HEDWIG & THE

ANGRY INCH
BROADWAY
RETURN
FOR NEIL
PATRICK
HARRIS
BIANCA
DEL RIO!
RuPauls Drag
Race winner
CONCHITA
WURST!
Her most revealing
interview yet
LAVERNE
COX!
Why Orange Is still
the New Black
Ella Henderson / Kristen Chenoweth / Michelle Collins / Bright Light Bright Light
J
U
L
Y

2
0
1
4

U
K

4
.
3
0

T
H
E

O
R
I
G
I
N
A
L

G
A
Y

M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
EXCLUSIVE
Neon Trees
Tyler Glenn talks
growing up gay
and Mormon
3
0
Y
E
A
R
S
O
F
G
A
Y
T
IM
E
S
Positive
Luke
The teen
with HIV
taking on
the system
Second
chances
Michael
Alig on
life after
prison
Hot new
couple Marcus
and Robin
When Strictly
met X Factor
CRAZY IN
LOVE

Editor DARREN SCOTT
Assistant Editor RYAN BUTCHER
Staff Writer BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH
Design & Art Direction MARK KING
Editor-at-large JOHN MARRS
Style LLOYD-SCOTT TYLER
Music BOB HENDERSON
Columnists MICHAEL ALIG, PJ BRENNAN,
BENJAMIN COHEN, THE GUYLINER, CHRIS JONES,
EDD KIMBER, ALAN ROSENTHAL, PAUL THORN,
MICHELLE VISAGE, MIKEY WALSH
Contributors SIMON BUTTON, LEE DALLOWAY,
STEPHEN DONNAN, JUSTIN FROST, NATHAN
GENESE, MIKE HIRD, LIAM LESLIE, JOE MCCORMICK,
FERGAL MCFERRAN, JOEL MCLOUGHLIN,
ALEXANDER MANSFIELD, TIM MITCHELL, WAYNE
MORAGHAN, JUSTIN MYERS, KRISHAN PARMAR,
MATT PEAKE, LEE ROBERTS, LUKE SMITH, MILO
WAKELIN, BEN WALKER, TOM WICKER, NICK VERELL
Pug-at-large TOBY
Thanks to HILLARY ANGEL (Visit Palm Springs),
EMILY BANYARD (Michael O`Mara Books), DAVID
CHARPENTIER (Producer Entertainment), SAM
CORBETT (Live Nation), SARAH CORNEY (Organic
Publicity), LEE CRAIG (Artist Management), KERRIE
DONNELLY (Radiator PR), JEFF DORTA (Project
Publicity), LEN EVANS (Project Publicity), AMANDA
FREEMAN (Freeman PR), ANDY GREEN (Organic
Publicity), ESTHER HAYNES (Conde Nast), AMY
KASS (Boneau/Bryan-Brown), PHIL LOBEL (Lobeline),
DANNY LYNCH (The FA Group), NIKKI MCNEILL
(Global Publicity), KYLE MALONE (Lobeline), AARON
MEIER (Boneau/Bryan-Brown), CARA MYGIND (Air New
Zealand), KABIR NAIDOO (London Eurovision), KEELEY
NAYLOR (Emfoundation), SARAH PEARSON (Wasted
Youth PR), SUNDRAJ SREENIVASAN (Supersonic),
JENNIFER SWANTON (Air New Zealand), JAMES
TREACY (Diffusion 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 keith@gaytimes.co.uk
CIassied Advertising SaIes ASH ALLIBHAI
020 7424 7451 ash@millivres.co.uk
Escort Advertising Sales RAJ VALENTINO
020 7424 7457 escorts@gaytimes.co.uk
Editorial 020 7424 7400 Fax 020 7424 7401
Sales/Distribution 020 7424 7400 Fax 020 7424 7401
Editorial e-mail edit@gaytimes.co.uk
Advertising e-mail advertising@gaytimes.co.uk
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: karen.donohoe@comag.co.uk
Subscriptions UK 0844 856 0637
Subscriptions e-mail gt@servicehelpline.co.uk
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
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. 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.
[07/14]
Email edit@gaytimes.co.uk
Facebook gaytimes
Twitter @gaytimesmag
Instagram gaytimesmag
Snapchat gaytimesmag
4 gaytimes.co.uk
pucker up!
[
44
]
[
58
]
[
68
]

GT434 JUL 2014
Education and rehabilitation.
Surely two basic rights?
Everyone should be given the
chance to learn, and for those
that perhaps didnt learn
the first time, that second
chance should be given to
those willing to learn from mistakes.
With that in mind, this issue we welcome two
new gay male columnists to GT.
The first is 19-year-old Luke Alexander. You
may have seen him on television and in the news.
The sexual story of this particular teenager
is compelling because, as he takes on the UK
government in his fight for better sex education,
he himself says that had he been better educated,
he wouldnt be in his current situation.
The second is 48-year-old Michael Alig. You may
also have seen him on television and in the news
a man who has just been released from prison
for manslaughter, albeit a fairly well documented
crime. He writes here about his long road to
rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Everyone deserves a second chance. Youll learn
what Luke is doing with his, and hopefully stop
to consider that for Michael, gay life has almost
been preserved in a time capsule since he was
sentenced in 1997. Hes never had a mobile phone
before, for example. But this isnt the first time a
former prisoner has written for or appeared in GT
and it wont be the last.
Both have difficult tales to revisit before being
able to move on, both have made mistakes but
havent we all? At least both are willing to use
their particular situations to help others learn,
and thats something that none of us should take
for granted, or deny. Darren Scott @darren_scott
COVER IMAGE JOE MCCORMICK
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
rst
06 Fitty at the front
14 Mikey Walsh
18 Conchita Wurst
24 Michelle Visage
26 Sweetie, Darling?
news
28 Northern Ireland
30 News debate
32 Michael Alig: Second Chance
36 30 Things: Sport
39 Ben Cohen
40 Heroes: Gloria Gaynor
features
44 Marcus and Robin
54 Bianca Del Rio
58 Bright Light Bright Light
64 Laverne Cox
68 Neon Trees
76 Hedwig and the Angry Inch
style
83 Summer sun
90 Colour is in
entertainment
94 Music
99 Print
102 Stage: Kristin Chenoweth
104 Screen
107 Geek
108 Tech
real life
111 Reader`s lives
112 The Guyliner
115 PJ Brennan
116 Real Life: Positive Luke
120 Home life
122 Edd Kimber
123 Alan Rosenthal
124 Fit with Chris Jones
127 Paul Thorn
travel
128 Letter from
130 Palm Springs
[contents]
gaytimes.co.uk 5
N
E
X
T

IS
S
U
E
O
N

S
A
L
E
9

J
U
L
Y
[
18
]
[
32
]
[
54
]

gaytimes.co.uk 6
I
M
A
G
E

M
A
T
T

C
R
O
C
K
E
T
Recall Recall? You might recognise a few
of these faces (and torsos). The boyband
Recall graced these hallowed pages a few
months back, making them the first-ever
popstars to claim our Fitty at the Front
crown twice in a year. Probably. Anyway,
they have a brand new line-up now, and
theyre coming to a Pride event near you.
Just try not to rip their t-shirts though, eh
lads? Theyll be running out at this rate,
and wouldnt that be a shame... @offcialrecall
[07/14]

[first]
7 gaytimes.co.uk

rock hard
[07/14]
[first]
ROCK ON, ETC
Leather jackets, tattoos and bad
boys oh my! The classic glam
rock musical Rock of Ages has left
its Broadway home - where it`s
now the 30th longest running show,
don`tcha know? - to embark on a
massive UK tour. With a cast led by
a scantily clad Ben Richards, star of
Footballers` Wives (remember that?)
and The Bill (and remember that?!),
you`re not likely to be distracted
from the stage. And with classic
fst-pumping anthems like I Want
to Know What Love Is, Don`t Stop
Believin` and Any Way You Want It,
we`re pretty sure you`ll be out of your
seats and dancing in the aisles. But
if you`re worried about missing out,
rest assured it`s not quite The Final
Countdown just yet the show is
touring until November.
Until 22 November, rockofagesmusical.co.uk
8 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk 10
WELL STICK
WITH GIN
----------
Gin. Weve had
it once or twice,
believe it or not.
But weve never
had the ol mothers
ruin from a bottle
inspired by the late,
great Alexander
McQueen and
triple-distilled in a
copper pot. Yes, a
copper pot. D1 gin is
available throughout
June in branches
of Harvey Nichols,
and is enthused
with juniper berries,
coriander, orange
and lemon peel,
almond, liquorice
and even angelica
root... whos
Angelica? Anyway,
all you need to know
is its delicious.
Obviously.
Grab a bottle while stocks last,
39.95, d1londongin.com
You always remember your #FirstSNOG... Its time to
pucker up, because Harry Styles wants to have your
#FirstSNOG. Yes, thats right. So does Nick Grimshaw.
And Boy George. And Sam Smith. No, this isnt a
game of shag, marry, avoid, but SNOG yoghurts new
campaign to celebrate 25 years of Stonewall, and the
right to snog whoever we want, whenever we want.
Join your favourite celebs in downloading the new
SNOG app and uploading a decorated selfie to its Insta-
Exhibition. Then just keep tweeting it at @Harry_Styles
until he loves you. Get involved by downloading the app from iTunes
gin, gin, where do we begin?
[07/14]

SPEED
DATE
22 June 17 July
Get a taste of
performing arts this
June with the City
of London Festival,
showcasing the
best in music, art,
architecture and
flm from around the
city. Just look out
for the giant Bowler
Hat arena in central
London. Obviously.
colf.org
From 5 June
Dawn French has
brightened up many
people`s lives, but
her own has had
its fair share of ups
and downs. She
discusses life`s
loves and losses in
her new marathon
comedy tour, 30
Million Minutes.
dawnfrenchtour.
com
From 5 June
You don`t have to
travel all the way
to Budapest this
month to catch Brit
singer George Ezra
on tour. He`s playing
venues nationwide
before his hotly-
anticipated debut
Wanted on Voyage
is released on 30
June. georgeezra.
com
From 18 June
Grab your popcorn
and head on out,
because this
month sees the
annual Edinburgh
International Film
Festival make its
return, bringing the
best in cinema from
around the world to
Scotland`s historic
capital. edflmfest.
org.uk
2122 June
Never turn down
anything free. A rule
for life. West End
Live, in London`s
Trafalgar Square,
has performances
from musical faves
like Billy Elliot and
Wicked, and it`s all
on stage and avail-
able to watch for
free. westendlive.
co.uk
Who could resist
waking up to this
buff boy clasping
his oar each
morning? Well,
now you can! Sort
of. After years
of success and
thousands of
pounds raised for
charity, the Warwick
Rowers calendar
crew are bringing
us a special edition
portrait of their most
popular boy, Laurie.
These limited
edition prints are
available in a range
of different sizes
and will look great
when, ahem, well
hung on your wall.
And we managed
to get through all
that without making
a 'coxswain` joke.
Blimey. A limited
number of prints
are now available,
priced from 95 to
295, plus delivery.
For more, visit
warwickrowers.org,
@naked_rowers
oar-some
[first]
11 gaytimes.co.uk

Ofcial news from
behind-the-scenes
of the new Russell T
Davies drama!
Following the key casting
news of Vincent Franklin
and Julie Hesmondhalgh
in Cucumber Russell T
Davies new Channel 4
drama about 21st century
gay life details of the spin-
off series have now been
announced. Banana will
also be made up of eight
episodes, further exploring
the world of Cucumber with
self-contained half-hour
stories. And with the cast
of the initial four episodes
including Freddie Fox,
Fisayo Akinade, Andrew
Hayden-Smith, Letitia
Wright, Georgia Henshaw,
Hannah John-Kamen and
Lynn Hunter, you can pretty
much officially colour us
excited. Russell has written
episodes one, two and eight.
Charlie Covell has written
episodes four and six,
while none other than Sue
Perkins has written episode
three. Matthew Barry
and Lee Warburton have
written episodes five and
seven respectively.
Lewis Arnold will direct
the first four episodes,
with Luke Snellin taking
the helm on episode five
and Al Mackay directing
episodes six and eight.
Cucumber and Banana are due to air in
early 2015
CUCUMBER
Pride! Root out that rainbow flag and shimmy
on those short shorts, because pride season
2014 is here. Its our time to celebrate the camp,
the alternative and the down right ridiculous
and there are pride parades everywhere from
Toronto to Todmorden. Heres our top picks...
2029 June
The annual World
Pride celebration
is heading for
Toronto this year,
with Canadian
queen of cheese
Carly Rae Jepsen
headlining. Wonder
what she`ll sing?
worldpridetoronto.
com
----------
1822 June
Scotland recently
passed same-sex
marriage into law
hurrah! Pride Scotia
will be hosting a
major party, and
fringe events, in
the historic capital
Edinburgh, to
celebrate a year
of progress. pride-
scotia.org
----------
16 August
X Factor lads Union
J are headlining
this year`s Cardiff
Mardi Gras. Band
member Jaymi
Hensley recently
revealed that he`s
planning to wed
bf Olly in 2015.
Big Reunion divas
Eternal will also
be performing.
cardiffmardigras.
co.uk
----------
2225 August
Manchester Pride
is back this year
and spreading
itself all over the
August Bank
Holiday weekend.
It`s the highlight
of our summer.
manchesterpride.
com
----------
pride and joy
[07/14]
[first]
12 gaytimes.co.uk

This whole Love
yourself if you ever
want to be loved
thing. Is it really a case of just
loving yourself thats gonna bring
the guys flocking I mean, really?
Im trying to think if Ive ever
actually met a person who
truly loved themselves and
who wasnt either 40 minutes
into an ecstasy triple-drop or a
borderline psychotic.
Ive tried for many years to
practice the art of loving myself
and have FAILED dreadfully.
Ive no patience for meditating, I
believe in nothing bar life after
love, of course and Ive even
read The Secret cover-to-cover in
a bid to absorb just a single shred
of positivity.
I did love the theory of The
Secret the idea that you can
imagine things happening and
they just happen. I remember
a film called Teen Witch that
practiced that very same theory.
Sadly, it wasnt as big a hit as
The Secret was, but well worth
a watch. If only for the terrible
white man rap and Zelda
Rubenstein, the little midget lady
from Poltergeist. But I digress.
No matter how hard I try, Im
just a naturally self-deprecating
person, and I hate myself for that.
I over-think everything, I cant
stand not pleasing people and
Ill always be the Rhoda in every
friendship or relationship I have.
Its totally un-pc to say out loud,
but I cant actually remember a
single day in my life when I didnt
suffer with low self-esteem.
Too many life affirming
methods and books will forbid
you to speak openly about
your negative feelings, but just
because you dont say out loud
that you feel like shit doesnt
mean that its not true.
It may surprise you (not), that
Ive had quite a bit of therapy,
as well as the odd bit of mental
devastation and rehabilitation
two buggery books full, for
a start. Most of this came from
thoroughly believing that any ill
feeling is much better out than in.
Whether youre offloading to a
stranger on a bus or writing it all
down, its better vented than to
be left to fester inside of you. Get
it all out. Theres something very
cleansing about vocalising it, or
seeing it there in black and white,
that helps us to process it better.
We all go through different
types of trauma as we grow up.
Life altering events have a way
of seeping into our bones and
continue to have an effect on us
our whole lives, no matter how
vivid they may be. Some of these
can be fixed with time and effort,
others can be a lot tougher to
mend, and some we have to learn
to forgive and live with.
Theres no magic wand and bad
things do happen to good people
who dont deserve it. Dont tell
me Snow White didnt go on
through life without shuddering
whenever she passed a broom, or
a pair of dirty clogs.
The best we can do is accept the
things that we cannot change and
recognise that despite the effect
theyve had on you, theyre over.
Theyre not happening to you
anymore. Theres only so long
you can blame another witch for
your problems.
I wish I had the capacity to
repress it all and forget, putting
all my energy into the gym or
shagging it all away on Grindr,
but that wouldnt be very me.
The point is; to have baggage,
to be insecure, to have low self-
esteem or even to admit out loud
that you get lonely is not a terrible
thing, and it doesnt make you a
bad person in any way.
And if the theory is right, that
we must love ourselves before
were able to have a chance, then
Id like to know how so many
of us still manage to find great
relationships regardless of how
fucked up we are.
If youre going to love yourself
for anything, love your traits. Its
these that make you beautiful and
TRULY individual.
The lovers come and go, but
youve got to live with
yourself for a long time.
Take care of you.
Many life
affirming
books will
forbid you
to speak
openly
about your
negative
feelings,
but just
because
you dont
say out
loud that
you feel
like shit
doesnt
mean its
not true
THE CONTINUING
ADVENTURES
OF GYPSY BOY
@thatbloodymikey
column
[mikey walsh]
[rst]
gaytimes.co.uk 14

TO SUBSCRIBE VISIT
WWW.GTSUB.CO.UK
& ENTER GTSUBSCOVER
*OFFER ENDS 12/12/2014
GET YOUR HANDS ON OUR
SEXY SUBSCRIBER COVERS
AND SAVE 30%

Bag it up Who doesnt love the smell of high-quality
leather in the morning? No, not like that. Get your minds
out of the gutter. Anyway, for those of us who want to add
a touch of the luxe to our daily routines, thankfully theres
I Love 2 Love, an online boutique specialising in leather
jackets and accessories. What caught our eye is the
Barneys bag range, made from 100% leather. Whether
its their messenger bag or overnight holdall, now you
can carry your stuff around and look the business while
youre doing it. Prices for Barneys bags start at 110, available from il2l.com
down the aisle
[07/14]
[first]
Move over Kim and Kanye, its the wedding weve all been waiting for Modern Familys Mitch and Cam. Our favourite on-screen gay couple
tie the knot in a two part nale for season ve. In typical Modern Family style, it doesnt quite go according to plan, but luckily Nathan Lane
making a special appearance as wedding planner Pepper is on-hand to hold things together. And there might just be one or two other
familiar faces showing up on the day, too. Over the years weve laughed and cheered along with Mitch and Cam. But did we shed a tear as
they exchanged their vows? Dont be daft. There was just something in our eye... Modern Family: The Wedding airs on Sky 1 on 16 and 23 June
FAMILY GUYS
16 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk 18
For the next few weeks well be
watching dozens of athletic bodies
running up and down a pitch, all
in the name of sport, of course.
Yes, its World Cup season once
again. But youd be hard pressed to
nd a better role model in football
than 25-year-old Jaiyah Saelua
the worlds rst transgender
professional footballer. We were
introduced to the 6ft centre-half
in Next Goal Wins; a heroic and
genuinely funny tale of an underdog
team persevering against all odds.
We caught up with the beautiful
and humble Jaiyah to ask what its
like to be an inspiration to so many.
How does it feel to be the first ever
transgender professional football
player? I had to educate myself about the
issues in the world with trans athletes,
especially in soccer. I didnt know it was
such a big issue. After realising, it made
me appreciate the fact that I come from a
society and community thats so accepting.
Could you tell us a little bit more about
your and culture? You refer to yourself
as living as a third gender, right? Yeah!
Its very basic, if youre a guy and you have
more female characteristics, its called
faafafine, and thats from male to female
transgender people. Faafafine translates
into the way of the woman or womanly.
Gays, transsexual, transvestites, theres
so many sub-categories. In the Samoan
culture its just one word.
Its incredible that there can be such an
acceptance in one culture, yet we live in
a world thats completely different. Are
you shocked by all the prejudice in the
Western world? Its shocking that I had to
educate myself about the issues that the
world has on trans women. Acceptance
is the foundation of our culture. Religion
and faith in God was there before the
missionaries came through Samoa, so it
was easy for us to accept. Respect God,
respect your family and respect everyone
else, no matter where theyre from. That
includes trans people. Respect the fact that
they are who they are and let them live how
they want to live, so that they can reach
their highest potential in life.
Do you see yourself as a role model?
Erm, sort-of. Im hoping that the FA and
the American Samoa Association will give
me permission to be an advocate. But it
wont be much help across the Pacific, as
all the cultures are similar. I think the rest
of the world needs to learn from Polynesia.
I feel like speaking to people is good, but
I dont want to encourage too much. I still
dont know how differently people can
react in different countries. I dont want to
encourage someone to come out, be him or
her self, and put that person in danger.
What would you say to people who
are struggling with homophobia or
transphobia in their day-to-day life?
Prioritise yourself, but be aware of the
negative that people may give to you so
that youre not in danger. Remember to
acknowledge the people that support
you, and just keep going and reach for
the stars.
Next Goal Wins is out now on DVD.
nextgoalwinsmovie.com, @NGW_Movie, @jaiyahs
the beautiful game
[07/14]

A month of footy
madness lies
ahead as the 2014
World Cup sweeps
into Brazil. From
12 June, you can
expect wall-to-wall
coverage of men
from 32 different
countries, all
battling it out on the
feld. And, come
on, by odds of
probability, we know
that SOME of them
have to be gay.
How brilliant would
it be for a player to
come out during the
tournament? We
can only dream...
Anyway, naturally,
this seems like
a good enough
excuse to look at
David Beckham in
his tight white H&M
swimwear range.
Goal, back of the
net, etc. You`re
welcome.
WERE
ON THE
BALL
[first]
19 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk
20
Its been a frenzied few weeks
for this drag queen from Austria. In
the time it would take the rest of us
to make a cuppa, Conchita Wurst
had captured the hearts, minds
and votes of a continent. Her Bond-
style belter, Rise Like a Phoenix,
bagged a winning 290 points, and
has since charted everywhere from
Sweden to in a somewhat unlikely
outcome Russia.
But just a few short months ago,
this small-town drag act couldnt
have been any further from a
pop idol. A potent mix of Russian
politicians and Twitter trolls
saw her ridiculed; accused of
turning the show into a hotbed of
sodomy which would itself be a
great band name.
Its so ridiculous! For me a perfect
world would be when we dont have
to talk about sexuality, where youre
from, what you believe. Is this
the worst thing in the mind of the
politicians? They must have a very
happy life, because actually were
not talking about politics, were
talking about the most normal thing
in the world: the allowance to love
who you want to love.
But places like Russia giving
me five points, it was a statement.
In the Russian telephone ranking I
was on top. I think thats a very big
thing. I want to perform in Russia.
CONCHITA
WURST
WHAT IT
FEELS LIKE
FOR A GIRL
In her most
revealing
interview yet,
Eurovision
star Conchita
speaks out
about teen
bullying, drag
dreams and
the Hollywood
hunks she
wants to date
WORDS BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH IMAGES PAZ STAMMLER

21 gaytimes.co.uk
[rst]

gaytimes.co.uk 22
To tell them that they are not alone.
The whole community around the
world is standing behind them.
They have to trust that if they open
their mouth, then we can change
something.
Conchita isnt one to let adversity
get in the way. Her first attempt at
Eurovision fame ended in failure,
when she finished runner-up in
the Austrian pre-selection. Just 12
months later, 200 million would tune
in to see her become the first LGBT
winner for almost two decades.
It hasnt sunk in yet. Im
watching the videos on YouTube,
and its like watching someone else
win the Eurovision Song Contest. It
seems so surreal and the first time
we were on top of the ranking, I
said to my friends, take a picture,
because it was the first time Austria
was in the lead for well over 40
years. And we did we grabbed
our iPhones and took pictures. But
it didnt change. And I was crying
the whole time!
Everyday I have to remind myself
that this is real. Going into the
competition I just wanted to please
myself, because Im my own worst
critic. I wanted to be in a good
place. But now Im not just in a good
place, Im in the best place. The
best place ever.
Life wasnt always like this.
Tom Neuwirth, the man behind
drag persona Conchita, grew
up in Gmunden, a small town in
Upper Austria. People werent
so understanding then, and Tom
would endure long years of ridicule
and bullying.
I would go to kindergarten in a
skirt, and also to school. When I
wanted to do it, my parents would
just say well, OK, we dont have
enough time to discuss why he
does this now. From a very little
age, the little kids, they dont
have words for the thing that was
different about this boy.
I realised that there was
something different at about 11
and that Im not like the other
boys, and of course I thought there
was something wrong. The most
difficult time started when we all
turned teenagers. You have to
struggle with yourself, with your
body, and apparently you learn
how to name a boy who is like little
Tom. This is the time when it started
to be very tough for me.
After years of wearing womens
clothes, particularly those of his
mother, Tom eventually took to
trying drag.
I started doing it from the age of
14 and just on special occasions. It
happened because a friend of mine,
whos a make-up artist, he said
youve got a beautiful face to be a
drag queen. So he painted me, and
I loved it from the first second.
Tom beams with joy when
speaking of his parents influence
on Conchita. But learning their son is
different was challenging for them.
I think the first time she [Toms
mother] saw me in drag, she saw
me at my graduation ball. They had
a tough time learning that their son
is gay and, you know, I grew up in a
very small village. My parents have
a small business, a hotel, and they
thought that the opinions of others
is more important than their own.
They thought they have to listen to
what others say, and that it is truth,
and they had to learn that it isnt
that way.
Though it took time to adjust,
Conchita would never have been
without the strong support of mum,
Helga. As she tells GT of their
close bond, the Eurovision queens
carefully massacred eyes begin to
glisten over.
This is so emotional. My biggest
fear is the day when my mum will
die. Shes been there from the
start. Ive got a tattoo of her on my
back. Shes the most important
person in the world to me. I love
her so, so much.
The teenage struggle would all
be worth it, as Conchita is now
the most in-demand singer on the
continent. After winning, she was
PREACH!
Conchita on
----------
RuPaul
I think shes stunning. Shes
Mama Ru! Theres a list of people
Id love to meet, and Mama Ru is
right at the top of it.
----------
Homophobia
There are places in the most
horrendous countries where
Im not warmly welcome. But
you cant judge tolerance or
intolerance just on a country.
People think for themselves.
----------
Hotbeds of sodomy
This was the best hashtag ever.
They think that a drag queen is
so powerful to change each and
every one in a country? I never
received such a big honour!
----------
Trans
Im not trans. I always enjoyed
acting like a girl. I really love
to be a boy, and I have to say, I
really love to be gay. I wouldnt
have it any other way.
----------
Nights in
Always Sex and the City! Not
everyone liked the movies. They
said they were shit. But I loved
them! In three months I watched
them at least ten times. My
friends say Im Samantha.
----------
My dream men
----------
Hugh Jackman
I just love hairy men, and grey
sides. I love the older man!
----------
Brad Pitt
Brad, with a little more chest hair.
He would be perfect then.
----------
Tom Hanks
Between Tom Hanks and Tom
Cruise, Id say Hanks. Hes got a
great personality!
----------

23 gaytimes.co.uk
invited by the Austrian Chancellor
to perform to tens of thousands in
Vienna, attended the Cannes Film
Festival, and is due to headline the
Life Ball, an iconic night among
Austrias high society.
But is there a man lucky enough to
tame the phoenix?
No, and Ive actually not had any
offers! The boys from Greece were
just stunning, and I had a little flirt
with them! But, I dont know why,
in drag Im flirty. But I would never
kiss someone in drag. Never ever
go to bed with someone in drag.
Thats not to say that, as Europes
most recognisable drag act, many
men havent tried. Guys have
asked to have sex with me as
Conchita, yeah! You know, its an
honour, I like it. But at the end of
the day these are really separate
things, because my love life and
my emotional life is just for Tom.
Conchita is the working queen. I
love to flirt in drag, but I always
would think, I dont want you to
fancy this drag persona, I want you
to fancy Tom.
Even Lady Gaga had been
reported to want a piece of this
Viennese girl, with press reports
that shes due to support the Born
This Way singer on her UK tour.
I dont know where the Gaga
rumours came from. I read it in the
newspapers, and I said to Ren (my
manager), I was like, Ren! Ren
you check your e-mails again! But
no Gaga e-mails.
Lady Gaga might not have sent
an invite yet, but millions around
Europe have welcomed this humble,
principled and hugely talented drag
queen into their hearts. Whether
its the struggle to be and act as you
want, or the belief in a better, freer
world, Conchita Wurst is far from
a mere bearded lady she is a
symbol of progress.
Not that she would dare to admit it.
Im not an icon. Im just Conchita,
and I give whatever I have.
Rise Like a Phoenix, is available to download
now, conchitawurst.com, @conchitawurst
[rst]

Question Michelle,
what is one thing
that RuPaul has
taught you over
the years? From
@DarknessRyder
Answer There are
copious amounts of
things learned from
St Ru, but one that
sticks with me on
the day-to-day is
this: DON`T READ
THE COMMENTS.
It`s meant literally
and metaphorically
for all aspects of life.
Like Ru says, what
people think about
you is none of your
damn business!" It`s
also very tough not
to be too hard on
yourself, but we all
can master this one
day at a time.
Keep t and trim Bearded
men are so last season its
all about bearded ladies this
month. But for those guys
who want to keep their facial
forrest trimmed and pruned,
the Remington Vacuum Beard
and Grooming kit ought to do
the trick. After this, all youll
need is a posh frock and
an audience of around 200
million, and youll be set to
rise like a phoenix yourself.
lifes a drag
[07/14]
[first]
gaytimes.co.uk 24
My darlings, Ive
only just touched
down back in the US
and already I miss all of my UK
Glitterazzi. Im planning my next
trip as we speak. So many exciting
things in the pipeline for the Haus
of Visage, and I cant wait to share
all of these with you. Id like to
thank all of the clubs who booked
me, and everyone who came out
to support me, for making this one
trip Ill never forget! THANK YOU
from the bottom of my little, black,
heart. You can read my tour diary
in the next issue of GT...
I cant believe another season is
done, can you?! It seems as soon as
RuPauls Drag Race starts airing,
its over! I seriously want to do it all
year round. It needs to be on telly
as much as TOWIE is.
Want me to tell you a secret? Im
super excited because we start
shooting season seven of Drag
Race within the next couple of
weeks. Im delighted because I
get to see 14 brand new girls that
Ive never laid eyes on before
and dig my claws into them!
Another way to get your fix is
my brand new podcast with my
bestie RuPaul. Theyre available
on iTunes, theyre free and theyre
called Whats The Tee? if youve
ever wanted to be a fly on the wall
while Ru and I have a regular old
kiki then this is your opportunity.
We talk about EVERYTHING AND
MORE, no holds barred because,
were literally just sitting there at
Rus kitchen table sipping tea and
spilling the T.
But Id better go and unpack my
cases! Yes babies, this diva has
to do all of her own laundry. As a
matter of fact, heres a little Visage
Fun Fact: I LOVE doing laundry, its
therapeutic for me. I love making
dirty, smelly things transform into
bright and clean smelling garments
and I LOVE me a tumble dryer with
dryer sheets! I need to stop talking
about it, Im getting too excited
Until next time, get me on Twitter,
@michellevisage, and
at michellevisage.
com. XXX MV
M
i
c
h
e
l
l
e
V
i
s
a
g
e

