Here - The Rainbow Project

The Rainbow Project is Northern Ireland’s magazine – RAINBOW. Like a Phoenix rising
from the ashes, we’ve reinvented ourselves, in
time for the 2012 Pride celebrations. We want
to be more inclusive and feel that the change
of name is a forward step that will appeal to
our readers both old and new. As LGBT life is
this collective diversity, and we hope that all
We’ve kept our regular features on coming out,
religion, and our cookery column caters
towards those who wish to party the day away.
We also have articles on the London Gay Men’s
Chorus and Belfast’s LBGT singers QUIRE; ways
to stay healthy on Pride day; and the advocacy
services provided by the Rainbow Project. For
those who like pictures, we have some sizzling
ones of Passion in Newry, and we think that
you’ll like them!
On a more serious note, we have some
reactions to the recent and very public
statement made by Lord Maginnis. Equating
homosexuality with bestiality, Maginnis
displays a sentiment that is both bigoted and
outdated, and only serves to belittle the LGBT
experience.
– and has gone from strength to strength!
From little acorns, such huge oaks grow. The
Belfast parade is now the largest in Ireland, and
it’s great to see so many people, gay, bi and
straight, come out to celebrate. Try to get along
to one, if not all of the parades.
bisexual and transgendered people. training on behalf of LGB&T people to commu-­‐
nity, voluntary and statutory agencies. Our aim is to promote the health and well-­‐being of LGB&T people in Northern Ireland. The Rainbow Project also oīers a range of services Belfast Pride’s theme this time is Pride at Sea, to LGB&T people across Northern Ireland. Visit which is apt in itself, since all the nice boys and www.rainbow-­‐project.org for more details. girls like a sailor! Perhaps one will cross your
path during the day – I certainly hope one BELFAST
comes my way! If any sailors are reading this, Belfast LGBT Centre, look out for me, and say hello!
9-­‐13 Waring Street,
Belfast, BT1 2DX
There will be a range of events to partake in tel: (028) 9031 9030
during Belfast Pride week, including the party fax: (028) 9031 9031
in the square; the play Galatea at the Mac; email: info@rainbow-­‐project.org
karaoke fronted by the divine Portia; and of
course, a variety of rugged men on display at John O’Doherty
Director
this year’s Bear party.
As Pride comes around again, we hope that all Counsellor
of our readers have an enjoyable and
productive day, safe in the knowledge that Dean Lee
they are an integral part of a larger collective.
Counsellor
Rainbow is always looking for new Pat Nairn
contributors, and would like any budding Finance Oĸcer
scribes out there to get in touch and send us
This issue will also look at the forthcoming your story.
Equality Oĸcer
Pride celebrations in Belfast, as well as those in
Gavin Boyd
Foyle. While Foyle is in its third year, this is the Brendan Martin
rainbowmag@rainbow-project.org
the committee every success.
Harriet Long
Advocacy Oĸcer
Harry McAnulty
Physical & Sexual Health Development Oĸcer
Malachai O’Hara
Mental Health Development Oĸcer
3 Band of Brothers…and Sisters
Our editor reviews a night of a 1000
voices
12 Bent
John Mac reviews a classic movie of
gay love and oppression
5 Foyle Pride Festival 2012 – Exploring
Identity
The Foyle Committee updates us on its
third Pride extravaganza
13 Dear Divas!
Our lovely ladies kick a love rat to the
kerb
7 Paganism –the oldest religion?
Jonathan reveals all about being gay,
pagan and proud
8 Report it! Come out against crime
advice on how to keep safe this Pride
season
9 I’m coming out – Tales of sexual
awakenings
In this edition, we hear Ellen’s
experiences of coming out in the
country
11Pride at Sea – It’s going to be wet!
The Belfast Pride festival promises to be
a naughtily nautical voyage
15 Homophobic Outburst by Lord Ken
Maginnis
Your responses to Maginnis’ recent
outlandish assertions
17 Have a healthy Pride
Colin dispenses some worldy wisdom
on keeping your Pride wholesome
19 A Proud Picnic
Ray serves up some gastronomic Pride
delights
20 Photos from Passion in Newry
Aidan Donegan
Administrator FOYLE
12a Queen Street,
L’Derry, BT48 7EG
tel: (028) 7128 3030
fax: (028) 7128 3060
email: info@rainbow-­‐project.org
David McCartney
Foyle Centre Manager
Youth Development Oĸcer
Protect yourself...
...We’re worth protecting
HIV infection is increasing in Ireland.
Let’s value our sexual health and protect each other when
having sex.
You are. He is. We are worth protecting.
