SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland ScotsGay 80/- Heavy - Issue 40 - June 2001 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 2001. 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 News Ye Canna Win The A' - Cardinal Thomas Winning Glasgow Letters Edinburgh A Happy Walk Dundee Dance Chart ScotsDyke Scottish Media Monitor Inverness Aberdeen International Films Books Arts Voice Personals Boxes - the ScotsGay Meet Market Helplines Listings Venues --------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= Once again, I find myself comparing two Happy Walks and finding one considerably happier than the other. Second, in time and enjoyability, was the Pride March in London. Now totally tied to the commercial pop concert that is Mardi Gras, the March seemed shorter than I can remember for many years. True, there were a lot of colourful floats at the front including a selection of new Ford cars which showed that Ford sell cars to queers too. But, when it came to the actual punters, I'm afraid that the whole event had clearly failed to get a lot of folk out of their beds. Absent were so many of the banners of local groups from all over the country (although it was nice to see a few banners from mainstream Trades Unions instead of the usual Trades Union LGBT groups). It appears that London Pride has lost the ability to motivate people to travel - and that in a situation where it is clear that Stonewall's nice friends in the NuLabour Government are going to do less than fuck all for the queer nation.You'd think that people would at least turn out to protest. Pride Scotland, on the other hand, was a wee stoater. Despite all the problems of organisation, which I'll come to in a minute, the punters turned out in force. Yet, in Scotland, we have a decidedly pro-queer legislature which is constantly, as Tim Hopkins describes overleaf, making small but significant changes in our laws which benefit the cause of equality. So, Pride Scotland isn't really a protest - it's a celebration of being what we are. And it shows just how things have changed for the better when the Scottish Tory leader can send a message of support for our big day out (even though it seems his NuLabour counterpart couldn't find time to get out the Basildon Bond to do the same). As to the organisation of the day, it has to be admitted that things were a bit of a shambles at times. But that's hardly the fault of the small band of hard working organisers. The problems come from the fact that there are so few people involved and that's where YOU come in! Clearly, Pride Scotland cannot continue to operate with such a small band of folk - many of whom suffer total burn-out and exhaustion from the hard work that they do. So, if you thought that there were things wrong with our Pride, why don't you get involved? Organising for next year's event (most probably in Glasgow) will be beginning as soon as the Committee have recovered from this year. They'll be terribly pleased to hear from you. Their contact details are in our listings. What are you waiting for? John Hein john@scotsgay.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS ==== *Police tell gays: don't be passive. A pioneering project to strengthen relationships between Lothian and Borders Police and Edinburgh's, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community received a high profile launch at Edinburgh's City Chambers on June 22nd. The 'Remote Reporting of Homophobic Crime' initiative will run initially for one year and is designed bring about a better understanding of the extent of homophobic crime in Edinburgh, while at the same time building confidence and closer links with the community. The initiative mirrors the successful "Remote Racial Reporting Scheme" and will enable victims to report their experiences to the police via a third party organisation. Chief Constable, Sir Roy Cameron, said: "Lothian and Borders Police are keen to continue to development and encourage policing initiatives which focus on the LGBT scene in Edinburgh and through partnership with local groups have adopted a constructive approach to policing this aspect of Edinburgh life. "There is a need for the police service to continue to explore ways of reaching out to those who suffer victimisation in silence. Yet I am aware that simply to encourage people to come directly to the police is not enough. "This initiative is a major task, but I would see collaborative projects such as this as cornerstones of what we do in the future. We can play our part in tackling bigotry and hatred, but to do so effectively we also need the considerable experience and advice of the voluntary sector." Keith Cowan, Co-convener of the City of Edinburgh LGBT, Community Safety Forum, said: "Research has shown that there are high levels of violence and harassment experienced by members of the LGBT community and low levels of reporting of these incidents to the police. "This initiative by Lothian and Borders Police is to be welcomed because it will start to address this issue and encourage people involved in incidents to make that information available. "The key to the success of this initiative to combat homophobic crime is the partnership approach that is taking place between Lothian and Borders Police and the voluntary sector." The initiative is being introduced after consultation with the Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard, Gay Men's Health and The Stonewall Youth Project who along with the police have worked as a team in its development. It is hoped that the initiative will encourage the victims of homophobic crime to feel confident to come forward and tell their story in the knowledge they will be dealt with sympathetically and with confidentiality. Victims will be able to use one of the three voluntary organisations to pass information to the police in the knowledge they will receive support and advice throughout. The concerns and wishes of victims will be respected even if ultimately no formal police investigation takes place. They will be able to decide if they want to remain anonymous in which case the crime will be recorded for record purposes only, or give their name in which case complaint will be dealt with as a normal police enquiry. *The Pride Awards Organised by PHACE west in conjunction with Pride Scotland, It is the fourth year of The Pride Awards. It is our opportunity to honour groups or individuals who by giving of themselves, have captured our communities imagination and hearts. There are six categories; Activism; Health; Art & Entertainment; Culture; Equality Network's 'Friend for Life' and The Pride Scotland Award. The Ian Dunn Memorial Award for Activism was presented by Ali Jarvis of Stonewall Scotland to Mags Mackie for her hard work and dedication in the last five years to Moray Switchboard, Lesbian Line, Parent Line and in advancing work on LGBT issues particularly for young people in the North of Scotland. The Pride Award for Health was presented by Jamie Rennie from last year's award winning project Stonewall Youth to Sappho, the holistic lesbian health service at the Centre for Womens Health in Glasgow specialising in sexual health, counselling and support. Both Magi Meager and Rosie Ilett were there to accept this year's award. The Pride Scotland Special Award was presented to Phil Carvosso of Carvoss Financial Services for his interest and sponsorship as a founding and continued supporter of the Pride Scotland Festival. Alistair Dinnie of Pride Scotland received the Award on Phil's behalf. The Pride Award for Art & Entertainment was presented by David Peutherer of Glasgay to OOT the gay friendly cabaret hosted by Craig Hill at the Stand Comedy Club in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Jill Peacock was there to receive the award on behalf of everyone at OOT and The Stand Comedy Club. The Equality Network's Friend for Life Award this year goes to the Rt. Rev. Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh. A supporter of equality and inclusion, his welcome statements to the LGBT community have raised controversy within his and other church groups. Helen Chambers received the award on behalf of Rev. Holloway to be presented again on his return to the UK. The Jackie Forster Memorial Award for Culture was presented by PHACE west's Chief Executive Charlie McMillan to 'BiGLes Youth' the successful bisexual gay and lesbian youth group which attracts up to 45 members per week to the Glasgow LGBT Centre. A vital youth information and peer education service, it is also a supportive stepping stone to the diverse LGBT community and its associated services. The BiGLes Youth group is currently in the terrible position of losing its only funded post due to lack of statutory funding. This Award celebrates and highlights the valuable work of BiGLes Youth and the personal investment made in our communty's youth through the work of Pat Harvie and group members over the years. Jamie McGuire accepted the award on behalf of BiGLes Youth. *Beyond Barriers The National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland has awarded GBP387,000 grant to Beyond Barriers, a project set up to address discrimination against LGBT people, and to help build LGBT community work, across Scotland. This Lottery application was a partnership bid between Stonewall Scotland, Equality Network, Outright Scotland and the Stonewall Youth Project. The Beyond Barriers project is a national initiative to challenge prejudice and homophobia and to build links between minority and majority groups within Scottish society. It will do this through working in four key areas: a) Information Provision b) Training c) Research d) Local community development support The four groups involved in preparing the project proposal consulted last year about the details with all known LGBT groups in Scotland, and it's perhaps a testament to the resulting quality of the project bid that the requested budget from the Lottery was awarded in full. Much work now needs to be done to get all the elements in place - not least the four jobs that will be created. The project is likely to formally start in the Autumn. You can see a press release describing the project in a little more detail on Stonewall Scotland's website at: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/articles/Beyond%20Barriers(1).htm *Translothian You might be forgiven for cynicism, as in "Oh yeah, what Scotland really needs is yet another Support Group". However, a few facts might not go amiss at this point. 1 Gender Dysphoria, Transsexuality, call it what you will, is a distressing and painful genetic condition. 2 50% of all Transsexuals never make it past their 30th birthday. (Most of these commit suicide, the rest are often the victims of murder.) 3 Uniquely amongst the broad spectrum of the LGBT community, Transsexuals cannot hide their 'difference'. 4 There are an estimated 5,000 people suffering from this disorder in the UK today. (It is virtually impossible to be more accurate, since GD is still regarded as a Psychiatric and not a Physical disorder; therefore real numbers get swallowed up in statistical records.) 5 There are currently three GD Specialists in Scotland. Two in Edinburgh, one in Glasgow, but those who qualify for surgery have to travel to the South of England. 6 There is no post-operative care available. (As it is regarded as Psychiatric, once the specialist has got you through surgery, that's the end of the story for the NHS). 7 It affects both biological males and females. 