SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland ScotsGay 80/- Heavy - Issue 55 - December 2003 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 2003. 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) GBP 8 6 issue sub (Overseas) GBP 15 12 issue sub (UK & EC) GBP 15 12 issue sub (Overseas) GBP 28 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 The Stag and Turret Arts Claremont Bar Edinburgh Aberdeen Dundee Glasgow Scottish Media Monitor Java Scene Film Freebies Books Waverley Care International Voice Personals Boxes - The ScotsGay Meet Market Helplines Listings Venues --------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= It's that time of the year again. A time when we can reflect on the year that's awa' and a time to be Olde Moorish about the one that's to come. In 2003, we've seen a growing pace of legislation from the Scottish Parliament which will affect our community. Not all of it is what many of us would have wanted, but a trend is emerging. It's clear that we have many backbench friends on the Mound who sincerely wish to provide genuine equality for the different communities within our diverse Scottish nation. On the other hand, the minority of MSPs who loath and fear us have set out their homophobic views pretty clearly. It's the ones who really don't give a damn either way but have rather come to enjoy their status and salary that worry me most. They're the ones who will attempt to avoid or tone down any legislation so as not to upset the God botherers. They also tend to be the ones in higher places. Passing the buck to Westminster over Marriage (Lite) is a perfect case in point. If the London bill fails, it won't be the fault of the Scottish Executive who can express suitable regret without actually having to soil their hands with those messy queers. And, if it goes through, Soapy Soutar and his Suds can't really blame them either. Either way, we don't actually get equality which we could get with a singularly brief amendment to the Marriage (Scotland) Act. But that's politics. In our own community, the gay press seems to be reasonably healthy. ScotsGay comes out every month, Gay Scotland tries to and often succeeds, the newly relaunched Core and Glasgow LGBT Centre's Centrepoint are regular as clockwork and there are smaller publications in our other cities which come out as required. There are other regular newsletters and the like on the Internet. Lots of words. And just to blow our own trumpet, this edition sees ScotsGay going into our 8th year. And next year? After Pride actually managing to happen in Edinburgh this year, I'd like to see it actually happen in Glasgow next year. But that won't happen unless enough people actually come forward to organise it at the meeting in the Glasgow LGBT Centre at 2pm on Sun 1st Feb! Judging by the type size of ScotsGay's listings, the scene has expanded in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen this year: perhaps things will liven up in Glasgow next year. And if a pub in Aberdour can have a listing, there's hope for Auchtermuchty yet! All in all, I'm reasonably confident that 2004 will be a good year for Scottish queers. If it's not, I'm sure we can all spend many happy evenings arguing about which queer we should blame for it all going pear shaped. Have a Happy New Year - when it comes. John Hein E-mail: editorial@scotsgay.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS ==== LBT WOMEN'S HEALTH PROGRAMME and VOLUNTEERING When it comes to health matters outside the straight norm, media attention, adverts and campaigning place the emphasis on gay men's sexual health. A brand, spanking new project; All Women, is set to redress the balance. Based at the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, in Edinburgh, it's an opportunity for lesbian, bisexual and transgendered women to have a real say in the issues that affect them. Women from Edinburgh and the Lothians are invited to participate in an ongoing consultation exercise, which will develop programmes to address issues and needs raised. All Women has an expansive scope aside from the consultation. Open evenings, LBT Women's Health Programme and entertainment events at Sala, on Broughton Street, will contribute to All Women's inclusive and 'bigger picture' approach. Volunteer involvement will be an essential part of All Women and the Centre as a whole. A comprehensive volunteer programme, supporting many areas of the Centre's work, will be developed over coming years. With the opportunity to volunteer in areas as diverse as advocacy, hospitality and events, promotions and publicity, IT and administration, information and reception and community support, LGBT community members and allies can contribute an incredible amount to the success of the project. There'll be real possibilities for personal and professional development, while being an integral part of a well supported team. Oh yeah, and the chance for a lot of fun too! The first introductory volunteer training courses will run from Spring 2004. For information on All Women: Allie Cherry 0131-523 1100. E-mail: allie@lgbthealth.org.uk For information on volunteering: Allie or Tony Stevenson Tel: 0131-523 1100. E-mail: tony@lgbthealth.org.uk CORE BLIMEY! Available this month across Scotland, the new Core magazine aims to provide a 'meeting place' for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Previously concentrating on gay health issues, Core's expansion was a common-sense development, bringing on board four very different organisations to co-fund the project: Beyond Barriers, LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, Healthy Gay Scotland and Gay Men's Health. To mark the launch, an open event was held in Habana, Edinburgh on Friday 5th December. The new mag hot off the press, a good crowd, friendly staff and a venue bedecked in Core merchandise, ensured a great time. Many new contacts were made across the LGBT sector and the diverse and inclusive brief of the magazine was evident throughout the night. A similar event, planned in partnership with Reach Out Highland, will take place in Inverness to emphasise Core's Scotland wide availability and to promote contributions from outwith the central belt area. Free, bi-monthly and with a varied content, including information on health, wellbeing, lifestyle, services and contacts, the new Core is set to be an accessible and fun read. For further information, or to receive copies of the magazine, E-mail: core@gmh.org.uk HATE CRIMES The Scottish Executive is asking people whether the laws on hate crimes should be extended to cover crimes motivated by hatred against LGBT people. At the moment the hate crimes law in Scotland only covers racist and religious or sectarian hate. A consultation paper on whether to change the law will be published in mid-December. It will ask whether laws such as the law that says that a crime is 'aggravated' (made more serious) by a racist or religious hate motive, should be extended to cover homophobic and transphobic hate as well. The consultation paper will be available online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/JD/CJ/00017915/wg_papers.aspx and paper copies can be got by ringing Emma Sinclair at the Scottish Executive on 0131-244 4210. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 19th March, and anyone with an interest is encouraged to respond GENDER RECOGNITION BILL The Gender Recognition Bill, which changes the law to allow transsexual people to be legally recognised as their true gender, was introduced in the House of Lords on November 28th. The bill covers all parts of the UK. Representatives of five groups - Transmen Scotland, TransAlba, Press for Change, LGBT Youth Scotland and the Equality Network's Transgender Issues Forum - gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee about the bill on December 9th. All the groups broadly welcomed the bill, and agreed that a 'Sewel motion', by which the Scottish Parliament asks Westminster to legislate for Scotland, was the quickest way to achieve transsexual people's rights. However, the groups giving evidence raised some concerns about the detail of the bill. These concerns included that the bill will force a married transsexual person to divorce before they can be legally recognised in their true gender, and that the bill does not deal with the problem that in Scotland the law of rape does not cover rape of a transsexual woman, or rape by a transsexual man. TUNES Metropolitan Community Church is proud to host again Edinburgh's Annual LGBT Community Carol Service. As ever, all people are warmly invited to attend irrespective of sexuality or gender identity or indeed faith background (or lack of faith background). The Service will take place at MCCs new Church home, Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh (across from the Central Library) at 6pm on Sun 21st December. Festive refreshments will be served afterwards LATEST ON CIVIL PARTNERSHIP The Scottish Executive's consultation on civil partnership closed on December 5th. The Executive is proposing that same-sex couples who enter into an officially-registered civil partnership will be given very similar legal protections, responsibilities and rights as married couples. The results of the consultation are expected to be published around February, and the Civil Partnership Bill, to allow civil partnerships across Britain, will be introduced in the Westminster Parliament some time after that. The Scottish Parliament Equal Opportunities Committee took evidence from LGBT groups, lawyers, representatives of faith groups, and the Deputy Minister for Justice, between October 28th and November 11th. You can read the evidence via the Committee's web page: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/equal/index.htm (look for the Official Reports of the 5th, 6th and 7th meetings) The Equal Opportunities Committee's own response to the Scottish Executive includes all of the evidence they received, and is here: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/equal/reports/eoc03-resp-01-01.htm WHAT DO YOU NEED IN FORTH VALLEY? Forth Valley NHS Board has commissioned an independent needs assessment, an important part of which is talking to lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Forth Valley. This will involve taking part in a short informal interview lasting about an hour, in either Stirling or Falkirk. Any input you give will be completely confidential and will be anonymised. If you would like more information about how to have your voice heard and listened to, then contact Mark Ward by E-mail: lgbneeds@markward.org.uk or visit http://www.markward. org.uk/You can also call 07734 935132 (mobile call rates apply) The closing date for information requests is Fri 9th Jan 2004. NEW EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS On December 1st 2003, new regulations came into force protecting people from discrimination at work on the grounds of sexual orientation. The rules outlaw direct discrimination (e.g. refusing a job or promotion to someone just because they are LGB), indirect discrimination (putting in place rules which disadvantage LGB people more than straight people, or vice versa), harassment (e.g. homophobic jokes in the workplace), and victimisation (targeting people who have made a complaint). The rules also outlaw these kinds of discrimination against students in further or higher education. ACAS have produced some good guidance on the regulations, available online here: http://www.acas.org.uk/publications/pdf/guide_sexualO.pdf Paper copies are available from ACAS on 0141-248 1400. However, the regulations allow religious organisations to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation when employing someone "for purposes of an organised religion", where the discrimination is required by "strongly held religious convictions of a significant number of the religion's followers", or to comply with the doctrines of the religion. A group of unions, led by Unison, are mounting a legal challenge to this part of the regulations, arguing that it means that the regulations aren't in line with European Union law. GLASGOW PRIDE 2004? There won't be one unless enough people turn up to a meeting in the Glasgow LGBT Centre at 2pm on Sunday 1st February! DO DROP IN Pride Scotia will be operating a drop in the Edinburgh LGBT Centre at 58a Broughton Street from 2-4pm on Xmas Day. If you're at a loose end, why not pop in? All welcome! MEDIA WHORES Hosted by Dale Winton, The National Lottery 'In It To Win It' is returning to BBC1 on Saturday nights for a 3rd series. The BBC is looking for confident, bubbly contestants to take part from your area. It's the quiz show where you need to be in the right place at the right time to win big money. Where you'll need luck as well as skill in order to get in the game and stay there. For your chance to walk away with a lot of money, then you need to be 'In It To Win It'. Tel: 020-7432 2935 or E-mail: inittowinit@12yard.com KINGDOM If anyone is in Kirkcaldy on Saturday 20th December - pop in and have some mince pies and mulled wine with Fife Men - Noon-2pm - last minute shopping, farmers market and their company- perfect! --------------------------------------------------------------- ADVERTISING FEATURE: THE STAG & TURRET ====================================== ABBEYHILL STIRS AS STAG IMPROVES Big changes are underway at the Stag & Turret. Since taking over the day to day running at the end of May this year, Kim has carried out a significant number of changes. Describing it as a 'work in progress', Kim is putting into effect her vision of the Stag & Turret as a "straight friendly" pub where all are welcome. Alterations to the interior have improved the look and feel, with more planned for January 2004. The upstairs room has been decorated. Furnishings will continue to change, with more soft