END SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland Issue 12 - October 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 - what planet are they on? News - reports & investigations Otton On... - how they killed free radio Soapbox - survival plan Inside Out - the total scene guide Venues - what and where Scene - who and how Boxes - the ScotsGay Meet Market Music - Joy DJ Alan's latest chart International - news from around the world Reviews - books, vids, films, etc. Listings - checked and updated every issue Helplines - if you need a friendly ear ScotsDyke - dining out EDITORIAL ========= Selling newspapers, or magazines for that matter, is not a noble business. Life is basically a fairly hum-drum thing. The job of journalism is to make it interesting. But, at what cost? Two cases which have filled the papers recently have shown just how desperate some people can get. The first was an expose of what goes on in the bushes off Edinburgh's London Road. Something which has been going on there for as long as there have been bushes, it would appear from my conversations with some of Edinburgh's gay senior citizens. But, to spice things up, a thirteen year old rent boy was included. Shock horror! Something must be done! But no analysis of the social and political conditions that force young people into this kind of work. Mind you, ask any prostitute in Edinburgh where they get most of their work from these days and they'll tell you it's journalists! And if it's not that, then it's the booze! Hic! In Glasgow, drama teacher John Murphy, had been convicted of a threesome in some other bushes (Or was it the back of a car? - Who cares? - One can only hope it was a good shag as it cost him ukp250 and a criminal conviction!). He'd subsequently been struck off by the General Teaching Council but had stuck one up their disciplinary committee by taking them to the Court of Session. It there transpired that the GTC had failed to follow their own procedure and, as a result, John got his GTC registration back! Not that that means he'll be allowed to go back to work at Claremont High School - oh no! He is suspended until South Lanarkshire Council have completed an 'internal review'. And how that will go is anybody's guess. Just how Blair-ite and Sensible are the Labour Party in East Kilbride? Contrast that with what would have happened if he had been involved in a similar heterosexual incident. And contrast it to the treatment he got in some of the newspapers which practically suggested he was another Thomas Hamilton! Sometimes I wonder if I'm in the same business, let alone the same planet as some of these people. John Hein --------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS ==== CENTRE IN AWARD BID The Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre Project has been nominated for a 1996 European Commission Scottish Equality Award. Letters of support have been provided for this award by the Chair of Glasgow City Council Equalities Committee, Councillor Louise Fyfe and Glasgow MEP Bill Millar. In her letter, Councillor Fyfe said, "The Centre has come to play a central role in my Council's initiatives to support its minority communities. The Centre is providing a tangible and effective means of support towards one of Glasgow's historically disadvantaged minority groups." Bill Millar MEP added, "I can attest to the significant impact the Centre has made on the lives of a highly marginalised group of citizens and to the prominent part it is playing in promoting equal opportunities within the City of Glasgow and the wider West of Scotland area." Said Centre Chair John Wilkes, "This nomination is a testimony to the advances that Glasgow's gay and lesbian community have made in the last few years. We are proud that not only is our centre to be considered for this prestigious award but that it receives the support of our Member for the European Parliament and the Glasgow City Council." The Centre was completed in November 1995 and was formally opened in March 1996 at a ceremony marked by a Civic Reception at the Glasgow City Chambers with the Lord Mayor of Manchester as a special guest of honour. The Centre offers meeting rooms, a cafe and many other reseources tailored to meet the needs of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. A priority in the Centres refurbishment was to create full disabled access from the beginning which has been successfully achieved. The Centre was made possible by fund-raising over many years in the lesbian, gay and bisexual community and by financial assistance from the Glasgow City Council, Glasgow development Agency and the former Strathclyde Regional Council. GAY CHURCH LEADER TO VISIT EDINBURGH Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry, founder and Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), has scheduled a visit to Edinburgh as the guest of Holy Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, a local UFMCC congregation. The worship service will be held on Thursday 31st October at 7.30pm at Nicholson Square Methodist Church, Nicholson Square, Edinburgh . Rev. Elder Perry is in the midst of a tour of UFMCC congregations around the world to announce the Fellowship's acquisition of a $3.8 million building complex in West Hollywood, California, as part of a strategy for continued rapid expansion of the denomination. The new facilities will be the UFMCC Global Headquarters and Spiritual Center, and home of the historic "mother" Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, is an international Christian denomination which, while open to all, primarily serves people in the gay and lesbian community. The denomination, founded by Rev. Perry in 1968, now numbers 300 churches in 19 countries worldwide, with 14 congregations in the United Kingdom, including congregations in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The UFMCC is the largest organization in the world, of any kind, serving lesbians and gays. The denomination made a $1 million down-payment, and closed escrow on the new property on June 18, 1996. The attractive, modern complex is nearly new, and consists of a five-story office building for UFMCC Global Headquarters offices, and an adjacent three-story structure which will be the new home for MCC Los Angeles. The Los Angeles congregation's previous building was destroyed in the 1994 earthquake in Southern California. The denomination's rented office space has been outgrown due to rapid expansion of the Fellowship in recent years. The theme of Rev. Perry's message will be "Vision...For The Next Generation". He will be speaking about the new Spiritual Resource Center, its impact on local MCC churches, and the future of the Christian ministry to gay and lesbian people around the world. The Capital Campaign is soliciting gifts and pledges to fulfill an ambitious redesign plan, and to pay off the property completely in the next three years. According to Rev. David Farrell, Campaign Co-Chair and former Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in San Diego, California (USA)... "the theme of the fundraising drive, "For The Next Generation," was chosen both to emphasize the church's mission of reaching out to people throughout the world offering the Christian gospel and the strength and joy of Christian fellowship, and also, to reflect the continued growth and development of our 28 year old denomination as it moves into new phases of its mission and history". All are cordially invited to attend and meet the Founder of UFMCC. There is no admission charge for the event. A "free will" offering will be received for the UFMCC/MCCLA Capital Campaign. CENTRE FORWARD Tim Hopkins, Director of the Edinburgh Lesbian Gay & Bisexual Community Project has written to ScotsGay angrily refuting the suggestion that there was anything improper in the granting of a lease for the shop in the Edinburgh Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Centre to Paul Ivison. Whilst we stand by our story and point out that, if the lease had been advertised instead of being handed out in the circumstances we described, there would have been nothing to complain about, we do recognise that the matter is now closed as further publicity could jeopardise the Centre's funding. We also apologise unreservedly to Mr Ivison for any hurt which may have been caused to him by describing him as a former used car salesman when, in fact, he is a former fleet car sales manager. The Project is making use of the free quarter page advertisement we give in every issue to OUTRIGHT Scotland. SLUTS 'R'US! In a move which will wind up all the moral minority and serial monogamists: non-monogamous people, from all over Britain and beyond, will converge on Edinburgh next spring for a UK first - a two day non-monogamy convention for people of all sexes and sexualities. To be called Polycon, the conference, which is to take place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of April 1997, will be held in the Pleasance Societies Centre in central Edinburgh. Events will include: Discussion groups, covering a wide variety of related subjects; speakers and panel discussions; stalls and a Saturday night party. Organisers say it will be a chance to meet other non-monogamous people, to share experiences and ideas, and to build a community for alternatives to monogamy. Polycon will not, however, be providing accommodation for attendees! Nevertheless, Polycon organisers are appealing for volunteers to staff the conference desk, to act as gophers, and as workshop facilitators. They'd also like to hear from anyone in Edinburgh who can offer crash space to attendees. They also wnat you to get in contact if you want stall space. Registration fees are charged on a sliding scale according to income. Early registrations range from ukp6 to ukp18 and this fee covers two days of events and a party. To register, send a request for more information and a registration form (with a stamped self addressed envelope) to: Polycon, PO Box 1057, Edinburgh. EH3 9DH or e-mail: polycon@ hedonism.demon.co.uk. Their web pages will soon be available on http://www.hedonism.co.uk/polycon/ GOC BRANCH OUT The Glasgow Gay Outdoor Group now have exclusive use of facilities for badminton and swimming on Monday and Thursday evenings at Woodside Secondary School in Berkeley Street. During school term time, the assembly hall is hired on Mondays from 8.30-9.30pm and the gym hall on Thursdays from 6.30-8.15pm for Badminton. The Thursday Badminton session is followed by exclusive use of the pool from 8.30-9.30pm - note later time from last term - allowing participants to combine both activities if wished. Newcomers, of all levels, are welcome to either activity - informal badminton coaching is available, while two fully qualified gay instructors are on hand to offer tuition for non-swimmers of those wishing to improve their technique. Costs are ukp1 for badminton and ukp1.80 for swimming (reductions for students and unwaged). Since starting in 1995, both the groups have proved highly successful in complementing GOC's range of other activities. By providing a friendly, sociable atmosphere for gays to meet and make new friends, they have provided a much needed additional option to the pub/club scene. For more information, please contact either Ian on 0141-959 0543 (Badminton) or Douglas on 0141-636 5894 (Swimming). WORLD AIDS DAY Waverley Care has announced an imaginative programme of events in Edinburgh around World AIDS Day (1st December). Dates for your diary include: Sat 2nd Nov, Rocky Horror Cabaret Night in the Claremont Bar, 135 East Claremont St, 8pm (Free Entry); Mon 18th Nov, Gay & Lesbian Shopping Evening, Virgin Megastore, 9pm (Free Entry); Thu 28th Nov, Scene Queen Fashion Show & JOY Club Night, Honeycomb, Blair St, 9pm, ukp4; Sat 30th Nov, Glasgow Gay Men's Chorus Concert, Traverse Theatre, Times and Prices To Be Announced; Sun 1st December, All Nighter with JOY, Walker's, 12 Shandwick Place, 10pm, ukp6; Mon 2nd Dec, An AIDS Requiem, St John's Church, Lothian Road, 8pm, ukp5; Sun 8th Dec, Philomusica Concert, Bruch and Beethoven, St Mary's Cathedral, Palmerston Place, 7.30pm, ukp5. Funds raised will go to support Milestone House (Scotland's only HIV/AIDS hospice) and Solas Support and Information Centre for People with HIVE/AIDS, their carers and dependants. SPAT Gordon McInnes, a Director of Centurion Health Club and Sauna has reacted angrily to a piece in another Scottish gay magazine which criticises him for not paying bills and implies that he's a crook. Instead, he castigates the magazine's advertisng manager for printing adverts which he says were never booked and accuses their editor of removing Centurion's job adverts from the GGLC. According to McInnes, the delay in opening the Club has been due to homophobia in the property world. His premises, which have been inspected by ScotsGay, most definitely exist and, subject to planning permission being granted, he hopes to be open for business by the end of the year. APOLOGY We would like to apologise to the Scottish Tourist Board for describing J Nicol Manson as their Chair in our last issue. SCENE PROJECT Gay Men's Health have started an HIV prevention project based on the Edinburgh scene. It will involve outreach work by volunteers and project staff and provide a service for gay men, bisexual men and men who have sex with men. For further details or to volunteer: Fergus Clerkin on 0131-537 8315. GRAMPIAN Grampian LGB Switchboard is seeking applicants to join its 14-strong team of volunteers who are involved in a wide range of activities which provide help and support for lesbians gays and bisexuals in Grampian. Successful applicants will be able to start the helpline's training programme in early January. Contact the Switchboard on Aberdeen (01224) 633500 for an application form or write to PO Box 174, Aberdeen. AB9 8UZ. LIMITED Edinburgh Gay Switchboard and Lesbian Line have changed their name to Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard and have formed themselves into a Company Limited By Guarantee. They retain their status as a Scottish Charity. FUNERALS A national chain of Funeral Direcors has launched a new helpline to deal with funerals for gay men and lesbians in the UK. The aim of the Freephone number is to pass you details of queer-friendly Funeral Directors in your area. The Helpline, on 0800 281345, is staffed 9am-5pm weekdays with a telephone answering machine available outwith these times. HOPE Lord Hope of Craighead is one of the nominees for the annual Mike Rhodes Award, given to individuals who have significantly promoted an understanding of lesbian and gay life. Lord Hope's contribution is his allowing of a court appeal to allow the adoption of a boy by a gay man. POSTERS Posters in Edinburgh have featured a photo of millionaire insurance salesman Ivan Massow and his lover of six months, Jamie Knight, in a campaign against Virgin who have admitted loading their premiums for gay men. Unfortunately, Knight, who had a long history of depression, committed suicide just as the campaign was being launched. ------------------------------------------------------------------ SILENCING FREE RADIO: THE FINAL CHAPTERS ======================================== In this, the concluding part of his history of Pirate Radio and its gay influences, Gary Otton looks at the final days of the pirates and exposes the underhand and expensive methods that the UK government used to silence a few pooves playing loud popular noise from small boats. THE DUTCH 'PIRATES' After the Marine Offences Act, young listeners were left at the mercy of BBC 'Wonderful'Radio One. Records were selected by a panel of five producers headed by a woman in her fifties and by the end of 1973, Edward Heath's Government was establishing local commercial radio stations licensed by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, (IBA). The Director General was appointed by the Prime Minister, and the 11 Government Appointees selected from a Civil Service list. The IBA stations pressed ahead with their expansion across the country, imposing themselves upon the listening public in varying degrees of awfulness. By 1970. the Dutch free radio station, Radio Veronica was Joined by a new Dutch neighbour: Radio North Sea International. On FM, Medium Wave and Short Wave, RNI - like the BBC World Service - could be heard world-wide from its transmitters on the MV Nebo II, anchored in international waters. The British Government ordered jamming of the transmissions; something no western nation had ever done since the war. In 1973, Billboard's top selling pop newspaper, Record Mirror, were stunned by the results of their survey which saw BBC Radio One collect less than 5% of votes for best radio station! Radio North Sea International, Radio Caroline and even the Dutch service of Radio Veronica were voted better in the poll. European Governments abiding by the terms of the Strasbourg Treaty put heavy pressure on Holland to close the stations. At midnight on August 31st, 1974, minister Harry van Doorn successfully introduced legislation to close the stations. All but one ship stayed at sea to broadcast. Whilst Radio Caroline broadcast album music in the evening, another entrepreneur, Sylvan Tack, the manufacturer of 'Suzy'waffles In Belgium, broadcast the Dutch language programmes of Radio Mi Amigo from the MV Mi Amigo 18 miles from the English coast. Radio Mi Amigo broke a virtual American monopoly an imported music to Britain. One of the first Euro-disco hits to be plugged on Radio Mi Amigo was Patrick Hernandez's 'Born To Be Alive', gay discos did the rest. There were no shortage of gays working on the ship as Germain Boy, the man in charge of the tendering operations says: "Most of them were gay, but that was positive as they kept things clean." In 1975 the Belgium police carried out raids in search of the offices of Radio Mi Amiga but Sylvan Tack had moved all the operations to Playa de Aro in Spain, a country not yet a signatory of the Strasbourg Convention. The British Government assisted the Belgians by making frequent raids on any boat tendering the MV Di Amigo from Britain. Of those tenders making the Journey from Spain, they were escorted by two Police launches, a Naval Patrol Boat and a helicopter. A fishing boat, anchored half a mile from the ship was staffed by British Government officials and photographers. Whilst the Government were monitoring Radios Caroline and Mi Amigo from their listening post, more sinister developments were taking place on land. On January 11th, 1979, the police and a Home Office official raided the home of Derek McCauney, a medical student, without a search warrant. A model boat bearing the name Mi Amigo was found and McCauney was arrested and charged with advertising a 'pirate'radio station. He had been making a number of these boats to sell at a benefit dance in aid of a children's hospital. About the same time, the printers of the Caroline Newsletter, Southline Printers, producing a hand-typed newsheet for free radio enthusiasts campaigning for a review of Clause 5.3 (f) of the Marine Offences Act, had pressure put on them by representatives from Scotland Yard to stop printing and Michael Brigden and Carolyn Oakley appeared in court facing 24 charges under the Marine Offences Act for offering for sale various souvenirs of Radio Caroline in their magazine. Geoffrey Baldwin. the founder of the Caroline Movement was also visited by Scotland Yard. He had the facilities of a PO Box address used by the Caroline Movement withdrawn and was also warned that he might face prosecution. In April 1975, free radio supporter Jackson Hunter was convicted after refusing to pay his fine in Liverpool Magistrate's Court and subsequently imprisoned for 60 days for displaying a Radio Caroline car-sticker! David Hutson was also convicted and fined for selling badges bearing the words: 'Radio Caroline'. LASER 558 On January 19th 1984, a new free radio station took up anchor close to Radio Caroline: Laser 558. With American backing, Laser 558 began broadcasting from the MV Communicator anchored 14 miles off the Essex coast and quickly became very popular as the first station to use all women deejays. With its claimed audience of 8 million listeners, mostly in southern England, it was seriously threatening the BBC/IBA duopoly on radio broadcasting whose listeners were deserting then in droves for the brash, new American station. The American Government was asked for their assistance in identifying the stations financial backers and Lord Thomson of the IBA accused the Government of 'apparently condoning theft'of the airwaves for not acting more firmly against Laser. Both Vatican Radio and Voice of America are amongst many stations that have not been 'allocated'wavelengths. The USA boarded their only free radio station after just 4 days of broadcasting yet regularly beam 'pirate'TV programmes to Cuba. In Britain, the attempt to broadcast anti-Chinese Government propaganda from the Goddess Of Democracy was met with widespread support from MP's and programmes from a ship broadcasting to the former Yugoslavia even received financial backing from the EC. During the course of their programmes, the MV Communicator was told by North Foreland Radio that they were getting interference, claiming their transmissions were coming out over their signal on 500Khz. Laser 558 switched off its transmitter but still the interference persisted. Radio Caroline offered to turn off its transmitter to see if the interference could be traced to then. It could not, and was later traced to BBC Radio One and the World Service. During the early eighties, a profusion of small, land-based pirate stations were taking to the airwaves, including a gay station. Their popularity was briefly glamourised by Lenny Henry's portrayal of Delbert Wilkins of the Brixton Broadcasting Corporation. Robert Atkins, Under-Secretary of State for Industry remarked rather ominously: "It has been suggested to the BBC that they should consider their position." New legislation was brought in making it a criminal offence to make an unlicenced broadcast with a prison sentence of up to five years! The DTI erected notices all around the British coast warning boat owners the penalties of supplying 'pirate'radio ships and began an expensive surveillance operation 15 miles off the English coast beside the MV Communicator and MV Ross Revenge. The DTI kept records of any visiting vessels and journalists and passed them on to the Director of Public Prosecutions. An embarrassing situation occurred one weekend when the DTI vessel gave chase to a boat full of sightseers. A Customs and Excise Vessel came out, presumably to watch the ships while the DTI vessel was away. As it prepared to leave, the DTI vessel ordered It to stop. At this point the Customs boat sped off north with the DTI vessel in hot persuit. "We are a Customs boat!" they called back on the radio telephone. Another sightseeing boat had meanwhile come out to see the ships, so the DTI vessel simply turned round and chased that back to Ramsgate instead. On occasion, it has been alleged the DTI vessels cut across the bows of visiting boats. The DTI counterclaim this with reports of sightseers pelting them with bottles. The DTI called a conference of hand-picked media representatives to explain why they wanted the stations off the air, adding that it was costing the taxpayer around ukp25,000 a month. On November 6th 1985, the Government gained a substantial victory and, after a long siege, the MV Communicator, home of Laser 558 was escorted into Harwich. RADIO CAROLINE Anthony Elliot, editor of London's Time Out magazine was prosecuted for two offences in 1987 of publishing times, wavelengths, and contents of Radio Caroline's broadcasts. Time Out said it saw the prosecution "as another attack on the freedom of the press. The case calls into question the legality of any media examination where such examination Includes the report of truthful information about station operations or programzes. Apparently, the Government wishes the public to believe that pirate radio stations do not really exist. So the media must not, on pain of heavy fines, report any evidence to the contrary." Howard Beer, a boat owner who was unsure of the legality of organising sightseeing trips to Radio Caroline telephoned the DTI for clarification. He received no satisfactory reply and when he was subsequently arrested, received a nine month prison sentence. It was overturned after seven weeks in remand by an appeal court ruling the sentence too long. Quite suddenly, the Government introduced the Territorial Sea Act, 1987, extending British territorial waters to a further twelve miles. The incident went virtually unnoticed. It took the unusual course of being passed in the House of Lords before receiving a reading in the House of Commons, this being because it was considered a 'non-political bill.' The MV Ross Revenge took up anchor from her previously safe haven in the Knock Deep and moved 14 miles off the English coast off North Foreland. Like Peter Tatchell of Outrage, John Birch of the Caroline Movement claimed his organisation and that of Caroline's had been subject to phone tapping, saying: "a certain amount of key Information had only been discussed on certain telephone lines. This immediately caused Caroline's Station Manager, Peter Moore to have some checks made on certain telephone lines. Radio Caroline has a number of high level contacts within various organisations and it was soon established that at least four groups of telephone lines had been found tapped into." For several weeks the MV Ross Revenge went under surveillance by the DTI who anchored a mile from the ship at night and flew low-flying light aircraft over the ship to take photographs while a helicopter filmed the ship and crew. Tenders approaching the ship were warned there was a half-mile exclusion zone round her. At 10.50 on August 18th 1989, John Lennon's 'Imagine'and Chris de Burgh's 'Lady In Red', were broadcast indicating an emergency on board. At 12.22, broadcasts from the Dutch station on 819kHz abruptly ceased in mid-record, unceremoniously ending 30 years of Dutch free radio to Belgium and Holland. Music continued on Radio Caroline's frequency on 558kHz. Radio Caroline's 13.00 news revealed that the Landward, a vessel of the DTI carrying DTI officials and Dutch PTT officials had attempted to board the ship to 'discuss its future.'Programmes continued as normal the next day until 12.42 when Chief Engineer, Peter Chicago interrupted Caroline Martin's programme to announce that the Dutch tug Volans had pulled alongside. Later, Caroline's theme tune by The Fortunes was interrupted by another announcement: "This Is Radio Caroline, the radio-ship Ross Revenge, anchored in