1 00:00:00,190 --> 00:00:05,000 Quite a few transphobes lost their seats. [laughter] 2 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,110 Welcome to The Outlifting Lounge, the weekly show serving queer conversation, 3 00:00:09,110 --> 00:00:13,800 news, and no-nonsense fitness for gay, bi, and trans guys. 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:14,840 I'm Alan. 5 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:16,990 And I'm his husband, Derec. 6 00:00:16,990 --> 00:00:20,570 Coming up today, we discuss the hilarious new season of Smoggie 7 00:00:20,570 --> 00:00:27,050 Queens, mark the International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia and Biphobia, celebrate 8 00:00:27,050 --> 00:00:31,930 a big gay court settlement against TalkTV, and much more. 9 00:00:31,930 --> 00:00:33,320 Let's start the show. 10 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:36,380 Very sorry there was no show last week. 11 00:00:36,380 --> 00:00:39,980 I think Pride in Maspalomas just got the better of us. 12 00:00:39,980 --> 00:00:40,840 We were very busy. 13 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:42,300 It certainly did, yes. 14 00:00:42,300 --> 00:00:45,260 You were obviously working 13 shifts in a row. 15 00:00:45,260 --> 00:00:47,510 We had my dad here visiting. 16 00:00:47,510 --> 00:00:52,790 Unfortunately, our dog Haggis had multiple visits to the vets. 17 00:00:52,790 --> 00:00:54,990 And we had some other friends visiting as well, 18 00:00:54,990 --> 00:00:56,700 so it's been a crazy couple of weeks. 19 00:00:56,740 --> 00:00:59,520 Yeah. And we tried to fit in a recording of 20 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,510 the show, but it just wasn't going to happen. 21 00:01:02,510 --> 00:01:05,310 So apologies if you were expecting a show last week. 22 00:01:05,310 --> 00:01:07,110 We're very bad and we missed it. 23 00:01:07,110 --> 00:01:10,930 But anyway, welcome to episode 25, even if it is a week late. 24 00:01:10,930 --> 00:01:12,910 We're back, back, back, back, back, back again. 25 00:01:12,910 --> 00:01:13,470 Yeah. 26 00:01:13,470 --> 00:01:16,850 And there's actually, strangely, not going to be a fitness 27 00:01:16,850 --> 00:01:19,840 section on the show today because there's just so much 28 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:23,050 LGBT stuff to discuss from the past couple of weeks. 29 00:01:23,090 --> 00:01:26,030 But before we get into the more serious stuff, 30 00:01:26,030 --> 00:01:29,370 we need to announce that Smoggie Queens is back. 31 00:01:29,370 --> 00:01:31,900 Season 2 launched on Friday. 32 00:01:31,900 --> 00:01:34,170 Yeah, we've been loving it. 33 00:01:34,170 --> 00:01:36,180 It is such a funny season. 34 00:01:36,180 --> 00:01:39,310 Like, we loved Smoggie Queens Season 1 and this 35 00:01:39,310 --> 00:01:42,680 season is just, it's like next level funny. 36 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:44,130 It is so, so good. 37 00:01:44,130 --> 00:01:47,670 We watched the first few episodes back to back. 38 00:01:47,670 --> 00:01:51,610 We just binged them and... so many laugh out loud moments. 39 00:01:51,650 --> 00:01:52,290 It's brilliant. 40 00:01:52,290 --> 00:01:55,310 Like season 1, there were so many laugh out loud moments and 41 00:01:55,310 --> 00:01:58,430 there's even lines that we quote from season 1, but I think 42 00:01:58,430 --> 00:02:01,440 season 2 has just kind of surpassed that even more. 43 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:02,250 It's hilarious. 44 00:02:02,250 --> 00:02:04,050 I don't want to give any spoilers away, but if you 45 00:02:04,050 --> 00:02:06,300 haven't watched it yet, you need to start watching it. 46 00:02:06,300 --> 00:02:09,200 It is on BBC iPlayer and you can binge them all and if 47 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:13,060 you need a little pick-me-up, it is the best thing to watch. 48 00:02:13,100 --> 00:02:16,570 Yeah, if anybody hasn't watched it or heard of it yet, basically 49 00:02:16,570 --> 00:02:19,780 the synopsis of it is, it's set in the heart of Middlesbrough. 50 00:02:19,780 --> 00:02:24,340 It's a quirky bunch of LGBTQ+ pals who embrace their identities, 51 00:02:24,340 --> 00:02:29,610 find solace and joy within their community's small but vibrant pocket. 52 00:02:29,610 --> 00:02:30,760 And do you know what? 53 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:33,040 I think at the core of it for me, the thing that 54 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,990 makes it so special is that it's all about chosen family. 55 00:02:35,990 --> 00:02:38,830 It's about that family that you just find and 56 00:02:38,830 --> 00:02:41,720 it makes like absolute logical sense for you. 57 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:45,030 And I love how the first episode of season 2 has 58 00:02:45,030 --> 00:02:49,530 picked up from where the last episode of season 1 finishes. 59 00:02:49,530 --> 00:02:51,960 I don't want to give anything away if you've not watched 60 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:55,190 it, but it's really, the last episode is really, really special. 