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Transcription

G3X
fo r g ay / b i wo m e n | J a nu a r y 2 0 1 0
www.g3mag.co.uk
.CO.UK
FREE
GUYCONS
THE BOYS
WE LET
OURSELVES
LOVE
GIRL
BAR
DINAH
SHORE
WEEK
A SNEAK PREVIEW
OF THE HOT
LESBIAN GETAWAY
EXCHANGING
VOWS
GAY MARRIAGES
AND STRAIGHT
CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
all n
ew io r
on at ea
St blic e Y 9
Pu f th200
o
SAM FOX
on bugs, babies and
her latest Greatest Hits…
highlights
editorial
020 7724 9898
Editor
Charlotte Dingle
charlotte@g3mag.com
Art Director/Design
Helen Mathias
design@g3magazine.co.uk
Film Editor
Jen Kilchenmann
Music Editor
Lea Andrews
Sub Editor
Kathryn Fox
Original Design Concept
Boutique Marketing
www.boutiquemarketing.co.uk
Contributors/Thanks to:
Nadia Attura, Angie Bates, Julie Bindel,
Heather Bradley, Karl Bright, Bindi
F.B, Kathryn Fox, Philip Garcia, Tiff
Griffiths, Brian Groom, Nicola Hill,
Andrew Holt, Laurence Jaugey-Paget,
Joni Lewis, Rita McLoughlin, Siv ‘The
Bomb’ Nilsen, Maz Ogden, Rachel
Potter, Ben Summerskill, Titchy Tiff,
Helen Tsopanoglou, Micha V.
“
“
Cover photo © 2009 Fox 2000/Dean Stockings/
Make-up by Sean Chapman
When I met
Myra, I knew I
wanted to spend
the rest of my
life with her.
Accounts
Maria Liatou
accounts@squarepegmedia.com
Managing Director
Sarah Garrett
sarah@g3magazine.co.uk
Managing Director
Linda Riley
linda@g3magazine.co.uk
PUBLISHERS
Sarah Garrett/Linda Riley
Square Peg Media Ltd
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Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7258 1777
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ISDN: 1473-6039
All advertising copy for February
2010 must be received before
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copy to design@g3magazine.co.uk
The content of this publication, either in whole or in part,
may not be reproduced, stored in a data retrieval system
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Media Ltd t/a g3 magazine will take no responsibility for
any loss/claim resulting from a transaction
with one of our advertisers/media partners.
#
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advertising
020 7258 1777
Head of Advertising
Rob Harkavy
rob@g3magazine.co.uk
Senior Advertising Executives
Maz Ogden
maz@g3mag.co.uk
Dan Goodban
dan@g3mag.co.uk
Sam Fox
PHOTO © 2009 FOX 2000 / DEAN STOCKINGS/ MAKE-UP BY SEAN CHAPMAN
contents
42
Stonewall
superheroes
at work!
Why gay babes
love Beckham
Susie Smithers’
stunning jewellery
collection
regulars
07Ua^]b
66\Sea
38d]WQS
69Q][[c\Wbg 99
bÒdSZ
Fashion faves and groovy
gadgets, music and film
reviews and event previews.
The straight couple
campaigning for a civil
partnership.
47aQS\S
Gutterslut, Ladypoof, Out
in the City’s third birthday,
Heresy and Heelz, Candy
Bar and Dinah Shore, plus all
the latest UK bar and club
listings.
All the latest gay news
issues, nationally and
internationally.
LGBT community centres,
London Friend, Pride Angel,
Cats Protection League
and a whole bunch of
adorable dogs.
79`SQ`cWb[S\b
Returning to work after a
break. Plus our Woman on
Top Elena Linara from the
London Women’s Clinic.
89V][SZWdW\U
Top tips for a laid-back
lair. Plus Girls’ Night In this
month with actress Cathy
DeBuono.
Discover the charm of
French city, Lille.
VSOZbV
107
PSOcbg
A shiny new you in 2010.
108
`SZObW]\aVWâ
How to put yourself back
on the market.
3
upfront
C
send us your letters:
mailbag
STAR LETTER!
the girl’s got balls
win!
Just send your letters to the
usual address or email:
charlotte@g3mag.co.uk
Two tickets for
the Tower of
London Ice Rink
plus a set of
Parker pens!
Thanks to Tower of London Ice rink
in association with Parker Pens, this
month’s star letter writer and a friend
will be enjoying a day on the ice – and
then writing it up in their diaries with
an elegant set of Parker pens! The rink
is only open until 10 Jan, though, so get
your skates on…
Dear g3, Thank you so much for the
feature on lesbian sportswomen in
your December issue. I go through
hell in the changing rooms at
school every day, with all the other
girls accusing me of looking at
them just because they know I’m
gay. It takes a lot of courage to try
and ignore the bullying and keep
my place on the school netball
team until I leave for uni next year.
JENNY,VIA EMAIL
ED: Ah, school changing rooms!
I remember them well. Shudder.
One day these kids will grow up and
realise what idiots they’re being. In
the meantime, I think you should at
least tell your team coach what’s
going on. Good luck!
bundle of laughs
4
Dear g3, Great to see an interview
with champion side-splitter Rosie
Wilby in the December issue of
g3. I saw her Science of Sex show
in June, and I was still laughing for
my entire hour-long bus ride home.
There are so many great lesbian
comics out there right now – it’s
high time you did a whole feature
on them!
ed’
s
letter
Happy New Year!
It may well be 2010 by the time you read this. If so, I hope you all had a thoroughly
mistletoe-strewn Christmas and a truly champers-soaked NewYear’s Eve.
This issue, we’re genuinely chuffed to be bringing you a cover interview with the fantastic
Samantha Fox. Sam tells us all about her time in the jungle on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out
of Here! and her new Greatest Hits album, out on 18 January.
On a less positive note, as I write this, the BBC has just come under fire for posting a
debate on its website entitled ‘Should homosexuals be executed?’.The question was in
response to the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda.Whilst it is crucial that these
atrocities are brought to everyone’s attention, to invite discussion of the topic in this
insensitive way is unacceptable.As PeterTatchell quite rightly points out,“The BBC would
not hold online debates such as ‘Should Jews be exterminated?’.” But let’s not allow our
disgust at the BBC’s choice of wording to overshadow the main issue here: gay people in
Uganda are confronting the possibility that their lives may soon be in danger.
Let’s push our hardest in 2010 for some real leaps forward in gay rights all over the world.
Look after yourselves,
KELLY, LONDON
ED: Agreed. Watch this space, Kelly…
cartoon time
Dear g3, When are we going
to see an interview with Patty
Bouvier from The Simpsons in
g3? It’s absolutely unforgivable
that a leading lesbian publication
hasn’t allowed us an insight into
this magnificent woman’s psyche.
Shame on you!
SHOCKED,APPALLED
AND DISMAYED OF
SPRINGFIELD
lotte
Char
g3 liveU![OUQ]cY
Can’t get g3? Read the latest g3 magazine instantly
on your computer by visiting our website which
includes instant access, page-turning graphics, music
and film videos, plus interactive web links from our
articles and advertisers.
Check out the latest issue and archives at www.g3mag.co.uk
5
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This month: g3 gets
up close and personal
with Sam Fox and
Allegra McEvedy. Plus
our fun quiz, tit bits
and the latest reviews.
hitting your spot again and again!
Babe
of the
month
/WaVeO`gO
@OW
7
For more information, visit
www.aishwarya-rai.com
Gadgets
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music//film//girls//toys//fashion//reviews//news//music//film//girl
the
active
E]PPZS0]O`R
Get the new year off to a great
start with this handy and compact
fitness booster. Balancing on the
board improves core strength and
co-ordination, and is perfect for
rehabilitating yourself after injury.You
may look silly but you’ll feel fantastic!
the practical
<cb`WESWUVAZW[AQOZSa
Knowing the precise fat, calorie, protein or
carbohydrate content of everything you eat
helps you to maintain a balanced diet – but it can
sometimes be a lot of hassle.These ingenious scales
weigh your food at the same time as calculating its
exact nutritional content. Genius!
RRP £29.95 www.gizoo.co.uk
RRP £19.95 www.returntofitness.co.uk
the
cute
<OPOhbOUEW4W@OPPWb
This irresistible little fella sits on your desk and performs a host of
tasks: he surfs the net, checks the news and weather reports, plays
music, reads emails and much more.As well as all this, he also
responds to voice commands and has his own ‘personality’.
Utterly adorable!
RRP £99 www.pixmania.com
she’
s
just
gotta
have
it
tech up in style with the latest gadgets
!
9
When leaving a hastily scribbled note isn’t
enough, why not try another approach?
Eliminate confusion and add a personal
touch: stick a live video message to your
fridge, and tell your housemates exactly
what you mean. Great fun, and harder to
lose than a scrap of paper.
RRP £29.99 www.iwantoneofthose.com
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
the
visual
2WUWbOZDWRS];S[]
Gear/ / t o y s / / f a s h i o n / / r e v i e w s / / n e w s / / m u s i c / / f i l m / / g i r
T`]\a
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music//film//girls
the
jacket
0]]6]]
Grab a cigar and get your lounge
lizard on in this striking, beautifully
tailored tux jacket. Effortlessly
edgy when teamed with skinnies,
the deluxe tux is a great alternative
to fussy party dresses if you want
to stand out from the sequincovered crowd at parties.
Lexi satin trim tuxedo jacket £25
BooHoo www.boohoo.com
the gloves
AOcQS
Practical and comfortable but also
eminently stylish, these studded cotton
fingerless gloves have a hint of Mack the
Knife about them. Perfect for adding an
edge to a more feminine outfit, or
enhancing an already rock and roll
ensemble.
black
&
white
start 2010 in monochrome
Fingerless black gloves £30
Sauce www.bunnyhug.co.uk
the jeans
%T]ÒZZ[O\YW\R
Tight, black and guaranteed to flatter your figure,
these skinnies will fit you like a glove, and are the
essential uniform of cool cats everywhere.They do
day-to-night changes with ease, and will keep your
legs a lot warmer than tights this month. No
wardrobe should be without them.
!
the
top
:</
Underwear as outerwear is a hot
trend right now.This lacy top is
subtle, sexy and deliciously gothic
and adds a risqué touch to any outfit.
Wear with a camisole underneath or
be extra cheeky and let a coloured
bra show through.
LNA black lace T-shirt £69
LNA www.bunnyhug.co.uk
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
10
Roxanne jeans in noir £110
7 for all mankind www.7ForAllMankind.com
lsgirls//music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//film/
11
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Quiz/ / t o y s / / f a s h i o n / / r e v i e w s / / n e w s / / m u s i c / / f i l m / / g i r
music//film//girls
How
Cool
are You?
Are you a cutting edge
trendster or a crusty old frump?
What’s on your ipod?
!
"
#
$
What did you last read?
a) Barry Manilow.
b) A Hed Kandi compilation.
c) Some old Pulp.
a) A History of Cross-stitching.
b) Mixmag.
c) A detective novel.
What are you wearing?
What do you normally drink
when you go out for the
evening?
a) Firetrap jeans and a
Religion T-shirt.
b) Some Levis and a band T-shirt.
c) A hessian smock.
a) Very expensive cocktails
with strange names.
b) I don’t really go out, but I like
a nice cup of cocoa before bed.
c) A few pints of beer.
What do you do for a living?
a) Office work.
b) I’m a DJ.
c) I’m a home economics teacher.
Scores:
Where are you spending your
next holiday?
a) In Ibiza, on the Pacha
dancefloor with all my mates.
b) I’m going to look at some
steam railways.
c) I’ll probably go to Italy or France
with my girlfriend.
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1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
a) 1
a) 5
a) 5
a) 1
a) 5
a) 3
a) 3
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE
OhSoSrIeP
Gw
Our cover star Sam Fox spent almost two
weeks in the jungle on I’m a Celebrity…
Get Me Out of Here! swimming with sharks,
sucking on spiders and generally flying the
dyke flag with panache. Sam, 46, was
gutted about her eviction, but remained
philosophical, reasoning that at least she
would be able to see her partner, Myra, and
her mother, when she got out. Aaah!
7-12: Nerd-o-rama:
b) 5
b) 3
b) 1
b) 5
b) 1
b) 5
b) 1
c) 3
c) 1
c) 3
c) 3
c) 3
c) 1
c) 5
Who is your style icon?
You’re about as cool as the bonfire which you
should be burning all your clothes and
possessions on…
13-21: Girl next door:
You’re never going to be on the front cover
of a magazine… but people probably don’t
laugh at your shoes, either.
a) Kate Winslet.
b) MargaretThatcher.
c) Victoria Beckham.
22-35: Hip as hell:
You’re achingly cool, baby!
But you knew that already, didn’t you?
A very poorly Beth Ditto headlined NME
Calling (a series of music events across
London) with her band Gossip.The singer
told the audience that she was suffering from
bronchitis… before also announcing an
unexpected period. She asked her fans to be
on“bleed watch” and let her know if any
stains started to show through her outfit.
What a classy bird!
Beth Ditto
Yes, we know we’re very sad, still clinging
to a rapidly fading hope that Sam
[Ronson] and Li-Lo will make it
through. But please indulge us just one
last time.The news ain’t good, girls.
Lindsay was recently spotted leaving the
home of actor and producer Jason Segel,
sparking rumours that the pair are
romantically involved. She also
participated in a raunchy photoshoot for
Italian fashion mag Muse, featuring a bed, a
naked man and another scantily clad
woman… Oh, and one of Lindsay’s
nipples. Sam, it looks like it’s time
to move on.
lsgirls//
music//film//girls//toys//books//news//reviews//music//film//girls/
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m//girl
TitBits
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/music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//fil
MILLS
SON,
KIN
WILcho
logy Student
23, Psy
WHAT
WAS THE
LAST…?
… film you saw
The Breakfast Club
… album you bought
Two Dancers –Wild Beasts
… club you visited
The Egg, Kings Cross, London
… book you read
Catcher in the Rye – J D Salinger
… magazine you bought
NME
JANUARYFundaq…
FUN
From
Wednesday 6
Cirque du Soleil –
The Cirque du
Soleil’s breathtaking
new Varekai show is
touring London and
Manchester.
www.cirquedusoleil.
From Friday 22
Throughout January
January sales –
The crowds aren’t much
fun… but the bargains are!
Reverb concerts – Camden’s Roundhouse will play host
to a range of stunning performances, including virtuoso
pianists the Labeque sisters and Zic Zazou’s mechanical
music extravaganza. www.roundhouse.org.uk
Tuesday 1
New Years Day
hangovers –
Why oh why oh
why do we do it
to ourselves!?
End of
January
GLUM
Labeque
Sisters
;cab`SOR
Ed. Richard Canning/
fifty gay and lesbian books everyone
must read
Broken
resolutions –
The only
resolution you
should make
from now on
is never to
make any more
resolutions.
10
top
new year’s
resolutions
1. Lose weight: On Friday
1 January you will cram a
shopping trolley with celery.
On Saturday 2 January you
will find yourself soaking up
five pints of lager with a bag
of chips.
2. Stop smoking : Load yourself up with
patches,gum,silly little plastic imitation
smoking devices… and then cave in
when sexy Jane from reception offers you
a Marlborough Light.
3. Get a new job: Spend
the first week of the year
filling in applications for jobs
at the United Nations.And
the next 51 weeks of it
stacking shelves.
4. Give up drinking: Virtuously sipping an
orange juice as your friends descend into
chaos around you is amusing… for about
five minutes.
5. Join a gym: Furiously
pump iron for most of
January… and devote the
rest of the year to finding
elaborate reasons why the
gym should let you out of
your contract.
6. Start a course: You’ve always wanted
to learn Swahili. I mean,how hard can it be?
7. Redecorate: 1 January:
paint half of bedroom.5
June:finish painting
bedroom.
8. Save money: Write yourself a detailed
budgeting plan for the next 12 months…
and carefully lose it.
9. Be greener: Cycle to
work every day… for a
week… then sheepishly let
yourself back into your car.
Published by Alyson Books £10.99 Out now
+++++
Respected literary figures from around the world are
brought together in an anthology that explores LGBT
literature and its importance to everyone, no matter
what their sexuality.The book features essays from
notable writers such as Allen Ginsberg and Sarah
Waters, as well as newcomers.
15
10. Get back in touch with friends:
Fire off fifty-odd Facebook messages to
your primary school mates,despite the
fact that all you remember
having in common is a
mutual dislike for mashed
potatoes from the
school canteen.
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS & CHARLOTTE DINGLE
g3xmember:
music//film//girls//toys//fashion//reviews//news//music//film//girl
Samantha
Fox
16
1
On the outback, coming out
and her ultimate Greatest Hits album
The inimitable Sam Fox talks
to Charlotte Dingle about
appearing on I’m a Celebrity…
Get Me Out of Here!, her upcoming
album release, and how she and
her girlfriend/manager keep
business and pleasure separate.
Interview f i l m
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“
“
She just seemed to be warming to the spiders and sharks when
Sam Fox was voted off realityTV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out
of Here!. True to her relentlessly cheerful reputation, however, the bubbly
cockney babe seems unfazed at having lost the public vote. “It was a great
experience!” she gushes, “I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life!” So what did
she gain from nearly two weeks away from civilisation? “It made me realise how
lucky we all are really,” she says. “You had to wash your clothes with a bar of
soap and they took two days to dry… and you had ticks on your head and
leeches on your feet.” However, she soon adapted to the very different lifestyle:
“The first few days you are a wreck, but then after a while you just get used to it
and you just flick them off you.”
Sam’s sense of humour seems to have got her through the worst of it. “As I got in
there I got on really well with Kim [Woodburn]” Sam says. “She asked on the first
night ‘Who pees in the night?’. When I said ‘I always pee in the night’, she said to
me ‘Would you come and get me when you do?’ So, later on, I put my hand in
through the window of her caravan and just went ‘Kim?’… Freaked her out
completely!”
How did Sam feel when she found out she had been voted off the programme?
“It was frustrating”, the star laments. “I did the first trial, didn’t I? And I did it with
ease! But then Katy Price came in and I think quite a lot of people wanted her to
do the trials, so I didn’t get a look in there.”
Last year, another notable television appearance from Sam came in the form of
her and Myra starring in the Channel 4 show Wife Swap. The couple swapped
with comedian Freddie Starr and his wife Donna, with Sam ending up with
Freddie and Myra with Donna. Sam was delighted to be given the chance to take
care of Freddie and Donna’s daughter. “Something great came out of that”, Sam
enthuses. “I spent time with this lovely little baby and I knew that it was in me to
be a mother.” So are kids in the pipeline for her and Myra? “At the moment, we
keep practising but nothing is happening!” Sam laughs. “I would love to have a
baby of my own and we would like to adopt too.”
It was going public about her relationship with Myra, in 2003, which finally
confirmed rumours that Sam was a lesbian. Prior to this, it was alleged that Sam
was in a relationship with Cris Bonacci, an ex member of heavy metal band
Girlschool, but Sam never admitted to this. “Before Myra I was in a relationship
but my girlfriend hadn’t come out to her parents so it was really difficult to
come out at that time” is all the singer will say on the matter. “When I met
Myra,” she continues, “I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”
Despite coming out quite late, Sam knew from a young age that she liked women.
“I had my first experience with a woman when I was seven or eight, playing
doctors and nurses… and then I had my first crush, on Lindsay Wagner in Bionic
Woman.” However, Sam had her fair share of flings with the opposite sex before
she came out. Apart from her relationship with Myra, Sam’s most high profile
liaison was with con man Peter Foster, who she described at the time as “the love
of my life”. Sam says: “Through my life I was attracted to guys because there was
PHOTO © 2009 FOX 2000 / DEAN STOCKINGS / MAKE-UP BY SEAN CHAPMAN
I had my first crush
on Lindsay Wagner
in Bionic Woman.
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Asked if she was worried about losing fans when she came out, Sam responds:
“Obviously, at the beginning, with page three, it was mostly men. I had a
contract with Topman, and I would open stores and 3000 teenage boys would
turn out.” Things have definitely changed since then: “When I started to do
music it was getting to be more women, and when I started covering songs of
my favourite singers it was like 60/30. Now, instead of getting underpants
thrown at me on stage I get thrown bras. It’s great!”
The star is very enthusiastic about being a high profile lesbian. “Wife Swap
was a great show to do because it showed me and Myra in a wonderful loving
relationship,” she enthuses. “Gay women have been stereotyped, but we were
shown in a loving relationship… We showed that we are two women who love
each other very much, who want to have children. We got some great emails,
not only from gay women but from heterosexual couples who said we would be
great parents.” Sam is delighted to act as a role model for a new generation of
lesbians, too: “I’ve had emails from young girls saying ‘I’m frightened to tell my
parents about myself but now that you have come out I can just tell them to
look at Sam Fox!’ And I feel really, really pleased about that.” She goes on:
“I feel so happy and settled since I have come out… but I wasn’t really sure
about doing it until I met Myra.”
Myra is also Sam’s manager. How do they sustain a close loving relationship as
well as an effective business relationship? “Before I met Myra it was a lonely
time,” Sam laments. “I would be travelling the world; my band would go out
partying and I couldn’t because I would be so mobbed. So I ended up sitting in
my suite, with bodyguards outside my door, fans downstairs screaming up at the
window and not being able to leave my room.” Fortunately, solace arrived in the
form of a woman who eventually became her life partner and soulmate:
“Travelling with Myra is amazing because I have got my loved one by my side.
She’s a great woman and we can definitely separate work and our home life.”
She continues: “My Dad was my manager before, and what happened there
was we couldn’t separate the work from me being his daughter. I didn’t want
that to happen with me and Myra.” Indeed, Sam is hugely grateful for the
uniquely intimate understanding Myra has of Sam and her needs, both personal
“
Sam is releasing a new Greatest Hits album on 18 January 2010. Unlike previous
Greatest Hits albums, however, this will feature previously unreleased material.