8 The general and specific needs of the transsexual are unique, and unlikely to be met by general Transgender Support Groups, however well meaning they are. So, TransLothian, a new Support Group for male or female transsexuals, their partners, friends and families. But more than that. We intend to campaign vigorously to establish a Centre of Excellence for Transsexual Care based in the Edinburgh area. We will actively seek opportunities to bring the light of education into the darkness of misunderstanding, to identify, expose and eradicate bigotry and thereby improve the quality of life of those who suffer this awful condition. FOOTNOTES: Ongoing research in Holland appears to support the theory that Gender Dysphoria occurs when one of two androgen (testosterone) bursts which are required for a foetus to be born wholly biologically male either do not take place or are somehow ineffective. These bursts take place between 12 and 16 weeks in foetal development, often before the mother is even aware she is pregnant. The first burst decides physical gender characteristics, the second the construction of the brain, particular in one small part of the Hypothalamus which controls hormone production. Therefore a male to female TS receives the first not the second, a female to male TS receives the second but not the first. Other research is scant. Andrea Brown is a member of Outright Scotland, Equality Network and Press for Change. She is a Trade Union Rep with the PCS Union, and is Transgender advisor to the Steering Group of PCS PROUD, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual arm of the union. She is a member of the LGBT/Police Scottish Forum, and has been tasked to convene a sub-group investigating Networking/Help-line Access in Scotland. Andrea's Gender Re-Assignment Surgery is scheduled for 23rd August 2001. *Parliament The Scottish Parliament on 30th May repealed the law making it illegal for men to have consensual sex in private if more than two men take part or are present. The repeal is contained in the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Bill, which was passed at its final stage by 59 votes to 1 vote. The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in July. The Equality Network, Scotland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) campaign network, welcomed the reform. Duncan Hothersall said: "This repeal removes the last major piece of discrimination against us in sex offences laws. There are still problems with the way some sex offences are handled in Scotland though. Further work is needed to make sure that the law is transparent and is properly applied without discrimination." The repeal was proposed by Scotland's Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition government, and was supported in the Parliament by the SNP opposition, and by the Scottish Socialist Party and the Scottish Green Party. In earlier debates on the Bill, the Tories opposed repeal, on the basis that while they recognised the need for sexual orientation equality, that should be achieved by making heterosexual group sex illegal as well. In the final debate, however, they accepted that repeal was necessary. The law repealed is Scotland's equivalent of the English 'Bolton 7' law, so called following the case in which men from Bolton narrowly avoided prison sentences in February 1998 for consensual group sex in their own homes, something which in the heterosexual case is perfectly legal. The ban remains in place in England and Wales, but the European Court of Human Rights ruled in July 2000 that it breaches the right to privacy under the European Convention on Human Rights (article 8). This ruling was in the case of ADT vs. the UK - ADT was a man convicted and fined for group sex in an English case similar to that of the Bolton 7. The Scottish Parliament's Justice 1 Committee introduced a Bill on 5th June which extends specific legal protection against domestic abuse to same-sex partners. The Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Bill is the first example of a Committee Bill in the Scottish Parliament _ a Bill introduced by a Parliamentary Committee rather than by the Scottish Executive or by an individual MSP. Under existing law, only a married or cohabiting mixed-sex partner has specific protection from domestic abuse. The new Bill extends that to any person suffering abuse, including a same-sex partner, a divorced spouse, and other family members such as parents or grandparents, and also including people who suffer abuse from neighbours. Once the Bill becomes law, where someone has obtained an interdict against another person to prevent abuse, that person may be arrested on suspicion of breaching the interdict, in order to prevent further abuse or risk of abuse, and may be detained by a court for up to two days. The Equality Network, Scotland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) campaign network, welcomed the Bill. Helen Chambers said: "This Bill provides important protections for many people, and moves us a step closer to equality for same-sex and mixed-sex partners. The Scottish Parliament should be congratulated for exercising its independent legislative power in this way." Unlike the Westminster Parliament, the Scottish Parliament's Committees are completely independent of the Executive, and have the power to propose and introduce legislation, a power which is being used for the first time with this Bill. The Justice 1 Committee's proposal to introduce the Protection from Abuse Bill was debated by the whole Parliament on January 24th, and was approved unanimously. The Bill is expected to become law by the end of 2001. On 13th June, the Scottish Parliament passed the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which includes the extension of succession rights for local authority and housing association tenancies to same-sex partners. In future, if the tenant dies, their spouse or cohabiting partner of the same sex or opposite sex will be able to inherit the tenancy. The Equality Network, Scotland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) campaign network, welcomed the passing of the Bill. Helen Chambers said: "This change means that someone in a same-sex relationship would no longer run the risk of being thrown out of their home at their most vulnerable time, when their partner has just died. It's the second piece of completed Scottish Parliament legislation to recognise same-sex partnerships. We expect that as the Parliament legislates in other areas, the remaining discrimination against same-sex cohabitants, for example in succession to private sector tenancies, will also be removed." The Parliament also agreed amendments to the Bill to place a statutory duty on the Scottish Executive, on local authorities and on housing associations, to encourage equal opportunities, including on grounds of sexual orientation, throughout their housing functions. This followed joint lobbying by the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equality Network, with strong support from the Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee. The provisions for same-sex partners, and the duty to encourage equal opportunities, were supported by all six parties in the Parliament: the Labour / Lib Dem coalition parties, the SNP, the Tories and the Green and Scottish Socialist Parties. The Bill as a whole was passed by 114 votes to 1. The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in July. Tim Hopkins mh@dcs.ed.ac.uk Snippets Come and Sing Waverley Care are mounting a scratch production of The Pirates of Penzance on Sat 8th September. The cast will meet for the first time 24 hours earlier. Press News October may see the welcome re-launch of Gay Scotland (after an absence of two years) as a community owned and run newspaper. Meanwhile, its former Editor, the bankrupt Paul Bryan-Ivison (now no longer employed by the Leeds based North of Watford) is reportedly attempting to start his own gay title called Sixteen. Booklet Phace West have published "Who are you? Discovering your ID" which is designed to inform young people around issues pertaining to sexuality. Gathering The first conference for people who use HIV services in Scotland is to take place in Dundee on Thu 23rd August. Not Pastor Best Holy Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, an Edinburgh Christian congregation founded within and reaching beyond the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities has voted to call Ian Bonner-Evans as their Pastor. Ian has been approved for ordination within the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and will be ordained in Edinburgh on Sunday 22nd July 2001. Holy Trinity MCC has been worshipping in Edinburgh since 1995 and Ian's ordination will see the first Scottish based clergy within the 32 year old international Christian denomination. Welsh born Ian came to Edinburgh to study theology at Edinburgh University, going on afterwards to teach Religious Education in local schools and eventually in Moray House College of Education. Ian now works with an Edinburgh based support project for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered young people. --------------------------------------------------------------------- YE CANNA WIN THEM A' ==================== Cardinal Thomas Winning by Garry Otton Thanks to the newspapers, his picture will remain forever etched in our memories. His dead body, lying in state like some communist tyrant. The praise bestowed on Cardinal Thomas Winning was nauseating. For some it was duty, others were paid but most of them were elderly. Had everyone forgotten so quickly how a red top, a red frock and a red pair of shoes had just swished through Scotland in an uncompromising show of intolerance and bigotry? What now befalls those who drunk the poison chalice of Keep the Clause? It started with a massive financial loss for the man in the red shoes, Stagecoach boss Brian Souter. Within weeks, there was the announcement of the death of the notorious 'Sexfinder General', Monsignor Tom Connolly, then the sudden departure of the red top Daily Record's editor Martin Clarke, a massive defeat in the elections for the Conservatives and now the death of Cardinal Thomas Winning whose first heart attack struck only weeks after Section 2a was officially repealed. Cardinal Winning, or 'Red Tom' as he was sometimes known because of his frock, was born in 1925 in Craigneuk near Motherwell, the only son of an unemployed miner and steel worker. He admitted to having had to hide his religion on more than one occasion to protect him from bullies. Cardinal Thomas Winning was just as much a religious leader as a political protagonist. Peppering his comments with tired cliches like 'political correctness' exposed a seasoned agitator. For any gay person wanting to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church, Winning was at great pains to explain the "joy and peace in living the virtue of chastity". He expressed the opinion that homosexuality was a personality disorder and even compared gays to German and Italian Nazi bombers. In the thick of the Section 28 debate, at the Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre in Bellshill, he was filmed publicly labelling homosexuality a perversion. The views of the Catholic Church on the subject of homosexuality are found in The Catechism of the Catholic Church. It draws a clear distinction between what is called 'homosexual tendencies' and 'homosexual acts'. Homosexuals are required to lead a chaste life, controlling themselves through prayer and self-mastery in order to find the only 'freedom' that really matters: Freedom from sin. In the recruitment of teachers, sports coaches, foster carers and the military, Winning believed discrimination against gays was "not unjust". He also described homosexuality as "a disorder... that's got to be... dealt with". On the repeal of Section 28, he told the press: "I worry that any repeal will be presented by the so-called 'gay-rights' lobby as victory in their battle to have the disorder that is homosexuality placed on the same footing as marriage and family life. We have already seen this tactic used before. Before the election we were told that all legislation would be given the 'family test'- namely, would a given policy benefit the family? If not, it would have no place on the new government's agenda. Yet... the families of Britain were left to come to terms with the idea that predatory male homosexuals would be able to indulge in dangerous, immoral acts with their 16-year-old sons, while our legislators washed their hands of the whole issue, proclaiming it to be a question of freedom and equality". Of the predatory ways of heterosexual men indulging in dangerous, immoral acts with their 16-year old daughters, he said nothing. To illustrate the pitfalls of the 'disorder' called homosexuality, he relied on discredited statistics used by far-right American Christian groups advising that the repeal of Section 28 would reduce the life expectancy of children. Using the populist tactics of the political right, he expressed certainty that people did not want "their council tax used to fund facilities for gay and lesbians which they do not enjoy for their own children". Winning declared the repeal would leave adolescents in a "fog of confusion" over their sexuality before suggesting: "Now is the time for reflection, not for knee-jerk reactions", but his knee-jerk reaction was exactly what Scotland got. Asked what he would write on his epitaph Winning replied: "He had time for us". The Scottish press completely ignored the open letter Peter Tatchell sent to Cardinal Winning at the Archdiocese of Glasgow in the final hours of the 20th century, asking him to apologise for 2,000 years of Christian homophobia: 'The Catholic Church will shortly mark the Millennium by celebrating 2,000 years of Christianity', Tatchell wrote. 