SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland ScotsGay 80/- Heavy -Issue 32 - February 2000 ELECTRONIC EDITION ***Now available on the Web: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/ How to Subscribe and Unsubscribe information is now at the END of the magazine. All Material Copyright (c) Pageprint Limited 2000. Permission is hereby given to distribute this material provided that this copyright notice is included and that distribution is specifically for non-profitmaking reasons. Distribution for profit must be done only with prior written consent of the magazine any deviation from this will be seen as an infringement of copyright. Hardcopies are limited to one per person for personal use only and such hard copies are subject to the same copyright restrictions as laid out above. The printed edition of ScotsGay is available by post at the following rates: 6 issue sub (UK & EC) 6ukp 6 issue sub (Overseas) 12ukp 12 issue sub (UK & EC) 12ukp 12 issue sub (Overseas) 24ukp Make Cheques and POs payable to 'Pageprint'or 'ScotsGay'and send them to: Subscriptions ScotsGay Magazine PO Box 666 Edinburgh Scotland EH7 5YW Inside this issue: Editorial - On the buses News - Tubby Bear strikes again Holyrood - Section 28 and partnership rights News - Bites Nunsense - Sisterly advice Dance Chart - Alan Joy Scotsdyke - The new gay tartan Scottish Media Monitor - Section 28 in the press Granny Spice - Bashing the Bishop Scene - News from everywhere Reviews - Film, literature and theatre The Nice Bit - Bicon 2000 International - News from around the world Scotsgay Voice - Our own 1-2-1 dating service Boxes- The ScotsGay Meet Market Listings - Checked and updated every issue Venues - What and where ---------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= The results of a recent survey which shows that gay men in Edinburh are considerably more likely than heterosexual men to be the subject of physical assault, should come as no surprise to any of our readers. Although the gay ghetto can give us a feeling of security, of being safe amongst our own kind, the very fact that we congregate in a relatively small area can allow us to be identified more readily by those who intend us harm. It's no coincidence that the number of queer bashings has markedly increased throughout Scotland since Brian Souter started spending his money on these vile Keep the Clause advertisements which are skilfully designed to whip up adverse feelings towards homosexuals. Mr Souter, himself, may be taking a chance when out on the streets. In Perth, from whence he and his wife hail, he's well known for his eccentric wearing apparel. It would be poetic justice indeed if some ignorant lout was to fail to realise that his red patent leather shoes were not of the type that would be worn by any self respecting homosexual and give him a doing. Not that we would wish such a salutary experience on anybody. Even Mr Souter. Section 28 seems to be throwing up some unexpected heroes. Certainly, who would have seen dear old Donald Dewar as a doughty champion of our rights? But a stalwart he seems to be when it comes to his desire to get rid of the discredited Tory law. Although I don't like the way he was wobbling as we went to press. And the Liberal Democrats with their two out MSPs, Iain Smith and Keith Raffan, have been excellent too. (Shame you were obviously in a hurry, Iain, when you walked past our Demo outside Edinburgh City Chambers the other Monday). Not forgetting the SNP's Roseanna Cunningham, who obviously won't be getting Brian and Batty Souter's votes next time she stands for election in Perth! But Alex Salmond's latest pronouncements are a bit of a scunner. You'd think, though, that Jack McConnell, Scotland's 'Chancellor of the Exchequer', would have learned something about the politics of gay oppression during the time he shared a flat with a gay man. However, reports in the national press indicate that he is one of those who think that the Scottish Executive may have to reconsider its position and bend to pressure from our opponents. If Labour loses Ayr at the by-election, it's not going to make much difference to the price of beans - it's only a bloody marginal anyway! Remember, there are more voters around who are practicing homosexuals than there are practicing Christians. As always, time will tell. But bearing in mind that New Labour never listens to anybody when they get it wrong (as over Student Financing and the Millennium Tent), why the hell should they be listening to Souter and his crowd when New Labour has, for once, been getting it 100% right? John Hein ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS ==== TUBBY BEAR'S MALICE HARMS LGBT GROUP Outright Scotland's plans to revive Gay Scotland as a monthly newspaper have been temporarily stalled as the result of a former editor's threats to a printer. According to Gay Scotland's new Editor, Andrew Wilson, former Editor-in-Chief Paul Bryan-Ivison has threatened to remove a major print contract from an English printer if they take on the job of Gay Scotland. Andrew told ScotsGay, "Ivison warned the printer that he would make sure that they would lose the business if they printed GS. Even though he may not have the absolute authority to shift the print contract he is the main contact with the printer and so he could easily pick on or invent a number of printing errors and lapses in quality over time that would force the decision to move printers." And ScotsGay has heard recordings which confirm Andrew's story. He continued, "Personally, I am exhausted, angry and disgusted. Paul has abused his position to stifle competition. He has also abused his position to carry out a petty, childish vendetta that only harms Scotland's oldest queer rights organisation and Scotland's queer communities." "His motivations can only be guessed at and I cannot see what he hopes to achieve." "There are other printers. We will deal with them instead. It will take more time. We may have to adjust our format and we may end up having to pay more for it. But we will do it. We will find a suitable printer for Gay Scotland. "We will then set about the process of producing a medium for information and communication by and for our diverse and disparate queer communities. We will produce a Gay Scotland." Ownership of the title reverted to Outright last year after Ivison abruptly ceased publication and left the country owing large sums of money. He had been attempting to sell his interests in the paper to Edinburgh gay businessman Barnby Miln who claims that he broke off negotiations when he discovered that he was being asked to pay for items of office equipment which were leased and didn't actually belong to the publication! Former car salesman "Mrs Tubby Bear" Ivison, now an undischarged bankrupt, subsequently surfaced as Editor of an English based gay publication, but moved to another post there following complaints from, amongst others, Pride Scotland. When we attempted to contact him for comment, Ivison did not return ScotsGay's telephone call. Perhaps because he feared we would add any conversation to our own recorded archive of the wit and wisdom of Mr Rusty Water! --------------------------------------------------------------- HOLYROOD ======== SEX SHUN 28 The Scottish Parliament debated section 28 for the first time early in February. The Tories proposed a motion to scrap repeal, while the Scottish Executive proposed an amendment to that motion to confirm its plans to repeal Section 28 and to review the curriculum guidelines on personal development, health and sex education. The Executive's amendment was passed by 88 votes to 18 with 3 abstentions. The 18 voting against were the entire Tory block, with the other five parties and Dennis Canavan voting for repeal. There are two more votes on this issue in the Scottish Parliament before the Ethical Standards Bill becomes law - one vote in late March on the principles of the Bill, and one in late June on the detail of Section 28 repeal. Despite this good result, it is vital that we continue our lobbying (see below), as there is no doubt that Keep the Clause will continue too. On the same day, the House of Commons voted by 263 votes to 102 to give a second reading to the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, which equalises the age of consent at 16 for all in Britain and 17 in Northern Ireland. There will be one more vote in the Commons on a later date, then the Bill goes to the Lords who can at worst hold it up for a few months, but cannot block it. The Commons vote followed a vote of the Scottish Parliament three weeks earlier by 90 votes to 17 in favour of equalising the age of consent and allowing a Westminster Bill to include Scotland. What you can do to help Repeal of Section 28 is supported by five out of the six political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament. However, we know that some MSPs have been receiving hundreds of letters opposing repeal. This letter-writing campaign has been promoted through some evangelical and other churches, and of course encouraged by the Daily Record and Scottish Daily Mail, whose biased coverage of this issue has been nothing short of disgraceful. Using Brian Souter's 500,000 pounds, there will be an ongoing advertising campaign for the next four months, trying to stop repeal. MSPs do listen to their constituents, and some of them will start to get very nervous about voting for repeal if their postbag continues in this way. Those of us who support equality for all under the law of Scotland are up against a million pound publicity machine, a professional PR company, some of the tabloid press, and the organisational structure of the Catholic and many Evangelical Churches. We must make sure that MSPs hear our voices too. We need to tell our MSPs that repealing Section 28 is the right thing to do, and that they have our support in voting for repeal. At the moment the impression is being given that the vast majority of people oppose repeal, which is simply not the case. Everyone resident in Scotland has eight MSPs - one constituency MSP and seven regional ("list") MSPs. It is important that we write to all of them, not just the constituency MSPs. All the Tory MSPs and most of the SNP MSPs are regional. To find out who your eight MSPs are, just go to this web page and enter your postcode: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/search-msp.htm You will be presented with a list of all eight of your MSPs. Alternatively, ring the Scottish Parliament on 0131-348 5000 and ask them. The address for all your MSPs is: Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Please write to all eight, saying that you are a constituent of theirs, and asking them to support repeal of Section 28. It's best to keep your letter quite short, and to keep it polite even if you dislike an MSP's politics! You might want to mention one or two of the following points in your letter (preferably in your own words): + The law should treat gay and straight people the same, and should not single out gay relationships as unacceptable, as Section 28 does + 56% of teachers say that Section 28 makes it more difficult to meet the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils + If you can say something about your own experience of homophobia or bullying at school, please do + Section 28 is bad for all pupils, as it legitimises intolerance and prejudice + You cannot turn pupils gay by opposing homophobic attitudes in schools and by giving support to gay pupils - "promoting homosexuality" is a myth + Repeal of Section 28 will help local authorities to make sure that their services are available to all people regardless of sexual orientation + If you can say something about your own experience of discrimination in local authority service provision, please do Please ask your friends and colleagues to write too! Updates on the Section 28 repeal campaign can be found on our website, at: http://www.diversity.org.uk/equality/ Thank you for your support! Tim Hopkins RESPECTING OUR FAMILIES AT LAST Jim Wallace, Justice Minister for the Scottish Executive, is introducing recognition of same-sex couples into Scots law for the first time. Mr Wallace has put down an amendment to that effect to the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Bill which is currently before the Scottish Parliament. Outright Scotland is delighted that the Executive are respecting their commitment to equality of treatment for all. Outright and other LGBT groups were responsible for alerting the Executive that the Bill as originally introduced was discriminatory. Unfortunately, the Executive's amendment does not bring equality even though it is a great step forward. THE BILL Put briefly, the Bill will require consultation with your "nearest legal relative" if you are incapacitated through, for example, an accident. At first, same-sex couples were not to be recognised even though unmarried mixed-sex couples were. This would have meant that a nephew you hadn't seen for years might have had more status than your lover of twenty years. It would also have meant that our families would have be disrespected yet again and that the Scottish Parliament would begin its activities legislating for inequality. The Executive now want to recognise same-sex couples but the test they want to introduce, though not outrageous, is not the same as the test for mixed-sex couples. What Outright Scotland and others have suggested is they use the formula which applies to UNMARRIED mixed-sex couples, that is "a relationship equivalent to that between a man and a woman living together as husband and wife". A BETTER WAY After consultation, Nora Radcliffe MSP submitted an amendment as suggested by Outright Scotland, the Equality Network and by Professor Kenneth Norrie of Strathclyde University. Nora is MSP for Gordon and sexual orientation Reporter to the Equal Opportunities Committee. Unfortunately the Executive have failed to understand the new amendment, despite Nora and other MSP explaining it to them, but at least they are willing to discuss the matter further. Strangely, Phil Gallie MSP has emerged as a champion of recognition of same-sex couples. He goes even further