SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland Issue 29 - August 1999 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 1999. 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'or 'ScotsGay'and send them to: Subscriptions ScotsGay Magazine PO Box 666 Edinburgh Scotland EH7 5YW Inside this issue: editorial - the stonewalling party news - reports & investigations media - scottish media monitor the nice bit - remembering bicon t-shirt - rev. pat robertsons words pride feature - the social impact of prides oggs view - on making it gossip - granny spice lets rip... scene - news from everywhere scotsgay voice - our own 1 - 1 dating service boxes - the scotsgay meet market venues - what and where international - news from around the world festival reviews - our roving reviewers listings - checked and updated every issue switchboards - helplines around the country scotsdyke - lapping it up credits - who we are etc. --------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= Stonewall, the London based lobby group 'for lesbian and gay equality' intend to use some of their funds to set up an office in Scotland together with the Equality Network and Outright Scotland. They currently have some 2,000 people in Scotland on their mailing list of whom over 500 make regular donations. As such, they dwarf EN and Outright which have minuscule memberships by comparison. But, that's the point. Membership. Outright has members who can vote on policy within the organisation and EN is similarly open, democratic and goes out of its way to consult with our disparate community. The same cannot be said for Stonewall which has a tightly centralised self-perpetuating and secretive decision making structure which isn't open to the group's supporters to influence. Some see Stonewall as the poodle of New Labour which, despite this government's abysmal record on LGBT rights, has done nothing to rock Mr Blair's boat. It's no coincidence that Stonewall's Executive Director has got an OBE whilst Section 28 and much other homophobic legislation remains unrepealed. EN and Outright have been rightly critical of the government's record whilst Ms Mason has her head so far up New Labour's arse that any words of criticism from her have, so far, failed to be heard outwith the entrails of that lamentable shower. Stonewall's move north worries me. Put crudely, they can throw so much money at campaigning here in comparison to EN and Outright, that the voices of our own indigenous democratic and representative campaigners will be drowned out. And the only sound left will be the ineffectual bleating of the Blairites. John Hein ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEWS ==== SNP CLEARS ROAD TO SEX AT 16 Alex Salmond, SNP leader, has confirmed that the SNP now accepts that Westminster should legislate for the age of consent for Scotland, by using the Parliament Acts to pass the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill next year. Because criminal law is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, such a move now requires the assent of that Parliament, and there had been fears that the SNP might vote against on constitutional grounds, meaning that assent might not be given. Without the Scottish Parliament's assent, the Scottish parts of the Westminster Bill would have had to be deleted, meaning the Parliament Acts could probably not be used, and delaying age of consent equality south of the border by another year. The SNP's decision to support the assent motion follows a meeting last month between activists from the Equality Network and Outright Scotland and Roseanna Cunningham, SNP Justice spokesperson. We made the point that this case is unique - a Bill that should have passed at Westminster months before devolution took effect, but was held up by the antics of the Lords. At the meeting Roseanna Cunningham said the SNP would not jeopardise the age of consent reform, indicating they would not vote against the assent motion, but might abstain. Alex Salmond's comments go one step further. He told the Scotsman newspaper that the SNP still opposes Westminster legislating for devolved areas in Scotland: "This is very much a one-off because of the use of the Parliament Act". The motion in the Scottish Parliament is expected to be debated in September or October and to pass with a large majority. The ball is now firmly in the UK Government's court to proceed with the reintroduction of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill in the Queen's Speech on Nov 17th. The earliest the Bill can have its second reading in the Commons is Jan 25th 2000, and it could pass all Commons stages in that one day, given that is was extensively debated earlier this year. It will then go to the Lords. If the Lords throw it out immediately, like they did this year, it can go for Royal Assent, using the Parliament Acts, one month later. Worst case, if the Lords are completely unscrupulous, and mess about trying to amend the Bill, and pass it back repeatedly to the Commons, it may not become law until autumn next year. Tim Hopkins KISS NOT JUST A KISS A Scottish-based organization that claims to be "by far the largest and best support system for writers in the UK and English-speaking world outside the USA" won't allow a gay kiss in a story. Nairn-based *Writers News* publishes magazines and runs home-study courses for people who want to write. This year it ran a competition for short stories about The First Kiss. Astonishingly, it stipulated: "It can be boy or girl, man or woman, of course of the opposite sex...." Writers News is now contradicting itself as to whether it meant to exclude gay writing. Lorna Edwardson, Competitions Manager Lorna Edwardson says, "Oh dear! I regret that you have caught us out in a piece of imprecise use of language. The implication of 'between a man and a woman, of course' was simply that we were looking for romance, as opposed to a symbolic or imaginative use of the image of a 'kiss' - some of our readers can be very ingenious about their interpretation of themes... Writers News does not operate a homophobic, or any other kind of discriminatory, policy." But publisher David St John Thomas said in the magazine, "Knowing how many readers would react against a lesbian or homosexual kiss story if it won and was printed, in all honesty I wanted to keep it to a romantic kiss between people of the opposite sex." He said that "a few extremists" might complain, "How dare we decide not to award a prize to a story of a kiss between those of the same sex because we would not wish to publish it and be condemned by a far greater number?" His reply: "It was honest. For the record, many friends are lesbian or gay. The judgement is not our own but our interpretation of what the majority would find acceptable. Is that wrong?" Paul Brownsey NO BREACH AT GAY MEN'S HEALTH Mike Stewart, Manager at Gay Men's Health has hit out at a one man campaign designed to damage the Edinburgh health charity. For nearly a year, an anonymous individual has flooded the scene with posters, leaflets and stickers attacking GMH, its directors and staff. However, according to Mike, a recent survey of GMH's users showed that 95% were satisfied with the organisation's service provision - the 5% dissatisfaction came from those who thought that GMH should distribute more condoms or didn't have a high enough profile. The campaign seems to be a determined effort to alienate potential service users with the most recent leaflets asking readers to complain to their MSP about breaches of confidentiality of HIV positive gay men. The leaflets give no details of these breaches and Mike says that they simply haven't happened. FAT LADY PUTS THE RECORD STRAIGHT Clarissa Dickson-Wright, of 'Two Fat Ladies' fame has hit out at the Daily Record for quoting her as saying (in relation to fox hunting), "There are far more morally reprehensible things going on in gay night clubs but no one tries to ban those". When contacted by LGBT campaigners (who were about to organise a picket of her Cook's Bookshop in Edinburgh) she told them that the report was completely wrong, that she has supported gay rights for a long time, and would be asking her solicitor ("who incidentally is a gay man") to get onto the Record about it. She also said she was friendly with Ivan Massow! Like Massow, she is an avid supporter of blood sports and is currently campaigning against Lord Watson's Bill in the Scottish Parliament that seeks to ban fox hunting. A WEEKEND OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE The Scottish Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have organised a major fund raising weekend to send Pride Scotland financially sound into the year 2000. Covering the 10th-12th of September 1999, the timetable looks set to include a bucket shaking tour of Glasgow's Gay Centre, pubs and clubs on the Friday. Saturday will be especially busy, back in Edinburgh, with The Sisters supporting the Equality Network's open campaign forum to discuss future campaign priorities. Anyone wishing to attend this forum should contact the Equality Network's office on 07020 933952 (venue to be announced). After the forum, The Sisters will be on the hunt for all tea-time drunks for contributions to the Pride Fund. The main event, over the weekend, will be a night free from poverty, chastity and obedience as The Sisters offer you a night of Perpetual Indulgence; with the delectably wondrous beauty of DJ Longworth (aka "The Eton Slut") presiding over the decks. A night not to be missed at the Waverley Wharf (next to the railway station) from 8pm-3am. To round off the weekend in true Sisterly style at the Nexus Cafe (60 Broughton Street), The Sisters have organised a massive queer treasure hunt, which starts with a reasonably priced breakfast from our beloved Fiona. The Sisters will pass amongst the gathered faithful the rules and regulations and let you loose on the City (in teams of three). Then you have the opportunity to poke and probe the crevices of the town centre to find a wide variety of treasures and collectibles. The first team back at the reception in CC Blooms with the list complete will be the winners and will be truly crowned as such by The Sisters. Peter from CC's informs us that there will be a very welcoming reception for all competitors and friends from 4pm onwards, which will include outrageous stripper, totally over-the-top karaoke and perhaps a bit of Peter himself! THERE ENDETH THE WEEKEND - PRAISE BE TO MUFFIN, MUFFIN BE PRAISED. For more info contact Sister Bobby on Elgin (01343) 542928 or E-mail Novice Cornelia at dunneideann@hotmail.com DUNDEE DYKEFEST Dundee is to host a major Lesbian Conference next year which will run over the weekend of 9th to 11th June 2000. The initial plan is to have some lesbian entertainers perform on Friday night; the main conference of workshops and speakers on Saturday; a disco on Saturday night; a 'speakers corner' on Sunday; finally a lesbian march on Sunday afternoon. The theme for the conference is 'Lesbian Inclusion'. With this in mind, the organisers hope to have a weekend that will cover as many aspects as possible that may be of interest to lesbians. Of course, much of this is still in the planning stage, but a venue has been booked for the main part of the conference on Saturday. For further information send an SAE to Dundee Lesbian Collective c/o We Bissums, PO Box 6819, Dundee, DD1 2YG E-mail: lconference@hotmail.com They will put you on their mailing list and keep you informed of how things are progressing. You are welcome to get in touch any time with any queries or ideas you may have, or just to say hallo. POOPERS Edinburgh Council have stopped the Townhouse Health Club from running their weekend Festival allnighters. Officials cited 'complaints' from neighbours. PRIDE Pride Scotland's AGM is to be held on 2nd October from 2-4pm in Glasgow's former Strathclyde House (now re-named Nye Bevan House). FIVE The Steve Retson Project, Glasgow's pioneering and innovative gay men's health project, will celebrate its 5th anniversary in September. RAINBOW The recent Afterglow Show Fund-raising Cabaret Event in Glasgow raised ukp330 for the Rainbow Fund which provides support for people living with HIV/AIDS in Glasgow. LEVEL According to Gay Men's Project, none of the Glasgow pubs and clubs even meets level 1 of their 5 level Safer Houses scheme. All a venue has to do is ensure that extra strong condoms, water based lube and leaflets or resources on HIV and safer sex are consistently available as well as displaying information on local HIV and sexual health services. WEB NEWS ScotsGay has just celebrated a quarter million hits to the magazine's website at http://www.scotsgay.co.uk Meanwhile, Dundee Switchboard has just updated theirs at http://www.dundeelgb.freeserve.co.uk TAIC GMH and Waverley Care have launched a pilot scheme to provide care and support, information and counselling to gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men who are HIV+ and taking or considering taking combination therapies. The TAIC scheme aims to provide emotional support in maintaining a complex regime of medication as well as providing information on treatments. DIVINE Divine Divas had Shakti, the Japanese dancer, performing at their August bash. Next date is 3rd September at The Venue in Edinburgh's Calton Road. ROTHES GLEN The Rothes Glen Hotel near Elgin has reverted to being a private house. CONDOMS Joseph N Campbell, a lifer in Shotts Prison, is to appeal against the Scottish Prison Service's continued refusal to allow prisoners in Scottish gaols to have access to condoms. ------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR ====================== Garry Otton now finds 'straights' clamouring for fair play! The 'paedesteria' mushrooming over Britain since Thomas Hamilton gunned down a classroom of kids has led to the ruin of many gay men. I'm sick of documenting it. Michael, a gay 35-year-old care worker told the Sunday Herald: "I had to move house because of the attitude of my neighbours. They daubed graffiti on the walls, accusing me of being a paedophile, and eventually they burned my house down. I gave the police names and addresses, but they said they couldn't do anything. Their attitude was appalling." The Herald reported, "doctors involved in sports medicine were urged to watch out for the warning signs of paedophile abuse - such as a youngster's subdued and inhibited demeanour, signs of disordered eating, or an adult in charge appearing 'a little too dominating.'" Neither The Herald nor The Scotsman bothered to find anyone who could add a single word of criticism to Professor Brackenridge and Dr Jaques' paper in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The line now adopted by most investigating police officers in cases of alleged child abuse is the reverse of normal policing methods. They start with the suspect: then seek out the crime. In the case of investigating children's homes, this can mean interviewing hundreds of often, damaged individuals with police records, sometimes tempted by the prospect of compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. According to a report in Community Care magazine, following the interview of 200 former residents by Gwent police, 60 members of staff of one home faced accusations of abuse. The police intended to interview another 6,800. In another case, a Welsh Office inspector faced 40 counts of sexual and physical abuse. In Tyneside, Operation Rose resulted in the police interviews of 100 care workers, so many; their solicitors had to employ a team of five barristers. Police involved with Operation Care in Merseyside begged former residents to come forward with "any complaint" they might have in addition to those of physical and sexual abuse. As much as 80 former members of staff ended up facing allegations. Richard Webster in the New Statesman claimed "given the statistics already in the public domain, it is reasonable to assume that the number of care workers implicated by trawled allegations is now in excess of 3,000 and may well be approaching 5,000." It is sad to watch journalists - the very people we depend on to defend our liberties - leading the witchunt. Only now, as it begins to effect straight men, do they cry foul. Ray Connolly "a father of three" expressed his alarm in the Scottish Daily Mail that "a supermarket chain is experimenting with electronic tagging. for toddlers." And "the National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children is advising parents to be careful when asking youngsters to kiss or hug their grandparents." (None of these would have prevented James Bulgar being abducted and led away to his death, by the way). But education would. Another "father of three" blamed - again in the Scottish Daily Mail - "political correctness" and "feminists" for his fear of being branded a paedophile if he attended to "a lost, little child, in tears." European research company, RDSI showed 1,000 men "a photograph of an adult man, surrounded by small children playing soccer." While in Europe men concluded the picture depicted a family man: in Britain, they called him a paedophile. "The findings were presented by the researchers as proof that the British remain petrified of anything touchy-feely, that our deep, puritanical instincts continue to see sex and evil in innocent situations." Susan Flockhart, ex-editor of the Big Issue in Scotland and mother of "a 12-year-old" wrung her hands in the Sunday Herald over an obsession with "stranger danger." She found "people who won't let their toddlers play naked in their own living rooms for fear a passing paedophile should glimpse them through the window." She begged readers to "loosen up" and decided "children should not be strangers to sexual culture." Ms Flockhart aimed her boot firmly up the backside of the Catholic Church for writing off teen mags, Mizz and Sugar as "immoral poison." And the Kirk for getting into such a furore "over a drawing in the Fruitmarket Gallery, which shows the back of a naked child eating an apple." Of course, real paedophiles actually thrive on: "Childhood innocence:" Aka "ignorance." ooo I know he has had cause to leaf through a copy of gay mag, Attitude in the past, so it comes as no surprise that well past the hour of midnight, John Macleod was "gently trolling" through back issues of ScotsGay. He was concerned about any confusion between himself, John "(gays are simply not equipped to live)" Macleod, the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland columnist in The Herald and John "(homosexuality is unnatural and it is precisely that sin which brought fire and brimstone from the Lord)" Macleod, minister of Stornoway and Clerk of Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. John Macleod, (the Tuesday columnist), wrote in the ScotsGay guestbook: "It is depressing to see your most useful publication both citycentric and pigignorant." As editor of the Scottish Media Monitor, accuracy is very important to me and I of course apologise unequivocally for any confusion I caused between the two John Macleod's on the Isle of Harris. When I approached John Macleod, (the Tuesday columnist), on this one, he was at first "genuinely embarrassed" and couldn't remember where he saw this mistake. "Memories of posting something in the visitor's book are hazy, especially (since) I've spent July not smoking, (cold turkey)." Well, I usually attribute that to drink, John, not smoking! Anyway, he adds: "Oddly enough a column I did about the 'age of consent' issue last year - June 1999 - centred on a long discussion I had with this minister" - he was careful not to name him at the time - "on homosexuality and in an unlikely context: the aftermath of a local burial." Not at all, John. I know of at least two other occasions when you have linked gays with death, or has kicking your drug habit eradicated all memory of that too? Immediately he found the offending piece, I received an email: "Would you kindly get yourself and this site sorted on the different John Macleods?! Or must we do it for you?" Consider it sorted. And once again, John, I apologise for any embarrassment in linking you with a piece your pal wrote in the Daily Telegraph in April 1998. The Herald chose to look piteously on composer, James MacMillan's charge that the broadsheet was "anti-Catholic." The editorial sighed: ".We do so more in sorrow than anger. The Herald is a pluralist paper that seeks to reflect the increasing diverse nature of Scotland. To do that job properly we hire columnists whose views are not necessarily those of the newspaper." Apply that to gay issues and you have every right to be suspicious. "It would be a dull newspaper indeed if it did not offer its readers the gamut of opinion on a wide range of topics." Say wha'? "We are not tokenist. Our door is closed to no-one, either as a contributor or potential employee." Er. Excuse me? "We abhor bigotry and prejudice and criticise them when they rear their ugly heads." Oh, riiiiight! So, because The Herald employs homophobic and sexually repressed columnists to make regular contributions, it balances this with sexually up-front commentary by gay journalists? And on any story that depicts sexuality in a negative light there is no need to evoke comments of criticism from moral charlatans: but on stories of a positive sexual nature, like more explicit sex education and issuing kids with condoms: there is? The Sunday Herald geared itself up for a legal battle over the Scottish Prison Service's refusal to allow its journalists access to Stuart Gair. He was convicted of a life sentence, on what this broadsheet called "the country's most controversial murder verdict," following the killing of Peter Smith in "Glasgow's gay vice area in 1989." (I think they mean an area around the St Vincent Place 'cottage).' All the main witnesses have retracted their evidence after "alleging they perjured themselves after police pressure." And "a detective constable has been named as co-ordinating the conspiracy." Detective Alwyn Harries, the officer who secured the conviction has retired, and so put himself beyond disciplinary actions, and Strathclyde Police are investigating themselves. The Freedom of Information Bill going through Parliament right now will exclude the police, as a regulatory authority, from having to disclose information obtained during their investigations. In fact, Labour's claims that the Bill will give us greater access to information than similar legislation by the previous Conservative government are false. ooo The Scottish Daily Mail hasn't been able to leave the lesbian and gay couples who enjoy a successful parenting arrangement alone. It took them two days to get over the birth of Olivia, their second child. After giving details of both couple's whereabouts - ".both couples have moved to Hillhead in Glasgow" - they dissected the men's arrangement. "They are believed to have gone though a 'wedding ceremony' in the United States before Jacob was born and wear wedding rings." (What? Not pierced through their nipples? Huh! And they call themselves homosexuals)? Although mimicking heterosexual partnership rites won't appeal to most gays, brought up in working class Gourock, Jon Ioannou and social worker, Ted Mitchell adopted the only social markers they knew to confirm and endorse a genuine commitment to each other. A point the Scottish Daily Mail clearly missed in its eagerness to trash the arrangement. In The Herald, the Catholic Church's 'Sexfinder General,' Monsignor Tom Connolly was given space to rant on as though some dog had just pissed on his roses: "A child is meant to be the fruit of the expression of love between two people in a stable loving relationship.," he growled. "The ideal situation is for a husband and wife to raise a child in a committed relationship." Committed? Is that all? Fred and Rosemary West were committed, weren't they? I was delighted to read in the Sunday Herald that "the Catholic church in Scotland is in freefall." (With ye olde windbagge, 'Sexfinder General,' Msgr Tom Connolly in it, I hope)! To be completely balanced though, The Herald wheeled in Hugh Brown, a spokesman for the Kirk's daft Board of Social Responsibility to wave a fist in the face of the couples' obvious success. (Their first child, Jacob, is now five). "I don't see how a child can. get a conventional upbringing by being brought up by two lesbians. Family life is critical as far as the Kirk is concerned and by family life we mean living with a mother and father." Whose conventions, Brown? Yours? The ones that qualify you to fire homophobic spittle every time the press lifts your coffin lid for a comment? Many gay mums and dads bring up kids in a straight marriage. Many break up and find a partner of the same sex. In this case, they attempted to get it right from the beginning. Good on 'em! Now fuck off and leave them alone! Gary Keown couldn't. In the Sunday Mail he squealed: "No one seems to criticise such behaviour." Either he reads the Beano or has been renting a two-up-two-down on the moon. The Sunday Mail boast Gary Keown - an overweight skinhead - is their "voice of tomorrow." Be worried! He berated women, or "would-be men" who "slug pints, belch, drop their drawers at a stroke and pretend they understand football." He thought such women's behaviour "vile." Then, in a complete volte-face, Keown congratulated them for entertaining him with "one of life's great spectator sports. The drunker they are, the better." he belched. "Give me two slappers pulling at each other's cheap perms. Mini skirts riding up flabby thighs." After seeing Ulrka Jonsson "guzzling a pint of lager like an unshaven navvy" he had to confess it was "sad to see a pretty girl making an exhibition of herself." Challenging Ulrika to join him and his mates in an "ale-quaffing contest" he said: "We will happily pay her taxi to hospital - before banning her and her like from our pub for life." This offensive and disgusting tone continued unabated. "Why do it, ladies? Why do you refuse us an oasis of calm where we can get away from you for a while? Given the amount of pansies and downtrodden saps on the streets, your guerrilla tactics are having the desired effect." Women also riled him who "take their hen nights into men's pubs just to cause offence." And of those that objected to swearing: "If you don't like bad language, then plank a bottle of gin in the cistern and drink behind the lace curtains like mum did." Surprisingly, Keown admitted, "while wearing my kilt once, I had my backside BITTEN by an old boiler." That must've been the only time any women had ever reached out to make a grab at Gary Keown. Now she must have been pissed! 