SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland Issue 24 - October 1998 ****IMPORTANT CHANGE***** In order to keep the length of these files down, we are no longer distributing our Listings Pages (which carry details of organisations, local groups, etc.) along with the text files from our magazine. Instead, you can obtain an up-to-date version by sending an e-mail to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk with the following in the body (not header) of the message: get listings The same information is also available at http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/current/list.html Whilst these are still distributed with these text files, current listings of Venues can be obtained by sending an e-mail to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk with the following in the body (not header) of the message: get venues The same information is also available at http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/current/venues.html *************************** 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 1998. 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 Inside this issue: Editorial - the end of the ghetto? News -reports & investigations Otton on... - age of consent review Ogg's view - the men from laramie Granny Spice Edinburgh Glasgow Bump Your Gums Dundee Scottish Media Monitor Travel - Holiday in Ibiza Moray Inverness The Nice Bit - Sex in India Aberdeen ScotsGay Voice Boxes - The Meet market Venues International - news from around the world Reviews - books & film Switchboards - helplines around the country Music - joy dj alan's latest chart Scotsdyke - dj gill @ divine divas ---------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= A sure sign of ageing is when Police Constables start looking young - these days, I find that the Chief Inspectors are a bit on the young and callow side! Nevertheless, something which I have noticed recently during my infrequent incursions to our pubs and clubs is that the clientele seems to be growing, on balance, older! And for why? Well, it seems that for many young people who are growing up gay, our ghettoes do not appeal. And they are no longer a necessary evil that one has to endure to get a lay. No longer do folk have to dump their straight friends if they fancy going to somewhere that they can have a same sex cuddle or grope on the dance floor. No longer do they accompany these same friends to places where they have to be on their guard in case they do something embarrassingly gay. Instead, many young (and older) people are finding that they can be themselves in the increasing number of mixed nightspots which either advertise themselves as ‘pansexual' or operate as such. That sort of integration and mutual acceptance is something that we should all be pleased about! On the other hand, it presents a potential problem for some gay oriented businesses which inflict a ‘youth' lifestyle on their customers. If the ‘youth' ain't coming and older gays are settling down at home and not coming much either, then these venues will slowly grow empty unless they change their style. The options for our Queer Tribe are increasing - and the ghetto is something that many of us may never enter. John Hein ------------------------------------------------------------ NEWS ==== CRACKS APPEAR AT CENTRE Serious cracks have appeared in Edinburgh's Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Centre in Broughton Street only weeks after the building was sold by Outright Scotland to ELGB Project Ltd, the Charity which has been running the place for some time. The purchase, funded by loans totalling over ukp40,000 from both a bank and a private individual, was finalised on 21st September when keys were exchanged with much cabaret on the doorstep of the Centre. However, cracks in the concrete floor of the downstairs meeting room and an adjoining wall soon became apparent and a civil engineer has been called in to advise. Currently, a large trench has been dug out of the floor but this will require to be enlarged for further inspection. According to ELGB Chair Fiona Horne, it's hoped that the cause is a broken or blocked drain. If so, fixing the damage may be relatively cheap, but it is an unexpected drain on finances! Fund raising will be required and we'll all asked to dig deep into our pockets. Other problems which face the charity are the fact that the previous Chair, Jeff Davies, is currently ignoring requests to return the membership lists and account books. This is making it somewhat difficult to contact ELGB members to announce an AGM. Jeff has not been seen in the Centre since March when he smashed the door of the Bisexual Group's office during a drunken nocturnal escapade involving several Centre luminaries including Paul Cantley, a former staff member at PJ's, the shop at the front of the Centre. Since losing his job as a driver with LRT, Jeff has moved house and is neither responding to letters nor answering his phone to ELGB directors who are currently considering legal action to recover the company's documents. Staff problems and the alleged theft of ukp9,000 worth of stock from PJ's have been cited by shop owner Paul Bryan-Ivison who has had to ask fellow ELGB Directors to allow him to pay his rent considerably in arrears. Paul also blames some of his cash problems on competition from Out of the Blue, which stocks similar lines to PJ's. Nevertheless, a bullish Paul is confident that PJ's will continue to trade and says that he has several new and exciting ideas in store for his emporium. CENTRE FORWARD The Glasgow Gay & Lesbian Centre will be hosting an Open Day on the 18th November from Noon, where it is hoped that the gay community of Glasgow and the West of Scotland will take the opportunity to explore the vast range of groups and services on offer to them. There will be exhibitions, hands on experiences, opportunities to buy merchandise and information available. The smaller meeting room will also be the focus of a renaming ceremony when it is renamed after the Late Ian Dunn a dedicated supporter of Gay Rights in Scotland and early member of the Glasgow Gay & Lesbian Centre. There will also be the opportunity to join groups and put people on the spot concerning the issues that cause most concern, when the chance to interview key representatives is given in a series of speakeasy sessions in the renamed Ian Dunn Room. The range of Community Groups who have been invited to be involved include Women's Library, Women's Centre for Health, PHACE West, Body Positive, Steve Retson Health Initiative, Bi-g-les (Youth Group), Pride Scotland, Glasgay, the commercial scene, Spiritualist Group, Strathclyde Switchboard, Community Education, Gay Outdoor Club, Metropolitan Community Church, and Outright Scotland. Whilst these are not the only groups to be represented it shows the breadth of the opportunities to be explored. Martha the GLC Cafe Bar proprietor, will be serving her good food to hungry customers and no doubt persuading people to attend the varied entertainment programme, which she runs throughout the week. This will be an opportunity for people who have never been in the Centre to see what it's like, a chance to join, renew memberships, look at the changes around the premises etc. It is hoped that no matter what your interest there will be the chance to get the most out of the Open Day. It is certainly likely that you will find people who are out to find out information concerning things that interest you and you could make some new friends! CLONE ZONE Clone Zone, in Glasgow's Virginia Street, has been closed by Glasgow Building Control officers following subsidence caused by building works at Marks and Spencers next door. The closure affects many other businesses housed in the adjoining Virginia Chambers. UNWELCOME FIRST Transsexual Alexandra (formerly Stephen) MacRae has become the first "biological male" to be placed in a UK women's prison. Authorities believed that she would be in danger irrespective of whether she was gaoled with women or with men. MacRae, a solicitor, had admitted to embezzlement and been given a deferred sentence in order to pay restitution to her victim, but failed to do so and now faces 15 months with three inmates in the women's wing of the largely male Craiginches Prison in Aberdeen. MacRae, a four-time Scottish National Party candidate (both as a man and as a woman), a former rugby prop forward and legal husband, had gender reassignment surgery in 1984. SPURT Gay Men's Health are using public money to promote filth and depravity in the latest issue of of their popular magazine Spurt! - available from all good dens of iniquity in the Capital City. This new, thicker edition is dripping with colour and includes informative articles on Shagging Al Fresco, Chubby Chasing and one entitled "Ever Done It With A Straight Lad?". GAY SCOTLAND COMES OFF THE RAILS A Scottish gay publication has earned the wrath of Lancashire public transport bosses following a publicity stunt which has hit the buffers. A recent edition of Gay Scotland, the tabloid newspaper edited by Paul Bryan-Ivison, featured a photograph of a Blackpool tram in Gay Scotland livery on its front cover along with claims that the tram had been "specially sponsored". However, we can exclusively reveal that the photograph was digitally manipulated and the tram concerned actually advertises a coach company. A spokesperson for Blackpool Transport told ScotsGay that Railcoach No 679 has never carried any advertising material for Gay Scotland. Fraudulent alteration of photos of their trams is not something that they've come across before. "We don't encourage this sort of thing and are not happy about it", he said. In any case, the cost of such an advertisement would have been over ukp5,000 - well outside the promotion budget of the flagging organ. Elsewhere in the issue, Gay Scotland claims that over 92% of their print run is picked up by readers - it is obvious to those who see Mr Ivison's unwanted piles each month that this figure too has been digitally manipulated. ScotsGay editor John Hein commented, "We have grown used to Paul's vivid imagination but one day it really is going to get him into trouble!" OLD CHAPP BACK AT KUDOS In a sudden move, Cafe Kudos has been sold to a new company involving Ray from the New Town Bar. A tight lipped Ray confirmed that he would be maintaining his involvement with the New Town, but, as far as the former Chapps premises were concerned, would only say, "Watch this space!". 30 YEARS YOUNG On Sunday 4th October, Holy Trinity Metropolitan Community Church joined over 300 MCC congregations in five continents to mark Fellowship Sunday, the thirtieth anniversary of the denomination's foundation. Holy Trinity MCC marked the anniversary with a special service in the Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. GRETNA The Scottish Episcopal Church (AKA The Fraud Anglicans) is considering drawing up a special ceremony to be used for formally blessing same sex couples in church. And this has led to speculation that Gretna may once again become a destination for couples crossing the border to take advantage of more liberal Scottish procedures. However, Martin Callaghan, the Scottish Episcopal priest in Gretna says that he will have to wait for the church to give its formal approval before offering such blessings and that might take some time. QUIZ Scottish Television's popular game show Passport Quiz is actively seeking participants from the lgbt community. If you're interested, call 0845 270 3000. WORKER Outright Scotland has appointed Brian Dempsey as Assistant Secretary of the group and is paying him to work eight hours per week. SURVEY A survey conducted by Gay Men's Health in West Lothian showed that 50% of respondents felt that gay men and ethnic minorities were sections of the community most likely to be discriminated against. Almost a third said that they had been affected personally. WARMER Centurion Health Club in Glasgow has installed new heating and is also promoting itself with Winter Warmer Weekends when the normal admission fee of ukp8 is reduced to ukp6 on Saturdays and Sundays. Since opening eighteen months ago, they claim a membership of over 5,000. CLICK! Body Positive Strathclyde is holding photography workshops at the BP Centre in Glasgow on Thursdays from 6-8pm. Details from Roddy on 0141-332 5010. HOOTS MON! Kilts In The Country is the name of the weekend being run from 16th-18th April 1999 at the Rothes Glen Hotel, Elgin for the International Kilt Appreciation Society and Scottish Country Dancers. Further details from Ian Stirling, 69 Harbour Street, Nairn. IV12 4PY. or phone: Nairn (01667) 454760. ELGIN Pride of Moray Firth is holding their Hallowe'en Fancy Dress Party at the Park House Hotel in Elgin on Friday 30th October. BALL Lothian L&G Switchboard is holding a Masquerade Ball in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh on Saturday 31st October. Tickets (ukp12/ukp10) from Route 66, Blue Moon, PJ's, Virgin Megastore, New Town Bar, Assembly Rooms by post from LGLS (FROGS) Limited, Freepost SCO 1130, Edinburgh EH1 0ZP or phone 0131-556 8997. CEILIDH The GGLC is holding their Autumn Ceilidh on the 7th of November. ------------------------------------------------------------------ OTTON ON... =========== Hands up! Who's had real boy-on-boy or boy-on-man sex before the age of 18? I mean real cock action. Youthful gism, globbing out of those rose-like tips all over some co-operative Listen-Y'know-I'm-Really-Straight stud gagging to be experimented on. Quite a lot of us if the surveys are to be believed. And did we give a toss about the laws governing the age of consent? Nah! About as much thought as our straight bros and look what a mess they made! Seven times more unwanted weans than in Holland where the age of consent is 12! The House of Lords reckoned they were speaking for the public when they pledged to keep an unequal age of consent at 18. But bearing in mind the shite dished out by the lily-livered press all over this septic isle, what the fuck do the public know about gay sex anyway? According to our learned ones, gay sex was about buggery, sodomy and old men sticking cocks up boys' arseholes. But lowering the age of consent has as much to do with buggery as the French Letter has to do with France, or the Dutch cap has to do with Holland. They couldn't blame the foreigners over this one. Sex was positively rattling down the hallowed corridors of Westminster! Every minister from Lloyd George to Jeffery Archer knows it doesn't belong in there! Now the media - despite being riddled with double standards and censorship - think they're real cool about sex. Well, judge for yourselves… Sex is so explosive it can topple the leader of the world's most powerful nation. And while Bill Clinton's future was hanging on a spunk-stain found on a dress not cleaned for four years, men in frocks lined with ermine, held the British government to ransom over buggery. What were they playing at? It was supposed to be the previous government's stated aim to reduce the growing rate of suicides in young men. "Sending the wrong message?" What did the Lords think blocking equalising the age of consent was going to do? Many a village graveyard must have been disturbed that night. As the Bentleys drove in from the country estates, I'm surprised half of them even remembered where the House of Lords were! An unelected body with the power to speak and act on behalf of the majority. Does this not equally describe vigilantes? But while everyone read the story of the little girl, burned to death when they set fire to the home of a suspected ‘pervert,' suicides by gay teenagers are frequently robbed of their sexual ingredient by a well-meaning public and compliant press. As Lawrence Donegan wrote in The Scotsman: "What the House of Lords is capable of delivering is not a change in behaviour but the continued criminalisation of it. That is a power which should not reside with unelected people and the sooner the ermined upstarts are reminded of it, the better." Nice one! The Lords set out to protect boys' aresholes like the Scotland team protects its own goal. It's a boy's game. Why else should young men be afforded special protection above that of heterosexual women and lesbians? As the early theologian - and huge contributor to Christian doctrine in the west - Saint Augustine wrote: "The body of a man is superior to that of a woman as the soul is to the body." So no change there! The Labour government should have done it properly in the first place. What single Act of Parliament has ever guaranteed us equality with heterosexuals? Just rare concessions to our civil rights, begrudgingly tagged on to bills about Sexual Offences, Criminal Acts or Crime and Disorder. After the Lords voted for inequality, BBC Radio 4 tried to discuss the matter the following morning with Home Secretary, Jack Straw who made it abundantly clear he was expecting to appear on the programme to talk about the Family. New Labour is determined to promote it. He failed to mention that out of 80 child murders a year: 60 take place within the Family. The outrageously homophobic Scottish Daily Mail approached "the decline of the traditional family…" from another angle. Its front page chucked in the towel to bellow: "GIVING UP ON FAMILY VALUES…" To their disgust, 40% of children are born to unmarried mothers. In Glasgow and Dundee, it amounts to over half the babies born. What better excuse to exhume Sexfinder General, Father Tom Connolly who "…believed the trend could be reversed if school children were educated on family values in the curriculum." What a chancer! So he thinks he has high moral principles? Good! Let him pay for them. Bill the Catholic Church for the cost of providing for unwanted weans! Hugh Brown, spokesman for the Kirk came up with an even bigger whopper: "One of the problems is that there are not enough incentives for getting married…" I've heard it all now! Is the institution of marriage so feeble it needs the support of incentives? The clown went on to blame governments for having "…failed to provide any financial carrots to couples thinking about making that commitment." Once that circus was out of the way, the Scottish Daily Mail got down to some serious reporting with the considered view of Barbara Littlewood, a lecturer in sociology at Glasgow University. "These figures do not necessarily show that fewer children are being born into stable relationships today than in the past. If you look at the registrations of births, the majority are still in the father