Icelandic Man’s Facebook Account of Homophobic Assault Goes Viral

Icelandic Man’s Facebook Account of Homophobic Assault Goes Viral

An Icelandic man’s Facebook description of a homophobic assault in Reykjavík last Saturday night has gone viral.



Úlfar Viktor Björnsson said that on his way home he was approached by a man who asked Björnsson is he is gay.

When Björnsson said yes, the man hit him in the face and walked away.

RELATED: Fiji Prime Minister Says Gays Should Go to Iceland and Stay There

Speaking to Gay Iceland, Björnsson said:

“it’s not uncommon to experience verbal abuse and harassment for being gay. I have been subjected to all kinds of nasty comments and challenges. It’s mostly been in the form of unpleasant and degrading comments, but I have never before been physically assaulted.”

He added that homophobia in Iceland is often subtle and not overtly visible.

“That’s why so many people seem to believe that such things don’t occur in Iceland in the year 2018. We are supposed to be more advanced in these matters than for it to happen that people are struck down for being who they are. We have come a very long way but equality is still not a fact, and I’m sorry to say that we still have a long way to go to achieve that. People are still being assaulted and we are still acting as bystanders that let prejudice blossom in silence.”

Of the man who assaulted him and those who have defended the assailant, Björnsson said that while it’s okay to have opinions, “nobody should have to suffer for being who he is.”

It’s time for us to regard being gay or queer as something that people are,” he added, “not something that people do.”

He told Gay Iceland that the support he found on Facebook has helped him to feel better.

Björnsson has yet to decide if he will report the assault to police.

(Image via Facebook)

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Icelandic Man’s Facebook Account of Homophobic Assault Goes Viral

Sturmtief Burglind spült unerwünschtes Strandgut an Englands Küsten an

Sturmtief Burglind spült unerwünschtes Strandgut an Englands Küsten an
Sturmwellen in Großbritannien.

England spürt noch immer die Folgen von Sturmtief Eleanor – in Deutschland unter Brunhild bekannt. An die Küsten von Cornwall wird Strandgut geschwemmt, allerdings ein sehr unbeliebtes: Es häuft sich Abfall, großenteils Plastikabfall, der bislang irgendwo im Ozean schwamm.

Gefunden auf: weather.com

www.huffingtonpost.de/entry/burglind-strand_de_5a562a20e4b03417e8740b64

When Is The Brit Awards 2018? Date, Tickets, Nominations And Everything Else You Need To Know…

When Is The Brit Awards 2018? Date, Tickets, Nominations And Everything Else You Need To Know…
Awards season may be well under way in the US, but some of the hottest events taking place here in the UK are still weeks away – including the biggest night in British music, the Brit Awards.

The 2018 event isn’t on until late February and organisers are currently in the process of revealing all the info gans will need on the night, including who’s up for which awards, and the acts that will be performing on the night.

As you tick off the days until the big night, we’re keeping track of all the latest updates. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s ceremony…

When are they on?

The Brits take place at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday 21 February at 7.30pm.

Can I get tickets?

Yes! But it will set you back a fair bit of cash and there are just a handful of tickets left. See all avaliable seats and purchase them here.

Ah. How can I tune in at home?

All the action from the ceremony will be screened live – well, nearly, as the usual 30-second delay will be put in place to make sure any cheeky swear words aren’t broadcast to the nation – on ITV.

You’ll also be able to see the stars arriving on the red carpet via a live stream on the Brit Awards’ official Facebook page.

Who’s nominated?

The nominees will be announced on Saturday (13 January), live on ITV1  at 5.45pm, when ‘The BRITs Are Coming’ airs on the channel.

While the shortlists are being kept under lock and key, the list of people performing during the show serves as a clue as to who can expect nods, with Paloma Faith and Liam Payne taking to the stage.

Clean Bandit, J Hus and Critics’ Choice winner Jorja Smith will also take to the stage.

So one Brit Award has already been handed out?

The Critics’ Choice winner is traditionally announced long before the ceremony takes place, and Jorja received her prize back in December. Speaking at the time, the singer said the win was “such a special way to end the year”.

“It’s been an unforgettable 2017 during which I’ve fulfilled so many of my dreams,” she added.

The British Producer Of The Year has also been named already, with Steve Mac – who co-wrote and produced ‘Shape Of You’ – collecting the accolade.

Liam Payne, Rita Ora and Pink are among the other stars Steve has worked with.

“I feel truly humbled to receive this prestigious award, especially as it’s voted for by my peers who I greatly respect,” he said. “This really is the icing on the cake at the end of such an amazing year, not only for me personally but for British music.”

Who’s performing?

So far, the organisers have confirmed five of the acts that will be taking to the stage, with British stars Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Stormzy.

Only one international act, Foo Fighters, have been announced as performing so far, but there are plenty more announcements to come in the next few weeks, so watch this space.

Who’s hosting?

Jack Whitehall is in charge of proceedings for the first time ever, taking over from 2017 hosts Dermot O’Leary and Emma Willis.

The comedian has experience of hosting high-profile events, having previously presented the Royal Variety Performance.

He’s also attended the Brit Awards a number of times, presenting a prize with Jessie J in 2012.

Who designed the trophy this year?

