SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland ScotsGay 80/- Heavy - Issue 43 - December 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 Alan Joy's Dance Chart ScotsDyke Edinburgh Bi Vocal Glasgow Nunsense Scottish Media Monitor Dundee Aberdeen Letters International News from Rex Wockner Arts Books ScotsGay Voice Personals Boxes - The ScotsGay Meet Market Helplines Listings Venues -------------------------------------------------------------------- Editorial ========= Happy 8th birthday to ScotsGay! In the time we've been going, I think we've earned a reputation for the accuracy of our listings of scene, helplines and social/political groups. These listings are updated on a constant basis on our website at http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/ They take up more time (and expense) than anything else on the magazine - but we think it's worth it because this sort of information is vital to our community. Just a shame that Gay Times doesn't seem to share our passion for accuracy. Over a quarter of their current listings for Scotland have fatal flaws. By fatal, I mean that if you attempt to make contact using the information supplied, you simply won't make contact. This is for a number of reasons: sometimes the groups or venues no longer exist, sometimes the addresses have changed, sometimes the phone numbers are of people who have long since moved on. In two cases, the phone numbers are of people who are not only dead but have been so for a number of years! A further half dozen entries are significantly inaccurate, but at least the people who are listed as contacts can still pass you onto somebody who can help or it's merely a change of name of a venue. Gay Times should be well aware of the situation. ScotsGay wrote to them a year or so ago and offered to do their Scottish listings for them. The same silence followed that has followed the attempts of the mother of one of the dead guys to get his group's listing removed (you can imagine how distressing it must be to get phone calls for him on a regular basis). It's not just the personal distress of one mother, of course. Just think of the effect on somebody just coming out who has picked up a copy of GT from the newsstand and has then plucked up courage to travel to a venue which doesn't exist or has gone aggressively straight. In such a case, think of the potential personal danger involved. GT will be getting a new editor soon. Let's hope that s/he will take the time and trouble to completely overhaul the magazine's listings. It's not just the Scottish ones which are dangerously wrong, I'm told. That said, I'm sure that despite our best efforts, some of ScotsGay's listings are wrong. If so, please write and tell us! Let me now wish you all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year (when it comes)! John Hein johndunedin@drink.demon.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- News ==== Pride Scotland is going to be different next year! When have I heard that before? I hear a chorus of you say, and then the day comes, it rains and the whole thing is a bit of a damp squib. Well take my word for it, rain or shine, Pride Scotland 2002 is going to be different! For the first time it will be a week long festival and will reach parts of Scotland that other Prides have failed to reach (Any Heineken sponsors out there?). Starting on Friday 7th June, with a spectacular launch event, in Glasgow, it will then roll through the cities of Scotland and surprise everyone, including the organisers, no doubt. For this to work effectively there will be two aspects to Pride 2002, the events organised by the Pride Scotland committee supported by the local LGBT communities and the programme organised by the local LGBT communities in every part of Scotland and stitched into the Mega Pride Scotland Programme. Local groups and commercial venues, are urged to keep us up to date with their special plans for events in the week of 7th-12th June and to send representatives to our meetings if they can, or at least a telephone contact, so we can keep the momentum going. Essentially we want to ensure that Pride Scotland is not a secretive plot hatched in the minds of a few dedicated funsters, we want to give plenty of chances for YOU to get involved. We need people with organising ability, we need can collectors in every part of Scotland, we need stewards, we need people to talk to sponsors, we need sponsors etc. So there are loads of opportunities for you to help, make this the best Pride Scotland ever. One of the first things you can do is get your sketch pads out to design the Pride Scotland 2002 Logo which we will be choosing in February from the entries. This year's theme is 'Be Yourself - Change the World' with the secondary theme of 'Something Inside So Strong' All design entries, should be the original work of the entrant, in colour on white A4 paper with a covering letter detailing your contact details. Submissions cannot be returned and all entrants are advised that their entry to the competition is taken as permission for the Pride Scotland committee to use their entry as it wishes. There will be a prize for the winner and a Launch event for the successful entry, in addition to the honour of seeing your logo branding everything from T-shirts to the official programme. Entries should be sent to : Pride Scotland c/o Glasgow LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, St. Enoch, Glasgow, G1 4AL. Festival Organisers, have met with Council officials and have approval for the use of Glasgow Green, for the 'Pride on the Green' event on Saturday 15th June. The route of the March through Glasgow is planned and details of our proposed route have been sent to the police and the Council. The committee have met with the organisers of Mardi Gras London and Scottish events group Wildfire, to assess their ideas for events and to plan what we can organise ourselves. The layout plan of the Festival on Glasgow Green 'Pride on the Green', is being investigated to ensure the best positions of tents, main stage, fair ground etc. A Monthly can collecting programme has started round the pubs and venues in Scotland and we will be looking for more can collectors, to ensure that every area is fully covered. Ideas for the week of events, are being collated and sources of funding are being investigated. Tourist agencies are being advised of the dates for Pride Scotland 2001 and requested to ensure that this information is on their web sites and in brochures, for foreign visitors. A major dance event is being planned for the Saturday evening of the 15th June, in Glasgow. A pre Pride programme of events is being planned to raise funds and the profile of Pride Scotland, so watch out for details in this regular article courtesy of ScotsGay. Contact us by post at : Pride Scotland c/o Glasgow LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, St. Enoch, Glasgow, G1 4AL., by e-mail at: info@pridescotland.org and visit the web site at: http://www.pridescotland.org/ Stuart Hammond Pride Scotland Festival Week Organiser. Discrimination at work to be banned at last The UK Government has announced plans to ban discrimination at work on grounds of sexual orientation. The discrimination ban will also cover training, including college and university courses, and will apply across Britian. Recent European Union laws meant that the Government had no choice - it had to introduce this ban by the end of 2003. There is a lengthy consultation period, and the new law will not take effect until late in 2003. At the same time, discrimination in work and training on grounds of religion will also be banned, and a ban on age-related discrimination will be added by 2006. Tim Hopkins of the Equality Network commented, "A ban on discrimination at work is long overdue and is welcome. Countless people have been sacked or harassed out of their job for being lesbian, gay or bisexual, quite legally, and that will have to stop. It's disgraceful that it's taken a European directive to force the Government finally to do this." He cautions, however, that there are flaws in the proposals. "The ban will only cover employment and training. Gender, race and disability discrimination are also unlawful in the provision of goods and services. The new law should cover goods and services too, to stop people refusing them, for example hotel accommodation, on grounds of sexual orientation." The Government's proposals do not spell out how people facing discrimination because of their sexual orientation will get advice and help to resolve the issue. The Equality Network will be calling for that role to be given to a statutory body like the existing Equal Opportunities Commission. Also of concern to LGBT groups are the proposals that organisations which are based on religion, for example church-based social work organisations and schools, will be able to discriminate on grounds of religion in accordance with the religious ethos of their organisation. The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association is worried that this could allow church schools, for example, to place a blanket ban on employing gay staff in any capacity. Laws banning discrimination are dealt with at Westminster, not Holyrood, and under European law, the Government can introduce these changes by a fast-track Parliamentary procedure, which it says it intends to do. That means the Westminster Parliament will have no opportunity to debate amendments to the legislation as it is passed, and so it will not be possible for MPs to seek to improve the Government's proposals. For this reason, it is all the more important that our voices are heard during the Government's consultation on the proposals, which runs until March. Details of the consultation, and links to the proposal documents, can be found on the Equality Network's website at http:// www.equality-network.org/ . Tim Hopkins tmh@dcs.ed.ac.uk Outright plans a gayer Scotland Outright Scotland - Scotland's oldest and only democratic lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organisation - has announced that bringing together the diverse and far-flung LGBT people and communities of Scotland will be its main focus for the forthcoming year. Looking back over the group's work in the past twelve months and towards plans for the coming year Keith Cowan, convenor of Outright Scotland said: "The first year of the new millennium has been a landmark one for the LGBT people of Scotland. This year Outright convened a new national forum for liaison between the LGBT communities and all Scotland's police services. To many the idea seemed little more than a pipe-dream but we have succeeded far beyond what we dared hope for. Thanks in no small part to those working within the new Forum, every police service in Scotland, the Scottish Executive, The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and Her Majesties' Inspector of Constabulary all now acknowledge the need to recognise the rights and needs of LGBT people. And these are not hollow words - they are being backed by effective action. In 2002 we will see a rolling programme of training in LGBT issues and awareness for all existing officers and support staff throughout Scotland. And at the same time we will have LGBT issues and awareness mainstreamed into the training of each and every new police officer in Scotland. This is far beyond what has been achieved in any other part of the U.K. And in the laws governing our private lives, once again we in Scotland have led the way towards equal citizenship for LGBT people. In 2000 while all the UK at last got an equal age of consent, only we in Scotland also got rid of the infamous "Section 28". Well, in 2001 the other main way the law discriminated against gay sex - that regardless of age and consent any homosexual act "when more than two persons take part or are present" remained a crime punishable by up to two years imprisonment - was finally repealed in Scotland by the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act, 2001. There is still a lot of work to be done to advance and protect the rights of LGBT people in Scotland but we see the greater part of that work as lying beyond the confines of the Scottish Parliament. That is why in 2002, while we will continue our other areas of work, Outright Scotland will concentrate its efforts on two specific projects. Firstly, we will continue our strong support of the vital work of the Scottish Police & LGBT Community Liaison Forum. Secondly, we will recommence publishing Gay Scotland news magazine. Our plans to produce Gay Scotland have admittedly had a faltering start but we now have the necessary funds to start printing. Unlike the previous version of the magazine this new Gay Scotland will be owned by, produced by, produced for, and profit the LGBT communities of Scotland. It will be produced, by volunteers, to serve the needs of our diverse and far-flung communities and every penny of profit it makes will go straight back to the community. We will need the support of volunteers to contribute to, administer, design and produce Gay Scotland and we will need the full support of Scotland's LGBT communities and businesses to ensure that GS will succeed. For details of how to contact Outright Scotland see the ScotsGay listings section or http://www.outright-scotland.org/ . RUNG OFF Dumfries and Galloway Switchboard are no longer in operation, however, a new nightly phoneline has started up covering Cumbria and The Borders. It's on Bassenthwaite Lake (01768) 776244. CONFERENCE The Equality Network's next national conference will be on Saturday 9th February in Edinburgh's City Chambers. The theme is "Same-sex Partnership Laws". See Listings for contact details. IONA The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement will be retreating to Iona from 24th-30th August. ALIEN Rev Ian Bonner-Evans, of the Metropolitan Community Church has been invited to address an assembly of Action of Churches Together in Scotland on "the alienation felt by LGBT people from Scottish Churches". PING The Revolver Bar may now be advertising on the back of supermarket till receipts but clearly still has "mair queans than Sainsbury's"! USA Clann An Uabhair, New York's Gay and Lesbian Scottish Association, is holding its Ninth Annual Burns Night on Saturday, February2nd. ------------------------------------------------------------------ dance chart =========== 1. TALL PAUL - EVERYBODY'S A ROCKSTAR (Duty Free) (Durango 95 Remix / Original Mix / Mr G Airheadz Remix) 2. SAMANTHA MUMBA - LATELY (Ralphi's Tribe Dub / Ralphi's Tech-House Dub)(Polydor) 3. THE LOUNGE - SHADES (Bonzai Trance) 4. FREELOADER - FREEKWENCY (Binary) 5. THE PROGRAM - LOVE & AFFECTION (Mike Monday Remix) (Manifesto) 6. MEDWAY vs PETE GAWTRY - GENO SEQUENCE (Original Mix) (Decipher) 7. XZIQUE - YOUR MIND (F**k Me Up Remix) (Baroque) 8. GOLDTRIX presents ANDREA BROWN - IT'S LOVE (TRIPPIN') (AM:PM) (White Label Mix / Different Gear Vocal Mix) 9. 