and mothers' name suggesting that they are in a stable relationship, if not actually married." But when it comes to stupid cunts, Jim Sillars takes the biscuit. Elected MP's in the House of Commons voted for an equal age of consent, not for "mature men the right, for their homosexual pleasure, to seduce young boys aged 16" but to reduce the distress, criminalisation and suicides in young gay men. As it did in Holland when they reduced their age of consent. Neither was it to "extend the realm of the gay brigade…" (Can you believe this prick was an MP for the SNP in Glasgow's Govan constituency)? The Scottish Sun was the perfect mouthpiece for Sillars' evil slander. "These young boys that the homosexual lobby have in their sights…can be used for homosexual acts. Let me tell you a blunt truth. Homosexual relations don't produce homosexual children who grow into prospective sexual partners for others like them. So there is no stock of homosexual young males. The answer is to legalise it and get the age as low as possible to ensure a continuous supply of sexual partners. …Sex objects, to be used." The header marched to the sound of his jackboots: "THIS VILE CHARTER IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG." Sillars was shocked "there is no backlash" and victimises us for a culture otherwise rescued from the ruthless promotion of heterosexism. "Cruising gay pick-up areas, assignations in public toilets, one night stands for sodomy and obscenity, with all that they threaten in terms of sexual diseases, are prevalent. It is into that unsavoury world that the gay lobby want to drag more young people... We are asked to accept that heterosexual relations, and the family unit they create, are of no higher moral value than sodomy. And our society knuckles under." Hey, Silly Arse! The majority practising sodomy are people like you: Straight! Or is he? You do wonder! I've heard language like this before. From GAY men! I've also heard it from desperate careerists, well tuned to the needs of homophobic newspaper proprietors and editors. People like Richard Littlejohn, benefiting from the absence of any curbs on inflammatory language aimed at gays to further his career. Which is it, Sillars? Any comment surrounding the age of consent debate was refreshingly absent from The Herald, sparing us from a splattering of homophobic spittle from their evangelical columnist, Rev. John Macleod. Instead, Macleod wrung his stained Y-fronts over the pages of The Scotsman, squealing: "The Bible… speaks of sodomy as a vile, unnatural and heaven-provoking sin." Tory MP Nicholas Winterton declared: "If the Lord Almighty had meant men to commit sodomy with other men their bodies would have been built differently." How true! Surely, that's why He put a hole there! And we should also thank Sir Patrick Cormack, deputy shadow leader of the House for the choice remark "that gay men were ‘not only different', but should not be recognised ‘as equal or equivalent' to heterosexuals." Quite right too! We're much better! The Times editorial chose to pick on the non-violent, direct action group Outrage! (So what's new)? Drawing a parallel with it and Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam! Scotland on Sunday completely fucked me off when it gave space to Grade A tosser, Gerald Warner who declared Blair "the self proclaimed champion of family values, proving his credentials by legalising sodomy of 16-year-olds." The vote: "a slap in the face to every parent in Britain." Warner nearly wet his Union Jack underpants: "we live in a society where the enemies of civilisation…" he thundered, "occupy the commanding heights in the communications industry; where everything that is evil is presented as good; and, in corollary, where good is calumniated as evil. Political correctness is the new fascism, hence the apologetic tone even of those who oppose legalised immorality (‘Of course I'm not anti-gay, but…') Take away the rainbow flags, the sympathetic characterisations in soap operas and the myriad public relations devices: the irreducible reality is: Will any young man's life be ruined because he is not sodomised between his 16th and 18th birthdays? And what is the converse proposition?" Another repressed homosexual talking out of his arse and wiping it on a newspaper? Well, what do you think? The "decent majority" must rise up to say "liberal legislation has gone too far... there will have to be a campaign to repeal it under the next government." This was just the excuse the Daily Record needed to unleash it's own bulldog, Tom Brown to air his pox-ridden views. "PINK POWER… THE PARTY NO-ONE VOTED FOR." Oh, very droll. Even clever if it had an atom of truth in it. "How many voters of… Enfield Southgate, where Twigg ousted Michael Portillo - KNEW they were voting in a homosexual MP?" Wasn't this the same old codger who wrote in a previous column, "private lives shouldn't be public"? Oh, it's his age, you see. He forgets. It was all so very different before the war. You have to make allowances… Poor ol' bugger! The broadsheets where no exception. Any discussions involving our sexuality and they had to excite pulpit fascists into ejaculating their venom. This time The Herald had them dribbling their pernicious views over Peter Tatchell's laudable attempt to have the age of consent reduced to 14. This would decriminalise the majority of youngsters, who are beginning to have sex at that age and empower them to cry foul in cases of abuse, as has been proven in many other European countries. At a time when the House was preparing to debate a lowering of the gay age of consent to only 16, The Herald shook the cage of the Catholic's Father Tom Conelly and the Kirk's Mrs Ann Allen. She says: "We would be 100% opposed to lowering the age of consent to 14. It would give entirely the wrong message to adolescents and would put enormous pressure on young people who are not at the point of wanting to be sexually active." Many already are, of course! He says: "Our position on this matter is quite clear. We believe any sexual relationship outwith marriage is wrong at any time irrespective of age." Get the royal "we!" Judging by general practice, I would suggest the majority of members of this moribund church beg to differ! (c) Garry Otton 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------- OGG'S VIEW ========== Derek Ogg is a leading criminal lawyer and gay activist. He founded SAM, Scotland's largest AIDS/HIV agency in the 80's, and is currently a Trustee of Milestone House, Scotland's only AIDS hospice. He helped found the ground-breaking radical AIDS education agency GMFA in London in 1992. When I was a little boy I suppose the most formative television I watched was the all American Western. This programming gave the BBC cheap ready made series which broadcast hours of good clean democratic values. If you are old enough to remember Bonanza, Rawhide or Laramie then (apart from being no spring chicken) you will recall the clean cut heroes with white hats and chiselled features who never told lies and who stood up for the underdog, fighting impossible odds against black-hatted baddies or hordes of semi-naked "injuns". The handsome young star always prevailed, but not until he'd endured some appropriately character-forming hardships along the way (such as being tied up, bare chested to a totem pole and being pistol whipped, cut or roasted a little before ingeniously wriggling free after feigning death, unconsciousness or craven submission). Whilst there was generally a female interest somewhere in the cast, she would be relegated to a purely coquettish and frivolous role, the main plot thrusts being among the bonded males who made up the posse / ranch hands / cowpokes on the one hand or the brooding cute loner who played the title role on the other. Pretty homo-erotic stuff when you look back on it through the mists of time. They are re-running Rawhide on Channel 4 at the moment and the politically correct cutting and dubbing isn't obvious unless you knew it was there. And boy do those old Westerns need editing! References to ‘nigras' are casually peppered throughout without being regarded as an insult, racial stereotyping of the "injun" as evil murderous and ugly is standard and the equivalence of any male gentleness with effeminacy (itself equivalent to perversity, unspecified) would shock modern viewers to the core of their beings. Looking back on those influential 60's Westerns with a cynical eye reveals a bare-faced attempt to justify the genocide of the native American population, the glorification of the American Constitution's allowing of all citizens to ‘bear arms' (carry any number of guns that is) and the entrenchment of the man as head of the family and undisputed superior in brain and brawn to the woman. Into the bargain men who were pacifists, artistic or gentle were generally also suspect, untrustworthy and sly. And so I should have known better than to be surprised to read that the hate crime murder of a 22 year old gay student in Wyoming took place in that most famous of cowboy towns, Laramie. There was also a grotesque irony in the manner and style of young Matthew Shepard's killing. He was not ‘only' killed for being openly gay (by, it seems, two fellow students) but he was picked up in a gay bar by the two who pretended to be gay. He was then driven out to the countryside where he was stripped, tied spread-eagled to a cattle fence, tortured, pistol whipped, set fire to and left for dead, his cries for mercy unheard in the laughter of his attackers. Matthew was the cute, blue eyed chisel jawed star of the local gay scene. Out and proud his clean-cut gentle nature seemed to be the ultimate insult or contradiction for these gay hating Wyoming cowboys. Maybe they picked up the ideas about pistol whipping from a re-rerun, maybe they learned of slow fire torture from ‘them pesky injuns', but they almost certainly picked up the modern day enthusiasm with which they executed Matthew from a much more up to date piece of propaganda, the American Right's vicious anti-gay advertising campaigns on radio and TV everywhere. The men from Laramie would have shunned any ‘gay' type character, but the morality of TV then paradoxically taught ‘real men' not to pick on the weaker or the underdog. The idea of a cowboy hero or heroes beating anyone up for that matter was unheard of. Self restraint, self discipline and (within limits) a live-and-let-live attitude underpinned those mythical men from Laramie's morality. Of course there never was such a Golden Age in reality. What mattered was that Americans wanted to be like that. They aspired to decency, they applauded standing up for what you believed in and they wanted to protect the underdog. It was precisely because of that TV subliminal training that thousands of gays were able to come out of the closet and claim their rights as part of the so-called sexual revolution of the late 60's and 70's. Knowing that truth and justice were meant to be everyone's lot made a helluva difference to their self belief and the reception they were afforded by their peers. The much maligned, politically incorrect and sexist TV Western had its heart in the right place, if nothing else. Returning to present day America sees a different propaganda at work. The rights of the Constitution are to be savoured only by those who ‘deserve' them, by those who have ‘earned' them and by those moral enough to ‘merit' them. The Christian Right has been broadcasting its hate propaganda against gays from their own radio stations. Freedom of speech (for those other than the likes of gay activists) means that they can say the most hate-filled incitements to violence against gays with impunity. These are the new men from Laramie. Nowadays the underdog is not to be sheltered but spurned as ‘one of them'. Nowadays the cute and chisel jawed loner is eyed with suspicion as a faggot and/or child molester, to be run out of town, if not, to be murdered. So where is the Sheriff in Laramie 1998? Enter President Clinton, and perhaps more promisingly his deputy Al Gore. Both called upon Congress to pass federal laws making it a hate-crime suffering special sentencing to attack someone merely because of their sexual orientation. The great and the good of American media society have gone on record as deploring Matthew Shepard's killing. For a moment the sheriff has spoken and a posse of decent liberals have been rounded up to mount up and chase them pesky bigots. But it's quiet out there, too quiet. On the hilltops and ridges of the burning desert of humanity that the posse must ride through one senses rather than sees the Right massing another raiding party, guns being handed round and at the centre of them all a preacher man - bible in one hand, in the other a fist. Once in a while someone's death can teach us something, can even make a difference. In America gay activism so strong, in New York, San Francisco and Washington, has woken up to the sound of the whoops and war cries of its enemies in other more distant places where gay men have come out. Ravaged by the holocaust of AIDS and lulled by the warmth of the camp fire behind their encircled waggons, activism among gays has withered in the last decade there. I sense in the furious activity following the Laramie outrage a fightback and a new determination to take on the fanatics and the bigots who have freely peddled their hate. Too late for Matthew Shepard. Just in time, it seems, for the rest. Derek Ogg ----------------------------------------------------------------- INSIDE OUT ========== InsideOut is a monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland Issue 24 - October 1998 Inside this issue: Granny Spice Edinburgh Glasgow Bump Your Gums Dundee Scottish Media Monitor Travel - Holiday in Ibiza Moray Inverness The Nice Bit - Sex in India Aberdeen ScotsGay Voice Boxes - The Meet market Venues GRANNY SPICE ============ GREETINGS FROM HOLLYWOOD (OOPS! HOLYROOD) My parliament is launched in the making; my well earned rest had nothing to do with "drying out" at the Royal Crichton (and not the Andrew Duncan Clinic either), the "royal" being The Betty Ford clinic for we stars in the cast who fall from grace! Talking of Grace, we are informed that lady Grace Kelly of Leadhills is back in the doggie business in Falkirk; So if your Mut or, man is off his Chum, hurry along the Gracie's Kennels for a quick service, Gracie and the dogs will as ever put some "Bounce" back in your pet! Having time off allowed me to re-explore old haunts; the leafy glades of the Water O'Dean were trolled 'til my heels almost gave out - successfully I might add - one sunny morning brought a clutch of joggers who all seemed to have a sausage in their shorts — lip-smacking times were had and I now have a regular early morning gobble session before I wash my face in the "Jew" of Dean Village. I am informed my dear sister "Dawn" (I want to be a Gay Ikon!) Davenport has been "filling in" (what a suitable alliteration), nicely in my absence - thank you Dawn for looking after my West Coast punters, I'll never know how you managed to get into my sexy frocks! The festival was absolute wow; cock all over the place and such pretty men and boys! At least 3 Americans and a dozen Englishmen told me Edinburgh's gay scene was so user-friendly they intended to move here - C'mon down I say! A few well known West Coast faces appeared and "performed" - "Big Wullie" from the Waterloo was seen in action and cruising in Bear pits; Being "Big" is always an asset on the gay scene; don't let those lying bitches tell you size is not important - SIZE is everything - who wants to suck a wee prick? One of my aides informs me the lovely Lessbeeans at the Stag and Turret are awaiting my presence and Heather is champing at the bit - be patient girls only 8 more pounds to lose and then as Dawn would say - with such taste; you can all "Bump yer gums!" or, dental dams or whatever .... That lively venue CC Blooms is so busy these days and god the talent seems to get younger - I must be getting very old. (I am after all a pensioner!) Such a nice social mix and none of that bitchiness associated with the West coast shop girls and pen pushers who seem to prevail everywhere except the Waterloo these days.... here it's the content of your character (not your wallet) that counts - nice change! Gordon is back from York (why go to York for lemon grass and noodles); well gossip has it that some dishy young "Rice Queen" has been bestowing favours on him. Well let's hope the Eastern promise keeps him quiet for a bit leaving some "chicken" free for those who like to foul with young pullets! Gordon whatever happened to your biblical aspersion of "feed my lambs .... etc" Mark you, some of you ex-lambs are now veritable "mutton" and adorning "the Waterloo" counter... Back to Hollywood; the bottom of the Royal Mile is bustling these days and house hunting would be MSP's and hangers-on are offering big money for former cooncil latties in less than glamorous schemes like "dumbieDykes"... doesn't that just have a lesbian feel to it — one can envisage Tower blocks populated by dungaree-clad female plumbers, brickies, bus drivers, caretakers... Who thought up the name - some very correct and PC sister on Lothian Cooncil ..... Queens are dumping their latties and gentryfying Broughton room and kitchens with the proceeds - good on you girls, but, let's not crush out the poor and homeless in the process, let's keep the social mix right - Avarice has already destroyed certain aspects of Manchester's Gay Village; when the big money boys move in the poor get dumped - often the profits matter more than people and the unpalatable fact of life is - profits rule - and a fair segment of gay men and women are blocked out because they simply cannot afford the prices! The message is clear if you think a gay venue is a rip off - don't frequent it ... If it doesn't present value for money and disguises itself otherwise - shove it! We all deserve better! Well my new computer should be up and running next month and the tome should be thicker - I just love thick things ... I'm starting my ARABIC classes this week so hopefully by Xmas when Omar comes from Paris I'll be able to shriek in his own language when he hammers in the nail! Back to the Waterloo, I'm told that after everything is brand new and fixed up yet again .... (let's hope that the last disaster is not repeated).... Then there are plans for new entertainment.. Unfortunately, because I'm so busy in Edinburgh at the moment and classes are taking up much of my time (we retired