'But many lesbians and gay men will not be celebrating with you. We will be mourning two millennia of Christian homophobia, which has inflicted terrible pain on homosexual people. Your church has incited prejudice, discrimination and violence against queers for 20 centuries. Over the last 2,000 years, church homophobia has led to hundreds of millions of homosexuals worldwide being rejected and reviled by their families, driven to depression and suicide, discriminated against by anti-gay laws, and condemned to death for sodomy. The Catholic Church has never expressed any remorse for its persecution of queers. The millennium is an opportunity to atone for the genocide inflicted on us. We ask you to express your sorrow for the church's crimes against queer humanity, and to offer your apologies to the gay community. Leviticus 20:13 demands that homosexual be put to death. For over 1,800 years, the Christian churches followed this Biblical injunction, sponsoring a Homo Holocaust involving the mass murder of queers. We were stoned to death in antiquity, burned alive during the medieval era, and, in this country, hung from gallows until the mid-nineteenth century. This slaughter of homosexuals took place with the official blessing of Popes, Cardinals and Bishops. While the church no longer advocates the death penalty for gay lovers, it still preaches a gospel of sexual apartheid, arguing that homosexuality should not be accorded the same moral or legal status as heterosexuality. This straight supremacist doctrine is used to justify the abuse of queers as second-class citizens. Most Christians, including yourself, continue to support discrimination against gay people with regard to the age of consent, marriage, employment, Section 28 and fostering and adoption. The time has come for Christian contrition. An apology for the suffering inflicted on lesbians and gays by the church is long overdue. We call on you to make this gesture of truth and reconciliation'. Peter's letter was ignored. Cardinal Winning had at his disposal the best press manipulators. His spokesman Ronnie Convery faced a barrage of questions about Opus Dei, a right-wing faction that pledges to "contribute to the evangelisation of every sphere of society" and operates within the Roman Catholic Church. Opus Dei was formed in 1928 by a Nazi-sympathiser, Jose Maria Escriva Albas. Its 80,000 members include priests and influential figures in both the media and government. Cardinal Winning had been reported stating his admiration for Opus Dei and Ronnie Convery admitted on the programme that he had once been a member himself. Convery denied that Cardinal Winning was at odds with the majority of Catholics and said: "It puts us in conflict with what you might call the forces of political correctness; it puts us in conflict with what you might call the siren voices of liberalism". The 'Sexfinder General' Monsignor Tom Connelly has said: "Opus Dei is a fully approved part of the Catholic Church. It has the full support of the Vatican and enjoys excellent relations with the cardinal, who values the dedication and loyalty of its members. To describe it as a 'sect' or suggest it is somehow sinister is wilful distortion. It is also in insult to Cardinal Winning to suggest that he is under the influence of any 'group'." Many of the Pope's recent announcements have been sourced to Opus Dei; he made their top man a bishop and invites members to meetings. Some Church insiders claim the Opus Dei faction has secured access to the Cardinal and criticise the Church leadership for allowing it to build a closeted power-base in Scotland. The Catholic Church capitalised on Winning's death, allowing visitors to quietly file past his dead body. Jim McBeth sobbed in The Scotsman: "The evidence of the eyes suggested that the cardinal was a loved man". But lying behind a mask of gossamer thin lace was just an old man in a pair of red socks. ScotsGay asked some of our regular contributors to have their say on Tom Winning: Martin Walker: "Before the event I told my work colleagues that I was going to be at the Pride March and that they should look out for me in case it was on TV. I work with a couple of hundred regular men and women of various ages, opinions and beliefs. A fair proportion of them are probably Christians. I didn't get a negative reaction from a single one of them. Some may disapprove of me being bisexual, some maybe still don't know, many I suspect don't care who I have sex with (and why should they?) "Cardinal Tom Winning did care about who I slept with. He hated that fact that I could love another man sexually. But thankfully his opinions do not represent the vast majority of ordinary decent human beings who despise bigotry and not love. The late Cardinal's opinions died years before he did. If his heaven does exist, I hope he finds forgiveness in it. Those who have suffered assaults, abuse and rape by those inspired by his opinions may find it harder to forgive." Martin Powell: "It is not often I hear on the radio that someone has died and immediately think "good". I did with Thomas Winning. "As one who regards himself as fully recovered having been brought up as a Catholic, I have little time for those otherwise intelligent people who depend on an imaginary friend, and even less than normal for Thomas Winning. I was therefore somewhat surprised to see a letter from Bruce Kent in The Guardian praising Winning for his support of refugees and asylum seekers and his opposition to the bombing of napalm on Iraqis. Why was I unaware of this? Probably because in these activities he was one of many churchmen. What singled out Winning from the crowd was his resolute homophobia and his ideas on paying young women to have babies they didn't want. "Good riddance I say." John Hein: "My view of Winning has always been coloured by the comments of a school teacher of mine who socialised with Winning in his younger days. She reported that he 'didn't really believe in any of it but thought that it was good for others to do so'. "So, not only was he a wicked old bastard, but he was a two faced wicked old bastard. If he finishes up in heaven, my sympathy lies with God for having to put up with him for eternity." Gus Binnie: "Do you know when the funeral is? Me and a couple of mates from Aberdeen would really like to bring down a good sound system and have a party!" Beti Hutton: "Witchfinder General One has departed. Now Winning has gone. Surely the Lord works in wondrous ways. Can we expect more of the same? Plus ca change!" Sister Athletica De La Bain: "I was so upset that I had to go and make another cup of herbal tea." Novice Brother Bimbo del Doppio Senso: "Heart attacks are clearly God's punishment for those who disobey His plan for humanity set out in Genesis 1:29." --------------------------------------------------------------------- Glasgow/Glaschu Arse Bandit with Attitude! HIYA SCUMBAGZ! Well, there's a whole pile of stuff for me to cram into this month's column, so lets start off with all those clubnights which all the dancing queens love so much. I won't waste time with the music policies for the individual venues, cos by now you'll all know that the only stuff these places play is house, pumping house, hard house, up for it house, dark house, blah, blah, blah! Oh bollocks - Just noticed that Fruitfly now claim to be playing a mixture of house and garage - something for everyone there then! (not)... Not just any old mixture mind you - a progressive mixture no less!. Well whoopee fucking shit, get me on the guestlist quick... Anyway, next date for Fruitfly is Saturday 21st of July, and DJ is Rob di Stefano. Better mention also that Jon Pleased will be starting a quarterly residency starting on the 18th of August. (I've never heard of him either) Usual times and prices, except when they have guest DJs and screw you for an extra GBP2 at the door. Over on the Renfrew Ferry, FUSION have just celebrated their first 6 months in business, and their next clubnight will be on Saturday the 21st of July. The Renfrew Ferry only has a capacity of 600, so this particular night tends to sell out early - get down pronto if you want to get on board. And finally, the big monthly clubnight at the moment is AURALL, held on the first Saturday of the month at MAS in Royal Exchange Square. This used to be held on Sunday nights, but has now been moved to Saturdays, so watch out for the flyers. And if you like a laugh - check out their website http://www.aurall.com/ Finally, all those of you of the Goth persuasion should remember BEDLAM, the regular Goth night held on the last Saturday of the month at the Queen Margaret Union up at Hillhead. It's open til 2am, and is a nice cheap Saturday night out at only GBP3. We've published a complaint in this month's letters page which pretty much sums up the obnoxious, arrogant attitudes which certain gay venue managers seem to consider to be acceptable behaviour in Glasgow. You can read the letter in its entirety, which concerns a gay couple who visited Sadie Frosts one afternoon. The two guys were shocked to find that Sadies, (a supposedly gay establishment) considered that their kissing was unacceptable behaviour. The reason given was that "there were children in". Perhaps if children were brought up to realise that the sight of two men kissing is perfectly natural, then homophobia would not rear its ugly head so often. It's bad enough to have this sort of discrimination from straight venues, but I think it's an utter disgrace when we have to put up with this arrogance from a place which is mainly gay owned, has a gay manager, and has made a considerable amount of money over the years from the LGBT community. Once again, this seems to be a case of applying discriminatory rules to keep the straight minority happy while grabbing as much of the Pink Pound as possible. Would a straight couple have been told to stop kissing "because there are children in"? I doubt it! Hang your head in shame Andy... In case you haven't noticed, your pub is dying on its feet and these are another two customers who will not be returning. So, what did you all think of Pride this year? Me and the missus caught the train through and played "spot the poof" on the journey. What is it about gay men these days - everybody looks the same! Anyway, after doing the march and getting some photos, we ended up on the ScotsGay stand out in the courtyard behind EGO while our Editor buggered off down the pub. The march itself was attended by about 5000, and there were various events planned for the afternoon. Unfortunately, due to a communication breakdown, DJ Stella didn't have his slot confirmed and was still in Blackpool that afternoon. Anyway, he asks me to pass on his apologies for not appearing, but would have been there if anyone had actually told him he had been booked! The Courtyard between The Outhouse and Ego was packed with LGBTs having a drink, and various groups and organisations had stands set up, so it all got a bit cramped as the afternoon wore on, but the weather stayed fine, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. After a couple of hours chatting to my adoring public, it was time to head off, but not before me and Mrs Goldilocks spent a few hours relaxing in the Townhouse Sauna before heading back to Glasgow. One of my biggest complaints about Pride is the number of sad bastards who still think they're being outrageous by dressing in drag etc, and generally reinforcing all the tired old stereotypes we've been trying to bury over the past 30 years. The LGBT community has grown up considerably - do we really need the Nuns, screaming fairies and tacky drag queens trying to turn the clock back? (That's a bit ripe coming from someone who looks as if he hasn't noticed that the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was around 20 years ago!-Novice Brother Bimbo del Doppio Senso) Notable memory of the afternoon had to be the two geezers with the sandwich boards spouting hell and damnation while trying to ignore all the fairies snogging their boyfriends in front of them. The workmen building the new Greenside building also did an impromptu strip, much to the delight of many of the marchers. There have been numerous changes to the Revolver Bar since it opened 3 months ago and the place seems to be grabbing a bigger slice of the Glasgow trade as time goes on. At last the scene is finally learning to stick two fingers up to the shitty pubs (Dels and Sadies) and take their business to professionally run establishments such as The Revolver, Waterloo, Candle, GLC and Court Bar. There are now even more CDs on the free juke box in The Revolver, giving you a choice of over 4000 tracks - unfortunately a few of the dreaded Steps songs slipped through the net, but Jon seems to be quite efficient at hitting the reject button when the riff-raff play this shite! Also, more air filtration units have been installed, so us non smokers don't have to worry about the crap pumped out by those with bad hearts, furry lungs and smaller than average dicks (medical fact, so shut it!). Brendan has also got Furstenburg alcohol free lager, which actually tastes like lager, and will shortly be stocking San Miguel on draught too. The big screen projector has now been repaired, so you can send messages to guys that you're too shy to actually try and get off with face to face, and if you like playing board games, they've got a load of stuff to keep you amused. (Anyone else ever played strip Twister?) The main comment I keep hearing about the Revolver Bar is that you can actually hold a conversation in the place without having to shout, so it comes as no surpise that so many of you are tuning your backs on pubs which only ever offer an endless diet of deafening Karaoke. The Candle Bar recently re-opened after a refurb, and is going down a storm with the younger trendy crowd (I love it too). This was no cosmetic paint job, and the pub has been completely transformed at great expense into a bright open area with much more seating, full wheelchair access, a very smart looking bar and even a stage for the artistes. The staff are the same as before (whatever happened to the shorts?), and the place is busier than ever. Jeanette seems to have got things right, as The Candle is badly hitting Dels trade at the moment. They've got music on most nights, with the legendary Robert and May Miller on Tuesdays, disco on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat, and on Sunday you have the outrageous Angie 'O taking the piss out of everyone and doing a bit of Karaoke in between - definitely not to be missed. It would seem that there will shortly be another sauna opening in Glasgow. They're promising a luxury establishment, and are already offering memberships. The prices seem quite reasonable for regular sauna visitors, and you get free guest passes too! I don't have an opening date yet, so watch out for further details here... With the re-opening of the Candle Bar, and the addition of the Revolver Bar, the choice of venues has never looked better in Glasgow, but remember that the established favourites such as The Waterloo, Court Bar and GLC Cafe are still packing them in, and for those of you who are fed up of queeny music, remember that Macsorleys have live entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays. Right then - this column is hopelessly overdue as usual, so I'd better get it sent off and then bugger off to bed. Complaints, death threats and offers of cheap meaningless sex to the address at the back, or get in touch by e-mail. Happy shagging! Goldilocks. E-mail: goldilocks@gay-glasgow.co.uk Webshite: http://www.gay-glasgow.co.uk/ P.S. The Goldilocks Gay Glasgow Website will shortly be moving to its new home, hosted on my own server. Watch out for a major facelift very shortly! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Letters As I now live just outside London, I recently brought my boyfriend back to Scotland to introduce him to my parents and to show him around the country - he's from Brazil and has never been to Scotland before. All in all, the weekend was an absolute success ... bar one occurrence, which almost ruined our day and has left me still feeling absolutely furious! Just before setting off on a day trip over to Edinburgh, we decided to pop into Sadie Frosts next to Glasgow Queen Street station, for a quick pint before getting our train. Whilst sitting down at a table, we chatted about the weekend, meeting my parents, our relationship in general, etc. and just sat there drinking our pints and cuddling each other now and again with an occasional kiss on the cheek .. nothing offensive - I'm not really into full-on snogs in public. Well, having been extremely lucky enough to have gone through my 26 years, having NEVER once faced homophobia in my life (seriously!), you can imagine how shocked I was that my first experience of it would be from the staff of a gay pub! Half way through our pints, a member of staff came over to us and asked us if we could stop showing displays of affection towards oneanother as the pub was mixed during the afternoon, and that the manager had expressly told his staff to curtail any forms of gay affection in the pub during the daytime. Oh, and apparently also because "there were children in"! Now had we been in a straight pub, or indeed, had we been a straight couple sitting at the same table in Sadie Frosts, the whole occurrence would not have happened! We left the pub feeling completely embarrassed, ashamed and absolutely bloody furious! As a result, I've vowed never to set foot in the place again, as it would seem that Sadies would prefer us to refrain from showing our affections until after dark, when no "self-respecting" person can witness our "shameful" acts. And all this over my boyfriend kissing me on the cheek!? It is for this reason that I thought it might be worthy of inclusion in your magazine as I am sure that others too will feel less inclined to line the pockets of its homobhobic and extremely hypocritical manager. James Giltrap James.Giltrap@btinternet.com Dear John, I was interested to read your analysis of Green Gender Politics (editorial, May issue of Scotsgay). I even remember the conversation we had at Meadowbank during the 1999 election count on which I assume you must have based your comments - since it does not actually say anything about women quotas for committees in any of our policy material. What you forgot to remember is that, back then, we were talking about female candidates for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections - not our party committees. There are no quotas for these; I know, I have served on three of them. And I was elected purely on merit.. oh and due to the ability to put in the time (not having incompatible childcare or other family responsibilities) thanks to the supportive attitude of my girlfriend (also a Green Party Activist) and thanks to my confidence in my own abilities (which thankfully has never been dented by the patronising attitudes of the patriarchal society I live in) - just for the record, could all women who feel they fulfil all three of these conditions stand up and be counted? And what of candidates for elections? We know from experience that if we let things run their 'natural' course on this very tilted playing field, we will turn out candidate lists full of men with one or two women among them. That would not represent society nor does it represent our membership. Does the Green Party only attract women incapable of candidacy then? Now that would be a patronising assumption, don't you think? But our own research (i.e. talking to members, both male and female) and that of other people shows that women are less likely then men to have the time, the confidence and the support at home which serious political activism usually requires. Our society is like that, whether we like it or not. And until that changes we need mechanisms, which help to even out the unfair conditions created by it and in it. Sure, just setting down quotas for our lists will not change the world - but it will make the party try harder to encourage women candidates to make use of their many and varied skills, to make sure that our activities are arranged so that women (as well as men with family responsibilities) can find the time to participate and it will help us to find out what else keeps too many women out of Green politics and what we can do to change it. So, I can think of much better uses for both a bargepole and your spit than trashing the Greens, especially on an issue you have clearly misunderstood. Hoping I have helped to get the facts straight (while keeping all other things in their rightful and natural shape), For equality and diversity always, Philine Gaffron National Executive Member Scottish Green Party [My apologies for confusing your internal democracy with that of the English Greens who are a totally separate party. But I still think quotas stink. What do our readers think? Ed] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Edinburgh/Dun Eideann Hiya Ali here as usual. Am sitting trying to write this and still recover from Pride at the weekend. Wasn't it great, everybody pulling together to make it work after everyone slating the lack of a festival site. Well done to Pride Scotland and all the venues that made this happen and here's hoping that Glasgow can be as good next year. After Pride there is still so much to tell you... Planet Out have their Quiz Night running on Tuesdays with Nigel and Trendy Wendy is still spinning her platters that matter every other week as of 9th July, as well as all this Planet are running lots of great drinks promos - more details on the bar. Lush! is back on the 1st July with special guest Maggie Joy. As well as this Dale and Craig are running a pre-club party at Planet Out across the road from 10.30pm. Remember both venues have got drinks promos running, so a cheap night out is on the cards! Cafe Habana seems to be getting busier every week, what with the Luvely Boyz running another pre-club night and Wee Jo seems to be getting more Karaoke than ever before. Let's hope that Gordon and his team can keep us coming back for more! The Newtown Bar are running their Summer Specials. Colin tells me that after Pride they are planning lots more fun nights to keep everyone, women included, coming back. Remember the Disco Bar is open every weekend in the basement and is just as good as all the other venues! (And the Deuchars upstairs was in top form the other day. Ed). The Claremont Bar run their Men Only Night on the First and Third Saturdays of every month and Liam's Crazy Quiz is going strong on a Wednesday Night from 9pm. The Stag and Turret is proud to announce that they now have the cheapest drinks prices in Edinburgh's Gay Pubs. Drinks promos seem to be happening everywhere and the Stag seem to have the best deal. With Karaoke and drinks promos, the Stag seems to be the place to go. Hot Stuff/Frenchies in Rose Street have told me that Bev's Karaoke is busy and worth a sing-a-long! Rory and his team have a lot more planned and all will be revealed in due course and the fulness of time. CC's are having their 7th (yup, 7!!) Birthday Party on the 11th July. Lauren will be appearing as will Cookie - a fabulous Drag Artiste who is due to jet in from the USA to appear. As well as this - it's a Theme Night!! The theme is Schools Out! So dress up in your school tie, or as Britney Spears or maybe a St. Trinians girl!! As well as this there will be a Male and Female Exotic Dancers, the Male dancer is on the front of the May Gay Times - very tasty!! And Peter and Dianne tell me that there will be a raffle with prizes ranging from a DVD Player to Sports Watches and much more. With a Late Licence till 4am and prizes for the best dressed, why not pop in for a fun night out!! As well as this, Lauren will be appearing in her own right on the first Wednesday of each month. Emma and Georgie Boy have their Karaoke on Sundays and Thursdays and DJ's Blondie, Christine and Annie still rule the roost in the Disco. Tackno have their 6th Birthday Party on 29th July. Trendy Wendy and Co will be reliving the best moments from the last 6 years, should be fun and always a good night out! Joy returns on the 7th and 21st July with Maggie and Alan Joy. Trendy Wendy and Sally Findlay look after the downstairs lounge. Remember it's getting busier so you'll have to start getting there earlier! Luvley is at The Honeycomb on 21st July. DJ's: Main room - Residents - Tommy Kay, Jared and GP. In the 2nd Room - Funky house - Residents 'Newton & Stone'. Dress code: Fashion/Fetish. Big Effort = Q Priority. Always a fun night!! That seems to be it for just now, but next month is the issue before the festival so I'll let you know what's happening then. Luv ya's. Ali niniev@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Pride 2001 - A Happy Walk! An MSP (Tommy Sheridan) (actually, the LibDems and Greens turned up too), an MP (Edinburgh West's new LibDem), a nice message of support from a Tory (David McLetchie) and a load of queers. What more could we all want? Pride Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd June turned out to be a spectacular celebration of US! The pix are all in the paper edition of ScotsGay! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dundee/Dun Deagh With the summer sun making a welcome appearance in Dundee lately, it seems to have brought out the fun loving side of a few Dundonians. Brian, who you'll all know as Liberty's supremo and entrepreneur, got the other month off to a interesting start by changing almost all his staff at Liberty! There are a good many theories floating around for this reshuffle, and I'd like to silence some of them by saying I talked directly to Brian, and it's nothing to do with Ewan M's interest in women's clothing or the parties at 'Captain Jacks'. Allegedly the real reasons are due to Brian's long time wish to be the leader of a 'barber shop quartet', singing all those 'olde rag-time greats' such as 'Cotton Mouthed Betty' and 'A Playin' With My Giblets'. So to that end he's recruited the vocal talents of Raymond, famed tenor in the opera circles for his large ...errh... 'voice', Duo Ewan and Paul both exceptional Baritones, Keir, renowned Soprano and lastly Barry whose skills as arranger and conductor are well respected. So keep a eye out when you're out and about and if you bump into Brian be sure to ask him for a quick rendition of his current favourite tune just now 'It's My Way Or The Highway!'