SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland Issue 17 - August 1997 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 1997. 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 issue: Editorial - Hounding News - Reports and investigations Ottonian Tales - The magic sequin & stardust show Ogg's view - The paedophilia story InsideOUT - The total scene guide Venues - What and where Scene - Gossip from everywhere Boxes - The ScotsGay Meet Market International - News from around the world Fringe Reviews - Three pages of reviews Listings - Checked and updated every issue Helplines - If you need a friendly ear Music - Joy DJ Alan's latest chart ScotsDyke - more books from Heather ------------------------------------------------------------------ EDITORIAL ========= The recent suicide of Gordon McMaster, the Paisley Labour MP, has exposed many of the shabby workings of the modern Labour Party to public view. We shouldn't be surprised at the backstabbing and rumour mongering that led the MP to take his own life. They are, regrettably, part and parcel of contemporary political life in this country. What has been more surprising in a Labour Party which supposedly has espoused the gay cause, have been the number of 'friends' of McMaster who have fallen over themselves to spring to his 'defence' and deny any possibility that the man could have been gay or bisexual. I'd like to contrast this with the reaction of American vocal group The Fabulous Fourmel'dehydes who we assumed were gay in our Festival Preview last month. (First rule of journalism: Assume nothing - check everything. We did - but the Fringe Press Office had jumped to the same conclusion as ourselves). Their reaction on hearing of our mistake? Vague amusement - only one of them is gay. Now, I really have no idea if Gordon McMaster was or was not a keen (or reluctant and guilt ridden) uphill gardener, but it seems to me rather sad that politicians like Irene Adams still seem to see homosexuality as some sort of character defect. If McMaster was gay, it is a tragedy that the threat of exposure should have driven him to kill himself. If he wasn't, it is equally tragic that he should so worry about people thinking he was that he brought his life to an end. From all accounts, he was a decent human being who deserved better. The Scottish Labour Party could repair much of the damage caused by the whole sorry affair were they to put up an out lesbian, gay or bisexual as a candidate at the by-election. It would be a clear sign to their adherents and the electorate as a whole that gay is really just as good as straight. It might just help tortured souls like Gordon McMaster to realise that, ultimately, it doesn't matter if you're gay, straight (or anything in between or at either end). And anybody in the Labour Party or elsewhere who says otherwise should be fed to Tommy Graham. John Hein --------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS ==== PHONEY SISTERS IN CHARITY SCAM The Order of Perpetual Indulgence has hit out at fraudsters who have been passing themselves off as "Sisters" and raising funds in an Edinburgh venue. According to the Order's Sister Deary Me!, "Sisters of the Order all carry identification and always raise funds with other organisations also being present within the group. OPI Sisters do not fund raise for their own benefit at venues and have a missionary calling to contribute to the visibility and awareness within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, not to take from those it seeks to serve." "The Annual Queer Christmas Party, last year held at the New Town Bar, is the one and only event where funds are raised by the Order to meet our running costs, which are minimal, throughout the year." "During this year we have raised funds with the assistance of Gay Men's Health, Waverley Care, Body Positive Strathclyde, and, of course, Pride Scotland." "Regular condom, femidom, dental dams and ID lube runs are regularly made to venues and never has money been collected or expected on these occasions. We are continually raising awareness to the risks of HIV and are supportive of those infected and affected within our community." "If you have any concerns or can present reliable evidence of supposed sisters fund raising for themselves, then we, and the police, would like to know of such occurrences." "If you do not recognise OPI Sisters, ask to see their identification and the responsible person from the organisation or event that they are fund-raising and supporting. If in any doubt, call the police and seek their assistance." SCOTLAND: EQUALITY THROUGH DEVOLUTION The legal position of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Scotland is broadly in line with other parts of the UK. However, most of the legislation which affects LGB Scots is separate from, and in many cases structured very differently from English law. Scotland kept its own unique legal and judicial systems when it united with England in 1707, just as it still has its own distinct and separate education system, media, churches, trade union groups and voluntary sector. For 290 years Scots Law has been updated by the Westminster Parliament, with all UK MPs able to vote on it. Now this all looks set to change. Assuming, as seems likely, that the people of Scotland vote "yes" in the referendum on September 11th, a Scottish Parliament, sitting in Edinburgh from 2000, will take back control of Scotland's domestic laws. Under the devolution proposals, it appears at present that sexual offences, family and education law, health, social work and local authority law, and the operation of the police and courts will all be controlled by the Scottish Parliament, but not immigration, employment or anti-discrimination law, which will remain the responsibility of Westminster. The political atmosphere in Scotland is mixed - many Scots believe strongly in the principles of fairness and equality, but there is also a tradition of religious moralism. Devolution is going to create great opportunities and great challenges for Scotland's campaigners. Scottish citizens will no longer be 400 miles from the levers of power. On the other hand, those who want to see equality in Scotland will no longer be able to rely on Stonewall's London office to carry most of the weight of parliamentary lobbying - we will have to do it in Scotland! Before the Scottish Parliament is up and running, Westminster legislation will hopefully have met most of the Equality 2000 challenges. Then, from 2000 onwards, we will between us have two Parliaments to lobby (the proposed Welsh assembly will not have legislative powers). Victories at one Parliament will help the campaign at the other, but a defeat in one could work against us in the other. The whole UK stands to benefit from the build-up of effective lobbying in Edinburgh. As an early step in the preparations for devolution, the Edinburgh-based LGB Equality Network, with the support of Stonewall, held a national one-day conference in Edinburgh in June. It looked at priorities and plans for equality campaigning in Scotland. 100 delegates took part, from all over Scotland, with workshops examining a wide range of issues. Several of the workshop discussions have already resulted in new campaign initiatives, for example: The Scottish constitution workshop has established a group which will be examining the devolution white paper proposals and will meet with Henry McLeish, the devolution Minister, over the implications for Scotland's LGB communities. The media workshop is developing a two-day seminar, "Scotching the rumour", on using and responding to the media, to be held in Glasgow in October. Further campaign work is likely to follow on from the other conference workshops, on: equality at work, health, gay male, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, youth and parenting issues. Reports from the workshops, and details of follow-up events and campaign initiatives, are freely available from: LGB Equality Network, 58a Broughton St., Edinburgh, EH1 3SA Tim Hopkins, Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Equality Network tmh@dcs.ed.ac.uk POLICE WARN CRUISERS In what is believed to be a first for a Scottish police force, Lothian and Borders Police have issued a colour poster warning of "a spate of violent attacks after dark on men who are cruising the open spaces off Royal Terrace and Regent Road". The poster claims that police "will be out and about with a highly visible uniform to protect, not harass you". In addition to providing local police contact information, the poster has details of various lesbian, gay and bisexual helplines. We have published the poster at the back of this issue. CENTRE FORWARD It looks like the Edinburgh Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Centre has been saved from closure following a decision by members of the building's owners to sell it to the Charity which runs it. At an EGM on 2nd August, OUTRIGHT Scotland decided to sell the Centre to the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Community Project on favourable terms. This will allow Outright to pay off Frank Schmidhofer and Volker Beckman who had sued Outright following the closure of their business Cafe Streuselkuchen. The Charity has already been promised a low interest loan of ukp20,000 but now has to produce a business plan and raise more money from commercial sources (unless there are any more Good Fairies around who would like to help). RING, RING! Support for Transvestites and Transsexuals in the West of Scotland took a major step forward this month with the launch of Crosslynx Helpline. The new service aims to provide a blend of counselling, support and practical information to callers. The new phone line will be run by members of Crosslynx, the support group for transvestites and transsexuals which has been operating in Glasgow for the past six years. Project co-ordinator Susan Hunter said, "It's a dream come true to at last have a telephone help line in the West of Scotland that can help and advise transvestites and transsexuals. It is one of the very few support services available in Scotland and I hope the line will be well used". Susan went on to say, "I'm very grateful to Strathclyde Gay and Lesbian Switchboard who have provided training and other practical support and who have worked closely with us to make this line a reality". Switchboard Co-ordinator, Neil MacGowan, was equally enthusiastic. "We take nearly 1,000 calls a year from transvestites and transsexual callers. This new service will compliment our own phone lines and provide a reliable referral service for our clients. I wish Susan and her team every success with this new venture. It is very much needed and I have no doubt it will be successful." The phone line will operate every Monday between 7.30 and 9.30pm on 0141-332 3333. HAMMOND'S ORGAN In a surprise move, Pulse Magazine, the successful free distribution scene magazine for Scotland and the North of England, has a new publisher and editor. Stuart Hammond, the Chair of the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre, has taken over from Gordon Gosnell on undisclosed terms and will be publishing Pulse from September. Editing the mag will be Andy Gormley. In an unrelated move, Dominic d'Angelo has resigned as editor of troubled Gay Scotland and the magazine has suspended publication. It is rumoured that it may re-emerge as a newsprint tabloid under the editorship of Paul Ivison, current advertising manager and owner of PJ's in Edinburgh. The circulation of recent issues is believed to have been under 1,000 copies. GAY MEN'S DAY Body Positive Strathclyde, the West of Scotland self help agency for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS is hosting a Gay Men's Day at their Centre in Glasgow on Sunday 31st August on the theme 'Sex'. Contact 0141-332 5010 or e-mail bpstrathclyde@enterprise.net for further details. BORDERS Borders Gay Switchboard are now publishing a monthly newsletter again and are inviting new material for future editions. The also have a new e-mail address: bgs@drink.demon.co.uk PRIDE Pride Scotland are holding their AGM on Saturday 13th September at 2pm in the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre. Apart from electing new Directors, the meeting will be deciding where to hold Pride in 1999. All welcome, but only members have a vote! SAUNA SAVERS Centurion Health Club in Glasgow have launched a new discount promotion known as Super Saver Sundays which allows entry before 4pm for ukp4 and before 6pm for ukp6. Normal entry fee is ukp8. Opening hours remain the same on Sundays: 2-10pm. WOMEN'S DAY Body Positive Strathclyde are holding a Women's Day on Saturday 6th September. Dr Anne Scoular and Dr Mary Hepburn will chair a discussion about health and wellbeing issues for women living with HIV/AIDS which will be followed by complementary therapies, tarot readings and a buffet lunch. NEW PHACES Caroline Emarzeban (known to many as Caroline Elder) has joined the Board of PHACE West and Patrick Stoakes is now Manager of their Gay Men's Project. HOOTS MON! Lothian Gay & Lesbian Switchboard are to hold their Tartan Fling Ceilidh in the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh on Friday 19th September. Ticket Hotline: 0131-556 8997. ------------------------------------------------------------------- OTTONIAN TALES ============== GLITTERING AUNTY BETTY'S MAGIC SEQUIN AND STARDUST SHOW Bank holidays. Don't you just love 'em? All the out-of-towners flocking in for a big night out on the town. In London, the clubs are so packed: even the below average lookers are in the running. So then. What the hell am I doing on the 14.30 to Edinburgh? In the first place Aunt Mary is ill. Again. Only this time it's supposed to be serious. I'm not so sure. Aunt Mary has been to and fro-ing between life and death for years. She says her doctors think it's marvellous. It exhausts everyone else. "You'd better come up and see me," she keeps demanding. "I may not have much longer, you know." Seeing Aunt Mary was one thing. Staying with her was another. In any case there was Uncle Barney. Uncle Barney married Aunt Mary in 1955 and left her in 1956. They lasted three months. Aunt Mary's unpopularity can be measured by the extent our family are prepared to lay all the blame at her feet. "A difficult woman. She made life complete hell for poor Barney," my mother tells me. She was being a little conservative with the truth. Uncle Barney is an outrageously camp gay transvestite. While one whole Bank Holiday weekend with Uncle Barney might be better than just one afternoon with Aunt Mary. One night in London must be better than spending a whole Bank Holiday weekend in Edinburgh. I've done it now. Three days amongst a couple of old fogeys discussing the price of tea and what the council was or wasn't doing about the rising damp. Great! This was all I needed. Uncle Barney meeting me at the station. Clack-clacking across the platform flagstones in Crimplene flared trousers and a lime-green ladies waistcoat He flung his arms around me screaming at the top of his voice. "Hello, dear! How's my little sister? Ooh! I've missed you, petal. Ooh, my, how you've grown! Such a big girl. You make your Aunty feel old! Look at you! Nice little bum and a lovely big packet! You'll have all the sailors queuing!" I looked down at the floor in embarrassment. My mouth gaped open in horror. I caught sight of Uncle Barney's feet. He was wearing a pair of ladies sandals with five little red painted toenails poking out of each of them! "It's nice to see you, Uncle Barney," I murmured hurriedly, bustling him past the station cafeteria. "Let's go home for a cup of tea, I'm really thirsty." "Sod tea! Your Aunty Betty'll pour us both a bit of mother's ruin when we get in!" "Whatever. Talking of Aunty. How is she?" "Maudling Mary? Knitting a coat for her poodle. I've told her to leave a hole for the balls. It'll be the only pair she's ever likely to see!" "Uncle Barney!" "So how's London, dear?" "Oh..." I began with a sense of pride, "as lively as ever. You must get to see it all one day. You must be so behind up here. Several new gay clubs have opened up, gay shops, gay saunas, everything you could ever want." "Well, you know your Aunty. Always a busy lady! I'll take you to the Cow and Cake tonight. I'm on in cabaret. You'll love my show, dear. It's outrageous! Now tell, Aunty. Who's your current? Or wasn't you going to trust Aunty with him? I'll bet you've got hands going down your pants every night of the week in the Smoke. What with all those pubs and clubs! Or is it just one special fella? Go on, you can tell your Aunty. Is he nice, dear?" "Haven't got anyone. Still looking." I let go a deep sigh. What the hell! Fat chance I had of finding one this weekend, anyway. But fair dues. Whereas Aunt Mary only wanted to talk about herself - be it her arthritis or her chronic asthma - Uncle Barney went out of his way to make me feel welcome. He wanted to know all about me. What I'd been doing. What my plans were for the future. Who I'd been seeing. Even if I hadn't actually been seeing anyone at all, I know he was still going to take an interest and share in all my hopes and dreams. Good old Uncle Barney. My life must've sounded a bit dull in comparison to his. The 'Glittering Aunty Betty's Magic Sequin and Stardust Show' was a huge success at the Cow and Cake, the landlady and regulars begging him to come back week after week. Uncle Barney would have to begin his complicated transformation into the Glittering Aunty Betty quite early in the evening. Uncle Barney's council house was a Hollywood theme park. Before tea I washed my hands in a porcelain conch with a colourful choice of sea-shell soaps. At tea we ate off guilded plates on a lavender lace