old buns like to show the young things a thing or two), I'm afraid that I shall not be coming through quite as much to the West as I would like - other plans are afoot though. I will let you know what these are in the near future - for those who may be interested in the meanderings of an old bun! Unfortunately the husband is limiting the sherry money and the shopping basket is narrowing like my new waist.... Therefore, my new computer hasn't got off the ground yet so I'm fairly limited on what I can have access to in the computer line at present - but bear with her .... Words of warning to the Eastern ladies though I hear on my trolls that the boys in blue are so busy putting out their "pretty polis" these days .... All is denied of course but we have always to recognise there is an inbuilt homophobe element therein who will always seek out to persecute and malign and when possible even ruin the careers of gay men - so as they say in France "Faites attentions" when stravaigin! Or, troll with great care! I am lost for words about poor Dawn Davenport's dress sense these days.... One can only hope that the new man in her life can fuck some colour co-operation-ordination into her! Through here in the East things are so quiet I think that everyone is getting ready for the big New Year party and no frocks in evidence anywhere - all the trannies are living in North Berwick with QC's and Judges.... Certain heavily made up lorry drivers are even to be had in Haddington these days. Well well - I never thought Glenda Slag would make it out of Tranent but there you are. I have done in every dollar a pound store in Edinburgh looking for my New Year frock - yes and and it is going to be black again. So simple my dears with a string of pearls! Love and Safe Fucks Beti, Granny Spice ------------------------------------------------------------------ EDINBURGH ========= Jesus Christ! The Edinburgh Scene can go hump itself this month - I've got a hangover. And it hurts. Tom is struggling out of the bathroom. Tom has now run back to the bathroom. Yours truly and himself were out at JOY! last night… Actually JOY! was our last stop. Our first port of call was Cafe Kudos, which is owned by a couple of nice men called Steve. Good food, not too packed with bodies, extortionate prices. Now let's get one thing clear… The prices were high under the previous gay owners, and we slagged them off too, so this ain't no bitch about the het owner thing. (Bitch no longer - see our news pages - Ed). Venues don't last forever... before Kudos there was a gay club in that building run by Brian LeVell (who?) and nobody can remember what it was called. Before that was Chapps, run by the lovely manager of the New Town Bar - Philip. The NTB is men only, but if you fit the critera do visit. Tom and I don't get there often enough. I think my hangover is getting worse. The noises from the bathroom are indescribable. What the hell is Tom up to? Which was a much-asked question last night on the dancefloor at CC Blooms. Now I'm getting on a bit. I'm 28 years old (about 57 in gay years) and while my wandering off with strange men days aren't exactly numbered - shit… I hope not… I tend to stick with copping off with one guy or less in one evening. Tom, previous readers will understand, is a trollop of youthful proportions. And the aforementioned youthful proportions get him into all kinds of trouble. Not that I'm jealous. Whilst cruising around for Tom I also notice that there are no copies of ScotsGay in here - Christ this organ must be more popular than Tom's… must get on to the Small Bald Ginger One (fuck me - not literally…) Clink clink fizzz… Tom has emerged from the bathroom. He says that we must apologise to all the staff in CC's because I always give them a hard time. "That's rubbish sweetheart - the workers in CC's do a fantastic job (sometimes under difficult situations) it ain't their fault that the drinks cost a bomb and the air conditioning's crap! Blame the bosses!" Tom says that I should put down my copy of Socialist Worker and that the air conditioning is actually non-existent. Very much in existence is Mother Babs who takes care of all of us. Get to know her at the French Connection - Edinburgh's longest lasting gay bar. The punters in here all say that original is best - and who am I to argue? Must sort out a date for the Masquerade Halloween Ball on October 31st. Must sort out a mask… It's all in aid of charity so get down to the Blue Moon Cafe (and other selected outlets?) and book your ticket now. ukp12/ukp10. Phone Edinburgh Gay Switchboard for more info. Tom and I will be there with cameras - find us and you could find your self in these pages. Talking of dates I wonder what happened to Tony, the lad Tom picked up earlier in the night at Route 66? Seems that the boys and girls in 66 are too much for young Thomas. The staff in here work really hard too mind you, and they create a great atmosphere… Always smiling… Route 66 has a mixed crowd with plenty of spaces to sit unless you hit it at a busy time which is more or less all the time so I don't know why I oh my God I'm going to boke. Tom is suggesting that we go for a quick coffee at the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre on Broughton street. "Jesus that's a mouthful - just call it the Faggot Centre like everybody else does…" You'll see more on the centre elsewhere in this organ as it seems the boss has an interest in it. Bosses and their interests… (ginger) Fat Cats with large packets intent on world domination… Stay tuned. Martin Walker and Tom Gariboldi martin@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GLASGOW ======= GOSSIP WITH GOLDILOCKS 4am, and this is me just got back home from Bennets, and now I've got to make a start on the column ‘cos, as usual, I've been out clubbing instead of being a good little ScotsGay scribbler and getting this off to the Small Bald Ginger One, or the Big Butch Beaded Biker, or the Busty Black-haired Bisexual One, or whichever poor sod at Planet ScotsGay has got landed with the job of typing my words of wisdom this month! (Actually, it's me as usual, but the BBBB brought me the scrawls with a couple of bottles of Pete's Wicked Springfest - a.b.v. 7.05% - so I feel much happier than usual - BBBO). Some day I'll actually get my shit together and not leave everything to the last minute and his Gingerness can stop tearing his hair out! Tuesdays at Penelopes (now referred to as Pennilawps by the scene) are continuing to grow with live entertainment on every week now, which will hopefully be a permanent feature. As well as Chris Millar, they've also had Laura Janes and Diane Field from Austins. Who went down really well. It looks as if the line-dancing yee-haw music lot will also be holding their lessons in Penelopes from 9 to 10.30, so watch out for the flyers. Tin Pan Alley has finally given up on Tuesday nights, and decided to close the doors after watching the numbers dwindle to single figures. No sympathy from me - they fucked the scene around, and dispite my warnings to them that the scene wouldn't put up with their crap, they carried on regardless and are now paying for their arrogance! That's me been proved right yet again, and hopefully they'll learn from their mistake when (not if) somebody decides to make a takeover bid for their remaining Monday night. One quick afterthought about line-dancing at Penelopes - they'd better not try doing it on the carpeted areas 'cos they'd never manage all that high kicking stuff with theAxminster sticking to their boots! Right then, at the time of writing this, the Waterloo is still closed for the refurbishment and there's a good few faces who seem to have disappeared from the scene at the moment rather than be seen in the East End venues. As for the rest of the Waterloo punters, they've been dotting themselves around the other pubs and don't some of them look so out of place! Well guys, until the Waterloo re-opens, you'll just have to learn to pose, drink trendy gnat's-piss overpriced drinks (there'll be no difficulty there - I don't recall seeing any real ale in the Waterloo either, just nitro-shite - BBBO), put up with shit service from stuck-up brats masquerading as bar staff, and develop a bit of that all important "image" and "attitude" bullshit so beloved of the ego-maniacs who are still in a job! The bets are already on as to how long the Waterloo's new carpet is going to last ‘cos you know what the place used to be like on a Saturday night - no need to arse about looking for an ashtray ‘cos you're standing in it! By the time you actually read this, the place will have re-opened and, hopefully, the increasing number of customers will continue. You've probably all heard that the fixtures and fittings got auctioned off, but who the fuck bought those bloody lights from over the bar? I know I've got crap taste in decor, but even I'd draw the line at anything as naff as that in the Minerva hovel! Oh, and it seems the staff were getting a wee bit paranoid, wanting to know which of them fellow scribbler Dawn Davenport was referring to in her last column. Easily seen that the students are back. The scene seems to be full of them right now. Was in Bennets a couple of days ago, and there was a bunch of obvious freshers out for a night out. Couldn't help but think what this lot are going to look like after a couple of months on the scene. All the studenty type clothes and haircuts will have gone, and they'll have turned into yet another bunch of lookalike Hooch drinking, number one cropped, combat wearing, disco bunnies mincing around the Poo with all that "Look at me, check out my image and A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E" bollocks. How sad, how bland, how BORING!. Get a life before it's too late! All change round in Wilson Street, with the departure of the PooFuhrer, now replaced by Omar, whose name I've probably just spelt wrong. Was he fired, did he quit?. Depends on whose rumour you believe. Anyway, hopefully all the complaints about the ex "purveyor of bad service, bad music, bad vibes and evil intentions to those who would not accede to his demands" (quote from an e-mail I got on the subject), will cease, and the Poo will start treating their customers properly. Even I was surprised at the number of people congratulating me for having had the balls to stand up to all this bullshit in previous columns, and would like to thank you all for your support. Pubs and clubs are shit scared of bad press, because it DOES affect them, and don't believe anybody who tries to tell you otherwise! I spent three years in management in the country's busiest pub, and know only too well just how much the public DO take notice of what the press writes! So, hopefully the number one source of complaints will be getting its act together, and who boasts the second largest number of disgruntled customers? I'll give you a clue, again quoting from an e-mail sent to me, "I hate being ignored at the bar because I'm not an arse-waggling teeny". I don't have to name the place, do I?. Well, DO I? Judging by how things are going at The Lane just now, it looks as if the scene has finally given up listening to all the stupid stories being spread about the place. The notice which was put up in Centurion Health Club, warning customers to avoid The Lane seems to have disappeared. No doubt Centurion have finally realised that you can only cry wolf so many times before the public wake up to the fact that The Lane is BUSIER than ever, their PEL application is going through the system as planned, no objections have been raised by any of the authorities, and we're all getting a bit tired of hearing the same old shit trotted out week after week!. I would have thought that there was enough room for two saunas in Glasgow, but the desperate measures being taken by Centurion in their futile attempts to knock a competitor would indicate that their own business has been hit a bit harder than I had thought. Anyway, some of the private cabins now have their own video screens, and the rest should have them before long, the long awaited steam room should be completed shortly, and the second TV lounge should soon be finished. And if you've been wondering what's happening through the back, Bob's got something planned that's going to be a huge attraction, but I can't say what it is until the construction work starts. Watch out for details!. Now then, Bennets quite an experience just now with all the construction work going on isn't it?. One day everything's where it should be, then the paybox disappears, then a bloody great RSJ appears halfway up the entrance, then suddenly there's a whole new staircase where there used to be fresh air, two front doors now, and the back corner disappears behind a new wall!. Anyway, the scene's all going mad trying to blag VIP invites for the opening night, with all the nobodies who aren't on the guest list coming up with crappy excuses to explain why they won't be there that night. Yeah, RIGHT!!. Still, it'll be nice to see Benetts re-establishing itself as the largest gay club not just in Glasgow, but all of Scotland. BITS AND PIECES: You might have heard that there was a break-in at the GGLC recently. Turns out that almost all the rooms and offices on the first floor had the doors kicked in in broad daylight!. Unfortunately the centre is a bit short on volunteers at the moment, otherwise this wouldn't have happened if the foyer had been attended at the time. If you've got some spare time, why not offer to work on reception?. Ask at the centre for an application form. -+- There is now a new club night at the 13th Note pub. It's held on Wednesdays, and is described as an attitude free zone for people of all genders and sexualities. Not been along myself yet to check it, but will give details and impressions next issue. -+- Been asked by Willie to point out that he doesn't scream his tits off. We were at opposite ends of Austins when he shrieked at me! -+- Jason from Austins is now doing karaoke at the GGLC caff on Saturday nights, get yer arse down from 9PM onwards. -+- Been asked a few times why there are never any copies of ScotsGay in the Poo or Dels. Fact is, we don't supply them with any, cos they chuck them out if we write anything that they don't like, and lets face it, thats every month!!! No matter, still thousands of copies available in all the decent places who've got nothing to hide, and on our Website. -+- GEE.MANN will be appearing every Tuesday at the GGLC from 3rd November. Muvver tells me that he does a set of jazz, blues and soul, and has two dummies in his act. Anyway the fun kicks off at 9PM. -+- Have Sadies gone mad offering the chance of grabbing as much booze as you can pour in 2 minutes behind the bar as a prize on Monday nights?. Don't they know how many of us grippy Aberdonians there are down here just now? -+- You've probably all heard the ongoing rumours about Austins being up for sale. Well, this time it's actually on the market. It would be nice if it carried on as a Poofter Palace, but the drift towards Merchant City seems pretty irreversible now. A golden opportunity for the Court Bar to take over where they leave off, if the worst happens?. Which reminds me, who makes up the music tapes played there?. Love it!!. And it's not often you'll hear me saying anything good about the scenes taste in music. Lemmy is God!. -+- If you're looking for a good cheap night out during the week, check out Wednesdays at Bennets. Drinks at ukp1.30, DJ Sara making the loud noises and cheap entry with a flyer. -+- And finally, will you lot stop moaning at me to get another piccy?. Next month, HONEST!. As usual, feel free to write by post, fax or e-mail with any complaints, suggestions and any gossip I've been missing out on. Minerva minerva@drink.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------- BUMP YER GUMS ============= So Boyz & Girlz now that Brendan Nash has departed the Poo & all the back-stabbing, bitching & gossip has subsided two questions pose & rear their ugly heads!!!! The first is of course why did he leave, quit, call it what you will, but Missy can say with certainty that he is gone. Brendan needs the so-called friends that sat around the many tables with their many Gin & Tonics (yes Brendan I got a G/T or two from you) that nine times out of ten were bought by Brendan himself. Not these snivelling arseholes going around giving it "The place is so much better off" or "I never really cared much for him at all". Well Missy has this to say to each & every one of you "Eat Shit & Mouth Your Last Bit of Pish" because I'm well informed (amongst other things) that Mr Nash is on his way back & this time he's counting on two hands the people who have stood by him & supported him at a tirne when he could use a wee bit of the old moral stuff us Boyz ‘n' Girlz are supposed to be full of & not what is really inside of you all!! You know who you are & I wish I had the space to print your names & expose you all for what you really are... At the end of the day Brendan made one of the hardest decisions of his long & very varied career. One that has taken tons of courage & spit (sounds dirty). I bet it didn't come easy (it never does), but at the end of the day it was his to make & it should be respected. I hope it's not to late to do that because after all as a community we don't do or get very much right anymore!! And so to the second question on those very same lips! Who has the pleasure principle of replacing him? I have to be quite honest & say no matter who they are they will pale in comparison. Filling those boots will take some doing, but enough of this hero worship crap. You must forgive Miss Dawn I came over all funny with emulsion or something like that. I still haven't forgotten the time, Brenda when you made moi stand out in the cold while you checked the competition out for size!! Also gone is that Sexy Shag Jon of The Trophy Room & Poptastic fame. I doubt, however that those worn jeans of yours will stay hung up in any closet very long. I'm told you are a fast worker & after all the scene is hardly booming with talent like yours or a packet for that matter. Go out & find a better Trophy & give it some .... Martha!! And with that we move onto yet another Martha the latest lady down at the G.G.L.C. Martha has taken over the running of QC's restaurant & has thankfully gotten rid of those awful menus. I don't know an awful lot about this lady except that she is making big changes. I was told that she was once responsible for the now long closed Madame Gillespie's & that try she did, but when it came to support