SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland ScotsGay 80/- Heavy - Issue 47 - August 2002 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 2002. 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) 8ukp 6 issue sub (Overseas) 15ukp 12 issue sub (UK & EC) 15ukp 12 issue sub (Overseas) 28ukp 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 News Festival Reviews Filth Glasgow Time For T Alan Joy's Dance Chart ScotsDyke Scottish Media Monitor Edinburgh Dundee Aberdeen Bi Vocal International Report from Rex Wockner Films ScotsGay Voice Personals Boxes - The ScotsGay Meet Market Helplines Listings Venues -------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL --------- The recent unexpected and sudden death of a straight friend got me thinking about just how much people can change when exposed to different stimuli. I first met David, as one does, at a beer festival. He was a brewer involved with a small craft brewery which had recently opened in Edinburgh. A congenial fellow from a rather different political background to myself, but as he was supplying the beer... So, a chance meeting grew into a firm friendship but, there were always those areas where, whilst not treading on eggshells, it seemed best not to go. And, if he went there, it seemed best not to confront: he was bigger than me and he was often buying (if not always brewing) the beer. He was a Tory - with a fairly simplistic political analysis informed mainly by the tabloids (although he was not an uneducated man). At University, he had been the scourge of the Left even, in a rabble raising speech to his Students' Union, memorably offering to hang IRA members personally. Yet, his politics were far to the left of NuLabour. He was a football supporter who could sing blatantly sectarian songs with the best (or worst) of them. Yet he described many of his fellow Hearts supporters as sectarian scumbags. His language when describing people with different coloured skins to his own could be deeply offensive. Yet his greatest respect (if not hero worship) was reserved for a man of the blackest hue. When it came to gay people, you could see this binary approach at work. The language was often unsettling and it was obvious that he was uncomfortable at times with gay people. You could also see the way in which his conversations with (assumed) heterosexuals would frequently mention his association with homosexuals (for he finished up with a number of us amongst his friends). Coming from a background where people like him just didn't associate with people like us meant that he had to, in effect, seek permission to do so from his straight contacts. But, over the years, you could see that he was mellowing. Secure in his own heterosexuality, he ceased to see us as a sexual threat. With changing attitudes in society, he ceased to make jocular (and not so jocular) excuses for our co-existence in his personal sphere. In fact, he went on the offensive. I can recall him, livid with rage, when he heard that his brewery was being badmouthed because there were "homosexuals associated with it". And, his anger was for all the right reasons. Just a few days before he died, he helped to deliver ScotsGay 46. I shall miss him. Dammit, I do miss him. If your copy of ScotsGay is late this month, you can blame David. Instead of humphing copies around on Friday evening, I'll be in the Halfway House drinking more than a few pints of the beer that Fisherrow Brewery has brewed in his memory. John Hein E-mail: editorial@scotsgay.co.uk -------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS ---- Bereaved gays earn right to sue ------------------------------- The Scottish Law Commission, which is the body which advises the Scottish Executive on law reform, on 8th August published its Report on Title to Sue for Non-Patrimonial Loss. At present in Scotland (as south of the border), an opposite-sex cohabiting partner can sue a person who wrongfully causes the death of their partner for both emotional and financial loss. A same-sex partner cannot sue for either kind of loss. The Scottish Law Commission is recommending that the law be changed so that a same-sex partner has the same right as an opposite-sex partner to sue for damages. The report says "As a matter of principle, it appears to us that same-sex cohabitants should be treated in the same way as opposite-sex cohabitants". The report also recommends the law be changed to give a person who accepts a child into their family, which could include a same-sex partner who is the co-parent of a child, the right to sue for damages for a wrongful act causing the child's death. Outright Scotland, Scotland's oldest and only democratic lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organisation gave a warm welcome to the recommendations. Andrew Wilson, National Secretary of Outright said: "The recommendation to treat same-sex partners on an equal footing with mixed-sex couples on this issue is another step forward. It is particularly welcome coming from such a respected body as the Scottish Law Commission. "Despite being the only gay rights organisation to respond to the Scottish Law Commission on this we are very pleased to see that all the respondents to the Discussion Paper supported the inclusion of same-sex couples. And Outright is delighted that the Commission itself recommended further recognition for the rights of same-sex couples in title to sue for Patrimonial loss as well. "It is a further sign, along with other recent changes in Scots law, that we are prepared to progress human rights in advance of the rest of the United Kingdom, it is a strong message that discrimination has no place in a modern Scotland. "We trust that Scottish ministers will support the work of the Commission and introduce the draft Bill in the next session of the Scottish Parliament." The Commission's report includes a short draft Bill to introduce this and other adjustments to the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976, and the Equality Network will press for this Bill to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament as soon as possible. This report is another step towards full equality for same-sex cohabitants with mixed-sex cohabitants. In the past two years, the Scottish Executive and Parliament have legislated to extend to same-sex cohabitants the protections the law gives mixed-sex cohabitants in several areas: * The right to be consulted on the treatment of your partner if they become incapacitated and cannot make decisions * The right to succeed to a council or housing association tenancy on the death of your partner if they were the tenant * Protection from immediate eviction if you or your partner get behind on mortgage payments * Protection from domestic abuse Further legislation recognising same-sex partners is expected to be passed by the Parliament in the next few months, in the areas of land sales and mental health. May all your ops be equal ------------------------- The influential Equal Opportunities Committee of the Scottish Parliament wants to know what you think of Scotland's laws, policies or services! The Committee is 'taking stock' on LGBT issues. Between now and September 6th, all LGBT people and groups are invited to tell the Committee what the important issues are for us.The Committee will then call the relevant Scottish Executive Ministers to account and ask them what they intend to do to make changes. This is our chance to guide the agenda of the Scottish Parliament on LGBT equality issues. Please let the Committee know your view. Your response can be as short or as long as you want, and can be sent by email, fax or post. By email it could only take a couple of minutes to do! Full details of how to send in your comments, and more information about the kinds of subjects you might want to comment on, are on the Equality Network's website on the following page: http://www.equality-network.org/consultations.shtml#eoctakingstock (You can email your reply directly from there) The Committee's original letter inviting responses, it is at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/official_report/cttee/equal-02/eo02-clts2.htm Please let the Committee know what you think - the more people who reply, the clearer an idea the Committee will have of all the issues that are important to us. Law Trans-formed ---------------- The European Court of Human Rights on July 11th delivered a ground-breaking ruling in the cases of two transsexual women, Christine Goodwin and a woman known as I. The women complained to the Court (in 1995!) that under UK law they were discriminated against in a number of ways, including employment, social security and pension status, and their inability to marry a man, because legally they are regarded by UK law as men. The 17 judges unanimously held that their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) had been breached by the UK law. Their right to respect for her private life, under article 8 of the ECHR, was breached, and also, crucially, their right to marry, under article 12. This is the first time the European Court has ruled in this way - in previous very similar cases, the ruling has gone against the applicant. This is a good demonstration of the way the ECHR is a 'living instrument' which develops as knowledge and practice in European countries develops. Under the Scotland Act, the Scottish Executive is effectively under an obligation to act in reasonable time to ensure that Scots law in devolved areas is compatible with the ECHR. Gender re-registration, and marriage law, are devolved. The Equality Network has written to Justice Minister Jim Wallace to ask what he intends to do to bring Scots law into line with the ECHR, by allowing transsexual people to re-register gender for all legal purposes, including allowing a TS person to marry someone of the opposite gender. Holy Corner ----------- Holy Trinity Metropolitan Community Church, an Edinburgh Christian Church with a special affirming ministry within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities, celebrated its seventh birthday with a packed celebration service recently. The Church is part of the Metropolitan Community Churches movement which was founded in 1968 in Los Angeles and now has over 300 member congregations in 19 countries around the world. The Edinburgh congregation worships every Sunday evening in the City's Quaker Meeting House and was founded as a result of the first Pride Scotland March and Festival in 1995. Rev Ian Bonner-Evans, Holy Trinity MCC's Pastor, was in celebratory mood. "This congregation started small," he said, "but we have seen in the past seven years that many in our City, gay and straight alike, want to worship in a Church which believes that Christ's Gospel for love and liberation is for all people." As well as its own birthday, the Church was also celebrating an exciting legal victory in Canada where its sister Church in Toronto had this past week won a case forcing the Ontario Government to recognise as legal marriages the same sex unions it performs. Healthy living for some ----------------------- On August 9th, the Lottery New Opportunities Fund announced their latest round of grants, for twelve Healthy Living Centres in Scotland, including UKP900,000 funding for an LGBT Healthy Living Centre for Lothian. This will be the first LGBT Healthy Living Centre in Scotland, and will aim to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBT people in, and travelling to, Lothian region. It will provide a one-stop health shop, health advocacy service, health promotion activities, a staff training and consultancy service and community health development project. The LGBT Healthy Living Centre will open in 2003. The ultimate aim of the LGBT Healthy Living Centre will be to make mainstream health care services more responsive and accessible to LGBT people. Congratulations to all the organisations involved in putting this project together, including Lothian Health Board and Trusts, and various LGBT groups including Lothian Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, Lothian Lesbian Line, Gay Men's Health, Stonewall Youth Project, West Lothian Transgender Support Network, Gay Women's Social Group, Edinburgh Lesbian Mothers Group and Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Counselling Network. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Festival reviews from our correspondents ======================================== *from Martin Walker Welcome to Edinburgh. For those of you, like me, who live here - how lucky we are. A beautiful city with beautiful people, and the world's biggest arts festival ta boot! It's just a shame that the weather is so... well like it is. The following shows are listed by venue, so where does one start? You could do a lot worse than call in at one of the 'C' theatres. If the success of a venue is measured by 5 star shows then 'C' is head and shoulders above the rest. The 'C' bar bustles with performers between shows and even the beer isn't too expensive. Shopping and Fucking: Mark Revenhill's twisted shocker returns to the Fringe. Three bisexuals, a 14 year old rent boy and a businessman show Generation X the state we're in. Drugs, S&M, underage gay sex, bisexuality, open relationships are all graphically put before our eyes as the point is sledgehammered home. A rock solid script deserves strong performances and all five leads distinguish themselves here. Simon Ramsey as the rent boy Gary gives us a very real all too convincing portrayal of an abused child. Indeed, abuse is all this kid knows, yet Ramsey plays the part with massive strength and conviction - Gary is more than just a victim. Dominic Charles-Rouse as Mark, the recovering junkie searching for an identity, reflects the duplicity and mental anguish of a compulsive personally trying not to be. David Westerby, shines as Robbie the campish selfish bisexual boy (and the worst 'e' dealer in the club). Sally Humphrys gives her complex character, Lulu, the emotional depth to ensure that we stick with her and her lonely desperation. And Kevin Stone as Brian terrifies everybody with his moody dangerous violent capitalist rants and his love of Disney's Lion King. In short this production of Shopping and Fucking is a triumph. Not to be missed. ***** Kiss of the Spiderwoman: This one, everyone has heard of, but few have ever seen. It's been an award winning musical and an Oscar winning film. Ten years ago it was an Edinburgh Fringe play. Now Manuel Puig's romantic thriller is back. David Westerby (fresh from Shopping and Fucking), and Sebastian Bates tell the story of the gay window dresser and the straight Marxist, co-habiting a prison cell. Westerby in particular shines as Molina, who wants to share more than good stories with the moody Valentin. Both leads captivate their audience completely in a tightly performed, highly professional production that deserves to be seen by every serious lover of good drama. **** The Black Sheep: Comedy can be many things - deep, satirical, whimsical, light, offensive, whatever. The first rule though, of course, is to be funny. Much of this show is, as billed, hilarious - indeed there is more good than bad here. The performers are great - the James Dean statue running gag was top drawer as was the final show stopping song, but a much tighter script would have made this show better than just 'ok'. *** Dorothy's Friends: Whenever I watch the Wizard of Oz, a movie which I absolutely love, I imagine Thatcher as the Wicked Witch. 