tablecloth, seasoning our food with salt and pepper pouring from the mouths of a pair of thick-lipped gold lacquered fish. In the centre of the table stood a bowl held up by a perfect replica of the woman who introduced Columbia Pictures. After dinner, Uncle Barney's brushed his Persian cat before it settled down between two Capidemontes and a Dutch clog. Judy Garland sang to us from a walnut cabinet in the corner while Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and Lana Turner looked down at us from large prints on the walls. The door bell rang. Uncle Barney boldly answered it in black fur slippers and a soft pink dressing-gown. Nobody on the estate ever spoke to Uncle Barney. They only ever spoke of him. Opening the door in full make-up, I wasn't in the least surprised. Poor Uncle Barney. I wondered why a man with such a kind heart should want to inflict such misery and isolation on himself. "Who was it?" I whispered when Uncle Barney returned. "Just the milkman, love." He replied. "Do I want any whipped cream with my extra gold top. I told him not today, I had a guest. Poor, love. I'm the only one who understands you see, dear." I gave Uncle Barney a puzzled expression while he poured some milk - his little finger outstretched - into my tea from a jug that stood on four legs shaped like a cow. "Understand what?" I asked. He just smiled, swept his finger along the dribble of milk that ran down the neck of the cow and popped his finger in his mouth, holding it there suggestively between his red painted pursed lips, fluttering his long false eyelashes. "And I thought you London boys knew everything!" He removed his finger with a salacious smack. The Cow and Cake was amazing. On the outside a run-down pub on the worst side of town. Inside, a handful of old regulars sipping on their Heavy. Not until I followed Uncle Barney carrying his wigs and suitcase of spare gowns through a green door marked 'private' did I see into another world. Cheers went up from the crowd packed tightly together in a small room. Uncle Barney wasted no time getting ready before the show began. He threw glitter and flowers at his audience. "So you were wondering where your Aunty Betty was tonight, were you, dears? Well, as you know I have to walk over Calton Hill cemetery to get here." Laughter. "Keep it quiet, girls. Be discreet! Fifteen bloody poodles with leather studded dog collars tied to the railings. I ask you!" Hoots and shrieks. "There was an emergency up there last week. One queen got her cock caught in her zip. Half a fucking hour it took for two fire engines and couple of dykes in an ambulance to get there! Lily Law were already there! Did you hear about that fire in the cottage? Some cunt poured Super Glue down one of the locks in the cubicles and set fire to a toilet roll while a couple of queens were banging away! If it wasn't for the comfort holes the fire brigade would have never got their hose-pipes through!" Screams of laughter. And so it went on. The jokes. The bawdy dance-hall banter. The sing-song. Aunty Betty kept everyone on the edge of their chairs the whole evening. I sung myself hoarse, a change from my usual trick of propping up the wall all every evening until the last bell. The night was over too soon. We Rolled Out the Barrel and sang On Mother Kelly's Doorstep. I joined hands with complete strangers and snogged everybody. We could have gone on all night. Glittering Aunty Betty, of course, finished up by getting the clap she so richly deserved. The quiet ride home was too sharp a contrast. I planned to go straight on up to bed, but when we got home we found a young lad sitting on the doorstep waiting for Uncle Barney. "You're early, Stephen." Uncle Barney remarked in surprise. "Yeah. It's Marion again. I can't handle it, Barn. I've got to talk." "This is Stephen from Wester Hailes. Come inside, love, and I'll make us all a nightcap. Would you like a Viennese Finger?" Stephen smiled. And there wasn't just Stephen! Uncle Barney had hardly had a chance to unfasten his suspenders when the phone rang. I answered it. "It's someone for you, Barney," I said. "Won't give his name and says he only wants to speak to you. Sounds a bit of a rough diamond if you ask me," I added in a whisper. "Oh...! But I'm not! That's my lorry driver. Probably wants to try on a few of my frocks. Let's have a party!" I handed over the phone with my mouth open. There was more to come when the doorbell rang again. Uncle Barney swished over to the front door. "Heavens, dear! The price of fame! Who'd be a glamour puss?" It was just another wayward local who had heard of Aunty Betty's glittering reputation without ever having been to the Cow and Cake. While Uncle Barney peeled off his make-up, rolled down his stockings and entertained his guests, I was left to talk to Stephen. We were getting on really well. Really well! Soon the room was quite crowded. Fed up family men from the estate and bored husbands looking for a bit of glitter to liven up their lives. And there, in the middle of it all, was Aunty Betty. While Stephen got up to use the toilet, Uncle Barney leant over and whispered: "Isn't it wonderful! In the daytime I'm just an old queen nobody wants to know: but at night they all come and hide up my skirt!" Illustration and Story by Garry Otton --------------------------------------------------------------------------- OGG'S VIEW ========== BOYZ, BOYS AND PAEDOPHILIA - WHY WE CAN'T REMAIN SILENT For the last year, society has been gripped by a growing hysteria over sex crime, and paedophilia in particular. We've seen for the first time in Scotland vigilantism of a sickening kind, a baying by the mob and the press and all politicians for blood, often literally for blood. A new Register of Sex Offenders will next month be opened, with limited publication of the names of people on it to "interested" local groups and individuals. The offender, having paid a price in gaol, will have to report himself to the authorities wherever he goes. What has all this to do with us you ask? Gay men can rightly point to statistics which show the majority of abuse of children goes on within the nuclear family itself, by 'straight' fathers of their sometimes very young daughters. That type of abuser usually abuses on a regular basis the girl until late puberty before beginning all over again for another few years on the next daughter. The pattern can continue, coming to light only when, as a grandfather, his attempts to abuse a granddaughter are the last straw for the otherwise tight-lipped and guilt-written now adult daughter/mother. Years and years of serial child abuse by a dad of a daughter. That's the real story about child abuse in Britain. Paedophiles' best chance to get close to a child? Marry and have one. Best chance not to get caught? Be the child's otherwise 'loving' dad. Other paedophiles are again mainly married men interested in girls. Some child sex offenders were themselves sexually abused as children but sadly also lack the emotional or psychological development to be able to break away from its effects. They alone remain victims. The tiny minority of men who abuse boys include some paedophiles who are not gender-specific in their abuse, a child is a child to them. So does this allow us to be smug, keep our political heads down and say "nothing to do with us guv, we hate them as much as you, can I join your vigilante gang?". I think not. The hysteria and the climate of fear is potentially a major problem for gays if we keep as scandalously quiet as we have. We (of all people) now that mob-morality is a dangerous unfocused thing. In Aberdeen recently, two single never-married men had their flat trashed and were terrorised by vigilante mobs hunting a 'rumoured' paedophile in the locality. Neither were paedophile, even the police publicly said so. But as single men living alone, not mixing with the local pub regulars, they raised the mob-suspicion. Might that have been one of us, a gay guy keeping himself to himself who suddenly, like the herbalist widow in the 18th Century, becomes the local witch/pervert? Some in the mob may have suspected the person to be 'only' gay, but for some in a mob that's reason enough, if he thinks he can get away with it, to have a go. Mobs have a ferocious appetite, it does not get less by being fed, it gets greater. Secondly the gut-reaction disgust about paedophiles has a different source but is still the type of disgust a lot of straight men genuinely feel when they picture gay men having anal or oral sex. It does turn their stomach. That simple irrational but true fact is the main fact which impedes mass acceptance of a lowering of the age of consent. Why? A dad listens on TV to a bearded 40 something call for an age of consent for sodomy of 16. He thinks about sodomy. He reacts, 'Ugh!'. He looks across the room at his 15 or 16 year old son in school uniform. He thinks of beardy old bastard sodomising his son. Triple 'Ugh!'. TV presenter asks the listener to phone-in 'Do you support an age of consent of 16?' And we're surprised society hasn't given us our rights so far? OK so what does all this add up to? Firstly we need to speak out as gay activists and individuals to all of society about who and what we are as people. Ignoring the council estate population, or the football watching punters or whatever and only persuading the liberal political establishment will never win us our rights on the ground. One of those rights is to live in a council estate with neighbours who have children and not be looked at with fear, loathing or suspicion. Because their fear is irrational doesn't mean we ignore it, on the contrary we ignore it at our peril. We need as a community to acknowledge that there are, albeit a tiny number of them, gay paedophiles who have an agenda which is to have sex with boy children. We need to make our attitude to that clear, that it is not part of our agenda as gay men and distinctly not part of our agenda in lowering the age of consent. We need to make crystal clear that gay men's sexual orientation is adult, natural and legitimate. Frankly in a lot of our language and internal community propaganda we could do with being a little less genitally and youth-obsessed. I know that sounds anti-sex and anti-young. It's neither. It's called balance. I've seen a large healthy well-adjusted young gay population develop and grow in Britain, good luck to them. I now want to see the older community develop and grow a language and culture that is less 'boyz' tuned. Straights hear us say - "he's a lovely boy", "I saw a cute rent-boy", "I read in Boyz magazine" and they wonder, how young is 'boy'. They have a nerve mind you, to them an 18 year old is a 'boy' if he's rent, he's a man if he's a soldier, he's a youth if he's a criminal, he's just a black if he's black. Yes, they're hypocrites, yes they're irrational. To re-educate them, we have to gain some credibility and trust. To do that (as hard and brave as we'll find it) we have to address their fears in their language and to their faces. Being 'out' is going to mean being 'out there'. Until we have the guts to speak to blue-collared anti-gay Scotland we'll be in danger of being 'next' in the Mob's gut reaction check list. Derek Ogg ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- INSIDE OUT ========== Scotland's biggest and best guide to the whole scene. From all points of the compass we bring you the latest gossip, plus all the groovy places to hang out in. If you're for staying in, though, have a gander at our infamous Meet Market... You never know what you're gonna get! ------------------------------------------------------------------ VENUES ====== Aberdeen ABERDEEN WOMEN'S CENTRE Shoe Lane, off Queen Street. Tel: (01224) 625010. Fax: 01224 625777. Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Where the women hang out. Lesbian group meets Wed 8-10pm. CASTRO BAR AND CLUB 47 Netherkirkgate. Tel: (01224) 624472. Mon-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 1pm-2am. Cosy atmosphere. Totally refurbished since its last incarnation as the Pink Flamingo. CLUB CABERFEIDH 9 Hadden Street. Tel: (01224) 212181. Tue-Sun 10pm-2am. Disco - tends to be quiet midweek but busier at the weekends. Supposed to be closing soon. Dundee DEVA'S 75 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 6.30-11pm. Dundee's long established gay bar. Dance floor with DJ Thu-Sat. Pool table. Something for everyone! LIBERTY NIGHTCLUB 124 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 200660. Wed 9pm-2.30am, 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 During the Edinburgh Festival, most of the opening hours of Edinburgh pubs and clubs are greatly extended. Phone the venues concerned for details as the times given in these listings apply for the other 49 weeks of the year! BENT 100% The Gallery, Cowgate. Every 4th Saturday (Except August). 10pm-3am. ukp5 B4 11pm, ukp7 after. Gay club with strict "Nae Breeder" door policy. BLACK BO'S 57/61 Blackfriars Street. Tel: 0131-557 6136. Daily Noon-2pm and 6pm-10.30pm Superb little vegetarian restaurant. Friendly staff. Mixed clientele. Excellent value lunch menu. BLUE MOON 1 Barony Street/36 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 2788. Expresso Bar: Mon-Thu 7am-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 7am-12.30am, Sun 9am-12.30am. Cafe: Sun-Thu 9am-Midnight, Fri-Sat 9am-12.30am. Popular lesbigay cafe/bar complex. BOBBIE'S BOOKSHOP 220 Morrison Street. Tel: 0131-538 7069. Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm. Mixed bookshop selling a selection of UK and imported gay magazines. 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! CATWALK CAFE 2 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7770. FAX: 0131-478 7771. Should be open by the time this issue of ScotsGay is in print. Not going for a gay clientele, but will be gay friendly. C.C. BLOOM'S 23 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. Mon-Fri 5pm-3am, Sat-Sun Noon-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. 11am-11pm. Not as outrageously mixed as it used to be, but still seriously conventional. CLAREMONT BAR & RESTAURANT 133/135 East Claremont Street. Tel: 0131-556 5662. FAX: 0131-558 3539. Bar: Mon-Wed 11am-Midnight, Thu-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-Midnight. Restaurant: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm and 6pm-10pm, Sat 11.30am-10pm, Sun 12.30pm-10pm. Gay owned. Gay friendly and renowned for courtesy, comfort and good food. E-mail: scifipub@aol.com CYBERIA 88 Hanover Street. Tel: 0131-220 4403. Daily 11am-10pm (7pm Sun) Friendly mixed cybercafe with friendly mixed gorgeous staff. Where the wired queers hang out. WWW: http://www.cybersurf.co.uk/ DIVINE DEVA'S The Venue, 15 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-556 8997. Second Friday of each month, 9pm-3am. Women only one nighter with all proceeds going to Edinburgh Switchboard. EDINBURGH LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL CENTRE 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Houses PJ's , Stonewall Cafe-Bar, OUTRIGHT Scotland, Pride Scotland and Massage for Health. Also 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. FIRE ISLAND Studio 24, 24 Calton Road. Sat 30th Aug. 9pm-5am. ukp4 before 9.30pm, ukp8 thereafter. Loud popular noise. DJ's include Blu Peter from Heaven in London. 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. Intimate bar just off Rose Street Crawl. Never a dull moment. Karaoke Tue/Fri. JOY Wilkie House, Cowgate. JOY Info Line: 0131-467 2551. Saturdays - every 4 weeks. (23rd Aug at Studio 24, 24 Calton Road). 10pm-3am. Joy, Scotland's most upfront gay club! ukp7 members/ukp8 non-members (reduced entry of ukp5 before 11pm). E-mail: clubjoy@hotmail.com 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. MASSAGE FOR HEALTH 58a/60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-220 5154. By appointment only. Therapeutic massage from ITEC qualified practitioners Sara and Anne. Concessions 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 Wed-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! Open on Sundays - great for that aprŹs Kirk Session! THE OUTHOUSE Broughton Street Lane. Tel: 0131-557 6668. Mon-Sat Noon-1am. Sun 12.30pm-1am. Gay friendly cafe bar in a small lane in the gay triangle. OVER THE RAINBOW 32c Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-478 7130. Noon-Midnight. Good food. with a mixed crowd. PJ'S 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-558 8174. Mon-Sat Noon-7pm, Sun Noon-5pm. Gifts and toys for gay boyz and girlz. ROUTE 66 6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-557 3379. Mon-Sat 12.30pm-1am, Sun 3pm-1am. Misnamed - it's the best Route to a 69 that we've ever found - ask for details of where the bus stops are! The only gay bar in Scotland which serves Real Ale. THE STAG & TURRET 1 Montrose Terrace. Tel: 0131-478 7231. Mon-Sat 11am-1am. Sun 12.30pm-1am. Food: Noon-8pm. Newly opened gay boozer just round the corner from the Solas Centre. Entertainment most evenings. 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. STONEWALL CAFE-BAR 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-478 7069. 11am-11pm. The cafe at the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre. Scottish/continental food. Good value all day breakfast. Unusual decor. TACKNO 36-39 Market Street. Tel: 0131-226 4224. Last Sun of each month (except in Aug when it's on the 24th) 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. Basically straight, this Real Ale bar (formerly a Gas Board Showroom) 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-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun Noon-5pm. 