Learn more about safer sex, HIV and our sexual health at
Man2Man.ie or call
The Rainbow Project
Belfast/L’Derry
Sexual Health Helpline,
Cork
Red Ribbon Project,
Limerick
AIDS West, Galway
| T: 028 9031 9030/ 028 7128 3030
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| T: 091 566 266
A GHN & HSE Initiative
© Gay Health Network 2011 | 2012
On 20 May 2012, Belfast’s Grand
Opera House played host to the
London Gay Men’s Chorus, whose
Band of Brothers tour was brought
to a resounding climax.
The LGMC performed a range of
crowd pleasers including The
Trolley Song made famous by Judy
Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis, a
medley of Madonna and Lady Gaga
hits, and the anti-homophobia
classic that is Fuck You by Lily Allen.
The finale, a combination of Mika’s
Happy Ending and Phil Oakey’s
Together in Electric Dreams,
resulted in a standing ovation, as
well as the audience dancing in the
aisles.
Alisdair recalls the determination
that LGMC showed in the wake of
the bombing of the Admiral
Duncan public house in Soho on 30
April 1999, which left several dead
and many injured. Two days later,
LGMC performed at the Vigil in
Soho Square in front of an
audience of 3,000 strong.
In the wake of the show, Rainbow
spoke to members of LGMC to find
out about the chorus, and how it
felt to perform in Belfast. Michael
joined the LGMC in 2003, and says
that at the time, he had very The chorus sang inspiring, angry
ambivalent feelings about his and reflective songs which were
interspersed with speeches by
sexual orientation.
politicians, gay activists, police,
“My gayness felt like victimhood, religious and community leaders.
something
unwanted
but Alisdair believes that this “was an
somehow unavoidable. Other gay amazing response to a terrible act
men and the apparent ease with that united gay and straight, black
which they accepted themselves as and white, in grief and disgust”.
functioning, sexual, whole people
On playing in Belfast, Martin says,
were a mystery to me”.
“In June 2003, we took a concert to
Belfast's
Waterfront Hall. A small
Michael is adamant that LGMC
helped him in ways that he couldn't group of Free Presbyterian
possibly have anticipated: “I found fundamentalists picketed the show.
my tribe here, my own Band of Despite banners telling us to ‘Go
Brothers, a safe place where I could Back to Sodom’, we did get an
belong, where I could be an equal, audience, but the venue was only
and where I could finally begin to half full, as many people were
unwilling to show their public
grow as a gay man”.
support for a gay choir. But, as a
result of the picket and support
from our audience, this was
without doubt one of the most
powerful performances the chorus
has ever given.
www.rainbow-project.org
One of the end results is the
existence of the Belfast gay choir”.
LGMC was supported in the Opera
House by GLORIA, Dublin’s LGBT
choir, who belted out the camp
classic I Am What I am, as well as
Belfast’s very own QUIRE who sang
Cold Play’s Viva la Vida and Cyndi
Lauper’s True Colors.
What they lacked in numbers,
QUIRE certainly made up for in
enthusiasm. The collective buzz of
the group was made all the more
special by performing in front of a
home audience which included
family, friends, and some new
recruits who joined up the next
week!
QUIRE is still on the lookout for new
members, and will be recruiting
again on 27 September, after the
summer hiatus.
If you can sing and want to get
involved, look out for QUIRE at
Belfast Pride or check out the
website – www.quire.org.uk.
3
Business Name
Business Tagline or Motto
G ay
E thnic
G roup
NI
An informal support network for people from black and
minority ethnic backgrounds in Northern Ireland who
We aim to
provide a social network for people who share our ex-­‐
perience of being LGBT & BME. address racism in LGBT community/gay scene. We meet once a month at Belfast’s LGBT centre or a public venue of our choice. supported by gay.ethnic.group@gmail.com or follow us on facebook Following on from the success of
last year’s Foyle Pride Festival, this
year’s festival will run from
Wednesday 22nd – Sun 26th
August. The Foyle Pride Parade
takes place on Saturday 25th
August, leaving from the Waterside
Train Station at 2.00pm and
travelling to The Guildhall. Rainbow
caught up with Foyle Pride to hear
about what the festival has to offer.
Foyle Pride is pleased to announce
that the festival will be going ahead
for a third year running and this
year it’s going to be bigger and
better! The 2012 theme will be
‘Exploring Identity’.
Last year 7,400 people attended
the parade alone and the
organisers predict that this year,
there will be even more.
Shá Gillespie, chairperson of the
Foyle Pride committee said “Foyle
Pride promotes understanding and
respect for diversity, it provides a
diverse programme of quality
entertainment and creativity with
mass appeal actively enhancing
Derry’s reputation as an enjoyable
welcoming and safe place”.
“The Festival was a great success
last year. It was fantastic to see so
many people on the streets of
Derry. Pride is a celebration of the
LGBT community and an important
cultural event for the city. This year
we want to make Pride bigger and
better and hope that all of the
Derry community will come out
and support us.”
www.rainbow-project.org
The parade itself is a colourful
event with a carnival atmosphere,
and a fantastic day for all the family.