'Ding Dong the Bitch is Dead' will one day become a gay anthem. Fruits of the Womb Theatre Company see the land of Oz in much the same way - indeed Dorothy's Friends is today's definitive Wizard of Oz - and a much needed antidote to our post political 'gay community'. Once upon a time Dorothy hid in his bedroom with his computer. One day, a cyber whirl wind dragged him off (quite literally) to the land of Soho, where he met a fabulous drag queen, killed Thatcher and became a she. Nathan Guy is the perfect Dorothy. He surely has the part that every gay man in the world wants to play... and a great singing voice too. Chris Jone's Sorceress is, amongst other achievements, the best drag act I've seen in years. Indeed, the entire cast are superb. With a fantastic collection of no less than 16 original musical numbers and a tight, hilarious, political script, this show deserves your immediate attention. Quite possibly the best thing at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2002. ***** The Haunted Through Lounge Recessed Dining Nook at Farndale Castle: Ha! A show within a show. This is the stuff that the true Fringe is made of. The Farndale Women's Guild are putting on a play... set in a ghostly castle where a murderer is on the loose. Well, of course, the whole thing goes horribly wrong from the outset. Missed lines, faulty sets and temperamental egos. Everything is produced badly to perfection. All the performances were top notch, but of particular note was Sioban Doran's Jasmine, who had to play four parts, and bless her, kept forgetting which character she was supposed to be. We laughed for the whole 80 minutes and immediately wanted to go and see it again. Wonderfully over the top and as camp as it comes. But why such a short run? **** Cambridge Footlights 2002 - Today of All Days: Those sexy young things are back with more fun from Cambridge. If you haven't seen the footlights before, then expect a damn good laugh. These kids are good at what they do, especially Ruth Pickett, with her 'torn between two men' routine, and Dan Stevens, with his Performance Art send up. Only Tom Bell's teacher felt a little flat, his story was supposed to be boring - that was the joke - it just went on rather too long... Ed Weeks made a great surly barman though and Guy Morgan could fill in as Baldrick if Tony Robinson ever phoned in sick. *** Cock and Bull: If there was an award for the most frequent and gratuitous use of the word 'cunt' in a fringe production then Cock and Bull would win hands down. This would no doubt greatly please Will Self, the author of the book this piece is based upon. In two different stories a women grows a cock and a man grows a cunt. Performed with energy and precision, the cast lap up Self's ideas and concepts. An amazing spectacle. But the script lacks any coherent voice. Perhaps the help of illegal chemicals would help. *** News Review 2002: Quick fire topical comedy from Canal Cafe Theatre and the crowd went wild. Impressions from the top drawer. In real life, US leader George Dubya Bush looks pretty stupid. These guys have a fair crack at it but they just ain't makin' him stupid enough. The Big Brother stuff was hilarious and the Duke of Edinburgh song and dance routine was inspired. The Tony B and the Teachers musical number was, well, probably closer to real life than our PM would like to think. But the gay Adolf Hitler spoilt it for me. Are we not beyond that type of ladish heterosexism? *** This is Soap: Another good reason to be at the 'C' venue this year is to breakfast with 'This is Soap' every morning at 11.15am. It's improvisational comedy of the highest quality. The ideas come from the previous days audience then are acted out before us like bad soap opera. I actually saw this show 5 times, and never heard the same joke twice. Camp as it comes and a great way to start any Fringe day.**** Our Song: Keith Waterhouse's middle class comedy finally outs what we have known for years - the private lives of heterosexuals are extremely dull. In a tedious and somewhat pointless affair Roger (Philip Buck) drinks champagne and gets his end away. Fluffed lines from a dreadful script. Only Ruth Rogers as Angie. the mistress, comes away with any credit at all. The duplicity and ultimately, the honesty, of her character shine through in an otherwise complete waste of time. ** Also recommended at 'C': I am Oscar Wilde - Winner of the NY Fringe Award. Drip - Bilingual physical theatre. A story about being different; Falling Angel, Rising Ape - modern dance at its sexy best. The Garage has loads of venues dotted around the capital. The Grindlay Court Centre is a fab wee venue with a great performance spaces and some top shows. Bisexual Alphabet: Anyone who begins a Press Release "21-year-old Nobody to Perform Original Play at Fringe" ain't gonna take things too seriously. And David Chapman doesn't. His company, Drive-thru Theatre, was hastily formed whilst completing his Fringe registration forms. David is the founder, artistic director, and sole member. A one man show. Instantly likable David spoke with his capacity audience like each one was his best friend, and most of them, I am quite convinced, quite rightly fancied the pants off him. This show will appeal to every one, regardless of who they sleep with. The script is rich, profound and very very funny. We visit the womb, a bar called Velvet Elvis, a boys camp, Starbucks... as he searches for the meaning of bisexuality, and with a huge break from tradition, actually finds it. ***** A Friend of Dorothy: Not to be confused with 'Dorothy's Friend' at 'C', this an entirely different land of Oz. This Lucy Alibar-Harrison penned one women show explores the life of Judy Garland via those who knew or admired her. We have her neurotic mother, we have the blood sucking studio boss, we have the child growing up gay... Laura Sydonie's performance is quite breath taking. She has you gripped from the opening moment and she holds you to the last line. Intense, touching and occasionally funny, this warts and all look at the Legend born as Frances Ethel Gumm will have you cherishing the memory of Judy Garland even more. Her death lead, in part, to The Stonewall Riots and the birth of the gay liberation movement. In the end, on this stage, there were what looked like real tears. ***** Also recommended at The Garage: Samurai Male Revue 2 - Exploring the love of two J-Boys through dance; Sagha - the story of excessive courage and generosity, Iranian style. Augustine's on George IV Bridge is a great wee venue with a reputation for presenting strong international theatre. This year is no exception. Born African: Stunning performances from the all male cast and a script that contains real magic. Born African is the story of Zimbabwe today as told through the eyes of many, portrayed by just three. We learn a great deal about poverty, imperialism and racism. Last year's production was a massive success. This year it is selling out. Get a ticket if you can **** Also recommended at Augustine's - The Taming of the Shrew - by the people who bring you 'Born African' The Assembly Rooms is the most well known venue on the Fringe - and one of the most expensive, but it does have some real gems this year. Sadly, Michael Moore, who was due to appear, had to cancel late due to a bereavement. But the rest of their programme remains intact. Out in the Garden: The piece starts with two fit naked young men prancing about the stage, apparently having had their clothes nicked while 'at it' in a bush. Stuart (Richard Smith) is getting married in the morning. Unfortunately, he's just had sex with Liam (John Pickard) and he, well, quite liked it. The whole cast play it for laughs and they do it well, though Ang (Anna Baker) gets all the best lines as Stuart's virginal wife to be. This is a truly modern farce with a real story to boot. Even the gnomes were good. For me, against some tough competition, the best the Assembly Rooms has had to offer the gay punter this year. **** Bob Downe - Whiter! Brighter!: Burn Baby Burn. Disco Inferno. After a break of four years Bob is back to perform in his 12th Edinburgh Festival. Why fix what's not broken? The Oz born Mark Trevorrow is very good at being Bob Downe. He wins over the cynics in the audience in seconds. And the Apple Fresh Dancers - Amber and Ashley, sex the whole thing up very nicely indeed. Ash, by the way, is absolutely fuckin' stunning. No he really is. The songs the three perform are all gay anthems of course, cheesy dance routines and Pan's People choreography, and the comedy stand up moments are sharp, witty and quietly, very quietly, subversive. Go see him and have a ball! **** Zipp! - 100 musicals in 90 minutes: Gyles Brandreth, of all people, leads his cast into an entertaining and competent trip through the musicals. You can't get much camper, in the 21st century, than a former Tory MP. - especially when he's dressed as Frank from the Rocky Horror Show. But for all the laughs the real highlight was Amanda Symonds straight rendition of 'Send in the Clowns'. *** Jackie Clune is Boy Crazy!: 'Jackie Clune Hates Everybody' would have been a better title. Which is a shame, because underneath her callous twisted persona is a very funny women with a great singing voice. Here's the gist... She lived as a lesbian for a while and then she decided women were too deep and so turned to men. Not the 'new man' type, but old fashioned men (i.e. arseholes) who are short of a brain cell or two. I'm sure it wasn't meant to feel like a counseling session, but it did. Maybe on another night it hangs together better. But not this night. ** Craig Hill - The People's Friend: A big hello to the guys I met in the queue for this show (do get in touch!) He's a lovely wee man is our Craig. Regular compare at OOT on Tuesday at The Stand comedy club, and emerging TV star. Local boy made good (if by local we mean Scottish). He has a fabulous future ahead. And fuck me, he can sing too. Like Julian, Graham or Scott Capurro - being gay is his act. He reads out bits of trashy magazines and he sends himself, and his rise to fame, up nicely. Straight people love him, and so do we. **** Scott Capurro: Well, if being gay is your act it doesn't help if you don't like yourself very much. Two years ago this set was shocking and funny - an antidote to PC gone mad. This year nobody walked out - which must have really fucked Scott Capurro off. Times have changed but the script hasn't. The poor man seems to have run out of material. Perhaps he's spending too much time with the pink pound blessed fashion victims on 'That Gay Show' on BBC choice. Whatever. * Also recommended at the Assembly Rooms: Jerry Springer, The Musical - good clean camp fun; Correspondent - the real life story of a journalist abroad. The Gateway Theatre is a former TV studio complex at the top of Leith Walk. Comfortable and spacious its well worth checking out. The staff are all dead friendly too. Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer: Don't let the title fool you - watching these performers is far from a depressing experience. Set on the balcony of a tenement flat on a hot summer night, five characters share their ecstasy, their pain and their love. Suzzanne Donaldson and David Fitzgerald are brilliant as the passion fueled young lovers full of energy and lust. Thomas Newman and Ali de Souza shine as the gay couple coming to terms with a real crisis. Catherine Owen's Widow moves you with her beauty, strength and dignity. Michel Tremblay's script is faultless, and what these five Scots do with his words will really move you. What ever you do, don't miss this. ***** Also recommended at The Gateway: A Pornographic Fatality - Monty Pythonesque life affirming physical theatre. The Hill Street Theatre has a lot of stairs. It also has some of the most friendly staff on the Fringe. Handy for the Laughing Duck too. Head Games: "Cocks sell tickets so let's do a cock show!". If full frontal male nudity is what you want to see then you have come to the right place. A gay comedy farce. Lots of fun is to be had here - but don't look for any hidden meanings - there aren't any. *** Also recommended at the Hill Street Theatre: Slaves of Starbucks - Black comedy satire at its best The Underbelly is a collapsing old building that would probably be a squat if it wasn't for the Fringe. Instead we have great bars, loads of performance spaces on three floors, and a pretty decent programme of theatre and comedy. Electric Avenue: Set in Brixton during the riots, this moving piece settles for all time the reason why violence breeds violence. We also unflinchingly and accurately see the role of the state and the police in 80's violent racist England. This is gripping, edgy stuff about what divides us, whatever the reason for the division. Steel is an African British man who has converted to Islam. A mystic, who knows his history and has seen his brother killed at the hands of the police. Daryl is a young African American art collector whose father left her a fortune. She believes that she can buy back what the white man has stolen from her. Cox is a white British policeman who grew up in Zimbabwe. At first nave, but later a violent man who isn't aware of his own racist attitudes. The result of the three meeting is explosive, violent and enlightening. **** Charlie's Angles: Rule 1 - stand up comedy should not be delivered by a former PE teacher. Rule 2 - gay comedians should ensure that their entire act revolves around their sexuality. Rule 3 - comics should never be nice to their audience. Rule 4 - gay people should not be football fans and if they are, they certainly shouldn't support Rangers. Well, Charlie Ross breaks all the above rules of course, and a few more. Popular culture has never been so funny. His soft Glasgow accent and his friendly surrealism put you at ease. From Big Brother to Star Wars, he had the whole audience, straight and gay, men and women, eating out of his palm. Look out for him appearing at The Stand In Glasgow and Edinburgh very soon. He isn't just the best gay comedian on the Fringe this year. He's the best comedian. ***** Also recommend at the Underbelly: Blood, Guts, Sex and Death - Julian Clary meets Trainspotting The Pleasance Courtyard, on a hot day, is a great place to hang out. It has a large cobbled beer garden, you're surrounded by performers, touts and entrances to theatre spaces (of varying size and levels of air conditioning). Mind you, if its pissing it down the place is pretty miserable. The beer isn't cheap either. It's best known for comedy but there is much more to the Pleasance venues, be it Courtyard, Dome or Over the Road. True or Falsetto? A Secret History of the Castrati: Ernesto Tomasini's brilliant piece turns another terrible mistake by the Catholic Church into an entertaining black comedy. It was Rome, apparently, that decreed that young boys be castrated to ensure a lasting singing voice for God. Years later Catholics called those very same boys an abomination. Tomasini's comedy is kind to the boys but twists the knife into Catholicism. However, the real highlights of the show are the operatic songs. If Tomasini's comedy is visual and versatile, his singing voice is perfection. A real treat. **** The Desires of Frankenstein: The publicity makes a big thing of the shows lead being 'Sol' from 'Hollyoaks'. They are probably right to, as there is little else Desires of Frankenstien has going for it. So if you fancy Paul Danan go and see this. If you don't then pick a show with a few more stars attached to it. * Andrew Clovers Birthday Party: "This show", said Stephen, (my partner), "involves a high degree of audience participation." Now, if someone is going to get picked on, humiliated or dragged onto the stage, that someone is Steve. Audiences think he's a plant. Comedians think he's great. Knowing this, we hid in the back row and tried not to draw attention to ourselves. It kind of worked. I got yanked up on to the stage instead. We were there on the opening night, and only one member of the capacity audience had paid to get in. Never the less Andrew Clover had a really great birthday party. I'd explain the whole thing - but that would spoil it for you. Recommend that you wear a mac. Recommend that you see this show. **** Jason Wood - Bare Camp: Boy this boy can sing. He is camp, he is funny, he is dreadfully cruel to his own audience - but above all he can sing. Not only that but he can sound like Alison Moyet, Boy George, Craig David, Elton John, Sarah Brightman and many other artists including somehow, Pavarotti. Every one enjoyed the show. Well I say everyone, and this is the rub... if you are not prepared to be humiliated, then you may wish to give this a wide berth. In the realm of comic put downs and general abuse he makes Graham Norton look like an amateur. Some members of the audience were just too nervous to have a good time. *** Kiss of Life: Only at the Fringe do you get a funny show about suicide obsession, a lost cat and argon gas. Chris Goode is an intelligent bloke, but one night he decides to kill himself. As he's standing on the bridge on