Shes been a
schemer in
Londons East End,
a sassy vixen on
the Corrie cobbles
and even gave
us a scorching
case of Sunburn
remember that?!
Telly glamourpuss
and all-round
gorgeousness
Michelle Collins dips
a dainty hand into
GTs sweetie jar.
And she loves it
WORDS LEE DALLOWAY IMAGE LIAM LESLIE
S
w
e
e
t
i
e
,
D
a
r
l
i
n
g
?
26 gaytimes.co.uk

Youve got a new autobiography out,
but how would you feel if you were
on a date and the guy started reeling
facts from your book back at you?
That would be very weird. Its a bit like
when I went for dinner with someone
and they said to me, Can I just ask you
one question? Have you still got your
swimming costume from Baywatch?
and I was like, What? And he said,
Well, you were in Baywatch werent
you? and I went, No. He said, Well, I
Googled you and you were. I told him,
Well, you shouldnt Google me then,
should you! Dont ever trust Wikipedia.
If you could be any fictional
character, who would you be? Jane
Tennison in Prime Suspect. Or Liz
Taylor in Whos Afraid of Virginia
Woolf or [laughs] I was obsessed
with Oliver as a kid. I always liked
that character of Nancy, you know, the
flawed, slightly tart with a heart. Very
warm, but a bit of a bad girl.
If you could be in a play or musical
you havent done yet, which one
would it be? Well, were still trying
to get a Dusty Springfield musical off
the ground. I had the rights, then I lost
them, now were trying to get them back
again. They ARE doing a musical, but
ours would be more the darker side of
Dusty. The side that not a lot of people
know about, really. When Dusty went
to America, and sort of disappeared for
about eight years. Its a really bizarre
thing, because they were talking about
Nicole Kidman playing Dusty, Kate
Winslet playing Dusty, and all these
Hollywood A-Listers, but we were
thinking thats just not really Dusty.
Tell us whats on the CD in your car
right now? The Bodyguard by Whitney
Houston [laughs]. Theyre my singing
songs in the car. Lisa Stansfield, Been
Around the World. I really am a Radio
4 person. Womens Hour, I love all that.
I only listen to my CDs really when my
daughter comes in the car, she just
changes everything and puts Capital
or Kiss on, anything to drown me out.
Then shell put her headphones on, so
Im stuck listening to this bloody music
and Im like, Hey!
Do you have to pinch yourself to go,
Ive got an adult daughter now?
Yeah, I do actually. Its very funny
having teenagers though, because
you think, if anyone else spoke to me
like that, Id tell them where to go. Its
difficult being a teenager. I think my
hardest years were between 15 and 17.
Youre finding yourself in this world,
youre finding yourself as a woman,
youre growing up, youre finding
identity, youve got all this pressure on
you. My daughter hates confrontation,
so the more she doesnt say anything,
the more I shout. I end up like a
screaming banshee [laughs].
What was teenage Michelle like? I
was very much a punk, and a non-
conformist, and always did things to
try and well, get attention, I think.
Teenagers didnt really have a voice
like they do now. Music was OK, but
wasnt very exciting, so when punk
came along it was so different, and
it wasnt just a fashion, it was a new
culture. It was an intelligent culture. It
had something to say; there was more
beneath the swearing and Sex Pistols.
Its weird, when I see someone my
age, you can tell if they were a punk or
not. I think so, anyway.
If you were a kangaroo, what would
you keep in your pouch? Oh God,
well itd have to be a phone, wouldnt
it? Im not a hugely materialistic
person so itd have to be my daughter,
my dog, my phone, a pair of trainers,
my best shoes...
...Does this pouch have its own
postcode? [Laughs] ...and my
boyfriend. Its a big pouch, its a
double-fronted pouch.
If you could go back to live in any
period in history, which would it be
and why? I think women have had it so
tough over the years, so maybe being
part of the Bloomsbury Set. You know,
Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West,
where the women around it were sort
of brave. I suppose those sort of women
were quite predatory in a way and
people were slightly scared of them,
but they all seemed to be having a
wonderful time. They looked amazing
and were extremely talented.
If you ruled the world, what would
you do? I would get rid of the word
guilt so nobody felt guilty about
anything anymore. I would stop people
from gobbing in the street. Id make all
men, even if theyre straight, be like
gay men. Youd abolish the aggression,
all the fighting. And religion, Id get rid
of religion. Thats definitely a first. Id
still want a free-thinking society, but
Id get rid of religion because I think
that causes a hell of a lot of problems.
And, yeah, Id make everyone gay
apart from my boyfriend. [Laughs].
EastEnders or Corrie? I have to say
Corrie, cos Im still in it, arent I!?
And Im hoping to work for ITV again
[laughs].
When you found out that Cindy
Beale was dead were you livid or
whatever? I was working away,
actually, doing Sunburn, so I was quite
happy. I was a bit shocked that I didnt
know. Someone just phoned me, a
writer of mine, and said, Oh, by the
way, Ive been at your funeral today.
I said, What, Cindys? Shes dead?
and he went, yeah, and shes just
been buried as well. Shes definitely
dead and buried. So I was a little bit
surprised; a bit miffed.
Tell us your most embarrassing
drunken moment. Oh God, theres
been a few in the past. They all merge
into one! I do remember, years ago, I
was sitting in Soho with a friend of mine;
it was a really beautiful hot summers
day. We were drinking white... I dont
drink white wine anymore because it
sends me doolally. Then we walked
down the road and suddenly it just hit
me, and I fell. All these photographers
came running towards me; it was awful.
I fell right in front of Caf Nero on the
corner of Old Compton Street. What was
really lovely is all these guys that were
outside said to the photographers, Get
lost. Leave her alone, and they put a
guard around me until Id got up.
And finally Madonna or Kylie? I just
think Id probably have a better night with
Kylie than with Madonna. So, Kylie. And
we both have the same hairdresser, so we
could sit and talk hair, couldnt we?
This is Me, is out now, @missmcollins
27 gaytimes.co.uk
[rst]

gaytimes.co.uk 28
WHAT WEVE DONE ON SAME-SEX
marriage says something positive
about the country we are, the respect
we have for each other and the values
that are important to us. Those were
the words of David Cameron in this
magazine, three months ago, on the
historic introduction of same-sex
marriage to England and Wales.
Scotland passed marriage equality
into law in February. But for our gay
counterparts in Northern Ireland, the
prospect remains a distant ideal.
When a vote came up in the
Northern Ireland Assembly,
Stormont, 51 of their 94 politicians
voted against equality. It was the
third time in just 18 months that they
had taken a vote on marriage rights
for gay couples, and the third time
the Assembly rejected it. Northern
Ireland is now the only part of the UK
which has not passed a law to legalise
same-sex marriage. That means that
if you get married in England, you
can travel just a few miles, within the
same country, and your marriage will
no longer be recognised.
While its a country largely now
at peace after decades blighted
by terrorism, its politics remain
framed by a particular take on
religious doctrine. In the recent local
elections, one candidate campaigned
on a manifesto of re-criminalising
homosexuality. Meanwhile, Minister
for Health Edwin Poots argued
that same-sex adoption defies the
natural order of raising a child.
Its a stance which has penetrated
Stormont. Iris Robinson, MP and wife
of then First Minister Peter Robinson,
compared being gay to paedophilia
in a newspaper interview given
in 2008. I cant think of anything
more sickening than a child being
abused. Its comparable to the act
of homosexuality. I feel repulsed by
both. Mrs Robinson later admitted
having an affair with a teenage boy
shed known since he was nine.
Its no wonder, then, with such bile
finding its way into the mainstream,
that there are next to no political
figures who are out. One trailblazer
who is, however, is Andrew Muir.
He recently became the mayor of
North Downs, a borough near Belfast,
making him the nations most senior
gay politician.
Since coming out in 1996, Ive
experienced harassment and
violence, he tells GT. In recent
years I havent experienced so
much of that, though, which I think
shows progress. Things have been
changing for the better.
Being an open, frank gay
public figure has come at cost for
Andrew, being subjected to some
of the most virulent homophobia
just for being himself. When
attending a pride festival in Derry
Londonderry, he found himself the
subject of aggressive ridicule from
another man. I was walking with
promotional material for the event,
and an individual started hurling
homophobic abuse and rocks at me.
The confrontation left Andrew
shaken and angry. He went on to
find homophobic slurs graffitied
across the front of his house. These
arent the scenes we associate with
modern Britain, yet parts of the
country remain on very different
wavelengths. While the incident
wouldve crippled the confidence
of many, for Andrew it spurred a
willingness to change things.
The attack felt insulting, it felt
hurtful. but it also motivated me.
Ive been involved in politics since
an early age, since secondary
school, and Ive been involved in
community activism as well. I feel
that it motivated me to campaign
for equality and pick up a voice
for people. But still, in 2014, there
analysis
WORDS BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH
[07/14]
THEY HURLED ROCKS AT
ME NORTHERN IRELANDS
MOST SENIOR OUT GAY
POLITICIAN, ANDREW MUIR,
REVEALS THE REALITY
OF THE UKS ONLY
NATION TO STILL REJECT
MARRIAGE EQUALITY

are no openly gay MLAs or MPs in
Northern Ireland.
The conspicuous lack of gay public
figures has held progress back.
While in other nations theres been an
increasing number of high-profile out
public figures, the six counties of NI
have few representatives in the public
sphere arguing our corner.
Weve had this situation for politics
in Northern Ireland where [LGBT
issues] felt irrelevant. Homosexuality
was de-criminalised in 1982, so its
taken a while for people to have the
confidence to come forward to an
electorate, to a party and also an
election. Theres a visibility issue for
gay and lesbian people, not seeing
themselves in public. But its a barrier
to everyone: if you go through life
without meeting different people then
you will have an outlook on life which
is very introverted.
When Andrew got elected, it was
heralded as a real step forward a
chance to prove that you can be gay
and in the public eye.
My election as mayor shows that
the country has changed. The local
elections have a wide range of openly
gay and Catholic candidates from a
number of different political parties,
and thats something I havent seen
before. But we look to England,
Scotland and Wales and see the
progress theyve achieved. We can
achieve that here, but its just going
to take a bit more work in terms of
society. You have to remember we
were very recently a nation of conflict,
and a lot of difficulties come with that.
Times are changing. Jeff Dudgeon,
the man who won a landmark court
case to decriminalise homosexuality in
NI 30 years ago, was last month elected
to Belfast City Council. Meanwhile a
recent poll found that 73% of under 35s
support marriage equality, and that
overall support has shifted from two
thirds against, to two thirds in favour.
Whats clear is that a situation
whereby gay men are given rights in
one part of the country, but denied
them in another, is tantamount to
lunacy. Its long overdue that Northern
Ireland delivered equality.
[news]
29 gaytimes.co.uk

Its nearly six years to the day since I came out to
my parents. Like many people in Northern Ireland,
my parents are deeply religious and conservative,
and to say that it was a difficult time for us would be
an understatement. That seems so long ago and the
journey that I started back in May 2008 has brought my
family and I a very long way, and my relationship with
them has never been stronger. I wish I could say that
Northern Ireland has made a similar journey and that
the political reality for LGBT people matched that of
those in the rest of the UK, but I cant.
Northern Ireland remains the only part of the
UK without equal marriage. Our equality laws
in relation to discrimination protections for
employment, housing and access to goods and
services are the same as England, Scotland and
Wales, but thats not thanks to the NI Assembly.
The devolved government here has not passed
one law that has benefitted the LGBT community;
everything weve been given so far has been down
to successive Labour Governments in Westminster
or the courts. Religious dogma still dominates our
legislative process and societal attitudes, and serves
only to halt progress for LGBT people.
Ive no doubt in my mind that those inconsistencies in
the law will be challenged successfully in the courts as
our politicians are powerless to act, while the DUP (the
party that campaigned to Save Ulster From Sodomy)
wield a veto over any legislative change that could let
the gay men of Northern Ireland have the same rights
that gay men just miles away expect.
I believe that I was lucky to have had such a strong
network of support within Belfast when I came out.
However, many young people arent so lucky and I
want to change that. Only by getting involved with the
political process and challenging prejudice when
we see it can gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
people influence change and bring about the level of
equality that we deserve. Its only a matter of time.
Views that would often be considered extremist
across the rest of the UK find a much stronger platform
in our region. The individuals and parties advocating
hateful and bigoted policies arent ranters on the
periphery here; theyre part of the mainstream.
While the right of same-sex couples to marry in
Northern Ireland has been denied by the devolved
Stormont Assembly for a third time, this is not the only
prominent issue which separates the LGBT community
of Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. There are
so many battles to fight in this region.
In Northern Ireland, sexually active gay men were
banned from donating blood for life. A similar ban
which existed elsewhere in the UK was rightly brought
to an end in November 2011 and new regulations were
introduced which allowed men who have sex with men
to donate if they refrained from sexual activity for a
period of more than a year. Yet the Minister of Health
in our devolved Assembly has sought to maintain the
ban here. But what happens when blood stocks get
dangerously low in Northern Ireland? We import blood
from the rest of the UK where gay men can donate,
albeit after a year of abstinence.
Current regulations in Northern Ireland would deny
same-sex couples from being allowed to jointly apply
to adopt. In July 2013, news broke that the Minister
of Health here had spent around 40,000 of public
money to finance a legal bill opposing same-sex
adoption. The High Court in Belfast ruled against him.
Determined to pursue his bigotry, he then took his
case to the Supreme Court in London only to have his
appeal rejected a second time.
People often say that rights for LGBT people here
in Northern Ireland have only improved because of
hard fought court battles, or because the Westminster
government has forcefully implemented them. Its
about time politicians in Stormont listened to the likes
of NUS, and began making our region a home for gay
and lesbian people, as much as everyone else.
DOGMATIC Stephen Donnan
Stephen is convenor of the Alliance Party`s LGBT group, and was a
candidate in the 2014 local elections. He tweets @SteveDonnan.
EXTREMIST Fergal McFerran
Fergal is deputy president of the Northern Irish branch of the NUS and
a campaigner for marriage equality. He tweets @FergalMcFerran.
V
[debate]
[news]
IS NORTHERN
IRELAND EQUAL?
While the rest of
the UK benets
from equality
laws, Northern
Ireland has
resisted change.
Two campaigners
give their own
perspective
gaytimes.co.uk 30

gaytimes.co.uk 32
At 10am on 5 May 2014
I walked out the door of
Mid-State Correctional
Facility in Marcy, New York, after
having served 17 years in prison
for the killing and dismemberment
of a friend and drug dealer, Angel
Melendez. It was a senseless and
horrific crime that, whether or not
warranted, drew an exorbitant
amount of attention from the media
and even Hollywood where a
barrage of books, documentaries
and a full-length film featuring
Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin
and titled Party Monster turned
an already sensational crime into
something of an urban legend.
Although I participated in most
of the resulting media onslaught,
granting interviews, talking
to writers and film directors,
Ive always been ambivalent
about the attention and notoriety
surrounding my story. On the one
hand, I couldnt seem to help it: Im
addicted, in a way, to being seen
and talked about. Its something
innate, my family says, stemming
from an inner craving to be noticed
by my father, who left the family
when I was five and was never
really a part of my life. Theres
probably a bit of truth to this
Before committing my crime, I
was directing four of the largest
nightclubs in NYC: Limelight, USA,
Palladium and Tunnel, garnering
quite a bit of publicity this time,
thankfully, for the right reasons
and every time I was mentioned in
a magazine or newspaper, I sent
the clipping to my father. I wanted
to show, prove to him, that despite
being a gay college dropout, I was
successful in some way.
So yeah, one could say that I crave
attention.
On the other hand, what I was doing
in my early years in NYC wasnt
without merit. I was spearheading a
nationwide, colourful yet subversive
youth movement called the Club
Kids, whose zany antics dancing
on tables and running around
Manhattan dressed in diapers or
even naked outrageous, in-
your-face style that often included
painting our bodies, covering our
genitals in feathers and wearing
sky-high platform shoes, and fuck-
the-rules mentality made us the
darlings of 90s media, where we
were featured in newspapers, on
magazine covers and day-time talk
shows including Geraldo and Joan
Rivers. Being a Club Kid usually
meant coming from a small town
where being creative or different
was frowned upon, and acting weird,
or gay, or just not fitting in with the
crowd could mean being picked on,
bullied, or even physically hurt. The
Club Kids provided a refuge, a place
where your uniqueness was not
only tolerated, but celebrated. Love
yourself! Be yourself! You were now
part of a family.
Along with the success and
notoriety of the Club Kids came,
unfortunately, massive amounts of
drugs, often given to us for free at
clubs and parties, either in NYC or
many times in other cities around
the world where we were flown in
to provide colour, excitement and
a bit of naughtiness. Though in
hindsight most of our bad behaviour
was relatively innocent, and in the
beginning, at least, none of us were
really addicted to drugs, it wasnt
long before the temptation and easy
accessibility turned many Club
Kids, including myself, into full-
blown junkies.
The recklessness and
flamboyance of the Club Kids
soon aroused the attention of
the authorities. By 1995, after a
crackdown on nightlife instituted
by then Mayor Giuliani, the Drug
Enforcement Agency was actively
investigating NYC Clubland and
specifically in our clubs, which
were labelled by the authorities as
drug supermarkets. At the time, it
was not uncommon to walk through
Limelight at one of our cheekily-
named Emergency Room events
and have an employee dressed as
a doctor hand you a prescription
for cocaine, Xanax or ketamine,
which a guest could then trade in for
a single dose of the real thing at a
makeshift doctors office in the VIP
room. Traipsing through another
of our clubs, the super luxurious,
almost unbelievably huge Tunnel,
meant passing zonked-out Club
Kids, unconscious after having
ingested a cocktail of drugs
including heroin and the powerful,
hypnotic Rohypnol, or even
stepping over a group of immobile,
zombified revellers who were either
too high on downers to move or
even passed out cold, on the floor.
New York City had never before
seen such decadence, not even at
degenerate (however fabulous!)
nightspots like Studio 54. Friends,
and even I myself, overdosed on
several occasions. Going out was
no longer fun, but a kind of twisted
ritual of waking up at 5pm then
getting fucked up for the next 24
to 48 hours before passing out and
doing it all over again.
As for the club scene, it was the
beginning of the end.
By late 1995, the Drug Enforcement
Agency was repeatedly threatening
our clubs with closure for not
doing enough to curb drug use and
sales. In fact, we were paying drug
dealers hundreds of dollars a night
to host events. Not street dealers,
but mostly small-timers, Club Kids
and drag queens who sold, more
often than not, to have a good time
and support their own habit.
One of these dealers was Angel
Melendez, a 25-year-old Club
Kid from New Jersey who often
spent time in my apartment with
other Club Kids in exchange for
supplying drugs. He wasnt a bad
guy, but we sort of looked down
on him because he was part of the
scene at Webster Hall, a rival club
SECOND CHANCE:
LIFE AFTER 17
YEARS IN PRISON
[michael alig ]
@Alig_Aligula
column
[news]

33 gaytimes.co.uk
I
M
A
G
E

W
A
Y
N
E

M
O
R
A
G
H
A
N

that we considered uncool.
In March 1995, we got word the
DEA was coming to our clubs on a
specific Saturday to arrest 30 or so
drug dealers. They were going to
threaten them with jail time unless
they turned states evidence and
testified that we were allowing
them to sell drugs at Limelight,
Tunnel and our other clubs. My
job was to call and tell them not to
show up and to explain why. But
Angel ended up coming that night
anyway, arriving at around 2am.
There was a scene when, on my
instructions, the doormen turned
Angel away. Hed shown up with
friends from out of town and wanted
to show them the club. Are you at
least going to pay me for the night?
he grumbled. Hed accumulated
several nights wages that were
kept in envelopes with his name on
them, in the safe. Again, though,
we wouldnt let him in because of
the threat of a DEA raid. Its for
your own good, I said. High on
tranquillisers and alcohol, Angel
left, angry and embarrassed.
A few hours later, Angel showed
up at my place in Midtown, the
apartment I was given as part of
my salary at Limelight. I want my
money, he demanded, still woozy
from the pills. Take me now to
pick it up. My mind was shot as
I was coming off a four-day drug
binge on Special K, heroin, crystal
meth and Rohypnol.
What happened next was a
senseless shoving match which
resulted in the much documented
crime I referred to earlier. You
can look it up its still all anyone
seems to want to ask about,
although something I wish I never
have to speak about again. But I
feel that if I didnt, people would
judge me further still as though I
felt it didnt matter.
At the time, we were more
concerned about going to hell,
than jail. In order to alleviate the
guilt, I confessed to friends. But I
did so in a manipulative, matter-of-
fact way so they would think I was
making it up. Freez and I killed
him, we told friends at a dinner
party who were asking where
Angel had been all this time.
I spoke with the Manhattan DA
in August, 1996, as rumours were
going around Clubland linking
Freez and I to the crime. But the
authorities believed it was some
kind of twisted media hoax, and
didnt take it seriously.
In a halfhearted attempt to get
sober, I checked into rehab in
Denver, Colorado. But soon my
friends and drug dealers were
flying from NYC to bring me
cocaine, Special K and crystal
meth. Because of the amounts
of drugs I was using, I wasnt
cognitive, alive enough to fully
comprehend what Id done. The
drugs kept me from having to face
the truth. But I was afraid to stop
using. I feared having to face the
horrendous thing wed done.
That spring, Angels remains
washed up on the shores of Staten
Island, and by December, the
police arrested me in a New Jersey
motel room I was staying at with my
boyfriend, Brian.
But even in prison, I continued
using drugs. Continued running,
masking my problems.
I was punished severely for
my drug use in prison. Every
time my urine tested positive for
opiates, I would receive 12 months
of solitary confinement the
typical punishment for getting
high. One particular institution
called Southport, an entire facility
of solitary confinement, was
particularly barbaric. Inmates at
Southport, many in single, solitary
rooms for years at a time, resorted
to throwing urine and faeces at
prison guards when they were
served their meals. All night long
you would hear other inmates
banging their heads against
metal toilets or even the floor.
Losing their minds, really, from
the intense and long-standing
isolation. But even this wasnt
enough to force me to stop using.
In fact, the way I rationalised it at
the time, now I had all the more
reason to get high.
It wasnt until March, 2009 a
full 12 years later that I decided
finally that enough was enough.
I had committed a senseless,
unforgivable act while on drugs.
To continue getting high while
in prison was to say, I dont care
about what I did. The thought
seemed so obscene, so disgusting
to me, I decided then and there that
no matter how painful it would be, I
simply had to stop. Maybe the pain
of the withdrawal would actually
be cathartic. Make me feel better
about myself for facing reality for
once, rather than covering and
taking the easy way out with drugs.
Which brings me to where I am
today.
As part of the plea agreement I
signed, Im not to attempt contact
with Angels family. I know
that theres nothing I could say,
nothing I could do to ever bring
them any closure. Theyll have to
suffer with their loss for the rest of
their lives, and for that, I will be
eternally sorry.
Meanwhile, three weeks ago, I
was released after spending 17
years in prison. Picked up in a
van driven by friends and taken
back to Manhattan, where Im
lucky enough to have been given a
second chance. I have never felt so
fortunate and grateful for anything
in my entire life.
Im determined to not take any
of it for granted. To try and give
back now, to speak out and help
other young people who are in
the same situation I was: feeling
hopeless, addicted to drugs and
not knowing where to turn. My
hope is that by telling my story, I
will be able to make a difference
in some young persons life.
Perhaps hearing it from a person
like myself who has actually
been there, who has actually
lived the life and isnt just some
random counsellor, might make
my story resonate. All I know
is that some good has to come
of this. I have caused untold
devastation and destruction in
many peoples lives,
and now it is time for
me to give back.
My hope
is that by
telling my
story, I will
be able to
make a
difference
in some
young
persons
life.
Perhaps
hearing
it from a
person
like myself
who has
actually
lived the
life might
make
my story
resonate.
All I know
is some
good has
to come
of this
SECOND CHANCE:
LIFE AFTER 17
YEARS IN PRISON
[michael alig ]
column
[news]
gaytimes.co.uk 34

Dublin welcomes you for the Pride Parade on 28 June 2014, the pinnacle of the two-week Pride Festival. After marching through the
city's main streets, the parade will arrive at the scenic Merrion Square, one of Dublin's gems. Here, the Pride Village will cater for all
your needs, providing you with entertainment, food, drink and zones for your family and friends, or the family you make as a couple.
The international Panti Bliss - the voice that galvanised a nation - from the Irish tradition that gave the world the meaning of boycott
and monster rallies will take to the Main Stage. Joining her will be Dara MacGann from Britain's Got Talent and Darragh McGaclin
from The Voice of Ireland. There will be a play area for the small kids and a fun fair for the ones too old for the sandbox. There will be
dance music for the Latin soul and those too young for the bar. It's free for everyone to attend and it gives you that feeling as only
Dublin can - a small community on a grand scale.
After Pride Village, when the sun goes down, move on to sample some of Dublin's eclectic,
engaging and sheer electric gay venues.
Join us for Dublin Pride Festival - June 14
th
- 29
th
2014
Dublin Pride Parade Saturday June 28
th
www.dublinpride.ie
Kindly supported by
The voice
that
galvanised
a nation.

??????
gaytimes.co.uk 36
[01] Michael Sam scored the biggest
touchdown of his career when he
was drafted to the NFL last month,
becoming the leagues first out gay
player. He celebrated by smooching
his boyfriend live on national telly.
[02] Hes not the first gay player
in American football, though. Dave
Kopay hit headlines when he came out
in 1975, albeit after he retired...
[03] Speaking of the Americans, it
was only back in 2011 when the NBA,
MLB, NHL and NFL adopted non-
discrimination policies that include
sexuality. What took so long?
[04] Going, ahem, down under,
scrum-ptious Ian Roberts became the
first major Australian athlete to come
out in 1995, revealing all in a gay mag,
which we obviously encourage.
[05] Speaking of rugby, Wales
Gareth Thomas announced he was gay
in 2009 while still an active player. I
dont want to be known as a gay rugby
player, he said, I am a rugby player,
and first and foremost I am a man.
[06] Do we need to say anything
more about Tom Daley? The boy
wonder made a splash and inspired
millions when he revealed his
relationship with Dustin Lance Black.
[07] And fellow Speedo-clad diver
Matthew Mitcham chalked one up for
the gays when he bagged the gold at
the Beijing Olympics.
[08] Derrick Gordon became the
first gay mens Division 1 basketball
player when he came out this year...
[09] ...and he said he was inspired
by NBAs Jason Collins, who in 2013
became the first out gay athlete from
one of the four major US professional
team sports.
Theres no keeping
us away from sport.
With the World Cup
upon us, GT looks
back at the 30
most important gay
moments on and off
the pitch
WORDS NATHAN GENESE
30
THINGS
Robbie Rogers
back of the net
[07/14]

[10] Moving east, we wouldnt
expect a Baltic country to name
gay figure skater Ondrej Nepela
as athlete of the century, but
Slovakia did just that back in 2000.
[11] Fast-forward to present day,
though, and weve got Putins
anti-gay laws putting the Russian
Winter Olympics in the spotlight
for all the wrong reasons. We
should be proud, though, we made
our voices heard regardless.
[12] WWE legend Stone Cold
Steve Austin body-slammed bigots
when he supported same-sex
marriage this year. I dont give a
shit if its two guys, two gals, guy-
gal whatever it is if its same-
sex, more power to them.
[13] And it came just after current
WWE star Darren Young came out
as gay the first major promotion
pro-wrestler to do so.
[14] Back to more men beating
on each other, UFC star Joseph
Benavidez said: It would be cool
to see a gay guy beat the shit out of
somebody if someone in the sport
came out. Busting a stereotype,
he called it.
[15] Anyone remember the 80s?
We all beamed with pride back in
1982 when the world saw the first
Gay Games in San Francisco.
[16] The 80s also saw retired
American footballer Ed Gallagher
attempt to commit suicide after
struggling with his sexuality. He
survived the attempt, and went on
to speak out and campaign against
homophobia and sport.
[17] Brooksides lesbian kiss
made it to Londons Olympic
Opening Ceremony in 2012,
making it the first same-sex kiss
broadcast in Saudi Arabia and
other Middle Eastern countries.
[18] Yet in just 2000, a lesbian
couple were ejected from LAs
Dodgers Stadium for kissing.
[19] In 1999, the International
Olympic Committee ended its
mandatory gender testing, paving
the way for trans athletes to
compete in the games.
[20] Queens Park Rangers ace
Joey Barton led the charge to
boot homophobia out of football
with Stonewalls rainbow laces
campaign in 2013...
[21] ...but it came after he was
caught calling Brazils Thiago Silva
an overweight ladyboy. Tut-tut.
[22] Steven Davies became the
first international cricketer to come
out as gay in 2011. Howzat?
[23] That same year, the BBC
called Swedish footballer Anton
Hysn a global one-off when he
became only the second active
professional footballer to come out.
[24] The first was, of course,
Norwich City star Justin Fashanu
in 1990. He sadly took his own life
eight years later after accusations
of sexual assault. Justin denied the
claims in his suicide note.
[25] Thankfully, homophobia
isnt tolerated these days. In 2011,
basketball star Kobe Bryant was
fined $100,000 for homophonic
language towards an official in a
landmark ruling...
[26] ...and that same year,
entire Brazilian volleyball team
Sada Cruzeiro was fined $30,000
after fans made taunted an out gay
player on the opposing team.
[27] Regarded as one of the most
high-profile gay athletes ever, John
Amaechi came out in his memoirs
after his retirement from NBA.
Trailblazer doesnt cover it.
[28] Footballer Robbie Rogers
announced his homosexuality and
retirement at the exact same time
in 2013, but he returned to the
pitch three months later setting an
example for millions of fans.
[29] And lets not forget Thomas
Hitzlsperger, who became the
most high-profile footballer to
ever come out this year, to further
the debate about homosexuality
among sport professionals.
[30] Ending on a high, in 2006,
a Sports Illustrated survey found
that the majority of athletes would
welcome a gay team mate. Its only
going to get better from here.
3
0
Y
E
A
R
S
O
F
G
A
Y
T
IM
E
S
R
I
C
K

B
O
W
M
E
R

/

A
P

/

P
A
[news]
37 gaytimes.co.uk
GT VAULT
7 years ago
Issue 346, 2007
Cover star George Michael tells his side
of his recent escapades, while Channel 4
marks the anniversary of the Sexual Offences
Act with a whole month dedicated to the
passing of the bill and its repercussions.
23 years ago
Issue 154, 1991
At the forefront of equality, footballer Justin
Fashanu talked to GT about the reasons and
the reactions to his coming out, while 11
couples took to Londons Trafalgar Square to
raise awareness for queer weddings.
28 years ago
Issue 94, 1986
Kicking off summer in flamboyant style,
we featured the annual Carnival in Rio De
Janeiro, where drag takes centre stage.
Asides from all the hot Brazilian boys,
obviously.