'S funny. Was it not the Sunday Mail's sister paper, the Daily Record that boasted: "We'll make the streets safe again. We want to send out the message that the days of the 'hard man' and the consequent violence against women and children are numbered." So, wha' happened? ooo The Most (Right-on) Rev Richard Holloway was at it again. Forcing the Scottish News of the World to describe him as the "renegade" and "controversial" Scots bishop. David Easton, vice-convenor of the up-it's-own-arse Church of Scotland's Board of Social Responsibility droned how "a Christian ideal is chastity before marriage and fidelity within marriage. We see sex as God's gift to be expressed in marriage. Many will find his comments insulting. I am astonished. I think it is a pathetic attempt by an ageing bishop to be 'with it.'" Being 'with it' - (so sixties) - is something he does more successfully than you, David. And after your comments, might I suggest, that's why, David, you are a Reverend and Richard's a 'fab' bishop? Now bugger off and collect the prayer books! Richard Holloway apparently sparked a "holy war" because he claimed youngsters who sleep together don't necessarily lack sexual ethics. Screwed up about sex? Us? "Telly viewers in a Scots town (Dunbar) were left speechless when their sets could only pick up GERMAN channels," screamed Frank O'Donnell in the Scottish Sun over hot weather interference. "Worried parents switched off their sets - fearing German porn channels would come on their screens." The Scottish Daily Mail added: "Fortunately only family shows were broadcast." Damn! What I would have given to be quoting Dunbar's reactions to a bit of cock shooting up on their screens in the middle of Grandstand! The Daily Record's resident quack, Old Mother (Joan) Burnie seems to be getting more letters of complaint than praise these days. (Well don't look at me)! Not surprising, though, considering some of the 'help' she offers. A 13-year-old boy's sister wrote in to say she had come home to find him "prancing up and down in front of the mirror in one of my frocks - and he had my make-up on." Old Mother Burnie slept through the alarm. He "MIGHT be. A cross-dresser," she advised sagely. "I'd not read too much into it, not yet anyway. Of course, you should tell him he's in trouble if he ever mucks around with your stuff again. But apart from that, don't build this up into anything it probably isn't." Another woman reader found "a disgusting video" in her hubby's car. ".He started to ask me to do peculiar things in bed, like spanking." Old Mother Burnie dived in on her broomstick. "You and I both know what caused him to suddenly discover this liking for spanking, don't we.? What happens when he decides that is no longer enough and wants something even more extreme? What happens, for instance, if he wants to be the one who spanks rather than the one who is spanked? The general problem with porn is that is invariably depicts women as being willing to do anything, no matter how depraved or degrading, to satisfy their men's fantasies." Oh, really? With the Daily Record's new building coming along nicely on Anderston Quay, I'm looking forward to the sight of that skip outside ready to take away their journalist has-beens. The Scottish Daily Mail sneered Camp coffee had "been branded racist by politically-correct campaigners." But who is the kilted Scottish officer being waited on by his Sikh servant on the bottle labels? Asked Alastair Robertson in the Scottish Daily Mail. He was said to be Major-General Sir Hector Macdonald, known as Fighting Mac, who became aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria before he committed suicide in Paris. "He was returning to Ceylon to face 'grave charges' thought to be related to a homosexual relationship." Oh, dear! What have I started? After mentioning publications on the Hebridean Isle of Coll, I have now the Island Times. A news-sheet produced on the Isle of Gigha off Kintyre. What do I think? Well, not much really. Obviously edited by a man. In the sales and wants: "A good woman who can clean and cook fish, dig worms, sew, and who owns a good fishing boat and motor. Please enclose photo of boat and motor." Very droll. This is a magazine altogether too naive and rather twee. There was the story of a marriage after a proposal on top of Craig Bhan (Gigha's highest point) and a quick mention of "lovely family arguments to look forward to around the Turkey." If the editor's interested, my mate took piccies of me dancing naked on top of Craig Bhan? Thank you for responding to a request to mail the Big Issue in Scotland, challenging them over their ban on chatline ads. If you haven't already done so, you can write to Ken Laird at the Big Issue in Scotland, 29 College Street, Glasgow G1 1QH or e-mail him at edit.scot@bigissue.com. Don't let censorship go unchallenged! And the rest.? Air surveillance of nudists in Aberdeen. The Sexfinder General on the Fringe. Club entrepreneur, Stefan King in court and Julia. Did she really need to change sex? For that and uncensored features on OUTDOOR SEX IN GLASGOW. Wild parties with the king on the ISLE OF RUM, check out the SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR website! http://www.bigfoot.com/~scotmedia (c) Garry Otton 1999 GarryOtton@bigfoot.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- THE NICE BIT ============ "Absorbed into your pores, the craving for sex consumes the being like only a basic need can. Poverty is worse than lack of sex. But lack of sex is the next worst thing. Sex and Knowledge. Human beings need meaning. Food, sex, information. The basics." All of which were satisfied at the annual UK Bisexual Conference. The age of ideas? The age of sexuality? Tenuous? Pretentious? Fuck it. Ideas and information act as an aphrodisiac. Political, cultural, sexual, in an atmosphere of mass love and anger the ideas of the Gay Liberation Front re-emerge. Modern gay rights have been co-opted by the system that oppresses us. "Oppresses who?" Answer - almost all of us. Angela Mason of Stonewall, oh so out of touch, is now an honored subject and no longer Angry. London Mardi-Gras is no longer Proud. Gay Liberation has become merely a fight for equality. Equality, that is, for an emerging target economic group. But you don't have to be queer to be fucked - or to be fucked over. So, sexually, politically, ideologically, the ideas are changing. The Nazi bombings united almost everyone against separatism. Then demonstrations rise against Capital itself. BiCon is part of that mood. So what of your identity? Does 'bisexual - the concept' challenge the whole basis of self definition according to who you have sex with, or what sex you are? How can a man living with a women and a kid sing Glad to be Gay and really Mean it? What if identity isn't fixed? What, then do we fight for? Liberation for all, regardless of type? Then don't we need an all embracing word that transcends our differences? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, SMer and dare I say it, straight. Occasionally, with a bigger idea, you can sound like a hippie. Or naive. Or sometimes you sound like a dangerous Revolutionary. (For a definition of Revolutionary, look in a dictionary - it is not about a 'new' brand of Washing Powder or flavour of Coca-Cola.) Fizzy Pop has never challenged the Mainstream, and Tom Robinson, the punk queer, is no hippie. Glad to be Gay never sounded better. Also on stage was Holly Thomas, sounded sweet till you heard the words. Listen with prejudice. Take note of the lyrics and use them throughout your life. And then there was Mark Northfield. A name you will hear again. Singing his own words, playing his own tunes. Go and see him at Edinburgh's Festival. Mark Northfield. A name worth repeating. Get it right. And get to know Alison Rowan. She and her team pulled Bicon 1999 together. Standing ovation and Tequila were well deserved. Everyone who gave, got something out of BiCon. Sessions for those there included Literature and Film, Politics, Contact Ads, Media, SM, Activism, Theory and Research, Sign Language, Sex, Ear Acupuncture, 5-a-side Jackanory, Safer Drug Taking and Wanking - though not, to my knowledge, at the same time. And then there were two great parties. 'Blocovomit', a samba punk band, where absolutely brilliant. The following night the DJ's 'Dispensation', played an extraordinary mix of Goth, pop, punk, indi, and the Timewarp. Sweat Bisexuals. For Ruthie. Martin Walker martinwalker@gpsymail.com mgwuk@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ PRIDE FEATURE ============= ASSESSING THE SOCIAL IMPACTS OF PRIDES ====================================== What has the gay and lesbian movement achieved in the 30 years since Stonewall? One achievement is the questioning of whether gay and lesbian identities and organizations are the 'right' ones. Has the radical impetus of early gay and lesbian activism degenerated into a narrow civil rights and assimilationist focus? Is the notion that 'gays and lesbians' constitute a distinct minority group prejudicial to the creation of opportunities for sexual desires and pleasures? Craig Johnston investigates... While the maturity of the movement has allowed for some introspection and critical reflection, the outward show of the movement appears to be business as usual. Or rather, 'more business', as usual. The annual Pride marches in western Europe and north America get bigger. Similar events now take place in Asia, where queer identities and sub-cultures are negotiating their indigenous cultures as well as the globalizing influences of the imperialist 'North'. Gay pride events were held this year for the first time in mainland China (Hong Kong), India (Calcutta) and Indonesia (Surabaya). In the USA president William Clinton took the presumption of proclaiming June 'Gay and Lesbian Pride Month'. On the left, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation in Mexico issued a message of solidarity with Mexico City's twenty-first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride march. One of the key features of Pride events is their transformation from local folk festivals into tourist stops. This has paralleled the development of products for and marketed to gay subcultures, especially in the 1990s, to an extent where participation in those consumption subcultures is the marker of being gay. Pride marches/festivals were created by gay activists as part of the repertoire of the contemporary gay movements. The date on which they are focused is that of the symbolic birthday of a movement forged in struggle, a riot against police in New York. The marches present political demands, or provide opportunities for their presentation. They are moments for coming out. They provide opportunities for cultural expression, both in the parades and their associated arts festivals. They cannot be reduced to either political demonstrations or street theater - they are both. They have been self-financed by gay and lesbian communities, and only in recent years have they attracted corporate sponsorship or government subsidies. Some of the events have become more precarious as they got bigger, and some have 'fallen over' (like London Pride after 1997 and Wellington Devotion after 1998). More entrepreneurial Pride organizations have commissioned economic impact assessments in recent years, either as a means of attracting corporate sponsors and government subsidies, or to 'legitimize' the 'cause'. In many countries now the events are constructed as legitimizing gays through the economic benefits they bring to straight businesses. Economic impact assessments have been done by or for Pride committees in, at least, London (1997), Melbourne (1999), Ottawa (1997), Stockholm (1998), Sydney (1993 and 1998) and Toronto (1996). Organizers of these events have not commissioned studies on social impacts, however. In as much as Pride organizations operate as vehicles for socio-political agendas, and they are nonprofit and community-based organizations, it is interesting that their thoughts have turned to economic impact assessments before social impact assessments. It is unlikely that this is because assessment of whether their goals are being met is too hard to measure. It might be that they think their successes in the cultural and political fields are self-evident. It might be that the financial pressures on them bring out the most corporate perspective. It might be that they are happy with being commodified. It can't be that there are no social impacts, positive or negative, on homosexuals in their relations with wider society. Promoting notions that gays are an affluent and privileged socio-economic 'group' are bad social analysis and misguided politics - however much it might please civic tourism authorities. Pride events are, at core, about promoting social outcomes. Surely it would be more useful to ask ourselves how our Pride events are helping to deliver an agenda of social change? Is it too much to ask Pride organizations which have commissioned economic impact assessments to now undertake social impact assessments? What impact do Pride marches have on the representation of homosexuals as a social category? On attitudinal and behavioral patterns by non-homosexuals to homosexuals? On the subjective identity of homosexuals? On the formation of social capital? On the development of community infrastructure for the gay and lesbian communities? On options for alternative activities that might enable gays, lesbians and queers to affirm pride in the face of oppression? In short, what is our vision for Pride events for the new millennium? This article draws on a paper given at the International Association for Impact Assessment conference, Glasgow, 17 June, which is on-line at http://www.ozemail.com.au/~cjpolicy/iaia99.htm. Craig Johnston is a social policy consultant in Sydney, Australia. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OGG'S VIEW ========== ON MAKING IT A little self indulgence this month as I for once (ahem) write about myself and my own life recently. Well where do I start? At the top? O.K. Last month I heard through the strange process that is the workings of the Scottish Establishment that Her Majesty was graciously pleased to appoint me as one of Her Counsel in Scotland learned in the law. You what? Come again? What that mean you ask? Well it means the Queen has made me a Q.C. If any of you watch Kavanagh QC you'll know the storyline... anxious successful advocate awaits outcome of the annual round of appointments of 'Silks', as we are called (because a QC wears a silk as opposed to cotton gown in court). Basically in Scotland it's the chief judge who canvasses opinion and puts up a list of people for appointment, it should be just a rubber stamping exercise after that... still there's many a slip twixt cup and lip. I was especially anxious about applying, as an openly gay man and known to have had radical views I had a lingering suspicion that maybe "they" would find a way to turn me down, it is after all an honour not a right to be made QC. I was also strangely worried how my my colleagues would react... did they think I was being too pushy, who did I think I was? Maybe latent anti-gay prejudice would rear its ugly head. After all we'd just had allegations of institutionalised racism and religious bigotry flung at the Faculty (as we call that small elite body of advocates ) and its members, if racist and bigoted about Catholics what chance for a radical mouthy queer? My paranoia was misplaced as I was ashamed to realise. The Faculty is not racist, is not religiously intolerant (it's 500 years old so by historical definition it predates the Reformation!) and is not anti-gay. It is however all too human, prone to internicine gossip and rumour mongering and politely but sometimes viciously competitive. A lot like the Sixth Year Common Room of a minor provincial public school in fact (from where many of its members, but by no means any longer the majority, hail). So I was more in danger from gossip than prejudice. How very Scottish. Being yourself, larging it, being upfront, it turned out was my perfect armour against the gossipers and the mealy mouthed, of which as I have said, the Faculty has its natural ration. Thank goodness that whatever gossip there is about me is either a) too fantastic to be believed or b) too predictable to be juicy. The juiciness of gossip I have learned is in inverse proportion to the predictability of its subject matter. Hence, "Ogg is gay" gets a yawn. "Ogg likes clubbing in London on wild weekends away" gets a vacant "fancy that". When he was younger he got up to some pretty high jinks... (do people outside the law still use such expressions... what is a 'high jink' anyway?). "Who cares?" they respond, bored. I was and may be the only pet queer nutter in the history of the Faculty of Advocates. Bless them, there are many great advocates a hell of a lot better than me, many of them are gay, perhaps they are great because they overcame the terrible anti-gay upbringing we all had by being the best they could possibly be at whatever they did, in this case the law. Good for them, I respect that kind of gay pride, a private personal battle, ending (unusually in life), in victory and success. For me it was not that which spurred me on , it was the sheer, bloody, heart-rending, cruel, pointless injustice of bigotry that got me into the law. How could our legal system tolerate injustice so obvious as anti-gay laws and attitudes? As a teenager I railed against the System, I demonstrated, I marched, I agitated. Eventually I decided that for me the best kind of 'direct action' was to join the System and help it help us all. Nave? Idealistic? Yup, and I still am. What encouraged me most about getting this appointment was the message it sent out. Not a message I sent out. A message sent out by that very 'System' or 'Establishment' we all get angry with. The message reads "It's OK to be Gay". So all's well in the World? It wouldn't be my column if I wasn't a bit miserable somewhere in it, so before you all get huffy about this old Queen's Counsel being so pleased with himself, let's remember that life is always bittersweet, just when you think you have nothing, something comes along and gives you a lift, a smile, a hope. And equally when you think you have everything... well the saddest thing was to write out the list of friends I wanted at the party I'll be having to celebrate the appointment. Quite a long list in fact. A good list, of decent kind people, some young and beautiful, some older and beautiful. Friends I'd give all my success to have back here alive for just a little while. Friends lost...who would have loved to share this... I cry as I write these words. My dad, another lost and missed friend, told me "you have to take your victories where you find them in life". So I'll take this one folks, a victory to light up the dark and sad passages travelled on the way to get here. But one that says as much about Scotland, its new attitudes to gays, about lawyers and their genuine open mindedness and about gay integrity in everyday life as it does about this single advocate. Go on then, find your own victories, they are out there for you too. DEREK OGG QC -------------------------------------------------------------------- GRANNY SPICE ============ Its Festival time - grab a THESPIAN (if you can find a butch one?) lots of young and dazzling things dashing around. showing more than an eyeful! The opening bash parade was wonderful as usual. Nice to see others from the West and all over participating too, and bringing their own special charm through to Auld Reekie! You see all that rubbish about rivalry between cities disappears when it comes to getting between the legs, in the mouth and, other ORIFICES.. although you'd be a bit far pushed to find any REEK here now, apart from that coming from the LESBIENNE PISHFLAPS fluttering at the sight of all these lovely young thespian ladies from the deep south Lets throw knickers and caution to the wind - let your LALLIES fly and your souls (rhymes with holes) repast... My ear to the ground says there are 2 camps in the NEWTOWN these days, those who drink, like a camp laugh, and are tolerant versus a minuscule clique led by an unwashed rent-a-mouth determined to create division. Perhaps the unwashed should drink their aerated waters elsewhere? We're not intimidated and the excellent staff will keep this lot in check during my absence in Holland. But where oh where is dear Dawn Davenport? Rumour says she was seen by a certain Ms Hutton on her last visit to the West. - Can we hope for a return visit to Edinburgh? Come back Dawn we miss your manic scribbles, don't let marriage change you into a carpet beater and kitchen slave! Dropped into CC Blooms the other night - gosh the heat! Well talk about sweating it out - My pishflaps were burning and I had to let Heather that ample bosomed lezbienne, pour some cold white wine over them - needless to say a queue formed immediately to slurp on the dregs! Thank the Lord for open crotch knickers! Talking of knickers - the lovely Michelle, a frequent if not permanent feature in the NEWTOWN tells me that her "girls" group for TV's (straight & Gay and whatever) will have the use of facilities downstairs for 1 night a month. Information from the NEWTOWN on the venue time and get in girls and open the purses and spend, enjoy, don't feel isolated! . West Coast spies tell me that Lady Barbara has lost so much weight these days and is wearing such "Young" clothes that she'll soon be ordering "blossom and bouquets" for her hair - Go easy on the sunbed girl it'll turn to leather when you're my age... and I know who you'll look like then - now who do I know with very bad skin, appalling personal hygiene, and grotty fingernails.. No prizes for this one! Into Planet Out: staff lovely as usual - what a bevvy of young talent - one or two of course I recognise without their clothes as they seem to spend forever blanching their bodies at Number 18 - It must be lady Samantha's new Pilrig herbal remedy (taken from the dry rot on her Chapel floors and reconstituted like her teeth were!) - or, is it something the lovely Joe and dolly assistants are slipping them? I wonder? certainly there seem to many more young men in Bonnington Park since Sammie moved into the area. Met a lovely dark-skinned young man in the Meadows the other day - naturally, we exchanged the usual glances , and when it became apparent from the throbbing mass in his pocket, that he required more than a soothing cup