the edge of the river he changes his mind, only for a stranger to push him in. Then, another stranger rescues him and runs off. On returning to his flat he finds that his cat, Nico, is missing. Still with me? Ok, so whilst out looking for his cat he meets and picks up a beautiful homeless boy who happens to have the same name as his missing feline. Nico, (the boy) and Chris commence a highly charged, highly sexed and by all accounts, pretty weird relationship. Entertaining and thought provoking - this story has enough twists to keep you engaged until the surprisingly upbeat end. **** Madame Galina - Ballet Star Galactica: Herself is an exiled Russian ballet dancer who, frankly, is a little too big and a little too male to be taken seriously by the operatic world. Or indeed by anyone else. We are treated to an hilarious hour long ballet class, plus a performance of her own at the end. Maybe a little saggy in places but entertaining enough. *** Chris Neill Does it with Strangers: Another gay comic at the Fringe - we are being spoilt. He isn't bad either. Its just that he didn't have anything to say that the average homo hasn't already heard a thousand times. As with many gay comedians, whose whole routine revolves around the quirks of being gay, this goes down much better on a straight audience. Indeed, if Chris wasn't gay, much of his material would come off sounding pretty homophobic. *** The Stand Comedy Club showcases comic talent all year around. Their Fringe programme reads like a who's who of up and coming stars. It's a gay friendly space too... Bruce Devlin - One Fat Lady: So to the heroic tale of one homosexual's escape from Dundee. Presented at a break neck pace - what starts as a run of the mill drag act quickly becomes much much more. We meet an array of unlovable characters, in some hilarious set pieces. The Call Centre routine in particular was hysterical. There is a wealth of great material here, the familiar black comic routine with an epic new twist. But perhaps he would benefit from slowing his delivery just a little... it was hard to keep up with him, but then he does have so much to say. **** OOT on Tuesday - Everybody knows about stand up comedy's only gay night in the capital, what more is there to say? How about well done to The Stand for keeping it going during the worlds biggest arts festival! From midnight till 2am every Tuesday night you would be nuts to be anywhere else. **** Also recommended at The Stand: Susan Morrison's Auld Reekie's Oxtors; Keara Murphy's Silver Scream - 100 years of Hollywood in 60 minutes. The Gilded Balloon venues host an array of comedy acts and other shows. Cowgate, Peppermint Lounge, Caves (1,2 and 3) and Teviot. Catch the stars before they get famous... The Fall of the House of Spencer Brown: Boy this guy is good. Mostly. Stand up with knobs on, the gorgeous Spencer Brown is like nothing else you have ever seen. When it works it's brilliant - it's just that sometimes it didn't. But you have to admire the guy for taking risks. *** Kandi Kane - Native New Yorker: The stereotypical Jew thing has been done to death - but no ones does it like Kandi Kane. Apparently she has performed in some of the finer pubs and gay bars in the UK, but has grown tired of changing in toilets. When she learned that over 1500 acts perform in Edinburgh each year she asked herself: "So how hard can it be?" So, she placed an ad in the Fringe Programme and instructed a PR to slap up a few posters around town. "It's just a matter of choosing the right accessories and schmoozing a bit. I should have a development deal with the BBC by September," Actually if a BBC bod does get the chance to catch her brilliantly cruel Delia Smith impersonation, or her great Marmite ad piss take, then Kandi could become a very big star indeed. And if there is an homosexual out there that has not yet seen her alarmingly accurate and hilarious Cher, then you really are missing out. **** Lesbian Launderette: Ok, I've just been handed a piece of paper on which is written the original title for this show, "Three Gay Men, Two Fag Hags, a Transvestite, a Corpse and a Necrophile in a Lesbian Launderette." This, slightly longer title, still doesn't cover the whole thing. We can add "... with great original(more or less) songs and choreography with brooms." Special mention should go to Tina and Marge, the washer women - but all the performers are great. Indeed, it works best when the whole lot of them are up on stage singing their hearts out. Don't worry about the plot. "A bit short of punters cos its run by munters..." Actually they are playing to what are very nearly full houses. I had a ball and so will you. **** The Critics: Shows can be funny, entertaining, political and thought provoking. They are very rarely this accurate. This original production invites us to dig into the minds of the those who work the worlds easiest profession - the British journalist. Every day they congress in a bar and compete for the most savage review of the days Fringe show. 'Sleazy sex scandal supposition shocker as sycophantic scribblers savage super sensitive summer stock stunna!" They hate Edinburgh and they hate the Fringe. They hate people. The folk on stage are professional actors and it shows. The script is water tight - and the Asylum Seeker sub plot was the hammer that knocked the nail in. **** Latin: Stephen Fry's comedy about the public school teacher who has a sexual relationship with a 13 year old boy returns to the Fringe after a decade. But we shouldn't fear, Fry's script does not approve of under age sex. This is all about having a go at the culture of power in all male public schools. And it's competently done. The gags are funny, it all just seems a little too obvious. *** You Couldn't Make it Up: No you couldn't make this up. Written and directed by the experienced and talented Patrick Wilde, this is a semi auto biographical piece about a writer who can't get his gay film made. Wilde has written for everything from This Life, Casualty, Peak Practice, As If... the list goes on and on. The cast are top class, especially Andy Killick as the witty bitch flat mate Max and Theo Van Dort's boyband star John. Incredibly, the whole thing is let down by the script. There is too much plot here. Too many issues crammed in at the expense of character exposition. Without at least one strong lead character to hang the story on, the whole thing fails to emotionally connect with the audience. Which is a shame because there are some new political ideas here. *** Also Recommended at the Gilded Balloon: Puppetry of the Penis - does exactly what it says on the tin; Around the World in a Bad Mood - the confessions of a Flight Attendant The Rocket venues are spread all over Edinburgh, situated in community centres and a hotel. The Rocket on Infirmary St. has a really friendly cafe too. Beautiful Thing: Jonathan 'Gimmie Gimmie Gimme' Harvey's classic bittersweet comedy returns to Edinburgh with a new cast - this year produced by the About Turn Theatre Company (lead by director Dan Hyde, who has a well deserved reputation for excellence at the fringe). The script of course is top drawer. The writer's catty bitchy humour runs through the entire performance, especially in Soraya Chandiramani's Leah, the mixed up tart of a neighbour. And Mike Murray shines as Jason, the 15 year old with a crush on his best pal. Indeed a real sense of gradual change is achieved by both leads - from straight best mates to gay lovers. Note to Mike - don't give up your passion for drama. Please. Sadly however, there were one or two problems with the show. One was visibility. If you sit to far too the left or right of the stage you cannot see all of what is going on. The other was the set itself. Doors kept opening and shutting for no reason. At one point the whole thing looked as if it was going to collapse and one audience member in the front row thrust his arms over his head. But this was still an entertaining, thought provoking, funny, feel good, life affirming production. But it should have been a five star one. *** The Importance of Being Earnest: This version of Oscar Wilde's ever popular play, done entirely in drag, is not bad, but it nearly is. The audience were treated to a constant and irritating flashing light display before the show even began - a voice quite audible to everyone announced that he couldn't figure out which switch was which. The set changes were chaotic and stage managers could often be seen standing around the set during the production, hands on hips, looking like the whole thing was somebody else's fault. The atmosphere at this venue (The Apex Hotel) seemed so pressured, someone had forgotten that people come to a show to enjoy themselves. Fortunately and thankfully, it's all about what happens on the stage. Most of the actual performers were top class. In particular, Henry Stow's Lady Bracknell was perfect - with an ear for great comic timing, Tom Houghton's Miss Prism was played to camp perfection, and Jennifer Mattison in the dual role of Lane and Merriman, quite rightly stole most of the scenes she was in. If ever the actors rescued a show form those around them, than this was it. The free programme wasn't bad either. *** So that's my festival so far. For more information and more reviews email me at the address below. If you see me out and about come say hi. Do visit Adam and Joe at the 'Under New Management' NEXUS on Broughton Street and don't forget to end your festival with the fab club night JOY! Love, Martin For my boyfriend Stephen mgwuk@hotmail.com *from Martin Powell Paines Plough, The Drowned World (Traverse): Some shows are instantly accessible and others are deep and impenetrable. This was definitely in the later part of the spectrum but if anyone was going to pull it off it required the superb acting talent one expects - and got - from Paines Plough coupled with superb lighting design from Natasha Chivers. Unfortunately even with direction from the excellent Vicky Featherstone I don't think they quite made it. Essentially it's about human relationships, light and dark, and man's humanity to man, or the lack of it. Meeting that absolutely gorgeous thing on a train and whether it works out or not. I was later led through thoughts of Nazi Germany, Anne Frank, Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia - particularly with reference to starvation and rape. Attitudes to authority and when it is right to go with the flow and when we must fight against it. Quite a lot to get through in 80 minutes. Red Chair Players, The Laramie Project (C Venue): "On 7 October 1998 Matthew Shepard was tied to a fence, beaten and left to die in the hills outside Laramie Wyoming in what was termed the worst hate crime America had ever seen" it said on the stage as we entered the theatre. On being given a programme I heard another audience member's alarm bells ringing as he commented on the huge number of characters (over 60) the 7 actors were trying to portray. This sort of thing is difficult to do successfully but this is a masterpiece. Put simply, the inhabitants of a small town in America were interviewed in the wake of the murder of gay student Matthew Shepard and the play examines attitudes to homosexuality, the role of religion, and the effects of the descent of the media circus. So powerful was this that it was not long before my handkerchief was out. They really got into all the characters and the portrayal of Dennis Shepard addressing the court was breathtaking. Definite 5 star stuff. Ojemba Productions in Association with ARC, My England (Pleasance Courtyard): In this play by Clifford Oliver we follow two people who are thrown together for an afternoon. Ant (Jonathan Salt) is a white racist moronic football fan and a frightening prospect he is. Tony (William Ferguson) is black, successful, intelligent and at the same England game. They both get arrested during the match and are held in the same cage by Laura (Lynda Morris), a well meaning but new police officer. In the play we explore what it is like to be English or British or whatever. However what I really liked about the play was the fact that it didn't simply condemn racism but tried to explore what drives people to be racist. First rate material well presented. True or Falsetto - A Secret History of the Castrati, Ernesto Tomasini (Pleasance Courtyard): If you've got it flaunt it and Tomasini has a fine falsetto voice, so I suppose a history lesson about castrati seemed the best way. Posing as a priest giving a music lesson about men who have had that unthinkable alteration we are taken from ancient Chinese times to a medieval and misogynous Catholic church that wants high voices but not women, until it goes out of fashion in the 19th century. Quite well put together but not I thought sufficient material for an Edinburgh show. Activated Image, Latin (Gilded Balloon Teviot): I have never understood why a land traditionally so intolerant of homosexuality as Britain should have developed institutions such as public schools, the boy scouts, and church choirs. This fine satire written over 20 years ago by Stephen Fry deals with the practice of locking up young schoolmasters with teenage boys. In this fine production directed by Adam Barnard, Domenic Clarke (Mark Farrelly) is a 26 year old Latin teacher who lusts after a pupil, Rupert Cartwright, who never appears. The only other character we see on stage is the elderly master Herbert Brookshaw (John Noad) who turns out to have his own sexual ways. This portrayal is all the more impressive when one realises Noad is only 23.Riotously funny and with some fine double entendres - which not all of the audience got - it is very tastefully done and is not the filth some of the gutter press would have you believe. Eastgate Productions in association with The Torch Theatre, Oh Hello (Venue 13): In this work written and performed by Dave Ainsworth, about the life of Charles Hawtrey, who I think of from Carry On films, one first has to get round the fact that Ainsworth doesn't really look or sound like Hawtrey, but having overcome that we get into the life and loneliness of a man who thought he was overlooked. He had quite a long and distinguished film career having at one time appeared in a film directed by Hitchcock. We learn about his rivalry with Kenneth Williams, his drunkenness, and flamboyant gay sexuality. Not a happy picture but I suspect not a happy man. UNLV Dance, Dancescapes III (Garage): I'm ashamed to admit that I've forgotten which famous choreographer said in the 1930s "Most dance is too long". This was said at a time when 15 minutes was considered a long dance piece. The joy of the Dancescapes series is that this is a complaint that could never be made of them. It starts off as the audience are taking their seats with "Baggies", a fun little piece with two dancers in bags. This develops as the house lights go down into "It's in the Bag". A more serious yet still fun piece with 4 bags. I was reminded of the elastic bodies of cartoon characters. This is followed by the very different "Nadia and the Desert Dancers". As the title suggests this nods in the direction of Middle Eastern dance but is in fact carefully executed contemporary dance. Changing again we get a solo singer and two dancers. Five more wonderful pieces follow. Can I book my ticket for next year's Dancescapes IV now please? Green Pig, Fifteen Minutes (C Venue): I don't know why this show was so bad as those involved in it have a list of credits as long as your arm, but they appear to be green, it's a pig of a show, and 15 minutes is probably about the length of time the audience wished it had lasted. Let's start with some basics. Make it plausible: if a couple have been at it all night in bed it is not a good idea for them to appear fully clothed. If the actors have problems with nudity then they can easily don clothes before pulling back the sheets. Secondly, make it audible: During the first scene I just couldn't hear most of what Anne (Laura Nupponen) was saying and I was in the third row. This was made worse by at one point having the actors sitting on the floor by the bed. Sat on the far side of the bed facing away from the audience. Thirdly, make it interesting. A women who is in a happy heterosexual relationship who turns up a couple of scenes later as a