From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
BAD BOY
Guardians of the Galaxy’s Emmett Scanlan is literally In The Flesh EXCLUSIVE Courtney Love on why she’s one for boys who love boys
BEING GAY AND HOW TO FIX IT YOUR GUIDE TO ABSURD GAY CURES
THE ORIGINAL GAY MAGAZINE MAY 2014 UK £4.30
aleyw D Tomhis ne ss) on edo-le w e (SpTV sho
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH ALL 14 QUEENS!
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OF RS S YEAYTIME GA
You can’t sit with us! The rise of the Mean Gays Blonde ambition Debbie Harry on Beth Ditto, Gaga and Warhol
Lesley Joseph / Kristian Nairn / Dana International / Xavier Bettel / Panti Bliss
IMAGES MATHU ANDERSEN
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gaytimes magazine number 432 May 2014
[digital special]
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sissy that walk
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Editor DARREN SCOTT Assistant Editor LEE DALLOWAY Staff Writer RYAN BUTCHER Editorial Assistant BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH Design & Art Direction MARK KING Style and Grooming LLOYD-SCOTT TYLER Music BOB HENDERSON Editor-at-large JOHN MARRS Columnists PJ BRENNAN, BENJAMIN COHEN, THE GUYLINER, EDD KIMBER, ALAN ROSENTHAL, PAUL THORN, MICHELLE VISAGE, MIKEY WALSH Contributors JOE MCCORMICK, JAMIE TABBERER, DANIEL MARTIN, MATT PEAKE, LUKE SMITH, TIM MITCHELL, MIKE HIRD, MILO WAKELIN, JUSTIN MYERS, TOM JONES, PERRY JUBY, ZAZZ WALKER, AARON GOLIGHTLY, NICK VERRELL, JOSHUA HAMMOND, LIAM LESLIE, DARRELL LARKIN, MOLLY PAGEANT Pug-at-large TOBY
Thanks to LUIS VENEGAS (EY Magateen), SHAY KEREM (Dana Music), JENNY BROWN (BBC), CLAIRE WILSON and LUKE MORRISON (Sky), JAKE SLANE (VH!) JAKE LEMMENES (Producer Entertainment), SHEILA MUNGUIA, LAUREN KENYON, JENNA HUDSON (Rogers & Cowan), BRITISH REECE and KELLEY KIRKPATRICK (PMK BNC), LUCY BARWELL and MICHAEL FORD (DAA Management), FIONA SWANSON (Live Nation), CHRISTINA GUGGENBERGER and STINA BENGTSSON (Visitstockholm.com), DEBBIE BENNETT (Bennett Public Relations) TINA BISCUIT (Drag PR) Production & Distribution Manager ALEXANDER SMITH Marketing & Advertising Designer LUKE BENJAMIN IT & Digital Management FERNANDO SAFONT Magazine Marketing Executive LLOYD PHILLIPS Management Accountant ARNAUD SEGUIN GT Advertising Sales KEITH MCDONNELL 020 7424 7406
[email protected] &ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJ6DOHV ASH ALLIBHAI 020 7424 7451
[email protected] Escort Advertising Sales RAJ VALENTINO 020 7424 7457
[email protected] Editorial 020 7424 7400 Fax 020 7424 7401 Sales/Distribution 020 7424 7400 Fax 020 7424 7401 Editorial e-mail
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[email protected] Website gaytimes.co.uk Postal address GT, Spectrum House, Unit M, 32-34 Gordon House Road, London, NW5 1LP Newstrade distribution: Conde Nast and National Magazine Distributors Limited, Unit 3, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE Tel: 01895 433 600 Newstrade enquiries:
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[email protected] Subscriptions Overseas 01795 414 896 Printed in the UK by: Wyndeham Group Disclaimer: All copyrights and trademarks are recognised PUBLISHED BY MILLIVRES PROWLER LTD Non-executive Chairman CHRIS GRAHAM-BELL Managing Director SIMON TOPHAM Media & Marketing Director KIM WATSON Operations Director ROBERT HANWELL Financial Director ANTHONY MARTIN
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© 2014 GAY TIMES All rights reserved ISSN: 0950-6101 The mention or appearance or likeness of any person or organisation in articles or advertising in GAY TIMES is not to be taken as any indication of the sexual, social or political orientation of such persons or organisations. “Unless they paying your bills, pay them bitches no mind.” No responsibility can be assumed for any unsolicited materials, and submission is construed as permission to publish without further correspondence and the fee payable (if any) at our usual rates. Advertisers are advised that all copy is their sole responsibility under the Trades Protections Act and must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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features
08 12 16 20 22 26
40 In The Flesh: Emmett Scanlan 52 Debbie Harry 56 Game of Thrones: Kristian Nairn 60 Courtney Love 64 5X3DXO·V'UDJ5DFH
Fitty at the front Tom Daley Mikey Walsh Panti Bliss Michelle Visage Sweetie, Darling?
news 28 30 32 35 36
The Gay Prime Minister News debate 30 Things: Eurovision Ben Cohen Heroes: Dana International
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style 75 Spring/Summer 82 Home style
entertainment 86 Music 92 Print: Trevor Kleinhans 95 Stage 96 Screen 99 Geek 100 Tech
real life 1035HDGHU·VOLYHV 104 The Guyliner 107 PJ Brennan 110 Mean Gays 114 Gay cures 119 Parenting 120 Edd Kimber 121 Alan Rosenthal 122 Fitness 125 HIV
travel 127 Letter from... 128 Stockholm 132 Gran Canaria
Big gay telly shows used to come with a fanfare. And not a flashy trumpet proclaiming their arrival, but usually some bigot and a red top or two telling us why it was the end of civilisation. That era thankfully now seems to be (mostly) gone. But funnily enough, the end of civilisation is the theme of one of the most important gay dramas in the last decade. Blink and you might have missed In The Flesh last year. To describe the BBC Three show as a ‘gay zombie drama’ is to do it a massive disservice. But that’s the easy way out, and I have limited space. Space that would be better spent telling you how Dominic Mitchell’s programme broke my heart, made me cry and cheer at its sheer brilliance. It’s not a programme where being gay *is* the drama for once, but it’s right at the core and is utterly, utterly wonderful. And that’s why we welcome the extremely handsome Emmett Scanlan back to our pages. Just watch the show. Spoilers! But if gay drama is what you’re after, then look no further than RuPaul’s Drag Race. Hands down the best programme on television (that isn’t In The Flesh), we’ve been telling you how amazing it is for six years. We’re serving fish again this issue, with exclusive interviews with all 14 season six contestants. And if it’s gay drama starring someone gay – bear with me, it’s all linking up here – then by now you’ll have been screaming at your gogglebox for Game of Thrones season four. We chat with Hodor himself, Kristian Nairn, who recently came out. Except he didn’t, he just didn’t realise people didn’t already know. Changing gay times - no big fanfare required. Q Darren Scott @darren_scott
E SSU I T LE NEX
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Teen Titans Our very favourite magazine in the world (after GT) is back, and this time the hot young models of Luis Venegas’ EY! Magateen are waking up in the city that never sleeps – New York. Photographed by Steven Klein, it’s too hot even for us. Pass the smelling salts! Or just the stripper kit that comes with this limited edition – which includes Diesel underwear and EY dollars. Oh yes. EY! Magateen issue nine is available (without our strategically-placed logo) in May from byluisvenegas.com. Q gaytimes.co.uk
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WorldMags.net This might well be our most anticipated movie of 2014 – though we’re not sure which side of the debate we fall under: ‘don’t make the live action movie about Sleeping Beauty’s protagonist Maleficent too much like Wicked’ or ‘please make the live action movie about Sleeping Beauty’s protagonist Maleficent like Wicked’. Either way, we’re rocking horns this summer. Q
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Dragged out We love a bit of trashy telly as much as the next gay, but Drag Queens of London is set to make TOWIE and Geordie Shore look like an episode of Question Time. Brought to you by the brand new London Live TV station, the eight-part fly-on-the-wall documentary series stars some of the capital’s biggest stars – from Baga Chipz to Rosie Beaver. Following their lives on and off the stage, this is a London look like you’ve never seen before. But trust us, it’s going to be anything but a drag... Q 'UDJ4XHHQVRI/RQGRQVWDUWV$SULODWSPRQ/RQGRQ/LYH)UHHYLHZ6N\DQG 9LUJLQ DQGRQOLQHDWORQGRQOLYHFRXN#'UDJ4XHHQV
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WorldMags.net[first] IMAGES COURTEDY OF THE BARBICAN / COPYRIGHT JEAN PAUL GAULTIER / PIERRE ET GILES / PATRICE STABLE / RAINER TORRADO / EMIL LARSSON / HERB RITTS FOUNDATION
From the sidewalk to the catwalk Iconic couturier Jean Paul Gaultier has dressed everyone from queens of pop Madonna and Kylie and collaborated with the likes of Warhol, Aldridge and LaChapelle – oh my! The legendary designer truly had an extraordinary vision, and now you’re welcomed into it for the very first time with The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at London’s Barbican – an exhibition made up of more than 140 of his boundary-pushing designs. It’s open to the public until 25 August, so there’s no excuse not to celebrate a true artist. From theatre and performance to dramatic displays of androgyny, this has it all. What’re you waiting for? Q barbican.org.uk
SPEED DATE
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From 17 April Soon-to-be super mega star Kristin Hoffmann comes to the UK for the YHU\ÀUVWWLPHZLWK a string of shows, starting at the Maltcross in Nottingham. Beautiful YRLFH(DV\OLVWHQ ing just got easier. kristinhoffmann. com Q
From 22 April Call us predictable, but we love old women having DPRDQ*UXPS\ 2OG:RPHQ )LIW\ Shades of Beige is set for a massive UK tour, with awardwinning comic -HQQ\(FODLUDQGFR setting the world to ULJKWVJUXPS\ROG womenlive.com Q
From 2 May &ULWLFDOO\DFFODLPHG hit The Pajama Game comes to the West End. Set in 1950s America, it follows handsome superintendent Sid Sorokin who falls head-over-heels IRUIHLVW\XQLRQUHS Babe Williams. VKDIWHVEXU\WKHDWUH com Q
4 May The Southbank Sinfonia performs opera and ballet FODVVLFVDW/RQGRQ·V /LQEXU\6WXGLR Theatre. With singers from the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme and dancers from The 5R\DO%DOOHWWKLVLV RQHIRU\RXFXOWXUHG W\SHVURKRUJXNQ
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6 May US alt-rockers du MRXU1HRQ7UHHVÁ\ in from the US for DJLJDW/RQGRQ·V +HDYHQ7KH\·UH promising surprises DVWKH\SHUIRUP songs from album Sleeping With A Friend – a subject of which we know NOTHING about. heaven-live.co.uk Q
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If you’re expecting to see Tom Daley wearing his trademark tiny Speedos in exotic locations for his new series, prepare to be disappointed. Because in his fly-on-the-wall documentary, Tom Daley Goes Global, the usually super-groomed teenager covers up and actually lets his appearance go as he backpacks around the world with best pal Sophie Lee. Taking in Thailand, Japan, Australia, Morocco and New Zealand, they won’t be staying in posh hotels, they’ll be roughing it in hostels, night trains and shacks. But with the topic of his private life (he’s dating screen writer Dustin Lance Black) strictly off limits, Tom tells GT why tossing himself off great heights was so appealing
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DALEYS You were away for eight weeks – how did you cope with homesickness and missing your family and boyfriend Dustin? In Thailand there was a moment when we did get homesick, but we were so busy doing so many different things it was kind of hard to think about home. And we could get WiFi literally anywhere – we even got it in the middle of the rainforest in Thailand, so there was the opportunity to FaceTime. Did you find that your coming out video make you more recognisable internationally? 12
Well, the YouTube video hadn’t come out at that point because we filmed this in July and August last year. But there were lots of British people in New Zealand so they took a lot of photos of me. You’re a well-groomed man – how did you cope without styling products and living out of a backpack? As we move on further into the series, you’ll see by the time New Zealand came around, I looked like I’d been living rough on the streets. My hair was tattered, and I had a beard. I enjoyed letting myself go for a few weeks and by gaytimes.co.uk
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WorldMags.net[first] living out of a backpack, there wasn’t much we could take with us. Are you now an action man? A sky dive was something I’ve wanted to do all of my life, so when I jumped out of that plane, it was so exhilarating. A bungee jump was something I dreamed of doing and I loved every second of that, too. It was scary but it was a ‘fun’ scary. In fact every challenge that I shouldn’t have liked, I loved. It got my heart going. Why did you choose to slum it instead of staying in luxury hotels? The trip taught me so many different things, like it’s not all about luxuries when you go and see the world. You can actually switch off and have fun with the bare basics. And I wanted to try all the different cultures because if you do stay in nice rooms in nice hotels eating nice food, it’s kind of the same thing everywhere. When you venture outside of that, you experience a lot more fun. Normally when I travel around the world diving or training, I only get to see the hotel room and the pool. On this trip I was able to see everything and to explore. What will we learn about you from watching the show? You get to see the real me – especially in New Zealand when I’m very tired and I do have a bit of a snap at Sophie. You’ll see how we develop as backpackers as well. When we started in Thailand we really didn’t know what we were letting ourselves in for. The further it goes on the more we let our hair down. After Splash, you must have received a lot of TV offers. Why did you pick this series? I was given eight weeks off after the World Championships in Barcelona and I always wanted to travel. So when this opportunity came up, it was the perfect chance to see the world, have it all documented and to raise the money for The Brain Tumour Charity, which is close to gaytimes.co.uk
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my heart [Tom’s father Robert died in 2011 of a brain tumour]. Each challenge I’m doing, I hope that people might be able to donate money to it. What were the most memorable moments of the trip? Pretty much every situation I wouldn’t ordinarily have got myself into, I enjoyed. In Japan we stayed at an internet café. You walk in and your bedroom is like a box. You have a mat on the floor and a TV screen on the wall with private internet booths you can hire overnight. The homepage is a porn site so you can imagine exactly what happens in those booths! What was your worst experience? The place where we stayed in New Zealand was freezing cold, it was like a tin white shed and we slept on wooden planks and a possum crept inside in the middle of the night, along with rats. It was not easy to sleep there. Did you do any diving on your trip? No, I had a complete break. I trained every now and again in the gym but my first dive was in Cannes when we had one moment of luxury and went on a yacht and hung out with Mollie from The Saturdays. I dived off the back of the boat but that was as far as it went. So that’s the only time we’ll get to see you in Speedos? Sorry no, they weren’t even Speedos! I was just in shorts. Boo! Are you looking forward to competing again in London’s Aquatics Centre, where you won a bronze medal during 2012 The Olympics? I compete on 27 April so I’m really excited for that, it’s going to be great fun in front of a home crowd. I came fourth in Dubai in March which was frustrating because I could have won, but I messed up one of my dives. Hopefully I’ll be able to take it to the next level in London. Q Tom Daley Goes Global, Thursdays, 10pm, ITV2, thebraintumourcharity.org, @TomDaley1994
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[mikeyWorldMags.net walsh] THE CONTINUING ADVENTURES OF GYPSY BOY
I have a mate called Simon and he’s homophobic. I’ve tried to get to the bottom of his way of thinking and alter his perception, but he won’t budge. His ridiculous theories about gay people are unshakable and make me furious, to the point of wanting to push my coffee cup into his face as hard as he can stand it. But we always end our gay debate not agreeing to disagree. Simon, by the way, is also a gay man. And not exactly new at it either. He’s 38-years-old and has lived in London for more than ten years. He’s handsome, has a great job and a close relationship with his family. His only issue is that he refuses to come out to them, even though it’s quite obvious by now that they already know. I asked why he’d never actually opened up about his sexuality with them. His answer was nothing to do with them being unable to accept it. The truth was that he couldn’t live with the idea that they’d think he was like ‘one of those ones’. And as that sentence fell from his mouth, he actually did a ‘limp 16
wrist’ gesture that made me sick to my stomach. I saw my homophobic father – and his proud ‘poof-hating’ family – imitating gay people in such an ugly stereotypical way as a child. My only guess was that Simon had also been brought up in that kind of circle too – small town bigots seeing only the closeted gay man on early 80s TV; neither male or female caricatures, full of anal innuendo and self hatred. I believe bigoted imitations of them are why so many of us have come to loathe our ‘vintage’ camp icons so much. Somehow, though, this ugly mentality had stayed with Simon, and the slightest unmanly gesture from a guy along Compton Street would actually make him wince and growl godawful comments under his breath. Sadly, it’s a fact that Simon is not the only one, and homophobia among gay men is quite common. There’s something truly ugly about a large chunk of the gay community loathing even the slightest effeminate gesture and pretending to be ‘straight’. Straight acting. It’s bonkers to
Straight acting. It’s bonkers to believe in this day and age that so many gay guys identify as this
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believe in this day and age that so many gay guys identify as this. If you’re a culprit of this, I’d genuinely like to know what the term ‘gay acting’ actually means to you, and why it’s so terrible? After taking enough of Simon’s ridiculous rant, I told him this: It’s not your right to judge how ‘gay’ someone should be acting. And it’s nothing whatsoever to do with what you find attractive. What you put across is pure homophobia, and it’s the gay community that should be ashamed of people like you. You have problems living with yourself as a gay man and that’s something you need to deal with, without taking it out on those who are living happily with what they are. We’ve all overcome our battles with our sexuality, our coming out and the random bouts of homophobia that still hit hard and horribly when we’re forced to face them... and the idea of having to fight it in our own community is a thought that stupefies and disgusts me in equal measure. After three days of silence, I got a text from Simon saying that he was moving out of London, that he could not change the opinion he had and, finally, that he wished there was indeed such a thing as that dreaded urban legend ‘straight pill’. With clear memory of having this conversation with him time and time again, I opted out of texting him back with a lecture... Instead, I simply wrote ‘a pill cannot change what you are. This is not X-Men 3’. I haven’t heard from him since. And, despite his opinions, I care for him very much. I hope that one day he will come to terms with himself. For anyone who uses the term ‘straight acting’... of course, it’s none of my business. But please, for your own sake, just take a moment to ask yourself why you do. Q gaytimes.co.uk
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MAGICAL PRIDE Greatdays Holidays in partnership with Manchester Pride present
AN ENCHATED WEEKEND AT DISNEYLAND® PARIS 16 - 19 October 2014 An unforgettable weekend. The magic of Disneyland® Paris with the sparkle of Manchester Pride. Be enchanted by Disney® during the day, and in the evening, party the night away in The Disney® Village Dome with entertainment by Manchester Pride. Packages from just £299* if purchased before 01 July 2014
magicalpride.com
Manchester Pride is a registered charity: 1117848 WorldMags.net
*This holiday is operated by Greatdays Holidays, ABTA Y0380, for whom Manchester Pride is an authorised retail agent. All bookings are subject to Greatdays Holidays terms & conditions a copy of which can be found online manchesterpride.com/ disneytc. Price is based on 4 adults sharing 1 room for 3 nights bed & buffet breakfast, 2 day dated park hopper and the Magical Pride wristband worth £100.00 for exclusive entrance to the Enchanted Ball on Friday 17 October 2014 & the Halloween Party on Saturday 18 October 2014 and official Magical Pride T-shirt.
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#amazing Yes, he may well do whatever a spider can, but we doubt a spider would look quite as good from behind as Andrew Garfield does in *that* suit. Back for another city-smashing, baddybashing 3D cinema outing, this time round the teenage web-slinger tackles Electro, Rhino and the Green Goblin – who all have Oscorp Industries in common… Will three villains and a corrupt organisation be too much? Well it certainly didn’t ruin the best superhero movie ever, Batman Returns… Q The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is in cinemas 18 April, @spidermanmovie
Get your Pollocks out for the lads! Celebrate three of WKHWKFHQWXU\·V most colourful artists with this fabulous collection of books by Catherine Ingram. In the This Is series, Pollock, Dali and Warhol have their lives and careers immortalised through
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a series of delicious illustrations by Andrew Rae and Peter Arkle. We particularly love the Warhol book – throw in a rippling six pack and a pair of skimpy briefs and it ZRXOGQ·WEHWRRIDU removed from a GT FRYHU,QVLGH\RX·OO ÀQGDFROOHFWLRQRI :DUKRO·VEHVWZRUN including an iconic 1978 painting of Liza 0LQQHOOL KRZ·G\DOLNH them apples, Ellen
DeGeneres?) With Pollock and Dali completing the series, these are a PXVWKDYH7KH\·OO also inject some exquisite colours into your dreary old bookshelf, slotting DORQJVLGHWKRVHRO· dusty cook books \RX·YHQRWXVHGVLQFH you accidentally gave that cute guy food poisoning when he came over for dinner… no? Just us? Q
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Case Closed As America elected it’s first ever African American President, voters in California voted “yes” on Proposition 8, rendering all marriages between gay and lesbian couples void. The Case Against 8 follows the proceedings that followed. GT speaks to the directors
he Case Against 8 is one of the most sensitive and personal documentaries about US OHJDOSURFHHGLQJV\RX·UHHYHUOLNHO\ to see. In the aftermath of California VWDWH·VVKRFNLQJ´\HVµPDQGDWHRQ Proposition 8, a ruling saying that PDUULDJHLVFODVVLÀHGDVEHLQJRQO\ between a man and a woman, four outraged citizens – a gay couple and a lesbian couple – agreed to stand up for gay rights in front of court to get their marriages recognised. While Paul Katami, Jeff Zarrillo, Kris 3HUU\DQG6DQG\6WLHUWDNHFHQWUH stage, directors Ben Cotner and Ryan :KLWHZHUHZRUNLQJDORQJVLGHWKHP IRUÀYH\HDUVWRJHWWKHÀOPPDGHDQG released. Following the case from state courts to the US Supreme Court, the directors became close with those DWWKHKHDUWRIWKHWULDO´1DWXUDOO\E\ WKHHQGRIÀYH\HDUV\RX·UHSUHWW\ close with these people the further along you are with the process… I WKLQNWKH\OLNHGKDYLQJXVDURXQGDQG they were used to having us as part of WKHIDPLO\E\WKHQµ Despite the subject matter and the assured style, The Case Against 8 was an early project of both Ben and 5\DQ·VZLWK%HQSUHYLRXVO\ZRUNLQJ as an executive for Paramount and 2SHQ5RDG7KH\VWDUWHGZRUNLQJ on the documentary just two short PRQWKVDIWHUÀUVWPHHWLQJDWWKH Sundance Film Festival. ´$WWKHWLPH3URSRVLWLRQKDGSDVVHG already and it was being challenged LQWKH&DOLIRUQLDFRXUWVµ%HQH[SODLQV ´$IHZPRQWKVDIWHUZHPHWLWORVW at the California court level and we KDSSHQHGWRÀQGRXWWKURXJKIULHQGV WKDWDODZVXLWZDVJRLQJWREHÀOHGLQ the federal courts, so we approached the organisation that was starting the ODZVXLWDQGDVNHGWKHPDERXWÀOPLQJ it just in case it turned into something ELJ$WWKHWLPHQRERG\NQHZLWZRXOG EHVXFKDODQGPDUNFDVHµ $VWKHWULDOWRRNWKHPWRVXFK heady heights as the very top of the American legal system, the historical nature of what was occurring became
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FOHDU´$TXLFNRYHUWXUQLQWKH California courts would have had huge KLVWRULFDODQGFXOWXUDOVLJQLÀFDQFH IRU&DOLIRUQLDQVµVD\V5\DQ´EXWDV IDUDVVWRU\WHOOLQJJRHV,GRQ·WWKLQN it would have had the weight that our movie does now without it going to the 6XSUHPH&RXUW
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WorldMags.net He’s riled up rightwing Catholics, been celebrated by Madonna and even remixed by the Pet Shop Boys. Hot on his stiletto heels of becoming a YouTube sensation, GT finds out why Ireland’s Panti Bliss is rewriting all the rules when it comes to what a drag queen is capable of
PANTI BLISS
WORDS RYAN BUTCHER IMAGES AARON MCGRATH
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t took Panti Bliss just ten minutes and 48 seconds to become a household name. Panti – or Ireland’s Rory O’Neill when he’s not wearing a dress – walked on stage at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin on 1 February and gave one of the most empowering gay rights speeches in recent memory. Luckily, it was filmed and uploaded to YouTube, where it’s since been watched by more than half a million people, and applauded by everyone from Stephen Fry to RuPaul. If you haven’t seen it yet – what’re you waiting for? “If I’d have known that many people were going to see it, I’d have brushed my fucking hair,” laughs Panti, as we catch up with him at his aptly-named Pantibar in Dublin. “It’s one thing for half a million people to watch a 15 second video of someone tripping over a box of puppies, but it’s another thing to click on a video that you know is ten minutes long and is a speech about oppression and homophobia. That fact that people watched it, well, I could never have predicted that.” Although Panti is now in the calm of his perfect gay storm, three weeks prior to his ‘noble call’ at the Abbey he was embroiled in a massive legal row – now affectionately referred to as Pantigate. During an appearance on RTE’s Saturday Night Show, he named a number of Irish journalists and a right-wing Catholic think tank as homophobes which got their, ahem, panties in a bit of a twist. It resulted in the channel paying out thousands in compensation, while defamation lawsuits loomed over Panti’s head. “I thought the speech would be my opportunity to set the record straight,” he tells GT. “Up to that point, I thought the real issue had been lost. “What I wanted to do was remind people what everyday homophobia actually is. No, we’re not living in Russia or Uganda, but
that doesn’t mean that we don’t live with a lower level of homophobia on a day-to-day basis. “We gays become so used to it we don’t even notice it ourselves. We almost accept homophobia as an ordinary part of life. And of course, it’s not. We’re just so used to it we don’t even notice it happening anymore. I wanted to remind people of those small, psychic cuts that happen to you every day as a gay person.” But Panti also had a confession to make in his speech – a guilty secret he’d been dying to get off his chest, whatever the consequences. “I thought, here I am, I’m a drag queen, I own a gay bar, I make speeches about gay rights, I campaign for equality, and yet even I struggle with the fact that sometimes I’m embarrassed by my friends’ gayness. I thought it was my guilty, awful, embarrassing secret, but it turns out that every gay man – even the ones I thought would never feel that way – feel that way. I’ve been really, really amazed at the response to my own homophobia.” The image of a man in a frock making such an eloquent, honest and passionate speech, and sparking debate on LGBT equality across Ireland, has led to a dynamic shift in the perception of what a drag queen can do. “Most people have only seen drag on their holidays and that’s what they think of when they think of a drag queen,” explains Panti. “They think every drag act is about dick jokes or whatever. And I love a good dick joke, I’m not knocking them. But drag can be so many things, and I’ve always had to fight that. “I would get called up by TV companies or newspapers because they wanted what they thought was the stupid drag stuff. They wanted me to be a punch line in a comedy sketch or to talk about what I thought of John Travolta’s wig at the Grammys. Now, though, the view of me and drag queens in Ireland
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[first]