ENERGY
CHARGE
HYDRATION PLUS
Whether youre a suburban
athlete or an Olympic champion
this ultimate, refreshing & high
performance PRE - workout
energy drink is low in sugar, to
take your training to the
NEXT LEVEL #PowerUp
GET YOURS TODAY AT LARGER


STORES, LEADING RETAILERS & ONLINE
Find out which of the range is best for you and will take your training to next level
WWW.BIO-SYNERGY.CO.UK

column
On 23 May, the United
Kingdom awoke to
a quite disturbing
reality, as UKIP stormed to lead
the results of the European
Elections. Held under proportional
representation and with a pitifully
lower turnout than a general
election, it certainly doesnt mean
that we could wake up in 2015 with
a Farage-led government, but it
sends a warning, particularly to the
LGBT community.
First, let me lay some cards on
the table. Not all UKIP members
are homophobic and I know quite
a few gay guys who defected
from the Tories and Labour to
UKIP because they fundamentally
believe that Britain would be
better outside of the European
Union, despite it being the worlds
largest economy. Nigel Farage,
regardless of his posturing, is a
libertarian and has enough gay
and bisexual people working for
him that its unlikely that hes a
bigot. The problem is that so many
of his party members are bigots.
And rather like some religious
leaders, he finds himself opposing
policies that on a personal basis
he doesnt really care about one
way or another.
The growth of UKIP over recent
months has had a lot to do with its
opposition of gay rights, as the
only major British mainland party
to object to same-sex marriage.
Ive discounted the BNP because
the party has become little more
than a joke, in part because of its
morally and financially bankrupt
leader Nick Griffin, and in part
because Farage has stolen so
many of its voters. However,
the bulk of UKIPs growth has
come from a mainstream party,
the Conservatives, whose
leader, the Prime Minister David
Cameron, decided to champion
same-sex marriage as one the
partys hallmark domestic policy
achievements.
Camerons support of the rights
of us gays to get married allowed
Farage to draw in disenchanted
Tories, like Tory-turned UKIP
councillor David Silvester. He
was the much derided UKIPer
who claimed that David Cameron
caused the floods that devastated
large parts of the country in the
winter because he campaigned
for equal marriage. Unfortunately,
Mr Silvester is far from the only
crackpot homophobe in UKIP.
Other candidates and serving
politicians have compared
homosexuality to paedophilia,
bestiality and mental illness. While
UKIP is not the only party to suffer
the misfortune of homophobic
members, as a percentage of the
overall numbers, UKIP appears to
deserve a gold medal.
While Britain is advancing so
much when it comes to LGBT
rights, the rise of a party where
so many members are opposed to
equality fundamentally disturbs
me. Not because UKIP might rise
to power in Westminster, because
they wont, but because their
popularity might cause gay rights
critics or sceptics in other parties,
particularly the Conservatives,
to attribute UKIPs rise to its
opposition to equality. This could
have some impact on the future
direction of the Conservative Party,
which should be so proud of its role
in passing same-sex marriage,
but for whom, we might become a
dirty little secret come the general
election, and not a group who has
benefited from possibly the most
universally positive policy that the
Coalition has delivered.
We need to have parties that
champion our rights at home and
fight for equality abroad. We need
leaders who understand the unique
challenges of the LGBT community
and are prepared to invest political
capital in righting the inequalities
that we experience in society in
general. What we dont need are
politicians who are prepared to
shelter any members, candidates
or elected representatives who in
any way believe that because were
gay, we should be considered
second class citizens. If this is not
a reason to turn out and vote next
year, for any party who supports
us, our liberty and our
equality, I dont know
what else is.
We might
become a
dirty little
secret
come the
general
election,
and not
a group
who has
benefited
from
possibly
the most
universally
positive
policy the
Coalition
has
delivered
@benjamincohen
PUBLISHER
OF PINKNEWS
[benjamin cohen]
[news]
gaytimes.co.uk 39

gaytimes.co.uk 40
GLORIA
GAYNOR
HEROES
WORDS BOB HENDERSON

41 gaytimes.co.uk
GT celebrates Gloria
Gaynor, the Grammy-
award winning
queen of disco who
gave the gays their
most important
mantra to date
we will survive
At first I was afraid, I was petrified
You cant read those words without
going into the dramatic overture
that is I Will Survive. And we have
Gloria Gaynor, the living queen
of disco to thank for making this
b-side (before radio DJs took
to spinning the flip side) such a
massive hit. And a gay anthem
at that. Of all the songs on earth,
none better capture the bitterness
of a break-up and the mental
turnaround you have to go through
to survive. Because despite how
you feel at the time, you do survive.
When you have such a ubiquitous
mega-hit, you inevitably hear it
everywhere. From college radio to
Topman changing rooms, nowhere
is safe. We asked Gloria herself
the strangest place shes heard
her music, she immediately had us
laughing.
I am a big fan of Will Smith and
have been since the The Prince of
Bel Air, she says, I saw Men In
Black one, two and three. When I
saw the dog singing I Will Survive in
the second one, I felt Id seen it all. It
was hilarious.
Of course, the one place youd
expect to hear it is at karaoke,
though you wont catch Gloria up on
the mic anytime soon. Im afraid
I dont have a favourite karaoke
song, she confesses, as I dont
sing karaoke and Ive only ever
seen it two or three times. But Ive
heard that I Will Survive is the
number one karaoke song in the
US and several other countries I
consider that quite an honour.
I Will Survive is so much more
than a song. And not just for the
gays. Its spawned a book called
We Will Survive, where Gaynor has
collected and curated the stories
of people affected by adversity
and helped by the song. One
particularly harrowing story has
stuck by her. An African man,
who when just seven-years-old,
witnessed his entire village being
massacred, including his younger
siblings. I cant even begin to
imagine what that must have been
like for someone so young. He was a
baby himself and having to endure
experiencing this on his own,
let alone being without a family,
and having to try to make it in the
world with no one to rely on. Its an
unfathomable hardship. To know
that my song has helped this young
man, even after the fact to begin to
feel whole again, is an unbelievable
privilege that Ive been given.
Though weve yet to get our
hands on a copy, we ask if theres
any advice gay readers can take
from We Will Survive. Yes, that
forgiveness and gratitude for Gods
many blessings are prerequisites
for survival. The book contains
stories that could happen to
anyone, at any time in their lives.
Anyone can gain insight into how to
overcome many different, difficult
and even traumatic circumstances
that life can throw at you.
Youll note that shes a religious
gal, as many of her fans are.
And we know theyre not polar
opposites, or necessarily
conflicting groups, but we cant
help but wonder if shes ever had to
defend her more flamboyant fans.
No, I havent had to defend having
a large gay following to anyone.
Everyone who knows me knows
that I dont categorise or judge my
fans. Its an honour and a privilege
to be able to perform for and
please such a diverse fan base. I
think its a testament to the power
and broad appeal of music, song
and all the elements that go into a
great recording.
Phew. Personally, singing dogs
aside, our favourite use of I Will
Survive is Valerie Cherish giving it
all shes got at the end of an episode
of The Comeback, but Gaynors
preferred use in pop culture is in
keeping with her faith and sincerity.
My favourite use of I Will Survive
is celebrating recovery from any
adversity, she says, we all suffer
hardships in life and there are any
number of ways to overcome, still
theres no denying the power of a
great lyric and melody, that gets
down into your spirit and uplifts,
encourages, and empowers you to
make it through and be triumphant.
Disco itself faced its own
prejudices back in the day, from
the momentary but damaging
Disco Sucks movement. But the
recent revival has completely
outstripped any backlash you
need only look at what Horse
Meat Disco have been doing for
evidence. Describing the enduring
appeal of disco is an easy one for
[news]

Gloria. Its upbeat, positive music
that helps people celebrate life.
Its music that puts people in a
good mood and helps you shake
off the stress that work, children,
and sometimes just life in general
can generate. You need an outlet.
Music can give you that.
Its easy to forget that Gloria
was behind making another gay
anthem massive, namely I Am
What I Am, plucked from the
La Cage aux Folles musical and
spread among dancefloors of the
disco era and subsequently in
hormonal bedrooms closer to
home, finding a remixed late 90s
renaissance on a certain Queer
As Folk soundtrack. But despite its
musical heritage, the diva has no
plans to start treading the boards.
I did a short two week stint in
Smokey Joes Cafe on Broadway
years ago, she tells us, Thats
been the extent of my stage acting
experience. There was a cast of
great actors and singers. They
were wonderful and so much fun to
work with, but it was a lot of work. I
greatly admire stage actors.
She hasnt played to a gay crowd
since around 2007 (It was Gay
Disney, and it was great fun,
everyone had a fantastic time.)
but shes still performing, and you
have a rare opportunity to catch her
at a festival this summer as shes
playing EXIT in Serbia. Needless
to say, shes pretty excited about
meeting and singing to her public
again, but especially the communal
experience. I love doing festivals,
she says, because the atmosphere
is always so electric and people
always have a good time.
We ask her what its like playing
to such big festival crowds.
Its just like when you prepare
a party for friends and family. All
the preparation up to the event
brings about excitement in the
people preparing the event. When
the event finally happens, its the
big payoff. I feel like the gracious
hostess at a wonderful party.
Excitingly, there is new music
from Gloria on the way she was
recording a cover this month
she thinks fans will love. But we
finally ask Gloria when shes
going to grace the UK with her
presence. Its been a while. Id
love to come to the UK for some
shows. Its been a few years since
Ive performed there and I have a
lot of friends there that Id like to
invite to my shows and whod like
to see me. To UK fans I want to
say, the most important thing you
can do in life is to seek truth and
surrender to it.
Gloria Gaynor will play EXIT on the main
stage 11 July, the festival takes place 10-13
July overlooking the River Danube in Novi
Sad Serbia, exitfest.org/en
[news]
3
0
Y
E
A
R
S
O
F
G
A
Y
T
IM
E
S
gaytimes.co.uk 42

[Advertorial]
Situated in the heart of London we
are a beautiful opulent Grade II* listed
venue with a very rich and famous
history. A breathtaking ceiling of
handmade 24 carat gold mosaic tiles
and ornate marble and jewelled walls
make us the perfect backdrop to any
wedding.
Our space is versatile for different
wedding options. We have a drinks
and canap reception area and our
dining room can seat up to 200
people, or 120 with a dance foor. And
the optional 3am licence allows you
to relax and enjoy your night without
worrying about an early fnish.
We are fully licensed for civil
marriages and partnerships, giving
you the fexibility to have your
ceremony and reception under one
roof. If you do have your wedding at
The Criterion, you become part of
history and walk in the footsteps of
famous names and faces both real
and fctional from yesteryear.
The Suffragettes were known to
have afternoon tea and meetings
here, and Winston Churchill was a
regular. Sir Arthur Conan Doyles
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson
met at The Criterion, and Lady
Edith had a date here in an episode
of Downton Abbey. The venue is
rich with echoes of glamour and
sophistication from times gone by.
In modern times we have been the
backdrop to many flms on the silver
screen. Scenes from The Dark Knight
Rises, Rush, London Boulevard,
Madonnas W.E and many more were
flmed here.
If you are looking for uniqueness
and the wow factor in one venue,
look no further. Please contact one
of the dedicated wedding team at
The Criterion to organise a a viewing
of our facilities over a glass of
champagne
Contact Kelly 020 7839 0105
kelly@criterionrestaurant.com
THE CRITERION

44 gaytimes.co.uk
CRAZY
IN
LOVE
WORDS JOHN MARRS
IMAGES JOE MCCORMICK
GROOMING EVAN HUANG USING SHU UEMURA, GIORGIO ARMANI AND YSL
STYLING KRISHAN PARMAR AT LOVELY MANAGEMENT
STYLING ASSISTANT JOEL MCLOUGHLIN
ON COVER, ROBIN WEARS SWIM SHORTS BY CALZEDONIA, CALZEDONIA.COM
MARCUS WEARS TRUNKS BY HOM, HOM.COM
What do you get when you cross Strictly Come
Dancing with The X Factor? Only the hottest couple
to come out of the celebrity world since Tom Daley
wooed Dustin Lance Black. And who can take credit
for singer Marcus Collins and dancer Robin Windsors
eight-month romance? GT, of course. Because if we
hadnt got Robins kit off for the steamy cover of our
Naked Issue, they might never have happened

45 gaytimes.co.uk
[cover]

46 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk 47
an everyone look at my cock and
tell me if it looks weird? Does it
look flat? Am I looking a bit pubey?
Wearing no underwear under jeans
looks sexier doesnt it? Are you
fucking laughing at me?
No Marcus, were laughing with
you. Actually, its hard not to,
because Marcus Collins asks a lot
of questions. When hes not asking
a lot of questions, hes talking ten
to the dozen. And when hes not
talking, hes filling the room of
GTs London hotel with laughter
and a grin so white, it makes Rylan
Clarks infamous gnashers look
like Shane MacGowans.
Marcus rise to fame was as swift
as any contestant travelling on The
X Factor conveyor belt. When he
first hit our screens in 2011, mentor
Gary Barlow helped transform
the gay Liverpudlian from local
hairdresser to finalist, eventually
being pipped to the winners post
by Aldis Girls Aloud knock-off,
Little Mix.
Three years later, and hes cosying
up to his Strictly Come Dancing
boyfriend Robin Windsor for GT.
We kept our relationship quiet
for about three months, begins
Robin. We waited until we knew it
was going to last before we made
it public. Then we were rumbled in
Venice by a bunch of British ladies
in a gondola. They took a photo of us
and tweeted it, so immediately we
posted one ourselves to clarify it.
From past experience, celebrity
C
couplings fall into two camps
the showmance, a mutually
(and often financially) beneficial
relationship where two people
extend their flagging 15 minutes
of fame with regular appearances
in celebrity mags.
The second category is a twosome
who, without fanfare, quietly and
genuinely fall head over heels for
one another. Marcus and Robin are
clearly in the latter.
In between scene set-ups and
when they dont think GTs looking,
they entwine fingers, make each
other chuckle, or give each other a
reassuring pat on the shoulder, rub
on the arm or peck on the cheek.
Theyre clearly besotted.
And whom do they have to
thank for this? Well GT is taking
full credit, thank you very much.
Because when Robin appeared on
the cover of our annual naked issue
last year, Marcus couldnt help but
take notice.
Marcus tweeted me to say, Youre
looking really good, well done!
recalls Robin. Wed first met at
ITV studios a few years ago, when I
passed Marcus in the corridor and
asked for a photo because he was
very handsome. From then on, there
was no contact whatsoever till I
appeared on the GT cover.
I thought he looked amazing,
adds Marcus, My family watch both
X Factor and Strictly where all the
guys are good looking, but there was
one who always stood out for me.
Before that tweet, both Marcus
and Robin were still coming to
terms with recent break-ups. Robin
had been engaged but split up
last August, while Marcus was two
months out of a four year stint.
It was strange going back into
the world of dating, admits Robin.
After my last relationship ended,
I was on the rebound and on the
warpath thinking, I must find a
boyfriend. Deborah Meaden [his
Strictly dance partner last year]
[cover]

gaytimes.co.uk 48
told me to get myself together,
concentrate on work, forget about
men and enjoy life. As soon as I did
that, Marcus came along.
Marcus adds: Id been single
for two months and forgot about
relationships, as the end of the last
one left me a bit downhearted. I
tried dating and it wasnt really
for me. But I didnt send Robin that
message with any expectation that
hed message me back.
Thankfully he did, and after
swapping numbers and days of
texting, Robin took a train to Derby
to watch Marcus perform.
I was absolutely bricking it,
admits Robin, I was so nervous, I
felt like a 12-year-old girl. But from
the very first moment that we met
there was something special in the
air. When our inhibitions dropped
it was like wed known each other
for a while. That kind of instant
connection has never happened
to me before. Were a good eight
months in now and Ive never had
that feeling before. Its still there
every day when I wake up with him.
One hour and many frames of
photographs later, Marcus and
Robin are back in the jeans our
photographer talked them out
of. And theyve been joined on
a curiously-shaped circular bed
by yours truly its like theyve
hired a male escort but have been
shortchanged by a nerd with a
dictaphone. Not that theyd ever
consider inviting a third into their
mnage--deux, theyre far too
traditional in their views of what a
relationship should be.
Youre both in the entertainment
industry, which is populated by a
lot of gay men. Can monogamous
relationships work in this
business? Robin: Theres no
question about it, theres no other
way but monogamy for us. I speak
from experience; way back I was
in a relationship where monogamy
wasnt the biggest thing and it
didnt work. Its just us and itll
always be us. We were exclusive
from day one and it was never even
questioned. That day I met Marcus,
it was just Marcus.
Marcus: We talked about our
previous relationships, the good
and the bad, if wed been hurt and
how we got through it. From that
conversation I knew what Robin
wanted and needed in his life was
stability and for someone to be
there to do the things I hope I do
for him. We dont ask each other for
anything, its a natural reaction to
want to look after the other person.
Weve both had relationships
where other people have taken
advantage of that.
When did you realise you were
in love? Robin: It was New Years
Eve and we were with a big group
of friends. I looked at Marcus and
thought, Oh my God, Im falling
in love with him, but its only been
a month. My fear was that if I said
it, he didnt feel the same. Id have
taken that as a huge rejection. Then
as the clock struck midnight, he told
me he loved me first.
Marcus: I was shitting myself so I
waited until I was drunk and lost
all my inhibitions. Even if he was
going to tell me it was too soon,
I was going to say it regardless.
But he said, I love you too, and by
the way, were going to Venice for
Valentines Day.
Robin: I thought the honeymoon
period would last two to three
months and wondered whatd
happen when it was over. But
were way beyond that and it still
continues.
Marcus: If you meet the right person
you should always feel like that.
Are you a physical couple in
public and in private? Marcus:
People notice us because were
on TV, even if were going to
the shops. So public displays of
affection when youre two gay men
who are well know are well
its an awkward thing. I feel theres
enough attention on us so we dont
really do anything in public. We do

49 gaytimes.co.uk
[cover]

50 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk 51
[cover]

52 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk 53
things subtly. And at home, well,
Im not that good in bed.
Robin: Oh you are!
Marcus: I used to just lie there if I
could get away with it and do the
minimum! So Ive been learning
a lot. Im not that confident doing
new things, so Ive been growing
as a person and finding out who I
am sexually. Its nice to share that
with someone you love and want to
spend the rest of your life with.
The rest of your life indicates
this is for keeps. Will you
be walking down the aisle
eventually? Marcus: Weve talked
about what our ideal wedding would
be like to get some insight into what
the other is thinking. And our dream
wedding would be somewhere
like Downton Abbey, something
fabulous in a British estate.
Robin: We both know where this
is heading and that this is for the
long term. Its a case of being the
right time. Ive always wanted to get
married to the person I love and that
fairytale is getting closer every day.
Marcus: Im not going to rush into
anything. I want to know him inside
out, I want to see him at his best and
at his worst, so I know Im capable of
picking him up if I need to.
And do you see children in your
relationship? Both: Absolutely.
Marcus: Having kids is something
Ive always dreamed about and I
never thought it could become a
reality until now. If we did get a lady
to carry the child for us, shed have
to be mixed race so we dont know
who the father is. But Robin has ten
years on me so my swimmers are
going to be quicker!
Does that age gap worry you?
Marcus: No, in our heads were
both 30. We levelled it out. My best
friend is 51 so Ive always mixed with
people older than me. Im an old soul
who likes old things and old people.
Robin: Oh thanks! But we do have
the same goals and we want to
achieve the same things. Hes a
huge support for me and the new
series of Strictly hasnt even started
yet. He has great ideas and we
bounce off each other.
Marcus: Figuratively and literally!
Away from their relationship, theres
more to them than that bloke off
Strictly and that bloke off The X
Factor. Robin and dance partner
Kristina Rihanoff have started their
company Bespoke Ballroom, where
they teach couples a wedding dance
and even perform for them on their
big day. Hes also back for a fifth
stint on Strictly later in the year.
Meanwhile Marcus has released
dance single Sweet Thing, is writing
his second album and launches a
tour in September. He also plans to
open a salon in Liverpool for people
needing help after losing their hair
through illness or chemotherapy.
But are we likely to see arch rivals
Strictly and X Factor come together
as the first same-sex couple to hit
the ballroom?
I can dance, but Id be learning
ballroom dancing from scratch,
admits Marcus. Its something
Id certainly give a go. Its about
waiting for the right time for the
public to be ready to see a same-
sex couple dancing together. Id
happily dance with a woman, but
for it to make a point, Id like to be
the person that would dance with
another man. But I wouldnt want
to do it with Robin. I tried to give
him a driving lesson and that was
horrendous so I dont know how
wed fare together.
I wouldnt want to see him dance
with another man, adds Robin.
Ive seen couples whove worked
together, and it puts a huge strain on
you if youre together teaching all
day and then going home together.
The stress would be too much and I
wouldnt want to do it.
The first time youll see us dance
together is at our wedding. We
imagine our invites will be in the
post. And on that note, wed better
go out and buy a hat.
@MarcuscollinsUK, @Robinwindsor,
Bespokeballroom.com
[cover]

Not today,
gaytimes.co.uk
54
For those glued to season six of
RuPauls Drag Race, this years
competition was all about one
contestant: Bianca Del Rio. Her
effortlessly hilarious displays of
quick-witted brilliance, timing,
the complete lack of patience for
unnecessary drama and the reveal
of a softer and more nurturing side,
found us all like putty in the hands
of this seasoned queen and not
in the least bit surprised when
Bianca was crowned Americas
Next Drag Superstar. Three days
after the finale of Drag Race aired
in the US and fresh from her recent
victory, we caught up with Bianca
to congratulate and have a good
old chinwag. That friendly and now
familiar voice picks up the phone
and cheerily greets us. Where is
Bianca in the world as we speak to
her? Im in a cab, traipsing through
New York City. The glamorous life
Fergie sang about. Totally. Well,
look at it this way, its better that Im
in the back of a cab than driving
one, but anythings possible!
In the aftermath of the finale, our
preempted idea of how Biancas last
few days have been are confirmed.
Insane, but in a good way. You
know, I really cant complain. A
lot of my friends are like, Are
you tired? Are you upset? Are you
crazy? No, Im grateful. Its been a
whirlwind and we filmed the show
last summer, so its been a year of
ups and downs and not being able
to talk about it, so now its freeing.
Now its like, Yay! Lets go.
They filmed four different
endings this year. They filmed all
three of us winning and then they
filmed a tie between me and Adore.
So it was kind of weird because you
just didnt know, everybody thinks
they know, but you cant trust 1,600
people in a live audience to keep a
secret; especially gays! Filming
four different endings, is that quite
strange? Initially I thought it was
going to be a problem, and then
when I was standing there and I
thought, whether or not this is real,
this is my ten minutes of actually
winning, so it did mean something
to me. It did feel genuine. It was
one of those things where we
already won by getting to that
point in the show, and I know thats
a very pageant answer and kinda
Kumbaya, but its true. Wed all
An interview with Americas Next Drag Superstar, Bianca Del Rio
Satan!
WORDS HARRY CLAYTON-WRIGHT

55 gaytimes.co.uk
[drag race]

gaytimes.co.uk 56
gone through this enormously long,
amazing journey that I really would
have not had an issue with either
one of them winning.
The weird thing is the show brings
out good and bad in people. Its a
heightened situation and I think that
people handle stress completely
differently. We go through it day
by day, whereas youre watching it
week to week, we dont get to hang
out with each other. I didnt know
what each person was going to bring
to each challenge which was kind
of exciting and scary because you
might have thought this persons look
was a mess, yet when they get on
the runway they might be a brilliant
lip-sync artist, or they might be a
brilliant singer, so you kind of never
knew. Overall Ive been able to get
to know them now and get to see
them in real life, and I think a lot of
them are extremely talented. Then
its a heightened situation, people
go crazy because of the show, its
documented and theyre going to
use it. So in the end, I think it could
have been any of us, everybody had
the potential, its just how you handle
the situation when youre there. Its a
true test of self. Its a test of self on a
major level. The Olympics of Drag.
Totally. Its mindfucking.
Being aware that Bianca is friends
with the legendary Lady Bunny, we
wondered if theyd had a chance
to catch up since the crowning
ceremony? Oh God. Not yet! Bunny
and I have this thing where shell
call me at three in the morning and
say something foolish and hang
up. Thats Bunny. Bunny is insanely
genius and I love her to death.
She always calls me up, shes like,
Bianca is a fag! and she hangs up.
Thats the kind of thing that she
does to me and I call her back, I
go, What do you want? Wasnt
me, girl! Who was it, because I
have 20 other people in my phone
called Lady Bunny? No. Its you.
She just recently started texting,
because she was not a texter, which
is insane. So on occasion youll get
like a grocery list or something
random that shell just send you.
Youre like, What is this? And shes
like, Wasnt me! Shes a lunatic and
I love her.
With a spate of Drag Race
contestants releasing music after
their time on the show, would
Bianca be tempted to release an
album? No. I mean, comedy is
fine, but I think theres too many
of these rancid bitches from past
seasons that try to sing. We have
enough horrible queens who sing.
We have Britney Spears, who
doesnt sing, we have Katy Perry
who sucks, why add to it? Theres
already Rihanna and all those who
do horrible albums successfully,
why should I contribute to it? Im
going to do the world a favour
by not doing it. But what about
a single Not Today, Satan a
favourite Bianca quote from the
show. Well thats a possibility!
Not Today, Satan. Where I just
ramble on and on and on. Thats a
possibility.
Bianca is currently in the process
of crowdfunding for a feature
length film, Hurricane Bianca.
I started it before the show and
then I decided to audition. Then
that kind of snuck up on me and
we had raised $35,000, and then
I had to leave to go film the show
and we couldnt tell anybody. So I
think everybody thought Id taken
$35,000 and went to Mexico to
buy some tits or something and
become a transexual. So now its
amazing and great that I can say,
hey this is whats been going on
and definitely, were going to make
this happen by next summer. One
of the rewards for donating is a
Personalised Insult Video. A video
of hate. Thats what people want.
Ive never had this many people
wanting me to read them or be
mean to them, its quite lovely.
Im the fourth out of five kids and
I was always different, was told I
was different, knew I was different, I
didnt necessarily know if it was gay
A video of
hate. T hat s
what people
want. I ve
never had
t his many
people
want ing me
t o read t hem
or be mean
t o t hem, it s
quite lovely

57 gaytimes.co.uk
specifically or anything that serious.
I didnt experience much bullying.
When people say, were you bullied?
No, it was called high school. I was
called a fag before I was a fag, but
luckily I fell into theatre and met
some amazing people that kind of
guided me through it, and through
all of it, if I hadnt have had those
experiences I wouldnt be a strong
individual today. I dont harp on
that type of path and Ive never
really been a cry baby, so for me
Im just grateful, I wouldnt change
anything. One of things thats been
amazing about travelling and
working now is Ive done some stuff
at colleges, and theyre hiring a
drag queen to come to their college
to do a show. So weve come a very
long way from when I grew up, but
by no means was it a bad thing for
me. I think if it would have been
different, I would be different, so Im
grateful the way it all worked out.
Not to downplay what other people
have experienced, but for me I
didnt have a sad story and I never
sat back and told my family, Hello?
Gay. But my brother, whos not,
never sat down and said, Hey, I like
girls. So its just been what it is.
Nearing the end of our fabulous
conversation and Biancas cab
journey through New York, how will
Americas Next Drag Superstar be
spending her day? Im actually
going to do glamorous laundry
today. Im home until Saturday so I
have a lot to do and I have dogs, so
I have to take my dogs out. Samson
and Delilah, theyre long haired
chihuahuas, and theyre very
mad at me because I havent been
home. Im going to spend some
time with them and Im going to the
chiropractor. Old people problems!
These flights that Ive been on have
been treacherous to my back, sitting
for that long, so thats my glamorous
life today. Doing it all while
wearing the crown? Im doing it all
with the crown! Sceptre and all.
Thebiancadelrio.com, @thebiancadelrio
[drag race]
I
M
A
G
E

P
R
O
J
E
C
T

P
U
B
L
I
C
I
T
Y

gaytimes.co.uk 58

59 gaytimes.co.uk
[music]
Hot on the heels of his
brilliant new album, we
catch up with Bright
Light Bright Light to talk
all things synth-pop, Sir
Eltons sense of humour,
London vs New York
and putting the gay
experience into song
The
Futures
Bright
WORDS BOB HENDERSON IMAGES ALEX PETCH

60 gaytimes.co.uk
B
right Light Bright Light
or Rod, as hes known
is in New York. Its where
he mostly lives now, and
were hitting him with all
our theories about his latest album Life
Is Easy. Jumping between SoundCloud,
chatting on Skype and sparking
speculation on Twitter, there is one
undeniable truth to put out there. Its a
fantastic record. And it has one of our
favourite songs EVER tacked onto the
end, the bitter sweet crying-at-the-
discotheque song Happiness. Weve
listened to that more times than we
care to mention, and this pleases Rod.
Flattery aside, we hit him with our first
observation, a happy one. Its a very
synthy pop record.
There is a lot of synth in there, he
concedes, but theres more human
touch, Ive got strings on a couple of the
tracks. The guitars I really wanted to
have, because the last album [his debut
Make Me Believe In Hope] did feel very
studio based to me, because thats what
I could record at the time.
We also found several lyrics jumping
out at us, sounding like a cross
between a self-help book and the
chastising of ex lovers.
Its actually about falling in love with
life again, he says, I suppose self-help
is right, because it was from a time
when I was having a really shit time
in London and I was really unhappy
with things, and it was about making a
move to make myself happy again. Its
assessing what the problems are and
picking yourself back up. Youre the
only one who can sort yourself out.
It would be easy to try and pin-point
a muse for all these things, like when
artists say yeah this album was inspired
by my drug addled ex-boyfriend. But
theres no such singular figure.
Well the person would be New York
and London I suppose. I really fell out
of love with London, so its moving from
something that makes you very unhappy
to something that makes you happy.
The move isnt permanent, more of an
affair, Rod laughs. Its like a mistress.
Basically Im splitting my time pretty
much evenly between them.