“To be honest, there have been a few Greatest Hits released in the past,” Sam
explains. “People who had bought the licensing rights from Jive records and had
just released it. But Jive then sold to BMG, and BMG have joined forces with
Sony and they contacted me about four months ago and asked if I would like to
be involved. And I agreed, because there are a lot of tracks that were never
released and I think that’s what the fans want.” She elaborates: “One in
particular called Too Late to Say Goodbye I remember recording after Nothing’s
Going to Stop Me Now and loving it. There’s also a song I did by Kiss: Rock and Roll
All Night. That was after my love affair with Paul Stanley from Kiss. Just songs
that people have never heard, and songs you can only get on vinyl.” The album
also features remixes of her greatest hit of all time, the splendid pop classic
Touch Me. It’s a fine celebration of a career which has seen six Top 40 hits in the
UK, and 30 million albums sold worldwide. An autobiography will also be hitting
the shelves this Easter.
She’s a musician, an entertainer and a personality. She was once named the most
photographed woman in Britain other than Margaret Thatcher and Princess Di.
She’s received an award from Mother Theresa. And on top of all this, she’s a
positive and dynamic lesbian in the public eye, displaying her sexuality with
pride. Sam Fox is so much more than just the ‘former glamour model’ that so
many people lazily reduce her to.
Now instead of
getting underpants
thrown at me
on stage, I get
thrown bras.
It’s great!
“
20
and professional: “When I go on stage she is there for me. She is always by my
side, she is always watching carefully. She can see by my face if there is a
problem. That is a connection which you can’t have with anybody else.”
Samantha Fox’s Greatest Hits
is out on Monday 18 January
on Sony Music.
For more information visit
www.samfox.com
something about them; they were exciting for me. But I knew in my heart that
I did not want to marry any of them, spend the rest of my life with them.”
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m//girl
Arts&Culture
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/music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//fil
events/keeping it live
for girls who like to be out
the comedy
AQWS\QS]TASf
Educational, fun and just a little bit naughty
– mad scientist Rosie Wilby takes us on
a hysterical journey of exploration as she
looks at exactly what fuels our sexual
urges. Built on a mixture of hard science
and surreal anecdotes from her own life
it’s a great gig that brings you a touch of
the unexpected… and leaves you with
some fantastic facts to tell your friends!
13 January. Royal Vauxhall Tavern,
372 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5HY.
www.myspace.com/rosiewilbycomedy
don’t
miss!
music/imelda may
This Irish beauty puts a modern spin on
blues and rockabilly music. Retro yet
fresh, her sound is a sumptuous jazzy
affair with husky vocals. Ms May also
does a regular spot atThe Candy Box
Burlesque Club in Birmingham.
27-30 January. Various UK venues.
www.imeldamay.com
show/la clique
the
exhibition
AbOgW\U(2`SO[0W\
A]TbAbcRO\R=bVSÀb]`WSa
A raunchy fusion of cabaret and circus
acts, this daring younger sister of
Cirque du Soleil is just a bit more sexy,
dangerous and naked. Expect
stripteases, contortionists, clowns and
drag queens. It’s bound to sell out, so
visit their website for tickets now!
Artist Oreet Ashery worked closely with twelve lesbian
asylum seekers on this Artangel project. Via monologues,
poetry, art and interviews these women tell their
powerful stories. Prepare to be shocked and moved as
you gain an insight into the unique plight of gay refugees.
The free event also features interactive workshops and
debates. Booking is essential.
2-17 January. Roundhouse, Chalk
Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH.
www.lacliquelondon.com
Launches 20 January. St Aloysius Social Club,
20 Phoenix Rd, London, NW1 1TA. www.artangel.org.uk
the event
:E]`R1]\dS\bW]\
Leisha Hailey
(Alice) and Kate
Moenig (Shane)
It’s finally here! L7 is an exciting three-day
celebration of your favourite lesbian drama. Go
celeb spotting, form firm friendships, party all
night and just worship all things LWord.The
event will see guests including Kate Moennig
and Janina Gavankar giving talks to hysterical
fans.Totally unmissable: book now!
Flamboyant cabaret star Camille
O’Sullivan is renowned for her passionate
interpretations of classic tracks by Nick
Drake and Jaques Brel, as well as for her
own much-acclaimed original material.
She’ll be performing at London’s Apollo
Theatre until the 16 January.
25-27 June. Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel,
National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, B40 1PP.
www.thelwordonline.com
Until 16 January. Apollo Theatre,
Shaftesbury Avenue,
London, W1D 7EZ.
www.camilleosullivan.com
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS | CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN PIC BY HAYLEY RENE
music/camille
o’sullivan
23
T`]\a
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Interview
music//film//girls//toy s//fashion//reviews//news//music//film//gir
Allegra
McEvedy
lesbian chef
and food writer
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A recipe book inspired by different knives
from around the world might sound a little
obscure, but that’s what Allegra McEvedy is
working on at the moment – and she’s convinced
we’re going to love it. “I like to find a different way
into things,” she enthuses. “It’s more interesting to
teach people why we eat certain foods in a
particular way. It gets them thinking more deeply
about food.”
Allegra has worked hard to earn her stripes: fifteen
years grafting as a head chef, working in five
kitchens and running her own restaurants. Having
achieved the status of chef makes Allegra stand out
from the other female gastronomy gurus on our
screens. “Women like Nigella Lawson, Delia Smith
and Sophie Michell are home cooks“, Allegra points
out. “I took the man’s route in”, she laughs.
Do the men resent her? “There are always some
guys who are going to feel threatened about stuff
like that and I have come across my fair share of
them”, she explains. “But they are the same
backward people who think women should be at
home making babies and sewing.”
Allegra is exceptionally friendly and open: her
laughter is infectious. But she has not had an easy
time. Within the space of a few months during her
teens, her mother died, she came out, and her
school, St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith,
decided to expel her. She still harbours some
resentment for the way she was treated. “Seventeen
is so young to lose your mum and find out you’re
gay. So, to chuck me out from a place where I felt
safe, where all my friends were, was not helpful”, she
recalls. She went back recently to speak to the girls,
and show them that achieving her level of success is
possible without going to Oxford or Cambridge.
“Things have come on a lot”, she reflects of the
establishment. “They now have their own lesbian
and bisexual support group.”
Allegra’s partner is jeweller Susi Smithers. Asked if
the two of them ever get competitive, Allegra
responds: “No, we work in quite different ways. I am
much more manic than she is. She just sits there and
hammers away at things and makes sure that they
are perfect. It’s really beautiful to watch her work.
The exact opposite of me: a whirling dervish around
the kitchen.”
Concealing her sexuality is not something Allegra
has ever considered. “I really wear it on my sleeve”,
she proclaims. But again she is in the minority: we
can’t think of any other out and proud lesbian chefs
in the UK and neither can she. “Chefs at my level?
There aren’t many women at all, let alone lesbians”,
she tells us. Let’s just hope Allegra provides some
much-needed encouragement for any other lesbian
chefs considering an emergence from the woodwork.
For more information on Allegra McEvedy
visit www.allegramcevedy.com.
For more information on Susi Smithers
visit www.silversmither.com
INTERVIEW BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE | WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
24
Making us foodies think is Allegra’s raison d’etre.
Her revolutionary healthy fast food chain Leon and
her BBC show Economy Gastronomy, which she
co-hosts with chef Paul Merett, are dedicated to
helping a nation eat food that tastes great and is
good for you. She is one of the few high profile chefs
pushing the importance of sourcing our food
responsibly, for example, through her involvement
with the Good Catch Sustainable Fish Forum. She
says, “People need to start asking questions of their
fishmonger and their restaurants. If they have cod
on the menu again, is it fresh? Where is it from?
I just try to generate some consumer awareness.”
Arts&Culture
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Arts&Culture
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screen/what to watch
for girls who like a good flick
;CABA33
cinema/the road
Out 8 January
++++,
If a post-apocalyptic drama is how you prefer to start your
year, you can’t go wrong with The Road. For starters it stars
Charlize ‘I’m even pretty when I’m ugly’ Theron. Ever the
impeccable and pitch-perfect actress, Charlize joins the
equal talents of Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall and Guy
Pearce. I’ll be honest, this movie ain’t no picnic. It’s both
thematically and visually dark but incredibly addictive.
The Road is absolutely worth its weight in tears.
dvd/500 days
of summer
;CABA33
dvd/
nip/tuck season 5
Out 18 January
+++++
Out 18 January
cinema/it’s complicated
Out 8 January
++++,
26
Let’s be honest, Meryl Streep can’t do a thing wrong. She’s also growing sexier
by the day. So, when you cast her in a romcom that sees her divorced and
having an affair with her ex-husband, you’re in for a blockbuster. And, if the
promise of a top performance from Streep isn’t enough to whet your appetite,
the screenplay is written by romcom queen Nancy Myers, and also stars Alec
Baldwin and Steve Martin.
E/B16B67AA>/13
cinema/
sherlock holmes Out Now
avatar Out Now
all about steve
Check out these other new releases this month:
FishTank
dvd/
the hurt locker
Out Now
sorority row
Out 15 January
Out 11 January
up in the air
funny people
Out 15 January
Out 18 January
fame Out 25 January
fish tank Out 25 January
brothers
Out 22 January
up in
the air
The fifth season of the popular
TV series is finally on DVD in
the UK! If you’ve never
watched an episode of Nip/
Tuck you are missing out.The
darkly comic series centres on
Sean and Christian, two
doctors who run, as the title
suggests, a cosmetic surgery
clinic. In Season 5, the boys
have moved their business to
LA. By episode two, Joely
Richardson, previously married
to Sean, shows up in LA with,
wait for it, Portia de Rossi as
her new girlfriend. I guess the
casting agents think that we are
narcissistic enough to date
someone who is our clone!
That aside, this season sees
some fantastic special guest
appearances from actors
including Sharon ‘Cagney’
Gless, Marlee Matlin and
Rosie O’Donnell.
WORDS BY JENNIFER KILCHENMANN
+++++
Get nice and cosy on your couch and
enjoy one of the sweetest indie
romcoms to come along for a while.
Loveable Zooey Deschanel stars
alongside Heath Ledger lookalike Joseph
Gordon-Levitt.The premise is simple:
Zooey is the girl who doesn’t believe in
that thing called love. Levitt is the boy
who falls for her. Complemented by a
great soundtrack, a little rendition from
actual recording artist Zooey and some
classic lines, 500 Daysof Summer will
entertain the pants off you.
Arts&Culture
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/music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//film//girls/
,
music/keep on track
for girls who want to stay in tune
Neon Circus release their debut Future
Disco (Jacket Pocket) which sounds
intriguingly accomplished. Like a
merging of LCD Soundsystem and
early Soft Cell, this is actually worth a
listen and a download – find them at
myspace.com/neoncircusmusic.
Happy NewYear!
Kathryn
Williams
Soon to be released is the eighth studio
album by the lovely Kathryn Williams,
entitled TheQuickening (One Little
Indian).The album was recorded in
Wales “in four days, all live, three takes
maximum”. It is gorgeous, and a great
winter warmer played alongside hot
chocolate and a plate of cookies.
Talking of hot cookies, the legendary
Samantha Fox, gawd bless her, has
released an album of Greatest Hits
(Sony) … It manages to be a two disc
set, which leads me to wonder where on
earth I’ve been. How could I have
missed NaughtyGirls (Need
LoveToo), never mind I Surrender (ToThe
SpiritOfThe Night)? On a serious note,
Samantha has sold over thirty million
records worldwide, so I shall just say
‘well done Samantha.’
… Laura Drezewski.
g3 catches up with the
lead singer of Vinyl Black
Stilettos.
Neon Circus
Tom Stephan is better known as his
alias Superchumbo but his Nervous
Nightlife (Nervous) release shows off his
DJ set and remixing talents to the max.
The mood of the disc is a crazed electro
house affair with a nod to the UK, the
USA, and the new Dutch scene – a very
slick collection.
Staying with the future of electro,
Cream Future Electro (Cream) manages
to encapsulate 2009’s biggest beats
into a three CD megamix which will
stand the test of time. My favourite
track is Wolfgang Carter’sWolfgang’s
5th Symphony but there are 65 others to
keep you going until the early hours…
One of my top picks for the bleak
January nights, is the unapologetically
kitsch Barbie - LetsAll Party! (Universal)
featuring a whole fizzy pink celebration
of dance pop hits. Dubbed as ‘THE girly
album of the year’ it is truly glamorous
in a kind of ‘Primani’ way. Sugababes,
Kelly Clarkson, Noisettes, Girls Aloud
and Abba are just some of the artists
joining in the party.
Corinne Bailey Rae returns with her
second album The Sea (Virgin) after a
two-year absence following the death
of her husband in 2008. Needless to
say, the songs are intimate, touching,
and a far cry from the more lightweight,
market-driven first album.The pain of
her loss combined with her natural
talent has channelled an amazing
musical growth.
Corinne
Bailey Rae
Vampire Weekend’s second album
Contra (XL) marks a welcome return
from the cool little band that formed in
NYC in 2006.They are managed by the
same guy that looks after the White
Stripes and have the same degree of
smart yet approachable geek appeal.
Contra was a computer game that
debuted in the 80s. With all the X Factor
re-formations and celebrity releases
swamping our airwaves, thank heavens
for bands that still write songs out of
sheer enthusiasm for the art form that
is pop music.
See you next month!
How did you start out?
I came to London at the
beginning of 2009, and started
to interview musicians/weirdos
from Gumtree. I found a Greek
bass player – he was chubby, but
damn, he could play more than
three chords!Together we
formedVinyl Black Stilettos.We
then hired more musicians, fired
about six drummers and now
we’re a complete five piece
band, currently touring London.
What do you sound like?
It’s dyke drama but made to
dance to.We’re swinging on
the electrosexual side, with an
edge of rock.We make the
kind of music that will speak for
every crotch in the dancehall
and bedroom.
Who/what are your influences?
The sarcasm of Daria
Morgendorffer. Blonde stalker
chicks with red ties. Spinal Tap.
Fischerspooner,The Faint, Dolls
&The Kicks,The Presets, Peaches,
Sohodolls, Chicks on Speed
and black coffee to stay awake.
Where/when can we see you play?
Check out our website
at www.myspace.com/
thevinylblackstilettos
27
WORDS BY LEA ANDREWS/CHARLOTTE DINGLE
The big question in my small mind, is
what the musical trend for 2010 will be?
Obviously the charts are now awash
with music that directly descends from
TV (ahem) ‘talent’ shows. As well as this,
people also seem to be desperately
looking back to when things were
better… even if they weren’t really.
More artists and bands will reform, and
cash in on this obsession with ‘the good
old days’. It is a trick that will work
forever, as even Lady Gaga will one day
be old enough to re-emerge and do the
rounds as ‘comeback artist of the year’.
we
love…
featured
We infiltrate the
headquarters of Stonewall,
the LGB campaigning
organisation, to find out their
latest Mission: Impossible.
AbO``W\U
MADELINE LASKO,
WORKPLACE
ASSOCIATE
Camara and Laurie
look over Stonewall’s The
School Report, which will help
tackle homophobic bullying
10:45: Those playground baddies have
been using homophobic bullying to make
kids’ lives hell again.The Education team
must try and find a way to tackle these
thugs by providing guidance for teachers
and visiting schools.
“
I’m an associate on the Stonewall Workplace
programme. The main thing the associates do is run the
Diversity Champions Programme. There are now over
520 Diversity Champions who sign up to work with Stonewall and
each other so that they can recruit and retain the very best in lesbian
and gay talent. So we all work with organisations from different
sectors and regions. I specifically look at government clients.
Today I’m gathering together some of the evaluations from the
Stonewall Leadership programme that we ran last week. This is a
residential course for the next generation of lesbian and gay leaders.
We’ve spent the past three months marking the Workplace Equality
Index score and we will spend January through to March/April on the
road. To be honest we’re hardly in the office during that
period – we’re mainly based in the different regions that
we have been allocated.
“
28
featured
James Lawrence and Gary Nunn
providing protection through
the press
10am: The Communications team
gets to work checking out what those
evil hacks have written about gay
people in today’s papers, and trying to
combat bad press by providing some
positive gay news.
GIRLS
GOTA ,I’VE
MISSIO
N
FORYO
U
AbO``W\U
BEN SUMMERSKILL,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
No problem is too big.
Fast-talking Helen offers
good advice and guidance
(08000 502020).
AbO``W\U
CAMARA CHAMBERS,
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
ASSISTANT
“
I assist the Research and Policy,
Education and Parliamentary Teams.
A typical day consists of different
things like booking tickets and sending out
resources. Our ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’
posters are increasing in popularity and lots of
people are ordering those. Then there is the actual
events management side of things, which is more
interesting. I organised Stonewall’s involvement in
Pride, and I spent a lot of time over the summer
managing volunteers and making sure everyone was
ready for it. Then we went to BiCon, which is the
bisexual community’s annual event, and that was
really cool. Today I’ve been putting together a press
pack, which is for all the Stonewall
boards and trustees. It shows all
the times that Stonewall was
mentioned in the media in the
past month.
29
“
12:45: Stonewall’s LGB info-line
phones are ringing off the hook. It
seems there are a lot of people out
there in need of some support from
the phone ranger.
featured
30
featured
Jonathan Finney gets the Stonewall
phone call. He grabs his cape to make
the dash to Parliament, where the
Equality Bill is being discussed
14:00: The Parliamentary
team have been at the House
of Commons, observing a
debate on the Equality Bill.
AbO``W\U
HELEN WARD,
INFORMATION
OFFICER
“
“
BIMLA SAFKA,
EVENTS EXECUTIVE
I’m responsible for arranging events for the workplace
programme as well as all the education, public affairs
and fundraising events. I also work alongside the Deputy
Director for Fundraising at our big fundraising events, such as our
dinner and the annual awards. Today I had a meeting with American
Express, who are sponsoring our Brighton Equality Walk. We discussed
our communications plan, the format of the day, and the American
Express team’s involvement. American Express have sponsored the
walk for a while now so it’s a relationship that is quite established.
This afternoon, I’ve got to plan for an event taking place tomorrow
evening, and make sure that we’ve got all the last bits and pieces
sorted. It’s a reception at a venue called the Violin Factory and it’s for
100 of our ambassadors and potential ambassadors. An ambassador
is someone who gives Stonewall over £100 a month on an ongoing
basis. The big thing for me next year is going to be the Brighton
Equality Walk. We’re going to make it bigger and better than ever
before. I’m also in the process of sorting auction lots
and selling tables for next year’s Equality Dinner.
“
14:45: The Public Affairs team
are planning their newest
mission, to find out if youthTV
programmes are accurate
and fair in their representation
of gay people.
Behind the scenes: Stonewall’s
April Guasp, Ruth Iwamoto and
Nat Miles, keep tabs on the media
“
AbO``W\U
The main part of my job is running the information
service for Stonewall. That involves making sure the
phones are answered, emails and letters are responded
to, and that people can get hold of all the information they need. We
have around 20 regular volunteers who are crucial to keeping the
service running. I help to recruit and train them, and assist them if they
have a difficult phone call. Today I’ve answered a lot of emails. I’ve also
got a new volunteer in. She’s on her induction shift, which means I am
showing her all the systems we use and giving her some practice
exercises to do. This afternoon, I’m going to speak to the LGBT network
and Social Justice students at the London School of Economics about
what are information service does and which key
issues are coming up in our information requests.
31
featured
AbO``W\U
APRIL GUASP,
POLICY OFFICER
“
Laura Doughty, Director of
Fundraising and Communications,
shows off her armoury and asks
Bimla if red is her colour.
15:45: The
Workplace team
spread the word to
employers about how
to ensure equality at
work. Afterwards, the
team go through
hundreds of
submissions to find
the employment
heroes.
32
Simon McNorton, Madeline Lasko and
Laura Swiszczowski trawl through
submissions from major companies
and choose the top 100 for the
Workplace Equality Index,
announced in January.
17:00:The
Fundraising team
check over their
arsenal and prepare
for the battle to raise
some cash for more
good work.
AbO``W\U
LAURIE KAY, YOUTH
CO-ORDINATOR
“
I run our programmes of work with young people. Our
main programme is the Youth Volunteering
Programme, where we train young people how to
campaign against homophobic bullying in their schools. We also host a
one-day conference every year for LGB young people. This week the big
project I‘m working on is our youth microsite: a version of the
Stonewall site pitched directly at young people. We ran a film clip
competition at London School for Girls last year, and the prize was tea
with Ian McKellen, so yesterday we took him there to meet the
winners. We have a lot going on in the next month or so. In March,
we’re holding training for our new volunteers, so we’ve just opened
applications for that. We’ve also just opened applications for a scheme
involving adults mentoring young people. We hope to get the website
live before Christmas, too, and we’re already planning
for our next youth event, which is in June.
“
“
As a policy officer I advise organisations, agencies
and government departments on their employment
practice. I try and make sure that they are doing the best
thing for their lesbian, gay and bisexual staff, but also advise them on
their service user aspect as well. For instance, we advise the team of
Health on health matters affecting lesbians. Research also forms a large
part of my job description. Recent research we’ve published includes
reports on schools and on lesbian health. We’re currently conducting
research on topics including LGB asylum seekers and the children
of gay parents. Today I’m working on a youth media project
for which we’re monitoring the top TV programmes
watched by young people, and how these programmes
represent LGB people.
featured
33
featured
34
featured
Johnny Depp
1fX\[`N_R[áNYdNf`
SRZNYRAUR_R`N5RNaU
aNXR`N[NQZV_V[TY\\XNa
aURTbf`Va´`<8a\Y\cR
BOYS
ALLOWED
What do David Beckham, Hugh
Jackman, James Dean and Johnny
Depp all have in common?
Well, apart from being fancied by any
straight woman with a pulse, they’re also
worshipped by lesbians. Just as gay men
adore Julie Andrews, Kylie and Dolly
Parton, so there are certain men whose
images we’d gladly plaster our bedroom
walls with.
But is it simply about wanting to
emulate these men… or is there a hint of
Hugh Jackman
as Wolverine
attraction involved, too? While admitting
to a boy crush might once have got us
chucked out of the club, in today’s queer
wonderland it’s more acceptable for gay
women to admire a bit of male eye candy.
Faye, 20, admits to having a ‘thing’ for
Hugh Jackman, but she believes her
male crushes are usually more about
the roles actors play:“I like the characters
some male actors play, but not the
actors themselves.”