has changed entirely. Now they call me up and they want to know what I think of the Prime Minister or equality issues. “People used to dismiss me a lot before just because I was a bloke in a dress. People thought ‘who’s this fucking drag queen?’ Drags weren’t taken seriously, but now they are, and that’s a great thing as far as I’m concerned.” And rightfully so. Panti isn’t just some ‘fucking drag queen’ who slipped on some fishnets and decided to throw shade to make a cheap buck. He was first bitten by the drag bug after spending his teenage summers in London chasing legendary performance artist Leigh Bowery (if you don’t know who he is, for shame – look him up at once). After graduating from art college, he toured Japan as a drag double act for five years and that’s where Panti was born. “Leigh was very lovely to me and in a way I identified with him, because he was from an arsehole town in the middle of Australia and made himself into this incredible creature, and I was from this arsehole town in the west of Ireland. It was hanging out with him that got me interested in performance and transformation, and all of that stuff. I started doing drag and I enjoyed it – it was creative and fun. “Basically, Panti is a storyteller. She tells personal stories that hopefully illuminate a larger truth – if that doesn’t sound too up my own arse – and there are plenty of dick jokes in there too. She’s like the teacher you could get drunk with on school trips.” After a career that’s seen Panti travel across the world, play to audiences big and small from the furthest Australia to the exotic far east, it’s these last few weeks that have afforded Panti his biggest career highlight to date – the fact that a simple YouTube video has opened up debate on LGBT equality in Ireland. But we think it’s a line in his now-famous speech about
21
life’s a drag
[first] WorldMags.net striving to be “the best gay possible” which is the legacy Panti will leave behind. “The best gay possible is someone who’s totally at peace with who they are and never feels the need to check themselves,” he explains. “I used to think that I’d see those kinds of gay people and be so envious of them. You know, absolutely flaming queens and I’d think ‘wow, how great to be that unconcerned, to be that free’. But it turns out lots of people I thought were that way actually aren’t. They struggle with the same issues. That’s what the best gay possible is – someone who’s utterly unconcerned with what other people think of them. “But if you’re somebody who’s constantly checking themselves, or finding that people are being homophobic towards you, it’s a horrible experience and it’s not pleasant. There’s nothing anyone’s going to say to make that OK. But what I would say to young gay people is, in the long run, these struggles actually make you a stronger person, a more empathetic person, a nicer person. People who’ve never actually faced those things actually turn out to be arseholes.” And with such strong words from someone who could quite possibly be the best drag possible, we can’t really argue with that. Q 3DQWL·VÀUVWHYHUVWDQGXSVKRZ+LJK+HHOVLQ /RZ3ODFHVWDNHVSODFHDW'XEOLQ·V9LFDU6WUHHW RQ-XQHSDQWLEDUFRP#SDQWLEOLVV
[05/14]
Question
:KDWDUHÀYH random facts about you? From #&DVWURB'DYLG
Answer
e l e h iM cisage V
Hello my British babies! Now, LOADS of people ask me why I wasn’t in seasons one and two of RuPaul’s Drag Race so let me fill you in... I’ve been a radio presenter of breakfast shows for the past 17 years. Ru conceived the whole Drag Race idea with me sitting to her right. Working in radio here, you aren’t allowed more than one week for holiday. I went to my boss to ask for three weeks off to shoot and he asked me to explain what it was. I did and he turned me down immediately. After letting it sink in, I went back into his office the next day to ask why. He said, ‘it isn’t the right image for our station’. There it was; he was a homophobe. Not only was I gutted for having to turn my BFF down, but now I was working for a homophobe. Then I got the call two years later to join for season three. I knew this time I would have to fight, so I asked again, only this time, he knew what the
Ready, here goes... ,·PDELRORJLFDO IHPDOH ,7·6758( &ORZQVVFDUHPH ,GRQ·WGULQNDQ\ DOFRKRO DQGQRUGR ,QHHGWR ,KDWHWRPDWRHV EOHXUJK ,KRVWHGRLO ZUHVWOLQJPDWFKHVDW DVWULSFOXELQ1<& ,KRSHWKRVHZHUH UDQGRPHQRXJKIRU \RX;;;09Q
show was. YES! He turned me down, but there was NO way I was going down without a fight. I rang the vice president of the company and he had no problem with me being on the show. Why on EARTH would someone not want their radio personality to be on a TV show? It’s great publicity! I guess it’s because he thought then I’d be associated with drag queens and gays (as if I wasn’t already, clearly he had NO clue who I was!) In the end, I left for LA for five weeks to shoot and the best part? Mr Homophobe was fired right before I left! The moral of the story is that everyone comes across someone(s) in their lives who tries to oppress them – stay strong, speak up and don’t stand for it. Rest assured my little ones, I will ALWAYS be on that panel, don’t you worry! Until next month – get at me on Twitter @michellevisage and come see me at michellevisage.com. XXX MV Q
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boys, boys, boys
[05/14]
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Oh! You pretty things We’ve developed a bit of an eye for spotting the next big band here at GT. While The Big Reunion is tickling nostalgic fancies, it’s Manchester four-piece Rixton who’ve got us excited about the future of pop. “We knew what we wanted – huge pop songs with soul,” says the band’s lead singer Jake Roche. If their debut single Me and My Broken Heart is anything to go by, these guys are gonna be huge. Q #5L[WRQ2IÀFLDO
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WorldMags.net[first] We all enjoyed The Big Reunion, right? The drama, the dancing and – most importantly – the unabashed pop. Well, ITV have announced a new tour for later this year, featuring all seven of the boy bands from the show’s two series. We didn’t know who to be more excited about, so we decided to pit four of our favourites against one another, gladiator styley. Well, not quite, but boys can dream…
A1
Blue
---------Hits Caught in the Middle is one of the best pop tracks of the VDVIDUDVZH·UH concerned. They had a few others after that, but nothing to write home about. Same Old Brand New You was alright, we guess. Hotness It seems like Ben Adams is an ageless YDPSLUH$QGZH·UH pretty much experts DIWHUWKHKRXUVZH·YH put in studying his countless shirtless VHOÀHV«$WRXJKMRE but someone had to. Low points Despite reforming in WKH\KDYHQ·W had the same level of chart success as the others. Unless you, urm, count the charts LQ1RUZD\« We reckon 7KH\·OOEHJRRGIRU a sing-a-long, on a couple of tracks at least. You can always yelp for Ben to whip his top off if it gets a bit dull. ----------
---------Hits All Rise, One Love, Too Close, If You &RPH%DFN«WKHOLVW FRXOGJRRQ/HW·V MXVWQRWPHQWLRQWKDW (XURYLVLRQVLQJOH 2." Hotness Duncan James. Need ZHVD\PRUH"+H featured on our cover last year wearing very little, and rightly so. The other lads are hot too, of course. Well, except Antony. Low points Lee Ryan on Celebrity Big %URWKHU"1RWIRUXV thanks. Although, we GLGHQMR\WKHPHQWDO image of Lee and Duncan together, rumour or not. We reckon A decent back catalogue of pop FODVVLFVDQGWKH\·UH still pretty easy on the eye. We think we have our winners. All rise, Blue, as it were. ----------
5ive ---------Hits :KHWKHULW·V*RW7KH )HHOLQ·(YHU\ERG\ *HW8SRU.HHS2Q Moving – 5ive WILL make you get down, now. Hotness The boys have aged pretty well, truth be told. Ritchie Neville had us weak at the knees when he stripped off for our naked issue last year. Low points 5ive became four when Jason J Brown decided not to return for The Big Reunion. Wrong move, if you ask us. We reckon 7KH\·YHJRWWKHWXQHV DQGWKH\·YHVWLOOJRW WKHORRNV«ZHMXVW wish our JJ was along for the ride, too. ----------
5th Story ---------Hits Collectively, the boys have an extensive back catalogue, ZKHWKHULW·V*DUHWK *DWHV·8QFKDLQHG Melody or the brilliant Dane Bowers collab with Posh – Out of Your Mind. Hotness .HQ]LHLVORRNLQJ pretty buff these days, EXWWKH\HDUVKDYHQ·W been too kind on the RWKHUV« Low points A group made up of former solo artists all XVHGWRHQMR\LQJWKH OLPHOLJKWRQWKHLURZQ" What could possibly JRZURQJ" We reckon 7KH\·YHJRWWKH PXVLFDOÀUHSRZHU ZH·OOJLYHWKHPWKDW But it might end up being more fun watching them battle for centre stage. ----------
A1
5ive
Blue
ON S D LA OUR T
5th Story
The Big Reunion – The Boy Band Tour kicks off on 17 October for 13 dates. Tickets are on sale now from livenation.co.uk, @bigreunionITV
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WorldMags.net She’s best known as money-hungry man-eater Dorien Green in the recently revived Birds of a Feather and now stars as menopausal Myra in saucy musical Hot Flush. She’s a gay man’s dream and the perfect candidate to face the unpredictable questions lurking in our sweetie jar... Gents, it’s the divine Lesley Joseph
Swe e t Da ie, rling ? WORDS LEE DALLOWAY IMAGE LIAM LESLIE
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WorldMags.net We hear you’re having a Hot Flush… [Laughs] It’s my latest show, for women of a certain age, and it’s very funny. One man plays about 15 parts in it. He’s a randy vicar, a young stud, and there’s a speed dating number where he comes on in a leather mask and a thong. The women in the audience go completely berserk. I even get to do a bit of stand-up in the middle. We loved the return of Birds! What was the biggest difference between doing it then and now? Before it was the Thatcher years, the white van man and big white stilettos. Now it’s iPads, Twitter and TOWIE. We didn’t have the internet when Birds of a Feather started and we used to sit waiting for reviews come out. Now if people came to see it, literally, we knew halfway through taping what they thought of it. You’ve got instant word of mouth, which never happened before. Of all of Dorien’s eye-catching outfits, which is your favourite? Oh, I’ve got nearly all of her costumes in my wardrobe! All the first nine series. They’re so daring; they’ve got shoulder pads for miles. This new series she looks like Sylvester Stallone’s mother with a leopard print bag. She always thinks she looks fantastic, yet she looks like a dog’s dinner. But that’s part of her appeal. She takes me two hours to get ready! I wonder if I should do a sale of Dorien clothes – but I can’t part with them cos they’re sort of part of my life and none of them could be worn again. [Sitcom geek alert!] Hang on one continuity buggering minute… Didn’t Tracey sell Dalentrace and move out of Chigwell to Onger? Do you know what, when we did this new series, Linda [Robson] would say “I’m sure we should be Shalentrace now, not Dalentrace”. And real birds fans have picked up on it. It’s not the same house as in the original though.
Are you a fitness freak or couch potato? Well, when we started to think about clothes for Dorien this time around I really had to work on the figure to get the legs looking good. You can’t show Dorien looking podgy, it ain’t gonna work. She’s got to be looking really killer! I lost about a stone and a half and fine-tuned my legs… my legs ended up getting great reviews [laughs]. What’s your craziest career moment? I job shared with Paul O’Grady on Annie! I was doing it at the Victoria Palace and I’d been booked for panto, as I always do, and Paul Elliott, the producer, said “lets get Paul O’Grady in as Lily Savage to play Miss Hannigan. It was the most bizarre thing [laughs]. Every good diva should have a dramatic entrance… what’s your best one? It was when we did the stage version of Birds of a Feather. Sharon and Tracey get a letter out of the blue from Dorien saying she’s in an old age home and can they come to visit her. They go and there are five old people in wheelchairs. Sharon walks up to one and says “I can recognise those sagging knockers anywhere. Dor, you still getting enough nookie?” and then suddenly I enter in a red dress that barely covers my bum with huge heels and hair and say, “Probably more than you do, Sharon!” The audience went wild. What’s your favourite place in the world? Japan. Beautiful. I’ve walked around the shrines of Kyoto, I’ve seen geishas in Gion. From the oldness to the modernity of Toyko, and, oh my god, the Shinkansen, the bullet trains. Beautiful. If you were a kangaroo, what would you keep in your pouch? If it was Dorien, probably her diary so she could read over all her old exploits. If it was me, a kohl eye pencil, because a kangaroo should always look wonderful. If you could have one
JD\WLPHVFRXN
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[first]
superpower, what would it be? Invisibility would be amazing. To be a fly on the wall listening to a conversation, who wouldn’t want that? I’d be on the tube, nobody would recognise me but maybe they’d get a waft of my perfume [laughs]. Listening to random conversations, I’d love it. What offends you? Rudeness. And I’m really offended at the moment by someone who goes to Africa just to shoot a wild animal, even if it’s an animal that’s at the end of its breeding time. It just makes me so angry that anybody in this world could get pleasure from killing these beautiful animals. Madonna or Kylie? Oh, neither [laughs]. I’m a musical queen; I love West End musicals. Telly or theatre? If you had to put a gun to my head, I would say theatre, ‘cos that’s my first love. Pauline [Quirke] adores television, she loves being in the studio. Growing old gracefully or disgracefully? Oh, disgracefully! Reality TV – yes or no? Yes. It’s here to stay. Not all of it’s for me; I couldn’t do the jungle. Strictly Come Dancing? Fantastic! You know Andy Warhol said everybody has their 15 minutes of fame, and I think you have to embrace it. You can’t pretend it’s not there and we’re still getting great dramas. I don’t think reality television has destroyed television; television has taken a leap forward. And you can’t say, ‘urgh the old days were much better’. We’re in the now, and everybody is slowly coming back to dramas again. Telly judge Lesley Joseph has a nice ring to it… I wouldn’t mind being a judge, but I’d have to know about the subject. I couldn’t do X Factor as I don’t know enough about pop music. Maybe something like Dancing on Ice or a similar show, but for actors. Q 'RQ·WPLVV/HVOH\LQ+RW)OXVKWRXULQJWKH8. XQWLO0D\DWJWLFNHWVFRPVKRZVKRWÁXVK
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analysis
[05/14]
WORDS BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH
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IS THE BRITISH PUBLIC READY FOR A GAY PRIME MINISTER? IN LAST MONTH’S GT, BOTH ED MILIBAND AND NICK CLEGG SEEMED TO THINK SO. TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE AN OUT GAY LEADER, WE MET UP WITH XAVIER BETTEL, ONLY THE SECOND GAY MAN IN THE WORLD TO LEAD A COUNTRY WE CAUSED QUITE THE STORM last month, didn’t we? The Daily Mail was inundated with concerned readers. “Britain is ready for gay Prime Minister”, stated the headline. “They won’t be happy until it’s compulsory”, the top comment read, with almost 2,000 green arrows supporting it. “I don’t care if someone wants to be tied to a bed, walked over with 6” heels and called Barbara in their spare time, as long as he or she can do the job”, wrote another. We had put questions from you, GT readers, to the top three men in British politics. They answered everything from how best to tackle the spread of HIV among young men, to how they’d react if their children came out. But it was the question of whether we’re ready for a gay PM that really got people talking. Nick Clegg argued we are. “I’m confident that the British people would judge him or her on their ability to lead and be a good Prime Minister,” he said, “and not on who 28
they choose to share their life with.” And Ed Miliband told us that given the rapid change in attitudes over the last 20 years, an out gay Prime Minister may well be on its way. Though they may think it’s possible, to date it has never happened. Or at least they haven’t been out. Currently 6% of the men in parliament identify openly as gay or bisexual, which is the same as in the general population – so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t happen. Iceland became the first country in the world to elect one of us, when Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, a lesbian, became its head of government in 2009. Iceland is a tolerant and welcoming country, but still Sigurðardóttir faced homophobia on the international stage – the leader of a Faroe Islands political party refused to dine with her because her wife would also be there. Two years later, Belgium saw the election of the first gay man to the top job, when socialist Elio Di Rupo
became PM. The left-wing Belgian caused something of a stir after coming to power, being filmed topless and being spotted in Brussels gay bars, to the horror of some. While it may not be what we immediately think of in a statesman, would the same fuss really be made if David Cameron were seen having a drink with his wife? One man that knows the answer is Xavier Bettel. Mr Bettel is only the second gay man to lead a country, becoming the PM of Luxembourg at the end of 2013. The 41-year-old was formerly the Mayor of Luxembourg City and a talk show host. He’s now Luxembourg’s first liberal Prime Minister since 1979, and only the world’s third gay leader. “I take the right decisions not thinking if I’m straight or not straight. I never make this my way of thinking,” Bettel tells GT, keen to be seen in the same terms as any other politician. “I’m not a ‘gay politician’ or wanting to be known as a politician who is gay. That’s not how I wish to be seen.” gaytimes.co.uk
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WorldMags.net [news] Even in largely welcoming countries, like Iceland and Luxembourg, coming out remains a challenge, not least when it’s in the public eye. Bettel faced this challenge some years ago, after meeting the man he shares his life with to this day. “I told it to my parents, I told it to my family, that I was in love. It was not that easy at the first moment.” Bettel’s mum worried about how this would affect his career – little did she know that he was to become the country’s Prime Minister. “I remember the first reaction of my mum was that she was a bit scared, and it took some days to see that she was accepting me like I am. But I didn’t lose any friends or family because of my sexual orientation. It was just a nervous experience.” It’s not an experience he regretted, though. Being gay hasn’t harmed his career, as he’s now one of Luxembourg’s youngest-ever leaders. “When I did my coming out I realised that life is much more easy than trying to hide things to others, but first you have to accept it by yourself.” One matter that is tougher to resolve, though, is the attitudes of other world leaders. We’re looking at you, Putin. British political leaders abstained from attending Russia’s Winter Olympics, while President Obama sent a delegation including gay and lesbian athletes to highlight the country’s poor human rights record. For Prime Minister Bettel, these issues are personal. “One thing is for sure: I won’t hide or play something else just because of a visit to other countries or commercial agreements. I am how I am and I won’t hide myself to anyone.” It was once unimaginable that any world leaders could be gay without it being a major issue. In many countries it still would be. But the likes of Xavier Bettel show that a gay PM can get elected. It may be an optimistic aim, though, considering only one woman has ever taken the job, let alone an LGBT person. Only time will tell if Britain is ready to follow Luxembourg’s lead. Q gaytimes.co.uk
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WorldMags.net [debate]
[news]
ARE WE READY FOR A GAY PM? Miliband and Clegg certainly think so. But would British voters accept an out gay Prime Minister? Could a camp man be PM? Or a drag queen? We asked two leading voices if the UK is gay-OK READY Chris Bryant MP
NOT YET Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
Chris Bryant has represented Rhondda in Wales since 2001, and is a prominent voice for gay rights in parliament. He tweets @ChrisBryantMP.
Phyll is director of UK Black Pride and head of campaigns for the Public and Commercial Services union. She tweets @MsLadyPhyll.
I don’t doubt British voters would be happy with an out LGBT prime minister. After all, we’ve probably had a gay PM or two before, albeit not an out one. Most people now dismiss talk of Edward Heath’s sexuality, but the marquess of Rosebery and Pitt the Younger may well have been gay. And when courtiers were pushing the lithe young George Villiers in the direction of King James in 1614, they were in luck. James approved of George, took him to bed, made him Master of the Horse, a duke and his virtual first minister. More importantly, it’s three decades since Chris Smith came out and voters have shown time and again that a politician’s sexuality is irrelevant to them. Ben Bradshaw defiantly saw off a virulently and openly homophobic campaign in 1997 to win a seat in Exeter and when Stephen Twigg defeated Michael Portillo in Enfield, the viewing public was far more interested in the fact that he looked gobsmacked than in who he went to bed with. That’s not to say that there haven’t been snide and catty remarks along the way. On one occasion a Tory MP (now the Defence minister Andrew Robathan) told me I couldn’t have a view on smacking children because I would never have children of my own. I’ve also been called a pantomime dame in the House of Commons by two Conservative Cabinet ministers (George Osborne and Iain Duncan Smith) and while neither of them may be homophobic, I suspect they only chose that particular term of abuse because I’m gay. That leaves the press. While most papers have abandoned their prejudice, some still drag up the likes of Alexander Boot (London is “so tolerant it could be twinned with Sodom”) and Jan Moir (of Stephen Gately’s death she wrote “the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see”). Too often they can’t resist a dig, so the paper that once ran ‘Elton takes David up the aisle’ would almost certainly still portray a gay MP as camp and a lesbian as butch. But the public have far better sense. Q 30
V
A 2008 poll found that 75% of British people would vote for a gay Prime Minister. Women were more in favour than men (79% to 70%). Support was highest among 35 to 44 year olds (85%) and lowest among people over 65 (58%). More recent polling has continue to show positive public attitudes with increasing numbers of people in Britain supporting gay rights. Politicians are catching up with public attitudes – most notably among the Conservative Party which has had to come a long way from its deeply pernicious Section 28 policy that was repealed by Labour in 2003. While some political parties may be slow to change, the seismic generational and public opinion shifts do mean that more openly gay candidates will be able to stand for and win elected office. The British political scene can boast role models, from the like of Lords Waheed Alli and Peter Mandelson; through to MEP Michael Cashman, MSP Ruth Davidson and Cambridge’s trans mayor, Jenny Bailey, alongside many MPs. Despite all of them being trailblazers the fact remains that there are still too few openly gay politicians, let alone Prime Ministers. Discounting the rumour that former British Prime Minister Edward Heath was secretly gay, or that Winston Churchill had a one-off fling with Ivor Novello, there are few examples of openly gay world leaders. The fact is that to make this happen there will need to be more openly gay candidates elected as MPs since they have a higher likelihood of being elected Prime Minister, and it remains very difficult for non-MPs to make the jump directly. It will also take time for more Britons to consolidate the change in their social attitudes within political parties. From the perspective of a lesbian of African descent, a more radical question for me is whether there will be change enough in social and political attitudes in Britain to ever elect a black or lesbian Prime Minister. That will be a real marker of a seismic shift in the British political landscape. Q gaytimes.co.uk
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douze points
[05/14]
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Whether it’s whacky performances or iconic moments in music, Eurovision always delivers. From Abba to a herd of monsters, we look at its best bits WORDS DARRELL LARKIN
[01] Ruslana won for Ukraine in 2004 with the adrenaline-fuelled Wild Dances. She then become a Member of the Ukraine Parliament, proving contestants are more than just a decent voice.
[02] Abba performing Waterloo in 1974 didn’t just establish them as ultimate gay icons – they changed the perception of pop music thanks to their phenomenal songwriting. [03] Loreen took Eurovision to the mainstream with 2012’s slick international hit Euphoria. [04] Dana International made history in 1988 as the first-ever transgender entrant. But more on her later in the issue… [05] Verka Serduchka became one of our favourite drag queens in 2007 with the infectious Dancing Lasha Tumbai, proving if you wanna make it, you’ve just gotta be yourself. [06] Gina G in 1996 may have been the UK’s last big Eurovision star – her Kylie-esque Ooh Ahh… Just A Little Bit is camp as anything, but it’s the last time one of our own contestants topped the UK charts. [07] Lordi performed Hard Rock Hallelujah in 2006 dressed as monsters. The heavy metal band were surprising winners, proving talent primarily comes from within. [08] Olivia Newton-John became one of the biggest filmstars of the 70s, but it all started in 1974 at Eurovision, with a sweet performance of Long Live Love. [09] Hera Björk’s 2010 song Je Ne Sais Quoi for Iceland not only became a gay anthem, but it proved to everyone else why she’s backed 32
30 THINGS
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WorldMags.net [news] by the Sigur Rós and actual Björk. [10] Remember ‘nil pois’? 2003 was a bad year for the UK, with Jemini hitting rock bottom. How many times have you heard complaints about the Eurovision being ‘too political’ since then? [11] …which brings us to last year when we all believed in Bonnie. But even a global star didn’t help. ‘Too political’ reared its ugly head again. [12] Did you know Celine Dion got her big break thanks to Eurovision? She won in 1988, and spring-boarded off her success to become one of the biggest female vocalists ever.
represent Croatia, but finally won the right in 2010. Alas, they didn’t make it to the final, though… [21] Cascada taught us you should never believe your own hype. They went in as favourites representing Germany last year, but ended up in a shameful 21st place. [22] Lulu’s Boom Bang-a-Bang wasn’t just a camptastic pop hit – it won in 1969 alongside Spain, the Netherlands and France, changing tiebreaker rules for years to come. [23] Norway’s Alexander Rybak made Eurovision history in 2009, receiving a record-breaking 387 points. He hasn’t been beaten yet.
[13] Katrina and the Waves used
[24] They became a viral hit as ‘the Russian grannies’ in 2012, but Buranovskiye Babushki actually proved age is no limit, coming a close second behind Loreen. [25] When Ireland sent TV presenter Dustin the Turkey in 2008, his track Irlande Douze Pointe was supposed to be a playful satire at the absurdity of Eurovision. Shame it went over a few people’s heads… [26] Sabina Babayeva set a precedent in 2012 for Azerbaijan, with a modern tearjerker proving it’s not all about fun and dance. [27] The Brotherhood of Man changed their sound from soul to unabashed pop for Save Your Kisses, winning for the UK in 1976. [28] Valters and Ka ça turned Orwellian activists in 2005 with The War is Not Over, with the Latvia duo warning millions not to listen to ‘them in charge’. [29] Marie N embodied true femininity in 2002 with I Wanna. The sight of her dancers stripping her to reveal a stunning red dress has gone down as one of the contest’s most talked about performances. [30] Jade Ewen gave a cringeinfused but sweet performance of It’s My Time in 2009 for the UK, but somehow we don’t think that was her time. She later joined the Sugababes. Obviously. Q
Eurovision to step back into the limelight from almost-obscurity, winning for the UK in 1997. [14] Greece’s Michalis Rakintzis had the weird factor in 2002 with S.A.G.A.P.O. Be whoever you want to be was the message here. [15] Neither the UK nor Ireland gave t.A.T.u any points in 2003, which led to Russia complaining to the BBC and RTÉ. It’s almost like we knew, even back then… [16] Sandie Shaw was the first UK act to ever win Eurovision back in 1967. But who could’ve predicted she’d inspire one Steven Morrissey – frontman of the iconic The Smiths. [17] One for stat fans – Ireland has won more than any other country, and Johnny Logan is the only man to win with a song composed for him, his own song, and to compose a song for another winner. [18] Montenegro’s WHO SEE and Nina Zizic brought performance art to the millions last year by dressing as astronauts on a stage full of smoke. It was, ahem, out of this world. [19] Bucks Fizz wrote themselves into the annals of history in 1981, winning with Making Your Mind Up. It’s held in high esteem by purists as a classic Eurovision hit. [20] Feminnem taught us that perseverance is key in Eurovision. They failed twice in a bid to
GT VAULT
21 YEARS AGO Issue 176, 1993 Right Said Fred’s Richard Fairbrass fronted this issue, telling us about his unfaltering support for gay rights and his own story of struggling to crack the music industry, while still managing to stay true to his own unique self.
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16 YEARS AGO Issue 236, 1998 Outspoken social activist Mary Whitehouse reignited her one-woman crusade against homosexuality as we recalled her various attempts to maintain “a righteous Britain”. She even took our very own editor to court! Crikey.
8 YEARS AGO Issue 332, 2006 Trying to discourage homophobia in sport, we celebrated the gradual changes in football to discourage anti-gay prejudice. Alas, it’s still an issue these days, but who doesn’t enjoy 90 minutes of sweaty guys in shorts?
