COLD WAR

HOW DO
WE SOLVE
A PROBLEM
LIKE RUSSIA?
HES HOW
OLD?!
WHY AGE
DIFFERENCE
DOESNT
MATTER
(We`re looking at you,Tom Daley!)
Derek Jarman / Recall / EastEnders / Pam Ann / Angela Grifn / Mikey Walsh
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The rst
preview of
Looking
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PJ BRENNAN
writes
exclusively for
Gay Times
MY MAD
FAT DIARY
The boys are
back in town
AYDEN
CALLAGHAN
The Hollyoaks
hunk heads
up 44 pages of
nude men
NAKED2
Where are my pants? he
asks. Well, if you left them
on the floor theyll be in the
laundry basket, I reply.
Seriously? he says,
raising an eyebrow and
giving me *that* look. This
is what its like going out with someone younger
than you. Im generalising, of course, as this is
what its (sometimes) like for me, personally.
Being the older man in a relationship means
that yes, I do have a bit of life experience and
no, Im not putting up with you leaving things
lying around. If you leave it on the floor, its
going in the bin, my mum used to say. And dont
we all turn into our mothers? I digress. With
my own circumstances in mind, the *other*
thing Im not putting up with is people banging
on about age difference in relationships in a
negative way. That many younger, pretty gay
men have vocalised their distaste at Tom Daleys
preference in gentlemen friend amuses me
greatly because a) hah! Being young and pretty
didnt help you there, did it? And b) youre going
to get older too, and youll realise it DOESNT
MATTER. Ive previously been the younger
man in relationships, so its not that Id say I
have a type, but it does leave me qualified to
say that really, its no ones business. And it
doesnt mean theres an underlying ulterior
motive. Maybe its because age is just a number,
and frankly I dont look a day over 30 which
coincidentally is the age Gay Times celebrates
this year. See, youre flirting with an older man
right now... Darren Scott @darren_scott
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Editor DARREN SCOTT
Assistant Editor LEE DALLOWAY
Staff Writer RYAN BUTCHER
Editorial Assistant BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH
Design & Art Direction MARK KING
Style and Grooming Editor LLOYD-SCOTT TYLER
Columnists PJ BRENNAN, BENJAMIN COHEN,
THE GUYLINER, EDD KIMBER, PARIS LEES, ALAN
ROSENTHAL, PAUL THORN, MICHELLE VISAGE,
MIKEY WALSH
Contributors JOHN MARRS, MATT PEAKE,
LUKE SMITH, TIM MITCHELL, MIKE HIRD, MILO
WAKELIN, BOB HENDERSON, TOM JONES, DYLAN
ROSSER, JOE MCCORMICK, MATT CROCKETT,
JOEL RYDER, STEVEN COOPER, ROBERT
GERSHINSON, PAUL F COCKBURN, NATHAN
GENESE, LUKE BOTHAM, DANIEL RIDING,
HYACINTH BUCKET
GT Dog TOBY THE PUG
Thanks to CHELSEA BUSH (Lime Pictures), MICHAEL
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(Premier PR), TORIE COSTA (Why Can`t We Be Friends)

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2014 GAY TIMES All rights reserved ISSN: 0950-6101
The mention or appearance or likeness of any person or organisation in
articles or advertising in GAY TIMES is not to be taken as any indication of
the sexual, social or political orientation of such persons or organisations.
And now over to our nudes desk. No responsibility can be assumed for
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publish without further correspondence and the fee payable (if any) at our
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GT429 FEB 2014
Cover photograph by Dylan Rosser
Grooming by Evan Huang
[get in!]
[02/14]
gaytimes.co.uk 4
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gaytimes.co.uk 6
[02/14]
Give us a Recall Can you believe these five got the boot from The X Factor?
They auditioned as solo artists, but never made it through to the live shows.
They got on so well, though, they clubbed together to form new boyband
Recall. All we can say is thank goodness! They already have tens of
thousands of fans on Twitter, a debut single on the way and now theyve
graced the pages of GT. Like every boyband should, of course. @offcialrecall
IMAGES MATT CROCKETT
[first]
7 gaytimes.co.uk
Busting conventions all over the place, this
new cartoon series follows the adventures of
gay white rapper Chozen. The show starts with
our new hero, in chubby, nerdy form, getting
caught in a hotel room with guns and drugs
and dead hookers (oh my!) Hes released from
prison a decade later with muscles, a nipple
piercing and a penchant for the same sex.
Rude, lewd and pulling no punches, it makes
The Simpsons look like toddler fodder.
What's the one
event that makes
February stand
out? No, not
Valentine`s Day,
we`re dead inside.
We`re talking LGBT
History Month,
which celebrates
the events and
people who paved
the way for LGBT
rights and this
eclectic community
that we are today.
The theme this year
is music, and there
are events all over
the UK composed
around this idea
of creativity and
culture. Peter
Tatchell will be
doing a talk on
queer Britain and
the struggle for
LGBT rights, there`s
a look into Jewish
LGBT history and
even a spotlight
on the works of
Shakespeare,
debating whether
he questioned
his own sexuality
through his
sonnets. Running
concurrently is
Manchester`s
Queer Contact
festival, which
is now in its ffth
year and boasts
nine days of
shows, workshops,
debates, and
events. Catch
NYC diva Joey
Arias, below,
with acclaimed
singer/songwriter
Kristian Hoffman,
experience twisted
opera with Tiger
Lillies, refne
your vogueing
techniques and
strike a pose at the
House of Suarez
Vogue workshop,
left, and much more
lgbthistorymonth.
org.uk, contact-
mcr.com/projects/
festivals/queer-
contact/
LGBT History
Month / Queer
Contact 2014
whole lotta history
[02/14]
[first]
gaytimes.co.uk 8
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MAKE THE
SWITCH
with
Until 2 March
Alison Goldfrapp`s
fascination with
the dark side of
fairy tales and
folklore has led
her to curate her
own exhibition
of painters, flm
makers, illustrators
and photographers
at The Lowry in
Manchester. Last
chance to see.
28 Jan 17 Feb
London Grammar
were one of our
favourite new
bands of 2013,
which is why we`ve
already bagged our
tickets to see their
new tour. Check
out their fresh,
haunting electro-
inide sounds now.
soundcloud.com/
londongrammar
Until 2 February
Expect an evening
of glitz, glamour,
and saucy secrets
in One Night with
Joan Collins. Get
intimate with Mrs
Carrington herself
at London`s Leices-
ter Square Theatre
- there`s even a
Q&A afterwards!
leicestersquarethe-
atre.com
14 February
If clich Valentine`s
presents aren`t your
thing, then think
about treating the
man in your life to a
gift with a twist, as
you sip champagne
while stargazing
at the London
Royal Observatory.
Valentines Day
only. rmg.co.uk/
royal-observatory
4-15 February
Alt cabaret star
Scottee hired a
psychotherapist
and a flmmaker to
dig up his past for
his new show The
Worst of Scottee.
He dares to bare
numerous encoun-
ters, including old
fames and former
friends. round-
house.org.uk
EVERYONES
TALKING
ABOUT
EASTENDERS
(AGAIN)
----------
The headline above was the
shows slogan until a couple of
years back when everyone
stopped talking about it. Largely
because it went a bit crap after
Ronnie stole Kats baby to
replace her own dead one in
a typically cheery storyline.
But since lifelong fan Dominic
Treadwell-Collins took the
reins as executive producer, the
Cockney soap has returned to
glory. At the forefront of this has
been the Carter family, headed
up by Danny Dyer who plays
Mick. His positive reaction to son
Johnny (Sam Strike) revealing
hes gay was heartwarming
to watch and, if some of the
homophobic tweets Danny
Dyer received are anything
to go by, extremely timely. If
only every young gayer had
a father as understanding as
Mick. Now were waiting to see
what happens with Johnny and
resident bisexual lothario Danny
(Gary Lucy). There might be
a bit of an age gap, but if Tom
Daley and Dustin Lance Black
have taught us anything, this is
SO 2014.
east end boys
[02/14]
[first]
SPEED
DATE
10
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gaytimes.co.uk
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
gaytimes.co.uk 12
LOOKING
world exclusive
[02/14]
TOP CHARACTERS AGUSTIN,
DOM AND PATRICK
RIGHT RUSSELL TOVEY
GUEST STARS AS KEVIN
WORDS RYAN BUTCHER
gaytimes.co.uk 13
Weve all seen Weekend, right?
The critically-lauded dramatic tale of two
gay mens whirlwind love affair, directed
by Andrew Haigh. We loved it because,
well, it represented gay culture on the
big screen like never before. Yes, some
of us cruise clubs for sex, some of us use
recreational drugs for sex, but despite it
all, some of us are just looking for dare
we say it a monogamous relationship.
Either way, we could see ourselves in the
characters. We related to it.
Well, thats exactly what youre going
to get with Looking, a new gay comedy
coming to HBO and Sky Atlantic. And it
should come as no surprise that Andrew
Haigh has had a hand to play in this one,
too. Weve been given an exclusive
preview of the first four episodes and
were the first gay publication to do so
too, thank you very much. We can tell
you now, its equal parts gritty, sexy and
heart-warming. This might just be our new
favourite TV show for 2014.
The plot is pretty straight forward a
group of three gay friends living in San
Francisco, struggling with the pressures
of modern gay life; sex when theres an
age gap, threesomes with your boyfriend,
cut or uncut cock, that kind of thing. But
its not just sex, sex, sex. The show also
asks bigger questions about personal,
emotional and romantic fulfilment.
You might recognise a few familiar faces.
Jonathan Groff (Glee), plays 29-year-old
Patrick, whos dipping his toe in the dating
pool after the untimely engagement of his
only real ex. Patricks 31-year-old best
friend Agustin (Frankie J Alvarez) is not
only struggling to make it as an artist,
hes struggling to make it as a virtuous
boyfriend, while the oldest member of
the group pushing the big four-zero is
longtime waiter Dom (Murray Bartlett),
whose own insecurities with age find him
looking for love in all the wrong places.
Well, dating apps and saunas, mainly.
Then theres special guest star
Russell Tovey, who comes in after a
few episodes as one of Patricks many,
many love interests. Despite it being the
Being Human stars first-ever gay role,
we cant help but feel like its a bit of
an obvious choice. But by the time hes
introduced, youre too enamoured with
the core trio to really care that much.
Either way, he seems to have taken
to the character of an obnoxious Brit
looking down on his inferiors like a gay
to Grindr.
Oh, and our inner-90s kid got a kick
over Quantum Leaps ageing Scott Bakula
cruising for an anonymous fuck.
Anyone comparing the show to a gay
Sex and the City just hasnt quite grasped
it. The writing is too sharp for that. Its
genuinely funny and, perhaps more
importantly, the chemistry between the
lead actors is palpable. Like Weekend
(and cult web series The Outs, if youve
seen it), you relate to the characters. You
sympathise, you invest, and it makes you
part of the show. Whats the old adage
about art imitating life? If you want a
modern gay show which tries to be real,
this is exactly what youre Looking for.
Looking premiers on HBO in the US on 19 January
and Sky Atlantic in the UK on 27 January.
[first]
The day I bought
my dog Brian was
in no way planned.
It was six months into my first
relationship since my husband had
bailed and buggered off to Oz. Was
it a rebound? Who knows. But this
new man in my life had moved in
right away, since he had no place to
live... I know, I know. DOOM.
Anyway, I was at the point
where I felt it was time to expand
our family. Maybe because Id
given my Little Shop of Horrors
soundtrack a rebirth and got a
bit slap-happy on Somewhere
Thats Green, or maybe because
I knew, deep down, that this
guy was not for keeps. Hed yet
to give a crap since I caved in
and became his provider and
housewife all-in-one.
Despite the Mr T voice in my head
warning me this new relationship
was BAD NEWS, FOOL, I thought
having a dog would make us the
picture-perfect family. I know,
right? Kill me now. I was in a place
where Id rather be in a loveless
relationship than be on my own.
Id never been lucky in
relationships. Not because
of arsehole boyfriends, but
because I always found myself
feeling unworthy of people
and overcompensating to keep
them. And on top of all the
workload with my books, I felt
ashamed and humiliated to have
married someone in front of
family and friends, only to lose
him a year later.
Maybe getting a dog at this
point in my life wasnt the best
idea, but I was never one to listen
to logic. Oh, sure, I can preach it
til the buffalo poops. But put it to
the test? Not a chance.
I tested fate and answered a
three-week-old advert for French
bulldog puppies. And by 3pm, I
was at a ladys house in Stansted
to view the last one of the litter.
As I passed through old laundry
and scattered dog shits, the
most incredible little Frenchie
came running towards me. He
had a patch over one eye and
sounded like a pig. From that
very moment, I knew I couldnt
go home without him. And 20
minutes later, we were on our way
back to London. Id always feared
being a parent to anything,
through fear that I might hurt it or
fuck it up in some way. But, that
night, I held him in my arms as if
he was a baby of my very own.
The relationship I was in didnt
last, of course. But above all else, I
learned its better to be alone than
with someone who could never
love you back. And this too was the
answer Id been searching for with
my marriage. A legal document
cant keep two people together
if they dont love each other
anymore. And neither can a dog,
no matter how cute.
I was very sad my marriage
ended. But if my husband hadnt
left as he did, we wouldve gone
on hurting each other for a lot
longer. The same goes for the man
that left after that. There was a lot
of grieving to be done, pounds to
gain and lose, and a hell of a lot
of reruns of beyond-depressing
movies. But I needed it. I needed
the time alone to get over myself,
all my shitty hang-ups and to be
able to break the pattern.
Ive been on dates since. But
believe me, there was a good gap
before Id even leave my pyjamas,
let alone my house. Theres nothing
wrong with giving yourself time to
get over someone.
Im done with being with
someone through fear of being
alone. Now, I actually enjoy
being single. I can hang out with
my friends without the need to
constantly refresh Grindr. After
a lot of years of self-hatred, I can
treat myself a little better. Im not
perfect, believe me. But who is?
We all have our little hang-ups but,
thats what makes us individual.
We all deserve to be with someone
who can treat us as a priority, not
an option. And until that happens,
Im quite happy as I am.
And of course, Im never
completely on my own. I have
Brian. Brian ThunderCat Diana Pig
Walsh, to be precise.
And he sends his love
to you. As do I.
A legal
document
cant
keep two
people
together if
they dont
love each
other. And
neither
can a dog,
no matter
how cute
THE CONTINUING
ADVENTURES
OF GYPSY BOY
@thatbloodymikey
column
[mikey walsh]
[rst]
gaytimes.co.uk 14
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Ahead of her new tour,
we caught up with
the fabulous Pam Ann
(AKA Caroline Reid)
at Heathrow Airports
First Class Lounge for
a bitch over a hot n
spicy Bloody Mary
The last time we saw you, you
pulled an unresponsive audience
member on stage and asked
him, are you blind? Turns out
he was! That cant have been
intentional [Laughs] Oh, that
was an awful show, but he was
my saving grace. Ive had blind
people in before and when their
dogs are asleep I get all insecure.
Im like, are they bored? The shows
I think are shit, people think are
great and vice versa. I just have a
different sense of reality, Im really
a 300 pound black woman.
How long into a flight does it
take for Pam to switch off the
passenger call button? On Pam
Ann Airlines, its wired to customs
and immigration direct. Then they
get searched and fisted as soon as
they land. Dont touch it!
Children on a flight Urgh,
hideous. I dont care about
the future; I love a carbon
footprint and I love fur.
Straight male air stewards do
they really exist? No, they dont.
They have this thing where theyre
gay in the galley and straight in the
aisle. My favourites are the gays
who have a meltdown.
Whats the worst air service
youve ever experienced? Flying
to Naples on easyJet with these two
Eastern Bloc girls who looked like
theyd come out of that film, Saw V.
I had a big bag, which of course is
a no no, but if you can fit a dining
room table and chairs into a small
bag you can take it on board. I
wanted to smash them in the face
with a plate. I cant stand easyJet.
The passengers are so white you
can see through them. I cant stand
how loud they are at Heathrow,
which I like to call Primark. I
decided to pay 750 to come back
with BA so I didnt have to deal with
their whole existence. As Pam Ann
would say, wheres the al-Qaeda
when you need them.
Which celebrity would you
like to send away on a one way
ticket? Lady Gaga. She irritates
me no end. Like Madonna
says, shes reductive. She takes
every great thing and idea and
attaches herself to it.
Who would you snog, marry
and avoid out of Stelios, Richard
Branson and Michael OLeary?
Id snog, marry and not avoid
Stelios because hes a big, fat
greek. I like fat, Im a chubby
chaser. I think hed have a small
cock, but I bet hed eat you out;
go really dirty on you. Id avoid
Michael OLeary as I think hes
just the pure essence of the word
cunt. Snog Stelios, marry Richard
Branson, avoid Michael OLeary.
What can we expect from your
new show? I was dreaming about
it last night, that all the queens
were gonna say, Ive heard it
all before. I was freaking out,
thinking Ive gotta come up with
new material. Hopefully a plane
goes down and something comes
up [laughs]. Ive done new videos
with Pam Ann on Titanic and
The Sound of Music. Ive got an
interval, too, cos I know the gays
are there on Grindr, so theyll want
to get on that, have a cocktail and
come back in.
Do you feel more pressure
coming back to the UK? Coming
to London in particular and having
new material is very important,
cos you bitches are fucking cunts!
Ill be slaughtered on Facebook if
I dont step up. I hope my ceiling
falls in like the London Apollos
did. I got told off for throwing
muffins at an audience once and the
Apollo had beams falling on their
audience. The things these people
do to get sales!
What are Pams top tips for
looking your best after a long
haul flight? I highly recommend
two strong, pre-boarding Bloody
Marys. Take a Xanax, but only
when wheels are up. Never take
them on the ground because you
might be delayed, wake up on
the tarmac and have to get off the
plane. Then have a couple of red
wines to knock yourself out.
See Pam Ann in Fly, from 21 March 26
April, pamann.com, leicestersquaretheatre.
com, @pamannairbitch
shes so f ly!
[02/14]
[first]
gaytimes.co.uk 16
W
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D
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A
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LONDONS
AWARD
WINNING
GAY VENUES
gaytimes.co.uk 18
Two slices of
actor hotness
+ one rather
fab teen telly
nostalgia-fest =
us discussing
the new season
of My Mad
Fat Diary with
lovely duo Nico
Mirallegro and
Dan Cohen
WORDS LEE DALLOWAY
M
y

