END SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland Issue 10 - June 1996 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 1996. Permission is hereby given to distribute this material provided that this copyright notice is included and that distribution is specifically for non-profitmaking reasons. Distribution for profit must be done only with prior written consent of the magazine any deviation from this will be seen as an infringement of copyright. Hardcopies are limited to one per person for personal use only and such hard copies are subject to the same copyright restrictions as laid out above. The printed edition of ScotsGay is available by post at the following rates: 6 issue sub (UK & EC) 6ukp 6 issue sub (Overseas) 12ukp 12 issue sub (UK & EC) 10ukp 12 issue sub (Overseas) 22ukp Make Cheques and POs payable to 'Pageprint Limited' or 'ScotsGay' and send them to: Subscriptions ScotsGay Pageprint Limited PO Box 666 Edinburgh Scotland EH7 5YW ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this edition: Editorial - principles or votes? News - Pride Pics Galore! Soapbox - hidden sexuality of the Highlands Otton On... - view from the top Inside Out - the total scene guide Venues - what and where Scene - who and how Boxes - the ScotsGay Meet Market International - news from around the world Music - Alan's latest chart Competitions - Rabbie Burns & Outright Scotland Reviews - books and vids Listings - checked and updated every issue Helplines - if you need a friendly ear ScotsDyke - k.d.lang in concert Contributors - who we are etc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= In a sense, I can't get too excited about the whole Gays in the Military thing. As a pacifist, I would hope to persuade people that we shouldn't have a military for gays to go into anyway. But, as a lesbigay liberationist, I suppose I must defend the right of gay people to be just as nasty as straights. The Labour Party has behaved appalling on this issue - leading to OUTRIGHT Scotland virtually telling its members to vote Liberal Democrat. And, although as a Liberal Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, I have little time for much of LibDem policy, this is one area where I am glad to acknowledge the principled support from their parliamentarians for lesbigay interests. It is the Labour Party who have sold us down the river - in the shape of their spokesman one Dr John Reid. A man who I remember from his time at Stirling University when he was know by some as "The Little Red Yo-yo" for his habit of changing political party as often as his socks. Now, he is helping Labour's power brokers to dump all controversial policy to ensure the election of a Labour government that won't be very different to what we've got now. The adman's dream - Tory Lite. When I heard Tony Blair's speech on the age of consent, I was moved close to tears at his fine words. Now my tears are at the way in which his principles have gone down the pan as the possibility of power approaches. The squeaky clean Mr Blair abstained on the Gay in the Military vote and let it be known that a future Labour government would negotiate with the military to bring about integration. The very idea is ludicrous - unless you believe that this isn't really a democracy and the country is actually run by the industrial/military complex. And, if you believe that, what's the point of standing for elected office unless you're only in it for the money? John Hein GRUDGING HIGHLAND WELCOME FOR PINK POUND Lesbigay customers at a well known mixed Inverness watering hole have been snubbed by the owners who insist that the place isn't gay. Nico's Bistro Bar at the Glen Mhor Hotel has been listed by lesbigay guides and magazines for a number of years as 'mixed'. But now J Nicol Manson (who owns the bar and hotel along with his wife) has demanded that the listing be removed from ScotsGay. "I personally have nothing against gay people but I am greatly concerned when straight people complain to me about the listing in your publication. If gay people wish to frequent Nico's and "mix with straights" - fine - but I don't wish our establishment listed or mentioned in any way in gay magazines", he told ScotsGay. One wonders, of course, what bigoted straights were doing reading ScotsGay in the first place! According to local gay men, the place attracts a fair number of discreet gays. However, one man who asked not to be named for fear of being barred said, "It's the only place we have to go up here, but it's never exactly been welcoming. They seem happy enough to take our money, but if there's ever any hassle from straights, we're always considered to be in the wrong. A national newspaper didn't help by featuring the place in a "shock horror - gay bar" story last year." Nevertheless, ScotsGay will continue to list this mixed establishment despite Mr Manson's "instructions". We would not, however, recommend it to anybody. WASN'T IT JUST GALLUS? Weren't we great? 6,000+ pooves, dykes, bisexuals, and transgenderists (and friends) marching through a sweltering Glasgow, making a modicumette of noise and astounding the hetties? On Glasgow Green, another couple of thousand folk arrived over the next few hours and we baked in the summer sun - the first aid tent having to send for further supplies of calamine lotion as the day wore on and the skin peeled off. Local talent, imported talent, Mr Gay UK and boy band 4 Guyz on stage, health tents full of people sampling massage and being beautified, plaster saint Ian Dunn getting beatified, sinners getting plastered in the beer tent, and lots of queues for toilets, comestibles, etc. But, above all, the day was made by YOU being there. Enjoy the pictures - YOU made the news. Comment is superfluous. And it will hopefully all be back in civilisation next year (an Edin-bugger writes)! If you weren't OUT with us this year, don't miss it next year. More fun than London, better shags than Mardi Gras, and (especially important to our Aberdonian friends) cheaper rail fares!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HIDDEN SEXUALITY OF THE HIGHLANDS The author of this true tale used to live in a small West Highland village - until he made the mistake of showing a first draft to some of his 'friends' Now, he's been run out of town - forced to move down to Central Scotland to get away from the threats and violence. He asked us to use his name and the name of the village. Much as we'd like to, we can't. It wouldn't be fair to run the risk of identifying any of the folk who still have to live there. I started out to write this article - (as I thought and saw it) for a number of friends here in the Highlands, who feel forced, who feel it necessary to live a complete and complex double life. They number eight definite cases and one I am almost sure about, but who refuses to discuss it at any level. I know of many others, who are not friends, but I can see and watch only. Of those I know - there are two rugby players, one solicitor, two fishermen, a doctor, two chefs and a barman - I can only write briefly. Some are new friends, the others I have known for many years. Their stories have grown into our relationships as the relationships have also grown, from day one of meeting each one. I inadvertently became a refuge for their frustrations - a place to relax and talk freely, perhaps to feel safe. Sometimes to indulge their 'private sex lives' with each other (rare, as on the whole they do not know of each other) or, with other guys they bring along with them - I don't ask questions. Yes, myself, I have had affairs with two of them; one in the distant past, one recently. On discussing this idea with them, individually, over a period of weeks, the horror they showed, about being 'exposed' and saying that they 'would never be able to visit me again.' Or, how could I jeopardize not only their working lives and marriages, but my own position in a village where the church, with the society it has created, holds sway assisted by the sheer lack of contact beyond the hills. They are all married, or live with their girlfriends, except one of the chefs, who suffers the gamut of accusations and speculation. I was hurt at first and destroyed the first draft which was, I had hoped, to lead into a series highlighting each one of them individually. I had felt it was important, as a problem for men here in the Highlands, that should and could be dealt with by our so called 'gay society', that instead of just supplying a refuge or words of encouragement we should be doing something more concrete. I hoped, or at least it was my intention to spark enough interest for more men, both professional and working class men, to contact me, tell me their stories and, eventually to produce a book - a manual of the problems faced or to be faced. I have now rewritten the whole thing four times. Whilst some friends were visiting from Italy, one of the men, Roberto of the eyes, found a book:- Footsteps and Witnesses - edited by Bob Cant. I thought then it would be pointless to continue, as here it was in print. Yet on reading the lives in the book, which is excellent, those are people who are out. People who have faced, at different levels the bigotry, the homophobia, etc. So I have decided to write this anyway, hoping there is someone else in the Highlands who can help me start something positive and objective. Maybe even to implement tolerance and honesty; instead of back door shagging and social frustration. It is with a feeling of sadness I cannot write about these people as individuals, for to use false names or change certain details would only serve to produce a fiction, which is opposed to the very reason for beginning this whole project. I cannot now risk losing the trust and respect of these friends, who have helped me enormously in the past, by being there for me when I had to struggle with similar decisions. Instead, I want to give you an idea of the reasons for, and the kind of double lives they live - and some of the comments they have made. The Highlands, for all their majestic beauty and savagery are riddled with narrow mindedness which is handed down from generation to generation. It stems from a system which is still fiercely clannish - in my own village, three main families rule the roost and it is rare for anyone outside these families to achieve any status, or successfully own anything. The church in its many guises holds enormous away; one is expected to be home before midnight of a Saturday and not to use the telephone, television, drink or leave the house on Sunday, except to go to church. The families congregate, and, in rotation, go to each others' houses for the family 'Sunday Lunch.' Mind you, once church is over and we're all back at the designated house, behind closed doors, the booze comes out, and we tear everyone else apart - after all, we have just been to the Kirk, and our souls absolved, at least until next Sunday. The work ethic is fierce, and anything which approaches full-time employment, undisputedly goes to family or friends of family. Only seasonal, hotel, restaurant, cafe, tourist orientated work, goes to the incomers. Even that can cause great friction - sometimes with very violent consequences. One of my fisherman friends, who is 23 years old, is revolted by screwing his girlfriend and calls it torture, and yet goes on with it because her father owns the boat he works on. The only way he can get it off is by fantasising about a man (usually with the biggest prick he can imagine down his throat or up his arse). He goes on with the farce, even though two of the other guys on the same boat are giving it to each other every time they go out to sea - all he can do is watch and listen with total frustration and envy, whilst exercising his right wrist. These two guys don't even talk or socialise when they get back ashore. The obscene complexity of this is that they are married to sisters. My friend hates one of them (and vice versa), so they do not socialise either, nor do either of the others realise my friend is gay. To cap it all, who do you think the two sisters are? Yes, of course, my friend's girlfriend's two elder sisters. So come Sunday, best bib and tucker and off to church, then round to good old Daddy's for a spot of lunch. And let's not forget the comments as to why my friend can't (or doesn't appear to have the ability to) breed. "But you must have something to keep my daughter with you." Normally, before he goes out on the boat again on Monday, he is here thoroughly drained and emotionally battered. He tells me that if he had the guts, the intelligence and the contacts, he would leave and find a lover. What in God's name can I tell him? - I've tried 'til it hurts - this young man is fantastically creative and stunningly handsome, with eyes that could bring down enemy aircraft, and a body to match. He is so afraid of his family, his girlfriend's family and his so-called friends that he plays a deadly game - he goes into towns and cities on his motorbike, telling people he is going to look for a new bike. I know that there he screws his way through everything he can find, from toilets to clubs and pubs, all the while never using condoms. I've told him, explained to him, the possible outcomes and that he must have a blood test - but no, the doctor is a family friend and church elder. Do I have to go on?? What has our society created here? Here is another horror story from a place further inland, but still in the Highlands, but in a smaller community. Being the eldest son of a barrister and taking up father's footsteps has twisted a very exciting and intelligent man in his mid thirties. Whilst at school, he discovered the joys of carnal knowledge. Expecting to go into a practice in Edinburgh or Glasgow, he had an ongoing affair with another guy in Edinburgh, until he was fully qualified. Mommy dearest on a visit to celebrate his success, had words with said boyfriend and realised, to her godly horror, what was going on. Since than he has allowed himself to be emotionally and physically blackmailed by Mommy dearest, under the threat of telling father, younger brother and the local minister, (whose daughter he married, to keep the peace and silence.) Adoring both father and brother he never wants to be 'seen as a freak' by them. He now has four brats, (and I mean brats in the worst sense). His wife is a fish hook with a barbed point to it. His 'revenge' as he calls it is to screw both of her brothers on a regular basis, though neither of them know what is going on with the other. One of them is married - I've met him; a farmer - they did it on a tractor, in the afternoon in the middle of a field with two farmhands in sight. My friend wants to leave, but can't, because "it would destroy my father." So it's me again, once a fortnight, for solace and news from the outside. I am constantly gobsmacked by the situations these guys are in, and that, by their own admittance, they perpetuate it out of fear. He feels he can cope for a while longer, until his father dies. The saddest thing, which I cannot tell him, is that his brother is having an affair with a guy I know in Aberdeen, who is engaged to be married. All this is happening whilst he is surrendering a life of happiness and freedom to choose - he could return to his old lover in Edinburgh, who would take him back, the moment he phones. Oh that I should be so lucky! The next is a story that could be every gay guy's nightmare - I cringed when I was told about it. It's not physically violent, but just the whole scenario typifies the kind of situation that is happening here - things I would not have believed if I was not living here in the Highlands. Think back to the fisherman, and read on... One hunky fit chap from near Aberdeen, a fully qualified chef, who takes a job for the season at a restaurant specializing in local shellfish and fish. He had met the owner's son six years ago at a party in Aberdeen when he was twenty two and the son was nineteen. They were totally smitten and promised to at least have the summer together here. Things