CHARLIE CONDOU - No.843

NICK CLEGG'S EQUAL MARRIAGE RECEPTION 

The UK Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, hosts a reception at Admiralty House in Whitehall 11 September 2013, to celebrate the government's progress in equal marriage. From next year gay people will be able to get married. A number of high profile guests including openly supportive celebrities, campaigners, religious figures and charities were in attendance..The London Gay Men Chorus Ensemble performed at the event.

NB.The following photographs are from my secret stash and have not been released for commercial use - Tom.

 Above: Cameron Laux and Charlie Condou

 Above: Stephen Fry and Nick Clegg

Above: Peter Tatchell

ON THE JUICE AGAIN

Charliecondou: Those @BoostJuiceUK smoothies are bloody addictive. And no, I haven't been paid to say that, in case anyone from Dispatches is reading

shauna_cor: @Charliecondou @BoostJuiceUK there amazing :-) have them in Ireland too #yummy

_Mofoa: @Charliecondou @BoostJuiceUK yes they are - the ones in Oz are even better!

ChasCondouFans: I was about to say that, bigger too #TROPICALSTORM @_Mofoa @Charliecondou @BoostJuiceUK

PLEASE GIVE

gardening_greek: In memory of my inspiration, my Nana, I'll be trekking Costa Rica, for @alzheimerssoc, for more info/to sponsor: http://www.justgiving.com/gardeninggreek RT

Charliecondou: RT @gardening_greek: In memory of my inspiration, my Nana, I'll be trekking Costa Rica, for @alzheimerssoc, for more info/to sponsor: http://www.justgiving.com/gardeninggreek RT

HAPPY FRIDAY 13TH

SCARY!!!

NEW SHOES

NatalieGumede: NEW SHOES! #nosocksleft ;) #scd2013 #scd

Charliecondou: @NatalieGumede nice turn out!

NatalieGumede: @Charliecondou thanks xx

WANNA SEE MY JUGS

stacks3stripe: HA HA. FINALLY.

Charliecondou: @stacks3stripe what, not even a two-pint carton??? I'd tell him to make his own tea

SPOTTED

jessicahardy02: Marcus off corrie was on my train to London Ahhaha

MORE NEWSPAPER SECRETS REVEALED

freedompruk: Thanks to @Charliecondou,I have just fallen off my chair laughing. Lovely to see you and hope the weekend brings no more mailonline reveals!

Charliecondou: @freedompruk Hahaha that info was strictly between us! Cx

freedompruk: @Charliecondou Obvs! ... but still chortling. Luckily I am in the office on my own as you know xA

PERAMBULATOR UPDATES

Charliecondou: @LaurenShippey Ello love, did jack tell you I sorted the pram? He's got the details xxx

LaurenShippey: @Charliecondou Hello! Yes he did! Thank you very much for sorting it for us! Really appreciate it xxx

SOME TYPICAL OZZIE BLOKES START OUT TALKING ABOUT SMALL TESTICLES AND END UP REFERENCING THE AUSTRALIAN LIBERAL PARTY - GO FIGURE!

SirThomasWynne: New #RESEARCH Suggests Men With Smaller Testicles Are 'Better' Fathers? http://onforb.es/17qnstE 

Honeputu: @SirThomasWynne @jot_au I don't do tooo bad even though they drag on the ground on a hot day !

SirThomasWynne: @Honeputu @jot_au so you're a typical Ozzie bloke #samehere

jeffsull2: @SirThomasWynne @jot_au Yes... I think they're better dads because they can sit on hard wooden seats longer at their children's sports matches...

SirThomasWynne: @jeffsull2 @jot_au I've never watched my kids play sports while sitting down #bigboy

jeffsull2: @jot_au @SirThomasWynne and of course undies cost less... leaving more money for mobile phone credit... thanks dad.. mwah

SirThomasWynne: @jeffsull2 @jot_au son, I've never been able to afford a mobile phone.

jot_au: @SirThomasWynne @jeffsull2 and no where to put it

jot_au: @Honeputu I think that research was sponsored by the Institute For Tiny Testicles...in cooperation with The Ponds Institute

jot_au: @Honeputu I wonder about the parenting sk8lls of Eunuchs...and men with one big ball and one small ball...or only one ball

duncandean: @jot_au @Honeputu Men have a larger left testicle than their right one in their scrotum. They hang down relaxed but go tight and hard insex.

jot_au: @duncandean @Honeputu oh stop it *blushing* tell me more!

SirThomasWynne: @jot_au @Honeputu as a teenager I was given the nickname wicket.

jot_au: @SirThomasWynne @Honeputu mine was...Bradman

SirThomasWynne: @jot_au @Honeputu did you belt your balls against a tank stand son? #Bradman

jot_au: @SirThomasWynne @Honeputu @jeffsull2

6runs: @jot_au @SirThomasWynne @Honeputu @jeffsull2 ...Big Dicks...? Turn Right....?

jot_au: @6runs @SirThomasWynne @Honeputu @jeffsull2 LEFT! arrow should be pointing LEFT...we all know conservatives have peanuts for both brains and .....