furnishings being put in to create a chill space. The bar is being refitted and will be opening shortly. Kim sees this as an ideal room for movie and themed nights. A widescreen TV, pool table and board games are available, creating a relaxed atmosphere for customers. This room can also be booked for private functions with the option of a buffet being provided. Plasma screen TVs and a video jukebox are coming soon. January 2004 will also see the launch of a Women's Night and a Quiz Night, beginning 15 and 18 January respectively. The Friday evening Karaoke is popular, building a solid base of regulars. The Karaoke is on 8pm-1am. The biggest challenge has been changing people's perception. People who haven't visited the Stag & Turret in quite some time have returned. Positive feedback and return custom show that Kim is successfully creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. --------------------------------------------------------------- ARTS: DANCE AND EXHIBITIONS =========================== Rambert Dance Company Rambert make a point of being the oldest dance company in Britain. This gives rise to images of dancers with Zimmer frames. Of course it's the company that's old, established in 1926, not the dancers. As ever first rate dance on a huge scale with up to 14 dancers on stage. The first piece, 21, by Rafael Bonacheia, begins with three individual dancers on stage and then they come together with fine dancing. At this point a huge screen comes down at the front of the stage and projected onto it are huge images of Kylie Minogue moving (I wouldn't call it dancing). This huge image reminded me of the film Jurrasic Park, as if huge creatures were in their inelegant way trying to participate with humans. For me this just didn't work and I kept thinking "get out of the way woman and let me see the real dancers". Visions Fugitives with choreography by Hans van Manen and music by Prokofiev played live by a string trio was entirely different. This consisted mostly of pairs of dancers doing different things. Several pieces run back to back that flowed together so well. Thoroughly enjoyable. The highlight of the evening was Elsa Canasta with choreography by Javier De Frutos. This time we enjoyed music by Rambert's Accociate Orchestra, London Musici but live singing of the Cole Porter songs by Melanie Marshall. This was dance on and around a staircase evoking a sense of New York. At first this reminded me of all those dreary old films with huge chorus lines. However this was far from dreary and I don't think the love initially being described and danced by two men was anything like these films. Gradually this expanded to 14 dancers and they made the Edinburgh Festival Theatre stage look tiny. The "Autumn" tour continues, and no that date below is not a misprint. 15-18 June, Theatre Royal, Glasgow. JMW Turner I should have known it was a bad sign when the link on the National Rail Web site giving cheap admission to the Tate Britain exhibition Turner in Venice didn't work. "Click here to download an application form" it said, I clicked and got a blank screen. No problem, it also said one could pick up a form at the station. I arrived in London and went hunting for a form. Virgin Trains hadn't got a clue, and tried to fob me off with Transport for London (even though it was nothing to do with them), and after about 15 minutes I gave up and headed for The Tate. There they knew all about the offer and informed me that all I had to do was pick up a form at the station. Anyway I paid full price and went in. The first shock was there were many paintings that were not by Turner but which may have, and in some cases certainly had, influenced him. But the shock of the exhibition was the number of mediocre or basically naff paintings by Turner. Oh, the good stuff was here but so was overwhelmed by the rest. One that I noticed, for all the wrong reasons was titled something like Looking out over the Empty Sea from the Lagoon. How could they tell? If it had been titled "A piece of card on which Turner wiped his brushes", I'd have believed it. January sees the Turners displayed at the National Gallery of Scotland. Free of charge. A chance to restore my faith in the man. Martin Powell E-mail: martinp@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------- ADVERTISING FEATURE: CLAREMONT BAR ================================== The Claremont Rings The Changes! Changes are afoot down at Edinburgh's Claremont Bar - situated in East Claremont Street, just along from the Townhouse Sauna at the foot of Broughton Street! Proprietors Jean Philippe and Robin have moved the emphasis from being gay owned and gay friendly to being Edinburgh's Leather Bar every week of the year. Whilst Robin is known to most people on the Edinburgh gay scene, JP (as he likes to be called) is reasonably new to the Edinburgh scene, and is a qualified French pastry chef with who has worked in Lenotre in Paris, and in Grunsee, Zermatt, Switzerland, amongst other establishments. If you have any special pastry culinary requests i.e. Birthday, Anniversary, Xmas, Easter, whatever, discuss your requirements with JP. At the Claremont, food is available every day - from a sausage on a roll to sizzling sirloin steaks and they can cater for formal and informal parties, from christenings to funerals, or, as they say, from erection to resurrection. Everything can be done, (and often is) just speak to JP or Robin and your every wish will be realised! Bearscots, a club for big/bearded/hairy-chested gay guys and their admirers, have their club night in the Claremont on the 1st Sat of each month. The club started in December 2000 in response to the lack of a scene catering for guys who did not fit the stereotypical image of "young pretty and smooth". As well as their regular monthly sauna/pub night, they also organise trips away to bear friendly events. And every October there is the annual BearScotsFest. Their website has a membership form to download: http://www.bearscots.org.uk/ M.S.C. Scotland's clubnight is the 3rd sat of every month from 8pm onwards. Motor Sporting Club Scotland was formed in 1974 and is a club for gay men who like to wear leather, rubber, uniforms,denim or skinhead gear and its associated combinations and looks. The Club also organises four or five major events each year open to all members and guests. Events include a Burns Supper, the Summer BBQ, and a St. Andrew's Night function. MSC Scotland is affiliated with the Fellowship of United Kingdom Clubs (FUKC) which is in turn linked with the European Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (ECMC). ScotsSkins, an informal, web-based club, meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Their membership is open to all guys who enjoy the company of other gay/bi skins and a warm welcome is to be found by any interested guys in skin. They can be found online at http://groups.yahoo. com/group/scotsskins/ The Claremont is host to a number of other groups, (not just gay) including Babylon 5, Dominoes, the Edinburgh Fortean Society, the Edinburgh Monarchs Speedway Supporters Club, and the Broughton Point Hibs Supporters Club. They also have a quiz every Wednesday night at 8pm with prizes and pot money. --------------------------------------------------------------- EDINBURGH SCENE: DUN EIDEANN ============================ Since the relaunch of Velvet (Edinburgh's only women's night) it has really gone from strength to strength. Their first birthday party will take place at their new venue The Commplex which is right at the bottom of Leith Walk between Guiliano's and Ocean Terminal Shopping Complex. The date for the party is Sat 3rd Jan and after this the next night will take place to celebrate Valentines Day on Sat 7th Feb. DJ Michelle provides all of the music and entry is GBP 6. The new times for the night are 10pm-2am. WWW: http://www.club-velvet.co.uk/ James Longworth has a barrel load of festive frolics going in the month of December. Blaze will take place on two dates Fri 19th Dec and Fri 2nd Jan. The Xmas Vibe will take place on Tue 23rd and 30th Dec all at the usual venue Club Ego. A mega party will take place called The Hogmanay Hangover at The City Nightclub, situated in Market St opposite Tackno's Massa. Thu 1st Jan is the date and tickets are GBP 5 on the door or buy them in advance from Planet Out. WWW: http://www.jameslongworth.com/ Edinburgh's Premier Pub - Habana has a late licence in the month of December so closing is now 3am, until after the New Year. The bar will be open from 7pm on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. Check out their ad for all the goings on. Edinburgh's oldest and most successful club night JOY has confirmed its next three dates, which are, Sat Dec 20th, Sat 17th Jan and Sat Feb 14th. The usual lines of DJs provide the tunes and entry is GBP 8 for JOY members and GBP 10 on the door. WWW: http://www.clubjoy.co.uk/ Should you take a winter stroll along Baxters Place and notice that Planet Out is closed, this is not a permanent thing - it will be undergoing a major refurbishment in January, so before the rumours start it is not closed, but will be shut from the 19th-24th Jan. A big thank you to Planet from Positive Voice (a self help organisation for people living with or affected with HIV/AIDS) for hosting a charity fundraiser and raising a staggering GBP 1000!! A big thank you too to the bar staff, and all those who contributed to the night. Check out Planet in the New Year for brand new drink promos and a change to the usual line up of entertainment. Resident DJ Jon Pleased is still providing an eclectic mix of tunes on a Thursday night with DJ Morvan. Fruit Salad (Thursdays) seem to be getting busier and busier and for information Jon Pleased's brand new single 'Our lips are sealed' came out on Dec 8th and a new album will be out in the new Year. Taste and Luvely host a New Year's Day special at the Liquid Room on Thu 1st Jan 2004 from 10pm-5am. Advance tickets are available to Taste and Luvely members and their guests only. Members GBP 10, Guests GBP 12. Tickets are available from Taste, Luvely, The Regent, and Q-Store. Taste Info: 0131-557 4656. WWW: http://www.taste-clubs.com/and http://www.luvely.net/ The saga of the Holyrood Tavern and its offshoots continues: it looks as if the new owners haven't taken over yet, so, whilst Mark of the Hair has largely banished himself to his new howff in darkest Aberdour, the pub continues with the old bar staff on a week to week basis - perhaps we should never have taken it out of our listings! The popular Liz (pictured below), however, has gone her own way and has taken over the Auld Hoose in St Leonards. Mark my editor's words: It will all end in beers! Abbeyhill seems busier every time I pass. Not only is The Regent doing a roaring trade (having had to add a regular guest real ale to meet demand) but the Stag and Turret, which had been going through some rather unhappy times, has now been spruced up, has got rid of the rubbish and is now a safe and pleasant space once more. Not to mention the cuteness of the bar staff! The ScotsGay annual discreet partyette was held in Java, but I couldn't make it due to other commitments. I gather that a good time was had by all! News hot off the press - there is a new Gay Friendly bar situated in Stockbridge called the Watershed. Haven't got down there yet - but I await reports! Alan E-mail: weealan@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------- ABERDEEN SCENE: OBAR DHEADHAINN =============================== Hi there! This is the second time this month that I've written to a jolly, bearded one but I really hope this one doesn't appear down my chimney on Christmas day. So what's happening north of anywhere this month. The biggest news has to be the opening of the Yumbo Club (formerly Out) above Sals Bar on Crown Street on Mon 8th Dec. Patrice--hairdresser to the stars--kicked off the evening in Sals before the opening party moved upstairs to Yumbo. The club promises live entertainment including Europe's best drag queens and comedians. This is great and I wish them all the best however the recent promises from another club in Aberdeen should send out warning messages. More about this later. What is it with you guys and your new venues? Have Signs R Us gone into liquidation or something? It's confusing enough for us living in this city but just spare a thought for those visiting from further afield. So here's ScotsGay's handy guide to finding Aberdeen's venues. Abacos on Market Street, Rabbies on Exchange Street and Wellmans Health Suite on Justice Mill Lane are well signed and easy to find--well done guys. However Bar Indigo claims to be 'Oh Henry's' and is on the Adelphi. The Yumbo Club says it's 'Out' and is on Crown Street above Sals. Maybe you should ask Santa to help and get things sorted for the new year. Mint has lovely signs outside but sadly is no longer part of the city's gay scene. The club is still open for those that wish to visit it. Why did it not work? What makes one club 'home' to the gay community over another? Is Aberdeen really capable of supporting more than one club? The city's gay community seems to be going through a period of transition with more openness, a greater choice of venues and more active support organisations. This can only be good for Aberdeen in the long run but at present it may be a bit turbulent for the venues concerned. I hope you are all in this for the long run. I guess the best thing that can happen is that we all seek to broaden the appeal of Aberdeen as a place for the LGBT community to feel safe and enjoy themselves. We need to encourage more LGBT people in the North East of Scotland to visit Aberdeen rather than head south to the central belt or stay at home. Will, I hope you are still serious about Aberdeen and that this experience hasn't put you off. Perhaps we can look forward to something from you in the new year. A short service was held in Aberdeen Art Gallery on Mon 1st Dec to mark World Aids Day. Organised by Phace Scotland its theme was the 'River of Life'. It featured poetry readings and a choir specially formed for the day performed a couple of songs. Mark Thomson at Phace would like to thank all involved in organising the service and for those who turned up. Special thanks go to Leslie and Mike for their help in setting the event up and also to Paul Hudson and the World Aids Day choir. From January next year Phace will be organising Icebreaker events for those coming out.