were arranged; he met sister, mother, father and the three brothers, quickly becoming accepted as part of the family. He is a genial, funny guy, who is easy to like. He and his lover went out every night to the shore, or the hills, for a screw and privacy, quickly becoming more and more involved. But how can he stay after the season and keep the affair going? He formed an attachment to the sister feeling positively "sick" at the prospect of having straight sex. Meanwhile, Daddy handed them a solution on a plate, Daddy has a brother who owns a fishing boat who offers to finance him on a course, so he can specialise. He jumps at the chance and goes off for four months. On his return, having qualified with honours, they need to upgrade the kitchen and other things. They had spent the evening discussing plans for the future of the restaurant, and eventually everyone except him and his lover went to bed. Of course it was instant lunge time, on the floor - giving each other everything they could control themselves long enough to do - when in the background there was a cough and there stood Daddy. He yelled shit out of his son and sent him to bed to lick his wounds. Then turning on my friend, said, "Well, as you're here and ready, you'd better work on this... and if you don't, I've got friends and family here." He knew he had to repay the money for the course and wanted to protect his lover, so has allowed himself to be used and abused, not just then, but whenever it takes the old man's fancy. Worse, the sister married one of the local bobbies; so he can't even go to the police. He still owes some money, and Daddy is trying to force his son into a marriage with one of the local girls. He found out recently that the old bastard had consistently sexually abused not only his lover, but the eldest brother as well. He feels cheap and dirty. Twice he has tried to leave; once only getting as far as the bus, and the other time just started hitching. He's had a nervous breakdown but won't leave his lover. Can you imagine me asking him to let me use his name? I wanted to, to expose the old man, whom I see everyday. I wanted the exposure to hurt him as much to possible. My friend comes for lunch when he can, has a shower, cries, pulls himself together, then goes back - it's almost like a drug. I have my own views on that, but I can't force him to do anything. But for a while, I can be here, I hope not just for these people but for others. To let them know that they do not have to be treated this way; not to be trapped and gagged emotionally or physically. I mentioned a couple of rugby players, but I really don't have the space to do them justice here. They, of all of them, are the most adamant that they are not included, except in the most general way. They do not know each other, except from afar, through the game. I have to respect their wishes, especially for the younger of the two, whose family has a history of rugby fame. Both are married, one has played internationally. I must at all costs respect their privacy - for they are friends - perhaps also for myself as they have protected me and helped me. Perhaps if I can continue my project and make them feel more safe and sure, I will be able to discuss them and their experiences. Now, myself - quite simple - I was mugged and left for dead in London. Apparently people stepped over me and I'm still living with the physical after effects, and the emotional effect of hating. Being afraid to be in crowded places, towns or cities, I came back here, only to have someone I thought of as a friend (a 100 percent closet gay), spread some pretty evil gossip about me. According to him, I'm dying of AIDS, I have attempted to rape someone, I'm an evil person, etc. I had returned from the continent, extremely tired after delays at three airports. I didn't sleep, so went out early for a newspaper; before I got to the shop, three people had stopped me to say how sorry they were that I was dying of AIDS. Subsequently, I've had lager, eggs and you can imagine what else put through my door, or thrown at the house. They also kicked the kitchen door open, and yelled abuse. Of course, I went to the police - they know exactly who it was, but only tell me that they will talk to them. They have threatened to burn the house down, as well as general abuse, in public. I've no option but to consider leaving but I love this place; I don't want to leave. Most people here are fine - but I am being forced out. I still do not lock my door and I'm still here for those friends, or others. I'm not overtly gay or anything - I am me and I believe in people. I've taken a lot of shit in my life, for daring to be me. So I understand totally what these guys are going through, but these things are happening. I myself am in the position, that to use my name would expose the village where I live, and some of those friends. It hurts, because I'm not afraid of the crap they want to throw at me, but at my friends. For the moment, please don't let others dictate to you, and trap you, stay safe in yourself, because the others you need to meet are out there; let's try and do something, we all have the right to be ourselves. If you want to contact me, please write c/o Scotsgay who I'm sure will forward your letters. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- VIEW FROM THE TOP ================= Steve Fallon has climbed all 277 of the Scottish Munros - mountains over 3,000 feet - 4 times over. Garry Otton met him at a gay windsurfing event at Tighnabruaich, a sleepy village on the west coast which had clearly not woken up to what had hit it... A dozen or so gay men riding the wind and waves across to the Isle of Bute before finishing up at the local cafe for a pot of Earl Grey and a Sliced Cream Fancy. Last year, leg injuries resulted in Steve, a 32-year-old Munro-bagger from Falkirk, having to call off his attempt to beat the world record, established in 1992 by Rory Gibson and Andrew Johnston who climbed then all in 52 days. They covered 1,500 miles and ascended a total of 400,000 feet. In the spirit of uncompetitiveness, so peculiar to gay men, Steve gave up the challenge and waited for his leg to heal before resuming the ascent of whatever Scottish mountain took his fancy. He was lucky. 54-year-old Mike Cudahy completed the challenge in 66 days before having to undergo hip replacement surgery. His most formidable ascent has been the notorious blade of rock called the Inaccessible Pinnacle of Sgurr Dearg on Skye. Many lives have been lost on it. Last year it claimed a 21 year-old student who spent 2 nights dangling from twisted ropes, unable to go up or down. Days before, another man sustained compound fractures after falling 30 feet. Technically a rock climb, in bad weather, it is exactly what it says it is: Inaccessible. Steve knows he is at the mercy of the weather. Even on the hottest summer days he will encounter slowly melting patches of snow and ice. The weather can suddenly turn and envelope the peaks in an impenetrable mist, exposing him to the dangers of hypothermia or getting lost where he will loose valuable time retracing his steps. In the driving rain, not even the finest Gore-Tex can prevent him from becoming wet through. In hail, the ice lashes his face and the wind can become so strong he can lean against it without falling. Slopes of unstable scree provide a gruelling descent and even the toughest of boots won't prevent him slipping on mud or falling onto exposed rocks; sinking into hidden bogs or being carried away in a raging torrent. Then there are the midges; the painful jab from a passing cleg fly or the blood gorging sheep-tick that will happily swop a bit of best mutton for a sturdy mountaineer's leg. To help loosen the blood-sucking sheep-tick - known to carry the fatal Lime's Disease - Steve swears by a tot of whisky or leave then for a few days to fall off an their own accord. On the hills, he has a lot of time to delve into his tormented past. "My parents put me into the University of Stirling to do accountancy and I totally flunked that. A total waste of time. It was not what I wanted to do. For some reason the University accepted me at the age of 16 which was far too young. I didn't know what I wanted to do, so my parents more or less decided what I was going to do: and it was going to be accountancy. I was flunking out of University at the same time as I was regularly cycling over 30 miles from the campus to see Ian, my boyfriend, in Edinburgh." When I interviewed them at their home in Glenrothes, Ian MacDonald had his own story to tell: "Before I met Steve, I had a lover who was killed in an accident. I was drinking about a bottle of vodka a day. I was only 20." Coming to terms with gay sexuality In the army only contributed to the problems, but despite this, as a commissioned officer from a public school, Ian completed his term and rose to the rank of lieutenant. Steve gave a wry smile, "he got his own back on all the sergeants who basically buggered him on the way up." 'There was quite a lot of that going on in the army," Ian admits. After leaving the army, Ian's grandmother died, which left him both homeless and unemployed. As a young gay man 'coming out,' he considered himself lucky to meet a friendly face in Edinburgh, an elderly gay man, who offered him a roof over his head for a small rent. Things didn't quite turn out as planned. "He was the kind of old bugger who charged for everything. I was skint by the end of the week, so he let me have a bit of bread and jam and charged for them: 5p for a bit of jam. Steve didn't believe me until I showed him the wee list. For a boiled egg he would charge me 5p. All this was on top of the rent!" "It wasn't until weeks or months later I actually found out he'd been telling folk I was his affair. Some affair: charging me fucking 5p an egg!" Just before Steve was preparing for his exams, his mother found a letter and his secret was out, She recommended he see a psychiatrist and wanted to know if he was turning out like his transvestite Uncle (known in the family for more than passing interest in ladies underwear). Under pressure, Steve had a breakdown and stole his father's car for 2 days until stopped by police in Stirling. That is all he remembers of the incident. He received no counselling, sympathy, help or support. When the police found him, they simply told him to return home because his parents were worried. He was upstairs in his younger sister's bedroom, crying in her arms when his father stormed upstairs, thrust ukp25 in his hand, and told him to pack his bags and get out. There was really only one place he could go. Ian's landlord was delighted. "The old guys hands were everywhere. It was disgusting! I managed to get another flat within a week, so we both moved into that," Steve told me. "It was a box room in a flat with two other students." Steve's mother has slowly become more accepting, but still registers the occasional disapproval or incredulity at her gay son's behaviour. "When Ian buys me a bunch of flowers, my mum looks at them. "Flowers from lan... ?" she says. "Do you like that?"" Garry Otton --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INSIDE OUT ========== The most accurate, up-to-date and accessible guide to Scotland's lesbian, gay and bisexual scene. Inside we list all the pubs and clubs, bookshops and cafes, the juiciest gossip, as well as Scotland's biggest and broadest selection of box ads. Who knows, your dream date may be waiting inside... VENUES Aberdeen ABERDEEN WOMEN'S CENTRE Shoe Lane. Tel: 01224 625010. Fax: 01224 625777. Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Where the women hang out. Lesbian group meets Wednesday 8-10pm. CLUB CABERFEIDH 9 Hadden Street. Tel: (01224) 212181. Tue-Sun 10pm-2am. Disco - tends to be quiet midweek but busier at the weekends. Dundee DEVA'S 75 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight. Formerly the Gauger, Dundee's long established gay bar. Something for everyone! Pool table. LIBERTY NIGHTCLUB 124 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 200660. Thu, Sun 10pm-2.30am. Fri, Sat 11pm-2.30am. Good atmosphere, very popular disco with wide selection of sounds. Thursdays and Sundays are quieter. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/liberty/ Edinburgh BLACK BO'S 57/61 Blackfriars Street. Tel: 0131-557 6136. Mon-Fri 12.30pm-2.30pm and 6pm-10.30pm, Sat 12.30pm-10.30pm, Sun 6pm-10pm. Superb little vegetarian restaurant. Friendly staff. Mixed clientele. Good value lunch menu. BLUE MOON 1 Barony Street/36 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 2788. Popular lesbigay cafe/bar complex. The Cafe opens Daily 11am-1am. The Buzz Bar is open Nightly 5pm-1am, and the new Pool Room is open Nightly 5pm-1am. CAFE STREUSELKUCHEN 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 0152. Tue-Sun 11am-9pm. Due to open soon in the old Eat Out space as an upmarket bun shop selling sticky German buns (baked on the premises) and continental coffee. CAFE KUDOS 22 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 4349. Daily Noon-1am. Food Noon-9pm. Fresh, stylish and always crowded. WWW: http:/www.scotsgay.co.uk/kudos/ CAFE LUCIA 13-29 Nicolson Street. Tel: 0131-662 1112. Generally 10am-10pm but hours vary according to performances. Mixed bar attached to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Full of luvvies and their friends! C.C. BLOOM'S 23 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. Daily Noon-3am. Bar/diner serving superb food in the Hole in the Wall restaurant (Noon-2.30pm,5-9pm). Karaoke on Thursday and Sunday. Male strippers Sun at 4pm. Disco every night from 10.30pm. CITY CAFE 19 Blair Street. Tel: 0131-220 0125. Mon-Sat 11am-1pm, Sun 11am-Midnight. Not as outrageously mixed as it used to be, but still seriously conventional. CLUB ORANGE 33-39 Market Street. Tel: 0131-226 4224. 1st Sun of each month. 11pm-4am. Club run by the Gay Preservation Society. COLLETTE AT WEST & WILDE 25a Dundas Street. Tel: 0131-556 0079. Beauty and Body Therapist. CYBERIA 88 Hanover Street. Tel: 0131-220 4403. Daily 10am-10pm. Friendly mixed cybercafe with friendly mixed staff. DRONDALE LIMITED 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 1471. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat Noon-7pm, Sun Noon-6pm. At the front of the Edinburgh Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Centre. Undoubtedly the largest gay shop north of Manchester, with a large selection of magazines, cards, toys, underwear, swimwear, leather and rubberwear. Well worth a visit even if only for the cute staff (if you like that sort of thing). EDINBURGH LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL CENTRE 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Owned by OUTRIGHT Scotland. Houses Calosa Publishing Limited, Drondale Limited, Cafe Streuselkuchen and Plakativ. Provides meeting and noticeboard space for many lesbigay organisations. Private mailboxes available. FANTASIES 8b Drummond Street. Tel: 0131-557 8336. Mon-Sat 10am-9pm. Sun Noon-9pm. Scotland's ONLY licenced SEX shop where you'll be made welcome by the very bearish Vince (who's straight) or Paddy (who isn't). Toys galore, video rental too! FLUFFY AT THE HONEYCOMB The Honeycomb, 36-38a Blair Street. Tel: 0131-226 7651. New monthly club - 2nd Wednesday 11pm-3am. FOUR BBBB’s CLUB 26b Dublin Street. Tel: 0131-538 7775. Big Beary Bulky Boys have their own club at Intense in the New Town Bar on the 4th Friday of the month. 