the international waters of the North Sea. This is a Panamanian vessel being boarded Illegally on behalf of the Dutch and British Governments. There's a Dutch tug alongside, and they are already an board the ship. They have already used violence against certain crew members here on board the Ross Revenge. If you can help us, please call your local radio; station, local media, anything. anyone you think can help us, Call, please, now, before Caroline goes" Listeners jammed the Dover coastguard with calls whilst records with cryptic messages played: '....Do You Know What It Is Like To Be Free....?'the Beatles singing 'All You Need Is Love'and 'Love, Love, Love.' Whilst the officials from the Dutch PTT were smashing equipment in the generator room, an official came into the studio. A deejay asked: "Would you like to say anything, sir, before we go off the air?" At that point, at 13.08, 19 August, 1989, the transmitter fell silent. With tragic irony, the world was destracted from the news by a Thames motor vessel owned by Amalgamated Roadstone Corps, the Bow Belle, ramming and sinking a boat full of gay partygoers on the MV Marchionesse. There has never been any prosecutions or public inquiry. Radio Caroline's station manager, Peter Moore, was said to have been outraged by the act of piracy. But he was wrong. In law, piracy cannot be committed by Governments. Radio Caroline attempted to make a comeback by broadcasting at night. A few days later, the DTI paid then a visit. As the spectre of the Landward approached them, the Captain on the Ross Revenge asked them their intention. "Fishing," they quipped. The Captain then asked them how long they were intending to stay. "Longer that you will be," came the sinister reply. Radio Caroline went off the air on July 2nd 1990 since its signal had become too distorted and completely jammed by Spectrum Radio, a small incremental station for the London area, licenced by the government, whose test transmissions on 558 kHz were so powerful they were being received by listeners from Scotland to the Dutch coast. On 1 January 1991 the Broadcasting Act gained royal assent and the free voice of Radio Caroline was finally silenced. By the time Jeremy Joseph's gay programme began broadcasting, reception was barely audible north of the Watford Gap. Bob Geldorf's film company Planet Pictures began filming a documentary about Radio Caroline for BBC 2's Arena programme, It was shown on March 1 1990. Three days before its broadcast, the producers were contacted by the legal department of the DTI, warning them that they could be committing an offence. The BBC bowed to pressure and important cuts were made to the footage. On Wednesday 20 November 1991, Radio Caroline's ship, the MV Ross Revenge broke her anchor chain in a violent storm and was later towed to Dover harbour after hitting a sandbank. Upon reaching Dover she was cordoned off and boarded by 20 customs officials. They confiscated a few videos and a copy of Gay Times. Garry Otton 1996 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRINGING UP BABY ================ Derek Ogg is a leading criminal lawyer and gay activist. He founded SAM, Scotland's largest AIDS/HIV agency in the 80's, and is currently a Trustee of Milestone House, Scotland's only AIDS hospice. He helped found the ground-breaking radical AIDS education agency GMFA in London in 1992. Gay men should be involved in bringing up and fathering their own children. Indeed it is part of our survival plan that we do. AIDS and HIV has been the primary ness and psychological focus of our community thinking for over a decade. To survive this epidemic, to beat the infection rate down, we have to believe that we have a full, confident, interesting and healthy future together. By full I mean full of all the diverse ways of living out our gayness, confident of ourselves and our rights to health and happiness. OK, speech over, what's this got to do with fathering kids? Surviving is procreation to some (not all, mind). Fathering is an instinct that isn't deleted from gay men at birth, the desire exists in some gay men as keenly as in some straight men. To be told we can never father, that bringing up baby is an unnatural evil aberration is unacceptable for our mental and physical well-being (I believe we can bring up our own children as happy, well-adjusted, caring human beings letting them choose their friends and partners according to their own natures but with honesty and love). If any of us buy the "unnatural evil" of that rôle, it's the same as saying that we are evil, unnatural and aberrant. There is something more about fulfilling a commitment, a belief in gay fatherhood than that. It is also a statement about living a long life, about caring for another person, about committing to the health and happiness of a family unit. It's about the future. I'm not saying that as a political gesture we should all go out and father children, acquiring babies like some designer accoutrement. But if gay men feel that they have the need to father, then, as a community, we should promote, applaud and endorse them. We have traditionally been afraid of children. Own up, we have been. We're scared that if we show too much 'interest'in nephews or little brothers then we will be the target of suspicious rumour or accusation when we let it be known we're gay. We have historically self-censored our contact with bringing up children out of fear of the age old lie told about gay men being the same as pædophiles. So we've feigned a lack of interest or care. It's essential for us to love ourselves, and if we have a fathering instinct (and time and judgement to put it into effect) then we must learn to love that instinct as virtuous and good and worthy of respect. If we think only in terms of our short lives, or our short period of youth and beauty, and then dread all that is darkness thereafter then it's understandable that HIV can be subconsciously 'welcomed'into our lives "I'd rather live and die in the fast lane...etc, etc." Committments to the future, the acceptance that we can grow older with dignity and with a reputable role to play as gay men is part of our survival strategy. Fathering, for those called to it, is a noble, worthy and responsible option for some gay men. We should all support their choices. Derek Ogg ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INSIDE OUT ========== Easily the most readable and usable guide to the whole lesbian, gay and bisexual scene in Scotland. We have a complete list of venues, gossip from the four corners of the country and the broadest and finest selection of contact ads. Find someone to keep you warm this winter. In this issue: Venues Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow The ScotsGay Meet Market 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. SWEET! Exodus (upstairs), Triplekirks, Schoolhill. Tel: (01224) 624288. Fri 10pm-2am. Weekly house night with the JOY DJ's from Edinburgh. Dundee DEVA'S 75 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight. Dundee's long established gay bar. Something for everyone! Pool table. LIBERTY NIGHTCLUB 124 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 200660. Thu-Sat 11pm-2.30am Sun 10.30pm-2.30am. Good atmosphere, very popular disco with wide selection of sounds and the occasional act/PA. Thursdays and Sundays are quieter - but not much. 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: 0131-478 7068. Tue-Sun 11am-9pm. Expensively re-furbished and friendly upmarket bun shop selling sticky German buns (baked on the premises) and continental coffee as well as other snacks and light meals. Don't mention the war! WWW: http/www.scotsgay.co.uk/streuselkuchen/ CAFE KUDOS 22 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 4349. Daily Noon-1am. Food Noon-9pm. Fresh, stylish and always crowded. Mainly gay but tolerant of well behaved heterosexuals. 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. Mon-Fri 5.30pm-3am. Sat 1pm-3am. Sun 3pm-3am.. 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. CYBERIA 88 Hanover Street. Tel: 0131-220 4403. Daily 11am-10pm. Friendly mixed cybercafe with friendly mixed gorgeous staff. WWW: http://www.cybersurf.co.uk/ EDINBURGH LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL CENTRE 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Owned by OUTRIGHT Scotland. Houses Cafe Streuselkuchen. Calosa Publishing Limited, and PJ's Watches and Gifts. Provides meeting and noticeboard space for many lesbigay organisations. Private mailboxes available. FANTASIES 8b Drummond Street. Tel/FAX: 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! Glamour shop upstairs. 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. THE FRUIT SHOP Walker's Nightclub, 12 Shandwick Place. Tel: 0131-226 2887. Sun 10pm-3am. New gay club - opens 27th October. DJs: Alan (JOY), Trendy Wendy (Tackno) and Pete Himsworth (Laughing Duck, Blue Oyster, Millie's) ... plus a regular cabaret. ukp6 entry. JOY Wilkie House, Cowgate. JOY Info Line: 0131-467 2551. Saturdays 19th Oct, 16th Nov, 14th Dec. 10pm-3am. Joy, Scotland's most upfront gay club has moved yet again! ukp6 members/ukp7 non-members (reduced entry of ukp4 before 11pm). E-mail: 106124.3074@compuserve.com 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 - great for that aprs Kirk Session! ORANGE Calton Studios, 20 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-558 3758. Every second Saturday. 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. PJ'S WATCHES AND GIFTS 60 Broughton Street. Mon-Sat 10am-3pm, 4pm-7pm. Sells the same sorts of useful bits and pieces as the shop in the Glasgow Centre. ROUTE 66 6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-557 3379. Nightly 12.30pm-1am. Food served 12.30-10pm. Real Ale. Cocktails. Misnamed - it's the best Route to a 69 that we've ever found - but keep on telling Stevie that it's buses we're talking about! SOLAS CAFE 2/4 Abbeymount. Tel: 0131-661 0982. Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 11am-4pm, Wed 5-9pm. Attached to Solas National HIV Information Centre. Good home cooking (everything cooked on the premises). Both dead animal and veggie. TACKNO 33-39 Market Street. Tel: 0131-226 4224. Last Sun of each month 11pm-4am. DJ Trendy Wendy. Mixed and crowded club night. TASTE The Honeycomb, 36-38a Blair Street. Tel: 0131-220 4381. 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. 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. 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. Tue-Sat 10.30pm-3.30am. Now re-opened after extensive refurbishment! Tuesdays are straight. BETTY FORD CLINIC The Hatt Club, 228 Clyde Street. Tel: 0141-204 1404. Friday to Sunday. Now opening as a gay venue 3 nights a week. The plan is to see how things go, and if it all works out well, the club will be opening on week nights too. CCA Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street. Tel: 0141-332 7521. E-mail: cca@easynet.co.uk. 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. 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. Auntie Annie's Basement Bar is open on Saturday evenings. 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: Tue-Sun. Games/Quiz: Wed. Take your Prick: Thurs. Karaoke: Sun. Happy hours: 5-7 and 9-10 every night. Mondays: Becks at ukp1.15 all night. Big Breakfast Sunday has happy hours 12-7 and 9-10. 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 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/ LOVE BOUTIQUE The Arches, Midland Street. Te;: 0141-221 9736. 10.30pm-3am. 1st Saturday of the month. Busy mixed club popular with the younger crowd. MADAME GILLESPIE'S 26 Cheapside Street. Tel: 0141-221 2929. Tue-Sun 8.30pm-3am. Large club. Features regular PAs, and theme/party nights. Under new management yet again. PJ'S WATCHES AND GIFTS GGLC, 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-226 9977. Mon-Sat Noon -7pm. Sun Noon-5pm. Gifts for all. POLO LOUNGE 84 Wilson Street. Opening soon as an upmarket bar and club. 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). Mon-Sat 7pm-Midnight. Glasgow's first and only 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. Kirkcaldy SANCTUARY: THE HOUSE OF GOD Caesars Nightclub, 13 Charlotte Street. Tel: (01592) 201389. Second Sunday of each month. 10pm-2am. New mixed night with loud popular noise by Maggie and Alan of JOY! Students/Members ukp4, Omnium Gatherum ukp5. 