and wants almost all people who live together, such as "lifelong friends", recognised in law as having to be consulted where a person is, unfortunately, incapacitated. Pity this outbreak of common sense and decency does not extend to repeal of Section 28. With all-party support it seems like same-sex couples will be recognised in Scots law soon. The Executive's amendment would bring recognition for many same-sex partners, even though it would involve a different test applying to us than applies to heterosexual unmarried couples. Brian Dempsey Outright Scotland Assistant Secretary secretariat@outright-scotland.org A STRATEGY FOR EQUALITY The Scottish Executive's Equality Unit is currently consulting on their document "Towards an Equality Strategy". Outright Scotland feels that it is vitally important that the Unit hears from LGBT groups and interested individuals to ensure that LGBT equality is seen as a priority. Unfortunately, in a recent meeting with the Parliament's Equality Committee the representatives of the Equality Unit mentioned only sex, race and disability discrimination both in their presentation and in their briefing to MSPs. They did, however, acknowledge that they have a legal responsibility to tackle discrimination based on sexual orientation when challenged on the issue by MSPs Nora Radcliffe and Kate MacLean. This despite meeting with Outright Scotland and the Equality Network late last year. Yvonne Strachan, head of the Equalities Unit said "The equality unit was set up to support the Executive in its commitment to promote equality of opportunity. In doing that, it has three main remits. The first is to provide a single point of reference and advice in the Scottish Executive to ensure that the various aspects of equality are given a particular focus, and that information may be disseminated throughout the Executive. The second remit is to mainstream equality into all policy areas. The Executive is committed to ensure that equality of opportunity should be at the heart of policy making. For that to be developed, focus needs to be given to the principles of mainstreaming. The unit was established to assist the Executive in that task. The third remit is to promote equal opportunities within the Executive and beyond. That task will constitute raising awareness on equality of opportunity in various ways. The consultation document has been distributed to about 40 LGBT groups in Scotland for comment before 4th April. Further copies can be had by phoning the Equality Unit on 0131-244 5198. ---------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS BITES Hoots! Now that the Rothes Glen Hotel is a private residence, the 'Kilts in the Country' weekend which was held last April has changed its venue. Over the weekend of 7th to 10th April the event, for gay men who either wear or appreciate the kilt, will move to Inverness. There will be Scottish music, country dancing and ceilidh dancing. One evening will be a Burns Night. Further information from Ian Stirling, 69 Harbour Street, Nairn. IV12 4PY. Tel: Nairn (01667) 454760. Shut Crusaid, the HIV/AIDS fundraisers recently closed their Edinburgh office. Dundee Dundee Women's Performance Network will be in cahoots with Dundee Rep Community Department when they present Dundee's first ever women's performing arts festival. Called "Oestrogen Zone 3 - Three Times A Lady", the fest runs from 4th to 18th of March. Mr Gay UK Scottish heats for this popular contest will be at Icons@Club Mercado (Edinburgh) on Sunday 5th March, Club 2000 (Aberdeen) on Friday 17th March, Liberty Nightclub (Dundee) on Saturday 18th March, Bennets (Glasgow) on Friday 28th April and Queer Sunday@E2K (Edinburgh) on Sunday 30th April. Dumfries Monthly lesbian and gay nights are going to be held at the Burns Theatre. The first was on Thursday 3rd February and consisted of a showing of "Thelma and Louise". Further details from Dumfries Switchboard. Salt and Sauce, Please! Fags In the Scottish Highlands (FISH) is a new group aiming to use direct action to raise awareness of queer issues. They are looking for local supporters to join them. E-mail: fish_activists@hotmail.com or write c/o Box 114, The Glass House, 42 Birch Grove, London. W3 9SS. O'er The Border Danny Hearty has been appointed as manager of Outreach Cumbria which is based at 14 Portland Square, Carlisle. West To East After four and a half years as a volunteer and Information Worker with Body Positive Strathclyde, Paul Robertson has left to take up a new post with Gay Men's Health in Edinburgh. New Phace Charlie McMillan is the new Chief Executive at Phace West. He comes to the job after an 11 year stint working with young people in Edinburgh. World AIDS Day The next meeting of the Steering Group which is behind the organisation of WAD on 1st December is to take place in the Body Positive Strathclyde Centre on Tuesday 7th March at 6pm. All welcome! Grin and Bear It Starting 1st April the BearScots will hold a monthly meeting for bear lovers from 8pm in Edinburgh's Claremont Bar on the 1st Saturday of every month. WWW: http:// www.bearlovers.demon.co.uk/bearscots/ Web Weaving New websites this month include Outright Scotland (http:www.outright-scotland.org/), Liberty Nightclub in Dundee (http://www.liberty-nightclub.co.uk/) and the Steve Retson Project (http://www.steveretsonproject.org.uk/). Amnesty Amnesty International has welcomed the proposed repeal of Section 28. Welfare Rights Advice Offered within Steve Retson Information Unit at the GGLC, welfare advice work will now take place on every 2nd Wed of the month from 7pm to 9pm. It's a generalist advice service available covering Benefits, Finance, Housing, Legal, Employment & Consumer Rights. The Advisors have been trained by the Citizens Advice Bureau. Advisors - Marion & Connor. Co-ordinator - Michael Shreenan. If you want more details contact Michael Shreenan on 0788 0531198. Please note this number is not an advice line and is strictly for information on when the Advice Store is open. Ten Grand Former RAF technician Michael Stalker, sacked by the RAF in 1998 for being gay, has won a UKP10,000 settlement from the Ministry of Defence. The 27-year-old from Drongan, Ayrshire, had been scheduled to take the MOD to an employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal and sex discrimination. Edinburgh Funeral Pride Activist, Paul Craig, (27) who worked for both Pride Scotland and London Pride, was found dead in his London flat on 31st January. He had succumbed to a virulent strain of influenza. Call Me A CAB Citizens Advice Scotland is to hold an inaugural meeting on 11th March to ascertain what kind of support lesbians, gay men and bisexuals working in Citizens Advice Bureaux in Scotland would like. For further information (in strictest confidence), phone Ian on Nairn (01667) 454760. Chimera Six HND students in Promotion and Management at Jewel & Esk Valley College are holding a one night fund raiser for Waverley Care Trust. The event, which will take place on Friday 31st March in The Vaults, Niddry Street, promises to bring Edinburgh's premier clubs under one roof for a night of pure chaos. Bingo Bus The Glasgow based HIV/AIDS fundraisers Rainbow Fund will be having their annual outing to Blackpool on 29th April. -------------------------------------------------------------------- NUN-SENSE ========= It was good to see so many of the Gathered Faithful at the Switchboard Valentine's Ball in Edinburgh. Sister Bobby had to keep an eye on the gaggle of excited novices all on her own as poor old Sister Athletica de la Bain was stuck at a conference in Newcastle, or Birmingham, or some other dreary English city (aren't they all?-Ed.). We were also honoured with the presence of St Tim and met a plain clothes Sister from London. Many condoms were handed out and we even had some wonderful dental dams available. Hopefully they all got used later that very night. It has been suggested that some members of the Order are nothing but media whores. To refute such appalling allegations, Sister Bobby and Novice Brother Bimbo del Doppio Senso hauled themselves off to the studios of Grampian Television to appear on Loud TV blessing two straight couples and a pair of dogs. The dogs had been together the longest and seemed most likely to last, especially as the grooms went missing minutes before the filming. Not only were they nowhere to be found, but they'd disappeared with the Sisters' share of the hospitality! Novice Brother Bimbo offered to elope with the two brides, both stunning redheads, but they declined and the grooms were soon found hiding amongst the studio audience. No sign of the wine though. Still, no-one likes to see a nun in distress and more was soon provided. Immediately prior to recording, the Sister and Novice Brother were warned of three Very Naughty Words which they were not to use. For the record, they were "cunt", "motherfucker" and "Jesus Christ". A strange choice for a programme which, a couple of weeks earlier, had treated us to a middle-aged man in a gold lame suit dropping his pants to show off his Prince Albert and guiche (no, Editor, you don't want to know what that means. Trust us on this one). You can see that we only ever involve ourselves in high class, educational programming. Another fine and erudite programme is Sky's Prickly Heat. It's worth watching just to see Julian Clary making the wee straight numbers nervous. But best of all was a letter he read out, to the effect of "While all this female nudity is well and good, please could we see more cocks? Signed Sister Whip Me Beat Me, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Essex"! Bug of the Month: syphilis Symptoms: Stage 1 (10 days to 3 months after contact)- swollen glands in groin and painless sore on the penis, around or in the vagina, arse or mouth; Stage 2 (2 weeks to 6 months after sore heals, or 6 weeks to 8 months after exposure) - Rash on palms, soles of feet or over an entire body part. Doesn't usually hurt or itch. Stage 3 - DON'T ASK!!! Exposure: Direct physical contact with a sore to the bloodstream. Untreated: Affects the entire body. Can cause brain damage, paralysis and permanent blindness. Cure: Antibiotics 'Bug of the Month' is ripped off from Play Fair, written by Sister Dana van Iquity and published by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. in San Francisco. --------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE CHART =========== 1 Apparition Partial Hallucination (Original) Low Sense 2 L.S.G. Into the Deep E.P. Hooj Choons 3 Avatar Machine Life (Alternator Mix/Trance Mix) Dragonfly 4 Country & Western Positive Energy (Deep Cover Space Dub) Caged 5 Moby natural Blues (Peace Division Dub/Perfecto Dub) Mute 6 Science Department Repercussion Bedrock 7 Matt Darey presents DSP From Russia with Love (Matt Darey Original Mix) Liquid Asset 8 Evolution Phoenix (Evolution Original Mix) Fluid UK 9 Ritmo G 13 (Evolution Remix) Fluid 10 2 Smokin' Barrells Basses Loaded (Nave Dub) YoshiToshi 11 Schiller Ruhe (Humate Mix) Polydor 12 Krystal Burning Flame: Act III-The Final Instrumental FX 13 Oliver Lieb Subaumstimulation (Johnson Mix) Orbit/DMD 14 Mara Lateral Horizon (Paolo Gargano Remix) Choo Choo 15 Funk Function! Empress 1 White Label 16 Moloko The Time is Now (Matt Darey Vocoder Dub) Echo 17 Flickman Sound of Bamboo (Yomanda vs Hi-Gate Mix) Inferno 18 Silvio Ecomo Standing Bango 19 Durango 95 Drum Decay Duty Free 20 Axel Paradiso (Digital Monkeys Remix) Coded --------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSDYKE ========= Tartan it up Well girlz what do you think of our new re-location? We even got a bit of colour! Between you and me, I think the editor gave it to me so I wouldn't bawl about being moved, but it comes in handy this month as I have some pix of the first Gay Tartan to show you's and, well, what's the use in showing tartan in black and white? It would look like the latest in chess gear! Anyway I asked Erica to tell us a bit more about the tartan and here's what she said H. When did you first get the idea of a Gay Tartan? E. Last spring in a warehouse we had launched a Haddington tartan so I thought why not launch a Gay Tartan? H. How long did it take to develop? E. Using the colours of the rainbow flag it took about 4 to 5 months. H. Why do you think we need a Gay Tartan? E. Well there is every other tartan and I thought it would be fun and why not have one of our own? H. Is the Gay Tartan available in most tartan shops? E. Not yet, but what we are trying to do is mail order through our shop. H.Did you have any difficulties with manufacturers when you told them it was a Gay Tartan? E. None at all. H. Have you ever had anyone not buying it because it was a Gay Tartan? E. Not to my knowledge. H. Will it be listed as Rainbow Tartan in shops? E. Yes it is registered as Rainbow Tartan and it will be launched in April at a fashion show in Edinburgh. H. Are any of the proceeds of the gay tartan going to help the gay community? E. Yes. Some will be going to Switchboard and we are hoping to get a stall at the next Pride in Glasgow so we will be donating to that as well as other events. H. What items do you have in the Gay Tartan? E. As well as teddy's dresses in the tartan we also do ties, cufflinks, earrings, bow-ties, braces and waistcoats. H. If people have difficulty in buying some Gay Tartan how would they get in touch with you? E. They can pop in to the shop in Haddington at 6 Court Street or they can contact me on Haddington (01620) 824 570. So there you have it girlz - our own Gay Tartan and you could even rustle something up with it for the next night at Divas which will be on the 18th of March and it's a Latin American night. Love to all Heather heather@drink.demon.