61 00:02:55,190 --> 00:02:57,160 We cried at it, so it was really cute to see that 62 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,910 that was picked up from episode 1 of the new season. 63 00:02:59,950 --> 00:03:04,530 It's just such a special show, because it is quite absurdist in its comedy. 64 00:03:04,530 --> 00:03:07,620 It's quite silly, but it balances it so 65 00:03:07,620 --> 00:03:11,940 perfectly with this really beautiful, heartfelt message. 66 00:03:11,940 --> 00:03:14,780 And I think on the surface, people might think, oh, 67 00:03:14,780 --> 00:03:17,290 it's a drag queen thing, or it's a gay thing. 68 00:03:17,290 --> 00:03:18,540 And do you know what? 69 00:03:18,540 --> 00:03:21,990 Yes, absolutely, that's what a lot of the show is. 70 00:03:21,990 --> 00:03:23,380 But do you know what? 71 00:03:23,380 --> 00:03:26,470 At its core, it's just actually a really beautiful show. 72 00:03:26,470 --> 00:03:28,090 It's a really funny show. 73 00:03:28,090 --> 00:03:30,480 And it's just, it's a brilliant watch. 74 00:03:31,010 --> 00:03:32,600 It's an absolute perfect comedy. 75 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:33,360 It really is. 76 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:37,340 And we spoke about Smoggie Queens before, and we did say our very good 77 00:03:37,340 --> 00:03:40,840 friend, Phil Dunning, as a joke, but actually he has become a friend now. 78 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:41,800 Yeah. 79 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:45,130 So we met him in the Yumbo last year, around about this time. 80 00:03:45,130 --> 00:03:47,440 So if anyone doesn't know, Phil Dunning is 81 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,000 the creator and producer of Smoggie Queens. 82 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,140 And we met him here last year when he 83 00:03:52,140 --> 00:03:55,770 was on holiday, celebrating his birthday with his friends. 84 00:03:56,030 --> 00:03:58,910 And we just so happened to walk past them in the Yumbo. 85 00:03:58,910 --> 00:04:02,160 And we went over and just told him how much we 86 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,830 absolutely love the show and how much it means to people. 87 00:04:04,830 --> 00:04:07,650 And then we ended up meeting them out later on that night. 88 00:04:07,650 --> 00:04:11,220 And we took them to a karaoke bar, had the maddest time 89 00:04:11,220 --> 00:04:15,850 with them, because all these friends are obviously actors and theatre people. 90 00:04:15,850 --> 00:04:18,400 And they were singing in the house down 91 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,510 boots in a bar here called Karaoke Kelly's. 92 00:04:21,510 --> 00:04:23,220 And it was the best night ever. 93 00:04:23,260 --> 00:04:26,080 And it just so happens that he was back this week with 94 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:29,200 his friend Lewis, who is in episode 2 of the new season. 95 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,660 And we met up with them, we had a really good night out, 96 00:04:31,660 --> 00:04:34,480 and they had a great day at the beach with them yesterday. 97 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:35,740 We did. They're great. 98 00:04:35,740 --> 00:04:36,440 Do you know what? 99 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:37,820 They're just such great guys. 100 00:04:37,820 --> 00:04:40,240 And we, like, at the beach yesterday with them, it's 101 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:42,660 been a while since I've laughed that hard as well. 102 00:04:42,660 --> 00:04:43,890 They're just so fun. 103 00:04:43,890 --> 00:04:47,020 We came up with about a million new drag names, which is one of 104 00:04:47,020 --> 00:04:51,030 my favourite pastimes, and it just so happens that they love doing it too. 105 00:04:51,030 --> 00:04:52,440 Clara Tropical. 106 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:56,060 Yeah, so we've decided Lewis is Clara Tropical, and if Phil 107 00:04:56,060 --> 00:05:00,090 ever becomes a Spanish drag queen, he is Shirley Espadrille. 108 00:05:00,090 --> 00:05:03,310 Yeah, and he's so down to earth, and, you know, 109 00:05:03,310 --> 00:05:06,930 he deserves all the success for this show, because it's 110 00:05:06,930 --> 00:05:11,000 really nice to see good things happening to good people. 