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. (c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, October 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 ======== If you go out on the scene today you're in for a big surprise... If you go out on the scene today you won't believe your eyes... for every bear that ever there was is gathered there for certain because this is the weekend that the big hairy bears have their Octobearfest... that's right it's that time of the year again, Aberdeen becomes home from home to the annual contingent of Bear Hug members from up north. What a welcome sight it was to see the Caberfeidh absolutely throbbing with big hairy men dressed head to toe in leather. God, I thought all my Christmas's had cum at once. I decided to introduce myself with the customary bearhug and optional tweak of the nipples - hey, when am I likely to ever find myself surrounded by hairy demi gods again... after all there have to be some perks to my job as local scene queen! The evening went really well with everyone having a bitch of a time. It was great to see Jacquie looking so vibrant, and in her own words 'back and fighting fit'. I don't know what she's done but it's certainly working as the club has really been kicking the last couple of weeks with Elaine hitting the decks like a woman possessed... keep up the great work ladies! The second of the cabaret nights was to take place in the club on Thursday 24 with a live PA from Newton. I am told he is very cute and also has a great voice, should be a great night and will hopefully be well attended. After all guys, the club can only afford to bring up these artistes if the gay community lend their support by attending these events... after all it's all being laid on for you, guys! I have to say it was a very positive sight to see so many sub cultures all celebrating their sexuality together in the club... Skins socializing with Bears, Leatherguys socializing with pretty boys, it's about time we all got along and showed a united front to the hetro population, after all: united we stand, divided we fall. Well, word has it that the Pink Flamingo has been bought over and is going to re-open as a gay bistro. The opening date is scheduled to be sometime in mid November. Watch this space for news of further developements. Speaking of openings, yours truly managed to wangle his way into the VIP night at the city's new 'Wodka bar' which is an offshoot of 'The Works'. The bar, as its name would suggest,serves mainly flavoured vodkas. The menu includes 24 different flavours including Mars Bar, Cherry Lips and Fisherman's Friend. The venue also has a 18 foot video wall which plays promos and advertisements. Imagine the thought of ogling at Peter Andre's pecs in glorious mammoth vision! Well I guess I've prattled on long enough, all this talk about hot hairy leatherguys has got me so hot I'll have to hit the shower (after I've hit the salami)! Hey, I'm only human! Until next time: fuck hard and fuck safe!!! Doug Stewart AKA Littlebear littlebear@drink.demon.co.uk DUNDEE ====== Winter is either upon us or seriously threatening to pounce any moment because half the population seems to have gone into hibernation already. I've never understood this need, coz to me, okay the weather may be crap but surely when things get dark and gloomy, that's the time to go out anc cheer yourself up?! Anyway, just in case you do fancy a night out here's whats going down in Dundee. Liberty Nightclub has so far escaped the hibernation act and is still doing well. October has provided us with four gigs and there are major plans for the festive period. The management team are always prepared to try new things to accomodate the puntersand there is to be an erotic/exotic dancer every second Sunday night. If you like to hit the club every night they are now doing a weekend pass which costs ukp8 and gains you entry Thursday through Sunday night. You have to buy it on a Thursday and it is only valid for that week. That's only two quid a night! There are leaflets in the club telling you what's on and future plans for the club so pick one up when you are in. There is a Women's Party Nite at the Weaver's Arms on 22nd November from 8pm-1am, no particular theme but there is to be line dancing from 9-10pm and something for everyone thereafter so please come and support it. This event is being organised by the Women's Disco Collective to fill the gap before the next disco which is the Christmas one on Friday 20th December at Sinatra's from 8-12am. There is to be a special surprise on entry to the Xmas disco so come and find out what it is. Devas is still running the fortnightly women's pool competition with cash prizes and the next one is on the 30th October. I have to confess not having been in the pub much this month so I don't know what's been happening but Karen tells me that there are lots of drinks promos on at the moment and she has been doing her utmost to get some Beamish Red on tap and hopes to have it soon. There is to be a big party on Friday 25th October to say goodbye to Denise who is off to Edinburgh, where we wish her well, and everyone is welcome in the pub that night. The Men Only night was a complete disaster. Come on guys, if a night is being organised specially for you, the least you can do is turn up! That's all folks and I apologise for the typing errors (spellcheckers are an amazing thing - Ed.) but circumstances found me at the good old manual and not the word processor this time. Jol EDINBURGH ========= Well, the lads at Cafe Streuselkuchen finally got the electricity in and their sticky German buns are now the talk of the town! Frank, in working on Monday when the Cafe was closed, told me that things had gone very well in their first couple of weeks - he and Volker hope to be able to employ somebody else to help them out soon - and they intend their new employee to be a woman. Down at Route 69, Stevie has re-opened the shop after an extensive re-fit by his Brewery. Certainly, it's nice to see that Tennents are prepared to keep pumping money back into their lesbigay pubs as long as we keep drinking there! The whole place looks so much brighter now - and a lot more modern too. I wonder which pub got all the old stuff? Hope it was some straight dump in Leith or Balerno! Route 66 seems to be the only gay pub in Edinburgh serving real ale nowadays - Caledonian Brewery Deuchar's IPA. Surprising, seeing the number of queens and dykes I bumped into at the recent CAMRA beer festival down at Meadowbank. There was one impressively massive dyke there with a beer belly that made me look like a svelte disco bunny! The serious real ale perves seem to be gathering a bit further down Leith Walk at the Elm Bar these days - it seems that the Gas Board Showrooms are out of favour. Mind you, the Theatre Royal has never been as good as the night that Michael Jackson was in drinking with the Head Brewer from the Caley Brewery. I am talking about the Beer/Bear God, and not the popular children's entertainer, I hasten to add. Over in the wilds of Rose Street, Babs at the French Connection tells me that the 13th of November is a date for all our diaries: Dockyard Doris will be making a welcome return visit to the canny wee boozer that is such a welcome respite from all the drunken straights on the Rose St Crawl. Most of the pubs will be making a special effort for Hallowe'en - lets hope that they've all got more bottle than Tesco's who have removed Hallowe'en decorations from one of their emporia after complaints from superstitionists of the Christian disposition. Engender are holding a Women Only Samhain Party at 8pm on 31st October at the Cafe Royal, West Register Street, with a prize for the best witch costume, pumpkin/turnip lantern and speediest broom! Enjoyed the Switchboard Ceilidh in the Assembly Rooms the other week. Lots of folk there, including our editor who was enjoying chatting to a friend he hadn't met for ten years. Just a shame that another gay journalist (who can't even spell) characterised this as "sitting in a corner all evening". In any case, do you really expect a man with a gammy leg to be able to dance? A trifle insensitive, what? Finally, our Shameless Seumas spent a wild night with an antipodean bit of (female) tottie at the relaunch of Joy in Cowgate's Wilkie House. Fabulous venue by all accounts, where you can windae-hing over the balcony to spy what's worth spying boogying below (if you can see through the ever present smoke - a wee bit less next time perhaps? Ogling's as much fun as boogying you know). The in-your-face "you're gay and you urnae" door policy should help keep the Coogate's more, shall we say, party-challenged elements outside the venue too. Also nice to see Alan and Maggie treading the boards elsewhere, adding Kirkcaldy and sunny Dunfermline to their already weekly visit to Aberdeen (cunningly disguised as Sweet!). Iain Iain@drink.demon.co.uk GLASGOW ======= Well, here we go again, time to gather up all the bits of paper, Post It notes, flyers etc and get this month's column written. Now is as good a time as any, as the other half is out on the piss in the Elephants' Graveyard, and I've got Minerva Manor to myself. Don't know what he sees in that pub, average age is about 40, and everybody wears suits! Actually, is there any point in doing this column, as his Editorness keeps cutting bits out. Says it's to make room for the advertisements. Ah well, I suppose the money does keep him in Beluga, Bollinger and BMWs!! I think that the press must have been stuck for stories this week, as they've had to recycle some of the stuff they were printing about us last month. The Daily Express couldn't resist one more cruel remark regarding the Edinburgh gay couple and their child, referred to as a "lifestyle accessory". I was actually surprised at Tom Brown from the Daily Record, who is not exactly noted for being pro gay. He seemed to be almost admitting that they might actually make good parents! Shortly after, they published a reader's letter from a 16 year old girl, who reckoned everyone should leave them alone, and remember that there are now 2.3 million children in this country who are not growing up in a so-called normal family environment. Remember last month I wrote that nobody questions the suitability of heterosexuals to be parents. I flippantly remarked about practising Satanists having children, only to read about a mother strangling her young son in a black magic ritual in the press a few days later. This was followed shortly by Emma Gifford, accused of killling her child and keeping the body in a freezer. Now we hear that a soap opera star is now pregnant by a convicted axe wielding criminal who already has seven children by four other women. As for Madonna, how many heterosexuals can honestly say that she is a good role model? Nice little story in the press recently about Essex Labour candidate Ben Bradshaw, who has just come out as being gay. His Tory opponent is director of the Conservative Family Institute, and an active family values and morality campaigner. Don't you think he would serve more purpose aiming his "family values" at some of his colleagues. Tim Yeo, David Mellor, Nicholas Fairbairn (deceased), Steven Norris and Alan Clark immediately spring to mind. Somebody else he should also perhaps speak to is married Church of Scotland minister Campbell Ferenbach who has admitted fathering five children to his mistress during their 25 year affair. How can people like Rev Ferenbach and Bishop Roddy Wright tell us that being a poof is wrong, when they conveniently neglect Exodus Chap20, Verse 14. Latest scandal is a gay teacher who was struck off for a consensual sexual act with two adults. The General Teaching Council expressed concern for the children he was teaching, the implication being that homosexual equals paedophile. I thought this theory went out with food rationing. I also thought it a bit ironic that the Record ran this story on the same page as an article about child killers Fred and Rosemary West. Finally, guess which famous wife beater has recently become a father? Clue, his last violent outburst led to a red card and a 4-1 defeat to a toilet cleaner!. So, what's been happening on the scene, you all ask? Not an awful lot really. It's that time of year when nobody has any money after getting back from holiday, so the pubs and clubs are a bit quieter than usual. The BIG event last month was of course the re-opening of Bennets. After a longer than hoped for closure, the opening night was finally announced, and I went down to get some pictures in the afternoon. At five o'clock, there were still workmen in, and I was doubtful that everything would be ready to open later that night. I arrived again just after ten, and everything was in place and ready to go. The VIPs had started to arrive, and there were no indications of the mayhem that had been going on just a few hours earlier. The staff all seemed to know what they were doing. Usually opening nights can be a bit chaotic as nobody knows the prices, or where everything is kept, but it all went off very smoothly, and Bennets has quickly re-established itself, with entry prices comparable to the other clubs. One complaint that a lot of people have, is the lack of seating now. With the exception of a few stools and chairs, it's standing room only, and even the fittest youngest disco dollies need to rest their bums occasionally. I was disappointed to note that there was an alleged incident involving a bottle less than one week after re-opening, which, in common with another recent assault outside the club, took place on a Tuesday, the straight night. Do we really need to have straight nights, when we are denied access to the clubs which we keep in profit? Apart from alienating the scene, they give the general public a bad impression if an assault is reported in a gay club, even although straights are responsible. Why are the straight public unable to go for a night out without their usual blast of vomit, violence and vitreous vandalism? If you're tired of the predictable fancy dress nights, and are after something different for Halloween, why not get down to Madame Gillespies this year? They will be having a psychic night with fortune telling and Tarot readings etc, so it should certainly be a night out of the ordinary. Another night worth checking out is Sunday, when there is live Cabaret, and I'm talking about real professional acts, not pub entertainers. Mustn't forget to mention the Lesbian Line disco held in Gillespies on the last Friday of the month. Martha tells me that the first one was a great success with over 400 people there. Obviously, I wasn't there myself, woz in the Cabaret bar, but at chucking out time Cheapside Street was a sea of lesbians who had clearly had a good night out! Squires have changed their entertainment about a bit, with bingo replacing Quizoke on Monday, and assorted quizes on the other weeknights. You may by now have seen the flyers for Centurion Health Club appearing in the bars. Work is still underway, but opening should be late November to early December. Watch press for official launch date. And finally, on to the Hatt Club, or maybe not! Last issue, I said I would give a report on this venue, and went down disguised as a member of the public to do an undercover reccy. I was then told at the door that it was a private function, despite being billed otherwise, with people paying at the door to get in, so basically I was refused entry!! As we all know "private function" in bouncerspeak means “we don't want you in here”. Obviously I wasn't impressed. If this is how they treat people, I'm not surprised that very few people have been going, with many saying they will not be going back. I might go down for another visit, then again, I probably won't!. Well, I'd better wrap things up now, time to put on my party frock, and get out clubbing!! See ya next month Luv.. Minerva minerva@drink.demon.co.uk PS Are we about to get pooves in Neighbours now?. They've just brought the subject up and I think it would be great if Simon from Eastenders dumped naff Tony, and started shagging scrummy Sam from Neighbours. 