she was often seen banging up against a brick wall (her head that is). There is the scene for you, however it would seem that things are beginning to look up at the centre although I have to say that the choice of music was dreadful, The last thing that anyone wants to hear at lunchtime is rave & dance. What about a nice wee bit of Ella? Your choice of colours has certainly brightened the place up & I couldn't help but admire your collection (albeit small) of phallic symbols on the window sill!!! However it was disappointing to find that the door had been left off the latch at the loo allowing access to the morons who ruined them first time around. Is it too much bother to ask for a key?? So get down there more often & create some gossip for me to get my fangs into. Talking of fangs (or rather Fags) I must say Hi to a charming little queen I met down there (in the toilets actually) who went by the name of La La he filled me in on what the youth of Gay Glasgow expect & what they were prepared to give in return, unfortunately if what I saw in the toilet was anything to go by let's hope they grow up quickly!! I wish Martha the best, but remember folks it will only work if you take part & visit the centre making it your local & if you don't have one this is as good a place as any to start. Sorry to hear that some low life bastard has trashed the centre yet again in the vain hope of achieving something, but what? There is some cunt out there who knows the scene & its establishments so be on the lookout for some creature sliding in on its belly cause it's after your goodies. Missy has warned you!! The woodwork was creaking (along with some bones) in The Court last Friday night. What a collection of fossils to feast upon. There was Dennis, Donald, Cilla, Lady Hamilton & the lovely Shona. It was like stepping through the doors of The Vintners, now there was a pub. For those of you not mature enough to remember this finest of establishments the Vintners came hand in hand with the outrageous Margaret who I believe is still going strong & serving up a bit of rump in a butchers shop in Duke Street!! Anyway the Court was full of them (along with pontoon tickets! Where on earth did you get them? Now that is a blast!!) Des you & your team along with the music make the pub, but keep an eye on Cilla because she'll be up to no good in those poky wee toilets, you have been warned!! What a scandal it was to actually witness the arrest of a certain almost never quite famous nobody at Bennets the other night!! It would seem that the levy man (black & blue) got into a scufile with the long arm of the law & came out looking a wee bit worse for wear, I can honestly say that it brought a tear to my eye (of joy) to watch him dragged away screaming but at the same time I have always said that everything comes to he who waits!! I have waited, along with a great many others to witness this day & we can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that scum like that no longer merit a second thought never mind a second glance. In your defence you always wanted a bit of fame well grab it my dear & don't let go because it is all you are ever gonna get. And so to my monthly "Hello" & "Goodbye" bit!!! I must say a big hello to Alan & Moira whom I met in the Poo recently they had been going out with each other for over a year before they realised that they were both gay. It seems it had something to do with a can of Swirl cream & two tomatoes???? Anyway the best of luck to you both. A great big goodbye to a fellow named Tony. All I can say to you darling is enjoy your funeral because at the rate you were going it won't be long before we are rid of another one!! Hello to Sash whom I met in The Big Yellow Barn playing with a pool cue & not really quite sure what to do with it & with that I have to say a big hello to all pool fans because if you could only see yourselves then you would never pick another cue up!!! A Goodbye to a person whom I bumped into in the toilets on the closing night of the Waterloo called Johnny all I can say about this abortion is that he is a class one Johnny!! I can't help but wonder if the bosses at Tennents have ever thought of moving the Waterloo to the triangle because let's be quite honest what else is in that area except for Missing Records. There is nothing other than the pub to encourage anyone there. It would be fabby if Tennents started rooting about in & around the city centre triangle to find a wee corner to recreate this old watering hole & you never know maybe Miss Hutton will take off her electrodes long enough to come back through & pay us all a visit. Now wouldn't that be nice??? Until next month keep it going & avoid places that don't have much longer to go. You know what I mean places that never really took off... Dawn x x x --------------------------------------------------------------- DUNDEE ====== Rumours are rife on the Dundee scene as Deva's public house tenancy is put up for sale by Karen. She appears to feel her energy would be better rewarded elsewhere - and many of her customers would agree. The venue has been neglected for some years but it is not always necessary to have posh surroundings to create a good atmosphere. The introduction of happy hour nights and days have failed to stop the demise of the once-popular hostelry. So who is the next Diva at Deva's? The Livingston Lasses were none too impressed and other out of town operators are not beating a path to the door. It would therefore appear to be a local matter. I understand the brewers' first choice was successful entrepreneur Brian who clearly has the cash needed but I doubt if the sometimes quiet nights at Bar Xs would entice him to run two pubs for us. Other names mentioned are Mary Tracey whom I believe used to manage the venue with little tact for "them gays"! Also Charlie and Ian, former barmaids at the Balmore Bar who despite their years are more attune to the older gay market. Ian was a former manager of the venue too, but was moved on by the brewers, so that may not be successful. New blood is needed and David Vile has been mentioned and also a well known lesbian. Hopefully a happy outcome may develop which can stop the rot of part of our heritage. This magazine has been bashed for recent comments about both Switchboard and the Harm Reduction Centre. The switchboard newsletter for October was not so "scene negative" and hopefully things will get better. The name Queerier is moaned about most so if you think it should change then write to them or perhaps they might like to take a poll of readers. Public bodies such our safe sex team have got to operate without question. When positions come free they should be filled by advertising for the best candidate. That is not a slant on anyone at the HRC, it is however standard practice to be seen to operate fairly. Liberty Nightclub has been busier with the return of the student population who appear to be getting organised earlier in the year. Both St. Andrews and Dundee have help their LGB freshers' nights at the club and the new faces are most welcome. The only dead night is Sunday and I'm sure they are giving that some attention. A Hallowe'en Party is on the Saturday 31st October and fancy dress is optional. The next Saturday has a PA by someone singing a David Bowie re-release but I can't find the note I made. Some new additions to the light show and lasers have been welcomed by the more sober customers. Outrage is a new one-nighter held at Liberty's on Thursdays. It's open to all and loads of student offers on the go. Music policy is more dance, happy house tunes than usual and is building a good reputation. The DJ is now Craig who one or two may remember from other ill-fated venues. Given permission to experiment with new stuff - it certainly sounds refreshing. Unfortunately Fridays at Liberty is suffering due to low numbers - a quick ask around shows the music to blame. History shows gay nights to be difficult in Dundee but perhaps a new approach is needed. Finally, Liquid Silk has slipped off to Glasgow so if you fancy writing about your local area once a month, being loved by few and possibly hated by many, let me know. I can always be found on the ScotsGay web site. Yours unfaithfully, Ben Dover ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR ====================== GARRY OTTON IN THE SEX FILES! The Scottish Sun's weeklong expose on the "sex secrets of the Scots" addressed issues the media usually cloak in shame, unspeakable mystery, pathology or crime. Amongst some refreshing interviews with a fetishist, lesbian and a transsexual, the Scottish Sun "uncovered" a damning indictment on straight sexuality revealing "a quarter of Scots men think that curry is the ultimate aphrodisiac." But while the tabloid trumpeted that Scotland was "losing its sexual hang ups," they went and declared themselves "on the trail of the sleazy video kings." Why? "Scots are stripping off their inhibitions sparking a huge boom in DIY porn but the main culprit is an elusive hardcore filming den based somewhere in Maryhill, Glasgow." I had to take a double take on that one. Why would anyone want to describe someone doing something as useful as stripping off Scots' inhibitions a "culprit?" The spotlight was turned on the censorial services of Glasgow's Trading Standard's officers. After finding a studio in Glasgow's Paddy's Market, a spokesman declared: "It was nothing more than a tacky room with a manky bed and sex toys everywhere… We were delighted to bust it. I'd much prefer going home and watching Disney videos with my kids…" In the midst of it all, Bay City Roller drummer, Derek Longmuir's arrest by police on a gay sex charge was gratuitously splashed over the front page. "Call me Mary…" Oh, I will! Otherwise known as Jim Coleman, Glasgow's licensing chief also found herself in the Scottish Sun's sex expose. Mary, the ‘tached Führer, prides herself on having pioneered Glasgow's useless public drinking ban. Mary, 52 said: "No one messes with Glasgow and if you break the rules the result is simple - we'll shut you down! Call me Mary Whitehouse if you want… (She) played an important role in keeping filth off the telly where it could be watched by kids or anyone. I've raised standards in Glasgow and aim to keep them that way." My arse, you have! Mary boasted how controversial New York mayor Rudi Giuliani sent a think-tank to Glasgow to look how the street-drinking ban worked. (Or didn't. ‘Cos you bet your life he never took them for a walk along the Clyde). As a sample of some of the dangerous tripe he talks, he told the Scottish Sun; "Glasgay was becoming too in your face and the public couldn't accept it. It was becoming offensive with guys all kissing each other dressed as nuns. I found it distasteful and so did the public who were going mental and I'm glad to see the organisers seem to have wrapped it up." Of Divally's, Glasgow's only licensed erotic cinema. "Their application came up on an extremely rare occasion when I couldn't be present… But Divally's hasn't got much to boast about cause they can't show anything hardcore. If they do they're busted and out of business… Every licence holder in Glasgow now knows that if they step out of line I will shut them down." For the good of Glasgow: get rid of this man! ooo ‘Mary' Coleman must have wet her knickers when that killjoy, the Sunday Mail sniffed: "a live sex show is planned to introduce teenagers to student life" at gay club entrepreneur, Stefan King's Archaos nightclub in Glasgow. This was organised by "sleazy DJ Neil Mackay" who was promptly demonised for not toeing the Sunday Mail's sex-repressive line. "He shrugs off a growing storm of protest about his seedy show in university and college Freshers' Week - just days after the youngsters leave their family homes." He wanted to show them "how open-minded the city really is," which - considering the level of intolerance to be found in Glasgow - was exemplary, only he was accused by the Sunday Mail of "bragging" and even "smirked" when he spoke to them. The Sunday Mail had every intention of wiping the smirk off "smooth-talking Victor Shields" face. He runs an erotic video shop, a magazine distribution network and a sexy sauna. Just enough to drive the Sunday Mail potty. Victor was pelted with remarks like: "Sleazy… sordid… in the shadows of Scotland's sickest industry… in a world of bogus names, anonymous box numbers and secret sex parties… in the frontline of a rising tide of filth… amongst Scotland's sleaziest, sickest and most depraved." My eye scanned the copy for a link with children and there it was! "In a strange irony, Shields also operates as a dealer in children's toys…" As for the erotic videos he sells from his shops at Park Road and Crow Road Videos in Glasgow: "The contents of the films are too disgusting to describe in a family newspaper." So, Sunday Mail readers must takes their word for it, joining them in condemning Victor's "unsavoury activities." Hinting only of "videos featuring Scots in sordid sex games" and one with "vice girls and rent boys carrying out depraved sex acts," the Sunday Mail wasted no time in announcing they would be "passing (their) dossier to the vice squad." This is not just drivel: it is dangerous drivel read by youngsters. Does Scotland really want another Thomas Hamilton? ooo ‘After promoting the puritan ethic for so long, the Daily Record surprised readers by turning on residents of Livingston and calling them "prudes" after "a Picasso exhibition of 24 famous etchings" had to be "axed after complaints about the explicit nature of some of the works." Apparently, "people protested that children might see them." Good! But only for a moment, for when Scotland's rugby team wore pink shirts in support of Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Think Pink appeal, the Daily Record reckoned "the sight of the players flouncing around passing a pink balloon is hardly likely to strike terror into the heart of Jonah Lomu." Wearing pink was serious enough to warrant issuing a note of reassurance to its readers. "But fans needn't worry about the team's image. Come the clash with New Zealand… they will be back in traditional and more macho blue." A "senior fireman" was "suspended from duty after being charged with an illegal sex act… alone in a car…" allegedly "around teatime… in an Edinburgh street." The Sunday Mail delighted in drawing readers attention to his suspension, how "horrified" his work-mates were and the fact this married man "is also involved in work with the Scout movement." After watching Richard and Judy, Melanie Reid in the Sunday Mail decided that "TV's vile Viagra couples have a lot to answer for… This show should never have been broadcast at a time when children see it," she spluttered, dolloping mince onto her wean's plate. This was when "millions of viewers - including a multitude of children - watched last week as three impotent couples took Viagra on live TV and were sent off to a nearby hotel to see how it worked." The delicate flower found it "riddled with smut and innuendo" and "probably one of the most embarrassing things ever broadcast." In line with the Sunday Mail's Victorian approach to sex she wacked out the "innocent children" twaddle till I winced. ooo ‘The Daily Record and Sunday Mail both protect and exclude readers in a process of restraint, contraction and limitation on sexual issues in both reporting and commentary. This is only what we have come to expect from the ugly sisters of Anderston Quay. That, and double standards! In the "Scottish Office sex session" the Daily Record jest that security guards "got an eyeful" catching a "passionate" couple on their surveillance cameras. They stop short of actually naming the couple, (something they wouldn't hesitate to have done had the couple been gay) and do not even hint at the likelihood of prosecution. Instead, they reported "stills of the passionate pair later did the rounds in the Scottish Office." Isn't it interesting that the most common fantasy amongst Scots catalogued in a list of "flings you never knew about our sex habits" in the Scottish Sun was "sex with a stranger in a public place." They revealed "one in five Scots have had sex on a beach, in a park, in woods… and 50 per cent of Scots have had sex in a car." What was missing from these examples of heterosexual bravado was the fact that police special operations, swoops and arrests on al fresco sex are exclusively aimed at gay men. (At least 40 arrests and one suicide in the past few months alone)! When an 18-year-old girl wrote in to Old Mother (Joan) Burnie in the Daily Record about her preference to having "sex in a car or outside…" She was met with encouragement. "…It's what YOU feel which counts… Stick to the great outdoors and the car." Prepare for an Old Mother Burnie SPECIAL in the next issue of SCOTSGAY! Get the full Monitor! Visit the Scottish Media Monitor web-site: - http://www.bigfoot.com/~scotmedia (c) Garry Otton 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------ MY FIRST HOLIDAY IN IBIZA First of all, let me say, I had no idea that I was going to end up in Ibiza, as originally I was hoping to got to Gran Canaria which I had heard so much about from various friends. I suppose that I should also explain that it has only been about 18 months since my official coming out, and this holiday was to be my first ever gay holiday. After a lot of talking over the telephone with a very helpful young lady by the name of Samantha and with a lot of help from her colleagues at her office, we finally came up with Ibiza. Although I live in Edinburgh, my friend and I ended up flying from Manchester, NOT realising how much extra travelling time this involved, we did it, but let me add I would never do that again. It would definitely have to be from a local airport, but putting all that aside let me tell you which resort we ended up in and how it all went. First of all we arrived in Ibiza, once on the coach it was only 15 minutes before we were at our Hotel which was in the resort of Figueretas. We were allocated our room in the Hotel Nautico Ebesso. The room was fine, twin beds, bathroom with bath, shower, W.C., bidet and wash-hand basin. We also had a balcony with a beautiful view. On the first morning we got up for breakfast and the restaurant and the food could not be faulted in anyway. The restaurant was fully air conditioned and a pleasure to dine in. That was the one and only morning I made breakfast. As for the evening meals, what can I say, something to suit everyone and I must not forget Friday night's dinner. They called it their