2 BOYS 1 GIRL - U KNOW NOTHING (Original Vocal) (Baroque) 10. LASTMANSTANDING - NOTHIN' (Original Mix) (Wallop) 11. INTEXOR vs SINESWEEPER - PHYSICAL (Mike Monday Remix) (Spot On) 12. JOESKI presents THE GROUNDFLOOR EP : Tribalfusion (Siesta) 13. JOY KITIKONTI - JOYENERGIZER (Psico Mix) (BXR) 14. LOKI - NYCU (James Holden Inertia Remix) (Easyaccess) 15. MISS K vs WOODY RIVERS - TOUCHED TOGETHER (Rezzonant) (Filterheadz vs Pro-Sync Remix) 16. ? - BEHEMOTH (Junior) 17. DUB PISTOLS - OFFICIAL CHEMICAL (Steve Lawler's Morning Session Mix) (Geffen) 18. SIGNUM - FIVE YARDS (Jinx) 19. RUBBER SOULS - CAN U RELATE REMIXES : Mojolators Beats (Moody) 20. MOOGROOVE - MIRAGE (Satoshi Tomiie Flipped-Path) (Saw) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scotsdyke ========= A Diva's demise Divine Divas, the popular Edinburgh Dyke Disco is no more. After being run by Jean R on behalf of Switchboard and Lesbian Line for a number of years, the last outing was in The Venue on 7th December. As well as being the annual "Invited Male Guests Allowed" evening, there was also an appearance by Impact, the women drummers. However, this doesn't mean the end of women's disco's in the city. Although Switchboard won't be running them, a new women only event called Angel Delight is planned for the new year. It starts on the 12th January and will continue monthly on the second Saturday of each month at The Venue. It's being run by an independent group of woman who enjoyed Diva's so much that they didn't want it all to end. And all profits will go to women's charities within Edinburgh. Thanks to Katharine MacDaid for the pix of Diva's last night. Love, and Merry Xmas, to all. Heather White heather@drink.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edinburgh/Dun Eideann ===================== Well, it's here... after what's actually 12 months, but seems more like about 12 days, it's Christmas again. I've officially cancelled it in my house, but for those of you with a less scrooge-like attitude than me, there's loads to keep you all entertained throughout the festive season and beyond. Before I launch head first into a plethora of listings, there's also a few bits of news; News reaches us that there's a new venue opening in Broughton Market; by all accounts, although we don't have all the information as we go to press, it's going to be a bit of a poofter superstore, with a health club type facility (we've yet to establish if it's a health club or a "health club"!) Also, bar and restaurant facilities and all of this open perhaps until 5am, subject to Edinburgh Council's discretion (So we can forget about that idea then!!) Another welcome addition to the scene is an old favourite, and this columnists first ever gay bar experience, more years ago than I'm prepared to admit; The Laughing Duck, or Flying Fuck, as it became affectionately known, is re-opening. With new gay management, and some ambitious plans on the weekly rota, it will hopefully once again give the staid and formulaic Edinburgh gay scene a well needed kick up the ass. Having been to the opening night, I'd say that judging by the fact that they had a great atmosphere, good music and friendly staff, Planet Out and Habana, and perhaps even the Newtown are going to have a fight on their hands. To get you into the Christmas mood, JOY are having a Christmas Breast Ball, which, as they openly admit, is simply a way to get the boys and girls to take their tops off! The night is on Saturday 22nd December, so get your nipples polished in time. JOY are also having a January Sale night on Saturday 5th January, with half price entry for those feeling the festive pinch One piece of Christmas advice, which I'll pass on as my Crimbo treat, 'cos you're my favourite reader is this; Never, ever go out on Christmas Eve! If you haven't found a Christmas boyf or girlf by now, it's too late! And you'll look incredibly sad trying. The bars and clubs are empty, and those that aren't are populated by people with no friends, no family, and no prospects of buying you something decent, so don't waste your time. Those who are heading off to somewhere like Linlithgow in the morning are far too stressed and depressed to go out, and are wrapping their mother's foot spa and having an early night. Boxing Day, on the other hand, is a great opportunity to meet Mr or Mrs Right, or indeed Mr or Mrs Right Now! Everyone is desperate for a decent drink, looking as cool as they're going to all year with their new clothes on, and ready to spend all that Christmas money on you at the bar. Honestly, take my advice, even if it means that you spend the day itself with Noel Edmonds, the Corrs, and the cat, at least you're not waking up with the worst hangover of your life having drowned your sorrows in CC Dooms, on Goldschlager or some other such substance which can double up as upholstery cleaner! Some clubs have the unfortunate problem of being on during either the period between Christmas and New Year, or the first weekend after Hogmanay. Promoters historically have a hard time filling clubs during this period, but if we all try to support our local club promoters, and still go out during these times, then the clubs will all be busy, and we'll have a great time like normal. Let's face it, your overdraft limit is a distant memory anyway; a few more quid won't make any difference now, will it?! Talking of Hogmanay; last month I mentioned that the JOY New Years bash would be at Studio 24, however it's moving to The Venue. Tickets are available from JOY and Mingin' nights, and also from Out of the Blue and Dispensable Interiors on Leith Walk (Whilst you're there you can stock up on some fantastic little 'gorgeous' things from this great little shop) Another night well worth looking forward to is 'Edinburgh's BIG New Year's Party' which is at Studio 24. For those of you who like their music that little bit harder, UP! Pillbox and Lost have joined forces to bring you a night of great music, stage shows and the cheapest drinks in town. 2 dance floors, a chill out space, and all this for only GBP15! Those of you who've been to UP! lately will know that it's been doing brilliantly since it moved to Saturday nights, and has a really friendly, and mixed crowd, with lots of those 'Never seen anywhere else' pooves and poovesses. Tickets are available in advance from Out of the Blue, Ripping Records, Underground Solushon and Inputout on St Mary's Street. Atomic Baby, a club recommended highly every month on this page is hosting their New Year party at Liquid Room this year, and the tickets can be bought from the usual outlets. Those of you with no imagination, who don't mind putting money into the pockets of those who offer you nothing more than you usually get for free every night of the week can go to CC Dooms and stand there all night like a sardine with your drink pressed against your chin. Whilst we're on the subject of CC Blooms, news has reached us once again of the homophobic and aggressive nature of the door staff; Recently, one of our readers reports that he was in there with a friend who has special needs, and apparently those needs are obvious upon looking at the guy, however it didn't stop the 'security' men from grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and bodily throwing him out! I don't care what the guy was doing, and whether or not he deserved to be asked to leave. Heavy handed tactics are pathetic whatever the reason. Venues need to realise that they can't profit from people drinking too much and then get aggressive with them once they've perhaps got a bit objectionable. There are plenty of gay-friendly door staff in Edinburgh, why on earth doesn't a gay venue use them? Once again, I implore you to vote with your feet until changes are made, otherwise you are sending a message that what they are doing is ok. Planet Out, Habana, and I'm sure the Laughing Duck will all have their own plans, which I'm sure will be great, but I, for one, would love to see the Edinburgh gay scene start to demand more for their 'Pink Pound' and support those who support you. Go on, try somewhere different. Make it your New Year's resolution! You might even like it! Luvely has now moved, as many of you will already know, to Liquid Room, hopefully the gay contingent will now go back in droves, since it's a far more friendly, and in my opinion, (which. let's face it, you're reading this, so you must care about!) a better club. Another club which has been packing them in week after week is Fairy Liquid (Don't think about the name too much!) at Loca in the Cowgate. With cheap entry, cheap drinks, even cheaper boys and girls, and accessible music, it's a winning formula, especially midweek. Tuesday nights will never be the same. One date for your diary is New Year's Day at Fairy Liquid. The New Year should be a fusion of old and new, and with the end of a new year and the first club night of the new, Fairy Liquid promises you slippery girls and boys. As their press release states; 'Can you afford not to get slippy?' You will know by now that The Venue has been bought over: already they have installed new sound systems, lighting, and the toilets are due for an overhaul very soon. Drinks prices have also been reduced, so there's now no excuse not to visit The Venue, either for regular clubs there such as Cerotonin and UP! But, of course, for the JOY Hogmanay Extravaganza. The weekend after Hogmanay sees UP! Night again also, those of you who go to the BIG New Year's Eve party at Studio 24 will know what to expect, they have a special surprise DJ on the night too. Go forth, have a fantastic Christmas and an amazing Hogmanay, be good to yourselves and each other. See you all next year! xx tottytastic@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bi Vocal ======== Let's face it. Channel 5 is absolute fucking rubbish. Perhaps not the most articulate review of the televisual media you've ever read, but true never the less. So hopelessly populist nobody watches it, a half decent film can seem less than miserably average with that bloody circle FIVE logo in the top left corner. If Channel 5 were a tune, it would already be out of breath. Not that I should care, but I've been forced to spend more time in front the TV of late. As a terrific three-year open relationship went belly up with my girlfriend (lost to the plutonic straight world), I sulked and parked myself in front of the box. My ex was an out-door type, TV simply wasn't something we did. Occasionally I moaned, and at the time, as Morrissey would say, it was terrible - too busy human doing as opposed to human being. But that had all changed. My boyfriend was away, my PC was down (gay.com was missing me), and so there I was, suddenly single and in front of the TV. Freedom. And to Channel 5 on this particular Thursday. Perhaps I thought my day hadn't ended in enough tragedy already. The world, I mused, doesn't hate me enough yet. Escort Girls was a Fly-on-the-Wall documentary about, well, a couple of Sex Workers. Isabelle and Anna travelled to the Caribbean to provide services for a couple of sex hungry businessmen and in true Channel 5 tradition, we are invited to leer at and despise these women in equal measure. Intruding close-ups. Innuendo filled voice-overs. Offensive drivel that rather reminded me of the total daily content of The Star newspaper for some reason. In fact, Star readers surely consider Channel 5 to be dumbing down. Garry Otton should write a book about it. Next was the Red Shoe Diaries with non other than our very own David Duchovny, swapping, as the 'PLEASE LIKE ME!' continuity announcer might smirk, "The X Files for X rated." Hilarious. Actually it was quite funny. Our David walked on, said his lines and buggered off. Then soft porn with anonymous crap actors... and then he was back saying a few more lines and End Credits. Nice smile though. But why does anybody watch cheap soft porn? Have they never heard of the Internet? Fed up of just five channels, I did the sad single guy thing. I became part of the Digital Revolution. I think I find the word revolution attractive. I have bought washing powder, opened bank accounts and danced at club nights because of that word. The Socialist Workers Party should give me a free life time membership - I'm such a subversive. So this Digital Revolution provided fifty-odd channels, all with content as disconnected from my life as the next. The news channels all chant the same stories about the war. The kids' channels transmit endless animated violent acts. Music channels parade beautiful bodies of people I'm never likely to meet. Hung-over, I decided to time myself on how fast I could change channels from BBC1 (ch1) to Bid-up TV (ch68), using my TV remote. Of-course it took seconds for the whole thing to get jammed on Channel 5 again. And now, so the sofa doesn't get me, I play squash, and even, on occasion, kick a football. Sometimes I watch Hibs at Easter Road. And I wonder what would happen if I revealed to my work-mates that I'm having a relationship with a man in my office - just because I know that one or two sneakily read this organ. Martin Walker mgwuk@hotmail.com Next time... gay.com and true love... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Glasgow/Glaschu =============== Arse Bandit with Attitude HIYA SCUMBAGZ! Well then - have you all been saving hard for the annual Great Christmas Rip-Off which we can expect from some of the pubs and clubs?? I've had a huge amount of mail about my comments in the last edition on the subject, and it looks as though more of you are beginning to get a bit pissed off with being screwed out of your hard earned cash, and will not be joining the queues of sad stupid disco bunnies desperate to pay inflated prices over the following weeks. Over the past couple of years, the clubs have not been as packed as before, and have had to reduce ticket prices to get people through the door over the festive season. Once again, I would advise you all not to buy tickets for Christmas Eve or Hogmanay in advance, but to wait instead until the night in question. Hopefully the clubs will once again be worrying about a lack of customers, and will reduce their prices to get people in as they have had to do in the past. I notice that Bennets have their Festive hours displayed on their website, but no door prices as yet. Could they be just waiting to see how much The Poo will be charging before seeing how much they can get away with? It's clear from my mail that many of you will not be going to either this year, and I can recommend the Glasgow Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgendered Centre for a good night out. If you want to avoid getting screwed for entrance money, you'll be glad to know that the GLGBTC are only charging GBP1 (that's right, a quid) to get in on Christmas Eve, and GBP10 on Hogmanay. Prices include a buffet and raffle, and at least you know your money will be going towards a worthwhile cause rather than simply adding to the profits of our straight owned, part time gay clubs. Of course, the pubs will be opening later too, and a lot of you have been telling me that you will just be going to the Waterloo or the Revolver til the early hours and then heading off home. If you haven't decided where to go yet, remember this - The days when pubs and clubs could screw you for extra money over Christmas and New Year are over. They can no longer charge outrageous entrance money and are now having to provide something in return, and things will be even harder for them in the future, as more of you refuse to be exploited in this fashion. Go on - make them work for your money, and if they're not prepared to - take your business elsewhere! Right then - that's me had a good whine about the Christmas Rip-Offs, so lets get on with the monthly clubnights which more and more of you are going to. TRAXX will be having a Hogmanay Party at the SoundHaus at 47 Hydepark Street from 10:30pm onwards, and tickets are GBP15 from 23rd Precinct Records and entry is for members and guests only, so call 07855418745 if you want to join. Music policy is House, with a bit of Darker House and also some Soulful House in the main rooms, and everything else in the bar. AURALL had a few dates organised recently at Bar Soba, but these have now been stopped due to complaints from some clubbers about homophobic comments from some of the staff. However, AURALL will be moving to a new venue in the spring, so hopefully I'll have more details in the next issue. Alternatively, you can look out for information on their wonderfully up it's own arse website http://www.aurall.com/. Technically brilliant, but sooooo fucking pretentious! Also on the move is Fruitfly, which held its last night at the Arches on Saturday the 15th of December with a party themed "Cowboys and Angels". So - Fruitfly joins Trade, Fusion, Aurall and Love Boutique and others on the list of now defunct clubnights, who may return at a later date. If there are any other clubnights worth including, promoters should contact me and I'll give them a mention, as long as they are gay friendly. One clubnight which is still going strong is the Goth Bedlam clubnight up at the Queen Margaret Union, usually held on the last Saturday of the month. As many of you will know, Mrs Goldilocks is a bit of a Goth, so last weekend, we headed off to their Christmas party. Bedlam is billed as being pansexual, so nobody really cares if you're a poof or a dyke, and there were certainly quite a few benders along for the Christmas bash, and at least one Goth tranny! (I even got cruised in the bogs by a guy who was sitting at a nearby table with his girlfriend). It's strange how people like myself and Mrs Goldilocks actually feel more at home and fit in at places like these instead of the regular gay haunts, and nobody says anything when Mrs Goldilocks starts pawing me after a few sherries. Anyway, if you haven't been before, get along to the next Bedlam on the 26th of January. The music is way better than all that poofy shite the gay bars play, the talent is far better looking, it's only GBP3 to get in, and the bar prices are what you expect in a Student Union! (And unlike some places, you can actually snog your boyfriend/girlfriend). They actually had a rather novel idea for the Christmas Party- If you came along with a present already wrapped, you handed it over at the start of the night, and got a different one back at the end of the night. Absolutely brilliant - but I don't think the Super Soaker water pistols were such a good idea! Not a night for the Steps loving brain dead disco bunnies, but this is the Goldilocks column- not Smash Hits! Mystery surrounds the sudden closure of the Centurion Health Club last week with tales of Sheriff Officers arriving and asking everybody to leave before changing the locks. As we went to press, we were still unable to contact Gordon and Alex to find out what had happened. Only recently Gordon told me that they were planning to move, had taken over a building in the Trongate above Mitchells Amusements, and were hoping to have all the necessary licences in place to open around April next year. As you lot know, I'm partial to spending the occasional hour (or day) relaxing in saunas, so I was looking forward to the new club. Will it all happen now? We'll just have to wait and see.! Starting on the 16th of January, the gay comedy night OOT at The Stand will be moving to Wednesday nights. This really is a night out not to be missed, and more of you should go along for the evening. Last weekend was a scream, with the fabulous Pam Ann doing her trolley dolly sketch. I'd heard about this particular act before, but this was the first time I'd seen it live. If Pam Ann comes back to The Stand next year - don't miss it! It's a fiver for 4 or five acts, and OOT caters for a gay and gay friendly audience so it's a nice mix of screamers and breeders. I had an interesting e-mail in recently from Alan, who runs the Joy clubnight over in Edinburgh. It seems that one of their straight clubbers had been complaining that JOY was becoming a bit too gay, and the straight clubber was feeling uncomfortable surrounded by so many poofs. Bring in the "no snogging" rule Alan - this was pioneered in Glasgow by Bennets to stop the breeders complaining about the gay behaviour of the queens in this straight owned, part time gay club. Where Glasgow leads, Edinburgh follows? I don't think so! That was an interesting comment in the Dundee column last month about some club owner threatening to bar somebody for making uncomplimentary comments about his venue, and the Dundee columnist asking how they would cope with Goldilocks. As most of you are aware- I dislike badly run pubs and arrogant staff who think they're something special providing dismal levels of service. I've never given in to blackmail or threats, and will continue to voice the complaints which you spineless lot are too scared to do anything about. I'm currently barred from Delmonicas (undeniably Glasgow's worst gay bar), The Poo and Bennets. Perhaps if I was to offer to print glowing tributes to their premises and staff I might get let back in, but I will never gloss over the truth or print lies simply to gain admission to these places. Every month I get loads of letters congratulating me on having the balls to criticise these places, and will continue to do so. If the pubs and clubs don't like it - tough! SNIPPETS>>> All you people who are into fetish wear will be glad to hear of a new shop which has recently opened at Kings Court selling PVC, leather and rubber clothing. Cyber have a huge range of clothing in stock, and remember also that Hellfire up on Bath Street also have a good range of pervy gear. >>> I see Brendan and Jon have been out with the paint brushes in The Revolver Bar again - seems like the colour scheme is never the same 2 weeks in a row. Top marks for the Christmas decorations, but I think the glitter ball is a bit camp! >>> Yes - the comment about 30,000 people a day watching the Goldilocks webcam wasn't a misprint in the last edition. There really are that many sad people about! Well, that's about it for this month. Keep those e-mails coming in. (You know how we celebrities love our fan mail) Happy shagging, Goldilocks, E-mail:- goldilocks@btclick.com The Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Webshite:- http://www.gay-glasgow.co.uk/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nun Sense - nun the worse for wear ================================== Did you manage to get your World AIDS Day Sister Condom or Dam pack? We managed to give away around 1500 condom packs, 250 packs and 250 "heavy" packs, demand far outstripping supply. It was Novice Nun the Wiser's first proper outing, and she managed to do good works from the start. While in CC's she observed two young gentlemen in, erm, deep conversation with one another and so presented them with condoms. One of the young gentlemen refused, and opined that he would never use such a thing. The other looked at him with appropriate disgust and walked away, hopefully to find a much more considerate shag. Not all the venues have managed to finish counting all the money they raised. So far, we know that the Newtown raised GBP365, Cafe Habana GBP670 (see the pictures on the Edinburgh page) and CC's approximately GBP750. We had a good time at the Mingin' Big Band Night, which managed to raise GBP543. Alan Joy says "Thank you to everyone who helped out and donated their time and energy to the event. Special thanks to John Kirk who arranged the musicians, to the musicians themselves of course and to Studio 24 who kindly let us use their club for free!" A fundraiser was held at the Liquid Room on the Tuesday before World AIDS Day and, by the time we departed, had raised over GBP200 on the raffle alone. The Amanuensis ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Scottish Media Monitor ====================== [Editorial note: Due to a cock-up, the printed edition of ScotsGay 43 carried a year old column by Garry Otton. This online version has what *should* have appeared in print. Bearing in mind my whittering on about accuracy, my face is currently as red as my beard!] Scottish Gays Still At War With Religion says Garry Otton That foul-smelling, septic lump of tabloid trash, the Scottish Daily Mail, has erupted once again. My cat wouldn't crap on it! (Prefers something a wee bit more upmarket lining his tray. The Herald. But I digress...) "SORDID SEXUAL TIPS TO PUPILS AGED 5" the Mail ejaculated over the front page the day before Jack McConnell became the new First Minister for Scotland. This was a piece of nonsense the Mail had already regurgitated over its readers back in March. The ghost of Keep the Clause was rattling the keys on their upright Imperials. The Primary School Sex and Relationships Education Pack (7-11 year-olds), a teaching aid produced by Channel 4's Living and Growing programme (over 5 years) and the out-of-print Taking Sex Seriously (11-14 year-olds) was only part of a long list of sex education material that could be used as information for teachers of sex education. "The primary school pack considers seven-year-olds mature enough to see animated depictions of intercourse and hold class discussions about homosexuality, bisexuality, masturbation and oral sex", the Mail spluttered. "By the time they reach secondary school... part of their homework could involve going into a pharmacist to buy condoms and reporting back to the class on how it felt... Children aged between five and seven are invited to label the clitoris". Mounting the pulpit, the editorial was read out: "That is not education, but corruption..."! A full page of the Primary School Sex and Relationships pack was ripped out and held up to its readers. Along with a line drawing of two women standing behind two girls, the Mail hinted darkly in their caption: "Anne and Jack live with their mum and her partner, Pauline". The picture was printed again at the weekend with the caption: "Warped teachings". Locked in an age when 'Come Into the Garden, Maud' might elicit giggling from those gathered around the pianoforte, reporter Jonathan Brocklebank let forth a shrill note: "Children are asked to discuss families comprising two lesbian partners and their young children". He reported how the Christian Institute - oh, who would've guessed? - was holding an exhibition of these "lessons in one-night stands and perverse practices" and boasted a petition signed by 11,000 "outraged churchgoers". The Mail's 'investigation' in fact revealed many schools were, in fact denying children access to this important information and otherwise lauded this disgraceful religionist-inspired conduct that promoted ignorance and had been responsible for untold misery for so many years in Scotland. The Scottish Daily Mail charged the Scottish Executive with "child abuse". Gone were the days when floodgates only held back water, the tabloid asserted: "The homosexual aspects of this controversial agenda were formerly illegal, but the repeal of Section 28, on the initiative of Wendy Alexander, now Enterprise Minister, has opened the floodgates to the very abuse that parents were assured would not happen at the time of that controversy... If our children were introduced to such topics by a seedy man in a dirty raincoat at the school gates, he would be locked up and the key thrown away... We must call a halt to this - now". By the next day the Mail reported: "Churches call for school sex booklets ban". Motherwell's Rev Jack Laidlaw, who had been lobbying Jack McConnell when he was education minister, and Ayub Khan of the Multi-Faith Coalition, part of a handful of fundamentalists who gained prominence during the 'Keep the Clause' scandal, declared how "his worse fears had been realised". Scottish editor Tim Jotischky all but hired a church choir to sing his paper's praises for the militants' propaganda. The Scottish Daily Mail's editorial screamed - probably