The festival will take place on the
August bank holiday weekend and
there will be many community
events and workshops throughout
the year.
The committee has asked everyone
who would like to get involved to
contact Foyle Pride via Facebook www.facebook.com/foylepride .
Additional information can be
found on the Foyle Pride Festival
Website www.foylepridefestival.com .
5
The word ‘pagan’ is often met with wary Following last edition’s article looking at Christianity and LGB&T people, Rainbow
eyes, awkward smiles or a blank stare. It’s caught up with Jonathan to find out more about being a gay man and a Pagan.
a word that has been used unkindly
throughout the centuries, and often
distorted to evoke fear and suspicion.
Given its very origins (a derogatory term
for villagers who hadn’t then embraced
the early Christian faith), this isn’t
surprising. It’s comparable to heathen
and infidel – negative terms still used
today by many followers of Abrahamic
religions. However, recent generations of
neo-pagans are reclaiming their pagan
roots, and resurrecting this essentially
nature-based spirituality for a new era.
They therefore work interdependently, a There are some modern pagans who
unison of masculine and feminine reject homosexuality, because they see
Perhaps for these reasons, the pagan promoting true equality. Many pagan the union of God and Goddess in strictly
and LGBT communities share an affinity, paths adopt polytheism, the notion of male-female practices. Gerald Gardner,
both emerging from a long period of gods and goddesses, that may be seen founder of the pagan path Wicca,
rejection, repression and infamy, where as aspects of one divine source, while expressed personal views that isolated
words like ‘gay’ or ‘witch’ have gone from others believe in an all-permeating the LGBT community.
implying happiness or wise-woman, to divine force (pantheism).
shaming insults – and now, their
However, many in our community
attempted reclamation! Although, to be This great diversity in pagan beliefs can choose to follow the path of Wicca and,
pagan, as to be part of the LGBT prove welcoming to the LGBT in general, most pagans support and
community, is still considered a corrupt community, ostracised by conventional include people of any sexual orientation.
and immoral way of life by some, this is religions and left yearning for a spiritual Paganism does not have a single
largely due to indoctrination and connection. This is why I was drawn to doctrine or hierarchy. It is not organised,
ignorance, or a refusal to listen and learn. paganism, in my late teens, having felt and each follower is free to choose their
rejected by the homophobia present in own path. So, paganism, without the
Homosexuality, or any form of sexual the teachings of my Christian shackles of judgmental deities and
orientation identification, has never upbringing. I felt excited to discover the repetitive worship, appeals to a
been a direct issue in paganism. all-encompassing love of the Mother community isolated by mainstream
However, it must be understood that Goddess, and acceptance by a faith that religion.
paganism is a blanket term for a wide didn’t view my sexual orientation as
range of varying beliefs and practices, sinful or unnatural.
One of the rituals in modern paganism is
that date back to the very beginnings of
Hand-fasting, which involves the tying of
human exploration of the spiritual.
Likewise, many gay and bisexual men hands of a couple with ribbons.
who identify with the feminine aspect of Essentially a marriage, though not
One of the fundamental differences in their psyche find solace in the reverence legally binding, it has increasingly
paganism is the acknowledgement of of the Goddess, while acknowledging become a popular practice in civil
the Goddess – a concept that’s still their same-sex attraction through partnership ceremonies as a declaration
unfamiliar to followers of Christian faiths. honouring gods of the wildwood, of love between two committed people.
Some of the earliest examples of symbolising the innate sexual energy in
figurines that humans crafted depict a nature. Lesbians, too, feel an acceptance Paganism is a fast-growing form of
voluptuous female figure, believed to be from pagan paths that venerate the spirituality, due mostly to its freedom for
the Mother Goddess (commonly known feminine aspect of the divine through individual exploration and communion
today as Gaia, the primal Greek earth goddess-worship or all-female groups, with the Divine, Great Spirit and God and
goddess), who represents the divine such as modern day covens.
Goddess. And its adoration of the Earth,
Feminine, and Earth itself.
respect for nature, the environment and
The practices of many native American wildlife is an essential part of so many
As paganism generally strives to tribes appeal to bisexual and pagan paths, and surely we need this
establish balance and harmony, the God transgendered people, with their theory perhaps now more than ever.
is typically represented by the Sun of Two-Spirit – an individual believed to
(Father Sun), who is seen to provide the possess both male and female souls. Jonathan
Earth, or Goddess, with the essentials of These people purportedly had natural (www.facebook.com/paganvoiceni)
light and heat to allow growth of new healing abilities or clairvoyance. They
life.
were therefore granted special roles in
their community, particularly in ritual
dances, the making of regalia and
storytelling .
www.rainbow-project.org
7
The Pride season is a great
opportunity to celebrate the diversity
of freedoms and seXUAL and gender
eXPression in .Orthern Ireland. We
wish you a safe and happy summer of
fun and craic.