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PUBLISHER [benjamin cohen] WorldMags.net OF PINKNEWS
During March, a teenager named Richard Kennedy found himself at the centre of a social media storm after he posted a photograph of himself on Facebook. This was no ordinary photograph. It showed him with broken teeth caused by what he claimed was a homophobic attack. After it had been shared by more than 180,000 people on Facebook within just a few hours, PinkNews tried to reach him to find out more on what appeared to be a horrific attack on the streets of Blackpool. We received no reply, so we tried to reach him where he works, and at the university where he studies contemporary theatre. Although we had no response, the police confirmed that they were investigating his claims, so PinkNews published a story that was shared on Twitter a number of times by Stephen Fry. It didn’t take long before the story became a mainstream news event with local, national and international media joining in the coverage. However, just a week later, the police revealed that the
teenager had actually suffered his injuries from falling over, it is understood while drunk, and had no recollection of what actually happened. Richard is not the first person of late to have used social media to stir up a huge outpour of public attention over made-up homophobia. Dayna Morales, a waitress in New Jersey, claimed that a customer wrote a note on a receipt refusing a tip because of her lesbian lifestyle. Dayana used social media to solicit thousands of dollars of support from the public before being exposed as a fake, then refunded the money to those who supported her. DJs at a radio station in New York also used Facebook to post a supposedly homophobic response to a birthday party invitation sent to the child of a gay couple. A few days after their image made newspapers around the world, the DJs admitted they made it up. It’s starting to become something of a trend – make something up, post it to social media and make yourself famous, until you’re found out. My initial reaction to Richard
It’s starting to become something of a trend – make something up, post it to social media and make yourself famous until you’re found out
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Kennedy’s Facebook post was that it was made up, or part of his coursework for his contemporary theatre degree. However, the police investigation meant that we needed to take it seriously. In their respective weeks, all three of these made up stories were the most read articles on PinkNews. They were shared by more readers than anything else and generated the most comments. They resonated, even though they were completely fictitious, made up by individuals with motivations that only they can explain. What they did do was appeal to ‘normal people’, people who aren’t necessarily LGBT, but who collectively feel a sense of revulsion when someone beats up a bi teenager, refuses to tip a lesbian or insults gay parents. In a sense, there is something positive that can be taken from them. They show that the majority of people are appalled by homophobia and are outraged by its existence in modern society. While this is, in its own way, a good thing, the actions of these people should not be encouraged. There is a clear negative. Aside from misleading people, the idiots behind these scams devalue real homophobia and transphobia, and contribute to a situation where LGBT people might not always be believed when they report a crime, harassment or general rudeness to the authorities, or to society in general. Real homophobia and transphobia ruins lives, drives individuals to suicide and has resulted in the murder of many LGBT people. I just hope that the public revulsion generated from these three high profile fictitious homophobic incidents can be used for good – for society as a whole to condemn and fight homophobia in all its forms. Q
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WorldMags.net On 9 May 1998, the National Indoor Arena of Birmingham bore witness to the global arrival of a mega-diva and instant gay icon, the incomparable Dana International. As winner of that year’s Eurovision contest, she personified all the drama of her winning song Diva and secured her place not just as a Eurovision icon but an indisputable LGBT hero. We finally caught up with the elusive Israeli... Do you feel like a gay icon? Well you know it’s a hard question… I’ll give you an example. If after a good show I feel the love of the crowd, you get some thoughts that maybe the hand of God touched me to sing to people, to make people happy, to help them in many ways. Then I go home and I put off my make-up, hug my dog and just come back to real life and understand that all singers are just normal human beings when they come home. It’s a big thought, it would make me feel more responsible to every bit of my life and I don’t want to. I want to feel free like a bird. We get the feeling everything you’ve done in your life is not to break barriers, be a first or a representative, but because you want to be yourself. Yeah! It’s very dangerous you know, each one of us has an individual mind and I’m coming from a certain place, it’s my
own life, my own brain. It’s not that you have a prescription of how to be this and that, to mess with people’s minds in a very private decision. I just try to keep my hands off. But did you have a role model when you were growing up? Wow, of course. You know Divine back in the 80s? It was my biggest, sorry to say. But even today I put on shows that I like and I’m shivering you know? My biggest idol was Divine, better than Wham!, Culture Club and the lives of everyone else. I liked the make-up so much, the person, you could understand how just by seeing and hearing the songs and the video clips that this person just didn’t give a damn about anyone else. And maybe it gave me courage in my unconscious. If Divine was still alive now do you think you’d be working together? Ah, I don’t know. It would be very old. It’s easier sometimes to have success because of the vulgar image, it was a parody. It’s much easier to accept a man wearing wigs and being like that, fat and sexy, than to accept just a boy who wants to be a girl and a singer. I think it’s much easier to accept vulgar images than people who want to be normal, when reality says we are not normal. Is that something you’ve strived for, being normal? It was an aim of mine, but I realised a long time ago that there is nothing like being normal. No one is normal, not the straights, not the gays. For years I was looking upon the straight community and learning how to be accepted, then I was very accepted in the gay community and everything was the same; the same jealousies, the same competition, the fights are the same fights. It’s just that the gay community is very competitive, very intense, you get everything really fast, very quickly and in big doses. And that’s why I’ve
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found myself, at the age of 45, a little bit bored of life. But you did Eurovision! You came out of nowhere for us. I think I came out of the Eurovision, which is not like the MTV music awards, it was a bit of a joke and I didn’t understand that. You can take all the examples from Eurovision, no one has a big career or second or third song. In just one case, which is the phenomenon of ABBA. Or groups which came from the UK. I didn’t realise that at the time, I thought I was going to conquer the UK, but it was a regular thing that you have the deserved amount of success and then to go back. That’s what Eurovision is all about. It made you live up to your name though, you became truly international. I used to travel all around Europe and I had a lot of success in Eastern countries. For example, I went many times to Russia, to Spain, to Germany, to Belgium – to countries that give Eurovision respect, bringing out the artists and making shows about them. The UK is not one of these countries, the UK treats Eurovision like a joke, you never want to win again. It takes money from your budget. Countries that love Eurovision treat you with a lot of respect, until you die you can travel around with the Eurovision programmes. It’s like a pension. The first winner is still being invited, the first winner from 1954! I’m just thanking God that I’m still able to do TV shows. I was also a judge on the Israeli Idol show. Doing things like that, growing up and developing myself on TV, making records and living my life more happy. We’ve seen a bit of your Israeli TV show Banot [where Dana is auditioning girls to form a girlband, a bit like Girls Aloud]. What is it you’re looking for? Well to tell you the truth, I’m making a living. I’m doing it for a cheque.
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That’s the bottom line, I was doing nothing of pursuing my dreams. They offered me some amount of money, we had a negotiation, I got what I wanted and… I’m a judge on the Banot show. I can just tell you it’s very hard to deal with so many girls, so many hormones, so many jealousies. I would much prefer to deal with boys. It would be much more interesting for me. We loved your last album HaKol Ze Le-Tova (which roughly translates to It’s All For The Best) and can’t wait to hear your new as-yet-untitled album due out in June, what’s it going to be like? It’s going to be very progressive, I’ve decided that I don’t care what people think and that I’m not going to be average any more just for people to like me. I’m doing things my way. Have you seen [her last video] Loca? I’m going to do things more of this atmosphere and less
average Israeli song for the radio to like me, and just to express myself in a very intimate way. What’s your favourite word in Hebrew? BARUUUUR! Obvious. We don’t have to say ‘that’s’, it’s just obvious. Like when someone says something that you already know, and they know that you already know. I’m always saying it, you don’t know how many people are saying it right now. The exact word is barrur, it’s short, but for us it’s baruuuuuurh. You’re always well turned out on stage, are you high maintenance in your daily life? I’m a very simple girl, I hate glitter and high heels and everything. But I know the effect on the crowd, my tools of war you know? When I’m going to work, I’m wearing my weapons and everything. Onstage is something else. I feel like I am
Beyoncé, I know the fact that I am not but I don’t care. I drink two glasses of wine and imagine I am the queen, there could be 50 people in the crowd and I can imagine 50,000. Are you tired of being a diva? Of course I tire of being a diva because I was much happier when I wasn’t getting all that much respect. I’ve been there, done that, again and again, and I’m looking for all fresh things exciting me these days. And diva is like a person you are when you’re 25. But when you’re 45… it’s a different kind of diva. I want to be a teenager again, rather than be a diva. I want to not feel responsible for the decisions that I make because I was giving 20 years of my life to my career just doing what I was told to do. And more freedom, to do what I want to do when I want to do it. Q
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Where do you turn once you’ve played soap’s ultimate bad boy, a cop in the best drama of 2013 and a gangster hitman? If you’re Emmett J Scanlan, then your obvious choice is to become a zombie. He tells GT why he’s joined the new series of In The Flesh, and what happens when Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy come calling... It’s difficult to reconcile the man dancing in front of GT to the Human League’s last album in a penthouse apartment, with the fearsome Brendan Brady from Hollyoaks. During his two and a half year tenure on the soap, actor Emmett J Scanlan’s antics, most notably murder and domestic violence, made him both scary and strangely sexy at the same time. Now, 12 months after leaving the gay moustached rogue to languish behind bars, Emmett has never been more in demand by producers. But today, he’s dancing shirtless in front of our photographer, 29 floors above the London skyline, just to stay awake. “You’ll have to forgive me,” he apologises in his lilting Irish brogue. “I’d just finished filming In The Flesh and had two weeks off before The Fall starts so I threw in 12 days of playing a gangster hitman in a movie. I’d have gone insane if I’d rested.” Judging by Emmett’s relentless workload, resting is not a priority. “I work at 90 miles and hour, I’m fucking intolerable to be around sometimes, I don’t know how my gaytimes.co.uk
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girlfriend puts up with me,” he begins. “There’s so much going on in my head and I couldn’t name one person who’d turn around and say I’m easy to be friends with. But I’m more myself than any other time when I’m on a film or TV set. I’m more at peace with myself when I’m playing somebody else… I can take a break from being me.” As Emmett sits down and stretches a hirsute arm across the back of a white leather sofa, the next 45 minutes will probably be the only rest Emmett allows himself for the rest of the year. Is he a workaholic? Maybe, but he’s definitely the most passionate actor you’ll ever meet. “When I leave this world, I want to leave behind a box set of characters that I’m fucking proud of,” he continues. “I left Hollyoaks without having anything to go into. The initial plan was to be there for six months but, because of Brendan’s popularity and the fun I was having, I stayed longer. I shot 360 episodes but if I’d continued going, I’d have been repeating the storylines but with different characters. You have to know when to leave the party – you don’t want
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WorldMags.net to be the last one standing. I had to try something else. And it’s a turnon not knowing what’s next and the endless possibilities of who the next character you inhabit could be. The thrill and adrenaline is like jumping out of a plane and hoping your parachute opens.” Of course sometimes the parachute can send an actor veering off course and landing in a project that doesn’t quite work. Emmett throws his head back and laughs. “Oh, I’d remove fucking everything I’ve made before the last four years off my CV! I’ve done a lot of bad shit where I’ve been the worst thing in it. One show I made was so shit it was a travesty to watch. But that humiliation was one of the most humbling of my life and I promised I’d never, ever, be that bad again. I lied, because I have been that shit again, but I think I’m becoming less and less shit.” Shit isn’t a word GT would use to describe Emmett at all. Because the 35-year-old’s knack for finding unconventional, flawed and fascinating characters makes him one of the most adaptable, provocative actors out there. By the time you read this, he’ll be ensconced in filming the second series of Gillian Anderson’s critically acclaimed drama, The Fall. He plays DCI Glen Martin, on the trail of a serial killer played by the insanely hot Jamie Dornan. And Emmett understands why his interviewer accidentally lets slip a small swooning sound at the mention of Jamie’s name. “I get that, especially now he’s playing Christian in Fifty Shades of Grey, walking around with his chiseled jaw and his six pack… I’m very happy for him!” he says in mock-envy. “No, I am really, Jamie’s a lovely man. I met him briefly for a couple of scenes in the last series of The Fall. Could I handle playing Christian Grey? Yeah, in a heartbeat, man. I haven’t read the book but I hear its predominantly sex and bondage and who can’t 46
handle that? That’s a normal Saturday night.” But just how far would Emmett go for a character he truly believed in? “To the ends of the earth,” he replies in a heartbeat. “If you believe in the script and the character – and I know this sounds wanky – but it means the world. I did a movie called Charlie Casanova, and that guy was a sociopath making his decisions on the draw of a card. I played that game two weeks before shooting and it brought me to dark places. Believe in your character and you’ll go to those places and it’ll be justified. I hope Jamie smashes Christian’s back doors in.” First up for Emmett this year is In The Flesh, the BBC Three drama about the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse as the undead are reanimated and re-introduced back into the community. The first series focused on gay teenager Kieren Walker, played by Luke Newberry, and his struggles to be accepted which paralleled those living with AIDS in the 1980s and the racism of 1950s Britain. If you missed it, don’t assume it’s a watered-down British take on The Walking Dead; it’s so much more than that. “I watched all three episodes of the first series in one sitting and thought it was perfect,” smiles Emmett. “It didn’t cater for a wider audience – it pretty much said ‘fuck you, this is who I am, take me or leave me.’ Those episodes gave me a chubby and I was ready to sign up to do series two without knowing anything about the script or my character. “All actors grow up wanting to play a vampire because they have personalities, power and sex, and In The Flesh is the first time personality has been given to the zombie. But you can’t categorise it as a zombie drama, even though I’m abso-fucking-lutely a fan on the zombie genre. From the age of seven my mum reared me on horror films. I could watch zombies eat the brains of living people but the
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moment half a tit was shown, she’d make me close my eyes.” Emmett plays rehabilitated zombie Simon, one of the twelve disciples of the Undead Liberation Army. “He has Partially Deceased Syndrome and died of a heroin overdose in his first life,” Emmett explains. “He’s never been able to relate to the living in either lives and he has a very dark past and carries a lot of that into his undead state. The Undead Liberation Army gives him purpose he’s never had before. But that’s soon to be challenged by the presence of Kieren who he’s infatuated with from the get go. So Simon is torn.” And here’s where we have to selfedit. You see, we’ve had to remove the next paragraph... why? Because we don’t want to spoil any surprises for you. You’ll have to check out gaytimes.co.uk from mid-May to find out – not only what Emmett has to say, but from show creator and writer Dominic Mitchell and co-star Luke Newberry. But for now, back to Mr Scanlan... Off screen, Emmett (who lives with his girlfriend, Hollyoaks actress Claire Cooper and has an 11-yearold daughter Kayla from a previous relationship) admits he shuns the world of celebrity because it ‘terrifies’ him. Claire tells him she prefers him kissing men on screen than women, but when it comes to remembering his first encounter with a gay person, he draws a blank. “It’s like asking me to remember the first black man I ever met,” he shrugs. “I can’t remember that because I don’t think it matters. I was raised with no prejudice, racism or homophobia. Those things belong to the mind of an ignorant, weak person and I have no time for them. In this world you need compassion and love, and love comes in all types of fucking colours and sexualities so it doesn’t really matter. People are who they are. I have straight friends and I have gay friends but most importantly, I just have friends.”
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As our interview draws to a close, Emmett teases that before The Fall, In The Flesh and Breakdown, there has also been a massive top secret movie project he’s been involved in, but has been contractually forced to keep his lips sealed. He promises me that as soon as he can talk about, he will. Three weeks later, a charged Emmett is true to his word and phones me at home. It turns out that just weeks after leaving Hollyoaks, he landed a part in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, opposite Bradley Cooper, Glenn Close and Karen Gilan to namedrop just a few. “It was the first gig I got after Hollyoaks,” he recalls. “I read a scene once, took it in, played with it and two months later it became the part that I got. It was one of those surreal experiences… when I was screen testing I turned around to see I was surrounded by Marvel props, which is a boy’s wet dream. “I told them I didn’t give a shit whether they just gave me a line in it or if I was just walking in the distance, I just wanted to be in this movie. Don’t get me wrong, I’m just a gentle stroke on the massive balls of Marvel, but enough for it to tickle where it matters.” Emmett’s still not allowed to talk about the plot, the scripts or his character, but he does add with his usual self deprecating humour, “Suffice to say he’s an arsehole, a role I’ve been perfecting for about five years now. But the part is big enough that it matters to me. The set was bigger than your dreams. When you’re walking through the car park and you see John C Reilly’s trailer on your left and Glenn Close on the right, you pinch yourself. It’s a long way from Hollyoaks. “I can’t wait to see what happens in the next chapter of my life. I can’t fucking wait.” Q ,Q7KH)OHVKVWDUWVRQ%%&7KUHHWKHÀUVW week of May, and on BBC America from 10 May. Check out gaytimes.co.uk in May for more interviews and In The Flesh giveaways. @EmmettScanlan
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WorldMags.net “It was fine…” We’ve just asked Blondie legend Debbie Harry about the experience of being interviewed by Lady Gaga for a 2011 issue of Harper’s Bazaar (‘Blonde On Blonde’ read the headline; ‘Gay Icon on Gay Icon’ might also have been applicable). Suffice to say, the Heart Of Glass singer’s nonchalant response leaves a lot to be desired. “I’ve always thought highly of her talent,” she adds coolly, before seemingly implying the interview was a little awkward because it happened over the phone. “It’s different when
to be absolutely amiable the day of her GT chat – not to mention surprisingly self-deprecating. “A fabulous outfit – are you kidding?!” she cackles when I ask the fashion icon to describe today’s ensemble. “It’s a blizzard here [in New York]. We’re inundated with sleet and snow and wind. I have on warm sweatshirts and waterproof clothing – it’s a nightmare. I look like I could be on a fishing boat in the North Sea…” Perceived fashion fail aside (we’re sure you made it work Debbie), the star’s in decidedly
DEBBIE HARRY. you’re actually face to face with someone,” she adds, cryptically. “It’s a lot better, you get a clearer picture of who the person is…” They say you should never interview your idols. And while Debbie is world-famous for many reasons – for Blondie’s hit-packed back catalogue; for her exquisite beauty and coquettish upper register; for inspiring everyone from Gaga to Madonna to Alison Goldfrapp – among entertainment journalists, she’s known for being a reluctant and somewhat difficult interviewee. Thank God then, that Gaga hiccup aside, we find her
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high spirits on the eve of the release of Blondie’s latest album Ghost of Download, and with a slot at this year’s Glastonbury festival already confirmed. “I’m excited because I love the new stuff,” she gushes. “It’s always a chance to breathe fresh air. It’s good for artists to step out of their comfort zone. Chris [Stein]’s interest in Latin music has brought a fresh feel to the songs, but I think we’re still very true to the pop format. I want people to like it!” One faction of Blondie’s fan base who are guaranteed to like the album are the gays – not least because it features guest vocals
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WorldMags.net from Beth Ditto and a cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s Relax. Many of us renewed loyalty to the queen (and kings) of disco after Blondie declined an invitation to perform at the Sochi Winter Olympics earlier this year, citing ‘human rights’ abuses – amid global outcry at Russia’s barbaric anti-gay propaganda law. “We didn’t feel comfortable with it, although we have a lot of fans in Russia,” she explains. “There is so much denial going on from the government – it was the right thing to do. You have to choose your moments. We turned down [a gig] a long time ago, in South Africa back in the 70s because of apartheid. We do occasionally make an effort at being political.” This naturally invites the political question of the decade: where does Debbie stand on gay marriage – especially given she never married herself? “I don’t have a view about it except people have a right, if they’re not hurting other people, to live their lives the way they choose,” she says. “Loving a person is a very valuable procedure. Nobody should get in the way of that, it’s an important thing in a person’s life. I know gay men who have married and taken genetic codes from each of them and created a child by artificial insemination, and that way carried on lineage. We’re living in a different age!” “We’re [both] metropolitan entities,” she continues, describing her relationship with gay fans. “There’s a lot of love and mutual respect. I’ve probably taken a more aggressive approach from a female point of view, a lot of my songs I felt I were representing both sexes, as I was a singer in an all-male band. It transcended femininity, it became a little bit more expansive.” In truth, to call Debbie a queer poster girl would be no understatement. She’s admitted to experimenting with same-sex relationships in the past, and 2013 single A Rose By 54
Any Name, featuring Beth, touches on themes of bisexuality and androgyny. “It started out when Matt [Katz–Bohen] was expecting a child, and they didn’t know the sex,” she explains. “So his inspiration was he was having this child and he didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl. Then it became clear to him that it has a bigger meaning – as far as the sexuality thing goes, Beth’s so outspoken about her choices, so it’s very appropriate. She’s fantastic.” For her own unique brand of liberal-mindedness, Debbie credits her parents. “It’s hard for me to understand why prejudices exist – I grew up that way, I was given that kind of upbringing,” she says. “My mother was quite intelligent, and my father was very supportive. They wanted me to make my own decisions about it and I think that’s the best education a parent can give a child: make your own decisions. Find out who you are and what you’re comfortable with and not freeze somebody into a mould.” Indeed, Debbie’s never fitted a conventional mould – as encapsulated by fellow 70s New York scenester, the late Andy Warhol, who, in making her his muse, made an irreversible mark on pop culture. “In my meagre explanation, he was a genius,” she sighs. “He was a person who could observe and listen, and that was the very special thing about him, I was kind of amazed. He wasn’t always the one who had to be talking. He also had boundless energy and was very nice to me. I’m very happy I got to know him a little bit and I was very sad when he died. I was shocked by what a great part of my thinking he had become without my realising it. I was in mourning for a couple of years… I had physical feelings about it. I still wish he was with us.” Our time with the icon rapidly drawing to a close and having covered everything from love and loss to sexuality and politics, we
struggled to find a lighthearted note to end on. She helps us out. “You know who was in town this week?” she says conversationally. “Boy George. He went to dinner with my friend. I was working that night, [but] we said ‘hello!’ I wouldn’t say we’re friend-friends, but we’re acquaintances. I respect him for his talents and all the things he’s been through.” And from one peerless British musical export to another, I blurt out the following: “Have you ever heard of Atomic Kitten?” It lingers for a moment. “Of course!” Debbie laughs. So what did she make of their version of The Tide Is High? “I thought it was… OK,” she replies. “It’s funny how that song keeps coming around, it’s very interesting how that happens. There’s something about it. We’ve been working on a surprise with that song [for the new album],” she teases. “There’s a guest artist on it…” Here’s hoping it’s Atomic Kitten… Q Ghosts of Download is out 13 May
We d id com n’t feel fo perfo rtable r at th ming e Olym Winter p was ics. The re s deni o much a from l going o n t gove he Russ ia r was nment – n it th thing e right have to do. Yo u t your o choos e mom ents gaytimes.co.uk
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KRISTIAN NAIRN
The Game of Thrones star was unexpectedlty thrust into the spotlight of the world stage when he came out last month. And, of course, the next step was always going to be an exclusive gay press interview with GT. We catch up with Kristian to talk about his pride for Belfast’s gay community, looking for romance and his effinity with his character Hodor WORDS RYAN BUTCHER
In the realms of Westeros, Kristian Nairn plays Hodor – the loveable, simple-minded servant charged with protecting the youngest Stark children after Winterfell is overrun by the dastardly Theon Greyjoy. But back in the real world, Kristian Nairn is a 7ft tall, 38-year-old deep house fan from Belfast. Oh, and yes, he’s a gay man. Kristian ‘came out’ during an interview with a Game of Thrones fansite, saying that “when you talk about the gay community, you’re talking about my community”. Next thing the actor knew, his homosexuality was being reported everywhere from the New York Post to the British tabloids – and even the Mexican version of CNN. “It was fucking ridiculous,” laughs Kristian. GT is catching up with the man 56
himself over in LA, who’s admittedly a little hungover from the big series four premiere the night before. “It was a real explosion and a bit of a strange experience. I never thought it would go much further than reaching a few fans, and if there were a few gay fans of the show out there it might give them a bit of support. “I certainly didn’t imagine it would be such a big deal. But it’s nice to know now that – even though it was never hidden – it can’t be thrown back at me negatively in any way. You know what the media are like! Well, obviously not GT! “It was never a big deal for me. It’s something that’s always been in my life. But I’m extremely lucky to have the family and friends I have – I know not
everyone has that. If me coming out helps anyone, that’s important to me and I’m happy to do my part.” But for a lot of people, Kristian’s sexuality was never kept a secret. We heard from all manner of GT readers in Belfast who’d caught one of Kristian’s now-legendary DJ sets at The Kremlin [the city’s biggest gay club], and he’s even taken some of the Game of Thrones cast there to party and unwind after a hard day’s filming in the Northern Irish countryside. In fact, Kristian has been involved with Belfast’s gay community since he first came out as a teenager. “I immediately got involved with the community in Belfast, and the local gay helpline – our version of the Lesbian and Gay Switchboard. I always had a mature gaytimes.co.uk
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WorldMags.net head on my shoulders from being pointed at and stared at – I always looked different! It’s why I didn’t go straight onto the gay scene, though. “I remember after the first couple of times I went, people just wouldn’t believe that I was gay because I had long hair, was 7ft tall and covered in piercings. I just didn’t fit in to people’s box of what a gay person was. It put me off for a while, to be honest. But I found my feet with a good group of friends – and the community in Belfast is pretty strong. It’s only a small regional city, but the girls, boys and everything in between all party together, which I really liked. You don’t get that in every city – and I’m really proud of Belfast for it.” It’s not too far a reach to say that the reaction to Kristian’s coming out is a reflection to how far the LGBT community has come in the fight for equality. There’s same-sex marriage in England and Wales
according to the Bible. But the most important thing to me is the legal aspect. My mother works for the Rainbow Project [an organisation which supports the LGBT community on mental and physical health issues], and I remember hearing horror stories about life partners not being able to see each other on their death bed because they had no legal right, and they were being kept out by relatives. But on the crusade to equality, it’s all about having the choice. I don’t want to get married – but I want my friends, who it’s important to, to be able to get married. And why not?” Although Kristian might not want to get married, he is single, gentlemen, and he knows what he’s looking for when it comes to a guy. “I’m definitely a complicated guy when it comes to that kind of stuff,” he laughs. “But I’m old enough now to look back and see patterns in the kind of people I went for. I definitely go for people for the
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going to be and it’s impossible to arrange things – I’m constantly having to cancel stuff and move things around. It’s probably why I’m single!” As you’re reading this, the hotlyanticipated fourth series of Game of Thrones will have already started airing on Sky Atlantic (or HBO if you’re over in the States). At a time when a well-crafted television series is held in higher esteem than a Hollywood blockbuster, Kristian knows full-well the opportunity he’s been given. But it was actually an audition for Hot Fuzz which got him his big break on the show. Five years after first auditioning for the Nick Frost and Simon Pegg copcomedy, he was called back to read for the role of Hodor. And the rest, as they say, became Westeros history. “Series four is fucking incredible”, he says. “Everyone’s really at the top of their game making this show. For Hodor and
I always had a mature head on my shoulders from being pointed at and stared at – I always looked different. I remember the first couple of times I went onto the gay scene, people just wouldn’t believe I was gay because I had long hair, was 7ft tall and covered in piercings. I just didn’t fit into people’s box of what a gay person was now, and it’s well on the way elsewhere too, of course, and as Kristian’s says himself, the negative comments he’s received have been “one in 1,000”. “The internet can be a breeding ground for trolls,” he says. “There have been some incredible steps forward, but I think sometimes because there’s been such huge progressions, it can trigger more anti-gay extremism. There has been a bit of a panic reaction from some people, but we need to let these people know that we don’t want to change or take over their lives – we just want to live equally. If anyone has a problem with that, then that’s their own issue. I don’t know why some people have an issue with a fellow human being wanting the same rights as they do – that’s all we want! “Like same-sex marriage. I’m not a religious person. You can’t eat marshmallows on a fucking Tuesday
chase – people I could never have! But the minute I get a whiff that something’s actually going to happen, I’m like ‘abort, abort!’ “Now, though, I know what I’m looking for. I like someone with a bit of mystery and a spark about them, but also someone who’s pretty creative in their own right and pretty deep.” But when you’re one of the stars of the biggest TV show of the 21st century, it can be hard to meet someone. “I don’t want to sound like a bit of a twat, but my Gaydar since the whole revelation thing has turned into eHarmony! It’s really nice and I’m so flattered – it’s sweet. But I don’t really know what to do with it. There are some really cool guys out there and we’ll see what happens, but, I don’t think people do it deliberately, but being on Game of Thrones you do get treated differently. And it’s hard to get attached to someone when you travel so much. I never know where I’m
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Bran [Stark, a boy with magical abilities but relies on Hodor to get around having lost the use of his legs], in this series you see a bit more of the magic grow that was hinted at the end of series three. You see more of their bond. “I love Hodor, though. In the land of Westeros, he’s the only sort of real true and genuine person. He doesn’t have a hidden agenda, he’s very loyal and, you know, he kind of reminds me of my hidden self without any cynicism of the world. He reminds me of a young me – but I’m able to talk!” And thankfully Kristian can. After coming out in such a noble way, providing support and inspiration to millions fans, and being a wry, charming Irishman to boot, if it was up to us, he’d be sat on the Iron Throne in a heartbeat.Q Game of Thrones is on Sky Atlantic, Monday, 9pm. @KristianNairn
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COURTNEY AND THE WORDS DANIEL MARTIN
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COURTNEY LOVE RETURNS TO THE UK NEXT MONTH, FOR A UK TOUR THAT TAKES IN TWO NIGHTS AT LONDON’S SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE. AND, AS IS ALWAYS THE WAY WITH THE GRUNGE WIDOW, SHE’S LEFT VERY LITTLE TO CHANCE “We decided to do that,” we’re talking to Courtney from LA about her new UK tour, “because we wanted a lot of my audience to come, which are a lot of little girls and gay guys, and they don’t want to go to Brixton. I think Brixton [Academy] is a better venue soundwise, and we probably could have done two or three nights. The ticket sales were really good.” That’s some commitment to the team. Courtney, she explains, first realised she was a gay icon “when I was sat one night with Michael Kors and Calvin Klein and two other famous gay guys and I was playing with Liza Minnelli. And I was like, ‘how did this happen?!’ I don’t sing disco music you know, this is crazy!” Which begs the question, on the occasion of what is probably her first UK gay interview, what makes a gay icon? “I think it’s suuuuuurviiiviiiiing,” purrs the 49-year-old. “It has to be. Surviving, and also the ability to do drag, to clean up nice. I might look like shit this morning, but you know, I clean up nice. And also... I’ve done things that other people can’t do. I’ve crossed over, I’ve been a movie star, you know, I’ve lived through all sorts of crazy things I shouldn’t have lived through. I’ve had huge ups, huge downs and I’ve landed on my feet. I think that’s what qualifies you. gaytimes.co.uk
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Also, I grew up around gay guys and I’m the least homophobic person on the planet. I expect everyone’s pretty gay, I expect gayness. So gay guys can relate to me.” Actually, her gaydar isn’t quite as finely honed as she might claim. After sharing a working relationship for almost ten years, she had no idea your GT correspondent was that way inclined (“so that’s why we get on so well!” she later messages.) But it’s true that the woman born Michelle Harrison, from her rock alias down, definitely ticks the boxes. Growing up in an abusive childhood she calls “Dickensian,” she moved to the UK, took acting roles and moved to England to play rock ‘n’ roll, often with her legs splayed open, and got into smack. The relationship that would define her – her marriage to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain – ended in tragedy when he shot himself in the head in 1994. After melting down spectacularly, she pulled it round, with another blockbusting Hole album, Celebrity Skin, and enjoyed a successful acting career, most notably in The People vs Larry Flynt and Man on the Moon. She then lost it all again, getting into crack mere months after, having got over heroin, did her first ever bump of coke in 2002, and found herself crawling around the pavement on the cover of one
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WorldMags.net the fucked up little girls and the fucking gay guys than the straight guys that are just going ‘yeah man, Superbowl Sunday!’” Does that make you a fag hag? “No. I was when I was a kid. I was definitely what you would call a fag hag because that’s how I learned how to dress and be extrovert and walk into a room. But at the same time [rock musician] Julian Cope taught me a lot about that too when I lived in Liverpool, and he wasn’t gay. I would say my freshman year of learning how to be a rock star was just hanging around drag queens, and my sophomore year was going to Liverpool and spending about two years with that crew of people and learning. “So yeah, I was a total fag hag, but then I was a kind of rock limpet. I wasn’t a groupie. I didn’t have any tits, so no one wanted to fuck me, and I had a really big nose. I liked it better that way, I would have hated to have been a groupie. If I had breasts and I wasn’t so sexually... although I did lose my virginity in Liverpool, but it was to someone I liked, and I think he’s gay. I said it in the NME and he ran like hell. I don’t think he ever denied it, but he just had no comment.” If we’re bitching, then from one blonde icon to another, what’s gone wrong for Lady Gaga?