--contact Mark or Leslie for details. There's also a Drop-In session on Fridays between noon and 4pm. These are for people seeking advice, leaflets or a chat and coffee. The Phace offices are at 21-23 Justice Mill Lane Aberdeen. Contact Mark Thomson or Leslie Hay on Aberdeen (01224) 587166 A serious assault took place on a 24 year old man in Duthie Park in the early hours of Mon 1st Dec. Police are hunting two men and have issued the following descriptions. Attacker 1 may be called Rich, Ritchie or Richard. He's in his late 30s early 40s, ruddy complexion, large nose, muscular build. Approximately 6ft tall with scruffy looks, he was wearing a dark blue or black baseball cap. He had greying hair with either a goatee or full beard and spoke with a local accent. There is a very vague description given of attacker 2 but he was thought to be wearing tan or sandy coloured work style boots (Cats or Wrangler type). He wore dirty blue or dark black jeans. Anyone with any information should contact Faye Tough at Grampian Police on Aberdeen (01224) 386466 or Mark Thomson at Phace Scotland on Aberdeen (01224) 587166. Peter Pan flies into His Majesty's Theatre from now until Sat 3rd Jan starring James Macpherson, Cameron Stout and Anna Lowe. So, come along and take a swashbuckling journey to Never Never Land, meeting pirates, mermaids, lost boys and even a ticking crocodile along the way. The sets are stunning and there are plenty of opportunities to join in the fun. You even get the chance to help Peter defeat Hook with foam bricks being handed out to all in the audience to throw at Hook during the battle scene. Watch out also for the talented acrobatic pirates--mmm. Oh and don't forget to get your magic fairy wand before the show--on sale in the foyer--a must for kids of all ages. Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on Aberdeen (01224) 641122. The Trocaderos appearance at His Majesty's last month was well worth the wait. Their take off of well known ballet classics culminating in the Dying Swan had the audience in fits of laughter. They also demonstrated their ability to dance seriously. I certainly think the guys from Aberdeen University Ab-Fab society enjoyed their front row seats. For many of you this will be a happy time spending time with friends, families and loved ones over the festive period. However for others this time of year can place a greater strain on our lives trying to juggle our time with loved ones, families and friends and ensuring everyone is happy. Although this time of year is traditionally about thinking of others perhaps reserving a little time for yourself to chill out may just keep you sane. Remember that a little love and a lot of forgiveness may just be the key to seeing you through to the New Year. For those who choose to spend Christmas on their own have a great day and for those of you alone seeking love perhaps next year you'll meet the person of your dreams. Well in my short time as Aberdeen Scene Scribe I have heard a few opinions on what people want from the scene so here are the top three: more lesbians on the scene, somewhere to enjoy conversation in comfort without competing with loud music and a greater age range catered for. As for my favourite venue by a whisker it has to be Abacos on Market Street. Glass fronted Abacos in the centre of Aberdeen seems to have created the right mix of atmosphere whether for food, a quiet coffee or more upbeat DJ or karaoke. They integrate the gay and straight communities very well and the bar staff are friendly. Keep up the good work guys. I guess all the venues will be extra busy over the next few weeks with plenty going on to keep you entertained. As far as opening times and events are concerned I would advise checking with the venues to confirm. Finally thanks to my lovely boyfriend who supplied the chocolate for inspiration during the writing of this article and for not distracting me too much. Wishing you all a peaceful and pleasant festive season and see you all, no doubt hung-over, in the New Year. Tivoli E-mail: Tivoli_abdn@yahoo.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------- DUNDEE SCENE: DUN DEAGH ======================= Hello everybody. There have been plenty of rumours flying around the Seagate this month, although it would seem that none of them have proved true. Brian denies there is a mass exodus of staff from the club and Charlie's have had no price hikes, all in all ruining my ambitions of taking a whole page to tell you of all the intrigue and conspiracies. Instead you are stuck with the hard facts that follow. Last month I mentioned that drinks promos had been stopped in Dundee, humblest apologies readers but I was in fact mistaken, and the ban does not come into effect until next month. It seems the licensing board is determined to stop the cheap vodka drinking shenanigans of the young in the big clubs, with the side effect of banning cheap drink for everybody else in every other establishment. Of course I've not yet found anywhere that has promos on cider and black so can't see it affecting my drinking habits. So all the usual drinks promos are still on at Brooklyn's, Charlie's, Out and the Show Bar for at least another few weeks at least. A Women's Night is to be held in the New Westport Bar - now located on North Lindsay Street, quite close to the old one - on Saturday the 20th. It is from 8.30pm to late, GBP 3 or GBP 2 concessions. It's being supported by Granite Sisters, and as far as I can tell organised by We Bissums, if you need more details then telephone Carnoustie (01241) 855415. There will probably be no Diversitay social evening this month, but will no doubt be back again on the third Wednesday of next month. These evenings have been successfully alternating between the DCA and the Rep, the last one in November being held in the Rep. Details of exactly when and where the next evening is can be found on the Diversitay website. Although they have recently completed an intake of fresh volunteers, more people are always welcome to come and give a hand with various tasks, including providing telephone support, assisting in running a youth group, arranging social events and activities, fundraising and training. Any comments or future events then feel free to e-mail or get in touch on gaydar, where I often lurk whilst doing more exciting things as courier_chris. Just leaves me to wish one and all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Chris E-mail:courier_chris@yahoo.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------- GLASGOW SCENE: GLASCHU ====================== Salutations and felicitations gentle folk. I welcome you dear reader to my final column of the year. For me it has been one hell of a year. The realisation of a long cherished dream, but also facing up to the realities of my life. I hope that in some way you all find that same peace of mind and soul. Apologies in advance for the lack of times and dates, but as usual we at ScotsGay are reliant on organisers to send us details of upcoming events. I have also been E-mail and Netless for the last ten days! If in doubt I suggest utilising the contact details for the venues on the listings page to confirm times and dates. Anyhow on with the motley, Club Bedlam, is usually on the last Saturday of the month. To check out what is happening over the festive season use the contact detail below and on the listings page. This club is billed as Pansexual - suitable for alternative sexualities. Qudos, Main Floor, Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow University, Hillhead, Glasgow. Doors open 9pm until 2am. Tickets usually available from: Osiris, 487 Great Western Rd, Glasgow and Missing Records, Wellington St, Glasgow. Also available on the door at GBP 3. For more information, E-mail: brian@cantara.demon.co.uk or gg@nakedtruth.co.uk or bedlamcorp@bedlamcorp.plus.com WWW: http://www.bedlamcorp.co.uk/ As this is the season of imbibing and occasional trysts, in other words getting pissed and shagging complete strangers, now may be the time to remind you that in these unenlightened times LGBT venues are almost alone in providing condoms and lube free of charge to all. In addition, the LGBT centre is offering a mixed bag of flavoured condoms, including Banana, Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla, Minty and Blueberry. They also have bags provided by Lesbian and Gay Switchboard containing two extra strong condoms and two sachets each of Aquagel and TLC - along with a contact card for the Switchboard, should you need someone to talk to, at what can be a lonely time of year for many people. For those of you looking for something to do midweek, New Flesh is now at: Destiny, 18 Cambridge Street, Glasgow. Doors open at 9pm-3am. Tickets prices are GBP 2 until 11pm - GBP 4 thereafter. All drinks are GBP 1.50 (Subject to a 50p surcharge on mixers for spirits). For more information: Tel: 0141-353 6555. Fax: 0141-353 6999. E-mail: king_mob37@hotmail.com or newflesh@andywaite.com or nightqueries@signoise.com WWW: http://www.andywaite .com/newflesh/or http://www. signoise.com/ Along with specific club nights are of course the usual suspects offering a variety of experiences from the traditional pubs like the Victoria Bar on the Bridgegait, who offer a warm atmosphere and a decent pint of ale. To the hot sweaty dance clubs like the Cube on Queens Street, on a Monday and Tuesday night for those who just do not want the weekend to finish and for those of you looking for something to do during the day. There is of course the CCA or the Tron Theatre. On the other hand, maybe you fancy dropping into the LGBT Centre at 11 Dixon Street and whiling a few hours away on a cup of coffee in the GLC cafe/bar. Whatever you fancy, check out the listings page at the back for further details. Most of us have made it through another year, despite reading this column! However, spare a wee moment for all those we have lost and all those who have lost someone close to them. Maybe you could give them a call or send a card or maybe even invite them to a party or meet for coffee? Sometimes the greatest gift can be letting someone know that they are not alone. Alas, we have come to the end of another uninspired dollop of turgid prose. Still on the bright side, I only write this crap, you read it! As usual, refer all begging letters and vets' bills to the Editor (I have more than enough vet's bills of my own, thank you--Ed.). Remember folks, whatever you find to do: be safe. May the best of your past, be the worst of your future. Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Angharad E-mail: Angharad@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------- Scottish Media Monitor ====================== Garry Otton Flashes at the Church A man/boy from Neverland: Michael Jackson. Our media has been focusing on a subject as culturally remote as gay 'mine marriages' amongst the Tsonga tribe. This was an American product. Jacko was easy to condemn. Over paid, over sexed and over there. He was different. He looked different. He behaved different. And he's one of them darned perverts too, ain't he? That seems to have been established even before the jury invitations had gone out. But eyeshadow and a high voice do not a paedo make. Does Michael Jackson yearn for the unconditional love of one special boy; a desire as hopeless as it is tragic? Not according to a security guard who worked for the star. He claimed Jacko has had over 100 kids, mostly boys, sleeping over. So is Jacko the lecherous boy-snatcher, helplessly plunging his hands into every pair of smelly Y-fronts coming his way? Surely, any man trying to get it on with boys in treble figures would not need the help of the international media or a few canny lads to get a reputation. After Martin Bashir's film at Jackson's ranch, showing him holding 12-year-old Gavin Arvizo's hands, Arvizo was collected by his parents and whisked away to the same lawyer that represented Jordy Chandler, the boy who took the money and ran after similar allegations in 1993. The lawyer wasted no time contacting Tom 'Mad Dog' Sneddon Jr, the father-of-nine Santa Barbara District Attorney who investigated with some relish, the Chandler allegations. All that publicity didn't stop parents queuing up to let their wee darlings stop over the night with Jacko who was always prudent enough to ensure they phoned home before they did. The Sunday Mail listened with open-mouthed credulity to everything 17-year-old Ahmed Elatab told Lorna Hughes about Jacko's "secret bedroom", or as The Sunday Mail painted it: "WACKO'S WEIRD LAIR". They reported it "dimly-lit" with "extra couches and beds" and emphasised by the use of inverted commas that it was a place where Jacko took "special guests". Hughes reported "dozens of unmarked video tapes and semi-naked pictures of young boys..." To prove a point, she added: "Footage of the room also shows an array of disturbing memorabilia. It includes a signed picture of Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin with the message, 'Don't leave me Home Alone in this house'." How disturbing was that? Culkin was a friend of Jackson's. Ahmed Elatab insisted that the stopovers were innocent, that there was no gay sex and that he didn't believe Jacko was gay. I would imagine his nights spent with