lesbian has had quite a lot of character development. It would have been nice if this could have been shared with the audience. And fourthly don't do things that cause the audience to walk out. To be fair I don't think this was entirely the company's fault. I think what happened was that one person took exception to the rape scene and walked out. This was taken as a signal by about a third of the audience of 20 to do likewise. This included 2 members of the venue staff, something I've never seen before. Shakti, Empire of the Senses and Realm of Desire (Garage): The first show has Shakti appearing at the back of the stage. Various images such as clouds or landscapes are projected onto the screen. Visually stunning as ever we cover the senses and end with volcanoes erupting in fires of passion. Empire of the senses may be about the 5 senses but it is fairly clear what the second show is about as Shakti starts by coming on stage blindfolded, handcuffed, and shackled. The blindfold comes off and she starts to dance. The bonds are soon replaced by a whip and not much in the way of clothing. By this stage any members of the Glasgow Licencing Committee who feel a little queasy about lap-dancing would be having full blown heart attacks, and that's before the bit where Shakti dons red rubber gloves and climbs on top of one of the other female dancers. Don't get me wrong, this is serious dance but it is dance about the erotic side of our nature. Why should we pretend we have no erotic side when it comes to dance? No reason at all. Oh, and if any member of that Licencing Committee or Andrea Dworkin wants to see the show I'll gladly buy them a ticket but don't expect me to phone for the ambulance. Guy Masterson & TTI, Oleanna (Assembly Rooms): I'm not sure how I've managed not to see this play by David Mamet before now given it's been around for 10 years, however that made this production all the more powerful. The story of John (Guy Masterson), a university lecturer who is destroyed by Carol (Beth Fitzgerald), a not particularly bright yet manipulative student. There was a point early in the show where John says "you don't have to take notes you can just listen". I had to agree, put my notebook on the floor, and sat there spellbound.Chatting to someone before heading off to see the show he told me that he had spoken to Masterson the day before and he was happy with the show. Happy? He should be ecstatic, as should director Emma Lucia who having taken two brilliant actors and equipped them only with two chairs, two bags, and a mobile phone on the huge stage of the Assembly Rooms' Ballroom could not have done a better job. It is a measure of great theatre that one becomes so engrossed one loses all sense of time. I thought this finished after 20 minutes until I checked my watch and found I'd been there for the best part of 90 minutes. Peccadillo Theatre Company, Dust to Dust (Assembly Rooms): A light hearted show by Robert Farquhar about drink and death. Mick Finnegan has fallen down the stairs when drunk and died and his friend, Henry (Ron Meadows) who knows him from the pub is phoned to sort things out. He and Kev (Warren Donnelly), another boozer, go to sort out his flat and are joined by Mick's ex wife Holly (Julie Riley) down the pub. The clever bit is that by and large we have three characters telling their memory of events in past tense rather than three actors relating to each other using present tense. Not easy to do - either as writer or actor - but Farquhar manages it effortlessly with superb performances by all three actors. Theatre at its best. Guy Masterson and TTI, Goering's Defence (Assembly Rooms) "It really hits you in the face" said the person behind me to their partner after the show. I know what they mean. Victors' justice is not pretty, and it's particularly ugly in this show. We see Goering (Ross Gurney-Randall) on the eve of his execution and with excerpts from his trial. At times one almost feels sympathy for him. A pilot hero of the First World War in a country denied an airforce by the disastrous Treaty of Versailles. A nation stripped of its honour and pride turning in desperation to Hitler. The horrors that ensued to the Jews and other minorities and the story of the war and attempting to tell Goering's side of it. He comes across as a nasty man but with some basic humanity who at best knew nothing of the Nazi's worst excesses and at worst turned a blind eye to them. As one expects from Guy Masterson a superb production with excellent acting. The Riot Group, Victory at the Dirt Palace (Garage): There may only be 103 words from King Lear in this but I think I would have got more out of this had I been more familiar with that play. High octane theatre indeed. Delivered at such volume and pace I expected my head to blown off. A father, James Mann, and his daughter Kay are news anchors on rival TV channels. Desperate for ratings and willing to do anything to get them. Are they human beings or merely presenters? Did someone mention truth? No, I thought not. What does it matter if there are acts of terrorism or for the issues over which wars are fought and won as long as the ratings hold up? Really focuses on the way some elements of the media will abuse and distort anything in order to get broadcastable material. First rate writing by Adriano Shaplin and great acting by all four members of the company. Steve Garling plays Silent German Classics (Garage): It is so rare these days to get the opportunity to see silent movies with live accompaniment that I was glad of the chance. Mind you I made several assumptions about the show that turned out to be wrong. Firstly I assumed the same film or films would be shown every night. Secondly I assumed the prints from which the video was made would be of reasonable quality, but if you're talking about early films you have to take what you can get. Thirdly I assumed the film would have English sub-titles to accompany the German captions; and fourthly I assumed Garling would be a keyboard player rather than a percussionist. However none of this really detracted from the experience. Dance Base 1st Moves (Dance Base): There are some reviews you have to write, some you do the company a favour and don't write, and some you just are not sure if you should write. This falls into the last category. In two parts with two sets of choreographers and dancers we start off with Honey you're a Pig, a story of preparation for a birthday party. Let there be no mistake Rosie Kay and Daniel Yamada are fine dancers but I found the whole thing too gimmicky with dancing with a raw egg in the mouth and the dancers smearing each other with egg and flour. By contrast TV Dinner, which from what I could see had nothing to do with TV dinners, choreographed by Thomas Small and danced by him and Tina Carey and Emma Clark suffered from an over zealous lighting designer. All this needed was someone to turn the lights on at the start and off at the end. I think there was some great dancing on stage. I just wish I'd been able to see it. Count Arthur Strong's Forgotten Egypt (Gilded Balloon Cowgate): Doing things badly to get laughs isn't easy and Steve Delaney's portrayal of Count Arthur Strong isn't to everyone's taste. For those who have not met him the Count is about 60, runs an obviously useless Academy of Excellence "just like RADA" in Doncaster and is here to give us a lecture that will go wrong and he manages to get touched up by a coat hanger, does a disastrous cooking lesson, and fails to deliver his lines properly. About 5 members of the audience found it so dull they walked out. In contrast I was worried that the two guys sat next to me were going to wet themselves within the first few minutes such was their laughter, a 10 year old at the end of the row was laughing throughout (so the humour can't have been that sophisticated), and the woman in front of me had to get out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears of mirth. The Count is to lecturing what Tommy Cooper was to magic, has the unworldliness of Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge - but where Partridge is annoying the Count is simply endearing - and has some incisive word play the Marx Brothers would have been proud of. I think he's a comic genius. You might think he's crap. The NRG Theatre Company, Fear of Fanny (Garage): No, it's not some deep piece about misogyny among some sections of the gay community but as the sub-title makes clear is "The Life and Supper Times of Fanny Cradock", one of the earliest TV cooks. Caroline Burns Cook, who is far too young, makes an acceptable Fanny (stop tittering at the back) and David Slack does Johnny perfectly in this excellent new play by Brian Fillis. Their lives were far more interesting than I realised, with Fanny deliberately appearing on TV as an "imperious Edwardian harpy" and Johnny, to whom she was not married, as her henpecked husband. It told of how this 1930s vacuum cleaner seller became a TV icon of the 50s and 60s, teaching a nation that had come through wartime rationing that food could be more interesting, how her style was all an act, and there was a hidden side to her life. Her downfall came in 1976 when she went into character once too often in a disastrous performance on That's Life. It is clear from talking to Fillis that there were two entirely different plays he could have written and I hope that, in time, he writes the other as it would be interesting to compare them, but make no mistake this is a gem of a play. The Other Tongue & Third Stage, Ride (Assembly Rooms): This could have been so close to being total rubbish but was instead brilliant and enthralling. In this new play by Jane Bodie a couple meet in the morning in bed together, remembering little of the night before or anything of what they got up to between the sheets. With clever dialogue that is both fine and witty we explore the nature of memory, what we remember or forget, and why. LamatDance, Journey (Garage Chapiteau): I first saw Carmen Vilches and her choreography last year and was captivated. Could she follow it up this year with a full length show? You bet. Quite simply her choreography has come on by leaps and bounds, small delicate hand movements, and beautifully coordinated bodies flowing all over the stage. The first piece, Libra, has elements of flamenco and is a well put together piece for five dancers. To show this is not a one off she follows it up with a very different but just as good dance with Mujar. I have a bit of a criticism of I Don't Agree and that's because it's described as a work in progress which presumably means Vilches is not happy with it. I don't know why. There are choreographers who would sell their soul to the devil and agree to be kneecapped just to come up with something half this good in their entire careers. The last time I saw an entire programme of dance by an English based company that came close to the quality of this was the time before last I saw Rambert. Portrait Productions, The Last Man in Europe (Hill Street): On going into the gents before the show I found myself standing next to Orwell. I found it somewhat disconcerting but nothing like the time I found myself in similar circumstances stoop next to Hitler. This tells the story of George Orwell and his life from his schooldays to the end. I felt the early parts were a bit weak as it didn't capture the intellectual depth of Orwell, but it picked up and turned into quite a good biography. The Red Room & The Bush, Stitching (Traverse): My god this was hard work but very good. It wasn't helped by jumping backwards and forwards in time. I knew it was going to be good within seconds when before a word had been uttered I knew we had two people on stage who had trouble with their relationship. Stu (Phil McKee) is told that Abby (Selina Boyack) is pregnant. They originally met when she was a mature student doing a spot of whoring to make money but how the relationship developed was never really made clear. What was explored in considerable detail was the nature of human sexuality, what is allowed, and what is taboo. I'm not even going to go near what the "stitching" of the title is about. Use your imagination. St Kylie's Love Hospital, Lesbian Launderette (Gilded Balloon Cowgate): I only went to see this because The Guardian saw fit to condemn this show without seeing it. A transgender assistant manager of a Launderette wants power and murders her boss. If you are thinking Macbeth here you'd be right but it's not so much Shakespeare as Carry on Macbeth, with two character called Marge and Tina purely to get a laugh at the song "Don't Cry for me Marge and Tina". In fact the last time I saw this trick used was in a Carry On film. Not really my type of thing but with plenty of laughs particularly if your familiar with Macbeth. I think I was the only person to get some of the gags. Tiny Dynamite & The Bull Theatre, Jack Pleasure (C Venue): Oh I do love theatre that leaves you thinking "just where is this going" and then right at the end the penny drops and you think "yes, of course" so I loved this play by Aidrian Berry. It starts off as a fairly superficial story of Terry (Andy Fox), a 36 year old coach driver who has ambitions of being a porn star, his father Bill (Tony Collins) who is one of those guys who can't realise that now he no longer works at the bike factory the factory doesn't matter. Terry's ex-wife Susan (Lucy Ward) turns up as does his aunt Brenda (Lynne Austin) who has a somewhat ambiguous relationship with Bill. But what starts out light gets very deep and culminates in scenes about the nature of relationships between father and son, husband and wife. The final words in this are "What do you say?" I say yes. *from Gordon Ashenhurst Making a very welcome debut at the Edinburgh Festival this year was Kandi Kane. The cross-dressing "native New Yorker" has already been compared to comedy legend Joan Rivers, and expectation was understandably high. But the daring, darling diva didn't disappoint. Looking like Barbie on speed, she put on a show that was absolutely superb. Earlier, before her act, as she handed out flyers for tonight's performance, I informed her I already had tickets. She ruefully remarked "Oh, you have no taste". Complete nonsense; she was outstanding. Equally as delightful was Craig Hill - a delicious slice of camp, who endeared the varied audience (yeah okay, married couples and old people) who he bragged belonged "to a certain class - working class". His cheeky, energetic entrance, whereby he ran riot among the whooping crowd, was sheer pleasure and set the pace. The hour long set (despite a late start) showcased an incredibly sharp wit that never failed to charm and enthrall. With his distinct brand of homegrown humour, he more than "fair raised the tone" of the audience. He had them in the palm of his hands. However, having to try harder was "comic" Scott Capurro. The sinewy American is an extremely talented TV presenter, but was tonight for stand-up comedy what Mariah Carey has so far been to profitable Hollywood movies. Almost immediately heckled, his set was depressingly underwhelming. Never quite recovering from the initial disruption, he seemed to be uncomfortable on stage and tried too hard. One particular low-point was his insistence on jumping around is his "I'm so eccentric and interesting" desperation to connect with his audience. He just didn't quite make it, which is a shame as the man has the talent to be better than he was tonight. E-mail: gordon_1984@hotmail.com from Richard Wilson BOOK FESTIVAL The Edinburgh International Book Festival goes from strength to strength. Highlight of the first week for me was Liz Lochhead, star Scottish poet and playwright (who can forget her Perfect Days?) reading from her own work and that of Edwin Morgan. She had the audience spellbound with her thoughts on childhood and life and death. Also playing to a full house was Alan Bennett introducing his new work The Laying On Of Hands. he was deliciously funny and moving - and he finds the Scots warmer than the English, apparently. Treats to come in the last week include: Ian Rankin, Muriel Gray, Roddy Doyle, Roger McGough, Irvine Walsh and Sandi Toksvig. So, get yourselves down to Charlotte Square Gardens. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Filth ===== More filth than you can wave a stick at from these nice perves at MPG this month. Mind you, it wasn't a stick I've been waving following a quick flick through this lot (with a little bit of rewinding to make sure that I wasn't imagining things). First up is EuroBoy Hard - Boys With Big Cocks. And this is exactly what it says on the box!Personally, I think most of the guys could do with a square meal, but then I do prefer the chunky twinks. Then there's Jude's Law, a lusty little number shout in South Africa. To be honest, I only had a chance to look at the box and it seems to be all white lads - but they all seemed jolly cute. And this is confirmed by the smile on the face of the chap who has returned my copy just in time for publication. Anyway, we have the usual 4 VHS copies of each to give away to readers. You know the score by now: postcards to ScotsGay, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW with your name and address on and an indication of which video you would prefer. Justin Milne E-mail: justin@scotsgay.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- Glaschu/Glasgow ================ Salutations and felicitations gentle folk. Just to remind anyone who missed it summer has arrived in our fair city. The easy way to remember is cold and raining equals summer, cold and snowing equals winter! Forget spring and autumn only posh folk get them. Truly it has to be said the weather has been terrible. As in all things to do with the LGBT community, money is the biggest issue and problem. There is never enough and laying hands on the little that exists has proved difficult and time consuming. You may come to recognise this as a hobby horse of mine over time. But I think it is rooted in the current facilities on offer at the LGBT Centre at 11 Dixon Street, opposite the Fat Boabs pub. Despite best efforts and great dedication from the board and volunteers, the premises are far from ideal. First and foremost it serves as a community centre. Yet is not considered in the same light as other community centres by the City Council. We deserve more, especially given the estimated size of our numbers in Greater Glasgow and should be receiving a whole lot more in the way of direct funding and other financial aid. It's all very well the council preaching tolerance and equality. But let's see them put up or shut up. We pay council tax and we vote, we deserve equal consideration in all things. A brand new 'MEN ONLY' club will be opening in Glasgow on Fri 20th Sep. Though the question has been raised about the legality of said door policy. Time will no doubt tell on this point. Brian Johnston, one of the promoters, has been very forthcoming about his vision for the B.U.R.L.Y club. He thinks that the time has come for a gay club run by gays for gays, much in the same way that Revolver Bar has improved the choice of pubs in the city centre. This may well be it and indeed the start of a great deal more. BURLY Nights are aimed at the more mature members of the scene i.e. over 25's, so screaming scene queens, disco bunnies and twinkies need not apply. The aim of the club night will be to create a 'cruisy' atmosphere where Bears, guys into Uniform, Rubber, Leather, Industrial and Denim can meet. So this is one place working clothes are definitely encouraged. Builders and mechanics, policemen and city types in sharp suits and crisp linen shirts. Not to forget the leather clad bikers and those who deem rubber the perfect all weather wear (especially this summer!). So where is it at? I hear you cry. 'The Big Joint', South Street, Glasgow (8 minutes from the city centre). Has four distinct areas: bar, dance, cruise area and chill out room. There are ample changing facilities, club security staff and a reliable taxi service. According to Brian, "We felt it was vital that we got the venue right. Friends and I have been bemoaning for years the fact that Glasgow doesn't have a club that caters for gay men over 25 who want to openly cruise each other, socialise and have a beer". If you are looking for a night without hen parties and breeders cluttering up the best seats and the dance floor, this could be for you. So it's not smack bang in the middle of the city. Well guess what nothings perfect in life. In this case effort is rewarded, it's a great venue and the drinks prices mean a round will not end up resembling the Guatemalan national debt. There is plenty of parking space and the promoters will be running a bus on the night from the city centre to the venue. Contact details are as follows: E-mail address: dv8scots@hotmail.com. Website: http://www.dv8scots. co.uk/. Next date for fetish club Violate is Sat 14th Sep also at the 'The Big Joint'. Dress code is fetish or casual and black. No blue jeans no matter how dark they look and no t-shirts that look like leftovers from a package deal to Spain (unless of course they've got something really 'fetishy' on the front). Admission: UKP5 for members, UKP10 for non-members. Membership is UKP10 per year and can be bought at the door. Strictly no cameras, only the official Violate photographer allowed. The atmosphere is relaxed and drinks are reasonable priced. If you fancy a preview, check out the website at: http://www.violate.co.uk/ Anyone looking for cheap, nay, free entertainment in Glasgow could do far worse than sign up to the mailing list of the Glasgay organisation. Free and reduced admission to a wide diversity of events is available. But best of all instead of scouring the local rags for details, all the latest offers are E-mailed to you on a regular basis. E-mail: david.leddy@glasgay.co.uk or check out the website at http://www.glasgay.co.uk/To all those still not wired into the 21st century, may I suggest acquiring a free E-mail address from the numerous providers out in techie land and checking in occasionally via an internet cafe. The recent second cruise Doon the Clyde organised by volunteers at the LGBT Centre was a good night, I hear. Indeed such was the degree of gay abandon shown by some revellers that they were decommissioned for the rest of the weekend. No names mentioned but you know who you were. If any further trips are planned I shall let you know in good time, to allow the pressing of sailor suits and the practising of hornpipes. For those curious as to why there is no picture of me at the top of the page. It is simple: when I scare children and animals, I like to do it in person. Angharad E-mail: angharad@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Time for T ========== One way or another, I seem to be focussing on the issue of coming out just recently. Now we all know how difficult and stressful this is at the best of times, but stop for a moment and consider the plight of the transgendered. For us, it's a little like having to spend the rest of your days with "QUEER" tattooed on your forehead. At least lesbians, gay men and bisexuals look perfectly ordinary in their day-to-day life and can maintain a degree of privacy and anonymity, but us trannies are forced to broadcast our difference. It still astounds me that so many people, even within the LGBT community assume that being transgendered is a choice! I remember well the first time I came out to anyone, before my transition. I was working in a school office, the only male in the workforce. Over coffee one morning, one of my colleagues bemoaned the fact that there was no gossip in the school, so, taking a deep breath, I announced that I knew something that nobody else knew. I kept them all hanging on until coffee the following day before I took it a step further. Asking if everybody knew of the odd-one-out round on Have I Got News For You. I discovered that everyone knew what I was talking about. So, I says, here are your four to choose from Lily Savage, Dana International, Hayley from Coronation Street, and me. Most of them knew that I had been involved in entertainment in the past, and took the obvious, but wrong, line. In the end I said Lily Savage is the odd one out. She's a transvestite, the rest are transsexuals. After the obligatory stunned silence, someone asked "have you always wanted to be a woman?" to which I replied "No, I always have been a woman!" Beyond that, they were very supportive and interested, although it was significant that I wasn't asked back to further fill the vacancy after the school holidays. My family were somewhat less tolerant, and apart from my son (who is actually in the army!) they haven't spoken to me since the day I told them. Although I guess that's not unique. On the good news front, I have just been elected as transgender rep on the steering committee of the lesbian, gay and bisexual group within my union. Until now they have firmly resisted including the transgendered as members in their own right, but I suspect that this appointment means that the situation is about to change. Watch this space! Finally, not so much a joke as a thought: If you want to be guaranteed to see a man in a skirt, there are two places you can go. A transgender group meeting, or a Burns Night! Keep smiling. Andrea ----------------------------------------------------------------------- dance chart =========== 1. MOBY EXTREME WAYS (Junior Jack's Club Mix /John Creamer & Stephane K Remix) (Mute) 2. THE THRILLSEEKERS DREAMING OF YOU (Mike Monday Remix) (Data) 3. CELEDA LET THE MUSIC LIFT YOU UP (Flatline Definition Of House Mix) (Global Harmony) 4. MONA LISA BORN TO SYNTHESIZE (Praha Remix) (White Label) 5. DAVID ALVARADO - POLYGONS (Ovum) 6. JAY J & CHRIS LUM ROOTS ROLL CALL (Peace Division Vocal Mix) (Vibrant) 7. JOHN 'DNR' ALVAREZ BEFORE THE STORM (DNR's Mix) (Deep Vision) 8. 1 GIANT LEAP MA' AFRICA (W.O.S.P. Thru The Jungle Mix) (Palm Pictures) 9. CHRISTOPHE D'ABUC : D'Abuc v Da Prodigy - Climbatize (White Label) 10. CHRISTIAN E.F.F.E. & NIKI B MEKKANIKA (Paolo Kighine Remix) (Premier Sounds) 11. SUBTECH TRY ME (Subtech) 12. CHRIS LUM GET CONNECTED EP : Can We Get Connected? (Nightshift) 13. SYSTEM F DANCE VALLEY THEME 2001 (REMIXED) (Vince Fontaine Remix) (Tsunami) 14. MAURITIUS (MARC O'TOOL) SOMEBODY TOLD ME /NACHTFLUG (Tune Inn) 15. PROTOTYPE LA CALDERA REMIXES (Nils Hess /900AF Remix) (Tune Inn) 16. DJ ENCORE featuring ENGELINA I SEE RIGHT THROUGH TO YOU (Serious) (Adam Dived Dub) 17. RALPHIE B MASSIVE (D Ramirez Remix) (Data) 18. NOVACHENTO ARIEL A9 (Mr G Remix) (Novachento) 19. ROLAND KLINKENBERG CELLOPHANE (Ian Wilkie WM 2002-dub) (Additive) 20. L.S.G. GODDESS (Superstition) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Scotsdyke ========= Top telly tip ------------- Rachael Stirling (Othello, Bait), Keeley Hawes (The Beggar Bride, Our Mutual Friend), Jodhi May (Last of the Mohicans, The Mayor of Casterbridge) and Anna Chancellor (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Pride And Prejudice ) star in Tipping The Velvet, an Andrew Davies adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Sarah Waters. Produced by Sally Head Productions for BBC TWO, Hugh Bonneville and John Bowe also star in the three-part drama which begins production this week. Set in England in the 1890's, Tipping The Velvet is a colourful, passionate and entertaining love story about Nan Astley (Rachael Stirling), a heroine as appealing and charismatic as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. As she grows into womanhood, Nan realises that she is attracted to women, not to men - and it leads her into a series of adventures which recall that earlier heroine Moll Flanders. Says Andrew Davies "Sarah Waters writes from a deep understanding not only of the great Victorian writers, but also the underground literature of the time - the pornographic fiction and the private memoirs of men and women who revealed the truth about what men and women thought and did in the later years of the 19th century. She also writes with an extraordinary, gutsy zest for life in all its often comic complexity, especially the sexual life. The effect of this is sometimes shocking, but always illuminating and life-enhancing." The glamorous world of 19th century music hall provides the backdrop for Nan's first love affair with Kitty, (Keeley Hawes), a popular male impersonator music hall star. They become a double act both on and off stage, but their manager Walter (John Bowe) wins Kitty's hand as she ultimately chooses the safety of a traditional life rather than risking the public disapproval of her true feelings for Nan. Devastated, our heartbroken heroine takes to the streets to survive, in her guise as a male impersonator, and finds a niche in the Victorian sexual underworld. She is also drawn to Florence (Jodhi May) but feels unable to tell her the truth about her secret street life. Instead, she is spotted by the wealthy widow, Diana Lethaby (Anna Chancellor), a woman in her thirties who lives by her own rules - utterly amoral, capricious and predatory. She introduces Nan into a world of luxury and debauchery and Nan virtually becomes her sexual slave. When Nan is eventually thrown back on the streets, destitute and starving, she searches for Florence, who is initially deeply mistrustful, but a strong bond develops between them that blossoms into real and lasting love. Jane Tranter, Controller of Drama Commissioning for the BBC says " Tipping the Velvet is a dazzling and provocative drama, with Andrew Davies on top form. It's a remarkable portrait of a world and characters not familiar to most people. We're thrilled to be bringing such a powerful adaptation of Sarah Waters' book to BBC TWO." Sally Head, whose previous credits include such outstanding dramas as Cracker, Prime Suspect and Band of Gold is executive producer with Gareth Neame, Head of Independent Drama Commissioning for the BBC. Sally says "Tipping the Velvet is unlike any other drama I've worked on...the emotional and visual extremes of the story wrap around each other so that it is compelling, startling and sometimes shocking. Andrew Davies script is simply the best, serving Sarah Waters' beautiful novel in a way that makes my toes curl." Tipping The Velvet, made by Sally Head Productions for the BBC, is produced by Georgina Lowe (The Mayor of Casterbridge, Topsy-Turvy) and directed by Geoff Sax ( Othello, Clocking Off). --------------------------------------------------------------------- Scottish Media Monitor ====================== Garry Otton on the Senseless Scottish Censors The new chief censor, president of the British Board of Film Classification, who decides what you can or cannot watch, is civil servant 58-year-old Sir Quentin Thomas. As a more conservative operator than his predecessor, he has already suggested Parliament should state its views on regulation more clearly, but should we really be encouraging them? After the relaxation of rules allowing more horny videos, he is already wondering if this is what the public really wanted. (Of course it is)! And while Edinburgh is being entertained everyday by dozens of provocative performers, including two men contorting their cocks into household items, and a dance involving a young derelict engaging with a prostitute at the Edinburgh Festival, we have Glasgow City Council and its quasi-judicial licensing board, convened by moral campaigner, Jim "call me Mary Whitehouse" Coleman, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, putting his quite considerable weight behind all the usual constraints and legislation already regulating morality in this country, (At council taxpayers' expense, of course). Coleman is also the convenor of the council's working group on prostitution. His attempt to ban clubs that are otherwise legal in Edinburgh, like lap-dancing clubs or saunas offering sex, could put all Glasgow's female sex workers out on the street or working in private houses, leaving them vulnerable to violence, drug dealers and pimps. He is also damaging Glasgow's reputation as a progressive, modern city in Europe. This licensing board has, in the past, chalked up some dubious moral 'victories', like banning Monty Python's The Life of Brian and Ken Russell's The Devils, even though the latter was widely available in video shops by the time their ban was reinforced in 1990. Coleman's recent re-election for deputy leadership went ahead completely unopposed. Sooo very Glasgow! Quite apart from the media, proselytising, lecturing, moralising and operating as holier-than-thou