Anish Kapoor created this year’s eye-catching statuette, which sees the iconic Britannia figure encased in red plastic:

“Sculpture is often a process of positive and negative form,” the one-time Turner Prize winner said of the design. “I have made the award using both.”

What do the celebs do after?

When the official ceremony is done and dusted, the real fun begins. Record labels Warner, Sony and Universal traditionally engage in a game of ‘Who can throw the swankiest bash?’, hiring out huge venues in central London and stocking the bars with limitless amounts of bubbles.

Last year, HuffPost UK spotted Stormzy and Maisie Williams catching up at the Warner bash, while Ed Sheeran left shoeless.

Not all the stars hit up the big parties though, and one of the tightest guest lists of the night was in operation in Soho, where Skepta threw a more intimate bash.

Who were the big winners last year?

With two posthumous gongs, the late, great David Bowie was the biggest winner on the night, while – despite the hype – Stormzy missed out on winning in either of the two categories he was nominated in.

Little Mix brought some much-needed giddiness to the evening when they (finally) won their first ever Brit Award, which gives us the perfect chance to whip out this video again…

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/brit-awards-2018-nominees-how-to-watch-performing_uk_5a560bbee4b0b117f8810218

HRC Calls Upon the Senate to Reject Latest Trump-Pence Anti-LGBTQ Nominee Howard C. Nielson, Jr.

HRC Calls Upon the Senate to Reject Latest Trump-Pence Anti-LGBTQ Nominee Howard C. Nielson, Jr.

HRC issued the following statement in advance of the nomination hearing of Howard C. Nielson, Jr. to the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah by the Trump-Pence Administration:

“The nomination of Howard Nielson to the federal bench is the latest attack on LGBTQ people by the Trump-Pence Administration,” said Sarah Warbelow, HRC’s Legal Director. “Nielson has a long track record of hostility and discrimination towards the LGBTQ community. He has stated that being gay is a choice, argued in favor of Prop 8 and abusive conversion therapy techniques, and had the audacity to claim a gay judge could not be impartial in a ruling involving LGBTQ rights. Nielson is unfit to serve on the federal bench, and the Senate Judiciary Committee should reject his nomination.”

Howard Nielson drew controversy in 2010 for several claims he made while defending California’s Proposition 8, the unconstitutional law that prohibited loving, same-sex couples from marrying. In court testimony, Nielson argued against science that homosexuality is a choice, that anti-LGBTQ discrimination doesn’t lead to higher amounts of stress and mental difficulties, and that Vaughn Walker, a Reagan and Bush nominated federal judge, couldn’t rule on a federal civil rights case because he is gay.

Nielson’s nomination is part of an ongoing attack on LGBTQ people by the Trump-Pence Administration and attempts to stack all levels of government with dangerous anti-LGBTQ officials. Last year, Trump attempted to ban transgender troops from serving in the military. Recently, he fired the remaining appointees on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS after six members resigned over what they felt was a “lack of regard” on the part of the Trump-Pence Administration.

Nielson was nominated by the Trump-Pence Administration in September, and his hearing is scheduled to take place on January 10th. His nomination follows the failure of several anti-LGBTQ judicial nominees put forward by the Trump-Pence Administration. The Human Rights Campaign, along with coalition partners, has successfully advocated against Trump’s judicial nominees and will continue to lead the fight against anti-LGBTQ policies and appointees.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-calls-upon-senate-to-reject-latest-trump-pence-anti-lgbtq-nominee-h?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

So, Is Lana Del Rey Being ‘Sued’ By Radiohead Over ‘Get Free’, Or Isn’t She?

So, Is Lana Del Rey Being ‘Sued’ By Radiohead Over ‘Get Free’, Or Isn’t She?

In a surprising (and, admittedly, fairly confusing) turn of events, Radiohead are seemingly not suing Lana Del Rey for copyright infringement after all.

Last week, it was reported that the British rock group were planning a lawsuit against Lana, claiming that her recent album cut ‘Get Free’ struck a resemblance to their hit ‘Creep’ that was a little too close for comfort.

It’s true about the lawsuit. Although I know my song wasn’t inspired by Creep, Radiohead feel it was and want 100% of the publishing – I offered up to 40 over the last few months but they will only accept 100. Their lawyers have been relentless, so we will deal with it in court.

— Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) January 7, 2018

However Radiohead’s publishers, Warner/Chappell, have now denied a lawsuit has been filed, but did say that they had been in “discussions… with Lana’s representatives” since the release of her last album ‘Lust For Life’ in the summer of 2017.

It’s clear that the verses of ‘Get Free’ use musical elements found in the verses of ‘Creep’ and we’ve requested that this be acknowledged in favour of all writers of ‘Creep’.

“To set the record straight, no lawsuit has been issued and Radiohead have not said they ‘will only accept 100%’ of the publishing of ‘Get Free’.”

Of course, what we really want to know is what you think. Are you #TeamLana or #TeamRadiohead? Is ‘Get Free’ a blatant ‘Creep’ rip-off or are Radiohead’s team making a big fuss over nothing?

Take a listen to both tracks below, and let us know what you think in our poll:

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/lana-del-rey-radiohead-get-free-creep_uk_5a55ffb4e4b0b117f880f253