Gala Dinner, we would call it a carvery, anyhow it was great. Back to the first morning: after breakfast we went to the Thomson Rep's welcome meeting, all the usual boring stuff, but being the diplomatic person I am, I waited until she had finished her discussion, then told her exactly what I was looking for and without hesitation she gave me the name of a bar on the same street as our hotel and said once you're there they will point you in the right direction of other places to visit (boy was she right!). Promptly we found the bar and it was called Monroes. Well let me first of all tell you about Monroes! It's owned by a lovely couple of females called Mel and Phil, Anyone who's been will know them. They have wonderful staff and regulars who live there. By the way, don't assume because they work there that they're gay because this is not entirely true, but even the two I know who are straight are very gay friendly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all, if I forget anyone's name, well I'll apologise in advance: (Monroes) Mel & Phil, David, Niel, Panda, Sheriff and Toni and that's not including all of Mel's relatives I met. By the way they also serve food until 2am (and it's good). Lets get back to David, better known as Miss Shape, the drag act and in my opinion she's great. I better not forget to mention Phil as she'll be in Manchester for the Mardi Gras and will be singing in the Rovers Return (yes, Corrie) on the Sunday night. As for the rest of the time at Monroes, that's all you're getting from me, you'll just have to go and find out for yourself. In Monroes I met Keith, well let me tell you Keith was wonderful - he voluntarily became our unofficial gay tourist guide and showed us the sights. First of all he took us to a gay cafe bar on the promenade called Gemini's, a lovely place, again with very lovely attentive staff. In fact I met up with a couple from Derby, Ian and David, and Ian threw a surprise birthday party for David and we all had a wonderful time. Another day Keith said he would take us to the gay nudist beach, so off we went. We caught the bus to Selinas, costing about 50p, the buses are fully air conditioned. Once we got to Selinas all we did was to follow the crowd, but let me warn you it's a good 20 minute walk after you get off the bus, but once you're there you'll find it was well worth the walk. The most obvious things to remember are oil, umbrella, towel and don't forget the camera or you'll be as sick as a parrot. There is also a quaint little beach cafe bar for refreshments, toilets, showers, etc. Definitely a must. As far as the night life goes, well I'm afraid I got as far as one gay disco and that was enough for me, after the first visit, I was there all the time. It was called the Anfora situated in Ibiza town. You just head uphill as if going to the cathedral on top of the hill, just ask anyone, you'll find it. It costs 800 ptas before 2am and it will cost you double after 2, that does include your first drink. The Anfora is a disco, built outwardly from a cave, it's got to be the best air conditioned disco we have ever been in. It has four bars, oh and if you got to the little bar to the left as you go in, say hi to Simon, oops - I mean Simone, from John in Edinburgh. Anyway back to the rest, if you go upstairs you will find it (yes, you've guessed) the dark room. I will leave that one to your imagination, but a word of warning: put your notes (money) in your socks, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Back to our hotel end of the resort, if you go past the Hotel Nautico Ebesso you will come to a little hill. If you walk up the hill but look down at the beach you will find another nudist beach, very secluded, but another warning: it's a man-made path to climb down to it, but again well worth the effort. Well I could go on and on forever about it, but the best thing I can say is go yourself and find out first hand, but if you do want an unofficial guide, I'd be more than willing!!! Marks out of 10? A big 12!!! John in Edinburgh ---------------------------------------------- MORAY ===== Before I say anything else, let me just extend a somewhat large olive branch and wave a wee white flag in a westerly direction, as I make a vague attempt to pacify these puir wee sowels in Inverness. I will state categorically that I am not going to say anything nasty about them, for two reasons: a) they've suffered enough at the hands of MorayBitch, who made a spectacular departure from this magazine last month as only she could do, and b) CalMac knows all sorts of things about me that could seriously ruin my reputation if they were ever aired in public!! I have just returned from a wee sojourn to the Cat's Whiskers, the venue for Moray's fortnightly gay night, and as ever it was quite busy. For those of you who perhaps live in the area and have access to ScotsGay/InsideOut, do pop along and say hello. Having been to various gay night around the country, I have to say that this is probably the least cruisy night I've ever been to. Disappointing for some, perhaps, but ideal if you're maybe in the process of coming out, as it is a warm, friendly atmosphere. The bar staff are friendly (unlike some Highland establishments: uh-oh, do I get sued for that??) and the chaps and chapesses that toddle along on a Wednesday night are fairly nice people too. They definitely don't bite! So, if you fancy a change, that's the place to go. The pub is in New Elgin, not far from ASDA, and it's fortnightly on Wednesdays. As well as being able to have a drink and a chat, you're also able to pick up copies of various gay publications, including Moray's very own Gayzette, which, for the small sum of 50p (all for a good cause) gets you a fun-packed guide to what's what and what's not in and around Elgin. Oh, and it's editied by local celeb Vicky "Sugar" Plumm, although why that name still sticks is beyond me, as she's gone back to being a rather dirty looking strawberry blond! For details of which evenings the queer lot meet, give Moray LGB Switchboard a call for details. Talking of the switchboard, I have just heard word of their Christmas fundraising extravaganza, which will take place at the World Famous Rothes Glen Hotel, the venue once again being provided by the ever accomodating Freddie and Michael! The event is to be held on Saturday 19th December, and will run into the Sunday. Ticket prices will vary according to whether you're a member of the Pride of Moray Firth Social Group or not. The whole thing costs ukp35 for members, ukp40 for non-members. This consists of: the Christmas dinner; the usual fesitivities afterwards, including a cabaret, the 3rd Annual Golden Dildo Awards (this has to be seen to be believed!) and the usual drunkeness and debauchery, of which there is usually a great deal; and finally your money gets you a bed for the night and breakfast in the morning (if you're up for it - anyone who saw me there the last time will know what I mean!). The meal and party itself is ukp20 (ukp15 for members) and if you just want to come along for the party it's a fiver. Anyone confused? Cos I am! Going by the success of the previous events at the RGH, you would be advised to book early, especially if you require to stay the night - rumour has it that for those who don't have someone to pair up with, sleeping arrangements are decided by drawing names are drawn from a hat... Again, further details etc. from Switchboard. While I remember, the switchboard is now only operating on two nights per week. Lesbian Line is still on Thursdays from 7-10pm and Friday is the regular night, same time. That all important number is Elgin (01343) 541188. That's all for now, methinks. Now I've got to make a start on my own bloody column. I'll be charging double at this rate! Cheerio fer noo. Gus gus@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------- INVERNESS ========= The grim discovery on Wed 23rd Sept of the body of local man Eric Innes, who had been brutally murdered, sent shock waves through the gay and deaf communities. The 61 year old profoundly deaf bakery worker was discovered after concerned colleagues called the Police Station when he didn't turn up for work for two days. Up to 40 officers from Northern Constabulary have been working on the case led by Detective-Superintendent Charles Hepburn. Mr Innes, although not particularly active on the scene, was still well known by sight to many of the gay community. The Police interviewed many people in the gay community, resulting in a mixed reaction. One one hand in some cases they were thought to be asking highly inappropriate questions, and did seem to be ignorant and overwhelmed by the size and variety of the community, whilst on the other hand some people seemed reluctant to speak to the Police for obvious reasons, such as being put on file or outed. However this columnist whole-heartedly believes that more effort could have been put in to this from both sides. However, despite this the Sheriff in Inverness issued a warrant for the arrest of a man in connection with the murder on Friday 18th October. Watch this space. The local papers covered this murder in great detail, the Press & Journal have been criticised locally for being a bit sensational in their reporting, however the Highland News covered the incident tactfully and had good follow-up stories. All credit to the editor and reporters. Well done also to the Inverness Courier on a different subject now, which through letters to the editor highlighted gay issues. There was a fair banter between some local well-known windbags, notorious not only for their blatant homophobia dressed up as public and moral concern, but also for their general moaning on any given topic, and Jeorg (the Gay Outreach worker from ROH) et al. This was an interesting series of letters, and according to one local minister, the average age of death in gay men is 45, and the recruiting age to our ranks is between 14 to 18. Amazing the blatant ignorance of some folk (median age of death 45yrs? watch out John!!) On a lighter note, our two local lads who got banned from Bo-Bangles a couple of months ago have been up to their tricks again, whilst donning their ‘scone shoes' and wandering into town they made a refreshment stop at that classy and upmarket joint, Morrison's Bakery (Market Arcade), where in the middle of a camp gay flurry somehow a sausage roll and beans ended up over the hat and back of some dear old lady (whom I may add was totally unaware of this and carried on eating her scone and supping her tea!). However the incident did not go unnoticed by staff and our two ladz were asked to leave! What a pair! Finally, reminders of dates: YGG Hallowe'en Party is on Sat 31st October at 20:00 at the Beaufort Hotel, Culduthel Road. Tickets are ukp5 and available from ROH. Rock The North Youth Concert organised by ROH and Children 1st is on Friday 27th November at 19:30, Eden Court. World AIDS Week Service of Remembrance & Dedication at Raigmore Hospital Chapel is on Sunday 29th November at 8:00 (watch out for certain YGG members singing!) World AIDS Day, Tuesday 1st December sees an Open Day at ROH, 09:30 - 16:30. Plus films (tba) and speakers at Eden Court. Red Ribbon Ceilidh, Friday 4th December at the Station Hotel - Society Event of the Year! Contact ROH (see listings) for further details of the aforementioned. Before I finish - congratulations to Jackie Redding, manager of ROH, for surviving her first year with the organisation. Thanks for all you have done and hope you are around for many more years with ROH. See you all around, Calmac xxx --------------------------------------------------------------- THE NICE BIT ============ SEX IN THE INDIAN SUB I'm just home from back-packing with a partner around the Indian Subcontinent - a glorious country, with staggering beauty and breath taking poverty. We saw the mountains of Shimla, the Taj Mahal of Agra and the romantic forts of Rajasthan. Cows and camels wonder the streets while the poor beg, the hustlers chat and the rich speed away. Religion is all important, whilst sexism is endemic. Women and men are rarely seen together out of their own homes, if they have one. Affection between the sexes is considered taboo, yet in public men regularly hold hands, link arms and even kiss. The man is seen as the bread winner and head of the Indian family. Vast areas of farm land are populated by peasants and the poor working class, but schooling for the young, although on the increase, is still rare. Boys and men spend years away from the home working - in one hotel that we stayed in a porter was just ten years old. Sex between males is common, although rarely talked about, and according to one uncharacteristically open women I spoke to, sex between females is not uncommon either. Sex between men and women outside marriage happens rarely, and can bring disgrace to whole families if discovered. We stayed in a town called Jaisalmer, which is situated near the Pakistani border, and close to where the Indian government performed its underground nuclear tests. A massive fort over looks a beautiful golden desert, and my partner went away on a camel trek for a couple of days. I bought some beer (gloriously called POWER 100000 !) and got drunk on the hotel roof with about fifteen or so of the local boys. I was the only non-Indian there and no women were present. All had travelled from different places but had luckily found a job in this particular hotel. Most had never met each other before arriving in Jaisalmer, but were likely to work together for a few years. Most were Hindu, some were Muslim, one was a Sikh. Like in all hotels in India the rooms were reserved for guests, which leaves the staff to find sleeping quarters elsewhere. Here they slept on the roof. Many of them had girlfriends, more of them had wives, yet almost all had had sex with each other. In paradise, I too slept with a beautiful boy that night, he was obviously experienced, knew all about safer sex, but had never had sex with a guest before. As far as he knew Western men didn't often do ‘this kinda thing'. He had worked in many hotels, slept with many males. Soon he would get married and have a large family. He talked about girls a lot, but said that sex with women outside marriage was ‘not allowed'. The words ‘bisexual' or ‘gay' were never mentioned. Believe it, or not, sex between men is totally illegal in India. Section 377 of the national legislation forbids ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature' (anal intercourse) and you could get a life sentence if prosecuted. The law of the land (House of Lords take note) hasn't impacted on behaviour as people make personal choices without taking the attitude of the state into account. Meanwhile my partner, on a camel trek, on the very same night, also came across an amorous boy... how we laughed when we told each other what had happened! Martin Walker ------------------------------------------------------------------- ABERDEEN ======== It only seems like yesterday since I wrote my last monthly ramblings. Have you noticed that once you get past the age of 21, time seems to fly by? Well, except of course when you've just sunk a pint-and-a-half of Deva's finest lager whilst stranded in Dundee for an hour, and end up being stuck for an hour on a non-stop coach with no cludgie! If that gorgeous chap who I almost knocked over in the toilets in Edinburgh Bus Station is reading this, I do apologise, but when I have to go... Yes, indeed, I have been touring about a wee bit in recent weeks, and its fine to blow away the cobwebs once in a while. Having said that, it is nice to get back to Aberdeen. No, really! But anyway, back to reality! October is here, and a warm welcome to the Granite City's latest residents, who should be settling in nicely by now. It's amazing how much difference Aberdeen's student population actually do make to the local nightlife. It's nice to see a few familiar faces gracing us with their presence once again, and a particularly big hello to those who perhaps didn't see much action over the summer, other than the ovine variety. You know who you are! Well, last weekend would seem to be a bumper weekend as far as our gay venues are concerned. On the Saturday night, a private function downstairs in Castro made it more of a mixed venue, but nevertheless it was good to see that there was no room to move on either floor! Apparently there were no less than four DJs there that night, and the place was absolutely jumping. Of course, the old "we don't want straights in here" argument reared its ugly head once more, and I suspect that some of the Castro regulars decided to head down the road for a change, swelling Club 2k's numbers even more. A friend of mine has since told me that he waited for at least half an hour in a queue outside Club 2000, and that was just to get in. To imagine what it would have been like trying to get a drink... it doesn't really bear thinking about, really. Mind you, on the drinks front, Castro didn't really have much left by the end of the night! Castro has had the floor downstairs repainted once more, and by the end of the evening it seems that it was still intact! Perhaps third time lucky, eh? Joy still seems to be pulling in a big crowd every Friday, which is pleasing to see. I went along for the first time in about a month, and it's still the one night I really do look forward to. As Jacqui Morrison well knows, I'm fussy about my music (puir quine spent ages trying to figure out exactly what it was that I did like!), but Joy has it. If you're looking for a different night out, that's where to go, but please, leave the handbags at home! Rumours... well there are none. Nor are there any facts. In fact the whole situation is a mere figment of our imaginations. Yes I'm talking about this wonderful new club that was supposed to be opening up at the end of this month. It's not. I believe there were actually goings on to try and start something up, but the idea seems to have bitten the dust good and proper. No great surprise, really, as it wouldn't be the first time, but anyway, shit happens. That's about all for now folks. As always, do pleeease let me know if there are any events, happenings, or whatever. Drop me a line, phone, fax, or man c/o ScotsGay, address at the back, or e-mail me at the address below. On second thoughts, if you're going to send me a man, send it direct or I'll be getting second hand goods... Gus gus@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSGAY VOICE PERSONALS ======================== It's completely free to place your ad on 0800 138 4121 We'll print your ad in our next few issues and you can pick up replies on 0891 556613. That's also the number for our Browse Hotline - 0891 556613. 