Michael Jackson were more 'innocent' than an afternoon with the probing Sunday Mail. Just as insanely curious was The Sun, hiring police forensic artist Stephen Mancusi to use computer technology on a teen pic of Jacko to give readers an idea of what Mancusi thought Jacko might look like at 45 "WITHOUT plastic surgery". If police and reporters weren't enough, 'C' list columnists lined up to prostitute their perverted opinions for hard cash in paper after Scottish paper. I thought a few nights shelf-stacking in an Isle of Lewis Asda would've been enough to make John 'Moses' McLeod repent after collecting his P45 from The Herald for suggesting Soham murder victims, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman would've been alive today if they'd observed the Sabbath. (The Herald displayed no such moral compunction when McLeod wrote that gays were "simply not equipped to live". He was persuaded to put together what turned out to be a half-hearted apology for readers of ScotsGay magazine, and only then because he felt few people would read it). He also called the late Larry Grayson a "flounce", comedian Julian Clary a "pansy", playwright Noel Coward, "a barbed lounge-lizard" and the late artist Derek Jarman "a manifest lump of evil". All this and the man's as bent as a French Creme Fancy! Alas, he had just the sort of religionist/Conservative credentials to 'save' him and was soon whisked away to enjoy a fat cheque or two from the morally bankrupt Scottish Daily Mail. McLeod wrote about the "tragic farce" he called Michael Jackson, fanning the flames of what seemed like his own private hell, Satan charred the edges of his copy. Jacko's lifestyle was described as "risible", after being brought up, "from lisping infancy..." MacLeod observed, "in part it's the effeminacy (something Mcleod hates) --all the worse when the culprit is so self-absorbed and humourless". It was painful to read MacLeod's piece as he salivated over Jacko's misfortune: "Nothing suggests the depths of Jackson's self-hatred--the sheer scale of the pop-idol's repudiation of reality--as much as the tortured death's head of his ageing face". MacLeod concluded: "But the real tragedy is not the latest allegations, nor Wacko Jacko's bizarre lifestyle choices, nor even the nastier manifestations of self-hatred. This is a man who does not, in any final truth, know who he is, a man whose sense of self never stood a chance..." Who are we talking about now, MacLeod? I'm completely lost! Grace Mclean's report in The Scottish Daily Mail added to the paper's usual homophobic fare. "Gay couples travel free to same-sex 'marriage' talks". We were "being invited to travel at the taxpayers' expense" to talks that would "pave the way for same-sex marriage". The word 'marriage' was no longer in inverted commas. The implication was clear. Gays were attacking their sacred institution of marriage. "The Scottish Executive is offering to pay gays, lesbians, transsexuals and transgenders 40p a mile or the cost of a second class rail ticket to travel from anywhere in the country to discuss civil partnership schemes". But what was the big deal? Consultations were taking place more or less "all over the country" anyway, in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. A Scottish Daily Mail reporter, contacting the Executive "posing as a lesbian" was "shocked" to find that "cash payments", advertised on "gay websites", would "be paid in full even without proof of address". The Mail got one of its homophobic reporters to call again, this time posing "as a heterosexual". They were told: "It wouldn't be appropriate for you to attend". About as polite a 'fuck off' as they deserved. To underline the unfairness of excluding aggressive, homophobic heterosexuals set up by The Scottish Daily Mail, Mclean called on Dr Adrian Rogers "former director of the Conservative Family Institute". She didn't explain why this particular militant from Exeter in Devon was a "former" director. But allow me... The Conservative Party forced him to drop the word 'Conservative' because even they didn't want to be associated with what he was doing! Standing as a Conservative MP on a 'family values' ticket, he lost the seat to a gay man: Labour MP, Ben Bradshaw! Rogers sneered: "If you pay a minority of people to attend these meetings then you are automatically making them far more important than the rest of the community... It distorts the truth". The Mail liked that. They should do; they've been doing it for long enough! They liked it so much; they emboldened the "It distorts the truth" and dropped it in the copy. Rogers blasted: "People will feel this is a highly undesirable move and that parliament should be more actively encouraging the views of heterosexuals in conventional marriages who have children". No mention of the heterosexuals who can't bear the insufferable institution of marriage. Repent ye your sins and you'll get off lightly. That was the message The Daily Record gave out when "disgraced" Bronski Beat's Kevin Glancy avoided a sentence for fraud after becoming a born-again Christian. "STAR FINDS GOD AND AVOIDS JAIL". It is not the first time, of course. There have quite a large number of similar cases in Scotland where the proclamation of a faith--usually Christian--secures offenders more lenient sentences. I've no problem with so-called 'gay' schools that have been established in parts of the US, but I have to say I draw the line at Scotland's eagerness to embrace 'faith' schools. ("Muslims target schools for takeover"--Scotland on Sunday). There is a clear difference. One is the insidious promotion of an ideology at the expense of some children's basic human rights--which is why Muslim girls usually prefer State schools--and the other promotes the message that it is OK to be who you are. Gay schools offer a perfect environment for physically 'delicate', sensitive, artistic or talented kids. We have four Scottish Primary schools in Glasgow, one of them a Catholic school, being targeted for conversion by Islamic campaigners. Organising the campaign, Osama Said, a spokesman for the Muslim Association of Britain gave the perfect reason we shouldn't be creating more divisions in Scotland on Sunday: "As parents, we are becoming increasingly worried about the influence of secular schooling on our children. We are worried the boys may be buying into the gang culture, and feel cut off from their heritage. If other faiths have the right to separate schools funded by the state, then it should not be denied to us". He also has a point. We should remove the special status of Catholic schools in Scotland and the Jewish primary supported by East Renfrewshire council forthwith. For Tory educational spokesman, James Douglas-Hamilton, it was a matter of: All diversities are equal, but some are more equal than others. He told Scotland on Sunday: "We must encourage more choice and diversity in a system which currently has very little. If there is demand for Muslim schooling we should support it". I wonder what the Tories think about 'gay' schools? (Like I need to ask)! Iqra Academy, Scotland's first private Muslim school run by the local Imam along hard-line religious principals in Glasgow had to close following an inspector's report filled with allegations of bullying, lack of staff training and the use of corporal punishment. Never again! There is no limit to the damn cheek of religionists! The Sunday Herald reported: "Newly-appointed Cardinal Keith O'Brien has called for St Andrew's Day to become a national holiday in a sternly worded sermon directed at one member of the congregation in particular--Jack McConnell". (The First Minister had only recently come back from a trip with O'Brien to meet the 'Pope', a gay human rights abuser, based in Rome). First mooted by Cardinal Winning, O'Brien wants 30th November to be declared a public holiday. Well he can stick his idea where the sun doesn't shine! We are already forced to take holidays during the coldest, darkest time of year, thanks to religionists. I want my holidays when the sun does shine! St Andrew will just have to move! But it didn't stop there. According to The Sunday Herald, O'Brien has "warned the Executive that he would be pressing for the recognition of marriage as the basis of stable family life, and said he would be seeking support for the 're-Christianising of Scotland". He also had a dig at the Scottish Parliament for issuing a Christmas card with 'Season's Greetings' in English and Gaelic on the front, calling it "an attack on our basic moral teaching". The Scottish Sun plastered: "PARLY BANS CHRISTMAS. MSPs can't mention it in cards" over the front page and Catholic columnist, Mrs Katie Grant sighed in The Scotsman: "It's enough to make you weep". Under the heading: "Like it or not, this country is a Christian one," she begged: "But where is the proof that people feel 'excluded' by the use of Christian terminology in Britain"? Er... Hello? Ever since so-called Christians hijacked their religion to promote political one-upmanship, I want to puke every time I see a reference to so-called 'Christian' values. 'Hello, Children... Everywhere!' It's Old Mother (Joan) Burnie calling! The Daily Record's ageing agony aunt was sceptical of the announcement that Scotland would be getting a 'Sex Czar'. "He or she will be appointed to stop the kids from doing it. Or if they insist, on making sure they are all tied into their condoms and force fed the pill first". The media label young people, "kids" at their convenience, especially when it allows them to condense straightforward moral virtues into a couple of headlines. Their message underlines an element of helplessness and lack of responsibility in children, reinforcing the media's role as moral guardian and voice of authority for their readers who are not children, but parents. Indeed, for many years, their columnist, Tom Browne's narrow, homophobic, crabbit opinion always followed the header: "Voice of Authority". But Old Mother Burnie still hangs on in their with a message on sex and sexuality as relevant today as Sparky's Magic Piano. She added: "Sure, the schools can give them the nuts and bolts of contraception, but it is up to parents to stick on the emotional and yes, the morality bit. Like, 'Don't!'" If she ever bothered to consult any of the gals who attended her convent in those black-and-white days of liquorice boot-laces and coitus interruptus, she'd realise that 'don't' was as useless as a squirt of Colgate's 'ring of confidence' up the fanny! Shoring up this Victorian, religious-inspired invention that children are somehow born innocent, blinds us the realities of their lives. The Sunday Mail reported: "CHILDREN UPSET BY NUDE DENTIST". Scotland lives in fear of nudity. The so called "naked rambler", Steve Gough, attempting to challenge this pathological fear has been arrested more than a dozen times on his way to John o' Groats in the buff. The inference in The Sunday Mail's story by Billy Paterson, was not that the children might need help, ("one 10-year-old girl was distressed and crying"), but the man who had been seen by six "shocked girls" walking naked around his flat! Were the kids curious by what they saw? "All six said they saw his private parts". Another girl hung around long enough to admit: "Stewart walked back and forward several times, always returning to the window". The Sheriff cleared Fraser Stewart from Muirend, Glasgow, but Margaret McCullum, prosecuting, suggested that the Crown would consider an appeal. I wonder what good this will do young people, instilling in them a sense of fear and trepidation over nudity; empowering them to conspire and target transgressors; opening the door to vigilantism, suspicion and invention. "One child told Paisley Sheriff Court that another girl saw Stewart naked at a nearby first-floor window". Garry Otton's book SEXUAL FASCISM is published by Ganymede Books priced GBP 8.99. E-mail: garry@scottishmediamonitor.com Now averaging over 1000 hits a day, read the papers, post your comments or search for material at the SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR website: http://www.scottishmediamonitor.