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 ----- Dundee/Tayside Lesbian, 32 years matured, GSOH, uncomplicated, seeks similar 28-40 years for friendship, possible 1-2-1. Interests: theatre, films, music. Child friendly. Prefer non scene. Box SG12010. Gay Female 22, Glasgow/Ayrshire area, GSOH, lots of interests including line dancing. I enjoy cosy nights in and wild nights out. Seeking similar female looks/age unimportant. Box SG12011. MEN --- Fife/Edinburgh Guy, 26, seeks similar guy 18-26 for friendship, etc. 6 foot, brown hair/eyes, slim, VGSOH, non scene, non camp. Box SG12007. Glasgow/Central Belt Bloke, 26, GSOH, seeks GFT types for good times, under 30 please - lythe, brown hair, blue eyes, versatile. ALAWP. Box SG12008. Why Should Catholic Bishops Have All The Fun? Atheist, (38), who can't stop laughing, seeks iconoclastic 18-25 to break some icons. Sons of the Manse welcome. Box SG12012. Affectionate Master Versatile, seeks well built, straight acting, submissive 18-25s for relationship. Glasgow/anywhere. Photo helps. Box SG12013. Paisley - Glasgow Genuinely nice, easy-going, intelligent 40 year old, in good condition, but a bit shy and inexperienced seeks younger, skinny guy for light-hearted horny education. Come on, teach me! Box SG12014. Edinburgh Caring Male 23 years, seeks love and affection, corny but true, so I'd like to hear from similar males with view to 1-2-1. Sense of humour essential Photo(s) appreciated but not essential. Box SG12015. Edinburgh - Fife Good looking, blue eyed 27 year old, slim build and GSOH, seeks similar guy under 30 for nights in and out with lots of TLC. Poss 1-2-1. Can travel or accommodate. ALA. Box SG12016. Horny Good Looking 32 Nice Body This straight acting sporty guy seeks you: 19-26, slim, med build, very smooth, clean shaven, non hairy guy for some discreet fun times. Glasgow/Paisley. You'll not be disappointed. Photo. Box SG12017. Glasgow - Anywhere 24 year old, slim, short dark hair, good looking, s/a, GSOH, seeks slim, youthful male with SOH and fun but normal outlook. Can accommodate. Photo and in depth letter please. Box SG12018. Edinburgh 26 Year Old VWE, young active passive guy will give most things a try. Love blue, red, TT, poppers, smoking. Send explicit photo and frank letter in return for mine. Can accommodate and travel. Box SG12019. Seeking Young Guy Gentle guy, very hairy, 40, would like to meet young student type (or perhaps someone going to uni/college next term/semester) who wants to explore their sexuality in a supportive atmosphere. Can accommodate or travel. Total discretion and safety assured. Box SG12020. Glasgow - Cumbernauld - Genuine Guy Guy 30's WLTM genuine guy(s) 30-40 for possible 1-2-1. Tall, GSOH, average looks, many interests, 6'2", 12 st, loving, enjoys a drink, a laugh, a cuddle. Can accommodate. Go on: write. Nothing to lose. ALA. Box SG12021. Glasgow Art Student Portugese, 25 year old art student, seeks others with similar interests (cinema, music, and especially fine-art) for friendship. Box SG12022. Edinburgh Maid Marion seeks Robin Hood to skip through the forest! I'm 23, 6'1", brown hair, brown eyes, with slim build, WLTM similar Edinburgh male. Photo appreciated though not essential. Box SG12023. Pants Down Boy! Strict teacher, young 48, slim, seeks unruly pupils, 18-50, in need of firm hand. Glasgow/Lanarkshire. Photo/letter if possible. Box SG12024. Glasgow - West Coast 45 year old gay guy, cross dresser, seeks active guy, 35+, into role playing, w/s and bondage. Mature men welcome. ALA. Box SG12025. Renfrewshire - Glasgow Single male, mid 40s, non-smoker, non-scene, happy with life, many interests and easy going would like to meet older gentleman (60+) locally for quiet visits and friendship. Box SG12026. Big Hairy Genuine Guy Wanted Caring genuine guy seeks big, preferably hairy, men for friendship, possible 1-2-1. Enjoy massage, fun times, open to new experiences. Can accommodate and travel. Don't be shy. ALA. Box SG12027. Dundee - Tayside Genuine guy, 50, slim build, likes travel, music, theatre. Straight acting/looking, n/s, seeks sincere active guy, any age, for 1-2-1 relationship/friendship. Can travel/accommodate. ALA. Box SG12028. Livingston - Falkirk Gay guy, 30 years old, looking for someone 25/35. N/s and GSOH. Can travel but can't accommodate. Phone number if possible. Box SG12029. Body Massage Wanted 33, young looking, slim, slightly hairy, 5'7", 30" waist, professional, WLTM hairy bony bald, short hair very welcome. Photo essential, will return. Come on, get writing. Fife/Edinburgh. Box SG12030. Dundee - Tayside Gay 1-1 wanted also horny sex. W/H. GSOH. Box SG12031. Edinburgh VWE Active/Passive Looking for guys that like to have a good time. Me: 26, love red, blue, toys, poppers, smoking. If you love the same, send an explicit letter and photo. ALAWP. Box SG12033. Diabetic? Am I the only one? If not, this 33 year old gay guy would love to hear from you. Glasgow, Ayrshire, Anywhere! Box SG12034. East Central Outdoor Type Mature (sometimes) horny (always) bearded guy, tactile, genuine, active, 5'9", 12st, animal lover (no jokes!), into quieter guys with hidden depths. Box SG12035. Glasgow Gay Guy 28, straight acting, big build, Bruce Willis haircut! Tired of scene, seeks straight acting man 18-38 to share empty life with. Friendship definite, 1-2-1 possible. Can accommodate. Box SG12037 Glasgow Friendly businessman, 40's, seeks young slim guy who would like a firm hand. Box SG12038. Young Chubby Wanted Young smooth chubby wanted for fun and friendship by 39 year old seriously fat bastard, 5'6", who is hairy to boot!. Let's make that bed creak!. Box SG12039. Bulk Is Beautiful? - Prove It! Big bulky guy seeks hairy huggable hunk for fun, frolics and maybe more! If you really like big men, write now. Dieters, body fascists and muscle marys need not apply! Box SG12040. Aberdeen - Dundee - Edinburgh I'm a young forty-seven inexperienced pliant male with a nice bum, who requires a vigorous man for friendship. Try me. Age, colour immaterial. Sincereity a must. Photo appreciated. Box SG12041. CQ - CQ - CQ Communications enthusiast and collector would like to hear from others. Licensed GM1. Box SG12042. 100% Top Sadistic bastard, 28, 5'11", swimmer's build, blonde, crop, blue eyes, goatee, into leather, rubber, military, etc. Frequent visitor to Scotland. WLTM submissive slaveboys (21-45) for heavy stopover sessions. Detailed respectful letter and photo essential. Playroom/sling a plus. Novices welcome. Box SG12043. Horny Hairy 39 Year Old Needs Sex! I live in Edinburgh and am looking for smooth guys 18-25 for safe hot sex. Nothing long term - just a bit of fun. If you want the same, please reply. Come on guys, you know you want to. ALAWP. Box SG12044. Where Are All The Slim Guys? 38 year old, medium buit guy, seeks slim or skinny guys 18-50 for fun etc. No strings. Fife, Glasgow, Edinburgh areas. Asians welcome. Write today. ALA. Box SG12045. Edinburgh - Glasgow Uncomplicated afternoon or evening fun offered to young student type by older guy. I have flats in both cities. Total discretion assured. Bisexuals welcome. Box SG12046. Novice Slave 35 Requires Master Submissive novice slave whose interests include shaving bondage and mild cp desperately needs master to train me. Distance no object. You won't be disappointed. Age, looks not important. Detailed letter please. ALA. Box SG12047. 100% Bottom 30, 5ft 6in tall, No2, seeks hard rough bastards for heave sessions into bootlicking, w/s, gob, verbal, inside or out. Skins, bikers, squaddies, welcome. Photo please. Phone and detailed letter. Box SG12048. Edinburgh Gay 30's, WLTM bi/gay guys, specs nerdy types especially welcome. N/s, s/a, like blow jobs? JO? Or just friends. Don't be shy. Get in touch. Box SG12049. BISEXUAL -------- Need a change? Bi male looking for gay/bi female, for experimentation and something different. Beer and bonking optional, but not essential. Box SG12006. Fill my notebook Mad scientist (male), mid 20's, seeks m/f couple for experimentation. Not afraid to try anything but in need of instruction. Your test tube or mine. ALAWP. Box SG12009. Edinburgh Bi guy (23), tall, slim, beautifully smooth, seeks older bi female for friendship and fun in and around the gay scene. Box SG12032. Tayside - Fife - Edinburgh Pleasant guy, young 40, into lingerie fetish fun, sub dom games, seeks similar for friendship. Would like to be be maid/slave to mixed bi couple (M+F). Can travel and accommodate. SAE. Box SG12036. Bisexual 24 years old, French, tall, short dark hair, very good looking bi, straight looking, non scene, into swimming, locker rooms, seeks 20-25 good looking lads for fun. Edinburgh/Glasgow. Box SG12050. No Bloody Children Please! Glasgow student, early 20's, tall and slim, seeks real men - bears especially welcome - for fun and friendship. No youngsters, please - I like my men well matured! Are there any Sean Connery types around? Box SG12052. Undersized? Are you 'undersized' in the height or endowment department? Also under 26 and smooth skinned? Then why not try a 30 something hairy 5'6" guy with 5" of pleasure to share? Box SG12053. STRAIGHT -------- Edinburgh Straight (but not narrow) single guy, 28, gay friendly, would like to meet bi/lesbian women for friendship/socialising and going out with my gay friends who only ever seem to want to talk about train spotting and real ale (not that there's anything wrong about that but I prefer fast cars and vodka and coke - not at the same time, of course!). Physical relationship possible - mental one essential. GSOH a prerequisite. Box SG12002. Help!!!! Mature straight woman, very gay friendly, is desperate to meet some gay people, any age, any sex, for friendship and trips to gay bars etc. I live in Edinburgh. Please come to my rescue. Box SG12003. PASSING GLANCES --------------- George in Glasgow Had a great time in August. Still waiting for that lunch date. Remember you promised. Planning on returning summer '97. How about lunching here in New York? Write me... Paul from NYC. Paul Krygowski, 135 West 16th Street, Apt.