Jackman’s Wolverine (X-Men) is a
popular choice among gay women.After
all, with that tight vest and moody
expression he could almost be Gina
Gershon in Bound – sans claws of course,
which one admirer pointed out “would
be a bit of a deal breaker for me”.
The type of role an actor plays can be
powerfully attractive. Sadly, where movie
roles and gender are concerned it’s
business as usual in Hollywood. Megan
Fox may be a feisty mechanic in the
Transformers movies, but that’s only so she
can look sexy bending over a car. Even
when female characters are given some
personality or attitude they’re still often
Daniel Craig
portrayed as sex objects – or second
fiddle to James Bond.
Which brings us to Daniel Craig, who
plays possibly the sexiest character ever
created.“I’m afraid there’s nothing
complex about my crush on Daniel
Craig” says Louise, 29.“I just plain old
fancy him.” However, another Craig
fanatic mused,“If you could give me a
suave, suited, dangerous female Bond,
I’d probably pass on Daniel”.
A common fantasy is to imagine
ourselves in sexual situations in the role
of our idol. Of 70s icon Peter Berlin, who
35
featured
“
David Beckham
e sex
v
a
h
o
t
t
wan ant to be
I
t
a
h
t
t
o
It’s n
y – I w ople…
l
t
c
a
x
e
with him gging other pe
him sha
“
Berlin
Peter
36
styled himself as a piece of living art, Paula,
39, says:“At 16, I so wanted to be Peter
Berlin. I saw a picture of him in a copy of
Gay Times and that was it.The first thing
I did on leaving home was buy a strap-on,
leather trousers and a pair of highway
patrol boots.” Kriss, 26, another Peter
Berlin aficionado, says:“It’s not that I want
to have sex with him exactly – I want to
be him shagging other people… girls, gay
men – everyone!”
It’s not difficult to see why some
women would want to emulate such an
alluring, genderqueer character. Effeminate
men rate highly on the dykonometer –
just look at Johnny Depp, who a friend
once described as “the perfect lesbian”.
This queer element is reflected in his
looks, public persona and characters he
plays – sensitive yet sexy, dangerous but
not evil, flawed yet loveable.This might be
a description of an ideal lesbian partner.
By the same logic, ultra-masculine men
can be compelling because of their
similarities to the butch lesbian.“My
dykon vote goes to Icecube” says Stella,
18.“Maybe it’s because he looks like a
butch dyke.”
Sometimes a very particular style
gets us hot under the collar: “Oh God!
Smoking jackets and cigarette cases
and cufflinks and all that,” says Jane, 55.
“I don’t think I actually wanted the men.
I just wanted to f*** someone wearing
their clothes and then discover it was a
butch lesbian. Or wear the clothes myself
as a femme lesbian, cross dressing camply.”
Sometimes, our fixations are just
inexplicable, like the crush that Ella, 25, has
on Dermot O’ Leary; “Ah! Dermot – I’d
turn for him!”
There are numerous reasons why
lesbians get crushes on male celebrities –
including a case of simple attraction. It
could be that as roles for female actors
develop beyond the usual stereotypes,
the male dykon will become a thing of
the past. But this would be a shame. For
some, the very novelty of a male crush is
a turn on – it doesn’t have to mean we’re
closet straights.What is refreshing is how
it’s finally OK for gay women to talk about
this issue openly.Attraction doesn’t
always have to be politicised.After all,
crushes are supposed to be fun.
Ice Cube
ry
Dermot O’Lea
James Dean
featured
37
voice
UNITED
we stand
g3 Readers’ Poll:
Do you think
straight couples
should be
allowed to have
civil partnership
ceremonies?
51%
\Sf\b`Nf³fR`
NO`\YbaRYf´
40% of you say only
on the condition that
gay people are also
permitted to have
religious marriage
ceremonies, 3%
of you say no, civil
partnerships are part
of gay culture, and
should remain that
way and 6% of you
aren’t sure.
To vote on next
month’s poll, visit
www.g3mag.co.uk
On 24 November 2009,Tom Freeman and
Katherine Doyle were refused an oppositesex civil partnership. Charlotte Dingle takes
a look at the implications of their ongoing
campaign to secure one.
Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle sparked off a
great deal of debate when they approached Islington
Registry Office and tried to file for a civil partnership.
They did this to highlight the unfairness of denying
gay couples the right to a marriage ceremony, as well
as to illustrate the fact that failing to allow straight
people the right to a civil partnership is also
discriminatory.The move raised a lot of interesting
questions: not least the question of why nobody had
tried it before.
Critics say that the difference between marriage
and civil partnerships is negligible, and civil
partnerships offer the same legal rights and
protection as marriage. Even taking this into account,
however, gay people are still being denied the right to
a religious ceremony. By the same token, even if a
straight couple gets married in a registry office,
Katherine Doyle
&Tom Freeman
marriage as an institution is still undeniably steeped in
religious tradition.Which brings us to the issue of
why civil partnerships should have a different name –
something which surely serves to alienate gay people
even further.
Some are content to campaign for the possibility
of religious civil partnership ceremonies, which solves
one problem. However, a lot of people want to see
absolute equality: and that involves either using the
same terminology for both gay and straight unions,
or allowing everyone the choice of either marriage
or a civil partnership.
Asked what first prompted her andTom to try
and become civil partners, Katherine tells g3:“Civil
partnerships seem to us to be a case of the gay
community being palmed off, and we don’t want to
get married while gay people can’t get married
themselves.”Tom continues:“Our consciences just
wouldn’t allow us to get married because we were
aware that the system of one thing for gay people,
one thing for straight people was very problematic. It
condones thinking of gay relationships as not quite
proper relationships: as something ‘other’.”
38
naj,
alex,
1O\Rg0OàbOTT
“We shouldn’t stop
straight people having
civil partnerships, but
gay people should also be
allowed to get married in
return. In a perfect world
a person should be able
to do either regardless of
their sexuality.”
$
0caW\Saa
2SdSZ]^[S\b
;O\OUS`
“Yes, straight people
should be allowed civil
partnerships because
gay people have been
through enough
prejudice to know not to
discriminate. We should
all eventually be equal.
Let it start with the gays
setting a good example!”
gisela
#
AOZSa/aaWabO\b
Ob8O\S<]`[O\
“Couples of different
sexes shouldn’t be
refused access to a legal
institution because of
their sexuality. All loving
couples should have
access to the same legal
institutions.”
voice
The couple’s campaign is being backed by
prominent gay rights activist PeterTatchell, who is a
founding member of queer rights group OutRage!.
He tells g3:“Their campaign is part of a bigger, longer
OutRage! strategy to expose and overturn the
inequalities of civil marriage and civil partnership
law…This is a continuation of OutRage’s long fight
for marriage equality.Way back in 1992, five
OutRage! couples filed for civil marriage at
Westminster registry office.”
Tom and Katherine have already alerted their MP,
EmilyThornberry, to the case.Tom says:“She is
completely in support of what we are doing.And she
has invited us to a meeting at the House of
Commons in January.” Katherine finishes,“and we aim
to put our case to Parliament not long after that”.
They won’t stop there, however.Tom, Katherine
and Peter plan to take the case to the European
Court of Human Rights. Peter is confident of using
articles in the European Convention on Human
Rights to highlight loopholes in existing UK marriage
and civil partnership law:“Denying them a civil
partnership is in breach of Article14 (right to be free
from discrimination) combined with Article 8 (the
right to respect for privacy and family life). Under civil
partnership law, there is a clear difference in
treatment between different-sex couples (who are
excluded) and same-sex couples (who are not).”
Peter doesn’t believe that the reasons for denying
straight couples civil partnerships, and gay couples
marriages, stand up to scrutiny under the ECHR. He
elaborates: “According to our understanding of
ECHR jurisprudence, the difference in treatment
does not have an ‘objective and reasonable
justification’ or a ‘legitimate aim’. Nor is it
‘proportionate’.We therefore believe the exclusion
of opposite-sex couples is illegal under the ECHR.
The ban on lesbian and gay civil marriage is also illegal
for the same reasons.”
In the meantime, opinion will no doubt remain
divided within the gay community regarding the
usefulness of whatTom and Katherine are doing.
Some view their gesture as an unnecessary fuss.
Some see them simply as attention seekers investing
lots of energy in an aim which will probably never be
met; or worse, which may result in securing civil
partnerships for heterosexual couples but not
marriages for gay people.The rest are hopeful that
the couple’s campaign to become civil partners will
go down in history as having been a legitimate and
powerful tool in the fight for what they see as an
essential step towards complete equality.
PeterTatchell with
Katherine &Tom
39
opinion
40
opinion
.`YRÒVN[`dRN_R_R[\d[RQS\_\b_PNZ]NVT[V[T
RSS\_aÒba7bYVR/V[QRYd\[QR_`dUfVaV`b`N[Q[\a
à_NVTUad\ZR[dU\N_RNaaURS\_RS_\[a\SaURONaaYR
NTNV[àZNYR\[SRZNYRcV\YR[PR
UNFAIR
FIGHT
Domestic violence refuges and rape
crisis centres would not exist today
were it not for the ongoing
commitment of lesbians who
support (mainly) heterosexual
women abused by men.
At the rally following the march, the
Emma Humphreys Prize, given annually to
an individual who has excelled in
campaigning against male violence, was
awarded. It went to Sandra McNeill, an out
lesbian who began fighting for women’s
rights before most of you were born.
Looking around at the audience, at young
feminists from organisations including
Object!, London Feminist Network and
MillionWomen Rise, I felt proud that I was
“
joining in the protests and giving support,
even though when women are raped
and beaten by men for being lesbians it is
rare to hear a supportive voice from our
gay brothers.
We are the one oppressed group that
seems to think we have a responsibility to
fight for the rights of the entire planet:climate
change protests, anti-war demos and pickets
supporting low-paid women denied
maternity benefits.Why do you think so
“
To save at least half of you from writing in to
complain, let me be clear – I know that
domestic violence exists in same-sex
relationships. I am aware that women can
and do sexually assault other women (and
children) and women can be nasty and
vicious to other women. But the fact remains
that men perpetrate most sexual and
domestic violence towards women and
children. Every credible piece of research on
the topic confirms this.We only have to look
at the homicide statistics to be reminded of
the tragic end results of many cases of
domestic violence and the horrifying
number of sexually motivated murders.
So why is it that those of us who choose
not to live or have sex with men tend to be
mostly responsible for mopping up the mess
caused by heterosexual men? In November
this year I joined the annual Reclaim the
Night march across central London to mark
the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence againstWomen. It was a sea of
lezzers (there were lots of lovely young
straight feminists, too, but we were in the
majority). Many heterosexual women out
with their partners refused to take leaflets
from us, and turned away, embarrassed.
Some women with their female friends took
the leaflets we were handing out gladly, with
a number of them cheering us. Some men,
on the other hand, jeered at the march –
one grabbing at his crotch and making
threats.“You’re a load of ugly old dykes”, he
shouted.“Who would want to rape you?”
I felt proud that I was part of an
amazing group of women who wanted
to change the world.
part of an amazing group of women who
wanted to change the world.
But let us not downplay the role lesbians
have played in the struggle for equality for
other oppressed groups.We are the
community least likely to only care about our
own oppression.
In the 80s, despite the fact that gay men,
on the whole, had rarely supported any
campaign which would benefit women,
lezzers leapt in and gave massive support in
the fight against HIV and AIDS and the
resulting homophobic climate.When gay
men are queer bashed, lesbians are there,
many lesbians are vegetarians? Because we
have to save cuddly animals from torture
and abuse as well as ourselves and our
heterosexual sisters.
Why am I bringing all this up?What is
the point? Simply because I do love us
lezzers and I am a great believer in credit
where it’s due.
Want to respond
to Julie’s piece?
Have your say at
www.g3.co.uk
41
Bare
Essentials
42
Outshine all the rest
in the elegant
Tiepoli collection
from accomplished
lesbian jeweller
Susi Smithers
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MODELS :
NadiaAttura Emmalene
FASHION DIRECTION &Mel
Mercury
43
STOCKIST DETAILS:
ALL JEWELLERY FROM THE BRAND
NEW TIEPOLI COLLECTION BY SUSI SMITHERS.
WWW.SILVERSMITHER.COM
44
45
T`PR[R
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bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs/
46
T`PR[R
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//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bar
This month:
g3 checks out
Gutterslut,
Ladypoof,
Heresy & Heelz
+ more…
You’ve got to be scene to be seen
club of the
month
1O\Rg0O`
"1O`ZWaZSAb`SSb
:]\R]\E2!08
WORDS & PICTURES BY TITCHY TIFF
Friday 11 December
6adN`3_VQNf[VTUaN[Q
aURON_dN`]NPXRQ
dVaUT\_TR\b`TV_Y`
1\d[àNV_àURaU_RR
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QRZ\[à_NaRQReNPaYf
U\dN]\YRÙ\bYQ
ORb`RQZbPUa\aUR
QRYVTUa\SaUR_N]VQYf
V[P_RN`V[TP_\dQ17
DVPXRQ]YNfRQNcN_VRaf
\Sab[Rà\TRaaURTV_Y`
Z\cV[TN[QÙNXV[T©
dVaU`\ZRO_NcRYNQVR`
RcR[NaaRZ]aV[Ta\
V[P\_]\_NaRaUR]\YRV[a\
aURV__\baV[R
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dR_RUNcV[TaURV_\d[
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b[QR_aURZVàYRa\R
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@\VSf\bSN[PfàRNYV[TN
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ON_ONOR^bR[PUV[T
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TRaf\b_O\\afQ\d[a\
0N[Qf/N_N[QW\V[V[
aURSb[
For more information
visit www.candybarsoho.co.uk
47
Style
T`PR[R
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bars//clubs//girls////bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clu
This month’s Style photos were taken at
G-A-Y and Popstarz. For more information
visit www.g-a-y.co.uk/www.popstarz.org
48
PHOTOGRAPHS © ANNE LACHEINER-KUHN
Beth
,19,
Student
Dress: H&M, £34.99;
Earrings: H&M, £4.99;
Tiara: Popstarz, free
Style
T`PR[R
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2, R
Sa:Troap S, h2op, £15
Lizu Z
Bag
Hat: It
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0
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Cand
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staff
49
, 23, Nurse
Moeas:ry
Peacocks, £10
Sh
Sophie, 18, Student
T-shirt: New Look, £10
-Y Late
, 27, G-A35
£
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T`PR[R
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50
Review
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WORDS & PICTURES BY TITCHY TIFF
Thursday 3 December
Some of London’s most luscious lesbians
descended on Heaven for the Gay Girlz Gutterslut
Christmas Ball.The club was aglow with fairy lights
and DJ Miss Cupcake span the sweetest tunes to
warm up the punters.
Singer-songwriter Laura Steel wowed the crowd,
who were screaming for more, more, more, after
her tantalising performance.Thankfully the G-A-Y
staff were on hand to provide further
entertainment by auctioning themselves off as sexy
slaves in order to raise money for Amnesty International.
It was a glorious night of merriment and
debauchery which we ended by dancing our
socks off and playing in the snow (yes, snow!) till 4am
– result!
Gay Girlz is everyThursday at Heaven.With
drinks from just £2.50 and a truly buzzing
atmosphere, you can’t go wrong.
visit http://www.facebook.com/group.
php?gid=27550064366
51
T`PR[R
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WORDS BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE | PICTURES BY LOBELINE COMMUNICATIONS & MAZ OGDEN
V
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– Sunday
Wednesday 31 March
4 April 2010
This year, the fantastic women’s weekend
celebrates its 20th anniversary. Hosted
at the spectacular, newly renovated
Wyndham Palm Springs hotel, the
weekend will bring a wide range of
thrilling entertainment. From tropical
garden pool parties to a benefit event
for the Human Rights Campaign Fund,
there will be something to whet every
appetite.The main events are based at
the hotel, but a bus shuttle service
will be available to ferry party-goers to
other locations.
Co-producer Sandy Sachs says:
“Our 20th Anniversary event will
be truly unforgettable.And this
year, in the city that plays host
to the annual Palm Springs
International Film Festival,
we have an award-winning
documentary crew bringing
a bit of Hollywood on-site,
chronicling the
event’s legacy.”
For tickets and
further information visit
www.dinahshoreweekend.com
52
Promoters
Robin Gans &
Sandy Dachs
Macy Gray with
Sandy Dachs
Review
T`PR[R
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53
T`PR[R
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=cbW\bVS1Wbgµa
!`R0W`bVROg0OaV
.AVOR]e:]c\US
#0`SeSÀbA]V]:]\R]\
Back row: Second left
and centre: David Farr
and Dan Goodban
from Out in the City
ThisVIP club in Soho was the
perfect venue in which to
celebrate our sister publication’s
third birthday! Disco balls and
champagne flutes twinkled as
guests sank back in secluded
booths and admired the sumptuous
décor of chandeliers, gold
leather seats and antique mirrors.
On the dancefloor, everyone
was dressed to impress, and the
cheesiest classics kept us
strutting our stuff for hours.
Proceeds from the event
went to the Albert Kennedy
Trust. Square Peg’s David Farr,
who organised the event, should
be proud, and we eagerly await
his next party!
Out in the City
publishers
Sarah Garrett
& Linda Riley
Richard
Newman
Out in the City Editor,
David Hudson
Out in the City is at www.outmag.co.uk
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS | PICTURES BY LAURENCE JAUGEY-PAGET
Friday 11 December
6S`Sag\6SSZh
.BVS@]QYV]caS
0OPW\Ub]\:O\S2S`Pg
2S`PgaVW`S23AF
Friday 27 November
Heresy n Heelz is a shameless mélange
of decadent dance, underground culture
and edgy burlesque!The night attracts an
immaculately dressed crowd with a
pansexual vibe.
A truly thrilling Friday 27 November
saw a stage show lead by Holland’s
Natsumi Scarlett, star of the Dutch gay
scene, and Heresy n Heelz resident Miss
Pink & Fluffy.The evening was expertly
compered by lesbian vampire queen
Rosie Lugosi.
Heresy n Heelz will relocate toThe
Asylum in Birmingham from 23 January,
and takes place bi-monthly.
visit www.heresynheelz.co.uk
WORDS BY KAT | PICTURES BY KARL BRIGHT/BRIAN GROOM
54
Review
T`PR[R
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:ORg^]]T
.6O\Pc`g1ZcP
&!Ab5S]ÙSa@R
9S[^B]e\
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Ladypoof is a seasonal club night, that takes place
throughout the UK, in the Netherlands and in
Lesbos, Greece. Ladypoof came about because Sue
Mills and Rachel Potter (DJ Pottyfox) thirsted for a
club night that had a queer vibe and good dance
music.The night has a loyal following, and offers
a warm welcome to newbies.
Resident DJs Pottyfox, Mish Mash and Perry
Homo join guest DJs from the world over.
With fantastically indie-fineable dance music
the club boasts a friendly house party vibe.
Visit www.ladypoof.com www.myspace.com/
ladypoof for more information.
WORDS BY RACHEL POTTER | PICTURES BY BINDI F.B AND MICHA V
Saturday 30 January
55
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T`PR[R
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/clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs
bars/clubs/events
for girls who just can’t stay in
Readers
LONDON
A=CB6
<=@B6
;72:/<2A
A1=B:/<2
E/:3A
Listings are ordered by region
and then by day. If you can’t
find the address, it may be in
our Boozer Guide.
If you’ve been to a listed
event and it’s advertised
incorrectly in our listings,
please let us know.
g3 recommended events
>> new entry events
Ytransport links
<girl ratio (out of 5)
Promoters
Listings info and large, high
res photos must be sent by
15th of the previous month.
Listings not guaranteed.
Date
guide
SATURDAY
1st Sat: 2 January
2nd Sat: 9 January
3rd Sat: 16 January
4th Sat: 23 January
Last Sat: 30 January
Please include the
following with all listings:
Club/night name, venue and
SUNDAY
address, frequency and day/
1st Sun: 3 January
date, description of DJs/music
2nd Sun: 10 January
policy, opening times, contact
3rd Sun: 17 January
details and percentage female
4th Sun: 24 January
attendance expected.
Last Sun: 30 January
Send all listings to: charlotte@g3mag.co.uk
:]\R]\
MONDAY
Pub Bingo@ Royal Vauxhall
Tavern, Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall SE11
Frat Party @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1.
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
10pm-late, £2/FREE before
midnight with Q-Jump. <
TUESDAY
Bar Wotever @ RVT,
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall
SE11. . www.rvt.org.uk.
Comedy Camp @ Barcode,
Archer Street, Soho W1.
www.comedycamp.co.uk. £8
members (£2 membership).
<<
Fish Market @ Belushi’s,
Camden Town.New weekly
girls’ night! www.myspace.
com/friedafishmarket <<
Games Night @ Blush,
Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington N16.
www.blushbar.moonfruit.
com/ 02079239202. 8pm,
FREE. <<<<
Ruby Tuesdays @ Ku Bar,
30 Lisle Street, London WC2.
www.ku-bar.co.uk. Low-lit
basement venue for girls.
FREE, 9pm-3am.<<<<
WEDNESDAY
Disco Value @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1. [2nd Weds]
G-Spot, 10 Adelaide Street,
Charing Cross WC2 .5pm till
late www.gspotgirlbar.com
Glitterati @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1. [1st Weds]
<<
Miss Basin’s Jarmy Bingo
@ The Windsor Castle, 152
Bath Rd, Hounslow TW3.
www.windsorcastle
hounslow.co.uk. <<
Quiz @ Blush, Cazenove Rd,
Stoke Newington SE11. Cash
prize! 9.30pm-12am, £1.
<<<<
Open Mike night@ The
Edge, 11 Soho Square, Soho
W1. Live acts. 9pm till late.
www.edgesoho.co.uk. <
THURSDAY
Bird Club @ Bethnal
Green Working Men’s
Club, Pollard Row Bethnal
don’t
miss!
THIS MONTH’S
ESSENTIAL NIGHT!