guardians of our morality, we also have a Parliament and a string of local authorities, impregnated with religionists, bowing to the Church's every whim. God help us! But with all the weight of moral order imposed on Glasgow, it has done nothing to knock it off the top of Europe's charts for sexual disease and teenage pregnancy. Along with everything else, Scotland has a tradition of wealthy individuals wreaking havoc on what's left of freedom of choice. No, this time it's not Brian Souter and his UKP2million handout to support a piece of homophobic legislation that would never have stood up in law anyway, but another businessman. Michael Anthony, a 48-year-old business consultant who wants to mount a legal challenge in the sheriff courts aimed at closing down Edinburgh's sex saunas. He has been busily obstructing sexual reform in Edinburgh for some years now and was reported to have already lodged objections for the renewal of the licences of around 20 sauna premises. Interestingly enough, Mr Anthony has, in the past, received a three-month prison sentence for threatening a woman at knifepoint and demanding sex. Fortunately for him, he received community service after telling judges he suffered from asthma. It seems Scotland is always being encouraged to evoke more censorship. The Sunday Mail reported how two businessmen wanted to open a sex shop in Aberdeen. It's "only a stone's throw from the city's docks and red-light area", the paper gasped before advising: "Objections must be sent to the council within 28 days". It seems a poor show that to support the absurd efforts of Jim Coleman's attempts to ban lap-dancing clubs like Spearmint Rhino in Glasgow, The Herald had to go all the way to America, seeking, not so much "one of the world's leading feminst thinkers" as they described her, but the opinion of the highly controversial anti-pornography campaigner Andrea Dworkin. With hysterical references to Marquis de Sade, Sudanese women slaves and a Californian rapist who cut the arms off a teenage girl before throwing her a $10 bill, Dworkin did nothing to provide evidence that women were the duped, weak-minded, gullible fools she seemed to think they all were. Men do not think that women "have no brains, no hearts, no lives worth living" and lap-dancing is not just for "the poor, the abused, the hopeless". Why deny women a choice? I can't think of anything more sexist. Dworkin wrote that the work was "more deadening and boring than any assembly line in any factory". What do the lap-dancers themselves say about this? Had anyone asked? By banning lap-dancing because it leads to violence against women is a cover for more sinister moral crusades. The shocking spectacle of so-called feminists linking arms with religionists to ban 'pornography' and embark together on other moral crusades is nothing new. It led to the establishment of the National Vigilance Association and their quest to purify the nation of 'vice' in the 1880s, which, in turn, led to the extension of state controls into the realms of private morality. If violence against women really was the concern of the licensing board, why then does not Mr Coleman do more to ensure women, be they lap-dancers or sex workers, are better organised and protected against misdemeanours in the workplace? There is precious little evidence that men in lap-dancing clubs are harming women, and even if that were the case, I would rather see these men exposed than hidden away behind closed doors. When men and boys start making sexual connections watching women gyrate artistically round poles, they are learning a little more about foreplay than they might otherwise have known. After a few exhibitions from a lap-dancer, I would expect Joe McBlow to give a little more than a five-minute, wham-bam, thank you ma'am, under his Debenham's brushed cotton duvet. How dare Dworkin accuse men of 'using pornography'! She herself uses 'pornography'. Only in this case, she uses it make a case for denying women their right to choose. Jim Coleman should stop wasting taxpayers' money; meddling in issues of morality and concentrate on offering essential services. It never ceases to surprise me how even such puerile demonstrations of erotica are guaranteed to have even the most egalitarian commentators steadying themselves on the handrail of censorship. Tremors rumbled through the Scotland's liberal underworld with Muriel Gray's announcement in the Sunday Herald: "So when reading the dignified comments of Jim Coleman, speaking on behalf of Glasgow City Council, still the only council in the UK to have refused a licence to Spearmint Rhino, I wanted to cry with relief". What was neglected, portraying - as the Daily Record did - such a sensational headline as: "Monk in gay porn scandal", was the story of a vulnerable individual left to the mercy of a wacky religious cult. It is bad enough that the Catholic Church's so-called 'moral leaders' are so out of touch with the majority of Catholics. (They will claim those now deserting the Church in their droves are the ones who are out of touch). But it is even worse when Catholic extremists buy their own island to practise their bizarre cult. The Transalpine Redemptorists on the Orkney island of Papa Stronsay have, in the past, ordered female archaeologists working on the island to cover themselves with ankle-length skirts and long sleeved shirts. (Zilch marks for tolerance). Now they have disciplined a young novice for attempting to follow a more natural 'calling' after he went to a cyber cafe in Kirkwall and surfed some erotic gay sites. Now, I don't know if he was looking for sites with bare arse, cock, a long-term partner, sexual health advice or just to find out what it feels like to kiss another man on the lips. It doesn't matter. He was 20-years-old f'r chrissakes and his hormones were kicking in! Had this been in Glasgow's easyInternetCafe in St Vincent's Street he would have joined queues of gays and bisexuals surfing gay.com late into the night for all the above and more. No, instead, he popped into the Support Training cyber cafe in Kirkwall on the Orkneys in his cassock and asked for a private stall. Why private? Well, he was never likely to drop the years of shame he had attached to sex in a Catholic environment along with his pants, was he? And it was not as though he could've slipped out of his cassock into a pair of 501's and a baseball cap in the middle of Kirkwall! My accusing and sometimes opinionated finger points firmly at Support Training Ltd., based in Edinburgh. Staff at their cyber cafe at Kirkwall called the police after they invaded the lad's privacy by checking what sites the novice had accessed once he'd left the cafe. I think their censorial actions will have lost them a lot of business. And quite rightly so too! The police claimed to have no interest in the case because no law had been breached, but with the story leaked to the press, the damage to a vulnerable young man had already been done. The order of monks issued a statement: "On July 11 an aspirant member of this community was seen using an Internet cafe in Kirkwall where he viewed images of a homosexual nature. Naturally, on learning of this incident through the discreet report of a concerned member of the public (for which we are most grateful) as well as through the young man's own admission, the latter was immediately disciplined... Our Catholic religion condemns as sinful all viewing of immodest pictures, whether televised, on film, in print or on the Internet..." More ominously, The Orcadian reported: "The community of monks have said they will assure that the novice receives their full support, as well as the 'professional assistance' he has requested in order to overcome his 'difficulties'." What "support" could these Catholic monks possibly give this young man? With concerns having already been raised over Scotland's shockingly high rate of male suicide, what help are we prepared to give this vulnerable young man? With no gay bars on Orkney, are we likely to read of his arrest in a Kirkwall 'cottage' before long or will this be just another statistic of a life lost? Praising the way his staff behaved, the over-vigilant general manager of Support Training, Tommy Sutherland told The Orcadian that measures had always been in place to prevent the viewing of explicit material and that the cafe was well supervised with plenty of staff on hand. "The two coin-operated machines are protected so if someone is looking to go into unsavoury sites, it would be very difficult for them". Referring to the case, he said: "In the end it was passed to the people we felt needed to know". If anything happens to this young man, I just hope Mr Sutherland gets to know too. Garry Otton will be speaking at the National Union of Journalists headquarters, 308-312 Gray's Inn Road, (close to Kings Cross) in London on Saturday, 7 September 2002. 'Reporting the Vulnerable'. 11.15 until 4.15pm. For more information contact Terry Williams (williams.t@blueyonder.co.uk). Garry Otton's book SEXUAL FASCISM is published by Ganymede Books priced UKP8.99. garry@scottishmediamonitor.com Read Scotland's newspapers online: http://www.scottishmediamonitor.com/. cut it out! ----------- * Gillian Ferguson in The Scotsman: "I'd like right here, to reclaim the phrase 'family values' - these should be love, support, respect, passion, compassion, fun and tolerance, the very antithesis of what it has come to mean". * Snapped up by numerous media outlets admiring her retrenched opinions. Homophobic, Catholic, and Conservative-supporting Mrs Katie Grant on "Why the iron has a special place in the hearts of so many women" in the Scottish Daily Mail: "During crises (frequent) I can always be found in the laundry room. My husband says that's where I am happiest. I say, 'oh no. Of course not,' but actually he is right... It is a great way of working off pent-up aggression (when I am cross I put the iron on 'linen' and flatten everybody's knickers)... Standing in front of the ironing board, we women look so virtuous, quite above reproach in fact, who on earth would dare criticise a domestic goddess with an iron in her hand... Women of the world unite... Stand by your ironing board and it will do more than stand by you..." Oh, for goodness sake, slap her, someone! * Mrs Katie Grant in The Scotsman on modernising her beloved Conservative Party: "I, for one, am furious..." * Mrs Grant on the late Diana, Princess of Wales in The Scotsman: "...because Diana's moods were as changeable as the weather, apropos a memorial structure, it has always been far from clear as to which would be more appropriate, a shrine or a health warning... Diana's so-called friends couldn't organise a maypole on a village green. Time to sack them all before the hapless princess's memory becomes as tarnished as her life". Meeooow! * Gay-obsessed Gerald Warner on Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith's attempt to kick the Tories into this century in Scotland on Sunday: "Where the flap of white coats is most clearly audible in the IDS agenda is in the stampede to recruit openly homosexual candidates. Since male homosexuals account for 3% of the electorate and majority of Tory voters is hostile to them, Baldrick's cunning plan appears to be to attract 1% more voters, while alienating around 20%. Clever stuff, eh?" Stampede? Horses' hooves? There, there, Mr Warner, time for your medication. * John MacLeod in the Scottish Daily Mail: "...I am up to my pink elbows in baking. I'm actually rather a good baker... My mammy is banned from the home until I'm finished. It's a Delia Smith recipe". * John MacLeod in The Herald: "Our present MSPs burble with idealistic platitudes. These are glorified social workers who want to build a new Jerusalem, as cheaply as possible, and run around involving themselves in things that are none of any state's business: a private bank's deal with Pat Robertson, or Mike Tyson's visit to Glasgow". One endorses unrestrained homophobia and the other was found guilty of rape. Has being gay taught this man anything? * A 'straight' man writing to Old Mother (Joan) Burnie on his love of the gay lifestyle in the Daily Record: "But a guy cornered me in the gents last week and said if I wasn't part of 'the scene', I should get lost". In any doubt now that her letters might be hoax? Burnie replies: "You're cruising in their territory like a tourist in a red-light district. If you just behave normally, I'm sure they talk to you about the meaning of life and all that". ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dun Eideann/Edinburgh ===================== Hello, hello, my little darlings, and what fun and frolics we're getting treated to in the month of August! Late licences are keeping all bars and clubs busy with a lot of establishments having various theme nights. Planet Out has its usual line up of fun this month but the emphasis and energy of the staff will be focused on the charity night they have coming up on 22nd Aug for Positive Voice - a self help organisation for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Entry is free and each guest will receive a free glass of punch. Various drink promos will run throughout the night and the host will be resident drag act Miss Ima Whore who is fucking superb: Edinburgh's very own Lily Savage (on smack!). Various guest DJs will be taking turns in spinning those records - DJs Maggie and Alan Joy and Trendy Wendy just to name a few. If you're feeling a tad horny then the joint will be jumping with testosterone as we are being treated to a bunch of male dancers by the name of BOYZOWN! Lesbians don't feel left out as they are trying to organise female dancers too! There'll also be a raffle with lots of goodies and good giveaways: rumour has it the jackpot is a holiday. Top of my list of pubs just now has to be the Newtown Bar a pub which is hidden away in Dublin Street. Yup, I know what a lot of you will be thinking - a place only asociated with old men and bears! Well, my little chickens, I am here to tell you it's not. If you haven't been there before go along to break the old routine. Whilst the upstairs is your average stereotypical pub which reminds me of a set in Albert Square, downstairs has recently been revamped and is sensational offering a variety of drink promos, a spacious dancefloor with excellent lighting and DJ equipment for their very own resident DJ - Malky. It's unbelievable the contrast with the 2 floors: it really is like two different places entirely! I tell you what, if you come along Wee Alan promises a dance with you especially if you are a tiger! Please note that women are now welcome too. Do you remember in my last issue I wished JOY happy 9th birthday? Well the event itself took place on the 3rd of August. Joy always is a stomper of a night and offers a more alternative/energetic way of clubbing. I would never say a bad word about the night itself as the DJs, staff, music and almost everything is fantastic but, guys, do something about those pig ignorant door staff you have as they are arrogant bastards on an ego trip. Yes, I am fuelled with bitterness as Wee Alan was refused entry to this occasion! The cheek of it! I didn't let refusal of entry dampen my spirits and was allowed access to good old reliable CCs. However, the doorstaff have a much more friendly and polite manner about them. In fact, I don't really think the doorstaff ever get a mention,so well done guys. I think they deserve a wee mention as they definitely have their work cut out and I know myself I have been in rather a few drunken states in there and sometimes think we wouldn't get away with that sort of shit anywhere else - especially in straight places where it seems like a concentration camp rather than a time to have fun. On the more relaxing side of things if you are looking to chill out then Townhouse sauna is the place to be. You know when you wake up in the morning and you stink of stale fags (and I don't mean cigs!) drink and sick? Well there is nothing better than getting all of those toxins and whatever else that's in your body sweated out of you! Staff in the Townhouse are friendly, cheerful, funny and appreciate their customers - a warm feeling simply oozes off them! On Sat 10th - Luvely hosted a beach ball which went down a storm at the Liquid Rooms. Pre club was