FOO FIGHTERS GET ALL THE STRAIGHT GUYS! I LIKE MY FANBASE BETTER. I’D RATHER BE AROUND THE FUCKED UP LITTLE GIRLS AND THE FUCKING GAY GUYS THAN THE STRAIGHT GUYS THAT ARE JUST GOING ‘YEAH MAN, SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!’ 62
IMAGE KATARINA BENZOVA / LANDOV / PA
UK music magazine, and dressed as Donald Duck having just performed with Elton John on another. Having got over that she found herself in years of legal quandaries and jury trials, in thrall to America’s hardcore prescription drugs, and legally emancipated from her daughter, who took out a restraining order. Yes, any trauma you could name, Courtney has probably lived through, and survived. So yes, we reckon she’s allowed into the gay icons club. And now, clean, back on her feet financially, reunited with Frances Bean and with her rock career back in action (a searing returnto-punk single, Wedding Day, is on the way), it seems the worst is finally behind her. Yet what most people don’t quite get about Courtney Love is how funny she is. “In San Francisco there were a lot of transgender people in the audience as well, and I love them. So there’s, like, older women in the audience as well, and some men, some straight men, not a lot, the intelligent ones as I like to call them. It’s mostly, like, young girls and gay guys. No offence to Dave [Grohl, her husband’s former bandmate and longtime nemesis], it’s people that don’t go see the Foo Fighters really. Foos got all the straight guys! Listen, I like my fanbase better, I’d rather be around
“Well, I’m friendly with her. She started hanging out with a lot of my art friends and I think it influenced her and that’s great, but it doesn’t necessarily translate into the masses. It’s the same, my friend Ricardo, my friend Klaus, Marina, these fine art people, but then she tried to take it on and sort of acclimate it into pop, and you know, she was super white hot relevant. With Florence [Welch, from Florence and the Machine] there’s never any controversy. And Florence is gonna have a long career because of that. Everyone loves Florence – who doesn’t? Florence doesn’t have any behavioural issues.” Her other favourite Brit of the moment? #TeamNigella. “I thought the Nigella Lawson trial was a really LA trial, like the Grillo sisters. That should’ve happened in LA! What the fuck was that doing at the Old Bailey, what? That’s an LA thing, $650,000 stolen by the assistants?! And I love Nigella, she’s such a genius, ‘Yes I did cocaine seven times that day!’ But who cares? She handled herself so well, and I followed it completely. Basically I thought Saatchi was just shaming her, and you know, fuck him. She got really shamed and I was really pleased with The Guardian and even other media outlets like the London Times [sic] for protecting her. Because generally you know, they go on the attack on somebody, a Murdoch paper would go after her and I think the Murdoch papers did. The Guardian’s my favourite paper in the world, I read it almost every day. I read it more than I read The New York Times, I just think it tells the truth more.” Is it too much to ask that we might see La Lawson down the front at Shepherd’s Bush with “all the fucked up little girls and fucking gay guys”? To this woman, far, far stranger things have happened. Q Courtney Love tours the UK from 11 May, ticketweb.co.uk, @courtney
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THE RACE IS ON
WORDS DARREN SCOTT IMAGES MATHU ANDERSEN
The library is open! We meet all 14 queens from season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race, hunty
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Joslyn Fox Patrick Joslyn, 27 ---------Career highlights: Miss Gay Worcester 2010-2011. 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW got into drag was: For an amateur night in Boston. It was the weekly show I was always in the front row for. I was ÀQDOO\JLYHQWKH opportunity to share the stage with my idols. Unfortunately, the contest was cancelled, but I got to spend the entire night mingling and really experiencing ÀUVWKDQGMXVWKRZ much fun I could KDYHLQGUDJ My drag inspiration is: Any and all drag TXHHQV:H·UHDOO artists and can learn so much from each other. ,VWULYHWREHD multi-faceted drag TXHHQVR,ORYH to absorb all that I can from other queens no matter what their style. My greatest drag tip is: To contour and highlight your chest for instant FOHDYDJH5HDO women can do it, WRR,W·VZKDW,OLNH to call The ThreeMinute Boob Job. My ultimate song to lip-sync to is:%H\RQFp·V &UD]\LQ/RYH The reason this is the ultimate song is:%HFDXVHLW·VVR full of sassy power. 7KHUH·VQRWKLQJOLNH strutting across the stage to that song, VHUYLQJVRPHÀHUFH
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eye stares out into the audience. 7KHGHÀQLQJ drag moment in herstory to date was: Drag queens in the front lines of WKH6WRQHZDOO5LRWV I think a lot of people forget about that. Drag challenges the ideas of what is right and what is wrong, so who better than a queen to say enough is enough. The shadiest thing ever is: Ginger OHDYLQJWKH6SLFH Girls. Way to ruin my childhood, Geri. The season six girl I would kai kai with is: Milk, please. For me, being a drag queen means: being a larger than life persona that people can relate to. A role model that people can aspire to. Because the reality is that the queen is MXVWDQH[WHQVLRQRI the boy behind the makeup. It should be an inspiration to all WREHEHWWHUYHUVLRQV RIRXUVHOYHVDQGWR always stay true and honest to who you DUH/LYHRXWVLGHRI the box, for no one but yourself. My drag dream is: To conquer the world! ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH Back home waiting tables, at a seafood UHVWDXUDQWVR,·GVWLOO EHVHUYLQJÀVK facebook.com/ MRVO\QIR[ #MRVO\QBIR[Q
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MILK Dan Donigan, 26 ---------Career highlights: 5X3DXO·V'UDJ5DFH season six and giving up soda. 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW JRWLQWRGUDJZDV 7KHÀUVWVWHSWR addiction! 0\GUDJLQVSLUDWLRQ is: Art, music and fashion. 0\JUHDWHVWGUDJ WLSLV Flaws are ZRQGHUIXO'RQ·WEH afraid of them. My ultimate song WROLSV\QFWRLV 6LVV\7KDW:DONE\ RuPaul. The reason this is the ultimate song is: Because it is DYDLODEOHRQL7XQHV *wink*. 7KHGHÀQLQJ GUDJPRPHQWLQ KHUVWRU\WRGDWH was: The moment 53'5ZDVSLFNHG
Laganja Estranja Jay Jackson, 25 ---------Career highlights: As a young child, I toured nationally with The Will Rogers Follies starring Larry Gatlin and was featured in several commercials. In 2007, I was named Presidential Scholar in the Arts for my choreography and presented my piece, Not Today, at the Kennedy Center in front of the President. In 2012, I started drag and then made it to 5X3DXO·V'UDJ5DFH just two years later! The moment I ÀUVWJRWLQWRGUDJ was: As a child, my grandmother use to let me play in her pearls and perfume. I truly consider this P\ÀUVWWLPHLQGUDJ for it was when the ¶GUDJEXJ·ELWPH Technically though, P\ÀUVWWLPHLQIXOO drag was my last year of college in 2011, at The California Institute of the Arts for CalArts is Burning, a spin-off of Paris is Burning. 0\GUDJLQVSLUDWLRQ is: Alyssa Edwards, Brooke Candy, Bette Midler. 0\JUHDWHVWGUDJ WLSLV Be yourself DQGQHYHUEHDIUDLG to do something a little different. And perform your ass off, no one wants to see you stand WKHUHDQGMXVWEH pretty. Most of the times you perform until after midnight and the children want a SHOW! So if \RXGRQ·WGDQFHRU
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VLQJÀQG\RXURZQ gimmick to impress the kids okcurrrr! My ultimate song WROLSV\QFWRLV :RUN,WE\0LVV\ Elliott. The reason this is the ultimate song is: Missy Elliott is P\KHUREHFDXVH she changed the concept of what a EODFNIHPDOHERG\ KDGWREHLQWKHUDS industry, and her music just makes me want to shake my EDGRQNDGRQN 7KHGHÀQLQJ GUDJPRPHQWLQ KHUVWRU\WRGDWH was: When I won P\ÀUVWDPDWHXU competition at 0LFN\·VDQGRI course, when I take the crown for season six! 7KHVKDGLHVW thing ever is: Not paying your rent on time and screwing your roommates RYHUEXWUHDOO\ EDVLFDOO\DQ\WKLQJ involving money and friendship! The season six girl ,ZRXOGNDLNDLZLWK is: Gia Gunn. For me, being a GUDJTXHHQPHDQV Being fearless day to day and showing RWKHUVZKDWLW·VOLNH WROLYHDOLIHIXOÀOOHG 0\GUDJGUHDPLV 7REHRQ$PHULFDQ Horror Story or work with Ryan Murphy in some capacity! ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH A hippy on hill wishing my life away! laganjaestranja. WXPEOUFRP @laganjaestranja Q
up for television. Shedding more light on drag as a prominent art form! 7KHVKDGLHVWWKLQJ ever is:'XVNLQ autumn. The season six girl ,ZRXOGNDLNDLZLWK is: No shenanigans LQGUDJ'RQ·WZDQW WRUXLQP\VXEWOHOLS For me, being a GUDJTXHHQPHDQV Taking risks. Running around in eight inch platforms is always risky! 0\GUDJGUHDPLV To continue to push myself with my art. 1HYHUEHVWDJQDQW ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH Figuring out another ZD\WRJHWLQWRFOXEV for free. ELJDQGPLON\FRP #ELJDQGPLON\Q
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Kelly Mantle Kelly Mantle, 37
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Adore Delano Danny Noriega, 24 ---------Career highlights: $SSHDULQJRQ 5X3DXO·V'UDJ5DFH DQG$PHULFDQ,GRO The moment I ÀUVWJRWLQWRGUDJ was::KHQ,ZDV \HDUVROG My drag inspiration is:3RSFXOWXUHDQG OLIH My greatest drag tip is: %/(1' My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: 3DWUyQ7HTXLOD" The reason this is the ultimate song is:(YHU\RQH LVGUXQNZKLOH,·P GRLQJLW 7KHGHÀQLQJ drag moment in herstory to date was: 7KH6WRQHZDOO Riots.
The shadiest thing ever is::KHQ\RX VLWXQGHUDELJWUHH The season six girl I would kai kai with is:0LOHV'DYLG 0RRG\ For me, being a drag queen means:,WPHDQV HYHU\WKLQJHYHU\RQH HOVHWROG\RXZDV ZURQJJURZLQJXS FDQQRZEHULJKWLW PHDQVKDYLQJVXSHU SRZHUV My drag dream is: 7REULQJGUDJEDFN LQWRPDLQVWUHDP ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH :RUNLQJLQEDUV JRLQJWRVFKRRO PD\EH" DGRUHGHODQRFRP #DGRUHGHODQR Q
---------Career highlights: ,·YHEHHQLQDEXQFK RIPRYLHVDQG79 VKRZV6WDQGXS FRPHG\VSHFLDORQ /2*2$QG,·YH UHFRUGHGWKUHH DOEXPVWRGDWH 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW got into drag was: :KHQ,ZDVQLQH \HDUVROGSHUIRUPLQJ P\RQHSHUVRQ YHUVLRQRI$QQLH LQP\JUDQGPD·V NLWFKHQ,·PWKLQNLQJ RIUHODXQFKLQJLW DQGFDOOLQJLW/LWWOH 2USKDQ7UDQQ\ My drag inspiration is: Booze My greatest drag tip is:8VHDVWUDZ ,WVDYHV\RXUOLS DQG\RX·OOJHWGUXQN faster. My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: ,1HHG$0DQE\ (XU\WKPLFV The reason this is the ultimate song is: ¶FX]LW·V GUDJDOLFLRXV$1' URFN¶Q·UROO$QGLW OHWVPHJHWDOO VH[LÀHGZLWK WKHPHQVHVDQG ZRP\QV 7KHGHÀQLQJ
drag moment in herstory to date was: :ULWLQJ FRSURGXFLQJDQG VWDUULQJLQP\RQH SHUVRQVKRZ7KH &RQIXVLRQRI0\ ,OOXVLRQDWWKH/LO\ 7RPOLQ-DQH:DJQHU 7KHDWUHDWWKH/$ *D\DQG/HVELDQ &HQWUH The shadiest thing ever is:'D\WLPH GUDJ The season six girl I would kai kai with is:,·PDVZLWFK KLWWHUEXWDLQ·WQR ZD\,·PJRQQDKLW WKDWVZLWFKELWFK For me, being a drag queen means: /LIHOLEHUDWLRQDQG WKHSXUVXLWRIORRNLQJ OLNHDFKHDSZKRUH My drag dream is:7RSHUIRUPZLWK 'ROO\3DUWRQDWWKH 7UDQ2OH2SU\ ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH $KRRNHURQ79 NHOO\PDQWOHFRP #NHOO\PDQWOH &KHFNRXW.HOO\·V QHZVRQJYLGHR (OLPLQDWHGRQ
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WorldMags.net Magnolia Crawford Reynolds Engelhart, 28 ---------Career highlight: ,·PDSURIHVVLRQDO ÁLJKWDWWHQGDQW DQG,WKRURXJKO\ ORYHZKDW,GRIRUD OLYLQJ$VVXFKP\ HQWLUHFDUHHUKDV EHHQDKLJKOLJKW,Q IDFW,ORYHP\MRE VRPXFK,·PDOZD\V WU\LQJWRUHFUXLWIRU LW²NQRZRIDQ\RQH ZKR·GPDNHDJRRG VWHZDUGHVV",FDQ·W LPDJLQHGRLQJ DQ\WKLQJHOVH$V IDUDVGUDJJRHVLW·V QRWP\FDUHHUEXW UDWKHUDKREE\WKDW ,WKRURXJKO\ORYH *HWWLQJRQ'UDJ 5DFHLVWKHKLJKOLJKW VRIDU 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW JRWLQWRGUDJZDV , QHHGWRVSHFLI\WKLV LVWKHÀUVWWLPH,JRW LQWRGUDJDQGOHIW P\KRXVHEHFDXVH ,XVHGWRSOD\GUHVV XSDOOWKHWLPHDV DNLG:KHQ,ZDV \HDUVROG,ZHQW WRD+DOORZHHQ SDUW\LQGUDJ,KDG DEURZQZLJZDWHU EDOORRQERREV KRUULEOHPDNHXS DQGUHGSUHVVRQ QDLOV,WKRXJKW, ORRNHGVRJRRG 0\JUHDWHVW GUDJWLSLV $OZD\VEHWUXHWR \RXUFKDUDFWHU UHJDUGOHVVRIZKDW RWKHUVVD\'UDJ LVDZRQGHUIXO RSSRUWXQLW\WR GHYHORSDFKDUDFWHU ZKRFDQEHDQ\WKLQJ \RXZDQWKHUWREH 2QFH\RXKDYHRZQ LWDQGEHWUXHWRLW ,·YHIDFHGDORWRI SUHVVXUHWRDGMXVW P\FKDUDFWHUIRU SHRSOHSDUWLFXODUO\ RQ'UDJ5DFHEXW ,·YHVSHQW\HDUV GHYHORSLQJDQG UHÀQLQJ0DJQROLD DQG,DPYHU\ SOHDVHGZLWKWKH FKDUDFWHU,·YHEXLOW 0\XOWLPDWHVRQJ WROLSV\QFLV 3URIHVVLRQDO+LW E\WKH'LUW\/LWWOH Rabbits. 7KHGHÀQLQJ drag moment in KHUVWRU\WRGDWH ZDV 2GGO\HQRXJK ,PLQRUHGLQ+LVWRU\ DWXQLYHUVLW\«2I FRXUVH6WRQHZDOOLV DYHU\LPSRUWDQWSDUW
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RIGUDJKLVWRU\EXW ,·PQRWVXUHWKHUH·V DVLQJOHGHÀQLQJ PRPHQW'UDJLV FRQVWDQWO\HYROYLQJ DQGFKDQJLQJ,·P VRWKDQNIXOIRUWKH ROGHUTXHHQVZKR·YH SDYHG²DQGDUH VWLOOSDYLQJ²WKH ZD\IRUXVQHZHU TXHHQV4XHHQVOLNH 'LYLQH'DPH(GQD /DG\%XQQ\DQGRI FRXUVH5X3DXO 7KHVKDGLHVWWKLQJ HYHULV ,KDYHQ·W HYHUUHDOO\SDLG DWWHQWLRQWRVKDGH EHLQJWKURZQ« 7KHVHDVRQVL[ girl I would kai NDLZLWKLV :HOO OHWVEHKRQHVW VHDVRQVL[KDVDORW RIYHU\KDQGVRPH JX\V7KDWEHLQJ VDLG,KDYHDYHU\ KDQGVRPHER\IULHQG DWKRPH For me, being a drag queen PHDQV 'UDJLV DQRSSRUWXQLW\WR GHYHORSDFKDUDFWHU ZKRFDQEHDQ\WKLQJ ,ZDQW0DJQROLD DQG5H\QROGVDUH SRODURSSRVLWHV, JXHVV0DJQROLDFDQ EHHYHU\WKLQJWKDW 5H\QROGVLVQ·W 0\GUDJGUHDPLV 7RJURZP\
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darien ne
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Darienne Lake Gregory Meyer, 508 months ---------Career highlights: Landing a spot on 5X3DXO·V'UDJ5DFH season six, being IHDWXUHGLQWKH9+ GRFXPHQWDU\%R\V :LOO%H*LUOV 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW got into drag was: )ULGD\$XJXVW ,WZDVD EDOP\KRWQLJKW, ZDVSDLQWHGXSE\ DIHZGUDJTXHHQV DQGSHUIRUPHG2WWR 7LWVOLQJE\%HWWH 0LGOHU My drag inspiration is: 'LYLQH%R\ *HRUJH5X3DXO 'ROO\3DUWRQ%XJV %XQQ\ My greatest drag tip is: take a moment to UHPHPEHUDQG UHFRJQLVH\RXUIDQV My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: ,:LOO6XUYLYHE\ *ORULD*D\QRU The reason this is the ultimate song is:(YHU\RQHORYHV it, can sing along, can connect to it. 7KHGHÀQLQJ drag moment in herstory to date was:6XSHUPRGHO
KRXVHKROGVDQG ZRNHSHRSOHXSWR DQHZZDYHRIGUDJ FHOHEULW\ The shadiest thing ever is: 3HRSOHZKR MXGJH\RXEHIRUH \RX·YHVWHSSHGRQ VWDJH*RDKHDGDQG WDONVKLWEXWRQHGD\ \RXPD\HDWWKRVH ZRUGV The season six girl I would kai kai with is:ZKRHYHUZLQVWKH For me, being a drag queen means:$Q\WKLQJ LVSRVVLEOH,FDQ WUDQVIRUPP\VHOILQWR DQ\FUHDWXUH,FDQ imagine. My drag dream is: To play Edna 7XUQEODGRQVWDJHRU VFUHHQ ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH :RUNLQJLQDFXELFOH SDVVLQJDURXQG DQHQYHORSHZLWK DELUWKGD\FDUGIRU &DUROHYHQWKRXJK VKHGLGQ·WSXWLQ HQRXJKPRQH\DW7*, )ULGD\VIRUWKHWKUHH PXGVOLGHVVKHKDG :HDOONQRZWKH\ FRVWPRUHWKDQÀYH GROODUV:KDWDELWFK GDULHQQHODNHFRP #GDULHQQHODNH Q
Bianca Del Rio Roy Haylock, 38 ---------Career highlights: Too many to PHQWLRQ*RRJOHLW 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW got into drag was: 3UREDEO\ZKHQ, ZDVWHQ25«, ZDVIDVFLQDWHGE\ WKHZLJV7KH%·V ZRUH My drag inspiration is:-RDQ&UDZIRUG DQG%R]RWKH&ORZQ My greatest drag tip is:1HYHUOHWD ELWFKVHH\RXVZHDW My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: $Q\WKLQJE\5X3DXO The reason this is the ultimate song is:&DXVHVKH·VP\ ERVV 7KHGHÀQLQJ drag moment in herstory to date
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was:7KHGD\, IRXQGRXWZKDWZKLWH H\HOLQHUZDV The shadiest thing ever is: My YRFDEXODU\ The season six girl I would kai kai with is:'DULHQQH /DNHFDXVH,OLNHD FKDOOHQJH For me, being a drag queen means:)UHHGRPRI H[SUHVVLRQ My drag dream is: 7RUXQIRU3UHVLGHQW RIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV 2UWRVHOO$YRQ ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH $ORVWVRXO,·P NLGGLQJ,ZRXOGORYH WRMRLQWKHFLUFXV WKHELDQFDGHOULRFRP #WKHELDQFDGHOULRQ
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THE RACE IS ON 69
WorldMags.net Vivacious Vivacious, 41 ---------Career highlights: Meeting Mother RuPaul. She means so much to me. She blew the doors off mental negativity on what others think of JD\VDQGGUDJ,W·V EHFDXVHRIKHUZH·UH in the mainstream. 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW got into drag was: Daring and brave. After watching them all do it for weeks, I realised to put it on, to look good, took a lot of dedication and time. My drag inspiration is: Shequida, Candis Cayne, Lina Bradford aka Girlina, Onyx Noir, Leigh Bowery, Lee Chappell and Lavinia. My greatest drag tip is: Baby oil with baby wipes, tuck for the gods. My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: Kristine W, Land Of The Living and Shades Of Love, Body To Body. The reason this is the ultimate song is: The emotions that have to be conveyed to the crowd and the high energy of the tracks to turn it and sell it to the crowd watching. 7KHGHÀQLQJGUDJ moment in herstory to date was: Meeting my truest mentor RuPaul, ZKR,·YHPRGHOOHG my life after. Which from her teachings allowed: when the patrons of the Sound Factory came up to me one by one to let me know what I did was something they looked forward to every week. From then on, performing to make them want more was my motivation. The shadiest thing ever is: Girls who put on drag to use it as a power platform to be rude and shady to other queens or patrons.