61 gaytimes.co.uk
Which is quite handy as hes only
going to be touring with ELTON
FUCKING JOHN.
Oh yeah! Its fucking crazy. Its
completely amazing and Ive known
since November, and I havent been
able to say anything. Its been a really
tense couple of months
It came around in part to the song that
they recorded together for the album, I
Wish We Were Leaving. Now we dont
know about you readers, but whenever
we hear that someone has recorded a
duet, we imagine its a bit like the Band
Aid (1984) video, crowded round a
microphone, headphones nestled in a
bad haircut, trilling away at the high-
notes and concentrating very hard.
Rod laughs at the suggestion, saying
Its not far off really. I was in the studio
with him when he recorded the vocals, I
went down to Atlanta and it was amazing,
it was so much fun watching him just sing
in the studio, just in a little booth with my
lyrics, nailing it first time.
Hes gone from protg to mates
in one swoop, talking together,
swapping industry and life advice,
making Rod laugh. We ask him if Sir
Elton tells jokes.
Yeah, hes really funny! Hes so
funny. Weve got quite a similar sense
of humour, I think. Its really nice
seeing the laughter and the humour
and the cheekiness underneath this
professional persona.
Whether Bright Light Bright Light will
get to duet with Elton on tour is yet to
be seen. The duet itself belongs to the
more atmospheric synth-pop on Life
Is Easy, but theres a darker, clubbier
sound to the album with songs like
I Believe and the deceptively harsh
lyrics to Good Luck.
Yeah its a total cunt song, says
Rod, making us laugh. You can be as
forgiving and seeing other peoples
perspective as you want, but sometimes
youre just oh fuck you honey.
And this is where our final theory
comes into play, that BLBL (knowingly
or not) has captured some of the
inherent loneliness of the modern
gay experience. Theres a lot of
unattachment in the way gay men relate
If Im not enough, then
fuck off. Have fun nding
someone hotter and
cooler. And when they
leave, have fun spending
the night alone. Theres
no end to what people
will do to keep chasing
the next best thing
[music]

to one another. Even when youre with
people and dancing.
I have a real problem when people
wont switch an application off when
theyre out with friends or theyre
in a bar, he says. You can see
people on their phones all the time,
Facebook, Grindr, Twitter, Scruff
all these kinds of things and youre
like can you just not appreciate the
moment for one fucking evening?
Youre completely missing the fact
that youre with people that youve
chosen to spend time with, and there
are people you can talk to in real life
all around you. There is the culture
of always looking for the next best
thing, youre looking for someone
better, someone hotter or somebody
more like you or someone newer.
So the song [Good Luck] is OK
well if Im not enough, then fuck off.
Have fun chasing whoever across
the city, have fun finding someone
hotter and cooler who makes you
have this amazing night. And then,
at the end of it when they leave
you, and theyre doing exactly the
same thing that youre doing, then
have fun spending the night alone.
Theres no end to what people will
do to keep chasing the next best
thing. Do you know what I mean?
Every single gay with a smartphone
will have some idea. Its not a central
theme on the album, more of a sad
shadow that lurks in the corners.
I didnt really think of it being a
particularly gay thing, but really I
suppose it is. Or not specifically a
gay thing, but being very prominent
in the gay world. Its a problem that
a lot of people have. You can meet
someone but you have no idea if
theyre going to stick around
But then you inevitably see them
everywhere anyway.
Oh of course you do! Even in Tesco,
Christ.
Bright Light Bright Light`s album Life Is Easy is
out 7 July, brightlightx2.com, @brightlightx2
gaytimes.co.uk 62
[music]

James Anderson
Englands No.1
wicket taker
of all time
*
Wellman has helped my energy
release, stamina and focus during
long matches. Since using this
supplement, I feel fantastic thanks
to Vitabiotics!
A
D
W
E
L
C
O
N
J
A
P

2
3
-
0
5
-
1
4
E
Original Sport 50+ Skin Tech Boost
Wellman is an advanced range of
nutritional products, tailored to
the specific requirements of men.
It has helped world renowned
Test Bowler James Anderson
so whether you are playing or
not, why not see what it can do
for you?
From , Superdrug,
supermarkets, Holland & Barrett,
pharmacies & health stores
www.wellman.co.uk
*Englands all time highest international wicket-taker, 343 test wickets
correct at 23 May 2014. Source: www.jamesanderson613.com ** UKs
No1 mens supplement brand. (IRI value data. 52 w/e 22nd Feb 2014).

gaytimes.co.uk 64

65 gaytimes.co.uk
Laverne Cox is a woman on the
move. So were going to 28th and
8th avenue, please, if youd just
make a left here, she politely asks
the cab driver. During the course
of our interview, Laverne will travel
across Manhattan, for more press,
and more work, a sign of just how
much her life has changed since
the show Orange Is the New Black
premiered on Netflix last July.
The show itself has been a massive
success, gaining more viewers than
other Netflix originals House of
Cards and Arrested Development. It
follows the story of Piper Chapman,
a woman who is sentenced to 15
months in a federal prison on a
drug trafficking conviction from
ten years ago. Once inside, Piper
meets a coterie of women who
are struggling with incarceration
and the effect its having on them.
These are women who are trying
to recover their own sense of
humanity, a sense of connection,
according to Laverne. Almost
immediately Lavernes character,
Sophia Burset, was one of the most
talked about on the show, and thats
hard when youre on a show as
good as Orange Is the New Black.
You see, Sophia was the first black
transgender woman to be played by
a black transgender woman, and the
implications have been profound.
Raised in Mobile, Alabama,
Laverne made her way to New York
City to study dance and drama at
Marymount Manhattan College. If
you ask the cast whos most likely to
burst into a dance, theyll say me,
she laughs. And though she still
likes to put on some Beyonc and
get [her] Partition on at the gym,
acting became her main artistic
outlet, with appearances on Law and
Order, HBOs Bored to Death, and in
various independent films. Laverne
trained for many years, including
under The Actors Studio member
Susan Batson, but it wasnt until
she joined Brad Calcaterras LGBT
specific class, Act Out, that Laverne
truly confronted the internalised
transphobia and racism that held
her back.
It was a way to speak the truth
of who I was in a safe place. I think
what Brad does a great job of is
creating a safe space where I was
able to reveal parts of myself that
I had a lot of shame about. And the
healing process has allowed me to
step into an audition room with a
sense of worthiness. Without shame.
MEET
LAVERNE
YOULL BE
GLAAD
YOU DID
WORDS PJ BRENNAN
[television]

gaytimes.co.uk 66
It was life changing.
That confidence allowed her
to snag the role of Sophia on
OITNB, a coup for the transgender
community, which eventually led
her to be honoured at the 25th
GLAAD Media Awards in Los
Angeles this year. Until then, while
transgender characters were being
featured in film and television
more frequently, very rarely were
actual transgender people given
the opportunity to play these parts.
On the show, Sophia is serving
a sentence for credit card fraud,
the only means to pay for the
gender reassignment surgery
she so desperately wanted. We
learn the circumstances of her
incarceration in episode three of
the first season, directed by Jodie
Foster yes, that Jodie Foster. In
a series of flashbacks, we watch
Sophia struggling with her identity
while working as a fireman. And
surprisingly, for some, her wife
stays with her after the surgery,
speaking to something bigger
about love and the human condition
that transcends gender and sexual
identity. Viewers connected,
Laverne says, in different ways for
different reasons.
Someone I just met said they
were slayed at the end of season
one when Sophia gets the Christmas
card from Michael [her son]. She
said it killed her. Other trans women
said that the scene where Crystal
[her wife] helped me get dressed
for the first time that moment
really connected. I do think its
about love, longing and loss. I think
for Sophia too, shes just trying to
be OK with herself. In some ways
she is, but she also understands
that there are consequences. That
even though shes still married,
her family has been majorly
compromised because of her
actions, and possibly irrevocably
harmed.
With season two, Laverne
promises us a new side to Sophia,
a lighter side. I was excited to
play the material. There are some
scenes that just made me laugh so
hard I couldnt get through them
and there were scenes that made
me cry so much I couldnt get
through them. Thats the show in
a nutshell, people.
The discussion moves on to a
controversial subject. Recently,
Logo, the network that airs RuPauls
Drag Race in America, made the
decision to remove language from
the program that some in the trans
community felt was offensive. Ru
fought back against the criticism
of his show on comedian Marc
Marons podcast, claiming These
are fringe people who are looking
for storylines to strengthen their
identity as victims.
Laverne is deliberately careful
in her answer and rightly so. As
an artist, Im always going to be
supportive of freedom of expression
and I never want to police language.
But Im also a person who believes
that language is a place of struggle.
I believe that language matters,
and the language that he uses has
consequences especially in a
political and historical context.
And besides, for Laverne, there
are much bigger issues facing the
transgender community. Take, for
example, the recent case of Monica
Jones, a black transgender woman
who was convicted of manifesting
prostitution in Arizona. If you
dont know what manifesting
THERE WERE SCENES
THAT MADE ME CRY SO
MUCH I COULDNT GET
THROUGH THEM

67 gaytimes.co.uk
prostitution means, dont worry,
youre not alone. Its essentially
a baffling law that allows police
to profile and arrest someone for
repeatedly stopping and engaging
someone in conversation.
That wasnt getting the same
sort of press that this was getting,
Laverne says. And not that
one is more important than the
other, but I want to talk about the
criminalising of trans bodies and
how we move past that as a society.
Those are the conversations that
will really serve us.
And what about transphobia
within the gay community itself? I
think its important to understand
that homophobia and transphobia
are a part of an oppressive gender
binary system. If we are really
interested in ending homophobia
we have to look at transphobia
and patriarchy. A lot of the
roots of homophobia are really
about gender. We attach gender
expectations to individuals and
think that they should or shouldnt
do something. Gender oppression
affects all of us. How often do we
hear within the gay community, He
was too feminine? This is part of a
system that does not celebrate the
feminine or admit that the feminine
is real; it devalues the feminine.
Speaking with such effortless
clarity, Laverne has also reached
her destination. She thanks the
cab driver, thanks myself, and sets
off on the next chapter of her life,
one that many will be watching
and rooting for. My journey more
than anything else, beyond me
being a trans person, is that Im
an artist. Thats what sustains me
and gives me life and a sense of
myself, she says. That journey,
and all that it entails, is providing
a voice for many people who
previously felt silenced and that is
an accomplishment itself.
Orange Is the New Black season two is on
Netfix now. Season one is available on DVD,
@Lavernecox
[television]

21ST
CENTURY
BOY
gaytimes.co.uk 68
WORDS RYAN BUTCHER IMAGES JUSTIN FROST STYLING DONATO CROWLEY

Who is Tyler Glenn? Asides from being the
frontman of Neon Trees, the hottest band breaking
out of the US, he just so happens to be a recently
out and proud gay man who grabbed headlines
on CNN, Rolling Stone, MTV and across the world
thanks to the unique story of his devout Mormon
upbringing. Now, Tyler tells GT about coming out
on the worlds stage, balancing gay with religion
and why hes denitely not a sex addict. Honest.
69 gaytimes.co.uk
[music]

W
70 gaytimes.co.uk
eve all got our own coming out
story. For some, it was a case of
sashaying out of the womb with a
feather boa and a copy of Madonnas
Like a Prayer, while for others, it
was much more subtle, with years
spent fancying the same sex and
never acting on it. The point is,
like snowflakes or a Miley Cyrus
concert, no two gay men are the
same. But youd be hard-pressed to
find a more unique coming out story
than that of Neon Trees frontman
Tyler Glenn.
After wrapping up a tour in the
autumn of 2012, Tyler found himself
miserable and ready to give up
music altogether. After experiencing
something of a breakdown, the
California native cancelled all of
Neon Trees activities for the rest
of the year and decided to see a
therapist for the first time. I began
to realise that Id always bottled
things up, he tells GT, and that its
OK to have freak-outs and moments
of anxiety. That its better to deal with
it and move on.
When he came out of the other
side, he began writing songs
with his long-time friend and
collaborator Tim Pagnotta, for what
would become his bands third
album, Pop Psychology. But it was
while writing Teenager In Love, one
of stand-out highlights of the album,
that he decided to open up about his
sexuality for the very first time.
I told Tim first because I felt a kind
of closeness while making the record
and felt like hed be interested in
knowing what some of the songs
were actually about, explains Tyler.
On Teenager In Love, I was like
this song is about a gay man and
his struggle with falling in love with
a straight man, and he thought it
was interesting, but I dont think he
thought I was coming out to him. But I
just laid it all on the line with him and
said I want you to know, Im gay and
Ive known since I was six.
Tim gave me a really lovely
response. He said I love you, and
Im excited for you. And Id never
really associated love or excitement
or being happy with being gay until
then, because itd always been
something I had to hide or make
sure no one knew. When I heard
that from him, I totally flipped and
I wanted to tell everyone who was
important to me.
He told his band after that. They
were great; any emotion that was
shown was about my wellbeing
and that I was OK, he says. But as
an enigmatic frontman of a band
exciting fans on every continent,
what had to come next was telling
the rest of the world. And howre
you going to do that? Well, in the
pages of Rolling Stone, the most-
established and respected music
magazine on the planet, obviously.
Did I expect it to explode as
much as it did? Not at all. To me and
my bubble, we still dont think that
coming out is a big deal, but at the
same time, I understand more and
more now that Im an openly gay
man, whos also a singer and also has
young fans come to his shows. Im
not afraid of being made an example,
but at the same time, I never wanted
it to be like a salacious, gossipy
thing. I joked that I wasnt doing
a very good job of hiding it, and I
guess there are a lot of people who
think that a guy who wears a quilted
suit on stage must be a little dandy.
Tyler tells us he remembers having
crushes on boys in kindergarten. I
didnt know necessarily the sexual
act, but I did know there was an
emotional connection there, he
explains. But he tried to ignore
his feelings, instead following the
path he thought was expected of
him having a girlfriend. I was
living this double life and it got very
taxing after a while, he laughs. I
had a girlfriend in high school that
I loved and lost my virginity to,
and I did have a couple of long-
term girlfriends after that, too. It
wasnt until my 20s that I started
experimenting sexually with guys,
and thats when the switch went on
and I realised what Id been missing
from my other relationships. That
full attraction that wasnt always
there. I knew back then that this was
who I was, I just didnt know how to
deal with it.
There are some who might raise
an eyebrow at the timing of Tylers
announcement right before the
release of a new album, after all. No
matter how brilliant Pop Psychology
may be and if you havent heard it,
it is brilliant the extra publicity is

71 gaytimes.co.uk
[music]

gaytimes.co.uk 72

73 gaytimes.co.uk
[music]

never going to hurt. But asides from
saying he owed it to the record
and the fans to be honest about
himself, it was actually the writing
of the record thats brought Tyler
to this comfortable place in his life,
and brought him to talking about
it with GT today. Its interesting
because music has led me to having
the confidence to come out, he
explains. I dont lie when I say
my first real crush, my first real
obsession, my first real passionate
relationship was with music.
The record is 100% me and my
perspective, and a lot of the songs
do discuss love in the modern age.
We have a lot of technology now,
but its created a way of life where
were not communicating at all. And
thats interesting for me to write
about, especially as a recently out
gay man whos trying to navigate
the waters of, yknow, do I use
social apps or gay apps to find a
guy? For me and my experiences of
love, its always been hook-ups, but
I also have plenty of straight friends
who use Tinder and they feel like
its window shopping, so its always
going to be an interesting topic to
discuss.
Its not only the music thats
brought Tyler out of the closet,
though. Our platinum blonde
frontman feels like he has a
responsibility; a responsibility
to be a proud gay musician whos
seen by society as not just making
music for gays.
I do appreciate Macklemore,
he says, and I do appreciate
Lady Gaga, and Cyndi Lauper
and Madonnna, and countless
other straight or sometimes bi
musicians, if theyre actually bi
or not [laughs]. But I do feel like
Im waiting for an out gay popstar
whos allowed to put on a show, and
it doesnt mean its a gay show.
Adam Lambert is a great
example of a musician whos
finding success, but at the same
time, only a few years ago he
kissed a man and made a sexual
gesture, which I dont think was
any more intense than Britney
Spears and Madonna kissing, but
yet he got a lot more controversy.
As much as people like him and
Jake Shears and Elton John are
successful, I still feel like pop
culture takes risks with gay issues.
Im not claiming to be the guy
that changes that, but at the same
time, I hope to get to the point
where people think hes gay, but it
doesnt mean its gay music. Its just
his sexuality and lets move on.
Tyler didnt just come out as gay,
though. There was another word,
and another facet of his personality
that mainstream media around
the world seemed to pick up on;
that of his Mormon upbringing.
Homosexuality and religion are
two bulls constantly locking horns;
the unstoppable force meeting the
immovable object, so to speak.
Weve even debated whether or
not you can be religious and gay on
these very pages.
Sex has always been a hot topic
with religion, Tyler wades in,
and, yknow religion has always
accepted sex because its such a
powerful thing, and its creation,
but its also something that can
cause a lot of stress. Now that
Ive come out, Im more open to
things like gay marriage, and I do
support it. And theres that sort of
shift with me with being gay and
having a religion thats not always
been in favour of gay marriage,
and is ignorant still. But I definitely
believe in God, and I definitely
believe that God isnt anti-gay
marriage.
I think my obsession with
sex and my obsession with the
psychology of sex has always
come from the way I was raised
and my religion. My parents raised
me really well, because we act
as Mormons, but we always had a
balance and there was an honesty.
And that comes down to the family
itself, and not so much the doctrine
and the church. I never learned
about homosexuality growing up
and I never learned that it was
wrong. That wasnt a topic that
came up, so Mormons dont learn
every Sunday in church to hate
homosexuality and be against it.
Its very much the teachings of
Jesus Christ, and thats always
been my core belief. When I say
Im Mormon and Im gay, thats
me saying that Im accepting both
sides of myself but Im figuring it
all out at the same time.
So there we have it. Tyler
Glenn: enigmatic frontman, pop
sensation, Mormon and recently
out and proud gay man and... wait
a minute, obsession with sex?
Im not a sex addict! [Laughs]. I
have an obsession in a way that... I
think its fascinating. Im fascinated
in the way that its such a huge
topic and we always have to know
about peoples sex lives. For me,
thats the obsession. I dont want it
to come out like Im an addict!
We believe you, Tyler. Thousands
wouldnt, but we believe you.
Pop Psychology is out now, fameisdead.com,
@neontrees, @tylerinacoma
gaytimes.co.uk 74
[music]

DATE
FREE TO JOIN
LOGIN WITH FACEBOOK
WWW.GTDATE.CO.UK

gaytimes.co.uk 76
WORDS TOM WICKER IMAGES JOAN MARCUS
THE
INCH IS
BACK

77 gaytimes.co.uk
Hedwig has always been ready for
Broadway, but Broadway hasnt been
ready for her, asserts American
writer, director and actor John
Cameron Mitchell from New York.
Until now, that is.
Since opening in April with Neil
Patrick Harris as the titular lead,
an acclaimed revival of Hedwig
and the Angry Inch the ground-
breaking rock musical written by
John with musician and lyricist
Stephen Trask has packed out New
Yorks Belasco Theatre. Directed by
Michael Mayer, its been nominated
for eight Tony Awards. Ive never
seen anything like it, marvels
Stephen, when we speak. Its
overwhelming how enthusiastic
audiences are.
Its been quite a journey for
Hedwig, the fictional, fabulous and
furious transsexual punk-rock singer
who grew up in East Berlin before
the Wall came down. A botched
gender reassignment accounts for
the Angry Inch of the shows title,
and the name of her backing group
as she sings the story of her life.
Partly based on a babysitter John had
while his US Army Major father was
stationed in Germany, the character
began experimentally: rocking
out in New York drag-punk club
Squeezebox, where Stephen headed
the house band, with John himself in
her high heels.
I try to make things about stuff
that confuses me, John says. I
grew up in a certain military world
and in a place where [being gay]
was very dangerous. And I didnt
really understand that. I learned to
find myself through rock and roll,
theatre and film. I was saved by it.
Hedwig is a much more extreme
version of me.
The musical evolved from there,
opening off-Broadway in 1998
to healthy praise, if not huge
audiences before becoming a film
in 2001, directed by and starring
John. Stephen stresses that, in
spite of its growing cult popularity,
the timing for Hedwig to be a big
hit hasnt been right until now.
Certainly, just before 9/11 wasnt
a great point to release the motion
picture, he says.
Whats interesting is that, from
the beginning, it was very much a
Broadway show, John observes.
It has all the structural traits it
engages the audience, it uses
comedy, song and dance. Its a
crowd-pleaser. But the content is
different in terms of who its about
and what shes been through.
Hedwig like its star didnt fit
into any neat boxes. Musicals about
transsexual punk-rockers that
combine gender and politics and
quote Plato? Still only one.
And rock and roll in theatre
After stints in Londons West End,
Germany, Canada and even on the
silver screen, the award-winning
Hedwig and the Angry Inch has
nally made it to Broadway. Creators
John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen
Trask tell GT about the heroism
of Hedwig, lift the lid on the hotly-
anticipated sequel and explain just
why Neil Patrick Harris was born
to play the role of a transgender
German rock chick
[stage]

gaytimes.co.uk 78
tends to be watered down, John
adds. The band isnt on stage
and it has a kind of half-rock thing
about it. Certainly, Rent wasnt
very rock and roll. It wasnt until
musicals like the stage adaptation
of Green Days rock opera
American Idiot started appearing
that he thought Broadway might be
ready for Hedwig to do her thing.
Stephen also credits the shows
repeated staging across the US and
worldwide with keeping it alive and
building its reputation. John and
I have only licensed the project to
small theatre companies who have
something interesting to bring to
it, he reveals. That DIY approach
we brought to it has carried on.
Some productions have run for
longer than a year. He likens
Hedwig to a touring band, which
finally had its big break.
But Hedwig hasnt lost her
outsider edge. Everythings got
a little bigger, but not so that it
pulls apart the central premise,
stresses Stephen. A script re-
write explaining how shes ended
up on Broadway finds the singer
performing on the set of big-budget
flop Hurt Locker: The Musical, after
giving the theatre-owner a blow-job
to get the gig. This is her moment,
but it could all collapse, John says.
Shes on top of it now, but barely.
Since Hedwig first hit the stage,
trans and gender identity issues
have moved much more to the
forefront of public awareness. But
John is adamant that she shouldnt
be viewed as a mouthpiece for
any movement. Shes a gender of
one because it was accidental; it
wasnt a choice, he says. But she
makes do. She finds a wholeness
within the trauma and that is
universal.
Stephen echoes this in what
he sees as essential to Hedwigs
appeal. However unique she is
as a person, hers is a very human
story, he says, of trying to learn
to love yourself and wanting to
make a connection.
For John, the shows sense of
universality is absolutely pivotal.
People of all genders and
sexualities can relate to her. Its not
a statement, its not Drag Race. Its
a metaphor, he says emphatically.
Anyone who thinks of it as anything
more is abusing it.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest
factors in Hedwigs current success
is Neil Patrick Harris, who played
womaniser Barney in hit sitcom How
I Met Your Mother until it ended
earlier this year. Hedwig could
have been revived six years ago, in
time for its tenth anniversary, but
it was more about waiting for Neil
to be ready, John says. He can do
anything. Plus, hed bring in people
who didnt know the show and might
need someone to let them know its
not scary.
But casting Neil wasnt simply
about hooking in big audiences
with a big name. No stranger to
musical theatre, hes a talented and
versatile performer. He becomes
spectacular, which you need on
Broadway, to fill the house, John
says. But hes still able to get small
when he needs, and quiet, and
tender. Hes like a thoroughbred
he can go the distance.
Stephen praises Neils commitment
to getting Hedwig right. This
wasnt necessarily something hed
thought of doing before, he says.
Hed never really thought about
wanting to move around the stage
like Tina Turner or Iggy Pop, or
hold the mic like Joey Ramone. And
I dont think it had ever crossed
his mind to do those things while
wearing six-inch heels.
But practising in those heels
and doing unbilled gigs with the
new Angry Inch Band has paid
off for Neil. Rave reviews have
been followed by a Tony Award
nomination for his performance.
Hes loving it, Stephen says.
And hes learning very quickly
that almost anything can happen,
and as long as he responds to it
in character, it was supposed to

79 gaytimes.co.uk
[stage]

happen. He laughs. We used to
have things falling from the ceiling
and lunatics talking to the stage.
Stephen calls Neils Hedwig
less sad than Johns. There was
a knowing and lonely quality to
Hedwig, when John did it; Neils
Hedwig is tougher and has more
armour, he reflects. Shes
much more interested in just
entertaining you and not showing
that lonely side until the end,
when it hits just as hard.
Having seen various Hedwigs
strut their stuff, John didnt find
it that strange to watch Neil
play a role he had originated,
in a production directed by
someone else. It mostly just
feels like a great relief, because
its incredibly hard. He found it
hugely rewarding, but it was so
exhausting that I quit acting right
after that.
Nonetheless, he admits to a
little bit of excitement upon
seeing Hedwig on Broadway for
the first time. So, while hes not
keen on doing a long stretch,
maybe later in the run Ill step
in for a bit, if we keep going, he
says. Because if I dont do it now,
Ill probably never do it.
Hedwig, the passing of time
and ageing are on Johns mind at
the moment, as he and Stephen
continue to work on a much
darker sequel. Keeping pace with
real life and Stephen reveals
mixing in science-fiction and the
supernatural, as well as reflecting
the pairs changing lives and
interests, it will catch up with the
singer 14 years on.
This new (as yet untitled) show
promises to be as unique as the
first. Its about the decline and
fall of the world, Hedwig and God
and death, John says, sharing a
few of its far-from-minor themes.
If the first half of your life is
about finding out who you are, the
second is about asking: How much
time do I have left?
For John, 51, marking the
changes in his own life has
seen him reflecting more fully
on his younger years as a gay
man. While he would never
wish the AIDS-stricken 80s on
anyone, it was very political
to be open [then], he muses.
There was a strange privilege to
understanding the preciousness
of life, and the specialness of
that group of people who came
together to help each other.
In contrast, John characterises
this centurys combination of
acceptance and digital culture as
having blandised queer culture.
Wryly, he says, I wish theyd put
their phones down. It wouldnt
be a surprise if these thoughts
figure somewhere in his new
show. From Hedwig to the titular
Brooklyn salon in his hardcore
comedy-drama Shortbus [2007]
as a metaphor for the importance
of social and artistic community,
Johns work encompasses
everything Im thinking about at
the time.
Right now, this also includes
looking ahead to a hoped-for
West End transfer for Hedwig (Im
sure Hurt Locker: The Musical
would fail there, too) and his next
film, an adaptation of Neil Gaimans
70s-set short story How to Talk
to Girls at Parties. To be shot in
London, its like Romeo and Juliet,
but instead of Montagues and
Capulets, its punks and aliens,
he says.
And John isnt done with
London. Hes planning to bring
his monthly New York club night
Mattachine named after the
first queer rights group in the
US over here. Its kind of a pre-
digital dance party, he explains.
We play a lot of old stuff and
everyones dancing in an old-
school way.
And you never see anyone on
their phone.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is currently
playing at New York`s Belasco Theatre,
hedwigbroadway.com, @hedwigonbway
gaytimes.co.uk 80
[stage]

Bespoke pyjamas for men
The perfect gift idea
Embroider a personal
message onto them
boncoeurlondon.co.uk

home maker
and win one of Cargos fabulous
rainbow Ottava accent chairs!