Here at Rainbow we are working really
hard with employers, teachers,
counsellors, youth workers, police and
community safety workers to
challenge negative attitudes to people
who are gay or transgender.
Unfortunately, for many reasons, %vidence is not the test – if you
people are reluctant to report these 0%R#%)6% it to be homophobic or
incidents because they may be:
transphobic – you can report it.
s Worried about not being taken
seriously
s 5NWILLING to be put in the
position of having to come out to
strangers (sometimes more than
once)
s Afraid their wider family/friends
will find out
s %Xpecting homophobia/
transphobia as a normal part of
being LGB&/or Trans
s .Ervous of the police response
“I was headbutted
LGB & Trans people can be
when kissing a guy after Sometimes,
victims of hate incidents and/or crimes
– it could be violence, verbal abuse,
Pride last year. I just
harassment or damage to your
didn’t want to speak to belongings – that target your seXUAL
orientation or (trans)gender identity.
the police because I was
drunk at the time – I
“I didn’t think about
didn’t think they would
involving anyone else – I
take me seriously.“
just thought I could
handle it by myself –
These
negative
attitudes
can but now I’m worried
sometimes turn into potential or
actual crimes against you, your family late at night and it’s
or your property.
affecting my health.”
This summer, we are promoting your
value and worth by raising awareness
of the ways you can report
incidents/crimes. We think that by
telling your stories and sharing your
eXperiences, we can help change the
way homophobia and transphobia is
addressed and tackled in .Orthern
Ireland – and improve the support and
protection you are entitled to.
Look out for our pens with safety
messages at local LGB&T events. You
can contact our Advocacy Officer for
help with reporting anything on
(028)9031
9030
or
emailing
harriet@rainbow-project.org.
We can:
s Report something anonymously
s Report something for you
s Help you to report online
s Arrange for a police officer to come
to the LGB&T centre to speak to you
s Arrange to meet in a safe space in
your community to talk to police
We work all over .Orthern Ireland
supporting LGB&T people to report
incidents and crimes.
We hope you stay proud, happy and
safe – but call us if things change.
For this edition of Rainbow we hear from Ellen about her experience of coming out in a small town in Northern Ireland. If
you would like to share your coming out story with MSM please email us at rainbowmag@rainbow-project.org
I suppose I was around 16 when I
first had a crush on a girl - nothing
happened - at the time - but I guess
this was the beginning of my
"coming out" story. About a year
later, a friend took me for a night
out to Pepe's in Derry - something
just clicked!
It was a real
eye-opener for me, but it just 'felt
right'.
Part of the difficulties I experienced
came from living in a small rural
town. Everyone knew everyone
and it was very 'clicky'. I started
coming up to Belfast and going to
the Kremlin, and that helped a lot.
Over the last couple of years I have
been increasingly out and I've been
much happier. I've had a few
serious relationships along the way
and I've matured a lot. I know
being with those women helped
me grow in confidence as a person,
and I believe I helped them on their
own "journeys" too.
This was the first time I had been to At this time, I found life full of difficulties - I was
a gay bar or club. Later, when I was basically living as two people - being myself among
about 18 or 19, I bumped into the
my gay friends, but acting 'super straight' with my
girl I had fancied at 16 again, and
this time we hit it off. I was hanging straight friends - pulling loads of boys and stuff.
about with a gay crowd of friends
at that time, and came out to them
as 'bisexual', but still wasn't out to I was finding my own feet as my Last year, I moved to live in Belfast,
my straight friends or anyone else. circle of friends grew wider. At 22, I which was a huge step for me and
had my first 'proper' girlfriend. I it has turned out well. I found work
At this time, I found life full of was a lot more open to lots of in a restaurant near where I live in
difficulties - I was basically living as people, and to myself, and felt more east Belfast and I have completed
two people - being myself among comfortable identifying as a my college course at Belfast
Metropolitan finishing as 'Student
my gay friends, but acting 'super lesbian.