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7KDW·VWKHLURZQ personal thing. Do not bring your personal life into drag to give it a bad name. The season six girl I would kai kai with is: Lies huni, no kiki no kai kai. For me, being a drag queen means: Everything. It allows me to touch the souls of the uneducated, being I mostly work in straight clubs. Through performance and overall just taking a high professional role on how I conduct myself, it sets itself as a positive example and role model. And it make others want to know more of my world and where I come from and what LW·VDERXW,W·VWKHQ I use what I know to educate them on tolerance towards JD\V,W·VDOODERXW changing one heart and mind at a time. My drag dream is: To own my own performance club space where I can do really huge production shows for my fans and those who appreciate forward thinking performance art. ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH 7U\LQJWRÀQGDZD\ to still entertain EHFDXVHLW·VLQPH Check out my tracks on iTunes. They were created for gay pride season coming XS7KH\·UHDERXW taking negative things and turning them positive. Prelisten to my tracks at soundcloud. com/vivaciousnyc, then buy them on iTunes… Enjoy and thank you. Website coming soon… @vivaciousnyc Q
vivaci ous
Gia Gunn Scott Ichikawa, 23 ---------Career highlights: Cosmetologist graduated from Pivot Point International. ,·YHZRQDFRXSOH of pageants in the Chicagoland area – Miss Roscoe 2011, Miss Diosa 2012, Miss Roscoe Allstar 2013. 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW got into drag was: Four years ago with very little makeup and my natural hair just down at a straight club. My drag inspiration is: Any queen that walks out of the house with a wig and heels on My greatest drag tip is: Invest in your drag! My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: How Many Licks by /LO·.LP The reason this is the ultimate song is: She is ferocious and to the point, kinda like me! 7KHGHÀQLQJGUDJ moment in herstory
gia
to date was: Getting the call that I made it to RuPauls Drag Race, one of the most rewarding moments in my life and I will never forget this life changing experience. The shadiest thing ever is: My wonky eye! The season six girl I would kai kai with is: Absolutely QRERG\,·PQRWD lesbian! For me, being a drag queen means: Being able to express your talent through makeup, hair, performance and costume! My drag dream is: To perform on an international level and grace every legendary stage with my presence! ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH Pursuing my hair career and continuing to express myself through talent. facebook/giagunn, @giagunn Q
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[drag]
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e m e r c a l e d n be
THE RACE IS ON
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BenDeLaCreme Ben, 31 ---------Career highlights: My whole career feels like a highlight! I get to do what I love everyday! My favourite thing is getting the opportunity to collaborate with awesome people who inspire me. I do a bunch of shows with two of my best friends, Kitten Larue and Lou Henry Hoover, under the production name DeLouRue Presents. Homo for the Holidays and Freedom Fantasia are two of our big annual ones, DQGWKH\·UHUHDOO\ rewarding. Being on that show with RuPaul was pretty cool too. 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW got into drag was: The day I was born the nurse rolled me up in a blanket and I was WORKING it, mama! I fell into a death drop and yelled “COME ON, ZUDSGUHVV/HW·V get SWADDLED!” I believe what Ru VD\VLVWUXH²´:H·UH born naked and the rest is drag.” I have been playing with makeup and fashion since I was a child, this is just an extension of that. My drag inspiration is: Ann Miller, Ann Margaret, Marcia Brady, PeeWee Herman. Not in that order. My greatest drag tip is: Make up your
own rules! Pay more attention to what \RX·UHSDVVLRQDWH about than what you think other people want to see. My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: Any audiobook narrated by Meryl Streep. The reason this is the ultimate song is: Self evident. 7KHGHÀQLQJ drag moment in herstory to date was::RD²WKDW·VD ELJTXHVWLRQ'RQ·W you want to know my favourite colour or something? I guess ,·GKDYHWRJRZLWK 6WRQHZDOO,W·VRQH of many historical moments that places drag queens at the forefront of social change. The shadiest thing ever is: Bianca Del Rio in a sun hat. The season six girl I would kai kai with is:
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WorldMags.net April Carrión Jason Carrión, 24
THE RACE IS ON
---------Career highlights: Winning the most important Pageant in PR, Miss Krash 2011, being the face of PR Queer Film Fest, being part of PR High Fashion Week as a model, being *ORULD(VWHIDQ·VGUDJ persona in her music video Hotel Nacional. ,·PDOVRDSDUWIURP a documentary that KDVQ·WFRPHRXWEXW is competing and is gonna be presented in TriBeCa Film Festival called Mala Mala (about the trans world in PR) and of course being in 5X3DXO·V'UDJ5DFH The moment I ÀUVWJRWLQWRGUDJ was:,·PDQDUW VWXGHQWDQG,ÀUVW got interested in drag because I saw how drag queens could tranced a gender. I found it so conceptually simulating I did lots of art projects sculptures, paintings, drawings photography. But then I decided to take it a little further and experience it for myself; so I took it upon me to document the whole process and of course participate in a talent competition. And to my surprise I won and people really liked my character. 0\GUDJ inspiration is: My inspiration comes from anything and everything. Every VLQJOHORRN,GR,·YH put some thought LQWRLWEHFDXVHLW·V an art form and not just about being pretty and being ÀVK%XW,·PDOZD\V paying attention to be relevant in the fashion world and mix it with art and create something really cool. I would consider myself a mix between Coco Rocha and Björk. 0\JUHDWHVWGUDJ tip is: To always ALWAYS be true to you, be who you want to be, and
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have a purpose, GRQ·WMXVWGRLWWR GRLW ÀQGVRPH meaning to it and WKDW·OOPDNH\RXU character so much PRUHFRQÀGHQW And always wear nails or at least get a manicure. My ultimate song to lip-sync to is: Wow... Let me see, I love Titanium my 'DYLG*XHWWD7KH beat, the lyrics, just everything! So powerful! 7KHGHÀQLQJ GUDJPRPHQWLQ KHUVWRU\WRGDWH was: I would say EHLQJLQ5X3DXO·V 'UDJ5DFHKDV been the most GHÀQLQJPRPHQW ,PHDQKHOOR,·P a boy from a tiny island, Puerto 5LFRDQG,·P doing an interview for a magazine in London. I know RuPaul is gonna be a huge stepping stone in my career DQGIURPWKDW,·P gonna grow as an artist and branch out into many spectrums. 7KHVKDGLHVWWKLQJ ever is : “Being shadier than a palm tree” [laughs]. The season six JLUO,ZRXOGNDLNDL with is: Ummmmm, you could take a sip on some Milk. For me, being DGUDJTXHHQ means: My drag dream is to take this art form and present it in new creative outlets so more people can open their minds to possibilities and embrace diversity. And of course, rule of the world [laughs]. ,I,ZDVQ·WRQGUDJ UDFH,·GEH I would probably be just collaborating with a lot of friends for art projects and FRROVWXIIZKLFK,·P doing now, but with lots of followers. aprilcarrion.com, @aprilcarrion Q
april
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trinity
Courtney Act Shane Jenek, 32 ---------Career highlights: 6HPLÀQDOLVWRQ $XVWUDOLDQ,GRO The moment I ÀUVWJRWLQWRGUDJ was:,JRWLQYLWHG WRD¶&RPHDVWKH OHWWHU«·FRVWXPH SDUW\ZKHQ,ZDV DERXW,DVNHG IRUWKHOHWWHU:VR, FRXOGJRDV:RQGHU :RPDQ0\0XP WRRNPHWRWKH FRVWXPHVKRSDQGD VWDUZDVERUQ 0\GUDJLQVSLUDWLRQ is:,ORYHJRLQJWR OLYHVKRZV,DPLQ 1<&DWWKHPRPHQW DQGJRLQJWRVHH 2XU/DG\-.LQN\ %RRWV-XVWLQ%RQG &LQGHUHOODDQG/DG\ *DJD7KRVHVKRZV DUHVXUHWRÀOOPH ZLWKLQVSLUDWLRQ 0\JUHDWHVWGUDJ WLSLV %HNLQGWR \RXUNQHHV My ultimate song WROLSV\QFWRLV , GRQ·WNQRZ,KDYHQ·W OLSVXQNVLQFH,ZDV EXWEDFNWKHQLW ZDV&KHUU\/LSVE\ *DUEDJHRU'DQFH /RRNVIURP$ &KRUXV/LQH0\IDY WRVLQJLVDEDOODG PHGOH\RI3RNHU )DFH&DQ·W*HW
Trinity K Bonet Joshua Jones, 23 ---------Career highlights: :LQQLQJP\ÀUVW QDWLRQDOSDJHDQWU\ WLWOHDQGEHLQJD FRQWHVWDQWRQ'UDJ Race. 7KHPRPHQW,ÀUVW JRWLQWRGUDJZDV , ZDVDWP\PRWKHU·V +DOORZHHQSDUW\ 0\GUDJLQVSLUDWLRQ is:%H\RQFp-DVPLQH %RQHW7RPPLH5RVV DQG5X3DXO 0\JUHDWHVWGUDJWLS is:%H\RXUVHOI1HYHU OHWDQ\RQHFKDQJH ZKR\RXDUH7KLVLV DFKRVHQFDUHHUWR KDYH«VRGR\RXU EHVWDQGKDYHIXQ My ultimate song WROLSV\QFWRLV 0\/LIHE\'RQQD Summer. The reason this is the ultimate song is: ,WWHOOVWKHVWRU\RIP\ OLIH,WVD\V\RXFDQ EHDVWDUDQGDOZD\V IROORZ\RXUGUHDPV 7KHGHÀQLQJGUDJ
moment in herstory WRGDWHZDV 7KH FDOOIRU'UDJ5DFH« GRHVQ·WJHWDQ\ EHWWHU 7KHVKDGLHVWWKLQJ ever is:0\PRP EHLQJVLFNDQGDOPRVW ORVLQJKHU«7KH IHHOLQJXJK The season six girl ,ZRXOGNDLNDLZLWK is:7ULQLW\ )RUPHEHLQJDGUDJ TXHHQPHDQV 'RLQJ ZKDWHYHU,SOHDVH RQVWDJHEHLQJ IXQDQGFUHDWLYH EHLQJGLIIHUHQWIURP HYHU\RQHHOVH 0\GUDJGUHDPLV 7REH%H\RQFpLQ Vegas. ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH 'RLQJGUDJPDNHXS DQGKDLU facebook.com/ WULQLW\NERQHW #WULQLW\NQRQHW Q
court
GUDJPRPHQWLQ KHUVWRU\WRGDWH was:%HLQJRQ 5X3DXO·V'UDJ Race... 7KHVKDGLHVWWKLQJ ever is:$GUDJ TXHHQZKRZRUNHG LQDPDNHXSVKRZ VROGPH6SLULW*XP DVH\HODVKJOXH ZKHQ,ZDVVWDUWLQJ GUDJDW0\H\HV ZRXOGZDWHUDQGP\ PDNHXSZRXOGUXQ HYHU\WLPH,JRWLQWR GUDJ The season six JLUO,ZRXOGNDLNDL with is:,ZDQQDOLFN 0LON·VVXEWOHOLSULJKW RIIKHUIDFH For me, being a GUDJTXHHQPHDQV +DYLQJWKHDELOLW\ WRH[SUHVVP\VHOI ZLWKQRUXOHV%R\V DUHWDXJKWKRZWR DFWOLNHER\VJLUOV DUHWDXJKWKRZWR DFWOLNHJLUOVEXW ZKHQDER\GUHVVHV XSDVDJLUOKHKDV QRFRQGLWLRQLQJRQ KRZWRDFWVRKHFDQ GHÀQHWKHODG\ZLWK RXWWKHFRQVWUDLQWV of society. 0\GUDJGUHDPLV 7KH&RXUWQH\ $FWYHUVLRQRI &KHU·V FRQFHUWDW&DHVDU·V 3DODFHLQ9HJDV ,I,ZDVQ·WGRLQJ 'UDJ5DFH,·GEH 'RLQJWKHVDPH WKLQJEXWQRW DVPDQ\SHRSOH ZRXOGNQRZ FRXUWQH\DFWFRP #FRXUWQH\DFWQ
ney
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M&S is going from strength-tostrength with the launch of Best of British. And now the high street stalwart is taking inspiration from Savile Row by launching a brand new, personal tailoring service. Available at M&S’s Marble Arch store in London, there are more than 1,500 fabrics and 100 styling options on offer. It’s going to be difficult to make a choice from such a gorgeous selection, but garments are created to the specific styling requirements and fit of each customer. They really have thought of everything, from standard construction or the premium half-canvassed construction, as well as the option of adding waistcoats to make a three piece suit. Every detail is left down to you, from the buttons to the fabric lining – just as you’d expect from any other tailors. The main difference though, is the cost, with M&S suit prices starting at £499 – a pinch compared with what you’d pay anywhere else. Suits us just fine. Q
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[05/14]
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in the nude
[05/14]
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NUDES RE:UNITED
United Nude is known for its architectural shoes, and this well-built reputation carries on through its spring/summer 2014 collection. Modern, but with wearability and comfort, with strong colours, interesting shapes, new materials and silhouette introductions... it’s an all-too-rare comfortable fashion. And with new styles on the way, it certainly makes for an exciting season from the United Nude team. And that’s just the naked truth, as they say. Q unitednude.com
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SPA STOP COWLEY MANOR Cowley Manor is perfect for a spring detox; to unwind and get skin healthy for summer. A contemporary country house hotel in the Cotswolds, surrounded by a serene 55 acres of parkland, woods and meadows, Cowley is also an awardwinning designer hotel. Contemporary country at its best, it’s the ideal place to relax, unwind and indulge in the heart of the British countryside. Not only is the hotel space itself relaxing, along with the grounds to walk and enjoy, the C-Side spa is glorious; swimming pools, sauna, steam room and gym are all available to enjoy throughout your stay. There’s four rooms offering a range of treatments using products from the detoxifying Green and Spring range. We chose the Green and Spring facial, which is designed to repair and rejuvenate with
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an intense cleanse. The heavenly, natural products felt fresh on the skin, with good textures for exfoliating and cleansing without being abrasive. The honey in the treatment felt luxurious and leaves you smelling great. Cowley even let you choose your own music to accompany the treatment you want. The staff are perfectly attentive, extremely knowledgeable and follow the treatment with suitable product recommendations. We stayed in one of the Exceptional Rooms, a large tranquil space to unwind in, with large bath tubs in a warm and cosy environment, a fire place and a balcony which will be ideal in those warm spring and summer months. Cowley Manor is perfect for a spa break to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. Reasonably priced luxury with prices starting from £295. Q cowleymanor.com
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sportwear with style
[05/14]
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Always a favourite at GT, ASOS has brought back it’s ASOS Black range for spring/sumer 2014 as a slick 30-piece streetwear-inspired collection. Bold graphic prints are at the core of the collection, with a striking colour palette of ink blue, white, grey and sulphur yellow. It continues the trend of bridging the gap between sports tailoring and fashion sportswear – something that’s still seen on the catwalk today. Technical fabrications define the sportswear silhouette; shorts and joggers are boxy with neoprene, for example, with bonded jersey cut and sew paneling. Sweaters
ASOS SS14 are oversized with print and panel details, while bomber jackets are available in both leather and nylon. Shirts and jersey pieces are enhanced with geometric sublimation prints and rubberised panelling, so there really is a piece in this range to compliment anyone’s wardrobe. The collection is finished with a range of sportswear-inspired accessories. Hybrid shoes come in slip-on and lace-up options, with some styles featuring monk strap fastenings and others with geometric embossing. Bucket hats have been updated in nylon, while backpacks feature bungee cord ties and concealed zips, boasting the technical elements of this impressive collection. Q asos.com
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OPPERMANN is the latest label to emerge from East /RQGRQGHÀQHGE\ DVW\OLVKDHVWKHWLF WKDWLVERWKFOHDQ DQGFRQVLGHUHG The 40-strong FROOHFWLRQUHWDLOV from £35 to £369, and is made up of EDJVEULHIFDVHVDQG ZDOOHWV²RKP\ Fashioned in vegetable tanned leathers, the range FRPHVLQDULFK SDOHWWHRIHDUWK\ FRORXUVOLNHJUH\
JD\WLPHVFRXN
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FKRFRODWHFRJQDF QDY\UDFLQJJUHHQ EXUJXQG\DQGRI FRXUVHDFODVVLF EODFN ,W·VDGLVWLQJXLVKHG range with simple DUFKLWHFWXUDO VKDSHVEXWLW·VWKH VXEWOHGHWDLOVOLNHWKH embossed logo in an XQGHUVWDWHGVFULSW WKDWKHOSVPDNHIRU WLPHOHVVSLHFHV 7KHKHURSLHFHRI WKHFROOHFWLRQLVWKH KRXU3DOLVV\ %DJ7UXVWXVLW·V
VRPHWKLQJ\RX ZRQ·WEHDEOHWROLYH ZLWKRXWRQFH\RX start putting it to JRRGXVH 7KHSHUIHFWFURVV EHWZHHQEULHIFDVH and overnight bag, LW·VELJHQRXJK WRFDUU\DODSWRS while turning a few jealous heads in the RIÀFHEXWFDQDOVR KROG\RXUJ\PNLW IRUWKRVHSUHZRUN VHVVLRQWRR oppermannORQGRQFRPQ
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bank gets sporty 80
A new season means a fresh new direction over at BANK Fashion. The in-house design team has taken inspiration for the spring/summer shows and added references to music and celebrity culture to create a trend-driven and exciting collection. 7KHUH·VVRPHWKLQJ for everyone with BANK Fashion – especially with exclusive subbrand Nanny State
incorporating a wealth of classic WUHQGV,W·VZK\ WKH\·YHEHFRPH synonymous with collections designed for guys who like to look good while living life WRWKHIXOO7KHUH·VD ELJVSRUWLQÁXHQFH running through the collection too. And with sportswear still on the catwalk, this is a brand you can take to the bank (sorry). bankfashion. co.uk Q
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WorldMags.net [style] WORDS LLOYD-SCOT TYLER
Made of Stone The Stone Roses were one of the most important British bands of the 20th century, spanning the 80s and 90s with hits like Waterfall and Fools Gold. It’s no surprise, then, that Sandro have paid tribute to Ian, John, Mani and Reni with a limited edition collection of sweatshirts and t-shirts that put the band’s iconic album artwork on centre stage. Rock ‘n’ roll. Q
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interiors
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Furnishings that look almost exactly like their original design sketch are a big trend this spring. Strong lines can add either exciting structure The pendant or simple silhouette to Scribble Metal Wire pendant, £70, your interiors. Whether alexanderandpearl.co.uk ---------you choose complex scribbles or lone lines – it’s time to get graphic! WORDS MARK KING
The bowl Hatton bowl, £30, habitat.co.uk ----------
The candle holder POV wall candle holder by Story North, £30, storynorth.com ----------
LINES DRAWN The coat stand Matrix coat stand by Made In Ratio, £1,200, madeinratio.com ----------
The vases Weight vases by Thinkk Studio, from £81, madeindesign.co.uk ----------
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WorldMags.net [home] home The lamp Hive lampshade,
PDGHFRP ----------
INGR BOX VE CLE
The table Yeoman zinc topped dining table, £300, habitat.co.uk ----------
The floor lamp Bowie Square ÁRRUODPS
made.com ----------
If you just toss your dirty clothes onto a pile in the corner until wash day, it’s really time to stop and get organised. So why not man-up while you tidy up and get a workout at the same time? This hanging laundry holder doubles up as a punch bag that you can bash until you wash, giving you a tidier room and stronger arms. A thumping good idea, etc. Q Laundry punch back, £20, suck.uk.com
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ooooft
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HEAR ME ROAR Ever wondered what became of Chris Crocker? Yes, he of the infamous Leave Britney Alone! video. Well wonder no further, for he’s appearing in a new, ahem, adult entertainment movie, where he and his boyfriend Justin Dean somehow manage to lose all their clothes. How unfortunate! Q &KULV&URFNHU·V/XFDV (QWHUWDLQPHQWVGHEXWLVDW OXFDVHQWHUWDLQPHQWFRP 9HU\PXFK¶16):·REYLRXVO\
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albums
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WorldMags.net Lykke Li I Never Learn Nine WUDFNVRISXUH6FDQGLQDYLDQ heartbroken misery, elegantly moped WRPHODQFKROLFSHUIHFWLRQ/\NNH /L·VGRRPODGHQSRSKDVUHPDLQHG virtually unchanged, as her gloriously GHSUHVVHGDQGDIIHFWLQJYRLFHIRUFHV LWVHOIWRFDUU\RQZLWKOLIHDQGQHZ material. Fully acoustic, this album is PRVWO\SLDQREDVHGWKRXJKRQ/RYH 0H/LNH,·P1RW0DGH2I6WRQHVKH strips things down to devastating HIIHFWZLWKMXVWDEOXHV\JXLWDU:KLOH the whole thing taps into every WHHQDJHLPSXOVHRIVHOISLW\HYHU H[SHULHQFHGLW·VVRFODVV\,W·OOPDNH you want to throw on some black FKLIIRQQQQQQ
Clean Bandit New Eyes &OHDQ%DQGLW·VÀUVWVXSHUKLW5DWKHU%H IHDWXULQJ JLUOGXMRXU-HVV*O\QQ KDVDOUHDG\WRSSHG JOREDO6KD]DPFKDUWVDQGWKH8.·V7RS 7KHLUZLQQLQJFRPELQDWLRQRIVRXOIXOYRFDOVDQG VDVV\VWULQJVKDVÀQDOO\ZRQWKHPDQRSHQGRRU to the mainstream. And their debut cements their place simultaneously in that pristine pop position, with unique collaborations between WKHXVXDOO\PRUHULJLGFRPSRQHQWVRI´XUEDQµ DQG´FODVVLFDOµ8UELFDO&ODVVLEDQ«VRPHRQH ZLOOKDYHWRPDNHDJHQUHIRUWKHPDQGWKH inevitable copycat sounds on their way.
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Owen Pallett In &RQÁLFW From Arcade Fire to Robbie Williams, 2ZHQ·VVWULQJ arrangements are everywhere – and his solo vision is equal parts kooky and melodic, never quite reaching conventional pop constructions yet borrowing all their hook-laden addictive tricks. You can hear the electronic LQÁXHQFHRI%ULDQ Eno in places (literally!) as Pallett plucks, glides and glissandos his way WKURXJKWKHVRXQGRI couples therapy. QQQQQ .HOLV Food 7KHUH·V only one culinary GHOLJKWZHZDQWIURP .HOLVDQGWKDW·VKHU milkshake. Gone are WKHGD\VRI/RYHER[
crowd-pleasing RnB bangers and slow burning electro a cappellas, and in their place are DFRXVWLFIRONEDOODGV and soul bongos. ,W·VQREDGWKLQJ MXVWDVLGHVWHSIURP IHVWLYDOKHDGOLQHU into the chill-out tent. QQQQQ We Have Band MOVEMENTS Third WLPHOXFN\IRUWKH discopunk trio, and WKH\·YHPDGHWKHLU danciest album yet. Bouncing at breakneck speed EHWZHHQ/LWWOH Boots, Duran Duran and Chicks On Speed, they save WKHEHVWIRUODVWLQ closing track Blue. ,W·VWKHVRXQGRID nightclub collapsing, breaking down in syncopated stabs. QQQQQ
Iggy Azalea The New Classic The PRVWVXUSULVLQJWKLQJDERXW,JJ\·V ORQJDZDLWHGGHEXWDOEXPLVMXVWKRZ slow it all is. Though she can rap like DPDFKLQHJXQQRQHRIWKHWUDFNV JHWPXFKIDVWHUWKDQDNHUEFUDZO
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WorldMags.net [music] WORDS BOB HENDERSON
I
f we had a reality show, we could come across MENTAL,” says 24-year-old Annie. “We’re like three boys,” says same-aged Frankee (formerly of Mini Viva *scream*), which just leaves 22-year-old Nadine to clarify the situation, “girlband by day, boyband by night.” And this is how they roll, Modus Operandi, or in their more commonly used abbreviation, M.O. Apparently this comes from Lil Wayne who drops the phrase into one of Drake’s verses on The Motto. As Annie observes, “I keep hearing people say M.O all the time now. I heard it on Corrie!” We have to get her to use it in a sentence, just so we’re on the same page. “Police people would say to…” she gives us as an example, “the other police people at the scene of a crime, ‘what was the M.O, what was the motive, what was the plan?’”. The plan for this brand new girlband appears to be crazy sexy cool dancepop. Citing 90s chart music as a massive
inspiration, they’re actually delivering something a little more soulful, fresh, RnB and eclectic. They’re obsessed with old-school J Lo, make their own arrangements for covers on YouTube and are prone to bursting out into song. “Even like, TV adverts,” says Frankee before launching into a quick operatic interpretation of the Go Compare jingle. M.O all live together, and we can only imagine the noise they make. Eschewing the traditional audition routine, these girls knew each other already – presumably from all previously being in girlbands. Their experiences have made them determined and well connected, as their latest single is destined to make hard-earned waves. “Jess Glynn co-wrote our new single, For A Minute,” says Nadine, “we got in the studio with Loadstar and Bless Beats and that came out wicked.” And there’s plenty more where that came from. Having already supported
Ciara, Disclosure and Rudimental, they have a VERY EXCITING tour about to be announced that they can’t talk about yet. So we go back to that name we can’t get our head round and a logo we thought was a bunny (it’s a cat formed out of the letters M and O). “We were trying for ages to come up with a name,” says Annie, “and we liked a few… you don’t wanna know some of the names we had.” You literally could not be more wrong. Without missing a beat, Annie replies “Mix Chicks” and the room erupts with laughter. “Brown Sugar… Nothing was quite right.” “Chocolate Caramel. Chocolate Brownie. Caramac,” Nadine carries on in an unstoppable trail of un-PC girlband names and northern accents. We definitely want to be in their gang, whatever they’re called. Q 02·VODWHVWVLQJOH)RU$0LQXWHLVRXW$SULO IDFHERRNFRPRIÀFLDOPRPXVLF
O . M
JD\WLPHVFRXN
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profile
[reviews]
WorldMags.net last saw him troubadouring at The
IMAGE MICHAEL HART
Luminaire (RIP), but he’s been far from idle; he opened a private venue and recording studio in Brooklyn while his label collapsed, freeing him of contractual obligations. During downtime he became a farm caretaker before moving to run his own small farm – complete with his many cats, chickens and goats. Despite being “a foot too small to be a model”, fashion mags are always keen to get Garneau in the latest garbs, and his Facebook feed is a string of Parisian photoshoots. Not that it will ever go to his head, as we take a good ten minutes to get him to concede that he’s good looking. “I’ve always been insecure with everything, not just physical insecurities. I was always really shy and very withdrawn, especially when I was younger. I had a very difficult time even having a normal conversation with somebody. When it comes to photo time, I can see that I take a good picture, I’ll admit it…” Chris finally says, bashfully. “But I think you can make anybody look really nice on film or in a
CHRIS GARNEAU GET WINTER THE GROOVE ----------
the record, Winter Games, is as rewarding as it is melancholy. Five years in the making, it started as a simple concept – asking close friends and family for their memories of winter as far back as they could remember. “One thing that I was really
We might finally be seeing
fascinated with in winter is that
the back of winter, but singer-
it’s a time when people struggle,”
For me to ask people for all these memories of winter was to examine how people struggle to overcome something
photo, it’s not really difficult.” Shyness is nice, but shyness didn’t stop Chris being basically naked on the cover of his album. Rather than a cynical ploy to entice the gays (it would probably work), it was simply shot in the unthematic summer climate, after being thwarted by nature during the winter months. “Every time we just got completely fucked, there was no snow, nothing,
songwriter Chris Garneau (he has
Chris tells us. “Historically it’s when
a boyfriend, sorry girls) is only
everything dies, and then after you
just getting to spring his seasonal
see how people, animals and nature
offering onto the UK. Though the
get on with it. It’s a dark time and it’s
beautiful. Everything is dead, it’s
winter he sings of on his third album
literally dark. For me to ask people
really dark, it’s just not so nice. I
is a bleak one of discontent, it’s
for all of these memories of winter
didn’t really want to partner a bunch
utterly beguiling if you don’t need to
was to examine how people struggle
of press photos that were dark and
hear ADD bass and the sound of an
and overcome something. In the end
depressing with an album that was
808 drum in everything you listen
Winter Games is really about that
already not so easy to get through.”
to. Garneau mixes echoing piano
struggle and that triumph as well.”