... Maestro If you Please...! (Well this theory is daft but not as crazy as some of the others I've heard!! So shush all you silly moo's... Jimmy didn't eat any of them... they're all still alive). The upside (if any) to all this malarky is a feast of Special events and promo's etc so keep an eye out for them in the usual Liberty flyers. Elsewhere it seems career changes are afoot also! Charlie it seems has been moonlighting in a popular Glasgow Play! Well it is his picture all over the papers is it not? Check out the notice board in Charlies Bar for the evidence. Those of you who watch the ever growing number of TV game shows might have noticed Dundee's own Queen of Daytime Television 'Billy K' . He's been on the game for quite a while it seems - errh game show I mean and he's won some wonderful prizes. Some of them include a weeks holiday for two in war torn 'Bosnia' and a night out at Brooklyn's Bar, which is largely the same thing I'm told, except you don't need a flak jacket all the time in Bosnia. (Now don't go gettin in the huff B, I had to think of a way of mentioning the place! Everyone knows it's Dundee's best decorated Gay Venue and a nice place to boot! Oh and did I forget to mention the very reasonable price list, large 'free' video screen, pool table and pleasant friendly staff, opening at 5pm every night?). Those sticky fingered types have been out and about lately so do remember not to go leaving your property unattended, Just ask poor old Iain who is on the market for a new mobile phone! The weekend's festivities all went well at Edinburgh's Gay Pride day, I made it to CC Bloom's (eventually) and had a great night although it was a bit overcrowded! Dundee was well represented by various people and they report it was by and large a very successful and enjoyable event...hmmm wonder when we'll see a Dundee Gay Pride day? Those of you looking forward to this year's 'Mr GAY UK' night at Liberty will no doubt be saddened to note that Liberty will be unable to host the event this year! Now I know what you're thinking and don't go there! The promoters have changed the rules of the contest which means that only certain 'larger' venues will be permitted to forward a contender this year! Liberty through no fault of its own cannot meet these 'new' criteria and thus won't be allowed to forward an entry. But don't throw out the new g-string and baby oil just yet cause Brian has stepped in to save the day ! Liberty will be holding his own 'Gay UK' type event, which if all goes to plan will encompass both the boys and girls! So keep an eye out for that! Last line goes to lovely Bill K and his gang, who fresh from the ballet gave us all an interesting night with their rendition of Swan Lake! Well Bill did anyway! Perry x E-mail: perryj@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- dance chart 1. WEEKEND PLAYERS- 21ST CENTURY (Different Gear Remix) (Multiply) 2. IAN VAN DAHL- CASTLES IN THE SKY (Coast 2 Coast Mix) (NuLife) 3. VAN BELLEN- THE MIXED SENSES : 20/20 (Saints & Sinners Incensed Remix) (Beak) 4. TATA BOX INHIBITORS- PLASMIDS (Oscar G Space Miami Mix) (Future Groove) 5. TRISCO- MUSAK (Steve Lawler Remix) (Positiva) 6. SLYNUS II (VA Test) 7. DJ TI_STO- FLIGHT 643 (Jaimy & Kenny D Remix) (Nebula) 8. ELECTRIC TEASE- FEVER / SIZZLER (Automatic) 9. MADAM- PENETRATION (Madam vs Bipath Main) (Saw) 10. SKINNY- MORNING LIGHT (Ibi Tough Mix) (Cheeky) 11. ELECTRIC DELUXE- ELECTRIC DELUXE (Christian Smith & John Selway Remix) (Additive) 12. GD- DESTINY (GD's Instrumental) (IDJ) 13. QUIRK- YEBO (Brancaccio & Aisher's A To The K Dub / Original Mix) (Automatic) 14. SUREAL- ALWAYS ON MY MIND (Jan Driver Remix) (AM:PM) 15. MOONCHILD- PROGRESSIVE DOMINATION (Moonchild's 2001 Remix) (Heat) 16. S.F.T.G.& COLEIN- LEAN ON ME (Bluestone Mix) (White) 17. FILUR- SHAME (Afro Bonus Beats) (Disco:wax) 18. DA HOOL- MEET HER AT THE LOVE PARADE 2001 (Pete Heller's Stylus Style Mix) (Manifesto) 19. COSMIC GATE- FIRE WIRE (Club Mix) (Data) 20. ACCADIA- INTO THE DAWN (Accadia Club Mix) (Lost Language) --------------------------------------------------------------------- ScotsDyke Well hello girls, I hope you all enjoyed and gave your support to Pride Scotland last week, we had a great day for it. Pride for me means more than just having a big party and getting completely off my head (although that often happens). I think that it not only lets people know that we are here to stay but it also shows the rest of the folks out there that we are not some kind of freaks: just normal everyday people joining together to support each other. It also shows the kids of gay and lesbian parents that they are not alone and if they take comfort from that then all the better. I spoke to some women on the day and asked them what Pride meant to them and here's what they said: Good clean fun and a proud day. Good chance for fun and for everyone to enjoy themselves. Good fun with meaning for all sexualities.-Lynn, Jackie and Vicky It has lost the community feel but the march is good and there is more good feeling from that than the party afterwards. It used to mean community and a day for us.-Brenda and Emma It is very important because it symbolises unity, celebration and being able to have fun.-Nicky and Gill (newlyweds) Ayrshire Pride and independence, freedom and the right to be who you want to be just like every other human.-Diane and Mandy, Kirkcaldy Good chance for a good shag.-Natalie. The freedom of Pride is the greatest Pride you can get - Be proud of it!-Mags --------------------------------------------------------------------- Scottish Media Monitor Garry Otton Wrestles Behind the Towel Say goodbye to limp sandwiches 'cos things have got more interesting on ScotRail thanks to "bachelor" William Richardson. He used to strip on the first Wednesday of every month on the 23.33 to Stirling, starting at Glasgow in a dinner jacket. The Daily Record wrote him off as a "sex pest" so this was no amateur! Never mind what it feels like on a train with a carriage-load of football fans, an undercover policewoman was specially sent to trap him. After avoiding a prison sentence, the Record screeched: "RAIL STRIPPER FREE", which I mistakenly took to be the price of his show. This included feeling himself, fixing travellers with an unblinking stare, baring his chest and one occasion, sticking his fingers down his trousers. According to one "victim", all he did was expose a hairy chest and a big belly. "Richardson, 33, thought his antics were normal". Sheriff Robert Younger begged to differ. Poor Willy got six months probation. = "Almost GBP400,000" - GBP387,000 actually - of lottery grant to Scottish gay groups was an "award too far" for The Scottish Daily Mail. The award lanced the festering and poisonous abscess of bigotry and intolerance carried by Jim Cowie, chair of the Kirk's Victorian Board of Social Responsibility. The foul-smelling pus of his opinion- too disgusting to appear in a gay magazine- ejaculated across the pages of the worst of the Scottish press. Cowie, a religious militant, was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland begrudging the money spent on gays over and above the promotion of marriage and the Family. Rich considering that a similar sized grant has been awarded to the Church-run Scottish Marriage Care Ltd., promoting the institution of marriage! Not only did this fail to make the news, but also BBC Radio Scotland never asked gays for their opinion. Not surprising, I suppose, when every morning the BBC insult us by interrupting their morning news with religious propaganda! When the Dutch ship anchored in international waters off Ireland to offer abortions- an act to promote publicity as much as anything else- BBC Radio 4 interrupted its morning news with a statement from the Evangelical Alliance calling it Thought For The Day! The Very Catholic John Oates wailed on BBC 2 Scotland's Newsnight Scotland about inappropriate material being used in schools that would shock all parents. What schools? The Beyond Barriers project wasn't aimed at any! The Scottish Daily Mail chose to turn its guns on Stonewall Scotland, the "militant gay rights group"! (If they can get that much wrong, what does that say about the rest of their news)? Mail Reporter Gavin Madeley appeared momentarily struck by amnesia, unable to recall the level of Church militancy polluting the very core of the Scottish establishment and chose instead to catalogue "Stonewall's history of militancy"; exposing precisely the sort of injustices the National Lottery Community Fund wanted its recipients to challenge. The Mail scratched around for groups they could claim were being deprived of vital funds. The editorial added tearfully: "Many uncontroversial charities which desperately need money have had their more modest applications rejected". The British Vascular Foundation, Age Concern Scotland, the British Liver Trust, Fablevision and "a small sum" to enable war veterans "to visit their comrades' graves in France before they become too frail to do so". Never mind the suicides, beatings and murders of gays, the Mail squealed: "Are they so much less worthy of funding than Stonewall?" The Beyond Barriers project would research what is at the root of the frightening level of homophobia that blights Scotland today. No wonder the Church and media were so defensive! The Scottish Daily Mail pulled out a scratched record whimpering: "This is political correctness gone mad". = The Sunday Mail delivered a shrill note of disapproval to a new lap-dancing club in Glasgow. The report tried to assure us it wasn't just the delicate staff at Pacific Quay who were waving their fragrant hankies! "Police will also be alarmed by the dance routines inside Diamond Dolls. Physical contact between dancers and customers is forbidden by law. But Diamond Dolls girls- paid GBP10 a dance- went far beyond the legal limits". Oh, goodness me, half-naked girls writhing up a poll! Now forgive me for asking, but why would any man want to go to such a club if not to enjoy a huge staun'er? Lap-dancing is banned in Glasgow, but not table-dancing, which is supposed to provide the respectable distance of a table between the pouting lady and the man with an accelerating heart rate. Contact is forbidden. The shocked 'investigators' from The Sunday Mail watched two dancers give it a twirl before "it soon became clear that table dancing was not on the agenda as both girls stripped to just a thong. She went far further than a reputable lap dance club would allow..." Sadly, the only hard thing left in these men's hands was a biro! SNP Social Justice and Equality spokesperson Roseanna Cunningham told The Sunday Mail: "I find lap dancing all a bit distasteful". And so do I - unless its Willy Richardson on the 23.33 to Stirling wearing nothing but a bit of Johnson's baby oil - but when we outlaw sexual expression, it is a lot more than a stiff cock that gets pushed down behind crossed legs. It is women, exploited behind closed doors. = Those who sought the website of a major Scottish attraction and found sex were branded "sick" by The Sunday Mail. The discovery of a 10-year-old amongst them only made it worse! The Sabbath Mail went into overdrive. What was interesting was how apparently anaesthetised the Mail was to violence and how customarily hysterical it became with sex. 10-year-old Alana Fair wanted to visit the website of Edinburgh's Dungeon http://www.thedungeons.com/ and, after a printing error in Yellow Pages, was whisked away to an altogether different sort of dungeon: Erotica On-Line, http://www.dungeon.com/. Apparently, this sexual imagery of restraint and mock torture was more damaging to young Alana than the depiction of the real death and torture that inspired the Edinburgh Dungeon, including burning victims with red hot coals, force-feeding with huge amounts of water and subjecting humans to flesh-tearers and devices that crush the head. "DUNGEON PORN MIXED UP WITH FAMILY NET SITE" squealed The Sunday Mail in terror after "web address sends girl, 10, to bondage perverts' page". The Mail found the sexy site "boasts... 50,000 perverted photos" without mentioning first, 10-year-old Alana would need to part with her credit card number! According to her mum, Alana was "embarrassed and disgusted by what she saw" and insisted: "It is certainly not the kind of thing I want a 10-year-old to be looking at". Erotica On-Line had done nothing wrong! Alana's mum no doubt pays for her daughter's Internet access, making her responsible for what her daughter accesses. Ever heard of Net Nanny, mum? = Building a website to promote naturism? Not in Scotland! Nigel Butterfield had a shock when he was door-stepped by reporters. Thanks to Scottish News of the World investigators: "Butterfield and girlfriend Andrea, 36- who also appears starkers on the site - are now terrified their respectable neighbours will find out about their weird web antics". Both naturists and members of the Central Council for Naturism, they had hoped to encourage other nudists to come to the Isle of Skye. They were now terrified of the backlash from Church of Scotland fanatics after reporter David Leslie linked them with kiddie porn. European naturism is a massive enterprise and far removed from the permanently zipped fly of the prudish Scottish News of the World. There are naturist holidays, condominiums, shopping complexes and goodness knows what else. Nigel Butterfield's website featured advertisements for some European naturist films. "The films show naked boys and girls on picnics, at parties, taking part in sports and at a nude wedding ceremony. One of the ads even shows a shot of naked kiddies queuing up to see Santa". Many European families are naturists, far more than could ever be possible in the UK today under the present moral climate. The report, entitled: "ISLE NUDIST HAS NAKED KID WEBSITE" appeared beneath another report with the headline: "Jail child porn users instantly"; comments made by the mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne. Under the sub-heading "danger", the double-page spread demonstrated how easily the hysteria over paedophilia was spilling into other areas of moral behaviour. = After the unbridled publicity offered by Edinburgh's Evening News on the gay shenanigans in the sauna at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, The Scottish News of the World sent its investigators in to sample the delights of the "seedier side" of "pool pervs". In his "exclusive", David Taylor unconvincingly claimed, "gay lovers were meeting there for sex sessions during their work