Chef of the Year'. I plan to do more
straight' with my straight friends pulling loads of boys and stuff. I really felt a strong need to come at college to further my career as a
Things started improving as I out to my mum, and I planned it chef, and of course I am out to my
explored my 'gay side' more and carefully. We were on holidays at class and my workmates.
more, and finally, when I stopped the time. She was fine about it and
trying to be what society wanted it was no problem at all! But then I have been going out with a lovely
me to be, and just started being something happened that I wish girl for a few months and she's
had been handled differently - my been to meet my family. Everyone
myself, I felt much better.
mum and my sister got together was very accepting of her, which
made me really happy. I have met
By this time I was about 21 or 22. I and told my dad that I was gay.
her family and friends too and it
had been on a few dates with
women and had become much I really would have preferred to tell has been the same with them, so
more open to people about my him myself as I am very close to my it’s all looking very positive.
sexual orientation, though still dad, but it was taken out of my
identified as bisexual at work. hands. As it turned out, he was fine The hardest part of coming out was
Around this time, I came out to my about it and said "sure, I have the in-between stage I went
sister and she was fine about it and known that for years!" So, I am fully through - when I was acting gay
out to my family as a lesbian, with some friends and straight with
really accepted me.
except for my grandparents. They others. I felt like I was living a
are from a different generation and double life and being very secretive
I just don't see the need to tell with my family. Now I'm fully out
them - I don't think they would get things are much better.
it and it would maybe upset them.
Ellen
www.rainbow-project.org
9
9031 9030 or visit www.rainbow-­‐project.org
The Belfast LGBT Centre, Wednesday 1st August, 5.00pm -­‐ 9.00pm
Get tested this pride! The Rainbow Project are providing a free rapid HIV and Syphilis and pick up some free condoms and lube. Saving Face
The Crescent Arts Centre, Thursday 2nd August, 7.30pm -­‐ 10.30pm
Tickets £4 available from www.rainbow-­‐project.org or at the event
The Family Ties Project will be holding a screening of aĮům – Saving Face. This is the story in answer session with members of the Family Ties Group, a group for parents by parents, of lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender people. The Q&A will centre on the themes raised family members. Galatea by Lawrence Aronovitch
Upstairs Theatre at the Mac, Friday 3rd August, 7.30pm -­‐ 9.00pm
Tickets £8 or £5 concession
The Derry Playhouse Theatre in August 2011, Galatea is back again by popular demand for this Northern Ireland.
violence. If you need help and/or wish to report to the police, please contact The Rainbow Project’s LGB&T Advocacy Service by calling 028 9031 9030 or email harriet@rainbow-­‐project.org We can report it for you Belfast Pride is Ireland’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans festival appealing to audiences of over 15,000 people each year. In
2011, they achieved their largest Belfast Pride Festival to date. Almost 25,000 people hit the streets to come out and show their
support. With Belfast Pride 2012 fast approaching, we caught up with the pride team to find out what this year’s festival has to offer.
It’s that time of year again, when the
Pride Committee are rushed off their
feet organising this year’s Belfast
Pride Festival making it bigger and
better than before!
Festival 2012 kicks off on Friday 27th
July in the Northern Whig with a
glamorous cocktail reception and
our now annual awards.
For
information on those and how to
vote, visit our website. Sunday 29th
July sees the return of our family
sports day now called ‘Lark in the
Park’, which this year returns to
Ormeau Park. After the great success
of last year, we’ve decided to ramp it
up and this year is no exception.
We’ve giant inflatables, barbecues
and of course the return of the
football tournament.
During the rest of the week, we have
a mix of community events, ranging
from political debates through to
church services and this year, there’s
something for everyone.
Thursday 2 August sees the return of
our Ladies Night, which this year is a
costume party, in the new home of
The Shoe Factory. It’s for ladies (and
their male friends). With pole
dancers and live performances, it’s
one not to miss.
The Big Pride Weekend kicks off in
style on Friday 3rd August with our
annual Friday Pride Show. With Tina
Leggs Tantrum at the helm with her
usual mix of cabaret and comedy, we
also have a treat in store. In a very
special edition of ‘Family Fortunes’
the
Kremlin will be taking on
Forbidden Fruit to see who will take
home a Pride bear!
If that wasn’t enough, we’re also
putting the community groups to
the test in a spin off version of the
BBC game show ‘Pointless’.
www.rainbow-project.org
The main day itself is Saturday 4th
August, where everything is EARLIER!
We’ll be opening the square at 11am
but the parade this year will be
moving off at MIDDAY.
With a new ‘chill-out area’ decked
with tables and chairs, it’s the
ultimate place to go if you’re up for a
party. For something more relaxed,
we’ve also revamped Families in the
Square taking into account public
We’re expecting everyone to be in feedback on last year.
place, ready to move at 12pm from
Custom House Square where the Situated beside the Big Fish, it’s got
parade will make its way through the all the local community groups and
streets of Belfast before culminating information stalls, along with food
in the biggest free LGBT party Belfast and drink vendors and even airbrush
has ever seen - Party in the Square.
tattoo artists.
We also have
entertainment lined up too!
Kitty Brucknell, Tina Cousins, Ryan
Jagger, Diva Dolls, Tommy Shots, Also keep an eye out for our ‘Slime
Ryan John along with Tina Leggs Off’ during July - that is definitely
Tantrum, Trudy Scrumptious and one thing you don not want to miss!
more!