6runs: @jot_au @SirThomasWynne @Honeputu @jeffsull2 and that's a conservative estimate

#FOLLOWFRIDAY13TH

#FF have a lucky day!

AngryEyes: Happy #FF the 13th or #FS the 14th @SirThomasWynne

BienSoeur: A very special #FF13th for @ChasCondouFans @chasCondouBlog @SirThomasWynn @Tom_in_Oz

czyzselska: @ChasCondouBlog that's my Friday 13th entertainment sorted, then

MonORCA_Gilbert: @Tom_in_Oz_ Am I following all your accounts yet?

WestwoodDan: RT @ChasCondouBlog #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

TheHollyJohnson: @SirThomasWynne G' Day x

SirThomasWynne: @TheHollyJohnson didn't know you could speak Australian! x

TheHollyJohnson: @SirThomasWynne Well I know what a Gobby is now #WentworthPrison

SirThomasWynne: @TheHollyJohnson #Kulture mate, pure #Kulture

NateMorrison01: @ChasCondouFans Thanks dude!!!

NoNoNannette30: @ChasCondouBlog Thank you sweetie! ((Hugs))

BlackpoolNorth: @ChasCondouFans #ff13 Thanx

michaelbosc: @SirThomasWynn ooooohhhhhhhhhh didn't even know, definitely not going out lol hope you are ok keep safe today xx

WheresWalles: @SirThomasWynne (WheresWalles favorited your Tweet) #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/cml8xzynlR

Wrenfoe: @Confidential_CC Cheers :)

stewartaja: RT @ChasCondouBlog #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

no4rugbyguy: @SirThomasWynne big love x

mabelalexa: @SirThomasWynn thank you for the #ff . sending you a big hug :)

EricWellingNL: #ff I just ♥ @SirThomasWynne

BellsAn_All: #FF @SirThomasWynne Thanks! Nice pussy! ;)

parttimesoldier: #ff @SirThomasWynne 

IndepGeoSqn: #ff @SirThomasWynne

MarkMMerrett: @Confidential_CC love u tommy, big huggles

wolfPupJonbbbh: #ff @Confidential_CC

russfla: RT @Confidential_CC #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/Qm0Quwfuf4

nancycato1: @Confidential_CC: Ha! That's wonderful thank you... now where is that ladder... oops!

BlackSwanEvent2: RT @Confidential_CC #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/Qm0Quwfuf4

tnvol19: @Confidential_CC lol! Thank you! Love & mwah with hugs, Tommy!

JayHoRay: @ChasCondouFans Thank you :)))

kevcn73: @ChasCondouFans happy Friday Pa #ff

edwardclarke: @ChasCondouFans thanks! xx

AndertonWayne: RT @Confidential_CC #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JPIkRhp0K2

GaleadNtwk: @Confidential_CC (GaleadNtwk favorited your Tweet) #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JPIkRhp0K2

prchambers: RT @SirThomasWynne #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/dXSVZs2rjP

Mavro_Arni: @SirThomasWynne (Mavro_Arni favorited your Tweet) #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/dXSVZs2rjP

chesthigh: RT @SirThomasWynne #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/dXSVZs2rjP

shazzynabby: RT @SirThomasWynne #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/dXSVZs2rjP

AubreyEMiller: RT @SirThomasWynne #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/ssjm77kd8M

benniedenton: @ChasCondouBlog why thank you I hope I have good luck all day !!

theTonyGee: RT @ChasCondouBlog #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

drewdriverxxx: RT @ChasCondouFans #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

TheAaronCage: @SirThomasWynne  (TheAaronCage favorited your Tweet) #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/cml8xzynlR

danielkamin: RT @ChasCondouBlog #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

AlanChand: @sirthomaswynn Thanks! Plenty of self-promotion there! :-D

badjonesyinc  RT @SirThomasWynne #FollowFriday  pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

KurrieHoyt: @SirThomasWynn Ta big Daddy! *huggles*

JPCulpepper: RT @Confidential_CC #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JPIkRhp0K2

FoxiLorri64: RT @Confidential_CC #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/JPIkRhp0K2

craigspissed: @SirThomasWynne Ooh, it's friday the 13th. I didn't know until you sent the pic. Thanks, my luck can't get any worse - can it?

StevenWilson00: RT @SirThomasWynne #FollowFriday  pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

KathyKincaid: @SirThomasWynne Oh yes forgot what date this is!! Thank you!

Jonesyinc: RT @SirThomasWynne #FollowFriday  pic.twitter.com/JZ8Vi9EId5

gogibbogo: @ChasCondouBlog you're too kind.