8-10pm - bar opens to non members 9pm-1am. FRENCH CONNECTION 89 Rose Street Lane North. Tel: 0131-225 7651. Mon-Sat Noon-1am. Sun 1pm-1am. After a period as Maggie Rayes, this old favourite has reverted to the old name and the old management has returned. Never a dull moment. Karaoke Tue & Fri. KUBHLAI KHAN 43 Assembly Street, Leith. Tel: 0131-555 0005. Mon-Sat 6pm-2am. Sun 12-Midnight. Mongolian barbeque. Mixed. MARMALADE CAT BISTRO Old Craighall Road, Millerhill, near Dalkeith. Tel: 0131-660 1211. Mon-Sat Noon-2.15pm and 6-9.30pm, Sun 12.30-2.45pm and 6-9pm. Mixed establishment specialising in Portuguese cuisine. Vegetarian menu available. NEW TOWN BAR 26B Dublin Street. Tel: 0131-538 7775. Daily Noon-1am. Especially popular with Bears, but has wide clientele. Intense, the sub-basement leather and fetish bar is open Thurs-Sun 9pm-1am - men only. No EIGHTEEN 18 Albert Place. Tel: 0131-553 3222. Mon-Sat Noon-10pm. Sun 2-10pm. Sauna club for gay gentlemen - run by a couple of straight Dykes! Now open on Sundays! OVER THE RAINBOW 32c Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-557 8969. Daily 11am-1am. Not quite as camp as it used to be, but still attracting a mixed crowd. ROUTE 66 6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-556 5991. Sun-Fri 3pm-1am. Sat Noon-1am. Food served all day. Discos Fri and Sat. Real Ale. TASTE The Honeycomb, 36-38a Blair Street. Sun 11pm-3am. Weekly mixed members' club with DJs Fisher and Price. Visitor's passes from West & Wilde. THEATRE ROYAL BAR 24 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-557 2142. Mon-Sat Noon-midnight. Sun 12.30pm-11pm. Basically straight, this Real Ale bar (formerly a Gas Board Showrrom) in the middle of Edinburgh's Gay Triangle attracts a fair number of queers for an off-scene pint before heading for nearby fleshpots. TOLERANCE 33-39 Market Street. Tel: 0131-226 4224. 3rd Sun of each month. 11pm-4am. Women's Disco run by those awfully nice Gay Preservation Society people. TOMMY THAI'S BAR Linden Hotel, 9-13 Nelson Street. Tel: 0131-557 4344. Daily Noon-11pm. Quiet bar attached to Edinburgh's biggest gay hotel. Superb Thai restaurant. Owned by London's Philbeach Hotel. E-mail: linden.seal@ukonline.co.uk. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/linden/ WEB 13 13 Bread Street. Tel: 0131-229 8883. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun Noon-8pm. Informal mixed cybercafe with homely and approachable staff (says marcc). WWW: http://www.web13.co.uk/ WEST & WILDE BOOKSHOP 25a Dundas Street. Tel: 0131-556 0079. Tue-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun Noon-5pm. Scotland’s only lesbian and gay bookshop. Lots of books and quite a few magazines! Falkirk DROOKIT DUCK 16 Grahams Road. Tel: 01324 613644. Mon 11am-3pm and 5pm-11.30. Tue-Thu 11am-3pm and 5pm-12.30am. Fri-Sat 11am-1am. Sun 7pm-Midnight. Straight bar used by a few discrete local gays. Galashiels GREEN'S DINER 4 Green Street. Tel: 01896 757667. Mon-Tue 10am-5pm. Wed-Sat 10am-10pm. Mixed. discreet trendy cafe/bar. Regular meeting place for all Border Town lesbians, gays and bisexuals. Closed Sundays. Glasgow ATLANTIS CAFE BAR 22 Cambridge Street. Tel: 0141-333 1375. European style cafe/bar welcoming people whose sexual orientation is not a big deal. AUSTINS 183a Hope Street. Tel: 0141-332 2707. Mon-Sat Noon-Midnight, Sun 12.30am-Midnight. Friendly and busy basement pub. Food lunchtimes (until 5pm). Entertainment every evening. BENNETS DISCO 80-90, Glassford Street. Tel: 0141-552 5761. Currently closed for extensive refurbishment. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/bennets/ CAFE DELMONICA’S 68 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 4803. Daily Noon-Midnight. Food Noon-7pm. Busy pub with backroom area (not THAT kind of backroom!). DJ: Mon, Thur, Fri, Sat. Bingo: Tuesdays. Games/Quiz: Wed. Karaoke: Sun. Happy hours: 5-7 and 9-10 every night. Mondays: Becks at ukp1.15 all night. Soap Sunday features all day breakfasts and cheap bevvy all day whilst you watch the TV soaps ... CCA Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street. Tel: 0141-332 7521. Centre open Mon-Wed 9am-11pm Thur-Sat 9am-Midnight Sun Noon-10.30pm. Bookshop Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Sun Noon-5pm. Galleries Mon-Sat 11am-6pm Sun Noon-5pm (admission free). Two galleries, two performance spaces, cafe bar and bookshop. Lesbigay friendly place bustling with life, the universe and everything. Wheelchair accessible apart from upstairs performance space. CENTRE BOOKS GGLC, 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0802 771857 or 0468 404996. Mon Noon-6pm. Tue-Sat Noon-8pm. Sun Noon-6pm. Lesbigay bookshop in the Centre. Something for everyone. New catalogue available - send A4 sae. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/cbooks/ CLUB X-CHANGE 25 Royal Exchange Square. Tel: 0141-204 4599. Tue-Sun 11pm-3am. Large basement club, popular with young crowd. Wednesday nights are straight (though still quite mixed). Not as busy as it used to be. COURT BAR 69 Hutcheson Street. Tel: 0141-552 2463. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 8.30-11pm. Small bar beside former Sheriff Court. Straight until mid-evening. GLASGOW GAY & LESBIAN CENTRE 11 Dixon Street. Tel/fax: 0141-221 7203. Daily 10am-10pm. Glasgow's community centre for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Cafe, book shop (Centre Books) and Gift shop (PJ's). Other businesses in the centre include Asset Mortgages, Calosa Publishing, and Maya Vision. Two large meeting rooms available for hire. E-mail: gglc@gglc.org.uk. WWW: http://www.gglc.org.uk/gglc/ GLC CAFE/BAR GGLC, 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-204 5418. Mon-Sat 10am-11pm. Sun 10am-5pm. The eaterie for the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre. Now licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages. INTERNET CAFE 239 North Street. Tel: 0141-221 8447. Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun Noon-11pm. Popular cybercafe. Mixed clientele. WWW: http://www.linkcafe.co.uk/ MADAME GILLESPIE'S 26 Cheapside Street. Tel: 0141-204 4606. Tue-Sun 9pm-3am. Large club. Features regular PAs, and theme/party nights. PJ'S WATCHES AND GIFTS GGLC, 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-226 9977. Gifts for all. SADIE FROST'S 8-10 West George Street. Tel: 0141-332 8005. Mon-Sat Noon-Midnight, Sun 7pm-Midnight. Bar meals Mon-Sat Noon-7pm. Newly refurbished with no expense spared. Friendly staff who compliment the upmarket decor. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/sadie-f/ SAPPHO'S 8-10 West George Street. Tel: 0141-332 8005 (ask for Jane). Glasgow's first all woman bar. Very popular. Inside Sadie Frost's. SQUIRES LOUNGE 106 West Campbell Street. Tel: 0141-221 9184. Mon-Fri Noon-Midnight, Sat 12.30pm-Midnight, Sun 8pm-Midnight. Long narrow intimate basement bar, DJ Sun, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat. Packed at the weekend. Nightly happy hours 11pm-midnight (all night Sun). VICTORIA BAR 157-159 Bridgegait. Tel: 0141-552 6040. Mon-Sat Noon-Midnight, Sun 12.30pm-Midnight. Basically straight, but justly popular with real ale queens and dykes. THE WATERLOO 306 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141-221 7359. Daily Noon-Midnight. Popular, crowded, down to earth gay drinking shop. Scotland's oldest gay bar - what more can we say? Inverness NICO’S BAR/BISTRO Glen Mhor Hotel, Ness Bank. Tel: 01463 234308. Wed and Fri 9-11pm. Smart relaxed bar popular with local gays especially on Wednesday and Friday nights (9.15pm onwards). Mixed clientele. Kilmarnock KAYPARK TAVERN 27/29 London Road. Tel: 01563 523623. Straight pub - the lounge is used by some local gays on Mondays evenings. Stirling BARNTON BISTRO 3 1/2 Barnton Street. Tel: 01786 461698. Mon-Thur 10.30am-11.45pm, Fri-Sat 10.30am-12.45am, Sun Noon-11.45pm. (Food: Day and early evening). Near to railway station, Mixed, busy, bohemian and friendly bar/bistro. Popular with students and Sons/Daughters of the Rock alike. Good food. Real Ale. InsideOut: a monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. ISSN: 1360-9327. Edited, printed and published in Scotland. © Pageprint Publishing Limited, June 1996. PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5JW. In even numbered months, InsideOut appears as part of ScotsGay. Non profit use by the lesbigay community of material in the magazine will normally be permitted free of charge - but contact us first for permission. We haven't had sex with most of the people who appear in the magazine, so we don't actually know what their sexuality is. Editorial: Tel: 0131-539 0666. Fax: 0131-539 2999. E-mail: scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk. Internet World-Wide-Web: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/ Advertising: Tel: 0131-558 1279. Fax: 0131-539 2999. Subscribing by E-mail: Send a 'subscribe scotsgay-list' message to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk and the text files of future editions will be delivered to you by e-mail. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ABERDEEN ======== Well girls, the Grotty City has now been transformed into the City of Roses to celebrate the departure of the one called Minerva. Hoorah!, I hear you all cry in unison. Yes, the torch has been passed and rekindled to yours truly and, God knows, it was about time. It's time for the Aberdeen Scene to re-affirm its committment to the cause and declare the Mission Statement with bold voice. Now girls, repeat after me:- Ladies, this is your Mission Statement shood you choose to accept it- "To seek out new life and fresh meat, and encourage it to flaunt itself at the club at least once a week, to boldly go where many a dick has gone before - but with attitude. To seek out old queens and get them back on the scene, after all, a wise head never hurt anyone - at least, not if they used KY first. Oh yes, I am on a Mission from God, so God help all the Minervas of the world! As from this issue, you can expect a more positive column full of what you want to hear and not just the ramblings of a tired old queen. It seems that now the Poxy Parrot (Pink Flamingo) has ceased to be, the scene is split on where to go during bar hours. Ally Dawsons (the former Flannies) has been re-gayed and is now getting more popular - especially with the dykes. Turning it straight obviously didn't work out, but it's now gay-friendly rather than overtly bent. There are rumours that Rabbies is going to go gay, but I can't really see the city supporting a full time gay bar and it looks like the scene will continue to drink in straight bars! The more discreet gays (ie those who wouldn't be seen dead in Ally Dawsons or Rabbies) seem to be going increasingly to the Wild Boar and Elronds - both straight but they don't complain as long as you behave yourself! Ah, the power of the Pink Pound! Sweet! Edinburgh attracts a mixed crowd at Exodus in Schoolhill every Friday. Playing 'uplifting house', are Maggie "Mother Superior" McKeown and Alan Nicholls - better know as the Edinburgh JOY! team. The Clappy Fud (Club Caberfeidh) is still quiet during the week, but doing OK at weekends. A year or so ago, queues were a regular feature on Saturdays, but it seems that that is a thing of the past which I find worrying. Aberdeen really should be able to support more gay businesses - but the scene queens are a fickle bunch and prefer to spend their money elsewhere - Dundee and Edinburgh in particular! Finally, I hear that congratulations are in order to Jacqui at Club Cab - she's finally got hitched to Elaine! Nice one! Remember to tune in next time for the continuing voyage of the USS Caberfeidh. Doug Stewart doug@wintermute.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------- DUNDEE ====== Well, we find ourselves at the end of June already and Dundee has had a mini heatwave. So, now that the summer is here it's time to don the shorts and T-shirt, scream at the mirror and hasten down to the nearest WeightWatchers. Well, it would certainly be a change of scene. Talking of scenes, what is happening in Dundee? That's a very good question to which i don't have much to add to what I've been warbling on about for the last few months. Still, I've never been one to avoid a challenge, so here we go ... Deva's is business as usual, except I thought I'd pop down one Sunday evening, after stating last issue that the bar is open again on Sundays, only to find a closed door and nobody home. Good news is that Deva's is organising a women's pool competition every Wednesday night from 8pm. The first evening was reasonably well attended with the eventual winner being Maureen after a nail-biting snooker on the black went badly wrong for runner-up Jill. The recent party at the Weavers Arms organised by the women's disco group was an outstanding success. There is some possibility of this becoming a regular event so watch this space for details. There were lots of prizes for the various games and yours truly won the prize for the best fancy dress. As stated last time, the next Women's Disco at Sinatra's is on Friday 16th August from 8pm. Liberty Nightclub is becoming increasingly popular, not only with locals but also attracting talent from Aberdeen and Edinburgh. As I have said before, it really is a class act and I'm sure more gay men and women will start travelling from further afield to sample what I truly consider to be one of the best clubs in Scotland. The management are booking top acts from all over the country to perform in the club so get on down there and see what you're missing. There are two superb dance floors and the joint is getting so busy that they are opening the second bar beside the upper dance floor to cater for the punters. The staff are friendly and efficient, the toilets immaculate and the music is excellent. That's about it for now. I'm away to pack my bag for a wild weekend in Pitlochry to celebrate the summer solstice. I hope the locals have been warned! Jol ------------------------------------------------------------------------ EDINBURGH ========= Well, Marcc is in Queer Street with the Editor yet again. Despite promising his copy faithfully, the young rogue has done another disappearing act to the West Midlands and it doesn't take much imagination to know what he's doing there! So, it falls to me to guide you through the latest happenings in our Capital City which is a lot more fun than having to go up to Aberdeen for the day, oh dearie me, yes! The biggest change to our scene has been the upset at the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Community Centre in Broughton Street. It seems that Eat Out is out - they were due to close as we went to press. Partner Brendan Nash has asked us to pass on his thanks to all his loyal customers who have kept the place going up until now. But, it seems there weren't enough of them, and there just wasn't enough money coming in to keep the place open. In place of Eat Out, it looks as if OUTRIGHT Scotland Committee Member Volker Beckman and his lover Frank Schmidhofer will be opening up a continental bakery and coffee shop. Subject to signing on the dotted line, they intend to close the place for extensive alterations - Volker tells me that he hopes to be open again for the Festival, but, frankly, I think he's a trifle optimistic. It may work that way in Germany, but he obviously hasn't had to cope with the Great British Worker before. The place is to be called Cafe Streuselkuchen (that's Crumble Cake to the rest of us) and, in addition to the cakes and buns, Volker informs me that there will be proper continental coffee and German beers. It seems that the departure of Eat Out couldn't have come at a better time for Volker and Frank - they'd just been messed about over planning permission for alternative premises in Dublin Street. And, although some folk may criticise the incestuous way in which the new lease has been handed out without going out to open tender, it seems that the deal which has been put together will be in the long term interests of the Centre. One thing which certainly hasn't been in the long term interests of the Centre has been the decision to move the meeting room into where the Drondale shop is and to re-locate the shop unit downstairs. I get the impression that the mistake has been realised and that a future meeting of OUTRIGHT will be asked to re-consider. At the moment, the meeting room is used for just three hours a week - and the last thing anybody wants is to have an empty room as the first thing you encounter when you walk into the Centre. That said, efforts are being made to use the Centre more. There