picked up by a handful of ladies shopping for soap in Marks & Spencers: "Sex education material recommended by the Scottish Executive for use by children as young as 11 is pornography, pure and simple... Is it right that 11-year-olds should be taught about sexual activities engaged in by homosexuals, bisexuals and lesbians?" (Absolutely! How else will they learn that fucking up the arse is primarily something enjoyed by straight lads?) "The drive to brainwash children... is sinister", the editorial warned. Their homophobic reporter Eddie Barnes jumped in with: "Parents are demanding the legal right to withdraw their children from sex education classes in order to protect them from lurid material". In another story Barnes soon exposed his sexual hang-ups, gasping: "Lurid school sex education packs suggest pupils discuss gay and oral sex. Parents are appalled by the material..." Alan Smith, a retrenched supporter of Section 28 and now president of the notorious Scottish School Boards' Association, called on the Executive to hand power back to "parents" and the SSBA to vet sex education materials in schools. (Aye, that'll be right!) To run with another "parents in call for ban on sex packs" story, a new 'star writer' appeared in their English editions. Melanie Phillips who promoted abstinence programmes to combat "sex as a recreational sport". A born again Gil Paterson, SNP MSP for Central Scotland and "avowed liberal" (wha'?) was dragged up on stage to beg other parliamentarians to "unburden themselves of any prejudices or politically-correct bias..." and condemn the material he described as "a charter for paedophiles". Not someone I would expect to exactly shine in the sack, Paterson said of the teaching aids: "I have still to meet a single person outside education who has not concluded that they are utterly unsuitable for our youngsters". You really should get out more, Gil! Katie Grant (who else?) reached for her tambourine and sang "TOO MUCH, TOO YOUNG". She insisted: "warning of the dangers of unwanted pregnancy is not the same as teaching children about sex. That is something that parents, not the State, should do". And they all do it so well, don't they, Mrs Grant? "Masturbation, group and oral sex are nothing to do with the Scottish Executive...", she insisted, preparing to lift a corner of her moral Axminster and sweep the whole unsightly mess under it. Does Mrs Grant have any idea of what goes on in school playgrounds today? Clearly not. Kids already know what these words mean. Or, at least think they know. The material in question is to educate sex educationalists before they gauge how much kids know and provide the support for what they need to know. Of course, Mrs Grant would no doubt expect her children to speak to her about sexual matters. Catholic. Conservative. Mother. Supporter of Section 28. Family Values campaigner... Oh, gimme a break! Think woman! According to Mrs Grant, this was supposed to be a time when Ministers should have been conducting themselves in a "responsible and adult fashion", when instead; they had "left themselves open to accusations that they have endorsed the dissemination of pornography". There was no stopping her now. The State was apparently undermining the Family by supplying information on sexual practices "as opposed to just information on how to avoid pregnancy". In fact, the State had "intruded so far into our family lives that it (was) in danger of destroying them". Did I see a Union Jack being unravelled in the front row? Can I hear the strains of someone singing 'Land of Hope and Glory'...? So this was it. Britain had the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Europe because girls knew the State would reward them with more dosh. Oh, Mrs Grant! You're bloody marvellous! And with sooo much of the media, sweeping all that liberal shite out of the way so we can all read you...! Who needs government, Mrs Grant, when you're just such a self-governing State yourself? Now fuck off back to Scotland on Sunday, I'm watching Pop Idol! This was Keep The Clause II. Scottish gays were once again at war with religion. Fundamentalists were hijacking religion to serve their own, selfish political aims. But they were fighting a losing battle. This time, the Daily Record was not such a willing accomplice. The Scottish Sun was strapped for space, leaving Andrew Nicoll, its political reporter to declare "11,000 back sex pack ban" without spoiling his report by mentioning the militant religionists behind it. Not once! The Sun was otherwise more preoccupied with "video perv... gay cameraman", Alan Lang, 36, from Livingston who was jailed for three months for filming the bare bottoms of three boys aged between 10 and 12. When he reported the militants, Eddie Barnes in the Scottish Daily Mail disguised the happy-clappys as "opposition groups and education campaigners". It was now the moribund Scotsman's turn to take up the cudgels and fight for The Lord. I could almost hear the strains of Onward Christian Soldiers as I read David Robinson's rant, because you could hardly call this a report. Borrowing an eighties Tory catchism: "Political correctness destroys childhood", Robinson muddled sex with drugs and proceeded to shore up a Victorian construction of 'childhood innocence': "When does childhood come to an end? Could it be that moment when you, as a five-year-old, are told that you can sample crack cocaine without being addicted? Or is it when you are 11 and someone tells you about group sex and sado-masochism? In both cases, you would automatically assume that the information was provided by a drug dealer or a pervert. You would be wrong. These suggestions are contained in teaching material that the Scottish Executive judges acceptable and that is on its list of teaching aids for schools". Oh, how wrong you are, Mr Robinson. This information is currently passed on to schoolchildren by schoolchildren across virtually every playground in Britain. In the Christian exhibition then showing at the Scottish Executive, a cute but acned face with furrowed brow was pictured scrutinising the Christian Institute's religious propaganda displaying "just how far political correctness had replaced basic morality". "It included information on homosexuality, group sex and anal sex", gasped Scottish government reporter David Scott. The Channel 4 pack "labels all a girl's body parts - not just elbows and knees but clitoris, too", shrieked poor David Robinson. "Do five-year old girls really need to know that just yet? Aren't there more important things", he cried. Mixing a delicate flesh hue to fill his airbrush, he attempted to erase anything too nasty to have to contemplate: "And do five-year-old boys really need to be encouraged to find out? Doesn't a bit of their childhood innocence die the moment that some responsible adult, maybe a teacher they look up to, tells them they should know these things". Borrowing from Harry Potter, Robinson cooed: "Isn't a child's innocence just as magical...?" Bemoaning that fact "the Church's pews will not miraculously fill again with families and young people", I thought he was just about to admit that these days there were more gays crammed into Frenchies, but no, discussing anal sex with youths of "14 or so" was still a big no-no. He was clearly happy to sweep the homophobic lies of the Greater Spotted Shirt Lifter under the hard tarmac in a hidden corner of the school playground. Robinson, a clear advocator of the missionary position was left reassured that teachers "would never dream of using teaching aids that point out, for example, 19 different variations of the sexual act" before leaping gracefully into his closet and insisting: "Why not close the cupboard on them for good?" The religious militant's propaganda, led by Kirk minister Rev Iain Murdoch, of Cambusnethan Old Parish Church and Catholic priest Monsignor Michael Conway of St Ignatius Church, Wishaw, was carried uncritically by The Scotsman without fear of contradiction from careful studies of successful sex education programmes in countries like The Netherlands that had inspired the likes of Susan Deacon in the Scottish Executive when she was in charge of Health (before her sudden resignation under Jack 'The Lad', that is). The Scotsman was shocked by a video called Living and Growing. "It "shows a boy asking: 'What's a gay lover?'" and "homosexual men kissing and lesbians embracing". Awww, pet! Not only did the broadsheet weigh in with an editorial, but also further "comment" provided by Gordon MacDonald, parliamentary officer for the fundamentalist group, Christian Action Research and Education (CARE). He warned of another Section 28-like battle with "church groups and family values campaigners". His emphasis on "encouraging abstinence from early sexual activity and presenting marriage as the appropriate context for sexual activity are the best means to avoid health risks such as sexually transmitted infections" which, of course, condemns gay kids and favours most of the failed sex education campaigns from Scotland's past. Nonetheless, scratching around the world for at least one programme that might prove him right, he added vaguely, "this approach has worked in the US". The editorial chipped in with the belief that the packs were too close to "proselytising" and hinted of a "hidden agenda". The paper suggested they "cross an invisible but highly dangerous line", forgetting, of course, how dangerous sexual invisibility had already been for Scotland. Can I just mention William Beggs here? Or Thomas Hamilton? Just how fast does editor, Rebecca Hardy want to sell The Scotsman down the river, I wonder? Former editor, Tim Luckhurst would be turning in his grave! (He occasionally writes for the Scottish Daily Mail). Garry Otton's book SEXUAL FASCISM is published by Ganymede Books priced GBP8.99. You can read Scotland's newspapers every day online. The Scottish Media Monitor: http://www.scottishmediamonitor.com. Read Scotland's newspapers every day online. And read the full Monitor, including the wild media speculation over another gay murder in Glasgow; how Lesbo Express and Chicks With Dicks excited the Sunday Mail; another wave of sexual pathology and crime in Scotland and how Scotsmen used to pull out their benisons on a club night out! CUT IT OUT! The Daily Record's agony of an aunt, Old Mother (Joan) Burnie's response to a woman whose husband - who had always been perfectly honest about his love of rubber and bondage - wanted to visit a fetish club. "...Why he felt he had to involve you in his seedy wee obsession is beyond all understanding. Did he really expect you to wave him off to his club with a happy smile - and then wash out his bondage gear for him afterwards...? He can't have his fetish and eat it". Old Mother Burnie's advice to a woman in entertainment (Madonna?) whose husband (Guy Ritchie?) demanded she cover herself. (And we thought those letters were real)! "...Let's face it dear, gravity eventually catches up with us all (and the silicone) although a decent bra might help. So while I don't want to upset you, Madge, are you sure your husband, for all his faults, hasn't got a point? In other words, you're a bit too long in the boobs to continue going around flashing or rather flabbing, the flesh. I know it's hard in your business, dear, what with all these younger dollies, letting it all hang out... So if you want to keep your dignity, if not the Guy, then in future I'd dump the crass and go for the class. Buy a nice cardie". Old Mother Burnie's advice to a guy who liked threesomes - until his girlfriend enjoyed getting stuck into the girl a wee bit too much: "...I think it's time to dump the woman altogether (and her pal) so you can find yourself a more sensible woman who will take your daft fantasies with a pinch of salt". Gerald Warner in Scotland on Sunday over Jack McConnell becoming First Minister: "It was rumoured that Wendy now attended one-to-one meetings with him, chaperoned by a hatchet-faced Spanish duenna in black; but the woman in question turned out just to be a hardline member of the equal opportunities committee". The Scottish Sun's political reporter's observation on what First Minister Jack did to Wendy Alexander: "...slapped her down over threats to leave his cabinet". Sexist? We think so. Scotland on Sunday's editorial response to Wendy Alexander's "astonishingly clumsy, manoeuvrings" and "impertinent assault" on the First Minister in attempting to hang on to higher education within her Enterprise portfolio in the Executive: "There can only be one master and that master is Jack McConnell". Linda Watson-Brown in The Scotsman (again): "The so-called debate around prostitution is very similar to that surrounding pornography. Those who speak out against either are accused of not recognising the choices of the women themselves... Let's call it for what it is: hatred and violence and abuse and degradation and objectification". Yaaaawn! Another 'survey' from the Scottish News of the World: "53% of women confess to having some bisexual longings (compared to) just 12% of heterosexual men". Dr Ian Carradice on the discovery of artefacts belonging to 18th century Scottish clubs where men ejaculated in public to the sound of a trumpet in Scotland on Sunday: "My predecessor didn't want to advertise the fact that we even had them. Everything that you have heard about the society, I'm afraid, is true". --------------------------------------------------------------- Dundee/Dun Deagh ================ World Aids Day was celebrated in Dundee with bottles of beer for one pound in the pub. The usual apathy which we Dundonians apparently specialise in caused a ceilidh to be cancelled in the Mirage and a schools night in Brooklyn to be poorly attended. Organisers of the ceilidh report only 30 tickets were sold of the 200 they had - so they pulled the show. But not before some guys had hired highland dress for the occasion. They were not to be out done so they put on the gear and descended on the Brooklyn school boys and girls. Which yet again proves that the boycott ex staff encouraged us to take of Brooklyn does not include them. Brooklyn's school party effort collapsed due to lack of patrons despite the owner being well turned out in school girl uniform (I'll offer a fiver for a photo of that! Ed.). So