breaks". (Only lovers? How sweet)! And because so many men seeking gay sex were using the sauna, instead of chucking in the towel and holding a gay session, the Commonwealth Pool ordered sauna users to cover up after they caught- in the words of the pious Scottish News of the World - two men "getting to know each other rather too well". The investigators were confronted by the unpardonable sight of men "still walking around in the nude and getting changed without closing the curtains of their cubicles". (Very Margate 1901)! A pool spokesman tried to reassure S.N.O.T. World readers that most sauna users were "respectable people". Presumably all the ones still sweating it out in their polyester swimsuits! And how our continental neighbours laughed! The Commonwealth Pool was left fumbling awkwardly behind a towel. Apparently, "the ban on nudity has also been extended to the swimming pool changing area". One sauna user says on a public posting on Usenet that a sign now reads: "NO NUDE SHOWERING"! He questioned this at the front desk since he finds it helpful to shower in the nude but says he was told: "Society is full of perverts and homosexuals." He's not been back since. = A century ago, her remedies might've graced the sides of ceramic pots in dodgy writing. Today, Old Mother (Joan) Burnie addresses a generation whose sexual references are still rooted in the sight of Lillian Gish tied to a rail track. Old Mother Burnie in the Record tried to help a young lad who she claims wrote to her after it was suggested he was in denial of being gay by a gay switchboard counsellor. He insisted, after 15 years of having sex with men from the age of 13, he was now straight. Despite the fact it is not at all unusual for 13-year-olds to seek sex of any kind, she admonished him for being "emotionally and probably physically much too immature at 13 to be having sex". A populist rant on under-age sex was put before the lad's needs: "The men with whom you were doing it, were committing an illegal act... It is significant surely that you refer to them as men rather than boys, which seems to indicate this wasn't just you and some mates fooling around and experimenting" - which presumably was alright - "but that you became involved with much older adults. If this is true, then they were paedophiles". Since at 13 he was most likely post-pubescent, they were not. "Obviously I am not criticising you..." she told him, enforcing the old 'innocent kid victim' versus 'predatory older pervert' paradigm, "but blaming those who abused you. And it was abuse... Sex, gay or heterosexual, isn't for children". Marked with her usual caveat that she would say the same to 'a vulnerable girl', Burnie went on to consider the possibility of bisexuality. Fine! But blaming his gay experiences on sexual abuse and putting him touch with Survivors was about as useless as a perforated condom! Whatever you think of Michael Barrymore, he is not evil, just a bit silly. His dilemma had The Daily Record effervescing over drugs, particularly Rohypnol. "Although known as the 'date rape' drug, Rohypnol is also popular with gay men". Oh, really? Barrymore made Old Mother Burnie very cross indeed! She went for his "limp wrist"- hardly appropriate language for an agony aunt, but that's what she said- and for being "downright nasty", a "preening, vicious, mincing drunk who refuses to control his habits or his zip". Shortly after, a letter from a man who had pretended he was gay appeared, accompanied by a photograph of a man camply waving his arms about. Screaming like a mum who'd just caught you creeping downstairs with Brian Souter still tying the laces on his red shoes, she nagged: "Mind you, if I was gay, I'd sling him right back to the straights. I shouldn't think any decent, normal gay would want him. Few people have done more than Barrymore to bring them into disrepute... He's promiscuous. He picks up toyboys. He's as camp as a Boy Scouts' jamboree. And before anyone starts..." she added indignantly, "none of this has anything whatsoever to do with Barrymore's sexuality. Who or what he sleeps with is his business". Just so long as they aren't toyboys, of course! Now you can all jolly well go to bed without any supper! = It all happens in Falkirk, doesn't it? 22-year-old handyman Robert Adams was so pissed off when his ex-girlfriend's new man made "cruel jibes about the size of his manhood", according to the Daily Record, he pulled out his cock and flashed it at him crying: "How do you like this? Do you want some of this?" Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one watching his drunken act of bravado. Spotted by two police officers, he was arrested for indecency and fined GBP200. garry@scottishmediamonitor.com Garry Otton's book will be available later this year. Get the full Monitor at http://www.scottishmediamonitor.com/ (c) Garry Otton 2001 cut it out! _ TV critic Ally Ross in The Scottish News of the World on Brighton Out The Closet: "...Two of the Brighton lesbians have been wondering about an appropriate name for their new pub. How about The Dog And Dog?" _ If the Scottish press represents Scottish opinion, how come Katie Grant is in not one, but three newspapers? In The Scotsman: "Britain owes a lot to Margaret Thatcher... Toryism is a quite distinct thing. Can we have more of it, please?" _ And in Scotland on Sunday: "It has been an odd week in the world of political correctness... Sir Malcolm Rifkind says that politics is like Aids, because there is 'no known cure' and is castigated... Malcolm Rifkind was slated for his innocuous Aids remark because he is a perfect target- white and middle class". _ Grumbling flat-cap columnist Albert Morris in The Scotsman: "Liberal Democrats brought me out in a grumbling rash of pinko promises". _ Headline in the Scottish Daily Mail for a story of West Lothian boy who rescued a couple after their boat overturned: "Boy drops his homework to rescue sailors". _ The lovely Muriel Gray in The Sunday Herald on Polly Portillo: "Yet, with all this behind him, the only thing the media can point to as a hindrance to election is the fact that he may have given an unfortunate chap or two a bit of a seeing to. What gay people must make of all this is too horrible to contemplate. It must be hard enough living as a minority group in an intolerant society, but to have this wily git pretending to uphold their rights - when he's using their unpopularity among the unthinking masses to deflect attention from his political shortcomings - is nothing short of nauseating". _ Anti-porn campaigner Linda Watson-Brown tried to assure Scotsman readers she's "a good wishy-washy liberal". In your dreams, sweetheart! _ Keep the Clause evangelist R S Stephen in The Fraserburgh Herald on "eight queer symbols" in a letter from the Scottish Executive: "They were put there by Satan like he interfered with the computers during the parliament's debate on pagan prayers and rigged the vote to Satanic numbers and I had phoned the parliament at the time!" I don't know what his problem is but I bet it's hard to pronounce! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Inverness/Inbhir Nis Hi there, everyone. Greetings from Inverness. It's that time of the month again, so, here I am once more with news and tittle-tattle from the area, although there doesn't seem to be a great deal to report this time around. However, I shall do my best to keep you informed as to the "goings on" in and around the area... First of all, I would like to say that the tourist season seems to be well on the way to recovery, with a steady (and very badly needed) increase in the numbers of tourists visiting the city. The Tourist Information Centre fields enquiries from holidaymakers, both straight and gay, asking a variety of questions about where to go and what to see throughout the area. However, the TIC. seems to be unable (or perhaps, unwilling) to answer questions and queries from members of the LGBT. community regarding places to stay that are either gay or gay friendly, nor do they have any information on gay friendly pubs, clubs and restaurants...I know this from personal experience, as I recently went into the TIC. to make a few "enquiries" as a gay person. They weren't very helpful. Perhaps they should consider employing a gay or lesbian information officer, or, at least should refer enquirers to another source of information such as Reachout Highland, who would be only too pleased to answer such questions, to the best of their knowledge and ability...So, come on, Inverness TIC... Buck your ideas up!! The Highland Festival has been well under way, here in Inverness. Events have ranged from performances of classical music and opera at Eden Court Theatre, to street performers, acrobats and jugglers, cookery demonstrations and foodtastings (a good way to grab some free nosh!!), traditional Highland and Celtic music, bagpipes and all. The streets have been very busy with all the hustle and bustle of both locals and visitors, and, the recent spell of good weather seems to have brought people from miles around to visit the city. Everyone seems to have been having a good time with the bright, carnival atmosphere which has caught on and taken the city by storm, and, I would say that the lighter nights have certainly enabled many of the "locals" to get out and about and ensure that they have a good time and enjoy themselves. Local cruising spots are certainly being well patronised once again, but, I have heard that new closed circuit security cameras have been installed at a "certain place" along the riverbank and close to the Eden Court Theatre... So, I would urge all the "locals" who visit the place in question (and I'm sure they know where I mean!!) to act with extreme caution, as it is definitely under observation... I hear rumours on the grapevine that a new restaurant which is to open shortly on Bank Street, Inverness is apparently going to be "gay friendly". So, it may be worthwhile giving it a try to find out if such rumours have any foundation and what truth there is in the establishment welcoming the spending power of the "pink pound". I, for one, certainly intend to give it a try... but maybe that's just because I enjoy a good meal. Well, I guess that's about all for now... Best wishes and lots of safe sex. Kuddels. kuddels@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- Aberdeen/Obar Dheadhain Hi folks!! It's that time of the month once more. I had another call this morning with the question "Where are your words?", so I'm here at ScotsGay Towers frantically trying to get to grips with one of these so-called "ergonomic" keyboards, which is fine if one can type properly, but not for me. By the way, a wee word to our Edinburgh correspondent - next time you try to use me as an excuse for not getting yer copy in time, at least call me first so that we can get the story right! :-) As usual, there's nothing much doing in Aberdeen. Those of you who were deprived of a socialising environment because Aberdeen's one and only gay venue had closed due to losing its licence - oh sorry, I meant to say not having a licence (!) - will be pleased to know that as of Wednesday 20th June, it's back up and running. Since I was preparing for my first Pride Scotland in two years, I alas did not have the chance to go along and see what the new refurbishment is like, but no doubt on my return to Aberdeen I will be popping along to see fit like. During the time that Castro's was closed, I did wonder where on Earth people were going instead. I find it hard to believe that you all stayed at home all that time! Pride Scotland was unusual this year. The route of the march was different (apparently - I didn't wake up till 2.15pm!) and there was no festival at the Meadows, which is rather a shame. In past years it was nice to have everyone in the one area, but this time round things were rather more fragmented. I ended up first of all at Ego, where it took me some time to get used to the lack of light. I must say though, GBP2.70 a pint is not the price I would normally pay for a pint, and once I discovered that the Outhouse round the back was selling the same for GBP1.50 during their Happy Hour, I wasn't going to go back. My other criticism was when the bouncer closed the door that led back into Ego, making those of us who had jackets in the cloakroom walk round the long way to get there. But hey, it turned out to be a good day all in. A big hi to Maggie of Joy fame too, who I haven't seen for ages - and sorry that I didn't make it that evening - by the time I got home to get changed I was that pissed that passing out was the only option that was appropriate! Well, it is with some sadness (aye, right!) that I bring you the news that I will no longer be your favourite Aberdeen scene writer. Well, let's face it, I'm the only one who has been daft enough to do it for so long, and four years has been long enough! I am moving to slightly more gay-friendly pastures, and much as I'd like to continue informing you of all that's happening in Aberdeen, I am damned if I'm going to travel all the way to the Grey City to do it - so, if any one out there fancies getting your notepad and camera out and doing a little bit of scene journalism, please do get in touch. It would help if a) you could write; b) you could spell (and punctuate-Trypesetter) and