Our Story

 

We first came together in 2021 as a group of long-time friends and former colleagues to discuss our alarm at a new form of homophobia taking hold, while at the same time being disillusioned with how organisations that once fought for our interests no longer seem to recognise what homosexuality is.

As our discussions continued we felt the need to create a new advocacy group committed specifically to represent the interests of gay men, rooted in the reality of being same-sex attracted.

A perfect opportunity to make our voices heard arose when the UK government put its Conversion Therapy Bill up for public consultation in Autumn 2021.  We formed as the Gay Men’s Network (GMN) and submitted our first formal response, which was picked up by the media. We were very pleased to see a number of our recommendations reflected in the government’s announcement to proceed with the Conversion Therapy Bill as having a singular focus on sexuality.

GMN was incorporated April 2022 as a not-for-profit private limited company.

Our Beliefs

 

Homosexuality is normal.

Homosexuality is exclusive by definition and by nature.

Homosexual men should be free to live their lives without being disadvantaged, shamed or persecuted on the basis of being same-sex attracted.

We have a duty to honour those who paved the way before us, and to ensure a better tomorrow for those coming behind us.

Our Goals & Activities

 

We are dedicated to upholding homosexuality as a sexual orientation based on sex as per the Equality Act 2010 - Section 12, championing the specific interests of homosexual men in life and in law, and defending our rights to free speech and gay male-only events and spaces.

Our efforts are focused on engaging with law and policy makers about existing and / or proposed bills and policies to ensure our rights, interests and concerns are taken into account.

Hassan, Dennis and Jonathan are the three directors of GMN.
The team also includes creative talents, artists, lawyers, solicitors and advisors.

  • Hassan Mamdani

    Hassan Mamdani is a scientist and project manager in early-stage drug discovery. He became concerned by the replacement of sex with gender in biological sciences and main-stream scientific publications. While following this trajectory, he saw the rise of a new form of homophobia and, having never been an activist, felt the need to rearticulate a positive vision for being a gay man.

  • Dennis Kavanagh

    Dennis Noel Kavanagh is a non practising barrister and legal commentator specialising in criminal/equalities law. He is a gay rights activist who has worked in the legal sector for over 20 years.

We have created a manifesto in point form to be as transparent as possible about our intentions as a grass roots organisation.

We volunteer our time to help other gay men navigate contemporary homophobia. Defending our spaces, and opposing the constant threat of conversion therapy.