111 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:16,710 Yeah, yeah, and also, the whole reason for us doing this podcast 112 00:05:16,710 --> 00:05:23,340 is to just champion LGBTQ people and movements and activism and entertainment 113 00:05:23,420 --> 00:05:28,420 and everything else, and it's really good to see not only this show 114 00:05:28,420 --> 00:05:34,280 be commissioned, but when I logged into BBC iPlayer on Friday morning, it 115 00:05:34,280 --> 00:05:38,840 was the main banner on iPlayer, so BBC are really pushing the show, 116 00:05:38,840 --> 00:05:42,470 they're really getting behind it, and it's brilliant to see, because it deserves 117 00:05:42,470 --> 00:05:46,130 every success, it deserves to run for a very long time, and fingers 118 00:05:46,130 --> 00:05:51,480 crossed, hopefully, it gets commissioned for another season, and another season after that, 119 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,710 and another one after that, because it's just so good. 120 00:05:54,710 --> 00:05:58,020 Yeah, it's kind of like Gimme Gimme Gimme, you know, that had a 121 00:05:58,020 --> 00:06:01,620 bit of a cult following, way, way, way, way, way, way back, and 122 00:06:01,620 --> 00:06:05,960 it was very niche as well, and although this is niche, it's mainstream, 123 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:09,440 and it's great that the BBC are absolutely pushing it, so yeah, season 124 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:12,410 3, yes please, and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7. 125 00:06:12,410 --> 00:06:14,120 Yes, let's keep it going. 126 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:15,090 Ah! 127 00:06:15,090 --> 00:06:18,920 I just remembered how cheap my carpets are! 128 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:21,570 Yeah, and if you don't get that reference, watch the show! 129 00:06:21,570 --> 00:06:23,270 Right, let's move on. 130 00:06:23,270 --> 00:06:26,580 Do you know what, just before my move away from TV stuff, 131 00:06:26,580 --> 00:06:29,320 because we are going to get into some more serious issues 132 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:33,270 I just want to touch on another show that we have, like, we've 133 00:06:33,270 --> 00:06:36,540 talked about it to death here, but I just want to touch on 134 00:06:36,540 --> 00:06:39,690 it because we finished it, and it's The Comeback with Lisa Kudrow. 135 00:06:39,690 --> 00:06:41,740 It was a very special last episode. 136 00:06:41,740 --> 00:06:46,950 Yeah, so season 3 came back very unexpectedly after, like, more than 137 00:06:46,950 --> 00:06:51,590 20 years between season 1 and season 3, and we watched the 138 00:06:51,590 --> 00:06:54,330 final episode last night, and it was just so special. 139 00:06:54,330 --> 00:06:56,200 Yeah, we shed a tear, didn't we? 140 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,040 Yeah. And it was great how they ended it, because it's how 141 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:01,630 the first episode of the first season started, as well. 142 00:07:01,630 --> 00:07:04,510 And there's a little in-joke at the end of it, as well. 143 00:07:04,510 --> 00:07:05,780 So if you haven't watched it, you're going 144 00:07:05,780 --> 00:07:07,040 to have to watch it to understand it. 145 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:08,140 But, yeah. 146 00:07:08,140 --> 00:07:11,070 Lisa Kudrow was talking about it the other day, and 147 00:07:11,070 --> 00:07:13,660 just how much it means to the LGBTQ community. 148 00:07:13,660 --> 00:07:17,860 And I think it really does, because the underlying message is about, 149 00:07:17,860 --> 00:07:21,780 you know, not being accepted, or, you know, fighting to be seen. 150 00:07:21,780 --> 00:07:25,030 And that's exactly what we have to do, isn't it? 151 00:07:25,070 --> 00:07:28,520 Yeah, you know, like, it is, on the surface, it's a comedy show, 152 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:32,140 a bit like Smoggie Queens, but when you dig deeper, there's so much 153 00:07:32,140 --> 00:07:36,750 love for the characters, like, the writing in the show is amazing. 154 00:07:36,750 --> 00:07:39,980 So much love for the characters, there's so much love for women 155 00:07:39,980 --> 00:07:42,940 in the show, and it's about the strength and the power of 156 00:07:42,940 --> 00:07:46,400 women, and there's a lot, I mean, there's, it's not a show 157 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:49,670 that bashes men, but there is one episode in particular, and I 158 00:07:49,670 --> 00:07:53,730 think it just highlights the difference between men and women. 159 00:07:54,010 --> 00:07:56,550 There's so much love for queer people and queer characters. 160 00:07:56,550 --> 00:07:57,590 It's just brilliant. 161 00:07:57,590 --> 00:07:58,450 I love it. 162 00:07:58,450 --> 00:08:00,160 Again, we're going to champion it. 163 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:01,690 If you haven't watched it, watch it. 164 00:08:01,690 --> 00:08:03,980 All three seasons are available to watch now. 165 00:08:03,980 --> 00:08:05,490 Sounds like you're on the promo team. 166 00:08:05,490 --> 00:08:07,880 I know, but I should really get a job. 167 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,650 Shall we talk about more serious things? 168 00:08:09,650 --> 00:08:10,990 Yes, we have to, yeah. 169 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:11,550 Let's do it. 170 00:08:11,550 --> 00:08:15,430 So today is the 17th of May, which means it is... 171 00:08:15,430 --> 00:08:19,120 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. 172 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,500 Yeah. Today is an annual event. 173 00:08:21,500 --> 00:08:26,450 It commemorates the World Health Organization's 1990 decision to 174 00:08:26,450 --> 00:08:30,310 remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. 