unrecognisable was his disguise he even fooled the staff. The make up and striped tights were supplied by the adjacent strip club. And, just for one night, Brian regained his hair with a blond pig tail wig. The staff were dressed as schoolboys and, as most are only very recently out of school, their uniforms still fitted. John was the exception and dragged up for the occasion and looked surprisingly convincing until towards the end of the night his heels were killing him and he resorted to his cat boots. Reminding all of that popular country music song "Sometimes it's hard to be a woman". Charlies was quite busy that night with bottles of Miller at a pound. Members of Jimmy's gay.com fan club enjoyed a rare night on the scene and were treated to an even rarer free drink from Liberty's owner later. Private fancy dress parties were also held to celebrate the departure of David Pedder to house boy duties in Australia and at a house (bed, surely) warming of scene barman Euan. The resulting visual sights of the evening were astounding as school boys were snogged by musketeers and doctors propositioned by school girls. A tug of war developed as Ian and Charlie tried to get Sarah the Superdyke to work for them instead of the competition. Whilst she wanted to work in both the city's gay friendly bars, the managements decided each wanted her. A public auction or debate then unfolded and the winner was Brooklyn and Liberty where she shall also cover as bouncer. I hear she found it really cool to be wanted so much but our Kerry was not happy with her pal. Charlies Bar promises a full programme of events over the Christmas and New Year period and is open to 1am on most nights. They also plan the usual free buffet and disco for Christmas Eve and Hogmanay. What exactly is the 'full programme of events' has not yet been released but there has been talk of a drag act, a stripper or a cabaret. Brooklyn offers its vodka at a pound a nip all December and January including Christmas and New Year so that should get us voddy drinkers along. It's also open on Christmas Day from 7pm and also New Year's Day and to 1am every night (so says its flyers). So that must be true. I don't want yet another row from the Editor for getting them annoyed. I do hear that Barry and especially Brian are trying to hunt me down but after Perry's 'resignation' I would rather be independent and anonymous. Unlike previous years, Liberty Nightclub is open to 3.30am most nights: "So long as people are there", said manager Barry. Special nights planned are Shag Tag parties, fancy dress etc. Hannah Jones is back (yes, again) this time singing It's Raining Men and the usual on the Saturday before Christmas and entry is GBP6 all night. The Boy George Experience on the Saturday before New Year is a look not much alike and sound unalike singer which they don't have the bottle to charge you extra to listen to. Still they are keeping the drinks promos going apparently. Check with them but I think it's that Red stuff "2 for 1" before midnight and all night Sundays with Smirnoff Ice "2 for 1" on Fridays before midnight. Straight pubs and clubs are trying to get any custom with the opening of the massive Circus. They are therefore welcoming the 'pink pound' and are providing a little competition for Liberty which should keep their prices down. Whilst we all went back to Libs after trying Rattrays for a night (or an hour for some) they appear to be doing up both the gents and ladies toilets so they say they do listen to us. Apparently the ladies has been well vandalised even before the refurb was completed. All the bouncers at Libs are trained in 'customer skills' with the council registration so they know how to deal with us properly. Paddy hopes Charlie is going on it soon! The new cashier at Libs had a verbal swearing match with Mike from Charlies Bar. Apparently Brian was furious with her and it was only Barry that saved her 'resignation'. A genuine resignation was that of Paul Ramsay. Since Sarah P wouldn't accept Kerry's offer, Charlie is now looking for another young laddie to replace Paul. Perhaps another former Liberty barmaid of similar name would be interested in earning some extra money as he is between credit cards at the moment. Have a great Christmas and New Year wherever you decide to go. Sydney or the City Square! Shafted ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aberdeen/Obar Dheadhain ======================= Hello Everybody! First, something not so much about Aberdeen... The National Union of Students held their LGB Conference in London this month, and I managed to get a trip along. The location attracted a big crowd from across the United Kingdom. Shame that many aspects of the conference were profoundly disappointing, including the accommodation, workshops and even lunch - maybe I am expecting too much of the NUS. The political undertones in some of the introduction speeches were condemned as being intimidating and insulting. It was made clear that many of those who attended believed the committee lacked impartiality regarding party politics, and that they were too willing to waste finite resources on issues that would be better tackled by other organisations. Aberdeen was well represented at the conference, with five of us turning up from the two universities. The regional meeting of all the delegates from Scottish universities highlighted a need for improved communication and co-operation between the LGB societies. Closer to home, the second meeting of the LGB&T Forum was held in late November. Four groups have been set up to tackle the main issues identified in the first meeting. The first will discuss the formal constitution and structure of the Forum; the second will look at the feasibility of an LGB&T centre in Aberdeen; the third will consider possible events in Aberdeen for Pride 2002; and the fourth will look at the establishment of a web site and newsletter. If you are interested in getting involved in any of these groups then get in touch with Mark at the Grampian Gay Men's Health Project, and he will direct you to the appropriate person. The next meeting of the Forum will take place at 8pm on Tuesday the 22nd January, at the Arts Centre on King Street. Remember this forum allows you to voice your opinions of what Aberdeen should offer LGB&T people. Congratulations to Bar Castro's, which has been changing the Aberdeen scene now for one whole year. Also well done for raising the princely some of GBP500 for World Aids Day from the various promos and contributions made. There are lots of events planned by the bar to keep us occupied over the Christmas period, including the Xmas Shagtag on the 19th; Guest DJ Chris Curtis plays on the 23rd and the 30th; there are party nights with DJ Will on Xmas Eve and Hogmanay - tickets GBP10 for each of these nights; Daisy's revisited on the 27th with Alan Sadler; and Hard Cheese DJ's Sonbar & Brucie will be in on the 28th. The bar will be opening from 5pm on the 24th, 25th and January 1st. If you like the Mudd Club (the Palace, every Monday night), then I suggest you get along to Lava on a Tuesday night as well. These are not gay nights, but both claim to be pansexual, and certainly play good tunes. See you next year, Chris chris@cutearse.co.uk http://www.cutearse.co.uk/ -------------------------------------------------------------------- Letters ======= Dear Editor, POO ATTITUDE I visited the Polo Lounge on November 4th and put my jacket into the cloakroom at 11pm with my camera, mobile phone and glasses in the inside pocket. When I went to collect my jacket, I noticed that my mobile was sticking out of my sidepocket. I asked blonde hair attendant what my mobile was doing in my side pocket. He replied, "Don't know what you're on about". On further investigation, I found that my camera and glasses were missing. The bar manager was called to deal with the situation. His first comment was that I should go home to sober up - quite easy for me, seeing as I haven't had a alcoholic drink in over 2 years. His next statement was, "All my staff are completely trustworthy - also there's only been one person behind the counter". I pointed out that there was a girl behind counter as well when I put my jacket in the cloakroom, also at least 2 other staff members came from behind the counter during the time I was pasing the cloakroom through the night. I was told that I would be contacted later that day if my belongings were found. So, I left the situation at that. After still no communication from any of the Polo staff, I went back in to see what was being done about my missing property. I was told by another female staff member that the management had my number and someone would be in touch shortly. I waited for several days before finally reporting the incident to the Police. The Police were ever so helpful. They contacted the Polo to ask why they hadn't got in touch with myself. The polo management soon replied to the police by informing them that its only coats or jacket and not contents that are insured and that the Polo only pays GBP25 compensation. So to my conclusion: customers pay 80 pence per item for their property to be looked after and if a member of staff doesn't do their job properly, then tough to us all. james.toner@ntlworld.co.uk Dear ScotsGay, PORK SCRATCHINGS Well, last night it was Joy's turn for a visit from plain clothed officers. This is traditionally the time of year when police pay particular attention to what's going on in clubs and it just happened that they decided on Ego last night. There were about 15 of them operating in the club and the funny thing was, some of them didn't quite fit in as you can imagine. In fact some people approached Maggie and I, saying that we needed to tighten our door policy as there were some odd people in the club. So now you know who they were! It was a shame the police hadn't come along to the Breast Ball in a few weeks time. It would have been interesting to see if any of them would go topless! All my love, Alan Joy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ International News from Rex Wockner =================================== +AIDS kills 20 million AIDS has killed more than 20 million people and another 40 million are living with HIV, according to UNAIDS and the World Health Organization. "AIDS has become the most devastating disease humankind has ever faced," the agencies said. "HIV/AIDS is now the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Worldwide, it is the fourth-biggest killer." In many nations, "AIDS threatens human welfare, developmental progress and social stability on an unprecedented scale." The epidemic is growing fastest in Eastern Europe and central Asia while sub-Saharan Africa continues to have the greatest number of cases. Asia and the Pacific region have a brief window of opportunity to arrest spread of the virus, the agencies said. In some African nations, life expectancy has dropped to less than 40 years and economies will shrink by over 20 percent as the virus wipes out professionals and skilled workers, leaving millions of orphaned children in its wake, the report said. In rich countries, people have become lax about protecting themselves while having sex or using illegal drugs, the agencies stated. +Egypt denounces Europe over gays Egypt's speaker of the Parliament, Ahmed Fathi Surur, has denounced the European Parliament for its criticism of Egypt's treatment of gays. On Nov 29th, the EP approved the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement but added language committing Egypt to respect human rights, gay rights and democracy. "The Egyptian Constitution stipulates respect for the fundamental rights of citizens and the Egyptian government respects their rights in practice," Surur said. "Only the Egyptian parliament has the right to monitor the respect of the government [for human rights]." On Nov 14th, Cairo's Emergency State Security Court handed down verdicts in the cases of 52 men detained since May because of alleged homosexual activity. Twenty-three of the men were sentenced to between one and five years hard labor and 29 were acquitted. The men were charged with obscene behavior and contempt for religion. Police say they were arrested in and around the gay club Queen Boat on May 11th. International human-rights activists maintain that many of the men were nowhere near the club when they were taken into custody on May 11th and following days, and have denounced the prosecutions as a sham. +Indian sodomy ban challenged The gay AIDS group Naz Foundation has filed suit in the Delhi High Court against India's ban on gay sex, Penal Code Section 377. The organization says the law violates constitutional rights to life, liberty and equal protection under the law, and impedes AIDS prevention work. "Private, consensual adult sexual relation falls within the intimate associations protected from the State intrusions under Article 21 [of the Constitution], the exercise of which lies at the core of individual autonomy and are key to development of one's personality," Naz said. "There exists no compelling State interest to justify the curtailment of such an important element in the fundamental right to life and liberty. "The social effects [of the statute] drive gay men underground, with a devastating impact upon the AIDS prevention effort," the group added. "Once underground, they become extremely vulnerable to AIDS because it becomes difficult for them to negotiate safe sexual behaviours. It also becomes difficult to identify and target this population for AIDS prevention efforts through education and medical services." Section 377 punishes "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal" with up to life prison. +Quebec to establish civil unions The Canadian province of Quebec will set up a civil unions procedure that grants gay couples every right of marriage except access to adoption, the government has announced. The government will submit the plan to the Quebec National Assembly where it is expected to pass. "We're aiming to erase the discrimination that exists in our laws and guarantee that same-sex couples have the same rights as others," said provincial Justice Minister Paul Begin. A recent poll found that 76.5 percent of Quebeckers support letting gays formalize their relationships. But some activists