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR ====================== Hey you! (The Church). Me! (Garry Otton)... OUTSIDE! In almost five years of the SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR, I've not seen anything like it! All it took was an evangelical cunt with enough stushie to buy his way round a democratically elected Parliament. A prick of a church leader, lecturing to us about sex, after his own had long since shrivelled-up with disuse. And an arsehole, of the sort that can put together a Scottish edition of The Sun! Never mind Keep The Clause: Jack Irvine couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery! And then there were Scotland's papers! With everything, in the market place from Andrex to Bronco, what sent the Scottish public clamouring for dock leaves? On more than one occasion I was two prunes and a Senna pod away from shitting in an envelope and sending it to the Keep The Clause campaign. (Don't even think it, by the way! Only the responses he's requested, please to Keep The Clause, FREEPOST, SCO 5219, Perth PH2 8BR. For each one, Souter donates 20p to the Royal Mail)! The only anti-gay law brought in by a democratic government in modern times; Section 28 was a vindictive, spiteful law based on a dishonest Conservative political campaign. Junk waiting to be thrown out. That was before Brian Souter set off for the tip with a back- hander for the binmen. But "this is not homophobic," (Scottish editions of the Daily Telegraph). "We've got homosexual friends, I've had people with HIV in my house," (Daily Record). "I respect their rights...," (Scottish Sun). His weasel words didn't impress me. He might wear red shoes, but he's no Friend of Dorothy! The Church of the Nazarene is the beneficiary of his religionist addictions. "The church's application form for membership requires those who join to 'endeavour in every way to glorify God by a humble walk, godly conversation, and holy service' and 'abstaining from all evil, seek earnestly to perfect holiness of heart and life in the fear of the Lord.'" Except when it comes to running the competition off the road to build a business empire. "Ethics are not irrelevant, but some are incompatible with what we have to do, because capitalism is based on greed," he whined. Souter teamed up with Jack Irvine, Scottish Mirror columnist and owner of Media House, a PR firm used by the Daily Record. Yup! The same one used by Bank of Scotland after it forged links with televangelist Pat Robertson. Regular SMMers should already be familiar with Irvine's views on "slobbering queers." "A pretty young boy of 16 can't vote for his local MP, but he can now be buggered by him... Bum chums for sleazy old pervs." Otherwise he's not homophobic, oh no! "I have a long standing friend and client who is gay. I helped him when people wanted to out him. I'm not homophobic. I have gay friends." (Sunday Herald). Name one! Under a huge portrait of himself in the Daily Record Cardinal Winning smiled, "I'm no bigot," before showering Brian Souter in his praise. "I am happy with his Christian commitment. I applaud the man." Winning's loving arms were wide open: "It is heartening to see Christians from so many denominations coming together on this." With Muslims begging to join Catholic schools in Scotland for fear their children might learn what really went on during the crusades, The Herald columnist Anvar Khan wrote: "The gang's getting bigger." The Scottish Daily Mail set up a special team of journalists to rubbish our equality and declared a "wave of public revulsion" over teaching gays they were acceptable. The Daily Record's 'Brigadier' Tom Brown set aside this special time to humiliate himself in public. Shuffling about Anderston Quay in his dressing gown he pulled out his wee Bible and waved: "Hallelujah for Cardinal Thomas Winning and Brian Souter... What puts them in the same pulpit is a shared belief in promoting what is right and wholesome and opposing what is unwholesome and perverse... I haven't lived a sheltered life- entirely the opposite, in fact- and I know the wide range of acrobatics and abnormal activities heterosexual couples can get up to." He gave Brian a quick make-over: "At home, he is just another parent- with four young children... with every father's worries about his children's future." He was just doing something "for all parents." Brown afforded us a glimpse of his sick 'marriage' he wants promoted to kiddies in our schools: "...Really contented couples are a wife who thinks her man is an over-weight, untidy layabout... She feels superior and he gets to slump in the couch, having tea and biscuits and watching the footie. It's the recipe for the perfect marriage. Trust me, I know." All the while accusing us of militancy, he warned of "demos" funded by Souter's charity. This was supposed to counter "the well-funded, articulate gay movement with its access to the highest echelons of government." An extraordinary assertion given the backing Baroness Young received in an unelected chamber while Scotland's Equality Network struggles on UKP3,000 a year! The Scottish Sun bragged how Souter had been "offered backing by political groups in America, British trade unions and a number of 'disillusioned' Labour MPs and MSPs." The Daily Record still insisted "all Mr Souter is doing is evening up the odds a little for the silent majority." Awwww! "2:1 AGAINST GAY LESSONS... The people have spoken... The Record poll vindicated Cardinal Thomas Winning- who wants Section 28 retained and describes homosexuality as a 'perversion.'" Cardinal Winning was out of the country when he called gays 'perverted.' The Scottish Daily Mail asked: "Doesn't the Cardinal have a point...?" And fanning the flames of militant action: "Winning had reason to urge the silent majority to rise up." Scotland On Sunday shares militant extremist Gerald Warner with the Scottish Daily Mail. He repeated Wendy Alexander's story of her gay pal's experience of bullying in school. How she told an audience, "tomorrow... the first phone call I will make will be to that schoolfriend to tell him... 20 years on, kids at that same school in Renfrewshire will have a better chance of growing up at ease with themselves..." Warner scoffed. "Cue violins... pass round the Kleenex... Hollywood would love it. '(Say, is Tom Hanks available to play this Scottish guy that gets a hard time from the machos in the football team? How about Julia Roberts as this Alexander broad...?)'" In his obsession for all things homosexual, Warner declared: "Homofascism is now, aggressively and shamelessly, the ideology of the Scottish Eecutive... The turning point... was when they came for the children... an aggression by homosexuals... against our children. It is as simple and wicked as that... to proselytise in schools, to recruit adolescent boys at an age of confused identity, vulnerable to the false comfort offered by homosexual missionaries... The material directed at children is pornographic to the vilest degree... The useful idiot fronting this offensive is Wendy Alexander, the thirty-something Minithter for Communitieth... (sic). These are the dark forces which will blight the next generation if a stand is not made against them. Every opinion survey registers massive opposition to this programme for the systematic corruption of the nation's children... This is not a democratic government... A head of steam is building up, of public resentment against ...the strutting homosexual lobby. This mood will not now be reversed; the longer it is frustrated, the heavier the penalties that will be exacted from (the enemy) of Scottish decency. ...Why are we ruled by fat women...?" Stop reading now, and take a moment to visualise the duct tape over his mouth. The Scottish Sun could've grabbed the chance of ridiculing the Record and lashing out at the competition with a refreshingly liberal, lively, informed and forward-thinking opinion on sex education. What did the illiterazzi get? A sermon! "God put his own son in a household with a mum and dad... We are the ones who are today grateful to Brian Souter, the raiding of his charitable fund, and the righteous stirring of sensible Scots everywhere. To use a Biblical term, the thought of removing Section 28 is an abomination. To use another, the idea deserves the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah." It appears gays "have followed the call of their genes and by and large have forfeited the joy of children... Are we homophobic to reflect this? Not at all." And so sure of that they exhorted: "What better use of charitable money than to turn the tide of muddle-headed thinking that assaults young minds?" With the sniff of Souter's full-page ads doing the rounds, what better use indeed? The Scottish Sun's resident homophobe Jim Sillars had a glimpse of Scotland after repeal: "...Test tube births on a scale of millions, with the sperm of homosexuals conveyed artificially to women's ovaries, in order to give homosexuals full rights to have children. That test tube world is the only logical conclusion of the Tatchellite campaign of full and equal rights." Thank you, Jim. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view. When Old Mother (Joan) Burnie tried to contact Wendy Alexander, she was left "distraught, devastated and dismayed" when her "humble request for an interview" was knocked back. "That it should be a woman makes it doubly hurtful." The Record's Old Mother Burnie whined. "Wendy, Wendy, can't we kiss and make up?" Then bitched: "...Don't you think the Ann Widdecombe hair-style and wardrobe is inappropriate for someone as young and sweet-natured as you?" Meeeow! As Scotland emerged as an inward-looking theocratic state dominated by superstitionists, one senior editor solemnly observed to Iain Macwhirter of the Sunday Herald: "Could we all have got it wrong? Is this what Scotland is really like...?" Don't blame the public. This is the result of years of superstitionists peddling a pernicious moral propaganda through the media, government and schools. It has nothing to do with 'protecting children.' If that were indeed the case, they would be campaigning for the immediate adoption of the Dutch system of sexual education. Where kids are only 'saved' from sexual ignorance; there is a teenage pregnancy rate seven times lower than Scotland's; a lower incidence of sexual disease, and (as countless studies prove) kids actually start sex later. Torcuil Crichton wrote in the Sunday Herald: "If your own memory of sex education in school is of one of embarrassment and fidgeting - or a whole class giggling its way through a video - then you have a fairly accurate picture of what passes for sex education in Scottish schools today..." Things could only get better. While Scotland watched our Wend tighten her grip round the neck of the Clause monster, an insider at the Big Issue in Scotland informed me they had been disgusted by the campaign and were rethinking their ban on gay chatline ads. With new research undertaken in Italy and the US linking homophobia with homosexuality, should we not be questioning the very personal campaigns of Winning, Warner, Souter, Sillars, Irvine and Brown and asking: What is this really about, guys? CUT IT OUT! * The Daily Record declared: "For once, we haven't got anything to say." But that would have been too much to ask, wouldn't it? In fact, no-one could get them to shut the fuck up! The Daily Record's, homophobic editor Martin Clarke bathed in his own shite. Oh sorry, I mean an "avalanche of letters" (which he later admitted was only in the region of three or four hundred). And that doesn't include the fridge, garden gate and a soggy mattress its readers sent in response to the Record's kind offer of a free parcel collection service for boxes of signed petitions. If ever there was an argument for homosexuality to be discussed in schools, here it is: - "...Tyranny of the minority." Steve Barlow, Isle of Mull. "...Promoting filth." Joan Gray, Glasgow. "I'm an Orangeman yet find myself agreeing with Cardinal Winning on this issue." Steven McLean, Glasgow. (Why did you think Mandy was sent to Northern Ireland if not to prove we can heal the sectarian divide)? "Anyone believing Section 28 should be repealed... should watch Queer As Folk... gay pornography... a scene depicting child abuse." G Hunter, Clydebank. "At one time gays kept their problems to themselves..." J Hoolahan, Blantyre. "Sex education should be left to the parents..." Brian McLean, Edinburgh, "a practising homosexual." (That letter must've been planted, or Brian can go on 'practising' on his own)! "Let us keep (children) holy and upright as long as possible." John Arkle, Crawford. "Trying to teach homosexuality to our children and, if that is not disgusting enough...robbing the education system... and giving it to so-called opera singers who scream Italian songs no one understands." W Stewart, Greenock. "...The Government allows them into the armed forces. I can imagine the Last Post being sounded to the tune of Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major." D Cooper, Glasgow. Cheap advertising...? "Courage, the homosexual self-support group, consider gay sexual practices to be dangerously addictive. School pupils would be badly misled if this... was not presented in schools." G Pontier, Rutherglen. (What, so you can get your poisonous little hands on them, sweetheart)? "I would like to thank the Record for speaking up for the parents of Scotland... I am not homophobic but I want all children to be protected from the promotion of homosexuality." * Ooh look! Another Mary Campbell, Uddingston. This time in the Sunday Mail: "Filthy material... has already been printed, just waiting to be given to our schools in the guise of health education." Stockpiled, apparently, Mary according to 'er up the stair! * "We don't want our schools turning out a load of pansies." Bernard Manning. (Scottish Mirror). * Iain Johnstone, Macmerry, East Lothian wrote in The Herald: "The purpose of sex is procreation, not recreation... Any other approach to sex is a perversion and its practitioners are perverts. An octopus may have fun with a set of bagpipes but it is not sex." * "The promotion of homosexuality to children as young as five... Presently being pumped into British schools..." Scottish Mail. * "The Edinburgh-based Equality Network... e-mailed thousands... demanding action from members across the UK. The Equality Network refused to comment." Scottish Mail. Actually, they were never asked! And if they had would have pointed out a similar action by some churches. * Jack Irvine's 'letter' to Wendy Alexander in the Scottish Mirror indicates his position in slave/master