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- ADVERTISING FEATURE: JAVA SCENE =============================== Leith's newest gay bar has gone from strength to strength. What with the Pink Night on Wednesdays, it has become the talking point and meeting point for a variety of people on the scene. Bookings in the hotel from out-of-towners have trebled and it seems to be the in place to meet if you want a relaxed atmosphere. Chrimbo bookings for meals have gone through the roof and, in general, people are coming back again and again - must be doing something right. The French Chef, Sam, excels at his buffets and galloping gourmet delights. "It has been a pleasant surprise the amount of support and out of town visitors we have been attracting to the Hotel - from UK to USA", says Steve. "Our web page and e-mail have not stopped (http://www.hotelbarjava.com/) and we can only apologise to the people we can't accommodate due to high levels of bookings". Bar Java and its sister bar The Maltings are run by Steve and Peter and fill a gap in the market for local community bars. The Maltings in St Leonards is a large very busy student mixed bar and has been running under the duo now for a few years. It boasts real ales, live music, quiz and special events. A very busy bar which should be arrived at early rather than late in order to secure a seat or even a space to stand! "It's always been my intention to give back to the gay scene and play an active part in local events and support them when we can rather than take the "take take take" attitude. Call it a correct approach to the Edinburgh scene. As a Capital City, we have become a joke when it comes to our scene - I am trying, with the aid of other venues, to promote Edinburgh as Truely Capital with a diverse and large gay scene. This will, hopefully, attract people to the scene in the city and allow people to work at the true aim which is the safety and welfare of visitors and locals within the city and outlying areas", said Steve. "It's not all about the Pink Pound although it's very easy to go down that line. I feel that something has to be given back to the public who, in essence, make your venue." "Java has a policy of support and any person requiring help or assistance can pop in and use our facilities - either internet or staionery. Where possible, we will put people in touch with networds for support if that's what they want - or perhaps just offer a coffee and a friendly chat." This approach to the scene is a frank and honest one - one that has been sorely lacking and Java will hopefully fill yet another hole for the scene. Events During Xmas and Hogmanay, Java will be open till 3am. Annette Hanley plays live to the gals and bois Friday nights from 10pm-1am. Film nights every Sunday @ 9pm (Where else can you have cinema sound, big screens, fags, food and booze? I ask ya!). Contact Java on 0131-553 2020 or E-mail: enquiries@hotelbarjava.com. For enquiries about events at The Maltings, call 0131-667 5946 or E-mail: maltings@hotelbarjava. A final thought: Be proud of your city, be proud of your street, be proud of your home and be proud of you! Hope to c ya all at the Java xx Steve n Pete Kenny's Column - an independent view on Java Bar Java Pink Wednesday Nights The new Bar Java has a lot to offer for the new leith Gay scene with their Pink Wednesday Nights and their Pink Weekenders. Steve and Peter are the new owners of Bar/Hotel Java and are usually on hand to make sure everyone is made welcome and a good laugh is had by all and are always game in participating in the fun and frolics themselves! Since the start of their Pink Wednesdays, things have been going really well down here in sunny Leith. There are always a few new faces in the bar and everyone mixes well with a good variety of visitors and always a few antics on hand on the night. People visiting Edinburgh can also book a room there at very reasonable rates with their Pink Weekender and, with a Discount on offer when a group of 10 book, you get one room free! You can also relax and enjoy a variety of good food on offer in the bar/restauraunt with a 3 course lunch starting from only GBP 4.95 and 3 course evening dinner from GBP 15. The welcoming attitude of the bar staff leads to a relaxed friendly atmosphere, with two plasma screens and a mixture of music on satellite and on DVD provided by the lovely Steven and Peter. Wednesday nights will never be the same again down here in Sunny Leith and once you have visited this relaxing and Gay friendly bar, you'll be hooked! Any night of the week it's always gay friendly!!! Promo Nights Monday-Wednesday: Vodka/Gin/Martini 50p Pints of Miller GBP 1.50 5-8pm. 3 course lunch GBP 4.95. 3 course dinner GBP 15. Xmas dinners tailor made to your spec and budget. Sample Menues at http://www.hotelbarjava.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------- ARTS: FILMS TO KNOW ABOUT ========================= I knew violence in films would be something we had to suffer for years to come when Quentin Tarantino had a hit showing a thug cutting off a policeman's ear when he was tied to a chair in Reservoir Dogs. Since then the new writers and directors have tried to top each other writing scenes that shock. The latest are two new British films the most promising of which is The Principles Of Lust (18) by writer/director Penny Woolcock. I had high hopes when the credits had the nude leading man (Alec Newman, swimming frantically underwater shot through a wall of glass. It is the most imaginative opening of a film I have ever seen. But anybody filming nude men should first have studied as many copies they can find of the 14 volumes of Mike Arlen's Guys who shows with at least 20 models in each edition how to flatter nude men more than any photographer on this planet. To keep the surprise going Miss Woolcock films girl strippers showing their all in a pub. We follow Alec's love life with a lady whose child he is happy to take care of while she works and he attempts to overcome his writers' block that is stopping him becoming a successful novelist. Then Penny chooses to show us 11 year old boys fighting each other stripped to the waist covered in blood with an audience cheering them. I have never seen such bad taste on the screen. In recent years I became aware that people not satisfied enough with professional boxing matches are eagerly watching illegal barefisted boxing so they can see more blood run. Most of us are unaware that evenings of this with numerous bouts happen and audiences are informed by phone where the next event will be. But I was amazed to see a moviemaker put it on screen with children. The Late Twentieth (18) is written and directed by new man Hadi Hajaig to make it ideal for the sadists amongst us. People are being ill treated and murdered and as Mr Hajaig can't explain the title of his film I began wondering if his psychiatrist could. Memorable for me only because of a new leading man who could go places when not in a script where he is murdering and maiming. Much more to my taste is Triggermen (15) in which Neil Morrissey, known and loved by millions in the Men Behaving Badly TV series, and the attractive Adrian Dunbar are smalltime British crooks in America on the con. Mistaken for hitmen when a case of money is given to them in error they have some constantly amusing adventures. Dogville (15) is one of the wierdest films of the year as director Lar Von Trier chose to shoot it without sets and on a black floor that has streets marked out in white lines in a way never seen filmed before. Nicole Kidman is on the run from gangsters coming across a small town where Paul Bettany persuades the town folk to befriend her. It takes three hours in which they ill treat her and she obtains revenge. One Last Chance is a black comedy set in a humble town in the Scottish Highlands they have called Tullybridge where anybody who has not left it for a life elsewhere is humiliated by those who return asking why they have not died of boredom yet. It's main novelty is in its dishy leading men Jamie Sives and Kevin McKidd. The actor Dougray Scott who is also billed as executive producer happens to be the hottest new leading man in British films and casting himself in a small character part in this is not helping his career. He happens to have more screen charisma than Sean Connery in his prime and his career needs to be carefully guided. He could become Britain's best export. Current Releases Intermission (18) set in Ireland is the kind of film that is not likely to please the Irish Tourist Board. Showing a selection of unfortunate people in unfortunate circumstances the most memorable of whom is Colin Farrell. But it is not likely to bring him many fans playing a small time violent crook who is chatting up a girl shop assistant and suddenly punches her face. Blood gushes and he runs off with the takings. You have to be sympathetic to why people risk their lives mountain climbing to appreciate Touching The Void (15). Based on a true story it follows two climbers scaling the highest snow covered mountains in Peru and the dramas experienced. It is terrifying and only satisfying if you can see the point. DVD World Indian films are coming out of their shells. Kissing on the lips didn't happen at one time. But it does in a Momentum release Bollywood/Hollywood. Showing how the wealthy have their problems a young millionaire rejects endless girls arranged by his family and pays someone to pretend to be his fiance at a family party. It is scattered with jovial musical numbers, a few striking female impersonators and a leading man, Rahul Khanna, who will appeal to many. Because of the quality of the best silent film of 1927 Sunrise is a Eureka 2 disc release. Made by popular German director, F.W. Murnau, whose Berlin hits made Hollywood snap him up. He was gay at a time in America when the subject wasn't mentioned. This is a great curiosity which lovers of the obscure will adore and stars two of the best looking faces of the day - Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien. Those of us fascinated by Hollywood moguls who made great hits in the past will love the story of Robert Evans in Momentum's The Kid Stays In The Picture. Issued first in book form and on record, both of which I pounced on, it shows how the boss at Twentieth Century Fox, Darryl Zanuck, gave him the part of a matador in The Sun Also Rises and, when cast and director said he was hopeless Mr Zanuck told them: "I like him and he stays in the film". Later Robert became head of production at Paramount responsible for all time hits like Love Story and The Godfather. The Catholic church lost its authority in Ireland with unfortunate publicity in recent years including the fact that nuns were often violent and punched their subjects into submission. Momentum's The Magdalene Sisters illustrates this and although receiving denial from the Vatican it became a big box office hit in Italy and Ireland. Girls having illigitimate children were taken in by nuns running laundries who ruled their charges with continual violence. Malcolm Epstein --------------------------------------------------------------- FREEBIES ======== BE GREEDY THIS CHRISTMAS Gimme, Gimme, Gimme offers up some guaranteed laughs this festive season with the release of the spectacular second series now available to own on DVD and VHS. Plus, if you just can't get enough of the antics of loudmouthed Linda (Kathy Burke) and tremendous Tom (James Dreyfus) remember that greed is good and insist that Santa delivers you the fabulous three-season box set, released on the same day. Keep yourself warm with lots of belly laughs this winter as the previously unreleased second series sees the mismatched flatmates scrap over just about everything. Their tempestuous shenanigans include: Linda taking care of an over-sized baby doll; the hilarious coffin conundrum; Linda's lust for an escaped serial killer and the ensuing scrap with Tom for his affections; Tom's revealing 30th birthday celebrations, as he finds out a little more about his 'straight-laced' parents than he wanted to know; Linda getting arrested for soliciting ("do I look like a solicitor?!") and of course Tom making the big time advertising sofas, just as Linda learns that getting mashed can be fun even if it just involves potatoes - as long as there's a bloke involved too! Look out for guest appearances from Eastenders Patsy Palmer and Elaine Lordan, Quadrophenia's Phil Daniels and top comic David Schneider of Alan Partridge fame, to name just a few! Greed is good, so get ready to yell out Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and get the laughs you deserve this Christmas. Thanks to the very nice people at Universal Pictures Video, we've got two free copies for readers this month - one VHS and one DVD. If you'd like your name to go into the hat, send a postcard with your name and address and indicating if you want VHS or DVD to: Gimme Offer, ScotsGay, PO Nox 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. --------------------------------------------------------------- ARTS: BOOKS AND DVDS ==================== The Perfect Boy Howard Roffman Bruno Gmunder GBP 23.95 This is a beautifully produced hard back book featuring a celebration of the natural erotic aura of his young subjects, presented in a series of nine sensual photo essays. Howard Roffman has long been known to have a talent for capturing the attractive power of young men in photographs and in this latest of his offerings he has certainly again proven just that point. He's managed to capture the ethereal beauty of young men and like the world class photographer he is set them in very down to earth surroundings which makes the young models look even more like angels. There is nothing sordid in this book, even your maiden aunt would not be put out to discover this volume on your coffee table. Temptation: Sensual Nudes by Jeff Palmer Jeff Palmer Bruno Gmunder GBP 18.95 This book, which is also beautifully produced, features photographs of slightly more mature men as we have to come to expect from this Californian master of the lens. Jeff Palmer, who was born in the desert community of Hot Springs, CA has been developing his eye for the male form ever since he started in his youth to shoot shirtless workmen in his home town. This volume, the second in this series is a celebration of finely sculpted bodies exhibiting the shapes and forms a trained sculpture artist would seek in his projects, which of course Jeff Palmer is. And by only reproducing these photographs in black and white Jeff Palmer has archived a stunning and extremely tasteful commemoration of the male nude and men in love with men. Various Calendars Bruno Gmunder From GBP 8.95 While we are looking at photographs I would like to steer you in the direction of the huge range of male photograph calendars by this German company. If you don't want to buy the book, or you have the book already but like the models that much that you would like them prominently displayed then these calendars are for you. Again, as we have to come to expect from this publisher, these calendars, just like their books, are very nicely produced and definitely worth looking out for. The Little Death Goldenboy Michael Nava Alyson Both priced at GBP 8.99 I've never been a great fan of the detective/crime genre but to my great surprise I just loved and devoured these two books, which are distinguished by very good writing, a plot that makes your head hurt, and an unforeseeable end. Suspense en mass is set in the sunny world of California; this is the tale of the gay Latino attorney Henry Rios who in