ally and respectful” Gaydio presenter Matt Crabb has an important message to anyone who doesn’t identify as LGBT+ but who is partying at a gay club/bar this Christmas / New Year after he was homophobically abused while working as a DJ at a venue in Manchester. The message is simple, “you’re a guest” and to be an ally and respect the place and its staff.
Jane McDonald praised for changing homophobic line in Christmas hit
Bravo that woman. Entertainer Jane McDonald has been praised by fans who went to watch her Christmas show for changing the problematic lyric of ‘Fairytale of New York’. Calls for the lyric “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy f*ggot”, to be removed or edited out have run for years. Many find the line to be anti-LGBT and some have used the lyric to be brazenly homophobic in public.
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