of something - we romped off to his lattie - and lo and behold within 10 minutes my panties were round his neck and he was rimming the honeypot! He then proceeded to pound me so hard that my nails were stripping off the wallpaper behind the bed! - Oh the joy of youth and enthusiasm - (his youth - my enthusiasm!) I'm off to Holland again for at least a month. The bairn is back in school and its time for mother to play. As you all know I have forsaken the title Our Lady of Pilrig and this now well and truly belongs to Samantha since she's the only other real virgin I know in these parts, but I will return despite rumours. Announcement Nola my campest sister is getting married to BIG Ian from Newcastle - rings have been bought and no expense spared. Well, after a lifetime as spinster of this Parish, she's made it! The catalogue will be getting hammered for this wedding - orders in now. And Shona, no Pyrex dishes please! Love and safe fucks during the hols, Beti ------------------------------------------------------------------ EDINBURGH ========= Well what can I say... progression at last... finally a girlie's view of the Edinburgh gay scene... thanks to Mr Walker being on holiday in America! This might be a bit shorter than normal as I can't comment on establishments that do not allow "femme fatales" in their premises - if Emily Pankhurst was still alive she would burn her bra in protest! It's festival time, the whole of Edinburgh goes crazy, the population doubles, more chairs and tables on the High Street than you can imagine, street performers coming out of every orifice and young lesbians (sorry typo... I mean thespians ) are all doing their bit for the International Minge (oops another typo!) Festival. So what good does the festival do for the gay community in Edinburgh????? Might as well start with CC BLOOMS - good news it is open to 5am and free to get in, for all you anoraks out there it only costs 60p to put your kagool into storage! Mind you the only people left at 5am are the hardened party animals and the desperado element of the scene... been there, done it and thrown out at closing time. So what category do I fall into? However, no matter what time you leave at, a good night is guaranteed and the tottie is the best to be found in any of the gay venues in Edinburgh (male and female) especially the staff! Not open as late as CCs but a good place to start the night off is PLANET OUT, a good time to be had by all. The furniture is groovie... if you are into Barbara Cartland decor but if you have burnt your retinas in the total eclipse then it wouldn't matter a toss. The female species is in abundance here and lucky Planet Outers may be lucky enough to catch a rare view of the lesbian in her natural inhabitance! CAFE HAVANA???? God this place is more mixed up than I was when I was 16... what's it all about... gay, straight, secret meeting place of Cuban cigar smokers or Ricky Martin Appreciation Society. Top tips for lining your stomach prior to going to the afore mentioned - NEXUS is a must. Good food, affordable and very relaxed surroundings. Disco Dale and Kiwi burd Rebekah are VERY willing to whip up a culinary delight to satisfy! Another gay eatery is the old trusty BLUE MOON CAFE a bit further up the road, very busy and popular also. The ever smiling, tight top wearing Clark supposedly also satifies! ( In the menu dept that is!) Good news however, HOT of the press a new club is opening in the old Stakis Casino building which is apparently going to be gay friendly, we will reserve judgement!!!!!! Just to say that the unconfirmed rumour from last month's publication was way out and total keek! - Editor's informant was unreliable and a total gossip - should have asked me first. Handy tip for tourists - for all those holiday pressies to take back home try out ATOMIX in the LESBIAN GAY & BISEXUAL CENTRE, Scott is an absolute darling and is known to carry out the odd latex body painting classes for the interested (12 noon everyday tea and cookies included). Lassies should not feel embarrassed about asking Scott about the more female satisfying articles of stock Well poppets that all I have to say....been snapped up by the Sun as their new gossip columist writer. Enjoy your festival... hope it is a good one! TRIXIE ------------------------------------------------------------------- GLASGOW ======= So, what's the latest gossip? Guess what the subject of most of my e-mail has been since last issue. The new Austins? Brian's new pubs and superclub? Well actually it was the shock-horror revelation that Goldilocks was in fact a forty-something! Hardly news to those who know me, but judging by the vast amount of mail I've had on the subject, it seems to have come as a bit of a shock to some of you! Still hasn't stopped all the smutty e-mail though! Some of you lot have no shame. I'd love to shag the arse off Taylor Hanson, but would never dream of writing to him to say so, just cos I'd seen his photo!! Sad bastards you lot!! Despite the boycott of this publication by certain establishments, the popularity of ScotsGay Magazine continues to grow and grow. The circulation in Glasgow is now higher than ever, and the ScotsGay Website is currently acheiving 500 hits PER DAY! I've even had to up the distribution to places like Tower Records, who are shifting more copies now than some of the Lesbigay venues used to! I recently arranged for Borders Books to stock the magazine, and had a look in to see how they were moving. I was surprised at the extensive range of Gay and Lesbian publications that they stock, and the best thing is that being "top shelf" material, it's all at adult eye level! (There's always plenty of good looking trade in the place as well). At the time of writing this, no opening date has been announced for the new Austins, although the refurbishment would appear to be progressing rapidly in order to open later this month. Some of the rumour merchants who don't know what the fuck they're talking about (what's new) still seem to be putting the story about that the new pub will be in Fixx II Bar. I was under the impression that EVERYBODY knew it was at Darby Browns, 61b Miller Street. Just goes to show that these people will put any old stories about, however ridiculous, rather than admit that they don't know what they are talking about! I have heard quite a few moans about lack of choice on the scene since the old pub closed, and confidently predict that if the formula for the new pub is similar to the old one, it should be a great success. I know that the scene are looking forward to the new venue, and the friendly service and entertainment which were always the welcoming factor in the old bar. Here's hoping it opens as soon as possible, as I know I'm speaking for the scene in predicting it will be a resounding success! If the enthusiasm that the scene is currently displaying is anything to go by, I think Robert Austin will be pleasantly surprised with the results. What's it going to be called? A2? Maybe not. The GGLC website has now moved back to their old URL at http://www.gglc.org.uk This was done as a lot of traffic was still going to their previous site at Dircon, and the AOL one was becoming too small anyway. The new site is bigger than before, and has a lot of new features which are worth checking out. I always used to take the piss out of the Netties, but there is now so much traffic to the various Lesbigay sites, that it is rapidly becoming a very effective way of getting to large groups of people. Forthcoming GGLC events are the GRIT Awards on Sat 30th Oct, and the sponsored run on Sun 19 Sept. Also been asked by the hunky Jason to give a plug for the sponsored Ben Nevis hillwalk in aid of Centre funds. The original date has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances and a new one has still to be announced at the time of going to press, but if you want to take part, or sponsor others, call Jason or Larry at the Centre for further details. The Board have also decided to set up a Lesbian Inclusion Committee, as they feel that women are under represented in the Centre. Come on girls, this is your chance to have a say, so if you're interested, get in contact with Elaine or Ali at the Centre. Also been asked by Walter to give a plug to the sponsored cycle run which he is arranging in aid of Centre Funds. Due to be held on Saturday 11th September from the GGLC to Pollok Park, which is about 10 miles round trip, so even the lard arses should manage easily. If some arsehole hadn't nicked my bike, I'd be going along myself, as cycling is one of the best ways for us wrinklies to keep in shape! If you want to sponsor anyone, or take part yourself, get in touch with Walter through the centre. He's the one sporting the combats with a nice tinge of pink - and I thought I was the only bender who never managed to seperate the laundry properly! Had a moan two issues ago about the Uni Website being out of date, then the same last column about the PooSite. So, what's the story on Bennets new website? Work seems to have come to a halt with loads of links still not working and a big grey box (fucked java) on the front page. Come on guys, get it sorted! I make no claims to be an expert webmaster, but at least I make the effort to get my finger out and keep my own site working and reasonably up to date. If you want to get some traffic, you really must make the effort. And so we come to the Goldilocks Pub and Club Awards, the ONLY monthly indicator of how the pubs and clubs are performing as voted by the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Scene. Best Pub again was The Waterloo at 62%, worst was The Poo at 0%. Best service was The Waterloo at 46%, worst was The Poo at 0%. Bennets got 96% of the votes for best club, best Club Night was Trade at 59% and Prettiest Bar Staff went to Sadies with 34% of the votes. Should be interesting to see what happens next year when you have 3 clubs to vote for. By then there will also be 10 pubs, including the new Austins and the two new pubs. Just goes to show that just because something is popular doesn't mean it's not shit! (Queeny pop group Steps is a prime example) Keep those votes coming in!! Looks as though Clone Zone will be extending their premises, which came as a surprise to the lovely Billy (if that's a mohican, I'm a fucking breeder!). Bit naughty of Robin not keeping the junior informed! (Gonna get slagged about that) Anyway, looks as if Billy and Robin will be getting an extension as it may be a long time yet til they move back to their subsiding erection in Virginia Street. Should be good as the current unit is a bit small for their current range of pervery. There's also talk of the opening hours being extended to increase the passing trade. I've recently been asked to work as a correspondent for the Rainbow Network, which is a new organisation covering Lesbigay events throughout the U.K. Should keep me busy, working for ScotsGay, RainbowNetwork and maintaining my own website. All part of the Goldilocks masterplan for world domination, or maybe just Glasgow!! The Steve Retson unit is now open during the day for access to loads of safer shagging leaflets and information. Seems the idea is that opening the unit when it's not in use will encourage those of you who are a bit embarrassed about these things to pick up the information on offer. I think it's sad that so many people still have a hang up about shagging. I know that some of the straight scene take the view that us benders are tacky in our attitudes to sex. Well, surely it's better to be tacky and informed, than ignorant and at risk. Reminds me of the last time I had to buy crab cream and the pharmacist asked me very loudly in a packed chemist shop what I wanted it for. I told her equally loudly, handed over my money and flounced out, the only one in the whole shop without a red face!! Had an interesting complaint recently from a gay guy who's arthritis was causing great discomfort on the trek to the toilets in one of the pubs. It would appear that the venue in question uses their disabled toilet as a beer store. Bloody disgraceful situation!! As someone who's own mobility is a bit impaired due to an accident offshore some years ago, I can well understand his annoyance at this sort of shabby treatment, and hope he proceeds in taking the matter further. Still, it just reinforces what I've always believed - most of the scene will put up with any old crap and never complain for fear of being barred from the offending venue! Compliant and unquestioning, no wonder so many gay guys make such good customers! Various rumours doing the rounds about the Blue Room in Sadies just now. Is it getting turned back into a restaurant? Is it getting turned into a sandwich bar? I don't know either, as they're not exactly talking to us at the moment!! Anyone else have a good laugh at all that stuff in the papers about BOOTS opening shops especially for men, with experts on hand to offer tips on grooming etc? Just goes to show what I've always suspected - straight guys are getting poofier, whereas gay guys just think they're getting butcher! If I was a straight woman, I'd be dead suspicious of any guy who was into all this girly manicuring, moisturising prissy stuff! Apparently 90% of men use aftershave, yet only one woman in 30 actually likes her man smelling like a pansy according to the market research, which probably explains why most straight guys always seem to be moaning that they're not getting enough action in the shagging department! Sad!! SNIPPETS -+- The first ABBA Night down at the GGLC was such a success that a further one will be held on the 2nd of October, so get your tickets early, as it's likely to sell out again. -+- Remember to get your tickets for the Tom Robinson and Robert and May Miller benefit concert on 18th October, as it's also likely to sell out early. -+- One of the funniest sights since last issue was one young man who appeared in the ABBA NIGHT picture last issue, rushing around showing his photo to everybody. Watch out Betty B, the drag queens are starting young these days! I usually carry a camera (you never know when I'm going to whip it out) when I'm on my rounds, so if YOU want your five minutes of fame, just ask me, and your picture could be gracing this column! -+- More e-mail in from Toyah, who takes exception to being called a little bitch, and wants everybody to know she's a BIG bitch!! Happy to put the record straight, but I can't reveal the rest of the e-mail. Pure smut, and far too filthy for the eyes of my delicate readership!! And no, Toyah, you're not getting a look at my willy!! -+- There is now a LGBT meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. Call Ian on 0141-204 4694 for details. I need hardly add that this service is strictly confidential. -+- The Gay Ramblers Group currently meet on the second Saturday of the month for walks in the countryside. Don't worry if you don't have transport, they'll sort you out. Call Ross on 0141-427 1511 for details. -+- Looks like there could be another sauna opening next year. Been asked if I'd be interested in running it, and the money's there, so you'll have to wait and see what happens!! That's about it for this month, so send all your gossip to the usual address, or send the smutty stuff and mucky pix in by e-mail! See you later!! GOLDILOCKS WEBSITE: http://www.goldilocks.freeuk.com E-MAIL: goldilocks@freeuk.com Make mine a stiff one!! Goldilocks --------------------------------------------------------------------- DUNDEE ====== Happened to go on holiday for a week and the bloody Editor decides he wants to publish an edition for the start of the Edinburgh Festival. No sooner than my back is turned and in comes a young hack called Andrew with rumours of me being in the Betty Ford Clinic. The only alcohol problem I have is paying for it! And you, young man, are liable to be in hospital too if a certain nightclub owner finds out who you are. Another Andrew (or is it the same one?) - (No, it isn't. Ed) - decided to take a pop at me on behalf of Bitchboard. Cries of hypocritical are just that - hypocritical. I have been accused of destroying Bibliotek, killing off Charlies, starting the Third World War and, of course, I do accept full responsibility for the clouds which obscured the total eclipse!! The only person still left in the dark is Andrew of Sadboard. The sun has come out again for the rest of us: perhaps some anti-depressants could be prescribed for you before your incessant moans drive us all to them. After all, was it not you and your Badboard chums who rarely attended Bibliotek and were far from complimentary of the venue? Another person connected with Switchbored has been dictating what music should be played in BarXS. Mr Pratface grouped his band together and skipped along to Charlies when told by the Bar Supervisor that customers only request music as the venue does not have a juke box and customers do not pay for music directly! As we go to press, a boycott appears to be in place by the 'fab five' which can only be fab for business at Bar XS. Quiet nights in the pubs and club have been found since the Dundee Holiday fortnight. Some of the younger set are enjoying the pleasures of straight pubs and then going on to Liberty. However, the choice which the new owners of the former Devas have provided has made the Dundee gay scene more varied and they have started doing food. The Malibu Beach Party at Liberty was well attended although it was mainly staff in beach wear. The Cocktails were very expensive but a few rich folk tried them again and again and again! Don't envy the cleaners with the inevitable spews. A tacky Butlin's type competition for the loveliest legs was won by Ryan Taylor who got ukp100 off a holiday. ScotsGay apologises to former Liberty barman Raymond. Last month we got his name wrong and he left because he was stressed not stoned. It was our production department which was possibly stoned! (Bollocks! It's because Andrew's handwriting is marginally worse than yours. Apologies to Raymond nonetheless. - Ed). I hear rumours that further changes are due in the management at Liberty as their Manager heads off for a new job. The heat is on as the venue seeks a suitable replacement. This may be difficult as the rumours that both Liberty and Bar XS are up for sale gather momentum. The owner has denied this and contacts in the trade also have no information. The big Dundee scoop this month is that TV celebrity, comedienne and co-host of Gaytime TV Rhona Cameron has been booked for a show at the nightclub on Saturday 27th November. My wimmin friends are admitting to being quite moist at the prospect and it will be nice for the rest of us to see a performance by someone we recognise. Recording artiste Hazel Dean is booked for 2nd October. Singer Kelly plays some of her hits at the club before heading off to Manchester's Mardi Gras on the last Saturday of August. A couple of months ago we warned gay men that cruising the car park at the back of Brannigans had resulted in a black eye or two. Either short memories or too much whatever has resulted in another bashing. Dundee's straight men are not all gagging for a man to play with their cock as one of our number has realised and is still incarcerated at the Queen's Displeasure. Karaoke at Bar XS and Liberty Nightclub is set for a change with Ally Hill taking over as host. Nice to have one that can actually sing! Sorry Brian, but you are no songbird. Your loveable Liquid Silk xxx ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MORAY ===== Once again I feel honoured (I do) to be writing the Moray column, bringing you all the latest news from the most picturesque and, er, well picturesque part of Scotland. Actually we're at the cutting edge of gay-ness here what with plenty of places to swim and picnic and have fun. (?) Anyway having just come off the phone to our Sugar Plumm (who, incidentally, is the only person I know to leave it 35 minutes before he 'calls you straight back'!) Bless. He revealed groundbreaking news immediately by telling me that he will leave the home of shortbread that is Walkers at the end of this month after several years spinning a spanner. I think the place will have to close, frankly. No, our Sugar is off to tread a new path in Nursing. He tells me that he has contacted lots of Hospitals and is awaiting replies... I assured him that it wouldn't be that difficult to get him into hospital if he really wanted... but joking aside I really think he means it this time. Not only is Sugar leaving Walkers but along with our Paul he has left the Social Group Committee as well due to time restraints. It's all go! So what's been happening recently then? Well its been a bit quiet really except for a very successful weekend down at the infamous Jollity Farm. Not only were the regulars all there but there were four additional 'ladies' within the gathering also. Sugar 'Andrew' Plumm, Charlie, Brett and Miles decided that the evening would benefit from the arrival of their alter-egos who all seemed to have as much trouble with their wigs as Peggy has in EastEnders. It strains the imagination to picture Charlie looking like 'Heidi' (although maybe Heidi's granny would be closer...) And Miss Plumm as Julie 'Sound-of-Music' Andrews. I am assured that if you squinted through a welding mask with the lights down low you could see him dancing on those Hills that are alive with, well, not so much music but probably magic mushrooms. Talking of great weekends Charlie and myself were off on one of our jaunts again. This time following in the footsteps of Stuart, Vince and Nathan. Yep, living it up, down Canal Street in Manchester. What a great place! I wonder if we could have a whole street of gay pubs and clubs in Elgin?! Not being able to get into 'members only' Cruz 101 (AKA Babylon) we discovered a great club called 'Poptastic'. Talk about camp as tits! Charlie was disappointed, however, that no-one selected his Shag tag number! I believe a group from Inverness and Moray will be heading down that way soon for the Mardi Gras... now that should be interesting! And while I'm on the subject of excursions there is also one being planned for the Blackpool Illuminations but more about that in the next month or so. Sad news now with the ceasing of the 'Moray Gayzette' the newsletter that for over three years has been keeping the great gay folk of Moray (hence the name) informed and entertained. Unfortunately due to everyone having such busy lives the one person who would be the new Editor/writer/printer/photographer/cartoonist and distributor could not be found and so it is with regret that, perhaps temporarily at least, the publications will cease but I think all who have enjoyed the issues from the past year would like to thank Sugar Plumm (again!) for his hard work. Back to good news again... our Roy - who's recent ill-health has meant him spending time in Hospital in Aberdeen - has shown signs of great improvement and therefore is now back through in Forres. Well done! Well that's nearly me once again... it just leaves me time to apologize to Andi from last months' article for spelling Andi with a 'y' instead of a 'i' (?!) and also to say that you're a complete slut-of-death young Andi what with having (at least) 5 different men over the Pride weekend - including one on the bus home (I know, it doesn't bear thinking about, does it folks?) - but don't worry... I'm only jealous! Right, that's all from me now... time to send this off to the great panicking one himself... so take care and make the most of every minute! Dr. Kenniff ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ABERDEEN ======== Just as I was thinking that I did well getting the last copy in on time, I get notification that this one is late! So, it looks as if it's going to be kept pretty short this time! And fear not, the editor now has the ability to remotely vibrate in my pocket, so next time all should be well. Well, August is here already - isn't time flying quickly these days? Aberdeen has had not too bad weather during the last few weeks, and as always it seems to bring out the talent - in droves too! Well, there doesn't seem to be anything exciting on the scene this month, although no doubt the next time I walk into the City Bar, Chris will no doubt mention something that I should have written about. I did say I need at least 6 weeks' notice... Word on the street tells me that Club 2000 seems to be a bit quieter these days. A friend of mine reckoned that people are more content to go to the City Bar for a few drinks and then just go home afterwards. C'est la vie, I suppose. I have to say that I haven't really noticed! Trade Aberdeen seems to be packing 'em in too. The Sharp Boys were the DJ's for August's Trade night, and once again the place was jumping. I would definitely recommend this for all you hard-house queens out there! Right, I'd better get this sent off now, 'cos his Heiness will be climbing the walls again. 