#58, New York, NY 10011, USA or e-mail: paulk@bluebrick.com Glasgow Central Station 18th October. You: Cute, 20s, light brown hair, blue eyes, specs, 5'6". Me: 25, red hair, brown eyes, 6'2". You had to run for Cathcart train. Would you like to meet for a pint? Box SG12051. FRIENDS ABROAD -------------- Spain Spanish male gay, 33, seeks friends 20-40. Into: art, nature, history, music, languages, politics. Write: Jose Agudo, Apartado 50205, Madrid 28080, Spain. Croatia 26 year old, GWM, 5'11", 165lb, top, active soldier, seeks well endowed stud/bottom guy for long term relationship. Write: Rudolph Bradica, Brezje 7, HR44210 Sunja, Croatia. Expectant Father At least I hope to be to some lucky UK lad(s) for part or entire winter, in great house in sunny Ft. Lauderdale. Permanent arrangement also possible. Send photo/letter/e-mail. 18-28 please. Write: John Flanagan, 1975 E. Sunrise Blvd # 538, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33304, USA or e-mail: h8tudor@igc.net Brazil Want to receive correspondence. Only "Masculo" men. Preference: furry, hairy. Very special mentality. About 30 to 45. Thank you. Write: Artistides Antonio Beduschi di Giacomo, Josi Pinto de Almeida Street, Piracicaba, Sco Paula, Brasil, CEP 13416-700 or e-mail: beduschi.giacomo@mercone.com.br Switzerland Hi! I'm a 26 year old Swiss, 176lb , 5'10" like to make pleasureful holidays all around Scotland. I prefer good looking Scots studs or couples up to 28 years. Tell my where you live and what you're into, if you have a picture it would be helpful. Cheers. Write: Peter Michels, Rudenzburg, 9500 WIL, Switzerland or e-mail: c-michels@mail.dec.com FTM in Hawaii Aloha! I'm a 44 yo, fem to male TS (transitioned and living male for 5yrs+), quite passable, decent looking. Stable, good job...a helluva decent bloke. (2nd gen Scots here and very into the Scottish thing) I've spent a bit of time in Scotland, as well. Anyhow, would like to find friends, possibly more... any nice Scottish gals out there interested in moving to Hawaii??? Please just be honest, loving, clean :), and no drugs or smokers. I ask nothing more than I'm willing to give. Write: Andy Ferguson, 3348 Kaunaoa St, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA or e-mail: fergies@pixi.com Scots and Irish Older Men. Interested in men from Ireland or Scotland. I prefer men who are 50 and older and women who are 18 and older. I am, African, cut and 8", 27yo, 200lbs and 6'2" and live in New Orleans, USA. Please get in touch. Write: Lennox Anderson, PO Box 58066, New Orleans, LA 70158-0066, USA or e-mail: bo@bellsouth.net Los Angeles GymPal Masculine Latin Friendly 39, 5'9",173lbs, brown hair, 43" chest & hard legs in hot shorts. Seek genuine outgoing boyish type with smooth body & clean shaven. Into photography, gym & friends! Write: DM, PO Box 2806-467, Torrance, CA 90509-2806, USA or e-mail: jympal@earthlink.net LOOKING FOR ----------- William Edgar Does anyone know my friend William Edgar? He is tall, thin, young 20's, blue eyes, brown hair. I saw him last April in Glasgow at Austins and Delmonica's. He has some facial scars and a tattoo on right arm. If you know him or see him, I would appreciate you giving him my address: R.Woolever, PO Box 1028, Point Roberts, WA 98281-1028, USA or E-mail me: rickw@whidbey.com. Steve Steve from Castle Douglas who wrote to box ad SG10106 - "New to SW" please write again - you didn't give me a full address to contact you at! Thanks. Box SG12001. BACK RUBS --------- Escort Glasgow/Edinburgh locality. Attractive 25 yo student offers professional unhurried service. Available some days/weekends & some evenings. Advanced bookings prevent disappointment. 01683 221486. Masseur - Aberdeen - Dundee Young guy, 29, gives great massage. Phone Steve on 0589 565418. Anytime. Masseur - Edinburgh A caring skilled personal touch at excellent poundstretcher value. Jim. 0131-556 7199. Masseur - Edinburgh Chubby masseur gives great relaxing massage at the best possible cost. Phone Kenny on 0131-665 0313 anytime. Masseur - Paisley Relaxing aromatherapy massage. Reasonable rates. Paisley area. Phone Tony on 01505 324561. Give yourself a treat. New! Craig (18) and Gary (24) - escorts and professional massage. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayrshire. Your place or ours. Telephone: 0141-636 0462 (24 hours). EMPLOYMENT REQUIRED ------------------- Job Wanted Recently moved to Edinburgh and in desperate need of a job. Previous experience in several well known shops plus a small amount of bar work. Send me your address and I'll send my CV. Box SG12004. EMPLOYMENT OFFERED ------------------ Escorts Wanted Young guy (18+) wanted Glasgow (Edinburgh suitable if accommodation available) for occasional arrangement. I am 38 with a young outlook and attitude, clean shaven and reasonably well maintained. E-mail: budgie@shaws.u-net.com or reply to Box SG12005. SERVICES -------- Books Good quality books for gay men available by mail order. Fast confidential service and good discounts. Titles include Spartacus '96, New Joy of Gay Sex and Safer Sexy. Call 0171-635 0332 for leaflet or write: Frontier Books, 149 Chadwick Road, London. SE15 4PY. 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/ 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. Golden Wheel Seeking discreet gay or bisexual new friends, male or female? Long standing service, all areas and worldwide. Send stamp for details to: (Sadie), The Golden Wheel, Liverpool. L15 3HT. 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. Penpal Mag Penpal Mag for adults: over 500 photos. Approval copy from: Matchmaker (K38), Chorley, PR7 4BS. Or ring: 01257 480155 (24 hours). 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. WWW: Http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/linden/ 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. Isle of Mull, Scotland Fun breaks, Christmas and New Year. 3 nights ukp125 incl or stay longer. Transport can be arranged. Tel or Fax Neil: 01688 400254. London The Philbeach Hotel: This elegant 19th Century building close to the heart of 'gay Earl's Court'and within easy reach of London's west End, is the home of one of Europe's best established gay hotels. Providing 40 bedrooms, a bar and the "elegant and eccentric" Wilde About Oscar restaurant, the hotel is itself a great venue for social occasions with frequent cabaret and, in the summer, garden parties. We maintain 24 hour reception facilities so bookings can be made at any time. "Probably the best Gay Restaurant in Town" - Time Out. All major credit cards accepted. 30/31 Philbeach Gardens, London SW5. Tel: 0171-373 1244. Fax: 0171-244 0149. E-mail: linden.seal@ukonline.co.uk. WWW: Http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/philbeach/ New York and San Francisco Pride Travel has the largest selection of gay and lesbian friendly hotels, guest houses and apartments in New York, San Francisco and throughout the USA/Canada. For brochure, phone Pride Travel-USA on 01273 606656. Provincetown USA Provincetown - America's most popular gay/lesbian resort. It's like being at Gay Pride every day of the week. Live the legend. For free brochure telephone Pride Travel-USA on 01273 606656. 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. ----------------------------------------------------------- THEATRE ======= Molly's Collar and Tie, MCT Theatre Company, Tron, Glasgow, Saturday 2nd October It was with some surprise that I found myself enjoying this show as much as I did. On one count, the offer to review this production came to me courtesy of Cyberspace which was a surprise in itself. The other reason was the topic of the play: 'A Celebration of Scottish Queerness'. This made it sound as if it was going to be another navel watching exercise. The evening was a mix of recollections from members of our community and historical commentary based on true events. From the Clyde shipyard of the 1950's to King James VI's court in the middle ages, we enjoyed a running commentary on the lives, loves and - yes - the problems of queers down the ages. The style of the show - each story being told as a set of scenes wound around each other - made it very enjoyable. Each scene grabbed your attention and held it whilst interest in the production as a whole was maintained. This worked very well most of the time. But, towards the end, it did become a bit tiresome. The other problem was that there was a nagging feeling that some of the stories were incomplete and questions were left unanswered. Overall, the quality of the acting was good. The approach of using people to explain some of their own life experiences worked well. Sexual freedom in 50's New York was conveyed with a sense of wonder and excitement which was fresh and inspiring. Brief moments of passion between office juniors humorously explained how 'safe sex was carried out as early as the 50's ... Poignant glimpses into the sexual awakenings from the lesbian perspective were seen. And the recent history of the Gay Rights movement was set against a background of personal agonies and institutional prejudice, giving a glimpse of the struggle and problems of being gay as little as 20 years ago. Overall, the show was a success. The acting was mature and drew the audience into the stories with surprising ease. Only one actor appeared weak and this, I feel sure, will improve with time. Alan Brown --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALAN'S CHART ============ 1. Lucky Monkeys - Bjango (Original Mix) (Hi-Life) 2. Baby Doc - La Betteria (The Drum Track) (12" Mix) (Positiva) 3. Jack - Revolution (Revolution Club Mix) (Ouch!) 4. DJ Don - DJ Don (Positiva ??) 5. Alan X - dBL (X Rated Mix) (XTrax) 6. Imperial - The Sensations EP (Slamm) 7. Kcrushed One - Wanted (Original Kcrush) (Native Dance) 8. Wildchild - Jump To My Beat (Tall Pall Remix) (Hi-Life) 9. Secret Combination - Ultra Vista (Yeti) 10. David H - Passion (Pure Seduction Mix / Tony De Vit Dream Techno Mix) (Fever Pitch) 11. DJK - Bustin'Loose / Faze One (Tuff Tunes) 12. TdV - Are You All Ready? (Jump Wax) 13. Alex Whitcome - Coming Home / Ice Rain (Skinny Malinky) 14. Unity 3 vs TA.LA.RI.CO. - I'll Take You There (Remix) (Polydor) 15. Dominion - The Gate (Renaissance Mix) (Whoop!) 16. Hydra - Maid of Grace (Push Mix) (Polydor) 17. Coyote - Spirits Dancing (Mix #1) (Stress) 18. Tarrentella 2 - Deep Down (B1, A) (Whoop!) 19. Taucher - Infinity (Hardfloor Remix) (Sony) 20. 108 Grand - Tonight (Way Out West Mix) (Fresh) Joy, the gay gay club for happy happy people: every 4th Sat from 19th Oct @ Wilkie House, Edinburgh; every 2nd Sun @ The Sanctuary, Kirkcaldy; Sat 23rd Nov @ Club Creole, Dunfermline; plus Sweet! @ Exodus, Aberdeen, every Fri. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL ============= by Rex Wockner ARMENIAN GAYS REACH OUT Two lesbians and a gay man from the former Soviet republic of Armenia found their way into gay cyberspace last week and appealed for contact with the rest of the world. Armen, 30, Lusy, 27, and Nara, 28, said it's horrible to be gay in Armenia. "We are not ashamed of being such people but to open our personalities in our country is just inadmissible and impossible," they wrote. "We want to be free and not to hide. We want to speak, to work, to live freely such as in every normal civilized country. ... Here people just do not admit and understand this natural thing. It is a pity but this is a fact. We would like to participate in gay and lesbian conferences, congresses, forums, demonstrations and other kind of works. It would be a great revelation for us. We are sure that we are the first people from Armenia who do such brave step and cannot imagine what will follow." They said their fax number is 00-7-374-2-151-795, attn: AGN Centre. Discretion might be advisable. NEAR-ORGY AT MUNICH OKTOBERFEST Gay Day at Munich's Oktoberfest drew 10,000 men to the Braeu Rosl beer tent, according to a first-hand report posted on an Internet mailing list. According to the colourful report: "Many men who come from Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland or Southern Tirolia (Italy) wear their 'Tracht'(ethnic clothing), which is embroidered leather trousers, either short ones which end at the middle of the thigh, or long ones, which are tied below the knees where they end. In both cases, embroidered leather braces belong to the outfit." "During the gay afternoon and evening in the Braeu Rosl people drink quite a few litres of beer and have a wonderful party: You can kiss anybody (well, nearly anybody) you like." "The whole tent sings along when the band plays the gay-favorite love song 'Er gehoert zu mir'(He belongs to me). Even straight men howl along and don't seem to care about the gay context too much." "There is a lot of flirting going on and since the inhibitions are low or have vanished all together, people go for it right at the table: It was reported repeatedly that someone gave another guy a blow job while he was standing on a beer table. But these extremes are probably exceptions." "The thousands of litres of beer drunk want to come out of the body again. So there is a lot of cuming and going at the urinals. Other men's dicks are inspected and commented on regularly. Particularly, when they are nice and obviously ready for business... Straight men sometimes react a bit embarrassed in cases where the come-on is too frank." "There are dozens of safety guards around in the beer tent (as always during the festival), but they have very little to do: Gay men apparently do not become as violent as straight men when they are drunk. It happens quite often that drunk straight men in other places start a fight among each other. I have never seen anything like that in the gay crowd on that first Sunday in the Braeu Rosl." ARGENTINA New laws that took effect in Buenos Aires, Argentina, ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and abolish the "Police Edicts" under which city cops have long been permitted to arrest people at whim and hold them overnight without filing any charges. Apparently unhappy about the changes, the police launched an attack on gays and transgendered people in the first several days of October. AUSTRALIA Children growing up in gay households perform better at social sciences, are more likely to be polite, respect authority, and help with chores, are more interested in learning, and are more expressive and independent than children being raised by heterosexuals, according to a new study from Australia's Charles Sturt University, reported the Melbourne Star Observer. On the other hand, the kids from gay families have lower language and maths skills, tend to shy away from team sports, are more timid around their peers, and are more likely to act effeminately and be ridiculed by classmates. CAMBODIA To their elders'shock, lots of young Cambodians are having lots of sex, a new survey revealed. The Cambodian AIDS Social Research Project found that one-third of young women are sexually active and 87% of young men are having sex - with girlfriends, prostitutes or, in the case of 10% of the men, with other males. One hundred percent of the women and 50% of the men had never used a condom. CANADA Revenue Canada will now treat gay/lesbian couples the same as married heterosexuals in not taxing them on employer-paid spousal medical benefits, Canadian newspapers have reported. About a third of Canada's large employers provide medical coverage to partners of gay workers. Revenue Canada quietly revised its policies after a June Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that federally regulated businesses may not withhold benefits from gay employees'families. CROATIA The office of Croatia's INFO AIDS organization was recently stoned by neighbours in Zagreb, the capital city. The rocks destroyed windows, a computer monitor, a printer and some furnishings. A day later, the backyard flower garden was burned. Police have expressed little interest in the matter, said Amir Hanusic, secretary of the group. EUROPE The European Parliament recently adopted a resolution on human rights in the EU that includes a call to banish discrimination based on sexual orientation. The resolution stated, in part: "All discrimination and/or inequality of treatment must be abolished concerning homosexuals, especially ... differences that persist on the age of consent for homosexuals, and discrimination concerning the right to work, and in penal, civil, contractual, social and economic law." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEWS ======= books Anti-Gay ed. Mark Simpson Freedom Editions, ukp9.99 Having seen this book being pasted by reviewers elsewhere, I wasn't looking forward to reading it on the train through to Glasgow. However, my chortles startled not only myself but several fellow passengers. I'd thought it would be a stodgy academic read, but it turned out to be surprisingly accessible - a collection of critiques of gay lifestyle, politics and art with which I found I largely concurred. From Peter Tatchell ("The ultimate queer emancipation is the abolition of homosexuality and the eradication of the homosexual") to Toby Manning ("Gay men troop out loyally to buy anything by Jimmy Somerville, Boy George, or Erasure, however dire, while lesbians follow suit with the second-rate sub-Springsteen rock of out lesbian Melissa Etheridge") there's food for thought - but I don't see this one being the talk of the pubs and clubs. Storm Tide by Mel Keegan GMP, ukp7.95 Sometimes an editor just has to take a firm stance with his book reviewers. "No, this is one that I am going to review!" I've always liked Keegan's work, and this is no exception. It's a competent and gripping thriller, set in Keegan's native Australia. Lots of local colour, a good bit of gay sex, some nasty villains, and a fast moving plot (marred for me only by a few basic misunderstandings about radio technology - but I'm funny that way). All in all, a good yarn, well spun. What more can a boy want? John Hein The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton Macmillan, ukp9.99 There is only one thing wrong with finishing a good book. You don't want it to finish. Well, that premise does make this one of the best books I've read in ages. Do you know, when I finished this one I didn't start reading another for the next three days. I just couldn't bring myself to start losing the amazing images left by the memory of this adventure through reading a perhaps mediocre book. Anyway, I better stop waffling and tell you properly about this book. It's a Science Fiction-Horror-Disaster novel all rolled into one. It's incredibly well put together, with umpteen at first seemingly unconnected stories suddenly starting to fit together to reach an incredibly worrying climax. It's absolutely compulsive reading, all 950 pages packed with excitement, wonder and hope. Let me give you one tip though, make sure you've got a couple of days to spend with this book, 'cause you'll find it almost impossible to lay this one down even for a few minutes. I must thank my lover at this point for not leaving me while I read this book, I left everything to him and if it wasn't for his cooking I would have starved to death. I can't wait for the next books in this series, 'cause apparently this is only the first of a trilogy. A real epic. Unholy Ghosts by Richard Zimler GMP, ukp9.95 An emotional tour-de-force. This is the story of an aging American queen on the run from memories of the friends mowed down in their prime by AIDS. It is told by the author in the form of a letter to a lover who's rejected him for the fear of this own queerness. It's full of sweet sorrow and moments of exuberant joy and unexpected twists in the storyline. It's very well crafted and coherent throughout. A tender and poignant journey through the depth of memories and wonderful trip through the rugged landscape of the Iberian peninsula. A journey of re-discovery of the feelings and emotions previously experienced by a younger version of the letter writer. After reading this book I had to change my pre-conception that books dealing with the AIDS subject are boring and depressing. I stand corrected and look forward to reading more by this very talented author. Live the Life you Love by Barbara Sher Hodder & Stoughton, ukp8.99 Goals - Shmouls, as a jewish friend of mine would say about this one. I somehow doubt that reading this book will fulfill the promise on its jacket. It supposedly changes your life and makes it possible for you to live the life you love. But I can't see how by following the hints in this book you will suddenly be the person you secretly want to be. But perhaps I'm just an old cynic at heart. Well, I gave this book a trial and I am still living the life I have lived. But there again, I quite like the life I live, thank you. Keanu by Sheila Johnston Sedgwick & Jackson, ukp15.99 Did you like "Speed"? I did and I have liked almost every movie starring this incredibly handsome guy. Thats only one of the reasons I liked this book, though. It seemed very well researched, both the early years and the more recent developments in his life. I did however think that the turning points in his live could have been highlighted better, i.e. his friendship with River Phoenix and the tragic death of this friend are only mentioned briefly, although they provided him with a profound insight into the dangers facing him. I enjoyed the lengthy interviews with his friends and colleagues and although I'm usually not hot on biographies this one never bored me. Dirk Kreite smut EuroBoy Calendar 1997 Prowler Press, ukp6.99 Another excuse to run twelve of those pictures that have been in their other publications: but a fairly appealing 'best of young smooth flesh', I suppose. Though, if I see Zoltan and that bloody red neckerchief once more I'll scream with unrequited lust! Why do Prowler always send their products on paper or tape? Don't us reviewers deserve the real thing? Hint: If you can't aford Zoltan's fare from Hungary, put the eminently shaggable Lawrence on the bus to Scotland and I'll even buy his ticket! Steam 27: Uniform Prowler Press, ukp5.99 Afraid that this one didn't do a lot for me, but then uniforms never have. The usual Prowler quality and wipe clean cover containing some perfectly honed physiques the like of which are rarely seen outside such magazines. Justin Milne video French Twist (Gazon Maudit) Dir. Josiane Balasko Guild, ukp15.99 An amusing menage a trois as long as you don't mind lesbian stereotypes. Typically French and somehow reminiscent of La Cage aux Folles. It's a sexy farce - vulgar but with style. Worth renting, but I wouldn't go out and buy it. EuroBoy: Young & Hung Prowler Press, ukp15.99 Seven sexy young lads with smooth slim bodies doing just about all you can do and still get an 18 certificate. Nice smiles, feasibly large cocks, but could somebody please give these lads a decent meal or is anorexia the in thing this year? Justin Milne film In America in the sixties Andy Warhol was amongst the first artists to become nationally known for silk screen printing his work and then made a handful of black and white movies starring the delicious and delectable Joe Dellesandro. I Shot Andy Warhol (Edinburgh and Glasgow from 29th Nov) details how a lesbian, Valerie Solanas, almost killed him with a .32 automatic in 1968. She was sentenced to three years in a psychiatric prison and eventually died destitute in 1989. Director Mary Harron has researched the story of the drug filled world warhol lived in and found the demented Valerie was the founder of SCUM - the society for cutting up men. Her mind was articulate with considerable humour which she needed frequently sleeping on the streets of New York and living through prostitution. The film details her obsession to meet Andy to persuade him to read a play she had written. "Crazy people had always fascinated me." said Warhol. "As they can be so creative. Usually they would never hurt anybody." His shooting and the later murder of John Lennon proved if these people have access to guns absolutely anything can happen. Through some eyes the Swedish Love Lessons is a controversial new film as it covers the affair an attractive 15 year old boy has with his 37 year old lady teacher. The British film censorship board are currently deciding what certificate they can give it, but the distributors assure me it will be open by the end of the year. Bo Widerberg, best known for making Elvira Madigan in the latter sixties, cast his son Johan in his latest film who was 19 during production, but is certainly believable as a nervous 15 year old. It was an Academy Award nominee and is essential viewing for anyone into blond teenagers. Mr Widerberg's script imaginatively depicts life in a Swedish school in 1943 and Johan's discussions on sex with his friends. His teacher is married to an alcoholic travelling salesman who constantly seeks female companionship on his selling trips. So his wife has no conscience about reacting to her student's passes. Most of Love Lessons is engrossing, but Mr Widerberg goes slightly off track writing a scene where the teacher, in a drunken jealous rage, breaks a bottle and threatens her teenage lover with it. Rewriting that scene, with her continually slapping his face in her frenzy, would have made Love Lessons a masterpiece. The easy to look at Ewan McGregor is on view again in Brassed Off (opens 1st November) filmed on location in Yorkshire about a community struggling to survive pit closures. Writer/director Mark Herman's script focuses on the brass bands that highlighted the lives of coalminers and the prospects of them finishing with the pit closures. Ewan and Tara Fitzgerald meet playing in the local band and romance blossoms. A brass band competition in London will be a joy to anyone appreciating this kind of music. Director Robert Altman grew up listening to jazz played by the finest musicians and his tribute to them is Kansas City (opens 22nd Nov) which he weaves around a gangster story. Set in 1934 it brings Harry Belafonte back to the screen at his mature best and Miranda Richardson, giving another character performance, proves she is possibly the world's best actress. Unfortunately Mr Altman's script isn't up to her standard and has Jennifer Jason Leigh as a tough talking kidnapper dragging Miranda around town at gunpoint. Only memorable to jazz lovers. Tin Cup has just opened and is the most entertaining film about golf ever made with Kevin Costner as an instructor being inspired by Rene Russo that he is brilliant enough as a player to compete for big time championships. Don Johnson plays the heavy whom Miss Russo finally rejects for you know who. Forget those boring TV golf programmes. This makes golf interesting. The Van (opens 15th Nov) is a Dublin comedy about guys made redundant who decide to open their own fast food business from a van selling to football fans and holidaymakers at beaches. With a cast of Irish actors it is mainly a novelty to see a film about that lovely land that doesn't mention the IRA. Several French movie makers love Paris and search for ideas to feature it in their films. The latest is When The Cat's Away that amusingly shows a girl's plight when she loses her cat and is helped in finding it by her gay flatmate. This is for the connoisseur of obscure movies. I loved it. Goodness knows where the public is for Through The Olive Trees that opens just after Christmas. Made in the countryside of Iran recovering from an earthquake it has an illiterate young man who is homeless trying to persuade a girl to marry him while they are both working on the set of a very economical movie. I would love to see other films shot in Iran if anyone there has any scriptwriting abilities. Malcolm Epstien --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 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 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. WWW: http://www.quine.org.uk/resources/glasgow_womens_library/lesbian_archive.html. 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. BORDERS: Borders Gay Switchboard operates every Wednesday evening 7.30-10pm for confidential information, advice and counselling. Phone Galashiels (01896) 756611 or write to Borders gay Switchboard, PO Box 13305, Hawick, Borders. TD9 9YG. Icebreakers social group meets every second Monday at 7.30pm in Green's Diner, 4 Green Street, Galashiels. Phone Switchboard for more information 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 third Saturday. 