relationships. Down on his knees. "I believe you are one of the best things to have happened to Scottish politics. You are clever, honest and energetic and would seem to have a brilliant future. In addition... I found you to be a thoroughly agreeable woman... However, your one fault, and it may recede with experience, is that you don't want to listen to ordinary people... I'm a wee bit worried that your young, malleable mind is being influenced by the elite company you keep in Glasgow's West End..." Whaddya wanna do Wend? Crack the whip or feed his dick through the shredder? "Maybe successful businessmen make you nervous..." Let's do the shredder! "Firstly, let me say I am writing this to you neither as a newspaper columnist nor the boss of a PR firm. I am writing to you as the father of two children... Before I was a father... I was the stereotypical, hard-drinking, hard-living newspaperman of popular legend... One night I was working on a story about a young runaway boy whom an evil gang of paedophiles had murdered and... the tears welled up in my eyes. I had to walk away from the desk to compose myself." Cue violins... pass round the Kleenex...! "Every parent who is reading this knows what I am talkin about... It was therefore not surprising that I received a call from... Brian Souter. ...He told me that he and some friends had been reading some of my recent Mirror columns. (Irvine wrote: "Remember, the next time an old fruit gets caught with his hands in a 14-year-old's pants, he will probably get off when he lisps: 'but I thought the boy looked 16).'" Irvine continued: "He asked if I would co-ordinate a Keep the Clause campaign... It took me all of one second to agree... We're just two Scots laddies who were brought up in council houses... Brian and I are getting tired hearing the protestations of the many gay activist groups." I will always cherish the original * "We already know to steer clear of places like the 'Pink Triangle' in the Broughton Street area... Isn't that enough...? Is it any wonder that there is a backlash from the majority...?" Tom Brown, Daily Record. * In delicious irony, the new Daily Record building on Anderston Quay - in the heart of Glasgow's red light district - leans over a massage parlour! garryotton@bigfoot.com Badges Of Shame! A forthcoming book by Garry Otton on the repression and distortion of sex by the media and church is being considered. Next month, author and MediaWatch columnist Terry Sanderson sits in while Garry takes a break. SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR web site! http://www.bigfoot.com/~scotmedia (c) Garry Otton 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GRANNY SPICE ============ Clause 28 -a cautionary tale of money, the churchman and the minister. The story so far - a sexy young attractive woman government Minister takes on a self- seeking misogynist cleric "I'm a Prince (or, is it a Queen?)-on your knees!" (One wonders where he's said that before?- maybe at Blairs, former home of another Grampian Quine! ) Not for Winning the piety and quietism of Cardinal Basil Hume. Having initially fucked up all his press conferences and cover-ups in the past, he's better trained now. He spits it out over the airwaves and in the press, "Homosexuality, it's a perversion, they are anti-family and disease spreading"-(BBC Radio4). Ever frightening and misinforming, I thought it was Mugabe? He's mastered the baby posing for the pro-life terrorists photocall Why not? He's a politician isn't he? Oh he's a priest... I forgot, he just tells his sheep (flock?) how to vote. Soon joined by a red flag singing multi-millionaire Winning's poof-bashing wagon gathers momentum. "No, I didn't pay my Poll tax (render unto Caesar), but I'll spend every penny to thwart Parliament on Clause 28!" Welcome to democracy Scottish style. Any more beatings in Edinburgh this week? Well it's ok-the Cardinal says they are perverts, and disease spreaders, I heard it on BBC Radio 4. Yet again, while sunning himself in Malta (as pensioners shiver in Scotland), he attacks us, calling gays Nazis which is rich coming from a cult which breeds fascism, intolerance and anti-Semitism and whose leader Pius XII -- a rampant germanophile kept silent while Jews and gays were slaughtered. Not satisfied with his coverage, now we have banner of truth Ronnie Convery, a pint-sized spinner (product of a catholic-oriented newspeak factory in Hope St not known for its Reithian traditions.) Whitewash handy, the diminutive spinner dispenses economic veracity to the press on what he claims Winnie really said, but was misreported yet again. (All the while people are being assaulted in the name of God). Tell that one to the mother of a murdered son! No balance is ever given to rebuff their slickly prepared performances nor the anti-gay propaganda. We are portrayed. as threatening, propagandist and as having friends in high places. The Head of their PR machine describes us as "slobbering old queers" Many appear uncomfortable with their own sexuality. But are their Catholic/Christian friends in the media tipping the balance in their favour? Winning's diatribe continues... There are no Catholic homosexual teachers or, if there are we'll get rid of them! There are no priest abusers. But yes, I have set up a contingency fund for claims of abuse (must think of Peter's pence). Here endeth the press conference. Observing, a quiet cleric called Father John Breslin of St Bride's, (who has counselled) and saved from suicide "victims" of the Cardinal's homophobic propagandists in the past slips away in despair as truth is persistently distorted. Assaults on Gays continue to mount... Witchfinder Tom urges caution. No hanging of pooves under bridges-we've been down that road... Just put the frighteners on a few MSPs including the jittery Nationalists. As for lovely Wendy according to the papists she's mad! But, then those dried up "alleged" celibates don't like women- they like the drink and the races and boys for the crack of course! Which crack? The saga continues, a young woman struggles with an ignorant (i.e. not knowing), Catholic girl friend to an NHS hospital. Inside Winning's fellow-travelling doctors refuse the girl a termination. Fortunately, trains still run to England, she leaves like so many before her. Is this my Scotland of 2005?: Winning preening in his scarlet flummery. "Does my bum look too big in this papal tiara?" Francoist Warner goose-stepping alongside while the Diva presides over mass conversions to Rome of fundamentalists/misogynists and homophobes. A backward step to intolerance and hounding sometimes to the death for gays? Clerics and millionaires setting the political agenda? Look how fucked up Ireland is with religion! But the south is coming out of the darkness, Romanist scandal and hypocrisy have seen to that! World Pride 2000 is in Rome- Go and fuck some sense into those priests! Beti. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LETTERS ======= Negative Message With regards to the front cover of issue 31a, my partner and I and a close friend all feel that the cover did not give a positive gay message and in our opinion it was the worst cover photo ever printed on a ScotsGay magazine. I am sorry, but a bitch lesbian (nothing against lesbians as we are gay and our female friend is bisexual) with a cigarette in her mouth, puffing out smoke, wearing a yellow anorak walking around town with a police cone is not a positive message at all. Anyway, that's our opinion, and I hope you will take this as positive feedback. The gay community suffers from enough discrimination because of a negative portrayal given to us by the press and society and we feel that the image that was used on the front cover only plays into their hands, as the media has a misconceived opinion that all lesbians are arrogant, butch and fat and that all gay men are camp and effeminate. Name and address supplied. Cover girl Heather replies: It was a spliff; the 'anorak' was a fairly expensive jacket and what about the stereotype of the image-obsessed gay man? +++ Big is Beautiful! I was saddened to read the article on eating disorders in the latest edition of ScotsGay. As we approach the new Millennium, the gay community is still obsessed with the "body beautiful", to such an extent that one of our own has been forced to consider dangerous and sometimes fatal surgery. There was a case last year in a BBC documentary where someone undergoing this form of surgery died on the operating table. As a large gay man, I have been out on the gay scene for almost 24 years, in varying degrees of largeness, and have had experience of being pilloried for my size. However, I have refused to let it ruin my life. Just look at how many magazines feature contact adverts and sections catering for the larger man. Those who admire the larger man are now coming out of a closet within a closet and are unafraid to show the world that big is beautiful. I feel that the gentleman in question should see a counsellor who specialises in working with those who have been abused, and talk things through the issues surrounding abuse. This would do a lot more for raising self-esteem than any operation. I, too, can sympathise with the situation as regards boyfriends. One has to move on, and there is life and love out there if one believes in oneself. If magazines such as ScotsGay and other featured larger men within the pages of their journals, a lot more people would be happy with themselves. I am ashamed to feel part of a community which talks of diversity and inclusion, but seeks to alienate some of that community because they do not look like something out of a fashion magazine. A new century dawns. Perhaps our community really will embrace diversity! Robbie Campbell 15 Grafton Place, Townhead, Glasgow. +++ Depressed I am a gay person in my early 20's. It was with great interest I read the article you printed on bulimia, and I can sympathise with some of the problems the writer encountered, although on a smaller scale. Since I was 13 I have suffered from self hate, and since 15 self harm, becoming increasingly severe as time went by. It ranged from scratching myself with a compass when I was 15, to cutting chunks out of my body with a razor blade when I was 21, I have also been known to crack bones and burn myself. People don't understand why, and after 4 years of counselling I only have a slight understanding of why it happens. I also suffer from severe depression, so deep and dark that I have tried to end my life on more than one occasion. I should be enjoying my life, not suffering for who I am. Some people think I should feel lucky that I have not some physical disease, but believe me, I'd rather be dying than having to live with this mental strain for the rest of my life. I take anti-depressants, have done constantly for 5 years now, you name it, I've tried it, I get relief for a few months with some, but I always end up where I started, back in the black hole. I had bulimia for a time, still find it hard to resist the urge, just another way of trying to feel some kind of self confidence from within, but it didn't matter how much weight I lost, I still felt like the fattest person on earth. So you could safely say I have not come to terms with who I am, I was brought up with homosexuality being next to murder in the bible, so what am I supposed to think of myself? I'm brainwashed. I really try to accept that I am gay, but unfortunately a lot of people who are very comfortable with who they are make life difficult. I went to the local gay club regularly for the last two years; it felt good to have somewhere to go where I thought people understood. But then one night when I was in the club I was assaulted for no reason at all, very wrong place at the wrong time, that is when you realise not everyone in there is your friend, when you need them most. I was sober and asked for help, but I was told to leave if I wanted any help (Police attention). People who I thought had been my friends turned their back on me, I walked out hurting because I had been assaulted, but hurting even more inside because I had been rejected. I involved the Police, I had to, or there would have been no justice at all, maybe there still won't be, they asked questions about the place where I had been, and why I thought they may not have wanted Police intervention, I wasn't going to lie, I told all, I was asked to make a written statement, I did so. Now things are even worse. People would rather believe it was all a grudge against this club than see it for what it really is, serious lies have been told to help them save face, they don't care if I suffer, just about making money. I have taken no action against this club, as I was advised to do. To let you understand, I am from a very religious background, I am not a troublemaker, and because of this whole event my parents have found out about my partner and myself, not a nice thing to happen, so if anyone has suffered because of this it is me, it is me who is having the panic attacks and flash backs, it is me who is having to deal with a devastated family and it is me who is being punished for telling the truth (The owner has banned me - his prerogative). Maybe somebody else would have coped better, but life wasn't a bed of roses as it was. The whole situation is making me ill, perhaps if they are reading this they will feel proud that they have had such an effect on me, important even, but it isn't something to be laughed at, I am not one of the OUT confident types who likes a drunken fight on a Saturday, I am someone who has been fighting with an illness for years, and I don't have much fight left in me. And the sad thing is, when they read this, it'll add fuel to their fire and they'll bear an even bigger grudge, because they don't seem to care. Gay people should stick together, not bitch like seems to be the norm. We may not think we need each other, but when someone turns their back on you when you need them most, you'll know how it feels. Name and address supplied ------------------------------------------------------------------- GLASCHU/GLASGOW Hiya Scumbagz! Well, what happened to all my Valentine cards then? Bloody typical of you lot! I get loads