'Bout time someone bought him a pick-axe and some crampons... Take it easy, and mind how you go! Gus Gus@drink.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SCOTSGAY VOICE FOR PERSONALS ============================ To reply to ScotsGay Voice Ads, phone 09068 556613 (calls charged at 60p per minute) and use the number at the end of the ad. You can leave your own ad FREE on FREEphone 0800 138 4121. Pot-holing, Paddling Physio Seeks Younger Tom. Late 50's, 5'7" Physiotherapist from Clydebank area is seeking younger guys from anywhere in the Glasgow area. Likes swimming, canoeing, pot-holing. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 2229. 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Phone: 09068 556613 -Number 8755. 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: 09068 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: 09068 556613 -Number 7280. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +Women Glasgow Girlie, 27, into sports, outdoors, walking, fun! Seeks new pals after working away. GSOH a must. Laid-back fun-loving also. ALA. Fancy a drink some time? Then contact me! Box SG29043. +Men Edinburgh Bear Seeks young smooth cub for winter hibernation. Your cave or mine. ALAWP. Box SG29003. Tayside - Edinburgh Straight acting/looking, fit, n/s, Tayside based guy, early thirties, 6 ft tall, brownish hair and blue eyes, good sense of humour, wants to make lots of new mates (under 35 if possible) for nights out (clubbing, pubbing, etc), especially in Edinburgh, and days out around Scotland. I also like the cinema, hill walking and music. No camp or effeminate types please because they do my head in! Box SG29004. Scotland - Anywhere Me: 35 years young. Looking for 18-30 year old for some fun and frolics. Can accommodate or travel. Box SG29007. Edinburgh - Anywhere Slim, young, 30 year old male, short hair, blue eyes, with own home and business, seeks an attractive guy under 30 for fun, friendship and possible 1-2-1. ALA. Box SG29008. Not Getting It? Neither am I! 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Spanking Guys 25+ required by this 46 year old guy who will put you across his knee and give you the spanking you deserve. Discreet straight CP. Can accommodate. ALA. Glasgow area. Box SG29028. Ayrshire GWM, 29, near Largs, seeks friends. Non scene. Professional. 25-40. Box SG29029. Lovers - Interested? Experienced male, 40, seeks male 18-35 for regular steamy fun. Looks not important but clean and healthy with GSOH a must. Genuine replies only. Edinburgh area. Can accommodate no problem. Box SG29030. New Life In Fife? Slim, passive guy, 50's, 5'11", GSOH, likes chart music, seeks easy going young guy (18+) to share all pleasures and more. N/S, S/A. Frank letter with needs, etc. Photo. Can accommodate. Box SG29031. Glasgow - West Coast Area 34, 5'7", smoker, shy, N/Sc, SA/SL seeks similar for possible 1-2-1. Age unimportant. ALA Photo appreciated. Box SG29032. Glasgow Area Chubby Chaser Big heavy guy sought by 30+ SASL GL man. I'm genuine with GSOH. 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Take Me To Your Heaven (Eurovision Winner) Frustrated from quality of recent advertisers. No lies - just good thighs! Quality personality. Good shape, multi-interests, prime age, WLTM BND bespectacled(?). No smokers/pierced. Professional, student? Vegetarian if possible, please. Partner, arts, (1-2-1). Wine to shine with me. ALAWP. Box SG29045. Edinburgh Would you like to come home to a clean and tidy place with home cooking waiting, a massage, glass of wine or beer, be bathed and generally adored? Well, I'm 34 and if you are a non smoker, not into SM, aged 45-65, then you can have all that in a 1-2-1 relationship. Box SG29046. Edinburgh Cuddly 42 year old, hairy, looking for a smooth young guy to sooth his furrowed brow. Regular fun and friendship offered to the right guy. Non smoker preferred. Box SG29047. Moray Active guy, 40's, offers good old fashioned weekend country hospitality (bed and board) to passive young city lads who would like a firm hand. Box SG29048. Glasgow - Central Scotland Friendly, slim 31 year old Glasgow guy, into mountain biking, swimming, wining, dining, having a laugh. Seeks 18-30 year old for company and friendship. Can accommodate or travel. Box SG29052. Lothians I prefer older guys (40-70) who are moderately/well-hung for "O" Levels. Age and looks are not important, but would hope to find someone in the Lothian area. I have a deep throat. I can travel but cannot accommodate. I am looking for a regular guy that I can service. E-mail: scot96@hotmail.co.uk or Box SG29053. Edinburgh - Glasgow - Central Scotland Established gay journalist, frequent international traveller, seeks young travelling companion to accompany him on his travels. Must be presentable and non smoker. Please write fully with recent photograph. Box SG29054. +Bisexual Edinburgh - Glasgow - Anywhere Bi-curious? Beginner? Why not explore possibilities with a discreet mature guy. If you're under 22, and would like to learn what it's all about, then get in touch. I can accommodate or travel. Total discretion assured. Box SG29001. +Straight Edinburgh - Central Stocky guy (38), good body, keep fit fanatic, 'O' crop, WLTM uninhibited open minded woman (30-45) for horny summer fun. ALAWP. Box SG29005. Edinburgh - Central Scotland Straight guy, 30, strong and slim, WLTM bi female, early 20's, for pubs, clubs and mountains. ALAWP. Box SG29049. Daft Irish Navvy Now improving himself at university, shy, modest, tall, long haired, seeks nice recovering Catholic girl to discuss Humanae Vitae. Currently excavating Edinburgh. Box SG29050. +Passing Glances Liberty - Dundee - 310799 You: tired, tall, well built, blue/red shirt, combats, Cat trainers. We spoke in toilets. Me: combats, tattooed. You smiled - my bottle crashed. Any chance of a re-match? Box SG29006. GGLC Fete - May 19th - Large Room I was serving on the clothes stall. You kissed me. And I was smitten. You were with a friend. I hope you will kiss me again many times. Please write! Box SG29033. +Research LGB Muslims Gay Edinburgh University Student, studying Arabic and Social Anthropology, and beginning dissertation looking at homosexuality/bisexuality in Islamic cultures and Muslim communities in the Western world, is looking for LGB Muslims as well as Muslims who do not identify as LGB but have same sex relations, as well as LGB people who come from Muslim backgrounds. I am looking for life stories, opinions and comments on being Muslim and LGB, suggestions of materials and any other information they might feel is relevant to my study. I am also looking for the experiences of non-Muslims or people not from a Muslim background, who have spent time in Islamic cultures, either on holiday or living there, and could provide insight into Muslim Homosexual cultures. I am especially interested in talking to women and bisexuals, but I also really want to hear from gay identified men. E-mail: mazey18@hotmail.com or write: Samuel Porter, PO Box 23239, Edinburgh. EH7 5XF. Brat Watch TV researcher needs gay and lesbian couples or singles who either have or desire to have kids to feature in Ch 4 documentary. For more info, please contact Marie on 0141-568 7116 or e-mail her on desk4@researchcentre4.demon.co.uk +Jobs Offered Cash For Your Body Photogenic guys can earn ukp75 cash - or ukp100 with chest and arm definition - posing for Mike Arlen who has had 13 glossy magazines published called Mike Arlen's Guys. Send snapshots of your magnificent body to him: Mike Arlen, Wetherby Studios, 23 Wetherby Mansions, Earls Court Square, London. SW5 9BH or call on 020-7373 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 CAFFMOS Contacts and friendships for men over sixty. The organisation for the more mature gentleman and his admirers. Write to: CAFFMOS, PO Box 2273, Hove. BN3 2GF. Or Phone 01273 220995 for information. Computer Headaches? For fast relief, contact PCMS. Troubleshooting, upgrades, PC setup, New PCs built to your requirements. E-mail: PCMS@pobox.com or Fax/Tel: Douglas, 0141-636 1510. WWW: http://www.pobox.com/users/pcms Contact Mag Contact Mag for adults: contains over 900 photos. Approval copy from: Matchmaker (K38), Chorley, PR7 4BS. Or ring: 01257 483335 (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. Interior Design - Play Rooms Interior design can be affordable. Beautiful curtains, stunning rooms created to order. Huge selection of fabrics available. Play rooms also created to your specifications. Discretion assured. Call Douglas on FREEPHONE 0800 9802275. 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 info, write to: INTERGAY, Voorstraat 12-A, 4033 AD, Lienden, The Netherlands. Make The Most Of Your Garden This Year Personal touch landscape design and planting services - serving the entire central belt. Let me deliver a personal design solution to your garden from design to completion. All tasks considered and estimated for, first consultation offers free advice and no obligation. Call 07970 421153. Worldwide Penfriends Regular lists. Make friends, exchange holidays, improve your languages. For general and music lovers' lists send ukp3: "The Penpal List", c/o 221B Merton Road, Southfields, London. SW18 5EE. +Back Rubs Back Rub Plus The ultimate in exotic back rubs given by friendly, well built and horny guys. Let us rub you the way you want. Call Mike or Chick. Tel: 0141-889 1764. Central Lanarkshire Boy - 22 VWE, smooth, toned, bi lad offers discreet, friendly, allround experience. Satisfaction guaranteed. For the ultimate in rubs, call Liam. Out/in calls. Mobile 0799 091 7289. Central Scotland Black Top, active Muscular VWE lad, six footer, 12.5 stones. 27, smooth with strong arms and thighs, offers a discreet and friendly back rub. In or out calls, Call Chris 07050 082461 or 0141-579 7273. Edinburgh Cuddly chubby gay man offers discreet personal service to genuine callers. ukp20. 0131-271 0481. Edinburgh - Transvestite Attractive friendly TV offers sensual personal services and creative role-play in comfortable discreet surroundings. Extensive fetish wardrobe and toy cupboard. Subs and first timers welcome. Call Laura on 0771 3009019. Escort/Massage Offered Hi! Want to relax? Let my trained hands send you to heaven and back. 22 year old, 6'1", WE, slim, very attractive and versatile. For unhurried personal attention, page me on 01523 181882 or E-mail: djmbig@aol.com Massage For Men Great relaxing sensual pampering by qualified genuinely caring masseur. 1 hour full body session ukp15 - includes soothing candles, music, warm towels, shower, refreshments. Exceptionally good value. Jim. 0131-556 7199. Public School Rugby Type Escort Well educated, discreet, bi-guy, 5'10", dark, muscular, offers a personal escort service to genuine callers. Southern Scotland and Borders. Aromatherapy massage and games upon request. Call Chris 07050 682970. West Glasgow For the ultimate in pleasure! Let your body talk the language we understand. For the extra bit in value. All races welcome. Value guaranteed. Call Ross or Tony 07931 613616. +Where to Stay Edinburgh 2 bedroom flat to let for Millennium Weekend (31st Dec to 6th Jan). Centrally located fully furnished. ukp1,000 plus ukp200 deposit. Box SG29002. North East Scotland Farmhouse Retreat Bed & Breakfast Gay, non-scene, rustic, remote, private, warm relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy that extra special break you really need. Treat yourself. Discretion assured service. Details and other information: Telephone 01261 851154. Tayside B&B Gay friendly B&B, riverside setting, Strathtay, 30 miles North of Perth. Double or single. STB Four Stars. Own trout fishing available. Call Richard on 01887 820944. 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. USA One Bedroom Condo, Los Angeles, California available for vacation rental. Located in West Hollywood, Walking distance to clubs, restaurants, bars, gym. Fully furnished, all new and updated, linens, etc. $650 per week. If interested call Michael at 00 1 714-381-5855, or write to Michael Winston, 8577 Rugby Drive #202, West Hollywood, Ca 90069, or E-mail: LagunaGuy9@aol.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- VENUES ====== aberdeen ABERDEEN WOMEN'S CENTRE Shoe Lane, off Queen Street. Tel: (01224) 625010. Fax: 01224 625777. Tue-Thu 10am-2pm. Where the women hang out. Lesbian group meets Wed 8-10pm. THE CITY BAR 25 Netherkirkgate. Tel: (01224) 619941. 11am-Midnight. Out 'n' About has relocated. It is run by the same people, but is in a much more suitable location and has a cosier atmosphere and comfy camp sofas. Initial reports are very favourable. CLUB 2000 62 Shiprow. Tel: (01224) 596999. 9pm-2am. Friendly, small and intimate pub/club. Entry charge Fri/Sat only. Free before 11pm and ukp2 after with no re-entry fee. dundee 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. CHARLIE'S BAR 75 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight. Sun 12.30-11pm.Previously known as Deva's and, before that The Gauger, Dundee's longest established gay bar has recently changed hands and is much improved. 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. edinburgh During the Edinburgh Festival, pub and club opening hours are vastly extended. However, unless otherwise indicated, the hours shown are for normal periods of civilisation. ATOMIX 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-558 8174. Sat-Wed Noon-7pm. Thu-Fri Noon-8pm.A different world of gay shopping - gifts and toys for gay boyz and girlz. Formerly PJ's but now under new management. New catalogue available. E-mail: atomix@tinyonline.co.uk BIG LOVE Why Not? Club, The Dome, 14 George Street. Tel: 0131-624 8633. Monthly. Phone for September date. 11pm-3am. New mixed club night for the outrageously uninhibited. BLACK BO'S 57/61 Blackfriars Street. Tel: 0131-557 6136. Fri-Sat Noon-2pm. Daily 6-10pm. Superb little vegetarian restaurant. Friendly staff. Mixed clientele. Excellent value lunch menu. BLUE MOON 1 Barony Street/36 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 2788 (Bar) or 0131-557 0911 (Office). Mon-Fri 11am-11.30pm, Sat-Sun 9-12.30am. Food served until 10pm. 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 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 7771. 10am-1am. Not going for a gay clientele, but still decidedly gay friendly. C.C. BLOOM'S 23 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. Mon-Sat 6pm-3am, Sun 4pm-3am. Karaoke on Thu and Sun. Male strippers Sun at 4.30pm. Disco every night from 10.30pm. THE CAULDRON 77 Clerk Street. Tel: 0131-622 7237. Mon-Sat Noon-1am. Sun 12.30pm-1am. Edinburgh's best kept secret. Real ale in a gay friendly atmosphere. Esoteric jukebox. "If you must go on the scene, why not have some beer first?" Diverse Drinkers meet there on the first Monday of the month from 8pm - WWW: http://www.antipope.org/feorag/drinkers/ CITY CAFE 19 Blair Street. Tel: 0131-220 0125. 11am-1am. 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-Wed 11.30am-2.30pm and 6pm-10pm, Thu-Sat 11.30am-10pm, Sun 12.30pm-10pm. Gay owned, gay friendly and renowned for courtesy, comfort and good food. E-mail: http://www.scifipub99.freeserve.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. E-mail: edinburgh@cybersurf.co.uk WWW: http://www.cybersurf.co.uk/ DIVINE DIVA'S The Venue (Top Floor), 15 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-556 8997. Every fourth Fri - 9.30pm-3am. Festival date: 3rd September (with 5am licence!). Women only one nighter with all proceeds going to Edinburgh Switchboard. DUST Studio 24, 24 Calton Road. Info Line: 07901 600242 (DJ Dave). Thu 11pm-3am. Edinburgh's unique Goth, Industrial, Metal and Punk DJ's at the DUST Gothic Nightclub. ukp2. Happy hour. All sexualities. WWW: http://members.xoom.com/dust_net EDINBURGH GAY ESCORTS 19 Albany Street. Tel: 0131-558 1011. Provides escorts throughout Scotland. Walking tours of Edinburgh. Member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. E-mail: barnaby@bmiln.demon.co.uk EDINBURGH LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL CENTRE 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Houses Atomix, 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 ORIGINAL licenced SEX shop where you'll be made welcome by the very bearish Vince (who's straight), Paddy (who isn't), Steve (who isn't either!) or Maya (who is a Hot Bi Babe!). Toys galore, video rental too! Glamour shop upstairs stocks larger sizes. FILTH: A CLUB WITH NO MORALS Studio 24, 24 Calton Road. Info Line: 0131-467 2551. Every 4th Sat: 11th Sep, 9th Oct. 10.30pm-3am. Alan Joy's new project FILTH is an extension of his club MINGIN'. The emphasis will still be on dark, sexy, trance music but there will be a strict dress code at the door. Sexy clubwear, leather pants or even plain underpants (optional). If people start getting a wee bit frisky and disappear into dark corners with someone they shouldn't, does it matter? No bystanders or spectators allowed. Dress up or go somewhere else! Entry ukp5. FLY BAR 2 North St Andrews Street. Tel/FAX: 0131-556 9016. Mon-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm. Newly opened lgbt-friendly bar beside the bus station. Fri eve features DJ Alley Vegas in the upstairs Copa Lounge. Straighter during the day with more of an lgbt flavour in the evenings. 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. IGNITION @ THE MISSION Studio 24, 24 Calton Road. Info Line: 07901 600242. Last Fri of each month: 27th Aug, 24th Sep. 11pm-3am. Two floors of clubs at Studio 24, Calton Road, Edinburgh. FUZE, an INDUSTRIAL music dance night on the 2nd floor. OVERLOAD an Indie, Rock, Dance night on the first floor. Drinks promotions. WWW: http://members.xoom.com/dust_net IN YER FACE Annexx Lap Dancing Club, 144 Pitt Street, Leith. Tel: 0131-553 0234. Future dates: Fri 17th Sep, 15th Oct. 8pm-late (performance begins 8.30pm). New women's lap dancing club - women dancing for women. Entry ukp5 - two for one on the door before 8.30pm. JOY Wilkie House, Cowgate. JOY Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 10.30pm-3am. Wilkie House becomes a theatre venue during the Festival and doesn't host any clubs. The August JOY will therefore not happen at Wilkie House - instead, there will be a JOY party at Studio 24 on Sun 29th Aug. Future dates at Wilkie House: Sat 18th Sep, 16th Oct, 13th Nov.Joy, Scotland's most upfront gay club! ukp7 members/ukp9 non-members (reduced entry of ukp6/ukp7 before 11pm. E-mail: joy.scotland@virgin.net WWW: http://freespace.virgin.net/alanjoy.dj/joyhome.htm MASSAGE FOR HEALTH 58a/60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-669 8039, 0131-478 1090 or 07970 921209. By appointment only. Therapeutic massage from qualified practitioners Anne and John. Concessions available. MINGIN' Studio 24, 24 Calton Road. Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 10.30pm-3am. Next dates: Sat Aug 28th (open until 5am), 25th Sep, 23rd Oct. Alan Joy's club Mingin' features Alan Joy himself on the decks plus Brian Dempster. ukp5 entry. E-mail: its.mingin@virgin.net WWW: http://freespace.virgin.net/alanjoy.dj/mingin.htm THE MISSION Studio 24, 24 Calton Road. Info Line: 07901 600242. 11pm-3am. Every second Sat. Dates: 7th and 21st Aug. Alternative music nightclub. Three floors of clubs, Rock, Gothic and Indie/dance, at Burn, Earth-Inferno and Mission Control. Happy Hour, Music Promos, Live Acts. Info line, 07901 600242. (The Mission is the largest alternative club in Scotland with an average attendance of 600 plus.) Three Floors of Clubs for different people at the new MISSION alternative music nightclub. The original Rock, Gothic and Indie/dance clubs. (Burn, Earth-Inferno and Mission Control.) ukp4/5. Happy Hour. All sexualities. The Mission is the largest alternative club in Scotland with an average attendance of 600 plus. WWW: http://members.xoom.com/dust_net NEW TOWN BAR 26B Dublin Street. Tel: 0131-538 7775. Mon-Sat Noon-1am. Sun 12.30pm-1am. Especially popular with Bears, but has wide clientele. Intense, the downstairs Disco is open Thu-Sun 10pm-1am. NEXUS CAFE-BAR 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-478 7069. 11am-11pm. Great food and drink at reasonable prices. Live music every 2nd Monday, and regular quiz nights. Internet access now available. E-mail: nexus1cb@aol.com No EIGHTEEN 18 Albert Place. Tel: 0131-553 3222. Mon-Sat Noon-10pm, Sun 2-10pm. Long established sauna club for gay gentlemen! OUT OF THE BLUE 1 Barony Street. (Downstairs at the Blue Moon Cafe). Tel: 0131-478 7048. Sun-Wed Noon-7pm, Thu-Sat Noon-8pm. Gay and lesbian store selling books, mags, videos, toys, wearing apparel, etc. PLANET OUT 6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-524 0061. Mon-Fri 4pm-1am, Sat-Sun 12.30pm-1am. Food served: Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 12.30pm-8pm. Formerly Route 66. Has been extensively refurbished. But there's still no real ale! SHEBANG Wilkie House, Cowgate. Tel: 0131-557 4656. Next date: Sat 25th Sep. 11pm-3am. Mixed club with an all-woman DJ line up. THE STAG & TURRET 1-7 Montrose Terrace. Tel: 0131-478 7231. 11am-1am. Friendly and thriving gay local just round the corner from the Solas Centre. SOLAS CAFE 2/4 Abbeymount. Tel: 0131-661 0982. Mon, Tue, Thu, 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: 0131-557 4656. Sun 11pm-3am. Edinburgh's only weekly House dance club with DJs Fisher and Price, Martin Valentine and Stuart Barrie. Mixed. 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. TOWNHOUSE HEALTH CLUB 51-53 East Claremont Street. Tel: 0131-556 6116. Noon-11pm. Plush new healthclub and sauna suite. Facilities include Gym with free weights, 2 Sauna cabins, steam room, Large Jacuzzi, Video lounge, TV lounge, Licensed bar, high powered stand up sun bed and resting facilities. Admission ukp10. Membership Fee of ukp2. E-mail: davidklan@bothysummerside.freeserve.co.uk TRANS-MISSION Studio 24, 24 Calton Road. Info Line: 07901 600242. 11pm-3am. Next date: Sat 25th Sep. New BDSM mixed fetish night. Entry ukp6.00 (ukp5.00 Mission members or with flyer.) Strict Dress Code no fetish dress no entry - 2 floors with private dungeons. Guest Masters and Mistresses. Mission DJ's. Alternative & Pansexual. WWW: http://members.xoom.com/dust_net 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. The largest cybercafe in Scotland with 19 terminals. Their regular happy hours provide (at ukp3.50 an hour) probably the cheapest web access in Scotland! E-mail: queries@web13.co.uk WWW: http://www.web13.co.uk/ falkirk DROOKIT DUCK 16 Grahams Road. Tel: (01324) 613644. Mon-Wed 11am-3pm and 6-11.30pm. Thu 11am-3pm and 5pm-Midnight. Fri-Sat 11am-12.30am. Sun Noon-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 BENNETS DISCO 80-90, Glassford Street. Tel: 0141-552 5761. Tue-Sun 11pm-3am. Beautifully appointed busy club now on two floors. Frequent PAs. Tuesdays are straight. WWW: http://www.welcome.to/bennets.co.uk/ CCA Centre for Contemporary Arts @ McLellan Galleries, 270 Sauchiehall Street. Tel: 0141-332 0522. Lgbt-friendly arts complex temporarily located in the McLellan Galleries whilst their old building is being completely rebuilt to their requirements. CAFFE LATTE 58 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-553 2553. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun Noon-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 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-248 2593. Mon-Wed 11am-7pm, Thu-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 1-7pm. Clothes, videos, magazines, toys. In temporary accommodation at the GGLC due to a building mishap at their Virginia Street premises to which they hope to return shortly. E-mail: http://www.czone.demon.co.uk/ COURT BAR 69 Hutcheson Street. Tel: 0141-552 2463. Mon-Sat 8am-Midnight, Sun 12.30pm-Midnight. Intimate 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. FRUITFLY The Arches, Midland Street. Tel: 0141-221 9736. Third Sat of each month. 11pm-4am. Mixed club run by Taste from Edinburgh. GLC CAFE/BAR GGLC, 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-400 1008. Daily 10am-Midnight. Full breakfast always available. Home cooking. Friendly and busy! GLASGOW GAY & LESBIAN CENTRE (GGLC) 11 Dixon Street. Tel/FAX: 0141-221 7203. Daily 10am-Midnight. Glasgow's community centre for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Cafe. Clone Zone shop. Two large meeting rooms available for hire. GGLC Art Gallery. Getting better and better after recent changes in management. Increasingly busy and popular! Fully wheelchair accessible venue. E-mail: http://www.gglc.org.uk/index2.html 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 ukp2.50 per half hour. Food served all day. E-mail: tim@linkcafe.co.uk WWW: http://www.