This year it’s our biggest year ever, so
we hope to see you at some events
and of course, at the parade!
11
In these days of relative LGBT freedom,
rights and anti-discrimination laws, at
least in Western Europe, we should
never be too blind to what took place
in this part of the so-called civilised
world less just 70 years ago. The play
Bent (written by Martin Sherman in
1979, and transformed into a
wonderfully poignant movie in 1997)
brings to life the horrific period of the
Nazi concentration camps in 1930s
Germany, when you faced the ultimate
penalty for your sexual orientation –
death.
The film revolves around the period
after the Night of the Long Knives,
when Hitler purged his army of such
‘undesirables’
as
socialists,
communists and gays.
Of course, the title of the movie refers
to the slang word "bent" used in some
European countries to refer to
homosexuals. When the play was first
performed, there was only a small
trickle of historical research or even
awareness about the Nazi persecution
of homosexuals, and, to some extent,
the play helped increase knowledge
about this terrible period in our
history.
Originally, Ian McKellen starred in the
original 1979 West-End production,
and the iconic Richard Gere in its 1980
Broadway
version.
Further
productions followed throughout the
80s and 90s with Richard E Grant, Ian
Charleson, Ralph Fiennes and
Christopher Eccleston.
12
On the train, Rudy calls out to Max as
he is taken away to be beaten, so Rudy
is brought back and the guards force
him to beat Rudy to death. In the
process, Max denies he knows him.
Worse yet, Max is then forced to have
sexual intercourse with the body of a
dead pre-teen girl to "prove" he is not
gay. Max lies to the guards, denying his
love for the dead Rudy, by telling them
The plot
he is a Jew rather than a homosexual,
Max is a promiscuous gay man in as he believes his chances for survival
1930s Berlin, one very much at odds in the camp will be better if he is not
with his wealthy family because of his assigned the dreaded pink triangle.
homosexuality. One evening, much to
the resentment of his boyfriend Rudy, In the camp, Max makes friends with
he brings home a handsome Horst, an openly gay man who shows
Sturmabteilung man. Unfortunately, it him the dignity that lies in
is the night that Hitler orders the acknowledging what one truly is, and
assassination of the upper echelon of indeed embrace one’s true beliefs.
the
Sturmabteilung
corps, to They fall in love and become ‘lovers’
consolidate
his
power.
The through their imagination and a
Sturmabteilung man is discovered and subtle choice of words. Surely, the
killed by SS men in Max and Rudy's most touching scene in the film is
apartment, and the two have to flee an when the two reach that ‘point of no
sexual return’ without even touching.
ever intolerant Berlin.
In 1997, Sean Mathias directed the
movie version starring the stunning
Clive Owen as the main protagonist,
Max, with an incredible performance
by Lothaire Bluteau as Horst. The film
also featured a reprise role for Ian
McKellen, with additional appearances
from Mick Jagger and Jude Law.
Max's uncle Freddie (played by
McKellan) is also gay, but lives a more
discreet life with rent boys to satisfy
his desires. He has organised new
papers for Max, but Max refuses to
leave his naïve boyfriend behind. As a
result, Max and Rudy are found and
arrested by the Gestapo and put on a
train
headed
for
Dachau
concentration camp.
I won’t give away the ending, in case
you haven’t seen the film, but needless
to say, the story is not a happy one
though Max does finally acknowledge
his status as a gay man. Pride is a time
for celebration of our diversity, our
freedom of expression and a time (if
only for one day) to reclaim the streets.
But, if you have the time this joyful
marching season, please look up Bent
and remember how lucky we are.
John Mac
www.rainbow-project.org
The Donegal Divas Lucy Lashes and Scarlett Rose take a break from their busy schedule to answer one of
your burning questions.
Dear Divas,
I’ve been with my boyfriend for
over a year now. We’ve had a
great relationship, but for
months now, I’ve been getting a
feeling that he’s not into me
anymore. We never go out
together – he always goes out
with his mates and leaves me
behind.
We hardly have a sex life
anymore – except when he
comes home at 3am reeking of
vodka and kebabs and wants
nookie, and even then he falls
asleep. I know he’s been seeing
other guys because I’ve seen
texts on his phone and I’m pretty
sure he still uses gaydar.
I’ve confronted him about it and
he just tells me I’m stupid and
turns it on me. When I tell him to
stop or I’ll leave him, he laughs
and says no man would want me.
He makes me feel so awful about
myself. Why do I still love him?
www.rainbow-project.org
Scarlett: Kick him out! You don’t need
to put up with that S@!T!! If it’s not
your house....STILL KICK HIM OUT! It’s
as simple as that! You don’t need
these people in your life! Don’t get
me wrong, I love vodka and kebabs,
but not when they’re being drooled
over the top of me!