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. Near to Grahamston station. PIERRE'S RESTAURANT FRANÇAISE 140 Grahams Road. Tel: (01324) 635843. Lunch: Tue-Fri Noon-2pm. Dinner: Tue-Sat 6.45-9.30pm. Mixed discreet clientele. Real French food and wine at a reasonable price. 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 ASTRO GIFT SHOP GGLC, 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-226 9977. Mon-Wed Noon-7pm. Thu Noon-8pm. Fri-Sat Noon-7pm. Sun Noon-6pm. Nicely appointed and stocked gift shop on the ground floor of the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre. AUSTINS 183a Hope Street. Tel: 0141-332 2707. Mon-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 2pm-1am. Friendly and busy basement pub. Entertainment every evening. Happy hours: 4-10pm daily. BENNETS DISCO 80-90, Glassford Street. Tel: 0141-552 5761. Tue-Sun 11pm-3am. Beautifully appointed busy club. Frequent PAs. Tuesdays are straight. 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-7pm. 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. CAFFE LATTE 58 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-553 2553. Mon-Fri 8am-Midnight. Sat 11am-Midnight. Sun Noon-Midnight. European style diner. Relaxed atmosphere. Wide selection of pastas, pizzas and sandwiches. Licensed Noon-Midnight. CENTURION 19 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-248 4485 Fax: 0141-400 1080.. Sauna and Shop: Mon-Thu Noon-10pm, Fri-Sat Noon-7am, Sun 2-10pm. Shop sells toys, videos, mags and everything in between. Exclusive stockists for RoB. The much awaited sauna is now open for trade of the roaring variety! E-mail: info@centurion.prestel.co.uk CLONE ZONE 35 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 3103. Mon-Wed 10.30am-6pm, Thu-Sat 10.30am-10pm, Sun 1-7pm. Newly opened shop selling lots of interesting bits to take home and play with. COURT BAR 69 Hutcheson Street. Tel: 0141-552 2463. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 8.30pm-Midnight. Small bar beside former Sheriff Court. Straight until mid-evening. 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!). 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. Other businesses in the centre include Asset Mortgages. Two large meeting rooms available for hire. Not as busy as it should be - it needs your support! Fully wheelchair accessible venue. 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-10pm, Sun Noon-6pm. The tastefully decorated eaterie for the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre. INTERNET CAFE 569 Sauchiehall Street. Tel: 0141-564 1052. Mon-Fri 9am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 11am-11pm. Friendly staff, mixed clientele, full Internet access from ukp2 per half hour. Food served all day. http://www.linkcafe.co.uk/ LOVE BOUTIQUE The Arches, Midland Street. Tel: 0141-221 9736. 10.30pm-3am. 1st Saturday of the month. Busy mixed club popular with the younger crowd. OVER THE RAINBOW BISTRO 6 Kersland Street. Tel/FAX: 0141-357 3739. Cafe: Thur-Tue 9am-5pm. Bistro: Mon-Sat 7-11pm. Friendly cafe/bistro in the heart of the West End run by two beautiful, recently married, drama queens. Mixed clientele. Full vegetarian menu available. BYOW. THE POLO LOUNGE AND CLUB 84 Wilson Street. Tel: 0141-553 1221. Lounge: Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 3pm-3am. Club: Fri-Sun 10.30pm-3am. Upmarket bar and club. Free entry to club before 11pm. Something new and definitely different. SADIE FROST'S 8-10 West George Street. Tel: 0141-332 8005. Noon-Midnight. Bar meals Noon-7pm. Friendly staff who compliment the upmarket decor. Nice and convenient for rail travellers to the North and East of Scotland. SAPPHO'S 8-10 West George Street. Tel: 0141-332 8005 (ask for Nathalie). Tue-Sun 7pm-Midnight. Glasgow's only all woman bar. Very popular. Inside Sadie Frost's. Pool table. 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 Fri & Sat. Packed at the weekend. Happy hours Mon-Thu 9-10.30pm. TIN PAN ALLEY 39 Mitchell Street. Tel: 0141-248 8832. Info Line: 0141-770 5904. Mon-Tue 11pm-3am. DJ Stella presides over both Jojo's (the gay Tuesday nighter) and Bounce (the mixed Monday nighter). Popular. TRON THEATRE CAFE BAR 63 Trongate. Tel: 0141-552 8587. Noon-Midnight. Friendly theatre bar. Mixed. VICTORIA BAR 157-159 Bridgegait. Tel: 0141-552 6040. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 12.30pm-Midnight. Basically straight, but justly popular with Glasgow's many 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? If you're an American visitor, tell Cal we sent you! Inverness NICO’S BAR/BISTRO Glen Mhor Hotel, Ness Bank. Tel: (01463) 234308. Wed and Fri 9-11pm. Smart relaxed bar popular with local gays especially on Wednesday and Friday nights (9.15pm onwards). Mixed clientele. Kilmarnock KAYPARK TAVERN 27/29 London Road. Tel: (01563) 523623. Straight pub - the lounge is used by some local gays on Mondays evenings. Stirling BARNTON BISTRO 3 1/2 Barnton Street. Tel: (01786) 461698. Mon-Thur 10.30am-11.45pm, Fri-Sat 10.30am-12.45am, Sun Noon-11.45pm. (Food: Day and early evening). Near to railway station, Mixed, busy, bohemian and friendly bar/bistro. Popular with students and Sons/Daughters of the Rock alike. Good food. Real Ale. InsideOut: a monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. ISSN: 1360-9327. Edited, printed and published in Scotland. (c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, August 1997. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------ DUNDEE ------ The Dundee holiday fortnight has the local scene jumping. Pub, club and cruising areas were swarming. The heat continues and so does the summer party. Dundee Outreach Team, our local safe sex groupies, held a successful barbie in Monikie Country Park on Sunday 17th August and it was better attended than their picnic up Glen Doll (Glen who?) which was a damp something. Another party in September is Dundee Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Switchboard 3rd birthday being held at Liberty Nightclub - tickets and details on telephone 202620. Fife Friend will hold an 8th birthday party on 7th September entitled "Top Hat and Tiaras"; going in drag sounds compulsory. It's rumoured Karen Dunbar will be there - fab track you released Karen. A ticket for disco and buffet costs a princely fiver so I'll have to eat loads of caviar and smoked salmon to get me money's worth. Elsewhere in this wonderful mag you may read of the sad demise of Aberdeen nightclub the Caberfeidh. My fellow, queen "Gus" did warn you 'to use it or lose it'. Can't help but wonder what effect the Friday Joy night had. These one-nighters, mainly run from Edinburgh (not just Joy) have killed off the weaker gay nightclubs to the ultimate detriment of the scene. Liberty management are considering running a bus from Aberdeen on Saturday nights if the Cab has closed and are keen to hear your views on Tel 01382 200660. Speaking of Liberty Nightclub they're getting very tight - no not that way deary. Drugs, proof of age, going in and out the club several times a night have all been getting Brian's attention. I'm well over 18 and leave the club with my paracetamol only when I find a man. The Wimmin's Disco is at Sinatra's on Friday 5th September and was very busy in August so give it a try coz it's great fun and the last quiz had brilliant prizes before the music started. The last time loads of women continued to Lido and boosted their numbers to 150 that night. Liberty Nightclub have unveiled their September programme which has karaoke returning fortnightly on Wednesdays. Wimmin's band "Fuze" appear on Wednesday 10 September from 11 pm till late. Shelley and Val were really good last time about three months ago. October they have two more weekends when they are open one hour later to 3.30am with a comedienne and a drag act planned - watch this space. A note of caution to you all - if taking someone back to yours for the first time or you are going back to theirs remember that even if you have seen the face before, they are strangers to you. Their motive for taking you back may be questionable - such as robbery or assault. Two males found this out the hard way this year. If you have been a victim Switchboard is there to help you on 202620 and DC Elaine Stewart at Tayside Police CID would also like to speak to you in confidence. Liquid Silk ---------------------------------------------------------------- EDINBURGH --------- Well, the city is once again in full swing with the Festival. I've been having a ball, don't know about you.... I had a little word with the folk at the new Catwalk Cafe which has leisurely been taking shape in the old Picardys premises - somewhat too leisurely judging by the fact that there have been posters up all round town for it and it hasn't even opened yet! Despite rumours that it was going to be run as a gay establishment, this is not going to be the case. "Whilst we'd be mad not to be gay friendly in view of our situation, we won't be actively targeting the gay market." Fair enough! Time for a brief snigger at the geographically challenged Boyz and their interview with the manager of Edinburgh establishment the Polo Club. That's before I rap myself on the fingers for my remarks about the Scottish Assembly in last month's InsideOUT. Tim Hopkins has taken me to task for stating that the proposed Assembly wouldn't be able to do very much for us. Whilst it's true that equality legislation is specifically excluded in the White Paper, this is deceptive as many of the areas in which we are discriminated against do come within the remit of the Assembly. Personally, I just can't get excited about the whole thing. It seems to me to be a Unionist Parliament for a Unionist People and I really can't understand why the SNP are having anything to do with it. Switchboard's Tartan Fling Ceilidh will be on in the Assembly Rooms on Friday 19th September (8pm-1am). Switchboard point out that there will only be 600 tickets available this time (as opposed to 1,000 for the Spring Fling in March) so demand will be high. Tickets cost ukp8 (ukp6 concession) and are on sale from Route 66, Blue Moon, New Town Bar, West & Wilde and the Assembly Rooms. Or you can write to: LGLS (FROGS) Ltd, FREEPOST SCO 1130, Edinburgh. EH1 0ZP. You can also order by phone or fax if you have a suitable credit card: 0131-556 8997. Alan at JOY tells me that he's finally managed to lure Trade DJ Tony De Vit up to Edinburgh for the September JOY in Wilkie House on 20th September. As one of Britain's hardest working DJs, Tony De Vit has built up an incredible following in both gay and straight circles with his hard and fast music. Although his base is his residency at the outrageous Trade in London, he also finds time to DJ all over the world, produce his own tracks, run his own record label (TdV), remix an astronomical number of tracks and appear on numerous mix CDs. This is definitely not a night to be missed. No advance tickets, but JOY members will be given precedence at the door on the night. It's hard to believe that West & Wilde Bookshop are celebrating their 15th anniversary this month. I managed to miss their birthday party last Sunday when Stella Duffy and Patricia Duncker were due to read from their books, but I gather that they still have a number of author visits and booksignings in the pipeline. Finally, a big raspberry to our City Council for part of its Considerate Contractor Scheme. It seems that this code of conduct for building firms working in the city includes the ludicrous rule that workers must wear shirts at all times. Why? What's wrong with a bit of naked flesh to brighten up the day? Iain iain@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------- GLASGOW ------- Edinburgh Bloody Festival! Yes, once again the copy deadline gets pulled forward because of the arty farty brigade! The poor old columnists end up running around like blue-arsed flies so that his Editorness can get this month's issue out in time for all you piss-elegant culture queens out there!! (Bet that's the first paragraph to hit the cutting room floor this month!!). I'm in the middle of moving just now and having to write this month's column longhand cos the computer's in a box SOMEWHERE. Should keep the boss confused, as I never was any good at joined-up writing!! Anyway, you're lucky you're getting a column at all this month, so sit up straight and pay attention now. There have been a few changes to the entertainment down at the Waterloo. Sunday afternoon in now Karaoke with the hilarious Greg and the evening shift carries on as usual with Betty Hutton supplying her popular mix of smut, abuse and tacky audience participation which we all know and love so much. Friday night is now MC'd by Twiggy and Tara King, with the rest of the week's entertainment being supplied by Rocco and Francine on their usual nights. Was having a quiet drinkie in the Poo Lounge a few afternoons ago, and couldn't help but notice the change in the place. Toilet rolls, somebody's groceries and piles of clutter behind the normally immaculate bar, dusty shelves and bar staff wearing casual clothes. What's going on? The place started off trying to project a very plush up-market image. No big deal, a quick skoosh of Mr Sheen should get things back to normal!! And I thought I was a lazy sod when it came to housework!! The register for signing in and out of the GGLC now seems to have disappeared. No doubt there was some good reason behind it in the first place, but I think it may have put some of the closets off going in. Seems like some of the Centre staff were getting a bit pissed off about the public trying to tell them how to run the place. If the scene are so full of good ideas and constructive criticism, why not become members, then you can add your voice to the way the place is run. Join Up - your Centre needs YOU!! Various theme nights are coming up at Sadies including Sports Night and White Night. Just turn up wearing the right gear for cheap drinks or whatever is on promo. See posters for details. August saw the opening of Glasgow's latest addition to the scene... Caffe Latte is slap bang in the centre of the gay triangle (trapezium actually) and is run by the same people who brought you Del's, the Poo, and the old Club X. Despite what Boyz might have tried to tell you, it's only just opened its doors for business and everything is nice and shiny-new. The gay scene, the YAHS, and the trendy crowd form a nice mix with a relaxed friendly atmosphere. There also seems to be a fair amount of Janets on the payroll which is a good thing, bearing in mind that breeders generally tend to be bloody awful at working in the service industries. Why is it that us lot are so much better at being nice to the paying public? The decor is plain and simple but could do with a few nice poofy pictures and general jessification to stamp more identity into it, and break up the vast expanses of loud yellow walls. Service is pleasant and efficient, which unfortunately can't be said of all the King outlets! The menu is extensive, with a predominantly Italian flavour. Carnivores are well catered for, but us shrubbery guzzlers just have to hope for the best that all those pasta sauces don't contain anything with bits of dead livestock in them! There's pretty much something for everyone, whatever the time of day, including a selection of calorie sodden desserts for us trim young things who don't need to watch our figures. The place is licensed from 11am, but the piss-heads who like to pour gin on their cornflakes needn't worry, breakfast is served till late. Couldn't help but have a small chuckle when I saw the cocktail list. Why, or why do places still persist in serving Screaming Orgasms in the mistaken belief that they are still OK-YAH trendy? Uh-Uh. Guess who was manager of the first pub in Scotland to serve them? Yep - Yours Truly! I used to throw these down the throat of the Yuppies when they were in fashion, and here we are 12 years on with pubs still thinking they're being trendy - Nah - it's Mega-Hyper-Old-Hat now! In fact even the cocktail bars up in Dod and Bunty land that copied us back in the Eighties stopped doing them years ago! Welcome to the Nineties. Anyway, nuff said about Caffe Latte, get yer arse down and give it a try yourself! All change again with Bounce and Jo-Jos. Seems like Stella and Tin Pan Alley have now kissed and made up, so both nights will now be continuing in their original venue. It would appear that The Apartment failed to come up with the goods as promised, and Tin Pans have decided to continue pursuing the pink pound with more PAs etc. The club nights continue to grow, and TPA now packs in more fairies on a Tuesday that breeders on the weekend nights. There are a few big names booked to appear, but I'm under orders to keep my gob shut until these have been confirmed. As usual, flyers are available from some of the bars, but if you don't want to waste your time and money going to those places that are boycotting Stella by not making flyers available, do your pre-club drinking in Squires, the Waterloo or Austins, and pick up your flyers there. And finally. It would appear that certain venues have been writing that the don't get mentioned as often as others. OK, so how do you ensure that your place gets a good write up in Scotland's most widely read gossip column? Well an envelope full of nice crisp bank notes usually does the trick, and sending round a pretty young blond bit of fluff is guaranteed to prevent your place getting torn to shreds in print! Seriously, there are in certain pubs, DJs etc who keep in regular contact and always let me know what they are up to. Others don't bother to keep me informed, don't return my messages and then bitch like a bunch of screamy schoolgirls when they don't get loads of nice stuff written about them! I don't actually get paid for doing this, I don't even get a poxy beer, fags