NYE party@ 26 Taboo
MONDAY
1st Mon: 4 January
2nd Mon: 11 January
3rd Mon : 18 January
Last Mon: 25 January
TUESDAY
1st Tues: 5 January
2nd Tues: 12 January
3rd Tues: 19 Janunary
4th Tues: 26 January
WEDNESDAY
1st Weds : 6 January
2nd Weds: 13 January
3rd Weds: 20 January
4th Weds: 27 January
THURSDAY
1st Thur: 7 January
2nd Thur: 14 January
3rd Thur: 21 Janauary
4th Thur: 28 January
FRIDAY
1st Fri: 1 January
2nd Fri: 8 January
3rd Fri: 15 January
4th Fri: 22 January
Last Fri: 29 January
\
\
Thursday 31 December
26 Smithfield St, London EC1A
<[YfaURPYN``VRàd\ZR[
V[9\[Q\[¼\PXa\aUV`
àb[[V[TS\b_à\_RfcR[bR
6[QbYTRNaaURPUNZ]NT[R
ON_PUVYY\ba\[aURURNaRQ
_\\SaR__NPR`V]`bZ]ab\b`
P\PXaNVY`\_aRN_Vab]\[
\[R\Sad\QN[PR¼\\_`
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www.26taboo.com
Green E2. www.myspace.
com/birdclubcabaret. [2nd
Thurs] £6/5. <<
Blush Acoustic @ Blush,
Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington SE11. Live music
and comedy. 8pm-12am. £3.
<<<<
Bird Club Odyssey@ Oak
Bar, 79 Green Lanes, Stoke
Newington. NYE party www.
oakbar.co.uk. [last Thurs]
£15/10 in advance<<<
Chicks Rock! @ Zenith
Bar, 125 Packington Street,
Islington N1. [2nd Thurs &
4th Thurs]. www.zenithbar.
co.uk. 7pm-2am. Free entry.
<<<<
Chocolate @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1. [1st Thurs]
£2/FREE B4 midnight with
Q-Jump. <<
Gay Girlz @ Heaven,
Embankment. W2.
11pm-4am. Free with
flyer. Facebook: Gay Girlz
<<<<
Girl Action and Code NYE
Party@Franken Bar 4 -6
Islington Green, Islington
www.girlactionevents.com
[last Thurs]
Laughing Cows Comedy
Night @ The Green
Carnation, 4 Greek Street
Soho W1. [2nd Thurs]
Female stand-up night. www.
laughingcowscomedy.co.uk.
7.30pm. £5 <<<<
Ladies Night@ Load of Hay,
207 Pinner Rd, Watford Heath
WD19. [Last Weds].. www.
loadofhay.co.uk. 9-11pm,
FREE. <<<
Lounge @ Vertigo
1 Leicester Square,
Soho WC2. [2nd Thur] Stylish
girls’ night. www.lounge.uk.net
<<<<<
Miss-Shapes @ Ghetto,
58 Old Street EC1.
[1st Thurs] 10pm-late.
Q-Jump. <<<
Pink and Glitter NYE
Party@ The Green 74 Upper
St, Islington N1, £5 www.
thegreenislington.co.uk
Popstarz@The Den 14
West Central Street, W1CA.
NYE masked ball £14. www.
popstarz.org
Pulse @ Lo-Profile 84-86
Wardour Street, Soho. www.
profilebar.co.uk. <<<<<
S.L.A.G.S/chill-out New
Years Eve Party @ RVT 372
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall.
www.rvt.org.uk. [last Thurs]
Sunday Happy Day
NYE party @ Century,
61-63 Shaftesbury Ave, Soho
WC1. £15, 10pm - 4am,
Sunday_happyday@hotmail.
co.uk. <<< [last Thurs]
Usual Suspects@ First Out,
52 St Giles StreetSoho WC2.
www.firstoutcafebar.com
Wotever Slumber Party
@ RVT, Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall SE11. www.rvt.org.
uk. [4th thurs]
FRIDAY
Boozer
Guide
Angel (The): Cabaret bar.
21 Church St, Stratford E15.
020 8555 1148.
Bar 68: Friendly bar, 68
Brigstock Rd, Thornton Heath,
CR7. 020 8665 0683.
Black Cap: Mixed bar + club.
171 Camden High St, NW1.
020 7428 2721.
Bird in Hand: 291 Sydenham
Rd, Croydon. 020 8683 3104.
Pool, darts, function room.
www.birdinhanduk.com
Blush: Intimate, friendly
bar. 8 Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington, N16.
Brewery Tap: Community
pub for South Londoners.
78 Lingham St, SW9.
YStockwell
Box (The): Café bar.
32-34 Monmouth St, WC2.
YCov. Gdn
Candy Bar: Girls’bar, open 7
days a week. 4 Carlisle Street,
Soho, W1. YTottenham
Court Road
Charlie’s Bar: Stylish, cosy
cocktail bar. 124 Globe Rd, E1.
020 7790 1007.
YStepney Green
Duke Of Wellington: Soho’s
traditional pub. Open ‘til
11pm. 77 Wardour St, Soho.
020 7439 1274. YPiccadily.
Edge (The): 3 floors of
tasteful décor. 11 Soho Sqare,
W1. 020 7439 1313.
57
SOHO
Ego @ Southern Pride:
82 Norwood High Street,
West Norwood SE28.
020 8761 5200. Bar, club,
cabaret experience
YWest Norwood BR
Escape (The): Cosy venue,
fun atmosphere. 8 Brewer
St, Soho. 020 7734 2626.
YLeicester Sq
Flag (The): Traditional
boozer. 29 Crouch Hill, N4.
YFinsbury Park
First Out: Cafe/bar. 52 St
Giles High Street, Soho
YTottenham Ct Rd
Friendly Society: Bringing
out the London cool. Tilman
Cr, Soho, W1 (adjacent to Ann
Summers). 020 7434 3804.
YLeicester Square
G-A-Y Bar: Women’s bar in
the basement. 7pm-12am/
10.30pm on Fridays.
30 Old Compton St, Soho.
020 7494 2756
YLeicester Square
Trash Palace/Ghetto:
58 Old Street. EC1. Popular
alternative venue. www.
ghetto-london.co.uk.
Green (The): 74 Upper St,
Angel. 020 7226 8895.
Y Angel
Joiners Arms (The): Up for it
mixed crowd. Open ‘til 2am.
116 Hackney Rd, Shoreditch.
020 7739 9854.
KazBar: 50 High St, Clapham
SW4. 020 7622 0070.
YClapham
King Edward VI: Friendly
mixed bar, 25 Bromfield St, N1.
‘til 12am. YAngel
ls//ba
//clubs//girls //bars//clubs//girls//bars//c
T`PR[R
T c l u b s / / g i rListings
bars
play
list
9
DJ Lady Bex
Music?
Commercial
Fave song ? Sunset to
Sunrise by Di Scala
What’s your life
philosophy? “living
one beat at a time’”:
a tattoo I have which
I always keep in mind
when making decisions.
Live for the moment!
Where do you DJ?
Revenge and Tru clubs
in Brighton, and TJs in
Eastbourne
www.djladybex.com
58
Calling All Tribes @ The
Macbeth 70 Hoxton Street
Hoxton www.myspace.
com/themacbethuk. FREE B4
10.30/£5 after.<
Club Kali @ The Dome,
1 Dartmouth Park Hill,
Tufnell Park N19 [3rd Fri].
www.clubkali.com. Asian LGB
club night. 10pm-3am, £8/£5
conc. <<<
CODE @ The Green
Carnation, 5 Greek Street
Soho W1D [last Fri]. www.
club-code.net<<<<<
Dirty Converse @
Boston Music Rooms, 178
Junction Road, Tufnell Park
[2nd Fri]. www.dirtyconverse.
com. <<<<
Funkin’ Fridays@The Edge,
11 Soho Square, Soho W1.
9pm till late. www.edgesoho.
co.u
GAY Camp Attack @
Heaven, 9 Villiers St, Charing
Cross WC2. <<<<<
Girl Friday @ First Out,
Soho 52 GilesStreet W1.
www.firstoutcafebar.com.
5-11pm, FREE. <<<<<
Girls and their friendz night
@ The Windsor Castle, 152
Bath Rd, Hounslow TW3.
www.windsorcastle
hounslow.co.uk. <<<<
Charing Cross WC2 . 5pm till
<<<<
Karaoke @ Blush, Cazenove
Rd, Stoke Newington SE11.
www.blushbar.moonfruit.com.
8pm-12am. <<<<
Kimono Krush @ RVT [2nd
Fri]. Spanish night. www.rvt.
org.uk. 8pm-2am.
Kill Your Pets @ Ghetto,
58 Old Street EC1. Electro.
10pm-late. £2/FREE B4
midnight with Q-Jump. <<
Kittenclub@RVT. Vauxhall.
New Year’s Day special www.
rvt.org.uk [4th Fri]
2pm-12am, £7.
Lower the Tone @
Oak Bar, 79 Green Lanes,
Stoke Newington [last Fri].
Infamous kitsch party. 9pm3am. www.oakbar.co.uk. £6.
<<<<
>>Play @ The Enclave 25
Brewer St Soho. (2nd/5th Fri).
www.myspace.com/_
clubplay. <<<<
Popstarz@The Den 14 West
Central Street, W1CA. www.
popstarz.org. [3rd Fri]<<
Something for the
Weekend @ Vertigo
1 Leicester Square,
Soho WC2. [Last Fri] Stylish
girls’ night. www.lounge.uk.net.
<<<<
Soup @ The Star of Bethnal
Green 359 Bethnal Green
Road Bethnal Green E2.
Italo and Hi-NRG. www.
starofbethnalgreen.com. <
S.L.A.G.S/chill-out @
RVT 372 Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall. New Year’s Day
special www.rvt.org.uk.
2pm-12am, £7.
Splosh-a-Rama @ RVT,
SE11. www.rvt.org.uk. £5. [3rd
Fri]<<
Stiletto @ The Chapel Bar,
Penton St, Islington. N1. [Last
Fri]. www.stilettoparty.co.uk.
<<<<
Trailer Trash @ On The
Rocks, 25 Kingsland Rd
Shoreditch, E2.
www.myspace.com/
trailertrashin. <<<
Wino @ Oak Bar, 79 Green
Lanes, Stoke Newington.
[2nd Fri]. www.oakbar.co.uk.
9pm-2am. £6. <<<
SATURDAY
26 Taboo @ 26 Smithfield,
26 Smithfield St, City of
London EC1. [2nd Sat]
www.26taboo.com. £5 B4
10/£7 after. <<<<
A Taste of Honey @ The
Cape Bar, 10 Aldermanbury,
Moorgate EC2. [3rd Sat]
www.tasteofhoneyclubnight.
co.uk. 8pm-2am. £5 B4
9.30pm/£7 after. <<<
Barden’s Boudoir@
Koochooloo, 36-34 Stoke
Newington Rd, Stoke
Newington. 8pm, £8
Boudoir@ The Edge, 11 Soho
Square, Soho W1. 9pm till
1am, www.edgesoho.co.uk.
So What! @ First Out, 52
Giles Street Soho. <<<
Bootylicious @
Colosseum, 1 Nine Elms
Lane, Vauxhall Erotik
Cabaret. [3rd Sat]. www.
bootylicious-club.co.uk.11pm5am. £10/£7 b4 12am/£5 NUS.
<<
Cabaret @ The Windsor
Castle, 152 Bath Rd,
Hounslow TW3.www.
windsorcastlehounslow.co.uk.
<<
Cabaret @ Central Station,
37 Wharfdale Road, Kings
Cross N1. <
Club K @ The Livery, 130
Wood St, City of London
EC2. [1st Sat] www.clubk.
co.uk. £6 B4 10/£8 after.
<<<<
Club Wotever @ RVT. 327
[4 Oct].www.woteverworld.
<<<
Duckie @ RVT 372
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall:
Cabaret 9pm-2pm, £5. [2nd
Sat] <<
Exilio @ Rez Bar, 1 Nine Elms
St, Vauxhall. LGB latino club.
www.exilio.co.uk.
£8 b4 11pm/£9 after,
10pm-3am, <<<
Fun for Females @ a
secret location. Erotic party .
www.funforfemales.co.uk.
<<<<<
G-A-Y @ Heaven, The
Arches (off The Strand), Villers
St, Charing X WC2N. 020
7930 2020: www.heavenlondon.com.10pm-5am. £12.
<<
<<<<
Girl Action@Clerkenwell
23-27 Hatton Wall, Islington
EC1N [3rd Sat] 8pm
Hustle @ The Oak Bar,
Green Lanes, Stoke
Newington [2nd Sat].
don’t miss!
Pink and Glitter NYE @The
Green,74 Upper St,Islington, N1
Sparkle and shimmer as you enter 2010 with a
bang at this sexy party on till super late. Complimentary champagne and pink vodka jelly shots
get the good times rolliing and DJ Harvey blasts
out the hits of 2009.
www.thegreenislington.co.uk
//bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs
vip
Spotted!
in Shoreditch
If this is you, email
charlotte@g3mag.
co.uk to find out
what you’ve won!
www.girlsoutloud.co.uk. £5.
9pm-3am. <<<<
Kuch Kuch@ABACUS
24 Cornhill EC3V. www.
kuchkuchnights.co.uk. [last Sat]
Lounge @ Vertigo 1 Leicester
Square, Soho WC2. www.
lounge.uk.net. <<<<
Mannequin @ Shoreditch
Members Club, 2a
Tabernacle Street. Old
Street/Moorgate EC1. [2nd
Sat] <<<<
MooMaa @ Jerusalem,
33-34 Rathbone Street
Bloomsbury W1.
£5 B4 10.30/£8 after.
moomaaclub@googlemail.
com <<<<
Oysters @ Oak Bar,
79 Green Lanes, Stoke
Newington [3rd Sat] £7/ £5
with flyer. www.oystersuk.
com. <<<<
Play 2 @ Purple Turtle 65
Crowndale Rd, Camden [1st
Sat]. NYE recovery special,
www.play-squared.com.
10.30pm-3am.£7/5 b4
11pm/£3 NUS.<<<<<
Pout Party@Brown Sugar
146 High Holborn Covent
Garden WC1V. [3rd Sat]
Queer Complex @
The Red Star, 319
Camberwell Rd, Camberwell
SE5. <<<
Queer Playspace @ Klub
Fukk, 37 Wharfdale rd, Kings
Cross N1.[2nd Sat] www.
woteverworld.com
RuMoUrS @ Minories,
64-73 Minories, Tower Hill
EC3. [Last Sat]:
www.girl-rumours.co.uk
<<<<<
Salla! @ Oak Bar, 79 Green
Lanes, Stoke Newington.
[Last Sat]. www.oakbar.co.uk.
9pm-late. £7. <<<<
Soul Naturelle @ The Oak
Bar, 79 Green Lanes Stoke
Newington. N16. [1st Sat]
<<<<<
Smack @ Hidden, 100
Tinworth St, Vauxhall, SE11.
www.myspace.com/
smackclub. £11 b4 11pm/£14
after. <<<<
So What @ First Out, Soho
www.firstoutcafebar.com.
FREE. 7-11pm. <<<<
T Tease @ The Black
Gardenia, 93 Dean St,
Soho:. [Last Fri].
www.myspace.com/t_tease.
7pm-10am. £10. <<<
Unskinny Bop @ Pleasure
Unit, 359 Bethnal Green
Rd, Bethnal Green E2 6LG.
[3rd Sat]. www.myspace.
com/ubop 9pm-2am, FREE
b4 9.30pm/£4 after. <<
Wigout @ Ghetto, 58 Old
Street EC1. www.ghettolondon.co.uk. 10pm-late.
Q-Jump. <<
Wish @ Gramaphone,
60-62 Commercial St,
Aldgate East [1st Sat]. .
www.club-wish.co.uk. 9pm4am, £5 b4 11pm/£10 after.
SUNDAY
Bloody Sundae @
Ghetto, 58 Old Street EC1.
<<
Bumbaclart @ Green
Carnation Greek Street
Soho W1.
Exquisite @ The Shadow
Lounge 5 Brewer Street,
Soho W1. [4th Sun].www.
theshadowlounge.com.
11pm-4am. <<<
Fozzie’s Classic Karaoke
Disco @ Central Station, 37
Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross
N1. www.centralstation.co.uk.
<<
Future Fusion @ The Green
Carnation
5 Greek Street, Soho W1.
www.myspace.com/nikki_
lucas. <<<
Girls on Top Comes to
London @ Lightbox.
6a South Lambeth Place,
Vauxhall SW8. 9pm-4am,
Boozer
Guide
Ku Bar: Award-winning gay
bar, 30 Lisle St, Leicester Sq.
www.ku-bar.co.uk
King William IV: Trad
pub.77 Hampstead High
St, NW3. 020 7435 5747.
YHampstead
Oak Bar: Late night
club/bar. 79 Green Lns N16.
020 7354 2791. YManor
Hs./Bus73/141/341
Profile Bar: Brings to life
the world of Gaydar. 4pm to
1am. 56-57 Frith Street, Soho,
W1D 3JN. 020 7734 8300.
Reflex: Fri + Sat, 10pm-3am.
184 London Rd, Kingston.
020 8549 9911. YNorbiton
Retro Bar: 2 George Ct. WC2
020 7321 2811.YCharing X
Roebuck (The): 25 Rennell
St, Lewisham, SE13.
020 8852 1705.
YLewisham BR
Royal Vauxhall Tavern:
372 Kennington Lane, SE11.
YVauxhall
Rumours :67-73 The
Minories, EC1
Star at Night: 22 Gt
Chapel Street, Soho. www.
thestaratnight.com.
Star of Bethnal Green
359 Bethnal Gn Rd, E2.
www.starofbethnalgreen.com
Yard (The): 57 Rupert
St, Soho. 020 7437 2652.
YPiccadilly Circus
£3 B4 11pm/£6 after.
<<<<
Karaoke with Mags @ Oak
Bar, 79 Green Lanes, Stoke
Newington. www.oakbar.
co.uk. <<<
Wet Yourself @ Fabric
London, 77A Charterhouse
St, City of London EC1. (2nd
Sun). www.fabriclondon.
com <<
Rock Society @ The Black
Gardenia, 93 Dean St,
Soho W1. www.myspace.
com/rocksocietylondon.
7pm-11pm, £3. <<<
S.L.A.G.S/chill-out @
RVT 372 Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall. www.rvt.org.uk.
2pm-12am, £7. <<<
Sunday Games @ First Out,
52 St Giles StreetSoho WC2.
www.firstoutcafebar.com.
<<<
Sunday Happy Day @
Century, 61-63 Shaftesbury
Ave, Soho WC1. [last Sun]
Sunday_happyday@hotmail.
co.uk. <<<
Sunday Jukebox @
Blush, Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington N16. [2nd Sun].
DJ and music quiz.
www.blushbar.moonfruit.
com. 7pm. <<<<
Diary
Dates
PLAN
AHEAD
!
S.L.A.G.S/
Chill Out
NYE@RVT
Thurs 31 December
Dame Edna special.
www.rvt.org.uk
Other People’s
Property
Sat 30 January
Sexy girls and wicked
tunes.
Facebook: Other People’s
Property
NYE Popstarz
@The Den
Thurs 31 December
Phantom of the Opera
themed masked ball.
www.popstarz.org
59
ls//ba
T`PR[R
bars
don’t
miss!
WEDNESDAY
NYE Girls on
Top@ R Bar
Thurs 31 December
One of the hottest
places to see in 2010.
DJs Lady Bex and Smiffy
pump o ut party
anthems and play all
your requests. The fun
doesn’t stop till 6am so
get ready to rave!
www.revemge.co.uk
NYE party
@ PV the
Jury’s Out
Thurs 31 December
Free vodka jelly shots on
arrival and sparkling
champagne until Big
Ben tolls in 2010. Tunes
from house DJs and a
mixed crowd.
www.thepv.co.uk
A]cbV
MONDAY
Frat Party @ Ghetto, 129
St James’s Street, Brighton
BN1. www.popstarz.org/
ghettobrighton. <<
I Don’t Like Mondays @
PV at The Jury’s Out 161
Edward Street, Brighton
Liz’s Quiz@R Bar, 5-7 Marine
Parade Brighton, BN2. Free.
12pm - 2am. www.revenge.
co.uk
Studio 150 Warm Up@
Charles St Club, Brighton
BN1. www.charles-street.
com. <<
TUESDAY
60
Pub Quiz@Grosvenor 16
Western St, Brighton www.
thegrosvenorbar.com. 8pm
Karaoke with Lucinda
Lashes @ Edge Nightclub,
Southampton www.
theedgesouthampton.com.
<<
Is It Only Tuesday? @ PV at
The Jury’s Out 161 Edward
Street, Brighton BN2. 01273
687090. <
Twisted Karaoke @ R Bar,
Brighton, BN2. Free. 12pm
- 2am. www.revenge.co.ukh
ChillOutTuesdays @Charles
St Club, Brighton BN1.
www.charles-street.com. <<
Chatterbox @ Riverside
Tavern, West Bank of River
Medway, Kent: www.
riversidetavern.co.uk. <<<
Midweek Social @ Charles
www.charles-street.com
Midweek Mashup@ R Bar,
5-7 Marine Parade Brighton,
BN2. Free. 12pm - 2am. www.
revenge.co.uk
Colours Karaoke @
Beehive Pub [upstairs],
Kingswood Suites,
Southernhay, Basildon, Essex
CM2.FREE. <<<
Lush @ Bent, 36-40 Poole
Hill, Bournemouth, BH2.
www.bent-club.co.uk
R ‘n’ B Night @ Magnum,
St Mark’s St, Southampton
S014. 9pm-2am, <<
Theme Nights @ Riverside
Medway, Kent: www.
riversidetavern.co.uk. <<
The Infamous PV Quiz
Boozer
Guide
Bar 11: 11 Burgate, Canterbury,
Kent, CT1. 01272 478 707.
Charles Street. 8 Marine
Parade, Brighton. 01273
624091. Coopers Arms: TV.
55 Bute, St, Luton, Beds. www.
thecoopers-arms.co.uk
Colours: Beehive Pub
(upstairs), Kingswood Suites,
Southernhay, Basildon. 01268
242031. www.colorsessex.co.uk
Edge (The): 58 St Mary’s
Road, Southampton, SO14.
@ PV at The Jury’s Out
Brighton BN2.
Transition@ Ghetto, 129 St
James’s St, Brighton BN1.