of smutty E-mail, but still no sign of potential boyfriend material on the horizon! (Sniff) Still, best wishes to Jamie and the lovely Jaye who've just got engaged. What a nice couple they make. Glad to see more of our diverse community exchanging rings. Jaye-chuck the flowers in my direction, 'cos I never give up hope. Austins is packed out when there's live entertainment on. It's not easy filling a pub on a cold Tuesday night in February, but a good crowd turns up to see Colin, Nadeen, Laura or whoever happens to be on at the Tuesday Club. D.J Wendy from the Waterloo does a stint on Wednesday and Friday nights. Nothing's finalised for Saturday, but something will be organised shortly. For those of you who like Karaoke, Betty B and Jason are doing Sunday nights-you'll know them both from the old Austins, and Betty B can still be found down at the GGLC on Fridays, alternating with Matron Ricky and Francine. Centurion Health Club has changed since I was last in. The new heating has made quite a difference-it was certainly warm enough when I was in last week. I know some of you prissy queens wouldn't be seen dead in a sauna because you're a bunch of stuck up wankers, but you really should give it a try. A session on the exercise bikes, gym equipment or sweating it out in the steam room could do wonders for some of you fat bastards who wonder why you never get a shag! (I refer the Honourable member to his opening paragraph-Ed.) The private cabins were all permanently occupied-the clientele taking the chance to enjoy some quiet relaxation in peaceful solitude. I've always found it quite funny how the sauna-queens in Edinburgh are so shy, gripping their towels tightly round them, unlike those on the West Coast. Nice to see that the value of Stagecoach shares have plunged 60% to a record low. Poor old Brian Souter might soon need the dosh he's put aside for his "Keep the Clause Campaign" to keep his buses on the road. Please note that it is probably a criminal offence to waste his money by sending blank postcards, empty envelopes, old telephone directories etc to "Keep The Clause", FREEPOST, SCO 5219, Perth, PH2 8BR as anything sent costs his campaign at least 19p. Apparently he's even received a garden gate with matching fridge and soggy mattress! It's perfectly legal to add your comments to his website at http://www.keeptheclause.co.uk/. The vast majority of the postings so far have been in favour of repealing Clause 28. He must have been soooo relieved when a recent "technical problem" stopped more of us from adding our views! If any of you stroppy queens and dykes actually want to get your fingers out of your arses and do something about the bullshit from Souter and the tabloids, there are regular meetings in the GGLC on Wednesdays at 5.30pm. You can help by going around the bars getting signatures etc-get down to the meetings and offer a hand! It's disappointing these days to note that all those doing all the fighting and campaigning generally tend to be in their 30s and 40s. There are some younger people involved, but the younger generation should learn that the whole LGBT fight for acceptance requires a bit of effort, rather than sitting on your arse hoping somebody else will do all the lobbying and letter writing. Don't kid yourself that the whole Clause 28 issue is irrelevant to you-the press are using their predictable scaremongering tactics with talk of "protecting schoolchildren" (not from their parents, the group most likely to abuse them) and "promotion of homosexuality". This incitement to hatred has already lead to 4 queerbashings in the past 2 weeks in Glasgow (that I know of) and one threatened stabbing in one of the clubs. If you think all this doesn't affect you, think again. You might be the next victim now the trash media have declared open season on us. Welcome to the fight! Planet Peach is attracting a reasonable crowd these days. The guys are a bit pissed off with the Poo, who barred them from putting out flyers in their bar- no problem, just do like we did with Penelopes and leave a pile on the window sill outside! I had the same difficulty some time ago with one long-gone and even more forgotten Poo-Fhrer who tried the same thing. One date to keep clear is Monday 6th March, when ABBACADABBRA will be doing a PA at Planet Peach. It's a Rainbow Fundraiser night, and there'll be raffles, safer sex packs and a buffet. Tickets are UKP5 in advance and UKP7 on the door. What's happening about Madam Rickitt? Is she still doing a PA? I had a moan last month about Bennets, the Poo and the Uni LGBT Society's websites that were months out of date. Bennets are now (allegedly) updating their site. I've given up hope of the Poo updating theirs which hasn't changed for 2 years. Their heads must be too far up their arses to let their fingers out, so we can probably expect them to still be advertising DJs who disappeared a P45 and a divorce ago, well into the next millennium. The good news is that the UNI LGBT Society now has a nice new website at http://www.gla.ac.uk/Clubs/LGB with lots of information for you academics. And talking of the Poo, I see they are no longer open during the afternoons on weekdays. They've also started charging UKP2 to get in with a flyer at the weekend. No doubt the theory behind this ploy is that after you've paid UKP2 to get in, you'll stay there, rather than fork out another fiver to get into Bennets. The Boogie Bar up in Hope Street is increasingly popular with the LGBT crowd. It's open Mon - Sat 12 noon till midnight and serves food. There's a Sci Fi night on Tuesday, student night on Thursday, 70s night on Friday and Walter does his ABBA revival night on Saturdays. The theme of the entertainment is 70s revival, and the place is going down well with the twinkies as well as the older crowd. Mary Kiani opened up her new club Slave down on Clyde Street this weekend in the old Hatt Club building. Not much feedback yet, but it seems like they're targetting a gay- friendly crowd and play fairly hard dance music, including Chicago House (don't ask me what that means). Gay nights are planned. From Tuesday 7th of March, Big Greg promises a night of fun down in the GGLC, with quizzes and competitions. Should be good for a larf as he goes down well with the punters. He also tells me that Penelopes will re-open in June. The GGLC held a Poetry and Writers evening last Wednesday hosted by Viv Gee, with a selection of poetry from Edwin Morgan. It attracted over 50 people, and will be repeated on the third Wednesday of every month. Other events to look out for are the Rocky Horror night on 26th Feb and St Patricks Night on 17th March. The regular quiz night on Thursday, Karaoke on Friday and Sunday continue to draw good crowds. And now we move on to the Pub and Club ratings which you all love so much! Austins and the Waterloo tied for Best Pub (34%), Trade got best Club Night (42%), Best Club was Bennets (87%), Best Service went to the Waterloo (36%) with Sadie's, Del's and the Poo all on equal last place at 1% each. No doubt you're all dying to know who got the Biggest Dump Award - the Poo was way out in front at 46%, followed by Del's on 28% and Sadie's came third at 10%. If any of their bar staff want to give me a hard time over the figures, don't fucking bother to waste your time! This is what the scene thinks of your pubs - if you don't like it, either shut up or shape up! SNIPPETS Been asked by Jason to tell you he's appearing in "La Cage Aux Folles" at The Kings Theatre from 24th to 29th April.t The rest of it and so on.t I keep raising the supply of ScotsGay to Borders Books, and every month they keep on running out! Quite a feat for a shop to move 3% of the total Glasgow quota at UKP1 a copy (Keeps the Small Bald Ginger One in designer clothes) t I remarked a few issues ago that the rate of new heterosexual HIV infection in Scotland had outstripped the number of gay cases. This has now been repeated in the national figures. Obviously the infection rates in the gay community are still too high, but the message is getting through. It's still the case that young gay men are still at risk, which is why any youngsters reading this should get in contact with Steve Retson Clinic, Phace West and the other safer sex organisations for information. I know it's a cliche that some people get infected after only 1 shag, while others can be absolute sluts and get away with it - ever wonder why? t Self - defence classes are held on Sunday afternoons at the GGLC - contact Gary or Jason at the centre for details. t Some of you sad losers are still wearing combats! It's 6 years since I dumped mine 'cos they were becoming fashionable, and you wankers still think they are trendy! Right then, better get this off to the Small Bald Ginger One cos it's way overdue! Send any gossip, scandal etc to the address at the back of the mag, or by e-mail. Love, Goldilocks Website:- http://www.gay-glasgow.co.uk E-mail:- goldilocks@gay-glasgow.co.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------- DUN EIDEANN/EDINBURGH ===================== A big kiss to everyone who's e-mailed since last month. The more of you that get on the net, the more that you E-mail me. If YOU have any comments -maybe we haven't covered your favourite night spot sufficiently, whatever - let us know... Right then, Kickin' off with Edinburgh's favourite night club... JOY! Now in its seventh year, you don't need me to tell you just how big JOY! is. A true phenomena, JOY! bucked all trends again by being busy as hell early in Y2K. Maggie and Alan rewrote the book with a constantly evolving gay night that straights die to get into. The JOYous pair remain the resident DJs located in the main dance area playing House, Trance and Techno. If you like a really happy crowd, you'll love this. At the same time the sooo shy Trendy Wendy and super-fly Sally Findlay crank it up in the back room with D.I.S.C.O., chart stuff and other camp nonsense. The next JOY! is on 4th March. Get there early and get in cheaply. So what of Alan Joy's other clubs, MINGIN' and FILTH? Well, in Alan's own words... "Ive decided to discontinue FILTH, my dress-code club... although the people attending had a great time and certainly let their hair down, the numbers were not sufficient for it to survive. MINGIN' has taken over its slot and will now run fortnightly. People seem to be very pleased with news of the double dosage!" So you too can be MINGIN' twice a month... check it out on 11th and 25th of March at Studio 24. It's only a fiver to get in! Must say hi to Laura, Danny, Helen, Sean, Dougie and the lovely Tim who all had a fab time at the Lothian Switchboard Lesbian and Gay Ball at the Assembly Rooms. Traditional bagpipes, Ceilidh, and Trendy Wendy (again) with a marathon stint in the Tackno room. Perfect. Congratulations to all the Switchboard volunteers who worked as hard as hell, as well as the more than able Planet Out bar staff who took care of the drinks side of things. We were wondering if cute bar boy Funky Alan could wear any less. Please. Alan is a promoter of ICONS at Club Mercado. Their next big night will be Mr Gay UK ICONS on March 5th. So if you fancy your chances at being Edinburgh's chief pretty boy then you know where to go. Details are sketchy as we go to press but we're promised a great time. Staff at ICONS have a good track record and know how to create a real party atmosphere. This is the Must Attend event in March. Now regular readers will wonder why I've been so nice lately. It's true that ScotsGay's strength has always been its honest reporting of the scene, good or bad. That's why people read it. Well, fear not and read on... At the top of this piece I said that I was getting more E-mails than ever and that y'all should keep 'um coming. Now I want you to vote on the scene's best and worst. A chart will be published every month, with best and worst getting plenty of free publicity. Don't keep it to your self! Tell us about it! E-mail at the address below or snail mail to the address printed at the back. Next month, I'll get around to the already promised special on gay eateries and take a closer look at ICONS Mr Gay UK. Yum! All the best, Martin Walker mgwuk@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DUN-DEAGH/DUNDEE ================ The unexpected has happened - Liquid Silk has dried up. It seems that he offended Ms Grumpy just once too often and threats were made causing him to resign promptly with honour and health intact. In the meantime, our small bald ginger one has asked me to fill in until a permanent replacement is appointed. One thing you have to say about Ms Grumpy, he's not afraid to book medium sized acts into a small club. But it seems that the half pint size Terry George won't be around for the Dundee heat of Mr Gay UK which is to be held in Liberty on Saturday 18th March. Brian tells me that, unlike most heat venues, he'll be operating a one person one vote system instead of having a small but select judging panel. That means that you, the punter, have the chance to select the winners. 1st prize UKP150, 2nd 75 and 3rd UKP25. Other forthcoming attractions at the club include bus loads of Edinburgh folk from Queer Sunday coming up on 24th March for a Queer Friday (contact Grant at Queer Sunday if you fancy the trip) followed by an appearance by Rozalla at a Freedom Party the following night. According to Brian, who seems to have a penchant for acts I'm too young to have ever heard of, Rozalla had a number of hits in the late 80's including Everybody's Free and Are You Ready To Fly? Personally, the late licence until 3.30am seems more interesting. You can now read all about Liberty and BarXS on their new web site at http://www.liberty- nightclub.co.uk/. The pictures on this page have been taken from the site and are the more restrained ones! Charlies has been increasingly busy of late. New Year saw the place packed whilst Liberty failed to pick up trade as most folk just went home when the pub shut. Charlie has been running a number of promotions including cut price Holsten Pils - just a shame that the T- shirt offer expired 4 years ago! The community seems to have pulled together over proposals to open a Rave Night Club next door to Libertys. After receiving letters from all and sundry, the licencing board knocked back the proposal on the grounds of 'Public Order and Safety' which must have come as a slap in the face to Ecan Leisure who also operate Club 2000 in Aberdeen. The recent meeting between Tayside Health Board and other interested parties in Dundee has lead to a decision to appoint an HIV Prevention Officer. Look out for the post being advertised soon. And that's it for this month. If you don't want to hear from me again, why not offer to fill my place? If you feel you can do as well or better, phone 0131-539 0666 or E-mail editorial@scotsgay.co.uk. Iain iain@drink.demon.