are not pleased with the proposal. "This is not true equality," Rene Leboeuf told the Toronto Star. "The day that we have access to marriage and divorce like other people, that will be a true legal status." Leboeuf and his partner, Michael Hendricks, have sued Quebec for the right to marry under the ordinary marriage laws. The case is ongoing. +Colombian same-sex unions bill altered The same-sex unions bill that passed out of a Colombian Senate committee on Nov 21st was altered substantially in the process, activists report. The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission said: "The bill had originally addressed a wide range of discrimination issues, with provisions criminalizing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and others requiring that homophobic content be eliminated from school curricula. However, those provisions were eliminated." As passed, by a 9-1 vote, the measure allows one member of a registered same-sex couple to inherit half of the assets accrued by the other partner during the relationship, and extends spousal health, pension and alimony benefits to same-sex couples. The bill now moves to the full Senate. If it passes there, it will go to a Chamber of Deputies committee, then to the full Chamber, and finally to the president of the nation. "Despite the narrowing of the scope of the law, activists are satisfied that the proposal is moving forward and that an open and positive discussion is taking place in the halls of Congress and in Colombian society as a whole," IGLHRC said. +Sweden to ban anti-gay agitation Sweden's government presented a bill to Parliament (the Riksdad) on Nov 28th to criminalize agitation against homosexuals. "This is to be effected by extending the penal provision for agitation against a national or ethnic group to include threats or expressions of contempt alluding to sexual orientation," said the Ministry of Justice. +Israeli president meets with gays Israeli President Moshe Katsav met with gays recently and disappointed them. At the conclusion of his chat with members of the Political Council for Gay Rights, Katsav said, "I thought it was important to meet you and hear what you have to say -- though I don't see how I can help you." The Jerusalem Post commented: "If they [gay activists] thought that they had found an ever open door at the pinnacle of the establishment, they were mistaken. ... There was a clear implication that he did not want to be bothered by a bevy of gay groups or individuals." +Thai PWAs protest Hundreds of HIV-positive people have demonstrated at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, demanding that the Public Health Ministry provide anti-HIV drugs under the universal health-care plan. Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan responded with a promise to provide antiretroviral treatment to 10,000 HIV-positive people next year and to 150,000 by 2006. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arts ==== Martin Powell When visiting galleries one never knows quite what to expect. The Talbot Rice Gallery in Edinburgh currently has as its main feature "Philip Reeves - A Retrospective". A better title would be "Taking the Piss". A few vertical lines in different colours does not to me constitute "Edge of the Loch" (1997). To be fair, if people are willing to enthuse and pay for this rubbish then why not, however using the test of would I want this stuff on my wall then the answer is "no way". Some of the earlier work upstairs does exhibit artistic talent but I had been soured by the stuff downstairs. I was probably not in the best frame of mind to enter the Round Room to view Paul Keir's "New Work". A comment in the visitors' book said "the impression it made was successfully minimal." Well minimal it certainly was but successful?. I looked at the glass domed roof, but that is always there, I looked at the red lino floor and that is always there, was I to look at the white painted walls with a few red painted lines? In the end I concluded that I was meant to look at the 6 coloured glass tiles which looked as if they had been placed on a convenient shelf to dry. A seven year old could probably have done better. When having that thought I was not prepared for what I was to find at the Collective Gallery in Cockburn Street. where there were exhibited drawings by primary school children. I'm sure this had some deep meaning that I failed to grasp. I just went on and looked at the other things on offer. Helen McCrorie has Backdrop, which appears to be a series of boring videos of a shop front and uninteresting streets. I have a long leaflet which is supposed to explain the work, but that misses the point. If the meaning of a work does not leap out from its exhibition and needs to be explained in text then to my mind by definition it fails. The best piece currently at the Collective (and that's not saying much) is Stuart Gurden's Minor Planets. This is a video largely taken from the window of the S Bahn in Berlin which describes the work of Berlin graffiti artist Shana and the asteroid Eros. Confused? You will be. Across the road Stills Gallery has until 22 December "Face On". A series of photographs ranging from the banal to the brilliant. Interesting in this is Adam Chadzko's "From Beyond". This describes the feelings of the extras in Ken Russell's 1971 film "The Devils" with that film played behind them. Not a place I immediately associate with the visual arts is the Traverse but the current exhibition Reflex and Reflect featuring the work of Ian Webb and Ria Annand is well worth seeing. I particularly liked a series of portraits by Webb which are mostly of young men. A distinctive style which others clearly like as quite a few had been sold. However Annand can also produce striking work. Two large pieces which I loved were Annie Gets Her Wings, a seemingly disinterested young woman with wings standing on a tightrope, and Johnny a dramatic portrait of a young man, presumably called Johnny. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery currently has a superb exhibition called The Fine Art of Photography. Starting with photographs from the 1840s by David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson it takes us through the history of the art. I was astounded to see an extraordinarily detailed and high quality photo of the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx by Francis Frith which dates from 1858. Another stunning image is the one being used on the poster for the exhibition, an aerial view of Edinburgh by Alfred G Buckham which dates from around 1920. Eventually I came to a 1980 photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono by Annie Leibovitz. It was at this point I realised this was the first colour photograph I had seen in the exhibition. From there we are presented with a series of stunning modern photos that have been digitally altered. I was less than happy with these as they seemed at variance with the reality of the earlier images. However this won't be my last visit to see these fine photographs. Edinburgh Printmakers in Union Street has regular exhibitions and the current one is great. With large stunning works in colour such as Graham Deen's Blue Decoy, to the small work of Helen Kirk's September Garden - an image of a plant. Anne Forte's work looks almost like photography. Kate Downie's Span is a lithograph of the Forth Rail Bridge with an astounding vitality and intimacy. There is much, much more and a lot of it looked frighteningly affordable. One exhibition I still haven't managed to take in yet is Typical Men - Recent Photography of the Male Body by Men. It's on at GoMA in Queen Street, Glasgow until 27 Jan next year. martinp@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Books ===== by Dirk Kriete Just A Mom Betty DeGeneres Alyson GBP9.99 It's the season of goodwill and peace, etc, etc, so I thought perhaps I'll start my reviews with this book. Have your parents fallen out with you because you're queer? If your answer is yes you might consider buying them this book as a Christmas present. It's written by Betty DeGeneres, mother of the actress Ellen DeGeneres, who famously came out to millions of viewers and ended speculation about the sexual orientation of her TV character. Ellen DeGeneres had declared earlier that she, too, was gay and announced that actress Anne Heche was her lover. In this latest book readers of all sexualities will hear true stories and anecdotes about the pain and joy thousands of children have gone through for being gay or lesbian. Betty DeGeneres' touching true stories will help them see the human side to this issue, and provide a guide to supporting their own gay friends, children or siblings. And with a bit of luck it might just turn your parents homophobia around and help them accept you as the person you are. Well, it's worth a try... Testosterone James Robert Baker Alyson GBP9.99 When this book arrived and I read the description on the back I thought to myself, yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Although a little confusing the plot holds together well and made this book into one of those that you just can't put down. I read it in record time and a couple of weeks later I read it again. It's hard to write a synopsis of this book, because just so much is happening, that's why I read it twice. In a nutshell Pablo went out one night for cigarettes and never came back. What bothers Dean most, though, is Pablo's connection to a violent cult. Complete with disappearing animals, and the tale of torture in Chile. The problem is, Dean might be crazy. Or everyone might be lying to him. But none of that matters now, because Dean has a machete (the chainsaw was too loud) and he's just found Pablo. See what I mean when I say it's a little confusing! Well worth persevering though, a gripping story and very enjoyable. The Pornographer's Poem Michael Turner Sceptre GBP6.99 I was laughing out loud reading this superb tale of this sixteen year old. He catches sight of his neighbours having sex on their back porch. He never intends to film them. The cine camera was a going-away gift from his girlfriend and since she left, he has barely touched it. He uses the zoom, the better to see what is going on. But then the zoom does not work unless the trigger is depressed, and the trigger does not work without film and one thing leads to another... until the neighbours' dog joins in and suddenly he has the most outrageous pornographic film ever seen in Vancouver. But that is just the beginning... This book is very, very funny although extremely black at times, definitely worthy of a top place on your Christmas wish list. The Bear Book II Edited by Les Wright Harrington Park Press GBP17.99 Are you a Bear? Are you attracted to Bears? Well, I'm neither and perhaps I am biased because of those facts and that might be why I found this book hard going (no pun intended) from page 1. Basically the sub title of this book said it all for me: Further Readings in the History and Evolution of a Gay Male Subculture. To dry and rhetorical for my liking, but hey, who am I to tell you what to like and what not. A useful book I dare say if you're studying Gay Culture, it pulls together a diverse array of contributors including Michael Bronski, David Bergman and Jack Fritscher, The Bear Book II opens up the intellectual and political issues that often remain unexamined about this gay male subculture. Gay Friends Leigh Rutledge Alyson GBP7.99 This small book has been the cause of much hilarity over the past few weeks emanating once again, have you guessed yet, from our loo. It's one of those again that I like keeping there to make the ablutions a little more humorous. And with little gems like the one I've chosen here to demonstrate what I mean it must make an excellent prezzie for someone you know... Gay friends leave outrageous messages on one another's answering machines: "This is your mother calling. I know what you're doing. I know you're sucking cock again. Didn't those years of psychiatry count for anything?! You're breaking your mothers heart. Do you hear me? Get that horrible thing out of your mouth this instant! Call me!" Any Boy Can Edited by John Patrick STARbooks Press $14.95 When it comes to Gay Male Erotica the name John Patrick says it all. For several years now he has been the first among many to provide his gay male audience with one handed reading material. And he has done it again with this latest compilation of hot, hot, hot stories, there isn't one that is not highly erotically charged and I would be very surprised if anyone could read these stories without getting aroused. Whether you're reading these stories alone or as a preamble to passionate love making, this book will provide you with the right settings and atmosphere. Go on, treat yourself... Aussie Pink Inns & Outs 2001 Gay and Lesbian Travellers Guide for Australia In The Pink GBP12.95 I'm really impressed with this set of Gay and Lesbian Travel Guides for Australia. Rather then trying to cram all the information on this fascinating continent into one fat volume the publishers have split this volume into 6 small booklets that'll fit snugly in any back pocket and don't scream tourist at anybody casually looking. It includes fabulously illustrated and detailed entries covering accommodation, restaurants, venues, community groups and also features extensive city and area maps. The guide also includes a special Aussie Pink discount card that will save the traveler hundreds of dollars with various offers in hundreds of shops, restaurants and hotels. With the fact that Australia and New Zealand have for many years been a Mecca of gay travel it's brilliant to see such a well produced guide available to all of you escaping the grim British winter and having a bit of an adventure down under. Highly recommended! Synthetic Bl Products Sparrow L Patterson AKASH 1C BOOKS GBP10.99 This book has potential, I thought when it came through the post and I read the description on the back. But you shouldn't judge a book by it's covers and when I got round to reading it I found it quite hard going. It lacks some humour, although it's full of compassion, it's nevertheless very American, if you know what I mean. Here is a brief synopsis of the story... Orleigh is a 19-year-old bisexual