175 00:08:30,310 --> 00:08:31,650 1990? 176 00:08:31,650 --> 00:08:32,180 Wow. 177 00:08:32,180 --> 00:08:33,660 That's so recent. 178 00:08:33,660 --> 00:08:34,390 I know. 179 00:08:34,390 --> 00:08:35,840 For that to have been removed. 180 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,580 Now, it won't be the case for everybody listening 181 00:08:38,580 --> 00:08:41,290 to this show, but that is within our lifetimes. 182 00:08:41,330 --> 00:08:42,930 You know, it's recent. 183 00:08:42,930 --> 00:08:44,740 It's not ancient history. 184 00:08:44,740 --> 00:08:49,650 So it's really important that we keep commemorating this day 185 00:08:49,650 --> 00:08:55,420 and marking it and also highlighting why it's still important. 186 00:08:55,420 --> 00:08:58,300 There are a few points that are made in the 187 00:08:58,300 --> 00:09:02,930 official messaging from IDAHOBIT, and we're just going to read 188 00:09:02,930 --> 00:09:06,440 them now to explain why it is still so important. 189 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:08,740 Do you want to kick off, Alan, with the first one? 190 00:09:08,780 --> 00:09:11,170 Yes, so 65 UN member states 191 00:09:11,170 --> 00:09:15,540 still criminalise consensual same-sex sexual acts. 192 00:09:15,540 --> 00:09:19,490 That's a shocking number, like 65 UN member states. 193 00:09:19,490 --> 00:09:20,350 That's huge. 194 00:09:20,350 --> 00:09:23,200 And this is the reason why we have to celebrate a day like this. 195 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,490 As well as that, at least 62 of those member states 196 00:09:26,490 --> 00:09:30,450 still restrict freedom of expression for LGBTQ people as well. 197 00:09:30,450 --> 00:09:33,880 So it's all well and good for us being able to go out and wave 198 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:37,810 our flags of pride, but there's a lot of people that can't do that. 199 00:09:37,850 --> 00:09:38,460 Exactly. 200 00:09:38,460 --> 00:09:41,130 If anybody ever asks you why we need pride, just 201 00:09:41,130 --> 00:09:44,300 read out these to them and hopefully they'll understand. 202 00:09:44,300 --> 00:09:48,520 So the next one that we have here is legal gender recognition based 203 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:53,230 on self-determination is only available in 18 countries at the national level. 204 00:09:53,230 --> 00:09:55,670 I'm very proud to say that we live in one of those. 205 00:09:55,670 --> 00:09:56,920 So Spain is one of those. 206 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:58,600 Ireland as well as one of those. 207 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,540 And to its absolute shame, the UK isn't. 208 00:10:01,540 --> 00:10:03,430 It was tried to be passed in 209 00:10:03,430 --> 00:10:06,960 Scotland and the Westminster government blocked it. 210 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:08,430 Absolutely, 211 00:10:08,430 --> 00:10:10,560 they abused their powers to stop it happening. 212 00:10:10,560 --> 00:10:13,030 Even though a democratic decision was made in the 213 00:10:13,030 --> 00:10:15,520 Scottish Parliament to pass it, they overruled it. 214 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:19,170 So the last point that's made, and I think this is 215 00:10:19,170 --> 00:10:23,680 really, really important because sometimes the I in LGBTQIA can be 216 00:10:23,680 --> 00:10:29,800 forgotten about or overlooked, but only nine UN member states restrict 217 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:35,600 unnecessary medical interventions on intersex minors at the national level. 218 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:41,160 It is really important because what's happened with intersex conditions for a 219 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:46,540 long time now is that at birth, kids need to be assigned 220 00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:51,430 either male or female into this binary, and it medicalizes children right 221 00:10:51,430 --> 00:10:54,640 from the start, and it makes a decision that lasts for a 222 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:59,510 lifetime, and we see and hear many people tell stories that the 223 00:10:59,510 --> 00:11:03,080 wrong decisions were made for them, and it was something that was 224 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:06,570 imposed on them that was wrong, and it's really shocking that only 225 00:11:06,570 --> 00:11:11,850 nine UN member states restrict these unnecessary medical interventions. 226 00:11:11,850 --> 00:11:15,850 So the global focus for 2026 is at the heart of democracy. 227 00:11:15,850 --> 00:11:18,680 Truly, democratic societies must be grounded 228 00:11:18,680 --> 00:11:20,510 in justice and freedom for all. 229 00:11:20,510 --> 00:11:22,860 Yeah, we have to remember that we are very 230 00:11:22,860 --> 00:11:24,910 lucky to have the rights that we do. 231 00:11:24,910 --> 00:11:26,190 Not everybody does. 232 00:11:26,190 --> 00:11:29,680 However, what I will say is that there was a big piece of 233 00:11:29,680 --> 00:11:34,390 news during the week that shows that we can't take our rights for 234 00:11:34,390 --> 00:11:37,330 granted, especially people who live in the UK at the minute. 