M
a
d

F
a
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D
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y
Ah, being a teenager in the 90s.
A decade when you had to use a
phone box, hoping your folks would
accept a reverse charge call to come
and pick you up from whatever gutter
you were lying in. When America`s
biggest problem was an intern who
went above and beyond her work
experience duties in the oral, erm,
Oval Offce. When Wikipedia didn`t
explain it all, Clarissa did.
Set in the mid-late 90s, My Mad Fat
Diary charts the life of 16-year-old
Rae who suffers from body image
and mental health issues, based
on the real life diaries of Rae Earl.
While the soundtrack is a delicious
slab of Britpop, the show transcends
the nostalgia weaving through it
and highlights the very current, ever
present issue of mental health.
Still recognisable as teen goth
Newt in Hollyoaks, Nico Mirallegro
now plays resident hunk Finn, who
Rae lovingly sums up with, he
thinks he`s the Morrissey of Stamford
and walks around with a face like a
slapped arse most of the time. Nico
himself, however, is cheeky and fun
with an earthy northern demeanour,
who describes Finn as the strong,
silent type. Meanwhile, handsome
Dan Cohen is Archie, a closeted
demi-geek; the object of Rae`s
affections who adds a sexuality
struggle to the show`s plethora of
teenage issues.
"It`s nice as an actor to have some
really serious stuff to deal with,
and have that kind of material to
play, says Dan. It was written very
sensitively and, hopefully, realistically
to how people fnd that situation."
It`s easy to forget that, even
though it was less than 20 years
ago, this is a time where the age
of consent hadn`t been equalised,
Stephen Gately`s, ahem, "coming
out in The Sun was a few years
away and Section 28 was still in full
effect. With Archie only confding
in main protagonist Rae about his
leanings last season, this year sees
Archie further explore his sexuality.
It`s given Dan a chance to play a
sensitive issue that he may not have
experienced himself, but is aware still
affects countless teens in 2014.
I think as a teenager, whether
you`re gay or straight, you have
periods of time when you`ve felt
you`ve had things about yourself
that others wouldn`t accept,"
he explains. "I think there`s a
basis there that everyone has an
understanding and empathy with, so
I kind of came from that direction.
I`ve had times where I`ve felt there
are things about myself other people
wouldn`t like or accept. As you get
older, those things become less
relevant, but they`re also the things
you become most proud of, so I felt
like that was my way of identifying
with that.
Nico was only fve during the
show`s setting of 1996, while the
youthful-looking Dan is actually old
enough to have be a teenager in
the 90s (he`s 27) - but clearly has a
picture rotting in an attic somewhere.
Just about old enough! Dan
adds with a laugh. But, being gay
journalists and stereotypes rolled
into one, we had to ask what many
of us are secretly hoping So, any
gay action this season between you
two then?" (It would`ve helped if we
didn`t say it like we were selling fsh
in an East End market).
No, says Dan. There are
moments between them that are
some of my favourites, but I don`t
think anything like that. I`ve been
asked by friends whether anything
happens with them, too." At least it`s
not just us then
We were never told this, but we
actually found out halfway through
the second series that our characters
have been best friends since they
were three-years-old, adds Nico.
But we played it that way without
knowing it, so there`s that chemistry."
Nico does cheekily offer up a
shirtless scene or two, however, but
says he wouldn`t just take his clothes
off willy nilly
It depends what the scene is. I
wouldn`t do a slow-motion, pouring
water on myself while running scene,
otherwise it`ll just look like I`m doing
it for my own ego, he tells us.
Weirdly, there were lots of pictures
you put up in the dressing room of
yourself topless! chips in Dan with
a grin. "They weren`t for you, Dan!"
retorts Nico, laughing.
My Mad Fat Diary manages to
pull off appealing to both modern
day teens and the generation
who get sentimental over 'classic`
Britney GIFs on BuzzFeed, while
weaving in an honest look at
mental health and refecting back
on life for those who didn`t quite ft
into so-called social norms.
"What I thought was quite realistic
is the individual characters are all
suffering in some way, says Dan.
The most obvious example being
Rae, but I think it`s quite realistic as
teenagers that you don`t necessarily
notice problems and issues in other
people. Some of the characters,
like Finn, are a bit more sensitive
to what`s going on, but a lot of the
others are too wrapped up in their
own issues, to the extent where they
don`t notice until things have got
quite extreme."
So, how have the boys changed
since their teenage years? Loads!
says Nico. I started in Hollyoaks
when I was 15, so I sort of saw a
change in myself from then. I had to
go and live on my own in Liverpool
and, for the frst time, my mum
wasn`t looking after me. That was
when I grew up. It was cooking,
cleaning, housework and bills. I
went out a lot though.
"I`ve changed massively," agrees
Dan. "I`m still not as grown up as
Nico, with his bills and cleaning. You
should see my fat! But I`ve changed
in terms of confdence and drive."
Bills and cleaning? Honestly,
kids these days but whether
you`re a yoof of today or even just
a yoof at heart, My Mad Fat Diary
is certainly worth reigniting the
Cool Britannia shtick.
My Mad Fat Diary returns 3 February on E4,
madfatdiary.e4.com, @NicoMirallegro
19 gaytimes.co.uk
[rst]
Question
What made you
want to be a part
of RuPauI's Drag
Race - besides
sitting next to
the gorgeous
RuPaul? From
@sha_lemar
Answer
I wanted to be a
part of history,
nay, HERstory.
I just knew that
RuPaul`s Drag
Race would
change the
world`s opinion
and views about
drag, and people
would fnally see
it as a viable art
form and respect
the passion these
boys have for
what they do.
Opening minds
week by week.
Of course, sitting
next to my BFF
ain`t too shabby
either.
Sink The Pink does fashorn
If you dont know Sink The
Pink, whereve you been? Its a
deliciously camp neon-slathered
club brand with an ethos of fun,
silliness and all things bright
and bold. Not for shy types and
neither is their clothing range,
which features retina-tingling
prints, neon fabrics, mesh vests
and tongue-in-cheek statement
tees. We recommend checking
out the Dicky Mouse t-shirts.
shop.sinkthepinklondon.com
pretty in pink
[02/14]
[first]
gaytimes.co.uk 20
Come here my
children, snuggle
close to Mama while
we discuss the hottest topic of
2014 season six of RuPauls Drag
Race, of course! If you arent in the
know by now, you must live under
a rock. These new queens are
fiercer than ever before. Lets see
whos gonna be entertaining us
this time around.
We have, in no particular
order, Joslyn Fox, Adore Delano,
Vivacious, BenDeLaCreme (who
clearly stole my face), Bianca
Del Rio, Milk the Dairy Queen,
Kelly Mantle, Courtney Act, Gia
Gunn, April Carrin, Trinity K
Bonet, Laganja Estranja, Magnolia
Crawford and last but by no
means least Miss Darienne Lake.
These children are NOT playing.
Since the big reveal back
in December (just as I was
disembarking the MSC Divina with
around 40 of the queens from past
seasons) my levels of excitement
for you all to witness this coming
spectacle have been increasing
daily. You really arent ready.
Were not going to air this season
until Feb-RU-ary (see what I
did there?), but Im sure youve
all been doing your research
into each queen so youll have a
favourite picked right off the bat. I
mean, this is a race after all.
Remember, I have no contact
with these queens aside from the
runway, so one of my most fave
things to do is to watch the Meet the
Queens videos online to get more
of an insight into who they are as
individuals. Can you believe that a
running theme in each video was
how TERRIFIED each of them are
of little ol me? Dont they know Im
EVERY gays BFF? A kind, gentle,
demure, HUMBLE, sweetheart? Im
sure youre all as excited as I am to
tune in and see if they had a reason
to be afraid. Believe me, this season
the library never closes.
Until next time I want to hear your
thoughts, so get at me on Twitter
@michellevisage, and visit my
website daily michellevisage.com!
Cant wait to kiki with
yall again next month!
XXX MV
M
i
c
h
e
l
l
e
V
i
s
a
g
e
Remember your crazy ex? I wish youd stop talking about that. Dont
worry, Ive just seen something that blows him out of the water.
Im scared already. Theres a woman on Mob Wives who stabbed her ex in front of his
mum! What the fuck is Mob Wives?! Sweary ladies who marry tough guys. Imagine Real
Housewives of New York with swearing, crime, murder and more swearing. That sounds
terrible. How is that allowed on television? Shouldnt these people be in prison? Probably. You
dont sound very concerned. I dont live in New York. So why do you watch it? To remind
myself to exercise my vocal chords. Huh? Theres a character on the show called
Big Ang who clearly doesnt do vocal warm ups; she sounds like her throat is
made of rubble. Shes also had more plastic surgery than maybe anyone on
the planet. The reality TV barrel has ofcially been fully scraped. Shhhh, they might
hear you! Theyre frighteningly fabulous but fabulously frightening.
The Pass
Footballer Thomas
Hitzlsperger may
have just come out,
but homophobia
in sport is still
rife. This new
play from John
Donnelly highlights
that overarching
masculinity, with a
backdrop of sex,
fame and living life
in the glare of the
public eye. The
Pass follows two
young footballers,
played by Russell
Tovey and Gary
Carr, and how
they negotiate
the macho world
of footy. Russell
Tovey in shorts,
anyone? It`s at
London`s Royal
Court until 1 March.
Royalcourttheatre.
com
the beautiful game
[02/14]
[first]
[trendsetter ]
22 gaytimes.co.uk
Ever since she trod
the cobbles on
Coronation Street,
Angela Griffin has
hardly been off our
telly screens. Now
the lovely lady is
going down a storm
treading the boards
in One Man, Two
Guvnors on Londons
West End. She took
some time out to
plunge a hand into
GTs Sweetie Jar of
randomness!
WORDS LEE DALLOWAY IMAGES JOEL-RYDER.COM
S
w
e
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t
i
e
,
D
a
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l
i
n
g
?
24 gaytimes.co.uk
What do you prefer acting in,
comedy or drama? People say
that I seem built for comedy,
but its not my natural home
at all. I like to laugh generally
in life. I think that you have to
because theres enough crap
things, and I think you should
be nice, kind and basically not
a knob. But Im much more at
home with drama; crying in
a corner, rather then making
people laugh. The pressure is
really hard with comedy. Its
so much to do with timing...
[Angelas phone goes off and
her ringtone is the Sex and
the City theme tune] Oh, how
embarrassing. That ringtone
[cackles]. Im a mother of two!
Have you ever been mistaken
for someone else by a member
of the public? Someone came up
to me today and said oh my gosh,
are you the girl from Strictly?
And it was, like, no. Shes
another girl who happens to be
brown [laughs].
Are you a city or country girl?
City. London kids have so much
opportunity. We actually moved
out to the countryside when my
eldest was two. We went, oh, I
dont know if we can bring her up
in scary, smoky London, where
people get mugged. We moved
out to Oxfordshire and lasted
20 months, then we moved back
in again. Firstly, they were the
brownest kids in the village, and
things like access to different
types of food and different types
of people, the cultural diversity,
the exhibitions... everything you
could possibly ever need is here.
Do white people come up and
touch your hair absolutely
fascinated? [This always
happens to our afro-haired
assistant editor Lee] All the
time! Anytime I do a shoot, Ill get
someone who goes oh my God, I
love your hair, lets just make it as
big as we can! No, lets not make
it as big as we can! Its a bit of a
novelty isnt it? Ask first if you want
to touch it, dont just start putting
your hands through! Where have
your hands been? [Laughs].
Never work with children or
animals. Youve worked with
both. Is that statement true?
Erm, animals definitely! Children
can be quite cool, cos they can
be quite funny, and they keep
me young on set as well. They
introduce you to all sorts of music
that you have no idea about. I quite
like working with them, as long as
theyre professional, which some
of them arent. Because I started
when I was quite young, like my
first telly job came when I was 13,
I was dead professional very, very
early on. I think theres no excuse
when people dont behave.
Be grateful for where you are;
youre on television!
Whats been the most fun job
youve ever had? Cutting It. All
day and all night, we had such
a ball on that job. Me, Amanda
Holden, Sarah Parish, Jason
Merrells, Ben Daniels, we just
went mental. We went out all
the time, got up to all sorts of
shenanigans, and were still
really good friends now.
When was the last time you
went to a gay club? One of the
first nightclubs I ever went to
when I first came to London was
Heaven. I keep trying to get into
Shadow Lounge, but I cant cos
of the massive queues. When I
lived in Leeds I spent my entire
time in a gay night called Vague.
There was a guy always there
who was a transvestite, who had
a girlfriend, they split up, and
then he had a boyfriend, then he
had a girlfriend... then she had a
girlfriend. And there was a guy
called Mad James who would just
come with a little paddling pool
with a bit of water in it and put it in
the middle of the floor. Hed be in
a tie and a tiny little pair of pants
and hed dance for six hours. He
wouldnt move out of it. He was
probably just pissing in there as
well [laughs]. I loved it. It was kind
of my home.
Madonna or Kylie? Madonna,
all day. I dont really get Kylie,
Ive got to say. What does she
stand for? Madonna stands for
something. She was new, she was
original, she was brave. I mean,
Kylies nice... shes nice.
Lady Gaga oh my God
amazing icon or shut the
fuck up? Absolute amazing
icon, I fucking love her. Shes got
something to say, shes original,
it doesnt feel like shes bowing
down to the image that shes meant
to convey to the masses. She just
does what the fuck she wants and
I feel that shes got good moral
values. She stands for something
that helps people. I like music, but
I wasnt someone who kind of sat
and listened to Morrissey and saw
messages in songs that helped me
through bad times. Im slightly
weird. I wasnt like that. But I can
see the effect that people can
have on those who are maybe lost
and cant find their way and are
looking for an idol. I love Rihanna
but Ive had to stop following
her. Id like to know whats gone
on in Rihannas past. I cant help
thinking somethings gone on
there; something really dark that
shes having to, erm, kick out.
Whats your most embarrassing
drunken moment? Probably
falling over and practically
breaking a rib trying to get to
McDonalds. It wasnt even for me,
it was for my mate Rachel. I was
like, Ill get you there before it
closes running through the street
in Tenerife. I was proper giving
it, look how fast I can run when
Im drunk! Bang! Went straight
down... Got to McDonalds in time
though! Had to got to hospital the
next day, I thought Id punctured
my lung!
Catch Angela in One Man, Two Guvnors
at London`s Haymarket Theatre until 1
March, trh.co.uk
25 gaytimes.co.uk
[rst]
gaytimes.co.uk 26
A GROUP OF FOUR GUYS
claiming to be athletes approach
a 15-year-old boy. They greet him
like an old school mate. Whats up,
brother, they ask, as one places
an arm around him. You wanted to
meet Uncle Dima? What has Uncle
Dima promised?
They came from nowhere, but now
theyre cosying up to the boy; an arm
around the shoulder, a calm look into
his eyes. Dressed in thick, winter
coats, the bitterness of Russian
winter is clear to see. They do just
look like old school mates.
Except they arent.
Youre gay and like to fuck old
men, one of the group says. He isnt
shouting. He even sounds soothing.
Almost fatherly.
Stay, little bitch, or I will fuck
you up, another commands, as
the boy tries to walk away. Hes
trapped now. He cant call for help
because he knows passers-by will
side with this terrifying gang of
homophobes. He can only stand,
consumed by fear and self-hatred,
as the group begin to pour urine
over his head.
This is the bleak situation
depicted in one of many YouTube
videos coming from inside
Russia. Many of them stem from
the Occupy Pedohpilyaj (Occupy
Pedophilia) group, who claim to
expose pedophiles for the safety
of Russian society. Except they
almost exclusively target gay teens.
Under the guise of profiles like the
fictitious Uncle Dima, they use the
instant publicity of the internet to
exploit vulnerable boys. And whats
worse? The only one of the five
Russians in this particular video in
fear of his identity being revealed is
the defenceless teenage boy.
Its a morbid perversion of justice
that has become increasingly
prevalent in Putins Russia. And yet
despite these atrocities, which have
drawn comparisons with Hitlers
Germany, this month the world
descends on the countrys largest
resort city Sochi for the 2014 Winter
Olympic Games.
We met Igor Yassin, a 33-year-old
openly gay man from Moscow, who
is among a brave but small group
who have gone against Putin and
campaigned publicly for gay rights.
Despite Igor being open with his
sexuality to both his colleagues,
friends and family, he is well aware
that the way he lives his life is now
looked upon as a criminal act by the
Russian government.
In May, one young man was
brutally killed in the city of
Volgograd after he revealed to his
friends that he was gay, he tells us.
Im openly gay, but I dont discuss
analysis
WITH PUTINS RUSSIA
ENSHRINING ANTI-GAY
PROPAGANDA INTO LAW,
MANY HAVE VOWED TO
BOYCOTT ITS UPCOMING
WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES.
HOW DO WE SOLVE A
PROBLEM LIKE RUSSIA? GT
INVESTIGATES THE TRUTH
BEHIND THE COUNTRYS
HOMOPHOBIC REVOLUTION
WORDS BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH
[02/14]
LEFT IGOR YASSIN
PROTESTING AT
NUMEROUS EVENTS
AROUND MOSCOW
it with members of my family. I
dont hide anything at work, but my
colleagues prefer not to discuss
the question of my sexuality. This
homophobic campaign has created
an atmosphere of hatred and
prejudice.
In Russias federal elections of
2011, the ruling United Russia
party feared sliding support. In a
bid to look strong, the party took
to scapegoating the countrys gay
population. It was a divide and rule
tactic, pitting the most conservative
lawyers in Russias bourgeois
upper-crust against a vulnerable
and powerless minority.
They used prejudices in order
to divert attention from important
social and political problems,
like underfunding education and
healthcare, Igor explains to GT.
For example, in St Petersburg
last year, the governor signed the
local homophobic law, but refused
to sign five social
laws which had
been adopted
by the local
parliament before the elections.
They explained the city doesnt
have the money to implement
those laws which required social
benefits for big families, orphans
and disabled people but that
homophobia doesnt require any
money, so its ok.
The countrys law now bans
providing information about
the gay community to minors,
holding gay pride events,
speaking in defence of gay
rights or suggesting gay and
straight relationships have parity.
Breaking the law can incur fines
of up to $31,000 thats three
times the average Russians
yearly salary.
But the implications have
been worse than banning
propaganda alone.
In another attack, two vigilantes
tortured a man to death; raping
him, mutilating him with beer
bottles and beating him with rocks.
A few weeks later, three men were
trampled and stabbed to death.
And all for the same reason their
sexuality.
Outside of Russia, the likes of
Stephen Fry and David Cameron
have used their online platforms
to highlight the injustices of the
situation. But much of the online
furore has enhanced the belief of
a fearful and xenophobic section
of Russian society that gay rights
is the agenda of the liberal,
interfering outside world. That
homosexuality is fundamentally
un-Russian.
The internet and social media
play a big role in building the
LGBT community and movement
in Russia, Igor says. Its much
easier now for LGBT activists to
communicate, for LGBT people
to form their communities even
in small towns. The government
tries to censor the internet, but
they cannot do it effectively.
But our opponents and
enemies use new technologies
as well to promote homophobia
and hatred, and to whip up their
message. Within Russia, their
message is spreading fast. Its
the trend.
The Russian version of
Facebook, VKontakte, now hosts
Occupy Pedohpilyaj groups in
almost every city in Russia. Some
with thousands of followers ready
to track young gay Russians.
In actual fact, Occupy
Pedohpilyajs neo-Nazi leader,
Maxim Martsinkevich, is a prolific
social networker, regularly posting
photos of himself flexing his
muscles, topless. A tad homo-
erotic, some might suggest
Igor continues to fight. But he
fears that the spread of violence,
organised online against him and
his kind, is growing too rapidly.
I feel that my life is in danger,
our lives are in danger. I dont
see any future in this country for
LGBT people unless we fight for
our rights.
[news]
27 gaytimes.co.uk
From the passing of equal marriage to another
successful season of prides, 2013 was a good year to
be gay in the UK. Yet, in countries such as Russia and
Qatar, 2013 couldve been the year I was locked up,
beaten up or legally told to shut up.
As these countries continue to directly attack the
lives of those in our LGBT communities, weve given
them prestige. This year well see the Winter Olympics
in Russia. And in 2022, Qatar will parade the World
Cup on its own turf.
Yet we cant expect events such as Sochi to be our
opportunity to speak up. This is Putins party, and with
a direct instruction dont open your mouth unless
you want another canap. So, as our political leaders
rightly celebrate the achievements of our athletes,
theyll wrongly be acting complacent. With each
bubble they sip and each event they attend, they will
be sending a clear message of simple ignorance. Such
celebration can dangerously become the faade to a
backdrop of oppression, discrimination and hatred.
International events like these are political. Even
Eurovision has more to it than mere flag waving and
Europop. And this is definitely no truer than with sport.
In 1964, the International Olympic Committee
banned South Africa for almost three decades due to
its instigation of apartheid. Sport contains diplomacy
and the opportunity for our country to take a stand.
LGBT athletes and their supporters are at risk
travelling to these events. By attending, years of
commitment and passion will be played off against
their own safety. The athletes will still go, but our
leaders shouldnt.
Through boycotting such international events, our
leaders will make a bigger impact. They will be
refuting the faade and highlighting what is really
happening in these countries. Instead of merely
buying into the spirit of the Olympic charter, they
will be enforcing it. Their absence is activism, and a
stand against these countries homophobia.
To be living in a country that oppresses my freedom
as an individual is something I cant comprehend,
but this is an everyday reality for the LGBT people
of Russia. The importance of athletes and allies
being present in Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympic
Games is paramount.
Their presence will offer solidarity to those
directly affected by Russias archaic homophobia
laws whether they be a closeted athlete, an out
athlete or an LGBT citizen of Russia. It will also
allow the miscarriage of justice that is the anti-gay
propaganda law to be highlighted, in the expectation
that an education can occur on the unthreatening
nature of our differences, and also allow the great
feats LGBT people have overcome and achieved in the
face of great adversity.
Having events such as the Winter Olympic Games
in Russia, and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, allows
us to show the world the beauty of our different
cultures, sexuality and religions. Having allies and
out athletes participate during events in oppressive
countries brings an attention to the fight for inclusion
of LGBT people in sport.
Being gay doesnt stop you from being a competitor
in sport. By hiding your sexuality and suppressing a
part of you that is something to be proud of you waste
energy that should be put to use becoming a stronger
athlete, both mentally and physically.
Olympians are champions, both on and off the
competitive playing field. An out and proud LGBT
athlete shows that theyre proud of who they are, and
they feel confident enough to live their life in their
respective country proudly. Every person in sport
should have that same opportunity.
The Olympic Games embody diversity, friendship,
peace and excellence. And the fact that theyre
taking place in Russia allows the athletes and allies to
champion said morals and values, through sport, to
bring about education and, ultimately, change.
BOYCOTT Jack Falkingham
Jack is LGBT Offcer of the Labour Party`s youth wing, and organiser
of Student Pride, which takes place the weekend Sochi 2014 ends.
PROTEST Blake Skjellerup
Blake is a speed skater, who will be competing on behalf of New
Zealand in the 2014 Winter Olympics, and a former GT cover star.
V
[debate]
[news]
BOYCOTT OR
PROTEST?
The biggest sporting
events in the world are
heading to countries
that criminalise being
gay. Should our
athletes and politicians
go along, and try to
protest from within, or
boycott these events in
a show of solidarity?
gaytimes.co.uk 28
gaytimes.co.uk 30
[01] Queer as Folk airs in 1999.
With tales of teenage lust, it was a
coming of age for a generation.
[02] The life of Harvey Milk is
told in a Hollywood blockbuster
in 2008. He remains an
inspiration to millions just ask
Dustin Lance-Black.
[03] EastEnders airs first gay kiss
on British television in 1989. Just
a shame it took Corrie 13 years to
follow it up with one of its own.
[04] It Gets Better starts in 2010,
launched after homophobic
bullying led to US teens taking
their own lives. More than 50,000
videos have been uploaded,
including one from Barack Obama.
Speaking of
[05] Obama becomes the first
serving US president to back same-
sex marriage in 2012. For that, Mr
President, we salute you.
[06] The Doctor gets his first
bisexual companion, Captain Jack
Harkness, in 2005. You knew wed
get Doctor Who in this somehow
[07] Brian Dowling wins Big
Brother in 2001. And again in 2010.
Oh, and he became the first openly
gay childrens TV presenter when
he joined SMTV Live in 2002.
[08] Brokeback Mountain is
released in cinemas in 2005. It won
three Oscars at the 78th Academy
Awards, including Best Director.
[09] Justin Fashanu becomes
the first openly gay professional
footballer in 1990. Sadly, Justin
This year we turn the
big three-zero. Weve
come a hell of a long
way since issue one,
but the world around
us has changed a lot,
too. So, to celebrate our
30th anniversary, weve
rounded up the biggest
LGBT moments of the
last 30 years
WORDS RYAN BUTCHER / BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH
30
THINGS
our top lgbt moments
[02/14]
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took his own life in 1998.
[10] Ellen DeGeneres comes
out in 1997, risking her headline
career to be herself. Now shes the
ultimate lesbian icon. And while
were on icons
[11] Sir Elton John and David
Furnish become one of the first
couples to form a civil partnership
in 2005.
[12] Section 28 is overturned
in 2003. Thatchers government
banned schools from talking
about LGBT issues in 1988. It was
repealed not a moment too soon.
[13] Stonewall is founded in
1989. The charity has since
helped lift the ban of LGBT people
in the armed forces and have
homophobic prejudice recognised
as a hate crime.
[14] Brooksides lesbian kiss
features in the Olympic Opening
Ceremony in 2012, making it
the first same-sex kiss to be
broadcast in Saudi Arabia and
other Middle Eastern nations.
Which reminds us
[15] Britney and Madonna kiss in
2003 at the VMAs. And the world
loved it. Oh, Christina Aguilera
was there too.
[16] Bronski Beat fight anti-gay
prejudice in 1984. When Jimmy
Somerville and his bandmates
were attacked by homophobes,
it inspired them to write The
Age of Consent in a bid to tackle
homophobia.
[17] The government launches its
Dont Die Of Ignorance campaign
in 1986. Criticised for spreading
hysteria, but its shocking imagery
encouraged everyone to keep
track of their HIV status.
[18] Freddie Mercury dies
in 1991. Just 24 hours prior,
the most iconic frontman in
rock history confirmed he was
suffering from AIDS. His legend
has never been matched.
[19] Acting legend Marlon Brando
reveals hes bisexual in 1985. Like
a large number of men, I too have
had homosexual experiences and
Im not ashamed, he said.
[20] First lesbian wedding on
television aired in 1996. It was
Friends characters Carol and
Susan who invited us to our first
same-sex ceremony.
[21] Stephen Gately comes out at
the height of Boyzones popularity
in 1999. He was tragically found
dead in 2009 after suffering from
an undiagnosed heart condition.
[22] Will and Grace airs in 1998.
Will, Grace, Jack, Karen and even
Rosario became international gay
icons. Sixteen Emmys later and
were still in stitches.
[23] Lady Gaga fights for LGBT
rights at the National Equality
March on Washington in 2009. Bad
Romance was a tune, too.
[24] The UKs age of consent
for gay sex is equalised with
heterosexual sex in 2001.
Although gay teens in Guernsey
still had to wait until 2010.
[25] John Paul McQueen and
Craig Dean fall in love in 2006.
These Hollyoaks hotties did the
same for one generation as Queer
as Folk did for the previous one.
[26] Same-sex adoption is made
legal in 2002.
[27] Reform Judaism breaks
boundaries in 1990, allowing the
ordinance of LGBT rabbis and
cantors.
[28] Two gay men feature in an ad
campaign for the first time in 1994,
shopping for IKEA furniture.
[29] The UNs World Health
Organisation decides that
homosexuality is NOT a mental
illness in 1990. What took them
so long?
[30] Pope Francis supports the
gays in 2013. The pontif went on to
say: If someone is gay and seeks
the Lord with good will, who am I to
judge? Well quite.
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[news]
31 gaytimes.co.uk
GT VAULT
19 YEARS AGO
Issue 197, 1995
Medical marijuana took a jump as we asked the question,
could it lead to harder substances or is it was just a little bit
of escapism? Gay gyms faced off against straight gyms, in
the battle of which is best, and Jimmy Somerville returned
after a four-year absence with a brand new album.
14 YEARS AGO
Issue 257, 2000
The Vengaboys, Village People and Ivan Massow? We
went in search of the infamous Tory and explored his
profile further. We then endeavoured into the return of
Queer As Folk, and questioned the future of gay festivals
as they all began to split.
11 YEARS AGO
Issue 293, 2003
With an increase in targeted adverts aimed specifically at
gay men, we explored how gorgeous hunks were making
us spend. Comedian Simon Amstel opened up about his
sexuality, and Dannii Minogue faced a bit of trouble over
some supposedly racist comments we got the scoop.
DOWNLOAD
WWW.GTDIGI.CO.UK
INTERACTIVE CONTENT

EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS

ADDITIONAL PICTURE GALLERIES

DOWNLOAD YOUR FAVOURITE BACK ISSUE
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column
In just a few weeks,
the first same-sex
marriages will take
place in England and Wales and,
as a community, well be entering
into a new age of equality. Sure,
theres still much to fight for, and
many questions to ask, such as
why private pension rights are not
equal and what the effect will be
of a spouse having to consent to
their partner changing their legal
gender. Much of the work though
is done, but the same cannot
unfortunately be said for other
parts of the United Kingdom.
While Scotland will, hopefully,
be joining the rest of the mainland
with same-sex marriage before
this year is out, Northern Ireland is
still some way behind. A same-
sex couple will be able to get
married in London, but if they flew
over to Londonderry, theyd only
be recognised as civil partners.
Marriage in the UK will mean
a different thing depending on
where you live, and thats not what
we should be experiencing if we
live in an equal society.
In my view, the differential
status of marriage in Northern
Ireland will ultimately threaten
the marriage of the UK. Whats so
strange is that its the politicians
who so adamantly believe in the
marriage of Northern Ireland to
the rest of the UK, the Democratic
Unionists, that are so dead against
the rest of mainland UKs views
when it comes to marriage equality.
Northern Irelands government,
led by the DUP, rejected the rights
of same-sex couples to adopt and
for gay men to donate blood. They
also rejected their coalition partner
Sinn Fins support of same-sex
marriage. Gay couples will be
allowed to adopt in the province,
but only after the countrys health
minister spent tens of thousands
of pounds of tax payers money
fighting same-sex adoption in the
courts. Gay men in England (who
havent had sex for a year) will be
able to donate blood to be used
in Northern Ireland, but gay men
in Northern Ireland will still be
banned. Talk about having your
cake and eating it!
The reality is that the battle over
gay men donating blood and
same-sex marriage will ultimately
be fought in the courts, not in the
Northern Ireland Assembly. I have
a feeling that just like the adoption
battle, itll be a fight that we will win,
but at some cost. In my view, it sends
a powerful symbol to the public if
politicians, not judges, change the
law on equality.
One of the most exciting things
about the introduction of same-
sex marriage in England and
Wales was that it wasnt decided
by judges in a human rights court.
Instead it happened because
David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed
Miliband and their colleagues
worked together to change the
law. Sure, it was a bruising battle.
Particularly among Conservative
MPs. But it was a battle that was
won, in both the Commons and the
Lords, with extraordinarily large
majorities for a free vote, and with
cooperation between parties.
This was very different from the
abolition of Section 28, which
effectively banned the promotion
of homosexuality in schools, where
just a handful of Conservative MPs
rebelled against their party to
support equality.
If Northern Ireland achieves
rights through the courts, it will
mean that the province misses out
on the wonderful scenes that we
experienced in Parliament last year.
Words cannot quite express how it
felt to be kissing my boyfriend in
the House of Commons gallery as
the final debate ended and we knew
that the marriage bill would become
law. Words cant either express the
sheer joy that so many peers and
MPs felt as they walked through the
lobby to end discrimination, or how
it felt for the campaigners outside
cheering them on.
It also loses the message to
teenagers coming to terms with
their sexuality, that politicians
put aside their usual differences
to support the right for them to
get married one day, regardless
of the gender of the
person theyve fallen
in love with.
Gay men
in England
will be
able to
donate
blood to
be used in
Northern
Ireland,
but gay
men in
Northern
Ireland
will still be
banned.
Talk about
having
your
cake and
eating it
@benjamincohen
PUBLISHER
OF PINKNEWS
[benjamin cohen]
[news]
gaytimes.co.uk 33
gaytimes.co.uk 34
WORDS PAUL F COCKBURN IMAGE RAY DEAN
DEREK
JARMAN
HEROES
35 gaytimes.co.uk
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Swinton), his work was always
pushing the envelope.
His visual originality also went
down well in the burgeoning music
video industry; he made promos
for artists from The Sex Pistols to
Patti Smith. And possibly his most
infamous music videos were Its A
Sin and Rent for the Pet Shop Boys,
both made in 1987.
Thats just after he finds out hes
HIV positive, explains Turner. Its
also the year hes making The Last
of England; thats his state of the
nation film, his concerted attack at
Thatcher. He was always politically
engaged, but his interest in the
legacy of Englishness somehow
gets personalised and politicised in
a particular way with HIV.
Jarman was a politically
committed artist and film-maker,
says Peter Tatchell, who came to
know Jarman primarily through
queer rights direct action group
OutRage! in the early 1990s. He
saw his film Edward II as a way of
using historical events depicted in
an ancient play to shine a light on
present-day homophobia: Britain
in the era of Section 28, AIDS
panic, rising anti-gay violence,
police repression and church
attacks on the LGBT community.
In the film, church and
state officials conspire against
Edward II, partly because of his
homosexuality, Tatchell points
out. Derek invited OutRage!
activists to be part of the film and
shot us staging a protest against
police harassment and queer-
bashing violence, complete with
banners wed used in actual demos.
Cinematically, it was risky, but he
pulled it off; making a strong point
about 1990s state repression of
LGBT people.
Although often described as
an accessible and down to earth
figure, Jarman wasnt one for
towing anyones line. He was
rebellious and radical, insists
Tatchell. He never sought the
establishments embrace or
approval. He loathed the power
elite and all they stood for.
That included Ian McKellen, whom
Jarman criticised for accepting a
knighthood. Derek was critical of
Stonewall (which McKellen co-
founded), believing it to be too
establishment and conformist,
Tatchell adds. He didnt like
its uncritical aspiration to mere
equality within the status quo. Like
me, he wanted to change society.
Two decades on from his death,
Jarman will be celebrated through
a range of events and exhibitions.
He was incredibly important in his
time, partly because he became
possibly against his will the
spokesperson for a generation of
artist filmmakers working outside
the system. Also, of course, for his
politics, his activism, Turner adds.
Since then I think hes important
because weve started to discover
things like the writing more.
Virtually everything hes written is
now in print; that says something,
because publishers have no desire
to keep you in print for nostalgic
reasons. Hes found a readership
which are interested in his writing.
Hes still important. I know young
important artists today whore
absolutely in his not quite his
image, but his lineage, who pay a
debt to him.
One such artist is 2012 Turner
Prize finalist Luke Fowler, who was
the inaugural winner of the now-
annual Jarman Award organised
by Film London. Were looking
for people whore working in a
contemporary way along the lines
of Jarmans approach to making
art, says Rose Cupit, Manager at
Film London Artists Moving Image
Network (FLAMIN). The award
shines a light on contemporary
artists, to direct people to the sort
of work that takes risks, that doesnt
always fit in templates that exist for
mainstream film. It highlights that
this approach is alive and well.
For more information on Jarman events, visit
jarman2014.org
20 years after
his death, why is
the lmmaker,
artist, writer and
campaigner so
revered?
HES A REALLY GREAT ARTIST,
important in so many ways, says
Amanda Wilkinson, director of the
Wilkinson Gallery in London which,
in the latter part of 2013, hosted an
exhibition of Derek Jarmans black
paintings, which is now about to
open at the respected Trondheim
kunstmuseum in Norway.
He was part of the 1960s scene
in London, and then the punk
scene in the 1970s. He was very
aware of everything contemporary
around him, and he absorbed it
and translated it in his own visual
language in such a special way.
One of the things people
say about him is that he was a
painter, but sometimes he painted
on film, adds Professor Mark
Turner, who teaches English at
Kings College London, where
Jarman studied before going to art
school. Basically, he was a visual
person who saw things in painterly
terms, to do with colour, image
and symbol. But the paintings get
angrier; if you look at some of his
earlier paintings, he was interested
in the British landscape tradition.
By the 1980s hes really pissed
off and you get work that makes
Jackson Pollock look gentile.
When he died of AIDS-related
causes on 19 February 1994,
aged just 52, Derek Jarman
was probably best known for
his filmmaking and political
campaigning, although its difficult
to separate the two. From his first
feature-length film Sebastiane in
1976, the homoerotic retelling of St
Sebastians martyrdom, to his final
work Blue in 1993 (a single shot of
saturated blue filling the screen
with a narration by Jarman and his
favourite actors, including Tilda
[news]
Dr Kate Stone was
returning from the
pub with friends when
a stag charged out of the darkness
and gored her through the neck.
Gored. Its not a word we usually
hear, is it? Its how you describe
an animal piercing human flesh
with horns, tusks or in this case
antlers. The stag stabbed Kate
in the neck, impaling her, before
shaking itself free and tossing her
to the ground. The injuries were
life threatening and Kate had to
be airlifted to Glasgow hospital.
As GT goes to press, her condition
is serious but stable. The attack
was both terrible and unusual. The
newspaper coverage, however,
was infuriatingly familiar. Sex
swap scientist in fight for life after
being gored by stag in freak
accident in Highlands, screamed
Scottish tabloid the Daily Record.
Kate is transgender. That has
nothing to do with being attacked
by an animal. Unless, of course,
youre attacked because youre
trans. You never know. Lets
assume, though, that this stag
wasnt a transphobe. Woman
attacked by stag would have made
a decent headline. Kate is a woman.
A trans woman, yes, but whats that
got to with the price of venison?
Maybe shes atheist too. Whose
business is it to know? Only the
Cambridge News and the Guardian
kept Kates personal life personal
a fact noted by Rachel Johnson in
the Mail on Sunday, of all places.
Gossip, she called it. Shes right.
Coverage like this is the printed
equivalent of pointing at someone
and shouting, Freak! Its the natural
outcome of media that says being
trans is, in and of itself, news. It isnt.
For what it matters, the toothless
Press Complaints Commission
agrees. Clause 12 of its Editors
Code of Practice states: The press
must avoid prejudicial or pejorative
reference to an individuals race,
colour, religion, gender, sexual
orientation or to any physical or
mental illness or disability. Unless
it is genuinely relevant. This
applies to transgender status too.
I dont represent everyone but,
speaking from personal experience,
as a trans person, youre often
worried about becoming a headline.
Paranoid youll fall downstairs and
land on the front page of The Sun,
say. Transsexual in freak accident,
or something. Before I chose to live
openly as a transgender woman, I
spent a great deal of time worrying
that people would find out I was
trans. Many trans people just want
to live their lives quietly and, at the
time, so did I. I was terrified that
something bad might happen to me,
something unlikely, or gruesome,
or absurd like getting hit by
lightning, or trapped in a fire or,
I dont know, a stag stabbing me
in the neck. And terrified that not
only would I have something shitty
to deal with, thered be the added
humiliation of people saying Ha,
look what happened to that tranny!
If you think Im exaggerating,
Google Sonia Burgess. She was a
leading human rights lawyer who
changed the face of immigration law
in the UK. She was kind, generous
and highly respected by friends and
colleagues. In 2010 she was pushed
under a train, in front of hundreds
of horrified onlookers. One of them
was my friend, who tweeted that
shed seen Sonias death. Soon
enough, journalists started to get
in touch. What was Sonia wearing,
they asked. What was her hair
like? What did she look like? Did
she look feminine or ridiculous?
Like Kate, Sonia was trans. Woman
pushed transvestite to his death on
underground at Kings Cross ran
the Metros headline.
We used to see this more with gay
people. I found a story from the 80s
about a vicar whod been outed
as gay by a national newspaper.
Which one? The Guardian. Uh-huh.
Even socially-liberal publications
were doing Someone is gay
headlines back then. Theres
still homophobia in the media, of
course, but things have improved.
Now its time the press started
treating trans people as human
beings rather than freaks. Kate may
not survive. I hope she lives. And
that the prejudice that
lingers in the British
media dies for good.
As a trans
person,
youre
often
worried
about
becoming
a headline.
Paranoid
youll fall
downstairs
and land
on the
front page
of The Sun,
say. Trans
in freak
accident
KNOWS WHAT
IT FEELS LIKE
FOR A GIRL column
[paris lees]
[news]
gaytimes.co.uk 36
I
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@parislees
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gaytimes.co.uk 38
DONATE 3
to National AIDS Trust
and as a thank you
DOWNLOAD THIS NAKED
PICTURE of Ayden
for your mobile:
Text NAT21 to
70080
39 gaytimes.co.uk
AYDEN
CALLAGHAN
[
HOLLYOAKS ACTOR
]
[naked]
40 gaytimes.co.uk
41 gaytimes.co.uk
Were going to be honest
with you here. Weve
had our eyes glued to
Hollyoaks since Ayden
Callaghan joined as Joe
Roscoe last year. And
who could blame us? You
might also recognise him
for his roles in Casualty,
EastEnders or as Miles
De Souza in Emmerdale.
But, in the name of
charity, this is Ayden
Callaghan as youve
never seen him before
Theres nothing sexier than a
man who doesnt realise just
how hot he is. Since he turned
up in Hollyoaks as Joe Roscoe,
Ayden Callaghan has proved a
big hit with the soaps gay fans.
But its something the brown-
eyed hunk is still getting used
to. In fact, he seems completely
oblivious as to why hes getting
so much gay attention.
I was quite surprised,
because I thought thatd be
reserved for the prettier boys
in the cast, he explains. But
it turns out therere guys out
there who like the rugged man
like me. I was brought up in a
macho man environment my
nicknames are Caveman or
Bear. But the guys who get in
touch are complimentary. And
a few drag queens have come
on to me, too. I might be doing
a role soon where I have to
dress up in drag, so Ill have to
tone my bum and shape my big
footballers thighs.
Of course, Ayden isnt the
first Hollyoaks boy to get their
kit off for GT. Last year, the
soaps gay couple, played
by Kieron Richardson and PJ
Brennan, did their first naked
shoot together. And theyre not
the only ones to have offered
Ayden some words of wisdom.
The pictures of Kieron and
PJ are up around the office, and
they told me to relax and be
myself, he says. My friend
Johnny Partridge, who played
Christian in EastEnders, told
me when I got the Hollyoaks
gig to do GT as well.
Ive been naked a few times
for work, so its something
thats never phased me. I was
playing mens football when
I was 14-years-old and I was
a bit nervous in the changing
rooms, but I quickly learned
nobody cares how big or small
your package is. And when Im
old and fat, this shoot will be a
great reminder of what I used
to look like.
Looking at him in the flesh
(and believe us readers, we
were looking A LOT during
this shoot), we cant imagine
Ayden ever looking old and fat.
And with the number of hours
he puts in to keep in shape,
we cant see it happening any
time soon. I go to the gym
most days, but as you get older
your metabolism slows down
and you cant eat pizza and
chips and not expect to see
it sit somewhere, he laughs.
Im pleased Im in decent
condition, but inner confidence
is much more appealing than
having a six-pack.
Actors have to have a certain
level of arrogance because,
if you dont, you can fall by
the wayside. But I dont care
what other people think, only
what I think. Besides, my look
is a bit Castaway meets Im A
Celebrity, to be honest. I look
after myself, I eat well, train
hard and moisturise, but I dont
spend hours in front of the
mirror. I roll out of bed, into the
shower and thats as far as it
goes. Im not a groomer.
And were sure his Twitter
fans would be quick to point
out if he was in need of a
few more hours at the gym.
Since Twitter came along,
its become an instant way for
viewers to talk to us. In the first
week of Hollyoaks the script
had us doing a naked car wash
and we got some nice feedback
from that. Im a grown man, but
everyone has an ego so its
nice to hear if viewers think
you look great.
Hollyoaks has never been shy
in employing a good-looking
man. In its 18-year history,
its been known for its pretty
boys and girls. Not that theyre
just pretty faces of course.
Theres a huge smattering of
talent too, with former cast
members going on to star in
Game of Thrones, The Fall and
Revenge, to name just a few.
But theres more competition
on set than there is for roles
once they leave the Hollyoaks
village. Were a tight-knit
bunch, but when were getting
changed we all have a little
look to see whos been down
the gym and whos been
doing what, says Ayden. But
competition is a positive thing.
It strives you on to do better.
Aylesbury-born Ayden stems
from a sporty and footballing
background. He played
regularly up to the age of
20, and now plays mainly for
charity events. Both his dad
and two of his uncles were also
players and managers. But
despite such a heterosexual
background, Ayden has plenty
of gay friends both in and
outside the showbiz industry.
Sexuality for me isnt an issue,
and I dont know why, in a
country thats supposedly as
advanced as this, we still have
problems with it. I grew up in
a manly environment it was
football, pubs; the men went
out at the weekend while the
women stayed in. But I dont
remember there ever being
any homophobia.
Im a straight guy and if
people in the mainstream
media like me are willing to
get naked for a gay magazine,
then whats the big deal? I hope
it helps chip away at barriers.
Homophobia is hypocritical
because many men are happy
to be metrosexual and enjoy
fashion, and most of that has
come from the gay community.
Yet you still have small-minded
people who dont like gays. I
know actors whore afraid to
come out officially because
they worry how it will impact
on their career. Its a terrible,
sad thing.
As our time with the ever-
affable Ayden draws to a
close, he warns us theres a
huge surprise in store for his
character, but kept pretty tight-
lipped when we prised him for
more. Lets just say viewers
are going to be pretty shocked
by what Joe has got himself
caught up in, he teases. The
Roscoes will be torn apart but
I cant say anymore!
Were hoping this means we
wont be seeing any less of
him. Well, any less than weve
seen today, anyway.
Hollyoaks, weeknights on Channel 4
and E4, @aydencallaghan
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 42
43 gaytimes.co.uk
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 44
Its always a risk
auditioning for The Voice,
especially if youve
already had a stab at
fame. But Nate James
silky soulful voice made
him a shoe-in. Now, as
hes about to release his
long awaited new album,
he tells GT why hes body
confident and lifts the lid
on his sexuality
Are you comfortable in your
own skin? Yeah, Im quite
confident with my body but
Ive been hammering it in the
gym knowing I was doing this
shoot. Although walking around
the studio with a sock on my
cock was a bit daunting. I dont
think Ive got an Adonis body
at all, but Im quite a fit guy
and theres nothing I dont like
about it. I get complimented
quite a bit on my eyebrows,
but Im not a big fan of them
because theyre too big.
What do people like about
your appearance the most?
People like my hair the most.
They tell me its amazing and
ask me how long it takes to get
my quiff. But mostly its youve
got rid of the fro! Even though
that happened about three years
ago. Id had it for eight years
and it was a lot of hard work
and a lot of hair!
How much of a manscaper
are you? I go to Ted Bakers
grooming salon once every
couple of weeks where they do
hot towel shaves, cut my hair,
give me massages and thread
my eyebrows. I go especially if
Ive got a red carpet and need
to look the shit! I have chest hair,
but I trim it. I am quite vain but I
just like to keep looking good.
Are you gay or straight? Im
living my life and enjoying
it. Its not even about being
undecided I love love, passion
and romance. And who it will be
with is who it will be with.
Are you with someone at the
moment? No, which is sad
and tragic. I look for a sense of
humour, which is a big sell for
me. If we can take the piss out
of each other and we laugh at
jokes about each other, were
good. Turn offs are someone
whos too into themselves.
Do men and women hit on
you? Since I did The Voice I
dont think anyone wants to
approach me, because they
think Im going to be standoffish
or not a conversationalist. They
can be a little bit intimidated.
But Im a very chatty guy and I
can talk for Britain. I love to chat
away whether its for romance
or otherwise.
Do you have a gay following?
Ive had great support from
the gay community in general.
I performed at Brighton Pride
a couple of years ago so I
definitely feel I have gay people
in my corner, which is nice.
How are you finding fame
second time around? The
fame, money and lifestyle
is fantastic, but thats a side
product. What I love is a crowd
singing my songs back to me.
First time around, I was never
huge in the UK. It was Japan
and South America where I
was headlining shows with
Aretha Franklin, Al Green and
Amy Winehouse, who was a
dear friend of mine. But I never
properly broke here. I get off a
plane in Japan and Im papped;
its like Im David Beckham.
Why has that not happened
here? Its baffled me. A lot of it
is about luck and timing but the
UK as a whole isnt a hot bed
for soul music. I dont think we
know how to digest proper soul
music. But I have two gold discs
on the wall, Ive toured the
world and Im proud of what
Ive done so far.
Why did you enter The
Voice? I was approached by
the BBC to do it and I was a
bit dubious at first because I
didnt want to sell out. Then I
thought sod it, Ill audition
and see what happens
and I got through. It was an
amazing experience, but I
knew from the start I wouldnt
win it because Ive already
had a career.
What have you been doing
since? Ive been writing and
in the studio non-stop, I have a
new single out in March and the
album will be released in July.
Thats quite a long time, but I
didnt want to rush anything out.
Im dying for people to hear it.
You asked if Im gay or straight
and on this album a lot is said
and its up to the ear of the
beholder on how they want to
interpret it.
@Nate__James, natejames.com
NATE JAMES
[
THE VOICE SINGER
]
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THE
FORBIDDEN
[
STRIPTEASE VARIETY PERFORMERS
]
47 gaytimes.co.uk
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PICTURE of Forbidden
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gaytimes.co.uk 48
It was Dita Von Teese
who brought the art of
burlesque back into the
world of striptease. And
now, The Forbidden
are taking it a step
further by mixing male
striptease with a variety
show and dampening
the knickers of women
across the country. But
Billy, 26, Lewis, 25,
Tommy, 25 and Olly,
28 are not just for the
ladies, because theyre
growing in popularity
with the gay audience
too. And while you wont
see them bare all on
stage, you will in GT
As classy striptease artists,
you must be used to being
naked on stage by now.
Lewis: We have a pact as a
group never to do anything
fully naked. Were not
strippers, our ethos is that its
performance art. Were a male
variety show were singers,
gymnasts, dancers but with
elements of striptease.
Billy: The genre of male
stripping has plateaued and
weve come in to the industry
saying lets take something
thats dormant and put a new
spin on it. Our show has
content that appeals to gay
men and straight women.
Were throwing the bananas,
baby oil and whipped cream
out of the window and putting
a new take on it.
Lewis: We want to build a show
that would be so great even if
we kept our clothes on.
How far do you go then? Billy:
The crescendo is a bum flash
at the end of the show, which
brings the house down. We do
numbers where we remove
clothing but theres a lot of
covering. We like to leave the
audience wanting more.
Lewis: Id happily invite my
mum to the show.
Billy: Were the Disney of
the erotic cabaret world!
The crowd isnt getting old
school dry humping its a
performance rather than a man
rippling his body, smearing it
with oil and getting naked.
Have you earned a gay
following yet? Lewis: We
seem to be quite popular on
Twitter and most of our back
room staff are gay.
Billy: We never seem to have a
problem hiring gay men!
Olly: The number of guys
coming to our shows is
increasing a lot though, which
is good to see. We want gay
guys, not straight guys coming
along with their girlfriends,
because they bring the level of
excitement down.
Tommy: Straight men cant let
go and enjoy themselves. They
have a problem with seeing
a macho image on stage and
think were a threat to them.
How much competition is
there between you all? Lewis:
Tommy introduces us and its
an ongoing joke each week to
see who gets the most cheers.
Billy: Olly has just upped his
game massively with a pole
routine, and that makes the rest
of us want to improve.
Lewis: If someone comes back
with a new routine we have to
up our game to keep up. That
just makes the show better and
better each time.
Do you play pranks on each
other? Billy: Theres tons of
sabotage. Well cover Ollys
pole in baby oil or soak
each other with unexpected
bottles of water while were
performing.
Lewis: And we once replaced
Ollys white vest during his
macho man army routine with a
floral, low-cut womens vest we
picked from H&M.
Do you compete to try and
look the best too? Olly: Billy
and Lewis are lucky with their
genetics because they dont
train at all. Unfortunately, me
being a little bit older, I have to
train a lot harder.
Billy: Overall, I think Lewis
has the best body out of
all of us. But Tommy is the
vainest, because hell go to a
professional photoshoot and
tell the hair and make up artist
that hes doing it himself. I
also made Lewis fake tan for
the first time.
Lewis: I shared a house with
three girls from college, and
I hadnt been there long, so I
was trying to impress them
until they caught three of us
starkers in the bathroom fake
tanning each other.
Forbidden-nights.co.uk,
@theforbidden_
THE
FORBIDDEN
[
STRIPTEASE VARIETY PERFORMERS
]
gaytimes.co.uk 49
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 50
51 gaytimes.co.uk
JOHN
MASON
[
MODEL & TV PRESENTER
]
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 52
When Australian model
John Mason touched
down in England seven
years ago, he wasted no
time in bagging himself
a modelling career and
an actor boyfriend. Now,
the former gymnast
has branched out into
television presenting and
has already landed work
for Sky Sports with more
to come later this year.
Strapping six-footer John,
28, tells GT about his most
embarrassing modelling
jobs and why hell never
be Dirk Diggler
We cant believe as a model,
this is your first time naked
in front of a camera. Ive
done underwear modelling,
but never with my willy out for
the nation. Im pretty confident
with my body in day-to-day
life, but when it comes to
work, Im competing with guys
whore in good shape and I
weirdly get a little bit insecure.
So why did you decide to
do this? Its for a very good
cause and Ive seen the shoots
youve done in previous years,
so I hoped it would be quite a
liberating experience, which
is was. It was good fun, but I
admit I was nervous on the way
here. The idea of getting naked
is actually more daunting than
actually doing it.
Has no one ever see your
modelling work and offered
you work in porn? No, but
I wouldnt do it anyway. I
love watching it, but its not
something I would personally
do. Im happy with how I
measure up though. But like
most men, I wouldnt mind a
bit more. Ive never had any
complaints, but Im never
going to be Dirk Diggler.
Can we assume as
professional eye candy,
youre quite vain? Well
my partner would say Im
extremely vain but Im not!
For this shoot, there was a bit
of clipping and manscaping
though. I have to be careful
with what I eat for work, but
if I had my own way Id be
sat on a couch with a pizza
and a beer every night. Im
looking forward to growing old
disgracefully.
What do men fancy about
you? They quite like my smile
and my height I like being
6ft 2ins. I dont really like my
nose, Id rather have dark hair
and I dont really tan because I
inherited my English mothers
Pommie skin. But you always
want but you cant have.
How do you keep your
body in shape? I go to the
gym a lot and I represented
Australia in gymnastics when
I was a teenager. Ill actually
be presenting the British
gymnastics at the world
championships in December
on Sky Sports. Ill be down
in the arena interviewing the
athletes. I have a great time
getting the crowd all riled up.
What was your first big
presenting gig? It was doing
the UK grand final of Elite
Model Look, which is the
worlds biggest model search.
Then they asked me to go and
host at the world finals, so I
flew to Shanghai with Jessie
J and was thrown straight in
at the deep end going from
modelling to presenting in
front of thousands of people.
I was shitting myself. And
from there I also presented
SuperCasino for Channel 5.
Whats been your best and
worst modelling jobs? The
best was for a travel company
where I spent five days driving
a vintage Alpha Romeo
convertible around the Amalfi
coast while they took pictures.
The worst was for a Russian ice
cream maker which I thought
no-one would see. Then my
dads ultra-conservative
business partner went driving
through Russia and took a
picture of a giant billboard
which had me suggestively
licking ice cream off the inside
of a girls thigh. My dad was
like yes! Its just a phase.
How long have you been with
your partner, actor Daniel
Brocklebank? Its been six
years now. A lot of society
has a misinformed idea that
young gay men arent into
monogamous relationships. But
thats not true; therere loads of
people who are. Daniel and I
dont have an open relationship
and I dont think I could be in
one. I have friends who are, and
thats cool theres no judgment
here. Id maybe like a family
a bit further down the line
and marriage is a possibility
as well. If Im going to have
a family, Id like to be in that
sort of unit. But Im not a big
fan of organised religion so a
church wedding wouldnt be
something I considered.
Why does campaigning for
LGBT charities appeal to you?
Ive supported several charities
and have been to protest for gay
people in Russia at 10 Downing
Street, and I support Outpost
Housing for gay teenagers
whose family have kicked them
out of their homes. Its important
to do something positive for
society.
@johnmason85
JOHN
MASON
[
MODEL & TV PRESENTER
]
53 gaytimes.co.uk
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The road to X Factor
success is littered with
casualties. But when
youre as hot as James
Edwards, you know a
second stab at success is
just around the corner.
James first sprang to
fame in X Factor 2006 as
one quarter of boyband
hopefuls Eton Road. When
in-fighting drove them
apart, James retired from
showbiz until he popped
up last autumn in reality
show Celebrity Super Spa.
Now 28, the uber-cute
Scouser is relaunching
his career in style, by
stripping off for GT. Is
there any better way?
For someone so nervous,
youre looking pretty good
James! Thanks! I was nervous
before I arrived because Im
kind of prudish about my
body. Even around the house
I wont walk around with just a
towel on. Ill have a vest and a
pair of shorts on. So this was
totally out of my comfort zone
but I really enjoyed it.
You obviously look after
yourself. Yes, Im quite an
active person. I go to the gym,
but not religiously, and I go to
dance classes and they keep
me fit. And I cut out a lot of my
guilty pleasure carbs for this
shoot, like crisps, mayonnaise,
salad cream and coleslaw.
Are you happy with how you
look? Im quite comfortable
in my own skin, but exposing
it to other people is a different
story. I dont make a habit of
getting my torso out but if I put
a shirtless picture on Facebook
then people seem to like it. I
like my legs and shoulders,
but I hate the moles on my
chest. I had one removed that
had started going bad. I dont
want to get the others taken off
unless I have to because they
can leave severe scarring.
What would it take to reveal
little James? I wouldnt say
little James, thank you! But
it would take a lot of money,
to put it bluntly. Id need more
courage and confidence as
well. I guess when Ive met
someone then I might have sent
a picture of it! But Id never do
porn; its not something I would
touch with a bargepole.
What kind of men are you
attracted to? I like the more
mature kind of guy when it
comes to his personality and
attitude towards life. But the
maximum age Id go to is 35.
Are you still recognised
from X Factor? Yes, but more
locally back in Liverpool. It
was an amazing experience
and I wouldnt change it for
the world.
Why didnt Eton Road find
long-term success? There
was a lot of conflict and I
think certain members gave
the wrong impression of the
band to agents, managers and
bookers. They messed it up for
us all and in 2009 we split up.
Im only in touch with one of the
boys every so often, so were
not all lifelong friends.
How did that affect you? Id
enjoyed being put up on that
X Factor pedestal, but coming
back down to reality with a
bang was disappointing and
knocked the confidence out
of me for many years. I didnt
even have the confidence to go
to auditions and start anything
up. Id trained in musical
theatre so eventually I went
back to my roots. I danced on
tours around Europe, including
with the singer Limahl, and I
did Chicago in Blackburn. I
never tried to go solo but
now Id love to get back into
music and dancing; I have the
hunger again.
Would you consider trying
X Factor as a solo artist, or
The Voice? No. I think because
we got that far as a band, it
wouldnt come across as right
to the public. It would look
desperate.
So whats your comeback
plan? Ive just come off
Celebrity Super Spa which
was fun, and I got to work with
Helen Flanagan and James
Argent from TOWIE. My
objective for doing it was to
get back into the media and
make a name for myself again.
Im passionate about my dance
and singing and I want to be
a success. I want to be liked
again its a lovely feeling!
@jayedwardsuk
JAMES
EDWARDS
[
X FACTOR AND CELEBRITY SUPER SPA STAR
]
55 gaytimes.co.uk
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 56
57 gaytimes.co.uk
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gaytimes.co.uk 58
CHRIS
MARCHANT
[
WELL STRUNG
]
59 gaytimes.co.uk
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Four hot guys playing
with large instruments
that dangle between their
legs? Yes please! But
alas, were not on the set
of a porno. Instead were
meeting one member of
the sexiest classical group
to come out America
since well, ever. Well
Strung are a four-piece
group mixing classical
tunes with contemporary
chart toppers. And even
better, theyre all gay!
Super-ripped violinist
Chris Marchant, 29 from
Ohio, tells GT why posing
naked for us is a doddle
compared to his last job
Out of all our naked celebs,
youre the one whos no
stranger to nudity I was in
Provincetown, Massachusetts,
for a summer in 2010 doing
the show Naked Boys Singing.
That was different from
anything Ive ever done but
it was really great. Everyone
asked if I was nervous but it
didnt really bother me at all.
Its only a hundred people
a night watching and I dont
think nudity is anything to shy
away from.
How did you prepare for
GT? Ive been in London for
the week touring, so I had to
put effort into planning which
days I could make it to the
gym. I even delayed my flight
home by a couple of days so I
could take part. Im not a huge
manscaper though.
Youre a big fella. Does that
mean youre vain too? No, Im
much more insecure than I am
vain. I grew up really small I
looked anorexic until I got to
the end of college. When I
began doing musical theatre,
my body started to naturally
put on more weight. I started
getting into working out and
when I knew I was going to do
Naked Boys Singing, I had to
start bulking up. I bartend in
New York City sometimes and
you have to stay in shape and
look good. I go to the gym six
days a week. Sometimes I feel
lax for not going on the seventh
day and I see myself as that
little twink in the mirror.
With all that time spent
naked on stage, do you cover
up when you get home? Yes,
Im almost always in clothes. I
sleep naked at my boyfriends
house but if Im by myself
Im almost always in gym
shorts. Its nice to wear clothes
sometimes.
What do men fancy about you
the most? My boyfriend really
likes my ass. But in general Im
pretty well proportioned. I have
a really hard time growing my
arms and calves and they need
a lot of work though.
How did you meet your
boyfriend? It was a year
ago in Cape Cod when I was
bartending at Purgatory.
Sunday night is leather night
so I was wearing a harness
and a friend introduced us. He
works for Ralph Lauren which
means 50% discounts, but hes
a keeper regardless of that!
What would your fans need to
do for you to pose full-frontal
in GT? It wouldnt happen. I
like to have something that not
everybody knows about and
keep something to myself.
All four band members are
gay when did you come out?
I started coming out at college
then to friends and family up to
the age of 26. I went to a really
conservative Bible college
so friends there were very
understanding from a Christian
perspective. And my family
have all been pretty great.
Whos your celebrity crush?
Im a big fan of Channing
Tatum; hes my number one for
sure. Hes not insanely cut but
Ive never been attracted to
an eight-pack. Im attracted to
someone who looks natural and
who suits their own skin really
well. Their personality has to
match their body.
Tell us about Well Strung To
make extra money I would busk
on the street with my violin
playing light classical stuff.
But at home Id listen to mainly
top 40 songs or showtunes.
A producer saw me and we
started collaborating on what
it might sound like if we put
classical with pop. We started
auditioning for other guys who
could sing and play and in 2012
we first did our first gig. I love
putting a twist on convention
and Im always listening to top
40 music and wondering what I
could do with it.
Do you have much of a
gay following? About 90%
of the people who live in
Provincetown are gay and
people from all over the world
see the show over there and
then go home and tell other
people about it, so we tend to
do a lot of gay venues. Were
all out and proud but the
content of the show isnt gay.
Isnt the classical music
community a bit snobbish?
Ive personally faced a little
backlash for being a musician
whos in shape. Im probably
the weakest classical musician
of the four of us so I always
have work to do. If I wasnt
lifting as much weight I might
have a bit more dexterity, but
Im not going back to being
that skinny twink!
Whats the ambition for the
group? We can take it any
direction really because its
a universal concept. Weve
started working with a couple
of Broadway actors to do
cabaret shows and were
touring. But were not about
making money, we believe in
the juxtaposition of pop and
classical music. We think what
were doing is really cool.
@wellstrungnyc, well-strung.com. Their
album, Well Strung, is available to
download on iTunes
CHRIS
MARCHANT
[
WELL STRUNG
]
65 gaytimes.co.uk
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 66
JAY
ROBERTS
[
PORN STAR
]
67 gaytimes.co.uk
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gaytimes.co.uk 68
Sexy Slovak Jay Roberts
is no stranger to nudity.
In fact, hes made a
career out of stripping
off and getting down and
dirty. But the 35-year-old
porn star is not spreading
himself too thinly in the
world of man-on-man
hardcore action. In his
seven year career, hes
shot just 60 scenes. And
next year, he launches
his own website. He tells
GT why hes so choosy
about who hell work with
and why hell never have
sex with another gay-for-
pay actor
How did your porn career
begin? Seven years ago, I was
working in Prague when I met
a guy who was a producer for
one of the biggest porn houses
in the USA. He invited me to
watch a couple of shoots and
tried to get me to do one. I said
no at first, but then I gave in
and did my first scene.
Was it fun? No, it was awful!
It was a threeway with two
straight guys and it went on for
two days it normally takes
just five hours! The straight
guys were gay for pay and they
kept losing their erections.
They would have to go off set
to wank over magazines with
big tits in them before they
could get it up again. Thats not
exactly flattering to know when
Im supposed to be turning
them on!
Why did you continue with
porn? Because from then, I
got the choice of who I wanted
to work with. A lot of guys
are only in the business for a
year because they constantly
shoot scenes and become over
exposed, but I do maybe only
four or five scenes a year.
Do you have a preferred
role? No, Im fully versatile.
At the beginning I was told
I had a nice ass and I was
only going to get fucked. But
it soon switched. If youre
smart you find your way in
porn and dont stick with one
thing. You give them what
they havent seen before and
they stay interested.
Can you make good money
out of porn? Anything Ive
earned or saved is going
towards my own business.
But you need to know your
own price. The studios want
to keep costs low so you
have to know what youre
worth and stick to it.
Is there anything you
wouldnt do? Yes. Fisting is
something thats too awkward
to do on a set, so its just the
regular stuff I stick with.
Are you in a relationship?
Yes, Ive been with my
boyfriend for four years. Hes
not in the business and hes
a personal trainer. I have a
high sex drive and the two
boyfriends I had before him,
I cheated on because, after
a while, I get easily bored in
a relationship. He accepted
what I do and he quite likes it
when we go out and people
recognise me.
Have you worked together?
No. Hes not the kind of person
who wants to be on camera.
Our private lives are totally
separate to my career. Hes not
the jealous type and is very
secure with our relationship.
He has watched my scenes
but I hate watching myself
perform. When were editing
a film, Im cringing. And when
I hear my voice or see myself
I think its awful! Ive never
seen a porn film Ive done for
another studio and my DVDs
are all still shrink-wrapped.
Does your family know what
you do? No, theyre from an
older generation and dont
know how the internet works!
I tell them what they need to
know that Im in London, Im
working and Im not starving.
Whats the plan for the
future? Ive started to work
on my own brand and choose
who I want to put on my own
website when it launches
next year. Theres so much
porn on the market, you have
to find your own niche and
mine is porn with a storyline
behind it. Im going the more
expensive way. I like average
guys; Im turned on by
masculinity and I wont have
sex with anyone younger than
my brothers. When one guy I
was working with in his early
20s started shouting oh, fuck
me daddy I made sure it was
edited out. I only film with
people I really want to have
sex with and Ill be releasing
one scene a week. I just go on
the internet, see whos doing
porn on there, or visit dating
sites. And if I find someone
with a sexy picture and
approach him and if he gives
in, Ill work with him!
Jayrobertsxxx.com, @JayRobertsXXX
JAY
ROBERTS
[
PORN STAR
]
69 gaytimes.co.uk
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 70
Mitchell Hunt is one
to watch and not just
because hes willing to
shed his clothes at the
drop of a hat. The 25-year-
old actor has done the
rounds of some of the most
watched shows on TV,
from EastEnders to Holby
City and Call The Midwife.
And he runs his own
comedy club too. He tells
GT why he is no stranger to
being naked in public and
why theres more naked
pictures of him out there
than you might think
Does a good looking lad like
you get mistaken for being
gay? Its happened a few times
because some people believe
in the stereotype that its just
gay guys who are clean cut and
look after themselves. Many
friends of mine are gay so
when Im out with them, I just
look like one of the gays. Im
from South East London and
Id never really come across
the gay community before. But
now, three years after coming
out of drama, I have five best
mates whore gay.
Why did you agree to do
our shoot? When my agent
approached me with it I
thought why not? Ive not
done photographic stuff in
a magazine before, so Ive
thrown myself right in at the
deep end here! And theres
nothing more fun than getting
your kit off. I think Im a bit of
a secret nudist because when
I look back at photographs,
there are more pictures of me
naked than I care to remember.
Thereve been crazy nights
which have ended up with me
in a bit of a state and someone
with a camera phone taking
advantage of it.
How did you prepare for
today? I keep myself fit but
Ive had a major injury for nine
months from gym training.
I tore the cartilage in my
sternum so I lost a lot of size
and was feeling a bit down
about it. This came through at
the same week I had flu, but
the flu meant I didnt eat for
four days so now I look good!
How much of a groomer are
you? Im not a naturally hairy
guy. What I have got I like to
get rid of because it makes me
feel cleaner, so today has been
a good excuse to treat myself
to a good groom.
How much do you love
yourself? On a scale of one
to ten, Im probably six and a
half when it comes to vanity. I
used to be worse but as Ive got
older I realised some things
are less important. My best
bits are my white teeth and Im
relatively trim. Im clean cut
but secretly a bad boy, which is
what I keep getting cast as.
Which celebs would you go
gay for? Definitely Zac Efron
or Bradley Cooper. Bradley
has great charisma about him
and I imagine hed be a great
mate, but I wouldnt let him
anywhere near my girlfriend
or I might lose her.
Where will our readers
recognise you from? Ive
been in Holby City, Doctors
and Call The Midwife. And
now probably from me being
stark bollock naked in Gay
Times! I also run comedy club
Upstairs @ The Emporium in
Hanwell, London, which is a
nice creative outlet too.
Wheres the strangest
place youve been spotted?
I had a bit part storyline in
EastEnders. Then my fiancee
and I were in a safari park
in Scotland on a pedalo and
a bloke walking across the
bridge with his family spotted
me and shouted, mate, are
you from EastEnders? Can I
get a photo? So we pedaled
over to him so he could take a
picture. That was odd.
Whose career would you like
to steal? Ooh, Tom Hardy or
Michael Fassbenders. Id love
to follow the blueprint of their
careers and make things from
huge blockbusters to something
artistic. I want to get involved
in projects that make people
think. The end product of
success in this industry is fame,
but I dont think that needs to
be your goal. That should be a
happy by-product.
@themitchellhunt
MITCHELL
HUNT
[
ACTOR
]
DONATE 3
to National AIDS Trust
and as a thank you
DOWNLOAD THIS NAKED
PICTURE of Mitchell
for your mobile:
Text NAT28 to
70080
71 gaytimes.co.uk
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 72
73 gaytimes.co.uk
GTF
[
MUSICIANS
]
DONATE 3
to National AIDS Trust
and as a thank you
DOWNLOAD THIS NAKED
PICTURE of GTF
for your mobile:
Text NAT29 to
70080
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 74
East End duo GTF are
doing it the hard way.
Instead of entering a
reality TV show for a fast
track to fame, Bill and
Jay, both 27, have been
earning their stripes by
touring with the likes
of Devlin, DJ Ironik,
Blue and Peter Andre.
And their infectious
rap-meets-pop sound
is winning them fans
both at concerts and
on YouTube. But their
biggest challenge to
date? Getting their kit
off for GT
Did this take much
persuading to do? Bill: For me
it did!
Jay: I had to talk him into it, but
he pulled it out the bag in the
end. I quite enjoyed it because
Ive never had any photographs
like this done before. It was a
new experience. I do a lot of
training at the gym so hopefully
fans will like the pictures.
Bill: Any excuse for him to get
his body out
Have you seen each other
naked before? Jay: Not when
its as bold as his is now!
Bill: It was a bonding
experience and our bromance
has grown a lot stronger.
Jay: We go to the gym four
or five times a week, but at
different times of the day. I do
quite a bit of cardio too, but Bill
is really good at skipping and
can do all the moves.
Bill: I used to do some boxing
years ago so I tried to master
it. Ill do an hour set of weights
and work one or two body
parts a day.
Are you confident with how
you look? Bill: Yeah, pretty
much. My legs are genetically
skinny, but a lot of men say
that. Girls seem to like my back
cos its pretty big. Im a work
in progress, so I can only get
better.
Jay: I dont want to get too big.
Id rather try and stay lean. I
normally get comments on my
abs and arms.
How vain are you? Jay: Im
really vain, much more than
Bill. When you start training
at the gym and seeing results,
you want to improve on that
and look better and better.
Youre always looking at
yourself and seeing what you
can do to improve. Knowing
we were doing this shoot,
Ive hardly eaten any carbs at
all. Its all been chicken and
avacados for me.
Bill: To pull off a look, you need
a bit of vanity.
What goes GTF stand for?
Jay: Its Got The Formula.
But weve had all sorts of
variations from people like
Get The Females, Got To Fuck,
Got The Flu, Got The Farts
basically anything that fits.
So who are GTF? Bill: Jay and
I have been friends since we
met at school in Bow, London,
when we were 14-years-old.
Jay was recording a song last
summer and asked me to rap
on it. Then we shot a video and
everyone could see the vision.
They thought we looked the
part, there was a good mixture
of singing and rapping, without
sounding awkward, so we
decided to form the band. We
just cracked on with the songs
and now were gigging.
Jay: Weve supported Blue,
Peter Andre, Liberty X, DJ
Ironik and Devlin.
Bill: We call what we do urban
pop music. Id like to think
we dont sound like anyone
else. Im of an urban and hip-
hop background while Jay
is coming from a UK garage
background. When we come
together we come out of our
comfort zones to do stuff we
wouldnt usually do.
Would X Factor have been
a quicker route to fame?
Bill: Weve tried to avoid that
to be honest.
Jay: Success isnt guaranteed,
and you can get shaped and
moulded into who you dont
want to be. If youre successful
it doesnt look like you get
much freedom. Then again,
Rylan Clark is a friend of mine
and he did really well in the
end. And even though he didnt
win, his career has blossomed.
Bill raps and Jay sings can
you do the other ones job?
Jay: I cant rap nowhere near
as good as him. Im good
at backing him up though
because I know all his words.
Bill: And I cant sing.
Are you ready for the gay
attention this shoot will bring
you? Bill: Weve already done
a lot of gay pride events and
we loved them.
Jay: We werent sure how
wed go down with a gay
audience, so the first one was
a bit of a test to see if they
would like the rap element.
But they loved it and were all
jumping up and down. Bring
on more attention please!
GTF`s debut single Wanna Be With You
is available to download now.
@GTF_music
GTF
[
MUSICIANS
]
gaytimes.co.uk 75
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 76
DONATE 3
to National AIDS Trust
and as a thank you
DOWNLOAD THIS NAKED
PICTURE of Lyndon
for your mobile:
Text NAT30 to
70080
77 gaytimes.co.uk
LYNDON
OGBOURNE
[
ACTOR
]
[naked]
78 gaytimes.co.uk
79 gaytimes.co.uk
[naked]
gaytimes.co.uk 80
Ex-Emmerdale bad boy
Lyndon Ogbourne is no
stranger to taking his
clothes off for GT. Hes
posed naked for us before
and now, three years later,
hes back to remind us
what weve been missing.
Despite being straight,
the 30-year-old actor and
writer has no qualms
about wandering around
the studio without even a
modesty sock to hide not-
so-little Lyndon. And as
any of his 20,000 Twitter or
Instagram followers can
verify, hes not shy about
batting his eyelashes in
the direction of Gayville
Do you find it hard keeping
your clothes on, Lyndon?
[Laughs] Taking my clothes
off for a gay mag is the same
as if I was doing it for a girls
mag. Its a way of showing
a different side of me, even
though its the naked side. Im
putting myself out to another
fan base. Im kind of playing a
character whos totally at ease
with being naked in a shoot.
My mates find it funny, though.
Do you look in the mirror and
think Christ, Im fit? No! But
Im fairly at ease with my own
body. I didnt prepare for today
with fake tanning, although I
like to take the scissors to my
garden. Im generally
not really a male grooming
type of guy.
How vain are you? Im not a
very vain person, but the only
way you can truly be yourself
and be happy is if you accept
what you look like. Whatever
you have, be confident with it.
Whatre your best bits? I get
the most compliments on my
chest and bum, but my best
bits are probably what I have
inside. Fuck the faade, Im
a nice guy! Over the next 30
years of my acting career I
hope I become more craggy
looking. And if I can grow old
being happy with what Ive got,
Ill embrace those changes.
How do you keep fit? I cycle
every day, I go running and
I try and have as much sex
as possible. As long as my
flatmate is out, I try and spend
time naked at home. If I know
hes away for a couple of days,
then as soon as I get in the
house Im nude. The stuff Ive
got up to in various rooms you
cant do with clothes on.
Which celebritys body would
you like? You mean which
of them would like my body?
[Laughs] At some point in my
life Id like a Brad Pitt-esque
body. Im nowhere near that,
but Id like to achieve it one
day. At the moment its so much
effort and I cant be fucking
bothered. Im happier partying
and getting wrecked.
Youre clearly comfortable
around the gays Well, Ive
always had gay mates and I
loathe homophobia. The likes
of whats happening in Russia in
this day and age is disgusting.
I dont understand how
weve got to this stage in our
existence and were still having
issues about peoples sexuality.
Ive always been able to accept
that if Im appealing to
somebody, why shouldnt I
embrace that and give them
what they want, regardless of
their sexuality? Plus I like to be
a provocative bastard.
Since we saw you last, youve
not been shy with your own
Twitter and Instagram
pictures. Ha! When I put those
shots on Instagram it was
purely for shits and giggles.
The reaction was funny and
vaguely intriguing. If I wasnt
aesthetically pleasing in any
way Id probably still do it
because its a laugh. My ex-
girlfriend used to encourage
me to do it to see how long it
would take to get a reaction.
I like teasing and the gay
audience knows I dont mind
flirting with them.
How far have you gone with
another man? Ive snogged
another guy when I was drunk
but Ive never touched another
guy up! If youre straight and
not snogged another guy then
that says more about you. But
I enjoy womens bodies too
much to be gay or bisexual. Im
straight meat, sorry.
Weve seen what youre
packing downstairs, but will
your fans ever get to see you
do a full frontal? Id have no
problem going full frontal in a
TV or film role but only as long
as its necessary. Im not going
to do a photoshoot or itll be
theres Lyndon with his cock
out. But Im happy with how I
measure up and Ive never had
any complaints.
You first came to our
attention playing Nathan
Wylde in Emmerdale. What
was that experience like? I
was very happy with my time in
Emmerdale, I enjoyed playing
the character so much. Nathan
was a horrific bastard and I
was pleased with the reaction
I got. I was invited to stay on
but I made the decision to step
away even though I loved my
time there. But if Im going to
pursue this career forever, I
need to step out of those kinds
of things at the right time. And
after two and a half years, it
was the right time for me.
What have you been doing
since then? Ive done three
plays, voiced an animated
series and Ive been writing,
producing and putting together
a film called Ready. Its a love
story that involves swimming
and bog snorkeling! Im in the
process of filming a short that
introduces the characters,
and hopefully itll eventually
make a feature film. Seeing my
words come alive is blowing
my mind. Its fantastic.
@LyndonOgbourne
LYNDON
OGBOURNE
[
ACTOR
]
81 gaytimes.co.uk
[naked]
Some people need
renovation or retouching, some
are pretty perfect apparently,
some are in need of a polish
and some are just as found.
We believe wonderful and
extraordinary things are much
the same
www.lotsroad.com
7173 Lots Road, Chelsea, London SW10 0RN
T: +44 (0)20 7376 6800 E: info@lotsroad.com
got to have!
One thing we just absolutely must have?
This leather tote, courtesy of
Marks and Spencers Best of British range
marksandspencer.co.uk
[style]
[02/14]
gaytimes.co.uk 83
W
O
R
D
S