at Habana which is always well received. Disco Inferno is always an entertaining night which takes place every so often at Ego: it's a sea of 70s and 80s dress code with the music a change from the usual club music. Next one coming up in Sept - always good for a laugh! Well darlings, I'm afraid that's it from me until next time. Hope you are all enjoying the Festival goings on - try and see Craig Hill he is funny as fuck! Ciao for now, Wee Alan E-mail: weealan@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Dun-deagh/Dundee ================ It's been hot sticky and damp out on the scene recently. Whilst it certainly has not been sunny, the summer temperatures and busy crowds have kept fledgling nightclub 'Out' hot at the weekends. Is the air conditioning working? Hot also has been Charlie's whose air conditioning depends on whether the doors are open in the hope that someone gets a draught other than the poor bugger at the door. I would hate to see condensation dripping from the nicotine stained ceiling. Is this another refurbishment not yet finished? Whilst it has been hot sticky and damp in Brooklyn (I thought they had a/c), the dampness is thanks to a dyke who shall remain nameless deciding that she should pee on the stair carpet. Cheeky you may think - but she was already barred from the pub before the incident. Caught red handed and probably wet handed by an even grumpier than usual publican whom she offered twenty quid apparently for his trouble. She got it back when sober, as on the spot fines introduced by the Blair government are not yet law in the club! Next time you are tempted to go cruising, watch out for the pretty boy Police officers who may be there to catch you shagging or just to pay their mortgage with fines for breach of the peace or possibly breach of the Police. So why were two plainclothes police in the club last Saturday posing as husband and wife and watching everyone? I'm told they go round all the clubs, so next time I hope the Chief Constable sends in the pretty boys. With the end of the holidays, I suppose comes the end of shorts and revealing t-shirts on the streets of Dundee. It will also mark the return of the students to the University. Will they make their way along to 'Out' to provide some fresh talent so that the interbreeding is reduced. (Who is barman John with these days?) Even Assistant Manager Graham headed to Aberdeen for fresh trade during his weekend off. Apparently they were so busy in the club he was press ganged into working and he was 'well received' by all accounts. Customers of Charlie's may recall the days of the hostelry being called Devas. It was managed and controlled by Karen and her partner Ann both of whom were alleged to have fist throwing contests with customers. Now Ann, not content to be out of the failed Weavers Bar is to open a lesbian club. The not so little problem of finance has had her approach both straight and gay publicans and even a market trader with all sorts of incentives and inducements we hear. Will we see a second hand stall next to the cloakroom? Scene entertainment continues in the same bland format with only the fledgling DJ skills of bouncer Sarah aka Sash making a change. Covering for Ross's well earned holiday on Sundays, she has returned to door duties but is now available should any of the Ibiza clubs call. Ross's anything goes music was welcomed back by an enthusiastic group out celebrating Alan C's official birthday. The diamond merchant again showed us how to party. I have always found the movie "Priscilla - Queen of the Desert" almost as camp as Summer Holiday or On The Buses. Whilst all three feature buses, only the first has former Neighbours hunk, Australian Guy Ritchie in it. The singer who recorded the soundtrack is bringing her new dance versions of the hits to the UK at the end of the month. A bit of antipodean culture from American singer Charlene on a European Tour. International alliances which George Bush Jnr would be jealous of. Shafted ------------------------------------------------------------------- Obar Dheadhain/Aberdeen ======================= Hiya Bendy Boyz 'n' Girlz, Sunny Gay Grampian Here! (OK the sun's out while I'm writing this drivel) So summer's just about over and the nights a fair drawin' in, the sun-tan's startin' to fade (unless you're a sun-bed queen) and your hols are just a distant memory but do not despair cause it's still happening on the scene. Dust down yer wellies, dig the winter woollies and thermals from yer drawers and get out there clubbin'. Queerbashings We start with some not so good news from the Granite City. It seems that Aberdeen might not be as liberal as we thought. A group of what I can only describe as despicable bastards have started beating up on the LGBT Community. Now I'm not as naive as to think this hasn't happened before or doesn't happen often but recently attacks have increased. This is a worrying trend not only for us but the police as well. I spoke to the LGBT Officer based at the Queen St Headquarters and Sergeant Graham McLeod asked me to especially make the guyz who cruise the Duthie Park area aware that a number of attacks occurred during the first week of August, the attacks were all of a serious nature and have been reported. Another attack happened in the James Street area of the city and involved one attacker. So if you see an increased amount of police activity in the park, the gorgeous Boyz and Girlz in Blue are there for your protection and not to harass you. If you have any information regarding the attacks you can contact Sgt. McLeod or Constable Shona Grimmer (also an LGBT Liaison Officer) at Grampian Police Headquarters on Aberdeen (01224) 386471 or remote report to the PHACE SCOTLAND offices on (01224) 587166 and Grampian LGB Switchboard on (01224) 212600. I know for many people the thought of reporting an incident may be a daunting task so use us at the PHACE SCOTLAND - Grampian Gay Men's Health Project and we will assist you if you wish to make a statement or come forward with any information. Scene Stuff First let's quash a rumour--Castro's is not having difficulties with the insurance company and the architects and builders have visited the site and work will be starting shortly to rebuild the club. The roof has now been made safe but the opening may be a wee while away, as planning permission has to be obtained for some changes to the venue. So keep your eyes on the column for the opening date. Fidel's Bar is now much busier and keeps the same opening times as before. Free entry to the bar seven nights a week, with karaoke as and when you divas want it! (Just warn me first). Do you want to know who you'll be shagging over the next few months? Well the answer might be found at Fidel's on a Sunday afternoon with Paul's new Psychic Service, yip Tarot card readings have arrived, so if you really want to get a grip on what's ahead of you give it a try. Special drinks promos supported by the brewery and by Fidel's are ongoing as usual, as if you lot need an excuse to drink anyway (I include myself in that category as well), speaking of cats, all of Jason's pussies now have new homes so soz if you missed out. (I'll let you lot make your own jokes up) The old rumour mill has started up again--what is happening to OUT Clubbing? Is it closing at the end of the month or is it October? Just for you I've donned my dodgy trench coat, stolen a homburg and attached a feeble excuse of a moustache to bring you the latest update. I'm on the case like a disco bunny after a fresh bottle of poppers, our hapless private dick (no jokes please) asked Brian what is going on...He has confirmed that Out Clubbing is not closing and that a ten-year lease has been signed on the venue. As for the decor some of you have told me it's dull (and yip I have to agree), it looks like we will have to live with it for some time, but the venue will not be painted in, and I quote "gaudy colours like the other venue". When asked about the entry price increases Brian said if you want the personal appearances then they have to be paid for, prices have gone from UKP3 before midnight on a Wednesday to Friday to UKP4 and from UKP4 to UKP5 on a Saturday. So onto the important stuff, Who? What? and When? There is to be an appearance from Charlene who sung the theme tune from the fab movie 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert' on Friday August 30th and a further visit from Hannah Jones later in the year, you may remember her from before, when she sang her hit from Queer As Folk the last time she was in Aberdeen. Karaoke is now a feature on Sundays with free entry to the club before 9pm. Community News The next two meetings of the North East Equality Forum are on the 27th August at 8pm and then the 24th September at the new time of 7.30pm in the Aberdeen Arts Centre as normal. We have been looking at what the meetings are about and have decided that they need to be more inter-active (no smut involved-honest!). We are currently looking at a number of funding issues around a safety awareness project and trying to come up with a suitable design, so if you have an artistic bent come along (your so one track minded). If you would like to contact the Forum with points you would like to see raised before the next meeting please e-mail them to andy@andywebb.org.uk or bstone@socialwork. aberdeen.net.uk, Ab-Fab- Check the web-site for start up dates on http://www.ab-fab.org/. Granite Sisters - Check the group web-pages on http://granitesisters.tripod. com/for details, or contact Madge on (01224) 713336. 3G - Contact Gillian as per the Listings section. By the way seen some of the girlies out after the makeover session, and you all looked fantastic. North East Scotland Gay Group - First meeting on the 15th of September, the meeting to be held at the PHACE offices at 7.30pm. And finally For anyone looking to rent or let accommodation in the city a new LGBT friendly property management and letting agency; Property2c has just opened. I met with the owner and he is more than happy to offer free advice via the company's website at http://www.Property2c.net/or by phoning (01224) 872963 and ask for James. The company hopes to extend their services to include Edinburgh and Glasgow in due course. LGBT Singing Group - Have you a voice of granite? If so please disregard this bit! Paul and Leslie are looking for a good cross section of voices to form an LGBT Singing group, the aim is to have a first public appearance at the World AIDS Day Service on the 1st of December this year followed by a performance at next years Pride in Aberdeen. So if you want to give your vocal cords a work out contact Leslie at Phace Scotland on (01224) 587166. After recent events it is more important than ever to remember guyz 'n' girlz "Lets be careful out there" Luv, Hugs 'n' kisses Mark Thomson. markt@phacescotland.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bi Vocal ======== Elsewhere in this product you'll find a review for 'Bisexual Alphabet', a one man tour-de-force by David Chapman. At the top of the show he distributes, amongst the audience, bits of paper with one of the 26 letters of the alphabet written on each. Then starting from A, he tells the story of Gilbert Jones and his coming(s) out. Making sense of one's own sexuality is rather like doing the 79 times table. A few maths geniuses can do it, but most of us give up. David Chapman is the bisexual equivalent of the master mathematician. Through coming to terms with his own sexual identity he has created a fictional character that can gradually do the same, and take an audience with him. The show is enlightening and very funny. "The story is fictional - but the ideas are real," smiles David, fresh from performing the show, "I created comic events that illustrate real feelings." 21 year old American David Chapman is a writer and performer. He is also one of only five students from the University of North Carolina to receive a Burch Fellowship, which allow students to pursue self-designed creative projects, enabling him to come to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with this World Premiere. The production was successfully received (in workshop form) in America, and he's thrilled to have this chance to bring it to Scotland. I ask David if, like me, he suspects that everyone is bisexual. "Maybe... active bisexuals have a better time - that's for sure." He smiles. Last month saw a change of hands at the Nexus Cafe in the LGBT Centre on Broughton Street. Big changes are afoot, and you'll read about them first in ScotsGay, so watch this space. You'll be pleased to know that the lovely Joe retains his glamorous job behind the counter, though you'll be sad to hear that Adam may be leaving soon for pastures new. He has secured employment with the Equality Network, who work for LGBT rights with the Scottish Parliament. Congratulations Adam! When's the party? Talking of Parties, JOY's 9th birthday bash was a spectacular success, even by JOY's own high standards. Unfortunately, there was far too much love in the room for this pair of eager bisexuals, so the pics we took were all, well, shite. Must talk the editor into getting me one of those sexy digital camera thingmies.... Never the less thanks to Alan for letting us in (Alan hasn't aged a day for years has he?). As we go to press, BiCon 2002, is happening in Leicester. BiCon is the UK National Bisexual Convention, a fun long weekend for discussion of things somewhat related to bisexuality, sex and sexuality and for partying with like-minded people. If you want more details, about this, or for all things bisexual, go to http://bi.org/ That's all for now! Martin Walker E-mail: mgwuk@hotmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- International News from Rex Wockner =================================== *Quebec gay bookstore to close The only gay bookstore in the Canadian province of Quebec will close at the end of August. Montreal's L'Androgyne has been on the scene for 29 years. Owner Bernard Rousseau blamed competition from chain stores. "How can one compete with Costco/Price Club?" he asked the local gay magazine Fugues. "Not even to mention virtual bookstores such as Amazon.com, which has an excellent selection and which frequently offers its books for less than L'Androgyne can." Rosseau also said video chain stores receive newly available gay-themed films before independent stores do. "The business model of the small gay and lesbian bookstores has become outdated," he told Fugues. "Gay and lesbian culture is now present everywhere and available in regular stores, and gay men and lesbians are not buying only gay products." *Canada to hold marriage hearings In the wake of a court ruling ordering Canada to let same-sex couples marry by July 2004, Prime Minister Jean Chrtien has announced that a parliamentary committee will hold national hearings on the issue. "It's a social problem which needs attention at this time and we want to have a committee to consult Canadians and experts," Chrtien said. "I could decide tomorrow, but there is a process in place. It's an extremely complex issue." The justice ministry is appealing the recent ruling by the Ontario Superior Court, which said not letting same-sex couples marry violates the nation's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The decision came in the case of two couples who wed at the gay Metropolitan Community Church via the process of reading banns -- asking in church on three Sundays if anyone objects to the marriage, which is a legal way to marry in Ontario. They were given regular marriage certificates by pastor Brent Hawkes but provincial officials later refused to register the documents. As matters stand now, the court's ruling will become law on July 12th, 2004, if the federal Parliament has not legalized same-sex marriage by that date. *MARDI GRAS GOES BANKRUPT Sydney, Australia's huge gay Mardi Gras celebration has gone bankrupt. The organizing agency was placed in "voluntary administration" and all its activities were suspended. Last year's events lost $500,000 which organizers blame primarily on reduced travel following the 11 Sep terrorist attacks in the U.S. Organizers say they are confident they will find their way out of the mess and that the next parade will step off on schedule. *COURT ORDERS CITY TO STAGE