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OBAR DHEADHAIN/ABERDEEN ======================= Blimey, it doesn't seem like a whole month since the last issue, does it? Time flies when you're having fun, I suppose, although I don't know if fun is the word I would use. Having finally found a proper job, I'm beginning to wish I was still a dosser... Well, for those of you who visit the City Bar on a regular basis, you'll have noticed the change of decor in the toilets - well, the gents anyway. Mark, one of the regulars to be seen propping up the bar, has transformed what was rather dull into a bright, happy place to be! Tom of Finland-style characters are painted on the walls, looking over a white picket fence, with the sun blazing down from above! It's quite a superb job really, so top marks there. If you're interested, my flat is in dire need of some interior design...It's actually been fairly quiet in the CB recently. Not just a lack of punters in the early evening, but since Chris has been on holiday my visits there have been rather peaceful!!(I know I'm going to regret this...) But I'm well used to getting my head bitten off these days, as I discovered on a recent visit to Club 2000. It would seem that my comments in the last issue did not go down well either with management or DJ. I'm not going to apologise for what I said, as I was merely reflecting the views of several people that had made similar comments. After all, one of my jobs is to put forward the views of the public, especially if they're afraid to speak out themselves. It would seem that I have been rather down on C2k of late, but that's just a reflection of the number of bad comments I hear. I will still point out that the best course of action if anyone has a grievance about Club 2000 is to speak to the powers that be. After all, they're the only ones that can do anything about it! Lust is the next new thing to happen in Aberdeen. I paid a visit last Friday, but I'm afraid I wasn't too impressed. It seemed like any other night in Rabbies! DJ Steve was having a right old time of it too, as he was suffering from dodgy headphones. Still, if you want a down-to-earth night with down-to-earth prices, that's your bar! On a rather serious note, I saw a flyer issued by Aberdeen Drugs Action on the counter in the City Bar. It warned that a batch of pills in Holland had been found to contain strychnine, which is used as a rat poison. Since most ecstasy tablets in the UK come from that neck of the woods, those of you who partake would be well warned to take heed. They're 9mm in diameter, 4mm thick, yellowish in colour, with brown speckles and no logo. Care should be taken with pills anyway, but please be extra-vigilant. Further information can be obtained by contacting Drugs Action. Finally, it would seem that Grampian Television is attempting to haul itself kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. Those of you who watched Loud TV (Mondays 11.30pm, ITV) will already have seen a few familiar faces on the goggle-box. Gawd, and I thought you lot were all closets!! And as ever, the bloody Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence got in on the act. Blessing dogs on the telly? Whatever next? (But where was Sister Ovina Fornicata, Tender of the Blessed Flocks of Aberdonia?-NBBdDS) Take care, people. Love to all. Gus gus@drink.demon.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MOIREIBH/MORAY ============== Here we are again, folks, in amongst the snow and the rain but we do love it in this part of the world, eh? Another quiet month once again as The Plumm and I have just finished discussing, over several strong cups of coffee. The biggest event was the Moray Social Group Ceilidh held in the Park House Hotel which has rapidly become home from home. A good turnout to the party started the ball rolling and soon the kilts were spinning to the music of 'Ceilidh Sound' a fabulous two piece band who came complete with very fetching pink shirts, which was even more coincidental as they had had no idea what kind of occasion they had been booked for. They'll be asking from now on, though! Unfortunately everyone behaved themselves (which makes a change) and no scandal can be reported from the evening. As usual, though, those brave enough to venture out in their kilts ended the night in Joanna's nightclub which must have been an horrific experience for those who agree that 15-odd tartans don't go very well with the lovely yellow carpet! Grampian Police in Moray have been wonderful once again and created a post for one of their officers to become the LGB liaison in the area. This will be an officer who will deal exclusively on behalf of our clan and will be involved in any LGB related cases. This will help to make it easier for anyone to come forward and speak confidentially to the police about gay issues and not feel that they are incriminating themselves or putting themselves in a compromising situation. I received a call from the police headquarters asking me to go along and meet the potential candidate and I have to say she was very welcoming and full of enthusiasm. Her appointment is yet to be confirmed but I asked if she'd mind me mentioning it in the column, which she didn't, but don't all rush up there to speak to her just yet, I'll keep you up-dated on any progress. After loving it so much the last time we went, Charlie and I took a return visit to wonderful Dublin, where everyone is still gorgeous, and to add to the fun we went with two straight (yes, straight) male friends. We were on a mission to show them exactly what they were missing! Part of this process involved taking them on a night out to the George which is the gay venue in Dublin. They loved it! Despite latching on to a couple of (actually very nice) girls, by the end of the weekend we had converted them into total acceptance of our ways - in mind, if not in body! What's going on with the homophobic lot, then? Someone, allegedly that Mr-I-Own-The- Buses-Souter, has splashed out on big bloody bill-board posters at the side of the road - there's one as you drive into Elgin - advertising the opinion that Section 28 should stay. 'Keep The Clause' it yells out in big red letters after quoting some old dear from Inverness bleating about how her two kids could be asked to partake in homosexual role-play in the classroom. Typical! We never got that option when I was at school before the clause came in. The youth of today have got it all and better toys than we had, too. It's just not fair. Mind you, anyone who watched the first series of Queer as Folk will have had a giggle at Souter's expense as his worst nightmare appeared on the screen. In the scene after Nathan has just been shagged by Stuart, he's climbing onto the bus while shouting out to his friend Donna, "I'm doing it! Really doing it!" As he's waving out the back window the bus pulls away and the huge 'Stagecoach' logo is emblazoned across the screen! See, Mr S secretly approves by advertising his company on our homosexual TV programmes! Bless. Talking of homosexual programmes (?) what is that Loud TV all about? It's not a gay programme but it did have the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on it the other day. It's a shame we couldn't actually hear what Sister Bobby was saying for all the squealing coming from the stupid mutt in the bow-tie just off screen! And the dog wouldn't shut up, either. Quality programming! Anyway I'll stop ranting now and sign off for another month so take care and make the most of every minute! Dr. Kenniff --------------------------------------------------------------------- SCENE PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED! =========================== Do you like to take pictures as you go around the fleshpots of Scotland? Don't you think these pages would look better graced with your photographs? If so, E-mail: editorial@scotsgay.co.uk. Until then, here's a sexy airliner from our layout artist's porn collection. This Boeing 737-33V (G-EZYK, MSN 29335) was photographed at Luton Airport at about 2.30pm on August 2nd 1999. A regular visitor to Scotland, she is the 3094th 737 built. Get those pix in, or next time it's one of Hein's signal boxes! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FILMS ===== by Malcolm Epstein The tendency to make feature films longer is the current trend although greater length is no guarantee of greater quality. Newish writer director Paul Thomas Anderson made Boogie Nights a hit although it was at least half an hour too long for my taste. His latest Magnolia (18) lasts three hours and ten minutes. So maybe American audiences want longer times in cinemas to stop thinking about their crime rate that is rapidly rising. For decades French movie makers have made films about a cross section of people without much connection in the storylines. Magnolia does this with rather too many four-letter words. Mr Anderson managed to persuade Tom Cruise to do a lengthy cameo which has brought him a Golden Globe award in the Best Supporting Actor class. And. As Hollywood has money to burn, there are amusing special effects at the end if you are still in your seat. Writer and director Anthony Minghella, who won awards for The English Patient, has adapted a Patricia Highsmith thriller The Talented Mr Ripley (15) for the screen. Multi- millionaire's son Jude Law spends his time sunbathing on the French and Italian rivieras and his father pays Matt Damon to go there and persuade him to come home and work at absolutely anything. Poverty stricken Matt's sense of humour appeals to Jude and fiancee Gwyneth Paltrow to include him in their circle. But it all turns sour when Mr Law shows a schizophrenic side to his personality. A quality movie only marred by the vagueness in the writing of the scene where Jack Davenport could be fancying Matt - which may well have been as it was in the book. Lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas must see Topsy Turvey (12) - a Mike Leigh dramatisation of their period in Victorian London squabbling over the writing of their constantly revived shows. In fact, "HMS Pinafore" has just started a run at the Savoy Theatre where it first received rave reviews in 1878. Opulently costumed, it has the pick of British singers and character actors with another performance by Timothy Spell that I will long remember about behind the scenes dramas rehearsing "The Mikado". Essential to anyone who has enjoyed their music and lyrics. There has been no shortage of filmed versions of Jane Austen novels and Mansfield Park (15) has more poignancy than the others as new writer director Patricia Rozema has based it not only on the book, but the writings of the Austen personality of the time. It is a Cinderella story of an impoverished girl adopted by wealthy relatives early in the 19th century when the ambition of most females was to marry a man of means. Her guardian here, Harold Pinter, is outraged when she rejects a rich suitor. The difference between family conflicts then and now make it engrossing viewing as does a very attractive cast. American lawyers have certainly led the way in making tobacco companies pay for the health care of people addicted to smoking. Mississippi and 49 other states won $246 billion in court. The Insider (15) is the story of a top scientist, Russell Crowe, former head of research and development at a tobacco company, who was a central witness in court cases after the head of the country's biggest tobacco companies had perjured themselves by insisting smoking was not addictive. Al Pacino plays an investigative TV reporter and lawyers to defend their case. A film for those who want to see wrongs righted and only disappointing for the lack of a major court case in the final scene. The Hurricane (15) is another true story that has Denzil Washington as a boxing champion whose dreams of winning the middleweight title are destroyed when he is arrested for the murders of three people in a New Jersey bar. Though innocent, he is given a life sentence and, from a prison cell, writes his story "The Sixteenth Round", that is published. It is read by social activists who become convinced of his innocence and visit him regularly. The goodness of people is shown in their determination to find evidence for a retrial to end his 20 years behind bars. Inspiring stuff and proof many white people have no racial prejudice. This must be Kevin Spacey's year. After the success of the must-see American Beauty on release now, there is Ordinary Decent Criminal (15) on the way. Set in Dublin, Kevin heads a band of thieves on motorbikes whose passion is bank robbery and outwitting the police. His charisma has two sisters mad about him who are happy to bring up his children and satisfy every horizontal need. One of Britain's most impressive actors, Stephen Dillane, is a frequently humiliated police inspector. With a little more luck he would have played the lead here. Awards are being showered on Michael Caine for Cider House Rules, taken from a best- selling novel by John Irving, that has him as a doctor running an American orphanage. The story follows the life of his best pupil who as assisted on every operation, but decides to leave for a while to gain experience of life. Those of us with active tear ducts will need paper tissues. If a good looking cast of both sexes on the disco circuit looking for sexual excitement appeals, you must consider Body Shots (18). It is as uninhibited as Hollywood can be to keep within censorship rules and its unknown cast pleases producers tired of paying astronomical money to