If youve never heard about Cargo were
that quirky little high street retailer
with 43 stores mainly in the South East
of England. We offer a diverse range
of quality homewares and furniture at
seriously great value for money.
Currently weve got some great ideas
for making the most of summer and
enjoying the outside to the full. So why
not pop in today for a shifty or visit us
online at cargohomeshop.com.
Wed love to see you.
Enough of all that though!
To grab the rainbow and blast in the
colour enter our Cargo competition
online at www.gaytimes.co.uk
GO
express yourself

UNDOUBTEDLY
JUSTIFIED
Were going to ignore those
questionable N Sync days of
bleach-blonde highlights and
combat trousers to say that Justin
Timberlake is probably one of the
most stylish men of the 21st century.
Suit and tie aside, ol Trousersnake
knows how to look good. Which is
why we were particularly excited
when we came across the new
autumn/winter range from his
brand William Rast, which he
founded back in 2005 alongside
childhood best friend Trace
Ayala. Originally comprised only
of denim, William Rast has now
expanded into a complete lifestyle
collection, grounded in the iconic
imagery of American denim and
biker culture. If you can manage
to look past the hot tattooed model
in the new campaign which we
admit, is a struggle youll find
a collection of modern twists on
traditional tailoring: including
deconstructed blazers, leather
jackets and a strong focus on woven
shirts. Playful yet sophisticated
garments with attitude are the
order of the day, guaranteed to
help you bring SexyBack.
For more, check out williamrast.com
[07/14]
gaytimes.co.uk 83
W
O
R
D
S

L
L
O
Y
D
-
S
C
O
T
T

T
Y
L
E
R
its just justin

gaytimes.co.uk 84
SURFS
UP FOR
FRANKLIN &
MARSHALL
Franklin & Marshall
draw influence
from US surf and
skate trends of
the 80s with their
latest offering of
t-shirts and tie-dye
shorts; oozing off-
duty West Coast
cool. Graphics
influenced by
surfboard motifs
have been paired
with sun bleached
colour pops and tie-
dye fades to create
sportswear perfect
for hazy summer
afternoons or for
when youre hitting
the beach.
franklinandmarshall.com
Christian Louboutin Coeur de Collection Christian Louboutin
is possibly one of the most luxurious footwear brands around.
Take the mens Coeur de Collection, which steers away from
the muted colour palette and minimal design of the womens,
highlighting bright colours and celebrating the summer.
The Yacht Spikes spin on the classic boat is truly nautical
inspired, with its white rubber soles and rope detailing. The
designer has also added his own unique touch to the classic
style, with the use of tone-on-tone spikes and metal eyelets,
making it oh so very Laboutin. christianlouboutin.com
summer lovin
[07/14]

Tamagotchi slip-ons No, this isnt a new shoe with its own electronic
monster you have to feed and bathe every six minutes its actually a
snake print mini-collection from Dune, bringing a hint of luxe both to
the high street and your summer. These slip-ons are a perfect blend
of bold colours and leather, which is so totally on-trend right now,
making them a seasonal essential. Sporty white soles teamed with
contrasting snake print is the perfect statement, whether youre going
casual or partying the long nights away. Mix these with monochrome
pieces to bring a touch of summer to your outfit. dunelondon.com
No gels or foams for this luxury
brand overhaul from Dove - it`s all
about creams for those high levels
of moisture. And that`s because the
new Dove Men+Care Expert Shave
range aims to take better care for
your skin before, during and after
shaving, via a three-step superior
shave experience. It`s all about
luxury at a price that`s smooth.
Dove Men+Care Expert Shave Range, 18-
22, from Selfridges and dovemencare.com
cream of
the crop
[style]
85 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk 86
Sisley Summer We all know how important it is to protect
your skin over the summer. Luckily, Sisley have just launched
two brand new age-minimising facial sun creams to keep
you looking tip top. The Sunlea AGE comes in factor 15 and
30, and fights against glycation and elastosis the two major
factors when it comes to skin ageing. It also protects against
free radicals and cellular DNA, as well as fighting against
wrinkles and loss of firmness. When it comes to looking after
your skin, you might as well go for the best, eh? sisley-paris.co.uk.
Uniqlo continues
to provide natural,
luxury fabrics at
affordable prices
with its new range
of linen styles for
men and women.
This collection is the
perfect combination
of function and
elegance, keeping
you comfortable
while looking cool,
even in the heat of
the summer. Not
only that, but the
range comes in a
variety of fresh new
colours. With the
garments made
from linen, it means
you can switch
seamlessly from a
casual afternoon
at the pub to a
formal dinner party
without having
to get changed.
All in all, it`s a
versatile collection
maintaining the
brand`s laid back
feel. uniqlo.com
U
N
I
Q
L
O
L
I
N
E
N
change your linens
[07/14]

MiPac has teamed
up with young
British designer Kit
Neale to create a
range of summer
bags including
rucksacks, duffel
bags and tablet
cases. The three
mini collections
each display Kit`s
signature bright
graphic prints from
his AW14 range,
frst showcased at
London Collections:
Men in January.
This season sees
Kit continue to
explore themes
of British life and
London living.
Inspired by his
south London
home, we see
motifs infuenced by
Elephant and Castle
juxtaposed with
foral references
from the British
Museum, and
the repetitive use
of a rat print in
monochrome and
yellow. So very
London, dahhhling,
so very cool.
mi-pac.com
M
I
P
A
C

X

K
I
T

N
E
A
L
E
[
d
i
z
z
y

d
o
t
s
]
[
r
a
t

t
r
a
p
]
[
e
-
&
-
c
]
[style]
gaytimes.co.uk 87
W
O
R
D
S

L
L
O
Y
D
-
S
C
O
T

T
Y
L
E
R

gaytimes.co.uk 88
ASOS
GETS HOT
ASOS is really bringing
it home for the later
summer months with
a focus on bright
colours, orals and
monochrome, with
versatile pieces perfect
for the beach, festivals
and parties alike asos.com
Bright block
colours
are used on
all summer
essentials,
whether its
outerwear, like
backpacks and
plimsolls, or
accessories like
bucket hats and
fve-panel caps.
Here`s our tip -
mix your colours
with cut-off
denim shorts for
an effortlessly
cool look. You`re
welcome.
01
block party
[07/14]

Monochrome
is easy to wear,
so it should be
no surprise that
it continues to be
on trend for SS14.
Replenish your
wardrobe and
keep up to date
with jersey shorts
and a retro t-shirt.
Sweaters should
be worn around
the waist and
paired with hi-tops
for that street
wear look.
Tailoring
has two distinctive
looks for high
summer: either
bold prints or soft
separates. All-
over prints should
be the key to your
wardrobe, though,
contrasted with
pastel shades
and lightweight
fabrics. Then just
fnish off your
tailored outft with
a decent pair of
sandals.
02
03
[style]
gaytimes.co.uk 89

FUN WITH
COLOUR
90 gaytimes.co.uk
Dont be scared of
colour. It can be fun!
Go eye-poppingly
crazy or use sparingly
as a feature in your
neutral pad. Whichever
its time to brighten
up for summer
WORDS MARK KING
interiors
The sofa
Colour block modernism
in a collaboration with
the Design Museum,
Lovebird sofa, 1,999,
made.com
----------
The coffee
maker
Colour stronger than
caffeine, La Cafetire
Red Classic Espresso
Maker, 19.95,
creative-tops.com
----------
The shelving
Panels that hide or highlight,
Lichen Large Modular
Shelves, 469, made.com
----------
The bench
Relax and get mellow on
yellow, Jonah Upholstered
Bench, 249, made.com
----------
The cushion
Lemon lightning, Ferm
Living KIDS Cushion, 28,
thekidwho.eu
----------
The coat rack
Colour-coded coat
hanger, Retro Coat
Hooks, 15, tch.net
----------
The storage
Graphic grids, Orange
Iron Storage Shelf, 60,
oliverbonas.com
----------
The dining chair
Light and bright,
Calligaris L`eau
Chair, 125.50,
limemodernliving.co.uk
----------
[style]

gaytimes.co.uk
Years of television property shows,
with their insistence on neutral,
neutral, neutral, have made people
nervous of using strong colour.
If youre scared about creating a
space that resembles a childrens
programme set, dont be shy about
getting advice from the experts. Its
Habitats 50th birthday this year,
so they certainly know how to put
colour together to make it cool and
contemporary. Get geometric with
your lines and shapes and restrict
your palette to a few complimentary
or contrasting shades. And its easy to
repaint a wall for a totally new look.
Yellow Miles small shelving unit, 200. Jade vase, 50. Harris single
seating unit, 300. Harris ottoman, 250. Miles narrow shelving unit,
300. Turk vase, 35. Maury vase, 20. Balto yellow vase, 30
Blue Bip foor lamp, 180. Nic desk, 270. Hexa plate, 7. Large bowl,
8. Small bowl, 7. Jai leaning shelf, 175. Dipped LED desk lamp,
30. Iven side table, 50. Jeffs fat weave dhurrie, 95, habitat.co.uk
91
The picnic set
Put the fowers to
shame, Picnic Box,
46.99,
dorisandboris.co.uk
----------
The chandelier
Make Barbara Cartland
jealous, Popping Pink
Chandelier, 499,
frenchbedroomcompany.
co.uk
----------
The kettle
Hot water in hot colours,
Bugatti Vera kettle,
189, redcandy.co.uk
----------
The drawers
Antiques go Pop
Art, Marie Chest
of Drawers, 699,
livingitup.co.uk
----------
[home] home home

UNLEASHED
FROM THE
THE DANCING WITH
NO FEAR TOUR
TICKETMASTER.CO.UK LIVENATION.CO.UK HOLLYJOHNSON.COM
NEW ALBUM RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER
LIVE NATION & SJM IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEIL OBRIEN ENTERTAINMENT
PERFORMING CLASSIC HITS RELAX, TWO TRIBES, THE POWER OF LOVE,
WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME, LOVE TRAIN, AMERICANOS, ATOMIC
CITY AND SONGS FROM HIS FORTHCOMING ALBUM
OCTOBER 2014
18 BRISTOL O
2
ACADEMY
19 BIRMINGHAM INSTITUTE
21 GLASGOW O
2
ABC
22 NEWCASTLE O
2
ACADEMY
24 LIVERPOOL ECHO 2
25 MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2
28 LONDON INDIGO
2
AN EVENING WITH
KRISTIN
CHENOWETH
TONY

& EMMY

AWARD-WINNING STAR OF
WICKED, THE WEST WING, PUSHING DAISIES & GLEE.
PERFORMING SONGS FROM ACROSS HER CAREER
SATURDAY 12 JULY 2014
LONDON ROYAL ALBERT HALL
TICKETMASTER.CO.UK / LIVENATION.CO.UK
ROYALALBERTHALL.COM
A LIVE NATION PRESENTATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAA
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE SMITH CENTER, MYRON MARTIN

OH LOVERBOY
How much do we love our
future husbear Franois
Sagat? All the more for his
incredible new photoshoot
as Madonna. Its the cover
for new specialist magazine
Loverboy who say they
love a bit of dirt, a bit of
trash and lots of gloss. Why,
its as though we were made
for each other!
Loverboy is published quarterly and available at
loverboymagazine.com, @loverboymag
[reviews]
[07/14]
gaytimes.co.uk 93
ooooft

gaytimes.co.uk 94
Gabby Young and
Other Animals One
Foot in Front of
the Other Gabby
specialises in
circus-y cabaret
music that sits
somewhere between
The Tiger Lillies and
Annie Lennox. The
upbeat oom-pah
tracks are what
Paloma Faith would
sound like if she was
still having fun and
not trying to be a
Proper Chanteuse.

Yuksek Partyne
Vol 1 Much like
fellow French label
Kitsun, Partyfne
have packed
this Yuksek lead
compilation with
electro-cool club
hits. But their unique
Dolly Parton Blue Smoke Dolly
Parton is at it again, churning out
some heartstring-plucking country.
It`s a traditional affair. All 12 string
twang, hoedown violins, gospel choirs
and a whole lotta heartbreak. When
she`s not rising up from the pain and
dirt like a phoenix, she`s praising
the lord and asking him for wings,
or making a mockery of the French
language which she does with a big,
saucy, self-deprecating wink. She`s
even teamed up with Kenny Rodgers
again, and though it`s no Islands in
the Stream, it`s a touching duet about
being old friends that might have you
secretly sobbing into your arid hanky.

Ed Sheeran X
Ed Sheeran has undergone an extreme
makeover (musically at least), and we were
already won over by opening single Sing. It`s an
acoustic guitar funk track that`s stormed America
with its whiff of Maroon 5, falsetto, oh oh oh
oh-ing and use of the very un-English phrase
set the tone. You can give a lot of credit to the
co-writing and production from Pharrell Williams,
but it`s not an isolated incident.
We get more of Sheeran, well, rapping. On
paper it sounds like a terrible idea, but Ed has
a cool, effortless approach that sidesteps the
genre`s masochism, leaning towards the talk-y
rap, right up there with Madonna`s American Life
and Blondie`s Rapture. Seriously!
Elsewhere it`s more the traditional Sheeran
fare. Afre Love is personal, hospital beside
stuff and Thinking Out Loud is a straightforward
soulful ballad that veers on the cheesy.
When he`s not exploring new directions, Ed`s
best at his most simple; just a boy with a guitar
confessing all. In fact, the song The One is a
prime example. A falsetto-driven folk number
about drinking too much and never leaving a
(gender neutral) someone, who hopefully hasn`t
married a man. It`s probably one of the most
beautiful songs ever written about drunkenly
stumbling home.
Phantogram Voices Their
'sophomore` (SECOND) album
sees Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter
write indie songs for pop snobs,
or dance music for people with
ingrown toenails. There are strange
echoes of trip hop, even though the
band are from an entirely different
time and place (now / upstate New
York). When Josh gets a turn on the
mic, things get a bit Flaming Lips
or a reverb-abusing Arcade Fire.
But like a true gay clich, we prefer
the female singer, as Sarah comes
into her own on the oddly titled
Bill Murray, excelling at beautiful,
thudding weepiness.
selling point is the
amazing summery
pop the Oh Land
collaboration is
Xanadu-tastic and
Black Yaya`s Paint
A Smile On Me. A
perfect beach-side
accompaniment.

Acollective Pangea
Listening to this
vibrant mixed bag
of genres (usually
within a single song)
is the equivalent of
walking into a charity
shop. Everything
has potential, from
wonky alt-indie
to Duran Duran
swagger, middle
eastern fourishes
and Coldplay
choruses the fun
is in the rummaging
around.
[reviews]

W
O
R
D
S

B
O
B

H
E
N
D
E
R
S
O
N

Mumbai Science
Y
ou know when you hear a
back story about a band or
indeed a Belgian DJ duo
and think theyre taking
you for a ride? Well apparently Mumbai
Science actually were scientists. If
market research is a science.
Its not a joke! Its real! claims
Maarten with mock offence. We were
real scientists, before we started DJing
professionally. We actually worked in a
science lab where we did experiments
on consumer psychology. I wish this was
a joke, but its very real. My favourite
experiment I did was with Jelly Beans and
how people reacted when they ate the
worst kind. To cut this long story short,
people do not like nasty Jelly Beans.
Its such a sad story, Jonas adds
genuinely. Or mockingly. But if they
were scientists, theyve accidentally
gone and created a formula to revive
all the good bits of the much maligned
genre of electroclash. Were talking
about all those early 2000s pretentious
(read: fun) dance acts; Felix Da Housecat,
Fischerspooner, Miss Kittin, Vitalic,
Green Velvet, Tiga all a glittery
footnote in the history of dance music. So
how do Mumbai Science feel about this
dirty word?
Ten years ago we were finding our way
in the club scene and when we went out
we partied to those tracks, says Jonas.
So I really dont think that its a bad
word, but with all genres its different. No
matter what you call yourself, people like
to say you dont fit in that box. We just like
to call it Mumbai Science music. We made
what we like and what we liked to party
to. And electroclash was one of the bigs
things that we partied to, definitely.
They even managed to rope in one of
the pioneers of the genre on their debut
album (and all too knowingly titled)
Dj Vu, a guest rap and collaboration
with Peaches. The song Whistleblower
is typically filthy and funny as Jonas
explains, its about sex and Edward
Snowden. The way she combines the
very heavy political discourse with
whistleblowing her clit, thats just perfect
for the album, the way we wanted to
go. Maarten adds, weve been fans of
Peaches forever, we love her lyrics. She
completely aced it, because its really
uncompromising.
We ask the pair to face the biggest
electroclash criticism and place
themselves on a scale of one to
pretentious. They laugh.
We love to be pretentious, says Jonas,
but properly pretentious so that people
see that we dont mean it at all. Were
two very normal guys. Theres a tension
between being very serious sometimes
and very playful at other times, people
will never really know where to place us.
Are we serious right now?
Oh, who cares. Dj Vu is easily one
of the best dance albums out this year.
And fingers crossed it doesnt become
another electroclash flash in the pan.
Mumbai Science`s debut album Dj Vu is released
16 June, mumbaiscience.net, @mumbaiscience
[music]
gaytimes.co.uk 95

gaytimes.co.uk 96
T
his isnt the end for me!
Its just the beginning!
someone at The X
Factor must have this
written in tear-stained ink to hold
up as a queue card for every single
contestant that gets kicked off
the show. And it turns out to be a
bitterly ironic statement for 99% of
those involved in the whole messy
process. But not for our Ella. Ella
Henderson is the 1%.
Shes had more than a year to deal
with the rejection, which is so often
a blessing in disguise. I came away
from the show and had no idea what
was going to happen, she tells us,
and literally the next day I had a
phone call and the opportunity to
get pitched for four different record
labels She likened the decision to
choosing between four different five
star hotels, who all offer the same
services but do them differently.
Which is a pretty intense experience
for a 16-year-old recently voted off X
Factor contestant.
One of the things that marked Ella
out right from the start was the fact
she wrote her own songs. And her
label Syco have pretty much given
her free creative reign, something
shes verbosely grateful for. The
first time I think I realised was when
I sat down with Simon Cowell for the
first time in his office and he said to
me, I just want you to enjoy this.
And enjoy it she is - her
enthusiasm for her new found
life spilling out - describing her
countless achievements. Its even
things like being able to buy your
own sofa, she laughs. It sounds
silly, but at the age of 18 I never
thought Id be where I am now. Its
things I never thought Id care about
until I was married and had kids.
We put aside our jealousy long
enough to talk about her debut
album, the songwriting process
for which started a year ago in
London and included a stint with
a whole string of names in LA.
But her surroundings had the
opposite effect to the sound you
can expect. Its strange, the
songs that Ive written in the UK
sound a lot like they wouldve
been written in America and
vice versa. I think its because
when youre in the UK and youre
sat in the rain, you write a happy
song.
Which is strange, because from
the songs weve heard, she seems
to write a lot about heartbreak. I
draw off different emotions, she
says, even if Im having a bad
day just because Im having a
hormonal day that can lead to
a song sounding like its a break
up song, but its not. Theres no
formula to it at all. If there was a
formula it would be WINNING. You
only have to listen to her incredible
debut single, Ghost, co-written by
none other than US hit machine
Ryan Tedder, recorded in his house
on her 18th birthday.
Theres no popstar worth their salt
who hasnt done G-A-Y. And without
the X Factor billing, Ella Henderson
is planning a spectacular return to
the iconic nightclub.
You know what Id love to do?
she tells us, thinking out loud, I
did Believe on the show and when
I sung that at G-A-Y, they were all
screaming. And obviously Cher is
incredible. Id love to collaborate
with her, do a performance where
she does the original and I do my
version, but it intertwines with one
another. Almost like a mash up of
me and Cher. Who knows. I was
speaking to her last year so maybe
next time shes in the UK Ill have to
meet her. Fingers crossed gays,
fingers crossed.
Ella`s debut single Ghost is out now,
ellahenderson.co.uk, @ellahenderson
Its even
things like
being able
to buy your
own sofa.
It sounds
silly, but at
the age of
18 I never
thought Id
be where I
am now
El la
Henderson
profile
[reviews]

La Roux Let Me Down
Gently FINALLY. It`s a slow
burner, softer than the harsh electronics on her
debut. And while there`s a tiny bit of 'get a grip` going
on, it`s a dreamy grower. Jane Badler Volcano
Boy The sci-f goddess and star of V is releasing
a late Blondie-style pop song, with a hint of My
Life Story or Saint Etienne. All very good things.
Dana International Ma Laasot? It came out
last year, but it`s still on heavy rotation chez GT. A
thundering slice of Euro-disco, with an exotic ironic
Israeli sample to boot. Robyn & Ryksopp Do It
Again It features all your favourite Robyn elements;
banging electro combined with mopey self-aware
lyrics about self-destructive behaviour and it all
hurting so good. Christina Perri Burning
Gold As songs with a pyromania theme go, it`s
no Firestarter, but could be the bastard offspring
of Burning Down the House and Set Fire to the
Rain. Inna Cola Song A pumped up sax flls
up this familiar sounding STD-catchy tune. It`s the
Euro-Med anthem you`ll have stuck in your head all
throughout your hangover. Shakira Dare (La La
La) It`s got that special brand of Eurovision crazy to
it, with euphoric rave pop, bonkers English phrases
used incoherently and a failsafe "La La La" chorus.
Bassment Jaxx Unicorn You can`t accuse
someone of cashing in on the 90s dance revival
when they were there from the start. Basement Jaxx
go back to their roots with an on-trend headache
maker that`s lacking their usual sense of humour.
Horse Meat Disco
are back with their
fourth compilation,
and any album
that starts off
with someone
screaming
"GET YOUR
HANDS OFF MY
MAN!" is going to
grab our attention.
It`s been two years
since we`ve had
one of these, and
HMD is still the only
safe bet for a good
night out on Sunday
in London.
They`ve mixed
seamlessly the
classics and
contemporary on
this one, from Joey
Negro`s efforts to
their usual disco
lost-classic staples.
It comes on two
CDs, one for the
HMD-at-home
experience and one
completely unmixed
for any amateur
DJs wanting a pop
themselves.
Horsemeatdisco-
thealbum.com
Andrew M Pisanu People throw the phrase
heartbreakingly beautiful quite a lot at
Andrew M Pisanus feet, in regard to his live
performances and piano balladeering. But
despite the emotionally tortured elements
to his song-writing, hes a devastatingly
charming man to chat to. You wouldnt guess
hes an Essex boy who began his early
musical career stealing time on his sisters
piano. A whole lot of music tuition in between,
he relocated to Hampstead, he says to be
near DH Lawrence, and continues to make
heartbreakingly beautiful piano ballads.
His latest EP is rammed with four of them,
from a midlife crisis waltz that pontificates on
getting a Francois Sagat hair-tatt, to a number
about the complex emotions that come
from hooking up in less salubrious places
and a gorily intense song called Lobotomy.
Though people are quick to equal any gay
pianist with Rufus Wainwright, he shares the
rawness of Xiu Xius Jamie Stewart with the
added bonus of being pleasant to listen to.
Pisanus comically dark compositions tread
that fine melancholic line, managing to be
sad but not self indulgent.
Andrew M Pisanu`s latest EP Don Your Gloves and Get Stuck In Love Comes and Goes, is out
at the end of July, facebook.com/andrewmpisanu, @AndrewMPisanu
[tracklist ]
[music]
gaytimes.co.uk 97
W
O
R
D
S

B
O
B

H
E
N
D
E
R
S
O
N

WWW.PROWLER.CO.UK
SOHO 5-7 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 0RF, 020 7734 4031
BRIGHTON 112-113 St Jamess Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH, 01273 683 680
BIRMINGHAM 29-30 Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH, 0121 665 6379
THE ORIGINAL
CLASSIC
IS BACK!

Be Brilliant
Everyday Andy
Whittaker and
Andy Cope Rather
than getting bogged
down in self-help
jargon and, heaven
forbid, breathing
exercises, Be
Brilliant Everyday
provides simple,
thought-provoking
anecdotes and
creative stories
designed to put a
smile on your face
and a spring in your
step. Funny and
cutting, it`s nice for
a self-help book not
to talk down to us,
for once.
End of the
Rainbow: The
Omnibus Edition
Matt Cresswell,
Lee Thomas and
Thom Vollans
The frst 74 issues
of this delightful
Wilde Stories 2014: The Years
Best Gay Speculative Fiction
Steve Berman A collection of truly
wild (without the 'e`) stories, with
only one rule the main character
must be anything but straight. Steve
Berman has edited together tales
from a host of different authors in
this collection, showcasing the very
best in gay short fction. Whether it`s
a Roman emperor taking on the dark
magic of the Nile River to resurrect
his lover, or Oscar Wilde (with the
'e`) taking on a zombie horde in turn
of the century Paris, there`s pretty
much something for everyone here.
Like the gay literature equivalent
of tapas, you`re bound to fnd
something you like.
My Buddy: World War II Laid Bare
Dian Hanson
To think of World War II is to think of death
and persecution. Not the cheeriest opening
to a book review, we know, but it`s all about
context. What Dian Hanson has tried to do with
My Buddy is create something beautiful out of
something so hideous, and she`s done so with
fascinating results.
Many war buddies, while fghting side-by-
side and depending on each other to survive,
formed intimate friendships that most of us
couldn`t possibly fathom. And when they weren`t
risking their lives on the front line, they relaxed
together and released tension with lighthearted
tomfoolery often naked. Most men documented
this side of war with photographs kept hidden
away until their deaths.
Photographer Michael Stokes has spent years
searching for these images, building an archive of
more than 500 snapshots of soldiers and sailors
the world over living each day to its fullest, unsure
of when they might take their last breath. A side
of war we`ve never really seen before.
This incredible collection shows us how World
War II subverted labels like 'gay` and 'straight`.
It`s insightful, beautifully-illustrated and, perhaps,
something we could all learn from.
The United States Vs Pvt
Chelsea Manning: A Graphic
Account from Inside the
Courtroom Clark Stoeckley The
life of private Chelsea Manning has
been anything but. Private, that is.
The transgender US soldier was
sentenced to 35 years in prison after
her involvement in the WikiLeaks
scandal, charged with 22 offences
including aiding the enemy. Artist and
WikiLeaks activist Clark Stoeckley
captured frst-hand Chelsea`s
extraordinary drama in one of the
most important trials in American
history by drawing and writing in
real time from inside the courtroom.
This is about as compelling and
accessible account you`re going to
fnd of the trial, with a foreword from
Julian Assange, no less. A must for
anyone captivated by this astonishing
real-life tale.
web comic are now
available together
for the frst time. Set
in a fctional book
shop in the heart of
Manchester`s Canal
Street, this hilarious
collection includes
never before seen
stories, a guide to
the End of the Road
universe and more.

Blood PH Davies
Cecil Black, a
148-year-old
vampire living with
AIDS, takes centre
stage in Blood. But
once you`re past
the initial premise,
there`s still plenty to
keep you hooked.
Whether it`s the fear
of dying, vampirism,
a love story or gay
history, this little
e-book near enough
has it all.

[reviews]
[print]
gaytimes.co.uk 99
W
O
R
D
S

A
L
E
X

M
A
N
S
F
I
E
L
D

LONDONS GAY THEATRE
BOOK TODAY: www.abovethestag.com
With a year-round programme of comedy, drama, musicals and pantomimes, Above Te Stag is Londons
award-winning theatre with a focus on gay shows. Enjoy a drink in our fabulous bar before and afer the show.
vauxhall
Arch 17, Miles Street, Vauxhall, London SW8 1RZ
Above Te Stag Teatre is a Registered Charity No.1154069
A RIB-TICKLING,
TOE-TAPPING,
TOWEL-FLICKING
MUSICAL
By Tim Evanicki
& Esther Daack
MOVING, RAUNCHY AND
DOWNRIGHT RUDE
whatsonstage.com
Hilariously campy humour
and catchy, toe-tapping tunes
Time Out, Orlando
18 JUNE - 20 JULY
T
r
ea
s
u
r
e
I
s
la
n
d
Londons Favourite Adult Pantomime!
A brilliant adult panto. A non-stop
romp of laughter, double entendres
and magical adventure
Gay Times on Get Aladdin
from the award-winning writers and director
of Jack Of the Beanstalk and Get Aladdin
28 NOVEMBER - 10 JANUARY
Twitter: @abovethestag
Facebook: Above Te Stag Teatre

Until 4 October
Annie Get Your
Gun is bringing the
Wild West on a UK
nationwide tour.
It was a big hit on
Broadway, and it`s
bound to be a Brit-
ish treat too after
all, Anything You
Can Do, I Can Do
Better. That, and
other classics, will
be belted out by
Jason Donovan. an-
niegetyourgunthe-
musical.com
24 June 5 July
Meet Christeene.
She`s the gender-
blending, booty-
pounding punk,
who`s fown into
London direct from
the gloryholes of
Texas. Her show
The Christeene
Machine comes
straight from the
gutter of musical
theatre, where all
the best fun is had,
obviously.
sohotheatre.com
Until 21 June
Some animals are
gay, get over it!
That`s the mes-
sage of Sex With
Animals, a new
show exploring our
animals friends`
naughty lives. Fol-
low Ryan Good, the
bisexual lion (obv),
as he discovers that
the Animal King-
dom is as ravenous
as us mere men.
thehopeheatre.
com
20 June 26 July
Thatcher divides
the gay community
on her legacy, even
after death. Now
the Hampstead
Theatre is brushing
up the story of the
miners` struggle,
digging deep into
the battled lives the
men lived. A story
of politics, power
and the face of
injustice in 80s Brit-
ain. hampsteadthe-
atre.com
Until 24 June
Oppression is often
a life experience
that unites gay men.
Opus No7 tells the
story of Stalin`s
brutal oppressive
regime, through his
systematic attack
on Soviet Jews,
and censorship of
people`s lives. From
Dmitry Krymov,
one of Moscow`s
most profound new
talents. northern-
stage.co.uk
[reviews]
gaytimes.co.uk 101
W
O
R
D
S