should be exciting times ahead. Talking of exciting times, I was invited over to the launch of Quentin Crisp Whisky, the other day. And very pleasant it was too - a cask strength single malt (the provenance of which I have been sworn to secrecy)! Mr Crisp was in attendance, inscrutably sipping quite a large glass of the stuff and, when I left, he appeared to be getting well stuck in to his third of the evening It's been aimed mostly at the American market (who won't blink an eyelid at ukp35 a bottle) and some of the profits from the libation will be going to the AIDS Trust Waverley Care. There are also plans to launch Quentin Crisp Vodka and Quentin Crisp Mineral Water. Potato Crisp anybody? Crisp was also in Scotland to punt his new book "Resident Alien - The New York Diaries" and was due to co-host a brunch-time charity auction of Stanley Reilly's photos at Cafe Kudos with Simon Fanshawe. As Marcc forecast last month, Picardys have finally Packed Up Their Troubles and departed with Kit Bag. El Raymondo's new venture hasn't materialised as yet - but he'll be back - Don't Know Where, Don't Know When .... Stevie at Route 69 confides in me that his customers seem to be stuck in a rut - whatever they raise money for (and it's been quite a few things now - including the Crusaid Walk for Life) they always raise just over ukp800. I don't think that's anything to worry about, Stevie! Mr Bear UK will be taking place soon at the New Town and I'm reliably informed that our editor has been prevailed upon to enter. That should empty the place for the night! And it's put me off my lunch too ... PJ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EDINBURGH ========= Hello, Cowpats. Well, just as you thought it was safe to go back out on the scene, Minerva has returned to Glasgow and is now watching your every move. Seems like I've pissed off PJ, coz he's no longer getting to write about the scene in Glasgow and the Editor has been threatening to send him to Aberdeen to cover the scene there, poor cow!! Well, I survived it for five years and my psychologist says that I'll be on beta-blockers for a while yet, but the night sweats and flashbacks will stop soon. Serves him right for what he did to His Royal Heinous The Editor. (Well, actually, it's what he did to his boyfriend at a party, but I'm sworn to secrecy!! - remember to lock the bathroom door next time!!) Talking of His Heinous, has anyone noticed a similarity between him and Mad Malky Mulherron in the TV series 'Bad Boys'? Hope he doesn't start chopping our fingers off for not submitting our copy on time. Poor old Marcc would be typing with one finger for a week! Still, it would help if HRH didn't phone up asking for his copy the following day: it doesn't matter if you stick on an Armani's worth of stamps, it still takes the post two days to get to Edinburgh. Still unpacking all my frocks after moving down last week, so I've not been out and about as much as I'd have liked. As you know, Bennets is closed for refurbishment - hopefully this will only be for 6-8 weeks. Still to get to Atlantis to check it out - will include a piece next issue. Shame that Madame Gillespies (Madge's) isn't open seven days a week - love the atmosphere of the place. And it's changed a good bit since I was last there. Everyone seems to be out to enjoy themselves rather than trying to outdance, outpose and outbitch each other. I also like to be able to escape to the front bar from time to time to get away from the lugfuckingly loud music. I see a whole generation of disco bunnies stone deaf before they've had their first bum wax!! Heard that Austins had a few false fire alarms due to the electrical supply resulting in uniformed firemen arriving. Should've made a few people's days! The Waterloo is now doing a quiz on Wednesday nights - good laugh with a not bad crowd the night I was in. Hopefully, this will go from strength to strength. That's another place that's changed a bit too - almost didn't recognise it! First time in Sadie Frost's since it was done up - thought it was very nicely done, with these poofy cherub thingies painted on the wall just in case any straights wandered in by accident and needed a subtle hint about the kind of place they were in. Talking of which, I was stopped at the door and asked if I knew it was a gay bar. Now, I'm not an out and out in yer face mincer, but I had always considered myself an obvious Janet!! Coupla days later, a guy comes up to me in the street thinking I was on the game .. can you believe it? Coupla days later, I was back in Sadie's with a friend and we had to make a fast exit coz he was scared he'd be recognised by someone who just walked in ... his son!!! Love this place in the afternoon, nice to sit and watch all the drop-dead shaggable tourists wandering around George Square on a sunny afternoon. Been down to the recently opened Gay and Lesbian Centre yet? Shops and a cafe that we should all be supporting. Nice selection of arty gay books, and a good place to get your mucky mags. If you're looking for gay gifts, then PJ's in the Centre is the place to go - plenty of gay merchandise including lighters, watches, jewellery and all those T-shirts that leave the hetties in no doubt whatsoever that you're a poof or a dyke and proud of it! All the free papers and magz are available in the foyer along with loads of leaflets on safer sex, charities, switchboards, women's groups, men's groups and everything else that concerns us all. Through the door at the back, you'll find a community notice board advertising accommodation, stuff for sale, etc. One of the most important reasons I have for hoping that the Centre is a success is that so much advertising for safer sex information, counselling services, switchboards, etc is only available through the pubs and clubs and this is obviously denied to under 18 year olds - the most vulnerable and confused section of our community. Seeing as how I've got my political tiara on just now, just thought I'd remind you of the photo which appeared on the cover of the last issue. It was of La Passionaria. "So, what's that got to do with me?", you might think. Get your bum down to the monument (it's only a hop, jump and a mince behind the GGLC down on the Clyde Walkway) and read the inscription - "Better to die on your feet than to live forever on your knees". OK, it was dedicated to those who died in the Spanish Civil War, but those words are as important to us as they were to them. Get out of the closet, get loud, get noticed, don't take any anti-gay crap from the bigots and don't take anything lying down unless it's wearing a condom!!! Sorry if I've missed out any of the venues, but I've not had the time to put myself about as much as I normally do (so to speak) - I'll try to get round everyone next issue. Be seeing ya!! Minerva ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, Pageprint Limited, 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 Personal Ads in ScotsGay's Meet Market are read by more people than any other Scottish Gay Title! WOMEN ----- Edinburgh Slim, fit, 37 year old, likes going out and cosy nights in. Honest, loving, caring. Would like to meet similar for friendship/relationship. Box SG10046. Glasgow Looking for some TLC. I'm a 23 year old lesbian, looking for someone from Glasgow 25-30. Photo is possible. I like going out for meals and pictures but also like staying in at night. Box SG10047. MEN --- Glasgow Area Gay boy, 20, fair, slim, smooth, WLTM similar 18-25 year old guy for fun, friendship, possibly more. Would like to spend fun nights out and in. ALAWP. Box SG10001. Scotland - Anywhere Stocky/XL build, hairy, active guy, tache and beard, 38. Confident but kind. Seeking quiet lad, passive type, GSOH. ALAWP. Box SG10002. Glasgow Fun Couple, 27, 29, horny, adventurous, WLTM men 25-40 into the same swinging scene for same room fun. Videos, card games. Party invites welcome. U/d photo gets reply. Travel/accommodate. Box SG10003. New Friends Sought In Edinburgh 24 years blond and blue eyed Glasgow lad. S/a s/l seeks similar good looking and s/a guyz for fun and friendship in Edinburgh. No scene queens or sociopaths please. ALAWP. Box SG10004. Hot And Horny Rubber Guys Edinburgh/Glasgow Guy, 34, clean shaven, short crop, into rubber, leather, army gear, DMs, waterproofs for hot wet time in used gear. Phone no appreciated. ALA. Box SG10005. Dundee - Tayside - Central Scotland Friendly fetish guy (40) into leather, rubber, etc, seeks for lasting friendship a convincing effeminate TV/TS who is submissive. Can travel/accommodate. Sae and photo please. Genuine. Box SG10006. Glasgow Lad - Moving To Dundee Blond, 24 years old, good looking and straight acting, 5'11", with blue eyes, seeks similar straight acting guys for fun and friendship or whatever develops. Moving end July. Genuine guys only please. ALAWP. Box SG10007. Glasgow - Anywhere Glasgow couple 29/46 seek bearded, hairy guys for fun and friendship. Bisexuals also welcome. Discretion assured. ALA. Box SG10008. Edinburgh - Glasgow - Anywhere 35, medium build, blond, we guy seeks guys into sub bondage, shaving, toys, poppers, etc. I've no age/looks hangups - anything goes if safe. Frank detailed letter. Photo appreciated. ALA. Box SG10009. Glasgow Based Couple Bear (37) and bear cub (27 (both hairy) would like to meet other singles/couples for safe fun and friendship. We can travel/accommodate. ALAWP. Box SG10010. Scotland - Anywhere Guy, 37, considered good looking. I am into the cane, paddle or strap - both give or take. You would be 21-40 years old. Phone number and photo if possible. Box SG10011. Friendly Bi-guy - Glasgow - Anywhere 40's, will pull your briefs down. Enjoys massage, watersports, watching videos. I'm 100% genuine. Replies from 22-40 years, vwe and hairy guys welcome. Photos please - returned promptly. Let's meet very soon. Box SG10012. Strathclyde - West Coast Youthful 52, slim, good body, 5'7", smart dresser, passive, seeking discreet active male 45-60 for mutual pleasure and share new experiences. Likes briefs, gay videos, will travel most areas at weekends. Box SG10013. Edinburgh Very s/a bi-guy (a young 30) who is still new to this and very nervous. Dark hair/eyes, medium build. Seeks passive young prof n/s to develop and explore with. E-mail: 106023.3433@compuserve.com or write to: Box SG10014. Scotland - Anywhere 39, hairy, short beard, long hair (balding). Are you young, smooth, then please read on: I'm quiet, friendly, homeloving, good sense of humour, tactile, straight acting, dislike busy pubs/clubs. If you're tempted, please get in touch. Let's be friends - maybe more? Photo (returned with mine) ensures reply. Box SG10015. Light Leather And Briefs Young guy, 30's, new from London, well spoken, graduate, ex-army, seeks young guys into briefs for good relationship in many areas of life or just for discreet fun. ALAWP. Box SG10016. Sports/Keeping Fit Guy, 29, fit, slim, seeks running/jogging partner in Glasgow. Also interested in other sports. Write soon to stay fit for 96. ALA. Box SG10017. Dundee - Tayside - Anywhere Early retired, youthful 48, straight acting/looking, slim build, seeks active guy, any age, for safe fun and friendship/relationship. Can travel or accommodate. Genuine guy. Please write soon. ALA. Box SG10018. Two Way Spanking 28 year old seeks others 21-33 year olds into spanking, trousers, pants, bare hand, slippers, tawse. Your place only. Photo if possible. Glasgow. ALA. Box SG10019. West Yorkshire Too hot to handle, Anglo-Indian to die for. Me: 25, extremely good looking, sexy, dark hair and eyes, athletic physique, sensual, GSOH, straight acting. You: Under 30, GSOH, cute. ALAWP. Box SG10020. Dundee - Tayside - Anywhere Genuine submissive guy, 40s, slim build, 5'8" tall, seeks active guy for safe fun sessions. Interests include: bondage, leather, toys. Age/looks unimportant. Frank letter and phone welcome. ALA. Box SG10021. Central Scotland - Youthful - Thirty? Recently told attractive, looks 20??? Hairy, slim/fit, sports poser! Seeks gym partner, friend, flatmate, Mr Right - hopefully vegetarian, non smoker. Welcomes boy next door! However, I am Inverness based. I'll travel. You too? ALAWP in sportsgear gets mine. Box SG10022. Active Skin Seeks sub guys into long hard sessions. Into boots, yellow, black. No wimps. Detailed letter, photo, phone gets reply. Box SG10023. Lanarkshire - Anywhere Guy, 33, seeking others 18-35 into denim, leather, spanking. Original tawses used. Have videos, magazines. Smooth, muscular, w/e if possible. My flat is available. Photo. Telephone number. ALA. No timewasters please Box SG10024. Perthshire - Fife Sincere gay guy, 55, novice, seeks similar, age unimportant, to show me what I have been missing all these years. I am 6ft tall, 15 stone, grey hair, considered attractive. Please write frank letter with photo and telephone number. ALA Box SG10025. Ayrshire Male, 32, easy going, genuine, caring, wide range of interests, smoker GSOH, into safe oral, DIY, having fun. Looking for same, genuine, caring guy - 18-25. Looks unimportant. Can accommodate or travel. ALA. Strathclyde/any. Box SG10026. Bossman required 6'4", 39, 97kg/16st, biker, ex-top, into weights, leather, heavy stuff. Londoner but travels. Bearded, cropped, most colours. Very good shape looking for same. Serious tops needing challenge only please. E-mail: sandman@mail.bogo.co.uk or write to: Box SG10032. Strathclyde Novice. Late discoverer (45). Need someone to instruct me in the arts. Leather, denim, workgear,army, bonding with steel. Discretion required. Can travel within area. No training whatsoever. Box SG10033. Fife Guy Seeks young guy late teens - 30 for company and fun. I am stocky, 29yrs old, have my own place and a good career. I can travel within Edinburgh, Fife, Dundee and Stirling etc. and am very discreet. No time wasters. Box SG10034. East Kilbride Guy I'm looking to meet gay or bi-sexual guys in the Glasgow area up to the age of 30. I'm 5'10", medium build, smooth body, clean shaven. Box SG10035. London - 38 Year Old Keen to make new friends throughout UK. Email me: tabby@mail.bogo.co.uk or visit http://www.bogo.co.uk/tabby or write: Box SG10036. Aberdeen Guy Wants Penpals Aberdeen Guy, 26 and newly out needs to talk to someone. Are you 23-30, lonely and shy like me ? - if so, get in touch. Box SG10037. Italian Gay Looking For Friends Italian (33) 6'3" 165# green-eyed working in London, looks for Scottish friends to show him the beauty of Scotland and help him in discovering what's under your famous kilt ;-) E-mail me at: Vic@vrdm.demon.co.uk or write: Box SG10038. Fife 29 years old, stocky, Fife guy with own place, good career but little else seeks guy 18-30 for a fun and company. I can travel or pick you up. No time wasters. Box SG10039. Master Looking For TLC Edinburgh non-scene male, 32, 6'2", good looking, dominant; you are 25+, WE, passive and active, into bondage and TLC. Think you fit the Bill, go ahead, make us both happy! Box SG10040. Edinburgh Area 33, professional, 5'11", brown hair, 11st, seeks similar or younger man for friendship or 1-2-1 relationship. No timewasters. Likes pubs/clubs movies and the good life. Box SG10041. Edinburgh/Glasgow Young Bi Guy Young, hot and horny bi guy looking for some fun. Me: 23, good looking, slim build, GSOH, very S/A. You: 18-26, bi/gay, GSOH, discrete, good looking, slim build. Can travel and possibly accomm. Go on - what are you waiting for! Box SG10042. Anywhere 22 year old graduate would like to establish new friendships with gay and bi men around the world (especially in Slovenia as I might be working there next year and also in Scotland as I plan to move there in the near future). My name is Dave and I would love to hear from you if you are aged 18-30. Please write in English, French, Italian or German with a photo to: Box SG10043. Prove Me Wrong! I'm beginning to believe there are no more good-looking men capable of having a good time out there. I'm 33, tall, (full!) head of brown hair, blue eyes, tanned, professional, based in Edinburgh. You - 21-35 er...good-looking and capable of having