girl who sets out on a whirlwind journey of sexual escapades, drug-induced hallucinations, shoplifting sprees, and other criminal behaviour. Searching for identity and meaning, she runs wild through a landscape of lost teenagers - the mall rats, punks, Deadheads, freaks and grunge kids of the early 90s - first in Chicago then on to LA. Though she might feel lost herself at times, the undaunted, wisecracking Orleigh never shies away from any kind of extreme experience, or from expressing her opinions. Perhaps if I was a Lesbian woman I might have enjoyed this book more, but as a gay man I didn't find it had much to offer. The Fat Lady Sings Jacqueline Roy The Woman's Press GBP6.99 Quite the opposite to the previous review of a Lesbian novel I found this one very entertaining and never hard going. It's the story of Gloria and Merle, British women of Jamaican descent, who find themselves on a section and committed to a secure psychiatric unit. Forced to reassess their lives, they begin to see that the pain and loss that have brought them to this place might reveal more of the weakness of the system than any failure of their own human spirit. They begin to ask themselves pertinent questions such as could it be that they are punished for being exiles in their own country? Is there another future other than the endless chemical cosh, attempted escapes and sectioning? This book reminded me strongly of the brilliant movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and left me profoundly re-evaluating some deeply held beliefs. Definitely recommended. Liquid Lover John Moriarty Alyson GBP9.99 "Find me. I will wait. Capture my heart. I will capture yours. Take this moment to tell me one secret. Breathe this life into your soul. Angels come when we are ready. Find me." This is the mantra that runs like a threat through this moving memoir of this extraordinary man. From a childhood of fear and rejection, Moriarty fled into adulthood fuelled by ever-increasing doses of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription drugs. His friendships suffered, his relationships failed, yet solace and safety could always be found and reality postponed in another bottle of vodka. Until in a moment of epiphany he realized that still after all the years of self abuse there was life within him. Rarely have I had the pleasure to witness someone's life displayed in all its drama, yet without an ounce of self-pity. It's not just a cautionary tale, but gives strength to those of us with demons to battle. An inspiring book to finish this month's reviews by yours truly by Andy Martin Sixteen P P Hartnett The one theme that runs through this book is swimming (being a person who has been pumped out a few times after nearly drowning this was weird for me). The main story though that is set round this, is about a man who loves boys and sex and is maybe trying to regain his youth through this activity. It is about memories about what is and what may have been. It is also I feel tinged with that very English Victorian guilt thing about sex. One almost feels that there should be an apology at the beginning or that we should buy it from a strange blacked out shop in a plain brown wrapper. I have the uncorrected proof here and I hope they have left in most of the text as it is a very brave thing to write books about man/boy sex in the present climate in Britain. It is set up North, in places I know well, places like Nelson, Colne, Burnley and some places only known to us locals, ay up, it's all up th'ill. A well written and controversial tale and as mixed up and confusing as real life. The Mammoth Book of The Edge- An anthology of climbing adventures. Edited by Jon E Lewis Robinson GBP7.99 A whopping 497 pages and when it came through the door I thought "oh what a boring prospect reading about climbing adventures", How wrong I was. This book blew me out, it just grabs you from start to finish and because all the tales are true and the tellers of the adventures are the climbers themselves it can be like being there with them. One minute you are there willing them on as they grip on to a ledge and heave themselves up with all their remaining strength and the next minute weeping for them as they feel exhausted and battered and you are up again the next minute cheering them on again, and so it goes from start to finish. This book is not only about climbing it is also about the human spirit, an almost holy quest to take life to the limit to really live and to come back, sometimes scarred and sometimes not but always touched by the experience. There are always those that do not come back but they were there living life to the full pursuing their dream. The Oxford English Dictionary describes the word Hero as - a person noted or admired for courage, outstanding achievements etc, need I say more. This is one of the most mind blowing books that I have ever had the pleasure to read. The Celtic Empire - The first millennium of Celtic history 1000 BC - AD 51 Peter Beresford Ellis Robinson GBP7.99 I like history and especially ancient history, so I got the publishers to send me this book. You can rely on a person like Peter Berresford-Ellis to provide a fully balanced account of events without slipping into sentimental tosh, he has long been recognised as a leading Celtic scholar. This book provides a unique insight into the world of the Celts, and gives us an account of the first millennium of Celtic history and accords them their proper place in the history of ancient Europe. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Tracey From Aberdeen Tracey is a 20 years old Bi female from the outskirts of Aberdeen. She is 5'6" tall with mousey-brown, shoulder-length cropped hair, blue-grey eyes, a fair complexion and of cuddly build. She has her own flat, stays on her own and can accommodate. She likes pubbing, clubbing, cinema, eating out and in, having fun, gay nightclubs and having a laugh. She is very down to earth, fun-loving and honest and is looking to meet up with couples or gay females for a 1-2-1 relationship. Only genuine callers need reply. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4635. Glasgow Gay Girl Glasgow gay female, 28 years, is looking some someone 25-35 years for a 1-2-1 or friendship. She likes shopping, cinema, concerts and chilling out. Likes Sundays in bed with the paper and pigging out in front of the TV with a good movie. Leave your number and she'll phone you back. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4510. 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Mature Edinburgh headmaster-type will deal firmly with naughty boys. So call now for a visit to his study. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3942. Passive And Shaved 50 year old passive guy - slim, with a shaved body - is seeking an active guy 50+ years. He cannot accommodate but can travel in Grampian, Highland, Tayside or maybe even further. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3784. Different Manners Of Discipline George is 5'10" tall, big build and 50 years old. He is looking for bisexuals, gays or cross-dressers who require to be restrained, restricted and disciplined in different manners. Can accommodate sometimes and travel in Fife, Lothian, Central and Dundee areas if required. Discretion is guaranteed. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3800. Corrective Discipline Mature Edinburgh schoolmaster type asks naughty boys, of any age, to report to him for corrective discipline. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3583. Willing Kenny Kenny is a heavily-built, easy-going, non-smoking bisexual who is 49 years young. Seeking bisexual or gay guys for fun and is willing to try anything. Can travel in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife and Dundee areas. All genuine calls answered. Thank you. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3518. A Good Tanning? Stephen, 40years old, tall and tanned from Glasgow. Seeking obedience and corrective training from experienced administrators. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3545. Deadly Serious Punishment Special. Guy in his 50's offers hard discipline to well-built guys 18-40 years. Serious interest only. Will travel to Glagow, Edinburgh etc. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3386. Very Naughty In Edinburgh Very naughty 32 years, 5'11" tall, medium built Edinburgh lad needs to have his bottom well strapped by a mature, over 50 year old man, for his indiscretions. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3412. Lingerie & Discipline - But No Strings... Kevin from Fife. 5'10" Bi-guy in his early 50's. Is into female lingerie and is seeking gay or Bi-guys who are into no strings fun with optional discipline. He's new to the scene so discretion is expected and assured. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3062. Father / Teacher Required 32 year old, 5'11" offshore worker, lives Central Edinburgh. Seeking 50+ medium to well-built guy to play the strict father/schoolteacher role. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 2896. Glasgow Sub Glasgow Sub seeking Dominant for a spanking good time. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 2858. All Present For Correction Edinburgh. "All present for correction". You: 50+ well-built with a very strict outlook. Me: 33 years old, bad boy in need of spanking and caning. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 2337. Falkirk Bi Seeks Similar 45 year old married bisexual professional male from Falkirk area. Seeking another, in a similar situation, for friendship and problem-sharing. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 1862. Very Naughty - But Nice.... Edinburgh 32 year old, 5'11" seeking 50+ assertive disciplinarian to take the lead when he's been naughty - which happens quite a lot! Phone 09068 556613 - Number 1811. Bad Boy Needs Discipline 32 year old Edinburgh bad boy wants 50+ gentlemen who are strict disciplinarians with interest in CP. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 1602. Fraserburgh Versatile and fair-haired. Classical music, books and video-lover looking for similar. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 9628. -------------------------------------------------------------- BOXES - THE SCOTSGAY MEET MARKET ================================ To reply to a Contact Ad: By e-mail: We can now accept replies by e-mail for Box Numbers. They should be sent to boxreplies@drink.demon.co.uk and will be printed out and posted on by snail mail to the box number holders. There will be no charge for this service. As box number holders are unlikely to have access to e-mail, please include your name and address so that they can get back to you! And remember to include the box number that you're replying to clearly on each reply. By snail mail: Just pop your reply in an envelope with the box number written in the TOP RIGHT corner and place the envelope with your reply inside another envelope with two loose first class stamps. If you are writing from outside the UK, an International Reply Coupon (IRC) should be enclosed for each reply instead of postage stamps. International Reply Coupons are available from most Post Offices throughout the world. We are unable to send on replies without postage stamps or IRCs. Send all replies to: ScotsGay Magazine, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. To place a Contact Ad: Write to the above address enclosing your advertisement copy. Ads are FREE of charge to the advertiser. Or you can send them by e-mail to scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk ***Women Hey There! I'm a young female from Central Scotland! Looking 4 friendship+ so get on the pen, chicks!! Box SG43008. Tender Loving Care Tender loving care needed. Any offers? Go on. Box SG43024. Genuine Gay Female 31 Caring, honest, loyal and very romantic at heart seeks another gay female (no bisexuals please) for friendship leading to 1-2-1 relationship. No time wasters, please. GSOH, outgoing, friendly, intelligent. Based in Fife. Box SG43025. Tender Loving Care I need tender loving care. Can you provide it? Applicants will be taken on a trial basis. I'm in my mid twenties, pretty, femme. Box SG43027. Looking For You Shy, sensitive, boyish gay female, 30, likes occasional nights out, films, music, TV, cosy nights in. Looking for gay female to share cosy nights. Glasgow - Garelochhead area. Box SG43031. ***Men Caring And Sharing For many years, I went through hell because of my sexuality. Now I am a very content person. If you are going through similar and would like to talk, call Mark on 07764 523357 (Mon-Thu 7-10pm). Edinburgh - Glasgow Mature guy, 40's, offers no strings uncomplicated fun and friendship to 16-22 year old student type guy. Total discretion if required. Box SG43001. Small Cormorant Glasgow, independent, financially secure, emotionally insecure, car and own place, slim, small, late 30's, passive, wants strong, affectionate guy to ruffle my feathers. Box SG43003. You Know What I Like To See In A Man? Me! Mature active hairy guy with GSOH would like to get to the bottom of a smooth young guy. Non smoker preferred. Non scene. Box SG43004. Naughty Lad Needs A Spanking Young gay lad, 32, looking for a firm spanking. Based in the North East of Scotland. I am passive and submissive. If interested then please reply. Box SG43005. Discipline Needed Hello, Sirs. I am 29 years, 5'9", slim. I live in Edinburgh and travel to Glasgow, I am into receiving Discipline and being Dominated. Like the cane/tawses/crop/paddle/dressage whips, also like denim, leather and rubber. Box SG43007. Dundee 23 23 year old, 6'1", 30"w, slim build, dark hair, blue eyes. Not really on scene: would far prefer a caffe latte and a good picture. Am tired of playing the games. Looking for someone around same age who is reasonably attractive and isn't fucked up with at least three functioning brain cells. I'm not "looking for love" but am sick of playing the same old games and meeting the same old type of guys. I'm not holding out for Hercules or Adonis but come on, I ain't into necrophilia! E-mail: pobox1@ blueyonder.co.uk or Write: Box SG43010. Borders - Selkirk Looking for friends and fun. 18-40. I am 5'10", 32" waist, short cropped hair, easy going guy who likes a good