top stars. That 20 year old hit The Long Good Friday (18) has been revived, understandably as it is the best British gangster film ever made, and superbly displays the talents of Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren. If you've never seen it, you're in for a treat! ------------------------------------------------------------ BOOKS ===== Reviews by Andy Martin Those Bones are Not My Child By Toni Cade Bambara Edited by Toni Morrison The Women's Press UKP12.99 This book is not published till the 30th of March and I am always asked never to review a book till it is published, but I felt I had to express my feelings on this important work as soon as I read the book and I thank The Women's Press for the permission to do so. I have sat here for hours trying to express my feelings about this book as I felt it was sort of an honour to be reading the last work of Toni Cade Bambara (she died in 1995 ). Ms Bambara was an acclaimed novelist, short story writer, poet, teacher, civil rights activist, social worker, educator and filmmaker. We all want to leave something of ourselves when we die, something that would benefit us all and I feel that Ms Bambara has done this with her book, it is not a nice read, it is not a happy tale, no it is a fictionalised account of the Atlanta Child Murders (more than forty coloured children murdered in Atlanta in the early eighties ) for whom a coloured man was arrested and jailed. There was very little evidence to support his guilt and many felt that this was a cover-up by the police to protect a right wing movement with which it is thought had connections with the police. We may never know the truth but at least with the help of Ms Bambara's novel we at least hear the word from the street. Toni Cade Bambara lived in Atlanta at the time of the murders and this work is the completion of 12 years of research in and around the places where the murders occurred. This novel will take you through a roller coaster of emotions and hopefully it will leave you with many unanswered questions which need to be addressed. A Teacher teaches, A Great Teacher leaves us with the need to educate ourselves, to ask questions, to seek our own truths. We in this United Kingdom are seeing tell tale signs of this possibly happening here, we have and are seeing cover-ups by police and government, we are getting closer and closer to the conditions of 1930's Germany, NOW is the time to start opening your eyes and seek the truth, demand it, or soon we will all end up in the Jack Straw/Tony Blair holiday camp and the last thing we will ever see is ARBEIT MACHT FREI. Last Rights Poems by Marvin K. White Alyson Books UKP7.99 Marvin K. White is a poet, performer, and visual artist. I cannot really do this guy justice by just babbling on so I have instead chosen my favourite piece from this book to say what I have to say, it touched me on many levels. "shhhhh be quiet" (kelly says before brandon makes it into the room comfortably) "what's going on? why is everyone here? where is brenda?" (he asks) "she at the clinic getting her test results" (says donna) "and we're all worried" (chimes in andrea) "why?" (brandon asks) "because..." (they all say) "we've shared the same blow dryer!" Dirty Planet - Friends of the Earth Guide to Pollution and What You Can Do About It. Caroline Clayton Livewire (Women's Press) UKP4.99 This book gives us a detailed selection of environmental potential catastrophes and shows us that we can all do our bit to slow down or stop these tragedies from happening. As I was discussing this problem with friends a little while ago here in Colne in Lancashire a women interrupted us and said that if there had not been objections to the proposed motorway which would have gone across the outstandingly beautiful and desolate Lancashire and Yorkshire moors then we would not have traffic jams in the town. She also pointed out that more tourists would have come to admire the moors (yup driving on those wide wild country roads, don't you just love it ). Together as a nation we seem to have become less thoughtful and more greedy than ever before, isn't it time to redress the balance. You cannot save the world, you are only one person, but you can make a difference and if everybody does their own bit then we can start talking about saving the planet. This book also provides you with useful addresses and phone numbers. I do not want to preach to anybody but the way I look at is that you should at least know what's happening out there in the world so go get this book and educate yourself. Reviews by Dirk Kriete That's Mr Faggot To You Michael Thomas Ford Alyson Books UKP8.99 I have to admit total ignorance... I had never heard of Michael Thomas Ford until this book arrived about a month ago. After reading it though I did something I've never done before... I bought a book previously written by this guy, in fact "That's Mr Faggot to You" is the sequel to "Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me". And I am glad I did, both these books had me in stitches and if I ever hear anybody say something along the lines of cynicism being lost on the Americans I will point them in the direction of this writer. Here is a man who can make all experiences seem totally hilarious, from a CD player seemingly possessed by the religious right to the social faux pas of sending a man flowers via the perils of using lavender-scented soap as lubricant to the angst of talking his 12-year-old nephew through his first love triangle. He apparently has written some 20 books as well as a syndicated humour column which appears in magazines and newspapers across the USA. Often books don't very well survive the move across the Atlantic from the American culture to ours, but in this case the essays featured just smirk at the eccentricities of merely living and have managed the crossing without fatalities. Fool's Errand Louis Bayard Alyson Books UKP8.99 A few years ago when I was still buggering about on the old Amiga, we used to waste an inordinate amount of time playing a game known by the title of this book "Fool's Errand". So when this book arrived it brought back memories and I started reading it straight away. And then I kept reading, and then I did a bit more reading and a bit more, and just like playing that game I could not tear myself away. I mean really the game and the book have nothing but the title in common, I was just hooked on both. The story of the book is set in some American city (can't quite remember which one) and it starts with a boring party and the main character finding himself in a room by himself having a bit of a snooze. He wakes briefly to see a dream of a man, but before he can act he's disappeared. And this is the beginning of a fool's errand which leads to vigils in the local super market car parks, nightly sojourns into the world of bars and disco's and other peoples detective capabilities stressed to the limit. This book is a sparkling romantic take on the way of the human heart, where plots take turns tighter than a hairpin, disorder reigns supreme, and love triumphs in the most unexpected way. My First Time, vol. two Edited by Jack Hart Alyson Books UKP8.99 And now for something completely different.... It's one handed reading time ;-) But to be honest I really quite enjoyed this one. It's a bit kinky, a bit sweet, a bit shocking, a bit sexy, but first and foremost for me it brought back an array of memories of my early years of dabbling with my sexuality. And with essay titles like "Blowing in the New Year" or "With a Smile I let Him in" you can tell that nothing much is left to the imagination. I got another couple of books of the same genre worth a mentioning here recently, so if this is your cup of whatsit, you might like to have a look at these ones, too... Juniors Two Edited by John Patrick STARbooks Press UKP14.99 Loads of tales of porn stars, hustlers, dream boys and torrid anthologies of barely legal, highly erotic youthful encounters. This book will provide hours of cost-effective entertainment ;-) Bel Ami, Perfect Couples Bruno Gmunder UKP22.95 A gorgeously produced photo book by this German publisher. Thick pages, stunning glossy print, just the thing for the gay man's coffee table, oh yeah, and their calendars are very good, too.... Reviews by Davie Out on Fraternity Row Edited by Shane L Windmeyer & Pamela W Freeman Alyson Books UKP8.99 This is a serious of first hand accounts of what it was like to be gay within the traditionally homophobic college fraternity. We embark on a journey of both happy and sad accounts of these young gay men's lives, some of whom decided to come out whereas others decided not. It is both happy and jovial in parts but a hanky is also required in parts. The Ultimate Gay Guide John Szponarski Absolute Press UKP14.99 This guide is full of valuable information on all that there is to being GAY. The guide is well set out in sections containing detailed information. We have sections on coming out, health, legal matters. there is also a complete listing of National and Regional Switchboards and Help and Support groups. Here's a first for a Gay Guide: a detailed list of over 100 cruising sites all around the UK, all the pub and club info you'll ever need, and a national accommodation list too. You also get your chance to have your comments noted and to supply information that you may feel warrants a mention. In my opinion this has to be one of the best gay guides that I have the pleasure of reading. Every Gay household should have a copy... ---------------------------------------------------------------- DANCE ===== Martin Powell This month sees quite a lot for lovers of contemporary dance. Glasgow has the New Moves (new territories) 2000 festival. I will not attempt to summarise all of the 52 page programme here. I will only point out that there are two main themes: Australian dance and a programme called Men Solo. Included in Men Solo are two programmes by Australian Dean Walsh (Tron Theatre, 17 March 9pm & 18 March 10.30pm). Walsh's work is said to portray a queer artist's world that is vulnerable but strong, submissive yet forceful; suppressed anger and despair conveyed with huge dollops of humour. Compagnie Thor from Belgium (ie Michael Sears), have Cyberchrist and Pin Up (Tron Theatre, 7 March 7.30pm). Cyberchrist draws on 16th century anatomical engravings of Andre Vesale and the fourteen Stations of the Cross as its inspiration and aims to convey the ever changing nature of blasphemy and religion in the way the human body can be used and displayed. Pin Up in contrast has Sears exploring artificiality and femininity. However Glasgow is not the only place with great dance. Edinburgh is lucky enough to have a rare chance to see the Canadian company La La La Human Steps (Festival Theatre, 17-18 March 7.30pm) performing Salt. Make no mistake, they are sensational. Choreographed by Edouard Lock this company has a reputation for delivering huge spectacular shows (which must cost a fortune). This looks no different, consisting of dance, projected images, and music composed by American David Lang played live on stage. Lock demands unbelievable feats of his dancers - their stamina must be immense. The last time I saw them I was worried the principal dancer would have a heart attack before the show finished such were the demands placed on him. I'm glad to say he didn't. Absolutely unmissable. ----------------------------------------------------------------- BI-VOCAL -- THE NICE BIT ======================== The National Bisexual Conference (BiCon) Last year's BiCon was held in Edinburgh, put together by our very own Alison Rowan. This time round it's held in Manchester during the Mardi Gras. The following is shamelessly stolen from BiCon's excellent website at http://bi.org/~bicon/bicon2000/. BiCon is a long weekend of fun and frolics for bisexual people of all ages and genders, their friends, partners and allies. It includes all sorts of activities from discussion workshops and guest speakers to live music and discos. The UK BiCon has been held for seventeen years - BiCon 2000 will be the eighteenth such event. They have grown in that time from a small, one-day event hosted by London Bisexual Group to the huge sprawling monster we know and love today. BiCon 2000 will be held in Oak House of Manchester University, and depending on attendance we will be using some adjoining buildings too. It's Manchester Mardi Gras that weekend, and we hope you will have an opportunity to take in some of the festival without missing out on too much of BiCon itself. The venue is very compact and well served by public transport. Accommodation is totally self catering but don't panic as there are 3 supermarkets within about 10 minutes walk, and an assortment of takeaways within 5 minutes which stay open until around 5am. The venue is largely accessible to people with mobility problems but with a good rate of attendance leading us to expanding the conference, we may have to accept some spaces for workshops which are less accessible than those we originally chose. There will be a crche and following some useful feedback from people who attended BiCon 1999 there will also be an extensive programme of activities for children. We have arranged some sign language interpreting for BSL but need more volunteers or suggestions about this. Prices will be based on a sliding scale according to your income. There is an Equality Fund for UK attendees, and we are asking those from overseas who can afford to make a donation to help cover the costs of those from overseas who cannot afford the full cost of attendance. Registration will open on the Thursday afternoon and be open each day until the Monday. We expect to be offering day registration at reduced rates for people who can only come to one or two days of the event. There will be a wide variety of workshops and guest speakers during the daytimes. The evening programme will include live music and a disco. The Saturday afternoon programme will be slimmed down to encourage people to join in the Mardi Gras parade. We hope to have a banner making session on the Thursday or Friday ready for Mardi Gras. BiCon 2000 Manchester 24 - 28 August The 18th UK BiCon now incorporating IBC6 the 6th International BiCon BM BiCon, London, England, WC1N 3XX http://bi.org/~bicon/bicon2000/ e-mail: bicon2000@bi.