a good time...... SG10044. Beginners Please So, you've looked through all the other ads and there's nobody who quite suits you. Well, I might not suit you 100% either, but why not try me? I'm 40, kind, gentle, a good teacher and really like spending time with young guys who are shy and/or inexperienced. Spend a little time with me and when you meet Mr Right you'll know what to do and won't make a fool of yourself. Can travel and accommodate. Discretion assured. Box SG10045. BISEXUAL -------- Perth - Fife - Edinburgh Guy, 55, seeks friends of both sexes. Frustrated TV. Loves lingerie, make-up, etc. Interesting letter with photo and telephone number assures reply. Box SG10027. Aberdeen - Scotland Male, 38, would like to meet bi female for fun and friendship. Any age, shape or colour. I can travel throughout Scotland. Photo would be appreciated. Box SG10028. Edinburgh Quiet bi-guy (37), inexperienced, seeks slim bi-guy (30-45), non-smoker for mutual pleasure at your place. No beards or hairy bodies. Genuine replies only. ALA. Privacy and discretion expected. Box SG10029. Glasgow Male sincerely seeks Scottish lesbian for fun and friendship. Box SG10031. PASSING GLANCES --------------- Delmonica's Where is the love of my life? The cute little Charles who swept me off my feet then left me in the lurch? Were you really too shy? Was I too bold? I want to see you again. I want you to have my babies. Write soon. Love, Ian. Box SG10046. CC Blooms - 20th June You: 20's, 5'6", flat top, red jumper, round specs. Me: Student, 19, 6'1", hairy, brown eyes, with friends. Unable to come over to you when you were on your own and then your friends got in the way. Would like to get to know you better. Please write. Box SG10045. LOOKING FOR ----------- Looking for Brian I am trying to find the whereabouts of Brian David Hitchcock. Originally from Edinburgh. Worked for Scotpak in the Middle East about 15 years ago. Just wanted to say hello. E-mail: bobnyptn@pipeline.com or write: Robert Betke, 16 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, USA. PHOTOGRAPHIC MODELS ------------------- Gay photographer (27) wants models (male or female) for seriously artistic shots. No payment, but free prints. Please write for more information. Box SG10030. SITUATIONS VACANT ----------------- Edinburgh Gay man, 30-40 years old, required for tailors shop. Must be able to use sewing machines, do alterations and general tailoring work. Must have good personality. Phone: 0131-315 4533 or e-mail jeremy@benjie.demon.co.uk. Driver and Tour Guide Wanted I am a gay single father with a 12 year old son. We are looking for a driver and tour guide for the early part of August when we will be visiting Scotland from San Francisco, California. I would prefer a gay student. E-mail: tomwhite@slip.net or write: Tom White, 10 Loma Vista, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA. FRIENDS ABROAD -------------- Ghana Black sexy gay, 18 years, cut cock, 8", good sense of humour, honest, cute and sure romantic, seeks any gay man for everlasting friendship/partnership. Letters answered with sexy photos. Moses Kumah Yeboah, G Boyz Estate, PO Box 1202, Sunyanibia, Ghana. Needing Fuck Buddies! Hi! I'm a young and cute looking guy in a BIG need for guys like me who want to suck cock, lick ass and get fucked. I'm 26 y.o. 1.80 m, 70 kg, brown hair and eyes.. If you are in, or are coming to Portugal call me. Live in Lisbon. E-mail: jmsms@coral.inesc.pt or write: Joao Manuel Simoes, Rua Morais Soares 141 - 2, 1900 Lisboa, Portugal. Ghana Hi! Are you looking for a delicate, cute and fascinating Ghanaian guy? Then I am your choice - drop me a line! Kingsford Williams, PO Box 262, Bereleum, B/A, Ghana. A Place to Stay in San Francisco Gay couple (41) offer a private guest room/bath and access to garden and hot tub minutes from the Castro district for up to one week. Contact: 464 Hoffman Ave, San Francisco, CA 94114 or e-mail mulawkac@pls.lib.ca.us SF Swap My charming studio apartment is situated on San Francisco's historic Alamo Square Park, on 2nd level of beautiful apartment building. Quiet & safe. Located on several transportation lines. Close to Castro district. Full bed - colour t.v. - phone - kitchen and full bath. Suitable for 1 or 2 people. Prefer non-smoker(s). Laundry facilities in building. One small cat requires daily food, water, and hugs! Dates negotiable (must be in September). Please respond to me via e-mail to: Michelle_Rowe@gap.comor leave phone message on 00 1 415 885-3132. Show Me The Sites! Attractive 30 year old guy, 5' 9", 145 lbs, brown hair, going to Glasgow again in September 1996. I'd like to hear from guys who are interested in getting together. Thanks. E-mail: laurence@netshop.net. Write: Laurence Scott, Apartment 1503, 343 Nicola Street, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, V2C 5X6. Telephone: 00 1 604 851-3152. SERVICES -------- Accountancy Services Tax problems, accounting, auditing, business plans, call Marios on 0131-555 0600 (Fax: 0131-555 6652). Members of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors. Personal and confidential service. Aussie Rules Football Shorts Featured in Boyz. Black only. Waist 28, 30, 32, 34, 36. Send cheque/PO for ukp15 to: Jimmy Marvel, 71a Beechmount Avenue, Hanwell, London. W7 3AF. Boudoir Noir The non-fiction Leather-Fetish-Consensual SM Magazine. Box 5, Station F, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2L4. Phone: 00 1 416 591 2387. Fax: 00 1 416 591 1572. E-mail: boudoir@the-wire.com. Sample $10. Subscription $24 ($50 outside North America). Member Canadian Magazine Publishers Association. Check out our Web Site at http://www.the-wire.com/boudoir.noir. Company Formations Why pay more? For only ukp90, Cosun Limited will supply a freshly formed Scottish, English/Welsh or Northern Ireland Limited or PLC with your own choice of name. For a free copy of our "Guide to Limited Companies": Freephone 0800 526421. Gay Business Association Member. E-mail: cosun@drink.demon.co.uk. Http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/cosun/ Contacts in USA and France Voluntary Group for holiday exchange, penpals, etc. Covering USA and French-speaking countries. For sample bulletin send 3 International Reply Coupons to: Recontre France/Amerique, 350 Nature Trail Lane, Murrysville, PA 15668, USA. French/German Tuition Offered by qualified teacher. Glasgow West End. Telephone: 0141-334 9487. Genuine Phone Dating For Gay Men The Dating Line that has it all! Instant Messaging, VoiceMale Dating and 'Traditional' Phone Dating. 0891 556655. 39p/min cheap, 49p/min other. TBO, Box 425, PE25 2RQ. CALL NOW! Get Wet Leather, rubber & PVC clothes for men & women, leather & rubber harnesses, silicone and latex toys, lubricants, SM equipment, wholesale available. Send ukp5 for catalogue or sae for price list to: Get Wet, BCM 3564, London. WC1N 3XX. Tel/Fax: 0171-627 0290. Masseur - Edinburgh Chubby masseur gives great relaxing massage at the best possible cost. Phone Kenny on 0131-665 0313 anytime. Pen Friends Gay, Lesbian and Bi-sexuals ages 16+, non profit organisation, members nationwide and worldwide, membership ukp6 p/a or ukp3 p/a concessionary. Write, enclosing 2 stamps to: LGB National Pen Pals, PO Box 2000, Horwich, Lancs, England. BL6 7PG. Stories To Order Our stories enliven those parts others cannot. Why? Because they are created especially for you and only you. Read about whatever you wish by using our definitive fantasy service. Intrigued? Then why not send a stamp for full details of our truly individual service to: TTS, PO Box 1846, Bath. BA1 3TJ. The Cellar The CELLAR is for Leather-Rubber-Denim-Uniform guys wishing to contact others with similar likes. For full info please send an sae to:- THE CELLAR(SG), PO BOX 17, BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK, IP32 7AT. Or e-mail ranger@dircon.co.uk. Translations English to German and German to English. General business and personal translations undertaken by native German speaker. Details: Phone Colne (01282) 862351. Worldwide Penfriends Regular lists. Make friends, exchange holidays, improve your languages. For general and music lovers' lists send ukp3 to "The Penpal List", c/o 221B Merton Road, Southfields, London. SW18 5EE. PHOTOGRAPHY ----------- Explicit/confidential Photo Processing 6"x4": 24exp ukp6.00, 36exp ukp7.00, extra set ukp4.00. 7"x5": 24exp ukp7.50, 36exp ukp8.50, extra set ukp6.00. Please add ukp1.00 p/p per film. Chq/PO: A2Z Trading Co., 501 International House, 223 Regent Street, London. W1R 8QD. Discretion assured. Overnight service. Just 18 Nude photo sets, sample set ukp15 from BM Ferrari, London, WC1N 3XX. Cheques and postal orders payable to 'M Bentley'. Models required. Send photo to above address. WHERE TO STAY ------------- Ardbeg House Ardbeg House Hotel, Dervaig, Isle of Mull. Welcome breaks, two nights or more, ukp27 per person per night, Dinner B&B (some en-suite rooms with four poster beds). Scenically situated. Beautiful period country house full of character, home comforts and good food. Phone Neil on 01688 400254. Beside the Seaside ... Roseland Guest House, Ayr. Ron invites you to enjoy Bed and Breakfast in his quiet, centrally located Victorian townhouse. For that totally relaxing break. (Not exclusive). Please Tel/Fax 01292 283435 for current prices. Birmingham, West Midlands Sebastion Guest House. Telephone: 0121-455 9459. Large Georgian house located in the city centre, close to the gay village, all rooms colour TV, double beds, tea/coffee, communal lounge, sun room and large gardens. Blackpool Regent Hotel. Telephone: Blackpool (01253) 22787. Recently refurbished, Late Bar, Happy hour daily, En-Suite available, Flamingo's concessions, Mid-week specials Mon-Fri ukp44 B/B, Fri-Mon B/B (excluding Bank Holidays). Single nights available. Call Ernest NOW to avoid disappointment. Brighton Shalimar Hotel, 23 Broad Street, BN2 1TJ. Exclusively gay in centre of gay village. Most rooms en-suite. Four poster for that special occasion. Full English breakfast. Tea/coffee. Fridge. Hairdryer. Colour Television. Clock Radio/alarm. Telephone. Residents’ bar. Phone or Fax Kevin or Lawrence - 01273 605316. Brighton Women's guesthouse. Fantastic value accommodation from ukp11pp in a friendly atmosphere next to the sea - and you don’t have to get up early! Leaflet: The Only Alternative Left, 39 St Aubyn's, Hove, Sussex. BN3 2TH. Telephone: 01273 324739. Scotland-Brighton direct train! Capital Accommodation Want a gay stay for a holiday or just a change of scene?!!! Aries Guest House offers a warm, friendly welcome to Edinburgh. Ten minutes from Princes Street, close to theatres, cinemas, shops and restaurant, clubs and bars. Telephone: 0131-229 4669. Central Private Hotel Mixed clientele, Junction 28 M1, short distance to Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, ALTON TOWERS, Sherwood Forest, Rooms En-suite, Licensed Restaurant, vegetarians, laundry service. Own front door key, no restrictions, Massage & Sunbed room. Weekend rates available. Phone: 01623 552373/Fax: 01623 443106. Edinburgh Set in the heart of historic Edinburgh and close to the city's gay bars and clubs, the Linden Hotel occupies a fine early 19th Century 'A' listed terraced building. Internally modernised, the hotel provides 20 rooms plus a large bar and 70 seat Thai restaurant, and also includes Tommy Thai's Bar. So, for a midweek or weekend break, enjoy the warmth of a real Scottish welcome. All credit cards accepted. 9/13 Nelson Street, Edinburgh. Tel: 0131-557 4344. E-mail: linden.seal@ukonline.co.uk Fife - Scotland B&B Private Residence - central situation - convenient public transport - parking if required. Good facilities, relaxed friendly. Businessmen, UK tourists, overseas visitors, welcome - guys only. Telephone: Vic - 01592 201985. Glasgow Berkeley Hotel, 63 Berkeley Street, G3. Phone: 0141-204 5470 or 0141-221 7880. Central, gay friendly, TV room, pool room, self catering facilities, shared and doubles. Special midweek rates. New Zealand Accommodation SIGMA - South Island Gay Managed Accommodation, a network of accommodation for gays and lesbians visiting the South Island of New Zealand. For a free list, write to: Ron Harris, Shag Point, RD2 Palmerston, Otago, NZ or phone 00 64 3-465-1742. Scarborough Hotel Interludes, "Holiday Which" recommended, welcomes gay men/women. Friendly, peaceful atmosphere. Licensed. Unique theatre theme. Elegant, en-suite, non-smoking seaview bedrooms (double, twin, 4-poster). ukp24pp B&B with 5% discount for 4 nights and 12.5% for 7 nights. Phone Ian/Bob 01723 360513. Torquay Oscars Hotel is a gay family run hotel in the heart of Torquay's English Riviera. Single, Double & Triple rooms available all year round. Very comfortable 2 star accommodation and candlelit cellar restaurant. Call Ricky or Allan for details. 01803 293563. 10% discount on stays of three nights or more offered to ScotsGay readers! Want a friendly B&B? Balnacrive Guest House, Dulnain Bridge, by Grantown-on-Spey. Anne and Mary warmly welcome you to the Scottish Highlands. All sports and recreation available from walking to ski-ing. Please phone 01479 851228 for brochure. York Pauleda House Hotel, 123 Clifton, York. YO3 6BL. Enjoy superb accommodation centrally situated only minutes away from all the historic attractions. All rooms en-suite. Satellite TV, some Fourposters. Parking. B&B from ukp20 pppn. Family run. Gay Friendly. Tel: 01904 634745. Fax: 01904 621327. A commercial lineage ad can cost just ukp50 per year! Phone John on 0131-558 1279 for details of how you can benefit by advertising in ScotsGay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL ============= by Rex Wockner VANCOUVER AIDS CONFAB WILL BE UPBEAT And now for something completely different: This year's XI International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver, B.C., July 7-12 will be upbeat. Key to the optimism is recent successes in lowering HIV viral load and increasing CD4 immune-system cells by combining the older nucleoside-analog drugs (AZT, ddI, ddC, d4T, 3TC) with each other and/or with the new protease-inhibitor drugs (saquinavir [Invirase], indinavir [Crixivan], ritonavir [Norvir]). These wildly expensive combo therapies, along with continued improvements in preventing and treating AIDS opportunistic infections, have a lot more people with AIDS living a lot longer, at least in the so-called First World. Some of the drug combinations reduce viral load in some people to the point where it cannot be detected. Some observers have even theorized that long-term viral suppression could cause the virus to die out in some patients. The optimism is fueled further by other categories of new drugs that are showing promise as they wind through the testing pipeline — among them, nucleotide [tide not side] analogs and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. There are problems though. Most patients eventually develop resistance to both nucleoside analogs and protease inhibitors. And in the case of the two most-promising proteases, indinavir and ritonavir, resistance to one can make the other useless. Secondly, all the drugs have side effects. The highly effective Norvir, for example, makes a lot of people sick enough (with nausea, weakness and other problems) to destroy their quality of life, and it also prevents use of numerous standard AIDS drugs that it cross-reacts with. Nearly all anti-HIV drugs cause peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage that must be monitored very closely.TASMANIA SEX BAN MAY DIE The harsh anti-sodomy laws in the Australian island-state of Tasmania — 21 years in prison for consensual adult male-male sex — may finally fall. A repeal measure has passed the lower chamber of the state parliament and has a fighting chance in the more conservative upper chamber, the Legislative Council, where, this time around, lawmakers may be swayed by reports that Australia's new conservative prime minister, John Howard, wants to see the ban lifted. The laws have been widely denounced in recent years, including by the United Nations, Amnesty International, the Anglican Church and the Australian federal parliament. Gay sex is legal elsewhere in Australia. Tasmanian historian and author Richard Flanagan told Reuters last week that Tasmania's intransigence stems from islanders' distress over the state's history as a brutal penal colony for tens of thousands of male convicts from the British empire. "[Tasmania has been] called the 'Isle of Sodom' in popular ballads," Flanagan said. "For over a century, Tasmania has really denied its own past and did not speak about it. Homosexuality became one of its great silences." AUSTRALIA A new Australian World Wide Web site hosts the Melbourne Wankers. Webbed wanking cybernauts should point their browsers at http://www.rabbit.com.au/~wankers/ Further information is available from Mark or Bruce at the e-mail address markbruc@melbpc.org.au BELGIUM Members of Belgium's Flemish Christian Social and Socialist parties have introduced in parliament a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, according to activist reports posted on the Internet. BRAZIL Brazil's health ministry will give away five million smaller-sized condoms to teenagers, the newspaper Correio Brasiliense reported recently. "We have detected that underage sex is on the increase and... we have to have a product that is more suited to their situation," spokesman Lair Guerra de Macedo said. The rubbers will be .15 inch smaller in diameter than the normal 2.1 inches. CANADA A new national poll of 1,516 Canadian adults found that 55% believe partners of gay employees should get company benefits. Support is highest in Quebec (70%) and among people under age 34 (71%). 