L
L
O
Y
D
-
S
C
O
T
T

T
Y
L
E
R
gaytimes.co.uk 84
Spring into action Look, we
know its cold and miserable
outside. But these dark winter
months will come to an end
soon, we promise. So lets
get thinking about how were
going to spruce up our spring
wardrobes. River Island, for
one, has some great stand-out
pieces this season to help you
make a real statement. From
bright colours, interesting
fabrics and easy-to-wear
garments, its our high street
store of choice for transitional
outfits to carry you through
to a warmer climate. When it
eventually gets here... riverisland.co.uk
spring preview
[02/14]
We dont think too many of our readers
have a problem wearing properly-
applied, complexion-perfecting makeup.
John Christopher, makeup artist to
the stars, has worked with Hollywood
heavyweights Henry Cavill and Pierce
Brosnan, to name just a few. Now he
shares his top tips exclusively with GT
Maccosmetics.co.uk, Kiehls.co.uk, Bareminerals.co.uk, Garnier.co.uk,
Givenchy available at houseoffraser.co.uk, Dove.co.uk
[01] Skincare
Before using any
makeup, a good
skincare routine is
essential. A good
face wash, exfoliant
and moisturiser;
use what works
for you and in your
price range. Kiehl`s
is a good starting
point, and the staff
there will advise on
a great range for
any skin type.
GT LIKES KIEHL`S
FACIAL FUEL
ENERGISING SCRUB,
KIEHL`S FACIAL FUEL
AND KIEHL`S ULTRA
FACIAL OIL-FREE
CLEANSER
----------
[02] Fake tan
To help lessen the
amount of makeup
you actually need,
a light application
of fake tan is good.
It can even out
tone, and give your
skin a boost. But
remember to build
your colour up
slowly using Dove
Summer Glow.
No one wants to
kiss an Oompah
Loompah!
----------
[03] Concealer
After cleansing and
tanning, start off
by using a good
concealer; such as
Mister Light from
Givenchy or the
Garnier roll on.
Whether it`s under
the eye or over a
small pimple, apply
a small amount and
with your ring fnger
pat into skin, don`t
rub, and apply a
second application
if needed.
----------
[04] Powder
Apply to areas
where you`ve added
concealer. It`ll seal
the makeup onto
your skin, helping it
last longer.
GT LIKES
BAREMINERALS READY
SPF 15 TOUCH UP VEIL
----------
[05] Bronzer
If needed, bronzer
can help to contour
the face. Apply
lightly, working
from the temples
in a number three
motion, so brush
also hits cheekbone
and jawline.
GT LIKES MAC
BRONZING POWDER
----------
[06] Guyliner
This is an acquired
look. But if you`re
going for it, apply
a jet-black soft eye
pencil along lash
line, top to bottom.
Smudge with your
fnger and add the
same pencil along
your waterline. It`ll
help make your eye
appear whiter and
look more intense.
GT LIKES MAC EYE
KOHL
----------
[style]
gaytimes.co.uk 85
M
A
N

U
P
01
02
05
06
04
03
gaytimes.co.uk 86
Introduce
camo into your
wardrobe
Sometimes the oldies
are the best. We reckon
camo is making a big
comeback this year.
Like this jacket from U
Clothing.
Oki-ni.com
----------
THE TOP
STYLE
TIPS YOU
NEED TO
FOLLOW
THIS
SEASON
01
steal our style
[02/14]
Buy a decent
rucksack
Try this orange leather
one from Mi Pac
Mi-pac.com
----------
Try wearing
selvedge denim
We love these regular ft
jeans from Albam.
Albamclothing.com
----------
Dont be afraid to
bring patterns to
your wardrobe
Trust us, you`ll look
great in this Samse &
Samse patterned shirt.
Samsoe.co.uk
----------
Add colour to
your wardrobe
Not that daring? Add a
splash of colour through
accessories. This TRIWA
watch caught our eye.
Triwa.com
----------
Invest in quality
headphones
Impeccable sound
and stylish to boot,
these iconic Marshall
headphones are a
winning choice.
Marshallheadphones.
com
----------
Upgrade your
footwear
A great shoe come wind
or rain, these boots from
Red Wing transform a
walk down the street to a
strut down the catwalk.
Redwingshoes.com
----------
02
03
04
05
06
07
[style]
87 gaytimes.co.uk
gaytimes.co.uk 88
FLORAL&MONO
f lower power
[02/14]
Look, were not saying you have to change
your style for 2014. No doubt youre ne
just the way you are. But if you fancy
giving yourself a bit of an extra sheen,
heres our pick of beauty products to see
you right throughout the year
Acqua di Parma Colonia Travel Spray
acquadiparma.com/en
Tom Ford Purifying Mud Mask For Men
houseoffraser.co.uk
Lab Series BB Tinted Moisturiser
labseries.co.uk
AVEDA Exfoliating Shampoo
houseoffraser.co.uk
Clarins Men Line-Control Cream
escentual.co.uk
Molton Brown Black Pepper Bodyscrub
Bar
moltonbrown.co.uk
Clarins Toning Body Polisher
clarins.co.uk
Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution
Cleansing Cream
clarins.co.uk
UltraDEX Recalcifying & Whitening
Daily Oral Rinse
ultradex.co.uk
Its always difficult at this time
of year to know what to wear, isnt
it? Shops are nearing the end of
their winter sales while sandals
are being put on the shelf in time
for summer. February, though, is
a month of transition before we
launch into spring, and its the
perfect time to introduce new
styles and pieces thatll be staples
in your outfits for the next few
months. Monochrome is going to
be key for spring and summer,
reckons Matt Thomas, menswear
designer at ASOS. The trend has
a strong American street-style
feel. Joggers, American football
inspired t-shirts and leather biker
jackets look great styled-in with
this trend. While were at it, were
picking floral patterns as the one
to wear this year, too. Sometimes
floral is hard to wear, but this trend
is best introduced through detail,
whether on the sleeve of a bomber
jacket, a print on a plimsoll, or the
typography on a cap.
All clothes asos.com
[style]
89 gaytimes.co.uk
Derek Jarman
Pandemonium
23 January 9 March 2014
An exhibition and series of
events celebrating the life
and work of Derek Jarman
Presented by the
Cultural Institute at Kings
www.kcl.ac.uk/cultural
F
ree

A
d
m
i
s
s
i
o
n
Inigo Rooms
Somerset House East Wing
Strand, London WC2R 2LS
Daily, 12.00 18.00
(until 20.00 on Thursdays)
work, Ryan!
When we finally
stopped drooling
over Ryan Adams,
we gave his cover
of Work Bitch a
listen and, well,
we loved it. Hes
hot, talented and
manages to make
Britney sound
listenable sign us
up! We cant wait
to hear more from
him in 2014.
@RyanAdames
[reviews]
[02/14]
gaytimes.co.uk 91
gaytimes.co.uk 92
Grouplove
Spreading
Rumours Len`s
one-hit wonder Steal
My Sunshine found
an aural sister-in-
law in Grouplove`s
breakthrough song
Ways To Go (see the
Girls season three
trailer, excitement
itself). Over the
space of their
second album, it`s
spawned a whole
breed of equally
catchy siblings.
Ruling the rocky end
of pop, Grouplove
have the added
credibility of being
an actual band.