THURSDAY
Booty Call Monthly @
Ghetto, 129 St James’s
St, Brighton BN1.
[1st Thurs] <<
HDSM @ Ghetto 129 St
James’s St, Brighton, BN1.
www.ghettobrighton.com.
<<
Fresher than Fresh @
Bang Bar, 5 The Parade.
Basingstoke.
www.bang-bar.com.. 9pm2am. £4 B4 12/£5 after.
Girls on Top@ R bar, 5-7
Marine Parade Brighton, BN2
www.revenge.co.uk
Leader of the Pack @
St, Brighton BN1. [Last
Thurs] www.popstarz.
org/ghettobrighton <<
Liberty@ Toto’s Bar, 125
www.theedgesouthampton.
com
Flamingos: 23-25 West
Street, Old Market, Bristol,
BS2 0DF.
Fudge: Redbourn Rd, St
Albans, Herts AL3. 01582
794053.
Ghetto Brighton: 129 St
James’s St, Brighton. 01273
622424. 10.30pm
The Grosvenor Bar: 16
Western St, Brighton, BN1.
www.thegrosvenorbar.com
Load of Hay: 207 Pinner
Road, Watford Heath WD19.
Redcliffe St Bristol. NYE
party masqued ball.. £10
www.totosbristol.com. [last
Thurs]
Mad Cow @ Charles St
Club, Brighton BN1. www.
charles-street.com <<
Open Mic@ The
Marlborough, 4 Princes St
Brighton BN2.
NYE@ PV at The Jury’s Out
Brighton [last Thurs]
Rack ‘Em Up @ Ghetto,
129 St James’s St, Brighton
BN1. [2nd Thurs]. Blues, Rock
and Country. www.popstarz.
org/ghettobrighton
Spot the Dot @ Riverside
Medway, Kent: www.
Tits Up @ Ghetto, 129 St
[3rd Thurs].
FRIDAY
Fairylea @ Charles St Club,
Brighton BN1. www.charles-
01923 441113. (T): Bushey BR
London Hotel:
2TerminusTerrace,Southampton.
02380 710652 (F): 30%
The Lounge: 53 Old Market
Street, Bristol.
www.loungebristol.com
//bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
Boozer
Guide
Marlborough (The):
4 Princes Street , Brighton, BN2 .
01273 570 028.
Old Vic:
104 St Paul’s Road,
Southsea, Portsmouth, Hants.
02392 297013.
Princess Victoria Bar (The):
106 Edward Street, Brighton,
BN2 0JB. 01273 687 090.
street.com, <
Girls Connect @ Edge
Nightclub, Southampton.
[1st Fri]. www.
edgesouthampton.com.
G Spot @ The Bizz and
Works 15 Station Road East
Canterbury Kent [4th Fri]
<<<<<
Popstarz @ Ghetto, 129 St
<<<
Queer & Alternative@ The
Marlborough, 4 Princes St
Brighton BN2. <<<
Women’s only disco@
Babylon Lounge Western
Esplanade, Kingsway Hove
Brighton [3rd Fri] 9pm - 2am
www.babylonlounge.com
SATURDAY
Club 52 @ Leonards,
Wennington, Essex
[last Sat]. Girlie night with
DJ Jo. www.club52.com.
<<<<<
Club Wotever @The
Marlborough, 4 Princes
St Brighton BN2. 7.30pm
Queen Anne: 11 Queen Anne
Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14.
01622 753 023.
The Retreat West Street, Old
Market, Bristol.
Revenge: 32-34 Old Steine,
Brighton. 01273 606064.
Riverside Tavern: Canal
Road, Strood, Kent, ME2.
01634 719949
Secrets: 8-12 New Road,
Chatham, Kent,
ME4. 01634 832433
Ship Inn: 347 High Street,
Rochester, Kent, ME1. 01634
[1st Sat]
Girls Rock On@ The
Marlborough Brighton
Electronic Disco @ Secret
Location, Brighton BN1.
www.electronicdisco.com
Dangerous @ Charles
Street Club, Brighton BN1.
Funky House. www.myspace.
com/kinky_dangerous.
<<<
Kinky Classica@ R Bar,
BN2. Free. 12pm - late. www.
revenge.co.uk
Liberty@ Toto’s Bar,
125 Redcliffe St Bristol.
Women only. [First Sat],
www.totosbristol.com.
<<<<<
Sugar Rush@ PV at The
Jury’s Out Brighton 12pm
- midnight
Theme Nights @ Riverside
Medway, Kent: www.
Tom’s Salon@The
Malborough. Brighton
Cabaret [2nd Sat]
Viva la Divas/Booty Call
@ PV at The Jury’s Out
161 Edward CabaretStreet,
Brighton BN2. Free.<<<
Wigout @ Ghetto, 129 St
Women’s Disco @ The
Babylon Lounge, Hove BN3.
womensdisco@gmail.com
SUNDAY
Cabaret @ Old Vic,
Portsmouth. www.
oldvicportsmouth.co.uk
Electronic Disco @ Charles
www.myspace.com/
secretdisco
Street, Brighton BN1.
[1st Sun]. www.popstarz.
org/ghettobrighton
Fuck the Pain Away @
Ghetto, Brighton BN1.
[Last Sun].
Don’t
Miss
we love
<
Sirens @ Ghetto, 129 St
[3rd Sun]. www.popstarz.org/
ghettobrighton <<<
Sublime Sundays@R Bar,
BN2. Free. 12pm - 2am. www.
revenge.co.uk
Sunday Sundae Double
Floor Special @ Audio,
Marine Parade, Brighton BN1
Sundaylicious Roast@PV
at The Jury’s Out
Brighton BN2. 12pm -11pm
Wild Fruit @ Tru, West St,
Brighton BN1. [1st Sun].
www.aeonevents.co.uk.
10pm-3am. £8/£12. <<<
PHOTO BY CLARA ELIOT
Yveelicious from Sunday Happy Day
Liberty
NYE@Toto’s
Thurs 31 December
An eclectic club on the
Bristol waterfront run by
and for women. They
are holding a masked
ball this New Year’s
Eve, so come dressed to
impress and ready for
some mischief !
www.libertybristol.
co.uk
How long has your club been running?
We have been going for over three years.
Where is Sunday Happy Day held?
A private members’ club called Century, 61 – 63
Shaftsbury Ave, London W1.
What can someone expect from a night there ?
Great music from our resident DJs and a
freindly house party atmosphere.
What do you enjoy most about running
Sunday Happy Day? Meeting the different
people that come and how it feels like a large
group of friends, who are exceptionally good at
making everyone feel welcome.
When is the next event ?
Our NYE party is going to be awesome!
How can can people get hold of tickets?
Email: sunday_happyday@hotmail.com
61
ls//ba
T`PR[R
bars
don’t
miss
Princess St, Mancs M1. Retro
& camp Pop. www.poptastic.
co.uk.11pm-3am, £4.50/3.50
members. <<
WEDNESDAY
Climax@ Sub 101
101 Princess St,Manchester M1
Thursday 31 December
The Vanilla girls bring you a banging new year bash.
The theme is big divas so channel your favourite
sexysuperstar and party like there is no tomorrow.
Things will explode at midnight!
www.vanillagirls.co.uk
<]`bV
MONDAY
Compassion @ LT nights,
47 Heathcoat St,
Nottingham NG1 [1st Mon].
Ladies night. www.ltnights.
co.uk. 9.30pm-3am, £3 b4 11
or NUS/£4. <<<<<
Open Mic Night @
Bar du Fay, 25 Stanley St
Liverpool L1: Live music
from talented regulars. www.
myspace.com/bardufay. From
9pm. <<<<
62
Karaoke @ Propaganda,
107 Ferensway, Hull, HU2. 9pm.
www.propagandabar.co.uk.<<
TUESDAY
CU Next Tuesday @
Vanilla, Richmond St, Mancs
M1. www.vanillagirls.co.uk.
<<<<
Indie Night @ Bar du Fay, 25
Stanley Street Liverpool L1.
www.myspace.com/bardufay.
<<<
Poptastic @ Mutz Nutz,
Band Practice @ Bar du
Fay, 25 Stanley Street
Liverpool L1. www.myspace.
com/bardufay.
DJ Angel Delight @ Kampus,
45 China St, Lancaster LA1.
Music & drag.
Paramore afterparty @
Vanilla, Richmond St, Mancs
M1. [3rd Weds]. 7pm -3am
THURSDAY
Back 2 Back @ Cruz 101,
Princess St, Mancs M1. Retro
& Camp Pop.
www.cruz101.com
9pm-3am. £4/£2 students
and Cruz members.<<
Climax NYE@Sub 101, 101
Princess St, Mancs, M1. www.
vanillagirls.co.uk. [last Thurs]
£8, 11pm - 7am,<<<<
Cumasudare @ Route
69 Wine Bar, 1 Gas St,
Northampton N1. www.
route69.co.uk.10pm-3am. £5.
Fussy Pussy @ FG2, 5
Dickson Road, Blackpool.
[Last Thurs]. 9pm. www.
vanillagirls.co.uk. <<<<
Student Night @ Bar du
Fay, 25 Stanley St Liverpool
L1. www.myspace.com/
bardufay.<<<
Toga Party@Coyotes 14
Chorlton St Mancs. www.
coyotesbar.co.uk. [last Thurs]
The Lick @ Vanilla,
Richmond St, Mancs, M1.
R’n’B. www.vanillagirls.co.uk.
5pm-late. £1 after 10pm.
<<<<
Quiz night @ Coyotes,
14 Chorlton St, Mancs M1.
www.coyotesbar.co.uk.
9-11.30pm. FREE. <<
11th Bday @Vanilla
www.vanillagirls.co.uk [2nd
Thurs]
FRIDAY
Climax@Sheffield Union,
University of Sheffield,
Sheffield. [3rd Fri]. www.shef.
ac.uk. 10.30pm-3am (last
admission 12.30). £4 adv/£5
on door. <<
DJ Miss Candi @ Bar du Fay,
25 Stanley St Liverpool L1.
Dykes to Dine @ various,
Calder Valley. 01706 373
066 (last Fri): Fine food and
company. <<<<<
Fridays @ No. 1 Club
Mancs. 10.30pm-5am.
www.no1club.co.uk
Brandirls on Top 2 @ Bar
24/7, Redbourne Rd, St
Albans, Herts, AL2. (last Fri).
www.xxpromotions.co.uk.
<<<<
Lez-B-Naughtier @ Flame,
58 Wellington Street, Luton.
www.flame-nightclub.
co.uk<<<<<
Pre-Fuel warm up @
Propaganda, 107 Ferensway,
Hull, HU2. 9pm. www.
propagandabar.co.uk.<<
DJs @ Fuel Sheffield, 6 Baker
St, Sheffield S1. Dance, Chart
and Pop. 10.30pm-3am.
www.fuelclubsuk.com.
<<<
Fridays @ Vanilla,
www.vanillagirls.co.uk
<<<<
The Twisted Wheel @
Legends, Whitworth St,
Mancs. £6. www.myspace.
com/fucktheelectro
Traffic Jamm@ Coyotes,
Mancs. www.coyotesbar.
co.uk. 9pm-4am. (1st Fri):
<<<<
Lash For Lasses@The
Tunnel, 6 Whitworth
St, Mancs. BDSM. [2nd
Sunday]. www.clublash.com.
<<<<<
Big Gay Friday @ Cruz 101,
Princess St, Mancs. www.
cruz101.com. members. <
Rah Rah Rah @ Stardust
Bar Cambridge St,
Sheffield. [1st Fri]. www.
sheffieldgayscene.co.uk/12.
10pm-2am. <<
Princess St. Manchester,
0161 2270341
Queer: 4 Canal St, Mancs.
0161 2281368 (F) 35%
Taurus Bar: 1 Canal St,
Manchester M1. 0161 236
4593. (F): 50%
Spirit: 63 Richmond St.
Mancs. 0161 2379725
(F): 40%
Vanilla: Women’s bar (men
as guests). 39-41 Richmond
St, Mancs M1. 0161 288 2727.
(F): 95%
Via Fossa: 28-30 Canal St,
M1. Classy bar.(F): 30%
SATURDAY
DJs @ Fuel Sheffield,
6 Baker St, Sheffield S1.
Dance, chart, pop. 9pm-3am.
£3 b4 11pm/£5. <<<
Drama Queen @ Cruz 101,
Princess St, Mancs.
www.cruz101.com.
11pm-6am. <<<
Freakshow @ No. 1 Club
Mancs. 11pm-6am. www.
no1club.co.uk <<<<
Genesis @ Eden Canal St,
Mancs. genesisclubnight
@yahoo.com [1st Sat of
the month] 10.30pm. £3.
<<<<
Girls Go Down@3345 Parr
St Liverpool L1, £3, www.
Boozer
Guide
AXM Bar: Mixed bar. 10
Canal St, M1. 0161 236 6005.
(F): 60%
Coyotes: Fun bar. 14
Chorlton St, Manchester, M1.
0161 236 4007. F: 80%
Lucy’s Two: Gay bar with
pool and darts. Abingdon St,
Blackpool. 01253 753 598.
(F): 50%
Poptastic: c/o Mutz Nutz,
//bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
ggdevents.co.uk [1st Sat]
Glasshouse @ Mission,
Heaton’s Court, Leeds
[2nd & 4th Sat]. House night.
www.myspace.com/
glasshouseuk.
11pm-9am. <<
Jukebox @ Coyotes, Mancs.
www.coyotesbar.co.uk
9pm-4am.
Karaoke @ Bar du Fay, 25
Stanley Street Liverpool L1.
Ladypoof @ My
House, Brick St Leeds.
www.myspace.com/
ladypoof<<<<
Lavender Lounge @Gregson,
33 Moorgate Lancaster.
www.lavenderlounge.
co.uk<<<<
Nocturnal @ Propaganda,
107 Ferensway, Hull,
HU2. 2.30-6am. www.
propagandabar.co.uk<<
Poptastic @ Mutz Nutz,
Princess St, Mancs M1. www.
poptastic.co.uk <<
Saturday ROCKS! @
Vanilla, Richmond St,
Mancs. . www.vanillagirls.
co.uk.10pm-4am. FREE b4
9pm/£1.<<<<<
SUNDAY
Girls Go Down @ Vinyl
Basement Bar, Lark Lane,
Liverpool [1st Sun].
<<<<
Laughing Cows @ The Frog
and Bucket, 102 Oldham St,
Mancs Sun 30 Aug.
<<<<
;WRZO\Ra
TUESDAY
DJ Dean’s Karaoke @
Nightingale Club,
Kent St, Birmingham B5.
www.nightingaleclub.co.uk
FREE. <<<
WEDNESDAY
DJ Dean’s Karaoke @
Nightingale Club,
Kent St, Birmingham B5.
www.nightingaleclub.co.uk
FREE. <<<
FRIDAY
Betty’s Music Bar @ Betty’s
Nightclub, 10 Cornhill,
Ipswich, Suffolk IP1.
www.bettysbar.co.uk. £6/£4
members. 9pm-2am.
FREE b4 10pm. <<<<
Blast! @ Nightingale
Club, Kent St, Birmingham.
www.nightingaleclub.co.uk.
10pm-4am. Free b4 10pm/£2
till midnight/£5 after. <<
Gay night@The Swan,
The Street, Lawshall,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Ipswich, IP29.[2nd Fri] www.
lawshallswan.co.uk
Karaoke @ The Fox, 17
Lower Essex St, Birmingham.
0121 622 1210: www.foxbar.
co.uk. 9-11.30pm, FREE.
Fridays @ The Club 14
Hillcrest St Stoke-on-Trent,
ST1 2AA. www.theclub-stoke.
co.uk 01782 201829 <<
Party night @ Rainbows 88
Short St Coventry, CV1 2LW
www.rainbowscov.com
<<<
Poptastic @ NG1 76-80
Lower Parliament Street,
Nottingham, NG1.
www.ng1club.co.uk/
(0115) 958 8440 <<
SATURDAY
Betty’s Music Bar @
Betty’s Nightclub, 10
Cornhill, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1.
www.bettysbar.plus.com.
9pm-2am, FREE b4 10pm/£4
members/£7. <<<<
Big Saturday Night Out
@ Nightingale Club, Kent
St, Birmingham: www.
nightingaleclub.co.uk. 10pm6am. £4 b4 10pm/£8. <<
Party Women’s DiscoNight
@ The Fox, 17 Lower Essex St,
Birmingham. 0121 622 1210.
www.foxbar.co.uk <<<=
Women’s Disco @
Todmorden Cricket Club,
Burnley Road,Todmorden,
Yorkshire.[2nd Sat] 01706
816 655.
SUNDAY
Comedy Collective @
Nightingale Club, Kent
St, Birmingham: www.
nightingaleclub.co.uk £3.
@ The Three Tuns 9 Bucknall
New Rd, Stoke-on-Trent
www.thethreetuns.net <<
Funday Sunday @ NG1 76
80 Lower Parliament Street,
Nottingham, NG1 1EH <<
Boozer
Guide
DV8 Nightclub
& Innov8 Bar: 16 Lower
Essex St, Birmingham.
0121 6666366
Fox (The):
Popular women’s bar.
17 Lower Essex St,
Birmingham B5.
0121 6221210
Greyhound: 2am licence.
14 Bond St, Wolverhampton,
WV2. 01902 420916.
Kudos: 28 Horse Fair,
Birmingham
Village Inn: 152 Hurst St.
Birmingham, 0121 6224742
Missing Bar:
148 Bromsgrove Street,
Birmingham,
B5 6NU
www.missingbar.co.uk
New Forresters: 18 St Ann’s
St, Nottingham NG1.
0115 9580432.
NG1: 76-80 Lower
Parliament St. Nottingham,
0115 9588440
Nightingales: Kent St,
Birmingham. 0121 6221718.
Route Two: 139/147 Hurst
Street Birmingham.
0121 6223366:
Rainbow & Dove: 185 Charles
St.Leicester 0116 2547568
Subway City: 27 Livery St.
The Club: 14 Hillcrest
St. Hanley 01782 201829
Village Inn: 152 Hurst St.
profile
PHOTO BY WUNMI ONIBUDO
Club Motherfucker
38-44 Stoke Newington Rd,
Dalston, London, N16
How long have you been going?
We are seven years young in March 2010.
Anything new & interesting?
We’re putting on Mofofest: a mini festival
showcase, every second Saturday each month.
What is Club Motherfucker famous for?
Super famous bands like the Gossip and and Bloc
Party, and the bar men giving away free drinks
towards the end of the night !
What is the atmosphere like?
Fun, exciting, like a house party only funner.
What is the music policy?
Alternative electro indie dance with a bit of disco,
hip hop and pop along the way.
Describe it in seven words
Unique, Eclectic, super-fun, debauched, riotous,
random, AMAZING!
www.clubmotherfucker.com
63
ls//ba
T`PR[R
bars
FRIDAY
Connect
Fridays @ Foundation
Nightclub,
Carnegies Brae, Aberdeen.
Funky house, pop, disco, £4,
open til late.
www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub. <<
Ladies night @ Planet Bar
6 Baxter’s Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.bebo.com/
PLANETbar
<<<<<
Furburger @ GHQ Picardy
Place Edinburgh EH1. [2nd
Fri]. www.myspace.com/
clubfurburger <<<<<
Kick Start @ Cafe Habana
Greenside Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.cafehabanaeh1.
com. <<
A
g3X… join the networking
revolution
The latest events, meet gorgeous women, find out
who is going where, get deals on club entry…
and much, much more!
www.g3X.co.uk
AQ]bZO\R
TUESDAY
THURSDAY
On Demand @ Cafe
Habana Greenside Place
Edinburgh EH1. www.
cafehabanaeh1.com. <<
Cheesy Wotsits @ Cafe
Habana Greenside Place,
Edinburgh EH1. www.
cafehabanaeh1.com
<<
Karaoke @ Planet Bar 6
Baxter’s Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.bebo.com/
PLANETbar
<<
WEDNESDAY
Shagtag @ Foundation
Nightclub Carnegies Brae
AberdeenL1.
Drinks offers and shagtag
board! www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub <<
64
Y
Nightclub,
www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub. <<<
SUNDAY
Sunday sessions @ Cafe
Habana Greenside Place
Edinburgh EH1. .www.
cafehabanaeh1.com. <<<
Sundays @ Foundation
Nightclub,
www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub. <<<
SUNDAY
Karaoke @ Kings Cross,
25 Caroline Street,Cardiff
CF10 1FF
www.kxcardiff.co.uk <<<
For the angels @ Exit
Nightclub, 48 Charles St,
Cardiff, CF10 2GF
www.exitclubcardiff.com
<<<
Open mic @ Thru the Arch
Club, Newport 33A Stow Hill
Newport NP20 1JH
www.thruthearch.com
<<<
THURSDAY
Loud & proud @ Thru the
Arch, Club Newport 33A
Stow Hill Newport NP20
1JH www.thruthearch.com
<<<
Open all levels @ Exit
Cardiff, CF10
www.exitclubcardiff.com
<<<
Get the party started @
Club X, 35-37 Charles Street
Cardiff, CF10 2GB
www.club-x-cardiff.co.uk
<<<
BHQ @ Cafe Habana
Greenside Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.cafehabanaeh1.
com. <<<
Saturdays @ Foundation
The Polo Lounge: 84 Wilson
St Glasgow, G1 1UZ
0141 553 1221
Dolls: 36 Broughton Street
Edinburgh
0131 476 2699
Delmonicas:
68 Virginia St
Glasgow, G1 1TX
0141 552 4803
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Boozer
Guide
EOZSa
Sala Cafe Bar: 58a
Broughton Street, Edinburgh
EH1 3SA 0131 556 5758
Pop Rokit: Picardy
Place,Edinburgh EH8 1JT
0131 556 4272
The Blue Moon Cafe
Restaurant Bar: 36
Broughton St Edinburgh, EH1
3SB. www.bluemooncafe.
co.uk 0131 556 2788
The Laughing Duck:
24 Howe Street, Edinburgh,
Midlothian, EH3 6TG
Lesbian bar.