the first book is introduced as the troubled San Francisco public defender with an alcohol problem who, by the second book more or less successfully solves the case of a young closeted gay lad accused of murder. Both these novels were highly entertaining, not a little troubling and certainly lingered in my mind for days after reading them. The Magician's Tale David Hunt Hodder & Stoughton This is a little of a departure as usually I review books sent to me by publishers for just that reason. This book however I bought in a charity shop, because the friend I was with had lived in San Francisco for several years and she had read it there and pointed it out to me on the shelf in the local Help the Aged. It is set in San Francisco, in the dark underbelly of that fascinating city, to be exact and I found it to be absolutely unputdownable. (My spell checker is going frantic over this word, but there simply is no better one.) It's the story about the uniquely handicapped photographer Kay Farrow who is devastated by the murder of one of her favourite subjects, the young and incredibly beautiful hustler Tim Lovsey. In an attempt to shake the police department out of their complacency (Oh, he was only a queer hustler) she starts stalking the bizarre inhabitants of San Francisco's underworld and pieces together Tim's mysterious life and violent death and in the process confronts her own demons in a great climax. A really talented writer and I must thank my friend here for introducing me to this author. I for one will be looking out for more books by David Hunt. All I Want For Christmas Jon Jeffrey, Chris Kenry, William J. Mann and Ben Tyler Kensington GBP 10.99 Essentially this book has got in its covers four of the best gay novellas I've read in a long time. I've been giggling more or less from the first page to the last, interspersed by feeling highly eroticised by some of the more graphic details to be found in these great new Christmas stories. Make sure this book is on your Christmas wish list. Bear Cookin' P.J.Gray and Stanley Hunter Harrington Park Press GBP 9.99 Are you in love with a bear? Are you a bear yourself? Read on, because this book is for you! This book presents convenient and satisfying recipes for anyone who loves to cook - and eat! Bear Cookin' includes helpful hints, "tributes" to favourite foods, and meal suggestions for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, that are guaranteed to please burly Bears with big appetites. From lip-smacking snacks to belt-loosening main courses, BEAR COOKIN' is stuffed with easy-to-follow recipes for the heart and delicious comfort foods Bears crave - perfect for summer picnics and winter hibernation alike. Dirk Kriete Finding a Lover for Life: A Gay Man's Guide to Finding a Lasting Relationship David M. Price, MS A book devoted to explain that, whatever it is you are doing, is wrong. This must be true of the author too as he manages to contradict himself a few times by suggesting you do something which, according to another page, you must avoid. "You may have found yourself discounting suggestions in this book", whines the author, probably referring to a common comment he's received. But don't worry, the author knows better so just read on. Bullshit. The book looks to me rather expensive for the little content it provides; much of it is either wrong or only relevant to American readers. To boost the page count, the author suggests that you take extensive notes and helpfully provides empty spaces (26% of the book at a quick count) for you to do so. The only real suggestion is to be critical of myths about gay relationships and not believe everything you hear, something you probably guessed anyway. Don't buy the book. Use the money to take somebody out for dinner instead. Claudio Calvelli Anything But Straight Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth Wayne R. Besen Harrington Park Press This book does not stick the knife into religious ministries which claim to be able to change people's sexual orientation. Rather, Besen uses a scalpel with a brand new blade. Starting with the tale of how he came to photograph a well-known "ex-gay" leader in a gay bar, he goes on to demonstrate how the ministries exploit vulnerable people by blaming all their problems on their sexuality and insisting that this can all be changed through Jesus. "Jesus" apparently wants you to accept long-discredited research, behave in a gender-stereotypical manner, pray a lot and engage in 'therapies' which bear a resemblence to the most useless sort of New Age twaddle. When this nonsense inevitably fails to work, the shattered souls are abandoned. But Besen is careful not to dismiss people's religious beliefs, noting the vital r™le affirming churches, such as the Metropolitan Community Church, have to play in helping religious people come to terms with their sexuality. A terrifying read, and one I had to put down in sheer anger on a number of occasions, but highly recommended. Brother Bimbo del Doppio Senso Good Beer Guide 2004 Edited by Roger Protz Campaign for Real Ale GBP 12.99 This, the 31st edition plopped onto my front door mat recently - and a welcome plop it was for a change what with Bad Puss being old and blind and somewhat adverse to going out when the weather is cold. As usual, the number of listings co-inciding with LGBT pubs is somewhat sparse, there are none in Scotland this year. But, to be honest, who cares? I've had more good pints than good shags - which is why a Good Shag Guide might come in useful. If you have a good shag in your life who likes real ale, get them a copy of the GBG for Xmas. If you like real ale and think you might be a good shag, come up and look at mine sometime. John Hein DVD Reviews Here is another departure from the norm as I've been sent a batch of delectable DVDs to review for your delectation. Personal Trainers, Part 7 Boy Watch, Part 3 Bel Ami Both Bel Ami DVDs are full of the most gorgeous young men imaginable doing all the things you would like to imagine doing with them. Very little is left to the imagination and whether it is a lift in the sexual relations for you and your partner you're after or just some help with some little one handed light relief, then these DVDs deliver. Michael Lucas, Uncovered Zipper DVD Michael Lucas, Uncovered is a bit of a bear, a hirsute New Yorker for whom the word Hang-Up is alien. There's nothing him and his friends don't get UP to, nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Euroboy Hard 8 Zipper DVD Euroboy Hard 8 again are pretty boys doing what they do best; British teen porn at its best. Morasse Lake 2 Heart of Europe Productions Check out these Czechs in action (Sorry, couldn't resist that pun) on location at Morasse Lake. Some very fit men getting down to hardcore action. Dirk Kriete --------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURE: WAVERLEY CARE ====================== A BUDDY GOOD THING It may not be something everyone is aware of but there is still a Buddy service in Edinburgh, offering one to one befriending to people living with HIV. Sadly, the number of people waiting for Buddy is growing! Despite the changes combination therapy has made in the lives of people with HIV - the Waverley Care Buddy Service is as in demand as it has always been. And, surprisingly, 'the LGBT community' are hugely underrepresented amongst those volunteering to be Buddies. Ed is a gay man with HIV, living in Edinburgh would like to explain why he feels he needs a Buddy - "Having a Buddy was first suggested to me 3 years ago, when I was living in Australia. I scoffed at the idea. What? Me need a Buddy? Now - 3 years later - I am more open to the Buddy system. I had been away from Edinburgh for a long time and on return have not found my family to be as supportive as I expected. I have felt depressed, alone, I did think of suicide. I think having a Buddy will help me to keep my mind off myself. It will allow me time with someone rather than on my own - just to be myself, no matter what. It will be good to know my Buddy will be there for me. But I feel it has to be two way. I want to know about them and listen to them, knowing they'll be my buddy unconditionally. Whether it will work depends on both of us and that will always be a risk, a risk that is worth taking." Many people feel that combination therapy has changed a lot for people living with HIV. It has! Combination therapy has completely turned around the lives of people living with HIV. However it is worth remembering that not all people do well on these treatments. And those who do well on combination therapy, such as Ed, are not without problems. Many people feel alone and isolated, trying to deal with the fact that people they thought they could depend on did not want to know them once they disclosed their HIV status. Waverley Care Buddies are very important to these people by giving them a space to talk about their HIV without fear of being judged or rejected. A Buddy helps them to get out of the house and provides support as their life goes through huge changes. Even those doing well on new drugs and who are contemplating getting back into education or employment or starting a new relationship can use the sympathetic ear of a Waverley Care Buddy to give them the confidence and support to face these big changes. Buddies are often surprised when they see the amount of stigma and prejudice their Buddy partner faces on a daily basis and how deeply it can affect their life - "I had been aware of the many stigmas attached to people living with HIV, but since Buddying I have become even more conscious of it. For me, being a buddy can be very self-rewarding. It has helped me to grow as a person knowing that my Buddy-partner can trust me and rely on me if they need support" (Suzanne, a Buddy). A Waverley Care Buddy is a befriender - someone who gives a couple of hours of their spare time each week to meet up with their assigned Buddy-partner. A Buddy is someone who will be there through the good and bad times, someone to listen, someone to sit quietly with, someone who will respect your confidentiality, someone who will treat you as an individual who can make their own choices, someone to rebuild your social life with... This list goes on. Each Waverley Care Buddy is different just like each Buddy Partner is different. Some relationships are purely social, others can be more emotional - it depends entirely upon the needs of the individual. But one thing ties them all together - having someone who will be there who will not judge you. " I have found it a challenging and a sometimes humbling experience. To deal with all the assorted trials and tribulations that go with being HIV must be very difficult to say the least. Although close to my Buddy Partner I have no idea what must go through their mind as they look to the future or what is left of it, all I can do is be there and listen and help when I can" (Mike, a Buddy). Sadly, this article is being written at a time when it has become harder and harder to find people to volunteer as Buddies. When I, myself, trained to be a Buddy back in 1993 - they had to turn people away from the training course. HIV and AIDS were in the forefront of people's minds and a lot of people wanted to help. The reality now is that people living with HIV need Buddies as much as they ever did. And with new cases of HIV on the increase there are likely to be a large number of people who could use the support of a Waverley Care Buddy to help them deal with being positive. Those who volunteer as Buddies also get a great deal from the experience. It is a very challenging relationship that is certainly not just 'one-way'. "The initial challenge in the relationship is building the trust; a lot of people who come to use the Buddy Service have experience of loss, rejection, difficult relationships. It is easy to under-estimate the difficulty of overcoming these barriers and learning to trust a Buddy. It also takes a great deal of courage. I regard my role as a privilege. I am frequently humbled by the person I Buddy, often inspired by his visions, his humor and his courage." (Tony, a Buddy) Each Buddy relationship is different. A lot of Waverley Care Buddies work full time and others have family commitments. Despite this, all Buddies find time each week to meet or talk by telephone with their assigned Buddy Partner. Ideally each Buddy can commit 2 hours a week to their Buddy Partner for a minimum of at least 1 year. There is also a growing need to buddy people in prison who have HIV. This can be a very different relationship, which is restricted by visiting times, and presents it's own challenges as meetings take place in the prison visiting room (a far from confidential environment). Waverley Care has a training course for Buddies starting in February 2004 (and another in June). Training covers topics such as confidentiality, dependency, sexuality, boundaries and listening skills. People who have attended the training have found it to be a very rewarding experience... "It was a very enjoyable, productive learning process. I'm so glad I saw the advertisement and took that first step"! (Sarah, a Buddy who recently completed her training). I would encourage anyone thinking bout taking that first step to get in touch. You may find you are surprised by what you are capable of and how your life can be enriched by being a Buddy. You can find more information by checking out the Waverley Care website - http://www.waverleycare.org/or by calling David Wright the Waverley Care Buddy Service Co-ordinator on 0131-441 5405. Some of the names in this article have been changed for obvious reasons. It is also worth pointing out that there are also Buddy Services in Glasgow, Aberdeem and Dundee who are also looking for volunteers (see listings pages). David Wright --------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL NEWS from