Tag: Wales

Posted on

Seaside Town To Install ‘Anti-Sex’ Public Bathrooms

The town of Porthcawl in Wales plans to spend around $200K (£170,000) to install 'anti-sex' public toilets.
(Credit: Porthcawl Town Council)

The town of Porthcawl in Wales plans to spend around $200K (£170,000) to install ‘anti-sex’ public toilets.

From The Guardian:

Violent movement sensors would automatically open the doors and sound high-pitched alarms, with fine water jets soaking the interior. Weight-sensitive floors would ensure only one user could be in a cubicle at a time, to safeguard against “inappropriate sexual activity and vandalism”.

Porthcawl town council is spending £170,000 on the futuristic toilets in Griffin Park, according to WalesOnline. The planning documents detail a range of security features to deter rough sleeping, including an audible warning, combined with lights and heating being switched off.

All toilets would be fitted with a full high-pressure floor and wall washer which could be operated after every use, or after a certain number of users per day. Each night the toilets would close for 10 minutes while the unit undertakes a deep clean.

As The Guardian notes, some folks wonder what the baseline weight would be before tripping the alarms and water jets…?

(image via Gerald England is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Posted on

Same-sex marriage begins in England! Celebrate!

Peter McGraith and David Cabreza

Same-sex marriage has begun in England and Wales! Happy Dance Time!

Via Sky News:

The law changed at midnight, with a number of gay couples vying to claim the title of being the first to be married in Britain by trying to time it perfectly so their vows are being said just seconds after the clock struck midnight.

Among the first couples set to take advantage of the legalisation are Peter McGraith and David Cabreza, who have been together for 17 years.

Speaking before his wedding, Mr McGraith said: “We are thrilled to be getting married. It is a mark of significant social progress in the UK that the legal distinction between gay and straight relationships has been removed. “Very few countries afford their gay and lesbian citizens equal marriage rights and we believe that this change in law will bring hope and strength to gay men and lesbians in Nigeria, Uganda, Russia, India and elsewhere, who lack basic equality and are being criminalised for their sexual orientation.”

David Badash of The New Civil Rights Movement assembled this Storify for the momentous occasion:

[View the story “Look: First Same-Sex Couples To Marry In England And Wales!” on Storify]
Posted on

Same-sex marriage to begin March 29, 2014 in England and Wales

Same-sex marriages will begin in England and Wales on March 29, 2014 – earlier than expected.

From BBC News:

Initially it was thought the first same-sex marriage in England and Wales would not take place until the summer.

Couples wishing to be among the first to marry will need to give formal notice of their intention to marry on 13 March.

It comes after the government’s controversial legislation on the issue received Royal Assent in July.

The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaderships all backed the proposals.

BBC political correspondent Norman Smith says it is understood the government, following the passing of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act, has been able to put in place the necessary arrangements much faster than previously thought.