Take solace in that summery shoot,
chimes, the lush orchestration of a
We were struck by how long Chris
marching band and his haunting,
has taken to record this album,
gentle croon into all his work. And
given it was so long ago since we
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it was cold and you know how in winter if there isn’t snow, it’s not so
Winter Games is an album worth getting to know. Q Winter Games is out 28 April, chrisgarneau.com
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WorldMags.net [music] WORDS %2%+(1'(5621
Bright Light Bright Light and Elton John I Wish We Were Leaving This unbelievable collaboration between a great old dame and a hot young thing is a fascinating footnote in the world of gay pop. And it VRXQGVDQDZIXOORWOLNHWKH%HDFK%R\V·*RG2QO\ Knows. Q Thief Closer Sparse minimal electronics, big bolshy brass backing and a chorus featuring the OLQH´,·PWRRWLUHGZDWFKLQJ\RXIXFNPHRYHUµPDNHV this an indier alternative to the Justin Timberlakes of this world. Q Kishi Bashi Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It! A mental barnstorming mix of classical strings, a Mumford and Sons hoe down with a massive rocket up its arse, a Disney mouse choir, and banjo boy realness. Q Rixton Me and My Broken Heart Sounds like so many other VRQJVEXWWKHUH·VRQHWKLQJZHFDQDOOKHDU²LW sounds like a hit. A stealth future summer smash in waiting. Q Cash + David Funn Vocoda smooth vocals and harmonies are delicately interwoven with a huge riff. And any video of dancing, scrapping drag kings is worth a watch. Q The Saturdays Not Giving Up Like any number of Wideboys remixes, LW·VJD\ÁRRUWDVWLF%XWQRDPRXQWRIVWULSOLJKWLQJ waved around will make this sound innovative, DQGLWPDNHVXVPLVV*LUOV$ORXGUHDOO\EDGO\Q Lady Gaga vs Pokemon Theme Applause For Pokemon,WVKRXOGQ·WZRUNEXWWKHUH·VVRPHWKLQJ about the intensity of soft rock guitar solos and *DJD·VSRIDFHGVLQFHULW\WKDWÀWV3HUIHFWO\Q
[tracklist]
sheezus cchrist hrist superstar Lily Allen is back! back! back! And this WLPHVKH·VSLQQHG down the zeitgeist and face fucked it with autotune. Her whole new album Sheezus is dripping with acidic critiques (or like the title, ¶KRPDJHV· WDNLQJD SUHHPSWLYHVZLSH at the inevitable comparisons to RWKHUSRSVWDUV ZLWKYDJLQDVLQ the opening track. Elsewhere she inverts the smooth
5Q%PDQEDOODG with Insincerely
RÜFÜS Electro boyband RÜFÜS are not German, but in fact Australian. We know for sure as we’re chatting to drummer James over Skype while he’s in Sydney at his parents house, leaning against a Frank Zappa poster. And he’s explaining the whole umlaut thing. “In Germany it’s unpronounceable, it’s completely grammatically incorrect. It’s more about creating something bold and foreign, and as a visual element, it’s symmetrical. The funny thing was people in Australia thought we were German, but we’re just three Australian dudes making beats.” Along with those beats they make up various stories about where their name comes from, such as Swedish soap companies, prostate gland nicknames and fictitious dogs. In the countless blog interviews they’ve conducted, they’ve been grilled over their influences, but we’re just taken by their sound; both euphoric and chilled out at the same time. “We’ve had that feed back from a lot of people,” says James, “and it’s funny that that’s the case, as it was never a conscious thing to go ‘oh, we’ll be chilled out but euphoric and driving…’ but that’s just a dichotomy that’s just occurred. Which is pretty funny. And pretty cool.” We either want to listen to it off our faces, or in the bath. Which begs the question, where is the best place to listen to RÜFÜS? “Off your face in the bath…” replies James. Obviously. Q 5h)h6·GHEXWDOEXP$WODVLVRXW$SULO
Kylie. Allen remains utterly internet savvy, wistfully on Life For Me and all guns blazing on URL Badman, where she takes down bedroom trollers in their own dubsteppy genre. With catchy nursery rhyme hooks and laugh out ORXGO\ULFVLW·VWKH most exuberant pop UHFRUG\RX·OOKHDU this year. Sheezus is out on 5 May on Regal Recordings, lilyallenmusic.com Q
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WorldMags.net [print] 1000 Tattoos H Schiffmacher 6RPHORYH¶HPVRPHKDWH¶HPEXW ZH·YHDOZD\VEHHQSDUWLDOWRDER\ ZLWKDWDWWRR$QGLI\RX·UHORRNLQJ IRULGHDVIRU\RXURZQGHVLJQ\RX·UH QRWJRLQJWRJHWDEHWWHUUHVRXUFH WKDQWKLV2QFHZHJRWSDVWWKH JUDPPDWLFDOLQDFFXUDF\RIWKH PLVVLQJFRPPDLQWKHWLWOHZHIRXQG WKLVERRNWREHÀOOHGZLWKGHVLJQV VWUHWFKLQJWKURXJKRXWWKHKLVWRU\RI WDWWRRLQJ²IURP VSLQXSJLUOV WRVRPHGRZQULJKWZHLUGRQHV ,W·VSDFNHGZLWKWRQVRISKRWRV LQFOXGLQJKRWJX\VZLWKWKHLUWRSV RII-XVWLJQRUHWKHIDFWVRPHRI WKHPFRXOGEH\RXUJUDQGGDGDQG \RX·OOEHÀQHQQQQQ
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The Glass Closet: The Risks and Rewards of Coming Out in Business John Browne)RU \HDUV-RKQ%URZQHZDVWKH&(2 RIRLOJLDQW%38QWLOWKDWLV ZKHQKHUHVLJQHGDIWHUKHIDLOHG WRVWRSGHWDLOVRIKLVIRXU\HDUJD\ UHODWLRQVKLSEHLQJUHYHDOHGWRWKH SUHVV,QWKLVERRN%URZQHKDVRQH VLPSOHPHVVDJH²LW·VEHWWHUIRU\RX DQGIRUEXVLQHVVWRMXVWEHKRQHVW DERXW\RXUVH[XDOLW\'UDZLQJRQ KLVRZQH[SHULHQFHDQGUHVHDUFK RIKLJKSURÀOHSXEOLFÀJXUHVDQG LQGXVWU\OHDGHUV7KH*ODVV&ORVHWLV DQLQVSLUDWLRQDOUHDG'HVSLWH-RKQ·V IUDQNWRQHDERXWWKHULVNVLQYROYHG WKLVERRNLVDQHQFRXUDJHPHQWIRU DQ\RQHODFNLQJWKHFRQÀGHQFHWREH RSHQDERXWWKHLUVH[XDOLW\QQQQQ
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WorldMags.net My Chemical Romance How does a successful businessman and teetotaller become a crack cocaine addict at the age of 40? Trevor Kleinhans knows why and he reveals all in his no-holds-barred autobiography Secrets Make You Sick. Trevor, 52, also tells GT about the impact being sexually abused by his brother had on his life, growing up in a homophobic South Africa, spending £80,000 on drugs and contracting HIV WORDS JOHN MARRS
You write frankly about being abused. When did it begin? I was six-years-old when I was first sexually abused. All four brothers slept in one bedroom and on nights my parents went out, my eldest brother would quietly coax me into his bed and guide my hand to where he wanted it to be, and it became a sexual experience for him. The strange thing was how exciting it was for me; the ambiguity of being sexually abused and the fact your older brother is giving you all this attention and at the same time you know it’s wrong and can’t say anything about it. The abuse continued till you were 12. Who was the first person you told? I was in my thirties when I told my mother. She was blaming herself for my sexuality and I know I’m not gay because of my brother, but I was getting frustrated at her constantly thinking she’d done something different with me. One day I just lost it and said, “If there’s any reason I’m gay it’s because I was sexually abused by Mark.” Did you eventually tackle Mark about what he’d done? I didn’t, but my mother did. He admitted it but said it only happened once. He’s never made any attempt to contact me or show remorse, and I don’t see it ever coming. I’ve dealt with it through therapy and I don’t need an apology from him. I later discovered he had been sexual with my sister too. I haven’t spoken to him for over 20 years. What was it like to live in South Africa when homosexuality was illegal? I didn’t come out of the closet till I was 29, so I’d do a lot of cruising and cottaging as a teenager. There were public toilets with 92
glory holes and a couple of beaches gay people would cruise. At certain times of the night they became popular and you’d go down there and strut your stuff. Before the ANC began their terrorist activities, the police had a lot of time on their hands and they’d infiltrate the gay scene. They’d send their hunky-looking police men dressed accordingly, you’d cruise them up and be lured into a trap. I was arrested and fined twice. I feel for what gay people are going through in Uganda right now. While your career was successful, your choice in men wasn’t. Why? My first relationship was full of emotional abuse that I couldn’t escape, and in another relationship I write about, we were both using drugs regularly. My last two relationships were with younger guys, its basically me wanting to take a young damaged guy and repairing him because I’m looking for that little boy in myself who needs to be repaired. I’m hoping the next one is the right one! You spent most of your life anti-drugs and then suddenly became a crack addict. How did that happen? Six months before my first drug, I saw one of the directors in my business smoke a joint and I was horrified and reported him to the CEO. Six months later I was 40-years-old and taking my first E. Everything came together at the wrong time. I’d just ended a nine-yearrelationship; I had tremendous pressure and responsibility on me at work. Friends told me I was working so hard and not having fun, so I took this pill and I realised I could forget that world for a short period. Slowly but surely when you’re around people
taking cocaine, you get used to it and it looks normal, then you try it and so the progression begins to crack. Ignorantly I got caught in a world I couldn’t escape. How much did you spend on drugs? I had company loans, credit cards, bonded my house and in ten months, I spent £67,000 on crack. Before that, I’d spent over two years on other drugs, so about £17,000. When do you think you contacted HIV? It was around that time. People are sexually irresponsible when they’re on drugs. You lose all your inhibitions and you’re quite prepared to take risks, and eventually you’ve been sexually negligent for so long, you assume that you must have HIV by now. But you don’t want to go and get tested so you live in this dangerous period. When you have sexual encounters with other people, you assume they are of the same mind-set as you. But they might be thinking the opposite – that because you’re not using protection you have been tested and that you’re safe. To be infected and not deal with it at the time, further down the line, you worry how many people you have infected and you have to live with that guilt. When sparked your recovery? I was 42 when I went into rehab. As an addict at that age, you have so much more than a 20-year-old has to lose. I’d worked so hard to build a business, a home, own a car and lots of nice material things. I risked losing my friends and family. I realised I was going to end up dead or in jail. It was the face of my Jack Russell dog that pulled me out of it. She was my whole life and I neglected her for a while, then she helped me realise what I was doing. What prompted you to write your book? I didn’t write it to air all my dirty laundry. My therapist suggested I started writing it all down as a way of purging my emotions and getting everything out of me. I slowly realised it was becoming a book about my life. At first I didn’t want anyone to read it, eventually I gave it to a few of my friends and they told me I had to publish it as there were things I could learn from. I have fallen off the rails a few times over the years, but I’ve been clean for 14 months and it’s a daily fight. Q Secrets Make You Sick by Trevor Kleinhans is out now, secretsmakeyousick.com
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Dirty Dancing These days slut drops and twerking are what constitutes dirty dancing. Once upon a time, though, there was a classier aspiration. Dirty Dancing first flustered a generation 27 years ago (would you believe it?), with Patrick Swayze’s moves helping the film gross a mega $214 million. Now it’s back and on an acclaimed nationwide UK tour. Get your clogs, girls! Q 8QWLO1RY'LUW\GDQFLQJWRXUFRP
Until 3 May Miss Nightingale tells the story of one feisty northern singer and her gay refugee friend. The pair are hopeless in life until a wealthy aristocrat picks WKHPXS,W·VJRW RXWUDJHRXVRXWÀWV saucy dancing and scandalous love WDOHV3OXVLW·VD British original. Missnightingale. co.uk Q
14 April – 24 May It was the summer of 66 when Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup while a nation sang 7KH.LQNV·6XQQ\ Afternoon. The hit was the anthem of a generation. Now 6XQQ\$IWHUQRRQ WKHSOD\WHOOV the story of its OHDGVLQJHU5D\ Davies. Hampsteadtheatre. com Q
22 April – 17 May The 80s were a tough time for many gay men. Even tougher if you had $,'6VWLJPDWLVHG by a media witch KXQW6DIH6H[WHOOV the story of the anJHUFRQIXVLRQDQG fear that engulfed countless gay relationships. An important UHÁHFWLRQLQ Tristanbatestheatre. co.uk Q
7-25 May We all fall into bad habits. Drinking WRRPXFK6SHQG ing too much. Drinking too much still. Fleabag is the epitome of these – EXWVKH·VGHFLGHG to change her life. The pizzas are out and the health in.
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9 May – 7 June Not many shows win a Tony Award (who even is 7RQ\" EXW,Q7KH Heights is so good it was nominated for :LWKWKHGLUHF tors of Matilda and 6LQJLQ·,Q7KH5DLQ EHKLQGLW/DWLQRKLS hop dancing and a UDJVWRULFKHVVWRU\ LW·VQRZRQGHULW·V EHHQDKLW6RXWK warkplayhouse. co.uk Q
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Transcendence Johnny Depp’s personality, emotions and intellect is uploaded to a supercomputer which promptly tries to take over the world. People are forced to grow eccentric goatees, wear bandanas well into their late 40s, and follow Tim Burton’s increasing erratic creative decisions without question. Q Cheap Thrills A down-ontheir-luck duo bump into a wealthy married couple who offer them ever-increasing sums of money to complete ‘dares’ for their amusement. As the stakes get higher, the comedy grows darker and the consequences ever more gruesome. Sounds like a Channel 5 gameshow. Q Bad Neighbours Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play a young couple with a newborn baby whose tranquility is shattered when Zac Efron, James Franco and Christopher Mintz-Plasse move in next door. Presumably the ensuing cloud of pot smoke blots out the sun and the child dies of rickets. Q Sabotage The Arnold Schwarzenaissance continues with this violent crime drama from director/co-writer David Ayer. The Austrian Oak stars as John ‘Breacher’ Wharton, leader of an elite DEA squad who turn on each other following a major drugs raid. He may have the worst haircut of his career, but ‘Breacher’ is easily the best nickname. Q
[also out]
Nymphomaniac Volumes I & II Disc,I\RXPLVVHG/DUVYRQ7ULHU·V tumescently provocative dissection of sex, lust, and lonely desire, now you can experience it in the comfort of your own basement. Be warned: although WKHUHDUHIDQQLHVÁDSVÀVWVDQGPDOH members all shapes and sizes – all IHVWRRQHGZLWKÁ\LQJMXLFHV²WKLVLVQ·W explicit escapism. Von Trier is out to EDUHKLVFDVW·VVRXOVDVZHOODVWKHLU bottoms. QQQQQ Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Disc This biopic of Madiba was so long, the great man himself died during the premiere (thankfully, he was in bed in South Africa at the time). For RXUPRQH\,QYLFWXVGLGDEHWWHUMRE RIEULQJLQJ0DQGHOD·VLQFUHGLEOHVWRU\ to life, but Idris Elba is a powerful cinematic presence, and Naomie Harris is absolutely fucking terrifying as trouble-and-strife Winnie. QQQQQ Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure (25th Anniversary Edition) Disc The 25th anniversary release of this stoner time travel comedy will whisk you back to 1989, an era when youth culture was centred around cannabis and air guitar, not mephedrone and WZHUNLQJ¶ZKRD·DQG¶GXGH·ZHUH considered acceptable catchphrases, and Keanu Reeves still had the cheerful youthful demeanour of a /DEUDGRUSXSS\7KDQNIXOO\WKHÀOP·V sense of fun has survived the quarter FHQWXU\:HMXVWZLVKZHFRXOGVD\WKH VDPHDERXW.HDQX·VQQQQQ
TITTER YE NOT As Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, Kit Harington has mastered the art of stomping through snowy wastelands, shivering under matted furs, and huddling in front of G\LQJÀUHV1RZKH
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must prove his acting ability at the other end of the thermometer in 3DXO:6$QGHUVRQ·V pyroclastic account of the fall of Pompeii. :H·UHJXHVVLQJWKLV includes stripping to the waist, brushing aside sweat-soaked
forelocks, and riding horses through VKHHWVRIÁDPHEXW DQ\ÀOPLQYROYLQJDQ explosive eruption and a protagonist called Milo wins WKLVFULWLF·VVHDORI approval. Pompeii is released 2 May Q
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Disc Somewhere in this VFDWWHUVKRWVHTXHOWKHUH·VDQHDUQHVW critique of the triviality of the 24 hour QHZVF\FOHEXWLW·VEXULHGEHQHDWKD EDUUDJHRIMRNHVWKDW·VWKLFNHUWKDQ 5RQ%XUJXQG\·VPRXVWDFKH-XVW incase the original theatrical version RIWKHÀOPZDVQ·WHQRXJKWKHVHW includes two new editions of bonus profanity. Burgundy and the news WHDPDUHDGRUDEOHEXWOLNHMD]]ÁXWH you can have too much of a good thing. QQQQQ gaytimes.co.uk
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The Wind Rises Cinema Hayao Miyazaki is one of the greatest directors of all time; as an animator, KH·VVHFRQGRQO\WR:DOW'LVQH\ 8QOLNHPDQ\JUHDWGLUHFWRUVKLVÀOPV are also fantastically entertaining – and this, his swan song, is no H[FHSWLRQ$QXQH[SHFWHGO\HSLF biopic of Jiro Horikoshi, the engineer ZKREXLOW-DSDQ·VGHDGO\=HUR:: ÀJKWHUDLUFUDIWLW·VDSRLJQDQW exhilarating, and only occasionally pedantic tribute to the purity of WUXHORYHWKHDUWLVWLFVSLULWDQGWKH H[SHULHQFHRIÁLJKW0LGZD\WKURXJK we realised we were watching DORYHVWRU\RIVXFKH[FHSWLRQDO tenderness, the lump in our throat DOPRVWPDGHXVFKRNHQQQQQ
Locke Cinema :H·GKDSSLO\VHWWOHIRUÀYHPLQXWHVZLWK7RP +DUG\LQWKHEDFNRIDEXLOGHU·VYDQVRWKH SURVSHFWRI PLQXWHVLQD%0:LVDGUHDP FRPHWUXH:ULWWHQDQGGLUHFWHGE\6WHYHQ .QLJKWWKLVWDXJKWGUDPDQHYHUH[FHHGVWKH VSHHGOLPLWEXWOHIWXVKDQJLQJRQWRHYHU\ WZLVWDQGWXUQ Hardy, resplendent in a full beard, thick VZHDWHUDQGVRQRURXV:HOVKDFFHQWSOD\V,YDQ Locke, a respected, responsible construction IRUHPDQZKRDEDQGRQVDPDMRUSURMHFWLQWKH middle of the night to rush to the hospital bed RIDIRUPHURQHQLJKWVWDQGZKR·VDERXWWR JLYHELUWK$UPHGRQO\ZLWKKLVFDU·VKDQGV free telephone, he must break the news to his wife, banter about soccer to his teenage son, console his mistress, placate his boss, and somehow successfully complete the biggest FRQFUHWHSRXULQ:HVWHUQ(XURSH +DUG\·VSHUIRUPDQFHLVSHUIHFW VWULSDZD\WKH K\SQRWLFYLVXDOVDQGKLVYRLFHDORQHFRXOGFDUU\ WKHÀOPDVDUDGLRSOD\/RFNHZHOHDUQLVD PDQZKRDGRUHVFRQFUHWHPRUHWKDQKHORYHV people; its reliability and solidity clearly inspires his personal and professional life, but as his WRXFKLQJZLWW\MRXUQH\SURJUHVVHVWKHFUDFNV EHJLQWRVKRZQQQQQ
The Harry Hill Movie Disc Years before TV Burp DQG
ham who takes EORRG\UHYHQJH on a circle of critics; the classy supporting cast includes Michael Hordern, Milo 2·6KHDDQG'LDQD 5LJJQQQQQ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Disc Thanks to Ben 6WLOOHU·VLQYHQWLYH direction, this is an entertaining reimagining of -DPHV7KXUEHU·V VKRUWVWRU\ but the incessant product placement DOPRVWRYHUZKHOPV WKHPHVVDJH Sequences shot on ORFDWLRQLQ,FHODQG are genuinely stirring, and Sean Penn seems to be acting in his own, PXFKEHWWHUPRYLH QQQQQ
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Next Goal Wins Cinema On the VXUIDFHWKLVPD\VHHPOLNHMXVW another documentary about a sport some people eat, sleep and breathe, DQGRWKHUVMXVWFRXOGQ·WJLYHDWRVV DERXW%XW1H[W*RDO:LQVLVDQ inspiring, heroic and genuinely funny WDOHRIDQXQGHUGRJSHUVHYHULQJ DJDLQVWDOORGGV,QSOXFN\ LVODQG$PHULFDQ6DPRDIDFHGD KXPLOLDWLQJDJDLQVW$XVWUDOLD )DVWIRUZDUG\HDUVDQGWKH\ want to right that wrong in a GDXQWLQJTXDOLÀFDWLRQFDPSDLJQIRU WKH:RUOG&XS)HDWXULQJWKH ZRUOG·VÀUVWWUDQVJHQGHUSURIHVVLRQDO IRRWEDOOHU²WKHIWFHQWUHKDOI Jaiyah – this heartwarming tale VKRZVMXVWKRZEHDXWLIXOWKH EHDXWLIXOJDPHFDQEHQQQQQ
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WorldMags.net [geek] ,W·VDWUDS ,W·V not). Stay warm inside the belly of the beast! Look, we all know it never ends well for the Tauntaun, but think how warm \RX·OOEH$QGWKH added bonus is \RXGRQ·WKDYH to smell like a dead, brazed alien camel/kangaroo. Lightsaber zipper detail and guts interior pure genius! Q
LOKI: AGENT OF TUMBLR (WE MEAN ASGARD) ----------
Who? What now? The who-isLoki question tends to bring up more than 70 years of comic book backstory or thousands of years of mythology, but we’ll try to keep it brief. If you haven’t been watching, Tom Hiddleston played him in three hugely successful Disney/ Marvel movies as Thor’s quickwitted, silver tongued, three quarters evil little brother. He’s the Norse god who’s both trick and treat. He’s a touch gender-fluid, and at least a little bit into guys (after some ALMOST boy kissing in the last issue of Young Avengers After Party) and he is BIG on the internet. Like, Ryan-Gosling-toplessholding-a-French-bulldog, big. Marvel have finally given in, listened to the fanboys (and girls) of Tumblr. And seen logic in the math: Hot young thing + savvy
(obsessive) internet following = ohthemoney! For a while now comics have been written for a wider audience than the traditional (stereotypical) basement dweller. This title is being marketed to a younger audience, new breed of comic book reader, the post-Marvel movie crowd. Hawkeye described it best, in that Loki has started to look a little “One Direction-y.” This reiteration of the classic Asgardian bad seed has the metrosexual god of mischief looking more like Ian Somerhalder
Ghostbusters I Love This Town Minimates Box Set There is no Dana, only Zuul. Just NLGGLQJ7KHUH·VQR Zuul either. Sorry about that. 5HFUHDWHWKHÀQDO scene of the classic 1984 horror comedy with pocket sized and adorable Venkman, Stantz, Spengler, and Zeddemore! 'RQ·WEHDIUDLGRIQR ghost! Q
Life Sized Penguin Commando .OD[RQWe have no idea how The Penguin bankrolled his venture, but now YOU can unleash an army of Penguin Commandos on Gotham City! Each twenty-inch replica (YES!) comes complete with mindcontrol helmet and candy-cane striped URFNHW$QGWKH JRRGQHZVLVLW·V only £400. Q
Half-Man, Demon-Monkey, [P]Imp and Action Figure “It’s not easy being drunk all the time. If it were easy, everyone would do it.” Gentlemen, gentlemen, he’s rich, he’s charming, he can make you laugh and is a decorated war hero. Tyrion Lannister is Westeros’ most eligible bachelor. Well, sort of. (They all look like they could do with a good wash really). If you ever fancy yourself a lord of Casterly Rock, or as the hand of the Hand of the King, unlike Peter Dinklage, this snarky ‘half-man’ from house Lannister, will fit in your pocket. Q
than Tom Hiddlestone. It’s quite exciting to live in a time when a major publisher’s premier anti-hero is into guys canonically, but the important thing is Loki is back, and as personal spy to Asgardia’s All-Mother, he’s off the leash and craftier than ever. The surprises start here. With his unusual tastes, natural charm, serpents tongue (they don’t call him the Prince of Lies for nothing) and penchant for literally stabbing his brother in the back. Oh, and he’s off speed dating too. Did we mention the speed dating? Q
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ES GAM Lego The Hobbit Game of the Month Whether you like it or not, Lego is taking over the world. And its next step to global domination comes with the arrival of Lego The Hobbit across pretty much every single gaming platform; hot on the heels of Lego Marvel Super Heroes, The Lego Movie (and associated game), and the list goes RQ7KHUH·VDFRPSHOOLQJDUJXPHQWWKDWWKHIRUPDW is getting a little tired (and that the incessant PR stunts involving the little plastic bricks are getting ROG EXWWKDW·VDQDUJXPHQWHDVLO\EDWWHGDZD\ ZKHQ\RXORRNDWVDOHVÀJXUHVDQGWKHXQGHQLDEOH levels of humour, attention to detail and creativity displayed in the games. Lego The Hobbit pays GXHGHIHUHQFHWRWKHDGDJHWKDWLILWDLQ·WEURNH GRQ·WÀ[LWDV%LOER·VDGYHQWXUHV²LQWKHÀUVWWZR ÀOPVRIWKHWULORJ\DWOHDVW²DUHEURXJKWWRYLEUDQW shiny life. As ever, the game features a huge roster of playable characters and an enormous OHYHORIFROOHFWDELOLW\DVNH\SLHFHVIURPWKHÀOPV DUHUHDOLVHGLQIDPLOLDUSROLVKHGGHWDLO:H·YHQRW VHHQKRZ6PDXJWKHVHFRQGÀOP·VVFDO\GUDJRQ shaped star, will be realised in plasticky glory, but LIWKH¶ZDFN\·KXPRXURIWKLVJDPHVHULHVLV\RXU %DJJLQVH[SHFWWREHFKDUPHGQ Lego The Hobbit is available across formats now
Tinder 7KHZRUOG storming dating app KDVDQQRXQFHGLW·V offering celebrity YHULÀFDWLRQ$PLG news that celebs are stalking its halls for love like the rest of us, head honchos DWWKHVZLSHKDSS\ app have decided to make the path to true love run smoother. So, if you want to be VXUH\RX·UHDUUDQJLQJ to meet a former S &OXEHUQRZ·V\RXU chance! Q
OneNote,W·VQRW RIWHQWKDWDSS mongers are craving to allow Microsoft into the Church of Apple, but Mr *DWHV·XQGHQLDEO\ XVHIXOQRWHVKDULQJ app, OneNote, is reportedly coming to Macs everywhere. Further reports are suggesting this is a precursor to other Microsoft services being made available for iPad. Watch this space. Q
Infamous: Second Son Sucker Punch returns to the universe created in the first two Infamous games, but attaches a new protagonist and a whole new set of super powers, as the curiously named Delsin Rowe must get to grips with a hell of a lot more than growing pains in a beautifully realised digital Seattle. Q Out now on PS4
The Sly Trilogy Arguably the starting point for Infamous, Sucker Punch’s ‘other’ franchise featuring master thief Sly Racoon, gets repackaged as a slick trilogy box set. Charming, gorgeously cel-shaded and inventive, Sly and his friends (a turtle and a pink hippo – love!) are hard to ignore – and now also portable. Q Out 16 April on PS Vita
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WorldMags.net[tech] WORDS MIKE HIRD
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If the desktop isn’t dead then it’s certainly approaching ventilator status – as laptops, and even phones, outrank the power of their more cumbersome cousins. All but the most ardent of gamers and techie types can find their computing needs wrapped up in increasingly slick and slim-line packages. Here, GT caters to (some of your) lapbased needs
Casual Observer
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Dick Disco Watford, 31, building surveyor and occasional porn actor When I go round P\ER\IULHQG·V KRXVHWKHÀUVWWKLQJ I do is get my kit off, sit around, and relax and unwind. ,·PFRPIRUWDEOHZLWK my body and I like P\OHJV,GRQ·WOLNH my tummy or my FKHVW,·GSUREDEO\ change my face, if ,·PKRQHVW,·GJHWULG RIP\FKLQÀUVWWKHQ P\ELJSRNLQJRXW HDUV%XW,·YHNLQG RIJURZQLQWRLWRYHU the years. I had bad acne for years. The VSRWVZHUHDOZD\V the biggest deal for me. 0\$FKLOOHV·KHHOLV stress. I just want to hide away. It gets PHTXLWHGHSUHVVHG and I become quite LQWURYHUWHG:KR would I most like to be naked with? George Michael. Get GRZQWKH+HDWK,W·V his Greek looks, and his kind of naughty ZD\V,W·VDKHDG\ mix. I think we could KDYHVRPHIXQ My boyfriend ZRXOGQ·WOLNHPH doing this and he GRHVQ·WNQRZ,·P KHUHWRGD\,VDYH the nakedness for KLPEHKLQGSULYDWH GRRUV,·OOJLYH KLPDFRS\RIWKH magazine, and I KRSHWKDWKH·OOOLNH LW,GRQ·WWKLQNKH·OO EHKDSS\NQRZLQJ WKDW,·YHVOHSWZLWK DVPDQ\SHRSOHDV ,KDYHHLWKHU²PRUH WKDQWULSOHÀJXUHV +HSUREDEO\WKLQNV LW·VDERXWRU something. Q
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I’m 28, gay, and pretty much in the closet. I want to tell my mum I’m gay but every time I try, something bad happens. First, my dad cheated on her and they broke up, then our car was stolen and more recently our house caught fire. I feel like I’ll never fall in love – each time I’ve thought it was happening, it turns out the guy was never that into me. I’ve never even had a gay kiss. I’m bringing up my nephew so I don’t get out much. I feel like finding love is out of my reach and that I’ll never be able to come out and feel free. Nick, by e-mail
The Guyliner replies First of all, and most importantly, bad things are not happening because you are trying to come out – the WZRDUHQ·WOLQNHGDWDOO
@theguyliner
need advice?
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necessarily going to be so traumatic DIWHUDOO,·PVXUHVKHZRXOGQ·WZDQW \RXWREHXQKDSS\ $VIRUZRQGHULQJZKHWKHU\RX·OO HYHUÀQGORYH\RX·UHVXIIHULQJWKH same insecurities everybody else GRHVJD\RUVWUDLJKW,I\RX·YH not had a proper relationship, LW·VKDUGWRLPDJLQH\RXUVHOIHYHU being in one, and to think: “Why would anybody be interested in PH"µ7KHÀUVWVWHS,WKLQNLVWR come out; you might look at dating and relationships in a different ZD\:H·YHDOOWKRXJKWVRPHERG\ was more interested in us than WKH\DFWXDOO\ZHUH:KLOHLWFDQ EHPRUWLI\LQJLW·VRQO\WKURXJK experience that you get a sense of SHUVSHFWLYH7KHPRUHLQWHUDFWLRQV you have with different people, the HDVLHUWKH\EHFRPHWRUHDG2QO\ when you are truly comfortable ZLWK\RXUVHOI²ZKLFK,DSSUHFLDWH FDQ·WKDSSHQRYHUQLJKW²ZLOO\RX EHDEOHWRKDYHWKHFRQÀGHQFHWR ¶JHW\RXUVHOIRXWWKHUH·,IORRNLQJ after your nephew is taking up a ORWRI\RXUWLPHZK\QRWWU\ÀQGLQJ support groups for gay parents in \RXUDUHD" 7KH/RQGRQ/HVELDQ and Gay Switchboard has a national database that could help ²OOJVRUJXN 6WDUWLQYROYLQJ\RXU nephew in your social life, do things DVDIDPLO\PHHWQHZSHRSOH ,W·OOKHOSEXLOG\RXUFRQÀGHQFH and ready you for the next stage ²PHHWLQJPHQ'DWLQJRUKRRNXS apps get a bad rep, and perhaps DUHQ·WIRUWKHIDLQWKHDUWHGEXW WKH\·UHDJRRGZD\WRPHHWSHRSOH just like you, who may not be able WRJHWRXW¶RQWKHVFHQH·YHU\RIWHQ Not everybody is just looking for VH[
Need some good old-fashioned advice on matters of love, life or relationships? E-mail me in total confidence on
[email protected]. I can’t respond individually and your e-mails may be edited for use in the magazine. We won’t use your real name or publish any contact details.
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WorldMags.net [advice] THE GUYLINER LENDS AN EAR TO YOUR LIFE DILEMMAS AND DISHES THE DIRT ON THE UNDATEABLES
The Gesture Junkie Sometimes all it takes to keep a bit of romance alive is the odd bunch of flowers and a BJ. But this guy is out to impress and show just what a brilliant boyfriend he can be. Why have one bunch of flowers when you can awake on a bed of roses? Why take a cab to dinner when you’ve got a limo and champagne on ice outside? The problem with the Gesture Junkie is that he takes the phrase “never a dull moment” and runs with it – he fears the ordinary. He wants to give you the best time you’ve ever had, whether it’s surprising you at work with a helicopter ride home or booking a weekend to Paris just because you paid off your overdraft. This man thinks big. Weeknight drinks become hedonistic boozing sessions that would make a Roman emperor blush. Sounds great, right? But the trouble with grand gestures is they’re just a distraction: when it comes to the small stuff, like talking over your work dramas or deciding which kind of pizza to have for dinner, he goes to pieces. Want to talk about where you’re going to spend Christmas? He runs a mile. He’s only there for the thriller, not the filler; all his romantic ideas are from the movies. Every relationship needs its fair share of boring, but this guy is allergic to humdrum.