235 00:11:37,370 --> 00:11:38,850 Yeah, absolutely right. 236 00:11:38,850 --> 00:11:41,600 I mean, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the 237 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:45,670 UK is different and, you know, they've got equal rights, but actually, from 238 00:11:45,670 --> 00:11:49,890 a piece that came out during the week, it's completely different to that. 239 00:11:49,890 --> 00:11:55,270 Yeah, so the ILGA release a rainbow map of Europe every 240 00:11:55,270 --> 00:12:00,430 year to show how countries rank in terms of LGBTQIA rights. 241 00:12:00,430 --> 00:12:03,850 And it's really shocking because the UK used to be, like, 242 00:12:03,850 --> 00:12:06,260 up at the top of the leaderboard year on year. 243 00:12:06,910 --> 00:12:11,120 And things have shifted so much over the last few years that the 244 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:15,700 UK has slipped way down to near the bottom at number 22 now. 245 00:12:15,700 --> 00:12:16,540 It's crazy. 246 00:12:16,540 --> 00:12:19,170 I was really shocked when I saw that last week. 247 00:12:19,170 --> 00:12:21,870 I can't believe it slipped to number 22. 248 00:12:21,870 --> 00:12:25,730 And I think it's really easy to think, like we've just touched on, 249 00:12:25,730 --> 00:12:29,830 that the UK is really progressive when it comes to LGBTQ rights. 250 00:12:29,830 --> 00:12:33,550 But slipping to number 22 paints a different picture. 251 00:12:33,590 --> 00:12:35,140 It's really bad. 252 00:12:35,140 --> 00:12:35,890 Really bad. 253 00:12:35,890 --> 00:12:37,300 Like it was so good for so long. 254 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:42,060 And, you know, I think that should be like a siren going off for 255 00:12:42,060 --> 00:12:46,160 people to make them realise that, you know, we can't take rights for granted. 256 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:50,340 We can't have this mentality of, oh, we've got our rights. 257 00:12:50,340 --> 00:12:51,120 We can marry. 258 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:51,950 We can do this. 259 00:12:51,950 --> 00:12:55,110 We can take our foot off the gas now because we just can't. 260 00:12:55,110 --> 00:12:58,020 We need to keep fighting for rights for all of the rainbow family. 261 00:12:58,020 --> 00:12:59,820 That includes trans people. 262 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:01,180 That includes intersex people. 263 00:13:01,220 --> 00:13:06,430 Because when these people are separated off, when they are singled out, 264 00:13:06,430 --> 00:13:11,190 as is happening in the UK at the minute, particularly with the 265 00:13:11,190 --> 00:13:16,930 trans community, and their rights are attacked, it's a slippery slope. 266 00:13:16,930 --> 00:13:18,850 It really is a slippery slope. 267 00:13:18,850 --> 00:13:20,850 And who's next? 268 00:13:20,850 --> 00:13:22,800 It'll be the gay people. 269 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:24,780 It'll be bisexual people. 270 00:13:24,780 --> 00:13:26,390 And then once they're done with us, 271 00:13:26,390 --> 00:13:28,530 it'll move on to attacking women's rights. 272 00:13:28,530 --> 00:13:30,090 They will attack abortion rights. 273 00:13:30,090 --> 00:13:33,000 They'll attack... And we've seen this happen in other parts of the world. 274 00:13:33,530 --> 00:13:35,160 So, it's so super important. 275 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:36,780 This should act as a warning. 276 00:13:36,780 --> 00:13:39,960 However, it wasn't all awful news. 277 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:41,820 No. Spain toppled Malta. 278 00:13:41,820 --> 00:13:46,290 Malta hailed the number one spot for 10 years, and Spain took 279 00:13:46,290 --> 00:13:50,000 it this year, and we're very lucky to live in Gran Canaria 280 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:54,440 and live in a country that is supporting the LGBTQ community. 281 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:56,240 Yes, really, really fortunate. 282 00:13:56,240 --> 00:13:57,790 We're very, very grateful. 283 00:13:57,790 --> 00:13:59,920 But we will not stop using our voices 284 00:13:59,920 --> 00:14:02,280 for people in other parts of the world. 285 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,620 So, let's talk about some other people who are really, 286 00:14:05,620 --> 00:14:08,210 really using their voices in the UK at the minute 287 00:14:08,210 --> 00:14:09,860 to stand up for our rights and our communities. 288 00:14:09,860 --> 00:14:13,690 And this first story that I want to talk about, this is somebody 289 00:14:13,690 --> 00:14:18,210 that I have known for over 20 years, used to work with them. 290 00:14:18,210 --> 00:14:21,570 They have worked on the drag scene in Belfast for a long time, 291 00:14:21,570 --> 00:14:24,670 including at a bar that I worked at at the same time. 292 00:14:24,670 --> 00:14:27,740 This is Marcus Hunter-Neill, who goes by 293 00:14:27,740 --> 00:14:30,690 the drag persona Lady Portia Di'Monte. 