and vegetable allowance from His Editorness! If I can make the effort to stay up late, go out clubbing, spend my hard earned dosh getting pissed and having a good time, and put up with the hectic superstar lifestyle, surely it's not asking too much for certain venue owners (and you know who you are) to pick up the phone, send a fax, e-mail or even a bloody letter to keep me up to date! Minerva has spoken, although I suspect that over the next month, the same DJs and pub managers will be in touch as before, and the whiners will maintain their usual wall of silence. Anyway, I'd better finish up (sitting writing the last page of this in Sadies) and get this off to ScotsGay Intergalactic HQ to stop herself from tearing what's left of her hair out! Love, kisses and all that bollocks, Minerva minerva@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------- INVERNESS --------- Hi there gang, how are ya all? All well I hope. Well I think that this column will be bittersweet I'm in a low mood, and want to mention and speak of things that saddened me and have made me think deeply, and on the other hand I have gossip of some upcoming events to clear things up. Firstly I would like to mention how sad I and many of the gang up here were to here about the tragic and untimely death of Steven Wylie as a result of an RTE. Myself and several of the Highland Raiding Party had the pleasure of meeting him at Pride. I know I can speak for all in the North when I say our thoughts are with his partner David and with Steven's family. Many of us in this day and age are worried about dying as a result of HIV and AIDS related illness and quite rightly so, but let's not forget that danger lurks at every corner,. I'm not particularly religious but I feel that the phrase "there but for the grace of God go I" sums things up. So take care out here eh?? Changing subject now, perhaps many of you out there have seen/heard the following scenario which partly amused me due to the mischievous characters involved, but mainly depressed me when I considered that it was perhaps society's influence which caused it. However, sitting on a bus recently returning from giving evidence in a court case, the bus pulled in at its scheduled stop at Auldearn just outside the Highland coast town of Nairn, and two young lads about 13 years jumped on and made their way up to where I was sitting at the back of the bus. They were full of chatter of the type only 13 year old boys can produce which amused me greatly (23 year old decrepit old bag that I am). One boy then went to sit beside his friend only to be told in a horrified shriek "Don't sit beside me that's poofy - sit over there" which the young lad duly did, retorting to the horrified one, "well you are a poof!!". Then they carried on their boyish chatter leaving me feeling saddened on the back seat. Perhaps I am reading too much in to it all but then again... perhaps not. You decide. The Hidden Highlands II article in a recent issue has provoked much discussion and annoyance in this part of Alba. I have received e-mails (finally!!) on the subject and spoke to many different folk and "so-called" local organisations. Whatever the author's intention was (unless deliberately trying to piss folk off) it didn't work. I have decided to take this view... (granted after spitting teeth and offering up unrepeatable Gaelic oaths!!) that the author's intentions were good and he was trying to push for a more open, free and "we are here, we are queer, get used to it!!" state of play up in the Highlands. Fair enough, but why go in the face of the very people who are your own kind, there is a lot of work going on in the Highlands in trying to promote a more understanding and tolerant society, and what with the recent TV coverage and other possible upcoming media coverage I know about, things are happening. Instead of the author heckling anonymously the local groups, he should try approaching them properly, getting to know them and what they do and stand for, not demand things of them or information from them of the type which they can't do or give. He should volunteer his time and talent to them instead perhaps, and in that way use his obvious passion and feelings to good positive effects instead of the negative way that he has done. No doubt we shall see or hear more. On a more cheery note, that bunch of mischievous puppies going by the name of the Highland YGG have been busy organising different things. In order to swell their bank account they are starting to go to car boot sales and selling lot of stuff so they can make loadsa dosh to pay for upcoming events like their 1st Birthday and for a Hallowe'en Party later this year. So let's all hope that they sell lots of car boots!! Watch this space. Anyway on a final note before JH does his nut about writing too much, I would like to take this chance to mortally embarrass himself Mrs CalMac! She Who Must Be Obeyed! DJ my man. The end of this month sees our second anniversary together, and I would like to tell him, thankyou for being there, I love you very very much (yes even when you attack me and try and stick your smelly socks in my mouth - the kids (cats!) send their love too! OK sickbags away now. One day I'm going to write a book about them readers... Honest I am, I'll call it - My Boyfriend And Other Small Animals! Take care folks - oh PS - Heh, Minerva, loved the photo by the way!!). Be all you can be... And more. CalMac, calmac@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- ABERDEEN -------- Well, hello folks! This is the third re-write of this article, as every time I've just been about to send it off, some more news has come to light. Well, it was to be all doom and gloom this time round, but there is now light at what seemed to be a long tunnel. The first thing I heard was that our weekly mixed night in Exodus was to finish. I was a little devastated at first. There was talk of a Saturday night once a month instead, but it looks as if it's not going to go ahead now. It'll be a sad loss to both the gay and straight communities, as it was an excellent opportunity for both camps to mix and get along with each other. Still, I don't think we've heard the last of Maggie and Alan in Aberdeen yet! Last Sweet! will feature Rachel Auburn as a guest, and that's August 22nd, see you there! Sadder still was the news that Caberfeidh is due to close. But, there is a more optimistic side to things there too, more later. Caberfeidh has lasted longer than quite a few places in Aberdeen. Jean's, Crazy Daisies, The Exchange Club, Flannies... all names that are no longer part of the Aberdeen scene. What we have left seems to be hanging by a shoestring, but at the end of the day, and I did warn you people about this, if you don't use it, you lose it. You didn't and you lost. The last night in the Caberfeidh will be the 31st August, and it should be a bloody good night. It may be vanishing to the delight of some people, but for others, like myself, it's almost the end of an era. Make this one go out with a bang, folks!! (It's still not 100% certain that it will close, but hey, I'm only acting on my information!). Castro may well see an upturn in business on Fridays and Saturdays as a result. Not the best of circumstances, but one woman's loss is another one's gain, so to speak. Lets hope that if things do improve there, they stay improved, because (in my opinion), things do need rather a lot of titivation. Oh, whoever DJs there at the weekend, for Christ's sake pleeeease play some cheezy handbag music for the sad little queens that wouldn't know a bit of decent house if they were left in a Barratt estate!! So, that's it. For a while I thought my job would be on the line. I mean, it's hardly worth dedicating a page to moi when I only have one venue to write about, BUT, having just had some news come in (hence why I have to hastily re-write this), I may have one more place. There is a 95% chance of a new venue opening in Aberdeen. This very much depends on the Caberfeidh's closure... ie if it doesn't close, this place doesn't go ahead. But it looks set to be a good 'un. "Lust" will start on Sunday 7th September in Deniros, 120 Union Street. 10-2, entry will be ukp1.50 before 12, ukp2 after, and CHEAP DRINK!!! Becks and pints are ukp1.50, and house spirits are ukp1 plus mixer. The opening night is in association with Malibu, so there's a chance of some freebies and stuff. Oh, and DJ for the night will be Elaine. This definitely needs your support if it's going to take off. Come on folks, something new and exciting is about to arrive, and if it does make an impact you can expect bigger and better things on future dates. Now, after that burst of excitement I'd perhaps like to pay tribute to Jacqui, who has run Caberfeidh for the last few years. Despite pressures from above (which is why the place is closing in the first place), she has always done her best to try and provide a good place for her punters. Okay, sometimes not everyone got on too well with her, but her heart is in the right place, and she has been dedicated to serving the Aberdeen gay scene. People used to complain about the bans and whatnot. Well, the only reason you ban people from a club is because they cause trouble, and the place has been relatively trouble free for the last couple of years anyway. I wish Jacqui all the best in whatever she chooses to do. Oh, before I sign off and hastily e-mail this off to his editorship who phoned me an hour and a half ago demanding my copy, I'd like to drop another little rumour in. Apparently the owner of another gay venue somewhere in Scotland was waiting for one of our venues to fold before moving in up here, so things could look interesting within the next few months. Oh, and to the guy who constantly slags me off about doing this job, and told me to stop being so philosophical about things (interrupting what was an interesting conversation), you should try doing this job, mate, 'cos it ain't as easy as it would seem. You're one of these people that moan when there's nothing for you, but you won't get off your arse and do anything about it. One of the people that the Aberdeen scene could well do without. And with that I shall bid ye farewell. Be good, and I'll see you at the last night in the Cab'!! Gus gus@drink.demon.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------- MEET MARKET ----------- SCOTSGAY VOICE PERSONALS It's completely free to place your ad on 0800 138 4121 We''l print your ad in our next few issues and you can pick up replies on 0891 555612. That's also the number for our Browse Hotline - 0891 555612. Calls to 0891 cost 50p per minute which is half the price charged by some other gay magazines! See magazine for full conditions of service. 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! ScotsGay Voice For 1-2-1 To reply to ScotsGay Voice Ads, phone 0891 556612 (calls charged at 50p per minute) and use the number at the end of the ad. You can leave your own ad FREE on FREEphone 0800 138 4121. Glasgow Guy, 40's, looking for slim guy under 26 who is seriously interested in older guys. Likes eating out. Fun to be around. Phone: 0891 556612 - Number 6411. Edinburgh Tony, 30, slim, 6', very hairy, seeks discreet fun with smooth muscly guy 20-35. Phone: 0891 556612 - Number 6509. Sussex William, 21, 5'5", medium build, black hair, blue eyes, Seeks 1-2-1 or fun and excitement. Like clubbing and drinking. Phone: 0891 556612 - Number 6544. Edinburgh 30, 6', slim horny professional, recently out, seeks athletic student types, stocky, 20-30. Discretion assured. I need somebody to show me the ropes. Phone: 0891 556612 - Number 6644. Glasgow 6'1", blond hair, blue eyes. Interests: Swimming, football, etc. Phone: 0891 556612 - Number 6670. Greater Glasgow Area Gay guy, professional, graduate, early 40's, looking for younger guys for friendship leading to possible 1-2-1. General interests, but mainly artistic. Phone: 0891 556612 - Number 6678. Central Scotland David, 6', 32, blond hair, blue eyes, passive, smooth skinned. Into rubber, leather, waders, etc. Seeks genuine older guy(s) - not overweight - for fun. You won't be disappointed. Phone: 0891 556612 - Number 6691. WOMEN Secretive Hi, 32 year old lady would like to experiment in a lesbian relationship. I already live with a man but he's becoming a bit of a bore these days. I smoke, have a lot of animals and I think I am a nice person. I am looking for someone to show me the ropes. I'm not a perv by the way. Dundee/Forfar area. Box SG17001. Aberdeen Final year sociology student seeks lesbians in the Aberdeen area to interview about their experiences of coming out to GPs or hospital staff. Write including a contact phone number please. Box SG17002. Lonely Gay Female Looking for someone to share my lonely nights with. Age 40, slim build, GSOH, likes pubs, eating out, going to the cinema. Look forward to hearing from you. Box SG17003. MEN Aberdeen 24, very dark complexion, black hair, blue yes, slim, swimmer's body, told good looking, 5'10", medium build. Into pubs, restaurants and night clubs. Enjoys swimming, multi gym, nights in/out and generally living life to the full. Photo receives a reply. Contact me and I'll show you how sincere, fun-loving and active a boyfriend can be. Box SG17004. Edinburgh - Glasgow Are you a young, smooth, student type? Then extremely hairy uncle figure (40) would like to meet you! First timers and bi curious welcome. Can travel or accommodate. Photo and/or phone number helps. Also your e-mail address. Box SG17005. Glasgow Guy Seeks Mates! Big gay man would like to meet hot, horny, heavy, hairy guys into friendly wrestling for fun and friendship. Also a little tuition. Must be 15 stone +. ALAWP in wrestling gear. Box SG17006. Dundee Or Area Lonely guy, early 50's, looking for active guy for sincere friendship or relationship. Age/looks unimportant. Anyone looking for same? Then, let's get together. Can travel or accommodate. ALA. Box SG17007. Father/Uncle Figure 48, seeks young daddies boys or passive type nephews, 18-35, for no strings open relationship, light discipline, beginners welcome. Glasgow, Edinburgh or anywhere. Box SG17008. Glasgow 6ft Guy WLTM Similar 30's If not, preferably tall. Looks not important but prefer genuine guy for 1-2-1. Age not important, but no weans or fossils please! Must have own place. Box SG17009. Edinburgh - Bi Guy - Glasgow - Anywhere 40's will pull your briefs down for fabulous sensation. Enjoy massage, safe fun, water sports, videos. Cannot accommodate. Welcome invites. Also hairy/VWE. Photos please - returned promptly. Welcome subs (20-35) to spank. Box SG17010. Obedient Slave 32 years old, 5'10", medium build bottom, WLTM WE top for heavy session. Will submit to bondage, w/s, spanking, toys and especially anal intercourse. Able to travel. Box SG17011. Glasgow Couple Couples Night Glasgow couple, 29, smooth, 30, hairy, medium builds WLTM hairy manly couples 25-40 for same room fun - couples night. Games, videos, put your keys in the middle and ...? Box SG17012. Mature Gentleman - Glasgow Area Single male (mid 40's) seeks older male (60+) who enjoys countryside drives, naturism, massage and quality time either indoors or out. Box SG17013. Master Wanted Local bondage master or dominant friendly guy interested in bondage, ropework, gags, toys, w/s, etc but not CP, sought by mature submissive guy for long sessions. Dundee/anywhere. Can travel. Box SG17014. Caged 'n' Hurt Lonely Gay Guy I'm 21, in gaol and gay. Looking for pen pals 18-32. ALAWP. Me 6'7", good build/looks, long brown hair, VWE, VGSOH. So you want letters? VBM and I'm yours. Box SG17015. East Scotland - Fife - Edinburgh Wanted: a big butch gentle navvy figure. Non scene, ns. In need of bearded uncle figure to spoil and look after you. Photo and sincere reply required. ALAWP. Thanks, guy! Box SG17016. Edinburgh Guy Loves Uniforms Guy, 29, fit and beefy, likes sucking dick, tries anything, would like to meet guys from uniformed professions for horny times. Also suit wearers, brickies, rugby players. Box SG17017. Black Or Asian? Dundee Calling! 