Lucy: He sounds like a twat! I’ve seen
people in these relationships before.
It’s not nice and it’s certainly not
easy! Your confidence is taking a
huge knock because he’s beating it
out of you! I hope he’s not like
Scarlett!
S: I will always BEAT YOU, LUCY!!!
Listen to Oprah here! She was still
dribbling down her father’s leg when
I was dealing with this stuff! Then
again, she’s had more partners than
a barn dance!
L: What can I say – I’ve got a lot of
love to give! Speaking of which, I
don’t think you love this guy! You feel
sorry for him! That’s not your
problem! You should have chucked
him the minute you saw those texts!
S: The w@%$£r has GAYDAR!!! Is he
even trying to be discreet? Unless
you want three or four in the bed –
Cheating Charlie has got to go!
If you have a question that’s eating you up
like syphilis you can e-mail us at
deardivas@hotmail.com. This will be
confidential and your consent will be
sought first if we’d like to include it in our
spread. Check out
www.facebook.com/donegaldivas for
updates on what our gruesome twosome
are getting up to around the country!
13
I’m feeling really low and don’t know
how to cope.
Our counsellors are professionals and
LGB&T people. WE ARE HERE TO HELP
The daily pressures of homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism impact on us all differently. If you are concerned about suicide, whether for yourself or someone else -­
WE CAN HELP.
Contact us on 028 9031 9030 or visit www.rainbow-­project.org or if you are in immediate distress or despair please call lifeline 0808 808 8000
Ulster Unionist peer Ken Maginnis
has said he stands firmly behind
controversial on-air comments in
which he referred to gay marriage
as “unnatural and deviant behaviour”. During a debate with The
Rainbow Project’s John O’Doherty
on the Stephen Nolan Show, Lord
Maginnis
described
gay
relationships as a “rung on the
ladder” towards bestiality.
We spoke to some people across
Northern Ireland to see what they
thought of
Lord
Maginnis’
comments.
“I am appalled that it remains
the case that a public figure
from N Ireland, a politician
receiving payment from the
tax payer can make such
utterly offensive statements
with such ignorance and
arrogance and there are no
consequences.Why is it still OK
in our society to demonise the
gay community with
impunity? This is just shocking
racism in another guise” Vince Creelan
“I think that Lord Maginnis is
totally out of order with
what he said. Everyone has
the right to their own views,
but what he said is just
wrong. I feel that after this he
should be made to step
down from his position” Jamie Laverty
www.rainbow-project.org
“Substitute religious, racial or class prejudice with prejudice against sexual
orientation and the very real impact of Lord Maginnis’ homophobic remarks
are revealed. If any politician in Britain made these statements, they would
not only have the party whip withdrawn, but would no doubt be branded
backward barbarians, bubble-wrapped and blind to social and political
change. Remarks like these send ripples of offence across all sides of the
community in Northern Ireland”- Conor McCormick
“The close mindedness, narrow and archaic views of Lord Maginnis could
not have come at a worse time. In fact, there is never a good time to equate
homosexuality to bestiality… excuse me, sorry, I mean compare them as a
rung on the same ladder of deviance. There is no doubt that Lord Maginnis
is not alone in his views of the LGBT community. The difference is that Lord
Maginnis holds a position of significant influence, both positive and
negative” - Andrew Hawthorne
“When are NI politicians going to be reprimanded properly for homophobic
comments? It’s all very well his party leader paying lip service and giving him
a rap on the knuckles but an elected representative in the UK should face
heavy disciplinary actions; or just would not say such things. I have the right
to live my life freely without attack from religious groups/political dinosaurs”
- Mikal O'Neill
15
Pride week takes a lot out of a girl; all
those events to attend, drinks to be
drunk and people to… “meet”! For
many of us Pride week feels like all our
gay birthdays rolled into one and the
annual reward for Christmas spent
with our terminally straight relatives.
Aim to drink several bottles of water
alongside any alcohol you might be
drinking as just 2% dehydration can
affect mental acuity and lead to
mistakes in judgment and we all know
where that can lead!
Rice, Toast, Soup – if you can keep
liquid down now is the time to try one
of these simple easily-digestible foodstuffs. Finally; water – get back on the
wagon and drink the good stuff!
Personal Safety
How to deal with a hangover?
Consider the time you may spend in
the run up to Pride week planning
what you are going to wear and which
party you are going to and remember
how you used to get that excited
about Santa or the Easter bunny. The
difference now is that instead of
feeling nauseous from too much
chocolate or disappointment that
your Etch-a-Sketch is, well, crap, you
wake up the afternoon after the night
before feeling like lightly flambéed
death.