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. Look for the green light. LOVE BOUTIQUE Alaska, Bath Street Lane. Tel: 0141-248 1777. 10.30pm-3am. 1st Saturday of the month. Busy mixed club popular with the younger crowd. PENELOPE'S 18 Jamaica Street. Tel: 0141-400 1423. Mon-Tue 11pm-3am. Weekly club nights. DJ Greg. Regular PAs and drinks promos. Entry ukp3. THE POLO LOUNGE 84 Wilson Street. Tel: 0141-553 1221. Mon-Thu Noon-1am, Fri-Sun Noon-3am. Upmarket bar with comfortable seating. WWW: http://www.pololounge.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. Dress Code night on Fridays in the Blue Room. SILKS AND SECRETS 308 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141-572 1017. Mon-Sat 10am-5.45pm. Sun Noon-5pm.Clothes and toys catering for gay, transvestite and fetish tastes. Friendly understanding staff. Larger sizes stocked. TRADE The Arches, Midland Street. Tel: 0141-221 9736. 1st Sat of each month. 11pm-4.30am. The most famous club night in the UK with a host of big name DJs. Entry ukp10 in advance, ukp12 on door. TRON THEATRE CAFE BAR Chisholm Street. Tel: 0141-552 8587. Noon-Midnight. Friendly theatre bar. Mixed. E-mail: http://www.tron.co.uk/ UNSCENE 13th Note Cafe, 50-60 King Street. Tel: 0141-553 1638. 1st and 3rd Wed. Doors open 8.30pm. Relaxed mixed club. Indie/whatever music policy. Guaranteed HiNRG-free zone. VICTORIA BAR 157-159 Bridgegait. Tel: 0141-552 6040. Daily 11am-Midnight. Basically straight, but justly popular with Glasgow's many Real Ale queens and dykes. VIOLATE PO Box 808, Glasgow. G71 7YN. Violate Club Line: 0909 46 44 112 (60p per min at all times).BDSM and general pervery. Operates in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Next date: The Temple.(pause for effect).Pitt St, Glasgow! (near junction with Sauchiehall St Charing X). Thu 26th Aug, 9pm-2am. Admission ukp6. The Temple is the big black "temple like" building with Corinthian columns huge steps. Entry at the side. E-mail: http://www.violate.co.uk/ THE WATERLOO 306 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141-229 5891. Mon-Sat Noon-Midnight. Sun 12.30pm-Midnight. Semper idem! Popular, crowded, down to earth gay drinking shop. Scotland's oldest gay bar - what more can we say? Busy, busy, busy! Awarded the Betty Hutton seal of approval. inverness NICO'S BAR/BISTRO Glen Mhor Hotel, Ness Bank. Tel: (01463) 234308. Wed and Fri 9-11pm. Smart relaxed bar popular with some local gays especially on Wednesday and Friday nights (9.15pm onwards). Mixed clientele. STATION HOTEL Station Square, Academy Street. Tel: (01463) 231926. Wed and Fri 9-11pm. Inverness's main gay-friendly establishment. Smart hotel bar. Increasingly popular with Inverness gays who are tired of putting up with the antics of a certain homophobic establishment owner. stirling BARNTON BISTRO 3 1/2 Barnton Street. Tel: (01786) 461698. Mon-Thu 10.30am-Midnight, Fri-Sat 10.30am-1am, Sun Noon-Midnight. (Food: Day and early evening). Near to railway station, Mixed, busy, bohemian and friendly bar/bistro. Popular with students and Sons/Daughters of the Rock alike. Good food. Real Ale. InsideOut: a monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. ISSN: 1360-9327. Edited, printed and published in Scotland. (c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, August 1999. 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. -------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL ============= By Rex Wockner POLICE SEEK HELP IN TEAR-GASSING CASE San Diego Police want to see amateur videos and photos of the July 24th gay-pride parade in hopes of catching a glimpse of the person who tear-gassed the gay-families contingent and hundreds of spectators. Meanwhile, activist Nicole Murray Ramirez' reward pot has grown to $16,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the attacker, and Mayor Susan Golding has issued an appeal for help in finding the criminal. Detective Sgt. Robert Nunley said five or six video tapes have been turned over to the police but none was helpful. "We've got a couple of people going through the evidence full-time," Nunley said. "Everybody we've got so far has had video and pictures from the east pointing west. We're looking for somebody that was pointing the other direction, but we're looking at everything they give us. "How we solve a lot of this stuff as time passes is the reward [money]," Nunley added. "The guy finally can't keep the secret anymore and he says, 'You know, I did that.' And it could be a month down the road. He could brag to somebody." Nunley said the incident took place at 12:50 p.m. on the north side of University Avenue near 10th Avenue. Someone detonated a Coke-can-sized, military-issue tear-gas canister, rolled it up against the mailboxes business on that corner, then fled westbound on foot. As smoke engulfed the city's gayest block, panic ensued. "All of a sudden I see these hundreds of people screaming and running past the reviewing stand," said Murray Ramirez, who was emceeing the event. "It was like a Godzilla-is-coming stampede from the movies. Hardest-hit was the Family Matters contingent, which consisted of gay parents and their children, including toddlers and babies. "There were all these little kids in strollers crying with this gas in their eyes," said Murray Ramirez. Spectator Guido Gaietta said it was pandemonium. "People were screaming, 'Run, run, run' and 'Get away, get away, get away,' so obviously, I started running because all these people are running toward me," he said. "Then all of a sudden there were tears in my eyes, and it got in my throat. It was pretty nasty. We ran for a couple of blocks to escape it and our faces were all red. Some people were vomiting in the street." "A lot of people got hit pretty bad," said spectator Peter Rauber. "We had to walk about two blocks south of University Avenue to be outside of the area. There were hundreds of people walking down there and then washing their faces with garden hoses." HONG KONG Members of the Tongzhi Culture Society at Hong Kong's Chinese University were forced to dismantle an unauthorized booth they erected at City University's student-registration day. The stand displayed gay books and promoted gay culture. "Tongzhi" means "comrade" but now also translates as "gay." City University officials said security guards confronted the group because there was no room for displays from organizations affiliated with other schools. INDIA India's Campaign for Lesbian Rights has demanded that the government repeal a Victorian-era British Empire law that bans gay sex. "This law has now been scrapped in England whereas in India it is still in force," the group said in a statement. "No lesbian may have been picked up and flung into jail because of this 138-year-old law drafted by Lord Macauly in the 1830s. But it is used to blackmail Indian lesbians, force them to consent to marriage and be invisible." A 1994 Delhi High Court lawsuit seeking to overturn the law has yet to result in a ruling. DENMARK The government of Denmark announced last week it will support Swede Sven Englund's European Court of Justice case against his employer, the European Council of Ministers, which refuses to give Englund's husband spousal benefits. Englund and his partner are married under Sweden's gay partnership law, which grants all rights of matrimony except in the areas of adoption, artificial insemination and church weddings. GERMANY A gay party in Zittau, Germany, was broken up by 30 rightwing extremists who harassed attendees and robbed the cashier, activists reported online last week. Zittau is in Saxony in the former East Germany. Fearing trouble, the party's organizers had requested police protection but the police refused and a private security service was hired. Then the extremists attacked, however, the rent-a-cops fled, according to the report. The party was financed by the European Union to further cultural cooperation between Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany, organizers said. SRI LANKA About 150 people are expected to attend Sri Lanka's first national lesbian convention in December. The event is being planned by a group of women in Colombo who have been meeting at the offices of the gay-male group Companions on a Journey. "Lesbians are generally accepted by society if they are financially independent and come from upper-middle-class backgrounds," one of the organizers, Tami, told Agence France-Presse. "It is when they are less independent that they suffer all sorts of problems from their homes and at work. It is such people we want to help. Maybe help them to get better jobs and also feel that they are not alone." CANADA Montreal's gay-pride parade attracted half a million spectators, making it one of the world's largest pride events. Ninety-five groups and 30 floats took part in the procession. Mayor Pierre Bourque rode in the back of a white convertible and declined a request from the Montreal Gazette to give his opinion on legalization of gay marriage. In June, Quebec's National Assembly unanimously passed a law that gives gay and lesbian couples all the rights of common-law heterosexual couples. Law 32 altered 39 provincial laws and regulations to recognize same-sex pairs in areas such as taxes, workplace standards, car insurance, pension benefits, retirement plans and social assistance. ------------------------------------------------------------- EDINBURGH FESTIVAL REVIEWS ========================== Edinburgh's Festivals clog up the city until September. ScotsGay's intrepid foursome have been out and about feasting their eyeballs on culture for the last week. Here's the fruit of their labours: 'New Age Romance' by Rexana Productions Venue C (Overseas House) Until 30th August (not Tues 17th), 20.15 If you're heading to this show expecting to meet a canine of the queer variety I'm afraid you'll be rather disappointed. However, if you're hoping to witness some offbeat and innovative theatre, then, on the whole, you won't be. This one-man, no-dog production comes to Edinburgh following a successful run in Paris. While I'm not sure everything crosses the Channel intact, there are some wonderful moments of both overt and black comedy. The accounts of the dog's amorous advances amuse, and was I the only person wanting to laugh out loud at the gloriously morbid description of Rudi's wife's accident? The poofy pooch's owner is only after partners of the opposite sex: "Queer? I'd rather suck cock", he admits, with some irony, early on. But don't let the lack of any human homoness put you off this play. Michael Franklin, as the enigmatic hero, has real stage presence, bringing energy, enthusiasm and poignancy to a challenging solo role. The journey to find the inner-self, through fate and vision, is for the most part captivating. The ending, on the other hand, I found rather weak. But judge for yourself, just take a deep breath beforehand, as instructed, and "don't try to understand it"... 'My Night With Reg' by Wisepart Productions Venue C (Overseas House) Until 30th August (not Tues), 22.30 You never get to meet with the eponymous seducer, but Reg certainly leaves his mark on the six other gay men featured in this funny and moving 90-minute play. There are twists and turns a plenty as old lovers reunite and drink-fuelled conversation (I love the various toasts to "gross indecency", "sodomy" and "indecent exposure"!) leads to revelation and repercussion in an ambitious script played out by a young cast. Cute Benjamin Trumper makes a welcome return after last year's lead in Beautiful Thing and those who saw Dr Faustus in 1998 will recognise the exuberant Oliver Langdon. However, it's Richard Lynn playing the lovelorn Guy - who's flat is used as the play's only setting - who effectively steals the show. Richard's unpretentious and convincing performance is the kingpin to the whole production, which, towards the end, I have to say does feel a tad strung out. Don't come to see My night With Reg if you're totally through with the whole "age of AIDS" theme so prominent a decade back. Those more enlightened, though, deserve to give this play a chance, even if does contain the obligatory wake/gay angst scenes. Here's a committed cast giving it their all. And there are some delightful little moments in there too: Guy panicking about running out of vinegar and Bernie and Benny's incessant bitching. Oh yeah, if voyeurism is your thing, the opportunity to ogle blokes giving it the full monty also raises its head - so to speak! 'Words and Music' by Rexana Productions Venue C too Until 30th August, 19.50 A 1930's Noel Coward revue may not be everybody's cup of camomile, it's all terribly sophisticated and frightfully English after all. However, one should cast one's preconceptions aside, pour a stiff G & T, sit down and let an hour or so of delightful, and enduring, musical skits wash over. Along with the familiar songs, such as "Mad About the Boy", "A Room With a View" and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen", there are some less well known numbers, which were, and indeed still are, biting social commentaries of their time. Which is why Coward's cerebral, often highly sardonic, observational humour and his tongue-in-cheek patriotism are not lost amidst the colour and the campness, nor dated by the intervening years - notwithstanding the frequent references to things being "gay and exciting", etc. This adapted revival by Rexana Productions, featuring outstanding solo and ensemble performances, is classy and enchanting. There is something thoroughly timeless, yet at the same time fresh, surrounding this zestful Fringe musical. Even if Coward doesn't feature in your personal hit parade, I can guarantee you'll leave Words and Music humming at least one of the tunes. 'Tina C in Leaving On A Jet Plane' Pleasance Two venue Until 30th August (not 16th, 23rd), 22.00 I'm tempted to say that you may have to reach for the complimentary sick-bag (nice touch) given out to each audience member (sorry, passenger) at the start of Miss Tina C's latest outing. There again, perhaps the whole show just flew over my head. A creation of comic writer Chris Green, the original Rhinestone Cowgirl is kind of Lily Savage meets Dolly Parton, but without the pre-eminence of either. Granted, Tina does possess an infectious quality and she certainly knows how to work an audience, managing to get the majority of those present to stick their heads between their legs and assume the crash position at one point. Though I suspect copious amounts of alcohol aided one or two of the fans in this task. The doomed aircraft scenario allowed for plenty of disaster-movie spoofs and topical gags, and I admit to sniggering at the wily South Park send-up: "Oh my God, they killed Tammy!". The irreverent, totally OTT songs were probably the highlight. The Pleas is the place to hear the premiere of Tina's new Hindi-country crossover single - Bollywood Cowgirl! Other than that, I was left feeling rather unfulfilled. Leaving On A Jet Plane is a great idea and Tina C has stage presence (as well as a remarkable pair of legs), but a lot of the humour fell short of the intended mark. Maybe the whole concept simply needs polishing. Otherwise, I'd be tempted to take a couple of airsick tablets - or a parachute - for the return trip. Sorry babes. 'BoyBand' by Oxford University Touring Company written by Peter Morris Venue C (Overseas House) Until 30th August, 21.15 (even dates), 01.00 (odd dates) This is an ambitious, challenging and, I feel, ultimately rewarding piece of contemporary theatre. A gritty, sometimes gratuitous, exposE of the '90's' pop world and all its attendant commercialism, hypocrisy and ephemera, BoyBand goes way beyond previous Fringe productions, such as 1997's Hysteric Studs and last year's much gentler Last Night A Boy Band Saved My Life. The exploitative and cyclical nature of the "rags to riches to rags" music machine is literally stripped bare, through the roller-coaster ride of Boylove and its five ex-rent boy members: Timmy, Will, Jude, Alex and Jamie. These are tough roles for a student production, but, on the whole, they pull it off dependably. The rape of a besotted, young female fan makes for some edgy viewing. But the physical act is not there merely to attract controversy, or for the sake of extra publicity, as in the case of some erstwhile Fringe productions. This particular deed is included as an astute metaphor for a much wider capitalist defilement. Leaving the Marxism aside, BoyBand is a timely look at manufactured pop bands, the minds of those behind them and the destructive longer-term effects. Although some may find the messages contained in this Dickensian tale for the fag end of the 20th century just a tad bleak, there can be no disputing the play's provocative and abiding nature. Go see. 'Nomads' by X-Tant (Scottish National Association of Youth Theatre) Theatre Workshop Until 14th August, 20.30 Nomads raises some issues not normally confronted on the stage. A group of young gay and lesbian actors from Outhouse Theatre (the group involved in last year's successful "Contracts" drama) along with a bunch of young disabled actors give it their all, in an honourable, stimulating and fast-paced play which challenges bigotry, homophobia and ignorance. The show contains some particularly amusing items, like the nocturnal cruising scene utilising those fashionable inflatable things (please drop the reference to a certain extinct gay publication, though!), other more poignant set-pieces, and the odd one-liner: "He's not gay", someone says, referring to straight-boy Duncan, "but nobody's perfect!". The often clumsily-handled gay son/father fixation is also handled with consummate tact. Like in Contracts, there is a recurrent use of visual projection, both live and prerecorded, and background audio. For the most part, it all works extremely well, plus the actors execute their own pretty slick scene changes. It's just a pity that a salient play which, in its own small way, impels each and everyone of us to face up to personal realities and destinies, is having such a limited run at the Fringe. 'The Ballard of Branwell Bronte/Medea!!' by Jonathan Burnett Hill Street Theatre Until 18th August, 11.50am Edinburgh-based dance teacher and choreographer, Jonathan Burnett, dons the greasepaint and tights for a lunchtime dance and mime double-header. This former Irish National Ballet soloist performs two gothic pantomimes within 60 minutes: The Ballad of Branwell Bronte and Medea!! The latter is based upon the legend of the Golden Fleece, and is grandiose and colourful. This contrasts effectively with the more restrained, yet eloquent, Ballad of Branwell. An imaginative and demanding interpretation of the tale of Emily Bronte's licentious, ultimately doomed, brother, Jonathan's performance manages to weave together a multitude of characterisations and delicate set-pieces with a certain panache - though it may help to already possess a limited knowledge of the Bronte family's literary output. A minor point perhaps, but for me the continual clicking from the lighting gallery behind, somewhat marred the atmospheric accompanying music - a 1930 recording of Liszt's Piano Sonata. Nonetheless, this is true one-man theatre. The obvious efforts put into the preparation largely pay off. Intelligent and inspired, Jonathan's twin performances give a true flavour of the Fringe. Break away from the mainstream and go take a chance (if you're quick off the mark - ends August 18th). 'Stephen Fry's The Liar' Gilded Balloon venue Until 30th August, 15.30 The cast behind 1997's production of Latin return in this more complex, at times confusing, adaptation of The Liar. The actors chop and change roles during frequent flashbacks, so woe betide anyone who doesn't pay attention. Fry's obsession with English public school life fuses with an erudite tale of Continental espionage and double-crossing, to produce 90 minutes of often hilarious theatre. Inevitably, there are plenty of linguistic lashings, touches of black humour, schoolboy crushes of the homo variety and a sporadic bit of crudeness. Unfortunately, the cricket references went right over my head, though I did love the master's rebuke when recalling his arrest for cottaging: "Cambridge has a fine tradition of buggery!". Indeed. Go and enjoy this jolly little play. Just occasionally looking insipid, the performances are adept and absorbing the rest of the time. But do make sure you concentrate, or you won't have a clue as to who is kidding who. 'Dangerous Games' by Absolute Banana Theatre Company Rocket Venue at South Bridge Resource Centre Until 21st August (not 15th), 20.15 Dangerous Games doesn't have the familiarity of last year's hit-play Beautiful Thing, but Absolute Banana really deserve to get plenty of bums on seats again, with this exuberant and gutsy new pop musical. Dan Hyde, who directed the stage version of Beautiful Thing, has written the music and lyrics to this raunchy tale of student sexual politics. He's also written the accompanying book, is the show's executive producer, and, as if that wasn't enough already, stars in it as Tim, the debauched protagonist. Jill Coles and Jo Larkin are the other familiar faces from last year. In amongst the duplicity and betrayal, there is a gay sub-plot. Lecturer Rick is not entirely honest in his relationship with student Pete, played by the fetching Simon Turner, and has to face up to the consequences. The strength of singing may vary, but there's no doubting the devotion of everyone involved. The young cast bring a big feel-good factor to the Fringe, despite the dark subject matter often dealt with. Dangerous Games will make you think about who your true friends are. And, if nothing else, the catchy and original music will definitely set your feet tapping. 'Bombo Presents: The Divine David's Spatial Awareness No.1' Gilded Balloon Until 30th August (not 16th, 23rd), 23.15 A confession: I wasn't the greatest fan of the late-night Channel Four output of the distinctive Divine David. However, an hour of live exposure seems to have acted as some sort of miraculous conversion, even if I'm still not sure what particular space he really does inhabit. I don't think it even matters if you get the humour or not. The measured, at times dry, wit is simply contagious, as are the persistent and deliberate mispronunciations. In addition to the bouts of verbal dexterity, the celestial one self-deprecates, sings, does some drag-mime and pokes fun at the stuffy art world - even attempting some abstract Rolf Harris-style painting himself. The Divine David's loud, high-camp cabaret certainly puts the S into surreal and the A into alternative. Only you can decide if it's comedy, art or just total bollocks. Me? I look forward, with slight apprehension, to Part Two... 'Corpus Christi' by Theatre 28 Bedlam Theatre Until 28th August, 20.00 Controversy has plagued this play since it was first staged in New York. The extra publicity provided by Jack Glass and the Zionist Baptist Church on its opening night, here at the Fringe, was probably not needed. This was always going to be a sell-out production. It's only a pity a few of these bigots could not find the time to sit through this remarkable biblical adaptation. Then, perhaps, the play's message of universal love and tolerance would get through to some of its misguided detractors - many of whom would like us all to forget the Soho atrocity, or the crucifixion of young Matthew Shepard. Homophobia is the thematic back-bone to Corpus Christi. The situations depicted will be familiar to anyone who's ever wrestled with the closet, or resorted to lying to peers in order to mask their true sexuality. Of course, it's the appropriation of these thorny issues into the biblical context that offends some. The mere suggestion that Jesus, or any of his disciples, could have been gay is abhorrent to them. The gay angle is simply a no-go area for anyone convinced of the (sexless) Saviour's heterosexuality. So does the play work on a purely theatrical level as well an issue-driven one? If the combined efforts of a highly-talented cast are anything to go by, then the answer has to be a resounding yes. Most folk know TV's "Villain of the Year" Stephen Billington is cast, appropriately enough, as Judas, but Mel Raido is also excellent as Jesus, and I particularly enjoyed Jonathan Arun's performance as Bartholomew. But, it's as an ensemble that the cast really work best. From the moment they first appear on the stage, with its spartan appearance and limited props, to the graphic final scenes, the sense of brotherhood is heightened by this real team effort, which makes the eventual betrayal even more compelling. The Texan setting for Christ's upbringing works well. Pontius Pilate High, James Dean cast as Satan and a gay wedding may be irreverent, but they are clever contemporary touches that leave their mark. You may have to beg, borrow or steal a ticket for Corpus Christi, such is the interest surrounding the Bedlam-based show. But if you do get to enter the converted church (what an ironic setting), then you'll be in for two hours of enriching and, bearing in mind the introductory comments, timely theatre. 