Rex Wockner =================================== CANADIAN MP DEMOTED A member of Canada's Parliament for the conservative Canadian Alliance party was fired as the party's family issues critic after saying odd things about homosexuals. The party leadership said MP Larry Spencer's comments did not reflect party beliefs. In an interview, Spencer had told the Vancouver Sun: "I do believe it was a mistake to have legalized it [gay sex]. If somebody brought a bill in the House to do that [re-ban gay sex], I'd certainly vote for it." Spencer, who represents a district in the province of Saskatchewan, also said that even people who have been gay for a long time, such as Canadian MP Svend Robinson (pictured above), can turn straight. "I believe he could," Spencer said. "I believe he would struggle with it. ... The mind or the conscience that we have can be sharpened against right or wrong. It can be desensitized to think that whatever wrong that's around us is nothing but natural and we begin to accept that. "I just wish that there was some way that society could stand up and say, 'This is not right.' [If] anybody that used Colgate toothpaste, their life expectancy was lowered by 10, 15 years, what do you think would happen to Colgate toothpaste? It would be outlawed. Well, we know that's what happens to men living a gay lifestyle." Spencer claimed there is a gay conspiracy to seduce children into the so-called homosexual lifestyle: "At some of those [gay] conventions in those days [the 1960s] it was discussed what some of those approaches would be, and ... for this group of people to express themselves sexually, they're going to have to do the recruiting and ... it's going to come by seduction." One U.S. gay leader in the 1960s gave a speech, Spencer said, in which he proclaimed: "'We will seduce your sons in the locker rooms, in the gymnasiums, in the hallways, in the playgrounds, and on and on, in this land.' It was quite a long quote stating what was going to happen to the young boys of North America." In fact, Spencer is paraphrasing a satirical essay entitled "Gay Revolutionary" written by Michael Swift and published in Boston's Gay Community News in 1987. The paragraph in question reads: "We shall sodomize your sons, emblems of your feeble masculinity, of your shallow dreams and vulgar lies. We shall seduce them in your schools, in your dormitories, in your gymnasiums, in your locker rooms, in your sports arenas, in your seminaries, in your youth groups, in your movie theater bathrooms, in your army bunkhouses, in your truck stops, in your all male clubs, in your houses of Congress, wherever men are with men together. Your sons shall become our minions and do our bidding. They will be recast in our image. They will come to crave and adore us." The full essay is online at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/swift1.html BOLIVIANS DISRUPT SPEECH Members of Bolivia's National Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS have disrupted a speech by Vice Minister of Health Oscar Larrain in Santa Cruz, the nation's second-largest city. As Larrain began his address to the nation's first World AIDS Day ceremony, 19 members of the group stood and brandished placards bearing crosses and names of group members who have died. "We are not here to celebrate World AIDS Day," said activist Julio Caesar Aguilera. "We are here because this is a day of mourning for us. Our friends continue to die because our government will not give them antiretroviral medications." BANGLADESHIS EXPECTED TO GET AUSTRALIAN ASYLUM In a groundbreaking decision, Australia's High Court has overruled the Immigration Department, the Refugee Review Tribunal, the Federal Court, and the Full Court of the Federal Court to revive the asylum claim of two gay men from Bangladesh. The unnamed couple had been stoned, whipped and targeted with a fatwa in their home nation, they claimed. In rejecting the asylum request, the review tribunal had argued that if the men kept quiet about their sexuality, they would suffer no ill treatment in Bangladesh. But the High Court declared: "The Tribunal effectively broke the genus of 'homosexual males in Bangladesh' into two groups -- discreet and non-discreet homosexual men in Bangladesh. By doing so, the Tribunal fell into jurisdictional error that renders its decision of no force or effect." The case was returned to the tribunal for a redetermination consistent with the High Court ruling. FINNISH AUTHOR HONORED Openly lesbian Finnish author Pirkko Saisio has won the nation's top annual book prize, Finlandia, for her novel "The Red Book About Separation" ("Punainen erokirja"). Saisio donated her 26,000 Euro prize to SETA, the National Organization for Sexual Equality. HARASSMENT MEASURED IN TAIWAN About 36 percent of gays and lesbians in Taiwan have been harassed or discriminated against because of their sexuality, a survey has found. The Taiwan Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Association questioned 1,641 homosexuals along with a smattering of heterosexuals and bisexuals. Thirteen percent of the 336 heterosexuals quizzed said they had been harassed after being misidentified as gay. According to a summary of the research published in the Taipei Times, 36 percent of the harassment cases occurred at universities, 32 percent at home, 24 percent at work and the remainder elsewhere. ITALY RESTRICTS FERTILITY TREATMENT Italy's Senate has banned fertility treatment, egg donation, sperm donation and surrogacy for everyone except heterosexual couples of childbearing age who live together. The senators also banned freezing of embryos and simultaneous creation of more than three embryos, and mandated that all three must be implanted. The vote was 169-92. CHINESE UNIVERSITY TEACHES HOMOSEXUALITY China's Fudan University is the first to offer a class devoted to homosexuality, the South China Morning Post reported. About 60 students have enrolled in "Homosexual Health, Society and Science." In addition to classroom work, they will take a field trip to Shanghai's gay bars. "The number of homosexuals in China is large, but people who dare to speak out are few. This is slowly changing," said the class's instructor, Professor Qin Shide. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. It's completely FREE to place your ad by phone on 0800 138 4 1-2-1 We'll not only print your ad in our next few issues, but it will also be available for telephone callers to our browse hotline on 09068 556613 Advertisers get their own private voice mailbox and can pick up replies on 09068 556613 Why not suck it and see? Conditions of service: All participants must be 18 or over. Ads will run for up to 3 issues. 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Sore Bottom Guaranteed Edinburgh guy, 59 years old, offers school-type CP to naughty boys; spanking, cane - a sore bottom guaranteed. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5379. Peter From Edinburgh Peter from Edinburgh is 48 years old, 5'8" tall and totally non-scene. He is very genuine, honest and caring. He likes theatre, cinema, walking, the gym and holidays. He is looking for a like-minded gay or bi-guy who enjoys life - 18-50 years old. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5380. She'll Wear You Out! Samantha is a 48 year old Transvestite who works in the Dundee area and is looking for an active, dominant man in the Dundee/Angus area. "Fun time guaranteed - I promise I will wear you out!". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5315. Learning The Ropes Slim, mature, 50's passive Tayside guy who likes bondage and restraint games would like to meet an active gay partner who is interested or experienced in trying out bondage ideas. Age and looks unimportant. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5318. Suberdonian Aberdeen area slim 38 year old submissive guy seeking dominant guys 40+. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5321. Do You Look Good In Uniform? Then here's something to your advantage with discreet, friendly non-scene type. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5285. Mature From Dundee? Francis from Dundee is in his mid-fifties with a slim build, 5'8" tall with blue eyes. He would like to meet an active gay guy for fun and friendship. Preferably mature, but any age and colour would be most welcome. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5232. Masculine From Glasgow Alvin from Glasgow is 29 years old, 5'7" tall with dark hair and eyes, quite well built, hairy and masculine. He loves travelling, films, books, food and drink. He is looking for someone who is genuine, masculine, intelligent and easy-going for fun and friendship - hopefully leading to a wee bit more. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5236. Belting Memories "I am looking for a genuine retired or former teacher, living in Scotland, over the age of 50 to give me the belt as per my schooldays. I need my hands warmed again". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5252. Asian In Glasgow? Glasgow guy, 44 years old, 5'11", 12st with dark hair who works out would like to meet an Asian guy for fun and friendship. He is very discreet and can accommodate. So if you like what you hear - leave a message. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5180. Pissable Meeting In Aberdeen Aberdeen area. Slim, tanned, 38 year old Sub, into bondage and yellow, looking for other guys 40+. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5199. Colourful Aberdonian Aberdeen area, submissive 42 year old, into yellow or brown, into dominant guys, any age. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5082. Gym'll Fix It Dominant Master, Glasgow area, 44 years, 5'11", 12 stones with dark brown hair. He's very fit and goes to the gym 3 times a week. He is looking for a slave for spanking, role play and mild CP. He can accommodate and is very discreet. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5052. Yellow Sub- 38 year old slim, submissive guy, into yellow, is looking for dominant guys any age. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5060. Professional And Non-scene 31 year old professional, non-scene gay guy, non-smoker, 5'8", 10.5 stone, 33" waist. Hobbies include cinema, theatre, reading, country walking and swimming. Looking to meet gay/bi guys up to 45 years old for a possible 1-2-1 with the right guy. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4775. Bald, Sincere Glaswegian Wanted 28 year old Glasgow male, 5'9" tall, short-haired and good looking - often doesn't pass for his age. He is mature and studies social and medical sciences. His interest are: reading, watching documentaries, politics, classical music and he has a very keen interest in Modern History. He is looking for friends or a 1-2-1 in the Glasgow area, 35-40 years, preferably bald or with a No 1 haircut. Seeking a caring, sincere, stable man for a possible relationship. Queens, time-wasters, users or two-timers need not apply. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4785. Peter From Edinburgh Peter from Edinburgh is a 51 year old, clean-shaven guy with dark hair. He enjoys, music, cinema, theatre, country walking, swimming, briefs and Speedos and he is looking to meet people for fun. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4710. Belting I am a guy in my 40's that remembers the belt at school. I am looking for a genuine, retired or former schoolteacher over 50 to give me the belt over my outstretched palms. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4437. 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 *LOOKING FOR Box SG54199 Could the advertiser with this box number whose advertisement appeared on page 11 of ScotsGay 54a please phone 0131-539 0666 urgently. *WOMEN Motherwell Ladies Football Team Are seeking new players in all positions. We train Tue and Thu in Hamilton. If interested, contact Michelle on Motherwell (01698) 249154. Oban - Lonely Female - Non Smoker Need a lady to love - about 40 or over. I'm happy go lucky with lots of interests. Like eating out, going to the pub and walking. Someone write to me, please. Box SG55046. Lesbian - 24 - Single 5'7", short hair, femm(ish)ly funky! Enjoys sport, travel, drama. Based in Aberdeen but can travel. Seeks new friends of more? Box SG55047. *MEN Gay Football In Glasgow Looking to start up a team to play recreationally and possibly competitively in the Glasgow/Central Scotland area. All players welcome, regardless of skill level, sexual orientation or gender. If interested in either organising or playing, E-mail: Shaun at glbtfootball@hotmail.com Attracted To Men And Also To God? I am trying to initiate a support/talk/study group, perhaps meeting weekly, for men of all denominations who have a belief in a higher power/source/godhead, and who, like me, are not finding him/her/it in organised institutional events. Phone: Hamish on 07796 958206 or E-mail: lebartonne@hotmail.com Edinburgh Uncomplicated fun and friendship offered to young guy 16-22 by 45 year old guy. Come and go as you like. Box SG55002. Passive Guy Wants Active Guy 46, 5'9", 32w, 42c, zero crop balding, greenish eyes, hairy chest etc, living in Greenock, 100% passive seeks a 100% active guy in the Glasgow area for fun times and possibly more, age, race, financial standing, etc not important, just be genuine, honest, clean, straight acting and a good laugh. Box SG55006. Alone in Inverness Professional guy, 50 with GSOH, into all social activities, working out, non-scene, straight acting. Looking for guys, any age for friendship, relationship or just a fun time. Box SG55008. Big Heavy Gentle Man Wants Love I am a big, heavy gay man looking for love from a stocky built guy (20-45), who is genuine and can show love and honesty within a relationship. Is that you? Box SG55009. West Lothian Guy - 36 S/acting/looking guy passive