294 00:14:30,730 --> 00:14:34,780 Now, before we read out the story, I just want to say, 295 00:14:34,780 --> 00:14:39,550 Marcus is one of the loveliest people you will ever meet. 296 00:14:39,550 --> 00:14:41,020 He is so driven. 297 00:14:41,020 --> 00:14:42,900 He's so successful. 298 00:14:42,900 --> 00:14:45,920 He's so good at what he does in every aspect of his life. 299 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:49,380 For me, he's always been a very impressive person. 300 00:14:49,380 --> 00:14:53,580 He's always actually been a really respectful person as well. 301 00:14:53,580 --> 00:14:56,830 He is somebody that brings people together. 302 00:14:56,830 --> 00:14:57,980 I think he's great. 303 00:14:58,020 --> 00:14:59,970 But he has now stood up, not just for 304 00:14:59,970 --> 00:15:02,400 himself, but I think for the wider community. 305 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:06,540 So yeah, this is actually a really positive story in the end. 306 00:15:06,540 --> 00:15:11,570 So Marcus was doing a drag time story hour in one of the local libraries. 307 00:15:11,570 --> 00:15:16,080 And unfortunately, people came down to protest against it. 308 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:18,120 And he was actually removed from the venue 309 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:20,790 by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. 310 00:15:20,790 --> 00:15:23,960 And as he was being removed, there were crowds 311 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:27,860 outside who were chanting awful, awful things at him. 312 00:15:28,050 --> 00:15:31,260 And TalkTV ended up running a piece on that, quoting the 313 00:15:31,260 --> 00:15:35,480 things that were being chanted at him, and basically defaming him. 314 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:41,190 And this grew arms and legs, and it ended up on social media. 315 00:15:41,190 --> 00:15:44,990 And he was being trolled on social media. 316 00:15:44,990 --> 00:15:49,720 And the piece that they ran on him was absolutely unfounded. 317 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:52,850 So he obviously got a lawyer involved, took them to 318 00:15:52,850 --> 00:15:56,130 the cleaners, and booted them right in the balls. 319 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:58,330 This is what I mean. 320 00:15:58,330 --> 00:16:00,040 Marcus is a very driven person. 321 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:01,100 He gets things done. 322 00:16:01,100 --> 00:16:02,680 He is not the person to mess with. 323 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:04,760 So he instructed Phoenix Law, who have 324 00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:07,160 done an amazing job in representing him. 325 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:11,770 And he has now won substantial damages against TalkTV. 326 00:16:11,770 --> 00:16:13,850 Talk about a real win. 327 00:16:13,850 --> 00:16:15,640 Yeah, it's amazing. 328 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:20,000 And his quote in this article from Phoenix Law, it's more 329 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:23,760 about him saying, yeah, we need to stand up to these 330 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:27,840 people because this can't go on in the UK, basically. 331 00:16:27,980 --> 00:16:30,290 And he has done so well to highlight 332 00:16:30,290 --> 00:16:33,320 what is happening to the LGBTQ community. 333 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:37,970 And also this is a huge win for him and our community as well. 334 00:16:37,970 --> 00:16:42,300 Yeah. Big corporations and media conglomerates, they don't really care about us. 335 00:16:42,300 --> 00:16:43,950 They care about viewing figures. 336 00:16:43,950 --> 00:16:46,770 But one other thing they do care about is money. 337 00:16:46,770 --> 00:16:49,730 So if you can hit them where it hurts, if you can hit 338 00:16:49,730 --> 00:16:54,070 them financially by taking them to court and winning damages, they will think 339 00:16:54,070 --> 00:16:58,410 twice about saying awful things about our community and members of our community. 340 00:16:58,410 --> 00:16:59,690 community in future. 341 00:16:59,690 --> 00:17:03,790 So absolute big up to Marcus, Lady Portia, brilliant stuff, brilliant work. 342 00:17:03,790 --> 00:17:04,440 Well done. 343 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:05,330 Round of applause. 344 00:17:05,330 --> 00:17:07,330 And you know what? 345 00:17:07,330 --> 00:17:09,720 The good news doesn't end there because 346 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:12,250 we had the Scottish parliamentary elections. 347 00:17:12,250 --> 00:17:16,780 And Scotland has just elected their first two trans MSPs. 348 00:17:16,780 --> 00:17:20,010 Yeah, so the Greens massively expanded 349 00:17:20,010 --> 00:17:23,340 their numbers in the Scottish Parliament. 