Sexuality

"I will never forget the day someone believed me," says Angela Marquardt. She is a member of the victims' council at Germany's independent commissioner for child sexual abuse issues. More than half of the victims who have come forward have experienced sexual abuse in their own families, including Marquardt. For a long time, there was hardly any research on this. Marquardt emphasizes that children and young people are rarely believed and hardly ever helped when they experience sexual violence from their (step-)father, uncle, grandfather, brother, their (step-)mother, or other relatives. Angela Marquardt deplores that often abuse victims are not believed Family environment becomes a trap "A child cannot free itself from its family on his or her own," says Sabine Andresen, chairwoman of the Independent Commission for Coming to Terms with Sexual Child Abuse, which presented a new study in Berlin. The protective space of the family becomes a trap for generations, she said. … [Read more...] about Sexual violence within families: ‘It’s not a private matter’

Kevin Spacey will appear at a court in London this week after being formally charged with sexually assaulting three men. The Hollywood star is accused of four counts of sexual assault and one charge of non-consensual penetrative sex in London and Gloucestershire between 2005 and 2013. Prosecutors announced last month they felt there was enough evidence to charge the 62-year-old, but had to wait until he was in the country before officially charging him. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Spacey was charged in person in the capital on Monday after receiving a postal charge and requisition – a legal document notifying a defendant that a decision has been made to prosecute. A spokesman for the force said: “He was charged in person today in London. He received a PCR [Postal Charge and Requisition] in person from officers in London today [June 13].” The House of Cards star, who is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, had previously said that he would … [Read more...] about Kevin Spacey to appear in UK court charged with four counts of sexual assault

The EU plans to legislate to require technology companies to do more to tackle child sexual abuse , according to the bloc's home affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson. The commissioner told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag that internet providers and social media firms had reported 22 million child sexual abuse offenses in 2020, up from 17 million in 2019. According to Johansson, five companies were responsible for 99% of the reports. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, Inc., was responsible for 95%. Johansson said that this was only a fraction of the real number. What is the proposal? "I will propose legislation in the coming months that will require companies to detect, report, and remove child sexual abuse," Johansson said. "A voluntary report will then no longer be sufficient." Tech giant Meta alone was responsible for 95% of sex abuse reports What is the state of child sexual abuse in Europe? Johansson said that child sexual abuse was on the rise. … [Read more...] about EU to step up fight against child abuse content

I will always remember the day they took away the history books. My small boarding school, on a rain-lashed Devon hilltop, had until that day taught us about the glory and grandeur of English history. It was a story of courage, freedom and the defeat of foreign threats. But these volumes, their pages soft from use, their illustrations in wistful black and white, were no longer acceptable. They were gathered up and carted off. Instead, we were given glossy, brightly-coloured replacements with larger print and supposedly exciting photographs of a brave new world. Luckily for me, the change came just too late. I had already absorbed all the old stuff and I would never be able to regard the 1945 Labour Government as being as exciting or interesting as the Battle of Trafalgar. I thought then, as I think now, that this country had indeed had a Glorious Revolution in 1688. Significantly, it was about the same time that they began to inflict the ‘New Maths’ on us – but once again I had … [Read more...] about PETER HITCHENS: Is there no way to stop the secret brainwashing of the next generation?

Rylan Clark will be joined by his mum Linda, on today’s episode of Celebrity Gogglebox (Friday July 1). He has joined the series ahead of the Pride anniversary special, helping mark 50 years of Pride in the UK. Channel 4 says the special will “reflect on the incredible achievements and challenges of advancing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility over the last half century, while also platforming the diversity of identity and sexuality in the 2020s”. Rylan, 33, discovered his own sexuality when he was just 10 years old, after watching a Louis Theroux documentary of all things. He met his now ex-husband Dan, 42, in 2015, though they split after six years of marriage. Here is everything you need to know about Rylan’s relationship history. Who is Rylan’s ex-husband Dan? Dan is best known for his appearance on 2013’s Big Brother, making it to week six of the competition before being voted out. Before that, he was a police officer who worked on Operation Yewtree. This was an … [Read more...] about Why did Rylan split from husband Dan as he makes Pride anniversary appearance