SATURDAY
Absolute heaven @ Exit
Cardiff, CF10 2GF www.
exitclubcardiff.com <<<
Big night out @ Thru the
Arch Club Newport 33A Stow
Hill Newport NP20 www.
thruthearch.com <<<
Kings kitchen @ Kings Cross,
25 Caroline Street, Cardiff
CF10 <<<
Exile @ Club X, 35-37 Charles
St. Cardiff, CF10 2GB www.
club-x-cardiff.co.uk <<<
Boozer
Guide
Minskys Show Bar:
Cathedral Walk, St David’s
Centre Cardiff CF10
The Offas Tavern: Prestatyn,
North Wales, LL19
(01745) 886 046.
Three Crowns: Well Street,
Bangor, LL57
Golden Cross: 283 Hayes
Bridge Road, Cardiff, CF10 1GH
Exit Nightclub: 48 Charles
Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GF
Lush: Caroline Street, Opp.
Kings, Cardiff, CF10 1FF
/bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
T / / g i r l s /Review
eats
& treats
with gertie guzzler
:S;S`Qc`g
@SabOcÒ\b
"OC^^SÀb`SSb:]\R]\<
Le Mercury, a French restaurant on
Islington’s Upper Street, is the perfect place
for a credit crunch date or a night out with
the girls. Candles, flowers and soft lighting
make for a relaxing, romantic atmosphere.
Set on three floors, Le Mercury is one
of the best restaurants of quality in London.
On the numerous occasions I have been
there I have always spotted at least one of
us: last night it was a newly-courting young
gay couple, another
night two middleaged lezzer friends
eating for England.
And my, how you
can eat!
Starters (all
£3.95) include
lobster ravioli, pear,
blue cheese and
walnut salad, or a
hearty fish soup. Mains (£6.95) are
gorgeous. I had the slow-roasted belly
pork with mash and Granny Smith
apple sauce, but you might choose the
fishcakes or the vegetarian cassoulet
with a delicious gruyere cheese and red
pepper coulis topping.
Finish off with chocolate tart with
Baileys ice cream or a cheese platter for
£2.95 and you will go home happy. Divine.
House wine £11.95. Private dining and special
set menus for groups available.
For more information,
visit www.lemercury.co.uk
65
news
WORLD
NEWS...
Gay rights campaigner PeterTatchell
made the decision to stand down as
Green Party parliamentary candidate
for Oxford East. He felt that lasting brain
injuries he sustained from attacks at
Moscow Pride and from Robert Mugabe’s
bodyguards would render him incapable of
adequately performing his duties as an MP.
usa/anglican lesbian bishop
Reverend Mary Glasspool
of Maryland has been
elected as a suffragan
bishop in Los Angeles
and will be the Anglican
Church’s first out bishop since 2003. Her
appointment has been met with the accusation
from Archbishop of Canterbury, Roman Williams,
that she is fragmenting the Anglican Church.
austria/civil unions legalised
An Austrian law
which will come into
force on 1 January
2010 will legalise
civil unions and
afford gay couples some of the rights enjoyed
by heterosexuals: inheritance and social security
claims. A ban on same-sex couples using IVF and
seeking adoption will, unfortunately, remain.
BEN’S
BITS
uganda/anti-gay bill
Debate is raging
over the Ugandan
Anti-Homosexuality
Bill, which threatens
to impose the death
penalty upon gays. MP David Bahati, the bill’s
sponsor, argues it will curb HIV infections. Gay
rights activists and world leaders have expressed
their outrage. The Bill is due to be discussed on 18
December 2009.
russia/moscow pride
moves to berlin
66
Due to the violent history
of gay parades in Russia,
the Commisioner for
Human Rights in Moscow,
Alexander Muzykantsk,
has recommended
Moscow Pride be held in Germany. Although
safety of marchers is of course paramount, there
are some reservations among gay rights campaigners
about the message that this move gives out
usa/gay mayor for houston
America’s fourth largest
city now has a lesbian
mayor-elect. Annise Parker
defeated Republican
candidate Gene Locke in
the race to victory. A large
degree of homophobic
rhetoric unfortunately featured in literature
produced by some of her opponent’s supporters,
but this is a promising victory for LGBTs in
Texas and across the USA.
Ben Summerskill is
Chief Executive of
Stonewall.
Homophobic hate
is still a blight on
modern Britain.
Ian
Baynham
The final months of this
decade were a stark
reminder that lesbian
and gay equality still
needs to be fought for as
we enter 2010. Ian
Baynham, 62, kicked to
death for being gay in
crowded Trafalgar Square in the
middle of a Saturday evening. James
Parkes, 22, savagely beaten outside a
busy Liverpool gay bar at 10pm. And
these are not isolated cases. YouGov
research for Stonewall has found that
one in five lesbian, gay and bisexual
people experienced a crime like
this in the last three years. What’s
frightening is the young age of the
perpetrators of this senseless violence
against Ian and James and so many
others – all were either still at school
or recent school-leavers. You can help
us put a stop to this. Stonewall’s new
hate crime appeal places great
importance on education, aiming to
prevent ignorance leading to violence
later in life. It also looks at closer work
between the police and lesbian and
gay people to promote safety on all
Britain’s streets.
To contribute, please visit
www.stonewall.org.uk/
hatecrimeappeal
James
Parkes
Switching jobs often comes high on
our list of New Year’s resolutions, and
lesbian and gay jobseekers want to
feel sure that a new employer will
support them. Stonewall’s annual list
of the Top 100 Employers in Britain for
lesbian, gay and bisexual people is
published this month, showcasing the
best examples of practical staff
support and development. Some 350
employers entered our Workplace
Equality Index this year, which is the
basis for our Top 100 Employers list.
Competition is fierce and
participation in the Index has more
than doubled since 2006 –a real sign
of the commitment employers now
have to achieving equality. Whether
you’re looking to change jobs or want
to make your existing workplace
more supportive, the list will prove
invaluable. You can read it on the
Stonewall website from 13 January.
±6S6dN[aRQa\aRYY]R\]YRdUNa6Q\
dVaUZfcNTV[N6´QUNcRZNQRN`Re
cVQR\NY\[TaVZRNT\²
– Actress Michelle Rodriguez responds to
rumours about her sexuality.
news
Ben Rakestrow is the first openly gay
British soldier to serve in a major
conflict. The 21-year-old came out to
his fellow troops on a training exercise
in Salisbury, and spoke to the press
after his recent return from a tour in
the Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Until 1999 it was illegal to be
homosexual in the armed forces.
despite the fact that it is proven that
being out at work, in any workplace,
makes for a healthier state of mind
and more productive employees. Ben
has shown incredible honesty and
bravery. His actions are an
empowering example to all other gay,
lesbian and bisexual members of our
armed forces.
STRAIGHT COUPLE
DENIED CIVIL UNION
Heterosexual
couple Katherine
Doyle and Tom
Freeman have
been refused a
civil partnership
at Islington
registry office in
North London,
in accordance
with the 2005 Civil Partnership Act.The couple have rejected
the institution of marriage until all couples, gay or straight, can
engage in it equally.They object to a system of segregation
where same-sex couples are confined to civil union and
heterosexual couples are limited to marriage. Katherine and
Tom see the denial of their application to become opposite-sex
civil partners as an infringement of their human rights, and plan
to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights.
They are receiving advice from gay rights activist Peter Tatchell.
Homophobia
hits Manchester
Canal Street, Manchester’s gay
epicentre has been vandalised with
homophobic stickers. Messages such
as ‘Homosexuality equals AIDS’ and
‘National Front’ have been plastered
everywhere, along with contact
details for joining the right-wing
party. The National Front frequently
protests at gay events and is known
for its extreme homophobic
views. This attack, at the heart of
the northern LGBT community, is
a sickening and pathetic example
of its hateful activities. Police are
investigating.
Sperm donor wins access to child
Judge
Susan
Denham
A man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple has taken the women to the Irish Supreme
Court after changing his mind about wanting custody of his child. Judge Susan Denham
ruled that a relationship with his biological father would benefit the child, despite the fact
that the man was not legally entitled to this. A civil partnership bill is currently going through
the Irish parliament, and campaigners are pushing for framework which properly protects
gay parents, thus preventing difficult cases like this coming to court.
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS & CHARLOTTE DINGLE
Returning soldier
comes out
67
community
68
community
Sponsors
Community
CENTRAL
FOCUS
As we grow ever more excited
over plans for an LGBT centre in
Soho, we also take a step back to
ponder why there are so few of these
vital resources around Britain.
LGBT community centres
Kairos is Soho is an independently funded,
independently run initiative aimed at developing
an iconic space in London with and for LGBT
people. On 2 December 2009 Sarah Waters and
David McAlmont topped the bill at the Kairos
in Soho Dare to Dream evening. The event was
held to announce consultants 21st Century Era
Ltd, who are working on a major feasibility study
funded by Westminster City Council to create a
London LGBT community space.
The percentage of LGBTs has been
estimated at 5-7% of the total British
population, resulting in a community of 3.5
million people who identify as LGBT. Our proud
community has emerged stronger in the past
few years: there are countless gay clubs, charities
and support groups out there. However, there
is a persistent lack of communal spaces set
aside purely for the social, mental and physical
wellbeing of the LGBT community. In the USA,
California alone is home to 25 community
centres. The UK figures pale in comparison.
One of the first centres opened in 1973 in
Leicester. It operated out of someone’s living
room until subsequent lottery grants allowed it to
set up its own space as the Leicester Lesbian Gay
Bisexual & Transgender Centre in 2007. Today the
LLGBC is a hub for the gay community, boasting a
café, LGBT library, even an in-house professional
masseuse. It also represents a much-needed
meeting space for community groups, such as the
gay forum Prism and the First Out Youth Group.
The Gay Centre Manchester, The Pavilion LGBT
Centre in Derbyshire, Q space in Milton Keynes
and the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre all serve
their local gay community in very similar ways.
Vital support mechanisms range from sexual
health drop-in sessions and victim support/
counselling, to a place for the local lesbian book
group or yoga class to meet. All are important and
contribute to a well-rounded LGBT community.
They even take part in second-tier training by
offering courses and advice for organisations that
wish to better their understanding of and relations
with the gay population.
Many venues are fairly recent additions. It is
alarming how rapidly LGBT centres come and
go. They start up and shut down quickly, possibly
due to their reliance on grass roots support and
the difficulty of securing funding. Unsurprisingly,
the majority of such centres are found in London
– with the latest proposals being for a centre in Soho.
We look forward to seeing Kairos develop and grow
over the years, and in time provide inspiration for
a host of other projects across the UK.
useful links
69
Leicester Lesbian Gay Bisexual &Transgender Centre
(LLGBC)
www.llgbc.com
LGBT Health and Wellbeing Centre Edinburgh
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
East Out London Project (ELOP)
www.elop.org
The Metro Centre, Greenwich, London
www.metrocentronline.org
The Gay Centre, Manchester
www.gaycentre.queerhost.net/
Gay and Lesbian Centre, Glasgow
www.dircon.co.uk/gglc/
The Pavilion LGBT Centre, Derbyshire
www.gayderby.co.uk
Q Space, Milton Keynes
www.qalliance.org.uk
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
LGBT centres are defined as a permanent space
where the gay community can come for support
and advice, or simply to socialise and relax.
They are often bases for workshops, classes and
discussion groups, but above all, they are a secure
and welcoming environment. A rare find in the
UK, such centres are concentrated in the cities
with the largest LGBT populations.
Kairos Chief Executive Jane Standing says: “We
would like to create a phenomenal community
campaign that engages the whole London LGBT
community, and beyond, in the development of
a space that conserves our heritage, celebrates
our community and family, offers innovation and
research in policy and services, and develops LGBT
green thinking.”
community
PUPPY
LOVE
Sponsors
Community
WHAT’S
NEW,
PUSSYCAT?
Six-and-a-half-year-old
pointer cross Keanu is
looking for a home.
Something fun, furry
and friendly missing
from your life?
Adopting a dog in
2010 could provide
tremendous benefits
for you both, says
Charlotte Dingle.
Taking on an unwanted dog is a great
way to kick off the new year. Provide a
home for an abandoned animal and
you will be rewarded with a loyal
companion, an enthusiastic exercise
buddy and a useful burglar deterrent.
Owning a dog has been proven to
reduce stress, lower blood pressure
and help relieve depression.
UK charity Dogs Trust has over 1,300
animals waiting to be rehomed across
its 18 centres in the UK and Ireland.
One of these is Keanu, a six-and-a
half-year-old pointer cross (pictured).
Most dogs at the centre wait an
average of six weeks to be rehomed –
poor Keanu has been waiting for six
years! Although he is very affectionate
with people he knows, Keanu is
nervous around strangers, and Dogs
Trust staff say visitors tend to
overlook him in favour of more
outgoing dogs. Tracey Rae, Dogs Trust
Shoreham Rehoming Centre
Manager, says: “Keanu is a gorgeous
boy who just hasn’t caught the eye of
the right sort of owner yet… Please
do get in touch if you could offer a
home for the lovely Keanu.”
If you can’t commit to taking a dog
home with you, why not offer your
services as a Dogs Trust volunteer?
Kim Bugler, a volunteer dog walker at
the Salisbury Rehoming Centre, visits
once a week to take dogs out: “I get a
lot of enjoyment out of walking dogs
at Dogs Trust, and I know the dogs
enjoy it, too. I feel I really benefit from
my brisk weekly walks and I really
enjoy socialising with fellow
volunteers.”
Come on, ladies – how can you resist
those big wide eyes and waggy tails?
Get in touch with Dogs Trust today!
The Cats Protection League
needs more than £550,000 to
complete the building of the
Ferndown Homing Centre near
Bournemouth. When it is
finished, the centre will be used to
hold cats that are ready for
adoption, meaning prospective
owners won’t have to endure
lengthy waits to take their
pets home.
For more information on Dogs Trust,
visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.
If you think you or someone you
know can offer a home to Keanu,
call 01273 452 576 to speak to
someone at the Shoreham centre.
FOSTERING HOPE
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Please visit www.dogshome.net for further information.
The new centre will support the
work of Cats Protection League
branches in Bournemouth and the
surrounding area and could act as
a model for the charity’s rehoming
activity in the future – ultimately
helping the charity to help more
cats. Donations received now will
fund crucial finishing touches to
the centre. A donation of £25, for
instance, will pay for materials to
build an exercise area in a cat pen.
To make a donation, or for
further information about this
appeal, please call 01825 741279
or visit www.cats.org.uk/
ferndownappeal
PHOTOS © CATS PROTECTION LEAGUE LIBRARY
70
community
71
community
Sponsors
Community
72
The office is located at 30 Lisle Street,
Leicester Square, WC2H.
For more information visit www.gaytouristoffice.co.uk
or email info@gaytouristoffice.co.uk
community
Sponsors
Community
HEAVEN
SENT
GAME ON
A brand new
worldwide donor
connection website
aimed at the LGB
community has just
been launched. So what
exactly does Pride
Angel have to offer?
Pride Angel is the first website
of its kind to cater specifically
for the gay and lesbian
community. The site was founded
by a lesbian couple, both professional
scientists, with firsthand experience
of known donor conception.
Founder Erika Tranfield says: “Many
women wish to meet their sperm
donor to find out a little more about
their personality and characteristics.
Some women are also looking for
donors who would like to have
occasional contact with the child, like
an ‘uncle figure’ in their lives, without
the parental or financial
responsibility.”
The Pride Angel website is a
professional and user-friendly with
many unique features. It allows
members to add their own personal
profile as a sperm donor, egg donor,
co-parent or recipient, and complete
an optional on-line health
EGAR (Educational Games And
Resources) design and publish
award-winning tools ideal for use
with youth groups. Their card sets
are designed to educate young
people on a range of health and
social issues, and inspire
productive discussions about the
problems in their lives.
questionnaire. Members
communicate safely through an
internal messaging system. Users
can search the site by a quick or
advanced search facility, enabling
users to narrow down searches by
specifying characteristics such as eye
colour or hair colour. The site is
constantly monitored to ensure all
members are genuine.
choice without the worry of being
held financially responsible. Gay men
also have the option of having
definite contact with the child if
agreed between everyone involved.
There are now many legal options to
suit different family situations,
depending on who donors donate
sperm to and what level of contact
with the child they wish to have.
Due to recent law changes, lesbian
couples can now both be named on a
child’s birth certificate and take equal
parental responsibility. This law also
means that lesbian couples in civil
partnerships can use known donors
and be treated using IUI (interuterine insemination) rather than
IVF. This new law allows men to
donate sperm to a couple of their
Members are advised to use HFEA
regulated fertility clinics for
treatment and to gain all the right
legal advice regarding setting up
written donor or co-parenting
agreements from fertility law
specialists.
visit www.egar.co.uk
A WALES
OF A TIME
For further information,
visit www.prideangel.com
GOOD TO SHARE
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www.londonwomensclinic.com
Viva – the service for LGBTs aged
14-25 in North Wales – will be
launching two new ventures in 2010.
From January, Viva will be running a
new youth group and drop-in on
Saturday afternoons, for young
people aged between 14 and 18.
In collaboration with the Scala
Prestatyn, Viva will also be cohosting a regular LGBT-themed film
night, kicking off on Friday 12 February.
www.vivalgbt.co.uk or
www.scalaprestatyn.co.uk,
email vivalgb@hotmail.co.uk
or call 01745 357 941
73
community
Sponsors
Community
chance to interact with other
LGBT individuals. Perhaps they
are housebound due to illness
or disability, or they are a full or
part-time carer for a partner or
family member. It’s hard to
imagine days passing without
really talking to anyone but it’s
something that any one of us
might end up having to face.
This is where London Friend
comes in.We recently set up
two innovative new services for
the LGBT community. One of
these services is a support
group for carers where they can
meet up with other people in
the same situation. The second
LGBT charity London
Friend has recently
launched two new
initiatives: a support
group for carers
and a telephone
befriending service.
With most of us spending busy
lives juggling work, family, friends
and relationships, it’s easy to
forget that some people might
not be in the same situation.
Many LGBT people are living
isolated lives, with little social
contact at all – let alone the
listings
EVENTS
LONDON
The Pink Singers Big Pink
Chill Concert: Saturday 16
January 2010, Royal College
of Music. 7pm. £11. Book at
www.pinksingers.co.uk.
GROUPS
74
LONDON
Camden Adoption:
t: 0800 0281436 email:
adoption@camden.gov.uk
www.camden.gov.uk/adoption
DASL: London drug/alcohol
support. t: 020 8257 3068
e: services@dasl.org.uk
www.alcoholeast.org.uk
Dykes On Bikes:Cycling.
t: 020 8771 3285 email:
dykesonbikesuk@yahoo.com
www.dobs.org.uk
ELOP: Youth, advice and
support groups. Walthamstow.
t: 020 8509 3898
GayGordons (The): LGBT
Scottish country dance club.
Unity Hall, 279 Upper St, London
N1 2TZ Thurs 7-9.10pm
www.thegaygordons.org
OutWest LGBT: Advice
and support. e: secretary@
OutWest.org.uk. t: 020 8892
5061 www.OutWest.org.uk
UK Lesbian and Gay
Immigration Group:
t: 020 7922 7811
www.uklgig.org.uk
Lesbian Gay Christian
Movement: t: 020 7739 1249
e: lgcm@lgcm.org.uk
www.lgcm.org.uk
Kenric: Events /members
grp for women. BM Kenric,
London, WC1 3XX.
t: 01159 663638
www.kenric.org
Lesbian Discussion Group
@ Gay’s The Word: 66
Marchmont Street. Every
Wednesday. t: 020 7278 7654
LGBT Choir: 07980 023578
LGB Youth Group @ Step
Out: LGB Group for under 26s.
Tue 5-7pm. Tower Hamlets.
Scott: 020 7739 3082
Metro50+: Social group for
older people. 2-4pm. Metro
Centre. Jackie: 020 8265 3311
One-Up: Youth group for
LGBTs aged 18 and under.
Mondays 4pm-7pm. Hendon,
NW London. t: 07504 226793
PACE Groups promoting
lesbian and gay health and
wellbeing. t: 020 7700 1323
www.pacehealth.org.uk
Rainbow Parents:
rainbowparents@googlemail.
com. t: 07506 012282
Regard: Disabled LGBT.
Regard, BM REGARD,
London WC1N 3XX.
www.regard.org.uk
e: secretary@regard.org.uk
www.regard.org.uk
South London Lesbian
Mums Group: East Dulwich
Community Centre, 46-64
Darrell Road, London SE22
9NL. Tricia Durr: 07876 762
245. e: triciadurr@hotmail.com
www.southlondonlesbian
mums.com
Step Out Tower Hamlets:
Social & support group for
LGBTQ young people. 5-8pm
Tues. t: 07946 337160
Women’s Voice: Friendly
lesbian/bi group. £2/4 Tues
7:30-9pm. Kairos t: 020 7437
6063 www.kairosinsoho.org.uk
A=CB6
Allsorts Youth Project:
Drop-in for under 26s in
Brighton. 8.30pm, Tues.
t: 01273 721211
e: info@allsortsyouth.org.uk
www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
Brightwaves MCC: Church
inclusive of LGBTs. Sundays
6-7pm @ Clermont Church,
Cumberland Road,
(nr Preston Pk.), Brighton.
e: info@mccbrighton.org.uk
www.mccbrightwaves.org.uk
Freedom Youth: Bristol
based LGB support group for
ages 13 to 21. t: 01173 773677
www.freedomyouth.co.uk
GLAM: Gay & Lesbian Media
in Brighton. 44-46 Old Steine,
BN1. www.glam-brighton.co.uk
Lesbian Link Brighton:
t: 07594 578035 www.
lesbianlinkbrighton.co.uk
Mind Out: LGBT Mental
Health Project. Allen Centre,
60 Sackville Gardens, Hove,
BN3 4GH t:01273 739 847
e: info@lgbtmind.com
www.lgbtmind.com
Sister Act: Lesbian group
in East Anglia. Book group,
weekly sports, mums and kids
group, 50+ group and new
members evenings. www.
sisteract.org,
email: enquiries@sisteract.org
;72:/<2A
Derbyshire Friend LGBT
Youth Forum ‘Love Knows
No Gender’: For young people
aged 12-25. Sat 1.30–5pm
Derby City Centre. 01332
207704 loveknowsnogender
@hotmail.co.uk/www.loveknows-no-gender.piczo.com
Derbyshire Friend
Women’s Zone: For LB&T
women Tues 7–9.30pm at
Derbyshire Friend LGBT Support
Services, 2-3, Friary St, Derby.