laugh. Got a cute ass (so I keep being told). I play the keyboard and piano. I work in retail Box SG43011. Looking For Oriental Boyfriend Hi I am a 31 year old GWM professional, 5'8" tall, 11 stones, blue eyes, brown hair, hairy chest. I am looking for a cute oriental guy for fun, friendship and LTR with right guy. ALAWP. Box SG43012. Bill In Nairn I'm a gay 48 year old guy, into poppers, love nudity, and also love to give and receive. I also have a large gay video collection. So if there are any guys who are not too far away, and want a good time, get in touch. Box SG43014. Fun Time! I'm good looking, fun loving, stable and secure. I am an honest, masculine low drama type of guy with a great sense of humour. I am in very good shape and love and play all types of sports and also enjoy the theatre, movies, travelling, and just hanging out or walking around town. Box SG43015. Ivory Sub Seeks Ebony Stud Athletic, good looking guy seeks dominant, muscular, young black guy for anything he wants. Box SG43016. Sub Guy Seeks Firm Hands Submissive good-looking shapely man offers no strings fun to strong confident masterful man. I like cross dressing and any role-play/humiliation which pleases. Most receptive, broadminded and horny. Can travel and can possibly accommodate. Box SG43017. Calm Friendly Guy Wanted I am Peter, 28 years old and rather quiet and calm. I am looking for men in their 20s or 30s just for a nice friendship and chatting. I am single and I don't want to change that but I really need some friends to speak to from time to time. I would be glad if I had some more nice people in my life. I like most things many people like. I am intelligent and like that quality in others but it's not the most important thing. Overall, a good character and good manners would be lovely as this makes the time you spend together really worthwhile, doesn't it? I am looking forward to meeting you guys. I am based in Edinburgh. Just drop me a line if you feel like. You are warmly welcome in my life. Box SG43019. Horny First Time Fun Aberdeen Inexperienced 25 year old, 5'7", looking for first time fun. Seeks horny guys 18-35 for no strings fun. Willing to learn a/o for anything goes fun. Cannot accommodate but will travel. ALA. Box SG43020. In Praise Of The Mature Man Life begins at forty, so they say. Looking for a mature man who's started living ! Slim, fortysomething oriental male seeks companion and maybe more. Box SG43021. Looking For A Nice Guy I am a 24 year old Postgraduate student in Glasgow, single and 5'11". I have a great sense of humour and would love to meet a nice guy between 16 and 26. Box SG43022. Brighten Up My 31st Year! Hello there! I'm 30, 5'4", short hair, smart appearance, clean-shaven + working. I'm a down-to-earth type of guy with a GSOH and I'm looking for a nice uncomplicated chap around about my own age or slightly older, who shares similar interests like music, reading, cinema, art, bit of romance, having a few drinks in the pub with pals. If you like the sound of that, please get in touch. Box SG43023. Called Sub Answer Subservient youth (25-35) required urgently by strict dom. Must submit to versatile domination by ageing 6ft, clean shaven Lothario with own place. No recreational drug users, please. Non smoker. Afternoons and weekends. Must be prepared to submit to BDSM and the usual Health and Safety conditions. Photo and full letter required. Box SG43029. Youthful Exuberance Explored By understanding older man with own house and car. Edinburgh, anywhere. Have condoms - will travel. Box SG43030. Glasgow Area Two males, 40's, SA/SL, NSc, one voyeur, one lingerie fetishist who loves to pose and show off, WLTM other lingerie fetishist for mutual fun and games. Total discretion assured. Box SG43035. Arbroath - Angus 38, 5'10", 12.5st, No 2 haircut, quite hairy, 'tache. Like Classic FM, meals out. Smoke and drink in moderation. WLTM 35-55 for 1-2-1 or friendship. Box SG43036. Are You In A Uniformed Job? 32 year old Edinburgh guy, rugby build, fit, not bad looking, seeks guys from any uniformed profession for discreet horny times. Police, Fire, Army, AA, etc. ALA. Box SG43038. Glasgow Passive Seeks Active Passive guy, mid 30's, slim, 10st, 5'11", flat top, 'tache, GSOH, NS, easy going, no baggage, seeks active soul mate for 1-2-1. Can accommodate. Any young skins out there? Box SG43039. Fife - Edinburgh - Dundee - Glasgow - Etc 40 year old Fife guy would like to meet slim guys/couples of any age for no strings fun. My place or yours. I'm N/S, N/Sm, S/A, S/L and versatile. ALA. Box SG43040. Northern Ireland Shy Guy 35, seeking penpals, Irish guys in Scotland or anywhere, young students or anyone looking for a pal. Box SG43041. Pull My Xmas Cracker I am a BND type, 26, slim build, green eyes, black hair, looking for soulmate around 27-35, honest guys. E-mail me or write. ALA. E-mail: joebar38@hotmail.com or Write Box SG43042. Paisley - Glasgow Area Gay male, passive, 40, 5'10", '0' crop, slim/medium build, hairy with big strong weight-lifter/body-builder type for lots of no strings fun. Can accommodate. ALA. Box SG43043. Looking For Love - Aberdeen - Glasgow Young 40, slim, dark hair, active, passive, looking for friendship, maybe more. Aberdeen, Glasgow. Into arts, food, books. GSOH. Seeks similar age. Likes open minded genuine men. Box SG43044. Argyll And Bute Professional couple (36, 63) with charming house on the coast, seek other couples for mutual visits and socialising. Box SG43045. Glasgow Experienced Bottom Bi guy, married (with separate home), 52, slim, experienced bottom WLTM WE/VWE guys/couples, married, gay, bi for regular hot sessions. Age, looks, colour not important. Can travel/accommodate. Box SG43046. Glasgow Guy Seeks Friends Gay guy, 54, artist, tall, slim, genuine, caring, S/A, S/L. Interests: art, literature, films, music, travel, nights in/out. Seeks guys with arts interests for honest open friendship. Box SG43047. Glasgow Slim Christian guy, 35, seeks similar male for genuine friendship, fun and good times. Glasgow area. Likes cinema, walks, romantic nights in and out and as much fun as possible! Box SG43048. Tayside - Young 47 Fun and friendship on offer to the right guy age 30-50 hopefully leading to genuine 1-2-1. Can travel and accommodate. Enjoy socialising and quiet nights in. Box SG43049. Glasgow Into videos. Two guys, 40's, WLTM other men interested in fun sessions. Bi or married men most welcome. Discretion assured. Box SG43050. Edinburgh - Anywhere Fit guy, rugby type build, with zero crop, into wrestling and sparring. Any contenders? Box SG43051. Forty-seven Inch Chest If you have a 47" chest or over, you may be just the type this experienced strict master is looking for. Scotland/anywhere. Photo please. Box SG43052. Loving And Caring The most fun you can have with one guy. Masculine 33 year old looking for serious love interest. Cosy nights together in/out. Let's get to know each other. Box SG43053. Anal Boy - London - Seeks Scots Pals 30, medium build, attractive, Latin/Celtic origin. Toys, fingers, rimming, pumping. C/A close London City Airport, C/T to Scotland for horny weekends. Photo gets mine. E-mail: passivepaul_69@yahoo.co.uk or Write: Box SG43054. What's It Called? Gay male, 41, requires partner for friendship and fun, any age. Cumbernauld area. Box SG43055. Glasgow Homeloving guy, 36, 5'11", slim, blue eyes, hairy body, W/E, enjoys music, videos, cooking, walking, eating out/in. I'm decent, honest, ambitious seeking sincere guy 25-45. Possible 1-2-1. Box SG43056. Daytime Fun In Edinburgh Late 30's, OK looks, horny and versatile, wants daytime fun with guys 30-50. Own place in Central Edinburgh. Very discreet. Box SG43057. Glasgow Young 30's, green eyes, slim, smooth body, like wearing football shorts, fire trucks, walking, cycling, nudity. Looking for like minded for fun times and friendship. Box SG43058. Large Fat Hairy Mature Man Wanted Glasgow, S/A, S/L, 40's, medium build, seeks large 15st+, preferably hairy, man of similar age for fun and friendship possible 1-2-1. O/H. Can accommodate. Discretion assured. Genuine, friendly, versatile, VWE. Box SG45059. Fun-ky Gay 4 A Fun-ky Guy Fun guy seeks similar under 34 for fun things in the Edinburgh area. Likes fun 1-2-1, by phone and video. Fun-drenched letter with telephone number guarantees a reply. Box SG43061. Zero Crop Skin Wants to meet guys into rubber, W/S, gob for a hot wet time. Have play area for horny fun. Phone number for quick reply. Box SG43062. Bored Stiff? So am I! 31 year old straight acting guy seeks SA, NS, guy between 27-35. Edinburgh and surrounding areas preferred but can travel. Help me get out of the rut. ALA. Box SG43063. Any Very Hairy Chunks Out There? Edinburgh hunk, 33, very fit and muscular, told good looking, strapping six footer seeks human gorilla, 20-45, bouncer build, with tons of body hair. Non scene preferred. Masculine essential. Box SG43064. Love Starved Glasgow Guy 40, heavy built, hairy, NS, GSOH, seeks similar guy for good times, maybe more. Enjoy cinema, TV, theatre, dining. No time wasters please. ALA. Box SG43065. Gay And TV? She-male Fun! If so and unattached, then let's meet for some fun. Me: sexy, convincing. You: similar. Bi, single OK. No marrieds. Effeminate welcome. SAE. Photo please. Box SG43066. Glasgow Near S/A 40's would like uncomplicated fun/friendship. Can accommodate or travel. Exchange photo, letters and anything else that takes your fancy. 1-2-1 relationship possible. ALA. Box SG43067. Corduroy Guy Seeks Passive - Glasgow 40, medium build/looks, active corduroy wearer WLTM passive guys to moan under him. 25-45. Small fem guys a bonus. Frank letter (maybe photo) ensures prompt reply. Glasgow area, anywhere. Box SG43068. Edinburgh - Central Scotland Friendly guy, 40, looking for younger guy (under 26) for no strings fun and friendship. Not into scene - go out to straight pubs with my friends. Like: travel, eating out/in, TV. Your photo helps (returned with mine) but is not essential. Can accommodate or prepared to travel for the right guy. Box SG43069. Xmas In Edinburgh Alone? If you're young, footloose and fancy free, why not join an old man for Xmas dinner and a yuletide log or two. Box SG43070. Edinburgh 38 year old guy into 18-24 year old guys into SM, bondage. New to SM - got gear need waxed. Take me there. Come with me. Are you there? Ruff, ruff, ruff. Box SG43071. Edinburgh Bi-curious 41, slim, hairy, horny seeks guys for safe fun. Into briefs and shorts. Any age, can accommodate. Especially seeking W/E males. Box SG43072. Dundee - Tayside Gay male, GSOH, brown hair, blue eyes, slim build, seeks friends 18-40, any nationality. I can travel and accommodate, am honest and WE. ALA. Photo if possible. Box SG43073. Stripe My Pride Weightlifter, 30's, beefy bully boy, needs strict older master who can cut him down to size and teach him humility. Box SG43074. A Bear Isn't Just For Xmas Smooth young cub needed to attend to the needs of hairy old bear. Own cave in Edinburgh. Lots of cuddles and snuggles for the right guy. Box SG43075. ***Bisexual Bi Curious? There has to be a first time for everything! If you're aged 16-21 or so, why not get in touch? Considerate experienced older guy will talk you through things at your own pace before getting down to some safe fun. Your limits respected. Total discretion assured. I have a large double bed and collection of gay videos in Edinburgh but will travel if required. Box SG43002. Dominant Mistress Wanted Male, 32, passive, submissive, looking for a dominant mistress to give spanking/cp. Please reply if interested in giving me a spank. Box SG43006. Bi Fun In And NW Of Aberdeen Bi, 37, fit, 8" u/c, wants some mutual fun in and NW of Aberdeen, have to be discreet, get in touch for a good time. Prefer fellow bi's. Box SG43013. Fife For Fun I am looking for a discreet fun only relationship in Fife. Box SG43018. Glasgow - Edinburgh - Anywhere Bi couple, 20's, first timers. Wife: slim, attractive. Husband: slim, av/e. Seek couples M/F or M/M with males WE/VWE. Any age, colour. Explicit photo/letter guarantees reply. Can travel/accommodate. Box SG43032. Edinburgh Good Mate Wanted I am a SA guy in straight relationship. Seeking understanding or similar guy for friendship and physical needs. 30's, young-minded, passable, humorous, good attitude. Absolute discretion. E-mail: loggot@hotmail.com or Write: Box SG43033. Edinburgh - Considerate Gay Sought SA, Bi-guy, 30's, GSOH, some experience seeks considerate guy who's into giving and receiving and will teach me. Discretion required. In straight relationship. Cannot accommodate. E-mail: memodek@hotmail.com or Write: Box SG43034. Bi Male Edinburgh 30's-40's Needed Top or bottom bi guy who can give and take required for mixed couple. Can accommodate. ALA with telephone number. No E-mails. Box SG43037. ***Friends Abroad Sexy Young Male I am looking for a caring male: medium built, blond hair, blue eyes. Looking to share my world with the right person. I have wild fantasy. Contact me if you think you are the one of my dream. Write: John Paterson, 107-29 118 Street, Richmond Hill, NY 11419, USA. E-mail: Bigbillyblake@aol.com ISO Senior Gentleman Gentle Belgian professional, 50, 6'1", 14st, WLTM intelligent gentleman between 55 and 75 for LTR. Interests: arts, classical music, dining out, good conversations. Write: Etienne Langerwerf, Van Putlei 37/7, B-2018 Antwerpen, Belgium. E-mail: elan.antwerpen@skynet.be Hosting Chubbies Chub/chaser couple (one of them, really big, 21st and the other one 7st) in Alicante, SE coast of Spain, would love to host any chub/bigbear visiting our sunny land. Box SG43028. Ibiza - Spain Active gay tanned nudist, VWE, 43, 6'3", hairy muscular body, own income and good business, WLTM passive guys, 25-45, for O/A action, friendship and possible stable relationship. Box SG43060. ***Looking For Archie From Aberdeenshire Archie from Aberdeenshire replied by sending a letter and a photo to the ad searching for a hot passionate woman from near Edinburgh/Glasgow. Please get back in touch. Phone me. I didn't get hold of your phone number... you sound soooooooo goooooooooddd!!!!!!!!!!!!! Box SG43026. ***Wanted Available 4 MBA Gay English lad seeking Australian citizenship. Seeks feminine female for mutually beneficial arrangement. Let's talk! Box SG43009. ***Jobs Offered Cash For You