In the next edition of Gypsy Brides US, which airs on Discovery Real Time at 10pm this Wednesday, we’ll meet controversial gypsy brides Ana and Linda, who will reveal not only what it’s like to be gay in the traveller community, but also how their families have reacted to their wedding.

As we’ll see, Ana is 25 and Linda is 48, but the age gap issue is just one of the problems they encounter in their small town community in Ohio.

In today’s Sun, Ana has revealed why she and Linda chose to highlight their relationship by taking part in the programme.

However, she began by saying, “In our culture, [being lesbian] doesn’t even happen. It would be like a black guy in the Ku Klux Klan.”

She went on to reveal that she has no idea if her mum, who disapproves of the relationship, will attend their wedding or not, but of her partner Linda, she said, “Linda is amazing, everything I have always wanted… Read more & comment »

As fans of hit Channel 4 show Big Fat Gypsy Weddings – and also Gypsy Brides US, which airs on the Discovery Channel – will know, travellers often encounter prejudice when, for instance, they try to book venues for parties or wedding receptions.

In both shows, members of the travelling community frequently bemoan this state of affairs, claiming that it’s unfair and is out and out discrimination. Unwarranted discrimination at that.

However, again in both shows, we’ve seen time and again that while some travellers are entirely peaceable people, many others are not, and unfortunately, the cliché about travellers equating to trouble is all to often true…

Which is of course how clichés come about in the first place; empirical evidence and recidivist behaviours which perpetuate the cliché.

This weekend has sadly proven to be no exception, as the annual Appleby horse fair in Cumbria descended into “chaos” after what’s described as a “mass brawl” broke out, and police were called to deal with not only that, but also an incident involving a firearm… Read more & comment »

Americans of course are fond of doing things bigger and better than us Brits, and their version of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is no exception apparently…

According to The Sun’s TV Biz, Gypsy Brides US – which debuts on Discovery Real Time as of Wednesdays, May 9 at 10pm – will feature incest, girlfights, boob flashing and general mayhem.

In one scene in the show’s premiere, we’re to see the maid-of-honour at a wedding grappling another woman to the ground and generally setting about her.

A show insider said, “This series is set to be more brash and more flamboyant than ever.

“As always, it will be a colourful, outrageous show but it goes further than usual, including storylines about incest and a number of punch-ups in between the usual celebrations and parties the gypsies love to hold…” Read more & comment »