B
E
N
J
A
M
I
N

B
U
T
T
E
R
W
O
R
T
H
Forbidden Broadway Angela
Lansbury, Elaine Paige and
Whoopi Goldberg all love it
probably the most fabulous
theatre poster imaginable.
Forbidden Broadway has been
running for 32 years, spoofing
the oddities and hilarities of other
West End hits. Its satire at its most
camp, and its coming back to
London for one more summer.
19 June 16 August, menierchocolatefactory.com
[stage]

gaytimes.co.uk 102
This Broadway baby with the tiny
frame, Minnie Mouse squeak and
rafters-rocking singing voice mulls
it over, then adds: I have a lot of
Broadway fans and that makes me
very happy. I also think the gay
world appreciates what I try to bring
to the party, you know? I appreciate
them being proud of me. Does that
make sense?
It sure does. Especially when this
self-described non-judgemental
liberal Christian speaks up for
gay causes, as she often does. Ive
been very outspoken about being a
person of faith and also outspoken
about gay rights, Kristin, 45,
explains, which in America
doesnt always gel. So its been
awesome to have that community
reach out to me and say We love
you, thank you, were proud of
you and not just for singing and
dancing, but for speaking up for
civil rights. As for the haters, she
sighs and says: Its always funny to
me because thats the antithesis of
what God is all about.
Chenoweth, who originated the
role of Glinda in Stephen Schwartzs
hugely pop-u-lar Wizard of Oz
prequel, is running late for some
unspecified appointment and she
rushes to the phone like a tornado
sweeping Dorothy out of Kansas.
Shes breathless, with an Oklahoma
twang that makes you sound like
yeeeeew, and very excited about
(finally) doing a full show in London.
Im gonna do sort of an
evolution of whats being going
on since I was a little-bitty
girl, is her adorable way of
describing An Evening With
Kristin Chenoweth, which plays
the Royal Albert Hall for one night
only this July. Youll hear gospel
and country, and of course therell
be Broadway and opera. Theres
disco in there too and I dont just
stand around; I have three singers
and dancers who join me and we
put on a real show.
But it wont be all razzle-dazzle
camp. Theres a conception about
me that Im peppy all the time and
Ive had no badness in my life, but
thats not true at all, says Kristin,
who writes movingly in her 2009
memoir about being adopted. Im a
real person, not just a happy-all-the-
time person.
Shes been at this showbiz lark
for as long as she can remember,
performing gospel songs and acting
in school plays from an early age,
then rising up through the regional
theatre ranks before bagging a
Tony in the 1999 musical Youre A
Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Four years later she was cast
as good witch Glinda opposite
Idina Menzels troubled Elphaba
in Wicked. Did she know it would
be such a phenomenal hit? Yes,
I did, she laughs. I did! I knew
the moment we opened in San
Francisco. We got very mixed
reviews the whole time but I just
knew it was going to be a story that
would touch people. The world is
full of Elphabas and Glindas and its
interesting because you question
who actually is the wicked one.
Thats a question in life. We look at
people and go Wait, are they nice
or are they mean?
Then theres the theme of being
an outsider, which resonates with
gay audiences. Of course it does,
because anybody who has been
persecuted any community or
group knows what that feels like.
Glindas a bit of a diva, so how
about Kristin? Not backstage
and not in a theatre, but put me
in a long line and Im not good at
waiting, she giggles. Nor is she
anything like April Rhodes, the
drunken ex-McKinley High pupil
and complete hot mess she
played on the first two series of
Glee. She says everything wrong
and shes completely inappropriate
but you love her anyway. I got to go
back for the 100th show and it was
wonderful to be back in her skin
just for a second.
I mention how lovely Matthew
Morrison is and Kristin coos.
Hes gorgeous, he can sing
and hes kind. He doesnt suck
in any way. Shes a friend and
a fan. Other idols include the
usual suspects Judy Garland and
Barbra Streisand, whom she got
to meet backstage at one of the
latters shows. Jealous as hell. I
tell her I hate her and she laughs:
I know, but I sometimes hate
myself because when I met her I
Ask Kristin Chenoweth how
she accounts for her big nay
huge gay fanbase and she
yelps with delight: I dont
know! What is it? It could have
something to do with the fact
the woman who came to fame
in Wicked on stage and Glee on
TV can sing, act, dance and is
altogether a pint-sized bundle
of fabulousness, and when I
tell her this she yelps again.
Well, I hope Im fabulous.
WORDS SIMON BUTTON

103 gaytimes.co.uk
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
x
just froze. I was with a friend who
was even more nervous than I was
and my friend actually bowed.
I was like Youre never coming
anywhere with me again.
Kristin is also a fan of the not-
so-tiny Sean Hayes, who was her
co-star in the 2010 Broadway
revival of Promises, Promises.
She leapt to his defence when
Newsweek writer Ramin Setoodeh
claimed that Sean, who came out
in The Advocate that same year,
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
wasnt convincing in a straight
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
role. It was, said Kristin in a
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
written response, horrendously
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
homophobic and, she tells me,
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
Setoodeh couldnt have been
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
more wrong. I was so proud of
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
Sean because hed never done
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
Broadway before, but he was up
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
for the challenge. I was glad I was
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
the one who got to hold his hand,
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
but I was also the one who got to
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
witness the greatness that came
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
from the perfect person playing
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
Chenoweth hasnt done a
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
Broadway show since, although
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
she wouldnt rule out returning
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
to Wicked, maybe as Madame
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
Morrible in ten years time. Or
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
maybe I should say 20 years,
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
K
r
i
s
t
i
n
she laughs. I mean, please! Why
am I rushing it?
Speaking of rushing, this
liveliest of legends-in-the-making
has to dash so theres just time
to ask if shes excited about her
London show. Hell yeah. Ive
been there before and I sang for
the Queen, which was incredibly
special. Ive also sung at various
events, but a Royal Albert Hall
show has always been on my
bucket list and I cant wait.
And is she nervous? You bet! I
know Im going to have diarrhoea.
I do a Kristin-style screech. But its
OK, she reassures me. Itll be right
before the show, not on stage.
An Evening With Kristen Chenoweth is at
the Royal Albert Hall, London on 12 July.
Tickets are available from livenation.co.uk.
Offcialkristenchenoweth.com, @kchenoweth
[stage]

104 gaytimes.co.uk
Her Disc We`ve had sex via our
phones, through our phones and on
our phones, but never actually with
it: the battery life`s bad enough as it
is. Spike Jonze`s thought-provoking
sci-f explores love in an era of
intelligent technology and manages to
be warmly witty and soul-crushingly
poignant all at the same time. Joaquin
Phoenix has never been better, and
Scarlett Johansson is delectable as a
lovesick Siri.
Stalingrad Disc When it came out
earlier this year, it was easy to dismiss
this big-budget Russian 3D-wargasm
as a clumsy stab at a Hollywood-
style WW2 epic. In retrospect, given
recent events in the Ukraine, it feels
more like a cunning piece of pre-
emptive propaganda. At least in 1942
Stalingrad the Nazis were real (unlike
the imaginary ones in Crimea in
2014), and director Fedor Bondarchuk
has found some suitably stirring ways
to dispose of them.
Non-Stop Disc In recent years,
Liam Neeson`s roles have coalesced
into one: a spectacularly unlucky
tough-guy whose 'particular set of
skills` don`t seem to include 'the
ability to make safe international
travel plans`. This time, things go tits
up as soon as he steps on the plane:
passengers get bumped off and he`s
the suspect. On the plus side, he`s
sat next to Julianne Moore. So far,
so Hitchcockian - but the ending
is more Ryanair than Virgin Upper
Class.
Porkys Disc Back in the 1980s,
when GT was way out of reach on
the top shelf of the newsagent,
masturbation options were limited.
For most of us, a worn VHS copy of
this 1982 frat-comedy was all we had
to hand. Porky`s was responsible for
spawning the entire teen sex comedy
genre, mainly by being as shallow
and lusty as an actual teenager.
Restored in HD, you can relieve the
very frst time you saw a glory-hole
on screen.
[also out ]
The Art of the Steal The heist
comedy genre is responsible
for more crimes against cinema than actual
heists have ever inicted on the entire banking
industry. Can Kurt Russell, Jay Baruchel, Matt
Dillon and Terence Stamp get away scot-free?
Chef Jon Favreau turned down Iron Man 3 so
he could write, direct and star in this feel-good
food comedy. With Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett
Johansson and Sofa Vergara on the menu, were
already licking our lips. Devils Knot Dane
DeHaan is suspected of the satanic murder of
three poor innocent young boys in this true-crime
drama. As the Green Goblin, he was responsible
for abusing poor innocent young Andrew Gareld
in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, so it wouldnt be
unprecedented. Cold in July Michael C Hall
plays an everyman whose life unravels after he
shoots a home intruder. With a great story, fab
cast (Sam Shepard, Don Johnson) and a couple of
surprises, this looks like an A-list B-movie.
The tale of a
headstrong misft
who forms an
unnatural bond with
a bug-eyed, food-
fxated pet, How to
Train Your Dragon
is a frm favourite
around the GT offce.
With its beautiful
animation, soaring
fying sequences, and
an unexpectedly deft
disability subplot, it
was one of the best
new animations in
memory. And with
new characters,
more dragons, and
the addition of a gay
character AND Cate
Blanchett to the cast,
we can`t wait for the
sequel.
LIFES A DRAG(ON)
cinema/disc
[reviews]

As I Lay Dying
Disc James Franco
directs and stars
in this dreamy,
dreary adaptation of
William Faulkner`s
'unflmable` redneck
odyssey set in
the Deep South.
Co-starring Logan
Marshall-Green and
Danny McBride,
it`s shot using split-
screen, everyone
talks as if they have
a cleft palate, and
it held our attention
about half the time.

The Woody
Allen Library
Disc Available
on download and
DVD, this collection
brings together
seven Woody Allen
flms from the past
two decades, plus
Barbara Kopple`s
documentary Wild
Man Blues. Bullets
over Broadway,
Belle Cinema 12 Years a Slave was
a harrowing experience, especially
from a fashion standpoint: 12 years
is more than enough time to put
together a decent ensemble. Based
on the true story of the daughter
of a British admiral and an African
servant, this costume drama looks at
slavery from a refreshingly elegant
perspective. Raised in luxury by her
great uncle (Tom Wilkinson) and
his dotty sister (Penelope Wilton),
Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-
Raw) was bound by her gender and
illegitimacy as well as by her race,
but she still managed to hunt for a
husband AND sway a landmark anti-
slavery judgement at the same time.

The Young and Prodigious
TS Spivet Cinema Jean-Pierre
Jeunet`s adaptation of Reif Larsen`s
illustrated novel brings a distinctive
gallic twist to the story`s Norman
Rockwell-esque all-American
aesthetic. TS Spivet is a ten-year-old
boy-genius living on a remote farm
with his scientist mother (Helena
Bonham Carter), cowboy father
(Callum Keith Rennie) and the
memories of his dead twin brother.
After winning a prize for a perpetual
motion machine, he runs away from
home and embarks on a cross-
country adventure. With immaculate
3D, it`s one of the most beautiful
flms you`ll see all year; the only time
you`ll remove your specs is to dry
your eyes.
Mighty Aphrodite
and Deconstructing
Harry are
superlative. There`s
also Celebrity,
Small Time
Crooks, Sweet
and Lowdown, oh,
and the delightful
Everyone Says I
Love You.

House of Cards
Season 2 Disc
Kevin Spacey and
Robin Wright return
as the conniving
Underwoods:
modern-day
Macbeths on the
path to the White
House. Having
grasped the vice-
presidency, the
couple`s schemes
take an even darker
turn. With telly
this good, why do
we even bother to
leave the house
anymore?

[screen]
gaytimes.co.uk 105
W
O
R
D
S

M
I
L
O

W
A
K
E
L
I
N
Grace of Monaco Cinema
Grace Kelly and Rainier III, Prince of Monaco,
frst met during the 1955 Cannes Film
Festival, and their fairytale wedding captured
the imagination of would-be princesses
all over the world. Sadly, the 2014 Cannes
Film Festival was less kind: Olivier Dahan`s
melodrama was derided by critics as the
worst car crash to happen to the House of
Grimaldi since, well, the last one.
In the opinion of this would-be princess, Grace
of Monaco is a lush, layered and, entertaining
account of the clash between Hollywood royalty
and Old World aristocracy. Nicole Kidman is
fawless as Grace, Tim Roth is unrecognisable
as Rainier, there are bonkers cameos from
Robert Lindsay and Derek Jacobi, and Roger
Ashton-Griffths is uncanny as Alfred Hitchcock.
Rather than attempt a straightforward biopic,
Dahan tells Grace Kelly`s story by evoking the
type of flm she might have appeared in: shot
in glorious technicolor hues, the costumes are
epic, the soft-focus closeups are gorgeous and
the acting is appropriately OTT. There`s style
in spades - but there`s substance too. After
all, Grace Kelly wouldn`t have walked from the
silver screen to the world stage if she hadn`t
possessed both.

IPAD / IPHONE / BLACKBERRY / / PC & MAC / WINDOWS 8 / KINDLE FIRE
AVAILABLE ON
WWW.GTDIGI.CO.UK
DOWNLOAD
ONLY 2.49
WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE

WE REALLY
SHOOK THE
PILLARS OF
HEAVEN DIDNT
WE WANG?
----------
Weve dedicated a lot of column
inches to BOOM! Studios in the last
12 months. And rightfully so.
Whether its Grace Randolphs
breakaway hit series Superbia or
the continued genius of Pendleton
Wards Adventure Time and
Bravest Warriors, theyve always
given us something to rave about.
So when they teased a Big
Trouble in Little China comic, we
quite literally lost our glob.
You see, BOOM! has just signed a
deal with 20th Century Fox, which
means their range of licensed
comics is going to explode (see
what we did there?). And this
would be the first comic adaptation
of John Carpenters classic martial
arts fantasy flick.
If you dont know the story
(shame on you go ask your mum)
its a timeless tale of romance,
people trafficking and gang
warfare all puppet mastered by
the immortal sorcerer Lo Pan.
With a young(-er) pre-Sex and
the City Kim Cattrall and Kurt
Russell (again ask your mum.
Specifically about the arms) as
Jack Burton, the mulleted trucker
cum action man, who ploughs the
Pork Chop Express through the
seedy streets of San Francisco. The
film was hammy, over the top and
brilliant, in all the best possible
ways, and were expecting more of
the same from BOOM! Studios.
What were hoping for in this
ongoing Big Trouble in Little
title is a bit of expansion. The
possibilities are endless! Big
Trouble in Little Shoreditch? Big
Trouble in Little Glasgow?
Forging on from the last shot of
the movie, and telling some of Jack
Burtons adventures outside of
China Town instead of just retelling
the one that we all know.
With the promise of a return for
lots of the movies familiar faces,
this much needed dose of 80s
nostalgia written as a comic book
sequel is a no-brainer.
Your Elm Street
Nightmare's
now in 8-Bit (the
opposite of HiDef)
If you`re of the
horror kink, this
fgure is a ftting
tribute to a cult
classic. Released
way back in 1989,
the Nightmare on
Elm Street video
game was SO bad...
it was actually pretty
good. Freddy`s a
fully articulated
7-inch fgure styled
up in 8-bit video
game drag.
Call Spider-Man.
Call the police.
Call anyone. This
one is for die-hard
Gremlins (2: The
New Batch) fans! A
ten-inch tall spider-
Gremlin? Fuck no!
Wait, we mean
yes. Recreating
the Gremlin who
turned into an
arachnid, he`s
bloody enormous
and covered
in detail. Four
words: Complete
with hinged jaw.
Shudder.
ET Phone Home
(and teII you're
mum you'II be
Iate) Alien Drag
Race ET! Faux
Pearl Necklace!
Faux Mink Stole! A
must have for ET
fans. OK, it`s 300.
But he`s almost 3ft
of hand painted
foam rubber. Not
convinced? Think of
this as the template
for American Dad`s
Roger the (cross-
dressing) alien.
Sold? Thought
so.
Get out your library card!
The British Library is hosting Comics
Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK,
showcasing the countrys biggest comic
book exhibition and offering a rst-ever peek
at their gargantuan comics collection.
Alongside the usual suspects are treats
from the personal collections of Neil
Gaiman, Grant Morrison, Dave Gibbons, and
Mark Millar, including original artwork and
scripts for Judge Dredd, Sandman, and V for
Vendetta. The list is endless, and traces the
entire history of the British comic book.
Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK runs until 19 August
[reviews]
[geek]
gaytimes.co.uk 107
W
O
R
D
S

T
I
M

M
I
T
C
H
E
L
L

I
M
A
G
E
S

B
L
A
C
K

H
O
L
E
S

D
A
V
E

M
C
K
E
A
N

/

B
R
I
T
I
S
H

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

108 gaytimes.co.uk
Murdered: Soul Suspect
Game of the Month
Praise be! There`s a new gaming property in town.
In a world still beset with muddy shooters and
things all feeling a little, well, samey, it`s good to
see Murdered: Soul Suspect trying something
that at least attempts to feel fresh. Coming from
Square Enix, this action-sleuther sees you playing
the part of a murdered cop caught in ghost form
as he attempts to unravel his
death. This is achieved
by invesitgating your
colleagues, over-the-shoulder,
shifting from body to body
as you do, and going toe-to-
toe with an array of demonic
creatures most defnitely not
there to guide you on your way.
Mixing some LA Noire-esque
gaming mechanics with nicely
stylised graphics, this is one outing that`s defnitely
worth a look if you felt the detective elements in
the recent Batman games were a bit light - the
jury`s out on whether they`re enough to build a
whole game around, but combat looks half decent
too. And it`s not another shooter, so points for that.

Available across platforms now

Ping Tune
Though it has
its eye on the
perceived younger
Android audience,
Ping Tune remains
somewhat natty -
you simply select
your YouTube
video, iTunes link
or SoundCloud clip
and 'ping` it to your
friend a la Snap
Chat. Defnitely one
for the dedicated
music fans.
Secret
And we thought
this is what Twitter
was really for.
Taking 'U OK
hon?` to a whole
new level, Secret
allows one to
anonymously
bare his soul
(steady...) and
other people can
then comment. In
other news, the
apocalypse looms
ever closer.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
The film is a breezy rom-com
stitched together with great
performances. The game,
as is so often the way with
movie tie-ins, is not. Sure,
the mechanics of swinging
round New York are fair and
the fighting is peppy, but the
looks are only marginally
less forgivable than the
interminable load screens that
grind things to a halt.
Available across platforms now
Sniper Elite 3
Shooters be damned, but
when theyre done well
they still provide a hell of a
gaming rush, and the Sniper
Elite series captures a mood
others only dabble in with its
emphasis on the slow burn.
With impressive next-gen
visuals adding a new layer
of polish, this is well worth
a look if youre a fan of
previous outings.
Available across platforms 27 June
idle hands
G
A
M
E
S
[apps
]
[reviews]

W
O
R
D
S

M
I
K
E

H
I
R
D
03
EyeFi With
My Little
EyeFi Mobi Use
camera. Transfer
photo. Save.
Distribute. Not
any more! The
Eye-Fi Mobi is a
memory card that
also magically
gives cameras and
camcorders the
ability to wirelessly
transfer images
and videos,
making your mini-
masterpieces even
more shareable.
From 41.99 for an
8GB card,
en.eyef.com
----------
The Terra
G-Drive Mobile
The world is awash
with external hard
drives and, for
most purposes,
the sticking your
fnger in the air
approach will very
probably do just
fne. But if you`re
going to do your
homework, you`ll
most likely learn
that one of the best
is G-Technology`s
G-Drive Mobile
elegantly designed
and bus-powered,
so there`s no need
for a power cable.
From 79.95,
Apple store and
elsewhere
----------
Now, Voyager!
Flash Voyager
GO Double-ended
jokes aside, the
Flash Voyager GO
from Corsair is life-
changing, with USB
and Micro USB
connectors allowing
for easy sharing
of fles between
Android devices
and PCs, while also
increasing storage
capacity for mobile
devices. See,
clever! And perfect
for long haul flm-
fests. From
37.99 for 64GB,
corsair.com
----------
02
Its not the sexiest of subjects, granted, but we all rely on storage to a terrifying
degree these days. Whether its memory cards for phones and cameras, ash
and USB storage for the ofce or somewhere to privately harbour your deepest,
darkest porn collection, we all need it. And sometimes it can even be sexy.
[tech]
01
gaytimes.co.uk 109

[07/14]
[life]
gaytimes.co.uk 111
I
M
A
G
E

J
O
E

M
C
C
O
R
M
I
C
K

G
R
O
O
M
I
N
G

E
V
A
N

H
U
A
N
G

U
S
I
N
G

M
A
C
,

S
H
U

U
E
M
E
R
A

A
N
D

M
A
K
E
U
P

S
T
O
R
E

W
O
R
D
S

B
E
N
J
A
M
I
N

B
U
T
T
E
R
W
O
R
T
H
readers lives
Tom Oakley
Oxford, 21,
student
I`m pretty
comfortable in my
body and I think I`m
quite good looking,
with quite a nice
face. I`ve got my
top off in clubs and
things, and I`ve
been completely
naked in Heaven,
in London. It was
Porn Idol where
you have to strip off
completely naked
and then let the club
boo or cheer. One
judge said I was the
most boring thing
he`d seen since
EastEnders, but the
crowd must`ve liked
my stuff because
they chanted for me
to come back on!
I would totally
sleep with myself.
It actually really
frustrates me I
don`t have a clone,
because I`d totally
have sex with my
twin, if I had one.
That`s not dodgy,
though [laughs]. I
should probably
just sleep with my
boyfriend. But I saw
some old footage
from ages ago
of a young David
Attenborough and,
in a weird way, he
looked really hot. Not
necessarily beautiful.
Just sexy. I`d have
had sex with him.
I don`t usually go
for older men - my
oldest I`ve had a
relationship with
is 35. But being at
Oxford, it can be a
fsh bowl. Like, if you
get drunk and sleep
with someone, you`ll
probably bump into
them again the next
week. Which isn`t
what you want.

gaytimes.co.uk 112
I hate my exs
success
he doesnt
deserve it
----------
I almost feel stupid writing this.
My ex and I broke up about
three years ago, and I cant stop
thinking about him. I dont want
to get back with him; he was a
liar and cheated and made me
miserable. The problem is that
he has gone on to big success
his life seems more glamorous
than ever, I cant go anywhere
without seeing his name, and
he looks like hes having a
fantastic time. He has the job of
his dreams and loads of friends.
It couldnt happen to a nastier
person. I cant seem to get over
that our break-up had no effect
on him at all. If anything, it was
the beginning of a fantastic new
era for him. Meanwhile, I was left
broken by our relationship, and
feel like I still havent made it in
my career like Im useless and
itll never happen. It doesnt seem
fair. I know I shouldnt care but
its driving me crazy.
Michael, by e-mail
The Guyliner replies As acerbic
raconteur Gore Vidal once said:
Whenever a friend succeeds, a
little something in me dies. With an
enemy, it can be even more gut-
wrenching to watch them fourish.
You don`t say how news of these
successes is reaching you, but I
assume social media is involved.
Social media is a wonderful thing, but
can be dangerous for anyone prone to
negative thinking or self-doubt.
The main issue here is your ex is
thriving and having a gay old time,
all without you and with no regard to
the way he hurt you. But, remember,
you are only privy to the good stuff he
shares, the things he wants people to
see. Who knows what happens when
he closes his laptop the insecurities,
the worries, the tears. Beyond the
glamorous locations, hedonistic
cocktails, career highs and fabulous
times, lies the mundane: bills to pay,
spots, trips to the loo. Perhaps even,
fngers crossed, someone is screwing
him over right this minute too. But why
should you care?
The blunt edge comes now: you
are wasting your time over this and
preventing yourself from achieving
anything of your own. How can you
ever hope to match or better his
success when you`re hell-bent on
obsessing over what he`s up to? His
life and career should mean nothing to
you, because, if I may be frank, it looks
like yours means nothing to him. The
best revenge you can serve this shark
is to make your own life a success.
Cut the constant comparisons, delete
him off all social media, avoid places
you know you`ll see that name, and
make bettering yourself the focus of
your energy. Get on with your life and
achieve, and do it for you, not bragging
rights on Facebook. Take comfort that if
he truly is as reprehensible as you say,
truth will out. While it may seem like this
cat lands only on his feet, goodwill can
run out pretty quickly eventually his
mask will slip and people will see him
for what he is, and the successes will
become fewer and far between.
I`d like to say that you`ll be there to
revel in his misery, but what you`re
going to do next is concentrate on
your own aspirations and totally forget
about this social-climbing moron,
right? Right.
Need some good old-fashioned advice on matters of love, life or relationships?
E-mail me in total condence on theguyliner@gaytimes.co.uk. I cant
respond individually and your e-mails may be edited for use in the magazine.
We wont use your real name or publish any contact details.
@theguyliner
need advice?
readers dilemmas
[life]

[01 ]
The Coffee Snob Its
hard to say exactly
when coffee became a fetish.
It seems like only yesterday it
was perfectly acceptable to
drink endless cups of watery
slop made from claggy
granules, topped up with
hip-expanding white sugar.
Since the arrival of big coffee
chains, of course, weve
turned to lattes and espressos,
and are asking for types of
coffee by name. Moldovan
Wheelbarrow Roast? Why,
certainly. And thats fine; it
gives us something to think
about while we queue
patiently behind the man
ordering a very specialised
Frappuccino. But for some
men this isnt enough for
them coffee isnt just a means
of keeping your eyes open and
your belly warm, its a way of
life. They caress their
espresso machine with the
fervour of a closeted teenager
finding Zac Efrons wang in
their hands. They tell you
about the beans. You find
yourself nipping to Starbucks
in secret, because the mere
sight of that mermaid on your
paper cup sends the Coffee
Snob into paroxysms of
horror. How can you drink
that stuff? hell wince.
Thats not proper coffee!
The more he bangs on and on
about how special this latest
blend of coffee is, and how
hes going to get up really
early to enjoy an authentic
cortado at the farmers
market, the more you crave
the ordinary. You find
yourself sweating like a
junkie in your local
supermarket aisle, grabbing
jars of instant own-brand
coffee called things like
Whoops Mum! Super Value
Coffee-Flavoured Powder.
The word artisan starts to
ALL
THE MEN
YOU
SHOULD
NEVER
DATE
make you nervous. You come
to dread the pong of freshly
brewed coffee, holding your
nose like youre driving by a
field full of cow dung in a
convertible.
The solution Switch to tea. Swap
out his Colombian Gold Roast for
Mellow Birds and see if he notices
the difference.
----------
[02 ]
The Anti-Dancer
Theres the old adage
that you can tell how good
someone is in bed by how well
they dance. Remind me to show
you my ballroom trophies some
time. Ahem. Anyway, one way
that people who ARE bad in bed
disguise this fact is by
becoming an Anti-Dancer.
Were not talking a simple
aversion to clubbing, which is
perfectly fine we cant all
spend four days on the dance
floor, can we? This guy wont
dance ever. Not weddings, not
birthday parties, nothing. He
wont even do drunken swaying
to power ballads at four in the
morning in your living room
when its just the two of you. He
wont gently nod his head to the
strains of Katy Perry on his
morning commute. Nothing gets
his hips or his head moving.
People who dont like dancing,
dont like FUN its practically
science. Even a bad dancer can
look good if theyre enjoying
themselves enough. Dating an
Anti-Dancer means making a
fool of yourself at parties alone,
or watching all the disco-
dancing from the side-lines as
you keep your non-frugging
paramour company.
The solution Take dance classes
together. In an effort to put him
at ease, pretend that you too are
abysmal at cutting a rug. And try
not to have an affair with your
dance instructor.
THE GUYLINER LENDS AN EAR TO
YOUR LIFE DILEMMAS AND DISHES
THE DIRT ON THE UNDATEABLES
[advice]
gaytimes.co.uk 113
W
O
R
D
S

T
H
E

G
U
Y
L
I
N
E
R

I
M
A
G
E
S

I
S
T
O
C
K
P
H
O
T
O

ID GLIDE
C
l
a
s
s
i
c

L
u
b
e
O
u
r

b
e
s
t

e
l
l
i
n
g

a
n
g
e
SOHO 5-7 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 0RF, 020 7734 4031
BRIGHTON 112-113 St Jamess Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH, 01273 683 680
BIRMINGHAM 29-30 Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH, 0121 665 6379

column
Uncle PJ my niece,
Maddie, likes to shout
when were playing
together. She says it, like, a lot, and
yet it still makes my throat tighten
a bit every time. Im blown away
by how amazing and human she
is, how old Ive become, and how
happy I am to simply be an uncle
and not a parent.
When youre the gay uncle,
because of whatever preconceived
notions people hold, you dont often
get the usual harassment of, So
when are you going to settle down,
huh, PJ? Start having some kids
When this does happen, though, I
try biting my tongue till it bleeds.
If thats unsuccessful, I remove
my imaginary hoop earrings
and begin to slick down my hair,
gathering my imaginary ponytail
together, in anticipation for the
upcoming verbal ass whooping Im
about to give Aunt Linda. Well, for
starters Aunt Linda, its not even
legal for me to settle down in most
states, okay? And as for adoption
actually, Dad, hold my drink. Aunt
Linda needs some schooling. Ive
only had to do this once or twice;
my family has learned their lesson,
they know better. Especially Aunt
Linda, she just smiles and waves at
family functions now.
When I pick Maddie up from
day care, Im convinced that the
employees have been informed that
Im Maddies cool, well-travelled,
gay uncle. Ive added cool and
well-travelled myself, because
its what the layman does anyway
when youre a gay, am I right? I
definitely have an air about me like
Im Neil Patrick Harris himself at
the day care centre. I mean, how
cool am I that this three-year-old is
literally screaming because shes
that excited to see me? Maddie
stands there and screams for the
first minute she sees me, and in that
minute, I understand how the Pope
feels. This power, as a gay uncle, is
immense! Goodbye, Mr. Brennan!
the Long Island ladies exclaim as I
escort my niece through the front
door. Dont worry, Ill be back, I
say, and their faces beam. Again,
Im convinced this actually happens,
though Ive never seen it with my
own eyes. Im assuming their mental
faces beam on the inside. God, I
hope that gay uncle comes back, I
think I hear one say to the other as
the door closes behind me.
Being a gay uncle, you get a few
more minutes to hold the baby if
shes in a good mood because, lets
face it, When are you gonna get
an opportunity to do this yourself?
Youre right, Distant-Cousin-I-
Dont-Know, this chance may never
come again. If the baby is in a bad
mood, you can give her straight
back, because youre too gay and
overwhelmed to know what to do.
Again, this is using a stereotype
to your advantage. You just mince
about with the baby at arms length
repeating, Shes gone poo, what
do I do? Someone will come along
so you can sit in the corner and get
back on Tinder with a glass of red.
But the most beautiful thing about
being a gay uncle? Having moments
in time captured in my heart that
lift me out of the deepest, darkest
thoughts Im having. Remember to
bring your Batman cape, Ill wear
my Riding Hood cape, and we can
play together, Maddie whispers as
I say goodbye. I have to stop myself
from crying because why would that
make you cry, Uncle PJ?
Maddie likes to show me a face
that makes her dad laugh when hes
taking a picture of her. Its a sort of
vacant stare with a slack jaw that
only the most amazing and talented
and fantastic and perfect niece
would be able to create at will at
three-years-old. I close my eyes on
the train into Manhattan, I see her
funny face, and I smile or even laugh
to myself. This is rare for me; she is
powerful in my life, apparently.
We can feel quite lonely, us gays,
cant we? For me, gay uncle has
a better ring to it than just single
gay man. It makes me feel not so
alone. Or just uncle, really, thats all
I need. That, and the full nights of
sleep I get being just the uncle and
not the parent. Its one of the few
things about ageing that Im finding
not just tolerable, but kind of lovely.
It redefines so much
about life, and thats
incredible.
The most
beautiful
thing
about
being a
gay uncle?
Having
moments
in time
captured
in my heart
that lift me
out of the
deepest,
darkest
thoughts
Im having
[life]
[pj brennan]
UNCLE PJ
@peejaybrennan
gaytimes.co.uk 115

gaytimes.co.uk 116
Think about life at
18-years-old; that
gleaming milestone
where the world and all its
possibilities seem so eternally
attainable. Childhood instantly
overwritten by the independence
of adulthood and where the envied
gift of youth had never appeared
more empowering, significant and
uncontrived. I grasped this long-
awaited bull by the horns and rode
full throttle into a new life of partying
and social interaction among
Birminghams gay club scene.
Four months later, I received
the shattering news that Im HIV-
positive. Somewhere between
innocently going out with friends
and losing almost a stone in
weight, the fun-loving teenager
I once knew had become blindly
obsessed with drinking, club
drugs and casual sex with any man
who had more than three notes in
his wallet. My prerogative as an
18-year-old gay man had finally
come at an unfair and sudden price:
a life changing HIV diagnosis after
just a few months of thoughtless
behaviour, and there was nothing I
could do about it.
Among the horrific fear and
guilt consuming my emotions, I
developed such anger towards
myself. I was always the intelligent
one; the one who always carried
a condom in his wallet and
frequently said no to drugs. How
did I not see the horrific symptoms
Id experienced for the last two
months? How on earth did this
happen to me? I knew barely
anything of what a life with HIV
entailed; would it be long or short?
Healthy or bedridden? Supportive
or secluded? Images of the late
Princess Diana holding the hands of
dying men and Freddie Mercurys
last appearances as a skinny AIDS
patient echoed through my mind as
they broke the news to me that my
routine blood test, taken at a HGL
testing tent at Birmingham Pride
the week earlier, had come back
inconclusive and partly-reactive
for the HIV virus. Rushing to my
regular clinic with the terrifying
thought of dying alone embedded in
my mind proved just as inaccurate
and concerning when two rapid
tests also returned inconclusive. In
the midst of panic and unanswered
questions, more blood would be
drawn from a franticly shaking arm.
It would take five days to receive the
news that no one wants to receive.
This may be just a cruel scare or
a life changing diagnosis I of
course, received the latter.
My family and friends were as
devastated as I was, and I decided
If you were scrolling past these pictures
on a social dating app, what would
you think? Fit, right? Would you swipe
left or swipe right? Would you even
consider the fact that a 19-year-old
was living with HIV? Luke Alexanders
life was turned upside down when
he was diagnosed one year ago. And
now, after coming to terms with his
status throughout the past 12 months,
hes taking on the government and
demanding better education about the
virus in schools. This is his story
WORDS LUKE ALEXANDER