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. ScotsGay Voice For 1-2-1 To reply to ScotsGay Voice Ads, phone 0891 556613 (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 Massage Man 40's seeks fun, nights in and out and maybe more.... Phone 0891 556613 -Number 9534. London Black Guy visiting Glasgow SOON! Bi-Guy based in East London. Seeking 18-25yrs smooth Scottish Bi-Lad. Easy-going nature. He trains and likes fun! Phone 0891 556613 - Number 9524 Carlisle American Football-lover Jim, 31yrs, likes a laugh & joke. Looking for loving and caring partner to show him what the Gay Scene's really about. Phone 0891 556613 - Number 9493. Kenny - Edinburgh Chubby, Passive guy, 46yrs, seeking rugby-built 25-40yrs. Enjoys food, wine and massage. Phone 0891 556613 - Number 9475. Glasgow Seeks Master Shaven Sub, 29yrs, seeking older, experienced, considerate Master. Phone 0891 556613 - Number 9446. Edinburgh - Afternoon Fun 30yrs, 5'8" wants 30-40yrs. Likes pubs and keeping fit. Phone 0891 556613 -Number 9437. Inverness Cinema/Theatre-lover Graham, 46yrs, stocky, honest and sincere likes wining and dining. Wants 35+, any area. Phone 0891 556613 - Number 9429. Fife Male 36yrs. Dark Hair, blue eyes. Seeking 28-42yrs for nights in & out. Phone 0891 556613 - Number 9427. Central Scotland Graham, 32yrs, 5'10", muscular and very fit. Looking for a favourite Uncle, 40-55yrs, preferably with own accommodation, to please in return. Is new and wants training. Phone 0891 556613 - Box 9394. Ayrshire Rob, 55yrs, fairly fit and fairly experienced seeking new friends and new experiences. Likes good food, travel, videos and theatre. Phone 0891 556613 - Box 9380. Glasgow Paul, 45, Brown hair and eyes, stockily-built 5'9". Seeking older or similarly-aged friends. Can travel and likes most things. Phone 0891 556613 - Box 9366. Damien 42yrs looking for a man to help him discover his sexuality and to fulfil him. Likes reading, walking and cooking. Phone 0891 556613 - Box 9347. Edinburgh Bi Guy Can travel 1hr from Edinburgh but not accommodate. Late 30's into CP and Undies - seeking compatible friend to take control. No strings - just fun! Phone 0891 556613 - Box 9307. Aberdeen Horny 34 year old good-looking guy seeking local fun; unable to accomodate himself. Phone 0891 556613 - Number 9208. Aberdeen 34, good looking. horny, into good clean fun. Must be able to accommodate. Aberdeen only. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 9208. Edinburgh Richard, 45, SA, SL, English/Scots guy looking for guy 25-50 for spanking CP fun. Give or take or both ways. Other safe fun too. Can accommodate or travel. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 9082. Edinburgh 36, 5'11", medium build, clean shaven, SA, SL, seeks genuine guy into rubber, leather, waders, DMs, army gear, for hot fun. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 9014. Dundee Early retired guy, mid 50's, 5'8", 11st, slim build, clean shaven, passive, SA, SL. WLTM active guy of any age for fun, friendship and possible relationship. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 8982. Fife 31 year old overweight Fife guy looking for 18-30 for fun and friendship. Interests are football, music and going out. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 8742. Edinburgh Bruce, 30, good looking, slim, straight acting skinhead, 5'8", looking for bottoms under 25, any race or colour for indoor fun. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 8788. Theo 33, 5'8", chubby, well endowed, short brown hair, looking for an older man who likes good fun. Can travel and accommodate. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 8755. Tayside Peter, 5'10", early 40's, fit, brown hair, smokey grey eyes. Into most things in life, GSOH, lot of love for whoever is interested in that sort of thing. Love wine, long weekends in and then to bed. Masseur, aromatherapist, photographer and nurse. Looking for 20's to early 40's - non smoker preferred. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 8522. 23 Year Old Edinburgh 5'11", short brown hair, slim build, likes pubs, sport, football and music. Looking for similar 18-27 year old. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 7991. Edinburgh 23 year old, 5'11", into music, pubs, clubs, badminton. Looking for similar 18-26 year old in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 7280. Leather Trevor, 28. Bi-curious but into leather. Ready to go the full hog with dominant leather man. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 7112. Daddy's Boy? Uncle Andy, 48, is looking for Daddy's Boys 18-35 for no strings fun. Light discipline if required. Anywhere - can travel or accommodate. Phone: 0891 556613 - Number 7040. 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 556613 - Number 6691. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOXES - THE SCOTSGAY MEET MARKET ================================ To reply to a Contact Ad: By e-mail: We can now accept replies by e-mail for Box Numbers. They should be sent to boxreplies@drink.demon.co.uk and will be printed out and posted on by snail mail to the box number holders. There will be no charge for this service. As box number holders are unlikely to have access to e-mail, please include your name and address so that they can get back to you! And remember to include the box number that you're replying to clearly on each reply. By snail mail: Just pop your reply in an envelope with the box number written in the TOP RIGHT corner and place the envelope with your reply inside another envelope with two loose first class stamps. If you are writing from outside the UK, an International Reply Coupon (IRC) should be enclosed for each reply instead of postage stamps. International Reply Coupons are available from most Post Offices throughout the world. We are unable to send on replies without postage stamps or IRCs. Send all replies to: ScotsGay Magazine, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. To place a Contact Ad: Write to the above address enclosing your advertisement copy. Ads are FREE of charge to the advertiser. Or you can send them by e-mail to scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk Personal Ads in ScotsGay's Meet Market are read by more people than any other Scottish Gay Title! Women Friendship Wanted Transsexual lesbian, 33, is looking for friendship from female. I am studying for a PhD and enjoy badminton, walking, music (especially guitar) and cinema. Box SG24008. Edinburgh Area Cuddly, easy-going girl who likes a laugh looking for fun, interesting women for long conversations and big nights out leading to friendship, maybe more. Interests include clubbing, theatre, music and sports. Gina Gershon look-a-likes guaranteed reply! Box SG24009. Lanarkshire Feminine 28, GSOH, varied interests WLTM femme to share social activities and maybe more. Disillusioned with scene and looking for sanity. Genuine replies only. Box SG24040. Attractive Ayrshire Female Early 50's, N.Sc., N.Sm., youthful and fit. Enjoys walking, cycling, countryside, travel, romantic dinners, socialising and cosy nights in. Seeks similar, easy-going woman for fun, friendship/relationship. Box SG24041. Men Edinburgh - Lothians - Fife Non-scene, versatile Asian, 38, looking for fun and friendship - age, colour immaterial. Cannot accommodate but can travel. Total discretion required and offered. Send full and frank letter - photograph appreciated but not essential. Box SG24001. Edinburgh 21 year old unconvincing TV with wicked sense of humour, 5'5", seeks other males, TV or otherwise, for fun and friendship. Box SG24002. Stirling Mature student (40) offers off-campus fun and friendship to younger undergraduate. Discretion available (if required). Box SG24003. Bear Hugs For Smooth Cubs Small hairy bear, 41, preparing for winter hibernation, welcomes smooth young cubs to his cave for mutual pawing sessions. Box SG24004. Edinburgh Mid 50's guy with gentle touch seeks smooth friends for hands on experience and hopefully ongoing friendship. Chubby chasers especially welcome! Box SG24010. Fife/Edinburgh 21yo St Andrews Postgrad WLTM 18-30yo for fun, friendship, frolics and maybe more. I'm good(ish) looking, clean, healthy, affectionate, into theatre, cinema, etc. But, I'll try anything once. All types welcome. Box SG24013. Glasgow/ Central Belt Inexperienced 30 y/o naughty boy needs to have his trousers taken down and his backside warmed with slipper and belt. Make me bend over! Your place only. Box SG24014. Sincere A Sincere and handsome guy is needed in Central Scotland. Non-scene preferable, independent, cultured, fit, 20-35, tall with black hair a definite advantage. Me: 25, cute, 5'11", dark blond, sincere, intelligent, fit, cuddly etc. ALWPR so hurry, you might lose out on this rare opportunity! Box SG24015. Bondage Master Sought Fife 35 med build vwe bondage slave seeks master to expand limits with bondage cp cbt toys. I am 35 med build and up for it. You won't be disappointed. Box SG24016. Movie Fanatic Ayrshire lad, 24 years old, slim and 6' tall is casting for a relationship. Directed by sheer boredom and sinking morale at lack of local gay life. A full supporting cast of friendship and loyalty is offered. Excellent sense of humour and honest personality essential. Cut! Box SG24017. Mail Exchange Hi! I'm a linguistics student (Masters) at Cambridge, 26 (look younger); slim, athletic, dard red-brown hair and eyes (not red). I like swimming, reading, wanking myself and cute horny guys raw - but most of the guys here are so dorky... So it would be great to exchange e-mail or (better still) meet other horny young guys. Replies from reliable guys only please. c_angelsson@hotmail.com or Box SG24018. Sandwich Filling Wanted Professional Glasgow gay couple seeking 25-35 attractive raunchy sandwich maker for 3 way fun. We are s/a, sensible, non smoking. Happy for you to be either the filling or slice of bread. Box SG24019. Central and East Scotland. RU into lingerie, accessories, etc., but not full TV? Then if you're 40+, let's meet up. Can travel, accommodate. Friendly, non-scene guys only please. SAE please. discreet. Box SG24020. Isolated Guy - Tayside Hi! I'm a 19 year old and I am looking for some guy aged 18-25 for friendship and company in this lonely town. Box SG24021. Civilisation! London-based 42, 6', slim, attractive, needs to be caned by genuine Scot (20-48), kilt not necessary. Short underpants essential. Get it over with, sir! ALAWP. Box SG24022. Men in Suits Wanted - Aberdeen Gay man, late 30's, slim, clean, healthy, time to spare afternoons and evenings for no strings fun and friendship. Married bi's welcome. Gives VG oral. Very passive - only real men need apply. Genuine, honest, discreet. Box SG24023. Is Your Bed Strong Enough? Chubby guy, 40, in need of chasing but not hard to catch, would like to hear from younger guy. Box SG24024. Skinhead Edinburgh 34 year old zero crop wants to meet other skins into army, leather, rubber W?S and football gear. Phone no. appreciated for quick reply and meet up for hot wet fun. ALAWP. Box SG24025. Studmuffins Seek Plaything/Mate 25 and 40, both slim, G.L., W.E., dark-haired, versatile, easy-going, seek slim-ish 18-35 passive, nice guy for normal, clean, safe, horny fun and frolics. Can accommodate. ALAWP. Box SG24026. Lonely in Glasgow 23 year old German, blond, blue eyes, into jazz and poetry, is looking for an 18-26 year old guy. Fun, friendship and more. ALA with photo. Box SG24027. Under 5'8"? If you're short, stocky and smooth chested: look no further! 5'6" honey monster wants to hear from you before anybody else grabs you! Box SG24028. Edinburgh Gay Male Student 22 year old, non-scene, straight-acting, 5' 8" tall, total virgin, needs TLC, initially friendship, possible relationship. Me: average build/looks. You: 20-30, average build. Get writing - ALAWP. Box SG24029. Seeking Master Fit, attractive, shaven young Glasgow sub (29) needs older, experienced non-egotistical top to leather his bare backside and take him whilst wife watches and enjoys. Box SG24030. Central Scotland - Anywhere 45 year old, overweight guy seeks guys 18-60 for love and friendship. Looks, age unimportant. Please write. Box SG24031. Scottish Soulmate Required S.W.M., 26 Y.O., blonde, blue-eyed, 5' 10", muscular, VSA, VGL, deplores scene, seeks 25-35 Y.O., VSA, handsome, intelligent, sincere guy for mutual appreciation and good times, maybe 1-2-1? Outdoorsy type preferred. ALAWP. Box SG24032. Edinburgh Gay male, 39, GSOH, chubby, hairy, non scene. You: student, unemployed, for nights out and in, cinema, theatre, pubs, etc? Box SG24033. Twenty-Something Edinburgh Guy, 6' 1", 70kg, 28y enjoys swimming, gym, cycling, IT, travelling, seeks tall, slim, reliable, sincere, genuine, honest guys 21-26 for friendship, nights in/out. Photo appreciated. Box SG24034. Bikers Wanted! Pillion seeks bikers for fun times on and off the bike. Slim, shoirt guy, dark hair, would like to meet you. Leather-clad bikers a bonus. Any age, looks. ALAWP. Box SG24035. Edinburgh - Glasgow - Anywhere Mature early 40's self employed man seeks younger friend (under 24) for nights in, meal out. No complications. Non smoker preferred. Box SG24036. Where Are You Long-Haired Guys? Hello. I'm hoping to get to know you long-haired guys 17-38. Me: 25, SA/SL, VWE, long hair, love "D", GSOH, PTLC to right guy, so drop me a line. Box SG24037. Active Men Wanted For Fun By passive Fife guy who is S/A, S/L and N/S. I am 40 yo, medium built, hairy. You are slim, 18-50 yo, "up for it". Couples welcome. Write now. ALA. Box SG24038. Edinburgh - Glasgow You: young, shy, not sure if you're gay but willing to explore the possibility. Me: mature, discreet, kind and understanding. What have you got to lose? Box SG24039. Glasgow Man Mid 50's, 5ft 5ins tall, enjoys hill-walking, cinema, sport, seeks non-smoking, caring and loving man in mid 40's for friendship and relationship. Box SG24043. Central Scotland 29, dark hair, slim built, hazel eyes, clean-shaven, into clubbing, music, romantic nights in. Have my own place, looking for similar 20-40. Box SG24044. Broken-Down Whipslave Badly in need of strict master, any age. Am 30's, well-built. Central Scotland/anywhere. Am straight-acting. Box SG24045. Paisley - Renfrew - Glasgow 26 year old guy with dark looks likes cinema, dining out, weekend breaks away, WLTM someone with similar interests aged between 20-36. I'm told I'm not bad-looking. ALA. Box SG24046. Glasgow Guy 32, looking for honest, sincere gay guy, 25-40, for fun times. Bisexual or curious welcome. I'm W/E with good personality and swimmer's build. Red heads welcome. Box SG24047. Tayside Early retired, passive guy with young outlook, S/A, N/S, looking for similar mature or younger active male for fun and friendship. Can travel or accommodate. Discreet, genuine, ALA. Box SG24048. Tayside Dominant Guy Wanted Smooth body, slim build, 50's submissive guy into bondage, toys, WS., seeks friendly, active or dominant guy of any age who enjoys same for safe fun and friendship. Can travel. Box SG24049. 22 Years Old 180cm, slim build with short dark blond hair, blue/green eyes, unexperienced. Looking for someone 18-25 for fun/relationship? Box SG24050. Highland Seeking Highland area only. Feminine transexual. Must be discreet. I am a newcomer. Box SG24051. Wrestling Hi Guys! Do you like fun wrestling around and the close body contact this entails? I am early 40's and average height and build. If you like the sound of this and other fun times in the nude..like tickling?! then get in touch. Box SG24054. Edinburgh Forty-something 42, 5'10", ‘tache, seeks forty-something friends for fun, friendship and easy varied sex including SM, CP, TV, BD, poppers. Hard, 40+ WE smokers especially welcome. ALA with photo. Box SG24055. Glasgow - Edinburgh - Anywhere 36 year old male, slim, attractive, considerate, looking for broad-minded guy for friendship, fun and more. Can travel or accommodate. Box SG24056. Inverness - Highlands Mature dom gents required to discipline an inexperienced 40 year old with slipper, starp, cane, etc. Training also required for O and A levels. ALAWP. Phone No for quick reply. Box SG24057. Edinburgh - Scotland Guy, 30, into playing strip poker, strip games, forfeits, etc. Good body, 6ft, SA, SL, slim, medium build, seeks others 20-40. ALA. Photo appreciated. Box SG24058. Searching For Hairy Men I'm 6ft, blond/blue, hairy fit rugby player's body. I'm looking to meet hairy masculine men in Scotland for friendship and possibly more. Box SG24059. Young, Horny And Rich? 21 year old (6ft, slim, blue eyes) seeks young (under 30), fit and possibly solvent guy for friendship/1-2-1. Likes music, clubs, nights in/out. Genuine replies and photo appreciated. Box SG24060. Perthshire Mature Male Passive Bi-sexual male early fifties but with a very young outlook seeks friend(s) in the Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Aberfeldy areas for fun and friendship. I adore videos, massage, oral (giving and receiving) and will go to the ultimate for the right guy. Total discretion expected and assured. Box SG24061. Bisexual Bi curious? Mature guy (40) offers considerate first time experience to younger beginners (under 26). Absolute discretion assured. Your limits respected. Edinburgh based - can accommodate or travel. Box SG24005. Bisexual Double Fun Two sexy TVs into B+D and spankings seek dom male or female with strap-on to join us. We can accomodate ot travel, Edinburgh/Fife area. Box SG24011. 48 Year Old Male Not into scene, have a little experience but not much with other males. Would like to meet caring understanding dominant person to teach me and extend my horizons. Age or looks are unimportant, a normal sane person without hangups would be nice.I have a camcorder and if there are any people out there who would like me to make a video of them or with me then please get in touch. Am interested in experimenting with bondage and corporal punishment, also a transvestite would be interesting to meet. E-mail: redbarron49@hotmail.com Fun-loving Bi-Guy Hi there! 