Angel Haze Dirty

Gold The Azealia
Banks-baiting rap
prodigy has gone
and outdone her
Twitter-spatting
rival by dumping
her album online a
Dum Dum Girls Too True The
biggest fault to aim at the Dum Dum
Girls is also their absolute saviour.
They sound dated. Fortunately, this
also means they sound like all the
very best bits from the careers of
Tanya Donelly, Kristin Hersh and
at times, Lush. If you`re familiar
with these Golden Girls of indie,
they`ll take you to a happy place
where echoey guitar solos fll school
hallways and you can write the name
of dreamy boys on your English lit
folder. If not, you`re about to get your
own education.
Katy B Little Red
We can`t make our minds up on Katy B. On the
one hand, her immediately identifable voice
has armed her with an increasingly hit-packed
back catalogue, mixing on-trend 90s dance
music and garage-lite. Lights On is still a tune,
right? She`s strangely pure of voice, both bland
and distinctive at the same time. As cited in
the second single 5am, the beats so sick
and the tunes so ill are all present on Little
Red, with an 80% make-you-wanna-move
ratio. Combined with the previous single What
Love Is Made Of, and adding in tracks like New
Thing, there`re plenty of examples on here of
Katy B doing what she does best. A pic`n`mix,
smash`n`grab of - for want of a better term -
urban pop styles. And like any splatter-gun
approach, there`re always a few wonky misfres
for every hit. Crying For No Reason sounds like
sub-Rihanna ballad pub karaoke, with some
misguided electronica whacked in to spice
things up. It feels like Katy is always going to
need a club-flling, cardiac-raising beat in the
background to compliment her - and we hate
to say it - vanilla vocals. But we`re still holding
out for a completely stripped back, bongo free
ballad. Come on, Katy. Give the people what
they want.
Fanfarlo Lets Go Extinct A
prolifc indie group who`ve popped
up on too many soundtracks and
adverts to mention, their third
album is a coherent introduction to
their disparate appearances. From
the harmonising opening, their
strongest songs make use of the
winning classic-indie boy/girl vocals
- landing them in the same ballpark
as contemporaries like Camera
Obscura, I`m From Barcelona or
Architecture In Helsinki. The solo
male vocals shift from sounding like
Super Furry Animals (Myth of Myself)
to an 80s-tinged Tears For Fears (A
Distance). The title ending track takes
things full circle into some lovely
shoegazing indie-pop.
few years before the
long overdue Broke
With Expensive
Taste. So instead of
drawing comparison
to her, she`s eyeing
up Nicki Minaj - and
certainly gives her
a run for her (dirty)
money.

Marc Almond
Tasmanian Tiger
EP She`s back! And
this time with Pulp
frontman Jarvis
Cocker in tow to
write and take up
backing vocals
on the amazingly-
titled bedroom pop
number Worship
Me Now. He`s also
called up former
workmates Carl
Bart and producer
Tony Visconti.
This is already
2014`s must have
turquoise 7.

albums
[reviews]
EVERYONE IS
GAY! (HOORAY!)
A Great Big World
----------
EM Forster came up with Only
connect, while John Donne
immortalised No man is an island.
And now, piano-punching pop duo A
Great Big World are unleashing their
manifesto, a debut album run through
with the same basic principles. With an
added Cheer up!.
Already huge in the US with a number
one single (thanks to a So You Think You
Can Dance appearance and more than
12 million YouTube views), it wont be
long before they break the UK.
Say Something features none other
than Chris-X-tina Aguileria, a rare
piano weepy, featuring glacially-
slow chords chiming like a death bell
tolling the end of a relationship. Its
one of the few downbeat moments on
one of the bubbliest, non-synth lead
pop albums ever recorded.
The music of A Great Big World
is like a chirpy Victorian knees up
around the piano, more Mika than
Chas n Dave, with a hint of Ben
Folds Five and a nod to Owl City.
Almost every song is piano led, with
the kind of bold choruses that sound
like theyre sung by an entire league
of harmonious football teams. Life
affirming, if you will.
Their debut album Is There Anybody
Out There? is packed with instant
sugary hits, with songs like Land of
Opportunity offering the kind of bouncy
pop to rival ELOs Mr Blue Sky in terms
of irrepressible joyful abandon and
glee. So its hardly surprising to learn
that the all-singing all-dancing TV show
of the same name has taken their song
This Is The New Year and Glee-ified it,
despite the fact theyve already pitch
perfected their grin-inducing tunes.
The pair are Ian Azel and Chad
Vaccarion, and though we wouldnt be
too crass as to assume either of their
sexualities, theyre definitely pro-
gay. The self-explanatory album track
Everyone Is Gay is a fairly unamiguous
rallying call for acceptance of all
sexualities, as they chirp If youre
gay, then youre gay / if youre straight
well thats great / if you fall in between,
thats the best way to be. Everyone is
gay Hooray! as they say.
A Great Big World`s debut album Is There Anybody
Out There? is out 24 February, agreatbigworld.com
[music]
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If youve ever been to an anarchist
squat party and we get the feeling
the Xiu Xius lead singer Jamie
Stewart may have been to a few you
might be familiar with the slogan
Not gay as in happy, queer as in
FUCK YOU. At the very least its a
sentiment he could probably identify
with, as Xiu Xiu release their latest
album Angel Guts: Red Classroom.
Its bleak, and thats a massive
understatement. Capturing all the
grim beauty of his new home in LA,
of unsafe unlit streets and drowned
corpses, it opens and closes with
instrumental title tracks a horror
soundtrack of feedback, distortion
and what could possibly be a
chainsaw. These are the non-verbal
clues to the frenetic singing style
Jamie adopts for the whole record.
At times, his distressing vocals
sound like a Dalek screeching a last
confessional during the apocalypse,
recorded on the worlds first-ever
mobile phone. Stewarts breathy
half whispers are almost beyond the
grave, in a voice soaked with regret,
sadness and bile.
Once we felt sorry for you
people were not that sorry, he
whispers on Stupid In The Dark,
their closest brush with a pop
sensibility, complete with whooshy
(unintentional) ThunderCats noise,
and feedback with such intensity it
will induce migraines in the weaker
listener. Its hardcore, like Dennis
Cooper level hardcore. Previously
the band covered Only Girl In
The World, though theres no such
frivolity this time around. Black
Dick, as titles and repeated refrains
go, jumps out and slaps you in the
face, both lyrically and with its
bastardised Casio beats. Strangely
its a Rihanna album title that
springs to mind unapologetic.
Xiu Xiu are essentially an un-camp
Marilyn Manson, the true sense of
goth without the drag, making Jamie
Stewart the anti-Christ of indie. You
wont enjoy this challenging album
immediately, but you certainly wont
sleep well or forget it.
Angel Guts: Red Classroom is out 4 February
on Bella Union
Black
Dick, as
titles and
repeated
refrains go,
jumps out
and slaps
you in the
face, both
lyrically
and with
its Casio
beats
profile
XIU XIU
[reviews]
Iggy Azaela Goddess The
ego and guitar solo has
landed. Unfortunately, we did all our bowing down
to Beyonc Pretty Hurts Yeah, you all got
the album straight away and listened to it constantly
for a week - well done Bey. It`s amazing, we know.
Tinie Tempah Lover Not A Fighter Featuring
Discovery-era Daft Punk keytar riffs, it sounds like
an old-fashioned view of the future, with Tinie`s very
own rap brand sprinkled on top. Lea Michele
Cannonball The perfect combination of Broadway
fog horn and commercial power balladry. We`re
predicting 2014 to be the year of the beach, curve
and bowling ball. Aiden Better
Man Having dropped his surname
(Grimshaw), Aiden is becoming
quite the independent recording
artist. It`s all getting a bit Calvin
Harris, which is never a bad thing.
Christina Perri Human An
emotional whiplash, with an false
climax and stripped bare chorus. Basically it`s
everything Katy B should have done in a slowie.
Tiesto Red Lights All necessary ingredients are
present and correct; softie guitar riff, euphoric top
line, noodly counter synth riff, the washing machine
sound effect into the chorus and general life-is-
great/I`ll-have-a-Jgerbomb approach to everything.
We`re not knocking it. Clean Bandit ft Jess
Glynne Rather Be A brilliantly fresh mix of classical
strings, soulful vocals and disco pop. We love them,
OK? Danity Kane All In A Days Work They`re
making this shit look easy, sounding like En Vogue
and probably, much to their chagrin, Little Mix.
Pearls
Negras
Wild Beasts Can you believe its been
three years since Wild Beasts put an
album out? It feels strange to us but thats
probably because weve had their last
few records in and out of our CD player
(remember those?) for all that time. And
their other-worldy wonky pop sounds as
fresh as it did on our first listen.
So were very excited to report that the
fourth offering from the Leeds-based
quartet is business as usual; their haunting
distinctive falsetto, frankly-bizarre lyrics
and dramatic grandeur are all still intact.
From the off, they threaten to tread new
territory, starting with the electro-poppy
Wanderlust, but soon get back on track.
Much like The Hidden Cameras, you can
find yourself or your family members
humming along before suddenly a lyric
that was otherwise ignored becomes
embarrassingly apparent. Dont confuse
me with someone who gives a fuck,
being one such example.
In the best possible sense, this is beautiful
background music. You can turn the
most mundane parts of your life (waking
up, getting dressed) into the most
dramatically soundtracked and elegant
moments never committed to film.
The as yet unnamed fourth Wild Beasts album will be out in February, wild-beasts.co.uk
Our new favourite
Brazilian rap-girl
gang has arrived,
drawing us to
make the obvious
comparison to fellow
baille funk pioneers
Bonde do Rol. But
there`s something
about them that`s
harsher and yet
just as cute as their
predecessors. Fresh
from a favela in
Rio and spitting a
thousand words a
minute, the gunfre
patter is as tight as
the backing drums
and woopy-woopy
noises (we have no
idea what they`re
called). The lyrics
could be massively
homophobic, but
they`ve clearly seen
a stylist and been
touched by a hand
of gay at some point.
Besides, we`re told
their rapping is a
response to the
misogyny of the Rio
scene, so we`re 99%
sure they`re on our
side. Regardless,
we`re in love and
look forward to
getting our hands on
more of their cute
addictive mixtapes.
The Biggie Apple
mixtape is out now,
facebook.com/
pearlsnegras
[tracklist ]
[music]
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7th Time Lucky
Dave Rigby As
with many people
across the globe,
Dave Rigby dreamt
of being a parent
and in 2008, he
decided to make
that dream come
true. But as a gay
man, he knew it
wouldn`t be easy.
7th Time Lucky
charts his shaky
steps to fatherhood.

Do Me! The
Complete Guide
to Adventurous
Gay Sex Stefan
Mller Oi oi! As
the demure title
suggests, this
isn`t for the faint-
hearted. It`s a sex
guidebook that will
take you from the
sexual little league
to the erotic world
Look the Age You Feel: A Mans
Guide to Looking Younger
Henrik Vejlgaard Do you look
in the mirror and see a haggard
old husk? Well, stop that! Henrik
Vejlgaard indulges our shallow side,
but backs it up with actual research,
to give stacks of useful tips on
feeling young and staying young.
He`s even coined the term "age
elasticity" to explain the difference
between our biological age and our
self-perceived age. The book covers
everything from low-maintenance
wrinkle prevention to age-specifc
professional treatments, ftness
advice, youthful eating habits and
even fashion tips that will help you
feel sweet 16, even if you`re singing
When I`m 64.
Barracuda
Christos Tsiolkas
You may have heard of Christos Tsiolkas from
his previous bestseller The Slap, where a
man slapping the face of a three-year-old boy
sends all of those involved into a spiral of 21st
century neuroses. For his follow-up, openly
gay Australian Tsiolkas serves up not only
another vivid, warts-and-all account of life in his
homeland, but also of teenage homosexuality.
Working class, half-Greek swimmer Danny is
our lead character, who just happens to be gay,
and has one goal in his life winning Olympic
gold. His parents manage to send him to a
prestigious private school (which Danny refers
to as Cunts College) where he feels a huge
sense of estrangement and displacement in
comparison to his more well-heeled fellow pupils.
Told from Danny`s perspective, our young hero
is both naive and reactionary in his dealings with
both other individuals and the world around him,
but Tsiolkas crafts such a clear and sympathetic
character that you can`t help but root for him.
Well-paced, richly written, ridiculously frank
and constantly engaging, Barracuda has an
unmistakably realistic air and comes littered with
explicit dialogue. But it`s ultimately peppered with
wit, heart and a sense of optimism.
The Gender Book Mel Reiff Hill,
Jay Mays and Robin Mack And
now for something a little different
than our usual print round-up. The
Gender Book is a 90-page e-book
that both teaches and unteaches
some of the basics of gender
theory. It covers topics such as
gender identity, gender-based
assumptions, preconceptions and
generalisations, androgyny, the
transgender umbrella and much
more. It`s wonderfully illustrated,
almost like a children`s book, but
it`s certainly educational for people
of all ages. A truly visionary project.
There is actually a hardback copy
now available, or you can read the
e-book for free at thegenderbook.
com
series! It promises
that you`ll leave
both a one night
stand and long term
partner agog with
sexual satisfaction.
We`ve pre-ordered
fve copies.

A Girl Called Jack

Jack Monroe Jack
is a single mum
who found herself
with a shopping
budget of just 10 a
week to feed herself
and her young son.
She addressed
the situation by
embracing her
local supermarket`s
basics range and
creating simple but
delicious meals.
Perfect for those
of us scrimping
in Cameron and
Osborne`s Britain.

[reviews]
[print]
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Until 22 Feb
Let`s be honest -
who doesn`t love
a good bitch?
We all do it. But
when it gets into
the serious life-
questioning stuff,
it can all get very
heated. Rapture,
Blister, Burn tells
a captivating story
of two women
lusting after each
other`s lifestyles.
hampsteadtheatre.
com
Until 7 June
Don`t Cry For Me
Argentina. Go on,
we know you`re
singing it now we`ve
said it; lauding
around the living
room hands spread,
if you`re anything
like us. Evita is
back as a new
touring production,
so now we can fawn
all over again at the
extraordinary life of
Eva Peron. target-
live.co.uk
27 Jan 1 Feb
Nobody likes a
goody two shoes,
but we all love
it when they
fall from grace.
Fallen Angels
tells the story of
two preened and
perfect ladies as
they knock back
champagne by the
bucket and divulge
their deepest,
dirtiest secrets.
rosetheatrekings-
ton.org
28 Jan 9 August
This is one to take
your buddies to.
Yes, it`s the musical
story of Buddy Holly
(and that`s about
as good as our
puns get). The boy
wonder was only
actually famous 18
months - before
dying in a plane
crash - but he left
an indelible mark on
rock 'n` roll forever.
buddythemusical.
com
30 Jan 1 Feb
Sex. Drugs.
Pornography. That
Gogglebox show
on Channel 4.
Guilty addictions,
all of them.
And depraved
comedy duo
Guilt and Shame
have managed
to ft them all
into their new
show, Addicted
to Everything,
coming to Soho.
sohotheatre.com
[reviews]
[stage]
Swan Lake Men in Lycra:
three words that will get any
gay man out of the house.
Youre probably sold on
seeing this show already. But
if you want more than scantily
clad athletic men (were
pretty sure thats enough to
satisfy anyone) then Matthew
Bournes reinvention of
Swan Lake also has humour,
drama, narrative... and did
we mention the fit men? The
ballet is going on a major
national tour from Plymouth
to Glasgow so get yourself
an eyeful. So to speak.
Until 24 May, swanlaketour.com
gaytimes.co.uk 99
gaytimes.co.uk 100
About Time Disc Richard Curtis`
time-travel rom-com is sweetly
surprising; I felt like someone had
gone back in time and murdered
my cynicism. Domhnall Gleeson
is adorable as the heir to a family
secret: the men in his family can
revisit moments from their past.
And hijinks ensue as he navigates
his relationship with his dream girl
Mary (Rachel McAdams). So far, so
funny but the plot also features a
bittersweet time-travel twist worthy of
serious sci-f.
Filth Disc James McAvoy is
gloriously nasty as Detective Bruce
Robertson in Jon S Baird`s gleeful
adaptation of the Irvine Welsh
novel, which features outstanding
performances from Jamie Bell, Eddie
Marsan and Shirley Henderson. This
tale of a corrupt cop snorting his way
around Edinburgh is a smrgsbord
of north-of-the-border unpleasantries
and a sweary masterclass in how to
lose friends and alienate co-workers.
He`s like a Scottish Poirot.
Captain Phillips Disc Tom Hanks
stars in Paul Greengrass`s account
of the Maersk Alabama hijacking,
in which a tiny band of Somali
pirates nicked a huge fucking boat
and threatened the life of its crew,
attracting the US Navy. Hanks is
superlative as a canny everyman, and
the action is nail-biting, but Danish
thriller A Hijacking explored similar
themes more economically. Captain
Phillips may be truer, but A Hijacking
felt rawer.
Lon: The Professional 20th
Anniversary Special Edition Disc
Since Lon`s original release, Luc
Besson`s story of a milk-drinking
hitman (Jean Reno) and his 12-year-
old quasi-pubescent sidekick
(Natalie Portman) has more than a
touch of Operation Yewtree about it.
But while Jimmy Savile was tawdry,
this stylish thriller oozes class, and
Gary Oldman is chilling as maniacal
corrupt cop du jour.
[also out ]
12 Years a Slave Chiwetel
Ejiofor stars in this
harrowing, true account of a man sold as a
slave to a cruel plantation owner, played by
Michael Fassbender. I think were all slaves
to Fassbender, one way or another. Grudge
Match Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone
play ageing boxers reunited for one last ght
in this geriatric sports comedy. Remember
when Stallone was nominated for two Oscars
for writing and starring in Rocky? Or when De
Niro won an Oscar for Raging Bull? Me neither.
Robocop A half-human mishmash is resurrected
by a greedy corporation out to suppress any
memories of the original. Thats not only the plot
of this remake, its also the production. That
Awkward Moment Imogen Poots was amazing
as the daughter of porn mogul and notorious
cocaine user Paul Raymond in The Look of Love.
Now shes playing Zac Efrons love interest in
this romantic comedy.
Short of dying
of AIDS, there`s
not much
more Matthew
McConaughey
could`ve done
to make his
performance as
Ron Woodroof
more convincing.
Diagnosed with
HIV in 1986,
Woodroof turned
from homophobic
cowboy to
pharmaceutical
pirate, smuggling
unapproved
medication
across borders to
give himself
and fellow
patients a
chance of survival.
McConaughey lost
23kg to play the
role; he`ll need to
put it back on again
to carry all those
acting awards
he`s gonna win.
Out in cinemas 7
February.
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
cinema/disc
[reviews]
The Umbrellas of
Cherbourg DVD
It may be grey and
wet outside, but
Jacques Demy`s
1964 classic will
brighten up any day.
Restored in HD, its
colourful visuals
are as iconic as its
all-sung dialogue,
with music by
Michel Legrand.
Like any romance,
it`s bittersweet and
beautiful, and the
melodies will linger
long after the fnal
scene.
Scatter My Ashes
at Bergdorf's DVD
Despite featuring
the likes of Tom
Ford, Marc Jacobs
and Karl Lagerfeld,
this documentary
about the famous
Manhattan
department store
comes across less
Out of the Furnace Cinema
Christian Bale stars as Russell, a
blue-collar millworker in this bleak
hillbilly noir. His dad`s dying of
cancer, his deadbeat brother (Casey
Affeck) has turned to bare-knuckle
boxing to make ends meet, his
girlfriend (Zo Saldana) wants a
baby he can`t afford and, to top it
off, he hits a kid with his car. If life
in America`s Rust Belt is usually
this depressing, it`s no wonder
everyone`s high on crystal meth
supplied by murderous Harlan
DeGroat (Woody Harrelson), a
psychotic ex-fghter. After Out of the
Furnace, I felt like sticking my head
Into an Oven.
Labor Day Cinema An escaped
convict kidnaps and gradually
befriends a depressed divorcee and
her teenage son in this romantic
drama from Jason Reitman (Juno,
2007). The moral of the story is that
everyone needs a man around the
house and given that the man in
question is played by Josh Brolin
and knows how to bake, it`s hard
to argue. Kate Winslet is brilliant
but understated as a woman slowly
awakening from loneliness, and it`s all
beautifully flmed, as befts a nostalgic
coming-of-age yarn. But in between
the generous helpings of home-made
peach pie, I could have done with a
bit more meat.
like The September
Issue, and more
like an upmarket
Are You Being
Served (with Joan
Rivers as Mrs
Slocombe). The
fashion industry is
fascinating; shops
aren`t.
Stranger by the
Lake Cinema A
cruising ground
turns into a meeting
place for murder
in this cum-fecked
French drama.
Franck (Pierre
Deladonchamps)
falls for dashing
yet dangerous
Michel (Christophe
Paou), despite the
latter`s penchant for
bloodletting. Filled
with nudity, sex and
spurting, it`s two
parts horny, one
part horrifc.

[screen]
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Lone Survivor Cinema
Golf is a good walk spoiled, as Mark Twain
may have once said, and the same is surely
true of war. Peter Berg`s new flm is a case in
point: when you`re not ducking the explosions,
you`ll be gazing in awe at the scenery.
Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile
Hirsch and Ben Foster play a team of Navy
SEALs who`re sent to scope out a notorious
Taliban leader. Before long, they run into a
band of shepherds, and a moral dilemma:
should they let them go and risk discovery,
or execute them in cold blood and risk the
wrath of the locals? Suffce it to say, our
heroes soon fnd themselves caught in an
almighty shit-storm of bullets, explosions
and beardy men with bayonets. Then things
get worse. This account of a disastrous US
operation in Afghanistan is a nerve-wracking
tale of rugged men being run ragged around
a rocky mountain. Repeatedly.
Directed by the maker of Battleship, it`s
an earnest testament to patriotism and
endurance, and a masterclass in kinetic
flmmaking - but also a surprisingly tender
depiction of the bonds that form through
friendship, duty and adversity. Think
Brokeback Mountain, but with guns.
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T a w n y P h i ll i p s J e w e ll e r y
Fri 31 Jan -
Sat 15 Feb 2014 #myjudygarlandlife
Sally Ann Triplett, star of the
West End and Eurovision, brings
the iconic singer to life
M
y
Life
By Susie Boyt
Adapted by Amanda Whittington
For anyone whos ever
wished upon
a
star
Bryan Lee OMalley,
wunderkind author and illustrator
behind the Scott Pilgrim series,
has been working (for some time
now) on an exciting new project
called Seconds.
Lets take a second to look back
over the genius mind that birthed
six volumes in print and a major
blockbuster starring Michael Cera.
OMalleys Scott Pilgrim
series chronicles the trials of an
unemployed twentysomething
(Scott), who falls in love with a
girl (yuk, we know) and is forced
to fight her seven evil exes
(again, we know).
The highly anticipated follow-
up to the best-selling Scott
Pilgrim will be an original
graphic novel, Seconds, set in a
restaurant of the same name.
The now award-winning
Canadian cartoonist worked in a
Toronto restaurant to pay the bills
while writing the second volume of
Scott Pilgrim, and planning the rest
of the series.
Originally scheduled for release
last year, Seconds was delayed
several months due to a shoulder
injury he received, but has
thankfully since recovered from.
The injury prevented him from
working on Seconds, but theres
been an upsurge of his work of
late. His excellent collaboration
with illustrator Kevin Tong on
their interpretation (a limited
edition film poster) of cult classic
Battle Royale, or his variant cover
for Marvels Young Avengers.
Over the past few months,
OMalley has fired Seconds
tidbits from behind a carefully
maintained wall of secrecy.
The odd crumb of art here, and
morsel of detail there, teasing
fans with a limited edition print
and a couple of rare interviews.
The tone will be set between
the realistic world of his 2003
story Lost at Sea and the far-
fetched and fantastic realms of
Scott Pilgrim. While the narrative
will be very much grounded
in the realities of a restaurant
environment, you can expect a
high enough dose of weird and
funny to turn the mundane setting
on its head.
Given Bryans former work
Seconds is hyped to be a three-
course platter you certainly
wont mind paying a service
charge for. Check it out!
GOING BACK FOR SECONDS
ThunderCats Ho!
If you didn`t grow up
with ThunderCats
in the 80s, there`s
still time to pick
between Lion-O
and his nemesis
Mumm-Ra.
Although, standing
four inches tall does
kind of take the bite
out of both the Lord
of the ThunderCats
and the "ever-living
source of evil".
Geek Lingerie
(sort of) Before
you can say "report
to my quarters,
that`s an order",
it`s happened.
We`ve got to the
point where we
can buy Star Trek-
themed onesies.
Communicator
badge and rank
pips already
embroidered as
standard.
Geronimo! Tumble
through time
and space with
the Doctor Who
Tumbling TARDIS
Tower Game! (It`s
not Jenga.honest).
Think you can
"Master" this twist
on a classic game?
WARNING:
not bigger on
the inside. Not
recommended for
Sontarans.
Summer School with
Wolverine and The X-Men
Mahmud Asrar and Jason Latour
take the reins of this latest
incarnation of the smash hit title,
with Logan and the rest of the
faculty charging forward into an
explosive new start for the Jean
Grey school, Fantomex joining the
staff and, erm, is that Quentin Quire
as a teacher?
[reviews]
[geek]
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Nevo Moving with
the times, the Nevo
app comes from
universal remote
experts One For
All, who`ve mapped
their technology to a
handy app which -
as you might expect
- turns your phone
into a universal
remote. It works with
over 300,000 AV
devices from 6,000
brands and can be
set to work in up to
fve rooms with up
to 80 devices - even
if they`re kept in
cabinets. Available
for free from
Google Play and the
App Store
Ultimate Gay
Fighter It had to
happen. Well, it
didn`t. But it gives
us great pleasure
to announce that
is has. The world`s
frst gay videogame
has arrived and,
while it`s a funny
idea over game
mechanics, there`s
more than enough
to raise a smile.
Taking it`s cues from
Street Fighter et al,
Ultimate Gay Fighter
pits drag queens,
fashionistas,
leather daddies and
lesbians against
dungeon-dwelling
sadomasochists,
fundamental
Christians and
conservative pundits
in a fght to the
death. Billed as a
parody of Mortal
Kombat, as well
as a comment on
the lack of gay
games, Ultimate
Gay Fighters is also
a love letter to its
creator`s family and
enormously good
fun. Available on
iPad, iPhone and
Android.
Mario Party: Island Tour
Game of the Month
Normally a quiet time for games, this month
nevertheless sees Nintendo trying to keep the
party going with the arrival of Mario Party: Island
Tour on the 2DS and 3DS. Now let`s cut to the
chase - it`s been a long time since Mario has
felt like anything much more than a cash cow.
Given the slow uptake of the Wii U, perhaps the
continuation in this vein is forgivable, but it doesn`t
hide the fact that Island Tour is a little below par -
certainly as a one player game. Bowser`s Tower
is tedium personifed, but the campaign mode
is little better. As a multiplayer, however, things
come to life a little more, with over 80 mini-games
(which vary in quality but which hit the right notes
more than they don`t). Available now on 2DS and 3DS
Premium G Delivering a value-
based smartphone experience
rather than a coma in a Vauxhall
club, the Moto G has arrived and
promises a premium experience for
under 100. Thats one third of the
price of competitors models, dont
you know? It might feel a little value,
but its hard to argue with the specs,
including a 4.5 inch high-definition
display, quad-core processor and
impressive battery life, all running
off Android 4.3 Jelly Bean perfect if
Christmas has left your wallet a little
lighter than usual. Motorola.co.uk
idle hands
G
A
M
E
S
[apps
]
[reviews]
DEAD STYLISH
About two years
ago, GT featured
the frst iPod dock
from the French
electronic maestro
Jean Michel Jarre.
Well, he`s back
with something
altogether cooler
in the shape of
the AeroSkull HD,
an iPod dock that
mimics Jarre`s
own album cover
for Oxygene, and
which hides two
speakers behind
the sunglasses
perched on the
skull`s nose,
a subwoofer
and a harmonic
distortion to
deliver an
unrivalled listening
experience.
Mostly, though, it`s
just really, realy
cool. Available
from Selfridges.
For those of you sticking to
any New Years resolutions
involving actual physical
exercise, or if youre thinking
about starting one, the Misfit
Shine is just what you need. An
activity tracker the size of a 50
pence piece, the Shine maps
all physical activity throughout
the day and calculates calories
burned, points earned
towards daily goals, and syncs
it all via Bluetooth to an app on
your phone, where data can
be visualised and tweaked to
your hearts content.
Available from John Lewis for 99.95
[tech]
gaytimes.co.uk 105
W
O
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S