117 gaytimes.co.uk
[life]

gaytimes.co.uk 118
immediately that I would not allow
myself to be consumed by the
shock and fear of the future, and
the more I knew of the virus I had,
the better. Avoiding the advice of
doctors and sexual health nurses, I
shunned sleep to research into the
depths of virology, immunology
and the prognosis of what my life
had now become. This resulted in
the realisation that living with HIV
did not entail an early grave in
this century, and that I would use
this diagnosis as a wake-up call to
change my life for the better.
Three weeks later I was sitting
in a friends garden discussing
my newly acquired status when
she asked me somewhat gingerly
if HIV was transmitted through
saliva. I remember thinking
that if someone so bright and
intelligent could ask that, I knew
something had to be done about
HIV education, especially to the
under 25s who seemed to know
nothing of the illness and how its
transmitted and treated. With the
inspiration of a well-known HIV
blogger, just eight weeks after my
diagnosis, I proudly published
my own blog to the public via
social media: Positive Luke was
born. I defiantly refused to live
in a world where the outdated
stigma of HIV/AIDS would control
me and who I disclosed my status
to, nor did I want this disease to
go unnoticed to other young gay
men as it had done for me. Taking
back control over something so
seemingly uncontrollable became
the best decision I ever made in
my life, the validation I received
shook my emotions to the core; I
couldnt believe the support I was
receiving from all over the world
in the weeks that followed.
The second best decision I made
followed a few months later; I
had felt constantly lethargic as
the virus in my body continued
its terminal route of destruction.
While on holiday with friends in the
Netherlands, I made the decision
to promptly start treatment upon
my return. The NHSs guidelines of
starting life-long treatment seemed
unimportant and something to be
challenged; and despite the fact I
was diagnosed early and did not
require treatment, I needed to take
control over my health as I had done
with my stigma. Starting my one-
pill-a-day drug regime has since
given me a fully suppressed viral
load that I achieved last Christmas,
with an immune system described
by my doctor as through the roof.
Since starting my blog, I have re-
joined further education in the hope
to study at university in 2015, found
a job and even limited smoking
to social gatherings. Ive been so
lucky to appear on television, to
write for publications about being
a teenager living with HIV, as well
as presentations for globally-known
causes such as The Mac Aids Fund.
Its understandable how we
associate illness and disease with
the older demographics of society;
but often fail to see that viruses like
HIV do not see age, race, gender or
sexuality. We must all remember
that despite stigma towards gay
men, black Africans and injection
drug users; HIV can affect anyone,
and it has certainly affected me.
Most people learn of my HIV status
and give an astonished look of
sympathy and injustice; How did
you get that? Youre only 19?, Can
you still have a relationship?, Do
you have AIDS?, and my personal
favourite: How long do you have left
on your treatment?
One year on from being infected
with the HIV virus in April 2013,
and I can say with no ego that
my outlook on the value of life
has changed more than I ever
thought possible, and I believe it
is still changing now, with every
blog post I unload my everyday
thoughts into and every concerned
or interested person I speak to
about the disease. Quite a lot of
people will raise their eyebrows
when I smile and say that Im proud
to be HIV-positive, and for all the
life-prolonging pills and condoms
I would save over the next 60-odd
years; I wouldnt trade my status
for the foolish boy I was just a little
longer than 12 months ago. The
realisation that youre actually
mortal, at such an impressionable
and fragile age where something
so potentially detrimental like HIV
is barely thought about, has made
me who I am today.
I can proudly say that living with
HIV has induced an empathetic
nature towards people, and shifted
my childish lifestyle into one
with purpose and motive at such
a young age; for after all, age is
just a number, and HIV doesnt
stop life from progressing onward
without something as
necessary as a simple
smile. @PositiveLuke
We fail to see that
viruses like HIV do not
see age, race, gender
or sexuality. HIV can
affect anyone, and
it has certainly
affected me

119 gaytimes.co.uk
[life]

gaytimes.co.uk 120
Ciaran & George
Tweets apart
'Anyone know how
to ice a cupcake?',
he tweeted. I'd just
foIIowed George,
mainIy because
he had a cute pic.
Whatever it was
I repIied with, it
cIearIy got his
attention. After
exchanging some
hirty tweets, I joked
that he shouId
"marry me". LittIe
did I know where it
wouId aII end up.
George offered to
send me a present.
I thought he was
mad, but even just
through a computer
screen I knew there
was something
speciaI about
him. What arrived
in the post a few
days Iater made
my heart jump: it
was a smaII crafted
keyring with a man
wearing a tuxedo.
The message read:
"So when are we
getting married?"
I was so excited.
CouId he be the
one?
We arranged to
meet in person.
But there was one,
major probIem: we
Iived in different
countries. Meeting
up meant he'd have
to hy from IreIand.
It was expensive,
and it's a Iong way
to traveI for a rst
date, but we both
knew it was the
onIy way. It feIt Iike
a Iifetime waiting to
meet each other.
I stood, shaking
with nerves outside
the TravIodge he
was staying in. As
he emerged, my
whoIe body feIt
consumed with
excitement. There
he was. FinaIIy
stood before me.
It was Iove at rst
sight.
I was too scared
to teII my parents
I'd met a boy
onIine - what on
earth wouId they
think? EventuaIIy,
when I did pIuck
up the courage, I
just said we'd met
at university. 'He's
Iike another son',
my mum now says.
We spoke
everyday, but
being in different
countries meant
we rareIy got time
together. After two
years, I moved to
IreIand to Iive with
George, and we
rented a smaII river
cottage together.
He's not here
anymore, though.
He's had to Ieave
for work, and it's
back to tweets and
phone caIIs for
comfort.
The thought of
our wedding day
keeps me going. We
don't want a big day
or anything posh.
Just to be together
and be Iike every
other happy coupIe.
It's the simpIe
things that mean
the most, when
you're in Iove.
@CiaranGK
Cheese-cake There are usually enough
fruitcakes at a wedding without having to eat one,
too. Paxton and Whitfield, the cheese makers,
have got a new take on the traditional cheesecake
creating a cake, actually made of cheese.
And after a session of Agadoo and some soppy
speeches, whats a little more wedding cheese?
Marlborough cake, 75, paxtonandwhitfeld.co.uk
pets, parents and partners
[07/14]

P
E
T
S
Its been three
years since we first
welcomed two little
boys into our home and became
a family. It wasnt an easy ride.
We had a lot of problems we
had to wait for two years to be
matched with our boys. This
was mainly because, as a couple
of dual heritage, it was felt that
any child placed with us should
reflect our parentage. The
government later changed the
ethnic requirement rules, and
suddenly we were inundated
with profiles of white children,
all of whom needed a family.
It was while we were looking
through our pile of profiles that I
came across the two that were to
be ours, KC and TJ. Social workers
tell you that you will feel an
immediate bond with your children
when you see them, and its fair to
say that we did. The social workers
approved of the match, we met
the foster carers, who we got on
really well with, and were officially
matched with the boys.
I took time out of my job to look
after them and it was a blessing
that I did children from the care
system need so much support
and help in getting to grips with
life. But we had a very supportive
school and network of friends, all
of whom made sure that the boys
are now beginning to flourish.
Once the boys had settled I was
suddenly a stay-at-home dad
with, I felt, little or no purpose.
Now my partner and I share our
experiences with other would-
be adopters through the LGBT
Spectrum Group at Barclays
and with Hackney Council the
social services that originally
approved us to be adopters, and
were so supportive throughout
our journey.
Being a dual heritage family has
been great too. We visit Singapore
each year so they can experience
their Papas culture, which of
course is now part of their own
lives. We have Christmas with
my family here in the UK and
celebrate Chinese New Year with
Dylans family.
Check out Mark and Dylan`s
blog at 4relativestrangers.
blogspot.co.uk
Thats so Fetch Online supermarket Ocado has
launched a special pet store called Fetch further
enamouring us to them, as they just know we love
our critters as much as (or more than) our kids.
The standalone store has more than 8,000
products, perfect for any pet in your life, and offers
next day delivery. Theyve nally made Fetch
happen Fetch.co.uk
Boys will be boys. Unless they want to be girls. Or
Spider-Man. Or Barbie. Now theres Rockabye-
Baby, a new kids clothing range ready to let your
little ones express themselves, even if that doesnt
fit into the norm. They do outfits for babies through
to eight-years-old. rockabye-baby.com
[life]
MARK & DYLAN DUAL HERITAGE
gaytimes.co.uk 121
W
O
R
D
S

B
E
N
J
A
M
I
N

B
U
T
T
E
R
W
O
R
T
H
born this way

122 gaytimes.co.uk
Lemon and Raspberry
Melting Moments
Makes 15
Dough
250g unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
Zest of two lemons
250g plain flour
85g icing sugar
40g custard powder (or corn flour)
1/4 tsp salt
Filling
75g unsalted butter
150g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Pinch of salt
3 tbsp lemon curd
Raspberry jam
----------
Preheat the oven to 160C (140C
fan) and line two baking trays with
parchment paper. To make the
biscuits, beat the butter, vanilla
bean paste and lemon zest in a large
bowl until smooth and creamy. In a
separate bowl, whisk together the
remaining ingredients. Mix the dry
ingredients into the butter in two or
three additions, just mixing until the
dough comes together into a uniform
mass. Roll the dough into small balls
(sad I know, but I weigh them so
theyre all the same size, 20g each)
and place onto the prepared trays,
a couple of centimetres apart. Dip
a fork in flour and press onto each
cookie, flattening slightly. Bake
the cookies in the preheated oven
for about 30 minutes or until just
lightly browned at the edges. Allow
to cool on the trays for 15 minutes
before transferring to a rack to cool
fully. To make the filling, beat the
butter until light and creamy then
slowly beat in the icing sugar until
the mixture is light and fluffy. Add
the vanilla, salt and lemon curd and
beat for a further few minutes until
the buttercream is really light. To
assemble the cookies, spread or
pipe the buttercream onto half of the
cookies and spoon some raspberry
jam into the middle, sandwiching
together with a second cookie. Kept
in a stored container these will keep
for up to three days.
Author of The Boy Who Bakes and Say It
With Cake, @TheBoyWhoBakes
It may seem quaint, but to me there are few
things better during the summer months
than a picnic. It might be just you and your
boyfriend on a romantic date, or a bunch
of mates on a slightly boozier version in
the park. Either way, its a great way to
while away a few hours in the sun. Like
any good event, a picnic needs food and
these melting moments are perfect. Quick
and easy to make, theyll also last a few
days. Here Ive made them in lemon and
raspberry flavour, but theyre great to
play around with. Maybe add some cocoa
powder to the dough or fill them with
Nutella? Whatever way you make them,
theyll definitely go down well at any picnic.
raspberries!
[life]
E
D
D
K
I
M
B
E
R
I
S
T
H
E
B
O
Y
W
H
O

B
A
K
E
S

Isn't it funny how a bank hoIiday
Monday can make even the most
un-DIY inspired of us embark on
a spot of home improvement?
Indeed, after several months of
ignoring a nagging drip from one
of my bathroom taps, I fnally got
round to changing its crumbling
washer today. Although this may
sound like a simple job, thanks to
some ill placed pipes and screws,
it defnitely wasn`t! OK, I`m never
going to be a DIY afcionado,
but even I felt a certain sense of
achievement after today`s operation,
not to mention an unexpected
interest in the power tool aisle in my
local Homebase...
One advantage of a trip to the DIY
store is its proximity to my favourite
oriental supermarket, where I can
never resist buying some seafood
from the frozen section. And, true to
form, this time I emerged with some
baby cuttlefsh and a pack of very
large tiger prawns, perfect for an
Italian inspired dinner.
King prawn Iinguini
Serves two
----------
250g dried Iinguini
150g sheIIed raw king prawns
(freeze the sheIIs and heads for stocks
and soups)
2 tbsp extra virgin oIive oiI
5 cIoves of garIic, neIy sIiced
1/2 tsp crushed dried chiIIi
1/2 tsp fenneI seed, IightIy crushed
100mI dry vermouth or white wine
100g ripe tomatoes, roughIy chopped
3 tbsp chopped hat Ieaf parsIey
SaIt and bIack pepper
Bring a large pan of salted water to
the boil (the water should taste salty
when cooking pasta!) Meanwhile
devein the prawns (run a knife along
the back of the peeled prawn and
remove the intestinal tract) and
put to one side. Once the water is
boiling, add the linguini and cook as
per the instructions on the packet.
Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a
large frying pan and add the sliced
garlic, chilli and crushed fennel
seed. After a couple of minutes,
the garlic will start to turn golden.
At this point, add the tomatoes
and the prawns. Cook for a couple
of minutes before adding the
vermouth/wine. Season with a little
salt and black pepper and cook on a
high heat for a few minutes until the
sauce has reduced a little and the
prawns are cooked. Stir through the
parsley. Taste for seasoning. The
pasta should now be cooked; drain
in a colander and add to the frying
pan with the sauce. Stir to combine
and serve with some more freshly
ground black pepper.
Alan Rosenthal is the author of Stewed!
80 Stews and One Pot Wonders,
available on Amazon, @alanrosenthal3
Wine Time
Australians love their
wine, and we love
them for making it
particularly [yellow
tail], who bring two of
their expanding range
to one of Britain`s
biggest supermarkets
this month.
The ridiculously
smooth Pinot grigio
is perfect for a BBQ
while the crisp
Sauvignon blanc
works a treat at
a picnic. Or drink
indoors, waiting for the
rain to stop. Available
in Sainsbury`s, 7.99
[food]
gaytimes.co.uk 123
A SIDE
ORDER OF
ALAN
ROSENTHAL

gaytimes.co.uk 124
WE CAN
ALL BE
SUPERMEN
Whether youre wanting to look good on the beach, shed a few pounds or just
live a healthier lifestyle, e-mail me on tness@gaytimes.co.uk or tweet me
at @ChrisJonesGeek. I cant respond to everyone and your e-mails or tweets
may be edited for use in the magazine. We wont publish any contact details.
need advice?
WORDS CHRIS JONES IMAGES LEE ROBERTS
average joe-mo
[life]

gaytimes.co.uk 125
Weve all seen other magazines
with naked men covering them.
The ones with headlines like
get bigger pecs in 17 easy
ways and washboard abs
by Christmas. Truth is, they
expect you to live a certain
way. The way of a cover model.
Groan, right? RIGHT!
Those magazines are great
for the pictures (oh, come on
now), but who has the time,
money and effort to live like
that 24/7? The majority of
us have full time jobs and
probably busier social lives, so
finding time to work out can be
heard. If its not the office job
giving you stress, its social
engagements, relationships
all sorts of things take an
impact on time dedicated to,
not just being healthy, but
looking good.
Before I get stuck in, let me
confess something. Im not a
certified personal trainer and
I definitely dont have ripped
abs. Im a fitness fan and, like
all of us, I like to look and feel
good why else do we have
Instagram accounts?
These pages are for those
out there who dont buy health
magazines that harp on
about body mass indexes and
detailed exercise regimes.
This is for the normal everyday
Joe, who just wants to look good
in a t-shirt at the pub.
Fitting in exercise is tough.
Dont get me wrong, Id love to
be a big ol muscle unit, but I
get paid to sit at a desk in a busy
day job and still have friends
who make me happy, so that
dreams a dream.
I dont have a magic solution
for this time problem. But there
are ways for those of you who
struggle with a gym schedule to
maintain some kind of muscular
shape to your body, and for those
complete newbies out there, to
start shaping up. Behold
[ask chris ]
Question I'm
going to Ibiza in
two months time,
and I've kind of
Ieft it a IittIe Iate
to work on my
beach body. Is
there a 'quick
x'? What're my
best chances for
shedding a few
Weve all heard that breakfast is the most
important meal of the day. And it is. Especially
if youre exercising. Bio-Synergy has released
its new range ActiVemen, which has been
developed by Olympic gold medal rower James
Cracknell, alongside very buff TV presenters
Ben Sheppard and Reggie Yates. Oatein Power
Up is, as the name suggests, a blend of high
quality oats and whey protein, which acts as a
great start to any day or a healthy snack. Each
serving is packed with slow release energy
and protein to maintain energy levels, keeping
hunger at bay and also refuelling muscles.
With beta-glucans to help regulate cholesterol,
calcium for energy and protein for growth,
I have to say, you cant go wrong if youre
looking to fuel up in the morning.
extra pounds
before I whip my
top off? Joe, via
e-mail
----------
Answer In all
honesty? Cut out
beer until you go on
your holiday! It`s not
the most welcome
advice, but we all
know how many
empty calories are
in booze. Keep your
diet the same, except
lower your carb
intake marginally,
if possible, and
make sure you have
breakfast. It`s the old
clich, but I fnd it
does WONDERS for
your metabolism.
Press down, up, down, triangle,
start, up. Press-up!
Press-ups are a relatively basic
exercise. Yes, they do require some
sort of upper body strength, but
theyre a fantastic way to get what the
pros and bros call a pump. Its what
we all seek.
Your starting position should be with
your toes and palms being the only
parts of your body that are in contact
with the floor. Looking straight ahead,
and keeping your bum in, move
slowly towards the floor.
Elbows should be slightly bent and
should come down to no more than
90 when at your lowest. Your chest
should be about a fists width away
from the floor, then back up again.
The main problem with this exercise
is stabilisation. Weight should be
evenly distributed. Your back and
abdominal muscles should be under
control and kept in a straight line with
your shoulders, hips and legs.
To be more advanced and
adventurous, you could try a
diamond or close hand press-up.
Go to your starting position for a
classic press-up, but then move your
hands closer together and make the
shape between your index fingers
and thumbs on opposite hands form
a diamond when formed together.
Now, try lowering yourself with your
hands in this position.
Youll REALLY feel your chest pop.
Especially running down the centre.
The pec can rarely get worked out at
the gym in there, so its a great way
to work the finer parts of the muscle.
So, going back to saving time,
try doing these two variations first
thing in the morning. Literally, roll
out of bed and do them. As a male,
youll notice your testosterone is
at one of its, uh, highest points in
the morning, so youll benefit. Aim
for ten or until failure. Rest for 30
seconds, then attempt another ten.
Youll notice in a week how earlier
they become until youre doing 50
plus every morning.
Anyone can fill out a t-shirt. We can
be super.
[get fit]

Most HIV infections are from men who
dont know their status.
*
THINK AGAIN
*HIV in the United Kingdom: 2013
Report, Public Health England.
Disclaimer: No assumptions should be made about the HIV status or views of the models featured in this ad. GMFA projects are
developed by HIV-positive and HIV-negative volunteers. Support GMFA by making a donation at: www.gmfa.org.uk/donate
Photo ChrisJepson.com. Design: no.star. 2014 GMFA. Charity no: 1076854. Company limited by guarantee: 2702133.
Know the Facts. Use Condoms. Test for HIV.
www.gmfa.org.uk/thinkagainHIV
GMFA_UK GMFA.UK

column
HIV:
RECIPES
FOR LIFE
Is your glass half-
full or half-empty?
If you happen to
be reading your copy of GT in a
bar right now, I dont need to be
tweeted an answer. What I mean
is, are you a half-full or half-empty
sort of person? Theyre essentially
the same thing. The difference
between them is merely the way
we perceive ourselves and the
world around us. The power
of gratitude never ceases to
amaze me, and getting some can
completely change your life.
Writing a list of things that you
are grateful for, often or even on
a daily basis, can cause a positive
shift in the way you think and feel
in a very short period of time.
I have written a gratitude list
regularly for nearly 20 years. In
my darkest moments this simple
exercise has really saved me,
mainly from myself.
Its so easy to get trapped
into a way of thinking that is
negative when living with HIV,
to not feel satisfied with life,
almost like a kind of grief. Its a
personal hatchet job that isnt an
easy mental and emotional state
to live with. It taints everything,
blinkering us to all thats good
in our lives.
I used to think that having
more would make me happy.
Once I had attained whatever I
had set my heart on, there was
always an eventual feeling of
disappointment, because any
satisfaction gained was always
short lived.
Id then start looking for the
next quick-fix and focus my
efforts on getting it as soon as
humanly possible. When youre
living with HIV, there can be this
sense of urgency about almost
everything. Its not a good way
to live. I was always chasing
something, so much so that it took
me away from the now, and my
ability to live in and enjoy the
current moment.
Someone very wise once asked
me where my feet were. I didnt
understand for a long time, but
then realised the question was
where was I in THAT particular
moment of time?
Put very simply; what has
passed is history and the future
hasnt happened yet. Dont
concern yourself too much with it.
All any of us have is NOW.
Gratitude for what we have
today costs nothing. Its really
not difficult to get, either.
And Im not talking about the
fleeting feeling of something
being nice, but really feeling
gratitude deep down in your
guts. Crack this and the rewards
are beyond most peoples
imagination. And personally, I
can imagine quite a lot!
Heres what to do. You
can write a gratitude list on
anything. I keep a dedicated
notebook for mine. I used to be
in a very negative place and, at
first, I found it difficult to think
of anything to be grateful for,
so I had to keep it very simple.
I wrote down the obvious Im
alive, I have my senses, I have
all my limbs, I have somewhere
to live, etc. Over a short
period of time, the list got
longer, and the actual practice
of writing it stopped feeling
like a chore, mainly because
what I actually got from writing
them was so positive.
I can easily write more than 50
things in my life to be grateful
for now, and the feeling Im
left with when I come to the
last items on the list is one of a
heightened sense of satisfaction
for everything I have in my life.
When we are grateful for what
we already have, and really feel
it by acknowledging it, the world
around us becomes a different
place. Writing a gratitude list can
set you up for the day ahead and
influence the way you behave,
think and feel.
The most exciting thing about
practicing this tool on a regular
basis is that it makes you open to
receive even more to be grateful for.
If we cant be grateful for what
we already have, then why the
hell should anything
else that is good come
to us?
Its so
easy to get
trapped
into a way
of thinking
that is
negative
when
living with
HIV, to
not feel
satisfied
with life,
almost like
a kind of
grief
[paul thorn]
[life]
@paul_thorn
gaytimes.co.uk 127
I
M
A
G
E

C
H
R
I
S

G
I
L
E
S

P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
P
H
Y

NO
Same-sex marriage
Recognition of same-sex couples
Both joint and step adoption by same-sex couples
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
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 openly in military
Right to change legal gender
[rights]
[life]
gaytimes.co.uk 128
W
O
R
D
S

M
A
T
T

P
E
A
K
E

I
M
A
G
E
S

I
S
T
O
C
K
P
H
O
T
O
Meelis Sld
explains: During the
Soviet occupation,
homosexual behaviour was forbidden
everywhere in the Soviet Union. This
repressive legislation prevailed until
1 June, 1992. However, the situation
seemed to be more liberal in occupied
Estonia than in most other parts of the
former Soviet Union. Gay men who
had no public sex or political problems
were not persecuted. Usually, no
more than ten men were imprisoned
per year. Up to the mid-1980s, there
was an unoffcial gay bar in Tallinn.
Also, there was at least one cruising
area in both Tallinn and Tartu.
Nowadays, if someone asked me
if it`s OK for same-sex couples in
Estonia to hold each other`s hands
in public, I wouldn`t really know the
answer. We live in the Baltics, but we
often consider ourselves a Nordic
country. A place where people keep
their feelings inside. We enjoy our
privacy and we don`t really want to
know too much about other`s lives.
So if there was a public display of
affection, this manifestation of love
will be noticed for sure.
As a gay man, I live a quiet life and
most of the time everything is fne.
I don`t hide my sexuality yet neither
do I emphasise it. I have lost some of
my friends, but those who are close
to me now are much more important
and valuable. I work as a religious
journalist and there are many people
who pray the gay away, but a lot more
people support and encourage me.
I know that I can`t marry in Estonia,
neither can I register my partnership
or adopt children, but my boyfriend
is from a country where all this is
possible and we can have a normal
family together if this has to be
outside of my fatherland then what
can I do? I`d prefer to stay in Estonia
and I hope that the development of
the partnership law will continue soon.
There have already been a few drafts
of this law, but they never reached
much further than the offcial`s desk.
My fellow countrymen have mixed
feelings about LGBT people and
their rights. Many of them support
us, most of them don`t care, and
a few of them say harsh things,
organising pro-traditional family
petitions or protests against same-
sex partnerships. When I talk to the
opponents and explain my story,
they don`t have strong arguments
and they assure me they have
nothing against me. I don`t really
understand this idea of accepting me
but not the LGBT people in general
- I`m just one of them. In general,
people follow our Nordic standard of
accepting everyone`s right to their
private life and not wanting to have
too much information or trouble.
Most countries tend to celebrate
gay pride with parades. However, in
my country, this is not the case. One
of the reasons is our individualist
mentality and thinking that sexuality
is not something that you have
to express publicly. On the other
hand, I think that we are too shy and
still afraid of the possible negative
reaction by society. Unfortunately we
don`t have pride parades in Estonia.
However, there`s the Baltic Pride
event once every three years.
In terms of politics, in 2006 Hans
Glaubitz, the Dutch ambassador
to Estonia, asked to be assigned
to another country after his male
partner suffered repeatedly racist
and homophobic abuse on the
streets of Estonia. He asked to be
transferred to the Dutch consulate in
Montreal due to the insults that took
place in Tallinn against his partner,
Ral Garca Lao, a Cuban dancer.
Tessa Martens, a spokeswoman
for the Dutch foreign ministry, said
there were 'some severe incidents`
of racist and homophobic abuse
in Tallinn that had gone on 'long
enough`. She declined to give
details, but said the incidents were
the sole reason for
Mr Glaubitz`s transfer
request.
LETTER FROM ESTONIA WE LOOK AT THE LIVES AND
RIGHTS OF GAY MEN FROM AROUND THE GLOBE IN 2014

130 gaytimes.co.uk
UNITED STATES
PALM SPRINGS
WORDS LEE DALLOWAY IMAGES PALM SPRINGS TOURIST BOARD / MARQUES DANIELS / ISTOCKPHOTO