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: 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. 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 7.45pm and 9pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each calendar month in Cafe Kudos. Phone Lothian Switchboard for details. ELGIN: MuGGs meets second Wednesday of each month 7.30pm in the Cat's Whiskers pub in New Elgin. Also meets every Saturday 3.30-5pm for informal coffee afternoon in La Fontaine (lower ground floor of St Giles shopping mall). Sunday afternoon outing take place every 2nd and 4th Sunday. 2nd November: Mega Bonfire Bash - ukp3 per ticket (inc. food). 21st December: Fancy Dress Christmas Party "Gays thru the ages" - ukp10 ticket (inc. food). Phone Bobby on Elgin (01343) 542928 for details. Or write: MuGSs1, 2-4 Lamb Street, Bishopmill, Elgin. IV30 2DG. 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, for lesbians gays and bisexuals new to the scene:12.30-3pm on First Sunday in each month. GGLC, 11 Dixon St. 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. DUNDEE: Sumbiddies Dachters (Lesbian Support Group) meets at 7pm every second Tuesday at Women's Health & Family Project, 1 Russell Project, Hilltown, Dundee. DD3 7RU. Telephone: 01382 810230. 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. WWW: http://www.quine.org.uk/resources/glasgow_womens_library/ 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 Discussion Group: Meets every second Monday at 6.30pm. Support group, social events, informal chat. Crêche and fares help available. Phone Vicky on 0141-333 1450. 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 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 NETWORK: Social support and health advice to Bis and supporters. Meets GGLC. Contact Dominic Aveyard on 0141-248 6864 (day) or 0141-336 4548 (eves and w/e) or e-mail greenaction@gn.apc.org 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. WWW: http://www.quine.org.uk/gbwg/. 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 of the lesbigay and trangendered community open to all irrespective of sexuality. Services: first and third Sunday of each month at 6pm in the Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh and third Sunday of each month at 1pm in the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre, Dixon Street, Glasgow. Phone John on 0131-556 1309. Write: Holy Trinity MCC, PO Box 12433, Edinburgh. EH1 3FU. E-mail: mcc@tattoo.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 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. GLASGAY!: Lesbian and gay arts festival. Takes place next 31st Oct-8th Nov 1997. Write: 53 Cochrane Street, Glasgow. G1 3HL. Phone: 0141-552 3370. 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:Rank Outsiders, BCM Box 8431, London. WC1N 3XX. 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. E-mail: bpstrathclyde@enterprise.net. 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). CRUSAID SCOTLAND: 25 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh. EH2 4QS. Telephone: 0131-225 8918. Fax: 0131-220 4033. AIDS/HIV Fundraisers. DOT (DUNDEE OUTREACH TEAM): Harm Reduction Centre, 55 Constitution Road, Dundee. DD1 1LB. Telephone: Dundee (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 FOOD LINE LIMITED: Unit A, Maryhill Workspaces Ltd, 45 Garrioch Road, Glasgow. G20 8RG. Phone: 0141 946 0003. 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. LANARKSHIRE HIV COUNSELLING: Phone Airdrie (01236) 747960 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.15pm) MILESTONE HOUSE: Residential care (primarily respite and paliative care) for people with HIV/AIDS. 223 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh. EH14 1EB. Phone: 0131-441 6989. PAISLEY SUPPORT GROUP: For people with HIV, partners, friends and family. First Wednesday of the month 7.30pm at The Wynd, School Wynd (off Moss Street). Phone: Margaret McAllister on Brediland (01505) 814284. 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.IV3 5PR. Phone: Inverness (01463) 711585. E-mail: support@reachout.demon.co.uk 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. E-mail: information@solas.demon.co.uk 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. Phone: 0141-211 4753. WAVERLEY CARE TRUST BUDDY SERVICE: Buddying Service for people with HIV/AIDS. Buddy Service Co-ordinator, 4a Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. EH7 5AB. Phone: 0131-556 3959. Fax: 0131-556 5045. NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE: 0800 567123. A Freephone, 24 hour service for confidential advice and information. LEATHER MSC SCOTLAND: MSC Scotland, PO Box 28, 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, hillwalking, windsurfing, cross-country skiing, camping and youth hostelling etc. 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 0131-657 3707 (Cycling). West: Douglas on 0141-636 5894. 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 PHOENIX: The only national group for the over forties and friends of any age. Write (enclosing an sae) to: Phoenix, PO Box 103, Wallington, Surrey. SM6 9SJ. 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 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 SCOTTISH LABOUR CAMPAIGN FOR LESBIAN AND GAY RIGHTS: Works within the Labour and Trades Union movement to secure equality for lesbians and gay men. Meet quarterly. Contact c/o GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. 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. 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 BRITISH GAY AND LESBIAN SPORTS FEDERATION: Encourages participation in sport. Write (with sae) to BGLSF, Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, London. N1 9SE. DEEP-SEA ANGLING: First Sunday of the Month. Trip to Ayrshire Coast. Leaves GGLC 7am returns 6pm. Costs ukp15 and rods, reels and bait can be supplied. Phone: Robert on 0141-204 5418. EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S RUNNING CLUB: Meets for 3-4 mile casual local run. Call Alistair: 0131-661 0008. GAY BADMINTON & SWIMMING: Glasgow: Every week during term time at Woodside Secondary School, Berkeley St. Badminton: Mondays at 8.30pm and Thursdays at 6.30pm. Swimming: Thursdays at 8.30pm. Details: Ian 0141-959 0543 (Badminton) or Douglas 0141-636 5894 (Swimming). Edinburgh: Swimming group meets informally at the Commonwealth Pool on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays - details from Tom on 0131-229 5775. 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. GLASGOW & EDINBURGH ALTERNATIVE WRESTLERS: Edinburgh club meets every Sunday 6.15-9.30pm. Glasgow club meets every Friday 10am-4.15pm. Pinfall & Submission plus Pro-Style Wrestling. Phone: Derek on 0131-467 1465 or Iain on 0973 845865. Write: Alternative Wrestlers, PO Box 437, Glasgow. G42 8HU. E-mail: iainscott@dial.pipex.com 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 last Saturday each month bar 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 ABERDEEN LGB YOUTH GROUP: For 21s and under. Meets Noon-4pm on 2nd and 4th Saturdays, Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 272975 or e-mail src038@abdn.ac.uk 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. Write c/o GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SWITCHBOARDS AND HELPLINES ========================== BISEXUAL PHONELINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Phone: 0131-557 3620 BORDERS GAY SWITCHBOARD Wed 7.30-10pm Phone: Galashiels (01896) 756611 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: SERIOUS RESERVATIONS =============================== We were going out to dinner. A date. For us, a momentous occasion. When you've been together four or five thousand years, going to dinner usually just isn't a very big deal. Oh, sure. If you're joining twenty of your closest friends. Or taking out-of-towners to Butterfly World and dinner. Or celebrating any two digit anniversary. Or it's part of the cruise package, well, yeah, sure, then. But we'd long since outgrown the glow where they could serve shredded tablecloth and a magnum of chilled Texaco ten-forty, and all you'd notice was each other. Like so many long-linked lesbians, going out usually meant Saturday morning for short stacks and our minimum yearly requirement of nitrites and cholesterol, and saving the seventy dinner dollars to buy a hydrangea hedge for the front footpath, or an extension ladder. But lately, by some mysterious turn of the mandala wheel, we'd looked up from automatic, and seen each other. So a dinner date, candles and wine and soft lights, oh my, was indeed a deal. We would shower and scent, and show up in sparkles nearly matching our eyes, gaze longing, barely notice whatever expensives they set before us, and drive home by the moonlit sea. . Of course, we were dining ALA rainbow, so at best, it could be a fingers-crossed arrangement. "Do we need reservations tonight?" "How many?" "Two." "Oh, Honey, you just come in. Between seven-thirty and eight, we have a couple of large parties, so there might just be a little wait.... But..." I shoulda known. I shoulda known. Smelling splendid, we waited safely till nine to clear the crowds. "It'll be an hour!" Our lady of the Precious Reservations said, wielding her reservation log like a club. "Don't have a reservation, huh?" "What?" I astutely responded, keen-wittedly following with a chilling "Huh?" Then, finding my vocabulary, I uttered urbanely, "Uh!...We were told there would only be a slight delay earlier." Grandly gesturing to the full room behind her, occupying every inch of tablecloth, she invited us, beggers at the table, to wait. At the overcrowded wine bar. We stood for forty-five minutes. Took stools and ordered iced water rather than drink the cheap chardonnay on hand. I thought maybe I should've slipped the maitre 'dess a big bill like Cary Grant did in movies, but let it go because, in lighting that would have done an operating room proud, I'd have looked silly. To everyone. Couples who came in after us were shortly seated for no particular reason. Friends of the place, maybe? Or just better at Cary Granting. At ten-twenty, knowing the kitchen closed in forty minutes, I inquired after our seating arrangements. "Just have two ahead of you. Party of one, and Party of three. Soon." She said. With all the tables freshly served, or ordering, I wondered if "soon" qualified for same-day service. They tried to get the single guy to eat at the bar, but no luck. Table #1. Then the three. Last available table. But that did make us next. Finally. With minutes to spare, a table too close to the sad singer with the karaoke machine. OUR table, nonetheless. They bused it. Set up the service. We anticipated. Our stomachs, thinking our throats had been cut. Romance was over, but food at all was a winning prospect. What's this? Linen napkin fans...for four?! I couldn't believe it. They gave it away! To a larger party who exceeded their ordering and tipping expectations of us. There wasn't a table left to be vacated in this lifetime. Sitting down by now meant tired food from chefs wanting to go home. From last dibs supplies. Phooey! "We were here before the table you just seated, and before several others you already seated." "Well, you're next." As though it were condolence of an hour and a half's fruitless wait. We left. Way over-dressed for the pancake hut. What else could we do? If you ever find yourself in my spring-break town, looking for decent dining, and thinking that you might like to spend your money in your own back yard, here's my recommendation. Skip the restaurant with the too cute boy/girl name. I doubt it'll still be here, though. Like so many other rainbow businesses, when their attitude buys them dwindling returnees, and they blame us for non-support, let's just say it was a dish they cooked and served themselves. I don't get it. What is it about our community that causes our own businesses to continue to believe that they can treat us badly, over-charge us for the privilege, give us terrible service, and still expect us to be loyal and recommend them to our friends? What's the rainbow deal here? This isn't the first time I've found gay/lesbian businesses whose sloppy operating practices presumed that we owed them a living. It's just that this time, getting no food has left a very bad taste in my mouth. ©1996. Shelly Roberts. All rights reserved. May be reprinted only in its entirety with written permission. Shelly Roberts is an internationally syndicated columnist, speaker, and author of Roberts'Rules of Lesbian Living. ------------------------------------------------------------------ CREDITS ======= ScotsGay: a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals edited, printed and published in Scotland. ISSN: 1357-0595.(c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, October 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: DGarry Otton and Derek Ogg (Features), Doug, Jol, Iain & Minerva (Scene), Rex Wockner (International), Alan Nicholls (Music), Alan Brown (Arts), Justin Milne (Videos), John, Dirk and Andy (Books), Malcom Epstein (Films), Shelley Roberts (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/ Subscribing by Internet: 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. END OF FILE