33, white guy, friendly, fun and horny. Own house, seeks men of colour for daytime or evening fun. Discretion assured. I am medium build, 6ft, dark hair, WE. ALA. Box SG17019. Edinburgh - Glasgow - Central Scotland Let me remind or indeed introduce you to the delights of the Lochgelly tawse. Tall, slim guy (40) is expert in its use - go on, relive that tingling sensation. ALAWP. Box SG17020. Edinburgh Horny Skinhead SA, fit, ex-serviceman, 5'6", 37, '0' cut, fuck off exterior, seeks skin buddies for horny times. Possible 1-2-1. Me safe, loyal, trustworthy, discreet, into cammies, denim, jocks, boots, you! Box SG17021. Edinburgh - Glasgow Guy, 31, medium height and build, dark hair, 'tached, non-smoker. Likes swimming and into briefs, shorts, kilts. Seeks broadly similar 27-40 for fun and friendship. ALAWP. Box SG17022. Glasgow - Central Scotland Straight acting professional guy, 30, seeks other active guys, 25-50, for discreet friendship. Box SG17023. Glasgow - Wanted - Muscular Nephew 5'8", fit and fifty seeks younger well built guy for fun and laughter and long nights in. Come and pose. You like wrestling? Even better! Let's have fun. Box SG17024. Young Edinburgh Guy Tall, thin guy, 22, blond hair, s/a, VGSOH, enjoys music, films, nights in/out. Living in Edinburgh area, wishes to meet other guys 18-26 for fun, friendship, hopefully leading to 1-2-1. ALA. Box SG17025. Anywhere - Scotland Man, 30, GL, looking for younger men into CP who are in need of a good spanking. Letter with photo and or phone number. ALA - I promise! Box SG17026. Scotland - Anywhere Ravishingly attractive sub kinky TV, lovely buttocks, WLTM dom master, dom males, for erotic fun encounters. Exchange photos, details. SAE please, but no mobiles. Dom couple welcome. Any nationality. Box SG17027. Tayside - Anywhere Dundee male, 25, 5'10", 11 stone, dark hair, straight acting, smoker. Enjoys clubbing, eating out, reading, outdoors, music. WLTM similar guy for fun and friendship. Discretion assured. Box SG17028. Nappy Guy Glasgow guy, 40, into nappies, plastic pants, rompers, etc. Wants to meet guys into nappies, plastic pants, etc. Daddies/uncles welcome. Have lots of nappies, plastic pants. Genuine. Box SG17029. Glasgow Area Young white male looking for young asian/black/oriental guys for discreet sexy fun times. I'm 5'10", very well hung, into giving and receiving oral. My place only. Reply guarantees phone number and lots of good clean sexy fun. Box SG17030. Wanted - One Man For A Long Relationship Or maybe friends - but men in my life, contacts. I'm straight acting, tall, slim, handsome. Near Inverness. I like big (not fat) men. Box SG17033. Curious - Dundee 24 year old seeks older man (40+) for first time experience. Discretion assured/expected. Photo a must. Box SG17035. Gay And Bored Attractive s/a and young looking 30 year old looking for an attractive solvent professional man not scared of commitment and loyalty. Interests: Keep-fit, karaoke and enjoying one's self. Box SG17037. Edinburgh Male Attractive, athletic, academic Edinburgh guy (26) interests include; sports, current affairs, politics and socialising seeks similar professional guys 25-30 for friendship, maybe more. Box SG17038. Football Kit Fans Young Edinburgh lad into full kit seeks others under 35 into same. Reply guaranteed. No time wasters or bi guys. Box SG17039. Glasgow Businessman Seeks young slim guy for fun and friendship. Possible light spanking. Box SG17040. I Need Your Body 19 year old guy would like to meet latin/coloured guys under 30 for plenty of fun. Your photo gets mine. ALA. Box SG17042. Bikers Leather Guys Wanted By 28 year old horny VWE skin, zero crop, straight acting and looking. Seeks guys bikers to take me for a ride. Into tight black leathers, rubber hoods. Age 21-50. Scotland/anywhere. Box SG17043. Paisley - Glasgow Smooth, youthful (well, kind of) 42 year old, friendly and intelligent but woefully inexperienced, seeks skinny young buck to teach me a thing or two! Sorry, can't accommodate. ALAWP. Box SG17044. Edinburgh Skinhead Zero crop, 34, into boots, braces, army gear, rubber, leather, used gear, w/s and poppers, wants to meet other skins for hot wet fun. Phone number appreciated. ALAWP. Box SG17045. Glasgow Postgrad WLTM other students for fun and friendship, possibly work-outs in the gym, followed by piss-ups and anything possible even 1-2-1. Cultural stuff OK too. Can accommodate. ALAWP. Box SG17046. Glasgow TS 18 year old TS needs a friend for fun all day and all night. Your photo gets mine. ALA. Box SG17047. Glasgow - Anywhere Cute 18 year old seeks cute s/a s/l guy under 22 for fun nights in and out. Your photo gets mine. ALA. Box SG17048. Think! 40 year old guy is looking for a young guy (18-21) with enough imagination to guess the purpose for which he is being sought! Box SG17049. BISEXUAL Help - TV Seeks Friendly People Attractive 30 something TV 5'7", 36 24 32, seeks accommodation with understanding man 20 - 45, I will be very affectionate to the lucky man. Gay ladies esp welcome. Very broad-minded so please write stating your interests and desires. Please enclose Pic address and phone number. ALA Box SG17036. Edinburgh Bi bloke, 45, grey beard, black hair, slim, very hairy, seeks bi female under 40 for fun and friendship. Box SG17041. STRAIGHT Edinburgh Friendly straight guy, 28, said to be cute by my gay mates, would like to meet intelligent talkative bi or straight woman for friendship possibly leading to relationship. Box SG17034. PASSING GLANCES Fringe Club 17th of August, 10pm, coming out of the 1st floor bar, we exchanged glances. Me with friends (straight). You followed us down to the front door. Please get in touch before the Festival ends! Box SG17043. FRIENDS ABROAD Another American in Paris I've been in Paris for a year and intend on spending the next several months here before heading back to San Francisco. However, I will be visiting Edinburgh between 24 and 28 August and would love to meet a nice person who might be interested in an afternoon tea and/or other activity. I'll actually be visiting with my mother, but she's very cool and just a wonderful person (meaning this really is just to try to connect with someone who would be interested in spending a couple of hours meeting someone new). I ultimately would love to make a pen pal out of this whole exercise, so maybe we could correspond a little before my arrival. I'm 30-years-old, well educated, interested in philosophy, literature (especially French), nature (I miss living near the coast) and personal growth (I am from San Francisco, after all!). Anyway, I would love to hear from someone who is intelligent, interesting and kind hearted. Hope to hear from you soon. E-mail: andyboy@worldnet.fr or write: Andrew Locatelli, 28, rue N.D. de Nazareth, 75003 Paris, France. Netherlands Two Dutch guys, 29 & 30, are looking for international friends all around the world for visiting, writing, travelling, etc. Please write in English, Dutch or German to: Torsten Leder & Tjeerd Hoekstra, Klaas Rienewerfstraat. 42, 9063 JV Molened, Netherland. Tel/fax: 00 31 58 2563493. Greetings from Poland! Hi! I'm 28 guy from Poland. I'm looking people from UK interested in corresponding with me. I like Scottish and English history, classical music (I was singing in Warsaw University Choir), design, Bridge, sci-fi, computers. I want to spend next vacation in UK. E-mail: askin@free.polbox.pl. or write: Pawel Rybaltowski ul.Lipinska 17 m. 9 05-200 Woomin Poland. I'll be wait for message from you. Tired of Californians? 29, WM with mixed Dutch/Spaniard ancestry seeks pen-pals , friends (and who knows? ) over the Atlantic. My knees get weak when I hear a tall, good-looking Scottish dude speaking with the sexiest of all accents. I am 5'9", 154 #s, worked out, swimmer's built, well defined body, short brown hair and hazel eyes. I am currently residing in Los Angeles, and I am looking for guys older than I am, and in fair physical shape. Arrivedeci mi amore. E-mail: acting@usa.net or write: Jon Dutch, 935 N Alfred No. 9, West Hollywod, CA 90069, USA. Visiting Glasgow: Will be in Glasgow Sep 3-13 on business from Chicago. Would be interested in hearing from anyone in the area about places to go (gay or otherwise) as well a meeting any locals during my stay. Please e-mail: QuikB@aol.com or write: Bob Hauser, 5415 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, USA. I am GWM, 37, 5'9" 140lbs, 31" waist, brown hair, blue eyes. (Sorry for the US units). Look forward to hearing from you! ACCOMMODATION OFFERED Near Inverness - Cottage Share I have space for one guy near Inverness. Plenty of walks, my dog and privacy. Telephone: Farr (01808) 521471. ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED Edinburgh Mature German design student is coming to town to take up his degree and is looking for a spacious room in house or a similar flat share near City Centre. Me: 33, blondish, dark eyes, active, adventurous and reliable. Phone Andreas on 0181-963 1735. FOR SALE Hair Removal Electrolisys Kit ukp50 and Epilator ukp20. Both in perfect working order. Write to: William McAllister, Flat 3/2, 589 Shettleston Road, Glasgow. G32 7EN. JOBS OFFERED Cash For Your Body Photogenic guys can earn ukp75 cash - or ukp100 with chest and arm definition - posing for Mike Arlen who has had 13 glossy magazines published called Mike Arlen's Guys. Send snapshots of your magnificent body to him: Mike Arlen, Wetherby Studios, 23 Wetherby Mansions, Earls Court Square, London. SW5 9BH or call him on 0171-373 1107. Model Wanted Photographer seeks athletic Scots lad. Tatooed? (18-35) for photographic study. Fee paid (ALA). Genuine ad. Send photo (London). Box SG17018 Models Wanted for an adult photo/video shoot in late September. For more info, go to: http://www.hotmen.com/guest/model.htm E-mail: brian@imedia-sf.com or write: Brian Almashie, IMEDIA INTERACTIVE, 330 Townsend Street #100, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA. BACK RUBS Aberdeen Area Attractive 18 year old escort/masseur. Your place or mine! Call Michael: 0468 706789. Aberdeen Area - Kissogram - Escort Luke Wild: The very best for entertainment, the ultimate in sexual fantasy. Private shows or parties - the choice is yours. Telephone: 0411 284558. Best Massage At Best Price Too! Sensual all over body massage by passive, stout and cuddly gay man. To visit: call 0131-665 8219 or leave number and name on Ansa-Phone. See you soon! Edinburgh Massage Let your body relax under my skilful hands. Attractive TV offers that personal touch. Treat yourself to that unforgettable thrill. Call Stacy on 0131-478 0400. Edinburgh Masseur A caring skilled personal touch at excellent poundstretcher value. ukp15. Jim. 0131-556 7199. Escort Good looking 26 year old escort and qualified masseur. Competitive rates - in/out calls. Glasgow/anywhere. Call Gordon: 0468 706789. Massage - Paisley Let me rub you up the right way - using essential oils. Reasonable rates. Give yourself a treat!!! Ask for Tony. 01505 324561. Masseur - Aberdeen - Dundee Young guy, 29, gives great massage. Phone Steve on 0589 565418. Anytime. Men Only! Escorts and Masseurs. Good looking young guys available throughout the country from Scotland's premier escort service. Our place or yours! Affordable and discreet. Call Ross on 0421 035644. Escorts, masseurs and models required in all areas now! Rex and Jason Tied up, whipped and caned. Love role play. 24 hours. I/o calls. New to all this. 0131-467 5880. Tim From The TA Thrown out of the TA for being gay. The discipline is here to stay. So why not contact me night or day? 0131-467 5880. SERVICES Books Good quality books for gay men available by mail order. Fast confidential service and good discounts. Titles include Spartacus '97, New Joy of Gay Sex and Safer Sexy. Call 0171-635 0332 for leaflet or write: Frontier Books, 149 Chadwick Road, London. SE15 4PY. 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 Lesbian Gay and Bi Pen Friends, non profit service, Box numbers, Monthly listings, no out dated ad's, free voice mail, SAE PO Box 2000, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, England, BL6 7PG. Tel/Fax 01204 667747 or e-mail lgb@clara.net Penpal Mag Penpal Mag for adults: over 500 photos. Approval copy from: Matchmaker (K38), Chorley, PR7 4BS. Or ring: 01257 480155. The Cellar Contact group for hot, horny, raunchy guys into leather, rubber, uniform, denim and bikers. Plus "Studs", our new additional listing for all skins, boots and shorts enthusiasts. Information: 2 stamps. PO Box 17, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP32 7AT. 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 Ginger Snaps 35mm film developing and printing service. Mail orders processed in 24 hours. Videotape conversions to and from all worldwide systems using broadcast spec equipment. Scanning: images scanned onto disk or via e-mail. Callin or phone. 21 High Street, Acton, London. W3 6NG. Tel: 0181-993 6772. Fax: 0181-993 9982. E-mail: bginger@dircon.co.uk. Visa, Mastercard, Amex welcome. 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. VIDEOS Free Video Lists The premier "one-stop" mail order service for all the best videos/books/photosets from Prowler, Pride, SAP, Load, etc., etc. Plus exclusive 'BoyBabe' videos unavailable anywhere else! Trading Post, Freepost BR1307, Eastbourne. BN21 1BR. Telephone: 01323 737481. 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. 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 Mansfield House - Small elegant guest house within minutes of bars and clubs. All rooms have colour TV, tea and coffee making facilities. Basic room or En Suite. Continental breakfast available until midday. 57 Dublin Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6NL. Tel/FAX: 0131-556 7980. 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. 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. Relax in the Scottish Highlands Edwardian country hotel. Interesting food. Good wines and malts. Spectacular views. DBB ukp35-69. Although not exclusively gay you will be warmly welcomed. Call Ian or Eric: 01479 851347. Auchendean Lodge Hotel, Dulnain Bridge, Inverness-shire. PH26 3LU. Rothes Glen Hotel Moray's premier country house hotel, in acres of grounds and glorious views towards the Grampian Mountains, is noted for warmth and friendly service. Six miles south of Elgin, midway between Inverness and Aberdeen. Contact Michael or Freddie, Rothes Glen Hotel, Rothes, Morayshire. AB38 7AQ. Telephone: 01340 831254. E-mail: 101516.1660@compuserve.com 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! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL NEWS ================== ILGA WANTS NAZI REPARATIONS TO FIGHT AIDS Swiss banks and businesses are giving away $190 million to apologize for having kept money that belonged to victims of the Nazis, and the International Lesbian and Gay Association wants a slice of the pie for AIDS causes. Initial handouts are going to poor Eastern European Jews, gays, gypsies and others who never received any form of Holocaust compensation. ILGA solicited the AIDS money "in memory of the thousands of murders and deportations during the Nazi regime on grounds of sexual orientation." "Figures from the Red Cross and the Protestant Church of Austria in the 1940s suggest a total of around 350,000 homosexual victims," the group said. Other estimates have been both higher and much lower. ILGA also declared "it's high time that Germany, as a State, raise an official monument in memory of the homosexual holocaust." GAYS, TRANNIES SEVERELY ABUSED IN ARGENTINE CITY Life is hell for gays and transvestites in Mendoza, Argentina, according to a new report from activists in Buenos Aires. Located near the Andes Mountains in the western part of the nation, the city has strong conservative and military influences. Among the reported abuses: * Male transvestites are arrested whenever they are spotted by police. They are charged under local Article 81, which bans scandalous behavior, or local Article 54, which penalizes prostitution. Transgendered people are assumed to be working as prostitutes anytime they leave their homes. They are jailed for up to 30 days each time they are nabbed. * Jail conditions are horrible. Transvestites are locked in a basement cell "where the only air they get comes from the sewers," the report said. They are fed greasy water with animal bones in it. When they get food poisoning, which is common, they are denied medical treatment. * Gay men who look feminine also face frequent arrest, usually under Article 78 which bans "offences against public modesty." They are usually held for 12 hours, beaten and pressured for bribes. * Both trannies and gays are tested for HIV each time they are detained. If they test positive, they are jailed for that. One HIV-negative transvestite spent eight months in jail after her test results were confused with those of someone else. (Argentine prostitutes are assumed to be HIV-negative. They are regularly tested by the government and issued a "Health Card" showing their negative status.) To join an International Lesbian and Gay Association protest against the situation in Mendoza, send an e-mail to actions@ilga.org containing your name and home or work address. AUSTRALIA The Australian state of New South Wales' Anti-Discrimination Act bans discrimination based on homosexuality but not heterosexuality, the Equal Opportunity Tribunal has ruled. Brett Halliwell, 32, had sued the Sydney lesbian nightclub Sirens for kicking him out, claiming he was mistreated due to his sexuality. But Tribunal Chair Peter King said the law only protects gays —and Halliwell must have been looking for "trouble" anyway. A co-owner of the club testified that Halliwell was ejected because he was drunk and refused to pay the cover charge. CANADA A Canadian video that was being returned to its distributor by a U.S. client has been seized by Canada Customs in Toronto and declared obscene — even though the tape is approved for retail sale by the Ontario Film Review Board, reported Xtra!. The instructional video on "safe, consensual bullwhipping," produced by the Toronto leather magazine Boudoir Noir, allegedly contravened Canada Customs Memorandum D9-1-1 which explicitly prohibits depictions of submission, bondage, spanking, pain, enemas, watersports, "human beings subjected to external control" and "pleasure from dominating others." For years, numerous U.S. gay magazines, books and videos — especially those depicting anal sex — have been censored by Canada Customs officials nationwide. CHINA Beijing's gay AIZHI Action Project is targeting the diagnostic manual used by Chinese psychiatrists to label gays and lesbians mentally ill. "We want to declassify or de-medicalize homosexuality from aversive psychological treatment or electronic-shock treatment," said Wan Yan Hai, coordinator of the group. The Chinese Psychiatric Association is set to begin work on a new edition of the textbook, known as the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD-3). SOUTH AFRICA The High Court of South Africa's Western Cape province legalized gay sex recently. Although South Africa recently became the only nation in the world to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation via its constitution, many older laws still discriminate against gays. In their ruling, the judges cited the constitution's gay protections along with its privacy guarantees. "[This] is long overdue," said Kevan Botha, legal adviser to the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality. "We welcome the ruling and believe it will help to ensure that gay people are no longer regarded as unapprehended felons". "This is a tremendous weight off people's minds," said Western Cape Human Rights Commissioner Rhoda Kadalie. "The very essence of how gay people have defined themselves sexually has been a criminal offense." TONGA Thirteen contestants entered the annual Miss Galaxy transgendered beauty pageant last month in Nuku'alofa, capital of the South Pacific nation of Tonga. The "fakaleitis" ("men who act as women") displayed their creativity in such areas as sewing, dancing and a talent segment. They were sponsored by hotels, airlines and even rugby teams. The event took place in the Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga's grandest venue, the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, before a standing-room-only audience dressed to the nines. It was part of annual celebrations surrounding the birthday of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. His granddaughter, Princes Lupepau'u Tuita, 20, was this year's pageant patron. Natasha Pressland, 18, emerged victorious. Her hobbies are "dancing, praying and meeting people." She plans to become a flight attendant. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FRINGE REVIEWS ============== Scott Capurro Pleasance Over The Road The San Franciscan queen of comedy simply can't keep away from Edinburgh in August: and thank goodness too! This year Scott returns fresh from last year's sell-out - having fully recovered from a run-in with that nasty hepy A bug - in a new, dare I say, more prosaic format. With the 'doctor' now deceased, Scott reverts to being a conventional (?) stand-up, albeit one who proves to be a welcome alternative to the Fringe's predominately hetero-humour. Scott casts his catty, acerbic wit upon American chat show hosts, his eclectic bunch of relatives (and their many foibles), the very PC Emma Freud and past encounters with our indigenous gay scene: whilst shying away from any attempt at the accent - 'I can't speak Scots, I'm educated'. Not so competent with his self-deprecating material, Capurro also hits rocky ground with his perpetual references to our last major encounter with the Germans. Oh please Scott, we're all a bunch of bratwurst eating, BMW driving converts now. Definitely at his cleverest, and bitchiest, when dissecting suitable victims in the audience - please give us more Scott! That self same crowd appears to become more mixed by the year, but Scott does hold universal appeal with the bulk of the humour hitting the intended mark, and besides, who can be too critical of (arguably) the cutest looking comedian at the Fringe? Hysteric Studs by Charlotte Mann Waxen Patience Theatre C Cubed Venue There's something - and someone - here to satisfy nearly everyone. Four twenty something 'studs' are brought together by headstrong PR guru Maggie Walsh to form 'En Garde', an all-new boy band. From their first, tentative auditions, through number one chart success, to an eventual parting of the ways, we gain an insight to the diverse backgrounds of the four boys - Ade, Lee, Spencer and Troy. We share in their collective angst and aspirations: from Ade's love of drag and unfortunate infertility, to Spence's need to discover a true meaning to life. A nice, original touch are the boys' portrayals of their respective parents coping with their sons' stardom. There really is an unpretentious, but professional, look to the whole production; the guys look simply gorgeous and despite starting some half hour late the night I saw it (are Waxen Patience Theatre taking things too literally perhaps?), this is a Fringe show with a big feel-good, fun factor attached. Latin! by Stephen Fry Pleasance Theatre Upstairs Smutty innuendo, 'carnal violation', and Latin lessons, form the backbone to this frightfully English tale of public school life. You know exactly what to expect from the phallic blackboard drawing, the neatly wrapped packet of biscuits provided on each seat when you arrive, and the arbitrary tossing of essay jotters into the audience. For a sixty minute period everyone assumes the role of a pupil at Chartham Park Preparatory - becoming a mischievous 13 year old schoolboy, '...a bottom: open, generous and malleable'. Alas, the naive, young Latin teacher soon has his nocturnal, extracurricular activities exposed, and is swiftly blackmailed by an, obviously, envious senior master into performing some twice weekly CP sessions with him, 'wet towels and crunchy peanut butter, please!' This undemanding play has been doing the rounds for several years now, but is competently acted out in this particular incarnation by Counterweight Productions: which owes its success chiefly to Stephen Fry's punchy, pointed - and infectious - style of humour. Spanking good fun, and free biccies too! Scott J. Reid Peter Straker sings Jacques Brel with 4 Fenders Fringe Club A couple of years ago there was a show at Theatre Workshop by, I believe, Theatre du Pif which largely featured the works of Jacques Brel. Those of the audience who didn't walk out (about 2 rows did), loved it. So when the other evening Peter Straker attempted to sing in the Fringe Club Bear Pit - brave fool - I thought this might be a show for me. I was not wrong, accompanied by Mike Allison on 4 Fender guitars he powerfully brought to life the works of Brel in renditions I doubt anyone could surpass. Frantic Assembly Pleasance One of the first companies I sought out this year was Frantic Assembly with Zero. This was a mistake, theatre of this quality is likely to make anything seen subsequently look mediocre. This really is physical theatre to be seen rather than written about so I'll simply point out that the Zero in the title refers to the year 2000 and where young people today and the actors in particular are likely to find themselves - are they going to be taking off first class in Concorde or cleaning the toilets at Terminal 13? Rejects Revenge Pleasance Over the last few years Rejects Revenge have built up a reputation for producing what can best be described as physical comedy. They don't disappoint this year.Much theatre works by imagining the scene or objects that are not there. The Rejects, in Dusty Fruit, take this simple idea and very cleverly use it to excess in this tale of two removal men sent to empty out a house that is about to be washed over the cliffs into the sea. It turns out the house has a very dark history and with ghosts, people who are not what or where they seem, the Rejects in their own unique style again show that physical theatre does not have to be dull or inaccessible but can be a joy for all to behold. Fecund Theatre's 27 Theatre Workshop One always expects Fecund Theatre to present something that is technically advanced, challenging, and right on the limits of what can be achieved on stage. They succeed about half the time and this is one of their successes and is the story of growing up and being 27 in Britain today. We are led from birth through childhood, the traumas of adolescence, first sexual fumblings, to a hedonistic world of drinking, drugs, wild sex, and money to burn. Told both on stage and with a parallel video it does at times give problems as there is so much going on one doesn't know quite where to look. An excellent, worthwhile, and thought provoking effort nonetheless. We Are Here... Are You There 104 Theatre Company This is a very clever tale which is much in the style of last year's award winning play but is better. 3 people are stuck in a lift, two of them having followed a ley line from Nairobi to Leicester. The lift was manufactured in 1972 and gradually a story emerges about that year and dark things that occurred then. Covering such issues as people's plans for their lives, religious cults, the nature of space and time, and the different ways people can feel trapped, this is an ambitious show. I'm not quite sure how they cover all this and more in a show that does not feel rushed but somehow they achieve it. Oh, I nearly forgot, it has some absolutely stunning 3D effects the like of which I have never seen before. Feel Real Prominent Theatre Take a gay couple, one of them suicidal; 2 goths into clubbing and sex; and a lonely woman who inherits a large house and becomes pregnant by her imaginary friend. Well that's basically what happened as these three stories were intertwined. Conclusion? Yes I'd have liked one of those as well. Great artwork though. Martin Powell Earl Okin If Earl Okin didn't exist it would be necessary to invent him. Like all good comics, he can poke a little gentle humour in his own direction, and unlike most, there's musical talent too. A refreshing contrast with some of the sad cases of arrogant bastard syndrome on the comic fringe. Alan Price, Zoot Money & Friends Those who caught Alan Price and the lads at the Queen's Hall got a super value 2 and a half hours of barnstorming quality entertainment. As well as a thorough journey through Alan's career we also got a barbed and witty view of Tony Blair and New Labour. The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Short Back & Sides Infirmary Street A very worthwhile production of this festival perennial at Infirmary Street (handily placed for an excellent pint at the Royal Oak). Wilde wrote the business - all you have to do is act it and this lot do it attractively, with a Lady Bracknell particularly well done by her teenage player. Accidental Death of an Anarchist Stanley Theatre Group Cafe Royal This sharp and hilarious satire on police corruption gets a worthwhile rendering from this distinctive company. Hancock's Last Half Hour & Stone Me It's The Lad Himself by Pip Utton Company Theatre Cafe Royal Like many comics before and since, hancock was a strange mixture of funny man, bully, shrewd observer, drunk etc. This player does these shoes as a double bill and is a remarkable talent. True value for money, funny and moving. Dick Wilson One never quite knows what one is going to see on the Fringe and Lusty Juventus with Ceremonial Kisses did not look too promising. A programme was handed out before the show explaining in some detail what the play was about. This is usually a sign that the audience is in for one of those dreadful pieces of student drama where the meaning is unintelligible from the action on stage, but not in this case. As the action got underway it was clear we were in for fine choreography, good dancing and singing, and strong acting in a well thought out and powerfully put together piece of theatre. However it is not likely to be too popular with Catholics as it draws parallels between cottaging and some of the more arcane rituals of the Catholic church. The story tells of the problems of a Catholic man who finds himself drawn to cottaging and his problems in dealing with the issues raised. Much of the quality of this piece comes from the ambiguity of the text which can be interpreted in several ways. Another play that touches on the Catholic Church is Broken Dream's Mr Wilde and the Virgin. This gem of a play, written by the highly talented Gavin Armstrong, is not so much about Oscar as the Virgin Mary, or rather moving statues of her. The action - mostly sitting about - takes place in the Irish village of Ballydrumshambo where Eamon reads Wilde while waiting for the virgin to move, bleed, shake, vibrate, speak, or do anything. In this he is aided by two women who spend their time praying and drinking tea. In the course of telling this tale we learn about the skeletons in their cupboards through the use of clever and amusing dialogue. Unfortunately the same company's other play, A Question of Attribution by Alan Bennett, is not as good. This tells of Sir Anthony Blunt and paintings not being what they seem, and by implication people not being what they seem. I found the dialogue between Blunt and the intelligence officer implausible but even this was more believable than the dialogue between Blunt and the Queen. Which is a pity because these are suitable areas to question in a play. The Gilded Balloon has Soldier on a Monday. This new play by Christopher Hodgson tells the story of a family for whom life is clearly not going to be easy. It starts with Doug (Frank Shields), a soldier who turns up with his partner Nick (Paul Fitzpatrick) to meet his mother (Margaret Newlands). They are there because his 15 year old sister Carol (Helen Down) is giving birth. The rest of the action takes place 6 years later with the 2 men having been chucked out of the army and Carol struggling to bring up her daughter. Add in a mother who can't cope with her son's gayness, her daughters acceptance of it, and the 6 year olds father suddenly wanting custody and you have a recipe for much theatrical intrigue which the audience loved. A good fringe play. There are a few companies that every year one can guarantee are going to be superb and Northern Theatre Company are one of them. This year they are at the Gilded Balloon with Unidentified Human Remains and The True Nature of Love. This dark tale by Brad Fraser is about a group of people trying to come to decisions about confusions over their sexual orientation and the difficulties this gives them. 90 minutes of intense passion yet much humour. Put Northern Theatre on the list of "must sees" for 98, I'd be amazed if you were disappointed. Take a simple idea such as a man becoming pregnant, mix it with superb theatre and breathtaking acting and you have Monsters, also at the Gilded Balloon. OK, maybe it was a bit heavy for 2.30 on a Wednesday afternoon but at the Fringe companies have to take whatever slot they can and this sheer brilliance by Martin Green deserves to be seen throughout the land. To take 4 Melbourne lesbians and put them on stage as an a cappella company sounds like a politically correct and deadly dull combination. Don't believe it. Crying in Public Places at the Gilded Balloon combine brilliant singing, pathos, humour, and all round good fun in a performance that is rightly selling out. I did not realise before that it was possible to feel such joy merely by sitting in a theatre seat. Occasionally one sees a show in Edinburgh and thinks why do they bother? Such a show is Word Play at the Gilded Balloon. I didn't know what to make of it at first and it wasn't until about half way through when he announced that he was a poet that I realised this was what it was supposed to be. With the exception of a rather good piss take on the US national anthem this was dreadful. Mercifully the show finished 15 minutes early. The best cure for insomnia in Edinburgh. Fireraisers' Andy & Edie was supposed to be about Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick, but for me it just did not work. However the show must claim a first by being the only one to include an Internet web site designer in the credits. It's a pity the URL was not as prominently displayed. Yes and No Theatre have Christmas in July. Take a gay man sharing a flat with a lesbian for the purpose of keeping up appearances, have him take her partner to a party for the same reason and you have lots to work on and Nicholas Edwards does. The company say they produce "honest simple entertaining theatre with a strong underlying theme of contemporary drama". I can't disagree with any of that. Theatre well worth seeing. Take a man meeting another man through an 0891 line and in this new play, Desperate Lines by Peter Steadman, you have a fine tableau from which to study the intensity of relationships and unrequited love. A fine play getting ludicrously small audiences. Les Enfants Terribles have Tales from a Traveller, written and performed by Erwin Kokkelkoren. To live to be 500 years old would seem to be wonderful, but is it? The play is set in the last hour of the 500 years and the subject has the choice of either continuing his life for another 500 years or dying at the end of the hour. The play takes us through his early life, ensuring his family survive through the plague and takes us up to today. But what is it really like to see generation after die while you continue regardless. This and similar issues are explored with much interest. Added poignancy is given by knowing that the author is HIV positive. Dancewise, there is surprisingly very little to say about St Brides this year. Taihen with Departed Soul consists of 6 disabled performers. Unfortunately I have seen Candoco, so know what disabled dancers can achieve. I had a similar problem with Momentary Fusion and Stung. This company perform on ropes and trapeze, but I know what The Kosh can do with these and it's in a different league. My guess is that St Brides have saved all the good stuff up for weeks 2 and 3, but at the time of writing (end of week 1), I don't know. Shakti is back with the Tibetan Book of the Dead, but what can be said that has not been said before? Once again she is superb. She also has a remarkable knack for making it look as if the dance was created with whatever unusual space in which she is performing it in mind. This was an enthralling hour which every time you think you are getting the hang of it changes into a subtly different style of dance thereby maximising interest and enjoyment throughout the piece. The Japan Experience is mixed. Egiku Hanayagi is described as contemporary Japanese dance, contemporary Japanese boredom would be a better word. One or two women moving slowly about on stage. I was lucky enough to be sat behind a bored 8 year old who while the rest of the audience sat still was waving her legs about, taking her hat off, or whispering something to her mother - watching her antics was far more interesting than watching the action on stage. In contrast Etoko Dance Company are a dance phenomenon that is so spectacular that mere words