25yr old Glasgow bi-guy would like to meet other guys who enjoy a bit of fun! Gay/Bi, whatever. Into older guys but not that fussy, looks unimportant. Contact me for a good time. Can't accomodate but willing to travel. Box SG24052. Straight Edinburgh Gay friendly guy, 44, seeks straight or bi female for fun and friendship. Box SG24006. Edinburgh - Central Scotland Pubbable and clubbable straight guy (30) with lots of gay friends seeks huggable bi or straight female for frolix and witty conversations. Box SG24007. Mistress Wanted Anywhere Real slave seeks real dominant mistress. Fun times, fetish, sub-dom games with imagination, your scenarios obeyed. I serve - you command! Box SG24012. Edinburgh - Central Scotland Straight man, 29, slim build, easy-going, gay-friendly, loves dining out, pubs, cinema and long Highland walks seeks female, similar, for fun, friendship and possible relationship. Box SG24053. Passing Glances For 1-2-1 Club 2000, Aberdeen. You: white T-shirt. Me: checked shirt. We chatted. You said you were too old. Please get in touch. We met 19th September 1998. My name is Mike. Box SG24042. Looking For ALEX GREER in Edinburgh HELLO! I'm looking to make contact with a friend named ALEX GREER. I last spoke with ALEX around 1994 and he was living in Edinburgh. He is a cute red-haired guy around 30 years old. If you are a friend of his, would you let him know that Jim Lawrence would love to hear from him? Thank you! Jim Lawrence, 510 Justin Ave. #204, Glendale, CA 91201, USA. Friends Abroad American Seeks Highland Friends GWM, 36, seeks friends from Scotland for e-mail correspondence. Love to learn about my ancestral home and make friends in process. Drop me a line and lets get to know each other. E-mail: baldambition@mailexcite.com or write: David McNutt, 10821 Hartsook Street, North Hollywood, CA 91601, USA. Horny, Hairy And Blond Blond Aussie (30) will be visiting Scotland in November (Glasgow and Edinburgh). Looking forward to finding out what is really under a Scotmans' kilt (or jeans). E-mail for more info: darren.jardine@nwhcn.org.au or write: Darren Jardine, 83 Dennis Street, Northcote, Victoria 3070, Australia. Scotsmen wanted in Australia I'm a mid forties guy living 80 k's north of Sydney and wan Scots pen friends and visitors. I've just returned from a short holiday in Scotland and really liked what I saw. Get in touch. E-mail: peter@tudogs.net.au or write: Peter MacDonald, PO Box 1153, Gosford, NSW 2250, Australia. Jobs Offered Bahrain International Hotel We are on the look out for an attractive female Bar Manageress who can manage the affairs of the Bar independently in a relaxed atmosphere, for the "Ladies Only Bar", the only Bar of its kind on the Island. The candidate should be extrovert with a flair for meeting women and shall be able to build a strong clientele of the like minded women. Should possess strong communication skills. Attractive compensations shall be provided for the right candidate, including salary, accommodation, air passage, medical coverage, meals and laundry. Please apply to: The Food Beverage Directorate, PO Box 3280, Manama, Bahrain, Arabian Gulf. E-mail: exec702@batelco.com.bh 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 on 0171-373 1107. Models Wanted Previously published photographer needs good looking guys (18-25) who want to earn ukp20 per hour for publication work. For details please telephone Stuart on 0141-636 6556 (No withheld numbers please) or E-mail me: sborg16184@aol.com Services Computer Services Thinking of buying a PC or struggling with the one you have? For hardware and software advice and assistance contact: PCMS@pobox.com or Tel/Fax: 0141-636 1510 (24 hour answering service). Contact Mag Contact Mag for adults: contains over 600 photos. Approval copy from: Matchmaker (K38), Chorley, PR7 4BS. Or ring: 01257 480155 (24 hours). 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. International Pen Friends Would you like to correspond with gay men all over the world? It is possible through INTERGAY, an international gay pen club. For all information, write to: INTERGAY, Voorstraat 12-A, 4033 AD, Lienden, The Netherlands. Martin's Cleaning Service, Lothians Domestic Household cleaning done to a high standard. Also caters for voyeurs. Confidential, private service. Tel. 0131-552 1870. Painter And Decorator Female painter and decorator. Glasgow based. Call Zoe Smith on 0141-402 2112. 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 WWW: http://www.angelfire.com/ga/lgb/index.html 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. Back Rubs Back Rub Plus - Paisley Still Going Strong! Erotic Sensual Backs Rubs Offered by Handsome Hung Guys. Available for in/out calls. Satisfaction - You Bet! Call Chic or Mike 0141-889 1764. Anytime. Best Massage At Best Price Too! Sensual all over body massage by passive, stout and cuddly gay man. To visit: call 0131-271 0481 or leave number and name on Ansa-Phone. See you soon! Black Male Escort Educated, discreet, expensive VWE escort - women welcome too. In or out calls. Tel: 07970 528229. Central Scotland Black, active muscular VWE lad. A discreet and friendly body rub. 12 stones, six footer. CP available. Call Chris 07050 082461. Edinburgh Masseur A caring skilled personal touch at excellent poundstretcher value. ukp15. Jim. 0131-556 7199. Escort - Kissogram - Massage The very best for entertainment. The ultimate in sexual fantasy. Private shows or parties: the choice is yours. Telephone: 0411 284558. Glasgow Boyz Two For One Sensual erotic all over rub experience by discreet friendly lads. New in Glasgow. 22/24. Satisfaction guaranteed. In/out calls. David/Nik. Mobile 0797 1362110. Glasgow Callum Handsome hunk in a kilt, 25, hairy, hung, Scotland's longest running finest masseur is available for in/out calls 7 days. Satisfaction guaranteed. Ex clients welcome. ukp30 per hour. 0421 753 677. Glasgow Joe Skin, horny, smooth, pierced, friendly. In/out - 7 days. Good rates for an unhurried, relaxing service. Call me: 0403 480601. Rub You Right Stressed and Overworked?? Relax with a sensual back rub. Your pleasure is my delight. Call Jamie - 0403 237403. Anytime. Videos Gay, Bi, TV, TS XXX Videos. Extensive range of top titles of excellent quality. ukp20 each. Send SAE for lists to EZE (SG), Box 43323, Glasgow. G12 9WB. Or call 0973 980553 for immediate delivery, Central Scotland 9am - 9pm. Where to Stay Edinburgh Mansfield House - Small elegant guest house within minutes of bars/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. 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 The Maltings Bed & Breakfast Small guest flat double room. Friendly Service. Homely atmosphere. Midway between Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. Call Peter on 01674 674148 or mobile 0831 438999. --------------------------------------------------------------------- VENUES Aberdeen ABERDEEN WOMEN'S CENTRE Shoe Lane, off Queen Street. Tel: (01224) 625010. Fax: 01224 625777. Wed 10am-4pm, Thu Noon-4pm. Where the women hang out. Lesbian group meets Wed 8-10pm. CASTRO BAR AND CLUB 47 Netherkirkgate. Tel: (01224) 624472. Tue-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 3pm-2am. Aberdeen's longest established gay venue. CLUB 2000 62 Shiprow. Tel: (01224) 596999. 9pm-2am. Aberdeen's newest gay pub/club. Small and intimate. Cabaret (drag) every Friday. DJ on Saturday. Dundee DEVA'S 75 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight. 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-Sun 11pm-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. BAR XS St Andrew's Lane (behind Liberty Nightclub). Tel: (01382) 200660. Mon-Sat 8pm-Midnight. Sun 8-11pm. Cafe/bar for lgb clientele under the same successful management as Liberty to which it has its own entrance. Dunfermline CLUB XS 33 Carnegie Drive (opposite Fire Station - enter from rear). Tel: (01383) 626501. Lounge Bar: Wed-Fri 3pm-Midnight. Sat Noon-Midnight. Sun 7pm-Midnight. Nightclub: Fri-Sat 10pm-2am. Newly opened rendevous for Fife lgbts. Karaoke on Thur and Sun. Edinburgh BLACK BO'S 57/61 Blackfriars Street. Tel: 0131-557 6136. Daily Noon-2pm (in the bar) 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. Mon-Thu 9am-1am, Fri-Sat 9am-1.30am, Sun 9am-Midnight. 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. 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. Not going for a gay clientele, but still decidedly gay friendly. C.C. BLOOM'S 23 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. Mon-Fri 7pm-3am, Sat-Sun 2pm-3am. Karaoke on Thursday and Sunday. Male strippers Sun at 4.30pm. 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-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 12.30pm-1am. 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@cableinet.co.uk CLOUDS 16 Forth Street. Tel: 0131-550 3808 FAX: 0131-550 3807. A gay-owned, Edinburgh based Letting Agency offering a comprehensive competitive service for Landlords/Owners for long-term short term property management. E-mail: cloudsacc@aol.com CYBERIA 88 Hanover Street. Tel: 0131-220 4403. Daily 10am-10pm (12pm-7pm Sun) Friendly mixed cybercafe with friendly mixed staff. Where the wired queers hang out. WWW: http://www.cybersurf.co.uk/ E-mail: edinburgh@cybersurf.co.uk DIVINE DIVA'S The Venue (Top Floor), 15 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-556 8997. Every fourth Friday - 9.30pm-3am. Fridays: 30th October and 27th November. Women only one nighter with all proceeds going to Edinburgh Switchboard. DUST Rocking Horse. Victoria Street. Info Line: 01426 179302. 11pm-3am. Thursday and Sunday. Pansexual, gothic, industrial zones. Thursday 'Dust' ukp2 enter Cowgate - Metal, Industrial, Goth, Punk. Friday 'Demon' ukp1 with Cauldron flyer till 12.45 Industrial, EBM Alternating Sundays ukp2 enter Victoria Street 'Rust' Old school Metal, Rock. 'Zululand' Psychobilly, punk, ska. Dress code: black, pvc, leather, corsetry, gothic, TV/TS or punk. Strict floor policy, no casuals. Details subject to change without notice. E-mail: pure01@hotmail.com EDINBURGH LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL CENTRE 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Houses PJ's , Nexus 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. 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. 10.30pm-3am. Saturdays: November 14th and December 12th. Joy, Scotland's most upfront gay club! ukp7 members/ukp9 non-members (reduced entry of ukp6/ukp7 before 11pm). E-mail: clubjoy@hotmail.com WWW: http://freespace.virgin.net/alanjoy.dj/joyhome.htm MASSAGE FOR HEALTH 58a/60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-669 8039 or 0131-478 1090. By appointment only. Therapeutic massage from ITEC qualified practitioners Anne and John. Concessions available. MINGIN' Studio 24, Calton Road. Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 10.30pm-3am. Saturdays: October 24th and November 21st. Alan Joy's new club Mingin' runs every fourth Saturday featuring Alan Joy himself on the decks plus guests. ukp5 entry. NEW TOWN BAR 26B Dublin Street. Tel: 0131-538 7775. Mon-Thu Noon-1am. Fri-Sat Noon-2am. Sun 12.30pm-1am. Especially popular with Bears, but has wide clientele. Intense, the sub-basement leather and fetish bar is open Wed-Thu 10pm-1am, Fri-Sat 10pm-2am and Sun 10pm-1am - men only, dress code. NEXUS CAFE-BAR 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-478 7069. 11am-11pm. The cafe at the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre. Now under new management with a new name and increasingly busy. E-mail: nexus1cb@aol.com 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 aprs 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. OUT OF THE BLUE 36 Broughton Street. (Downstairs at the Blue Moon Cafe). Tel: 0131-478 7048. Noon-9pm. New gay and lesbian store selling books, mags, videos, wearing apparel, etc. Providing some welcome competition for Mrs Tubby Bear at PJ's! PERMISSION Shady Lady's, Cowgate. Next dates: November 8th and December 13th. 10.30pm - 3am. Doors close 1pm. Happy Hour 'til Midnight. Pansexual fetish club with dance floor play space. Dress code (anything impressive and non-Nazi). ukp4 entry (ukp3 with flyer). E-mail: permission@hedonism.demon.co.uk WWW: http://www.hedonism.demon.co.uk/permission 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: 0131-524 0061. 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! A shame they've taken the real ale out THE STAG & TURRET 1-7 Montrose Terrace. Tel: 0131-478 7231. 11am-late. Friendly gay boozer just round the corner from the Solas Centre. Under new management. 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). Vegetarians and carnivores catered for. TACKNO Club Mercado, 36-39 Market Street. Tel: 0131-226 4224. Last Sun of each month 11pm-4am. DJ Trendy Wendy. Mixed and crowded club night. TASTE The Honeycomb, 36-38a Blair Street. Tel: 0131-220 4381. Sun 11pm-3am. Weekly mixed members' club with DJs Fisher and Price. 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. WEB 13 13 Bread Street. Tel: 0131-229 8883. Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-8pm. Informal mixed cybercafe with homely and approachable staff. WWW: http://www.web13.co.uk/ E-mail: queries@web13.co.uk 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. Galashiels GREEN'S DINER 4 Green Street. Tel: (01896) 757667. Tue 10am-5pm, Wed-Sat 10am-10pm. Relaxed Eurocafe style every opening day from 10am-5pm, Full Restaurant Service from 5pm (Booking essential 10 days in advance for weekends). Mixed. E-mail: Greensdiner@hotmail.com Glasgow AUSTINS 183a Hope Street. Tel: 0141-332 2707. Mon-Fri 4pm-Midnight, Sat-Sun 2pm-Midnight. Friendly and busy basement pub. Entertainment every evening. Happy hours: Mon-Fri 4-9pm, Sat 7-10pm. Currently up for sale. 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 0522. Centre open Mon-Wed 9am-11pm Thur-Sat 9am-Midnight Sun Noon-5pm. 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. E-mail: gen@cca-glasgow.com CAFFE LATTE 58 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-553 2553. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 11.30am-Midnight. European style diner. Relaxed atmosphere. Wide selection of pastas, pizzas and sandwiches. CENTURION 19 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-248 4485. Fax: 0141-400 1080. Sauna and Shop: Sun-Fri Noon-10pm, Sat Noon-Late (Allnighter). Reduced entry charge at weekends! All the usual facilities. CLONE ZONE 35 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 3103. Mon-Wed 10.30am-7pm, Thu-Sat 10.30am-9pm, Sun 1.30-7pm. The largest gay shop in Scotland. Clothes, videos, magazines, toys. Closed at the moment due to a mishap with building works! WWW: http://www.czone.demon.co.uk/ 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 BAR 68 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 4803. Daily Noon-Midnight. Large pub - popular with the younger crowd. Look out for Tasty Tom's new baldy! FUNKY CROP SHOP 35 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 9790. Mon-Wed 11am-7pm, Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-7pm. Unisex hair dressers located in Clone Zone shop. Does body shaving and waxing on request. Appointment not always necessary. Closed at the moment due to mishap with building works. GGLC CAFE-BAR GGLC, 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-400 1008. 10am-Midnight. Full breakfast always available. Home cooking. Now back under the capable hands of Martha! GLASGOW GAY & LESBIAN CENTRE 11 Dixon Street. Tel/FAX: 0141-221 7203. Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun Noon-5pm. Glasgow's community centre for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Cafe. Two large meeting rooms available for hire. In a state of flux after recent changes in management. Not as busy as it should be - it needs your support! Fully wheelchair accessible venue. WWW: http://www.gglc.org.uk/gglc/ 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. WWW: http://www.linkcafe.co.uk/ E-mail: tim@linkcafe.co.uk THE LANE 60 Robertson Street Lane (off Argyle Street). Tel: 0141-221 1802. Mon-Fri 1-10pm, Sat-Sun Noon-10pm. "Exotic Gay Men's Club" with sauna and private cabins. Promotional offers. Look for the green light. 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. 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. Booking advised in the evening. PENELOPE'S 18 Jamaica Street. Tel: 0141-400 1423. Tue 11pm-3am. Weekly club night. DJ Colin. Regular PAs and drinks promos. Entry ukp2/ukp3. THE POLO LOUNGE 84 Wilson Street. Tel: 0141-553 1221. Mon-Thu Noon-1am, Fri-Sun Noon-3am. Upmarket bar. Voted No.1 club in UK by Boyz. WWW: http://www.pololounge.co.uk/ E-mail: pololounge@urbanvibes.co.uk 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. TIN PAN ALLEY 39 Mitchell Street. Tel: 0141-248 7377. Mon 11pm-3am.Disco. Has seen better days. Not very busy. TRON THEATRE CAFE BAR Chisholm Street. Tel: 0141-552 8587. Noon-Midnight. Friendly theatre bar. Mixed. WWW: http://www.tron.co.uk/ E-mail: info@tron.co.uk 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: 0141-229 5891. Daily Noon-Midnight. Semper idem! Popular, crowded, down to earth gay drinking shop. Scotland's oldest gay bar - what more can we say? Busy, busy, busy! Recently refurbished. 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. Stirling BARNTON BISTRO 3 1/2 Barnton Street. Tel: (01786) 461698. Mon-Thur 10.30am-11.45pm, Fri-Sat 10.30am-12.45am, Sun Noon-11.45pm. (Food: Day and early evening). Near to railway station, Mixed, busy, bohemian and friendly bar/bistro. Popular with students and Sons/Daughters of the Rock alike. Good food. Real Ale. InsideOut: a monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. ISSN: 1360-9327. Edited, printed and published in Scotland. (c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, October 1998. 