M
I
K
E

H
I
R
D
SHINE
-
ON
DATE
FREE TO JOIN
LOGIN WITH FACEBOOK
WWW.GTDATE.CO.UK
[02/14]
[life]
gaytimes.co.uk 107
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readers lives
Robert Taylor
Nottingham, 62,
retired pilot
When you get to my
sort of age, you just
think I am what I
am. Getting naked
doesn`t phase me. I
suppose, in public, I
don`t get my top off
too often because
it`s not my style,
but we should be
proud of how we
look. I`ve been to
Gran Canaria on the
nudist beaches and I
felt very comfortable
stripping off there.
I`m single at the
moment, but I`m set
in my ways - there`s
a big difference
between being alone
and being lonely.
OK, there`re a few
guys in Nottingham
I`d like to see in
this magazine, but
I`ve not come on
to them. If I could
see anyone naked
it would be Josh
Groban.
I`ve got a couple of
sons from a previous
marriage, and they
won`t be surprised
I`ve done this! They
know dad does
different things
Now, if I could tell
my 21-year-old self
something, it would
be "be yourself". I
came out very late. I
remember 15-years-
ago walking past
Nottingham`s gay
club worrying I`d be
too old. But I went
in, I did it, and my
life transformed from
there.
gaytimes.co.uk 108
Ive been on a dating site
for around three years. Im
picky about who I talk to, so
only go on dates with guys
I think will be a good match
for me. Every time I go on a
date, we get on really well
and sometimes thereve been
kisses or Ive gone home
with them (not that often!).
But they never ask to see me
again. Either I dont hear from
them or they make excuses
the usual stuff about being
busy with work or wanting to
just meet as friends. Im not
sure whats going wrong. How
can I bag the elusive second
date? Michael, via email
The Guyliner replies The very
simple and indeed boring answer
to this is that there is no secret
formula to nabbing yourself a second
date. There`s no miracle, cure-all
thing you can do that will ensure
you get a callback. But that`s not
exactly what you want to hear. There
are, of course, things you can do to
encourage your frst dates to get in
touch again, but even if you`re the
best company ever, have oodles of
sexual chemistry and end the night
with promises of next time or soon,
you can`t predict how it`s going to
turn out. Why? Well, to put it simply,
dates don`t just involve you; it`s
about two people - or three if you`re
polyamorous but let`s try and keep
things as vanilla as possible here, I
don`t have much room.
When you go on a date, you`re
not the only one with a multitude of
hang-ups, aspirations, expectations
and insecurities to deal with. Your
date`s head is chock-full of stuff
too. So while you may have been
the perfect date charm itself
and sizzlingly sexy at all the right
moments your date could be open
to outside infuences. Maybe there`s
an ex still on his mind. Don`t forget he
might not be telling you everything.
Breakups can take a long time to get
over and it`s possible there`s a former
paramour either on the scene and
causing complications or, worse, has
totally moved on and your date is
trying to prove to himself he can too.
You may also be coming at the date
from totally different places. For you,
this is a search for Mr Right. You`re
hunting for the elusive One. For many
men, though, dating is a social activity
a way of meeting new people or
simply getting out of the house.
Dating isn`t about looking for love for
everybody - hell, it isn`t even about
sex for some people, incredibly. Some
men want to play the feld a bit.
So what can you do? You say that
you`re picky when you choose who
to date and only go for guys who you
think would be a perfect match. This
could be the issue. Your expectations
sound too high and your criteria too
narrow. What about trying pot luck?
Go for men who don`t sound too
obvious on paper (or on the screen).
Bring a little bit of randomness and
spontaneity into your life and you`re
more likely to end up surprised than
disappointed. Take more chances,
go on more dates and widen your
net. I`m not saying you should settle
for second best, just be a little more
fexible. Some of the most unexpected
pleasures are hiding in plain sight.
Got something to get off your chest? Need some good old-fashioned
advice on matters of love, life or relationships? Email The Guyliner
(and his panel of experts) on edit@gaytimes.co.uk. We cant respond
individually and your emails may be edited for use in the magazine.
need advice?
readers dilemmas
[life]
THE GUYLINER LENDS AN EAR TO
YOUR LIFE DILEMMAS AND DISHES
THE DIRT ON THE UNDATEABLES
[01 ]
The Social Media
Refusenik Oh, I dont
do Facebook, hell say, proudly,
and Twitters just a waste of
time. Its likely youll be aghast
at this confession. You thought
everyone spent their days liking
baby photos posted by forgotten
schoolmates or checking into
Foursquare while on their lunch.
Hey, you really earned that
mayorship of Greggs dont let
anybody tell you different. So
what the hell does he do with his
downtime in the office between 9
and 5? Youre playing right into
his hands; this shock reaction is
exactly what he wants. Therere
plenty of people who dont bother
with social media. If they want to
miss out on GIFs of trashy
women you dont quite recognise
from American reality shows
cussing at each other, thats their
lookout. Most of these people go
about their business quietly, but
your brand of social media
refusenik falls over himself to
tell you just how special he is
because he doesnt spend his
hours glued to a blue and white
screen or linking to think pieces
about Miley Cyrus. He wants you
to think hes above it all, with no
time on his hands to sit tweeting.
Hes like those guys who go on
about not having a television. We
get it: youre a cultured being,
your time is precious and youre
too good to post a picture of a
latte to 23 devoted followers.
The solution Look on the bright
side: at least youll avoid every part
of your relationship being splashed
all over Facebook, and nobody
wants to read those adorable
tweets between couples. Nobody.
But if your mans social media
swerving is getting you down,
make sure he knows just how many
Facebook-organised parties hes
missing by going to every single
one of them and leaving him home
alone. Fear of missing out should
ALL
THE MEN
YOU
SHOULD
NEVER
DATE
soon kick in and hell be sharing
his musings and sharpening his
Twitchfork before you can say
status update. Like.
----------
[02 ]
Mr Vague Yeah, so I
guess Ill call you later
or whatever. Sigh. Ill be there
kinda um lunchtime. Great.
Yeah, nothing much really
happened. Just a few people and
stuff. It was OK. Rightio. Your
vague guy doesnt like being
pinned down to anything
specific, and while spontaneity
can be fun, he is so random he
makes you feel like a dowdy
schoolteacher trying to organise
his life. You will forever be on
edge, wondering when youre
going to see him next, while he
breezes in and out of your life,
not realising his inability to say
when and where is driving you
insane. Asking him what his
plans are for the weeks is met
with a constricted throat and a
ghostly pallor. He is the
scrunched up t-shirt in the
bottom of a bag to your freshly
pressed formal shirt hanging on
a wooden hanger. He is a month
of maybes, acres of not-so-sure-
actually and gallons of see-you-
around-then. His vagueness isnt
malicious hes just a free spirit,
right? Right. He might even
think hes being sexy. In the
meantime, youve got table
reservations to make and a train
to catch.
The solution You could either
ease up a bit and go with the flow
a bit more. Miss the odd train,
turn up late a few times. Maybe
make yourself less available for
Mr Vague. If youre just as hard
to pin down, perhaps hell get
just as frustrated as you. Make
him commit to one planned event
a week so you can satisfy your
burgeoning OCD. And try not to
get too upset when he forgets or
turns up on the wrong day.
[advice]
gaytimes.co.uk 109
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gaytimes.co.uk 110
Gender confusion
is a real thing. But
what happens when
it all seems to be taking place
outside of you? Maybe its time for
a haircut. Or maybe its time for
people to realise that anyone can
have long hair and wear womens
jeans. Either way, these moments
can create some of the most self-
deprecatingly funny memories that
become wonderful anecdotes to
break the ice. So, why not break the
ice a bit with all of you guys?
----------
[01] Growing up, my voice
had the purity of an old school
Julie Andrews. This worked to my
benefit when my brothers and I
would sing along to the Aladdin
soundtrack. Only I could be trusted
with Jasmines swooping vocals in A
Whole New World. Only I could sing
those notes with such conviction.
Counter to all of this, however,
was the whole answering the
phone situation. During the
evenings, I was greeted with
variations of, Oh hello, is that Mrs
Brennan? [no pause] Well, Mrs
Brennan, I just wanted to let you
know about this fantastic of-
Im her son, Ill get her.
That lasted until 14 or 15 years
of age. And not because all of
a sudden my voice dropped I
forced that shit to drop, pushing
my larynx down until my voice
more closely resembled the clown
guy in Saw. Ominously, I would lift
the telephone to my ear, breathe
heavily (read: manly) and grunt.
The voice on the other line would
more often sound very disturbed,
but this was okay by me, because
there wasnt a shred of a chance he
or she thought I was a woman.
My mother would be incensed. Its
rude, PJ! You dont even give them a
moment. Jesus Mary and Joseph! We
taught you better than that.
I eventually realised that my
phone etiquette matched that of a
kidnapper. I eased up on my larynx,
worked on my syntax and settled on
a warm yet authoritative, Hello, may
I ask whos calling?
No one really understood that this
could have been avoided if they just
knew I was a dude in the first place.
----------
[02] My mother seems to enjoy
the gifts I get her because usually
I get something that decorates
the house. Seriously, were that
boring and gendered. I was in a
homeware store a few years ago, in
the late afternoon on 23 December.
In the midst of Christmas chaos,
I was trying to get my hands on a
tablecloth with a blue chicken or
something on it. I approached an
employee who had all the telltale
signs of a temp.
Excuse me, I said. I was just
wondering if I could see a bigger
version of this tablecloth to check
if its the right size.
She looked flummoxed,
performing the Im Overwhelmed
dance; a mixture of The Robot and
The Hustle, where your arms freeze
with the elbows bent and your feet
dance back and forth restlessly.
Ooooo, Im not sure I can
Lemme get someone, she replied.
I watched her hesitatingly walk
over to a bristling man whose
staccato rhythm would be off-
putting to anyone, let alone a
stressed temp who had to ask for
help in helping someone. Straight
away I realised he was the sort of
person who thrived on being a
busy body, always shouting orders
over his shoulder because he
was so busy he couldnt actually
stop and have a face to face
conversation. In his spare time,
I imagined him teaching a body
pump or Zumba class.
Rosie, what is it? He sang/
spoke as he wiggled around the
counter, every heavy step creating
a false vibrato in his voice, which,
inwardly, I think he loved.
Rick, I was wondering if you knew
which sizes were which when it
comes to the tablecloths. Im just
helping
Ricks eyes flashed in my direction
for a brief half-second before
returning, Tell this lovely lady Ill
be with her in a second.
The store was so crowded at this
point that Rosie, Rick, and myself
were not the only people privy
to this conversation. Most of the
store heard and glanced over
@peejaybrennan
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[life]
gaytimes.co.uk 111
in my direction, believing they
were about to witness something
incredible, in a I saw someone
humiliated today sort of way.
Rosie was squirming, the Im
Overwhelmed dance gaining speed
and precision. She went to speak,
as though she were going to correct
Rick, so I discreetly touched her
arm. She turned to face me and I
shook my head with a goofy grin
on my face. Its fine. Honestly, its
fine. Ive got long hair. Ill just get
this one, Im pretty sure its the right
size, I whispered, conspiratorially.
There was a collective exhale
of disappointment. Thanks a
lot, asshole, I saw the man next
to me think. That was about to
make my day.
Fuck you, I thought back, like a
mind bullet.
I bought the tablecloth. My mom
takes it out at big family functions
and always mentions that Im the
one who got it for her. I was a lovely
lady to her that year.
----------
[03] This episode was single-
handedly the most dumbfounding
moment of my recent life. I was in
the depths of a very dark time. It
was 2006 and I was basking in my
newfound identity as a hipster. My
jeans were beyond skinny, I used to
wear a headband to get my long hair
to dry in a certain way, and many
other things that Im either partially
or entirely ashamed of.
Looking back, I was embarking
on the journey that basically
decided the next near decade of
my life. I was heading to London
to study drama for one semester
at a small programme linked with
my university. I was flying on my
own and making my way through
security, when I was mistaken for a
woman in the most outrageous and
awe-inspiring way.
I had successfully exposed myself
to the staff at JFK Airport inside one
of those scanning machines and
was about to put my shoes back on
my feet, my computer back in my
bag, and my pride and self-respect
back in my pocket, when I heard,
EXCUSE ME, maam!
My back was facing the voice
and I didnt really register what it
was saying at first, but I heard that
phrase shouted at least four times,
each one growing in frustration,
until I realised it was being
directed at me. I took a deep breath
and turned.
EXCUSE ME, maam! I saw a small
woman waving me over with her
rubber gloved hand. I carried my
bag over, one heel still hanging out
of my shoe.
Yes? I replied, smiling, about a
foot away from her, basically next to
her, convinced shed see the error
in her ways.
Maam, have you packed your bag
today?
Yes.
Okay, maam, Im gonna ask
you to open the bag up for me,
okay? she regurgitated in perfect
Brooklynese. This was maybe the
thousandth time that day she had
said this exact phrase and you could
tell she was so bored of it. Without
really taking the time to look at
me she was simply carrying out
procedural protocol.
Sure, I replied. Shes looking at
my hands, I thought as I unzipped
the bag, thatll show her. I looked
at my hands closely, realising that
even I thought they could be baby
hands. That wasnt going to work.
Okay, maam, youre the only
one to open this bag since its been
packed?
For one moment, I had this idea
that shed find a tampon, and Id
deny it was mine, but theyd all be
convinced I was a lady forever and
ever. Of course, she found nothing
like that, and upon being satisfied
that I didnt have anything in my
bag that would make me a terrorist,
she took a step back and said, okay
maam, you can zip your bag up and
be on your way.
In that brief moment she finally
made eye contact with me and
casually exclaimed, Oh, youre a
man? Im sorry.
Thats it. She just walked away
after that thinking, on to the next
one. I was stood next to her for
about a minute, using my voice,
very nearly having an actual
conversation with her, and she
mistook me for a woman.
There was an episode of Law and
Order that aired when I was a kid
where the defence attorney claimed
that his client couldnt be guilty
because white people have a harder
time differentiating between black
people, and vice versa. At the time,
that sounded ludicrous, but in that
moment at JFK, I was clinging to
that theory. Thats why she didnt
realise I was a man, I thought. It
wasnt the fact that I was literally
wearing womens jeans and hair
down to the shoulders, not because
of the fact that I shaved for the sake
of ceremony more than necessity; it
was race.
America I said, lightly shaking
my head.
This story kills at dinner parties,
by the way.
Also, does maam
imply she thought I was
an older woman?
For one moment, I had
this idea shed find a
tampon, and theyd all
be convinced I was a
lady forever and ever
THE THREE TIMES
I WAS MISTAKEN
FOR A WOMAN
[pj brennan]
THE BIGGEST
FERTILITY
SERVICES
SHOW IN
EUROPE
COMES TO
MANCHESTER
IN APRIL
Saturday 5 April 2014
The Mercure, Manchester Piccadilly
Hotel Conference Suite Manchester
conor@redcowevents.com
thebuildingfamiliesshow.com
01621 878 658
The Building Families Show will be
held in April 2014 in the northern gem
of Manchester. Never before has the
North West hosted such an event,
bringing together some of the world`s
biggest experts on IVF, surrogacy and
egg donation. The event promises to
attract crowds not only from the North
West but from all across the UK and
Europe. So if you`re a couple looking
for IVF services, particularly egg
donation or surrogacy, then this event is
defnitely for you.
The amazing line-up of speakers will
include:
Dr Guy Ringler, California Fertility
Partners (USA)
Andy Glew, Director of Embryology at
Simply Fertility (UK)
Barrie Dewitt-Barlow, Director,
Social Work at British Surrogacy
Centre (USA/UK)
Bobby Norris, TOWIE star and about to
be a new dad through surrogacy