cannot do them justice. I will definitely be seeing Compagnie Yvette Bozsik at the Famous Grouse House. Each year this Hungarian dancer enthrals Edinburgh audiences with her skills. Another unmissable company are The Kosh, or Kosh Kabaret as they are described this year. They are on at the George Square Theatre. Martin Powell I've been lucky to see three one woman shows, all very good. They all share the same simplistic setting of an almost empty stage, very few props and no costume changes. Whether this works or not is dependent on there being both a strong script and a strong performance. Firstly there is 'Adult child / dead child' at C (Overseas House, Princes Street). This is a very powerful performance piece. It follows the life of a child from around four years old into adulthood. However, this child starts out as feeling unloved and is if not abused then at least very badly treated and ignored by its parents (the gender of the child is never given, but came across as male even though portrayed by an actress). The child, having no friends, then gains an imaginary one. Its when the imaginary friend starts telling the child to do "bad things" that the slip into mental illness begins. The writing is excellent, portraying the cause of the child's drift into insanity in a sympathetic, understandable and *rational* manner. The play follows the child into adulthood, but will hospital treatment and 'care in the community' work? Kate Lush's performance as the child is totally convincing, she manages to get the changes in body language and speech to reflect the different ages of the child and gives a very strong and physical performance. Next is 'Garland' at Hill Street Theater. This one woman show has Judy Garland talking about her life and loves. In it she explains how she got into the show biz world and how it took over what was left of her life. It provides an insight into her family, especially her domineering mother. The entire play is set in a dressing room as Judy prepares for a concert in London. She has difficulty in facing the audience and needs "just five minutes to get herself together". It is in this time that we learn of her tragic background, for example the drugs she was given as early as "The Wizard of Oz" to keep her awake and get her to sleep. Another excellent performance managing to explain much about an icon. Finally, also at Hill Street Theater, is Chloe Poems' 'Universal Rent Boy'. For those yet to experience Chloe she quite unique: describing herself as "a gay, transvestite, socialist poet' is quite true but somehow manages to capture her sheer surrealism. The poetry and other speeches have this trademark oddity, but (and this is the important bit) they somehow manage to reflect and comment on real life in a very accurate and informative way. Its this spot on commentary within the general insanity that marks this out as a show to see. Odd, but very interesting and rewarding. On the music side we have Kit and the Widow back at the Cafe Royal. Their new show, performed twice daily, is in their traditional style — camp songs with 'racy' subject material, rather like a polite Julian Clary which you could take your parents to. As ever, the piano playing and singing is excellent and the banter flows freely. The subject matter for the songs ranges from Di and Dodi to an accidental sex change operation in Brazil (but who cares as the fleets coming in), a nice mix of the topical and the comical. 'Shopping and Fucking' at the Assembly Rooms is a challenging work. The main characters all have some sort of major problem to deal with. They try to make things work, but often it just doesn't seem to come out right. Its also a play about addiction, but not just to drugs. Characters are addicted to power, love, money and each other. Some of the scenes are almost comic in their tragedy. It is very well performed and directed. An interesting find is Festival Theatre USC-USA's production of 'Reservoir Dogs'. Any young amateur group attempting to perform a Tarrantino film on stage is setting themselves up with a very hard task. However, given that they are a young and amateur group tackling a very difficult work they make an excellent job of it. The playing is good, the sets minimal (it being impossible to get anything like the original film sets the next best is to go for minimalism). 'Gangster No. 1' at the Southside Courtyard is true fringe. With few props and minimal staging it tells the story of five people's interactions over a number of years. A gangster sets out to be the top gangster in London, not minding who gets hurt in the process. Graham Hamlyn's acting is excellent in this role, not unlike a young DeNiro on speed. His energy and physicallity are both frightening and captivating and he utterly dominates the scenes he's in; just as his character does in the plot. Parts of the story are very violent, but are told as monologue making them even more effective. Other characters such as the girlfriend, petty crooks, other gangsters framed for murder and corrupt policemen are used to flesh out the story and also add their own stories to provide contrast with the evil main character. I particularly like the way the play is staged: all the characters have stools that they sit on until they need to perform their parts when they move to the front of the stage to perform. The players remaining on the stools stay in character and their expressions often comment on the action. A surprisingly large amount of the play is told in monologue, but there are a large number of multiple character scenes as well. A well written, well staged and well performed piece. Joburg Streets (Assembly Rooms) are a group from South Africa and parts of the UK. Their music is amazing: a combination of traditional African (of which they play several pieces) and a combination of the traditional with Western techno. Both of these are very impressive, but its the combination that comes as the greatest surprise; what might seem impossible not only works but the end result is wonderful. By the end of the performance 90% plus of the audience were up and dancing. Donna McPhail (Gilded Balloon) has been on TV a lot but has returned to live stand up at the fringe. Her new show is in her traditional fast moving style and covers a mix of both the topical and more general observations on life. She's loud, rude and very funny and blasts her audience with a total lack of mercy. The Blues Brothers (Assembly Rooms) is the life story of John Belusi told posthumously by the man himself allowed a day pass from Heaven. His death at 33 in 1982 from a drugs overdose was the loss of a major comic talent that had yet to reach its prime. His famous films are 'The Blues Brothers' and 'Animal House', but he also appeared in Spielberg's '1941'. The character is supposed to follow a script provided by 'the producer upstairs' but in true Belusi style this gets subverted by various ad libs and he changes the ending. As a one man show this works very well giving both a lot of laughs and an insight into the man himself. Tina C (Gilded Balloon) in 'Rhinestone Gowgirl' is a parody of the traditional country and western singer in splendid style. There are loads of song titles chosen to illustrate the point, these range from 'Ain't no dick as hard as my life' to 'I only want you for your body, I have a mind of my own'. A drag act more original than most this will certainly appeal to those with a love of Country and Western music and others will love the totally silly campness of it all. Hattie Heyridge (Assembly Rooms) is the stand up comedienne telling her life story in her own way. Her simple and unassuming style lets the comedy come through without having to reply on swearing or an overdramatic performance. She talks about her parents lives and deaths and her own career both before and after her move into comedy. Sweet and entertaining this show is one you could take your mother to and both laugh. Swan Song (Pleasance) is the new play from Beautiful Thing author Jonathan Harvey. Its in a very different style from Beautiful Thing — the play is in the form of a one-woman monologue. The form of the play is a female teacher, Di Titswell, talking to the audience as though they were an old friend and explaining things about the teaching profession and her life. Di, we discover, whilst very politically correct, still manages to be a bit of a bossy boots. The main event that occurs during the time of the play is the organisation of a school trip to Swanage. During the planning and actual trip we get exposed to Di's changing attitudes to her school colleagues. Through her we discover how the characters develop under the stress of the trip. The script manages to allow these developments to be bot h thought provoking and funny, quite an accomplishment. The (obligatory ?) gay references are also there: Di knows one of the other teachers at the school is gay and also has to deal (rather amusingly) with a Lesbian school inspector. As with any one-person show a lot hinges on how good the actor or actresses performance is. Rebecca Front's performance here is excellent, she manages to keep the audience spellbound whilst portraying the character in a very convincing manner. Massage (Assembly Rooms) is Steven Berkoff's latest in a world premier. Any play that is not only written by Berkoff but features the author himself in drag has to be quite something and this play delivers! Berkoff plays a masseur in a rather dubious massage parlour. The plot manages to combine both some very biting comment and great humour (as you'd expect) and the performance itself has a great presence. Of particular comic value, even whilst it adds to the dramatic effect of the play, is Berkoff's amazing ability at mime, used to great effect during the sex scenes. The plot itself is an exploration of sexual hypocrisy with the Berkoff character as both loving wife and, unknown to her husband, a masseur offering various types of sex for various types of payment. I'd recommend this play, it's very funny but has a series of very serious points that are made in a very subversive manner. Elsie and Norm's MacBeth (Roman Eagle Lodge) is a play about a Northern English couple's attempt to put on a version of MacBeth for their neighbours. The entire performance is their version as put into effect. Almost all of the text has been changed into modern English rhyming in couplets, even if some of the rhymes are a little strained (but this just makes it even more amusing). The entire play is performed by just Elsie and Norm who play all the roles, plus a ventriloquist's panda bear to play Banquot (yes, really). The end result is a very amusing version of the play, but you probably need to know the original well to understand all the jokes. In all an enjoyable parody well written and performed. Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love (Gilded Balloon) is the play that inspired the film Love and Human Remains. Its very complex plot revolves around David and Candy who used to be lovers until David discovered he was gay. David's best friend is Bernie, who's still straight. One of David's other finds is Benita, a psychic S&M prostitute. David also works with Cane, who's young and hasn't figured out who he is yet. Candy, meanwhile, is trying to decide between Robert and Jerri as lovers. But who is being honest and who is just trouble? To complicate matters the town has a serial killer on the loose. The joy of this play comes from watching how the relationships between the characters form and change. The performances are all excellent and the direction and staging add to this. Jim Darby ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LISTINGS ======== We TRY to provide Scotland's most up-to-date and accurate listings. If your group isn't listed, — or if your entry needs updating — please write to ScotsGay with full details. We're not clairvoyant: If we don't know about it, it just won't go in! We'd also like to know about your forthcoming events and meetings. Although many of the listings are for specific towns, they often cover a much wider area. If in doubt, you can always phone one of the Switchboards for more information. Write to:- ScotsGay Listings, Pageprint Limited, PO Box 666, Edinburgh EH7 5YW, Fax them to: 0131-539 2999 or e-mail them to listings@scotsgay.co.uk. NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND is Scotland's oldest lesbian, gay and bisexual rights organisation. It was founded in 1969 as the Scottish Minorities Group, later became the Scottish Homosexual Rights Group and changed its name to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND in December 1992. OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND owns the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre. To contact, write to: The Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA or send E-mail to tmh@dcs.ed.ac.uk 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. Phone: 0131-556 8822 Mon-Sat 2-5pm, Tue 7-8pm. Or write: c/o 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1SA. E-mail: pridescotland@drink.demon.co.uk. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/pride/. All kinds of help are urgently required all year round! SPEAK OUT SCOTLAND: is a new pressure group which aims to protest against cases of homophobia, in and around Scotland, using non-aggressive direct action. Write: 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA or e-mail: speak.out.scotland@drink.demon.co.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ABERDEEN: North East 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: NESGG, 104 Inchbrae Drive, Garthdee, Aberdeen. AB10 7AL. Icebreakers is a social group which meets on 2nd Friday and last Monday of each month. 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 Thursday 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. E-mail: bgs@drink.demon.co.uk CAITHNESS GAY AND LESBIAN CONNECTION: A friendly informal group which meets regularly. Write to: Box 689, Journal Office, 42 Union Street, Wick, Caithness. KW1 5ED. CENTRAL REGION: Forth Friend has a disco (1st Saturday of most months) and a social group which meets every second Wednesday. The Forth Friend phoneline operates each Monday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Stirling (01786) 471285. Or write to: PO Box 28, Stirling. FK9 5YW. DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: Regular social meetings - usually every second Thursday. For details of all events: phone Dumfries (01387) 269161 Thursdays 7.30-9.30pm or write to Dumfries and Galloway Lesbian and Gay Group, PO Box 1299, Dumfries. DG1 2PD. DUNDEE: 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: Moray Lesbian and Gay Network meets second and fourth Wednesdays 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 Mathieson's Pastisserie (lower ground floor of St Giles shopping mall). Sunday afternoon outing takes place every 4th Sunday. Phone Bobby on Elgin (01343) 542928 for details. Or write: MLGN, 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: 7.30-10.30pm. 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: Logan on Duntocher (01389) 875078. 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 Gay & Lesbian Group meets every other Wednesday at the Greenock Arts Guild. Creche facilities are available. Contact Greenock (01475) 745903, daytime, for further info. P.O. Box 9700, Port Glasgow, PA14 5YD. E-mail: inverclydeglg@drink.demon.co.uk INVERNESS: Highland Gay Men's 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. 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 self help group which meets fortnightly at 40 Shandwick Place (EAMH Meeting Room). Offers help and support and provides 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 6-8pm. Support group, social events, informal chat. Creche 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. Olderwomen's Group: Contact Glasgow Lesbian Line for details. Team Caledonia West Women's Cycling Group: Phone Women in Sport on 0141-227 5933 for details. Women's Softball Group: Meets weekly. Contact Glasgow Lesbian Line for details. INVERNESS: Out and About is a friendly lesbian social group that gets together once a month. Write to: PO Box 91, Inverness. IV1 2GJ. LESBIAN INFORMATION SERVICE: PO Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire. OL14 5TZ. Please enclose an sae. Phone/Fax: Todmorden (01706) 817235. BISEXUALS DUNDEE BI GROUP: Write: Fiona or James, c/o Dundee LG Switchboard, PO Box 53, Dundee. DD1 3YG. EDINBURGH BISEXUAL GROUP: Meets every Thursday at 8pm-9.30pm in the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre, 58a Broughton Street. There's an excellent programme of talks and speakers usually followed by a visit to a local pub for socialising. Phone: Edinburgh Bi Helpline on 0131-557 3620. GLASGOW BI NETWORK: We do not have a current contact for this group. Is it still operating? We would like to know! GLASGOW BI WOMEN'S GROUP: The group has folded, but their web pages linger on! 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) 858450. BEARS BEARS' CLUB UK: For hairy men and admirers. Edinburgh: Meets in the New Town Bar on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8.30pm. Glasgow: Meets at the back of the bar in Squires Bar on the second Friday of the 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. THRESHOLDS: Individual and group support for gay men, bisexual men and men who have sex with men, within Edinburgh and the Lothians. 