49% think gays should be allowed to get married. DENMARK Denmark, which in 1989 became the first country to legalize marriage-like registered partnership for gays, has now banned discrimination based on sexual orientation by private employers. Discrimination in other arenas has been prohibited for years. The parliament recently passed the law without discussion or controversy. FINLAND Sixty-seven percent of Finns support a Scandinavian-style gay-partnership law, and 44 percent approve of actual gay marriage, a new Taloustutkimus Poll has found. The other 33 percent oppose any kind of gay unions. A bill to legalize gay registered partnerships was recently introduced in Parliament. FRANCE Gay couples who live together will now receive the same 25 percent discount that heterosexual couples get on the French state railway, SNCF. But they must have a domestic-partnership certificate from their city hall. Only 270 of France's 36,000 municipalities register gay couples. But eight million of France's 58 million citizens live in those municipalities. SWEDEN "There are no acts of love between adults that one can or should condemn," the Dalai Lama reportedly told a gay artist in Stockholm, Sweden. The Dalai Lama was speaking to artist Richard Wolff, who, during a performance staged in honor of the Dalai Lama's visit, had complained, "I was not aware when I accepted this performance that Buddhism condemns gays.". --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALAN'S CHART ============ 1. Divine Intervention — Disco Frenzy (Aquarius Remix) (Kool World) 2. Scoria — Desiera's (Peak Time Mix) (Metropolitan) 3. U96 — Club Bizarre (Ken Doh Mix) (Urban) 4. D.A.C. — The Sound Of D.C. (White Label) 5. Canyon — Universe (Hook) 6. Jones & Stephenson — The First Rebirth (Red Jerry's '96 Mix) (Prolekult) 7. Razor's Edge — FF (Blu Peter's Mix) (Metropolitan) 8. Stone Factory — Secret Worship (Jon The Dentist Mix / Mute 32 Mix) (Effective) 9. Blu Peter — The Pictures In Your Mind (Kadoc Mix) (React) 10. Section X — Galaxian (Jon The Dentist vs The Galaxians Mix) (Phoenix Rising) 11. Enrico & Luciano — Clone (Tum Tum) 12. Pablo Gargano — With The Rhythm (Metropolitan) 13. Lemon 8 — The Bells Of Revolution (DJ Eclipse Mix) (Tripoli Trax) 14. Industry — Tarrentella Project (AA Mix) (Whoop!) 15. Eskimos & Egypt — Home (Skeemos Full-On Mix) (Polydor) 16. Sola Nova — Baguette Mix (Bosca Beats) 17. TdV — I Don't Care (Jump Wax) 18. Bizarre Inc. — Surprise (Dancing Divaz Dub) (Some Bizarre) 19. Da Junkies — Puta Madre (Tripoli Trax) 20. Airtight — Predator (Pure Energy) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OUTRIGHT IN STYLE ================= OUTRIGHT Scotland, Scotland's Premier Lesbigay Organisation, and ScotsGay, Scotland's Premier Lesbigay Magazine, have got together for a special offer to promote OUTRIGHT Scotland membership. We have ten of OUTRIGHT Scotland's fabby new T-shirts (as worn by Ross, left) to give away to the first ten people to send us their names and addresses (and a note of the size they'd prefer). You can Write to: OUTRIGHT Scotland T-shirt Offer, ScotsGay, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. You can E-mail: t-shirt@scotsgay.co.uk You can Fax: 0131-539 2999 Even if you're not lucky enough to win a T-shirt, you'll be sent details of OUTRIGHT Scotland and how to join. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RAB C. BURNS? ============= A wee reminder that to mark the Bi-centenary of the death of Scotland's National Poet, Robert Burns, ScotsGay, Scotland's National Lesbigay Mag, is running a competition to find a lesbigay successor to the bard. We're offering a first prize of Fifty pounds with a second prize of Twenty-five and a third prize of Ten pounds. What we're looking for is a poem in Scots which captures the essence of Rabbie's work but on a lesbigay theme. Preferably it will come from a lesbigay perspective, but that's not essential. Length? Please remember that size isn't everything and a short poem like My Luve Is Like A Red, Red Rose has as much chance of winning as an epic like Tam O Shanter. Send your entry, to arrive by 1st August to: Burns Competition, ScotsGay, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5JW. Please enclose your name and address and, if you want your original returned, also include a stamped addressed envelope. Entries can also be made by e-mail to: burns@scotsgay.co.uk. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEWS ======= books The Birdcage A Novel by Robert Rodi Based on a Screenplay by Elaine May Penguin Books, ukp5.99 There are some dreadful novels that have been written after a successful film - but this isn't one of them. I was giggling all the way through this explosion of faux pas's. And that even after knowing the story inside out. The film this book has been written after is of course 'The Birdcage' and many of us remember the (slightly) older version of this classic tale from the film 'La Cage Aux Folles'. And for those of you who pretend not to know it, here is a brief resume. Albert and Armand, a middle-aged gay couple, are running a small but successful nightclub outside Miami featuring an all male cast of showgirls. Armand has a son from a previous liaison, who has been brought up by these two. The son falls in love with the daughter of the outstanding Senator Keeley and his wife. Barbara can't quite bring herself to tell her parents that her future father in law is a Jewish homosexual, who runs a transvestite cabaret, and her future mother in law is a middle-aged man who performs under the stage name 'Starina'. And so, confusion ensues and rules, OK? Trying to keep the fact that they are clinging to the outer edges of society by their fingernails from oh so straight Senator Keeley quickly descends from farce to utter chaos. If you haven't yet seen the film, the new one or the old one, do yourself a favour and get this book first. I assure you that you will get lots of wrinkles from laughing so much. Better Than Sex Cookbook By Margi Clarke Hodder and Stoughton, ukp14.99 Do you worry about BSE, salmonella in chickens or high levels of hormones in fish? Well, I don't, because I've been a vegetarian for the last twenty years and here is a book full of vegetarian recipes that will make it easy to revert to a diet without all the worries that intensive farming and an increasingly unscrupulous food industry have brought with them. I've tried a lot of the recipes in this book and that they are just out of this world. Her recipes are full of sensuality and the title really does ring true. As Margi says, "Every recipe in my book is guaranteed to be at least as good as sex. And .. oh yes, these recipes will still respect you tomorrow". End the Struggle and Dance with Life By Susan Jeffers Hodder and Stoughton, ukp8.99 There are many ideas presented in this book, all aimed at showing the reader that we all have the power to create more and more exquisite moments in our lives. The underlying force of this book though is in the building of trust. Trust in yourself, your being, your destiny, your glorious personality. We all need to be uplifted sometimes and we all need a (gentle) kick up our backsides to get us going again. This book delivers that kick and much more. It's full of gentle (and not so gentle) reminders that everything is up to us and we are up to everything. But it doesn't stress you out like some books I've read of the same ilk. Wonderful quotations liberally are scattered throughout like Gertrude Stein's: "Considering how dangerous everything is, nothing is really very frightening!". Or the words of a recovering workaholic: "Don't just do something, stand there!". We do have a tendency to battle with life rather than to live it, but we yearn to be more calm, more in control and, dare I say it, be more in love with ourselves. Susan Jeffers understands how to transmit a feeling of calm, a feeling of self control and a feeling of love for yourself in this brilliantly written sequel to her very successful book 'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway'. So, if you fancy a bit of uplift and a positive read, this one is for you. The Minds of Billy Milligan By Daniel Keyes Penguin, ukp6.99 It has taken me a long time to finish reading this book. I've had to stop and put it down quite a few times. It is the story, and a true one at that, about a man called Billy Milligan who was arrested for kidnapping, aggravated robbery and rape. He denied all knowledge of the crimes and said that someone else was guilty. And in a funny sort of way they were. I had to keep looking at the back of the book to make sure that it was factual and not fictional. There is a twilight zone but it is not as they say out there but in fact within all of us. They do say that reality is stranger than fiction! Abused as a child and severely traumatised as a result, Billy unwittingly developed 24 personalities. This is a story that should be read and I know will fascinate you whatever your interests, whether it be detective novels, whether you are a therapist, whether you read horror stories or love stories, you should go out and purchase this book. If you don't, you'll be sorry for missing out on one of the greatest and most fascinating discoveries of the 20th century. Dark Love Edited by Nancy A Collins Hodder and Stoughton, ukp16.99 Dark Love is a collection of 22 original tales of lust and obsession and, when I tell you that one of the writers is Steven King, I'm sure that fans of dark tales will surely be interested. This book reminds me of the horror books one used to buy as a child. This is, of course, the more adult version! I suggest that you don't read it on a dark stormy night in an old creaking house, because you'll never get to sleep afterwards. Sadly, it's only available in hardback at ukp16.99, nevertheless, it's a definitive collection. Sleep well. The Penguin Book of Nonsense Verse Selected and illustrated by Quentin Blake Penguin, ukp9.99 There's a rather odd couple in Herts Who are cousins (or so each asserts), Their sex is in doubt For they're never without Their moustaches and long, trailing skirts. Edward Gorey There's much more nonsense to be read From your birth until you're dead From Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear To many others that appear. Spike is there and Roald Dahl too Buy this book it will delight you. Jibber, Jibber, Jibber, Joo! AL Martin The Intrinsic Quality of Skin By Peter A Jackson Floating Lotus Books, ukp9.99 When I first came to this country, I was always ever so pleased when people did not realise straight away that I had just come over from Germany. Similarly, the young Australian man who is the title character in this novel loves not to be recognised as a Farang by the Thai men he meets. That gave me a genuine understanding of the feelings the author tried to transmit in this, his first novel. The cultural details interwoven into the story are a stunning achievement by this as yet unknown writer. I do hope many, many people will go out and buy this beautiful book, even if only to encourage this promising writer to continue delighting us with his tales. Irish Scene By Mike Parker Gay Men's Press, ukp6.95 New York Scene 1996-1997 By Gerard Raymond Gay Men's Press, ukp7.95 This pair are the latest in GMP's series of pocket gay guides to the world. And very useful they are too! Neither books confine themselves to the gay scene (although scene details are plentiful) but instead attempt to give a rounded view to the visitor who wants to take in just a little bit more than the pubs and clubs. Nicely produced and value for money. video Problem? Dir: Kate Copstick Children with AIDS Charity, ukp5 30 min This isn't the sort of video I normally review in ScotsGay, but nevertheless, it's a little cracker. Aimed at schoolkids, it's a most effective educational film designed to cure HIP - Human Ignorance and Prejudice. It features an irritatingly chirpy little boy who takes all to task for their treatment of his sister Daisy who is HIV+. Sadly, although it should be part of every school's curriculum, it's unlikely that it will get into most schools even though it doesn't actually explain how grown-ups get HIV - that's HIP for you. Video Stars Load Inc, ukp15.99 54 mins Back to normal now. This is a mucky one - six bad lads unwinding after a gay porno shoot. About as steamy and interesting as you'll get with an 18 certificate - the bits that you do get to see are well developed for lads of their age! And the cameraman isn't bad either! Meatwave Alluvial (Prowler Press), ukp15.99 46 mins An all American import brought over by those awfully nice perves at Prowler as part of their US Male series, this video shows rather a lot of tanned American men and their muscles. The tans could have come out of a bottle, but the muscles look all too genuine - some real Muscle Marys here. But the highlight is the blond god who does interesting things with a mango - almost as interesting as Earl Okin. But not quite as interesting as the pumpkin in a film that you can't buy in the UK. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LISTINGS ======== We TRY to provide Scotland's most up-to-date and accurate listings. If your group isn't listed, - or if your entry needs updating - please write to ScotsGay with full details. We're not clairvoyant: If we don't know about it, it just won't go in! We'd also like to know about your forthcoming events and meetings. Although many of the listings are for specific towns, they often cover a much wider area. If in doubt, you can always phone one of the Switchboards for more information. Write to:- ScotsGay Listings, Pageprint Limited, PO Box 666, Edinburgh EH7 5YW, Fax them to: 0131-558 1262 or e-mail them to scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk. NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND is Scotland's oldest lesbian, gay and bisexual rights organisation. It was founded in 1969 as the Scottish Minorities Group, later became the Scottish Homosexual Rights Group and changed its name to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND in December 1992. OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND owns the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre. To contact, write to: The Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA or send e-mail to tmh@dcs.ed.ac.uk DUNDEE: OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND Dundee Focus Group for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals meets 4th Thursday of each month at 7pm in the YMCA Special Projects Office, 76 Bell Street. Write to: PO Box 104, Dundee. DD1 3DU. Why not join OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND? Membership is ukp12 waged, ukp6 low-waged (under ukp10,000 pa) and ukp3 unwaged. Life membership is ukp150. Please make out your cheque/Postal Order to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND and send to The Membership Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, 58a Broughton Street, EDINBURGH. EH1 3SA. LESBIAN ARCHIVE AND INFORMATION CENTRE: The UK's largest and most significant collection of materials relating to lesbian lives. LAIC (at Glasgow Women's Library) 109 Trongate, Glasgow. G1 5HD. Tel: 0141-552 8345. Open Tue-Fri 1-6pm and Sat 2-5pm. PRIDE SCOTLAND: Pride Scotland organises the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Pride event in Scotland, which will next be held (probably in Edinburgh) in 1997. Phone: 0131-556 8822. Or write: c/o GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow, G1 4AL. E-mail: pridescotland@drink.demon.co.uk. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/pride/. All kinds of help are urgently required all year round! LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ABERDEEN: North East of Scotland Gay Group caters for all ages and meets at 7.30pm on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Phone Ron on Aberdeen (01224) 312547 (7-11pm) for information or write to: PO Box 129, Aberdeen. AB10 7QT. Swim or Social most Wednesdays: Phone David on Aberdeen (01224) 317552. Icebreakers is a social group which meets on Friday evenings. Contact Aberdeen Switchboard for details. AYR: Ayrshire Forum is a group for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals providing support and acting as a social focus. Write c/o The Leisure Centre, 24 Wellington Square, Ayr. CAITHNESS GAY AND LESBIAN CONNECTION: A friendly informal group which meets regularly. Write to: Box 689, Journal Office, 42 Union Street, Wick, Caithness. KW1 5ED. CENTRAL REGION: Forth Friend has a disco (1st Saturday of most months) and a social group which meets every second Wednesday. The Forth Friend phoneline operates each Monday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Stirling (01786) 471285. Or write to: PO Box 28, Stirling. FK9 5YW. DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: Regular social meetings - usually every second Thursday. For details of all events: phone Dumfries (01387) 269161 Thursdays 7.30–9.30pm or write to Dumfries and Galloway Lesbian and Gay Group, PO Box 1299, Dumfries. DG1 2PD. DUNDEE: Tay Friend, holds regular social meetings for gay men. Write to: Tayfriend, PO Box 182, Dundee. DD1 9UP. EDINBURGH: Icebreakers is an alternative to the scene and takes place between 7pm and 8pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each calendar month in the Blue Moon, 36 Broughton Street. Phone Lothian Switchboard for details. ELGIN: Elgin Gay Switchboard is trying to get off the ground. For more details, telephone Bobby on Elgin (01343) 542928. Moray Gay Group meets second Wednesday of each month 8.15pm in the lounge (enter from car park) of the Cat's Whiskers pub in New Elgin. Phone Douglas on Elgin (01343) 547107 for details. FIFE FRIEND: Small voluntary phoneline offering support, advice and information to lesbians and gay men within Fife. Friday: 7.30pm–10.30pm. Telephone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 266688. Write to PO Box 19, Kirkcaldy, Fife. KY1 3JF. Runs a monthly disco. GLASGOW: Glasgow Gay & Lesbian Centre Project, fundraising, campaigning and social group. Committee meetings held on 1st Saturday each month at 2pm in the Centre, open to all. Write to Glasgow Gay & Lesbian Centre, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow, G1 4AL or contact 0141-221 7203 (phone/fax). Childcare expenses and BSL interpreter available - please give advance notice. E-mail: gglc@gglc.org.uk. WWW: http://www.gglc.org.uk/gglc/ Glasgow Gay Group is an informal social group for gay men. Has a regular weekly pub night as well as running other social events like theatre, cinema, bowling, etc. Phone: Steve on 0141-339 7395 - preferably on Mon or Tues evenings. Icebreakers Cafe — An alternative to the gay scene — First Sunday in each month. 12.30–3.30pm in Austin's Bar, 183a Hope Street, Glasgow. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard. HAMILTON: Lanarkshire Gay Men's Group is a group which meets every Wednesday. Social and educational events. Details from Phace West: 0141-332 3838. INVERCLYDE: Inverclyde Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Group meets every Tuesday 7-10pm. Details from Joe Hammill on Greenock (01475) 745903. INVERNESS: Gay Group meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 28 Huntly Street. Phone Andrew on Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or write to: PO Box 67, Inverness. IV1 2XX. PAISLEY: Paisley Forum is a social group for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and our allies. Meets Paisley Arts Centre, New Street on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month 8.30-10.30pm. Details: Phone Sandra on 0141-887 2649 or contact Strathclyde Switchboard. WOMEN'S GROUPS ABERDEEN LESBIAN GROUP: Meets every Wednesday 8-10pm in the Women's Centre, Shoe Lane. Phone Aberdeen (01224) 625010 or 627415 for details. EDINBURGH: AD Group: For lesbians 45+ (younger lesbians who support the concerns of lesbians 45+). Meetings for discussion and support. For more details, phone Lesbian Line. Dykes Nytes Out: social events for couples and singles in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Write to: PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. Edinburgh Bisexual Group meets every Thursday at 8pm-9.30pm in the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre, 58a Broughton Street. All welcome. Lesbian Line 0131-557 0751, Mondays and Thursdays 7.30–10pm. For information, advice and counselling in confidence. Write to: PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU. Lesbian Mothers Group: Phone: Sue Robertson - 0131-556 3899/4563. Or write: One Parent Scotland, 13 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh. EH1 3NX. LIAS: Lesbian Information And Support. A new self help group which meets fortnightly at 40 Shandwick Place (EAMH Meeting Room). Hopes to offer help and support and to provide a comfortable environment to meet and discuss problems/issues for the lesbian community in the Lothians. Phone: 0131-225 8508. Women's Network: PO Box 159, Edinburgh. EH7 5EL. GLASGOW: Dykes Nytes Out: social events for couples and singles in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Write to: PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. Glasgow Women's Library, 4th/5th Floors, 109 Trongate, G1 5HD. Tel: 0141-552 8345. Open Tue-Fri 1-6pm. Sat 2-5pm. Closed Mon. Lending and reference library - books, magazines, journals, videos, leaflets and information. UK and overseas feminist and lesbian publications. Contains the Lesbian Archive and Information Centre - a unique national collection of publications, journals and ephemera by and for lesbians. Lesbian Avengers: Meets regularly. Phone 0141-552 8345 for details. Lesbian Line: 0141-552 3355 Wednesdays 7-10pm. Write to: PO Box 686, Glasgow. G3 7TL enclosing an sae for monthly 'Lavender Listing'. Lesbian Mothers Group: Meets every second Monday at 7pm. Support group, pub nights, informal chat. Crêche and fares help available. Phone Lynne on 0141-221 7150. Lesbian Networking Meeting: Contact Glasgow Lesbian Line for meeting details and Lynne on 0141-221 7150 for childcare information. Lesbian Sports Group: Squash, badminton, tennis. Meets weekly. Phone Glasgow Lesbian Line for details. Lesbian Youth Action: Contact Lindsay Jane Morgan c/o Glasgow Lesbian Line. Olderwomen's Group: Contact Glasgow Lesbian Line for details. Team Caledonia West Women's Cycling Group: Phone Women in Sport on 0141-227 5933 for details. Women's Softball Group: Meets weekly. Contact Glasgow Lesbian Line for details. INVERNESS: Out and About is a friendly lesbian social group that gets together once a month. Write to: PO Box 91, Inverness. IV1 2GJ. LESBIAN INFORMATION SERVICE: PO Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire. OL14 5TZ. Please enclose an sae. Phone/Fax: Todmorden (01706) 817235. BISEXUALS DUNDEE: New group forming. Phone: Cathy, c/o Dundee Switchboard or write: PO Box 53, Dundee. DD1 3YG. EDINBURGH BISEXUAL GROUP: Meets every Thursday at 8pm-9.30pm in the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre, 58a Broughton Street. There's an excellent programme of talks and speakers usually followed by a visit to a local pub for socialising. Phone Bisexual Line on 0131-557 3620. EDINBURGH SM BI GROUP: Meets regularly. Write: Edinburgh SM Bis, 58a Broughton Stret, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. GLASGOW BI WOMEN'S GROUP: Meet 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at the Centre for Women's Health. For details, write: FAO Carole, c/o Centre for Women's Health, 6 Sandyford Place, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. G3 7NB. E-mail: (mark mail FAO Carole) c.lamphard@strath.ac.uk. ATHEISTS/HUMANISTS EDINBURGH FREETHINKERS: An informal network of militant atheists (with one militant humanist agnostic atheist). Write to: PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW or e-mail god@drink.demon.co.uk GAY AND LESBIAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION (GALHA): A group for non religious lesbians gays and bisexuals which promotes an enlightened, rational Humanist approach to homosexuality. Details from GALHA National Office, 34 Spring Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2HB. Phone/Fax: Kenilworth (01926) 58450. BEARS BEARS' CLUB UK: For hairy men and admirers. Meets in the New Town Bar, Edinburgh on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8.30pm. Write to: BCUK, 56 Albert Street, Beswick, Manchester. M11 3SU. BEREAVEMENT LESBIAN & GAY BEREAVEMENT PROJECT: Lesbians and gay men needing advice and support can ring 0181-455 8894 at any time. Or write to: Lesbian & Gay Bereavement Project, Vaughan M Williams Centre, Colindale Hospital, London. NW9 5HG. BIKERS GAY BIKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB: A UK-wide club for women and men. Active Scottish section. Write for details to GBMCC, PO Box 33, Nottingham. NG10 2BF. CHRISTIANS EVANGELICAL: Lesbian or gay? From an Evangelical tradition? So are we. Phone: Ewan on Polmont (01324) 715542 or write: EF(LGCM), 13 Westbrook Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire. SK10 3AQ. HOLY TRINITY METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH: An inclusive church for the lesbigay and trangendered community in Edinburgh. Meets every first and third Sunday in the Chaplaincy Centre, 1 Bristo Square, at 6pm. Write: MCC Edinburgh, PO Box 12433, Edinburgh. EH1 3FU or e-mail: mcc@festival.ed.ac.uk. L&GCM: Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. Scottish Helpline 0141-334 2286 or write to PO Box 1436, Glasgow. G31 2NY. QUAKERS: Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship (formerly Friends' Homosexual Fellowship) is a welcoming and supportive national group for people of all sexual orientations and their friends. Write to: Ruth, 3 Hallsfield, Cricklade, Swindon, Wilts. SN6 6LR. QUEST: Organisation for Roman Catholic men and women who are gay. Monthly meetings are held in Glasgow and Edinburgh. For information, call Linkline Glasgow on 0141-552 8328. Sunday 7-10pm. Or you can write to: Quest, PO Box 280, Glasgow. G12 0AW. COMMUNICATIONS BORDERS BULLETIN BOARD: Computer based info every evening 6pm-8am. Hawick (01450) 377877. To get at the Gay areas, leave a message for the SYSOP asking for access. CHAPPS BBS: 24 hour board operating at speeds up to 28,800. 0131-539 1132 or 0131-538 3345 (speeds up to 14,400) Fido echoes. LAMBDA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (EUROPE): Europe's only club for gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered amateur radio enthusiasts and their friends. Sae to: LARC, PO Box 2782, Brighton. BN1 7LJ. LAMBDA BOARD — EDINBURGH: A free 24 hour computer based bulletin board system. Private mailboxing, areas for Women, Gay Men, Bisexuals, Leather Enthusiasts, TV/TSs, etc. 0131-556 6316. Scrolling (8N1) and Viewdata (Prestel) formats at speeds up to V22bis (2400/2400). CULTURAL GAY CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION: Social group for kilt wearers and friends. Meets in Glasgow on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Phone Bill on 0141-646 1513. INTERNATIONAL KILT APPRECIATION SOCIETY (IKAS): Contact and social group for guys interested in viewing/wearing kilts. Regular newsletter: SAE Mervyn Tacy, 'Ziveli', 20 Ordsall Park Road, RETFORD, Notts, DN22 7PA. LONG YANG CLUB: An international organisation for gay orientals and interested people of other nationalities. Promotes social events, education and mutual help services and publishes a magazine. Phone Ray: 0131-336 1287. WESTERN STARS: Western style line and partner dancing for gays, lesbians and friends of goodwill. Thursdays at the Glasite Meeting House, Barony Street, Edinburgh. Beginners: 6.45pm. Others: 7.45pm. Phone: 0131-453 3284. WILD WILD WEST: C&W line dancing group. Every Wednesday. Partick Burgh Halls (Lesser Hall), Glasgow. 7-8.30pm. Phone: Brian Ross on 0141-333 0827. DRINK PROBLEMS If you are a lesbian or gay man with a drink problem and want help and advice, ring Tom on 0141-770 6599, 7 days a week anytime. Tom refers to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but does preparatory work. FORCES AT EASE: An advice service to armed forces personnel and their families on any subject. Free, independent, confidential, impartial. Write: 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS or phone (Sundays 5-7pm only) 0171-247 5164. RANK OUTSIDERS: Support group of Lesbian and Gay Ex Armed Forces Personnel. No rank distinctions. Write to Rank Outsiders, BCM Box 8431, London. WC1N 3XX or telephone the Regional Director Robb Nunn on 0131-332 9662. National Helpline: 0171-566 0044 Wed 7-9pm. HEALTH MATTERS BODY POSITIVE (GLASGOW): Providing support for those HIV+ and with AIDS in the West of Scotland. Phone: 0141-332 5010. Or write: 3 Park Quadrant, Glasgow. G3 6BS. BODY POSITIVE (GRAMPIAN): Support and assistance for gay men with HIV/AIDS. Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 404408. Or write to: PO Box 83, Aberdeen. BODY POSITIVE (LOTHIAN): Phone to speak to a gay positive person 1:1 on 0131-652 0754 Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 10am-4pm, Thur 10am-7pm. Or write to: 37-39 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh. EH7 5DJ. BODY POSITIVE (TAYSIDE): Self help for HIV+ people on Dundee (01382) 461555 Tue, Wed Thu 10am-4pm. CENTRE FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH: 6 Sandyford Place, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. G3 7NB. Open Tue-Thur 10am-4.30pm (other times by arrangement). Fully accessible. Telephone: 0141-211 6700 (Minicom: 0141-211 6701). DOT (DUNDEE OUTREACH TEAM): Harm Reduction Centre, 55 Constitution Road, Dundee. DD1 1LB. Telephone: 01382 201919. Sexual health and relevant issues for gay and bisexual men. Free and confidential service. Drop in coffee shop: Sat 2-5pm. Friendly and informal. FRIENDS FOR LIFE: Provides support and information in Glasgow and surrounding areas to people affected by terminal or long term chronic illness. ie Cancer, AIDS, MS, etc. Please call 0141-204 2202 or write to Friends for Life, 5th Floor, 52 St Enoch Square, Glasgow. G1 4DH. GALUP: Gay and Lesbian United Programme. Promotes health issues among lesbians gays and bisexuals in the Dundee area. Write: c/o YMCA Special Projects Office, 76 Bell Street, Dundee. GAY MEN'S HEALTH: A voluntary sector project for gay men, bisexual men and men who have sex with men. Services include counselling, group work, drop-in services, education/training services and resource development. Spittal Street Centre, 22-24 Spittal Street, Edinburgh. EH3 9DU. Telephone: 0131-229 5995. GLASGOW BARS AIDS WELFARE FUND: Raises funds for various HIV/AIDS projects in the Glasgow area. PO Box 3954, Glasgow. G51 4RA. GLASGOW HIV CARERS SUPPORT GROUP: Phone: 0141-353 2979. Or write to: Church House, 340 Cathedral Street, Glasgow. G1 2BQ. GRAMPIAN AIDS LINE: Aberdeen (01224) 574000 Tuesdays and Fridays 7–9pm or write to GAL, PO Box 250, Aberdeen. PAISLEY SUPPORT GROUP: For people with HIV, partners, friends and family. Meets Tues 1.30-3.30 at The Wynd, School Wynd (off Moss Street). Phone: 0141-842 7203. PHACE WEST: A locally based and managed agency for people affected by HIV/AIDS serving Glasgow and the West of Scotland. 