Chris Gibbons is openly gay in the Football Association

By Cyd Zeigler Sep 10 2013

The governing body for English soccer is targeting homophobia with its policies, and Gibbons is a big part of that

It's hard to point to a more traditionally homophobic corner of sports than English soccer. Robbie Rogers found so much homophobia there he left the sport entirely upon coming out. Robbie Keane, Rogers' teammate with the Los Angeles Galaxy, called the environment for gay athletes in English soccer "behind" and "brutal." Yet in the heart of the sport - the Football Association - sits an openly gay man hoping to change all of that. Chris Gibbons is the Inclusion Education Advisor for the FA. He goes to work every day at Wembley Stadium, the epicenter of English soccer. He works on the equality team for the FA, charged with educating athletes, coaches and staff on diversity issues including racism, sexism, and homophobia. Gibbons was never much of a soccer player - he said he hasn't kicked a soccer ball since he was 6 - opting for rugby until about the age of 19. He's now a runner and triathlete, participating in marathons. Now working to end homophobia in the sport he left as a youth, Gibbons knows he's not just battling realities within the change rooms and on the pitch, but also the perception the outside world has of England's de facto national sport. "For me the reputation of football has never been a very good one," Gibbons told Outsports via phone from his home in London. "People have the perception that football is not an environment for gay men. You see visible gay women, but you don't see visible gay men from the outside." Despite the perception (and, in truth, reality) of English soccer, Gibbons said he has been welcomed at the FA as an openly gay man by the staff - and he's not the only gay in the village. "I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere at the FA," Gibbons said. "People associate football with being a heterosexual white male. But the makeup of the staff comes from all backgrounds. It's as diverse as any working environment you could find." Gibbons is used to diverse staffs. His previous landing spot was a five-year gig with Stonewall, an LGB advocacy group. His team at the FA has known he's gay from day one; He mentioned it in his interview, and they knew his previous employer was an LGB organization. "Being openly gay isn't an issue at all," he said. "Everyone is a bit underwhelmed by me being gay. I'm not waving the rainbow flag all the time, but I don't make it a secret that I'm gay and I have a partner. The majority of people there don't bat an eyelid. There are a lot of gay women at the FA and a few gay men. I've never felt any kind of discrimination from anyone at all." His advocacy with Stonewall has helped educate his job with the FA. At Stonewall, Gibbons worked with the group's campaign around homophobia in schools & universities. His new position with the FA, which he's held since April, entails creating educational programs for participants at every level of English soccer. While developing materials to use in a new equality education program, he's also building a network of equality professionals who can execute trainings on their behalf. He's also creating online equality training with the Referees Association. All of that is part of a new five-year inclusion and anti-discrimination plan put together by the Professional Game Match Officials, Premier League, Football League, Pro Footballers Association and the FA. "I'm really enjoying developing training and equality education that will be disseminated across English football," Gibbons said. "Trying to figure out how to do that is very exciting. There's a lot of cross-over with the training I developed around homophobia and education. There's a lot of myth-busting and assumptions we make about people. And frankly, the solutions aren't particularly complex." Gibbons believes those solutions begin and end with education. His goal is to target people at every level of soccer, from executives at local clubs all the way up to big-name professional players. If they can sit down with all of these people and talk with them about what is acceptable in soccer, Gibbons and the FA believe they can build an inclusive environment in soccer for everyone. The FA has put some muscle behind the education plan, in the form of strong, punitive sanctions for discriminatory behavior. Starting this season, any participant in professional or grassroots soccer who acts in a discriminatory way on the pitch will get an immediate minimum five-match suspension. They must also undergo mandatory equality education and will face a fine. A second incident will elicit more severe penalties. Off-pitch incidents mandate training, a fine, and could include a maximum suspension. Those actions could be as simple as tweeting #NoHomo or making a discriminatory statement like, "girls are rubbish at football." While the FA policy doesn't target fans, those using homophobic chants and other discriminatory practices in the stands face action from the Crown Prosecution Service, which will ban offending parties from attending the World Cup next year and suspend them from traveling to matches for three years. The FA worked on the policy with the CPS. Participants and clubs are taking notice. Of the 92 clubs in Football League and Premier League, 70 have already invited the FA to address these new policies with their club. While Gibbons said it's hard to get a squad of players into a room to listen for an hour, all participants realize they have a vested interest in understanding these new rules. "I am encouraged by the reaction from the players," Gibbons said. "They want to play football. So when you tell them they'll be kept from playing, they pay attention. They want to play." While he's excited for the potential of his work, Gibbons knows it will be a challenge. Decades of entrenched homophobia don't get wiped away over night. Neither he nor the FA are going away on this issue. "There's been a lack of understanding about homophobia and its impact on footballers and anyone who participates in any way in football," Gibbons said. "For years, the FA focused on racism in football, and that took many years. I think football has a way to go on homophobia. As the country's national sport, I think it can have the biggest impact because it reaches so many millions of people." 

FIRST PERSON TO RUN AROUND THE ENTIRE WORLD

SirThomasWynne: #Congratz It's taken just over 2 years for Australian runner Tom Dennis to run around the world. #worldrecord 

craigspissed: @SirThomasWynne Good on him, congratulations. But...someone needs to quietly let him know that Planes were invented long ago.

SirThomasWynne: @craigspissed I'll pass that on x