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTERNATIONAL NEWS FROM REX WOCKNER =================================== *Euro MPs support gay protections Parliamentarians from across Europe voted Jan. 26 to recommend that anti-gay discrimination be banned via the European Convention on Human Rights. The vote occurred as the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly reviewed a draft of a new "Convention Protocol" put forward by the Council's governing body, the Committee of Ministers. The recommendation now moves back to the Committee for consideration. "The inclusion of 'sexual orientation' in the new Protocol to the Convention would make it clear that sexual orientation discrimination is as odious and as pernicious as the other grounds specifically mentioned, such as race, sex or religion," said Nigel Warner, a spokesman for the International Lesbian and Gay Association. The Council of Europe's main role is to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout its 41 member states. Founded in the wake of World War II, it is the continent's most important human-rights organization. The European Convention on Human Rights is the most significant of the Council's many human- rights treaties. Violations of the convention are settled by the European Court of Human Rights. The Council is governed by the foreign ministers of its member states who form its decision- making body, the Committee of Ministers, and by representatives from national parliaments, who make up its Parliamentary Assembly. For more information, visit http:/www.coe.fr./ *Vatican unhappy over World Pride 2000 The Vatican is irritated over gays' plans to stage World Pride Rome 2000 this summer during the Roman Catholic Holy Year. Up to hundreds of thousands of gays and lesbians are expected to descend on the city June 28 to July 9 for the festivities, which will include a large parade July 8. On Jan. 28, the pope's number-two man, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano, urged the Rome city government to ban World Pride because thousands of Catholic pilgrims will be in the city at the same time. "Rome is ... a city apart because of the presence of the Roman Pontiff," Sodano said. "I am sure the authorities will reconsider the matter. The civil authorities know how to deal with public order. They know the rules and know how to avoid things that can harm the sensibilities of a city such as Rome." The city has given $180,000 to pride organizers to help fund cultural activities, and Mayor Francesco Rutelli said Jan. 28 the event continues to have his support. "You might not go along with the gay pride event, but it would be a mistake to ban it," he said. "Rome has a millennium-old code of welcome and respect that won't change in 2000." *Brazillian man killed by bashers Skinheads in Sao Paulo, Brazil, killed a gay man in the city's cruisy Republic Plaza Feb. 6 by beating him with brass knuckles and chains and kicking him with steel-toed boots while they shouted anti-gay epithets. Dog trainer Edson Neris Da Silva, 35, died in a nearby hospital shortly after the attack. Police promptly swooped down on a nearby skinhead bar and arrested 30 people. The 18 who were adults were charged with aggravated homicide and illegal congregation. Witnesses have fingered three of the adults as participants in the beating. Gay groups, politicians and human-rights activists staged a large anti-violence rally Feb. 12 at the site of Neris' death. According to activist records, 1,600 homosexuals and transvestites have been murdered in Brazil in the past 10 years because of their sexuality. *Former Gay Activist Elected Finnish President Finnish voters elected a former head of the national gay group as president of the nation Feb. 6. Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen was president of SETA, the national gay organization, in the early 1980s. She now has a male partner, Pentti Arajarvi. Halonen, 56, is a Social Democrat with a radical past as a follower of revolutionary icon Che Guevara. She remains popular among left-wingers, union members and communists. *Mardi Gras Rakes in $99 Million New figures reveal that Sydney, Australia's gay Mardi Gras celebration infuses almost $99 million dollars (US$63 million) into the inner-city Sydney economy. It is the highest- earning sporting or cultural event on the Aussie tourism calendar. The estimated 5,190 foreign visitors who attend Mardi Gras stay in the country an average of three weeks and spend an average of $347 per day compared to $265 for other foreign tourists. This year's celebration runs from Feb. 11 to March 4. For more information, visit http://www.mardigras.com.au/home.html *Polish Senate Votes to Abolish Porn Poland's Senate, the upper house of parliament, voted to ban all pornography Jan. 16. Dissemination of any pornographic content would result in a prison sentence of up to two years. The measure now moves to the lower house and then to the president for his signature. Poland's nascent gay press is a combination of porn, news and entertainment coverage. The most successful publication, the glossy magazine Nowy Men, fills half of its pages with hard-core photos of men having sex and the remainder with high-quality news reporting, entertainment coverage and travel writing. *Pele had Gay Sex Brazilian soccer legend Pele has acknowledged that his first sexual experience was with a man, the London Evening Standard reported Feb. 2. "It was with a homosexual," Pele said. "I was scarcely 14. But let's be fair, it wasn't just my thing. It was with a homosexual that all our team used to go out with. But after that I never again started this type of relationship." *Kazakhstan Gays Face Abuse Gay life in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan is a nightmare, gay leader Ivan Shibitov told this column on Feb. 2. Shibitov, head of the gay group Kontrast, provided details on dozens of anti-gay burglaries, beatings and murders, and on police harassment of gays via laws concerning public order, illegal meetings and insulting the President. He said doctors at the nation's AIDS center out gay patients and that all known homosexuals are coerced into taking an HIV test twice yearly. Gays who refuse to be tested are outed to their parents and bosses or teachers via mailed notices. If an individual still has not taken a test after one year, he can be sentenced to three years in prison under Penal Code Article 116. Shibitov said he has been abused by the police on several occasions. "I was being called to Justice Department where they offered me to stop gay rights protection," he wrote. "But I decided to go till the end. I was more than once accompanied to police stations where policemen broke my right hand, nose and harmed my back. After beatings there were put 6 sews on my face in the hospital." Kontrast's address is P.O. Box 108, Almaty 96, Kazakhstan. Their e-mail address is kontrast1@nlrk.kz. *Canada Plans to Equalise Gays Canada's government introduced legislation Feb. 11 that grants gay couples all the federal benefits received by common-law opposite-sex spouses and extends to gay and straight common-law couples many marriage rights that neither group currently has. The bill is a response to a string of recent court decisions, the most important of which was last year's Supreme Court ruling that Ontario's definition of "spouse" was unconstitutionally heterosexist. The legislation will rewrite more than 60 federal laws in areas ranging from pensions and insurance to income tax and prison visits. "This is a historic day for our communities," said Kim Vance, president of the national lobby group Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (EGALE). "The federal government has recognized in unequivocal terms the right of same-sex couples to equal treatment before the law. This far-reaching piece of legislation not only recognizes same- sex relationships as equivalent to opposite-sex common-law relationships, it also extends many of the rights and responsibilities of married couples to both same-sex and opposite- sex common-law partners." EGALE Executive Director John Fisher added: "For too long, same- sex relationships have been stigmatized as inferior to opposite- sex relationships. This bill provides a symbolic affirmation of the equal validity and worth of same-sex relationships. As federal law, these amendments will set a national standard across Canada, requiring our relationships to be treated with equal dignity and respect." Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia already give gay and lesbian couples the rights accorded common-law opposite-sex couples. Other provinces and territories are expected to follow suit shortly. *Dutch Clinics Should Inseminate Lesbians The Netherlands' Committee for Equal Treatment cited four of the nation's 13 in vitro fertilization clinics Feb. 9 for refusing to inseminate lesbian couples. The committee is an independent, government-appointed agency that investigates citizens' discrimination complaints. Its rulings are not binding but courts generally support its findings. *Panamanian Gays Denied Registration The gay group New Men's and Women's Association of Panama has been denied official registration. Government and Justice Minister Winston Spadafora said the group's goals run contrary to the nation's morals and customs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSGAY VOICE FOR PERSONALS ============================ (We regret that this service is only available within the UK) To reply to ScotsGay Voice Ads, phone 09068 556613 (calls charged at 60p per minute) and use the number at the end of the ad. You can leave your own ad FREE on FREEphone 0800 138 4121. Father / Teacher Required 32 year old, 5'11" offshore worker, lives Central Edinburgh. Seeking 50+ medium to well-built guy to play the strict father/schoolteacher role. Number 09068 556613 - Number 2896. Cross-dresser Simon. 5'8" with short black hair and blue eyes is into cross-dressing. Can both accommodate and travel. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 2899. Naughty Seeking... Richard from Edinburgh. 35 years old, blond and well-built. Seeking some naughty fun with a bisexual or gay guy. 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As box number holders are unlikely to have access to e-mail, please include your name and address so that they can get back to you! And remember to include the box number that you're replying to clearly on each reply. By snail mail: Just pop your reply in an envelope with the box number written in the TOP RIGHT corner and place the envelope with your reply inside another envelope with two loose first class stamps. If you are writing from outside the UK, an International Reply Coupon (IRC) should be enclosed for each reply instead of postage stamps. International Reply Coupons are available from most Post Offices throughout the world. We are unable to send on replies without postage stamps or IRCs. Send all replies to: ScotsGay Magazine, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. To place a Contact Ad: Write to the above address enclosing your advertisement copy. Ads are FREE of charge to the advertiser. Or you can send them by e-mail to scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk ***Women Dundee 22 Bisexual 22 year old female in Dundee looking for friends, fun and maybe more :) 5'9", brown hair and brown eyes enjoys countryside, foreign travel, badminton and cosy nights in. ISO: similar, down to earth girl. E-mail certainly helps: dundee_fem_22@yahoo.com Here comes the technical bit... GSOH, SA, Sm, NSc, ALAWP. Box SG32017. Female Friends Lesbian and bisexual friends wanted for two females (in a relationship) looking to go clubbing/pubbing in Glasgow/ Edinburgh. Box SG32025. Inverness Lesbian I am 34, looking for lesbians either in Inverness or outwith area as far as Edinburgh, my old local for fun and partying and a 1-2-1 relationship. Box SG32045. Glasgow Golden haired lady, big and beautiful into lovely oriental or gorgeous gals - late twenties/thirties, must be gay, happy and not mind taking me out for a wild time. Box SG32054. Aberdeen - North East I'm 33, 5'4", short dark hair, blue eyes, non-scene, smoker, GSOH, sincere, well adjusted, enjoys outdoors, romantic times, cinema. Home! Car! Cat! WLTM woman for friendship and 1-2-1. Photo? Box SG32065. ***Men Edinburgh Are you under 26? Seriously into fun with older guys? Then this 40something, non scene bloke is looking for you! Box SG32004. Virgin New To The Scene I am looking for a master/mistress who could be TV or TS to dominate me. I will be sex slave, will try most things. Will also meet bi guys. I am open to suggestions. Box SG32005. Black Bottom Needs Fun I am a very easy going guy - easy to cope with. I would like anyone who is an easy going guy. I am up for anything. I am bottom with very tight ass. My E-mail is inno71@hotmail.com. I am in Stirling. Box SG32006. Holiday Fun Nice couple (25 + 31, slim and tall), on holiday in Scotland (Ayrshire/Glasgow), WLTM M (same age) for 3some and more. Please send us a photo! Box SG32007. Seeking Day Or Night Fun I'm a single 33 year old with short dark hair, blue eyes, clean shaven, 36" chest. Aberdeen. Box SG32008. Desperately Seeking a Man I'm fed up meeting weirdos with mutant penises. I'm looking for friendships or relationship. Had enough one nighters and I've grown out of them, i.e I've matured. I am 22, going on 23. Why not drop me an E-mail andrew@patsy. demon.co.uk or write to Box SG32009. Sexy Scot Looking For Love Alright guys! Hi, Mark here, looking for friends to meet and go out clubbing with. Interested? Your pleasure is a guarantee when you go out with me. Box SG32010. Biker Tall, slim, GL, SA, assertive leather clad Heavy Metal lover looking for 1-2-1 with sorted, sane, sensible good looking guy - preferably 18-25 with long hair and non-smoker, but not essential. Genuine replies only, no prats looking for a quick shag, as I knock back enough of them every day! Send pic for immediate reply. Box SG32012. 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