350 00:17:23,340 --> 00:17:27,090 And that included Q and Iris, who both identify 351 00:17:27,090 --> 00:17:30,520 as members of the trans and non-binary communities. 352 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:34,170 And in case you haven't heard, to make it even sweeter, Q 353 00:17:34,170 --> 00:17:39,350 is actually the representative of the area that JK Rowling lives in. 354 00:17:39,350 --> 00:17:44,550 Yes, so JK Rowling now has a trans MSP, which is poetic. 355 00:17:44,550 --> 00:17:48,410 It's just, it's, mwah, chef's kiss. 356 00:17:48,410 --> 00:17:51,770 Now, you've probably heard this news already because it was 357 00:17:51,770 --> 00:17:55,890 all over social media and people were gloating about it. 358 00:17:55,890 --> 00:17:57,830 And you know what, they're right to have their moment. 359 00:17:57,830 --> 00:18:01,930 What has absolutely gone unnoticed though, and because I used to 360 00:18:01,930 --> 00:18:06,260 work in Scottish politics, I have dug into all of these 361 00:18:06,260 --> 00:18:09,190 results and looked at them, that what has gone unnoticed is 362 00:18:09,190 --> 00:18:12,760 that quite a few transphobes lost their seats. 363 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:20,060 So not only do we have two trans MSPs, we have Ash Regan, 364 00:18:20,060 --> 00:18:27,920 who is one of the most vociferous transphobes in the Scottish Parliament. 365 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:30,060 She was a sitting MSP. 366 00:18:30,060 --> 00:18:33,690 She ran for re-election in a regional seat. 367 00:18:33,690 --> 00:18:38,690 She ran exclusively on a transphobic dog whistle, 368 00:18:38,690 --> 00:18:41,820 inverted commas, protect women and girls ticket. 369 00:18:41,820 --> 00:18:43,860 That was her whole thing. 370 00:18:43,860 --> 00:18:46,050 And she got 0.6% 371 00:18:46,050 --> 00:18:50,520 of the vote and came nowhere near being re-elected. 372 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:51,410 0.6%! 373 00:18:51,410 --> 00:18:53,300 It's not even worth counting those. 374 00:18:53,300 --> 00:18:53,860 No. 375 00:18:53,860 --> 00:18:57,010 And the thing is, she was a sitting MSP, a 376 00:18:57,010 --> 00:19:01,850 very high profile individual in Scottish politics because she got 377 00:19:01,850 --> 00:19:05,460 so much airtime from the media for her transphobia. 378 00:19:05,460 --> 00:19:07,500 They love to reward it. 379 00:19:07,500 --> 00:19:10,400 But it doesn't actually resonate with the public, as 380 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:14,290 we also saw from the results for Fergus Ewing. 381 00:19:14,290 --> 00:19:18,460 So, Fergus, again, long-standing MSP. 382 00:19:18,460 --> 00:19:22,870 He left the SNP and stood as an independent. 383 00:19:22,870 --> 00:19:24,850 He is another transphobe. 384 00:19:24,850 --> 00:19:26,810 And he came third. 385 00:19:26,810 --> 00:19:29,420 Bye, Felicia. 386 00:19:29,420 --> 00:19:32,520 So, yeah, he's been booted out. 387 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:33,280 Ash has been booted out. 388 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:35,770 And also, Pam Gosal from the Scottish 389 00:19:35,770 --> 00:19:40,870 Conservatives, another rabid transphobe, lost her seat. 390 00:19:40,870 --> 00:19:44,520 And to make it even better, in the region that she stood 391 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:49,740 in, in the 2021 elections, the Scottish Conservatives won two seats. 392 00:19:49,740 --> 00:19:52,940 This time round, the Greens went from one seat 393 00:19:52,940 --> 00:19:56,010 to two seats, and the Tories lost a seat. 394 00:19:56,010 --> 00:19:57,660 So, Pam is booted out. 395 00:19:57,660 --> 00:20:00,650 And there is an extra Scottish Green, who, 396 00:20:00,650 --> 00:20:04,130 as we know, the party is incredibly LGBTQIA+ 397 00:20:04,170 --> 00:20:04,730 friendly. 398 00:20:04,730 --> 00:20:06,670 Makes me very proud to be Scottish. 399 00:20:06,670 --> 00:20:07,890 Yes. 400 00:20:07,890 --> 00:20:09,740 And you can be an honorary Scot for 401 00:20:09,740 --> 00:20:11,010 this, if you've lived there long enough. 402 00:20:11,010 --> 00:20:11,630 Oh, I have. 403 00:20:11,630 --> 00:20:14,470 Oh, I have been an honorary Scot for a long time, don't you worry. 404 00:20:14,470 --> 00:20:18,240 There's some really, really good positive news coming out of that. 405 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:22,160 Yeah, and there's one last story that we want to 406 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:26,940 cover, and it's political as well, because basically it is 407 00:20:26,940 --> 00:20:31,210 about Reform UK being given two fingers in Durham. 408 00:20:31,210 --> 00:20:31,980 Yes. 409 00:20:31,980 --> 00:20:34,970 So, Durham Pride is to go ahead later 410 00:20:35,010 --> 00:20:39,090 this month despite Reform withdrawing council funding. 411 00:20:39,090 --> 00:20:40,980 So again, bang, right in the balls. 412 00:20:40,980 --> 00:20:42,730 Yeah, Reform have been doing this. 413 00:20:42,730 --> 00:20:45,330 It's token politics. 414 00:20:45,330 --> 00:20:48,970 They are stopping rainbow flags from being flown. 