looking for same, to go for pints, dinner, and fun. Im 5'10", 34w, 42c, hairy, medium build, short hair, who's up for laugh and if Mr Right comes along even better, if not then mates are good. Come on guys, what have you got to lose? Box SG55010. Desperate In Thurso! I'm a tall, fit 50 year old, non-smoker, non-scene looking for guys, any age for a good night out, freindship or more. There must be someone in the Thurso area! Box SG55011. Lady In Waiting Sexy blonde TV, dresses to impress, smooth and sensual, WLTM caring guy for tender fun times. Living in the Highlands and can travel. Box SG55012. First Year Student? First time? Like to try things out with a considerate older guy rather than make a fool of yourself with a guy your own age? Discretion assured. Edinburgh based but can travel. Box SG55013. Horny Older Man Wanted Genuine, athletic and horny 17 year old male, Glasgow, looking for a horny older man to act out my dirtiest of fantasies. Reply with pic if possible. Box SG55014. Ever fallen in love? ...with someone you shouldn't? Bored 30 year old guy, keeps getting heartbroken wants to hear from non scene n/s guys into cinema, indie music, literature. Box SG55016. Stephen Purdon Type Sought by older Edinburgh guy for fun and friendship. Box SG55017. Wanted: Bored Guys I am 53, Bi, looking for a 50+ guy for regular fun. I've no hang ups and like most things. So if bored and from Paisley, Greenock or Largs area, get back soon. Box SG55018. Genuine In Glasgow 37 year old guy in Glasgow, SA/SL, 5'9", No 1 crop, fit, GL, masculine and hairy. What more could you want? Seeking similar genuine guy for possible 1-2-1. Prefer guys who are relatively sorted and can hold an intelligent conversation. Look forward to hearing from you. Box SG55019. Slim, Muscular 38 Year Old Seeks slim younger guy who likes roleplay and being spanked. Edinburgh area, can accommodate and travel. Box SG55021. Keeping In Shape Still trim, but finding it more difficult to do so in middle age! Seeking committed personal trainer/masseur, in Edinburgh area. Long term goal is to stay fit and trim. Box SG55022. Mature Partner Middle aged oriental seeking sorted mature friends and hopefully partner for life. Usual interests, nonscene, would also appreciate travel companions. Box SG55024. Pinky Winky! Pleasant guy, late 40's, clean, educated, into lingerie seeks gay/bi guys who like to wear similar. Clean shaven, friendly guys 18-65 please, who also have their own lingerie and like to wear this under their suit or collar and tie clothes. I am non-scene with a GSOH and discretion essential. Let's meet up and change from 'Male' to stockings. Box SG55024. Edinburgh - Glasgow - Anywhere No strings fun offered to young, smooth chested guys by older hairy bloke. Photo helps. Box SG55025. Strict Training Required Tall guy, mountain runner, fit, firm, healthy, strong, in excellent condition seeks strict training under whip, cane, belt from experienced Master. Bondage may be appropriate. Will comply fully with Master's requirements. Anywhere in Scotland. Box SG55026. Young Guy Looking To Please I am 24 year old guy, reasonably athletic and would like to be used like a girl. Can travel anywhere in south/central Scotland. Prefer older men. Box SG55027. Wanted: Male 16-20 Glasgow male (39) wishes to meet younger gay male 16-20, str8 acting, slim and cute, for fun. Prefer inexperienced. Box SG55028. Toilet For Use 37 year old male, slave, 5'10", medium build, seeks Master for hard and messy times. A, O, Yellow and Brown swallower. Please use me as a toilet. Age no limit, can travel or accommodate. Box SG55029. Looking For You? Cute, slim, smooth guy, 32, HIV+, looking for similar for fun friendship/more? Box SG55030. Strict Discipline Required Tall guy, fit, firm, healthy, strong in excellent condition requires strict regular discipline from experienced and skilled master. Cane/belt/cat/whip. Anywhere in Scotland. Box SG55031. Sub Needs Tying Then Entering I want to be tied, naked, hands and feet, then bent over and entered by a hardman again and again. I am 32, good body, just want to be bound and entered repeatedly. Box SG55032. Genuine Passive Seeks Active Are there any active guys out there in the Glasgow area that actually are genuine and honest? I'm 46yrs, 5' 9", 32w 42c, zero crop balding, hairy and passive and would love to meet a genuine active guy, any race, any colour, who isn't a timewaster. I'm single, live alone, have my own flat in Greenock near Glasgow, discreet, affectionate, caring, genuine, non smoker, non drinker, and non scene. I do have a soft spot for very muscular guys, bikers, rugby types, etc but not a must, just be genuine. Box SG55033. Soulmate Required Nice looking guy (31) seeks his soulmate for fun friendship and love! Aberdeen. Box SG55034. Small Bear For Slim Chasers Early 50's guy looking to meet younger guys who want to find that warmth of a close affection with an older sincere guy, or just a good shag. I can meet day or evening and have my own place. Box SG55036. Older For Younger Sorted older guy looking to meet younger genuine guy, prefereably smooth and non-smoking. My place or yours? Box SG55037. Firm Hand Dad type, late 40's, looking for genuine son, who is in need of a firm hand and the benefits that it brings. Genuine only and prefer guys under 35. Box SG55038. Spanking Fun I'm looking to met up with guys into spanking, giving or taking. Preferrably in the Tayside/Grampian area, but further afield is OK. I can travel or accommodate. 21-50 age range, but again not in tables of stone. Phone and phone number ensures a reply. Box SG55039. Cute Sexy Young Lad Wanted Sexy, cute, boyish 16-19 year old lad needed for friendship and safe,horny fun by 43 year old Glasgow guy. Come on lads, what have you got to lose? Box SG55040. Older Seeks Older Slim, 5'7", 62 year old, WLTM 60+ guy for regular meets and social time in the Paisley area. Anything safe, sane. Box SG55041. Fife Lad 24 year old needs tackled. Fit young lad looking for rugby playing cub 26 or younger to practice scrum. Box SG55042. Spank Me Please Aberdeen guy, 34, 5'8" tall, nice looking, submissive in nature, looking to get spanked. Reply to meet up. Box SG55043. House Boy Wanted Professional male, 34, nice looking and demanding, looking for a 24/7 house boy. Age 18. Pocket money given. If you want security, then get back to me, boy. Box SG55044. Aberdeen Area 45, medium build, hairy (with 'tache) but not overly! Seeking fun and friends with guys, any age, into speedos, thongs, kilts - anything sexy! Smoker and non scene appreciated. ALA. Box SG55045. Masterful Weightlifter Seeks other weights fans, BBs, etc, who have a submissive streak. CP an option. Photo gets mine. Glasgow/anywhere. Box SG55048. Cute Young Lad Wanted To get trained to serve a dominant man to be his house slave. Living in. I take full care from A to Z! Box SG55049. Older Top Seeks Young Bottom Do you fancy older guys? This one is 48, 5'7", medium build, 7", randy and ready to meet new nephew types 16-32 who are hot and willing to pleasse, any race. Shy boys welcome. Box SG55050. HIV+ Seeks Other Tall, slim, fit, 53, cheerful, friendly, can accommodate or travel, seks w/e horny pal for fun and friendship. Any age. ALA. Lancs. Box SG55051. Aberdeenshire Genuine 55 year old, 6', slim, s/a, OK looks guy seeking 40+ for friendship eventually developing into a LTR would be great. Prefer non smoker. Box SG55052. Glasgow West End - Genuine Seeking guy up to 45 years. I', 38, 5'10", slim/med build, smooth, clean shaven, attractive and down to earth, looking for similar guy for friendship, 1-2-1. Hairy cropped guys welcome - well worth two 1st class stamps and your phone number! Get in touch - not be disappointed. Box SG55053. White For Black Edinburgh professional, 51, seeks active black or asian guys, age 25-35, for night in for fun and friendship leading to something more. Box SG55054. Fife - Central Belt - Anywhere Fife based 45 year old versatile guy seeks slim guys of any age for no strings fun - can accommodate or travel. Satisfaction guaranteed. Bi, married, male couples most welcome. Discretion assured. ALA. Box SG55055. Nappy And Plastic Pants Fun Glasgow guy, loves nappies, plastic pants for wet times. Have loads of nappies, plastic pants to share. Interested or curious? Contact me. Happy in nappy. Box SG55056. Holiday Fun Glasgow visitor, 32, very horny, WLTM younger guys 18+ to keep me warm in my hotel. Let's have fun in the shower and sweaty in bed. Box SG55057. Old Sports Master 55, requires students and sportsmen for fun and sport. Kirkintilloch area. No mobile numbers, please. Box SG55058. Ayrshire - Glasgow Attractive 33, 5'9", dark hair, blue eyes, passive with a good sexy body, available for active, fit w/e guys. You know you want it. Rob. Box SG55059. Master Required In Aberdeen New 45 year old sub guy seeks master for total worhip, bondage, C/BT, W/S, oral, anal, cum control, forced milking. Discretion assured. Box SG55060. Like Raith's Defence... ... wide open in Fife! Passionate passive seeks ardent active topman ("sans cigs") for cosy coory-in with carey-oot. Who's up for it? Accommodation assured. Box SG55061. Woof! Small hairy bear (45) seeks young smooth cub (16-20) for mutual pawing. Your cave or mine. Box SG55062. Glasgow Sub 40's Seeks Master SA, SL, Bi guy needs to be used, abused and humiliated. Harsh task masters sought - also like minded for fun and friendship. Box SG55063. Johnstone - Surrounding Area Stocky overweight 5'7", 39, short hair, shy at first, GSOH, old scars but don't let that put you off, smoker, looking for? Possibly you! Photo appreciated. ALA. Box SG55064. Is There Anybody There? I would like to meet with other gay people who are spiritualists, healers or mediums. Perhaps have monthly reading. Interested? Phone Alan on 07905 286629 or write: Box SG55065. Slave Seeks Edinburgh Master Medium built, sub, 5'9", needs owning and training, will readily accept bondage, yellow, CP, full body shaving, role play, humiliation. Your criteria and methods begged for. Box SG55066. Looking For Alvin Sorry, unable to reply to your voice ad in ScotsGay 54a (5236). Genuine Glasgow guy likes your description. Hairy intelligent chatty personality, fit WLTM you or other similar for regular fun and friendship hopefully leading to a wee bit more. 44, going on 45. Please write. ALA. Box SG55067. Edinburgh - Anywhere Fit strong guy, 42, seeks similar guys for horny wrestling bouts. Box SG55068. Dirty Old Man Seeks youngster (16+) with sense of humour and enough imagination to guess the purpose for which he is being sought! Box SG55069. Don't Ban Kok Oriental or mixed race lad, 16-35, wanted by active uncle type, 48, 5'7", medium build, for no strings discreet fun. Shy beginners also welcom. Can travel or accommodate. Looks unimportant. Box SG55070. Transport/Communications Enthusiasts Any young guys interested in trains/planes/buses or radio communications? 46 year old radio ham would like to hear from you. Possible weekends away. Box SG55071. Bah - Humbug! The boyfriend is fucking off to his parents as per usual and I'll be all on my own in Edinburgh. Any 16-26 year old guy in the same position care to join me for Xmas Lunch and maybe more? I'm 40's, damned good cook. Vegetarian or vegan tolerated. E-mail: jd@drink.demon.co.uk or write: Box SG55072. *BISEXUAL Bi Curious? There has to be a first time for everything! Aged 16-21: get in touch? Considerate experienced versatile older guy will talk you through things at your own pace before getting down to some safe fun. Your limits respected. Total discretion assured. Live in Edinburgh but will travel if required. Box SG55001. Master/Mistress Seeking Bi Fem Dominant couple, bi orientated, like to meet submissive bi girl for service/training. Glasgow/Edinburgh based. Genuine search by safe sane couple. Friendship offered. No timewasters. We can accommodate. Novices or experienced genuine person respond only. Exp in SM and CP scenarios. ALA. Box SG55005. Disabled And Needing I am a 56 year old disabled guy. I am not able to visit local scenes, therefore need someone to visit me. Although I have been with men, I have never had a full relationship. It would be great to have experience, but with a person who can understand my situation, A very warm loving welcome awaits. All replies will be answered, thank you. I am small in stature, but hope this will not put you off. Box SG55007. Spanking Mate Needed Any bi guys out there into OTK spanking aged 16 to 35? Me 40 and very easy going type. No heavy spanking. Your limits agreed. Box SG55020. You Bi-Curious? Mid 50's, bi guy available for younger bi or curious guys just looking to experiment or just have regular fun times with uncomplicated guy. Can accommodate. Box SG55035. *STRAIGHT Dundee - Perth Friendly, fit, 50something silver bear seeks morally relaxed women of all ages for fun and friendship. Box SG55003. Dundonian Cutie - Welsh Ex-pat 30 years old, rugby build, well read, university educated, bubbly personality, WLTM caring, intelligent woman, 25-40, for committed long-term relationship. Box SG55004. *FRIENDS ABROAD INTERGAY Penpal contacts with gay men all over the world. Over 120 subscribers in 30 countries. To join is free: send your ad. Only subscribers get the booklet with all data and addresses by enclosing GBP 5. INTERGAY, Voorstraat 12-A, 4033 AD Lienden, Netherlands. Masculine Country Lad Masculine country lad, 60 years old, would like to meet younger 18-44 for fun in the country, easy going, laid back, humorous, enjoys country lifestyles. Anyone travelling to Canada? Write: Dave Thornton, Box 504, Barry's Bay, Ontario, Canada. K0J 1B0. E-mail: bigbonus52@hotmail. com *JOBS OFFERED Assistant Instructor Required by busy Scottish sailing centre for 2004 season. Applicants should be young, fit, reasonably broadminded, straight acting and looking. Must have an excellent sense o