Dubbed The Biggest Baby Event in
Europe, the Building Families Show
is a "don`t miss" for anyone with an
interest in IVF, surrogacy, egg or sperm
donation.
And if you are a business owner who
contributes to the fertility industry, then
this event will be the perfect opportunity
to promote yourself. Whether you
are a surrogacy centre, egg or sperm
donation clinic, or specialise in IVF,
then please get in contact with us.
Returning headline sponsors this year
already include the British Surrogacy
Centre based in Essex, and California
Fertility Partners, based in the USA.
Both companies report huge benefts
from their involvement last year, so
don`t miss out. This one-day event will
be an amazing marketing opportunity,
not only to meet future parents but
also to meet other worldwide industry
professionals. So do not hesitate to get
in contact with us about having your
own stand at the event. We are offering
a 10% discount for all new stand-
holders this year up until January 2014.
Repeat stand-holders are offered a
25% discount on last year`s rates.
Media sponsors:
ADVERTORIAL
small things
The process I put my
parents through to
persuade them to get
me a dog was both dramatic and
boisterous. Weekly interruptions
of their watching Desperate
Housewives occurred as I chanted
with my brother over and over
about how much we wanted a dog.
There were slideshows, family
conferences and even a few tears
on my part. Fortunately, it worked.
We named him Ralph, he is now
nine and I can safely say that
persuading my parents to get him
was the best thing Ive ever done
for all of us. Hes always around
the house, doing something stupid
but always making us smile, and
hes always there when youre in
desperate need of a cuddle.
At 12, when I started to realise
and accept my sexuality, it was
Ralph I told first. In retrospect that
was probably quite an odd thing to
do, but even now I turn to him for
emotional support. Being a 17-year-
old in a conservative part of the
south coast isnt the best position to
be in when guys and relationships
are concerned. And, crazy as I may
sound, its amazing to have a loving
pile of fur to cuddle with whenever
it gets lonely.
The beauty of having a dog is that
they respond to your mood: hes
there when I need a hug, but hes
also jumping and barking when Im
dancing around the kitchen before
going out. A dog, or any pet,
moulds into your life and becomes
a part of it. I cannot remember
a time when Ralph wasnt there
looking miserable as sin, but being
more adorable for it. I love that my
memories of growing up have had
Ralph there.
Sadly, the fact that he turns
ten this year is looming over
me. My upcoming departure
for university highlights that,
one day, Ralph wont be around.
Im usually pretty cold, but the
thought of losing him brings tears
to my eyes watching Marley
and Me was catastrophic. He has
such an irreplaceable presence.
Getting another
dog would be like
cheating!
Dressing our dogs up like
people has been fashionable for
some time. But now, its all about
dressing our possessions like
dogs. Between this pug-covered
cushion and Dachshund-littered
apron, pup chic is totally in
for 2014 interiors. Though as
anyone with a pup knows, most
household items are probably
covered in dog already
whether youre making a fashion
statement or not!
Pug cushion, 40 and Dachshund cotton apron, 35,
fenellasmith.com
[life]
MICHAEL AND RALPH MANS BEST FRIEND
gaytimes.co.uk 113
[pets]
P
O
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H
P
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gaytimes.co.uk 114
YOUVE SEEN HIM IN THE BAR
hes the grey-haired, much older
man sitting with his hand on a much
younger guys thigh. Immediately
you assume the attraction is either
based on a mutually satisfactory
financial agreement, a daddy fetish
or a mid-life crisis.
But does an age gap relationship
need strings attached to work?
Cant it just be two people who have
fallen in love despite the years that
separate them?
Most of us in the gay community
have dated, or at least had a
one-nighter, with someone
considerably older or younger
than us. Friends of Tom Daley,
who recently revealed hes in a
relationship with a man, say that
finding love with Milk writer
Dustin Lance Black, a man 20 years
older than him, was the catalyst to
him talking publically about his
sexuality.
However, its often the case that
being in a long-term, committed
relationship with an older or younger
man must still raise eyebrows from
some quarters. And in some cases,
it can find the older man branded
a pervert or manipulator while his
younger counterpart is dismissed
as a gold digger.
Theres a 24-year age gap
between Michael and Dennis*.
They began dating three years
ago after meeting online. My last
boyfriend was ten years my junior
and I was dubious about dating
someone younger again, explains
Michael, 53. When we split up,
I started internet dating and was
adamant I wanted to meet someone
my own age. I went on several
dinners with men in their 40s and
50s, but we didnt click.
Then I met with Dennis at a bar
in Vauxhall, London, and we hit it
off straight away. But the age gap
worried me, even though the more
time we spent together, the more
we got on. And soon I realised I was
being prejudiced about younger
guys. Just because my last boyfriend
[life]
115 gaytimes.co.uk
WORDS JOHN MARRS IMAGES ROBERT GERSHINSON
What do older men with younger partners
have in common? Why are they attracted
to each other? And why does it offend some
members of the gay community so much?
With Tom Daley, 19, making headlines for
his relationship with Dustin Lance Black,
39, GT talks to five gay men to discover
whether or not we should mind the gap
MIND
THE GAP
REAL
LIFE
gaytimes.co.uk 116
turned out to be an immature idiot, it
didnt mean everyone younger than
me was too.
Dennis, 29, adds: Im not into
older or younger guys, its about
how we get on, and Michael and I
just fit. I like the grey bits in his hair,
the fact hes lived a bit more of life
than me, that hes had experiences
I havent. The only time our age
difference gets in the way is when
were doing a music quiz down the
pub. He knows everything about the
1970s and I wasnt born until 1984.
Some guys in bars have
suggested Dennis is a kept man,
but he actually earns a lot more
than me, Michael continues.
One friend says Im a dirty old
man for falling for a younger guy.
We dont speak any more.
Age differences between gay
couples are much more common
that straight ones. A study in the
UK, USA, Sweden, France and the
Netherlands revealed that gay
couples are almost three times more
likely to have an age difference of
more than ten years between them,
compared to heterosexual couples.
In speaking with thousands of
people about relationships, gay men
are more open to a relationship with
an age gap, says Lemarc Thomas,
managing director of Seventy
Thirty, the exclusive matchmaking
and introduction agency. Most
gay men over 30 will understand
the feeling of going against whats
considered a societal norm, which
makes them more open to breaking
such barriers.
There is still a stigma attached,
even among other gay men. Freud
might encourage the assumption
that there are a few father issues for
both the younger and older man. We
may see manipulation, a life crisis,
one being kept or something worse.
However, an age gap relationship
can be functional and successful
if built on solid foundations with
mutuality. But its more difficult to
achieve long term compatibility.
Gay age gaps like that between
Tom and Dustin are nothing new.
French poet Arthur Rimbaud was
17 when he started a relationship
fellow poet Paul Verlaine, 11-years
older than him. Oscar Wilde was 36
when he became involved with the
22-year-old Lord Alfred Douglas.
There are 15 years between Sir Elton
John, 66, and husband David Furnish,
51. Stephen Fry made headlines in
2010 when he started dating actor
Steven Webb, despite their 26-year
age difference. And designer Calvin
Klein was 48 years older than his ex-
partner, model Nick Gruber.
Theres nine years difference
between Joe Marsden, 28, and James
Hilton, 19, who met on a phone dating
app. But that nine years was enough
for Joe to be on the receiving end of
a flurry of nasty Facebook messages
when the two began dating.
I didnt notice James age straight
away, but he did look quite young.
And when it turned out he was 17 I
thought, ahh, okay this could be a
problem, recalls Joe. James was
still in college, and that sounded so
young. Even if hed been 18 or 19 it
would have sounded better. But he
didnt seem bothered about my age.
Im a member of a few groups on
Facebook that help young people
to come out. Most people Ive dated
have been in similar situations
theyve had no or few friends and
struggled to meet people without
the help of the internet. A lot of
younger people look for older
people because theres potential for
a deeper relationship there.
I had 110,000 Facebook followers.
But when it came to talking about
my relationship with James, I got so
much hate online. They asked why
hes with me because he can do
better. If I post pictures of us I will
get more than 100 messages saying
they want to sleep with him.
Eventually it got too much and I
deleted my account. The age gap
comments were a whole new level
of nastiness and jealousy. I put a
lot into the gay community so it
was a surprise to get such negative
comments just because Im going
out with someone younger than me.
At one point I even thought about
ending the relationship; it would
have been so much easier to go out
with someone my own age.
According to Lemarc Thomas, an
age gap is just one of many factors
which can contribute to whether
a relationship is functional or
dysfunctional. At Seventy Thirty,
when were matchmaking for our
members, we dont look at age per
se, instead we think of life stage.
We also consider shared core
values, background, lifestyle, goals,
personality and attraction.
Some therapists believe younger
gay men are attracted to older men
because, when they were boys,
they were deprived of their fathers
attention and became isolated in
their own closeted gay world. So
RIGHT JAMES HILTON, 19,
AND JOE MARSDEN, 28
[ ]
ONE FRIEND
SAYS IM A DIRTY
OLD MAN FOR
FALLING FOR A
YOUNGER GUY
mind the gap
[02/14]
gaytimes.co.uk 117
older gay partners can become a
role model, a teacher and protective
elder friend. In return, it can bring
out the paternal side of an older gay
man. Others claim its an issue of
control the older men want to be in
charge in a relationship.
Its that reason which has put
Jeremy*, 24, off dating anyone over
30. Most men Ive been out with
have been at least a decade older
than me, he begins, and without
fail, those relationships have all
gone wrong because they dont trust
a younger guy. They think we cheat
on them, that we want them to come
home, but behind their backs were
fucking around with people our
own age. Older men are very, very
insecure. They want a good-looking
lad on their arm to control them.
Ive yet to meet one who is confident
enough in themselves to trust me
not to cheat on him.
Balance is important in
relationships and each person
must feel what they bring is
equal to what they receive, adds
Lemarc Thomas. A study on social
exchange in age gap relationships
suggested the younger partner
was much more likely than the
older to grant or refuse sexual
gratification as a means of securing
or maintaining power. Sex was not
necessarily exchanged for financial
compensation, the older partner
offered intelligence and social
accomplishments, which are often
as strongly attractive to younger
partners as material possessions.
When we think of gay history,
there has been rapid societal
changes. In the early 70s,
homosexuality was still listed as
a pathological disorder; today
were talking about gay marriage.
The generation gap for gay men is
potentially massive. This means that
the couple may realise theyre from
very different backgrounds, from
which it is difficult to build a mutual
understanding.
Some names have been changed by request
[life]
gaytimes.co.uk 118
Dough
550g white bread flour
1 tsp fine salt
300ml warm water
100ml olive oil
7g dried yeast
Filling
1 ball of mozzarella
200g chorizo
handful of rocket
To make the bread dough, place
the flour and salt into a large bowl
and mix together. Mix the water,
oil and yeast in a measuring jug
or bowl until combined and the
yeast has dissolved. Pour the wet
ingredients into the dry and mix
together to form a rough dough.
Dip out on the work surface and
knead until the dough is smooth
and elastic. Dont add anymore
flour and keep a light texture just
keep kneading, it will eventually
form a soft elastic dough.
Take a large clean bowl,
brush lightly with oil and place
the dough inside. Cover with
cling film, leave in a warm area
for about an hour and allow to
double in size. While the dough
is rising its time to make the
filling. Roughly dice the chorizo
and the mozzarella, and then
mix together with the rocket.
Once risen, remove the dough
from the bowl and gently knead
to knock out the air. Divide the
dough into 12 equal portions and
cover with cling film to stop it
from drying out.
Working with one piece of
dough at a time, press into a flat
round shape and top with a small
amount of the filling. Fold over
the sides, pressing them together
to seal in the filling. Turn the roll
over and place seam-side down
onto a baking tray, greased well
with olive oil, and cover lightly
with cling film or a tea towel.
Repeat with the remaining dough,
making sure you leave enough
space between the finished buns
so they can rise properly. Allow
the buns to rise for about 45
minutes to an hour until almost
doubled. While the buns are
rising, preheat the oven to 200C.
When ready to bake, brush
the buns with a beaten egg
and sprinkle with some seeds.
Anything you have is good. Bake
in the preheated oven until golden
brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly before
serving. My preference is to reheat
these slightly if serving later they
taste so much better warm.
Author of The Boy Who Bakes and Say It With
Cake, @TheBoyWhoBakes
Theres something very satisfying about
taking flour, water, yeast and turning it into
bread, using no equipment or any fancy kit.
Just your hands and a bit of effort. Bread is
one of those foods nearly all of us eat every
day. Unless youre avoiding carbs, that is!
Baking and eating bread also makes a nice
change from all the sugar I consume as part
of my work. The more I bake, the more I
crave something salty and savoury. These
little stuffed buns are like an all-in-one
lunch and take very little work. They use a
very simple bread dough and are filled with
chorizo, mozzarella and rocket. But really
you could fill them with whatever you fancy.
nom!
[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
A good massage is one of the few
things in life that completely relaxes
me; a confdent pair of hands
dissolves as many emotional aches
and pains as physical ones. But
last week, during a session at my
regular haunt in Covent Garden, the
hands were a bit too confdent...
As (her) fngers repeatedly
brushed past body parts
unaccustomed to a lady`s touch, my
suspicion was aroused and quickly
confrmed with an offer of a "special
massage. I graciously declined and
suggested she set to work on my
feet instead; my rapid departure was
the only happy ending that day!
Luckily, over the past few months
I`ve beneftted from massages
a little closer to home. And now
that I`m dating, low fat recipes
seem to have gone out the kitchen
window; indeed, cheese and cream
seem to sneakily creep in at every
opportunity. And this beetroot risotto
is no different.
Beetroot and Stilton risotto with
roast walnuts and crme frache
Serves 2
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, neIy diced
1 stick ceIery, neIy diced
carrot, neIy diced
1 cIove garIic, crushed
2 or 3 sprigs of thyme
1 Iarge beetroot, peeIed (about 160g)
125g Arborio rice
100mI white wine
500mI hot vegetabIe stock
25g baby spinach
75g StiIton, crumbIed
20g butter
2tbsp crme frache
30g waInuts
SaIt and bIack pepper
First, on a baking tray, roast the
walnuts at 180C for about ten to
12 minutes until just beginning to
smoke. Set aside for later. Now, cut
half the beetroot into 5mm dice and
coarsely grate the other half.
In a medium saucepan, sweat
the onion, celery and carrot in the
olive oil for fve to seven minutes
until soft. Add the garlic and thyme
and continue to cook for a couple
more minutes.
Next, add the rice. Stir to coat
every grain in the oil and continue
cooking for two or three minutes.
Pour in the wine and simmer,
stirring regularly until the pan is
quite dry. Now, add all the beetroot
to the pan and season well with salt
and black pepper.
Add a ladle of stock and simmer
till almost dry, stirring regularly.
Repeat, one ladle at a time, until
all the stock has been used. After
about 18 minutes the rice should
be cooked. Stir through the butter
and half the Stilton, and then the
spinach. Finally, top with the crme
frache, roast walnuts and the
remaining Stilton.
Alan Rosenthal is the author of Stewed!
80 Stews and One Pot Wonders,
available on Amazon, @alanrosenthal3
The fountain of youth
Beauty in a bottle? Of
course were going to
be sipping til it runneth
over. But this is no Death
Becomes Her sorcery.
OCO contains 100%
of your daily vitamins,
antioxidative power berries
and vital beauty substances,
which will apparently boost
the appearance of your hair,
skin and nails. Drink it? We
want to BATHE in it.
OCO is available from ocoobeauty.com and in
Harvey Nichols nationwide
[food]
gaytimes.co.uk 119
A SIDE
ORDER OF
ALAN
ROSENTHAL
gaytimes.co.uk 120
Are you still
suffering from
post-Christmas
blubber? Fallen
off the New
Years resolution
wagon already?
Want a atter
stomach? Well
look no further,
as Ive included
ve easy steps to
shed the pounds
and see results in
just one week
Fad diets at this time of year
are everywhere take this pill,
do this many sit-ups, join this
gym. It can be never-ending and
have a negative effect on your
body. Being down and depressed
is more likely to cause you to
gain weight than anything else.
With a fad diet comes restricted
eating the sort of artificial diet
that is nigh on impossible to keep.
Health experts will tell you the
only way to effectively lose weight
and keep it off is by making long
term changes to your lifestyle.
That means, as old fashioned as it
is, adapting to a healthier diet and
regularly exercising. These five
steps will not only help you shed
IMAGE JOE MCCORMICK
BURN FAT
IN FIVE
EASY
STEPS
with Tom Jones
[life]
gaytimes.co.uk 121
those pounds, but will contribute
towards a healthier diet and help
with achieving those 2014 goals.
----------
[01] Drink more water Energy
drinks, fizzy drinks, fruit smoothies
and alcohol can contain up to 250
calories each yet theyre not going
to fill you up like food does. When
people start counting their calories,
they can often forget to take into
account that cheeky glass of vino or
five. A large glass of wine contains
as many calories as a Cornetto ice
cream, so having a bottle in the
evening is equivalent to a whole
extra meal. Other drinks may be
high in sodium and carbohydrates,
which store unused energy, tricking
your body into retaining water.
Thats just going to puff you out.
With water making up more than
64% of the body, we depend on
its intake to flush vital organs of
toxins, carry nutrients and provide
moisture in our ears, noses and
throats. Try drinking only water
throughout the day, and if it gets too
boring add a slice of lemon, a mint
leaf or some low sodium cordial.
----------
[02] Eat less white grain Cutting
out white grain products like
white rice, bread and spaghetti
will have an instant impact on the
waistline, because simple carbs
like these are easily stored as fat
around the mid-section. White
carbs foods like rice, potatoes,
bread and pasta are digested
very quickly, but also leave you
feeling hungry and more likely to
overeat and snack. Try replacing
white carbs with veggies. This way
a chicken sandwich becomes a
chicken salad, and steak and chips
becomes steak and asparagus. If
steak and asparagus doesnt sound
so appetising, just remember that
asparagus is actually rather lovely
fried with a small amount of oil and
garlic. Plus, its an aphrodisiac.
A bowl of chips isnt going to get
anyone horny.
----------
[03] Have more sex Theres
nothing better than a good excuse
to do the horizontal shuffle, so
its applause all round with the
news that around 200 calories can
be burned off in a 30 minute sex
session! Well, maybe a bit less
if youre just lying there so get
moving! Sex also pumps levels
of feel-good neurotransmitters
and endorphins, helping you ride
out food cravings (although we
wouldnt recommend repeating
this as dirty talk). And just think,
after a day of asparagus sticks
youre going to be as randy as
anything win/win!
----------
[04] Exercise regularly Try
adding 30 to 45 minutes worth of
exercise into your daily schedule.
Whether its walking home from
work, using a bike, spinning class
or a spot of boxercise, if youre
feeling feisty. If youre in the gym,
30 minutes lifting weights will do
you the world of good. If training
at home, be sure to do at least
three sets of 15 on squats, push-
ups, and sit-ups.
----------
[05] No after dinner snacks
It can be hard to resist some
chocolate or a bag of crisps, or
two, when theres a new episode
of Wentworth on. But late night
snacks mean your body will be
digesting your food while you
sleep, instead of burning fat. This
is the rule people are most likely
to break but its my top tip. If that
pack of Walkers is being digested
while you sleep, then its going
straight on the waist as fat. And
we dont want that.
----------
Success doesnt just come from
a quick-fix diet, it comes from
making changes that you have
to stick to. Grab a friend for
moral support if its tough, or find
someone to duo diet with. Follow
these steps and record your
success to get a flatter midriff now.
Eat well, train well, look hot!
I keep hearing
that I should
drink more
water, but
how much
exactly should
I drink and
how much is
too much?
Everyone is
different we
all come in
different shapes
and sizes, and
what each body
needs varies
person-to-
person. Men
are told to drink
around three
litres (about
13 cups), while
women should
drink around
2.2 litres (nine
cups). You cant
over-drink
water, though.
This will just
help flush your
body out even
more so.
Mega Fat Burners by Optimum
Nutrition are a natural, stimulant-
free blend of essential minerals,
B vitamins, garcinia extract and
L-carnitine to complement your active
lifestyle. I highly recommend for
anyone whose goal is to lose weight.
[ask tom ]
Need advice? Ask Tom on Twitter @tomgt1
[get fit]
AVAILABLE IN-STORE LONDON BRIGHTON BIRMINGHAM
column
HIV:
RECIPES
FOR LIFE
Many HIV-positive
people have self-
esteem issues. For
me, in part, poor self-esteem
was one of the reasons I became
HIV-positive in the first place.
When I was younger I just didnt
care enough about myself to not
take the risk. This is a very sad
statement to make, but true. I try
and look back on my younger
self with kindness, and today I
have much better self-esteem
and fiercely protect it. Some
people can be cruel, just for the
hell of it. Like any walk of life,
therere going to be unpleasant
people, and this isnt exclusive
to the scene. The caring gay
community portrayed at Pride
events is not the reality all of the
time. Having the friendship of a
few good quality people who care
about you is essential if youre
HIV-positive.
I keep a very tight circle of a few
quality friends, but most people
I know I would term politely as
acquaintances. Therere also
people that, for the sake of my
self-esteem, I have to keep at
arms length. It takes time and
experience on the scene to learn
how to navigate it, for all of us.
Whether HIV-negative or positive.
Over the years, Ive met some
fantastic people, and others who
were not so great. Perhaps youre
a better judge of character than I
am and have always met genuine
nice guys? Good for you, but youre
probably in the enviable minority.
In Autumn 2012 I was very ill. I had
pneumonia and ended up having to
take a long time off from work and
socialising. It wasnt completely
unproductive, though. It provided
me with some breathing space and
quiet time to take stock of my life,
and to realise what I really wanted
for the future. It was one of those
pivotal times when making changes
seemed so much easier. One of the
things I did was to take an audit
of my friends and the other people
around me. On a practical level, I
found it useful to make a list of three
columns, with the headings friends,
acquaintances and arms length.
Those who I definitely considered
good friends went in the first
column, those who were pleasant
enough acquaintances went in the
next and so on. The list I ended up
with was very telling and useful. I
realised that I had fewer genuine
friends than I originally thought,
more acquaintances than I could
fit on the list, and a small number
of completely toxic people in the
third column that I needed to protect
myself from. I can only speak from
my own experience and everyones
circumstances are different. The
really interesting thing is, I noticed
those names written in the final
column had a common trait. My
observation was that they seemed
to have a lot of spare time, or would
tend to spend most of their days in
bars enjoying happy hour!
The outcome of the exercise was
that I had a better picture in my
own mind of the people around me.
Those who cared about me and that
I needed to spend more quality
time with; those I could be amiable
towards, but not such an open book
as to disclose too much information
about what was really going on,
not only in terms of HIV, but other
aspects of my life; and those who I
should have no communication with
and be absolutely ignored for the
sake of protecting my self-esteem.
Good friends are the cement that
hold the building blocks of our self-
esteem together, and an important
element to surviving with the virus.
If someone with HIV has poor self-
esteem, then adherence to taking
ARVs is, at best, going to be patchy.
And at worst, non-existent. We all
know where that path leads. Stick
with a handful of those who you
consider winners and the people
that make you feel good about
yourself, not with the losers or those
who engage in the sadistic sports of
gossiping and dreaming up ways to
emotionally and mentally damage
others self-esteem just for the hell
of it. Its better to walk away and
have no friends at all. You only need
a few good quality people around
you for a little of the diamond dust
to rub off for it to be
mutually fulfilling and
worthwhile.
The
caring gay
community
portrayed
at Pride
events is
not the
reality all
of the time.
Having the
friendship
of a few
good
quality
people who
care about
you is
essential
if youre
HIV-positive
[paul thorn]
[life]
@paul_thorn
gaytimes.co.uk 123
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
Join us in
Provincetown for
Valentines &
Presidents Day
February 14-18

WIN A FREE HOLIDAY

FOR 2 AT
THE EUROPEAN
GAY SKI WEEK!
Over 1000 Guests from around the world
will descend on The European Gay Ski
Week in Alpe DHuez from 22 29 March.
With 15 parties and 35 international DJs,
performers and artists, one amazing week
of snow fun is guaranteed.
This fantastic event is now in its sixth year,
and promises seven days of skiing, fun,
partying and who knows what else?
The organisers are giving away a week for
two at next years event.
To enter the competition and nd out more,
go to:
WWW.EUROPEANGAYSKIWEEK.COM
[rights]
[life]
gaytimes.co.uk 125
W
O
R
D
S

M
A
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T

P
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A
K
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I
M
A
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E
S

