OUTeverywhere (also known simply as OUT and formerly OUTintheUK) was a

website A website (also written as a web site) is a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Examples of notable websites are Google Search, Google, Facebook, Amaz ...

providing an

online In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed "on line" or ...

lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is an ...

community, chiefly in the UK, although it has members worldwide. The site provided member profiles with picture galleries, private messages, discussion boards (the use of which is restricted to paying customers) and

online chat Online chat may refer to any kind of communication over the Internet that offers a real-time transmission of text messages from sender to receiver. Chat messages are generally short in order to enable other participants to respond quickly. Ther ...

. The community also organised offline events, such as coffee or cocktail outings, sporting events and day trips.

History

The website was created in 1995 after which the membership then increased due to

word of mouth Word of mouth, or ''viva voce'', is the passing of information from person to person using oral communication, which could be as simple as telling someone the time of day. Storytelling is a common form of word-of-mouth communication where one pe ...

in conjunction with a small amount of advertising and PR. Initially the site was for gay men only. In 2003 OUTforWomen was launched. At first the two sites were run separately. Eventually the sites started to integrate. Initially integration was limited, but eventually a decision was made to allow full integration between the two sites. In May 2005 the site was relaunched under the OUTeverywhere name. The relaunch involved a major redesign of the website, as well as full integration between male and female members. The relaunch also indicated a change of ethos moving the website from an online community to a real life organisation operating both online and offline. Part of this change in ethos was to be achieved by calling the site "Up and Doing". However, the relaunch eventually proceeded with the name "OUTeverywhere" after complaints from long-standing members though the company trades under the name "Up and Doing Ltd". The website steers away from an emphasis on sex by not allowing nude profile photos and stopping members openly soliciting for sex. Offline group events are a feature of the community. Previous examples include murder mystery weekends, cheese rolling gatherings, camping trips and bowling. In October 2017, it was announced that the website would close on 31 October 2018. The Website finally closed down in December 2019.

Publicity

OUTeverywhere (then called OutInTheUK) achieved publicity when two of its members decided to organise an event to throw sausages at magician

David Blaine David Blaine (born April 4, 1973) is an American illusionist, endurance artist, and extreme performer. He is best known for his high-profile feats of endurance and has set and broken several world records. Early life Blaine was born and r ...

, whilst he was suspended without food in a perspex box by

Tower Bridge Tower Bridge is a Listed building#Grade I, Grade I listed combined Bascule bridge, bascule and Suspended-deck suspension bridge, suspension bridge in London, built between 1886 and 1894, designed by Horace Jones (architect), Horace Jones and e ...

. In 2006, OUT produced a "newsletter" called "ThisIsGay" using postings from its forums to represent the idea that it covered a whole spectrum of interests. However, after objections from members that it had homophobic undertones and a mention of the newsletter in The Daily StarGays fuss over Russ
, ''The Daily Star'', 1 September 2006 the last newsletter was "pulled" from publication. That year the site contacted 30,000 members who had not taken part in any of their planned social events as part of a programme to address concerns over cyberstalkers.

References

External links

OUTeverywhere.com
{{LGBT social networking services Same sex online dating LGBT social networking services Defunct LGBT organisations in the United Kingdom Online dating services of the United Kingdom

History

Publicity

See also

References

External links