I
ts a tale of two holidays for
the price of one in a visit
to one of our new favourite
destinations. To Palm
Springs, California, for glorious
weather, Hollywood glamour and
kitschy deliciousness. Then to
the White Party for some raucous,
breathless, topless torso-based
gorgeousness and more
homosexuals than you can shake a
feather boa at.
Just a two hour drive from Los
Angeles there sits a resort city
like no other. An intoxicating
combination of desert playground,
tranquil retreat and eye-popping
scenery, the touch of its gay
population (estimated to be a
whopping 40%!) is felt across the
entire place. From the masses of
LGBT-friendly businesses, chic
boutiques, trendy bars and frankly
fabulous eateries, who knew that
lashings of campery would be so
rampant in the Californian desert?
Located in the Coachella
Valley, Palm Springs has one
of the highest concentrations
of LGBT-ers in the US, which
has undoubtedly helped craft a
vibrant, creative town that looks
as gorgeous as the landscape
surrounding it. As if viewed
through a permanent Instagram
filter, the combination of
grandiose palm trees, sprawling,
sand-strewn scenery and the
imposing, breathtaking beauty
of those often snow-capped
mountains is a feast for the senses.
Its most certainly worth taking
a trip on the rotating tramway
(Pstramway.com) to marvel at
those hills and canyons, offering
eye-boggling 360 views from
massive heights.
The heavy presence of gayers has
also ensured a massive number of
men-specific resorts, a number of
them clothing optional for those
who like to be fully liberated while
watching some gorgeous fellas
frolicking in the pool. We stayed
at the lovely Triangle Inn, which
features individual rooms and
suites in a relaxing environment of
lush foliage.
Palm Springs is lovingly
described as where LA goes to
relax and we can see why. Mist
is piped onto the sidewalks from
the side of restaurants, eclectic
art galleries, costume stores
and quirky sculptures. But by
nightfall, this vibrant atmosphere
explodes and features some of
the best lighting work since,
well, most of Madonnas recent
videos. Beautifully highlighting
the mid-century artwork and
delicately bouncing off palms
and brickwork, its done in such a
way so as not to obscure the view
of the stars. And what an epic,
gloriously clear view, particularly
when you veer off the main strip.
It doesnt take long to reach a
place where you truly feel the
vast expanse of the landscape
around you, unburdened by
urban sprawl. Although due to
the aforementioned lack of street
lights, maybe take a torch with you
after sunset. It IS the desert.
Walking around Palm Springs
at night is when you really get the
sense that sleepy stoner vibe its
rocking in the daytime finally gets
up off the couch, puts on a dress
and struts its stuff. Live music drifts
across the night air alongside
the smell of Cuban cigars from
the local lads sitting outside the
tobacco shop. Diners laugh in the
open fronted windows of a diverse
range of bars and restaurants,
with watering holes ranging
from hipster joints, dive bars,
luxurious lounges and everything
in between, with nary a sliver of
pretentiousness between them.
Palm Springs also has a
history littered with the glitter of
Hollywood. This is where the A-list
came to play in the days of the
studio system, and a number of
stars have had and continue to
have their homes and getaways
here. Sonny Bono was famously the
[travel]
131 gaytimes.co.uk

palm springs
gaytimes.co.uk 132
mayor of Palm Springs in the late 80s
and early 90s, once more making it
a celebrity hideaway. You absolutely
must take the Gay Icons Tour (Red-
jeep.com) and marvel at homes
of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley,
Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra and many
more, with plenty of juicy stories
and massive constructions to gawp
at. Celebs still frequent the town,
of course, with notable names and
talent from all over the world flying
in to relax or perform. We saw Ugly
Betty star Alex Mapa do stand up at
the exquisite Copa (Coparoomps.
com) and he even personally gave us
a porno DVD called Bangers and Ass
cos were British, innit.
The first half of our trip gave us
the perfect chance to relax, reflect,
unwind and shake off the shackles
of grey, big city life back home in
Blighty and then came the White
Party! Oh yes, it was time to switch
from serene to sensory overload as
the entire homo populous of the West
Coast poured into Palm Springs in a
cacophony of short shorts, barely-
there tit slings and the right to bare
(seriously defined) arms.
We have to admit, when we got the
call to come and check out the White
Party we had absolutely no idea
how ridiculously epic this gathering
would be. We knew this party was
a star-studded, divalicious, beat-
tastic roaring flame to a homosexual
moth, but were just blown away by
the sheer scale and production of
the event. We also just happened
to have our cherry popped on the
partys 25th anniversary talk about
a baptism of fire.
Originally set up by Jeffrey
Sanker as an antidote to the AIDS
crisis of the 1980s, this circuit
party has grown and flourished to
unprecedented levels in the last
quarter of a century. The little party
of good cheer has become the
beacon of buffed, bronzed studs and
good-time Gretchens, attracting an
eclectic crowd of partygoers of all
ages. Taking place in the recently
revamped Renaissance Hotel, we
checked in and took up residence
by the gigantic pool, marvelling
at the sights, sounds and meeting
some truly lovely people across the
following four days.
Fooling ourselves into thinking
wed be eased in gently on the
first night, that prediction was
proven joyously incorrect as we
launched crotch-first into the
underwear party. Hard-bodies and
heaving pecs bumped, grinded
and twerked their sexy selves to
some outrageously dirty beats and
a crowd so imbued with positive
vibes and friendly fellas, it was
impossible to resist getting swept
up in the mayhem.
After a daytime of cackling with
our new friends at the daytime pool
party, we geared up for the main
event... Good LAWD, Saturday
night! After chinwagging with
Lance Bass of N Sync (Dont trip
over that name we just dropped,
theres plenty more ahead) we
headed to the White Carpet to
watch Chi Chi LaRue gossip with
Carmen Electra and the gorgeous
Lisa Vanderpump from the Real
Housewives of Beverly Hills. The
White Party has made a reputation
of serving up divas, both household
names and those on the precipice
of international stardom, and has
welcomed Lady Gaga, Mary J Blige
and Kesha at previous events.
This time it was the turn of Ariana
Grande who seriously wowed the
crowd with an absolute spectacle
of a performance. Via our view
from the stage we witnessed a sea
of twisting torsos, shimmying to
the DJ talents of Danny Verde and
Steve Redant (together at last) and
a laser-led visual production that
leaves any other clubbing event
weve been to 100% in the shade.
Just when we thought the White
Party couldnt top Saturday, they
go and outdo themselves with
the Sunday Circus Icon T-Dance.
a massive outdoor playpen of
fairground rides, food, drink,
and a massive stage featuring
up-and-coming artists. Even West
Hollywoods infamous The Abbey
got in on the action with a mini
pop-up version of the iconic bar. A
ride on the ferris wheel provided
stunning views of the sun setting
across the Palm Springs canyons
and when club diva Deborah Cox
strutted her stuff across the stage,
with that booming voice and party-
starting tuneage, we say with no
shame that we were shuffling as if
possessed by the demon of dance.
The awe-inspiring fireworks
provided the perfect finale to
the event, with our emotions
ranging from oooh, thats nice,
to woooooooow, stimulation
overload to Omigod, I think i just
saw Jesus.
Being straight up, this particular
PALM SPRINGS USA
POPULATION 44,552
SIZE 94.975 SQUARE MILES
TIME ZONE PDT (UTC-7)
GAY LEGAL
Walking around Palm
Springs at night is
when you really get
the sense that sleepy
stoner vibe its rocking
in the daytime finally
struts its stuff
[07/14]

ABOVE PALM SPRINGS POOL
PARTY IN THE SUN
BELOW VIEWS OVER THE
COACHELLA VALLEY
holidaymaker has never really
considered himself a full on circuit
queen but the White Party proved
you dont have to be to really let
go and enjoy the experience. With
eight parties across three days
and more than 30,000 visitors from
across the world, you can go full
throttle and attend them all or you
can pick and choose which parties
to attend. Either way, youll have
a blast. We highly recommend
having a slap-up breakfast
at Pinocchios in the Desert
(pinocchiops.com) on a Monday
morning. A retrolicious, ridiculous
camp melee of pink parasols and
bottomless Champagne for under
four dollars for breakfast (well, it IS
Palm Springs. Go ahead!) and the
best potatoes in town.
While Palm Springs does have
an airport, European visitors may
find it easier to fly into LAX and
take a gorgeous, scenic drive
from LA. Youll know youre close
when you see the wind turbines
that dot the landscape. We flew
with Air New Zealand, probably
our new favourite airline. Great
food (some of the best weve
had on a flight), quality in-flight
entertainment and amazing air
stewards delivering friendly
service. Air New Zealand is the
one, sweetie!
One things for certain, we
absolutely fell in love with both
Palm Springs and the White Party.
We dont know what the best
part was: the stark beauty of the
majestic mountains dominating
the skyline at every turn or the
orgy in our hotel room. Whatever
floats your proverbial boat on
vacation, its all possible in the
ultimate homo-leaning desert
playground.
GT travelled with Air New Zealand who
offer daily fights to LA (Airnewzealand.
co.uk). GT stayed at Triangle Inn (Triangle-
inn.com) and the Renaissance Hotel
(Renaissancehotelpalmsprings.com). For
more information on Palm Springs, check
out visitpalmsprings.com, @PalmSpringsCA.
For information on the White Party, visit
Jeffreysanker.com, @JeffreySanker
[travel]
133 gaytimes.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk 135
HOLIDAYS
LEGENDS
CLASSIFIED FEATURE
Legends Hotel is one of the nest gay hotels and venues in the
UK. Its a taste of elegance on the seafront, in the heart of gay
Brighton. Situated just east of Brighton Pier, Legends dominates
the gay seafront strip, offering an amazing array of rooms. All
are en-suite, many with stunning panoramic sea views, bespoke
furnishing and unique designs.
Hip and friendly but with a hint of luxury, Legends is close to the
upmarket Lanes shopping & entertainment quarter and within
minutes of the funky North Laine quarter. With a variety of rooms,
its a base where you can relax in luxury or take a break on a
budget. Whatever you decide youll always be just a step away
from the hustle and bustle on your doorstep. The friendly staff
at Legends are there to ensure you have a great time. Between
them they have a wealth of local knowledge and can advise you
on things to do in their wonderful city.
Legends Bar, Terrace & Basement Club are also within the hotel
complex. Legends Bar is the best located gay bar in Brighton,
situated just high enough to afford stunning sea views from both
the bar and the sun terrace. Having a drink on Brightons biggest
seafront terrace is a must. Choose from their carefully selected
wine list and while away an afternoon over a bottle or two. If
you prefer coffee, Legends has become one of Brightons only
venues to sell the upmarket Nespresso product. They also offer
great food freshly prepared from 12-7pm. On Sunday afternoons
Legends Bar showcases performances by some the UKs top
cabaret performers.
If you prefer a club vibe then get down to Legends Basement
Club, a unique, sexy and gorgeous subterranean club. Youll nd
great music played by a diverse range of DJs including many
that have played at some of Europes most famous gay venues.
Whatever you are looking for, Legends offers a warm welcome to
all, so why not stay a while.
Legends Hotel, Bar & Club,
31-34 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TR
Tel: 01273 624462 Fax: 01273 624470
www.legendsbrighton.com
A SEAFRONT HOTEL, A BAR, A TERRACE & A CLUB UNDER ONE ROOF
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 E-mail ash@millivres.co.uk
Deadline for next issue 17 June
HOLIDAYS

136 gaytimes.co.uk
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 Email ash@millivres.co.uk
Weve been
matching our
readers with their
ideal holiday
destination
for over 23 years.
ADVERTISE
YOUR
HOLIDAY
DESTINATION
HERE !
Call Ash Allibhai on:
020 7424 7434
Reach gay men
internationally with a
classied advert.
Different box
sizes available
Discounts
with multiple
bookings!
FOR ALL YOUR SUMMER,
SPORT & SWIMWEAR
VISIT US IN-STORE
SOHO 5-7 Brewer St, W1F 0RF,
020 7734 4031
BRIGHTON 112 St James St, BN2
1TH, 01273 683 680
BIRMINGHAM 29 Stephenson St,
B2 4BH, 0121 665 6379
OR ONLINE
WWW.PROWLER.CO.UK
Amsterdam / Netherlands Greece
Spain

138 gaytimes.co.uk
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 Email ash@millivres.co.uk
Edinburgh Dorset
Brighton
Bournemouth

gaytimes.co.uk 139
HOLIDAYS
Torquay
North Oxfordshire
Torquay
w
w
w
.
K
e
y
W
e
s
t
T
o
r
q
u
a
y
.
c
o
.
u
k

. `./
Book online and get up to 30 discount(online bookings only)
Key West is a private members club
strictly for Gay Men aged 18 or over
...

.,..
www.KeyWestTorquay.co.uk
Winchester
Highlands Edinburgh
Call Ash Allibhai on: 020 7424 7434
ADVERTISE YOUR
HOLIDAY DESTINATION
HERE !
Reach gay men internationally with a
classied advert.
Different box sizes available
Discounts with multiple bookings

140 gaytimes.co.uk
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 Email ash@millivres.co.uk
Call Ash Allibhai on: 020 7424 7434
ADVERTISE YOUR
HOLIDAY DESTINATION
HERE !
Reach gay men internationally with a
classied advert.
Different box sizes available
Discounts with multiple bookings
Miscellaneous
All gay cruises & gay groups
hyers on request
EmaiI: buoys@ntIworId.com
Tel: 01273 708 484
in StyIe TraveI, 21 Grand Crescent,
Rottingdean, Brighton, Sussex, BN2 7GL
CRUISING IN STYLE...
AII Gay Cruises
July 20th Copenhagen to Stockholm
August 2nd Med Cruise Barcelona
Gay Groups, Cruises
Several for the whole 2014
3 roundtrip UK
www.cruising-in-styIe.com
IN STOCK NOW
The new sauna guide from Spartacus
lists over 600 gay saunas worldwide
in over 55 countries and gives you
additional information on each
location.
A description of the sometimes unique
sauna culture is described at the
beginning of each country listed.
This indispensable guide will ensure
that you find the action you want on
holiday!
SPARTACUS SAUNA GUIDE 9TH EDITION
AVAILABLE FROM PROWLER.CO.UK
OR CALL US ON 0845 4309112
13.99

LUBE
MR.B
LOAD HYBRID CUM
GLIDE
WATERBASED
WWW.PROWLER.CO.UK
SOHO 5-7 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 0RF, 020 7734 4031
BRIGHTON 112-113 St Jamess Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH, 01273 683 680
BIRMINGHAM 29-30 Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH, 0121 665 6379

142 gaytimes.co.uk
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 Email ash@millivres.co.uk
CLASSIFIED FEATURE
A TO Z
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 E-mail ash@millivres.co.uk
Deadline for next issue 17 June
This upmarket residential property development
project is unique. It is designed specically, and
exclusively, for the gay community. The exterior
design is attractive and contemporary whilst the
interior of each apartment comprises the latest
technology with brightness and a feeling of space.
The communal areas offer residents comfort,
seclusion and luxury, with features such as a
beach-like swimming pool, gardens with pergolas,
a solarium, gymnasium-spa and a social club with
a cinema room. Each unit also includes a garage
space and a storeroom.
Elysium Suites are set in an enclosed and
prestigious location in the Marbella area and close
to the delightful Cabopino marina with its cafes and
restaurants. Cabopino Golf Club and the Artola
nudist beach, the only one in Marbella, are only a
short distance away. Marbella town is only a 12km
journey and it is an 18km trip to the famous Puerto
Banus. Marbella has a special micro-climate
with very comfortable temperatures year round,
allowing residents to enjoy outdoor leisure activities
throughout all four seasons.
Prices start at 242,000 (approximately 201,600).
The project is expected to be completed within
a year. The prices are launch prices and are
expected to rise as demand for these units grow.
All stage payments made during construction are
fully bank guaranteed by Santander bank, so now
is the time to reserve one of these apartments or
penthouses.
Offering style, security, space, comfort, privacy
and value for money, this is the ideal residential
complex for the gay community.
This project is the rst of its kind on the Costa
del Sol and too good an opportunity to miss, so
contact Patrick or Romano now on 020 8712 0090
or info@premiermarbella.com.
www.elysiumsuites.com/uk
ELYSI UM SUI TES MARBELLA
LUXURY APARTMENTS FOR SALE IN MARBELLA, SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE GAY COMMUNITY

gaytimes.co.uk 143
A TO Z
Accounting & Legal
LEGAL SERVICES
ADVERTISE
YOUR
SERVICES
HERE !
Call Ash Allibhai on:
020 7424 7434
Reach gay men
internationally with a
classied advert.
WESLEY GRYK
Recognised again by the 2011 Chambers Guide
to the Legal Profession as equal rst amongst
immigration rms in London:
Absolutely exceptional individuals who are
devoted to advancing the law in this area.
Our gay solicitors have played a key role in
guaranteeing the immigration rights of lesbians
and gay men.
tVtt PA1hf8htP8
Pth18-8A8f 881fM
fuPfAh tAw
hA1thAtt1
Vf81Af8
8uA
www.gryklaw.com
Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP. 140 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE
SOLICITORS LLP
L E A D E R S I N I M M I G R A T I O N
No case too complex. Specialities include:
call 020 7401 6887
Fixed fees available for your peace of mind
DAVID CLARK & CO
SOLICITORS
Londons longest established gay
rm specialising in:
Family
Civil Partnership, Divorce,
Relationship breakdown,
Children, Property, Prenuptial and
cohabitation agreements.
Conveyancing
Purchase and sale of residential
property, re-mortgages, lease
extensions and Deeds of Trust.
Wills & Probate
Wills, administration of
estates, lasting powers of
attorney and contentious probate.
Crime
Expert in sexual offence and
indecent material.
To discuss your needs
without obligation
Telephone: 020 7433 1562
Fax: 020 7433 1625
E-mail:
ofce@davidclarkandco.co.uk
www.davidclarkandco.co.uk
38 Heath St, Hampstead,
London, NW3 6TE
Nearest Tube: Hampstead

144 gaytimes.co.uk
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 Email ash@millivres.co.uk
Health Massage
For Sale
LONDON MARYLEBONE
Wonderfully relaxing Massage
from friendly ITEC qualified therapist.
Hotel visits.
Bi l l :
07763 764 869
www. mi ndandbody. or g. uk
Household services
Celebrants
THE PLEASURE LOUNGE
Adult sex toys. The wildest
range of sexy and erotic GLBT
goodies, sure to please yourself
or the one you love.
www.thepleasurelounge.co.uk
We are passionate about your
pleasure
BERKS mature gay guy seeks
gay guys 18-30 who are into
wearing potty training pull ups
and using a potty.
Gt1189682
Personals

gaytimes.co.uk 145
A TO Z
LIGHT/MEDIUM & HEAVY DUTY
LONG/SHORT HAUL
FREE ESTIMATES
WITHOUT OBLIGATION
DSS WELCOME
020 7254 5580
FAST, EFFICIENT
FRIENDLY & RELIABLE
We have been moving...
Everything, Everywhere...
For lesbians and gay men
for 25 years.
www.shirleysremovals.co.uk
shirleys.removals@yahoo.co.uk
Removals Recruitment
BOX REPLIES
Send each reply in a blank envelope
and write the Box Number of the ad
you are replying to IN PENCIL in the top
right-hand corner. Place this envelope
in a larger one addressed to Gay Times,
Millivres Prowler Ltd, Unit M, Spectrum
House, 32-34 Gordon House Road,
London NW5 1LP, together with two
loose frst-class stamps.
You may reply to more than one box
number at a time in the larger nvelope,
but each reply must be accompanied by
two frst-class stamps, or international
reply coupons if you live overseas, one
per issue. Replies to Box Numbers
will only be forwarded for two issues
inclusive of the current issue on sale.
All Men`s Personal advertisements are
published on the understanding that they
are placed by and aimed at men aged
16 or over. 16 is now the legal age of
consent for homosexual activity, providing
it is consensual and in private. (Sexual
Offences (Amendment) Act 2000).
Please read the Terms and Conditions
carefully, before placing your
advertisement. The Editors reserve
the right to refuse or amend any
advertisement without giving a reason.
No advert intending or appearing to
intend to solicit for sexual purposes will
be accepted.
Shopping
Sales and Business
Development Executive
Millivres Prowler Group is looking for an enthusiastic
and energetic sales executive to work in the Prowler
Distribution team mainly at our head offce but also
involving out of offce sales visits to customers.
Applicants should have at least 3-years sales
experience in a business to business role. The role
involves adult products experience in the adult
business is not essential but a willingness to work
with gay adult products is vital. We are looking for
someone energetic and resourceful and motivated
by exceeding sales targets.
Full-time.
Salary 23,000 p/a, with OTA of 30k
Applications should be made in writing to:
Simon Topham, Millivres Prowler Group,
32-34 Gordon House Road, London, NW5 1LP.
Or email: simon@millivres.co.uk
MiIIivres-ProwIer Group is Europe's Ieading pubIisher,
retaiIer and distributor of products and services aimed at
the gay and Iesbian market. Our main brands incIude Gay
Times, DIVA, ProwIer Stores, Diva Direct and Expectations.
is recruiting
for the
foIIowing roIe
Working towards equal opportunities in the workplace.
www.millivres.co.uk

gaytimes.co.uk
LIVELY, FRIENDLY
M, 27, likes walks & sports. Seeks
M for fun times & maybe more.
Somerset. Box 457184 or text
GT 457184
GENUINE, AFFABLE
M, 46, seeks nice M for good f/ship &
hopefully r/ship. Devon. Box 830806
HONEST, NICE
M, 52, looking for M to be his pen
friend. Newcastle. Box 406855
STRAIGHT-ACTING
M, 46, seeks nice, older M, with car,
for good r/ship. Coventry.
Box 865897
HONEST, FUN
M, 48, seeks overweight, bald,
smooth M, 45-58, for food sex.
Hants. Box 557240 or text
GT 557240
TRUST A MUST
BI M, 44, large build, likes walks,
telly, music & cosy nights in. Seeks
honest M for f/ship, maybe more.
Weymouth. Box 656112 or text
GT 656112
SILLY, FUN
M, 48, can accom, looking for
smooth, overweight M for good
times. Hants. Box 741940 or text
GT 741940
FUN, EASY-GOING
M, 57, seeks M, 45-60, for fun, f/ship
& more. Ipswich. Box 443114 or text
GT 443114
SUBMISSIVE, FUN
M, 37, seeks gay or bi M, 40+, for
good times. Lancs, Mancs.
Box 883484 or text GT 883484
SINCERE, FRIENDLY
M, 61, clean-shaven, seeks M for
good times & more. Sheffeld.
Box 935627
TRUE TO YOU
Honest, genuine M, 50s, n/s, GSOH,
seeks M for f/ship, r/ship & fun
nights. Teesside. Box 430192 or text
GT 430192
SMOOTH, AFFABLE
M, 75, 5`6", stocky build, likes
television & football. Seeks M for
good times & more. Chester.
Box 443719
GENIAL, NICE
M, 70, seeks dominant M, 60-80, for
fun & f/ship+. Peterborough.
Box 746772
SLIM, HANDSOME
M, 45, 5`9", neat, personable,
solvent, likes socialising, walks &
meals out. Seeks M for r/ship. Co.
Armagh. Box 326240
BLACK & WHITE
Fit M, 58, good physique, intelligent,
seeks black guy, 30-65, for f/ship
& fun. Mancs. Box 885215 or text
GT 885215
RELIABLE, SMOOTH
M, 44, 6`, can accom, seeks older M
for fun times. Mancs. Box 745608
GOOD-LOOKING
M, 36, large build, tattooed, seeks
M for chats, texts, fun times & more.
Hants. Box 544349
QUIET, HONEST
M, 63, slim build, seeks M, 60+, for
f/ship & fun. Ipswich. Box 285790 or
text GT 285790
TONED & TANNED
M, 26, 5`9", inexperienced, seeks
gay M for trust & intimate times.
Bolton. Box 488790
INEXPERIENCED
M, 20, seeks nice M for fun times &
possible r/ship. Sunderland.
Box 876721
BOXING FAN
M, 32, inexperienced, seeks nice
M for fun times & possible r/ship.
Sunderland. Box 286288
CURIOUS
M, 55, seeks cross-dressing M for
new experiences. Wales, Cheshire.
Box 807945 or text GT 807945
SUBMISSIVE
M, 65, seeks assertive guy for fun
times. Portsmouth. Box 680981
SHY, RESPECTFUL
M, 47, seeks mature, assertive gent,
50-80, for adult fun. Cheshire.
Box 629025
EASY-GOING, INEXPERIENCED
M, 39, 5`10", medium build, smoker,
likes country walks, seeks older guy,
50+, for good times & more. N Yorks.
Box 595887 or text GT 595887
EASY-GOING, MUSCULAR
M, 50s, 5`6", medium build, WLTM
lively, masculine M, 65+, for f/ship+.
Cheshire. Box 293266
SIX-PACKED, HOT
M, 22, can accom, seeks M for
steamy fun. Merseyside. Box 774755
CROSS-DRESSING
M, 64, 6`, slim build, into panties &
stockings. Seeks similar or bisexual
M for fun times. Northants.
Box 892841 or text GT 892841
FUN, GOOD BANTER
M, 53, 5`10", medium build, likes
long drives & sport. Seeks M for cosy
nights in. Co. Down. Box 717451
BORED FLYING SOLO
M, 50, seeks similar M, 60+, for
virtual f/ship, fun & more. Swansea.
Box 517454
TACTILE, BISEXUAL
M, 46, non-scene, many interests,
seeks slim, cross-dressing M for fun
r/ship. Mancs. Box 335532 or text
GT 335532
DOMINANT, BISEXUAL
M, 43, medium build, highly driven,
seeks passive, ft M, 20-40, for fun
times. Guildford. Box 764169
GENUINE, NICE
M, 64, seeks M, can accom, for
mutual fun. Wigan. Box 761572 or
text GT 761572
GENTLE, TEETOAL
M, 61, can accom, seeks honest
M, 65-75, for good times & more.
Tyneside. Box 727165
INTO EVERYTHING
M, 55, bi, CD, into almost anything,
seeks M for good times, fun & more.
Mancs. Box 681230
GENUINE GUY/GIRL
M, 66, likes cross-dressing, seeks M
for good r/ship. Ldn. Box 151740
ASSERTIVE, DISCIPLINARIAN
M, 55, seeks naughty Ms & Fs for
good correction. Mancs. Box 276073
or text GT 276073
IRISH CHARM
Bisexual M, 47, seeks cross-dressing
M for fun & f/ship. Cannot accom.
Birkenhead, Wirral. Box 360645 or
text GT 360645
BISEXUAL, SOLVENT
M, 77, non-scene, seeks easy-going
M for good fun & further. Herts.
Box 819008
GENTLE BI GUY
M, 60, cross-dresser, seeks strong M
for fun times. B`ham. Box 391678
BOOTYLICIOUS
M, 53, bi CD, into lingerie & knee-
length boots. Seeks M for hot times.
Derry. Box 533168
HONEST, BISEXUAL
M, 31, seeks M for fun times.
Wrexham. Box 863934 or text
GT 863934
GOOD-LOOKING, BLOND
M, 30s, non-scene, seeks mature
gent, 60+, for f/ship, theatre, travel &
much more. N Ldn. Box 330958
MATURE, BISEXUAL
M, 65, widower, seeks M for fun
times. N Ldn, S Herts. Box 323422
CROSS-DRESSING
M, 51, 5`4", slim build, seeks M for
fun, f/ship & possible r/ship. Accom
only. W Yorks. Box 908874 or text
GT 908874
FEMININE GUY
M, young 60s, seeks strong M for
f/ship & more. Mancs. Box 885198
GENUINE, MIXED-RACE
M, 44, likes sport & meals out. Seeks
Mr. Right to spoil & cherish him.
Mancs. Box 740801
DOMINANT
M, 58, seeks silky, feminine M, 60+,
aunty type, for fun times & role play.
Cheshire. Box 382536 or text
GT 382536
ACTIVE, HONEST
M, 77, seeks smooth, skinny M for
good holiday & more. Kent.
Box 871545
TALL, STOCKY, WELL-BUILT
M, 46, very bi-curious, seeks M for
lots of fun times. Mancs. Box 831260
TALL, ADVENTUROUS
M, 50, likes dressing up & role play.
Seeks M for good times. Mancs.
Box 896955
HONEST, FRIENDLY
M, 64, seeks mature guy, 60-70, for
fun & further. Mid Wales. Box 509746
CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVER
M, 77, likes sport & light classical
music. Seeks M for quiet times &
more. Belfast. Box 170775
FIRST TIME
M, 38, seeks gentle M for new
encounter & who knows what?
Co. Armagh. Box 798102
VERY BI-CURIOUS
M, 52, seeks similar M or
cross-dresser, 30+, for drinks &
exploration. Mancs. Box 924796
GENUINE, GAY
M, 58, smooth, shaved, seeks active
M, 55+, for fun times. N Ldn.
Box 237541 or text GT 237541
SUBMISSIVE, FEMININE
M, young 60s, 5`6", seeks dominant
M for f/ship & fun. Mancs.
Box 730138
FIT, HOMELY
M, 65, slim build, likes keep ft &
television. Seeks M for good r/ship.
Co. Tyrone. Box 343296
SMALL, AVERAGE
Bi M, 18, seeks fun couple for great
times. Huddersfeld. Box 540464
SEXY CD
M, 48, can accom, into lingerie,
seeks M for good times. Wrexham.
Box 233697
EASY-GOING, NON-SCENE
M, 60, 6`, slim build, seeks M for f/
ship & fun. Wrexham. Box 513222 or
text GT 513222
AFFABLE, HONEST
M, 63, seeks sexy guy for fun, fun
& more fun. Cheshire. Box 255346
GET CONNECTED
To reply to ads call 0906 200 8359 (1.02/min). To place an ad call FREE on 0808 100 4849
CALL COSTS: Calls to 09062 cost 1.02/min at all times (BT Premium Rate. Calls to 09067 cost 77p/min at all times. Calls to 0808 are free. Payphones & non BT network provider charges
may vary, 0808 numbers may be chargeable from mobiles. You must have a touch-tone phone to use this service.
TEXT SERVICE: Replying to an advert is charged at 1.50 for every text response received. Advertisers will be charged 50p for every text response received and 50p for texts alerting them
that they have a voice message.Please take care to follow the instructions as all messages are charged for, including error messages - charges dependent on shortcode. All texts sent must
be no more than 160 characters & your standard network charges apply. SMS shortcodes are reverse billed at the following rates: 85010 - 50p; 84010 - 1.50. Available on all UK networks.
18+ only. Service provided by ATS, PO Box 788, London EC1V 7ZA.
REPLY TO ADS
Just call 0906 200 8359
& enter the advert Box number,
1.02/min
By mobile (to ads with symbols)
Text GT followed by a space Box
number followed by a space your
message & send to 84010
1.50/text
eg: GT 227045 Hi, liked your ad, want to talk?
The advertiser recieves your reply direct to their mobile. Your
mobile number remains confdential. Replying to an ad will
cost 1.50/text. To cancel this service text STOP to 84010
PLACE AN AD
Call FREE 0808 100 4849
To collect your msgs anytime
call 0906 753 4435, 77p/min
By mobile Text GTDATE followed by
a space your advert & send to 85010
50p/text
eg: GTDate Slim M, 28, into pubs, football & sport.
Seeks guy for fun relationship. Cardiff.
You will receive a text with instructions and a request
to record a voice greeting, this is essential for your ad
to appear in print. Placing an ad will cost 50p/text.
You`ll also receive alerts to voicemail msgs, 50p/ text received.
To cancel this service text STOP to 85010
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Dating FAQs & Advice Line
0906 200 1036
Complaints & Service Provider
0844 836 9769
Calls to 09062 cost 1.02/min plus
network extras. Calls to 0844 are
charged at low call rate, up to
5p/min from a landline.
Please note that Payphones &
mobile phonecharges may vary

Hot n horny hookups.
LAPTOP
MOBILE
WERE

VERSATILE
OR
Join
for FREE
Get 5 Days
Unlimited
access