DE1 1JF. t: 01332 207704
www.gayderbyshire.co.uk
Rainbow Voices Choir: Tues
8-10pm.Central Birmingham.
07759 642410
www.rainbow-voices.org.uk
<=@B6
Lesbian & Gay Foundation:
Sexual health, meetings etc.
Helpline: 0161 235 8000
www.lgf.org.uk
LIKT: For young lesbian and
bi women in Mancs. t: 07813
981338 www.likt.org.uk
e: likt_info@yahoo.co.uk
www.likt.org.uk
LYSIS: Lesbian Youth Support
& Info. t: 0161 274 4664
Manchester Lesbian
Community Project:
Drop In – 2nd & 4th Thurs
7-9pm; Discussion Group
– 3rd Wed 7-8.30pm; OWLs
(Older Wiser Lesbians) Every
Wed 1-4pm. 49-51 Sidney
Street, M1 7HB
t: 0161 273 7128
www.manchesterlcp.org.uk
Mancs Parent’s Group:
Taurus Bar, 1 Canal St.
Nicky: 01565 733891
e: ask@manpg.co.uk
www.manpg.co.uk
Stepping Stones: Support
group in Manchester. LGF
t: 0161 235 8000
lgfsteppingstones@hotmail.
com
HATECRIMES
LONDON
True Vision: Homophobic
and transphobic harassment
advice. www.report-it.org.uk
Galop Forums: Local LGBT
forums. Sam 020 7704 2040.
Gay Police Association:
Action Line 07092 700 000
(24hrs) e: info@gpa.police.uk
www.gay.police.uk
Galop: Help and advice for
victims of hatecrime. t: 020
7704 2040 www.galop.org.uk
;72:/<2A
West Midlands Police:
Reporting LGBT crime.
t: 0845 1135000
www.west-midlands.police.uk
SPORTS
LONDON
Dynamo Dykes:
Lesbian volleyball club.
www.dynamodykes.org.uk
Fit Women: Women’s
badminton group. Mondays
7-9pm. e: fitwomenfw@
yahoo.co.uk
www.fitwomen.org.uk
service is a telephone
befriending service, offering
people the chance to talk to the
same person every week.
Both these new projects
need the help of volunteers.
Why not start 2010 by putting
something back into the
community? Just a small amount
of contact with another person
can make a huge different to
their life.
Call London Friend on
020 7833 1674 and ask for Rita, or
email rita@londonfriend.org.uk.
Alternatively, visit
www.londonfriend.org.uk
Hackney Women’s Football
Club: t: 07941 561060
www.hackneywfc.
intheteam.com
KB Fitness: London’s largest
gay owned/run Martial Arts
Academy.
www.kbfitness.co.uk
t:02076810114
London Cruisers Basketball
Women’s Team: t: 07800
647 271 e: women@cruisers.
org.uk www.cruisers.org.uk
S.wimmin: Social events for
Surrey gay women.
e: s.wimmin@yahoo.co.uk
<=@B6
Manchester Stingers
Football Team: Lesbian
football. 0161 273 7128
www.manchesterstingers.net
Slam-dunking Divas
Basketball Team:
Manchester t: Lou on 07949
604610
HELP LINES
Albert Kennedy Trust:
(London): 020 7831 6562
(Mancs): 0161 228 3308.
Housing advice for
under 21’s.
Antidote
LGBT drug and alcohol
support group.
020 7437 3523
Brighton Lesbian and
Gay Switchboard:
01273 204050
Broken Rainbow:
LGBT domestic violence
helpline. Mon & Thu 2pm8pm, Wed 10am-1pm.
t: 08452 604460
www.broken-rainbow.org
Colchester Gay
Switchboard:
The Outhouse, 19 East Hill,
Colchester. Helpline MonFri 7-10pm 01206 869 191
www.gayessex.org.uk
office@gayessex.org.uk
Derbyshire Confidential
LGB&T Switchboard:
Advice, information and
a listening ear.
Derbyshire Friend LGB&T
Support Services. Tuesdays,
Wednesdays & Thursdays
10am-1pm & 7.30-9.30pm
01332 349333
London Lesbian & Gay
Switchboard:
020 7837 7324
www.llgs.org.uk
London Friend:
Counselling service.
020 7837 3337
www.londonfriend.org.uk
Peer Support Project
Manchester Youthline:
0800 1697384 Tel info/
support on Sats, 1-3pm.
Quest LGB Catholics:
0808 8080234
Stonewall Housing
Advice:
020 7359 5767
Stonewall:
Campaign group for LGBT
rights. 08000 502020
www.stonewall.org.uk
UK Lesbian and Gay
Immigration Group:
020 7922 7811
www.uklgig.org.uk
Unison:
Help with LGBT
employment issues.
0845 3550845/
0800 0967 968.
WORDS BY RITA MCLOUGHLIN
A FRIEND IN NEED
community
75
76
77
Recruitment
78
Recruitment
Is the nine to five slog a distant
memory for you? Joni Lewis has the
essential guide to returning to work.
BACK IN
BUSINESS
Whatever the reason for your absence –
redundancy, illness, life changes, pregnancy, or
even just fancying a break – getting back to work
after a sabbatical is a challenge most of us would
rather avoid.
In the current financial climate, redundancy has,
unfortunately, become very common. The shock of
it can shatter your confidence and start you on a
rollercoaster of emotions such as anger, shame,
shock, anxiety and paranoia. You need to conquer
these negative emotions before finding a new job.
View your job loss as a positive opportunity to assess
your career path and make sure you are doing exactly
what you really want to be doing with your life.
If you have been away due to illness, whether
physical or mental, make sure you are 100%
well before attempting any work again. Don’t
compromise your health for a job. Visit your doctor
and consult family and friends on this as they can
offer valuable advice. You could start with part-time
work and see how you cope before increasing your
hours to full-time.
You need to get your story straight. Employers will
want to know why you have been out of work. Make
sure you can answer their questions fully, without
getting flustered and embarrassed. If you can show
how your sabbatical has actually made you a
stronger candidate then even better.
Updating your skills should be a priority, as after an
absence they could be a tad rusty. Find out which
skills are in greatest demand right now in your
industry and focus on them. If you have the funds,
you might want to consider further study. There are
many adult education classes and distance learning
courses available which could improve your chances
of finding employment. Visit www.hotcourses.com,
or check out the Open University website at www3.
open.ac.uk
Volunteering is another way to increase your skillset
– or just to maintain those skills you already have.
Christine, 24, was out of work for eight months after
her company became a victim of the recession. She
says: “I spent my first six months of unemployment
sleeping late and complaining about how I didn’t
have a job. It was only when I started volunteering
part-time for a children’s charity that I began getting
interest from prospective employers.”
Employees frequently prefer fresh candidates with
recent experience so you could start at the bottom
again, on a lower salary, doing tasks you are
overqualified for. Don’t despair! If you work hard
you can soon prove yourself and return to your
former glory. Eleanor, 33, was made redundant
from her role as a call centre supervisor: “A role as
a call centre assistant was available in another
company, so I swallowed my pride and applied for
that. I got the job, and within six months I’d been
promoted.”
Get your finances in order too. You must assume
that working again can only improve your fiscal
status, but this is not always the case. Depending on
your living and childcare arrangements, it is
sometimes cheaper to stay at home. Investigate
government incentives for returning to work.
These include working tax credits, grants for new
businesses and career development loans.
Check out www.backtowork.direct.gov.uk for
more information.
Finally, on your first day at your new job, arrive early,
well dressed and fresh. Make an effort with
everyone you meet and stay confident. You have
done this before and can do it again.
79
Recruitment
WOMAN
ON TOP
Elena Linara is a Trainee
Clinical Embryologist at the
London Women’s Clinic.
“
80
For more information visit www.lwclinic.co.uk
“
“It’s
fantastic
when the
patients come
back to you
with the baby
they always
wanted . ”
Recruitment
81
82
83
Recruitment
COMPANY
SPOTLIGHT
Each month, g3 asks
employees what their
company is doing for diversity.
Company: Essex County Fire
and Rescue Service
Name: Emma White
Age: 28
Job title: Firefighter
What does your job entail?
As an operational firefighter, I attend fires and road
traffic collisions and engage with the community to
deliver community fire safety programmes that
protect the public and make communities safer.
I am also involved with promoting careers in
firefighting to other women. I attend both Essex and
Brighton Prides with colleagues from across the
service, and have taken on the role of chairing our
newly formed LGBT staff group.
What do you love about your job?
I enjoy all aspects of my job as there is so much
variety: every day poses different challenges.
As you spend so much time with the watch they
become like family, which is important as in certain
work scenarios you need to trust your colleagues
with your life.
We work two days, two nights and have four
days off, which allows me time to work on the
non-operational side of my career.
84
How did you come out at work? How hard
was it? Whilst at training school, I was approached
after rumours had spread across the watch that I
had a female partner. I told everyone that I did, and
that I was willing to talk to my watch about being
gay. It wasn’t hard at all – once they knew I was gay
they accepted me for who I am.
Are there many other gay employees where
you work? Not within the station where I work.
However, since we have been attending the Pride
events and promoting equality within the Fire Service,
more people across the service have come out.
What makes your company gay-friendly?
The whole attitude of the company is about
embracing a diverse range of members, and that
attitude extends to the staff.
What does your company do to promote
equality? They hold training events on gay
awareness, and encourage staff to attend the
Stonewall Conference. We attend both Brighton
and Essex Pride and promote both events internally.
We actively attempt to recruit gay staff through our
recruitment drives, and we also have an LGBT Staff
Support Network.
The Service also works in partnership with other
LGBT staff networks within the region.
For more information visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk
Recruitment
85
Recruitment
86
Legal
BREAKING
EVEN
Andrew Holt of Woolley Bevis
Diplock LLP discusses the law as it
relates to cohabiting couples when
they separate.
You might be forgiven for thinking that,
with the introduction of civil partnerships,
the law relating to relationship breakdown
among cohabiting couples is straightforward.
It is not. About four million people cohabit in
England and Wales and about half of those have
a child or children.
Couples who are not civil partners or married, and
particularly those who fail to make wills, will be
vulnerable to the uncertainties of a very difficult
area of the law. It is easy to forget this and when the
relationship breaks down or one partner dies, the
other partner could be left high and dry or at the
very least with a large legal bill from trying to sort
out the mess left behind.
This is what happened in the 2007 case of Stack–vDowden, which concerned the rights of an
unmarried couple who lived together until the
breakdown of their relationship.
In Stack–v-Dowden the House of Lords attempted
to simplify the law for unmarried couples at the
breakdown of their relationship. Whilst there is no
substitute for mutual wills, and (where appropriate)
a pre-nuptial agreement, the following points
emerged from this case:
• There is a presumption where only one of the
parties owns the legal title to the property that
that party is the sole beneficial owner. The burden
of proof falls on the other party to show that he or
she has any beneficial interest in the property and
if so to what extent.
• Where there is joint legal ownership of the
property there is a presumption that the property
is owned jointly and if one of the parties wishes to
show that the beneficial interests are to be divided
other than equally, the onus falls on that party to
establish it.
• Whether they had any children for whom they
both had responsibility to provide a home.
• How the purchase was financed.
• How the parties arranged their finances, whether
separately, together or a bit of both.
• There can be a departure from these
presumptions but only in certain circumstances
and the House of Lords said that this was not to be
lightly embarked upon.
Where there is to be a departure, the question is
“Did the parties intend their beneficial interest
to be different from their legal interests and if so
to what extent?” The court must consider the
following:
• How the outgoings on the property were
discharged and other household expenses.
Of course, none of this provides any real certainty
and there is no substitute for taking legal advice.
• The reason why the home was acquired in joint
Disclaimer:
This article provides general information and does not
constitute legal advice. You should only act after, or
refrain from acting until, you have received specialist
advice. © Copyright in the content of this publication
is owned by Woolley Bevis Diplock LLP. It is believed
to be correct as at 1 December 2009 but is subject to
change. To be sure you have the most up to date
information, please contact us.
• The purpose for which the home was acquired.
• The nature of the parties’ relationship.
AndrewHolt(Partner),Woolley BevisDiplock LLP
LanesEndHouse,15PrinceAlbertSt.,BrightonBN11HY
T:01273323231 E:andrew.holt@wbdllp.com
• Any advice or discussions at the time of the
acquisition of the property which reveals the
parties’ intentions at that time.
names.
87
home&living
88
home&living
INNER
CALM
Plant some peace
House plants have been proven to significantly
reduce stress, so surround yourself with greenery.
Being closer to the natural world is a sure-fire way
to help you wind down and feel more centred.
Even if you live in a high-rise block in the middle of
a city, you can transform your home into a verdant
paradise. Palms are particularly good plants to have
indoors – they’re resilient and easy to look after,
but conjure up idyllic images of exotic beaches.
Make yourself a cocktail, sit back, and imagine…
Sleep easy
Keep your computer separate from your sleeping
space – especially if you work from home. It’s
best to keep your TV out of your bedroom too.
Getting a decent dose of shut-eye is difficult if you
associate the room you’re in with work, or if you’re
constantly faced with the temptation to mess about
on Facebook or keep the TV on past your bedtime.
turn your home into a tranquil haven
In today’s busy world, we all need to make the
best of our downtime. g3 offers some tips on
creating a truly relaxing residence.
Clutter-free
It might seem obvious, but if you’re living in
disordered surroundings, you’re going to feel
stressed. Knowing where things are is key if you
are to enjoy a serene home life. Try to provide
yourself with sufficient storage space so that
everything has an allocated place. Keeping on top
of housework is also crucial – dirty surroundings
are never pleasant. Sitting on a crumb-strewn
sofa in front of piles of unopened post, unwashed
dishes and crumpled clothes is really not
conducive to proper relaxation.
Colour me calm
Softly, softly
Squishy armchairs, cushions, beanbags… make
yourself as comfortable as possible. Soft hangings,
drapes and throws also create a cocooning effect.
Again, choose pastel shades. If you want patterns,
swirling or floral designs work best.
Follow the scent
Incense, essential oils and scented candles are
brilliantly soothing. We recommend lavender,
vanilla, ginger, lemon, chamomile or sandalwood…
Mellow melodies
Putting some laid-back sounds on the stereo
is guaranteed to help you wind down. Popular
choices are whale song and pan pipe music,
but there are many websites selling a whole range
of specially designed relaxation music.
Try www.tranquility-music.co.uk
The Feng
Shui way
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese
system for arranging your living space, which has
devoted followers worldwide. Loosely explained,
it works on the principle that the layout of your
home affects the energies which flow through it.
It’s quite complicated, but there are plenty of books
and websites devoted to helping you implement
it in your own home. Visit www.fengshuisociety.
org.uk as a starting point.
chill-out
kit
Wind down
in style with
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tranquility
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89
When it comes to painting your walls, pastel
shades are great for inspiring serenity. Blue is
probably the best colour to pick – a soft eggshell
shade is ideal. When you’ve finished decorating,
choose some appropriate paintings to hang on
your wall: pastoral scenes or flowers, or perhaps
even religious or spiritual imagery which inspires
you and gives you hope.
90
91
home&living
ADVERTORIAL FEATURES
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ThamesValley Housing is offering first time
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Each apartment in Ketley House by
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on the doorstep.
NikiTurner,Assistant Director of Sales
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says,“Ketley House residents can really enjoy
the convenience of living in the centre of
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Seven apartments are available through
the Government’s part buy, part rent initiative,
which allows people to buy a share in a
property and pay a subsidised rent on the
rest.The apartments are available to first time
buyers living or working in Wandsworth, or
to key workers.
The properties at Ketley House range
in size from approximately 495 sq ft to
approximately 667 sq ft. Prices at Ketley
House start from £57,500 for a minimum
25% share.
For more information on Ketley House or
other HomeBuy schemes, please contact the
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on 0845 35 12345, email sales@tvha.co.uk
or visit www.homebuy4u.co.uk
THE BISHOP’S MOVE
Located beside the River Stort, and surrounded by
beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, Riverside Quarter in
Bishop’s Stortford is an idyllic place to set up home.
92
Two apartments are currently available at
Riverside Quarter.They offer welcoming
entrance halls, a large open plan living room
and kitchen, two spacious bedrooms (one
with an en suite shower room) and a family
bathroom.The interior specification is ‘hotel
chic’: from the stylish fitted kitchens complete
with stainless steel appliances to the modern
bathrooms and en suites.
The train station is a short walk away,
offering services to Liverpool Street in 45
minutes.
Prices start at £220,000.
www.barratthomes.co.uk/marketplace
home&living
93
home&living
94
home&living
95
home&living
96
GIRLS’
NIGHT IN
PICTURE BY KERRY KRENZIN
home&living
With actor Cathy DeBuono
“A good girls’ night
in is all about the
people you’re with.
That’s what makes it
special.”
“
97
“
travel
98
travel
Grand Place
FRENCH
KISS
Just hop on the Eurostar
for a glance at northern
France. Nicola Hill explores
life in lesbian Lille.
When the owner of gay bar Blush suggested
a weekend away in Lille for the regular
Tuesday night poker players, I blanched.Why
go to a northern industrial town when we
could take the train to gay Paris?
I didn’t win that round, so on a cold
Saturday in November, I found myself
boarding the train at London’s St Pancras
and hurtling through the channel tunnel.
Before I knew it, we were arriving in Lille. Our
hotel was five minutes’ walk from the station.
The Suitehotel Lille Europe has very large
rooms with a kitchenette and ensuite
facilities, which can sleep four .The décor is
deliberately retro with orange light fittings,
bean bags and leather armchairs.There is a
screen that goes across the room if you
want to share but need a bit of privacy.
The hotel has a suite with wireless
internet access open to all guests, a library of
music and movies and offers complimentary
local calls.There is also a fitness centre and
massage treatment room.Massages are
complimentary onThursdays.We secured a
Musée des
Beaux Arts
very good deal of £120 each for two nights
including the Eurostar fare.The hotel is one
kilometre from the old town,Vieux Lille,
and a block away from Euralille, a huge
shopping centre.
The old town has cobbled streets, the
‘grand place’ (a big square of18th century
buildings), good restaurants and the Musée
des Beaux-Arts, which
is the largest fine
arts museum in
France after the
Louvre.We ate at the
L’Assiette du Marché,
a classy restaurant
with unpretentious
prices. If you ask for
their‘formule’ menu,
you get three courses
The Old Stock
Exchange
99
travel
THIS
MONTH’S
PICK…
Vieux Lille
worldwide/
women’s traveller 2010/
damron publishing
RRP £13.99
Wazemmes market on Place de la Nouvelle
Aventure.There is an indoor section with a
great variety of food – huge bowls of olives
that you can try before you buy, a bakery,
fish counter and fresh fruit and vegetables.
We gathered ingredients for a grand picnic
to accompany our planned late night poker
session.
To fortify ourselves, we ate lunch at the
For all you itchy-footed ladies eager to make
exploring the globe your NewYear’s resolution, here
is the perfect travel bible. TheWomen’sTraveller
2010 stands out as the most up to date and
comprehensive travel guide on the market made by
and for lesbians.
useful info
hotels
Suitehotel Lille Europe
www.accorhotels.com
100
restaurants
L’Assiette du Marché, 61 Rue de la Monnaie
www.assiettedumarche.com
Restaurant aux Moules, Rue Bethune
www.qype.co.uk/place/111262Restaurant-Aux-Moules-Lille
nightlife
Coming Out bar, Grand Rue
Le Miss bar, Grand Rue
Restaurant aux Moules on Rue Bethune, a
pedestrianised street ten minutes’ walk from
the market.It is famed for its variety of moules
and people were queuing up for tables.
Overall, we thought it was quite touristy.
After a stroll around the Musée des
Beaux Arts, we took in the magnificent
Opera house and Chamber of Commerce.
With aching feet, we then returned to the
hotel for our picnic and poker.
Lille has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
There are some green spaces and some
lovely architecture, and it really doesn’t feel
very industrial.The fact that it is only a few
hours from London really is the cherry on
the cake.
The guide covers a huge range of areas across North
and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia,
focusing in on the major cities. From beachside
cocktails in Rio de Janeiro, to the grand coliseum in
Rome, wherever your travels take you, this guide is
guaranteed to be of use.The advice is clear, concise
and easy to understand, focusing not only on
getting the most out of local gay scenes, but also on
staying safe in less gay-friendly destinations.There
are handy keys which give an indication of just how
gay-friendly a place is, and the kind of crowd you
can expect there. Over 9000 listings mean you can
immerse yourself immediately in local culture.
The guide is written by people who know these
destinations inside out, and who are able to provide
invaluable inside information such as which local
businesses are lesbian-run.As well as recommended
gay venues, special sections also detail lesbian tours,
women’s festivals, pride events and gay film festivals.
Tchouka Club, 85 Rue Barthélemy Delespaul
www.tchoukaclub.com
All this runs alongside the more general tourist
information essential to any successful trip: weather
forecasts, maps, transport advice and more.This is a
book no adventurous lesbian should be without.
tourist information
http://web.france.com/Cities/Lille
travel
www.damron.com/womens_guide.php
www.eurostar.com
Lille!
Modern
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
for 20 euros or two for 16.
Although we’d all been out a long time,
we went to the Coming Out bar on the
Grand Rue. It is open from 5pm and has
comfortable seating, a mini dance floor and
cocktails. Opposite there is another narrow
lesbian bar, called Le Miss with seating
upstairs. Both are friendly and relaxed with
people mingling between the two bars in
the street outside.
The bar staff recommended Tchouka
Club on Rue Barthélemy Delespaul as the
late night rave, attracting a mixed gay and
lesbian crowd. It is about 15 minutes out of
the centre of town.The nearest bus stop is
Jeanne d’Arc, on lines 13 and 14B.