I
S
T
O
C
K
P
H
O
T
O
DJ Erycom tells us
his story: I was born
into a Christian home
where religion was always the
order of the day. While at school, I
had a close friend Robert. During
the holidays, my mother would
allow me to go and spend time with
him at his home.
We became so close that we used
to share almost everything from
clothes to school materials, we
even slept together. After a time, we
developed intimate feelings. Neither
one of us could live without the other.
We would kiss, sleep holding each
other and we were intimate.
During secondary school, my
mother took me to a mixed school
far away, I pleaded with her to let
me join Robert who went to an
only boys` school. It so happened
that me and Robert met again, the
time spent apart meant that our
relationship grew stronger.
After secondary school, Robert
and I decided to focus on our future
together. Realistically, it wasn`t
going to happen as my parents were
too into their religion and Robert`s
parents planned to take him to
Canada for university. Luckily Robert
didn`t want to go, so we both enrolled
at Kampala International University.
I studied multimedia and sound
engineering and Robert studied IT.
I joined the DJ business and
begun working for a local radio
station. Robert got a job in South
Africa and would come back to
Uganda when he was free. In 2010,
the law for LGBT people in Uganda
got so strict that most gays and
lesbians were arrested. Many were
killed, but the media didn`t report
it. In 2011, I had become a famous
DJ and radio presenter in Kampala.
During my radio programme, I
began campaigning against the 'kill
the gays` bill.
Newspapers and the press then
began to follow me. At the time
I didn`t know they were carrying
out an investigation. I once went
into a hotel with my Canadian
friend Charles and we spent the
night together. After two days,
my name was in the newspapers
and everyone referred to me as a
shame. My boss fred me and told
my colleagues that I was no longer
part of the radio station because
they could not work with gay people.
My mother and my entire family
gave up on me; they said they
could not have a gay child. They all
hated me, except my sister. All my
friends who didn`t know I was gay
all gave up on me. The police then
came to my home. One policeman
together with the neighbours
beat me and I lost a tooth. Police
searched my entire house and they
found gay magazines and DVDs.
My neighbours also dismantled
my car into scrap and even posted
pictures around the local area
telling everyone that whoever fnds
me should kill me, because I was
useless. My sister hid me in her
house but she was, after some time,
arrested and interrogated by the
police because she said she didn`t
know where I was. In December
2011, another newspaper had the
headline 'DJ Erycom is gay and
should be killed`.
In September 2012, Charles
put me in contact with one of his
friends. My sister withdrew all my
small money (almost 3,000 dollars)
from the bank and Charles` friend
got me out of Uganda. I arrived in
Sweden in October 2012; I am now
living happily as an asylum seeker
in Sweden. I am still in touch with
Robert and Charles. We always
exchange e-mails and I am just
praying that at one time
I get to meet the two of
them again.
NO
No same-sex sexual activity is legal
No equal age of consent
No anti-discrimination laws of any kind
No same-sex marriage
No recognition of same-sex couples
No joint and step adoption by same-sex couples
No gays allowed to serve in military
No right to change legal gender
No commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
No gay men allowed to donate blood
YES
LETTER FROM UGANDA WE LOOK AT THE RIGHTS OF
GAY MEN LIVING AROUND THE GLOBE
126 gaytimes.co.uk
ESTONIA
WORDS STEVEN COOPER IMAGES ALLAN ALAJAAN / TOOMAS VOLMER
I
t might sound like a fairy
tale, or at the very least like
the premise of a Channel 5
daytime movie, but theres
a place full of beautiful people
where they celebrate Christmas
twice a year. Only its real, three
hours away and Ive been there:
Estonia.
Attractively, Estonia is a largely
irreligious country. So this is
Christmas with a little less Christ
and a lot more tinsel. A portion
of the population is Russian
Orthodox and, as the Estonian
people are open and sharing,
the festivities put in place for 25
December are extended to the
Orthodox Christmas on 7 January.
So, while we in Britain drearily
suffer the after-effects of eating
an entire wheel of brie and dread
the return to work, our Estonian
friends are tirelessly keeping
Christmas alive.
And its a very beautiful
Christmas, at that. The Old Town
square in the capital city, Tallinn,
is given over to an enormous
Christmas tree surrounded by
the familiar wooden market
stalls; its made for the crystal
morning after a night of snowfall,
or a chilly evening when only
a mulled wine can warm you.
The market infects the city with
Christmas spirit; it seeps down
the Old Towns handsome streets
and narrow, cobbled alleyways.
A series of interconnected
shops sell traditional Estonian
handicrafts perfect for Christmas
shopping: milliners, silk
weavers and woodworkers
making utensils out of juniper
intermingle, a series of their
[travel]
127 gaytimes.co.uk
gaytimes.co.uk 128
striking portraits hanging in the
entrance hall. Theres plenty to
entertain those whore fanatical
about festive foods too: Kalev
Marzipan Museum offers the
opportunity to watch the famous
sweets being hand painted, while I
took part in a gingerbread making
workshop in Bonaparte Restaurant.
Head confectioner Anne Must
oversaw as I tried to out-pipe my
fellow chefs with ever-intricate
(and indecipherable) icing designs
in a particularly festive, if sub-
standard, GBBO.
The Christmas feeling extends
beyond the steeples and red tiled
rooftops of Tallinn Old Town;
I visited two of the 400 manor
houses that are dotted about
the dense, pine heavy Estonian
forests. The rococo Sagadi Manor
is dedicated to environmental
education. Though I indulged
in more craft making here,
making a Christmas bauble out
of forest lichen, the abundance of
microscopes and stuffed animals
bolted to the walls make it clear
that raising awareness of the
surrounding wildlife is a passion.
Nearby, Vihula Manor is a resort
of 25 buildings that promises a
luxurious getaway for couples.
While there, I watched noted
Estonian composer and pianist
Rein Rannap in concert, which
provided a snap of culture in an
otherwise tranquil evening. A tour
of the complex revealed numerous
spa facilities and the surrounding
countryside (the manor sits on the
edge of Lahemaa National Park)
provides a stunning backdrop
for long walks. The resorts La
Boheme Restaurant serves elegant
Estonian food in the dramatic
former ballroom of the main manor
house and would provide a setting
for the most special of occasions.
Its easy to see that Estonia
is keen to prove it has what it
takes to compete with Germany,
Switzerland and Austria on the
quintessential Christmas playing
field and theres no doubt that
it can. But the country has a lot
more to offer beyond that. Estonia
regained its independence 22
years ago, after the dissolution
of the USSR in 1991, marking its
longest ever stretch as a nation
in its own right. Little surprise
then that theres a great sense
of building potential here; an
almost palpable buzz in the air.
Perhaps this is most obvious in
their technological advances.
Estonia is the birthplace of Skype
and wi-fi is freely available across
the whole of Tallinn. It was even
offered on our minibus, with the
guide dryly noting that Estonians
freak out if theyre unconnected
for 10 minutes. Most notable,
however, is that the hospitality
industry is really getting it
right, meaning that Tallinn is
a city break to rival any of the
European greats.
I stayed in the St Petersbourg
Hotel, a 27-room luxury
boutique hotel sat on the corner
of a bumpy street opposite an
old well, which sounds like
the very definition of rustic
charm. Yet, when inside,
I couldnt have been more
comfortable: an enormous
bed is engulfed by a fur throw
and smothered in cushions;
a desk hosts an enormous
anglepoise lamp and an iPad,
pre-connected to the hotels
(naturally) free wi-fi. Breakfast,
which for me consisted of
deliciously sweet crpes, was
served in a traditional timber-
clad restaurant by staff in
lederhosen.
Such novelty can be found at
other mealtimes in Estonias
capital; on my first night in the
city I ate in a medieval themed
restaurant, drowning in herby
beer, flame roasted meat, and
delicious lentils and barley.
For thats the thing: novelty
or not, the food in Tallinn is
exceptional. Youd be forgiven
for thinking that the chefs in the
city have jumped on the locally
sourced, seasonal ingredients
bandwagon blazing its way
across Britain right now, but this
is just the way of life here. Lieb,
the first restaurant in which I ate,
served 24-hour cooked lamb
followed by crme brle made
with the countrys famous black
bread. Our chef explained each
course to us, and matched ales
to the food. It was the sort of
eating experience you see on
MasterChef, but served without
any pomp or ceremony, in a warm
and comfortable room. Later
ESTONIA BALTIC REGION
POPULATION 1,286,479
SIZE 17,413 SQUARE MILES
TIME ZONE EET (UTC+2)
GAY LEGAL SINCE 1992
Estonia is keen
to prove it can
compete in the
quintessential
Christmas playing
field and theres no
doubt that it can
estonia
[02/14]
ABOVE CATHERINE`S
PASSAGE IN WINTER
BELOW ROOM AT THE
HOTEL ST PETERSBOURG
that day I tasted delicious wines
at Luscher and Matiesen, where
Estonians are making wines from
their own grapes for the first time
in decades. They predict that it
will be another decade yet before
theyre in a position to export
wine to the UK.
The highlight, though, was OKO
restaurant, situated a half hour
drive from the city on a desolate
marina. The style of cooking
in Estonia, while traditional,
also frequently echoes that of
their Scandinavian neighbours
(Helsinki is just 90 minutes away
by ferry). And so it was, I was
greeted in the restaurant by a
platter of salted whitefish with
whitefish roe; fresh herrings with
sour cream, caramelised onion
and dill; and more of that rich,
unguent, herby black bread. I
followed this with an elk goulash,
the rich meat tumbling back from
the fork into silky gravy. After
lunch I took a stroll out to the
marina, jumping from the deck
down onto the soft sand. It was a
grey day; a lifeless sky melting
into the Baltic Sea, itself barely
lapping onto the white beach,
without fracture. The air was
still; there were no sounds. It was
spooky, giving me that unique
chill of seeing something for the
first time, and ethereally beautiful.
Tallinn and the surrounding
countryside makes for an ideal
Christmas city break, small
enough to see in a day or two but
bursting with the festive staples
weve come to expect from the
continent. Its unfair to restrict such
a vibrant, charming, exciting city
to one month of the year though;
Tallinn deserves to be seen the
year round. Its abuzz with the
promise of big things to come. Its
a city of hope. And whats more
Christmassy than that?
Travel via Easyjet and Ryanair from
London and Manchester from 49.99, one
way GT stayed at Hotel St. Petersbourg,
hotelstpetersbourg.com. For more details
see visitestonia.com
[travel]
129 gaytimes.co.uk
gaytimes.co.uk 131
HOLIDAYS
Tom Jordan and Jrme Dubois, the Owners of Gites
Le Sud would like to welcome you for a week of fun and
extravaganza. From the 4th-11th May 2014, we will be hosting
our very own Eurovision Song Contest Theme Week, at Le Sud.
We are big Eurovision fans ourselves and it would be a great
opportunity to party and meet with other like minded fans.
This will be a jam packed week of Euro fun, quizzes, karaoke
and much much more.
For full details of this and booking enquiries;- Contact us at
giteslesud@hotmail.co.uk
Le Sud` is situated on the northern boundary of the Lot
department close to the River Dordogne (500 meters) with a
variety of interesting countryside in all directions.
'Le Sud` is a delightful 19th century Quercy farmhouse and
barns set in 15 acres of gardens, meadows and felds which are
abound with wild fowers, birds and animals such as roe deer.
The well-maintained cultivated gardens are a colourful blaze
against the attractive stone buildings and from the earliest
snowdrops to the autumnal hues of the woodlands there is
plenty to delight the avid nature lover or those just wishing to
relax in solitude.
Whichever season you choose to visit there is so
much to offer. Spring, summer and autumn bring glorious
days in which to explore the landscape and the hot days of
summer are forever popular with sun-worshippers and water
lovers.
We will also be offering Baking Courses lead by ex Master
Baker of Harrods Jrme Dubois(Contact us for dates) We are
also having a BeeGee`s Theme Week from 12th May 2014 to
the 17th May 2014.(Contact us for full details)
We usually rent our Gites from Saturday to Saturday but could
propose alternative days, depending on the season and time of
year.
For Gay marriage or Honeymoon, or just to relax and see
beautiful sites, Le Sud is the perfect site!
Telephone 0033 (0) 565 40 97 36
or email giteslesud@hotmail.co.uk
Or visit our web site www.giteslesuddordogne.com
GI TES LE SUD
JOIN TOM AND JRME FOR A WEEK OF EUROVISION FUN
SPONSORED FEATURE
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 E-mail ash@millivres.co.uk
Deadline for next issue 28 January
HOLIDAYS
132 gaytimes.co.uk
To advertise in this section contact Ash Allibhai Tel 020 7424 7434 Email ash@millivres.co.uk
ADVERTISE
YOUR
HOLIDAY
DESTINATION
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gaytimes.co.uk 133
HOLIDAYS
ADVERTISE
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134 gaytimes.co.uk
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gaytimes.co.uk 135
HOLIDAYS
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A TO Z
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Readers of this magazine are probably aware of the
dramatic changes that have taken place to the health of
people living with HIV since the introduction of effective
antiretroviral therapy (ART). As a result, individuals living
with HIV now live for many decades and enter into their
50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. This is a possibility that could
barely have been considered in years gone by.
These successes have brought new challenges; one
being how to care for people living with HIV who are
ageing. As we get older, age-associated diseases such
as dementia are found more commonly and some
research groups have suggested age-associated
diseases may occur at a younger age for people living
with HIV, even with effective antiretroviral therapy.
The impact of such age-associated diseases on a
person`s life can be profound. For instance, dementia
processes, even in their mildest forms, can impact on
people`s quality of life. Day-to-day activities can often
become more diffcult and dementia sufferers may fnd it
harder to remember to take their pills every day.
A team of clinicians and scientists at St Mary`s Hospital
in London (Imperial College London) are undertaking a
study to assess the effect of HIV on brain health in order
to try to answer some of these unknown questions.
The Poppy St Mary`s MRI sub-study is looking at brain
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compared to people living without the virus.
Our study is looking at brain health in people who are
more than 50. If you are 50 years of age or older, and
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HIV negative and happy to have a test, please contact
the team in confdence for more information on the
Poppy St Mary`s MRI sub-study
Clinical trials centre, Ground Floor, Winston Churchill
Wing, St Mary's HospitaI, Praed Street, London, W2 1NY
TeI: 020 3312 1466 Email: poppymri@imperiaI.ac.uk
Your time & traveI for attending study visits wiII be reimbursed.
No inference can or should be made about the sexuality or HIV status of the people in
these photographs. Study approved by London Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
THE POPPY ST MARY S MRI SUB-STUDY
SPONSORED FEATURE
A STUDY LOOKING INTO THE BRAIN HEALTH OF PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 50 WHO ARE LIVING WITH HIV
gtescorts.co.uk 139
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HONEST, GAY
M, 47, seeks younger guy for
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Can accommodate. B`ham.
Box 784737
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WELL-BUILT
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M, with car, for good times. Coventry.
Box 336952
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gym & reading. Seeks M for LTR.
Leeds. Box 423942
GENUINE, HONEST, CARING
M, 63, profess, various interests,
WLTM younger M, 18-25, for f/ship,
r/ship & adventures. Wales.
Box 645448
TALL, SLIM, SMOOTH
M, 41, loves nights out, wining &
dining. Seeks active, older guy for
fun times. Mancs. Box 502398
ATTRACTIVE, MATURE
M, 86, 5`9", slim build, smooth,
cropped, seeks M for discipline &
more. Merseyside. Box 408012
SMART, LONELY
M, 75, smart & professional, cross-
dressing curious, seeks smart M,
any age, for good times. Cheshire.
Box 843150
PROFESS SOLVENT
M, 51, 5`10", hairy chest, likes driving
& the soaps. Seeks M for good times
& more. Ellesmere Port. Box 254374
BISEXUAL, QUIET
M, 42, average build, seeks quiet M,
18-35, for fun & f/ship. Tyneside. Box
943087 or text GT 943087
HEAR THE SUB
M, 58, 5`7", slim build, seeks
masterful M for spanking & more fun.
Cannot accom, can travel up to 50
miles. N. Hants. Box 700470 or text
GT 700470
SEEKING THE LADY IN YOU
Dom M, 50, tall, big guy, looking for
CD/TV, for fun times. Mancs/Salford.
Box 450523 or text GT 450523
GENUINE, SOLVENT
M, 59, non-scene, straight-acting,
various interests, seeks solvent
guy, 30-60, for everything & more.
Warrington. Box 861149
SOLVENT PROFESS
M, young 51, 5`10", hairy chest, likes
reading & photography. Seeks M for
loving r/ship. Ellesmere Port.
Box 548480
CROSS-DRESSING
M, 26, looking for genuine guy, 50-
70, for fun & maybe r/ship. Essex.
Box 559391
HONEST, SINCERE
M, 44, seeks M for good times &
more. Leeds. Box 619439 or text
GT 619439
CROSS-DRESSING
M, 63, likes theatre, seeks M for
bond of f/ship & more. Oldham.
Box 837385
SLIM, CROSS-DRESSING
M, 59, feminine, seeks gent, 55+, for
fun & games. Norfolk. Box 575969
DOMINANT
M, 68, seeks younger M to control &
discipline. S Ldn. Box 379868 or text
GT 379868
SMART, SLIM,EXOTIC
M, 26, n/s, athletic build, into the arts
& sports. Seeks straight-acting manly
M, 35-45, for r/ship. Mancs.
Box 628708 or text GT 628708
BI-CURIOUS
M, 60, 6`, well-built, seeks M for fun
times. Cheshire. Box 828532
ADVENTUROUS
M, 46, likes sport, socialising.
WLTM black guy for fun times. Bury.
Box 221565
GOOD-LOOKING
M, 39, slim/med build, likes holidays,
having laugh, nights in & out. WLTM
M, 33-45, for loving LTR. Mancs.
Box 455509 or text GT 455509
CROSS-DRESSING
M, 59, seeks manly M, 55+, for good
times, fun & games. Co. Antrim.
Box 449907
BISEXUAL
M, 55, can accom, seeks M, 60+, for
fun times. Wigan. Box 890018
CROSS-DRESSING BI
M, 43, seeks M for dressing up &
more. Ellesmere Port. Box 664460 or
text GT 664460
SLIM BI LINGERIE LOVER
M, 52, loves to wear lingerie under
his everyday clothes, seeks texts
from like-minded M for good times.
Preston. Box 737647 or text
GT 737647
FUN-LOVING
M, 60, enjoys nights in. Seeks similar
M, 18-60, for f/ship & fun times.
Shrops. Box 483991 or text
GT 483991
GLAMOROUS, BI
CD, 53, loves to dress. Seeks similar
M for fun times, maybe more.
Co. Derry. Box 296576
SINCERE, ABSTEMIOUS
M, 70, non-drinker, n/s, enjoys
country drives & cosy nights in.
WLTM M for f/ship, poss more. Can
accom/trav. Co. Antrim,. Box 847162
SLIM, FUN-LOVING
CD, 45, WLTM strong, stocky BI M
for good times & more. Belfast.
Box 344342 or text GT 344342
MATURE, GAY
CD, 60s, seeks CD or admirer,
preferably with no ties, for f/ship &
fun this Christmas & beyond! Can
accom. Co. Down. Box 480006
ADVENTUROUS BI
CD, 49, passive, into most things.
Seeks M for fun times. Can travel &
poss accom. Warrington.
Box 440039
ATTRACTIVE, CROSS-DRESSING
M, 56, seeks cross-dressing or
bisexual M for good times. Teesside.
Box 824126 or text GT 824126
SLIM, ATHLETIC
CD, 45, seeks similarly attractive CD
for fun & f/ship+. Co. Antrim.
Box 487019
ATTRACTIVE, FUN-LOVING
CD, 47, seeks sim CD, 18-35, for
good times, maybe more. Stockport.
Box 380507
CURVE APPEAL
Sub M, 50s, slim, smooth, compliant
with curve appeal. Seeks upstanding
Dom gent, 60+, or fun & exploration.
Surrey/Ldn. Box 971737 or text
GT 971737
HAPPY, EASY GOING
M, 66, genuine, sincere. Seeks M,
22-34, for fun, f/ship & poss LTR.
Newcastle. Box 502178 or text
GT 502178
ATTRACTIVE, CARING
M, 57, 5`7", med build, enjoys cosy
nights in/out. Seeks nice genuine
guy, 57-68, for f/ship & fun+. Mancs.
Box 583192 or text GT 583192
EASY-GOING
M, 50, 5`4", medium build, seeks
gent, 65+, for f/ship & further.
Gwynedd. Box 864682
AFFABLE, EASY-GOING
M, 55, likes reading, swimming &
nights out. Seeks M for proper r/ship.
Clwyd. Box 578988 or text
GT 578988
6' TALL, EASY-GOING
M, 45, seeks cross-dressing M for
most things. Derbys. Box 392662
TALL, BROAD-MINDED
M, 56, 6`, non-drinker, n/s, GSOH,
seeks similar M for something
special. Herts. Box 698385
GAY
M, 20, seeks M, 18-45, for good
times. Durham. Box 709842
VERY OBEDIENT
M, 60, 6`, very slim & ft, likes
wearing ladies clothes. WLTM strict
master to train & discipline him.
W. Ldn. Box 799662 or text
GT 799662
VERY GENUINE
M, 50, seeking genuine TV or TS for
fun times. Mancs. Box 749367 or text
GT 749367
BI CD
Loves dressing up, 38, seeks M for
fun times. Mancs. Box 872231 or text
GT 872231
SLIM, ATTRACTIVE
M, 51, seeks caring, understanding
M for support & more. E Mids.
Box 716352
VERY FIT BI
M, 63, 5`8", WLTM similar M for
good fun. Hants. Box 346210
GOOD TO BE BAD
Sub BI M, 42, genuine, down-to-
earth. Seeks older Dom gay/BI M,
or strict F or couple, for regular
correction. N.Tyneside. Box 538120
or text GT 538120
HAIRY, CARING
Sensitive M, 50, 5`10", med build,
likes car boots, walks. Seeks
masculine gay/Bi M, 50-85, for f/ship
& r/ship. SW Ldn/Surrey. Box 645689
or text GT 645689
GOOD-LOOKING
Asian M, late 40s, passive, WLTM
honest, ft, active M for good times.
Surrey. Box 819706
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1
ERY NAUGHTY
M, 60, seeks M to put him on the
straight & narrow & get to the bottom
of things. Kent. Box 654104
ATTRACTIVE
Easy going M, 47, GSOH, seeks M
for fun times, maybe more. Kent.
Box 392549
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Slim, athletic, ft, white M, 57, seeks
similar guy for fun & f/ship. S Ldn.
Box 262958 or text GT 262958
RUBBER LOVER
Genuine M, 37, into rubber, seeks
passive guy for f/ship & fun times.
Lancs. Box 882659
FRIEND & LOVER
Honest M, 86, slim build,. smooth,
many interests, seeks M for good r/
ship. Merseyside. Box 288039
LOOKING GOOD
BI CD, 51, stocky build, enjoys the
gym. Seeks M for fun & f/ship. S Ldn.
Box 457020
SHORN AGAIN
Dom M, 59, shaved head, ex military,
seeks short/shaven-haired M for
mutual satisfaction. Oxon.
Box 981659
GENUINE, LOCAL
I WLTM a local TV/TS or she-male,
for genuine LTR. M 59. Yorks.
Box 650285
PHONE TODAY!
Cuddly BI M, 55, 6`, blue eyes, dark/
grey hair, glasses. Seeks M or F for
adult fun. Can accom. Mancs.
Box 105212
GET TO THE GOOD TIMES
Friendly guy, 54, 5`10", seeks similar
guy for good times & more. N
Coastal. Box 694888
PICTURE THE SCENE
Genuine, open, honest CD, 70,
seeks M, over 65, for role-play fun.
Mancs. Box 828760
SLAVE TO LOVE
Genuine Sub gay M, 44, seeks strict
Dom M, 55+, who can accom, to
use him as his LTR slave. Looks
unimportant, L`pool. Box 279108
TALK TO HIM
Genuine M, 60, seeks M, 60-70, for f/
ship+. S Ldn. Box 649618
LEAD THE WAY
Genuine, down-to-earth M, 70,
enjoys dog walk & cooking. Seeks
M, age unimportant, for f/ship &
company. NW Ldn Box 339064
DON'T HESITATE TO CALL
Genuine, friendly, honest M, 49,
enjoys walking, cycling, cooking &
swimming. Seeks M, 49-89, for fun &
f/ship+. N.Devon. Box 789936
SHY, QUIET
CD, 37, seeks M for f/ship, hopefully
more. Lancs. Box 464898
STRAIGHT-ACTING
M, 60, seeks M for good times.
Chester. Box 169457 or text
GT 169457
DRESSING TO PLEASE
Bi-curious M, 75, seeks cross-
dressing M for fun & more. Surrey.
Box 989595
HONEST, SINCERE
Would you like to have fun with an
honest M, 65? Call me, I`d love to
hear from you. Mancs. Box 168294
or text GT 168294
SINCERE, INEXPERIENCED
M, 51, new to all this. Seeks
understanding M for f/ship & fun.
Chester/NW. Box 839688
STYLISH BI CD
Tall, slim, 61, loves to dress. Seeks
CD or admirer for fun times. Buckley.
Box 219613
SLIM, FRIENDLY
M, 72, 5`9", non-scene, seeks
M for fun & much more. N Ldn.
Box 895214
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
Dom CD, 57, has vacancies for
Subs. Can accom daytime. Text for
interview. NW Ldn. Box 703912 or
text GT 703912
GARTER GET YOU INTO MY LIFE
Bi M, 70, likes wearing stockings &
panties. Seeks gay/Bi M, 60-80, for
sexy adult fun. Can travel. Mancs.
Box 459005 or text GT 459005
CANE & ABLE
Stern master, 69, will deal with all
naughty Subs. Traditional methods.
Ldn. Box 580833
EASY-GOING, SLIM
M, 40s, likes music, pubs, arts,
history. Seeks similar, very slim,
straight-acting M, 18-35, for fun &
f/ship+. Wilts. Box 481488 or text
GT 481488
SUBMIT YOURSELF
Honest M, 66, 5`6", seeks submissive
gent, 60+, or couple, for great fun.
S East. Box 657381 or text
GT 657381
SLENDER SORT
Very slim gay M, 43, enjoys country
walks. Seeks older mature M, 60+,
for f/ship. M`side. Box 220172
LOOKING FOR A GOOD TIME?
Affable M, 70s, seeks nice M for
f/ship & good times. N Wales/
Cheshire. Box 194088
PLEASANT, EASY-GOING
M, 72, WLTM slim, cross-dressing M
for great times. Middx. Box 145367
OUTGOING, ADVENTUROUS
Bi M, 46, 6`2", well-built, seeks TV/
CD or Bi M for good adult fun. Can
accom/travel. Mancs. Box 372082
DOMINEERING GUY
Do you need correction? I`m a 60yr
old guy from Kent & will administer
this correction with my very strong
arms. Box 720890 or text
GT 720890
CARING, GENTLE
M, young 72, 5`6", passive, seeks
nice assertive M, 50-80, for lots of
love & LTR. Mancs. Box 769639
TRANSVESTITE
M, 36, seeks active M for fun times.
SW Ldn. Box 451875
REGULAR FUN
Active, bisexual M, 67, seeks M for
fun times. Lancs. Box 332970
TALL AND FIT
I`m a white guy, 41, just divorced.
If you`re a cross-dresser, TV or TS,
then contact me for fun times. S Ldn.
Box 900964
SEEKING LIKE-WISE GUY
Cross-dressing M, 64, seeks like-
minded M for fun times. Stockport.
Box 953192
GENIAL, FIT
M, 50, seeks bisexual M, 40-55, for
fun, f/ship & further. Denbigh.
Box 167740
MASCULINE
M, 70, seeks feminine M who can
accommodate, for f/ship, perhaps
more. Tameside. Box 777637
TRUE INTENTIONS
Easy-going polite M, 46, seeks
genuine BI or gay M for adult fun.
Age/size unimportant. Can accom.
North Ldn. Box 168153
SLIM, GENUINE
Are you a manly M? Why not give
this cross-dressing bi she-male, 67,
a call? NW Box 967482 or text
GT 967482
TALL, GENUINE
M, 55, frst-timer, a bit shy, seeks
feminine, cross-dressing M for fun &
maybe more. Co. Down. Box 683569
or text GT 683569
HONEST
M, 42, bi-curious, seeks similar M
for light fun, to begin with. Middx.
Box 763374
MAN TO MAN
Genuine, good-looking M, 40, 6`,
slim build, seeks M for fun, f/ship &
hopefully lots more. Co. Down.
Box 921655
MAN ON MAN
Fit, attractive, experienced M, 58,
seeks M for adult fun.CD or TV
welcome. Cheshire/NW. Box 774030
or text GT 774030
ALL DOLLED UP
Cross-dressing, bi M, 65, seeks M,
50-70, for fun times, perhaps more.
Rochdale. Box 606525
FUN
Gay M, 20, seeks M, 18-35, for good
times & more. Durham. Box 638426
VERY FEMININE CD
52, seeks M for good times & more.
NE, Box 880640
SLIM, CROSS-DRESSING
M, 46, into lingerie, seeks M, 60+,
for fun times. Crewe. Box 847862
INEXPERINCED GUY
Fit, strong M, 47, 5`11", dark eyes,
short hair. WLTM understanding
experienced CD for frst-time fun+.
NW Ldn/Surrounds. Box 317171 or
text GT 317171
FOLLOW ME
Very assertive white M, 65, 6`2", med
build. Seeks very unassertive M. TVs
welcome. Can travel & accom. Ldn.
Box 989199
I SAID WAIT
Mature Dom M, 63, seeks mature
slim Sub M to do his bidding. Chesh.
Box 218749
TWICE AS NICE
BI widower, 60s, n/s, tactile, sensual,
generous. Seeks M for fun times.
North Ldn/South Herts. Box 291355
SUBMISSIVE CD
I`m 45, very naughty & easy-to-
please. I like to role-play & WLTM a
Dom M to correct me on a frequent
basis at my place. Deeside.
Box 963717
ALL DAY & ALL OF THE NIGHT
Dom disciplinarian M, 67, seeks very
Sub M for 24/7, 365 servitude. Kent.
Box 919433 or text GT 919433
ATTRACTIVE, PROFESSIONAL
Bi-curious M, 45, 5`10", enjoys dining
out, theatre & places of interest.
Seeks TV or TS for fun r/ship.
N. Wales. Box 858769
FIT, SLIM
M, 26, has a dog, non-drinker, n/s,
seeks M for r/ship. Coventry. |
Box 300717
ATTRACTIVE CROSS-DRESSER
Tall blue-eyed CD, 38, smoker, med
build. Seeks tall, confdent gay or BI
M, 45+, great personality, for fun+.
Co. Down. Box 729383
SUB CD
54, seek retired gent, 65+, who
can accom. Central Scotland.
Box 128360
OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS
Open-minded, bi-curious, white
profess M, 58, ft, w/e, seeks sim,
slim w/e M. Can travel/accom.
S. Ldn. Box 173029
MATURITY MATTERS
Slim, ft gay M, 55, seeks older M,
65+, for no strings adult fun. Can
travel/accom. Berks. Box 276767
or text GT 276767
GET IT ON
Fit, active, Asian M, 43, seeks
passive stocky guy, 21-40, for horny
bedroom fun. Middx. Box 447443
FIRST-TIMER
Alright lads, I`m a 43yr old M, looking
for other Bi lads or couple for horny
fun & meets. I can accom. Get back
to me lads! M`side. Box 305600 or
text GT 305600
COME INTO MY LIFE
Good-looking gay M, 44, 6`, stocky,
enjoys walks, swimming & telly.
Seeks gay M for fun & f/ship+.
Gwynedd/Surrounds. Box 597670 or
text GT 597670
UP 'N' UNDER
Hirsute rugby player, early 50s,
seeks younger M with whom to score
a try! Belfast. Box 834976
STANDING NO NONSENSE
Traditional discipline administered
by frm but fair master, late 60s, very
experienced. Ldn. Box 844265
GET BACK
Genuine M, 50s, 5`8", 34"waist,
seeks similar M for f/ship & good
times. Ellesmere Port. Box 435319
FUN-LOVING, LOVEABLE
I`m a kind, caring, trustworthy, happy-
go-lucky M, 55. Are you the right n/s
M for me? Ipswich. Box 825167 or
text GT 825167
YOUR FLEXIBLE FRIEND
Slim versatile M, 37, into rubber.
WLTM passive or active M, 40-75, for
fun times. Oldham/Rochdale/Bury.
Box 577815
LOVING, RELIABLE
M, 39, 5`7", medium build, loves
camping & holidays, nights in with
bottle of wine, seeks sincere M for
caring, lasting r/ship. Mancs.
Box 567040
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+ onIy. Service provided by ATS, PO Box 788, London EC1V 7ZA.
NOT BAD-LOOKING
Hi, I`m a 60yr old guy who enjoys
nights in. I`m looking for similar
for f/ship & to enjoy each other`s
company. Shrops. Box 943113
GENIAL
M, 51, medium build, seeks passive,
compliant younger M who will obey
his every command. Surrey.
Box 394052
FIT & HEALTHY
M, 39, into sport, meals out & travel.
Seeks smart, ft, older well-dressed
M for lasting r/ship. Belfast.
Box 999574
DATING
WILD AT HEART
Genuine M, 63, enjoys country
walks, wildlife, cooking & chillin out.
Seeks M, 45-65, for true f/ship &
poss r/ship. Wilts. Box 295617 or text
GT 295617
THE GOOD STUFF
Slim open-minded M, 58, 5`11", likes
good food & wine. Seeks M, 50-70s,
for fun times & r/ship. Can travel.
Bristol. Box 531976 or text
GT 531976
LET'S GET SERIOUS
Outgoing M, 44, med build, seeks
nice, genuine, older M, 55-70, for
fun, f/ship & lasting r/ship.
Co. Durham. Box 819034
GOOD-LOOKING, CHILLED
M, 39, medium build, smoker, likes
walks, meals out & camping. Seeks
M, 34-45, for r/ship. Mancs.
Box 596025 or text GT 596025
I'M ALL YOURS
Bi, passive M, young 60, 5`7", slim
build, smooth, WLTM Dom M/F or
couple for good times. Preston.
Box 947928 or text GT 947928
I'M A MATURE GUY
Of 52, & I`m looking for a feminine
TV/CD to have some fun with.
Belfast. Box 364355 or text
GT 364355
SLIM, FAIR-HAIRED
M, 46, n/s, seeks n/s gent, 50-60s,
for fun & f/ship. Cheshire.
Box 890253
CONVINCE ME
Slim M, 52, seeks convincing TV/CD
for fun times. Can travel. Wrexham.
Box 962649
HEY HANDSOME!
Good-looking genuine gay M, 63,
5`7", loves country walks, cooking &
music. Seeks gay M, up 65, for
r/ship. Mancs/Stock. Box 357611
LET'S GET IN TENTS
Fit M, 52, 5`9", into camping, sailing,
walks & clubs. Seeks M, 18-30.
Soton/Ports or Winchester.
Box 469066
SMOOTHLY DOES IT
Bi white M, 62, 5`9", med build,
clean-shaven, easy-going, seeks
clean-shaven Asian M for fun &
f/ship+. Middx. Box 471117 or text
GT 471117
BE MASTERFUL WITH ME
Slim Sub M, 35, 5`9", seeks older,
very Dom master. N Ldn.
Box 546849
BEND TO MY WILL
Strict demanding M, 68, seeks
servile M, 40+, to be his personal
servant. Race unimportant. Can not
accom. S Ldn. Box 698472 or text
GT 698472
SHOW ME THE ROPES
Attractive M, 32, relatively
inexperienced, versatile, seeks older
M for fun & excitement. N Ldn.
Box 618668
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