'Who's Saki?' written by Nigel Bowden Valvona and Crolla Until 27th August, 18.00 Nigel Bowden's solo performance in this amusing and seductive little gem is utterly first-class. His appearance, the exaggerated gestures, numerous quips and innuendoes evoke, vividly, this productive period for literary creation. Swapping between three characters - H. H. Munro himself, Saki, the Edwardian writer's familiar pseudonym, and the fictitious Reginald - Bowden's animated descriptions of the restaurant setting, the food, the tale tales of Aunts with preposterous names, and the many merciless character assassinations, are glorious in their meticulous detail. There is more than one mention, too, of "questionable morals" and of that awful "love that dare not speak its name". Don't feel you have to be a Telegraph reader to go see Who's Saki. This is easily accessible theatre, holding universal appeal. I, for one, was enthralled and came away with a richer knowledge of those terribly "discrete times". If you're trying to avoid the relentless dumbing down of live entertainment, or are merely fed up with stand-up, visit Valvona for a dose of culture. You'll find it truly exhilarating stuff. 'Pussy Galore's Flying Circus' Graffiti venue Until August 19th, 22.40 Gay angst reaches new heights - literally at least - in the Honor Blackman-less Pussy Galore's Flying Circus. There's plenty of high-wire skill and grace in this unusual, vertiginous Fringe show about a girl growing up beside an older gay brother, but unfortunately it all descends into an all-too-familiar tale of manic depression and woe. Although there is a certain charm in the innocent childhood anecdotes and role-reversal games played out on stage, the style remains over-naive, even when Verity, the fag-hag sister, supposedly grows up and collides with the real world. I'm not too sure what the parents sitting behind thought when some of the language became a bit more adult and suggestive, although the kids didn't seem to mind at all - surprise, surprise. The novelty value contained within the title (I won't give anything away) will entice many along to Grand Graffiti each evening. Certainly, the lofty location was pretty full on the opening night I attended. But, in the end, there is little of real substance in the stereotypical, and pessimistic, story-line to spur excitement. Nice, original idea though. 'Three Weird Beards' Gilded Balloon II venue Until 30th August, 22.45 The big advantage of a comedy line-up is you don't normally have to wait long if the current person behind the mike stinks. However, none of the three hairy comedians appearing in this particular one-hour cavalcade of comedy will have you glancing at the old wristwatch. Alright, this is definitely not cutting edge stuff, and the beards are more goatee than bear, but something about the mix of material on offer seemed to register a hit with my funny bone. The non-pc, lavatorial reflections of local lad Gordon Brunton, and his unhurried style of delivery, reminded me a bit of Fred MacAulay - which I think is a compliment Gordon? And middle-man, James Donlan, was pretty adept at the audience participation bit, though he did pick on the one unfortunate bugger who spoke no more than two words of English. But it's Craig Hill who stole the show for me. Some of you perceptive types will no doubt decide on Craig's sexuality before he launches into some wickedly-funny send-ups of our most esteemed female singers. After all, he does parody himself at the outset by asking how anyone with such "butch looks" can have such a high voice! Look out for Craig's name in the future because this (out) guy is immensely talented. And I ain't saying that just because he's a Friend of Dorothy's. Just don't blink, or you may miss Julie Andrews sings the Sex Pistols. 'Men' starring Dyball and Kerr Komedia at Southside Until 29th August, 17.25 There's no exhibitionism here (well not much anyway), despite a flyer promising to thrill us all by exposing the modern male. This is essentially hetero-humour - mostly smutty, misogynistic, I'd-give-her-one stuff. But listen a bit closer and you'll discover there's a satirical and cathartic angle to the caricatures presented by Messrs Dyball and Kerr. Not all their character sketches hit the mark, but the boys' lingual games of ping-pong are impeccably timed, and reminiscent of those similarly clever skits by veterans Barker and Corbett. The money-grabbing pair of management types, who talk in cliches, and are out to exploit their kids with a devious "family voucher scheme", are cruelly hilarious, while the Riverdance-loving workies, who take their appreciation of the musical just a tad too far, are side-splittingly funny. Cast away (most of) your preconceptions about our straight cousins for around 60 minutes and revel in the company of these two vibrant, if capricious, individuals. Worth checking out. If you do, you'll never look at another Barbie doll or broomstick the same way again! 'Oh! What a Lovely Blouse' The Stand Comedy Club Until 29th August (not 16th), 15.30 An improbable trio of comics provide an eclectic mix of stand-up, magic and celebrity bingo in the depths of The Stand Comedy Club. There's a common thread running throughout the short set. Ali Jay (who co-hosts the Screamers gay and lesbian comedy club nights), tres-camp James Holmes (the self-styled "pansy with a perm") and Magic Mandy Muden, are each looking for love through the personal ads, even if they don't all end up finding Mr or Mrs Right. Although this theme works just fine, and the threesome pull resources for a dance and a trick or two, it's as solo entertainers that they really excel. Ali is in-yer-puss as the foul-mouthed, but loveable, northern dyke, Mandy the magician provides a slightly more sophisticated antidote, and there's not much you can say about the out-and-presumably-proud James except to note that zany just took on a new meaning. This menage-a-trois of mirth proves that stand-up comedy in the middle of the day sometimes does work, even if the blouses worn are a bit of an acquired taste. But tell me guys, what is this preoccupation with Richard and bloody Judy all about? 'His Royal Horniness' Earl Okin Cafe Royal Until 28th August, 20.25 The musical genius, and master of subtle smuttiness, returns to the Fringe with his familiar recipe for success. If you're already a convert you'll know that Okin, like the finest malts, simply gets better with time. If, by chance, you haven't experienced this Festival stalwart before, you're in for an aural treat. Old-timers and virgins alike are rewarded with a unique blend of jazz, country, blues and Bossa Nova, peppered with amusing anecdotes concerning Okin's "research with hundreds of women" and his past European conquests. Musical highlights include a ditty about country music and bondage, and an intimate safe group-sex song. Then there are those amazing virtual-horn instruments he 'plays' so well. A true ambassador for Britain, this king of cabaret certainly puts the 'horn' into horniness! With those pouting lips and sharp suit, he's refined, though just a tad raunchy. Go catch him while you still have the chance. 'Screamers Comedy Club' Komedia at Southside Each Sat/Sun (until 27th/28th), Midnight The successful gay and queer-friendly comedy club from south of the border makes the trip north for a limited, six-night run at the Fringe. Apart from your hosts, the super-slender cowgirl Tina C, and the not-so-slender motormouth Ali Jay, the line-up of comedy and cabaret changes each evening. Don't go hoping to catch a glimpse of Graham Norton, Rhona Cameron or Mark Thomas, just some of the star acts who've featured in the past. But Screamers - who promise "a mix of lesbian, straight, gay and queer acts" - are also about motivating embryonic talent. The night your intrepid reviewer attended, the laughs came courtesy of Bonnyrigg "punk new romantic" John Littlejohn, the rather bizarre mummy's boy David F. Taylor (who doesn't take his car on long journeys because the tyres get dizzy!), and Mandy Muden, the girl who only practices safe magic. This Carol Vorderman look-a-like is sharp and spirited in her style of humour, as well as being a dab hand at the old conjuring. Just a pity I'd seen her do the same routine a couple of days before in Oh! What a Lovely Blouse at The Stand. But the shining light was final-fling Hal Cruttenden. Straight, but ever-so-slightly camp, Hal lovingly mocked some of the great gay figures of history, and gave us a ferociously funny send-up of the Exorcist, while the whole kaleidoscope of comedy was held together professionally by those two inimitable hosts. I know a lot of humour holds universal appeal, but Screamers allows an opportunity to broach sticky subject matter that would go over the heads of most non-woofters. Not bad value (even though Screamers' normal two-hour show costs two quid less than the 90-minute Fringe specials), plus half the attraction is not knowing exactly what you're in for. Like their postcard says - "expect the unexpected"... Scott J. Reid 'Riffs and Credos', 'The Whale Watchers' Frantic Redhead Productions & Playwrights Arena Randolph Studio Two plays both by Nick Salamone. Riffs & Credos is an intense piece about a Catholic priest who is on his deathbed and has AIDS. It tells of his life, his current and former partner and two female friends of theirs. There is much switching between recollections and fantasies and sometimes it is difficult to tell which is which. The Whale Watchers takes the same characters three years after the priest's death and explores how their relationships have changed and are changing, where the two women are drifting apart and the two men may be coming closer together. Two well written and entertaining plays. 'Contradance' Teatro Alba C Venue What would have happened if Queen Elizabeth I of England had been a man and had taken male lovers? Based on this simple theme this translation of Spanish playwright Francisco Ors excellent work is brought to life by Teatro Alba in a performance that proved too explicit for one member of the audience who walked out. First rate. 'Ion' The Hard and Fast Theatre Company The Ion of the title is a Romanian genius who meets Professor Harris in an Internet discussion area on particle physics. Somehow I find it difficult to believe in professors wasting time discussing their area of study on the Internet. I've never encountered one. We rapidly learn that this is set in the future when there is war in SE Europe (so nothing new there). Harris gets Ion out of the war zone and brings him to Cambridge. Gradually they become lovers. However we also have to cope with an independent Scotland which appears to be outside the EU, the breakdown of the welfare state, the problems of homelessness, chaos theory, atomic physics, and parallel universes. To say covering this lot successfully in 45 minutes is over ambitious is to put it mildly. There is some fine writing. I particularly liked the sections on the differences between emotions and logic and the sections where they drew parallels between the attraction of falling in love and the attractions of fundamental particles. 'Marge' Oxford University Touring Company C Venue This wonderful black comedy by Peter Morris features Leroy who has been married to Daphne for 13 years. He hires Marge, a prostitute, to be his companion for after he has murdered his wife. Things start to go wrong for him when Marge and Daphne develop a lesbian relationship. Peppered throughout with humour and considerable discussion of sexual politics, there is extremely clever use of dialogue where often the same words are repeated in a different context which gives them an entirely different meaning. It is work of this quality which makes the Fringe a joy. 'Shylock' Gareth Armstrong Assembly Rooms OK, I went to see this because it was by the actor who plays Sean - the only openly gay character in The Archers. I'm glad I did. This masterpiece written and performed by Gareth Armstrong is told through the voice of Tubal, Shakespere's only other Jewish character who gets 8 lines in The Merchant of Venice. It tells of a millennium of anti-semitism in Europe and of the history of the play from before Shakespere's time to the present day; of the changes made to is to suit the political views of the day. Now all this could be delivered in a dull as dust lecture but it isn't. Instead we have the towering strength of Gareth Armstrong bringing it to life in a magnificent, witty yet serious manner and with many extracts from the text. And there was I thinking Armstrong was just a jobbing actor who was only up to playing a pub manager in a radio soap. I feel ashamed for making such assumptions. 'Whoredom' Rejects Revenge Theatre Company Komedia@Southside When you go and see a new play by a company who have won two Fringe Firsts in the last four years you expect a lot. That is exactly what you get. Whoredom is a very funny fast moving comedy set in Elizabethan London. Lucy Ruff (Helen Bright) is an accomplished whore who is infatuated with leading Shakespearean actor Richard Burbage (David Alison). She is joined in her trade by Margery Gently (Heather Robson), a lady who has fallen on hard times. Add in a bishop who is trying to get a monopoly on brothels and a sewer dwelling toad man (Terry Kilkelly) with pet toad and you have all the material you need for this first rate play. Unlike previous Rejects Revenge shows this one is written by Robson but expert direction by Rejects co-founder Ann Farrar gives it that characteristic award winning Rejects feel. You won't find better acting on stage in Edinburgh than you will find in this play. What more could one want? More of the same. 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' Count Arthur Strong & Terry Titter Gilded Balloon To go on stage and be crap performers is easy - there are more than enough of them at any Fringe. However to portray bad actors and crap comics in a way that is truly funny takes real talent, something this pair have plenty of. Count Arthur (Steve Delaney) and Terry Titter (Terry Kilkelly) last worked together 30 years ago when they had a disagreement when they went their separate ways. Arthur has been running his acting school "just like RADA" in Hartlepool and Terry has been doing his act. They reunite to give a lecture demonstrating all the performing skills they have learnt, or rather not learnt, over their years in the trade. Well worth seeing. 'Working and Bonking' Oxford University Touring Company C Venue This witty and clever play by Jackson Williams starts off with a student who is trying to write a screenplay. As it develops we gradually move from the real world into living the lives of the characters in the screenplay and back out again or somewhere in between, and it all comes together at the end. A nice, light hearted, well constructed bit of fun at lunchtime. 'Numb B' Camille Thoman Komedia@Southside Once in a while one goes to see a show on the Fringe expecting to see something reasonably good and comes away stunned at the sheer quality of it. Numb B is such a show. Usually I don't like solo dance but this had me totally captivated. Most dance consists of well lit bodies on stage but in this brilliant piece the lighting and set are an integral part of the choreography. In three parts it started with nothing visible, then with just enough light to see painted hands moving, then with slightly more light various parts of her body are visible. Part two had Thoman behind a black set covering the entire stage but with a window in it. The dance consisted of allowing us to see a hand here, a leg there creating a beautiful style where instead of body dancing with body, body part dances with body part. The final part was completely different - fast moving dance in a flamboyant dress performed under a strobe light. Sadly the performance only lasted 40 minutes, I could have sat through hours of it. 'Grotesque Myth of a Plucked Angel' Artus Turul Demarco European Arts Foundation The most unusual thing at the start of this was the way the audience greeted each other. I think everybody there knew other members of the audience, but enough about the audience what about the show? I didn't know what to expect. Last year Artus did a physical piece accompanied by live music. I'm listening to the CD as I write this. The order of the pieces was decided by an artist who produced a picture during the show and the order was not known to the actors in advance. For this year's piece I think I would have got more out of it had I, like the company, been Hungarian, but I, and the rest of the audience, got enough for an enthralling and very funny hour. Conveyed largely through dance essentially this tells of Hungary's "progress" over the last decade. Intensely political, I can see why back in 1991 the then Minister for Culture, no doubt raised under the communist system, hated it and I can understand with its attacks on vacuous officials and organised religion why audiences love it. 'Sex and Second Thoughts' Three Tables for One Marriage Old St Paul's Church & Hall When student drama societies start hiding the fact that that is what they are it is time to get worried about their work. So it proved in this case. This is a tragedy. The tragedy is that actors with ability should waste their time on rubbish like this. The play by Chris Harper is about monogamy and defecation and has little original to say about either. The action was not chronological and seemed to have been ordered by throwing the script into the air and picking it up in any order. It was also not helped by having the same person playing both son and father. This made dialogue between them interesting. Some of the play depends on nudity, so how did they portray this? By taking their clothes off? No. Skin coloured body stockings? No. Obviously they wore black underwear. However one of the actors had not "adjusted his dress" before appearing on stage and so performed this scene about the importance of nakedness with his hand in front of his todger. Why did I bother? I wish I hadn't. 'Friendly Fire' West Lothian Youth Theatre Theatre Workshop The set consisted of a First World War memorial. I was therefore surprised when a group of teenage kids came on stage in contemporary clothes. It turned out they used to meet by the war memorial. In this play by Peter Gill the hand of the director - Mari Binnie of Clyde Unity Theatre - is clearly visible. We get to know a community of not very pleasant youths and learn about their life chances. Increasingly we focus on Shelley (Kirsty McNicol) who fancies Adie (Stephen Scott) who in turn fancies Gary (Nicol Hay) who in turn fancies Shelley. With much emphasis on the depression young love can induce this finely acted play allows one to get inside the head of youth today. Well worth seeing. 'In the Line of Duty' Company Theatre Komedia@Southside Two years ago I sat in a room with 6 or 7 others at Southside Courtyard with Pip Utton of Company Theatre on stage as Adolph Hitler. Last year Adolph was back but word was out of just how good it was. Shows were selling out days in advance and the world's press (no, I'm not exaggerating), were clamouring for tickets. This year it is back at the Assembly Rooms. This year I sat in a room with 6 or 7 others at Komedia@Southside seeing Pip Utton in another play. I have a feeling history is about to repeat itself. The play is about an honest copper who is up before a disciplinary enquiry because he shot and killed someone in the line of duty. Or is it. As the story progresses things emerge which call into question the initial view. I suspect each member of the audience will see it differently, supporting one side or the other as the play progresses. This short piece is one of the finest and most powerful things you are likely to see in Edinburgh. Get a ticket before word gets round of how good it is. 'The Bigger Issue' Reservoir Swans Hill Street Theatre An incredibly rich London couple are due to go to a party on New Year's Eve 1999. She refuses to go and announces she has invited a guest. A tramp whom she met busking at a tube station arrives. Doesn't sound too promising, but with some witty dialogue and other unexpected events this excellent production explores the themes of money not bringing happiness and our responsibilities to our fellow man. With talent by the bucket load Reservoir Swans are a company to watch. 'Wreck the Airline' The Riot Group Barrier I went to see The Riot Group last year after I heard that the Fringe Society had censored the title of their show. I was sufficiently impressed to see them again this year. Their unusual style is to have three actors facing the audience delivering lines at a rapid pace in a well constructed, entertaining manner. Part way through the show the lights went out and they announced we had lost power. After a break of about 10 minutes they fixed the fuse and the show was ready to resume. It was somewhat unfortunate that the next line was "30,000 feet, engine failure" but it got a good laugh and the show continued. Unfortunately we lost power again and the show had to be abandoned. I suspect however that this is a show that works and is well worth seeing for the unusual style alone. 'A Star is Torn' Jacqueline Pearce Gilded Balloon This show by Pearce and Spencer Butler starts with her storming out of a rehearsal for her Edinburgh show when she finds out it is not what she was expecting. We are then led through her life from convent school, her career as an actor, and the men she falls for who usually turn out to be gay. Although played as autobiographical this is scripted and I have absolutely no idea of the extent to which the fictional process has been at work. This does not matter. This is a witty hour with many enjoyable anecdotes. An hour of fun at lunchtime. 'Ridiculusmus Yes, Yes, Yes' Continental Shifts Springwell House My initial reaction was no, no, no but it grew on me. If you do see it don't leave when the actors leave the stage, there is a manic video to follow. Best described as two Tommy Coopers on acid with audience participation. 'Cinderella' Turbozone The Quad I have no idea how much it cost to put on this show - well into six figures I suspect. I notice that the company are supported by the airline Go. Quite why an airline would choose to support a show that involves explosions, flame throwers, and vast amounts of pyrotechnics is beyond me but then I've never understood corporate sponsorship. You know the basic story. Add in the above, a wonderful space, a loud techno beat, enough equipment for a small fire brigade, trapezes, an impressive set, and stunt motor bikes and you have this show. However by pricing tickets at ukp12 it is playing to ludicrously small houses. Martin Powell 'The Best of Kit and the Widow' Assembly Rooms 'The Worst of Kit and the Widow' Cafe Royal Fringe Favourites Kit and the Widow are back for their 17th year. The formula is the same as before, Kit sings and the Widow plays and sings, but why break a winning formula? The material is the usual camp nonsense and very funny with it. A winning combination of pure parody mixed in with social comment means that the show gets neither too political nor too lightweight. The much later show at the Cafe Royal (starting at 00:45) starts a little later than maybe most would want but it does contain the better (i.e. ruder) material. 'Norman Lovett' Pleasance Norman, star of Red Dwarf but of a much wider interest, presents his one man show at the Pleasance over the Road. His real life character is not unlike 'Holly' in Red Dwarf and his hour long show is a fine example of dry humour and comment on the stupidities of everyday life. Unlike, for example, Jack Dee he manages to view the world with a sense of humour rather than anger which makes his show all the more engaging. 