On the Sunday morning, we headed for
travel
101
102
103
OF
travel
BEST BRITISH
SOUND
BITES
london/
ping pong
10 Paddington Street,London W1U 5QL
ANGEL
OF THE
NORTH
BLACKPOOL
A haven for women to be
themselves, relax and spend
time with their partners,
Gabrielle’s is more than just
somewhere to stay on a
trip to Blackpool. Landladies
Heather Bradley and
Helen Tsopanoglou tell us why.
104
Gabrielle’s hotel is lesbian owned and
run, and only accommodates female
guests. Only a five minute walk from the
bustling gay scene, yet placed at the
quieter end of Lord Street, Gabrielle’s
offers consistently high standards of
cleanliness, comfort and warmth.
We offer the same facilities as some
larger hotels, but with the personal
touches of a small hotel. We can help
arrange surprise champagne, flowers,
a gift or chocolates in your room upon
arrival, to really start your stay in style.
Popular features include a double bath
in our superior room, and a double
size twin-headed rain shower in the
premiere room.
The reviews we receive on
TripAdvisor and our own website say
more than we ever could. Many couples
have met friends though Gabrielle’s and
keep in touch outside of the hotel. In fact,
there is a group of ‘Gabrielle’s Girls’ who
come to Blackpool four times a year and
meet up, gossip and party for the
weekend.We have plans to host
‘Gabrielle’s Girls’ weekends in the new
year, and will be publicising this via our
Facebook group.
We are attentive hostesses, offering a
quality service, and we feel we make our
guests’ time at Gabrielle’s truly special
with the lovely homely feel we have
created… Gabrielle’s is definitely the
place to go if you’re in the know.
Gabrielle’s is located at 77 Lord Street, Blackpool,
FY1 2DG. For more information call 01253 295565
or visit www.gabrielleshotel.co.uk. The Gabrielle’s
Facebook group can be found at www.facebook.
com/group.php?gid=14082611876
The first item presented to me was a plate of
crunchy vegetable spring rolls. Five minutes later,
possibly the best soup I’ve ever tasted arrived next
to them: five different kinds of mushroom floating
in a creamy coconut milk based stock. Next up were
some vegetable dumplings, a vegetable bun and
some (slightly bland) sticky rice wrapped in a vine
leaf.The dumplings were rich and tasty and the bun
was filling and intensely flavoured.
When I’d finished eating, I allowed myself to order a
delicious Cherry Sour cocktail: ratafia, cognac and
spiced berries.The meal came to a very reasonable
£25 a head.
For more information,
visit www.drakesofbrighton.com
For the g3 office Christmas outing, we visited the
Ping Pong dim sum restaurant on Paddington
Street.Taking our seats, we were immediately
struck by the attentiveness of the smiling staff and
the relaxed ambience. Dark minimalist décor and
quietly pulsing electronic music created a womblike
feel. I decided to order a slightly amended version
of the vegetarian lunch menu. We all sipped at a
crisp Sauvignon Chenin while we waited for our
food to arrive.
105
health&beauty
106
health&beauty
HAPPY
NEW
YOU
give yourself a post-Crimbo polish
The new decade beckons, so
Kathryn Fox shows you how to
revamp yourself from head to toe
and reveal a buff new you…
A winning smile
If you smoke, drink tea and coffee regularly or
are a fan of red wine, chances are your tooth
enamel has dulled down a few shades. There
are many products on the market which can
lighten your teeth up to ten shades brighter.
Most are peroxide-based and involve making a
dental impression in thin, silicone-based rubber
which is worn on the teeth at night and contains
a bleaching gel. Though there may be some
sensitivity in the teeth, gentle bleaching should
not harm your pearlies permanently. A new,
gleaming grin is a great boost to your confidence
and will make you smile more often. For a
less drastic option, use floss, mouthwash and
whitening toothpaste regularly.
Face the future
Next, have a good look at your complexion. Too
greasy? Too dry? Are there rashes or spots? A
facial at a beauty salon is a good psychological
boost and will give you an opportunity to
talk through any skin issues with an expert.
Alternatively, head down to the shops and buy a
renew &
revitalise
Our best buys
for a brand
new you:
home treatment. There is a huge range of facial
scrubs and beauty masks out there to choose from.
But remember, a fresh, glowing complexion is a
great asset that is not only achieved with topical
preparations. You need to consider your diet.
Are you drinking two litres of water a day? Are
you eating enough fruit and vegetables?Top tip:
avocados, pears and kiwi fruit are skin superfoods.
Nailing it
While you’re in the salon, why not have a pedicure
or manicure? Apart from the relaxing effects of
massage and pampering, well-groomed hands are
an important part of your personal presentation.
No one wants to see bitten or dirty nails, chipped
polish or nicotine stains, particularly if you have a
client-facing job. Why not get a group of friends
together and ask for a salon discount? Tough
times mean that many businesses will cut you a
good deal if you bring them new clients.
Top tresses
Just like your skin, your hair is a reflection of
your inner health. Munch on plenty of seleniumpacked walnuts and almonds, and get a good dose
of vitamin B12 from rich oily fish, to boost your
barnet’s health. Maybe you’ve been promising
yourself a new style for ages. Pick a recommended
salon and be precise about what you want. Don’t
be unrealistic – curly haired women can’t maintain
iron-straight locks without commitment and
endless costly products and their straight-haired
sisters will need to use tongs or rollers daily to get
those waves. Go for a style that suits your natural
hair and consider a colour change: you ended one
decade as a brunette – why not enter the next as
a blonde?
0]RgAV]^/Z]S>`]bSQbWdS
@Sab]`W\U;OaY
£9.75 www.thebodyshop.co.uk
AYW\6OWÒ\R<OWZa4]`[cZO
£3.49/60 tablets www.hollandandbarrett.com
;]`]QQO\=WZ=`WUW\OZ=WZB`SOb[S\b
£22.85 www.beautybay.com
107
relationships
CUPID’S
COMEBACK
The dating game is a ruthless one,
so resuming play after an extended
period away can be a daunting
prospect. Joni Lewis is here with
some expert advice on getting back
into the water…
Remember to take it slow. There is no need to hit the
ground running: if you haven’t been on a date in a long
time you should ease yourself into it. A good way to get
started is to go out with friends to some bars or parties.
If you haven’t been out in a while they can take you to
the hottest spots for meeting people. This is much less
daunting than throwing yourself into the meat market
of speed and internet dating, which can feel somewhat
soulless and leave you very exposed.
Dating expert Joan Wilkinson advises: “Surround
yourself with friends in a place you know. They will
act as an important safety net on your first dating
adventures.” Feeling more comfortable and relaxed,
and having your friends there if an emergency exit is
needed, will boost your confidence. There is something
far sexier about chatting up the popular girl out with
her mates than a lone she-wolf hanging around the bar
with that look of desperation in her eye.”
Joan also advises us to live in the present: “We must
leave the baggage from our past relationships where it
belongs, in the past!” On your first few dates avoid the
ex-factor. Angry rants will put a downer on the whole
experience and make you seem like a basket case,
doing nothing for your chances with the new girl. Joan
says: “Stay positive. Think about the great times ahead,
“
extra-confident, sufficient funds for all those dinner
bills and cinema tickets, and plenty of spare time.
You may also want to brush up on your witty banter.
It will definitely be needed for those flirty texts and
emails that play an essential part of dating in this age of
digital foreplay.
Finally, never settle for just anything. Don’t feel
pressured to leap on the first bit of attention that comes
your way, just because you’ve spent a long time on
your own. Think carefully about what you look for in
“
108
Maybe you’ve been mourning the passing
of a relationship, maybe you‘ve been too
busy in other areas of your life, maybe you
just got fed up with the stress of the single
scene… Whatever the case, many people go through
a dry patch in their lives, but for everyone, a time comes
when they want to pair up again. Only you know when
this time has come, so the most important part is
deciding when you are ready. Amy, 36, had been single
for two years. She says: “After a bad break-up with my
girlfriend of five years I was heartbroken. I had to make
sure I was strong enough before I could put myself out
there again.”
Stay positive. Think about
the great times ahead,
not the pain of your past.
not the pain of your past.” Claire, 25, found her inability
to let go of the past was damaging her plans for the
future. “I would continually bring up my ex and it made
me seem bitter. Once I created a positive space around
myself people wanted to spend time with me.”
Once you are emotionally prepared make sure you
have all the essential dating equipment. This involves a
new outfit and maybe a haircut to make you feel fit and
a partner: lust at first sight is great but its long term
potential is lacking. Sam, 29, found that her self-esteem
was rock bottom when she first re-entered the dating
game. She recalls, “I needed to remember that I
deserved to meet someone and have that spark again”.
Keep this in mind and you will soon see that dating is
like riding a bike. Embarking on a new relationship can
be an enriching, exciting experience: there is always
more to be gained than lost.
relationships
5
DEAR BROOKE
& DARIA…
WAYS TO
FIND OUT
IF SHE’S GAY
Our resident agony aunts
soothe your dating pains
Not sure if she’s in the family? g3 helps
you figure her out.
Check her
fingernails
sex-beast
me sort of SM
Unless she’s so rate her prey (always
ce
who likes to la your average lesbian
)
y…
ilit
ib
ss
po
reea
t be sporting th
probably won’ e’s hoping for some
inch talons. If shy lady-loving lady will
action, the savv ensure her digits are
have thought to cely filed nails.
ni
crowned with
Dear Brooke and Daria,
My girlfriend is lovely in all but one
respect:she stinks to high heaven.Try as
I might,I cannot get used to this
olfactory ordeal,and am thinking of
calling it off if I can’t find a way to subtly
direct her towards the deodorant…
Yours,
Nauseous of Nunhead
Bring up past
relationships
If she backs away, frantically
the sign of the cross and chemaking
the locks on her chastity bel cking
words “my ex-girlfriend”, it’st at the
that you’re on to anything. unlikely
So
If, however, she seems cur rry.
ious – or,
joy of joys, mentions a pas
t
lover of her own – it could female
be your
lucky day.
Invite he
r
to a
If you thro
gay bar
w
it
in th
joke, you
’ll make it ere casually, almo
your invit
st as a
easier fo
sure she ation. Try to play itr her to accept
realises th
were goin
at you an cool: make
was just a g out anyway, and d your mates
n aftertho
ught (*co that inviting her
ugh*)…
Ask he
r
The pr
tactics oblem with
girls m is that plenty all the above
too, le ight well resp of straight
embar ading to confuond to them
find ourassment. Th sion and
dancin t if you’ll pot e best way t
Sapphicg together in entially end uo
you ev delight sis t the fountain p
o
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o
d a girl? say “So, hav f
e
”
gainst
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h
h
t
i
n
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o
Flirt w be too full- hat are yo iolent respost,
t to
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Try noall and sayin to provok ian SM sex- g face
the w uff?” is likely l (or a lesb key to savin, you’re
hot st straight gir bove). The r. That wayher,
from a rse – see a arted bante e things furt
of cou of light-he light to tak .
is a bit her a greeno desperate
giving t looking to
withou
Brooke: There’s never an easy way
to break this kind of thing to someone.
However you do it, you’re going to
upset her. Remember though, that in
the long term you’re doing her a
favour. Not only can she continue
having a relationship with you if she
cleans up her act, she’ll also probably
find her relationships with friends and
co-workers are less strained.There
could be all sorts of reasons why she is
having this problem – perhaps she just
never got into the habit of using
deodorant regularly, or over time she’s
developed a bit of a cavalier attitude to
showering in the mornings.The
important thing is that you make it clear
that you are very fond of her, and that all
her other qualities delight you. If you
really love and respect each other, you
should be able to discuss things honestly.
Do it gently though… Why not buy her
some expensive toiletries and make a
point of bathing together?
Daria: Let’s get this straight – you’ve
pulled some smelly hippy chick and you
want us to help you stop her growing
her sweaty armpit hair? Sister, you’re
on your own here!
109
relationships
the exchange
g3’s new networking revolution that’s
taking over the lesbian nation
WIN A DATE
WITH…
Charlotte Dingle
g3X.co.uk is completely free and allows you to network like you’re on Facebook,
meet new women and keeps you abreast of what’s happening on the scene.
Last month’s date on g3X.co.uk:
Maz picked Liz and chose to go on a date to
J. Sheekey Oyster Bar in London (www.j-sheekey.co.uk).
We’ve quizzed this month’s
date on what you should
know, so you don’t have to…
Liz
“
“
“
“
Maz
Me and Liz had a really good night as
we have loads in common.
We’ll definitely stay in touch…
110
Maz
Maz knows how to keep a date happy.
The food was delicious and the
company wasn’t bad either!
Liz
Latest group discussion
how to join
1. visit www.g3x.co.uk
and fill in your name,
email and password.
2. Wait for an email
from us and click on
the link.
3. Or join up with
Facebook Connect.
5!;/5/H7<3(6/D3G=C@A/G
Hot hot hot! Sam Fox exclusive in this
month’s issue!
A6=@B/<257@:73
2@/;/E=@9A6=>
Hiya! I have just moved to Brighton, when
and where are your workshops? I have had
no training but…
A6=@B/<257@:73
2@/;/E=@9A6=>
Find us on Facebook – The Short and Girlie
Show xx
Age: 25
Profession: Editor of g3!
Star Sign: Capricorn
Five words that describe you:
Political, Funny, Eccentric, Creative,
Compassionate.
Do you move in, shag or play it
cool on your first date?
It depends how many bottles of wine
I’ve had.
What issues/baggage do you
have?You’d have to put up with coming
second to my Green Party campaigning.
Ideal date?An art gallery, dinner in a
vegan restaurant, and then a gig.
Worst dating experience?
Hmm. Could it be the woman who
turned out to have‘KEEP OFFTHE
GRASS’ tattooed in an interesting place?
Or the one who’d never heard of
Hamlet?
What do you look for in a
woman? Intelligence, imagination, an
interest in current affairs, eclectic taste in
music… and, most importantly of all, a
delicious sense of humour.
To leave a message for Charlotte,
sign up to g3x.co.uk and go to the
‘Win a date…’ group.
If you would like the chance to
meet your perfect woman and
for g3 to shout you a romantic
date then join the ‘win a date…’
group on g3x.co.uk
To book your Directory listing please call 020 7258 1777
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
PROPERTY
directory
111
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Horoscopes
your
stars
By Philip Garcia
aquarius
pisces
aries
taurus
20 Jan - 18 Feb
19 Feb - 20 March
21 March - 19 April
20 April - 20 May
A secret crush occupies your
thoughts. With Mercury retrograde
in your twelfth house this might not
be a good time to reveal your
feelings. Wait until you feel more
sure about whether or not you wish
to make a move. If a friend or
loved-one isn’t keen on your
suggestions, why not express your
ideas in an on-line forum?
A loved-one is full of wonderful ideas
and they have a little extra surprise in
store for you this week. A special
moment shared will be heartstopping. You’re in the mood to go
out, enjoy social relationships and
have a good time now. This may
cause some tension in the family if
housemates are expecting your help
with household chores.
You’re feeling inspired as 2010 begins
and you want to live life to the full.
Even so, there is no sense in
over-reaching yourself physically or
financially. Both Mercury and Mars
are retrograde, which urges a degree
of caution. Don’t leap without
looking. If you’re single, trust your
instincts even if someone else is
warning you off this relationship.
With emphasis now on travel, you
feel an overwhelming desire to widen
your horizons. If life has become
rather dull, your need for change will
be too strong to ignore. There may
have recently been some discord
within a group of friends.
A celebration arranged for the
weekend will soon get you back in
step with the band.
gemini
cancer
leo
virgo
21 May - 20 June
21 June - 22 July
23 July - 22 Aug
23 Aug - 22 Sept
This is an ideal time to look for a
new home. A short trip to a place that
has always interested you could get
you thinking. This could give you
the idea, to look up some old friends.
Their enthusiastic reception will
prove there was no need to feel
nervous about contacting them.
Lavish those you adore with
compliments.
It doesn’t matter how hard you try,
there is someone in your life who
you just can’t satisfy. If their
complaints and grumbles are starting
to make you feel useless and
inadequate, it is time to look for
new people to spend time with.
This is an ideal time to think about
making some changes in your
closest alliances.
Conflicting advice and a variety of
demands from other people will
make you wonder whether you’re
ever going to get some time for
yourself. What’s most important is to
please yourself. It’s also essential you
care for your health this week.
You will need some energy and
creativity for the romantic plans your
lover has in mind.
Despite being in the mood for love,
with Mercury retrograde in your fifth
house, this probably isn’t the best
time to begin a romance.
Complications you hadn’t
anticipated could arise. At the same
time, if you don’t want to let a
romantic opportunity pass you by,
grasp it. But be ready for the hurdles
that must be overcome.
112
libra
scorpio
sagittarius
capricorn
23 Sept - 22 Oct
23 Oct - 21 Nov
22 Nov - 21 Dec
22 Dec - 19 Jan
Your home or relationship worlds
seem to be going through some
changes.This is probably what’s
needed to move your life forward
but if alarm bells are ringing and you
feel some plans aren’t for the best, let
other people know it.The more
thought you can put into new
arrangements, the more successful
they are likely to be.
You’re seriously thinking about taking
up a course of study or a new interest
that involves the communications
industry. Despite some initial
problems, you know that you’re
moving in the right direction. You
should be seeing some improvement
in a close relationship that has been a
bit tense lately. Keep weekends free
for romantic rendezvous.
Issues brought to your attention to
do with the past may make you
question the strength of a relationship.
Don’t jump to conclusions. Somehow
you and a partner have grown apart
and it might do you both some good
to get together and discuss it.
Reducing outside obligations may be
all that’s needed to get this
relationship back on track.
Dividing your time between your
private goals and your public interests
is becoming really difficult. A friend
might complain about having nothing
to do; you can’t even imagine what
this must be like. You might reach the
stage where you are ready to delegate
some responsibilities. You could also
make a determined effort to scale
back some of your duties.
Call 0905 072 3512 for your detailed Horoscope or 0906 117 7583 for one of Philip’s Psychics or Mediums.
Calls to 0905 cost 75p per min/ to 0906 cost £1.50 per min from a BT Landline/ Other networks may vary. All calls recorded for your security, 18+ only. All calls regulated by PhonePayPlus. SP: Astro Int, PO Box 322, WA15 8YL.
To book your Directory listing please call 020 7258 1777
COMMUNITY
directory
COMMUNITY
27;3<A7=<A(&$%#EF#&6
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
HEALTH
FOR SALE
RECRUITMENT
113
REMOVALS
SPORT
Opinion
rant//art//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//deba
e y
v
a
ha r s
u
yo
last
word
from Angie Bates
27A1:/7;3@(
B67A7A/<=>3<1=:C;<4=@/<G=<3
E6=E7A63AB=3F>@3AAB637@
=>7<7=</<2/AAC167A<=BB=03
B/93</AB63=>7<7=<=45!
;/5/H7<3=@/<GAB/44E7B67<
The co-facilitator of the lesbian
discussion group at Gay’s The Word
bookshop tells us why it is such a source
of inspiration to her.
Let me start with what
some of the women
said to me last night at
the discussion group:
“I have been coming
here for twenty years
– not as regularly now
as I used to, but to me
as a scared and very new lesbian, it was first my
refuge, then my source of many wonderful girlfriends and then
friends (who are still my friends today)”…“It’s an opportunity to
mix with different people and broaden your horizons”…“It brings
the lesbian community together”…“It’s good to be surrounded by
all these wonderful books which relate to the topics we’re talking
about”…“I find it a stimulating environment where you feel free to
express yourself.”
This discussion group has been running everyWednesday night for
almost thirty years. Anything from 12 to 35 women attend but it’s
usually about 25.Many people assume that the discussion group is
about books because it’s in a bookshop.It’s not.It’s about being lesbian.
I first came to the discussion group in 1981 and I have an
enormous affection for it.I owe it a lot.For me,it’s a cornerstone in the
lesbian community.I am always humbled hearing other women’s
stories.That’s what I love the best.Like hearing about women who
have been married for many years finally finding themselves and
feeling like they have come home… Or young women whose
“Is there still a need for women only spaces?”
“How do I flirt with other lesbians?”
“Lesbian and gay oppression in other countries – what can we do?”
Occasionally,we have guest speakers on subjects such as sexual
health (with goody bags of lollipops and lube) or film (with film clips).
Recently we had three wonderful lesbian authors visit on one night –
Kate Foley,Cherry Potts and Joy Howard came along to read and
discuss their work.
So,a HUGE thank you to Gay’sTheWord bookshop for the last
thirty years.How cool is it that London has a dedicated LGBT
bookshop with a huge range of lesbian fiction and non fiction?The
lesbian community needs to look after and patronise the shop to
keep it strong and vibrant.
People can join the events newsletter by emailing the word
EVENTS to sales@gaystheword.co.uk.The Lesbian Discussion
Group takes place everyWednesday evening at 8pm at Gay’sThe
Word Bookshop,66 Marchmont Street,London,WC1N 1AB.
Tel:020 7278 7654.It is a two-minute walk from Russell Square tube
Angie Bates has been active in the lesbian community for almost three
decades. She has facilitated the discussion group (along with Joan Ballington)
for over twelve years. She lives with her dog near Epping Forest.
great lesbian
inventions!
3R_aVYVaf0YV[VP`
Back in the year AD234, fertility
was invented by a lesbian called
Thelma. Before this, women became
pregnant by howling at the full moon
and spinning around in linen
pantaloons. From then on, however,
babymaking was a strictly man/
woman affair.
More recently, women started to want
to have babies together, and once
society stopped fainting, they realised
that there was actually a lot of money
to be made.
The fertility clinic, invented by Ivy
Fluglehorn, has now made life
available to all those who can afford it.
Women spend thousands and
thousands of pounds on hundreds
and hundreds of tests, potions,
pills and squirting devices, all so that
they can stay up all night, grow old
more quickly and have really greasy
hair. And, of course, witness the
miracle of creation. They just
shouldn’t expect to have any money
left for nappies.
WORDS AND ARTWORK BY LEA ANDREWS
114
parents are absolutely accepting: “I grew up in Brighton,so it was cool.”
In the summer,we get more visitors from overseas and it’s so
interesting to hear what its like to grow up female and come out as a
lesbian in far-flung countries. The topics usually attract lively debate:
ate//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//debate//
115

AbO``W\U - PAGINEROSA.TV

Transcription

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