WORDS THE GUYLINER IMAGES ISTOCKPHOTO
[01]
ALL THE MEN YOU SHOULD NEVER DATE
The solution Make him understand he doesn’t always have to impress you – you want him because of who he is, not what outlandish weekends he can take you on. Introduce him to more simple pleasures, go on some low-key dates, and check whether he is still interesting once you strip away the pizzazz. He might be a secret dullard. But whatever
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you do, do NOT go to the top of the Eiffel Tower with this man – you’re likely to come back down married, or by parachute. ---------The Faultfinder Remember that old adage “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”? Obviously it’s utter bunkum, because if we all lived by that rule all we’d hear would be babies crying and dogs barking. But guys who can find the scratch on the surface of even the most perfect diamonds are best given a wide berth. Oh, you know the type: when shown round a friend’s immaculate new flat, he’ll search for a wonky shelf; as you show off your latest finery, he’ll step forward with a grimace and gently smooth down the lone hair you had out of place. A faultfinder can’t admit something or someone is more wonderful than he is, so will look for any chance to bring everyone crashing back down to Earth at breakneck speed. “Lovely dinner, shame the wine was too warm.” “I think that suit would’ve been beautiful if he’d got the next size up.” “The holiday would’ve been even better if it hadn’t been so hot.” He’ll offer praise, before lobbing a turd right into the middle of it. There’s no pleasing some men. Especially this one.
[02]
The solution Sometimes faultfinders don’t realise what they’re doing. Reply to any moan with “Oh well, you would say that – you don’t like anything”. Nobody wants a reputation for being a whinger. Or try countering his nit-picking with positive statements of your own, but you might need the hysterically cheery outlook of a Disney princess to get you through it. Q
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The 24th Annual WorldMags.net PRIDE WEEKEND Brighton & Hove Pride Festival 2014 Celebrating the Freedom to Live
1st - 3rd August
PRIDE ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL 18th July - 3rd August
Film Arts Theatre Cabaret Comedy Debate Spoken Word Sport d Vote DOOR OUT RIDE T S BE ENT/P L EV STIVA ne FE gazi
“This year we have much to celebrate in the UK, with same sex marriage equality and our Freedom to Live. However in five countries across the globe Homosexuality is still punishable with the death penalty, while a further 70 imprison citizens because of their sexual orientation”
a zm Boy
THE WORLD’S A Sunday 20th July 2014 DOGGY PRIDE Hove Rugby Club, 12noon-5pm WOOF! Last year Doggy Pride was the most successful ever. 2014 has Novelty classes, pedigree classes, doggy fun and games - in association with Coastway Veterinary Group and the Dogs Trust. For market stalls, traders or to enter your pooch this year, go to Brighton-Pride.org
Sunday 27th July 2014 PRIDE RAINBOW RUN, SPORTS DAY & PICNIC Preston Park, 10am-5pm 5K Rainbow Run/Drag Race/Bears tug of war and much more. Come and join in the community fun day - open to all. For more details and to register go to Brighton-Pride.org.
PRIDE ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL 2014 18th July-3rd August 2014 Two weeks of events celebrating Freedom to Live LGBT Arts, Film and Spoken Word. To register an event please go to Brighton-Pride.org
Saturday 2nd August 2014 LGBT COMMUNITY PARADE Madeira Drive 11am “The World’s A Disco” celebrates music, dance and colour from around the globe, whilst highlighting the plight of communities where the parties yet to start and they still don’t have their basic Freedom to live ! To register go to Brighton-Pride.org
photos © ChrisJepson.com
Saturday 2nd August 2014 PRIDE FESTIVAL Preston Park 12noon-10pm Pride is back, Bigger and brasher with extended opening times. 8 entertainment areas/ Main stage/ Dance tents /Funfair / Market/ Community area.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW Prices frozen until Easter £9 Super Early Bird tickets SOLD OUT £12.50 Early bird tickets WHILE STOCKS LAST Tickets then go up to £15 advance first release* Then £17.50/£20. More on the day. *Available for a limited time only
Brighton-Pride.org STATUTORY AUTHORITY PARTNERS
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[life]
WorldMags.net [pj brennan]
Yesterday, I spoke at my high school for career day. This sentence has about ten different meanings in my head. For starters, it means I’ve been out of high school long enough to merit coming back and talking about my experiences. It means I’m that much further away from being born and that much closer to my final hours on this earth. It also implies that I know where my life is, that I even have it together in the first place. The fact that speaking at my alma mater made me feel like filing my retirement papers already meant I had to accept the offer. Imparting wisdom on others would surely rub off on me, right? If I convinced enough people that I knew what I was doing with my life, then maybe I’d happen to convince myself as well. The freshmen were actual children; little boys eager for the attention of the young female teacher who escorted me to the cafeteria for lunch with my fellow speakers, most of whom were over 50 and true professionals in
CAREER DAY: GOING BACK TO SCHOOL TURNED OUT TO BE FULL OF GOOD SURPRISES
their chosen fields. ‘Watch this, miss!’ One kid shouted at us as we crossed the basketball court. He proceeded to shoot the most magnificent air ball I’ve ever seen in my life (woosh!). Nice try, kid. The all-boys Jesuit Catholic high school of my youth was alive again, confronting all my senses. I struggled to stay in the present; I kept seeing the corner of the room where my friends and I would waste all of our free periods and I swear I could hear them over the din of the other children. I walked into the cafeteria to a room full of familiar faces that had changed just enough, like seeing a snowman you had built the day before who spent a day in in the sun. You know it’s the same one but the lines are different and the posture has shifted. My French teacher had laryngitis just like she always did back in the day, and I wrapped her in my arms and hugged her now comparatively small frame. Another had let her hair turn into a magnificent grey and she looked even more beautiful and kinder than before, something
I told a story about how that very morning I had given my seat up to an elderly man on the train – the fear still in me that if a teacher saw me ignore the old man I would get detention
@peejaybrennan
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I had not thought possible. One of my old English teachers gave me a smile that made me feel so confident that she was genuinely happy to see me I smiled right back, as hard as I could. A kid who was a year below me was now a religion teacher; same gentle voice, and maybe a little less hair. ‘Now that you’re back, this has to be a regular thing, okay?’ They all asked me. Whatever trepidation I had about coming back had dissipated. I had to give the same talk to three separate groups of juniors, which meant I was nervous for a whole bunch of reasons. I had to be myself (yikes), I had to repeat the process several times, and I had to make my life sound interesting. Every 35 minutes the bell would ring and a new group of polite and well-behaved young men would file into the room. I knew that they were given a list of all the speakers a few days prior and they had to rank the speakers they wanted to see, from one to three. Of course, I was convinced I was such a good judge of character, I could tell how they ranked me just from looking at them. ‘What’s your name? Michael? What was I to you, like a three? I was a three, wasn’t I, Michael? Just say it!’ Or ‘Paul, huh? You didn’t even rank me at all, did you? You were just placed here!’ Once I started talking though, a lot of the nerves just faded away. I told a little story about how that very morning I had given my seat up to an elderly man on the train, something I learned in high school; the fear still in me that if a teacher saw me ignore the old man, I would get detention (or as we called it ‘Justice Under God’). Maybe not the purest of intentions to start with, but it shaped me. Now, I do it because there is no other option. Today, I offer him my seat, and maybe one day someone
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WorldMags.net [pj brennan]
I’m sorry, attendance of the gay club is up now that the sports seasons are coming to an end? Take that, bigots! One more stereotype down the drain! Huzzah! will do the same for me, but in the here and the now, I see him struggling to stand and I decide to do something about it. I went on to discuss my time portraying a gay character coming out on TV and how it made me see another side to acting; not just as a profession, but as a means to affect change in people, to offer support to others, and perhaps just to provide a voice for some who previously felt they didn’t have one. I expected some of the guys to squirm in their seats, but they listened, I mean they really listened. I remembered with a smile, the scene from 21 Jump Street where Channing Tatum tries 108
to take the piss out of someone by calling him gay, a joke which basically flies over the heads of the actual teenagers because that word has lost so much of its bite over the years. ‘You know, we’ve got a GayStraight Alliance here now, right?’ A teacher told me after I finished speaking with the first group. Hol’ up, I thought. Hold. The. Phone. A Gay-Straight Alliance at my all boys Catholic high school? ‘How’s the attendance?’ I was skeptical. ‘Well, athletics are finishing up so it’s gotten really good now.’ ‘I’m sorry, attendance of the gay club is up now that the sports
[life]
seasons are coming to an end?’ I asked. ‘Yeah.’ Take that, bigots! One more stereotype down the drain! Huzzah! We headed down to the gym where the juniors crammed onto the bleachers and us old timers sat in folding chairs down on the basketball court, facing them. In the centre was a podium where the keynote speaker proceeded to talk about God and Jesus, and it was only then that I realised I didn’t mention either one of those folks during my talks. But I looked at the juniors and I saw them examining the ceiling with such intensity while the keynote speaker went on, you’d think they were all structural engineers. I’m not saying that Jesus isn’t worth talking about necessarily, but it sounded hollow coming from him, and these kids seemed to realise that too. Either the ceiling in my classroom was structurally sound or I did a pretty good job of talking. I’m going to choose to believe the latter. Not because I narcissistically want to pat myself on the back; I told each group that the experience of talking to them was just as important for me as it was for them, if not more so. It was an affirmation of where I came from and where I am hopefully going. I revisited relationships that sat on the shelf for nearly a decade, they came back to life, and they told me that I’m doing all right. I felt a kind of love you only get to feel as time passes. It was love that I forgot about for a long time, but never forgot about me, and when we reconnected, it smiled because it was happy. So that’s one positive about growing up; I have that to look forward to. For that, I am so grateful. I’d suggest you keep your eyes and ears open, and when you experience it too, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. And it will feel amazing, like living. Q gaytimes.co.uk
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WorldMags.net Are gay men getting bitchier? According to a GT survey, most of us think we are and admit we’re getting worse. We ask if being branded a bitch is something to be proud of, or whether mean gays are a negative stereotype affecting our reputation MOST MEN HAVE MOCKED – behind a friend’s back – their weight, what they’re wearing or who they’re dating. When a straight man does it, he’s being funny. But when a gay man does it, he’s called ‘a bitch’. In a survey of gay men commissioned by GT – during the tenth anniversary of Mean Girls on the silver screen, no less – 62% of us think our community is bitchy, compared to just 3% who think it’s an unfair stereotype. More than half of us have ditched a gay friend because we thought he was acting too vile towards others. Only 12% of those who admit to being bitchy are actually proud of it. A quarter of us are ashamed of our sharp tongues and 60% of the gay community thinks our bitchy comments and attitudes are getting worse. “If you’re gay and believe that all gay men are bitchy, you may feel that you need to get in touch with your inner-bitch,” explains Matthew Hodson, chief executive officer
of charity GMFA. “Stereotypes become useful signifiers of homosexuality for scriptwriters and journalists. The images of gay men that we see on TV or read about will often conform to these stereotypes in some way. They become selfperpetuating; if you think gay men are more likely to do particular things then you may be more likely to adopt those behaviours yourself, to assert your gay identity.” Not since Queer As Folk did a television show divide a gay audience like Vicious. When the Sir Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi sitcom about snippy elderly gay couple Stuart and Freddie first aired on ITV last year, it was accused of reinforcing the popular misconception that incessant bitching is part of a gay man’s DNA. The argument will rage on next year when series two begins. “Vicious attracted a lot of criticism from some gay people but I actually thought it was fucking funny,” admits Mark Simpson, author of End Of Gays. “I laughed out loud, which is the first time I’ve done that watching a British sitcom this century. I recognised the couple presented by McKellen and Jacobi and the ‘bitchy’ humour. “But I think many of the people objecting to it did too. That’s what they didn’t like about it. Yes, there’s a fine line between being funny and bitchy, but I suspect that if you worry too much about crossing it, you won’t be very funny. And I don’t think bitchiness is in itself special to gay men – straight men can be very bitchy too. Though it’s usually passed off as banter.” From real-life bitches like Bette Davis, Joan Rivers and Madonna, to fictional TV characters like Alexis Colby, Karen Walker and Tom Farrell, there’s no question that gay men are attracted to a sharp tongue. And it’s been that way for the last 200 years. In the 19th century, many gay men began to reject manly activities for ‘womanly
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pursuits’ like fashion, gossip, and culture such as opera and theatre. Women’s conversational style, then known as ‘dishing,’ included sarcastic retorts, vicious putdowns, and malicious gossip. By the turn of the last century, closet homosexuals adopted their style and rebranded it ‘fag talk’ as a means of articulating their feminine side. And that became what we now call ‘bitching.’ “It’s possible the bitching is more likely among older gay men, who experienced much greater legal inequality and intolerance than younger generations,” points out Matthew Hodson. “Bitchiness can be a defence mechanism, a desire to get the attack in before you get attacked yourself.” According to body language, behavioural expert and author Judi James, there are two main motives for bitching. “Assassination Bitching is when there is a specific target who you try to attack and that target is known to you. It seems to raise your power and status while lowering theirs, so it provides a more tangible purpose. And Bond Bitching is used to create rapport, a bit like animals grooming one another. If you both laugh and you both join in you will feel an instant bond, especially as it is a bit naughty.” The latter motive is bore out by our survey. More than a quarter of us say we’re only bitchy to amuse each other. 32% of us say we use it as a defence mechanism – we attack before we’re attacked. “One problem with stereotyping is that if people assume a trait, IE bitching, they will often keep prompting it,” adds Judi James. “A lot of women will assume gay friends are more likely to enjoy bitching more than other guys and keep pushing until it might appear impolite not to join in. But I also know a lot of gay men who find bitching distasteful and a very negative stereotype. “Shucking off years of stereotyping
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WorldMags.net EY V R SU Are gay men generally quite bitchy? 16% Very often 62% Quite a lot 19% No more than straight men 03% 1RWKDW·VDIDOVHVWHUHRW\SH ----------
Are we getting worse? 60% Yes 28% No 12% 7KHUH·VQRGLIIHUHQFH ----------
Are we bitchy because… 09% :HDUHHQFRXUDJHGE\RXUIULHQGV" 32% ,W·VDGHIHQFHPHFKDQLVP²ZHDWWDFNEHIRUHZHDUHDWWDFNHG" 28% :HVD\WKHVHWKLQJVWRPDNHHDFKRWKHUODXJK" 11% :HKDYHDFROOHFWLYHFKLSRQRXUVKRXOGHUV" 12% :HDOOWKLQNWKHVHWKLQJVEXWJD\VDUHQ·WDIUDLGWRVD\WKHP" 08% Other ----------
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being not at all and 10 being extremely) how bitchy are you? 04% 1 04% 2 10% 3 12% 4 16% 5 24% 6 18% 7 06% 8 04% 9 02% 10 ----------
Compared to your friends, are you… 24% 0RUHELWFK\ 37% /HVVELWFK\ 39% (TXDOO\ELWFK\ ----------
If you’ve ever been told you are bitchy, were you… 13% 3URXGRILW 25% (PEDUUDVVHGE\LW 50% $JUHHGZLWKLW 12% 'LVDJUHHGZLWKLW ----------
Have you ever ditched a friend because they were too bitchy? 52% Yes 40% No 08% ,FRQVLGHUHGLWEXWFKDQJHGP\PLQG ----------
Are gay men bitchier in cities compared to small towns? 48% Yes 05% No 47% Makes No Difference ----------
Are you bitchier on social media or in person? 39% ,QSHUVRQ 20% 2QVRFLDOPHGLD 11% The same 30% Neither ----------
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might be difficult, especially when people prompt you to respond in a way that they might enjoy, like an off-duty comedian being prompted for wall-to-wall jokes.” Only 19% of gay men in our survey think we are no bitchier than straight men. Matthew Hodson adds: “I suspect that heterosexual men are generally less likely to comment on the appearance of other men, probably because they’re not attracted to them. I did notice when I started working for a gay company that some of my colleagues and volunteers thought that it was okay to criticise my dress sense and appearance, which I’d never experienced elsewhere. And perhaps the boundary between helpful and bitchy can get a bit blurred at times. “But I don’t think that there’s anything intrinsic about being gay that makes us bitchy. Sure, I’ve met some acid-tongued queens in my time, and often enjoyed their company, but I’d also say that some of the most caring, thoughtful and compassionate men I have ever met have also been gay.” Being bitchy might find you laughs, but will it find you love? Not according to Lemarc Thomas, of Seventy Thirty, the exclusive matchmaking and introduction agency. “No one comes to Seventy Thirty looking for a partner saying ‘I want someone who’s bitchy.’” he begins. “No one likes a mean girl. In fact, most people tell me they find it unattractive and they’re ashamed when they adopt this attitude themselves. Bitchy sarcastic attitudes are off-putting and carrying those attitudes into the relationship can also be very problematic. “There is often some conflict when you start seeing someone, which helps the relationship develop; but bitchy sarcastic attitudes or behaviours are maladaptive and can lead to relationship break down. Being bitchy is not attractive.” Q
e h t n ab bitch Fed up of being a bitch? Dating expert Lemarc Thomas tells us how gaytimes.co.uk
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Bitchy behaviours can be very difficult to break, particularly if you’ve created a role within your social group as ‘the bitch.’ ----------
[01] You have to want to change and recognise your behaviour is not helpful. This has probably become an automatic response, so you’ll need to think about social situations where you are being a bitch.
[02] Practice substituting your bitchy behaviour for something more helpful. You will slip up, and someone will come along and give your inner bitch an opportunity you can’t miss. But keep at it. Try to compliment people instead of being bitchy, don’t say everything that comes to your mind; use a filter. ----------
[03] Think about your social identity. What positive things are you known for? Perhaps you’re the funny one, make jokes at your own expense rather than others. Think of other ways that you can make people laugh. ----------
[04] Learn to control your emotions – suppressing them is likely to result in an explosive reaction disproportionate to the
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situation. Think rationally and logically; learn to be assertive rather than bitchy. ----------
[05] In the long term, focus on the insecurities that ‘the bitch’ protects you from. When you start showing the real you, you will receive confirmation that you are a great person and that people love you and not the comments you make about others. Q
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WORDS JOHN MARRS
WE CAN CURE YOU *
CAN’T
*
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IMAGES ISTOCKPHOTO
For centuries they’ve tried to cure us of our gayness. They’ve sent us to camps to brainwash us, removed our testicles, exorcised our demons and tried overdosing us on porn. But Gay Conversion Therapy’s days could soon be numbered YOU DON’T NEED TO BE STEPHEN Hawking to calculate that, with an estimated 340 million gay people living in the world, trying to ‘cure’ us of homosexuality is like trying to find a needle in a gaystack. But that hasn’t stopped right-wing organisations and fundamentalist religious groups from trying their hardest to change our nature. For decades, their Gay Conversion Therapy (GCT) programmes have been based on the assumption we’ve chosen to be gay, and with rigorous counselling, can be trained to become straight. Of course, we know we’re born this way and mainstream psychologists agree. They also agree the therapy is ineffective, unethical and often harmful, increasing anxiety and self-hatred among those treated for what isn’t actually a mental disorder. But in America, where GCT has traditionally been at its most prevalent, the summer of 2013 saw a major shift in attitudes when Exodus International closed its doors. For 40 years, the Christian ministry preached that we could be cured through therapy and prayer. Then suddenly, it changed its mind. And its leader, Alan Chambers, even confessed that he ‘omitted his ongoing same-sex attractions’ while ministering gay people. “We have done wrong,” he admitted, “I am sorry that some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt you felt when your attractions didn’t change. I am sorry we promoted sexual
orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatised parents. I am sorry there were times I didn’t stand up to people publicly ‘on my side’ who called you names like sodomite – or worse. I pledge that future endeavours will be focused on peace and common good.” Chambers is not the only one to have a change of heart. In May 2003, Robert Spitzer first published his paper Can Some Gay Men and Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? His studies claimed to prove therapy worked and that after intervention, 66% of men ‘had achieved good heterosexual functioning.’ The criteria for that functioning? Being in a relationship for a year; having heterosexual sex several times a month and not thinking about gay sex more than 15% of the time while having heterosexual sex. However, in 2012, after pro GCT groups used his findings to back their cause, he retracted his paper. He said: “I was quite wrong in the conclusions that I made… it does not provide evidence, really, that gays can change. And that’s quite an admission on my part.” Up-and-coming gay country singer Steve Grand, who’s video All American Boy became an international viral hit last July, admitted he had undergone failed counselling attempts as a teenager to turn him straight. “I was so consumed by the voices I grew up hearing… my parents
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Want to stop being gay? Then don’t bother following this ‘expert’ advice… Swap testicles In 1919, Viennese doctor Eugen Steinach transplanted testicles from straight men into gay men to try and change their sexual orientation. However, his methods were doomed to fail for many reasons, including our immune system which rejects transplanted glands. ----------
Get exorcised In 2009 Manifested Glory Ministries released a 20-minute YouTube video showing a 16-year-old boy have an exorcism to cure him of homosexuality. +HUROOVDURXQGRQWKHÁRRUDVFKXUFK members stand on his feet, hold him under the arms and scream, “Come on, you homosexual demon! Loose [sic] your grip, Lucifer!” ----------
Have sex with a prostitute Baron Albert von Schrenck-Notzing, a 19th century German psychiatrist, claimed getting very drunk then visiting a EURWKHOZRXOGVWRSDPDQ·VJD\GHVLUHV In 1892, he tried hypnotising the gay out patients. Of his 32 cases, he claimed it worked on 12. ----------
Overdose on porn Psychologist Ian Oswald gave gay men sickness-inducing drugs, surrounded them with cups of urine and played recordings of gay men having sex. He hoped they would overdose on gayness and want to have sex with women instead. ----------
Take cocaine Physician Denslow Lewis would prescribe cocaine to women from 19th century ZHDOWK\IDPLOLHVZKRZHUH¶DWULVN·RI becoming lesbians. He claimed that some ex-patients had gone on to get married and have children, but at least one went insane and died in an asylum.
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WorldMags.net Download an app In 2012, Christian ministry Setting Captives Free created a free app that FRXOGUHOHDVHXVHUVIURP¶WKHERQGDJH RIKRPRVH[XDOLW\·LQMXVWGD\V,W claimed homosexuality was caused E\GHPRQV WKHUHZDVDFXOWLQWKHJD\ community that worships male genitalia DQGWKDWDQDOVH[PDNHVPHQORVHERZHO control. After complaints, the app was pulled from online stores. ----------
stroke a horse
Cuddle a man 3HRSOH&DQ&KDQJH·V¶-RXUQH\,QWR 0DQKRRG·ZHHNHQGUHWUHDWLVKHDY\RQ SK\VLFDOFRQWDFWIURPZUHVWOLQJWREHDU hugs. They also encourage group cuddles ZLWKPDQ\PHQ´(UHFWLRQVDUHMXVWDSDUW of the healing process!” say organisers. ----------
Buy a bike American neurologist and sports enthusiast Graeme M Hammond thought that cycling could cure homosexuality. In KHFODLPHGJD\QHVV¶ZDVURRWHG LQQHUYRXVH[KDXVWLRQDQGWKDWELF\FOH exercise would restore health and KHWHURVH[XDOLW\· ----------
Stroke a horse
give up soy
In 2012, chief pastor Raymond Bell of the &RZER\&KXUFKRI9LUJLQLDFODLPHG\RX·G VWRSEHLQJJD\LI\RXVWDUWHGVWURNLQJ KRUVHV+HEHOLHYHV(TXLQH$VVLVWHG Psychotherapy teaches men to stop EHLQJJD\DQGPDQXS´($3FDQKHOS any person who is living the homosexual lifestyle in anyway,” he said. ----------
Give up soy ,Q-DPHV5XW]FKDLUPDQRI Megashift Ministries claimed using VR\ZDVPDNLQJXVJD\HU´6R\EHDQ products are feminising,” he said. ´
buy a bike
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WorldMags.net telling me I need to change… and I was in straight therapy for five years,” he said. “I was seeing a clinical psychologist and part of the therapy was dealing with my attraction to men. In my situation my therapist believed homosexuality was the result of unmet needs in childhood. We just ended up having a completely different perspective.” According to Dr Jamie F Lawson, anthropologist at Durham University, ‘gay cures’ exist for one reason. “They exist because people pay for them,” he tells GT. “The interesting question is, why do people take them up? Why would a person be so unhappy to realise that they are gay and would be willing to pay to be made straight? For an answer to that question, we have to look at the places these people are living. We have to look at how their family and friends are reacting to them, and we have to understand what we as a society are saying about what it means to be gay.” In July last year, more than 40 LGBT groups, and trade union organisations the TUC and Unison, asked the government to ban GCT. A petition of 2,002 signatures was submitted to the House of Commons. And more than 40 backbench MPs signed a motion calling on the government to ban conversion therapy for under 18s and investigate NHS links with conversion therapists. In 2009, Lesley Pilkington became the first British therapist to be struck off by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy for trying to cure a client. Labour MP Geraint Davies urged Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to consider a total ban on GCT from being provided by psychotherapists. He said: “There’s obviously no need to offer treatment for something that’s not an illness. It’s based on outdated views and dodgy science.” Such a ban horrifies Dr Joseph Berger, a consultant psychiatrist at the Royal College of Psychiatrists
in Canada, and a practitioner of change therapy. “I consider it unethical to propose such bans,” Berger said at a debate in Westminster in January last year. “Considerable proportions of people come forward asking for help. Some studies suggest as high as 79% [of people seeking CGT] have been helped. I treat people, not homosexuality.” Some techniques to ‘cure’ gayness have become dangerous and even fatal. In 2012, Australian doctor Mark Craddock, a member of a conservative Christian sect, was banned from practicing medicine after he prescribed a gay 18-yearold a chemical castration drug to ‘cure’ him. It’s not just religious programmes that try and chase the gay out of you. In 2011, 15-year-old South African
[life]
their anger at a controversial law known as the ‘gay cure.’ It would’ve allowed psychiatrists to treat homosexuality as a disease. The politician responsible, João Campos, backed down when it became clear it was going to be defeated. While campaigns like that have failed, other organisations’ attempts have descended into farce. American-based Homosexuals Anonymous is a 14-step program modelled on Alcoholics Anonymous. Founded in 1980 by minister Colin Cook, his credibility was shattered in 1986 when, while trying to cure his male clients of gay feelings, he gave them nude massages to ‘desensitise’ them to the pleasures of male flesh. And instead of desensitising them, ten out of the 12 ended up having sex with each other. After resigning then laying low, Cook made headlines
‘Gay cures’ exist because people pay for them. But why do people take them up? Why would a person be so unhappy that they were gay and pay to be made straight? Raymond Buys’ parents enrolled him at game ranger training camp. But during his ten week stay, he was alleged to have been starved, suffered skull fractures, electrocuted, forced to eat his own faeces, not allowed to use the toilet, beaten with planks of wood, and chained to the bed every night for being ‘perceived as gay and clearly effeminate.’ Eventually he died as a result of his injuries. Camp owner Alex de Koker and his employee were charged with murder, child abuse, neglect and two other cases. He was the third teen to die at Echo Wild Game Rangers in four years. In 2012, California became the first American state to ban exgay therapy for minors due to its psychologically harmful effects. And in Brazil, gay protesters took to the streets in July 2013 to express
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again in 1995 for having phone sex with patients and insisting they bring gay porn to sessions. In 2012, a group of former patients and their parents brought a consumer-fraud lawsuit against Jews Offering New Alternatives To Healing. They accused counsellors of making them take their clothes off and masturbate in front of some of them as part of the $10,000 a year ‘healing process.’ The lawsuit said their conversion therapy also included stripping naked in group sessions, cuddling and intimately holding other men and visiting saunas ‘in order to be nude with father figures.’ Dr Jamie F Lawson adds: “Despite all the advances in recent years, gay people still do not have equality, and until we do, ‘gay-to-straight’ therapies will continue to exist.” Q
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small things
[life]
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TONY & FAMILY EMBRACING DIFFERENCE We’re Tony, 42, and Hendrik, 39 – partners for nine years who decided to go the adoption route to add a little one to our family. Our gorgeous little daughter, Hannah, arrived two years ago, aged 18 months – she’s a quarter Caribbean with the most stunning afro hair so, as two blokes with more hair on our chins than our heads, we needed to find the right hair products. Luckily a chance encounter with two other gay dads and their similar heritage child helped us out. We joke now about how we cruised each other across the playground to discuss toddler hair oil! We’ve yet to experience obvious homophobia in this country – even when the littl’un shouts “Daddy!” then “Papa!” making us come out to complete strangers regularly. In Hendrik’s native Germany, we felt a lot more stares than back home in the UK. Re-entering the UK by ferry, an over-officious passport controller seemed intent on scanning Hannah’s passport repeatedly as if in disbelief of our family set-up – probably just misplaced his copy
of The Daily Mail. We’re eager that our child embraces difference – and is proud of it. We regularly talk to Hannah about different family set-ups among family and friends and use some brilliant books from Gay’s The Word to help. We always make sure Hannah has access to plenty of female role models – although we clearly didn’t model very well when pottytraining, as she wanted to stand up to pee the first time. Nursery have been very supportive now that she’s starting to hear other kids talk about their mummies. We’re always totally honest with her and use ageappropriate language to answer questions. Quick chats about “tummy mummy” who loves her very much are usually followed by rushing straight back to her trains (no gender-stereotyping in our house!). It’s been hugely positive and we love her dearly, and forget that our family came about in a different way to many. We’re now part way through the process of adopting a little brother or sister! Q @tonyereira
Fingers on the pulse British-based children’s clothing brand Dirty Fingers have designed an outright adorable range of LGBT garments guaranteed to make any parent go gaga. Slogans such as “Baby Pride” and “I Love My Daddies” adorn a selection of t-shirts and romper suits, with the designs available in an array of sizes, ranging from newborn to 11-years. The beauty of Dirty Fingers is that all of their products are made from 100% chemical-free, organic cotton, which is as soft as… well, a baby’s bum. Q ([SHULHQFH'LUW\)LQJHUVIRU\RXUVHOIDWGLUW\ÀQJHUVFRXN
JD\WLPHVFRXN
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please yourself
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WorldMags.net Place the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and sea salt into a bowl and mix together, set aside. Place the butter into large mixing bowl and – using an electric mixer – beat until smooth and light. Add the sugars and vanilla extract, and beat for a couple of minutes until smooth. Add the dry goods to the bowl and mix together until you have a mixture that looks sandy, add the chocolate and mix to combine. The final dough should almost look like soil, it should not have formed into one large ball of dough. Tip the mixture out onto the work surface and gently press together to form a uniform dough. Divide in half and roll into two logs, 4cm thick. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate until firm, about three hours. At this point you can freeze the dough and bake at a later date, or do as I do and bake off one half of the dough and freeze the second. Preheat the oven to 180°C
I love quick and easy recipes – and this is as easy as it gets. I’ve dressed it up a bit by dipping the cookies in dark chocolate and sprinkling with cocoa nibs, which give them the most beautiful cocoa flavour. Even better though is that once you’ve made the dough it can be frozen for up to month and, if you really wanted, you could bake off one cookie at time, when the craving strikes.