A webcam girl has revealed how she makes £48k-a-year in online sex group sessions with up to six clients at a time. Self-described “sexual empowerment artist” Elysia Downings spoke to Daily Star Online about her career as a webcam girl. The model, from the Peak District, makes up to £4,000 on month from her online sessions which range from stripteases to masturbation. And she revealed she can have sessions with up to six clients at once. Elysia, from Off The Record Models, said she is always surprised by fans and tries to “not be judgemental”. She claims there is no typical webcam viewer, or webcam girl, and wants to break down the stigma around the career. Elysia told Daily Star Online: “I once had a group session with about 6 regulars; we were all having a great deal of banter - I've never laughed so hard. “There was no jealousy from the clients, which can sometimes happen in a group session. “They all got along well and it was a really fun and enjoyable … [Read more...] about Webcam girl makes £48k-a-year in online sex group sessions with up to six clients

Hundreds bravely came together to celebrate Pride despite living in a country which has outlawed their sexualities. It has been illegal to be gay in the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly called Swaziland, since the Brits colonised the African nation in the 1800s. Campaigner Mangaliso Mndzebele told Metro.co.uk the country, one of three monarchies left on the continent, has historically seen LGBTQ+ people as ‘satanic’. Former prime minister Maphevu Dlamini said in 2018: ‘Being gay is an abnormality and a sickness.’ Most LGBTQ+ people in Eswatini are still living in the closet, local activists have said. The British common law criminalises sodomy between two men and, although it does not specify anything about women, this is seen as a blanket ban on same-sex relationships. The law has not been enforced by police or courts for decades, but LGBTQ+ communities say they still ‘face human rights violations’ in their daily lives. This is because the community fears they … [Read more...] about How people in one of Africa’s last monarchies celebrate Pride even though it’s illegal

As I made a diving save across the goalpost, my team erupted in cheers. ‘Nice one, Superman,’ a fellow player congratulated. It felt euphoric to be back doing the thing that I loved as a child, and to be in such a supportive environment – 11 years after giving it up. Playing after such a long break from the pitch was terrifying, but exhilarating. I’d abandoned my favourite sport due to persistent homophobia – but after finding an LGBTQ+ inclusive team, I’ve fallen in love with football all over again. Football was a hugely important part of my life from a young age. I used to have kick-arounds with friends between the ages of seven and 11 after school (even though I was the only girl that played) and go to matches with my dad. A Bovril and pie was our halftime ritual. My parents were incredibly supportive of my love of football. They encouraged me to join my first all-female team when I was 11. I played in goal and they came to every match, cheering me on from … [Read more...] about I quit football for 14 years after homophobia stopped me playing

Who better to lead school story time than a drag king or queen? From the outfits they wear, to the over-the-top expressions involved in their act, they’re professional performers who use their art form to bring stories to life and engage and captivate in a way that standard storytelling can’t – and with a little bit of a queer twist thrown in on top. But there’s more to Drag Queen Story Time than brilliant performances. There’s a serious reason why we want kids to see drag queens in their everyday lives. It’s why the recent backlash to a drag queen reading to kids at Glencoats Primary School in Scotland hurts so much. In this instance, a drag performer with the stage name of ‘Flowjob’, introduced as ‘Flo’ to the children, performed a one off story time session as part of LGBTQ+ History Month. This event was attended by teachers, the press and even a local MP. Dressed in a gown, covering her head to toe, she read a couple of short stories. However, despite … [Read more...] about The backlash against drag queens visiting schools is pure homophobia

A host of stars might be performing at this year’s London Pride, but we know it’s your signs and outfits that low-key stole the show. Over a million people descended on the capital today for the 50th anniversary of the first ever march. The sky turned rainbow-coloured as LGBT+ people, allies, activists, politicians, bikers, celebrities and even dogs marched through the capital for the first time since the pandemic. Metro.co.uk is at the scene speaking to people about why the event is so important (and sussing out the very best outfits and signs on display). In a defiant message to religious zealots, one banner said: ‘If God hates us why are we so cute.’ Another religious-themed banner said: ‘Jesus had two dads.’ A third brandished a flag which simply told haters: ‘F**k off’. Other signs carried inspirational messages about inclusivity and being yourself. One person wore a t-shirt which said: ‘The only choice I made was to be myself.’ Another donned … [Read more...] about ‘Jesus had 2 dads’: The best signs on display at London Pride