49 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 2DL. Phone: 0141-332 3838 (Fax: 0141-332 3755). E-mail: 101606.3052@compuserve.co.uk. POSITIVE HELP: Practical help for people who are HIV+ or who have AIDS and their families, children, friends and carers. 64a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. Phone: 0131-558 1122. REACH OUT HIGHLAND: encourages and supports people throughout the Highlands — whether living there or visiting — to take responsibility for, manage, and make informed choices about their sexual health and well-being. 28 Huntly Street, Inverness. Phone: Inverness (01463) 711585. SOLAS NATIONAL HIV INFORMATION CENTRE: 2/4 Abbeymount, Edinburgh. EH8 8EJ. Information, advice and cafe. Information centre: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri - 11-4pm. Wed, 5-9pm. Phone: 0131-659 5116. STEVE RETSON PROJECT: Weekly sexual health service for gay men. Tuesday 5.30-9pm. Department of GU Medicine, Main Outpatient Department, Royal Infirmary, 16 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow. NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE: 0800 567123. A Freephone, 24 hour service for confidential advice and information. LEATHER MSC SCOTLAND: MSC Scotland, PO Box 28, Head Post Office, Edinburgh. EH3 5JL. MSC Scotland is a member of the European Federation of Motorcycle Clubs. LEGAL GAY AND LESBIAN LEGAL ADVICE: GLAD is a London based advice line run by lesbian and gay lawyers. Phone: 0171-831 3535 (Mon-Fri 7-9.30pm). State clearly that you seek Scottish legal advice as our law is very different from that of England and Wales. ORDERS ORDER OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE: The Sisters and Brothers of the OPI are part of a world wide order of queer men and women of all sexualities which is open to all who feel the habit. Its tenets are: The expurgation of stigmatic guilt and the promulgation of universal joy. Contact Sister Solicitation OPI, c/o 60 Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. OUTDOOR CLUBS GAY OUTDOOR CLUB: Holds regular events including walking, cycling, swimming, hillwalking, windsurfing, cross-country skiing, camping and youth hostelling etc. Also holds regular swimming/social meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow. For more details about GOC, write (enclosing an A5 sae) to: GOC, PO Box 24, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 8YZ or ring one of the Scottish Contacts:- East: Grant on 0131-556 8705 (Hill-walking), John on 0131-226 2341 (Swimming), Iain on 0131-539 0715 (Cycling). West: Douglas on 0141-848 6643. North: Michael on Inverness (01463) 230651. GAY RAMBLING GROUP: Walks on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Phone Robert on 0141-427 1511. OVER FORTIES PHŒNIX: The only national group for the over forties and friends of any age. Write (enclosing an sae) to: Phœnix, PO Box 103, Wallington, Surrey. SM6 9SJ. THEATRE PROJECT: A collaboration of lesbians and gay men working on a project leading up to a theatre production in Glasgow in Autumn 1996. They are interested in meeting women and men who had homosexual experiences and/or relationships in Scotland pre-1970 and are willing to share their stories for research purposes. Write: MCT, c/o GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. PARENTS PARENTS' FRIEND: Phone: 0113-267 4627 from 7.30-10pm. Or write to: Voluntary Action Leeds, Stringer House, 34 Lupton Street, Hunslett, Leeds. LS10 2QW. SCOTTISH PARENTS ENQUIRY SERVICE: Support for parents of lesbians and gay men. Contact via Lothian Switchboard or write to SPE, PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU POLITICAL DELGA: Democrats for Lesbian and Gay Action - write to 4 Cowley Street, London. SW1P 3NB or e-mail archdruid@cix.compulink.co.uk LABOUR CAMPAIGN FOR LESBIAN AND GAY RIGHTS: Works within the Labour and Trades Union movement to secure equality for lesbians and gay men. Contact PO Box 306, LONDON N5 2SY. Local Groups throughout the UK. LESBIAN AND GAY FREEDOM MOVEMENT: LGFM is a movement to bring Anarchist ideas and ideals to lesbians, gays and bisexuals, and to make sexuality a major campaigning issue for all anarchists. Details (3 postage stamps please) from LGFM, BM Box 207, LONDON. WC1N 3XX LIBERAL PARTY LESBIAN AND GAY CAMPAIGN: Phone: Southport (01704) 500115 (day), 0151-259 5935 (ansaphone), write to: Liberal Party Lesbian & Gay Campaign, 41 Sutton Street, Liverpool. L13 7EG or e-mail: libgay@libparty.demon.co.uk TORCHE: Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality — write: BM TORCHE, London WC1N 3XX. RAPE/SEXUAL ABUSE RAPE AND ABUSE LINE: For male and female survivors. Women: Dingwall (01349) 865316 7-10pm nightly. Men: Dingwall (01349) 862686 Mon and Wed 7-10pm. Or write: PO Box 10, Dingwall. IV15 9LH. SCIENCE FICTION DELANEY'S CHILDREN: Meets every 1st Sunday of the month in Edinburgh from 3-4.30pm. Contact Jane on 0131-556 6109. GLASGOW GAY SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY: Meets every 3rd Sunday of the month. Contact Paul on 0141-339 9176. S/M EDINBURGH SM BI GROUP: Meets regularly. Write: Edinburgh SM Bis, 58a Broughton Stret, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. SM GAYS: Write to SM Gays, BM SM Gays, London. WC1N 3XX. E-mail: bandanas@dircon.co.uk SPORTS ALTERNATIVE WRESTLERS EUROPE: A European-wide gay/bisexual wrestling organisation organised from Glasgow. Contact c/o Alternative Sports, PO Box 437, Glasgow. G42 8HU, phone 0973 310416 or e-mail 100022.2554@compuserve.com BRITISH GAY AND LESBIAN SPORTS FEDERATION: Encourages participation in sport. Write (with sae) to BGLSF, Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, London. N1 9SE. EDINBURGH ALTERNATIVE WRESTLING CLUB: Phone Derek on 0131-467 1465. EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S RUNNING CLUB: Meets for 3-4 mile casual local run. Call Alistair: 0131-661 0008. GAY BODYBUILDERS/WEIGHTRAINERS CLUB: contact Winston Duncan on 0171-379 3480 for contact with Scottish members and nationally. Club produces "Iron-Up" magazine as part of ukp25 membership. GAY FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS NETWORK: Glasgow group holds monthly meetings in Squires Bar. For further details, please contact Ewan on 0141-779 2321 or write enclosing sae c/o Phace West, 49 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 2DL. STUDENTS Many Universities and Colleges have Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Societies. Contact these via your Student Union or Student Association. Many are open to non-students living in the area. There are also groups covering wider areas run in conjunction with the National Union of Students — East of Scotland: Write to Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Officer, East of Scotland Area NUS, 11 Broughton Market, Edinburgh. EH3 6NU or phone on 0131-556 6598. North of Scotland: Write to Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Officer, North of Scotland Area NUS, University of Aberdeen, 50/52 College Bounds, Aberdeen, AB2 3DS. West of Scotland: Write to Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Officer, West of Scotland Area NUS, Cathcart House, Langside College, 50 Prospecthill Road, Glasgow. G42 9LB. You can contact the NUS Scottish Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Officer on 0131-556 6598 or write to NUS Scotland, 11 Broughton Market, Edinburgh. EH3 6NU. E-mail: nus-scot@dircon.co.uk. TEACHERS EIS GAY AND LESBIAN NETWORK: Write c/o 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh. EH3 6EH. Or contact Simon Macaulay, Assistant Secretary, on 0131-225 6244. TV/TS ABERDEEN: Crossdressing Group. Contact Aberdeen Switchboard for details. EDINBURGH: Scottish TV/TS Group meets in private rooms every last Saturday each month except December. Ring Lothian Switchboard for further information. GLASGOW: Crosslynx meets second Wednesday of each month from 7pm-10pm. Phone Strathclyde Switchboard for more details. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT VISUAL IMPAIRED GAY GROUP SCOTLAND (VIGG): Offers a listening ear and support to women and men in close co-operation with the Lesbigay Disability Forum. Phone Colin and Jim: Dumfries (01387) 261679. WORKPLACE GMB: Contact Mary Harrison, Regional Equal Rights Officer, Fountain House, 1/3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow. G3 7UJ. Phoen: 0141-332 8641. MSF: Lesbians and Gays in MSF. Phone: 0171-738 5469 or write c/o 39b Pentonville Road, London. N1 9LP. UNISON NATIONAL L&G CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE: Phone: 0131-469 3880. Or write: c/o 18 St Giles Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1PT. WRITERS INDELIBLE INC: LGB Writers' Group based in Glasgow. Poetry, plays, exchange ideas, collaborations, informal meetings. Phone: Brian 0141-946 2078. YOUTH GROUPS LESBIAN YOUTH SUPPORT INFORMATION SERVICE: PO Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire. OL14 5TZ. Please enclose an sae. Phone/Fax: Todmorden (01706) 817235. STIRLING YOUTH GROUP: Meets Mondays fortnightly. Details from Forth Friend on Stirling (01786) 471285 Mon 7.30-10pm. STONEWALL YOUTH GROUP: For lesbians, gays and bisexuals under 26. New members group meets Wed night and Core Group and 20+ Groups meet Fri night. Phone: 0131-556 4040 Tues 7.30-9pm (answering machine outwith these times). Or write: Stonewall Youth Project, Dunford House, 7 Boroughloch, Edinburgh. EH8 9NL.. STRATHCLYDE LESBIAN AND GAY YOUTH MOVEMENT: Friendship and support for under 28s. Meets Tuesday 7.30pm and Sat afternoons. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard or Glasgow Lesbian Line. SWITCHBOARDS AND HELPLINES BISEXUAL PHONELINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Phone: 0131-557 3620 DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY L&G PHONELINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Phone: Dumfries (01387) 269161 DUNDEE LGB SWITCHBOARD: Mon 7-10pm Phone: Dundee (01382) 202620 EDINBURGH LESBIAN LINE: Mon, Thurs 7.30-10pm Phone: 0131-557 0751 FIFE FRIEND: Fri 7.30-10.30pm Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 266688 FORTH FRIEND: Mon 7.30-9.30pm Phone: Stirling (01786) 471285 GLASGOW LESBIAN LINE: Wed 7-10pm Phone: 0141-552 3355 GRAMPIAN LESBIAN, GAY & BISEXUAL SWITCHBOARD: Wed & Fri 7-10pm, some Tues 2-5 Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 633500 Minicom: Aberdeen (01224) 634055 Fax: Aberdeen (01224) 634066 LOTHIAN GAY & LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD: Nightly 7.30-10pm Phone: 0131-556 4049 STRATHCLYDE GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD: Nightly 7-10pm Phone: 0141-332 8372 LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD: 24 hours Phone/Minicom: 0171-837 7324 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSDYKE ========= Katherine Dawn was in fine voice for this much awaited sell out gig. A mixed audience of young and old, straight and gay (although predominantly lesbian) greeted her with enthusiastic warmth as she opened with the sensuous and suggestive 'Sexuality'. Elegant in black, kd lived up to her suave image and oozed with sex appeal throughout. She performed a great programme, threading old favourites between all the songs from the latest 'All You Can Eat' release. The audience responded well to the new songs but classics such as 'Constant Craving', 'Miss Chatelaine', 'Crying', 'Rose Garden' and the unique 'Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray' received tremendous applause and several standing ovations. 'Barefoot' from kd's acting debut 'Salmonberries' was also well received. Backed by a wealth of musical talent, kd was funny serious, beautiful, tantalising, teasing and always vocally perfect. When she commented that 'a week ago some of you were probably in the closet' the lesbians shrieked with delight and then came the punchline - 'and I bet you just couldn't decide what to wear tonight!'. She explained her reasons for doing a nude scene (all of two seconds) in 'Salmonberries' and wryly commented on the fact that she had not considered the concept of the pause button on VCRs. There was no sign of Ben Mink, but the musicians she had brought together were superb and she worked in harmony with them, even allowing herself a little 'dance' with her two backing singers. The highlight of the evening I expect for the majority of the audience, was the performance of 'What's New Pussycat' as kd suggestively gyrated her hips Elvis style and exploited every ounce of her sexuality to the lyrics giving them a completely new meaning. kd obviously believes in giving value for money as she performed for two hours without a break and there was no supporting artiste. At the conclusion of the evening, kd was up to her old tricks as she left the audience begging for more for what seemed like ten minutes but in reality was probably about three or four minutes. There may be some who would wish for the old or rather young kd who was way out and weird and cavorted about the stage with seemingly endless energy. However, this mature performer gave a very polished performance occasionally giving us a glimpse of the old antics and leaving no doubt that the vitality is still much in evidence. Come back soon kd, we love you. Jol ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS ======= ScotsGay: a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals edited, printed and published in Scotland. ISSN: 1357-0595.(c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, June 1996. Non profit use by the lesbigay community of material in the magazine will normally be permitted free of charge — but contact us first for permission. We haven't had sex with most of the people who appear in the magazine so we don't actually know what their sexuality is. Editor: John Hein. Contributors in this issue: Dick Wilson (News), KMcK, Garry Otton (Features), Doug, Jol, PJ & Minerva (Scene), Rex Wockner (International), Alan Nicholls (Music), Justin Milne (Videos), John, Dirk and Andy (Books), Jol (ScotsDyke) Editorial Enquiries: Write to: ScotsGay, Pageprint Limited, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. Telephone: 0131-539 0666. Fax: 0131-539 2999. E-mail: scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk We welcome news, articles, photos, cartoons, etc. — especially lesbian and bisexual material. Advertising Enquiries: Telephone: 0131-558 1279. Fax: 0131-539 2999. World-Wide-Web: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/ To subscribe by e-mail: Send an e-mail message to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk The first (not subject) line of the message should be subscribe scotsgay-list (If you are subscribing for a different address from the one you are using to send the request, you should preface your request with a line of the form set address myotheraddress@my.other.system instead) To unsubscribe: Send a mail message to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk The first (not subject) line of the message should be unsubscribe scotsgay-list (If you are unsubscribing for a different address from the one you are using to send the request, you should preface your request with a line of the form set address myotheraddress@my.other.system instead)