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R EDD E B M I K O WH Y O B S HE IS T BAKE
(160°C fan) and line two baking trays with parchment paper. Remove the dough from the fridge and using a thin sharp knife cut into rounds around 1cm thick. Place the cookies onto the baking trays, leaving about a couple of centimetres between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for ten to
Cocoa Nib Cookies Makes 35 275g plain flour 40g cocoa powder 3/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp flaked sea salt 200g unsalted butter, room temperature 50g caster sugar 200g light brown sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 175g dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa solids), roughly chopped Coating 250g dark chocolate, melted 2 tbsp cocoa nibs
12 minutes or until set around the outside but still soft in the middle. Allow the cookies to cool on the trays for ten minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool dip the cookies halfway into the melted chocolate and set onto a piece of parchment paper and sprinkle with a few of the cocoa nibs. Allow to set at room temperature. Stored in an airtight container these cookies will keep for up to a week. Q Author of The Boy Who Bakes and Say It With Cake, @TheBoyWhoBakes
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WorldMags.net[food]
A SIDE ORDER OF ALAN ROSENTHAL
SPOT ON Last year Gordon’s added a cool slice of cucumber to their classic brand. Now – just in time for the return of the sun – they’re launching the new Gordon’s With A Spot of Elderflower. Yes, that’s its full name. And it also comes in a can, pre-mixed with tonic. No excuse for not lazing in the park at the weekend now... Q *RUGRQ·V:LWK$6SRWRI(OGHUÁRZHULVDYDLODEOHLQ7HVFR Waitrose and Asda
Ever since witnessing a mouse
that has a lid. Season the chicken
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the prospect of living with rats
heat. Cook for a couple of minutes
and have, instead, embraced the
before stirring in the peanut butter
plentiful supply of peanut butter in
and chicken stock, some salt and
the house; the inspiration for this
black pepper. Return the browned
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chicken thighs to the pan, skin-side
Ghanaian chicken with peanuts, ginger and chilli Serves two 2 tbsp olive oil 4 chicken thighs 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced JDUOLFFORYHVÀQHO\FKRSSHG FPJLQJHUSHHOHGDQGÀQHO\FKRSSHG VFRWFKERQQHWFKLOOLÀQHO\ chopped 1 bay leaf 1 tsp mild paprika 100g chopped tinned tomatoes 75g crunchy peanut butter 125ml chicken stock Salt and black pepper
Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan
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up and cover with a lid. Gently cook for 25-30 minutes until tender; stir regularly as the peanut butter has a tendency to stick. Check for seasoning and serve with plain brown rice and some thick slices of cucumber dressed with a little olive oil, lemon juice, salt and black pepper. Q Alan Rosenthal is the author of Stewed! 80 Stews and One Pot Wonders, available on Amazon, @alanrosenthal3
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with tom jones
[life]
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HOW TO GET GREAT ARMS WITH THREE SIMPLE EXCERCISES IMAGE JOE MCCORMICK
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WorldMags.net [get fit] Follow this guide once or twice a week alongside a good diet and you’ll have arms ready for those summer months One of the joys of being a professional wrestler, working in sports and a personal trainer, is that I obviously work out – a lot. And when I’m not working out, I’m usually on the road travelling and trying to fit in training sessions whenever I can. Admittedly, working out and looking the part is all hand in hand with what I do. But as a young gay man, I’d be telling a bit of a white lie if I swore it was all in the name of my profession. Who doesn’t want to look great on a Saturday night? Who doesn’t want to receive compliments from strangers about how well we scrub up (even if it did take all day)? But what we forget is no matter how much time and money we spend on a new outfit to get us looking our best, it has to fit us... right? If we talk to a guy who’s arms are bulging from the sleeves of his t-shirt, our mind should be on one thing and one thing only – how many reps does he do? His answer is probably a lot less than you think. When we see someone in shape we instantly presume they spend hours in the gym. Some people do. Some people love fitness classes, a bit of weight training and then capping it all off with some spinning. A lot of us, though, we do it because we just want to look good. Arms and chest are normally the first things we notice about another guy’s body, so lets start our focus there. The upper part of the arm is mainly made up of biceps and triceps. The bicep itself only covers the front part of the arm – the peak – and is made up of three heads; the long head,
the short head and the brachialis muscle, which combine to give us that 3D effect on our arms. The triceps, on the other hand, are the muscles along the rear of the arm. So if you want to compliment that fitted t-shirt look with guns to be proud of, these are the exercises for you. First on our list is the barbell curl, which is best done in sets of four with eight repetitions. This is a mass builder when it comes to arms and the exercise that you should be strongest at – so don’t be afraid to push yourself to achieve the best results. The second exercise is the EZ bar cable curl, with three sets of ten repetitions. By changing the grip and using cables instead of free weights, we change the resistance and pull of the weight. Plus, we start to hit a more concentrated area than straight bar curls alone. The third exercise is called the hammer curl and, again, you should be looking at three sets of ten repetitions. This is the movement which hits the outside of the arm and not just the peak between the inner elbow and shoulder joint. It’ll help with the growth of the whole arm. To wrap up this bicep blasting work out, we go back to our second exercise. But this time, you should find the weight you curled at your very strongest, and then cut it by half. Then, proceed to do as many cable curls as you can to really burn the biceps and make sure they’re pumped to the very fullest. This is called a burn out and can be performed a second or third time by repeatedly halving the weight and working until you physically can’t continue. I don’t want to sound too much like your mother, though, but don’t forget; the days are starting to heat up, so be sure to drink plenty of water. You’ll look and feel a lot better alongside your results in the gym. So, as always, eat well, train well – and look hot! Q
[ask tom] A lot of big guys in my gym seem to just train upper body, but it looks weird having a big upper body with little legs. How important is it to train the whole body, or can we pick and choose?
It’s very common for guys to miss leg training. Admittedly, it can be a lot of hard work. But if our bodies grow too out of proportion – as in with a big upper body and little legs – then it can cause extra stress on joints and ligaments, as well as looking a little wonky. I’d recommend training the entire body so other parts don’t fall behind. Q
Need advice? Ask Tom on Twitter @tomgt1
I often review supplements and fitness products, but this month – we’re going online! If you’re serious about your training, then you’re serious about your food. Musclefood.com is a nutrition-based website selling award-winning lean and trimmed meats, high protein snacks and even protein bread. You can buy ready-peeled eggs and protein crisps. It pretty much caters for all your nutritional needs.
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WorldMags.net Show us your superpowers at Walk for Life and help us to raise a heroic amount for people living with HIV.
Distance: 10K START: BLOOMSBURY SQUARE GARDENS
REGISTER NOW AT .ukk co.u rlifife.e.co kfoorl wwwwww.w alkf .wal
or or call call the the walk walk for for life life hotline hotline on on
020 020 7812 7812 1665 1665
@ @ WALKFORLIFE14 WALKFORLIFE14 Terrence Higgins Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (reg no. 288527) and Scotland (SCO39986).
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IMAGE CHRIS GILES PHOTOGRAPHY
column
[life]
WorldMags.net [paul thorn]
There’s no doubt in my mind that being newly diagnosed HIV-positive, or having the virus for many years, can be used as a catalyst for change in your life. There are those who say it’s the best thing (with hindsight) that ever happened to them. There are also those who hear other’s gratitude for being HIV-positive and get annoyed. I suppose it might sound a bit glib to them, or like something from an Oprah show, but I definitely fall into the first category. If you choose to, being HIV-positive can allow you to transform your life in many remarkable ways. In previous columns I’ve written about making the choice for change, self-esteem and a method for giving yourself a quick overview of where you life is, and where you want it to go in the future. But at some point, the sordid question of coin has to come into play. How much does changing your life cost in real financial terms? The answer to this question is that it really doesn’t have to cost
HIV: RECIPES FOR LIFE
you anything, should you choose it not to. It’s first and foremost an inside job. It’s about how you feel about yourself and perceive the world around you. I’m not saying that money isn’t important, and I can tell you from personal experience that having more money than you need will not change the way you feel about your life in the medium to longer term. I received a substantial amount of money for a medical negligence case in the late 1990s. I wasn’t expected to live very long when I received compensation, so I used the money to try and enjoy what time I thought was left. Knowing what I do now, I’d certainly have done things differently! I had some ‘quick-fix’ fun along the way, but ultimately having money didn’t make me happy. I could more or less have what I wanted, I just didn’t know what that actually was. It was – if anything – frustrating, and burst the bubble of my thinking that plenty of money would and could change the way I felt. It didn’t. There’s a difference between having the money for what we
There are those who say being HIV-positive is the best thing that ever happened to them. There are also those who hear other’s gratitude for being HIV-positive and get annoyed
@paul_thorn
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need and what we want. Having the money we need is a necessity. The rent and household bills must be paid. We need to eat, clothes on our backs and it’s very important to have some fun along the way, else what is the point of it all? Being HIV-positive for a long time, I got used to living for the moment. I had a ‘devil-may-care’ attitude about money. When I decided to take control there was quite a financial mess that needed to be cleared up. This has been an ongoing process that still goes on today. Admittedly, I can feel resentful sometimes about my hard-earned cash seemingly evaporating from my account on the day it’s paid, but the truth is that with ARV treatment, I may be on this earth quite a bit longer than I had once thought. I need to prepare for it. I had to bite the bullet and list what I owed to my creditors and also what income I had coming in. I made realistic re-payment proposals to my creditors, and for the most part managed to make those payments on the day that money comes into my bank account. It hasn’t been easy, but over time my debt has decreased considerably. I can cover the cost of the things I need and I’ve a little disposable income each month which allows me to do and buy some of the things I want. Soon I’ll have even more disposable income for the things I want, as each individual debt is finally put to bed. I’m clearing the wreckage of my past that I (yes me!) created piecemeal. By making a choice to address the problem I have taken control of it. Being HIV-positive doesn’t absolve anyone (at the very least) from trying to meet their responsibilities. If we are going to attain the kind of life we want for ourselves, then we must take responsibility for it. No one else is going to do it for us. Q
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WORDS MATT PEAKE IMAGES ISTOCKPHOTO
[life]
WorldMags.net [rights]
LETTER FROM SLOVAKIA WE LOOK AT THE LIVES AND RIGHTS OF GAY MEN FROM AROUND THE GLOBE IN 2014
Filip Jankovic explains: Being gay in Slovakia is not easy. People are still very old fashioned DQGSDUHQWVGRQ·WH[SODLQWRWKHLUNLGV WKDW\RXVKRXOGQ·WMXGJHRWKHUVE\ WKHLUUDFHRUVH[XDORULHQWDWLRQ7KDW·V ZK\WKHUH·VDORWRIEXOO\LQJ1RWMXVW IURPNLGVEXWVRPHWLPHVIURPDGXOWV DVZHOO/XFNLO\,GRQ·WIHHOWKDWZD\ ZKHQ,·PLQ6ORYDNLDEHFDXVH,·P proud of who I am. But something did happen to me not so long ago LQ%UDWLVODYDDEXQFKRIER\VZHUH PRFNLQJP\OHDWKHUWURXVHUV,ÀQG LWIXQQ\QRZEHFDXVHZKHQ,ZRUH those same trousers in London, people came up to me and asked where I got them from. Personally LWZDVGLIÀFXOWWRFRPHRXWWRP\ parents when I was 17. My mum has the same mentality as many other people in Slovakia. She cares DORWDERXWZKDWWKHUHVWRIVRFLHW\ WKLQNVDERXWKHU6KHWKRXJKW,·GEH DWWDFNHGE\RWKHUSHRSOHZKHQVKH IRXQGRXW6KHZDVEHJJLQJIRUPH to turn straight for my own sake. Although religion was oppressed during the communist era, there KDVEHHQDUHFHQWLQFUHDVHLQWKH
YES Same-sex sexual activity legal Equal age of consent Anti-discrimination laws in employment, the provision of goods and services and in all other areas (inc. indirect discrimination, hate speech) Gays allowed to serve in military
NO Same-sex marriage Recognition of same-sex couples Right to change legal gender Both joint and step adoption by same-sex couples Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples MSMs allowed to donate blood
QXPEHURI&DWKROLF6ORYDNV7KH religious situation is dramatically GLIIHUHQWIURPWKH&]HFK5HSXEOLF ZKLFKLVQRWDEOHIRULWVDWKHLVWRU LUUHOLJLRXVPDMRULW\(YHQWKRXJK people usually comment that WKHUH·VDGLIIHUHQFHLQYLHZWRZDUGV KRPRVH[XDOLW\EHWZHHQWKH&]HFK 5HSXEOLFDQG6ORYDNLD,WHQGWR disagree. Czech society thinks the VDPHDERXWWKHJD\FRPPXQLW\ WKDWLW·VQRWZHOFRPHEXWVRPHKRZ LW·VDFFHSWHGLQWKHZD\WKDW\RX·UH not killed on the street. In Slovakia, although we do have a few gay EDUVHVSHFLDOO\LQ%UDWLVODYDZH GRQ·WKROGKDQGVLQSXEOLFRUVKRZ
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DQ\SXEOLFVLJQRIDIIHFWLRQ7KDW·V DELJQRQR There are a lot of slang terms in Slovak for the gay community, such DVIDJJRWDQGFDPSER\DQGRQHV WKDWGRQ·WWUDQVODWHLQ(QJOLVKOLNH EX]QDDQGEX]HUDQW8QIRUWXQDWHO\ LWDSSHDUVWKDWVRFLHW\WKLQNVLW·V OK to use them. ,Q0D\6ORYDNLDKHOGLWVÀUVW gay pride event in Bratislava. The pride participants were met with a PHPEHUFURZGRIGHPRQVWUDWRUV who threw stones and even tear gas JUHQDGHV7KHULJKWZLQJH[WUHPLVW group were shouting derogatory terms such as “odpad” (waste), ´EX]HUDQWLµ IDJV RU´6ORYHQVNR MHQDåHµ 6ORYDNLDLVRXUV 0DQ\ EURXJKWDEDQQHUWKDWVDLG´6WRS úchylom” (Stop pervert). Although many demonstrators were arrested, speech writer Michael Hvorecký felt that “the police failed. I spoke with several foreign participants, who said that their country would severely criticise the police and the action they WRRNµ8QIRUWXQDWHO\,GRQ·WNQRZ PXFKDERXWJD\SULGHLQ%UDWLVODYD Just the thought of it makes me XQFRPIRUWDEOH3HRSOHWHQGWRQRW VXSSRUWVXFKDWKLQJDQG,·PVXUHWKDW WKHUHDUHPDQ\KRPRVH[XDOSHRSOH ZKRGRQ·WJHWLQYROYHG However, we do have Ganymedes, which is a movement for the equality of gay citizens in the 6ORYDN5HSXEOLF,W·VWKHLUPLVVLRQ to promote and defend the rights and interests of gay Slovak citizens in order to achieve full legal and de IDFWRHTXDOLW\IRUWKHKRPRVH[XDO minority in the country. $OWKRXJKKRPRVH[XDOLW\LVQRW widely accepted, a Slovak man called George Duroy created one of the most famous porn companies, Bel Ami. In general, people are not DZDUHRI%HO$PL,W·VRQO\WKHJD\ FRPPXQLW\WKDWNQRZVDERXWWKLV company. I personally know a few %HO$PLJX\V7KH\·UHDOOVWUDLJKW DQGQRWP\W\SHEXW ,·PKDSS\IRUWKHPDQG their success.Q
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STOCKHOLM SWEDEN WORDS LEE DALLOWAY IMAGES OLA ERICSON / HENRIK TRYGG
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WorldMags.net [travel]
I
t’s indicative of Stockholm’s allure that this writer is even more excited to return to this cluster of islands for a second time. Summer in particular is when Scandinavia’s finest comes into her own. From the gorgeous weather to the infamous pride celebrations, the days are long, the water sparkles and one of the planet’s most picturesque cities effortlessly tickles the eyeballs. In just two short hours from Heathrow to Arlanda, the UK’s own capital city and all of its chaotic joy melts away, replaced by Stockholm’s more serene charms. Our home for the next few days is the Hotel Skeppsholmen, a collection of former military barracks dating back to the late 17th century. Located on an island right in the heart of the city, this ultra-chic residence mixes historical and modern styles effortlessly, boasting wonderful staff, a fabulous dining experience and all the comforts of home. Quirky yet comfortable, we absolutely love Skeppsholmen. (Hotelskeppsholmen.com) But we can’t stay in the hotel all day… so we went to another one. This time we shimmied to the Nordic Light Hotel and their Ice Bar. Not just a fancy name, the whole drinking den is a giant block of ice. Wrapped up in sassy silver smocks, we may have looked like right tits, but we didn’t care by our third cocktail, lovingly poured into special ‘ice glasses’. (spoiler alert: drinking is going to be a major factor in this weekend’s festivities – even though Stockholm is fun for teetotallers too… we imagine). You can even get married in the Ice Bar if you’d like something quirky for your special day, or merely want to finish off a nasty elderly relative via hyperthermia. It can be a gay,
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STOCKHOLM SWEDEN POPULATION 881,235 SIZE 73 SQUARE MILES TIME ZONE CET (UTC+1) GAY LEGAL SINCE 1944
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straight or everything in-between wedding by the way. This is Sweden – marriage is for everyone! (Icebarstockholm.se) When it comes to LGBT rights, Sweden is certainly one of the most progressive countries on the issue, and we must admit that we had a slight ulterior motive for visiting when we did – Stockholm Pride! We’ve rarely seen a city where literally EVERYONE gets involved in the festivities. Half a million people flock to this amazing event every year. Rainbow flags adorn shops, restaurants, buses, even police cars, as people take to the streets and the Pride Park plays host
Scandinavian jaunt this year, do try to make it during pride – you won’t be sorry. And as a side note, for us personally, bumping into the legendary Agnetha Fältskog backstage at Pride Park was probably the highlight of the summer. (stockholmpride.org/en) We returned to our exploration of Stockholm’s finest campery with a trip to the ABBA museum. There comes a point in life when you eventually realise ABBA aren’t just cheesy tunes for kiddies – they were ahead-of-their-time pop-producing geniuses! Even if you aren’t a certified fan of the retro quartet, there’s plenty
Blessed with a sundrenched weekend, the city was an explosion of colour, love and joy as people from all over the world arrived for Stockholm Pride to a raft of entertainment. Blessed with a sun-drenched weekend, the city was an explosion of colour, love and joy as people from all walks of life and all over the world lined the streets to cheer, embrace equality and dance in the street to Whitney Houston’s So Emotional. Last year’s pride event was also a shout out to the people of Russia. While Saint Petersburg is just an hour’s flight from Stockholm, life for LGBT citizens there is obviously very different. Sweden reached out to our Russian brothers and sisters with messages of hope and support before, during and after the event. If you’re planning a 130
here for you to enjoy. Trace the band’s history, see inside their dressing rooms, gawp at exclusive photos and videos, sing Dancing Queen alongside 3D holograms of our heroes and then buy some ABBA-related tat to take home. It’s actually joyous; you won’t be sorry if you Take a Chance (sorry) on a ticket. Do bear in mind that The Stockholm Card, which costs 210 SEK (around £20) a day and gives you free access to 80 museums, attractions and public transport, won’t get you in here. Poor Benny and Björn clearly need the extra cash… (abbathemuseum.com) If you’re looking for gay bars, or at
least bars with gays, in Stockholm, you won’t be disappointed. Ranging from continental-style pubs to trendy watering holes, the city is chock-full of pop musicpumping palaces, wall-to-wall with ridiculously fit and friendly homosexuals. The social life is extremely mixed here, and you’ll find gays and straights side-byside; there’s no issue with kissing your boyfriend or getting flirty with a local fella. Chokladkoppen, Sidetrack and Torget are three of our favourites, and a shimmy to the Berns night club is always a good giggle. But our ultimate nightlife destination has to be 8QGHU%URQ – a massive warehouse-esque outdoor club underneath a bridge. Boasting a polysexual crowd, funky decor, top music and an almost Berlin-like vibe. This is one of the most fun clubs we’ve been to and you must give it a go. Also, gurrrrrrrrl, you ain’t seen NOTHIN’ until you’ve seen Swedish girls cut a rug on the dancefloor! (Tradgarden.com) Last but certainly not least, we can’t visit Stockholm and not direct you to probably the best gay restaurant in the world. Yep, we’re making that bold claim. The gorgeous Mälarpaviljongen is located on a pontoon at the riverbank of Kungsholmen. This is the place to be and be seen during the summer months, boasting gorgeous food, an electric atmosphere, stunning views and live DJs spinning some seriously sexy summer sounds. Amazing. Just go! (malarpaviljongen.se) Of course, we’re not just about partying, we did soak up some culture too – and Stockholm is bursting at the seams with history, art, education and enlightenment. The Swedish Center for Architecture and Design contains all you need to know about Swedish architecture and construction from the 19th century to the present day. They also do special events and exhibitions; we saw the absolutely gaytimes.co.uk
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WorldMags.net [travel] stunning Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. Photography buffs should have a vada at Fotografiska, one of the world’s largest meeting places for contemporary photography exhibits. We never thought we’d get excited over a ship, but The Vasa Museum, based around an awesome, almost fully intact, salvaged 17th century ship, documents the history of the old girl and Stockholm around her, and for some blissful tranquility, head over to Millesgården, an art museum and sculpture garden located on the island of Lidingö. A stroll here in the sun is just as headclearing as several sessions with a therapist. Something else that’s good for the noggin, a blast of fresh air for the lungs and yet another treat for the eyes is travelling around the archipelago via local ferry. It’s a stunning way to see the ABOVE SOCIALISING BY THE WATER ON STRANDVAGEN BELOW GAY PRIDE CELEBRATIONS IN THE CITY
city – just make sure you double check which direction the boats are going in. If, like this writer, you’re particularly dense, you could end up spending much of the day on various boats. Not the worst way to spend an afternoon, though. As the sun set on another Stockholm adventure, we were even sadder to leave this time around. It may be frustrating that you can’t find booze outside of a bar after a certain time, and if you’re someone who’s looking for a city with more edge/dirt under its fingernails – like Berlin or Amsterdam – then Stockholm may be a little too laid back for you. But for a relaxing, cultured break full of light-hearted fun, we can’t recommend this city enough. Beautiful surroundings, gorgeous people, lively nightlife; very few places sit firmly in our hearts as much as Sweden’s capital city. Q GT travelled via SAS Airlines. Flights are available daily from Heathrow and other PDMRU8.FLWLHVÁ\VDVFRPHQXN6HHPRUH DWYLVLWVWRFNKROPFRP
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WORDS KEITH MCDONNELL
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e’ve had months of grey skies, rain, flooding of Biblical proportions and chilling temperatures. Yes, the start of the year in the UK can be a depressing time indeed. The excesses of Christmas are but a dim and distant memory, and when you’re trudging back to work after the New Year break, the arrival of spring, gambolling lambs and lighter evenings seem so far off that it’s tempting to retire under the duvet with a bottle of Night Nurse and simply wait for the clocks to go forward. That’s one option, but it’s possible to escape the grim Arctic chill of mother England and be basking in sunnier climes within four hours, as we did when we decided to beat the winter blues and head south to the biggest, sunniest and, most
constituted a fair, some might argue unhealthy, percentage of our time on the island. There really is something for everyone and anyone who turns their nose up at the mere mention of Gran Canaria, jumping to the wrong conclusion that it’s tacky and trashy, should think again. It couldn’t be further from the truth. The gayest part of the island is in the south – Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. Both these areas are a stone’s throw from the warmth of the Atlantic Ocean, reached by a trek across the dunes; miles of undulating sand formations that also provide the backdrop for the most popular cruising areas. Rarely can a walk to any beach be littered with so many potential distractions, but bear in mind that figure of Adonis shimmering in the distance may, on closer inspection,
for the capital, Las Palmas, which is situated at the northern tip of the island. Not only is there an amazing selection of restaurants serving local cuisine, but the Casa de Colón, a museum devoted to Christopher Columbus, proved to be both enlightening and educating and gave us an interesting insight into the history and culture of the island. See – it’s not all about boys in Speedos! Although the majority of gay tourists flock to the island for some winter sun, Gran Canaria is becoming increasingly popular in the spring and summer months, due in no small part to the popularity of Maspalomas Pride which, since it first dipped its glittery-rainbowed toe into the gay pride arena in 2001, has grown into one of the biggest international pride events on the LGBT circuit,
GRAN CANARIA importantly, gayest island of them all – Gran Canaria. Nestled off the western coast of Northern Africa, the largest of the Canary Islands enjoys the unenviable reputation of guaranteed sunshine all the year round. Well – more or less. Suffice to say that from stepping off the plane, to dragging our reluctant asses back on seven days later, the sun shone intensely for practically all of the week – and, although a jacket came in handy in the evening, swimming trunks were all that was needed during the day, as the temperature regularly topped 23°C, which ain’t all that bad for this time of year. But a trip to Gran Canaria is not just about lying by the pool, nurturing a tan and eyeing up the totty, although we must fess up and say that in our case, all of the above 132
not be quite as hot as you thought. On more than one occasion we felt as despondent as C-3PO trekking across the barren wastelands of Tatooine, so be warned! To paraphrase the late Whitney Houston: “So when the night falls, my lonely heart calls…” so it was out for an evening of camp frivolity or debauchery. And there’s plenty in abundance at the Yumbo Centrum. By day you can buy rip-off designer goods, by night you can be singing along to a rendition of Delilah in one of the many drag bars, then be getting down and dirty at Bunker. We needed a siesta most evenings to cope, as the Yumbo doesn’t burst into life until midnight. Managing to drag ourselves away from the pool mid-week, we hopped on a bus and headed
with more than 150,000 attending last year. This year promises to be even bigger and runs from 19 to 25 May, and includes a men-only pool party, the Mr Gay Gran Canaria contest, drag shows, a big street parade, fundraisers and climaxes with a star-studded show at the Yumbo Centrum with Cascada and our super-sexy past cover stars, Sam Callahan and Kingsland Road. Although we last attended Maspalomas Pride eight years ago when it was still in its infancy, even then it was still a pretty blinding week of fun and debauchery, some of which we’d rather draw a veil over. But when you’re on holiday, who cares? Gran Canaria is fun-filled island with sun all the year round, and with gay credentials which are second to none. Quite frankly, what’s not to love? Q gaytimes.co.uk
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