415 00:20:48,970 --> 00:20:52,400 They're withdrawing funding from pride organisations, and it's all dog 416 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:56,180 whistle politics, because they don't actually care about saving money. 417 00:20:56,180 --> 00:20:57,910 They just care about the optics. 418 00:20:57,910 --> 00:21:00,870 They want to take money from queer people, and God knows 419 00:21:00,870 --> 00:21:03,320 what they're going to spend it on, but you can be 420 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,120 sure as hell, it's not going to be to fill potholes. 421 00:21:06,120 --> 00:21:08,620 So yeah, I think we have to take a moment to 422 00:21:08,620 --> 00:21:13,660 recognise Equity Union, who came in and donated more than enough 423 00:21:13,660 --> 00:21:17,060 to Dunham Pride to make sure that it goes ahead. 424 00:21:17,060 --> 00:21:19,090 So that is some really, really good news. 425 00:21:19,090 --> 00:21:19,670 Yeah. 426 00:21:19,670 --> 00:21:23,570 I mean, let's face it, among Equity's members, 427 00:21:23,570 --> 00:21:25,690 I'm sure there's one or two gays. 428 00:21:25,690 --> 00:21:27,310 Yeah, probably. 429 00:21:27,310 --> 00:21:30,590 So yeah, that was really, really nice of 430 00:21:30,590 --> 00:21:33,030 them to come in and donate over £7,000. 431 00:21:33,030 --> 00:21:36,640 So if you're in the Durham area, or around about or you're looking 432 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:39,210 for a Pride to attend, why don't you go and support them? 433 00:21:39,210 --> 00:21:42,280 Yes, and if they are out rattling buckets, remember, 434 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:44,880 Pride events are not free to put on. 435 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:45,800 It does cost money. 436 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:48,870 And if you can even put in a bit of loose change into 437 00:21:48,870 --> 00:21:52,980 the buckets to help them fund this year and next year's Pride, please 438 00:21:52,980 --> 00:21:55,920 do it because we are under attack and we all need to make 439 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:59,950 a contribution to make sure that these events still go ahead. 440 00:21:59,950 --> 00:22:02,740 I think that's quite a positive note to end on. 441 00:22:02,740 --> 00:22:06,230 Now, we did say at the start of the show, there is no fitness section. 442 00:22:06,270 --> 00:22:08,200 So we're just going to wrap up now. 443 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:11,520 Just before we do, I want to remind listeners that Alan and 444 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:15,940 I run Outlifting, which is an online business to help gay, bi 445 00:22:15,940 --> 00:22:21,200 and trans guys change their bodies and build unstoppable confidence. 446 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:23,700 We do that through online fitness coaching, 447 00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:27,420 through nutrition coaching, through accountability coaching. 448 00:22:27,420 --> 00:22:30,860 There is so much to our service and there is an 449 00:22:30,860 --> 00:22:35,640 ever-growing community of guys who are part of Outlifting, who are 450 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:39,870 doing amazing things, changing their bodies, changing their lives, 451 00:22:39,870 --> 00:22:41,440 and we want you to be part of it. 452 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:44,290 If you think you could benefit from working 453 00:22:44,290 --> 00:22:47,240 with us, we do offer free discovery calls. 454 00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:51,210 You can meet with one of us by video chat to discuss your goals. 455 00:22:51,210 --> 00:22:54,880 We can tell you how we can help and then you can decide in an 456 00:22:54,880 --> 00:23:00,480 absolutely no-pressure environment whether or not we are the right fit for you. 457 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:03,810 To book yourself in for one of those calls, just click the 458 00:23:03,810 --> 00:23:07,270 link in the show notes now, choose your date and time and 459 00:23:07,270 --> 00:23:11,350 we really do look forward to meeting and chatting with you. 460 00:23:11,350 --> 00:23:14,200 And if you don't follow us on social media, why don't 461 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,220 you go and give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram? 462 00:23:17,220 --> 00:23:20,940 You can find us at @outlift.ing 463 00:23:20,940 --> 00:23:23,180 And if you want to speak to us, ask us any 464 00:23:23,180 --> 00:23:27,620 questions, why don't you contact us via DM on Instagram and 465 00:23:27,620 --> 00:23:32,700 you can email us also at podcast@outlift.ing 466 00:23:32,700 --> 00:23:34,440 That's us for this week. 467 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:36,280 There will be a new show next week. 468 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:39,670 Make sure you are subscribed on your podcast platform 469 00:23:39,670 --> 00:23:41,940 of choice to keep up with the conversation. 470 00:23:41,940 --> 00:23:44,680 But for now, over and Outlifting.