Time is the best cure but here are
some alternatives to a full Ulster fry
and a couple of aspirins:
Bananas – packed with potassium to
replace what you lost while you were
peeing like a racehorse
Ginger Root - great for nausea and a
hangover is similar to seasickness –
drink ginger ale if you are desperate,
but even better is some shaved ginger
root steeped in hot water for ten
minutes, sip and relax
Kinda linked with the above but worth
pointing out what for some may seem
obvious. Before you leave home make
sure you are prepared; condoms and
lube of course but also scribble down
a few important numbers in case you
lose your phone – a friend or two, a
local taxi company and lesbian and
gay switchboard in case you really get
into trouble and need advice quickly.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Pride and leave the area
feeling invincible but sadly as recent
news stories have shown us there are
still a lot of negative feelings about
LGBT people so take care and be aware
of your surroundings.
So, how can you have a great but
healthy Pride?
Honey & Lemon – in hot water to
replace natural sugars and fluids, it is
Drink and Drugs
fructose you need so stay away from
Have a wonderful and healthy Pride!
white sugar
I would like to say ‘don’t do ‘em’ but we
both know you will and quite likely a Apple Juice – this will raise your blood
month’s worth in a weekend. Pace sugar without upsetting your stomach
yourself – try to ensure you are like acidic orange juice can.
hydrating yourself as it is a long day
and the sun may just bless us with its
presence.
Just in case we actually get some good weather this summer, Rainbow’s Ray has some top recipes to help
you have the perfect proud picinc!
The summer days are here again,
so, let’s ditch those jumpers and
scarves and don the feathers and
Lycra (with collapsible umbrella).
While we tramp the streets to the
beat of camp classics in stilettos
and tutus, take a moment to chill,
relax with acquaintances, old and
new, and share in some
gastronomic delights all while laid
back on your best gingham
blankets.
GRILLED VEGETABLE BLOOMER
s red peppers, halved and
deseeded
s yellow peppers, halved and
deseeded
s TBSP OLIve oil
s AUbergine, sliced into long
strips
s courgettes, sliced into long
strips
s G BLoomer loaf
s red onion, sliced
Try these simple and sumptuous s TBSP Good-quality fresh
recipes as part of your Pride vegetarian pesto
s HANDFUL OF BASIL LEaves
celebration.
LIME AND CHILLI CHICKEN WINGS
s kg chicken wings or thighs
s ,IMEs, zested and juiced
s red chillis and green chillis,
seeded and finely chopped
s TABLE Spoons of sugar
s Sweet chilli sauce, to serve
Mix all the ingredients together
with 1 tsp salt and coat the chicken
thoroughly - putting the lot in a
polythene bag and shaking hard
works well. Set aside for 1 hour in
the fridge. #ook the wings for
about minutes, depending
on their size (thighs will take a bit
longer!!), turning a few times. Serve
with a bowl of sweet chilli sauce.
www.rainbow-project.org
1. Heat oven to #FAN
#GAS. Place the peppers, cutside down, on a baking tray, drizzle
with tbsp olive oil, then roast for
mins to colour the skins. Remove
from the oven, place in a bowl,
cover with cling film and leave to
cool. Once cold, remove the skins
and leave to one side. Drizzle the
aubergine and courgette with the
rest of the olive oil, cook in batches
on a griddle pan until marked on
both sides. Set aside.
. Slice the bloomer loaf in half and
carefully hollow out the middle,
leaving two empty shells. Build up
the loaf by placing the vegetables
in layers and scattering each layer
with sliced onion, pesto and basil
leaves. Try to keep all the colours
separate so you create lots of
different coloured layers. Once the
veg is layered up, replace the lid,
wrap tightly in cling film, and put in
the fridge. #ut into neat wedges to
serve.
HERBED POTATO SALAD
s G waxy new potatoes , such as
#harlotte or Nicola
s TSP DIJON MUSTArd
s TSP WHIte wine vinegar
s TBSP OLIve oil
s TBSP EACH CHOPped fresh chives,
parsley and tarragon (or other
herbs you like)
s A bed of green salad leaves , to
serve
1. Steam or boil the potatoes until
tender when pierced. Remove and
set aside to cool a little.
. Mix the mustard and vinegar in a
big serving bowl until smooth, add
the oil and season to taste if you
want, then mix again until blended.
. Slice the potatoes and toss
together with the herbs in the bowl
of dressing. Serve on a bed of
leaves.
Enjoy the Pride season.
Ray
19
Photos taken at Passion at Bellinis, Newry, on the first night at new premises.
20
www.rainbow-project.org
PEP is a 1 month course of medication that may prevent HIV infection after possible exposure. Treatment only works if taken within 72 hours of exposure. PEP is not a substitute for condoms and lube. For more information please visit www.rainbow-­project.org or call 028 9031 9030