10a Union Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. Telephone: 0131-558 9444. BIKERS GAY BIKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB: A UK-wide club for women and men. Active Scottish section. Details: GBMCC, PO Box 33, Nottingham. NG10 2BF. CHRISTIANS CHANGING CHURCH ATTITUDES: Write c/o 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. E-mail: cca2000@btinternet.com EVANGELICAL: Lesbian or gay? From an Evangelical tradition? So are we. Phone: Ewan on Polmont (01324) 715542 or write: EF/LGC, 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, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. Phone John on 0131-556 1309. Write: Holy Trinity MCC, PO Box 12433, Edinburgh. EH1 3FU. WWW: http://www.geocities.com/westhollywood/8362 or E-mail: mcc.edinburgh@cheerful.com L&GCM: Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. 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. For information, call Linkline Glasgow on 0141-948 0397. Sunday 7-10pm. Or you can write to: Quest, PO Box 280, Glasgow. G12 0AW. COMMUNICATIONS BORDERS BULLETIN BOARD: Computer based information, programs and gay message exchanges. On-line 24 hours a day. To gain access to these areas, register as a new user and leave a messsage for the Sysop who will upgrade your access accordingly. Connect speeds 2400-28,800 baud. Hawick (01450) 377877. 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: The UK's oldest lesbigay 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 CLANN AN UABHAIR (A FAMILY OF PRIDE): New York City's own Gay & Lesbian Scottish Association. Membership open to anyone. Dances, ceilidhs, cultural events throughout the year. A particular warm welcome to anyone visiting our town from Scotland! E-mail: Gay_Piper@NYCnet.com for any and all information, or snail mail to Clann An Uabhair, G.L.S.A., P.O. Box 630, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 10016, USA. Phone: 00 1 (212) 726-1418. GLASGAY!: Lesbian and gay arts festival. Postponed until 1998. Write: c/o CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. G2 3JD. Phone: 0141-332 7521. GLASGOW GAY MEN'S CHORUS: Meets Mon, 7.30pm, GGLC. No auditions: new members always welcome. Phone: 0141-337 3806. 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. WESTERN STARS: Western style line and partner dancing for gays, lesbians and friends of goodwill. Mon evenings. Phone: 0131-453 3284 for venue details. DRINK PROBLEMS If you are a lesbian or gay man with a drink problem and want help and advice, you can 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. Scottish Co-ordinator: Calum McLean. Phone: Inverness (01463) 236878. HEALTH MATTERS BODY POSITIVE (GRAMPIAN): Support and assistance for gay and bisexual men with HIV/AIDS. Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 404408. Or write to: PO Box 83, Aberdeen. AB9 1AA. 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 (STRATHCLYDE): Providing support for those HIV+ and with AIDS in the West of Scotland. Phone: 0141-332 5010. Fax: 0141-332 4285. Centre open at 3 Park Quadrant, Glasgow. G3 6BS. Mon, Wed & Thurs 10am-5pm., Tue & Fri 10am-9pm. E-mail: bpstrathclyde@enterprise.net WWW: Http://homepages.enterprise.net/bpstrathclyde/ 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 who organise the annual Walk for Life. WWW: http://www.crusaid.org.uk/ 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 individual support and counselling, Thresholds (a bereavement project), scene work, educating and training. 10a Union Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. Telephone: 0131-558 9444. GLASGOW BARS AIDS WELFARE FUND: Raises funds for various HIV/AIDS projects in the Glasgow area. PO Box 3954, Johnstone. PA5 0WS. E-mail: 106756.701@compuserve.com GLASGOW HIV CARERS SUPPORT GROUP: Phone: 0141-221 8100. Or write to: Suite 226, Baltic Chambers, 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow. G2 6HJ. GRAMPIAN AIDS LINE: Aberdeen (01224) 574000 or write to GAL, PO Box 250, Aberdeen. HAVEN: Drop-in space for those affected by HIV and AIDS in the west of Scotland. Mon-Fri 11am-5pm. Ruchill Hospital, 520 Bilsland Drive, Glasgow. G20 5NB. Tel: 0141-946 7120 ext 1550. 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. OASIS: Drop-in and information service for gay and bisexual men. Mon-Wed, Fri 10am-5pm, Thu 10am-10pm. 10a Union Street, Edinburgh. Tel: 0131-558 9444. 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: phacewest@enterprise.net POSITIVE ACCOMMODATION: Tel: 0141-552 4488. 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. Minicom: 0800 521361 (10am-10pm). 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-Thu 7-9pm). State clearly that you seek Scottish legal advice as our law is very different from that of England and Wales. NON-MONOGAMY ABUNDANCE: New supportive UK/European network for non-monogamous people. For more info on polyamory/polyfidelity, write enclosing sae to: Abundance, PO Box 5190, Birmingham. B13 9DJ. E-mail: polyenq@sugito.demon.co.uk 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 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. E-mail: alecd@dircon.co.uk OUTDOOR CLUBS DUNDEE HILLBILLIES: New hillwalking group mets 2nd and 3rd Sundays of the month. Contact: Derek on Aberlemno (01307) 830428. GAY OUTDOOR CLUB: Holds regular events including walking, cycling, hillwalking, windsurfing, cross-country skiing, camping and youth hostelling etc. For more details send a large (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 (E-mail: dougoc@aol.com). North: Michael on Inverness (01463) 230651. South-West: Philip and Mark on Southwick (01387) 780653. GAY RAMBLING GROUP: Walks on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Phone Ross on 0141-427 1511. OVER FORTIES PHOENIX: The only national group for the over forties and friends of any age. Write (enclose sae) to: Phoenix, PO Box 103, Wallington, Surrey. SM6 9SJ. PARENTS PARENTS' FRIEND: Phone: 0113-267 4627. 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 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 THE PASSION BRIGADE: Mixed sex/sexuality - all ages and races. Anarchism. Details (2 postage stamps please) from BM Box 207, LONDON. WC1N 3XX. SCOTTISH LABOUR CAMPAIGN FOR LESBIAN AND GAY RIGHTS: Works within the Labour and Trades Union movement to secure equality for lesbians and gay men. Meets 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. REAL ALE GAY REAL ALE CLUB: Meets regularly for sampling of Real Ale in Glasgow pubs. Contact: Douglas 0141-883 9055 or E-mail: dwalker994@aol.com SCIENCE FICTION DELANEY'S EDINBURGH CHILDREN: Meets every 1st Sunday of the month in Edinburgh from 3-4.30pm. Contact Jane on 0131-556 6109. DELANEY'S GLASGOW CHILDREN: 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 Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. SM GAYS: Write to SM Gays, BM SM Gays, London. WC1N 3XX. E-mail: bandanas@dircon.co.uk SPORTS ABERDEEN GAY MEN'S SWIMMING GROUP: Swim every Wednesday: Phone David on Aberdeen (01224) 317552. BRITISH GAY AND LESBIAN SPORTS FEDERATION: Encourages participation in sport. Write (with sae) to BGLSF, Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, London. N1 9SE. EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S RUNNING CLUB: Meets for 3-4 mile casual local run. Alistair: 0131-661 0008. EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S SWIMMING GROUP: Meets informally, Commonwealth Pool on 1st and 3rd Mondays - details from Tom on 0131-229 5755. GAY BODYBUILDERS/WEIGHTRAINERS CLUB: contact Winston Duncan on 0171-379 3480 for contact with Scottish members and nationally. GAY FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS NETWORK: Glasgow group holds monthly meetings in Squires Bar. 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. We now produce a monthly wrestling publication. ukp2 from address below. Phone: Derek on 0131-467 1465 or Iain on 0141-423 4175. Write: Alternative Wrestlers, PO Box 437, Glasgow. G42 8HU. E-mail: altspor@dial.pipex.com GLASGOW GAY BADMINTON & SWIMMING: 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: Andrew 0141-576 6875 (Badminton) or Douglas 0141-636 5894 (E-mail: dougoc@msn.com) (Swimming). 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 LGB Officer, East of Scotland Area NUS, 11 Broughton Market, Edinburgh. EH3 6NU or phone on 0131-556 6598. North of Scotland: Write to LGB Officer, North of Scotland Area NUS, University of Aberdeen, 50/52 College Bounds, Aberdeen, AB2 3DS. West of Scotland: Write to LGB Officer, West of Scotland Area NUS, Cathcart House, Langside College, 50 Prospecthill Road, Glasgow. G42 9LB. NUS Scottish LGB Officer on 0131-556 6598 or write to NUS Scotland, 11 Broughton Market, Edinburgh. EH3 6NU. E-mail: nus-scot@dircon.co.uk. OPEN UNIVERSITY L&G SOC: Phone David: 0141-554 7159. TV/TS ABERDEEN: Crossdressing Group. Contact Aberdeen Switchboard for details. EDINBURGH: Scottish TV/TS Group meets in private rooms last Saturday of each month. Ring Lothian Switchboard for further information. GLASGOW: Crosslynx meets second Wednesday of each month (except December) from 7pm-10pm. Phone: Crosslynx Helpline on 0141-332 3333 Mon 7.30-9.30pm. HIGHLAND T-GROUP: Monthly TV/TS support group. Contact Inverness (01463) 711585 (9am-5pm) or write to: PO Box 67, Inverness. IV1 2XX. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT VISUAL IMPAIRED GAY GROUP SCOTLAND (VIGG): Offers a listening ear and support to women and men. Phone Colin and Jim: Dumfries (01387) 261679 or write to: VIGG, 112 Annan Road, Dumfries. DG1 3EZ. WORKPLACE EIS GAY AND LESBIAN NETWORK: Write c/o 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh. EH3 6EH. Or contact Veronica Rankin, Equality Officer, on 0131-225 6244. GMB: Contact Mary Harrison, Regional Equal Rights Officer, Fountain House, 1/3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow. G3 7UJ. Phone: 0141-332 8641. GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL G&L EMPLOYEES FORUM: Phone: John Dawson on 0141-959 7457 or Charles Thomson on 0141-287 3744. UNISON NATIONAL L&G CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE: Phone: Steve Weddell on 0131-469 3880. Or write: c/o 18 St Giles Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1PT. 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 HIGHLAND YOUTH GAY & BISEXUAL GROUP: Meets 7.30pm 1st Wednesday at 28 Huntly Street, Inverness. Contact Inverness (01463) 711585 (9am-5pm). IRVINE: O.L.A. is a group for young gay/bisexual men under 26. Meets Mon 7-9pm. Details: Kevin Wright, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine (01294) 323473. LESBIAN YOUTH SUPPORT INFORMATION SERVICE: PO Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire. OL14 5TZ. Enclose sae. Phone/Fax: Todmorden (01706) 817235. STIRLING YOUTH GROUP: Details from Forth Friend on Stirling (01786) 471285 Mon 7.30-10pm. STONEWALL FRIENDS: Friendly, fun, informal social group for gays, lesbians and bisexuals under 26 in the Lothian Region. Meets every Wednesday with regular social events at other times. Phone: 0131-556 4040 Tue 7.30-9pm or E-mail: edyouth@cableinet.co.uk STRATHCLYDE LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL YOUTH GROUP: Friendship and support for under 26s. Meets Tuesday 7.30pm at the GGLC. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard or Glasgow Lesbian Line. Write c/o GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. Http://bigles.ml.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SWITCHBOARDS AND HELPLINES ========================== BORDERS GAY SWITCHBOARD: Thurs 7.30-10pm Phone: Galashiels (01896) 756611 CROSSLYNX HELPLINE: Mon 7.30-9.30pm Phone: 0141-332 3333 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 BI HELPLINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Phone: 0131-557 3620 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, Tues 2-5 Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 633500 (Minicom available) Fax: Aberdeen (01224) 634055 LOTHIAN GAY & LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD: Nightly 7.30-10pm Phone: 0131-556 4049 MORAY LGB SWITCHBOARD: Men: Tue & Fri 7-11pm Women: Thu 7-11pm Phone: Elgin (01343) 541188 STRATHCLYDE GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD: Nightly 7-10pm Phone: 0141-332 8372 LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD: 24 hours Phone/Minicom: 0171-837 7324 ------------------------------------------------------- ALAN'S CHART ============ 1. TdV - Get Loose / Feel My Love (TdV) 2. Backstage Works - Let There Be Light (Jon The Dentist Mix / Chris Liberator Mix) (Phoenix Uprising) 3. Chris C & M-Zone - Eclipse EP (South Of Sanity) 4. Baby Blue - Baby Boom / A Little Love (Tin Tin Club) 5. The Source - Clouds (Jon The Dentist Vocal Mix / Sharp DTPM Dub) (XL) 6. Blu Peter - I Bring You Luv (Love For A Fine Tune Mix) (React) 7. Whoosh - Whoosh (Baby Doc Remix) (Wonderboy) 8. DJ Ablaze - Based On Acid (DJ Ablaze Mix) (Satellite City) 9. Da Hool - Meet Her At The Love Parade (Nalin & Kane Remix) (Kosmo) 10. Sunscreem - Catch (Andy Ling F.O.C. Vocal) (Pulse 8) 11. Signum - Adaptor (Jinx) 12. Vadis - Past & Present (The Past) (Skinnymalinky) 13. Sharp Tools Volume Three (Sharp) 14. Ispirazione - Release It (XVX) 15. Tilt - Places (Transatlantic Dub) (Perfecto) 16. Montreal Sound - (Sure Of) You (Mark Kulak Remix) (Shift) 17. Space Frog featuring The Grim Reaper - X-ray (Follow Me) (Spacerunner Nfix) (Sony) 18. Lectrolux - Baloney (Baby Doc's Suiernatural Remix) (TEC) 19. Friends Lovers & Family - Tribute 97 (Lectrolux Remix) (Lush) 20. Lustral - Everytime (Nalin & Kane Mix) (Hooj Choons) ------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSDYKE ========= Portraits of Love - Lesbians Writing About Love edited by Susan Fox Rogers & Linda Smukler St. Martin's Press, ukp7.99 This small book is full of passion, romance, heartache and laughter. It is a selection of poems and letters, from lovers talking to each other, to more personal disclosures. It is a powerful book and brings an understanding into the strength between lesbians and their lovers. It investigates and exposes the pros and cons encountered in lesbian relationships. Fast Ride With The Top Down by Harper Grey Alyson Publications, ukp7.99 This is a fictional biography covering the bizarre life of Lady Blackwood, and extrovert painter who lives on Key West. She is devastated by the death of her parents when she is 14. Their untimely end is met after a yuppie drinking binge takes them from the top of a rollercoaster - minus the carriage. Lacy and her brother Franco then step into the real world and help each other over the hurdles that they face. Franco lives his life as a religious fanatic, believing that he is Christ reincarnated, and although he proclaims to live a life of celibacy, Lacy has her suspicions that his little self-punishment rituals, such as ascending the wooden stairs on his knees and walking with pebbles in his shoes, are a distinct result of his sexual conquests the previous evening, perhaps confirmed by his placing piles of sand on selected bits of the bedsheet. Lacy finds her romantic dream in Shane, a barmaid who fulfills all the erotic expectations that lacy wants, but before long Lacy discovers that Shane apparently makes a career of fulfilling every female customer's desires. Shane leaves, Lacy moves on and commits her time to her secret art works. She is supported by her friend and mother figure Mrs. Crooks, and extrovert of senior years to Lacy. Just as life is rolling along, Franco indulges in some self-mutilations as he thinks this will seal his relationship with God. Unfortunately he seals his medical certificate to the sanitorium. Shane, learning of this, reappears and seduces Lacy in the old best friend style only to be used and abused by the now much stronger Lacy. Lacy reveals her secret to Shane, rescues her brother from the institute, packs a bag for herself and Mrs. Crooks (along with Mrs. Crooks large cash windfall) and leaves her old life behind. The story is that of the eventual heroine who has faced, coped and become victorious in her encounters with emotion, the femme-fatale, the whacky brother and all else that life throws at her. The book is light-hearted humour and emotional adventure, probably best consumed to pass some time on the beach lounge. Lesbians Raising Sons edited by Jess Wells Alyson Publications, ukp8.99 When this book was handed to me I thought Just the thing, maybe this will help me answer some of my inquisitive four year old son's questions. Well, it didn't really, but it helped me understand what his mind is going through. It is a book full of stories, poems and letters from parents to their sons like: an unsent letter by Martha Millar in which she tries to tell her son why she stood up for her lover who wanted him to go and stay with his father, and how she then fought to keep him with so little support. The stories are put in such a way that it is very easy to get involved. I laughed at questions like "Mum, what's a penis car?" in Balancing by Tara Prince-Hughes, because kids always hear you when you don't want them to, and repeat it and want it explained. I felt sad as Tryna Hope told us about leaving her son Jonah after coming out. This is a trong and hitting book - some of the stories are quite scary and you will be hoping it doesn't happen to you; whilst some of the stories are inspiring and show you just how a child can handle having gay parents, but most of all it is an eye-opener into the lesbian/son relationship. Heather White ---------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS ======= ScotsGay: a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals edited, printed and published in Scotland. ISSN: 1357-0595. © Pageprint Publishing Limited, August 1997. 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: Garry Otton & Derek Ogg (Features), Liquid Silk, Iain, Minerva, Calmac & Gus (Scene), Rex Wockner (International), Scott J. Reid, Martin Powell, Dick Wilson & Jim Darby (Fringe Reviews), Alan Nicholls (Music), Heather (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.