Russell T Davies warns ‘fight is coming' with gay rights ‘rapidly getting worse'
Davies is urging young people to use the 'anger of the past' to protect gay rights amid growing support for Reform UK which has pledged to 'ban transgender ideology' in schools.
Speaking to the Big Issue, Davies said: 'When Queer As Folk came out in 1999, if you'd said: 'What will gay rights be like in 2025?', we'd have said, 'oh, it will all be marvellous – it'll be sunshine and skipping down the street, hand in hand – gays, queers, lesbians, everyone'.
'And look at where we are. Things got better but now things are rapidly and urgently getting worse.
'What happens in America always happens here (the UK) – and as we look down the barrel of a Reform government, we, the gay community, queer community, should be revolting in terror and anger and action.
'They're out to get us. The President of America is literally out to get us, is discounting us.
'He would be happier with us invisible and gone, defunded, completely invisible if not biologically altered to become as straight as him.
'I hope they're prepared to fight, that younger generation that has no idea how they got there. And neither should they – they're busy living their lives.
'I didn't spend my youth looking back at World War Two, but I do think: 'are you prepared to fight, because a fight is coming?''
Davies' next Channel 4 series, Tip Toe, deals with the culture war that has radicalised some people into homophobia, transphobia and prejudice.
Davies said: 'I'm very proud of it.
'It's radical, it's savage, and it's hilarious.
'It is the strongest thing I've written – I do believe Queer As Folk, Cucumber, It's A Sin and Tip Toe are the ones that will be on my gravestone.'
Reform UK has been contacted for comment.
The full interview with Davies can be read in this week's Big Issue.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
36 minutes ago
- Wales Online
EastEnders, Coronation Street and children's TV legend dies, aged 86
EastEnders, Coronation Street and children's TV legend dies, aged 86 Brooks earned himself a number of film credits Ray Brooks narrated Mr Benn English actor Ray Brooks has died at the age of 86 after a short illness. Brooks was best known for narrating the 1970s children's TV show Mr Benn and for his role in EastEnders playing Joe Macer, who killed his wife Pauline Fowler. The actor died peacefully on Saturday with his loved ones at his bedside, according to a statement shared by his family with the BBC. The statement also revealed that Brooks had spent the last few years living with dementia. Brooks' sons, Will and Tom, said: 'His three true loves were family (he also had a daughter Emma, who died in 2003), Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born.' The cartoon Mr Benn, narrated by Brooks, follows the character who enters a magical costume shop and travels to new places based on the costumes he wears. Ray Brooks and Janet Key appearing together in television series 'Running Wild' (Photo by Fox Photos/) Despite the cartoon only releasing 13 episodes, it became well known for generations of children as episodes were repeated twice a year for more than 21 years. Article continues below Brooks went on to appear in a host of different primetime television shows including ITV's Coronation Street, in which he played Norman Philips. He also starred in the BBC comedy drama Big Deal, which followed gambler Robbie Box as he tried to make a living by betting while also trying to maintain his relationship with Jan, played by Sharon Duce. Brooks earned himself a number of film credits, including a role in The Knack… And How To Get It, which won the 1965 Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. A year later he starred in Ken Loach's Cathy Come Home, which documented the impact of Britain's housing shortage in the late 1960s.
Telegraph
37 minutes ago
- Telegraph
RAF veteran to become oldest Countdown contestant at 96
A 96-year-old RAF veteran recognised by the King for his charitable work will become the oldest contestant in Countdown history. Donald Elsom, who left school at 14, has been a dedicated viewer of the Channel 4 show for decades. An episode featuring the nonagenarian will air on Aug 11 at 2.10pm. Mr Elsom, a former RAF corporal from Stanley, County Durham, said: 'I enjoyed everything about the day – the photo will be framed and have a place next to the photo of me with King Charles. 'It was a lovely experience I will remember for the rest of my life.' Channel 4 said Mr Elsom had brought warmth, wit and wisdom to the long-running show, along with a sharp mind and love of numbers. Originally from Willingham, Cambridgeshire, Mr Elsom served in Singapore and what was then Malaya between 1950 and 1955. During a varied career after leaving the Royal Air Force, he worked as a police dog handler, a butcher, and a school site agent. Last year, he marked his 95th birthday by walking 95 laps around his local primary school over several months. Mr Elsom said he had taken inspiration from Cpt Sir Thomas Moore, who raised tens of millions of pounds for charity by walking 100 laps of his garden during the Covid-19 pandemic in the run-up to his 100th birthday. Mr Elsom raised over £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, which had aided him after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012. When he completed the challenge, he was cheered by children who then sang Happy Birthday to him. 'Very determined man' Jade Sorroll, Mr Elsom's 35-year-old granddaughter, told the BBC he was 'a very determined man'. Earlier this year, King Charles awarded him Maundy money to express gratitude for his charitable work. Countdown, which began on Channel 4 in 1982 and is currently hosted by Colin Murray, involves two contestants competing over 15 rounds to become the daily champion. Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, it is one of the longest-running game shows in the world. Previous elderly contestants have included Bertha Bourne, 87, who was a champion in 1994, and 89-year-old Geoffrey Green, who appeared in 2007.
The Guardian
37 minutes ago
- The Guardian
TV tonight: unpicking all the questions about the Lucy Letby case
8pm, BBC One Lucy Letby is the nurse found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more – but international experts say there's no evidence any crimes were committed. Following ITV's recent investigation into the complex case – which this paper called 'one of the most meticulous documentaries in years' – Judith Moritz now reassesses the evidence with the defence and the prosecution for this Panorama report. Hollie Richardson 7pm, BBC Two BBC News uncovers the 'dark side' of the UK's holiday park industry. Amid allegations from holidaymakers of being threatened and ripped off, reporters go undercover in Yorkshire to reveal how some holiday caravan homeowners are being misled. Lucy Parry also speaks to whistleblowers and insiders. HR 7pm, ITV1 The former MSP was Scotland's longest-serving first minister and the first woman to hold the position – and now she has written all about it and more in her forthcoming memoir. Here, she tells all to Julie Etchingham (well, as much as they can fit into half-an-hour). HR 8pm, Channel 4 Something inside so strong: this episode of the late Michael Mosley's exploration of human longevity focuses on how best to boost our immune systems. It involves a peloton of pensioners in Surrey, unlocking the mindful secrets of tai chi and Mosley breaking bread with a strapping 98-year-old in southern Italy. Graeme Virtue 9pm, BBC Two Of all the inflection points in the rise of Homo sapiens, the shift from nomadic life to permanent settlements was one of the most crucial. In the final episode of her rich and rewarding series about the evolution of humanity, Ella Al-Shamahi travels to ancient sites in Turkey and Egypt to reveal it was by no means a sure thing. GV 9pm, Sky Atlantic Season three of Julian Fellowes' 1880s-set drama set amid the self-regarding New York elite wraps up with – what else? – a big fancy ball. But fans of 'railroad daddy' George Russell (Morgan Spector) will be keen to learn his fate after last week's cliffhanger. With a fourth series confirmed, there will be more hobnobbing to come. GV