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. If you wish to unsubscribe, send an "unsubscribe scotsgay-list" message. --------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL ============= By Rex Wockner 1,814 COUPLES REGISTER IN THE NETHERLANDS One thousand eight hundred fourteen gay couples have registered since The Netherlands' gay-partnership law took effect on 14th January. The statute grants same-sex couples every right of matrimony, including the right to adopt children. The Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics said 1,045 of the couples were male and 769 female. Eight hundred and forty-one heterosexual couples also have taken advantage of the law. The figures reflect only the first six months of 1998. Denmark, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have gay-only registered-partnership laws. In general, the laws grant all rights of matrimony except access to adoption, artificial insemination and church weddings. Hungary recognizes a type of common-law gay marriage, withholding only the right to adoption. UN HUMAN RIGHTS HEAD EMBRACES ILGA The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, former Irish President Mary Robinson, appointed a liaison between her office and the International Lesbian and Gay Association following a groundbreaking meeting with the group's co-secretaries general on 8th October in Geneva. ILGA's Jordi Petit and Jennifer Wilson said it was the first time the group's voice had been heard at the U.N.'s European headquarters. "The meeting was extremely positive and is clearly the start of an on-going dialogue," Wilson said. Said Petit: "Her request for us to supply material to help in the training of lesbian and gay awareness for all U.N. employees and working groups, including rapporteurs and treaty bodies, shows her recognition of ILGA as the peak NGO [non-governmental organization] on lesbian and gay rights." ILGA and Robinson also discussed the possibility of ILGA producing a report on gay oppression worldwide to help Robinson lobby for appointment of a U.N. special rapporteur on lesbian/gay issues. "Currently lesbians and gay men are murdered by death squads in Mexico and Brazil; live in fear of the death penalty in Afghanistan, Iran and other nations under Sharia law; are denied access to lesbian and gay literature in Singapore; and do not have equal human rights with heterosexuals in any nation of the world," ILGA said. AUSTRALIA More than 19,000 Australians acknowledged to census officials that they live with a same-sex partner during the 1996 census, new data reveals. The count found more than 11,000 men and about 8,000 women living in gay relationships. Gay groups called the figures a serious undercount but a good beginning. They urged the government to consult them next time for help in writing better questions. FRANCE A French measure allowing registered partnership between any two unmarried people will face a vote in the National Assembly on November 10th and a new debate beginning November 3rd. The bill was abruptly dismissed by legislators recently after opponents noticed that scores of MPs from the majority Socialist party, which supports the bill, were absent from the chamber. If the proposal passes - which is likely - it will grant spousal rights to registered couples in areas such as inheritance, taxation, housing, property, workplace benefits, social security, and social-welfare programs. Numerous religious leaders have condemned the plan as a threat to marriage. LATIN AMERICA The U.S. State Department has begun gathering information on discrimination against gays and persons with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean following an increase in the number of such people seeking asylum in the U.S. The data is being collected by embassy officials who will report on "attitudes toward and treatment of gays, transvestites, and transsexuals in society by family members, employers, neighbors, classmates, police and other authorities," according to a State Department cable. Among the nations being scrutinized: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. SWEDEN Artist Elisabeth Ohlson's "Ecce Homo" exhibit continued to attract hostility as it opened on October 10th in the city of Jönköping, Sweden's "Jerusalem," reports correspondent Jon Voss, editor of the gay newspaper QX. The showing received a bomb threat "in the name of Jesus" and Lutheran ministers involved in bringing the exhibition to the city received threatening phone calls. The paintings, which have the blessing of Archbishop Karl Gustav Hammar, head of Sweden's state Lutheran Church, depict Jesus and the apostles in drag and as leathermen — and a nude, largely endowed Jesus being baptized. ZAMBIA Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda believes the new gay group LEGATRA (Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Association) should be permitted to carry out its work in peace, the Post newspaper has reported. He said the nation should "cool down" over the matter of the group's emergence although "to me personally it [homosexuality] is a very sad thing indeed." "However," Kaunda said, "the fact that it makes me sad does not mean I should bury my face in the sand and declare the problem non-existent. It exists. ... This is obviously a new thing in this part of Africa. We need time to examine it carefully." MATTHEW SHEPHARD This 21 year old Wyoming student was brutally murdered by 2 young thugs after being picked up in a bar. His death has shocked America. --------------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEWS ======= glasgay! Yup! It's happening all around you from Friday 30th October to Sunday 8th November in the Holy City - the festival of lgbt arts that goes by the name of Glasgay! Rather than just reprint the festival programme may I instead humbly suggest that you pick up a copy of said programme and get your bums on the seats of some of the 40 odd productions which will be gracing Glasgow over the ten day period. In particular, however, let me single out the Gay Gala Day to be held at the Ramshorn Theatre, Ingram Street on Saturday 31st October from Noon to 4pm. Stalls and things plus the first ever Gala King and Queen for Glasgay! And it's free. John Hein books Translations From The Human by Ivor C Treby De Blackland Press, ukp7.45 A selection of impressive poems contained in paperback, this book has something for everyone. A series of personal verses having all the variety of the spectrum, from God-driven lessons to bar-room chat. Read and enjoy. Particularly appealing and somewhat amusing is All In A Deviant's Day: It's amazing I've stayed incorruptible Kept my sense of the decent intact Can still see the dirt in their middle class minds Know that mine is a natural act Shall we ever get through to these breeders They've so little of which to be proud For starters they could learn compassion And that all need not choose as the crowd Perhaps then they'd see that we benders Are as human, and good as the rest But since that's not likely at present We are still out there doing our best Andy film Elizabeth I has been depicted on the screen a few times before, but never with quite the authenticity we get in "Elizabeth" (15). The producers made an unusual choice in asking Shekhar Kapur, a leading director of Hindi cinema, to direct Australian Kate Blanchett in the lead plus the pick of Britain's leading actors. Religious fanaticism was clearly a fact of life in the sixteenth century for Protestants, who refused to give up their religion, were burned at the stake by the Catholic hierarchy. We have a similar situation in Iran today where Shi-ites are tortured and murdered when they won't forsake their religion. But now, through radio and TV documentaries, survivors can tell their horrific experiences. In "Elizabeth" we see for the first time her merriment between sheets with one of her lovers and learn even she wasn't safe from assassination attempts. Those expert chroniclers of the British past, producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory, have filmed another family saga, "A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries" (15) based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Kaylie Jones, daughter of James Jones, author of "From Here To Eternity" . It is an American family living in Paris and America in the sixties and seventies starting with a five year old orphan boy being adopted. Kris Kristofferson is the writer father, Barbara Hersey the emotional mother, with the story told through the eyes of the growing daughter, Leelee Sobeiski. I was captivated with every turn of events switching from much laughter to controlled sobs. You will love It. There have been several versions in the past and now we have a splendid 2 hour 14 minute "Les Miserables" (12) with Liam Neeson suffering in early nineteenth century France through Victor Hugo's novel. Jean Valjean in released from prison on parole after 20 years of hard labour for a petty theft. Brutalized by hard treatment he is astonished when a bishop in a country town treats him with respect and invites him to be a guest in his home. But, incapable of trusting anyone, Valjean steals his silverware. When caught he is amazed to bear the bishop tell the police the silverware was a gift and that no crime has been committed. This act of kindness changes his life and after ten years he has reinvested himself as the mayor of a small town where he runs a factory. A new police inspector is stationed in the town whom Valjean recognises as a prison guard he knew of old. The man becomes determined to denounce him. Shot in the back streets of Prague, that resembles the Paris of the 1820s, it is a costume drama that makes you realize the good old days were very bad old days if you happened to be born poor. Anyone who has a problem ailment in their lives or knows someone else with one will want to consider a documentary about Tibetan solutions called "The Knowledge of Healing". Tibetan medicine was first documented in the 12th century with medications comprising herbs, roots and minerals. Starting in Dharamsala, in the Himilayan foothills of northern India, now the seat of his exiled government, Dr. Tenzin Choedrak is shown interviewing patients. Listening to a girl who had been tortured by Chinese guards with electric batons makes us realise how different our lives are on this green and pleasant isle. Well worth consideration by those of us not being cured by western medicines. Rock music lovers are in for a treat with "Still Crazy" (TBC) about a fictional band of the seventies, Strange Fruit, who attempt to come back in the nineties, 21 years after their highly publicised acrimonious break-up. An astute script from Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais has Jimmy Nail, Billy Connolly and Stephen Rea in hilarious situations. You don't have to be a pop music fan to enjoy. "Divorcing Jack" (15) might be described as a 1999 Irish gangster story. Journalist David Thewlis is caught by his wife making love to another woman and soon after the women is found shot dead in bed. His desperate attempt to find the killer could be easier if he was sober. Politician Robert Lindsay is caught up in a well of intrigue and it is the best movie I've seen on the underside of Belfast life. We are back to costume drama in "Marquise" (15) during the reign of Louis XIV of France where born in poverty Sophie Marceau uses her beauty and seductive dancing to mesmerise men. She becomes the leading lady of a theatrical company and her long suffering husband puts up with her affairs with others as the king loves her in their productions. Will appeal to fans of the lovely Miss Marceau and the very attractive Lambert Wilson, as one of her dalliances. "Deja Vu" (15) to a little masterpiece that may not be easy to find as the main distributors seem to have decided it is above the heads of the general public so it has to be tracked down at art cinemas. It has the most charismatic young actor in Britain today, Stephen Dillane, whom I will travel far to see in absolutely anything. Directed by American Henry Jaglom, who specialises in small art movies, it is written by him and his wife, Victoria Foyt, who also plays a leading role. She plays a business woman in Jerusalem who meets an older French woman by chance in a cafe who tells her a fascinating story of lost love revolving around an expensive antique ruby pin. The woman disappears from the cafe abruptly leaving the pin and Victoria stops off in Paris, before returning to Britain, in a effort to return the jewel. The story is full of faces we know and love from the past including Vanessa Redgrave, Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber plus the delectable Mr Dillane. Unusual and memorable. "The Disappearance of Finbar" (TBC) is described as a modern day fable set in Dublin. Finbar lives in a small community of houses shadowed by a giant flyover and decides one day to disappear to a better life. Eventually he phones from Stockholm, but hangs up without leaving an address or phone number. His best friend Danny decides to track him down and research leads him to a small town in a remote part of snowbound Finland. I spent most of the time shivering. Sunshine in a British coastal resort was a pleasant change in "I Want You" (18), but cinemagoing experience has taught me obsessive love stories can end up in more than tears. On his release from a prison sentence Alessandro Nivola returns to find former love, Rachel Weisz, who tries to resist him and the hold he has over her. There is a public that loves blood filling the screen, but I am not amongst them. If you are one of the many who enjoyed that kind of thing in "Scream" and "Scream 2", this is for you. I would have thought TV is a more suitable media than cinemas to launch "My Name Is Joe" (15), but as it was financed by Channel 4 it will be there before long. Leading man Peter Mullan won the beet actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance here. As soon as I see Ken Loach has directed something I know I could be in for poverty stricken authenticity. Reforming alcoholic Joe is coaching the worst football team in Glasgow and trying to combine a new romance in his life with avoiding the local hardman debt collector. Mr Loach might one day realise audiences are not obsessed with other peoples' troubles onscreen unless they are interesting troubles - and then with a minimum of violence. "Mercury Rising" (15) is a very suspenseful action movie that has Bruce Willis protecting a nine year old autistic boy who happens to be a computer wizard and has accidentally discovered information that places him and his parents in dire peril. It terrified me much of the time. "The Truman Show" (PG) is the first Jim Carrey film I have liked as he is not pulling ridiculous faces in it. While brilliant in conception we are expected to believe his entire life could be filmed by thousands of cameras and put out as a TV soap opera - without him knowing. Not believable - but compelling viewing. Malcolm Epstein --------------------------------------------------------------------- SWITCHBOARDS AND HELPLINES ========================== BORDERS GAY SWITCHBOARD: Thurs 7.30-10pm Phone: Galashiels (01896) 756611 CROSSLYNX NATIONAL TV/TS HELPLINE: Mon 7.30-9.30pm Phone: 0141-332 3333 DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY L&G PHONELINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Phone: Dumfries (01387) 261818 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 GRAMPIAN LESBIAN, GAY & BISEXUAL SWITCHBOARD: Wed & Fri 7-10pm 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: 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 WWW: http://www.llgs.org.uk/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- MUSIC ===== ALAN'S CHART 1. The Son - Jumpin'& Pumpin' (Baby Blue Mix) (Duty Free) 2. L.A.C. - Welcome To The Space (Steve Thomas Trade Mix / Terasse Mix) (Southeast) 3. Dolly Parton - Peace Train (Wayne G's Heavenly Dub / Rhythm Infusion Dub) (Bounce) 4. Skinny Pink - Last Train To Kings Cross (Banging Club Mix) (Positiva) 5. First Light - Pink (Studio 4) 6. Ruff Driverz - Shame (Matt Darey Mix) (Un-disputed) 7. Signum - What Ya Got 4 Me (Original 12" Vocal / Untidy Dub) (Tidy Trax) 8. SK - Into The Blue (Steve Thomas Remix / Metromelt Remix) (White Label) 9. Old Skool Orchestra - B-Boy Hump (B-Boy Humpless) (Eastwest) 10. SJ - Shiver (Baby Doc Mix / Ian M Mix) (React) 1 1. Sonique - It Feels So Good (Sonique vs. Commie: Club Cut / Serious Remix) (Serious) 12. Bounce - Off Da Floor (T-Total Express Remix) (99°) 13. Marc Almond - Black Kiss (Tall Paul Mix) (Echo) 14. Art Of Trance - Madagasga (Cygnus X Remix) (Platipus) 15. Pete Daisy - Nova Pain (The KGB On A Bender Mix) (Tripoli Trax) 16. Slapper - TNT (Aquarius) 17. OD404 - Block Party (G Shock Mix / Baby Shock Mix) (Tripoli Trax) 18. Colonel Gurnell - Opus (Spirit) 19. Westbam - The Roof Is On Fire (Untidy Dub) (Logic / Low Spirit) 20. Groove II Touch - Panther (Daybreak Mix) (A.R.D.) -------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSDYKE ========= DJ GILL @ DIVINE DIVAS Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing the up and coming DJ Gill, who plays at Divine Divas - the women's night in The Venue on Calton Road, Edinburgh. Heather: What is it that makes you have the drive to be a DJ? Gill: My love of music! Heather: What is it like playing at D/Divas? Gill: Orgasmic! Heather: D/Divas is a monthly gig. Does that mean that you play every month? Gill: No! On a rotation, usually every 3 months. Heather: Who are your all time favourite DJs? Gill: Alistair Whitehead and Maggie & Alan (JOY). Heather: Every DJ's music is different - how would you describe yours? Gill: Underground House, House, Old Skool, Cheezy and not forgetting Neil Diamond! Heather: Who has influenced you most in the music business? Gill: Annie Lennox & Sinead O'Connor. Heather: Do you think there is a difference playing women-only gigs other than mixed? Gill: Yes, there's no pleasing them but I love them! Heather: Why do you think that the public see DJ's as people they cannot talk to? Gill: Cause they're usually ignorant bastards who think they are above themselves, apart from me and a couple of others! Heather: How far are you prepared to go to get what you want or to where you want? Gill: To hell and back!! Heather: How would you promote yourself? Gill: Topless! Heather: Who has given you your biggest compliment as a DJ? Jean, organiser of D/Divas and Nikki, my partner! Heather: If you weren't a DJ what would you be? Singer/songwriter or sound engineer! Heather: Finally if you could play any gig in Britain and the world where would they be? Gill: In Britain it would be Kitty Lips at Trade in London - that's the womans night - or Joy in Edinburgh. As for the world I haven't a fucking clue! --------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS ======= ScotsGay: a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals edited, printed and published in Scotland. ISSN: 1357-0595. (c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, October 1998. 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. Production: Seumas Macmhicean. Assistance: Feòrag NicBhrìde & paul. Contributors in this issue: Garry Otton & Derek Ogg (Features), Granny Spice, Dawn Davenport, Ben Dover, Martin Walker, Minerva, Calmac & Gus (Scene), Rex Wockner (International), Martin Walker (The Nice Bit), John Hein, Andy, Malcolm Epstien (Reviews), Alan Nicholls (Music), Heather White (ScotsDyke). Editorial Enquiries: Write to: ScotsGay, 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. If you wish to unsubscribe, send an "unsubscribe scotsgay-list" message.