'Hettie Heyridge' Assembly Rooms After last year's autobiographical show (based very much on her just released book) this year's show is a future story. Set just a few years into the new millennium Hettie reminisces on what everyone did and how it all eventually worked out (or didn't). As a future history this works quite well, however the main aim is comedy and that works as well, looking at the Millennium "from the other end" puts an unusual spin on everything. Also the whole premise that you would have to book and wait nine months to visit a special theme park that just had duck ponds in it and is set in the remains of the Millennium Dome after it has been destroyed by being hit by the Mir space station sets the tone of the whole piece perfectly. 'A Star is Torn' Gilded Balloon Jacqueline Pearce presents an almost biography of what she has been doing since Blake's 7 (in which she starred as the evil Servalan, thus providing a role model for many young gay men). She decided that she would head for Hollywood and become a big star. However, it didn't quite work out like that. Instead, she ends up sleeping on people's floors and being hosted by mad, aged actresses. All this is explained to Rudolph Nureyev whose photo is on the wall. Although the show is billed in the "Comedy and Review" section of the Fringe Programme it does have quite a large serious part as Jacqueline talks about what life has thrown her (mostly gay men who she falls in love with). However, there are many laughs along the way and it all ends up with a gag at the end (which is the stand-up she wanted to do anyway). An interesting show which mentions little of the 'Blake's 7' days. Jim Derby 'Jason Byrne' The Pleasance, 20.35, 'til 30 Aug Well is there much more to say? This stand up comedian has won many awards, appears on TV, Radio and Film. He's naturally hyperactive, possesses unnatural amounts of imagination, is funny to the point of wanting to explode and has as much talent as there are pigeon droppings on Trafalgar Square! What do you mean, you've never been to Trafalgar Square? That's not the bloody point! Just kill for the show! 'Steve Best Is Immature' The Pleasance, 19.30, 'til 30 Aug Horrible cacophonic "singing", enough props to make Alibaba jealous and a long, very long series of fast paced puns... is what makes up Steve Best's show. If you think, "I did a stand up show in Lillipute Land. I had the audience in the palm of my hand" is funny, you'll absolutely adore the guy. Personally, "That don't impress me much" and truly speaking, the guy's a clown, not a comedian. 'Simply Barbra' The Pleasance, 18.30, 'til 30 Aug Steven Brinberg is Barbra Steisand. He sings like her, moves like her and bitches like anyone who's made it into showbiz. He's appeared for a record-breaking four years at New York club "Don't tell Mama" and sells out pretty much anywhere he goes, including at his debut in London. Now, Barbra Streisand is nothing but Steven Brinberg's shadow. This is music and parody. This is jazz by the drag who surpasses the fame she's impersonating. 'Sweet Miracles' Gilded Balloon, 12.00, 'til 30 Aug not 10 & 24 A musical play about not much. Two "Spice Girls" and their problems behind the scene. One is in love with the other, the other is in love with herself and the audience. The last bit of that sentence is truly what's best because they may be fit but the show sure ain't fit for stage. The Fringe Guide should put a maximum age limit on this one! 'Gumboots' Gilded Balloon at the Palladium, 19.00, 'til 30 Aug not 17, 23 & 24 Powerful, traditional, rhythms, dance and song from the mines of South Africa, this performance features twelve, sweaty, fit, black bodies exploding on stage in some cool moves and hot beats. This comes from the mines where the conditions were appalling; down to the knees in infected water, no speaking between co-slaves. As the slaves were provided with Wellingtons, an illegal form of communication developed. This is what GUMBOOTS is about; a celebration of the body and African tap, not with the tip, not with the heel but with the soul. 'The Liar' Gilded Balloon, 15.30, 'til 30 Aug Everyone knows the story, don't they? Well, don't despair if you haven't read it. This performance downloads Stephen Fry's highly exciting and wickedly funny first novel with great accuracy, at cutting pace and with reasonable talent. Adrian Healy is at Cambridge, smart, gay, cheeky, and a chronicle liar. The disturbing truth is that most of Cambridge's best staff elements are not far from that description either... well maybe not gay, but who cares. Overall, this turns the story into an orgy of wit and twists. Although this performance lacks personal touch, it is a very funny and accurate adaptation. Kenneth Rawlinson ---------------------------------------------------------------- LISTINGS ======== We TRY to provide Scotland's most up-to-date and accurate listings. If your group isn't listed, - or if your entry needs updating - please write to ScotsGay with full details. We're not clairvoyant: If we don't know about it, it just won't go in! We'd also like to know about your forthcoming events and meetings. Although many of the listings are for specific towns, they often cover a much wider area. If in doubt, you can always phone one of the Switchboards for more information. Our website edition is kept constantly up-to-date. Write to:- ScotsGay Listings, PO Box 666, Edinburgh EH7 5YW, Fax them to: 0131-539 2999 or E-mail them to listings@scotsgay.co.uk national organisations OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND: Scotland's oldest lesbian, gay and bisexual rights organisation. It was founded in 1969 as the Scottish Minorities Group, later became the Scottish Homosexual Rights Group and changed its name to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND in December 1992. Write: The Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. E-mail: alecd@dircon.co.uk Why not join OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND? Membership is ukp15 waged, ukp9 low-waged (under ukp10,000 pa) and ukp5 unwaged. Life membership is ukp150. Please make out your cheque/Postal Order to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND and send to The Membership Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, 58a Broughton Street, EDINBURGH. EH1 3SA. EQUALITY NETWORK: Working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in Scotland. Write: c/o 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1SA. Phone: 07020 933 952. Fax: 07020 933 954. E-mail: equality@diversity.org.uk WWW: http://www.diversity.org.uk/equality/ We hold weekly meetings, regular forums and an annual conference; contact us for more details. Join the campaign network! LESBIAN ARCHIVE AND INFORMATION CENTRE: The UK's largest and most significant collection of materials relating to lesbian lives. LAIC (at Glasgow Women's Library) 109 Trongate, Glasgow. G1 5HD. Phone/Fax: 0141-552 8345. Open Tue-Fri 1-6pm and Sat 2-5pm. E-mail: gwl@globalnet.co.uk WWW: http://www.womens-library.org.uk/laic.htm PRIDE SCOTLAND: Pride Scotland organises the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride march and festival in Scotland. Phone: 0131-556 8822 or 0141-400 2640. Write: c/o 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA or 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. E-mail: info@pridescotland.org WWW: http://www.pridescotland.org/ Next year, the festival will occur in Glasgow, but all kinds of help are urgently required all year round! local organisations ABERDEEN: North East Scotland Gay Group caters for all ages and meets at 7.30pm on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Phone: Ron on Aberdeen (01224) 312547 (7-11pm). E-mail: nesgg@drink.demon.co.uk Icebreakers is a social group which meets on last Mon of each month. Contact Grampian Switchboard for details. AYRSHIRE: Ayrshire Social Sexuality Support Group. Meets 3rd Wed of each month at 7pm in Irvine. Details of venue from David Bingham on 0141-332 3838 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or Strathclyde Switchboard. E-mail: davidb@phacewest.enterprise-plc.com BORDERS: Borders Gay Switchboard operates every Thu evening 7.30-10pm for confidential information, advice and counselling. Phone: Galashiels (01896) 756611. Write: Borders Gay Switchboard, PO Box 13305, Hawick, Borders. TD9 9YG. CAITHNESS GAY AND LESBIAN CONNECTION: A friendly informal group which meets regularly. Write: Box 689, Journal Office, 42 Union Street, Wick, Caithness. KW1 5ED. E-mail: Jimscot@aol.com DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: Regular social meetings - usually every second Wed. Phone: Dumfries (01387) 261818 Thursday 7.30-9.30pm Write: Dumfries and Galloway Lesbian and Gay Group, PO Box 1299, Dumfries. DG1 2PD. DUNDEE: Dundee Queerier is a monthly newsletter for people in the Dundee, Angus and Perth Kinross areas. Contact via queerier@dundeelgb.freeserve.co.uk Tay Friend, holds regular social meetings for gay men. Write: Tay Friend, PO Box 182, Dundee. DD1 9UP. Or phone Dundee Switchboard. EDINBURGH: Icebreakers is an alternative to the scene and takes place 8-9.15pm on the 2nd and 4th Wed of each month in CC Blooms. First-timers are invited to arrive at 7.30pm. Phone Lothian Switchboard for details. ELGIN: Pride of Moray Firth LGB Social Group meets informally every 2nd Wed 8pm. Cat's Whiskers lounge bar, Elgin. Open to all. Write: Pride of Moray Firth, PO Box 5866, Forres. E-mail: PofMF@aol.com FIFE FRIEND: Small voluntary phoneline offering support, advice and information to lesbians and gay men within Fife. Fri: 7.30-10pm. Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 266688. Write: PO Box 19, Kirkcaldy, Fife. KY1 3JF. Runs a monthly disco and has weekly pub nights. GLASGOW: Glasgow Gay & Lesbian Centre Board Limited, manages GGLC, fundraising, campaigning and social group. Board meetings are held regularly, the Centre Administrator (10am-1pm Mon-Fri), has full detail of dates, held in the Centre, first 15 minutes are open to all. Annual General meeting of members, last Saturday in May, membership will be closed in last month. Write: Glasgow Gay Lesbian Centre, 11 Dixon Street, St Enoch, Glasgow, G1 4AL. Phone/Fax: 0141-221 7203. Childcare at a charge and BSL interpreter may be available - please give advance notice. E-mail: http://www.gglc.org.uk/index2.html Icebreakers Group for lesbians, gays and bisexuals new to the scene: Noon-4pm on 1st Sun in each month. GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard. Out On Sunday is a group for lgbt individuals who want to meet up to organise their own social events and agenda. Informal and fun. Last Sun of each month in the GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. Details: 0141-221 7203. INVERCLYDE: Gay Inverclyde is an E-mail community for meeting new LGB friends within the Inverclyde area. To join visit WWW: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Gay-Inverclyde or for more info E-mail John: John-tgln@email-me.co.uk or phone 07970 342 862. INVERNESS: Highland Gay Men's Group meets on the 4th Wed of each month at 34 Waterloo Place. Phone: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Wed Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Thu 9.30am-9pm, Sat 10am-1pm). Write: PO Box 67, Inverness. IV1 2XX. LANARKSHIRE: Lanarkshire Gay Men's Group is a group which meets every Wed from 8pm at Beckford Business Centre, Beckford Street, Hamilton. Social and educational events. Write: LGMC, c/o 22 Dunlin, East Kilbride, Glasgow. G74 4RU. Phone: 0845 6071936. E-mail: lgmg@bigfoot.com WWW: http://www.bigfoot.com/~lgmg/ WEST LOTHIAN: Go West is a gay men's group which meets every Thu evening in Livingston. Phone: Bathgate (01506) 631010. Thu-Fri 9am-4.30pm. women's groups ABERDEEN LESBIAN GROUP: Meets every Wed 8-10pm in the Women's Centre, Shoe Lane. Phone: Babs Greenwood on Aberdeen (01224) 625010. E-mail: ab.womenscentre@dial.pipex.com DUNDEE: We Bissums - a regular newletter for Dundee women. Write c/o Young Women's Project, 28 South Tay Street, Dundee. DD1 1PD. Phone: Dundee (01382) 224956. E-mail: LMat1053@aol.com EDINBURGH: AD Group: For lesbians 40+. Monthly meeting and frequent social events. For details, phone 40plus@drink.demon.co.uk Dykes Nytes Out: Social events for couples and singles. Meets 1st, 2nd and 3rd Fri of each month. Phone Edinburgh Lesbian Line for details. Edinburgh Bisexual Group meets every Thu at 8-9.30pm in the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre, 58a Broughton Street. All welcome. See below for full listing. Edinburgh Lesbian Line 0131-557 0751, Mon and Thu 7.30-10pm. For information, advice and counselling in confidence. Write: PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU. Lesbian Mothers Network (Scotland): Phone: Sue Robertson on 0131-556 3899/4563. Fax: 0131-557 9650. Write: One Parent Families Scotland, 13 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh. EH1 3NX. E-mail: http://www.gn.apc.org.uk/opfs/ GLASGOW: Glasgow Women's Library, 4th/5th Floors, 109 Trongate, G1 5HD. Phone: 0141-552 8345. Open Tue-Fri 1-6pm. Sat 2-5pm. Closed Mon. Lending and reference library - books, magazines, journals, videos, leaflets and information. UK and overseas feminist and lesbian publications. Contains the Lesbian Archive and Information Centre - a unique national collection of publications, journals and ephemera by and for lesbians. E-mail: http://www.womens-library.org.uk/ Lesbian Mothers Discussion Group: Meets every second Mon from 6-8pm. Support group, social events, informal chat. Crche and fares help available. Phone Vicky on 0141-333 1450. Lesbian Writing Group: Held in Glasgow Womens' Library, 2nd and 4th Tue of each month 6.30-8.30pm. All welcome, especially novice writers. More info from Glasgow Womens' Library on 0141-552 8345. OLGA - Older Women's Group: Meets monthly. Phone: Jenny on 0141-810 1468, Alex on Dalmellington (01294) 558171 or Lorna on Lochwinnoch (01505) 842352. Racketeers: Women's badminton. Mixed abilities. Thu 6.30-8.30pm at the Coburn Centre, near Southern General Hospital. Self Defence and Personal Safety: Personal safety and self defence courses for lesbians are offered by the Women's Safety Centre, Wellpark Women's Business Centre, 120 Sydney Street, Glasgow. Phone: 0141-554 7676. Women's Five-a-side Football: Indoor football on Sun 5-7pm. Mixed ability, new members/visitors welcome. Phone: Dunja on 0141-576 1345 for venue details. E-mail: dab97215@aol.com INVERNESS: Highland Lesbian Group is a friendly lesbian social group that gets together on the first Mon of each month at Reach Out Highland's premises, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness, from 7-11pm. Also offers support and information. If there has been any problem opening the premises we'll be at the Station Hotel. Write: PO Box 91, Inverness. IV2 7GJ. E-mail: High_Les@bigfoot.com LESBIAN INFORMATION SERVICE: PO Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire. OL14 5TZ. Please enclose an sae. Phone/Fax: Todmorden (01706) 817235. LILLIDOTS: Lesbian Feminist Walking Group. Contact via Edinburgh Lesbian Line, Strathclyde Switchboard. bisexuals EDINBURGH BISEXUAL GROUP: Meets every Thu 8-9.30pm in the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre, 58a Broughton Street. There's an excellent programme of talks and speakers usually followed by a visit to a local pub for socialising. Phone: Bisexual Phoneline on 0131-557 3620. E-mail: http://www.ebg.org.uk/ atheists/humanists EDINBURGH FREETHINKERS: An informal network of militant atheists (with one militant humanist agnostic atheist). Write: PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. E-mail http://www.antipope.org/freethinkers/ GAY AND LESBIAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION (GALHA): A group for atheist/agnostic lesbians gays and bisexuals which promotes an enlightened, rational Humanist approach to homosexuality. Details from GALHA National Office, 34 Spring Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2HB. Phone/Fax: Kenilworth (01926) 858450. E-mail: http://visitweb.com/galha/ bears BEARS' CLUB UK: For hairy, moustached and bearded men and their admirers. Aberdeen: Meets 1st Fri of each month. Aberdeen: Phone Bruce on Aberdeen (01224) 317552. E-mail: glasgowbears@drink.demon.co.uk National: BCUK, PO Box 89, Hoylake DO, Wirral. L48 4LD. bereavement LESBIAN & GAY BEREAVEMENT PROJECT: Provides support and information to bereaved lesbians and gay men or anyone bereaved by the death of a lesbian or gay man. Phone: 020-8455 8894 7pm-Midnight. Fax: 020-8200 1345. Write to: Lesbian & Gay Bereavement Project, Vaughan M Williams Centre, Colindale Hospital, London. NW9 5HG. E-mail: http://members.aol.com/lgbp/ bikers GAY BIKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB: A UK-wide club for women and men. Active Scottish section. Details: GBMCC, PO Box 33, Long Eaton, Nottingham. NG10 2BF. E-mail: http://www.gaybikers.demon.co.uk/ christians ACCEPTANCE: A group for lesbian gay and bisexual Christians providing a liberated environment where all may explore and celebrate their own sexual and spiritual integration without fear of judgement or censure. Write: Acceptance Pigeonhole, University of Aberdeen Chaplaincy Centre, 25 High Street, Aberdeen. AB24 3EE. Phone: (Day) Aberdeen (01224) 272137, (Evening) Aberdeen (01224) 324962. CHANGING CHURCH ATTITUDES: Write c/o 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. E-mail: cca2000@btinternet.com EVANGELICAL: Lesbian, gay or bisexual? From an Evangelical tradition? So are we. Phone: Ewan on Polmont (01324) 715542. Write: Evangelical Fellowship, 45 Hillary Close, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 5RP. HOLY TRINITY METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH: An inclusive church of the lesbigay and trangendered community open to all irrespective of sexuality. Services: Every Sun at 6pm in the Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. Relationship blessings conducted by arrangement. Phone: Stephen on 0131-332 7088. Write: Holy Trinity MCC, PO Box 12433, Edinburgh. EH1 3FU. E-mail: http://www.geocities.com/westhollywood/8362 L&GCM: Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. Write: PO Box 19522, Falkirk. FK2 0WD. QUAKERS: Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship (formerly Friends' Homosexual Fellowship) is a welcoming and supportive national group for people of all sexual orientations and their friends. Write: Ruth/BM, 3 Hallsfield, Cricklade, Swindon, Wilts. SN6 6LR. QUEST: Organisation for Roman Catholic men and women who are gay. Monthly meetings are held in different regional groups throughout Britain. Scottish meetings held in Glasgow. Phone: 0141-948 0397 (Linkline Glasgow Sun 7-10pm). Write: Quest, BM Box 2585, LONDON WC1N 3XX. For Quest Glasgow write to: Quest, PO Box 280, Glasgow G11 7JP. E-mail: quest@dircon.co.uk WEEKLY WORSHIP: Held every Sun at 2pm in the GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. Open to people of all religious backgrounds or from none. cultural CELTIC MUSIC GAY GROUP: Mixed LGB group. Scottish/Irish music/culture fans (Wolfstone, Runrig, Wolfe Tones, Athenry, Aire Og, Christy Moore, etc). Watch and swap videos/cassettes. Write to: CMGG, BM Box 7970, LONDON. WC1N 3XX. CLANN AN UABHAIR (A FAMILY OF PRIDE): New York City's own Gay & Lesbian Scottish Association. Membership open to anyone. Dances, ceilidhs, cultural events throughout the year. A particular warm welcome to anyone visiting our town from Scotland! E-mail: ibetts@erols.com for any and all information, or snail mail to Clann An Uabhair, G.L.S.A., P.O. Box 630, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 10016, USA. Phone: 00 1 (212) 726-1418. GAY ABBA FAN CLUB: For anyone wanting to meet with other guys with a Scandinavian fixation, watch/swap videos, memorabilia or just jam with other Svenskas. Phone: 0141-943 1428. GAY CALEDONIAN CLUB (KILTIES): Meets 1st and 3rd Wed of the month in Glasgow. Phone: Bill on 0141-772 8322. GLASGAY!: Lesbian and gay arts festival which will take place 22nd-31st October 1999. Contact for more information or to be added to mailing list. Write: Glasgay!, 2nd Floor, 18 Albion Street, Glasgow. G1 1LH. Phone: 0141-400 0301. Fax: 0141-400 1783. E-mail: glasgay@drink.demon.co.uk GLASGOW GAY MEN'S CHORUS: The Chorus meets Wed nights downstairs in the Polo Lounge to sing all types of music. New members always welcome. No auditions needed! Phone: Ross on 0802 627344 for further details. E-mail: andrew.wright@bms.com INTERNATIONAL KILT APPRECIATION SOCIETY (IKAS): Contact and social group for guys interested in viewing/wearing kilts. Regular newsletter: SAE Mervyn Tacy, `Ziveli', 20 Ordsall Park Road, RETFORD, Notts, DN22 7PA. cyberspace DIGITAL DIVERSITY: Cyberqueerdom Central. E-mail: http://www.diversity.org.uk/ LAMBDA BOARD EDINBURGH: The UK's oldest lesbigay 24 hour computer based bulletin board system. Private mailboxing, areas for Women, Gay Men, Bisexuals, Leather Enthusiasts, TV/TSs, etc. 0131-556 6316. Scrolling (8N1) and Viewdata (Prestel) formats at speeds up to V22bis (2400/2400). drink problems If you are a lesbian or gay man with a drink problem and want help and advice, ring Tom on 0141-770 6599, 7 days a week anytime. Tom refers to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but does preparatory work. AA MONDAY NIGHT GROUP: For anyone worried about a drink problem. Meets at 8pm every Mon at Phace West, 49 Bath Street, Glasgow. health matters AXIS: HIV Information and resource service. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. 5 South Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy, Fife. (Behind Sheriff Court). KY1 1YA. Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 265666. Fax: Kirkcaldy (01592) 643866. E-mail: axis@southfergus.freeserve.co.uk BODY POSITIVE (FIFE): Providing support for those HIV+ and with AIDS in the Kingdom. 5 South Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy, Fife. KY1 1YA. (Behind Sheriff Court). Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 597756. 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. BODY POSITIVE (GRAMPIAN): A self help group offering support and assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS in the Grampian area. Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 404408 (Telephone Answering Machine). Write: PO Box 83, Aberdeen. AB9 1AA. BODY POSITIVE (STRATHCLYDE): Providing support for those living with HIV and AIDS in the West of Scotland. 3 Park Quadrant, Glasgow. G3 6BS. Mon-Thurs 11am-8pm and Friday 11am-5pm (Administration 9am-5pm Mon-Fri). Phone: 0141-332 5010. Fax: 0141-332 4285. E-mail: http://homepages.enterprise.net/bpstrathclyde/ BODY POSITIVE (TAYSIDE): Self help for HIV+ people. 11 Princes Street, Dundee. DD4 6BY. Phone: Dundee (01382) 461555. Fax: Dundee (01382) 461424. Drop In Centre: Mon (Women Only) 11am-2pm, Tue 10.30am-7.30pm, Wed-Thu 10.30am-3.30pm, Fri 11am-2pm, Sun Noon-5pm. E-mail: http://www.sol.co.uk/b/bptayside/ CENTRE FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH: 6 Sandyford Place, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. G3 7NB. Open Tue-Thu 10am-9pm (other times by arrangement). Fully accessible. Phone: 0141-211 6700. Fax: 0141-211 6702. Minicom: 0141-211 6701. E-mail: cfwh@dial.pipex.com CRUSAID SCOTLAND: The national HIV and AIDS fundraising charity who also run the Individual Hardship Fund for HIV+ people on low incomes. (For Hardship Fund applications or queries, contact Phace West on 0141-332 3838). Volunteers welcome for help in the office and with events - please contact Steve Piercy if you can help: 24a Ainslie Place, Edinburgh. EH3 6AJ. Phone: 0131-225 8918. Fax: 0131-220 4033. E-mail: http://www.crusaid.org.uk/ DOT (DUNDEE OUTREACH TEAM): Sexual health and relevant issues for gay and bisexual men. Free and confidential service. Drop in coffee shop: Sat 1.30-4.30pm. Friendly and informal. Harm Reduction Centre, 55 Constitution Road, Dundee. DD1 1LB. Phone: Dundee (01382) 424531. Fax: Dundee (01382) 424532. FIFE MEN: Information, advice and support on gay and health issues, free condoms, and much more! 5 South Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy. KY1 1YA (Behind Sheriff Court). Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 265666. Fax: Kirkcaldy (01592) 643866. E-mail: http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~alecd/ (Please note that this web site causes Netscape to crash). FRIENDS FOR LIFE: Provides support and information in Glasgow and surrounding areas to people affected by terminal or long term chronic illness, ie Cancer, AIDS, MS, etc. 5th Floor, 52 St Enoch Square, Glasgow. G1 4DH. Office open 8.45am-5pm Mon-Fri. Phone: 0141-204 2202. Fax: 0141-204 2203. E-mail: ffl@cqm.co.uk GAY MEN'S HEALTH: A voluntary sector project for gay men. Services include individual or group support and counselling, scene work, peer education and training, volunteer projects, Safer Sex Squaddies, provision of condoms, lube and Safer sex materials. 10a Union Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. Phone: 0131-558 9444. Fax: 0131-558 9060. E-mail: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~gaymen/ GLASGOW BARS AIDS WELFARE FUND: Raises funds for people with HIV/AIDS in the Greater Glasgow area. PO Box 3954, Glasgow. G31 2YF. E-mail: gbawf@hotmail.com GLASGOW FOOD LINE: Confidential service which provides nutritionally balanced meals and information to HIV+ people and carers in Glasgow. Phone/Fax: 0141-946 0003. Write: Unit A, Maryhill Workspace Limited, 45 Garrioch Road, Glasgow. G20 8RG. GRAMPIAN AIDS LINE: Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 574000 (Telephone Answering Machine). HEALTHY GAY SCOTLAND: Free condoms and lube available by post (Scotland only) through their website. WWW: http://www.hgscotland.org.uk/ HIV-AIDS CARERS AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: Suite 226, Baltic Chambers, 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow. G2 6HJ. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm. Phone/Fax: 0141-221 8100. E-mail: secretary@hivfamiliesgroup.freeserve.co.uk LANARKSHIRE HIV, AIDS AND HEPATITIS CENTRE: One stop shop for HIV and Hepatitis health services. Counselling Service, Monklands Hospital, Monks Court Avenue, Airdrie. ML6 0JS. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Phone: Airdrie (01236) 747960 or 746142 (Telephone Counselling Service). Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Tue Thu 8-10pm. Fax: Airdrie (01236) 746195. MILESTONE HOUSE: Residential care (primarily respite and paliative care) for people with HIV/AIDS. 113 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh. EH14 1EB. Phone/Fax: 0131-441 6989. PHACE WEST: A locally based and managed agency for people affected by HIV/AIDS serving Glasgow and the West of Scotland. 49 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 2DL. Phone: 0141-332 3838 Fax: 0141-332 3755. E-mail: http://homepages.enterprise.net/phacewest/ PHAN: Pagan HIV AIDS Network offers peer support and a forum, through correspondence, for Pagans living with or affected by HIV/AIDS to discuss issues and topics with other Pagans. Write: PHAN, c/o 22 Rosebank House, 217 Belle Vue Road, Leeds. LS3 1HG. Phone: 0831 464319. POSITIVE ACCOMMODATION TEAM: Social work service for people with HIV/AIDS providing supported living arrangements, intensive community based support and supported accommodation. General advice and information on community care and housing needs also provided. 1st Floor, Granite House, 31 Stockwell Street, Glasgow. G1 4RZ. Mon-Thu 8.45am-4.45pm. Fri 8.45am-3.55pm. Phone: 0141-552 4488. Fax: 0141-552 2760. POSITIVE HELP: Practical help for people who are infected or affected by HIV and AIDS in Edinburgh, their families and carers. 13a Great King Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6QW. Phone: 0131-558 1122. Fax: 0131-558 3636. E-mail: kirsten@globalnet.co.uk POSITIVE VOICE: Formerly Body Positive (Lothian). Self-help agency for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. 37-39 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh. EH7 5DJ. Phone: 0131-652 0754. Fax: 0131-661 9100. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am-4.30pm. E-mail: pozvoice@yahoo.com THE RAINBOW FUND: Raising funds for the future care of HIV/AIDS patients in Glasgow. PO Box 9525, Johnstone. PA5 OYB. Phone/Fax: 01505 347301. REACH OUT HIGHLAND: Supports people throughout the Highlands - whether living there or visiting - to take responsibility for, manage, and make informed choices about their sexual health and well-being. 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB. Phone: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Wed Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Thu 9.30am-9pm, Sat 10am-1pm). Fax: Inverness (01463) 711793. E-mail: support@reachout.demon.co.uk WWW: http://www.reachout.demon.co.uk/Reach_Out_Highland.html ROAM OUTREACH PROJECT: Outreach sexual health service for sex workers and men using cruising areas. Spittal Street Centre, 22-24 Spittal Street, Edinburgh. EH3 9DU. Phone: 0131-537 8300 (Weekday afternoons) and ask for David or Andrew. E-mail: roamoutreach@hotmail.com SOLAS NATIONAL HIV/AIDS INFORMATION CENTRE: 2/4 Abbeymount, Edinburgh. EH8 8EJ. Information, advice and cafe. Information centre: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 11-4pm, Wed 5-9pm. Phone: 0131-659 5116. E-mail: http://www.solas.demon.co.uk/ STEVE RETSON PROJECT: Weekly sexual health service for gay men. Tue 5.30-9pm. Department of GU Medicine, Main Outpatient Department, Royal Infirmary, 16 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow. Phone: 0141-211 4753/4. Also at GGLC, 11 Dixon Street Thu 5.30-8.30pm. WAVERLEY CARE TRUST BUDDY SERVICE: Buddy Service offers 1:1 emotional support to individuals living with HIV AIDS in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Write: Buddy Service Co-ordinator, Solas, 2/4 Abbeymount, Edinburgh. EH8 8EJ. Phone: 0131-478 7927. Fax: 0131-652 1780. E-mail: buddyservice@solas.demon.co.uk NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE: Freephone 0800 567123. 24 hour service for confidential advice and information. Minicom: 0800 521361 (10am-10pm). Other languages: Arabic 0800 282447 (Thurs 6-10pm), Bengali 0800 371132 (Tues 6-10pm), Cantonese 0800 282446 (Mon 6-10pm), Gujerati 0800 371134 (Wed 6-10pm), Hindi 0800 371136 (Wed 6-10pm), Punjabi 0800 371133 (Wed 6-10pm), Urdu 0800 371135 (Wed 6-10pm) and Welsh 0800 371131 (Daily 10am-2am). (All calls to 0800 numbers are free except from some mobile networks). E-mail: network@netscot.co.uk leather MSC SCOTLAND: MSC Scotland, PO Box 28, Edinburgh. EH3 5JL. MSC Scotland is a member of the European Federation of Motorcycle Clubs. Meets in the Claremont Bar, Edinburgh on the last Sat of each month from 9pm. legal GAY AND LESBIAN LEGAL ADVICE: GLAD is a London based advice line run by lesbian and gay lawyers. Phone: 020-7837 5212 (Mon-Thu 7-9.30pm). State clearly that you seek Scottish legal advice as our law is very different from that of England and Wales. military RANK OUTSIDERS: Support group of Lesbian and Gay Ex Armed Forces Personnel. No rank distinctions. Write: Rank Outsiders, BCM Box 8431, London. WC1N 3XX. National Helpline: 020-7652 6464. Wed 7-9pm. Scottish Co-ordinator: Calum McLean. Phone: Inverness (01463) 236878. E-mail: http://www.rank-outsiders.org.uk/info older gays CAFFMOS: Contacts And Friendship For Men Over Sixty - for the older gentleman and his admirers! Write: "CAFFMOS", PO Box 2273, Hove. BN3 2GF. Phone: Hove (01273) 220995. E-mail: http://members.aol.com/Caffmos/ PHOENIX: National group for the over forties and friends of any age. Write (enclose sae: Phoenix, PO Box 103, Wallington, Surrey. SM6 9SJ. opi The Sisters and Brothers of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence are part of a world wide order of queer men and women of all sexualities which is open to all who feel the habit. Its tenets are: The expurgation of stigmatic guilt and the promulgation of universal joy. OPI CONVENT OF DUNN EIDEANN: Write: Sister Athletica de la Bain OPI, c/o PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. E-mail: dunneideann@hotmail.com OPI CONVENT OF MORAVIA: A more Northern manifestation of the Sisterate. Write: Sister Bobby OPI, Convent of Moravia, 2-4 Lamb Street, Bishopmill, Elgin. IV30 2DG. Phone: Sister Bobby on Elgin (01343) 542928. outdoor clubs DUNDEE HILLBILLIES: A hillwalking group for gay men. Call Kevin for more info on (01382) 455099 or e-mail: kanderson@pkc.gov.uk GAY BIRDERS CLUB: A club for gay and lesbian bird-watchers. UK-based with a world-wide membership, and particularly active in Scotland. Write: Deneside, Foulden, Berwickshire. TD15 1UL. E-mail: http://ds.dial.pipex.com/gay.birders/ GAY OUTDOOR CLUB: Holds regular events including walking, skiing, cycling, mountaineering, camping, youth-hostelling, badminton and swimming. Also holds regular socials in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Please send an A5 sae to GOC, PO Box 16124, Glasgow, G12 9YT, or ring one of the Scottish contacts: East: Grant on 0131-556 8705 (E-mail: grant@music.ed.ac.uk ), West: Jonathan on 0141-342 4088; North: Michael on Lairg (01549) 421344. (E-mail: keates/IC@fc.uhi.ac.uk ). WWW: http://bi.org/~goc Forthcoming events: Fri/Mon Jul 30/Aug 2: HIGHLANDS. Meall Bhuidhe Bothy weekend. Staying at the bunkhouse at Killilan on Friday and walk into the bothy on the Saturday morning. Co-ordinator: Michael (see above). Fri/Sun Aug 20/22. MOUNTAINEERING. Venue and activities yet to be decided. Contact is Jonathan (see above). Sat Aug 21: FIFE. Wind surfing on Loch Tay. Co-ordinator: Tom on 0131-229 5755. Fri/Sun Aug 27/29: HIGHLANDS. Walking weekend based at Achmelvich Youth Hostel. Make your own bookings on 0541 553255 (Local Rate). Co-ordinator: Alan on Dorres (01463) 751258. Sun Aug 29: LOTHIANS. End-of-Festival Beach Party. The place to be seen after the culture shock comes to an end. Co-ordinator: John on 0131-554 8438. GAY RAMBLING GROUP: Walks on the 2nd Sat of each month. Phone Ross on 0141-427 1511. parents PARENTS' FRIEND: Phone: Wolverhampton (01902) 820497. Hours change weekly, but telephone answering machine will always give current details. Fax: 0113-294 9677. Write: c/o Voluntary Services Council, 2/3 Bell Street, Wolverhampton. WV1 3PR. WWW: http://www.parentsfriend.demon.co.uk/ SCOTTISH PARENTS ENQUIRY SERVICE: Support for parents of lesbians gays and bisexuals. Contact via Lothian Switchboard or write to SPE, PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU. political AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER NETWORK: Campaigns for lgbt prisoners of conscience overseas and works within Amnesty UK to change attitudes. Write: AIGLBTN, 11 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1DR. Phone: Catherine on 0131-555 0534 or David on 0141-554 7159. E-mail: scotland@amnesty.org.uk DELGA SCOTLAND: Liberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Equality. Write: DELGA-Scotland, 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR. E-mail: delga-scotland@delga.libdems.org WWW: http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/ao/delgscot/delgscot.htm LESBIANS AND GAY MEN SUPPORTING IRISH POLITICAL PRISONERS/IRISH SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGNS IN SCOTLAND/LONDON: For details of monthly pickets, socials, functions, commemorations, etc, write to: Paul, BM Box 7970, London. WC1N 3XX. LIBERAL PARTY LESBIAN AND GAY CAMPAIGN: Phone: Southport (01704) 500115 (day), 0151-259 5935 (Telephone Answering Machine). Write: Liberal Party Lesbian & Gay Campaign, 41 Sutton Street, Liverpool. L13 7EG. E-mail: http://www.libparty.demon.co.uk/ OUT FOR INDEPENDENCE: The SNP's LGB Group, has been established to bring together lesbians, bisexuals and gay men who support Independence, and to act as a forum within the SNP to discuss LGB issues. Write: Out for Independence, 6 North Charlotte Street, Edinburgh. EH2 4JH. E-mail: http://www.snplgb.freeserve.co.uk/ THE PASSION BRIGADE: Mixed sex/sexuality - all ages and races. Anarchism. Details (2 postage stamps please) from BM Box 207, LONDON. WC1N 3XX. SCOTTISH LABOUR CAMPAIGN FOR LESBIAN AND GAY RIGHTS: Works within the Labour and Trades Union movement to secure equality for lesbians and gay men. Meets quarterly. Write: c/o GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. TORCHE: Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality. Write: BM TORCHE, London WC1N 3XX. E-mail: http://www.torche.gb.org/ prisoners FREE MAGAZINES FOR PRISONERS: Copies of ScotsGay and InsideOUT magazines are sent free of charge to prisoners in UK prisons and institutions. Please contact us if you wish to be added to our free mailing list. PRISONERS' LGBT GROUP: For lesbian, gay, bisexual, TV, TS or just curious people who are in prison (or any institution) in need of advice, help or a friendly ear. Run by gay guy in HMP Shotts. Write: Joseph N Campbell, (LGBL Angel Fire), 142/29 Delta, HMP Shotts, Lanarkshire. ML7 4LE. rape/sexual abuse MEN AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE: Phone: 0141-550 2048 Mon, Tue 7-9pm. RAPE AND ABUSE LINE: For male and female survivors. Women answer the phone: Dingwall (01349) 865316 7-10pm nightly. Men answer the phone: Dingwall (01349) 862686 Mon and Wed 7-10pm. Callers are welcome to phone either line. Write: PO Box 10, Dingwall. IV15 9HE. TAYSIDE MALE SURVIVORS: Phone: Dundee (01382) 858085. Thu 7-9pm. real ale DIVERSE DRINKERS: Edinburgh group for lgbt real ale and cider fans. Meets in The Cauldron every 1st Mon of each month from 8pm to sample the brewers' art. Phone: Karen on 0131-557 8790. E-mail: http://www.antipope.org/feorag/drinkers/ GLASGOW GAY REAL ALE GROUP: Meets first Wed of each month plus regular visits to real ale pubs in the Glasgow area and to real ale festivals. Why not come along and have a beer and a laugh? Phone: Ken on 0141-427 4764. E-mail: http://www.goldings.demon.co.uk/queerale/ science fiction DELANEY'S EDINBURGH CHILDREN: Meets every 1st Sun of each month in Nexus Cafe from 3-4.30pm. Phone: Jane on 0131-553 5569. E-mail: hj.carnall@virgin.net DELANEY'S GLASGOW CHILDREN: Meets every 3rd Sun of each month. Phone: Paul on 0141-339 9176. skinheads OI SCOTLAND!: A new group, based in Edinburgh, for gay Skins living in, or from, Scotland. Dedicated to the promotion of Boot-worship, discipline, loyalty and camaraderie. Non-racist; Non-sectarian; Non-political. Write an appropriate letter for further details: PO Box 13487, Edinburgh. EH5 1QN. s/m SM GAYS: Write: SM Gays, BM SM Gays, London. WC1N 3XX. E-mail: smgays@aol.com sports ABERDEEN GAY MEN'S SWIMMING GROUP: Swim every Wed from 8pm onwards. Phone: David on Aberdeen (01224) 317552. E-mail: agmsg@drink.demon.co.uk EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S RUNNING CLUB: Meets for 3-4 mile casual local run. Phone: Alistair on 0131-556 9995. EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S SWIMMING GROUP: Meets informally Mon at 8pm in the Commonwealth Pool. Phone: Tom on 0131-229 5755. E-mail: egmsg@drink.demon.co.uk GLASGOW BADMINTON GROUP: Meets Thu 7-10pm, during term-time in the main hall at Govan High School, Ardnish Street. Phone: Clive on 0141-779 2321. WWW: http://www.bigfoot.com/~drb61 GLASGOW SWIMMING GROUP: Meets informally 7.30-9pm Mon at Govanhill Baths and Thursdays at North Woodside Pool. Phone: Douglas on 0141-636 1510. E-mail: http://www.bigfoot.com/~drb61 LESBIAN & GAY FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS NETWORK: Write: GFSN Membership Secretary, c/o Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, London. N1 9SE. E-mail: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Slope/3743 QUEER FISH SWIMMING GROUP: Meets every Fri 5pm in the foyer of the Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh. If you're looking for people to swim with but can't make that time, get in touch anyway. Phone: Kate on 0131-556 9958. E-mail: kate@ling.ed.ac.uk WWW: http://www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~kate/queerfish.html students Many Universities and Colleges have Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Societies. Contact these via your Student Union or Student Association. Many are open to non-students living in the area. Phone: NUS Scotland LGB Officer on 0131-556 6598. Fax: 0131-557 5679. Write: LGB Officer, NUS Scotland, 29 Forth Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LE. E-mail: nus-scot@dircon.co.uk OPEN UNIVERSITY L&G SOC: Phone: Ian on Wigtown (01988) 403219. E-mail: oulags@openlink.org http://home.wxs.nl/~mhodson/oulags/ tv/ts ABERDEEN: 3G (Grampian Gender Group). Meets 3rd Sat of each month Noon-5pm. Phone: Gillian on Aberdeen (01224) 633108 6.30-9.30pm Mon-Tue. EDINBURGH: Scottish TV/TS Group meets in private rooms last Sat of each month. Phone: Agnes on 0131-229 7177 evenings. GLASGOW: Crosslynx meets second Wed of each month (except December) from 7pm-10pm. Phone: Crosslynx Helpline on 0141-332 3333 Mon 7.30-9pm. HIGHLAND T-GROUP: Monthly transgender support group meeting in Inverness. Phone: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Wed Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Thu 9.30am-9pm, Sat 10am-1pm). Write: Julia Gordon, c/o Reach Out Highland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB. E-mail: julia@reachout.demon.co.uk visual impairment SCOTSGAY ON DISC: The text from ScotsGay and InsideOUT is available free of charge to visually impaired readers on 3.5" or 5.25" computer disk in IBMPC format. We will be glad to add you to our mailing list if you send your name and address (and disk size required) to us at: SOD, ScotsGay, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. E-mail: SOD@scotsgay.co.uk VIGOUR: Self support group for visually impaired gay people. Phone: Jim or Colin on Dumfries (01387) 261679. workplace EIS GAY AND LESBIAN NETWORK: Write: c/o 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh. EH3 6BH. Phone: Veronica Rankin (Equality Officer) on 0131-225 6244. E-mail: vrankin@eis.org.uk GMB LGBT GROUP: Write: Pauline Paxton, Regional Equal Rights Officer, Fountain House, 1/3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow. G3 7UJ. Phone: 0141-332 8641. E-mail: pauline.paxton@gmb.org.uk GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL G&L EMPLOYEES FORUM: Phone: John Dawson on 0141-959 7457 or Charles Thomson on 0141-287 3744. UNISON GLASGOW CITY LESBIAN & GAY GROUP: Meets monthly on Payday Tuesday in the GGLC 6pm. Phone: Neil MacInnes on 0958 754315. UNISON EDINBURGH HEALTH BRANCH L&G SELF ORGANISED GROUP: Write: Mags Elliot, c/o Union Room, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh. EH10 5HF. Phone: 0131-537 6681. UNISON LESBIAN & GAY NE NETWORK: Meets 2nd Mon of each month at Unison Resource Centre, Alford Place, Aberdeen. Phone: Andrew on Aberchirder (01466) 780802 or Carole on Aberdeen (01224) 643262 after 6pm. UNISON SCOTLAND L&G COMMITTEE: Write: Neil MacInnes, Secretary, UNISON House, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow. G2 6RX. Phone: 0141-332 0006 or 0958 754315. UNISON WEST NETWORK: For UNISON members in the West of Scotland. Meets Quarterly. Phone: Neil MacInnes 0958 754315. youth groups Bi-G-LES YOUTH: Strathclyde's Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Youth Group: Friendship and support for under 26s. Meets Tue 8pm and Fri 3pm at the GGLC. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard or PHACE West (0141-332 3838). Write: c/o GGLC, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. E-mail: http://www.bi-g-les.freeserve.co.uk/ DUNBARTONSHIRE SEXUALITY AND SUPPORT GROUP: A local group that helps young gay men come to terms with their sexuality. Open to men aged 26 and under. Meets last Tue of each month. Phone: Julian Heng on 0141-332 3838 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or Strathclyde Switchboard for details of venue. E-mail: julianh@phacewest.enterprise-plc.com DUNDEE LGB YOUTH GROUP: Group for young (25 and under)lesbians, gays and bisexuals or anyone who is unsure. Informal meetings held fortnightly on Sun evenings. Details from http://www.dundeelgb.freeserve.co.uk/ HIGHLAND YOUTH GAY & BISEXUAL GROUP: Meets 7.30pm 1st Wed of each month at 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. Phone: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Wed Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Thu 9.30am-9pm, Sat 10am-1pm) and ask for Ronald. Social meeting 3rd Friday of each month, same time and place. E-mail: support@reachout.demon.co.uk LANARKSHIRE GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL YOUTH GROUP: New group currently forming. Phone: 0845 6071936. E-mail: http://www.bigllany.freeserve.co.uk/ LESBIAN YOUTH SUPPORT INFORMATION SERVICE: PO Box 18, Ashton-under-Lyne, Cheshire. SK15 2FE. Enclose sae. STONEWALL YOUTH PROJECT: Provides services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered young people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Project Phoneline: 0131-556 4040 (Tue 7.30-9pm) is staffed by trained young people and adult volunteers ready to give information or just chat. Stonewall Youth Group is for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people aged 13-18 in the Lothians. Meets every Fri evening in Central Edinburgh. Stonewall Friends is for young people aged 18-25 and meets every Wed evening in Edinburgh with regular social events at other times. Stonewall Girlz is a once a month group for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women aged 13-25, providing social and educational activities in a safe, off scene environment. Office Phone/Fax: 0131-622 2266 (Tue-Fri 3-5pm). Write: Stonewall Youth Project, PO Box 4040, Edinburgh. EH3 9YF. E-mail: http://www.syp.dircon.co.uk/ -------------------------------------------------------------------- SWITCHBOARDS AND HELPLINES ========================== BISEXUAL PHONELINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm, Phone: 0131-557 3620 BORDERS GAY SWITCHBOARD: Thurs 7.30-10pm, Phone: Galashiels (01896) 756611 CROSSLYNX NATIONAL TV/TS HELPLINE: Mon 7.30-9pm, 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 WWW: http://www.dundeelgb.freeserve.co.uk/ EDINBURGH LESBIAN LINE: Mon, Thurs 7.30-10pm, Phone: 0131-557 0751 FIFE FRIEND: Fri 7.30-10pm, Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 266688 GAY LINE NORTH EAST: Nightly 7-Late, for Gay and Bi men. Phone: Elgin (01343) 542928 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 NIGHT OWL CRISIS LINE: Nightly Midnight-5am, Phone: 0141-332 2992 STRATHCLYDE GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD: Nightly 7-10pm, Phone: 0141-332 8372 SWITCHBOARD LESBIAN LINE: Wed 7.30-10pm, Phone: 0141-354 0400 LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD: 24 hours, Phone/Minicom: 020-7837 7324. FAX: 020-7837 7300. WWW: http://www.llgs.org.uk/ -------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSDYKE ========= IN YER FACE! The Annexx Lap Dancing Club in Leith was the venue for the UK's first ever all female lap dancing evening - by women for women. ScotsDyke sent Heather down to write the words and Feorag to wield the camera. Well, Friday nights may never be the same if this comes to Edinburgh as a regular feature! We were entertained by three lovely ladies by the names of Honey, Amber and Zoe. It started off slow but, as the drink flowed, so did the money. It was a fiver for a topless lap dance in the bar area or, for a tenner, you could get the full shebang - all the kit off and in a private room - but the same rules applied: no touching. I happened to notice a few of the girls were having to sit on their itching hands as the dancers teased and titalated. There was a really good atmosphere in the room everyone including the dancers were having a really great time. I, being the shy person that I am, ducked out of a dance but did my bit by purchasing a young lady to dance on our photographer for the evenings and boy did she enjoy it! She's really into redheads and big tits and although she was dissapointed with the haircolour everything else she wanted was there. I would say that this could be a big success for Jean and Fran and we should all give it our support, cause this is the place to be shouting "Tits Oot Fur The Girlz". The dates of the next nights are 17th Sept & 15th Oct and if you turn up early it's 2 for the price of one! Love to all, Heather ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS ======= ScotsGay: a bi-monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals edited, printed and published in Scotland. ISSN: 1357-0595. (c) Pageprint Publishing Limited, August 1999. 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. Contributors in this issue: Tim Hopkins & Paul Brownsey (News), Garry Otton, Martin Walker (The Nice Bit), Craig Johnson & Derek Ogg (Features), Granny Spice, Trixie, Liquid Silk, Goldilocks, Dr. Kenniff & Gus (Scene), Rex Wockner (International), Scott J. Reid, Martin Powell, Jim Derby & Kenneth Rawlinson (Reviews), Feorag NicBhrde & 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.