c) meet deadlines! It's not paid, but if you feel that you wish to do a bit for your local "community" then it may be your ideal opportunity! Call us on 0131-539 0666, E-mail editorial@scotsgay.co.uk or drop us a line at PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. Anyway, I shall sign off now so that I can make way for Little Miss Edinburgh to get in about and type her copy. Do look after yourselves. Gus x gus@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- International News from Rex Wockner Nazi Exhibit Destroyed An outdoor exhibit in Vienna on the Nazi persecution of homosexuals was destroyed by vandals on June 13th. The pink-triangle pillars displaying photos and documents related to the Third Reich's anti-gay repression and murder had been erected in Heldenplatz, a public square. Vienna's cultural affairs department will pay to have the exhibit repaired. "It is rather strange that there are no eyewitnesses to the attack because this is a place which is never completely deserted," said Kurt Krickler of Homosexual Initiative Vienna. "People pass by there in the night, there is a disco nearby, and what is most surprising, the police did not take notice of the attack although the exhibit is only 200 meters from the Federal Chancellery and the office of the federal president, which we assumed would be especially police-protected." German states sue to block partnership law The German states of Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia have filed suit in the Constitutional Court to block implementation of Germany's gay partnership law, which takes effect in August. They say the law is an attack on heterosexual couples. The measure extends spousal rights to registered same-sex couples in areas such as inheritance, tenancy, health insurance, immigration, hospital visitation, child custody and alimony. Registered gay couples have nearly all rights of marriage in Denmark, France, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the U.S. state of Vermont. The Netherlands lets gays marry under the same laws as heterosexual couples. Court rulings have given gay couples many marriage rights in Canada and Hungary. Slovenian gays protest at cafe About 40 gays and lesbians demonstrated at Ljubljana, Slovenia's Galerija Cafe on June 15th to protest against the venue's reported refusal to serve gay customers a week earlier. They occupied most of the cafe's patio, hoisted rainbow flags, and sipped bottled water very slowly. On June 8th, Slovenian gay poet and activist Brane Mozetic and Canadian gay poet Jean-Paul Daoust allegedly were denied entry to the cafe by a bouncer who reportedly told them, "You just have to get used to the fact that this pub isn't for that sort of people." In other news, Slovenian voters on June 17th overturned a two-month-old law that allowed single women to access artificial-insemination technology. Seventy-two percent of voters said the procedure should only be available to married women. Icelandic gays integrate The gay and lesbian scene has all but disappeared in Iceland, reports London's The Pink Paper -- "not through underuse, but because Icelanders have embraced inclusivity." "Every bar is now a mixed bar," the paper said. "The one gay-identified nightclub, Spotlight, sports the ubiquitous rainbow flag outside, but the crowd inside is as mixed as the straight club next door." Iceland is one of several nations where registered gay couples receive more that 99 percent of the rights and obligations of marriage. Others include Denmark, France, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, and, in the US, the state of Vermont. The Netherlands lets gays marry under the same laws as heterosexual couples. Mexican movie breaks records A new Mexican movie with a gay subplot has broken box-office records for a domestically produced film. "Y tu mama tambien" ("And Your Mother Too") grossed $2.2 million its first week in cinemas. Reuters said the film depicts "two foul-mouthed teenagers having sex with an older woman, smoking pot, masturbating and engaging in a fleeting homosexual romp. ... Amid alcohol-soaked, lust-fueled comic turns, the journey takes on existential dimensions as it confronts questions of innocence, friendship and mortality in the context of Mexican society." The film got a "C" rating which means no one under 18 can see it. "Y tu mama tambien" is not yet screening in the US and director Alfonso Cuaron fears he may have to tone it down to get an "R" rating rather than a more restrictive one. "Don't get me wrong that censorship occurs only in Mexico," he told the wire service. "In the United States it's worse. I'll probably have to cut it to get it released." 200,000 MARCH IN BRAZIL Two hundred thousand people turned out for the gay-pride parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 17th, making it the largest gay-pride march anywhere in the Third World. Sao Paulo's first parade, six years ago, attracted only 2,000 people. Mayor Marta Suplicy addressed the celebrants at a rally in the gay-bar district in the city center. 500,000 PARTY IN BERLIN Half a million people turned out for Berlin's Christopher Street Day gay-pride parade on June 23rd, despite rain and chilly weather. The three mile march from the Kurfeurstendamm shopping street to the government district to city hall featured 80 floats. Openly gay Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit told a post-march rally, "We won't give the right-wing extremists a finger's width." The rainbow flag flew over City Hall as he spoke. 500,000 PARTY IN PARIS Half a million people turned out for Paris' gay-pride parade on June 23rd, including openly gay Mayor Bertrand Delanoe who led the procession behind a banner reading "All together against discrimination." The parade began at Porte Doree in the southeast of the city, passed by the Bastille jail, and ended at the Place de la Republique. Among the marchers' demands: Equal access to adoption and artificial insemination, and recognition of the Nazis' anti-gay atrocities. Registered French gay couples receive most other rights of matrimony. In Italy, 30,000 people marched in Milan. Vice-Mayor Riccardo De Corato told the ANSA wire service that the city did "not share the sentiments of this rally." TWO DOZEN MARCH IN HETERO PRIDE PARADE Two dozen people marched from the provincial legislature to City Hall in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada's first Heterosexual Family Pride parade on June 18th, reported the National Post. "It's important to speak up and teach people that they don't have to act on homosexual desires," said organizer Bill Whatcott. Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco received flak for issuing a proclamation recognizing Heterosexual Family Pride Day. In the aftermath, city officials said proclamations will no longer be issued in language written by the individuals who request them but rather in standard city-authored bureaucratese. PARTY LEADER: GAY POLITICIANS SHOULD COME OUT Gay politicians should come out of the closet like the new mayor of Berlin did, says Franz Muentefering, secretary general of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrat party. Speaking on June 20th to Stern magazine, Muentefering, whose daughter is gay, said: "Homosexuals and lesbians in politics can help their party, themselves and public opinion if they do not disguise [their sexuality]. "You create confidence and the thing [homosexuality] is not whispered about. Someone who tells the truth about this is someone who will tell the truth about other things. That is how people see this issue." Klaus Wowereit, 47, came out on June 10th and was elected mayor by Berlin lawmakers on June 16th. AIDS BRIEFS Automaker DaimlerChrysler said on June 19th that it will give free AIDS drugs to the 20 percent of its 4,445 employees in South Africa who are believed to be HIV-positive. The company expects to spend about $1.9 million annually. The Indian drug company Aurobindo Pharma is offering three-drug anti-HIV treatment for $295 per year per patient. The drugs cost more than $10,000 per year in the West. "We see this as a service to humanity and not a profit-making exercise," said a spokesperson. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Films Malcolm Epstein Those of us who love costume dramas are in for a treat later in August as A Knight's Tale (PG) is the best movie I have seen about jousting in the 14th century. Tired of paying a fraction too much for superstars Columbia assembled a mostly unknown, but very desirable, cast with Rufus Sewell as the most menacing villain you've ever seen. A blond young man to take your breath away, Heath Ledger is a humble thatcher's son with aspirations towards jousting championships. But only knights are allowed to compete. Fate helps him meet someone to forge the necessary papers. The jousting scenes will keep you on the edge of your seat. While ruminating on the cleverness of the script and casting, we came to a dance sequence in a mediėval hall where I was disconcerted to hear them moving to modern pop music. What people will do to please American audiences! My favourite comedy of the year is undoubtedly Heartbreakers (15) which the distributors dare to keep from you till 24th August. Sigourney Weaver is a lovely and astute woman who marries rich men knowing it is extremely likely that they will cheat on here, so she arranges to have proof when it happens. That way it won't be argues with in a divorce court and she will get a very large settlement. Her beautiful daughter, Jennifer Love Hewitt, is part of the con team. But the daughter is so good at it, she wants to work on her own. Sigourney goes back to Anne Bancroft, who taught her everything she knows, for advice on how to handle an overconfident teenage daughter. I laughed continuously and you could too. The third of the series gives us Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (PG) with Paul Hogan, more masculine than anything onscreen today, up to his usual exploits. As the vastly successful first two (they made over $600 million) crop up on TV nowadays, doubtless this one will have quite an audience. But he looked a fraction more irresistible in 1986 when he made the first one, and he has not taken my advice on moisturising the facial skin with obvious results onscreen. I doubt if his impressive wife, Linda Kozlowski, would have objected, Knowing she has to look her best onscreen I imagine she keeps a pint and a half of the best creams on the bedside table. In this one they have a ten year old son who is a lot of fun until Linda is kidnapped by drug dealers who have no idea what they are taking on with Mr Dundee. Amusing adventure stuff. If the smaller art house movies are your scene and the plays of Berholdt Brecht have ever played a part in your life, you might consider The Farewell (PG) about Mr Brecht's last summer. In Germany he was so revered that women queued up to touch the hem of his jeans. Any females who think they have a tough life here should know more about life in Iran in The Circle where they are not allowed to take a railway train unless accompanied by their husbands. news has filtered through over the years that the state police drive through the street looking for any woman who shows her legs and beat them with a cane before locking them up. "The Circle" won a gold prize at the Venice Film Festival. Kurdish people living in Iran number millions, but have a history of being treated like outcasts here as well as in Iraq, Turkey and Syria. A Time for Drunken Horses covers a very poor family with a son of 15 who never grew beyond the age of three and needs an operation to save his life. They smother him with affection and I was reaching for the tissues as they try several ways to get money for his treatment. Very sensitively made, it is unfortunate that it finishes too soon to tell the whole story as the writer/director ran out of money. Anyone with a passion for beards and moustaches will find the villages of Iran, packed with this kind of guy, a wonderland. Current Releases Possibly you had never considered spending any of your hard earned money on a trip to Cuba, but just in case you do you must see Before Night Falls (15). The police there lock up gays for an indefinite period and, as Castro is still in power, that is not likely to change. Here we have the suffering sections in the life of Reinaldo Arenas, a writer where the state doesn't approve of writers. He is also in an additional minefield as he is gay. Javier Bardem playing him is well worth your visit. Financed and directed by a successful art dealer, Julian Schnabel, he has enough respect to get Sean Penn making a tiny guess appearance and Johnny Depp as a transvestite and, in a later scene, a crotch rubbing police officer with moustache. You must see it for Mr Bardem. Gay life in New Zealand is shown in When Love Comes (18) where, despite all that sun and sandy beaches, they still have their troubles. Katie is a pop star in her thirties with an unexplainable lack of confidence about her life who returns to the seaside town she grew up in to spend time with her gay best friend, Stephen. But his life isn't running smoothly either as his musician lover, Mark, can't make up his mind what he wants in life and has a conscience about having spent some time on the game. Katie decides to help two local gay girls who have written songs, practised in local night spots and are now hoping for a pop career. It would have worked better if there had not been a great deal of meandering. However, think of how much you'll be saving on your trip Down Under. Late Night Shopping (15) set in Glasgow, has three guys and one girl not satisfied with their night time jobs who meet in a cafe for a chat about their lifestyles. That might sound boring but it isn't as it is put together by a sharp first time feature director, Saul Metzstein, with such shrewd casting I will be surprised if three out of these four don't go on to do a lot of work. The script is bubbling and the cast bristles with sex appeal. What more do you want for your money? You have to be a Richard Gere fan to appreciate his two new movies. Dr. T and the Women (12) has him practising medicine for women more interested in him and their problems. His wife, Farrah Fawcett, is going crazy, removing everything in the street and dancing in public fountains. Helen Hunt fills the gap. With Autumn in New York (15), he is the wealthy owner of a busy restaurant with a bachelor reputation a 48 as being essential to most women who look at him, and to get more than second glances from guys too. The latest one to tremble is 21 year old Winona Ryder, but she also complicates his life as she is dying of a tumour. If it wasn't drowning in treacle you might enjoy it more. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Books Reviews by Dirk Kriete Endangered Species Louis Bayard Alyson GBP 9.99 Another book by this talented writer I thoroughly enjoyed. I could relate to the key character in this witty, funny and poignant novel with all my heart, because being the only child of my parents and gay I had to come to terms with the extinction of our family line by me. That really is quite an awesome burden to carry when you are young and take the first tentative steps towards acknowledging the fact that you're gay. Somehow I felt this novel was written just for me, how I might have dealt with the apparent problem had I been born some years later. Who had ever heard of artificial insemination in the early 60s and 70s. I was completely (and perhaps blissfully) unaware of such possibilities. Please don't be put off by me saying that this book was written for me, I'm sure lots of you will feel the same way about the story of Nick, whether you're another spoiled brat of an only child like me, or the oldest of 13 children who have had their work cut out looking after younger members of your family. Dear Dan Apologies from an Imperfect World By Dan Woog Alyson GBP 8.99 This one falls into one of my favourite categories of books... Leave it next to the toilet and have a giggle every time you pick it up. (I know I have strange categories for my books...) This one did its job admirably. Frequently peals of laughter have been emanating together with the more usual noises associated with this room. But let's get to the point, this is a collection of letters, speeches and interviews of high profile public figures, attempting to apologise for something they previously said or did that was plain stupid, homophobic or sometimes downright offensive. And some are not apologies but just hilarious in their own right. At this juncture I'll give you just a taste of the treats you're in for, here is a little excerpt from Scouts Honour: "On my honour I will do my best To my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight" Did you catch those two last words? Morally straight. Straight! As in, not gay. Boy Scouts are not gay! Now, which of you adorable little heterosexuals wants to sleep in my tent tonight?" You'll have fun with this book, I'm sure ;-) The Best of Gay Adult Video 2001 Mickey Skee's Top 100 Published by Companion Press GBP 10.99 I bet that you have in your collection of gay porn videos some real turkeys. You know what it's like, all wrapped up in plastic with brilliant pictures on the cover which just screamed "Buy me" in the shop. You get it home frantically ripping the damn tight cellophane almost losing a crown in the process, slip it in the video and what you get is a ten second shot of the adorable youth on the cover and 59 minutes of some Croatian speaking middle aged gay couple doing their daily chores in the nude. Well, you should have forked out on this book before you decided to buy that turkey... If it's worth having, it's in this book. It features the author's Top 100 Gay Adult Videos in categories such as "Best Leather Video", "Best Young Hunks Video" and "Best Pure Sex Video". If you are an aficionado of gay adult entertainment then this book can save you a lot of money and embarrassment. Bad Boys of Video Interviews by Mickey Skee Companion Press GBP 10.99 After you've made an excellent choice for an evening's sensual entertainment with the help of the last book reviewed in this column, you might just like to know what really was in the mind of that Leather Queen humping away on his boy friend. Well, wait no more, all is revealed in this collection of interviews with the leading porn stars on the gay scene. Would you like to know how they felt about what it is like to be well hung at the age of ten, or what it was like to have sex in front of the camera for the first time? All the answers are in this book, together with the more esoteric stories such as what it is like to chat to a Prime Minister wearing nothing but a jock strap. This was another book that ended up giving much hilarity in our smallest room and I'm sure it'll give you plenty of laughs, even if the information is somewhat trivial for any but the most devoted gay porn collector. Reviews by Andy Martin Outside in Stuart Thorogood Gay Mens Press GBP9.95 Yawn.: NEXT! The Greatest Taboo-Homosexuality in Black Communities Edited by Delroy Constantine Simms Alyson GBP12.99 I have always found extreme prejudice in the black community against gay people, I myself have suffered great abuse from people I thought of as friends. Imagine then if you were gay and black-you would be in trouble then wouldn't you? This book endeavours to search for a better understanding to the disgraceful behaviour seen in the black community towards gays and maybe tries to find a level playing field where we can all be respectful of each other. Hard Drive Edited by Miguel Angel Alyson GBP10.99 Brill book about web cruisers, individual stories about online sex and meetings for sex that are at once great yet also fraught with danger. From digits to digital the stories are of meeting Mr Right either on or off the net and having mind blowing sex to stories of rape and angry and upsetting liaisons. Quite a good read and good to hear what's happening on the world wide web. MP3 and the Infinite Digital Jukebox Chris Gilbey Seven Stories Press GBP11.99 To put it simply I would say that this book is brilliant for gaining knowledge on MP3s, in this book there is information from "what is an MP3" to hardware analysis and advice on ripping music off the net and other sources. I think that GBP12.00 is too much for this one though and would suggest that you order one through your local library. Together- Life, Love & Lube Patric Gayle Gay Times Books GBP12.95 A great book full of useful and sensible information and a great help to the gay masses (no priests). A guide to health and happiness. A gay GURU. The illustrations by Lara Lodato in this book are hilarious and made me laugh all the way through this book. As a gay man you will find this book extremely useful. The best gay mens health book ever, at once serious and comical, Patriic Gayle has a talent for speaking through this book to us all as individuals and it is done in clear and precise terms. Spartacus- International Gay Guide 2001-2002 Bruno Gmunder GBP19.95 30th edition and still going strong. Fully revised, new design, full colour. What can be said about this other than, dare you be seen without it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. *Women Small Lesbian Small, brown-eyed, 21 year old Aberdeen lesbian with red hair is looking for friends and maybe more. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4206. *Men Broad And Bi Attractive, 50 year old broad-built bi guy is interested in meeting other Bi's, TVs or couples. He is easy-natured, quite fit, told attractive and would love to hear from you... Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4257. 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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 17 Year Old Lesbian Looking For Fun Smiley goth looking for luuuv, or just plain cuffed n kinky sex. :o) I live in Dornoch, North of Inverness but can travel. Txt me. Box SG40011. Edinburgh - Glasgow 34 year old just moved back to Scotland. 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Box SG40044. ***Men Men Spanking Men A fully illustrated magazine containing CP stories of Men Spanking Men. Canes, Tawses, Hands, Straps and much more. For full details and an order form, ring Jason Junior on 0800 9805469. E-mail: jason@jason-junior.co.uk WWW: http://www.jason-junior.co.uk [42a] Friends For A Laugh Young gay male couple, new to Glasgow, looking to meet others (men and women) for a drink and a laugh, nothing saucy! Box SG40004. 23 - Dundee 23 year old, 6'1", 30"w, slim build, dark hair, blue eyes. Not really on scene: would far prefer a cafe latte and a good movie. Am tired of playing the games. Looking for someone around same age who isn't fucked up and has at least three functioning brain cells. Does such a man exist? Well, I know that at least one does! E-mail: pobox1@blueyonder.co.uk or Write: Box SG40005. 44 Seeks 25+ For Cosy Nights In I'm 44, 5'10", with a medium build. Active and enjoy days out and quiet nights in. I like listening to music and film. 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Your Bear Hunt Could Be Over Traditional Scottish Bear, 43, 5'6", 15st, very hairy with beard and long red (balding) hair. I'm looking for no strings fun and friendship with a smooth chested and faced young guy (16+). Can accommodate (Edinburgh) or will travel. Mainly active but can be versatile with the right guy. I'm into guys who aren't too skinny - 'plain' or even 'ugly duckling' rather than 'pretty boys full of themselves'. But no piercings, please. Non smoker preferred. See my pix at http://i.am/weebear/ and, if you like what you see, drop me a line (ALAWP) to: Box SG340017. Spanking Slim naughty boy in his forties needs regular spanking from older suit wearing man 55-65. Would prefer a genuine understanding businessman or schoolteacher. I am not into heavy scenes just enjoy being over the knee. Box SG40018. Asian Guy Seeks Asian Guy!! Hi guys!! My name is Imran. I'm 22, bi, a Scottish born Pakistani guy, 6ft tall, single, caring, loving and thoughtful. I'm looking for a close and intimate friendship with a guy from the Edinburgh or Glasgow areas. I am great fun to be with, very caring and will do everything to make you happy. In return I ask that you love me, hold me and make me feel valued and wanted. I'd also love to have phone-ins, texting, meeting up when I'm in Scotland or you are in Manchester. Reply soon, I promise I will touch your heart with my warm personality and charm. Box SG40019. Young Fife Guy On The Hunt. 21 year old student, 5'11", good looker, honest! seeks light hearted guy 18-28 for chats, friendship and posibly more. Box SG40021. London Calling! Generous guy, late 40's, OK looks, GSOH, etc, seeks skinny Scottish lad 18-24 hopefully to share heart and home. Take a chance! Send photo/phone. Box SG40022. Edinburgh Guy Hi there, I'm a 30 year old straight acting guy looking for shagging pals between 20 and 35 for good times. I'm smooth with a 30" waist, 40" chest. 5'7", good looking. I can travel but can't accommodate. Box SG40024. GWM Seeks Colour GLK versatile GWM in Edinburgh, slim build, smooth, top, 5'11", brown hair/eyes, 7in uncut, looking to hook up with black/mixed/Asian /Indian guyz with similar stats 18-35 in Edinburgh. Box SG40027. Looking For Honest Friends Male 32, 5ft 8 tall and quite attractive with a gsoh looking to meet similar guys 16-30 for good friendship,and maybe a 1-2-1 with the right guy. so go on reply and live life on the edge. Box SG40028. Top Biker/Muscleguy Wanted Top Bikers/Muscleguys/Bears/Rugby Types in the Inverclyde/Glasgow area wanted by Horny Bottom guy. I'm a genuine guy and would like to meet for regular fun and more if possible. I'm 44 years, 5'9", 32w, 42c, zero crop balding, moustache, green eyes, hairy chest, stomach etc, fit, 13st, not bad looking. I would really love to meet s/a, s/l, top guys specially guys into bikes/cars etc. Age not important. Not into effeminate types or overweights. I'm also very discreet, have my own place and live alone. I will answer all replies. Box SG40029. Seeking First Leather Gay Experience 31 yea old guy from Edinburgh who has fantasized over the last 3 years to be bound, masked and gagged by a dom leather guy so there's no turning back even if I wanted to. I have several leather items including leather/bondage videos. I can travel or accommodate with the right person. I am genuine. If you are interested get back for more info and a photo of me in my leathers. Trevor. Box SG40030.