PRIDE The human-rights tribunal in the Canadian province of British Columbia has ordered the small city of Terrace to proclaim and advertise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Day. The town's council had refused to do so. Terrace, population 13,000, is 930 miles north of Vancouver. The tribunal said the city council violated the provincial human-rights code when it rejected proclamation requests from the Rainbow B.C. Coalition and the Rainbow Committee of Terrace. *VANCOUVERITES MARCH Around 120,000 people turned out for Vancouver, Canada's gay-pride parade on 4th Aug. There were 150 parade entries. The posthumous grand marshal was Aaron Webster who was murdered in November in a cruisy section of Stanley Park, which abuts the city's gayest neighborhood. His killer or killers have not been caught. Federal Industry Minister Allan Rock marched and said he favors opening regular marriage to same-sex couples. *WEB SITE TARGETS HOMOPHOBES A new South African Web site lists allegedly homophobic public figures, institutions and companies, the SAPA news agency has reported. Among the first 34 entries are a life-insurance company that refused to pay benefits to a lesbian's life partner, an anti-gay church, and the current and former premiers of Western Cape province, where Cape Town is located. "We will not be silenced," said activist Juan-Duval Uys, a spokesman for the project. *DUTCH GAYS FLOAT Some 75 boat-floats turned out for Amsterdam's annual gay-pride parade on the city's canals. Israeli and Palestinian gays entered a boat for the first time. Another float featured "Marlene Dietrich" in a black bodice and fishnet stockings accompanied by studly men in top hats, tails and white gloves, Reuters reported. *KOREANS ORGANIZE Several South Korean gay groups have formed an umbrella organization called Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Korea, the Korea Times has reported. "The landscape surrounding the issue has changed so much over the last few years, but the movement has not. So we felt the need for a turning point, with an emphasis on priorities," said Kim Byung-suk, the group's secretary. Founding members include the gay groups Chingusai and Kirikiri and the Web sites Another Love and Safe Zone. South Korea heavily censors gay Web sites. For more information, see http://lgbtkorea.org/ *SOUTH AFRICAN COURT GRANTS SPOUSAL RIGHTS A full bench of South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that gay couples must receive the same workplace benefits as married couples. The ruling, which came in a case filed by a lesbian judge whose partner was denied spousal benefits, cited the nation's Constitution, which bans all discrimination based on sexual orientation. Another lawsuit is pending that activists predict will open up ordinary marriage to South African same-sex couples. The only country where gay couples can marry under the exact same laws as opposite-sex couples is The Netherlands, though several nations, mostly in Western Europe, have gay-partnership laws that grant registered same-sex couples up to 99 percent of the rights and obligations of marriage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Films ===== by Malcolm Epstein Films to know about The most constantly revived Victorian play of all time that was filmed in l952 and has continually been repeated on TV has now been cleverly updated and "The Importance Of Being Earnest" (U) will be with us early in September. So many of us will know Oscar Wilde's comedy of the upper classes that detailing the plotline may not be essential. Former actor now director Oliver Parker has mostly enhanced the original by imaginatively relocating much of thedialogue to the street, a music hall, a restaurant and the countryside. Starring one of the very few leading men who has had the pluck to come out as gay, Rupert Everett, he and Colin Firth make the most of the Wilde brittle dialogue as does Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell. The advantage of the fifties film version was the extraordinary Margaret Rutherford as Miss Prism whose bizarre personality made you believe she could have left a baby in a leather holdall in a luggage office at a station while she went shopping. Oliver Parker makes the most of the fantasy world his heroine lives in by showing her hero through her eyes periodically wearing shining armour. But it disappointed me showing upper class Victorian girls, Reese Witherspoon and Frances O'Connor, smoking. And showing Frances having a tattoo on her backside was totally ridiculous and should have been left on the cutting room floor. Nevertheless most of Mr Parker's updating works beautifully and after the release bookings I am sure it will turn up on TV for another 5O years. "The Bourne Identity" (l2) is a quality thriller that kept me engrossed throughout. Matt Damon is floating unconscious in the Mediterranean and rescued by the crew of an Italian fishing boat. Nearly dead he carries nothing but some bullets in his back and a Swiss bank account number embedded in his hip. Gaining consciousness he is suffering from amnesia about his past. Yet he does have a knowledge of languages and a dynamic ability to win fights. A Zurich safe deposit box yields an assortment of passports, vast amounts of money, a gun and a Paris address plus a name - Jason Bourne. While he appears to have a past as a CIA agent he quickly finds people are eager to murder him. This one you must see. To convince myself I am lucky to be alive today I am intrigued by stories of life under Nazi occupation in the war and was amazed that "Charlotte Gray" with Cate Blanchett as a spy in France was not a bigger hit this year. November brings us "Safe Conduct" or "Laissez-Passer" about surviving in Paris in the war. Its hero is part of the resistance while working in the film industry and finds the ideal cover for his espionage in being employed by the German controlled Continental Films. If you can cope with subtitles you could be impressed. I am convinced a number of cinemagoers are sadists or masochists. Otherwise why would violent films do such good business? Early October brings us "My Kingdom" (l8) with Richard Harris getting bored with running Liverpool's underworld. When his wife is murdered he would like to retire abroad and leave his business to his three grown daughters. The youngest wants no part of such a sordid business. The two eldest would happily kill each other to control the millions. It has most kinds of violence you can name so it should do record business. "Sweet Sixteen" (l8) is for those who prefer teenage violence with a Scottish flavour. Leading boy Martin Compston finds his mother will be released from prison in time for his l6th birthday. He plans to do anything illegal to buy her a luxury caravan. But smalltime hoodlums in Greenock object to him on their patch and beat him up. Director Ken Loach has spent his life making films about the poorest sections of many communities going back to "Poor Cow" in l967. I wish he would realize wealthy people also have far more interesting problems. Nevertheless Martin Compston is an attractive discovery whom I hope Mr Loach keeps regularly employed. "Possession"(l2) is oneof the most intelligent films of the year, but it has no violence, gunfire or car chases so it probably wont be a big moneymaker. However, it captivated me. Gwyneth Paltrow, a brilliant academic, is researching the life of a Victorian poet Christobel La Motte (Jennifer Ehle), She meets a young American scholar, Aaron Eckhart, who is studying the lifeof another poet of the period , Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam) and they come across a cache of love letters that prove the two had a romance. Told in a series of flashbacks between Victorian Britain and today it has a constant electricity as the four leading cast members have enormous appeal. Miss Paltrow's impact onscreen is no surprise to most of us. Those of us who enjoy looking at sensational new masculinity could be mesmerised by Aaron Eckhart. As there is no Hollywood contract system anymore where potential stars are built up in a series of movies, goodness knows how lucky Mr Eckhart will be in future. But please have a long look at him here and let me know what you think. The writer and director of "The Sixth Sense" M Night Shyamalan has another story to keep us guessing in "Signs" (l2) that has Mel Gibson as a farmer with a problem. An intricate pattern of circles and lines has been carved into his crops. Could it be a hoax or proof of something arriving from another planet? Mel and his two children lock themselves into the house and hear continual banging on their walls and ceilings. It is making a fortune in America. "Insomnia" (l5) has Al Pacino as a Los Angeles detective called to a small Alaskan town to investigate a murder baffling the local police. In quite a changeof pace RobinWilliams is a reclusive novelist whom Al has much verbal sparring with. Based on a Norwegian film, the producers bought the idea feeling it had world appeal. With Mr Pacino they could be right. The success of many Police Academy films proved people enjoy watching policemen having differences of opinion and humiliating each other.So "Super Troopers" (l5) could have quite a following. Our heroes, a small band of Vermont state troopers, don't get on with the local police so it is a constanty battle of egos. The five leading men began writing comedy when they attended the same university and in the last seven years have performed in comedy sketches on TV and in a nightclub act. Their movie has an American "carry on" atmosphere. A director from Belgium with imagination , Frank Van Passel, has filmed a love story based on a book published a hundred years ago and set it in Paris during l9l3 "Villa Des Roses" (l2). In a humble boarding house run by an English couple, Timothy West and Harriet Walter, a new French maid, Julie Delphy, is noticed and pursued by a good looking German boarder, Shaun Singwall. Mr Van Passel excels in creating an atmosphere that will make you believe you are in Paris of the period. He needed a fraction more plotline for a two hour movie. But if I could do better I would be doing so instead of criticising. If American teenagers in their prime are of interest to you do consider "Swimfan" (l2). Jesse Bradford is the best swimmer at his college and is going steady when a lovely new student decides he is totally irresistible. She jumps into his pool while he practises alone at night and wont leave him alone He is grateful until she decides she must have more. He has heard all about the dramas of saying no to a determined female. See the film to know how he copes. Current Releases While Ealing Studios started making silent movies a century ago, their main reputation came from making the most original comedies in the later forties and early fifties. Now, half a dozen of them are being revived and they are worth your valuable money. "The Ladykillers" has a group of guys meeting to plan a robbery with Alec Guinness telling his little old landlady they are musicians coming to rehearse for a concert. "Whisky Galore" is set on an island off the Outer Hebrides where the residents don't talk about a ship that sank nearby in the war bound for Jamaica containing 250,000 bottles of whisky. I've seen "Kind Hearts And Coronets" more times than I can remember as it is such a delight. Alec Guinness plays six different characters whom Dennis Price plots to murder. In "Passport To Pimlico" a wartime bomb in Pimlico reveals a treasure trove of documents proving that the region is in fact part of the French province of Burgundy and thus foreign territory. "The Lavender Hill Mob" covers a bank transfer agent who has delivered gold bullion for 20 years who happens to meet a maker of souvenirs and realizes his smelting equipment could be used to make gold into harmless looking Eiffel towers. In "The Man In The White Suit" a humble inventor develops a fabric that never wears out or gets dirty. While a boon to mankind, garment manufacturers are stamping with rage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSGAY VOICE FOR PERSONALS ============================ (We regret that this service is only available within the UK) 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. *MEN No-strings Hill Walker Aberdeen, 5'9" tall, 48 years old, clean-shaven guy who likes hill walking is looking for no-strings fun with other local guys. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4947. Rubber, Leather And Chains Mid-thirties guy seeking a dominant guy who is into rubber, leather, chains and some CP. He stays in Edinburgh but can travel. Any age, any size - doesn't matter... Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4957. 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Bald, Sincere Glaswegian Wanted 28 year old Glasgow male, 5'9" tall, short-haired and good looking - often doesn't pass for his age. He is mature and studies social and medical sciences. His interest are: reading, watching documentaries, politics, classical music and he has a very keen interest in Modern History. He is looking for friends or a 1-2-1 in the Glasgow area, 35-40 years, preferably bald or with a No 1 haircut. Seeking a caring, sincere, stable man for a possible relationship. Queens, time-wasters, users or two-timers need not apply. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4785. Suitable Meetings? I am hoping to start a social group for guys who enjoy dressing smartly: in nice suits, shirts and ties etc.. This group would be for smart-dressed guys and their admirers. Monthly meetings in Edinburgh are planned. "Please leave your numbers and then we can get started". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4786. Peter From Edinburgh Peter from Edinburgh is a 51 year old, clean-shaven guy with dark hair. He enjoys, music, cinema, theatre, country walking, swimming, briefs and Speedos and he is looking to meet people for fun. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4710. Edinburgh CP Action Edinburgh guy from West end, 30 years old, 5'11" tall is looking for a big-built 55+ guy who is a strict disciplinarian to administer CP. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4620. Renfrew Rendezvous Andrew from mid-Renfrew is 40 years, 5'10" with cropped fair hair, clean-shaven and quite hairy. Likes long walks, videos, cosy nights in and the occasional pint. Looking for tall, dark, muscular, hairy guy for no strings fun. He can accommodate but can't travel. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4521. Belting I am a guy in my 40's that remembers the belt at school. I am looking for a genuine, retired or former schoolteacher over 50 to give me the belt over my outstretched palms. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4437. Visit My Study NOW! Mature Edinburgh headmaster-type will deal firmly with naughty boys. So call now for a visit to his study. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3942. Corrective Discipline Mature Edinburgh schoolmaster type asks naughty boys, of any age, to report to him for corrective discipline. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3583. Very Naughty In Edinburgh Very naughty 32 years, 5'11" tall, medium built Edinburgh lad needs to have his bottom well strapped by a mature, over 50 year old man, for his indiscretions. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 3412. Father /Teacher Required 32 year old, 5'11" offshore worker, lives Central Edinburgh. Seeking 50+ medium to well-built guy to play the strict father/schoolteacher role. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 2896. All Present For Correction Edinburgh. "All present for correction". You: 50+ well-built with a very strict outlook. Me: 33 years old, bad boy in need of spanking and caning. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 2337. Very Naughty - But Nice.... Edinburgh 32 year old, 5'11" seeking 50+ assertive disciplinarian to take the lead when he's been naughty - which happens quite a lot! Phone 09068 556613 - Number 1811. Bad Boy Needs Discipline 32 year old Edinburgh bad boy wants 50+ gentlemen who are strict disciplinarians with interest in CP. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 1602. Fraserburgh Versatile and fair-haired. Classical music, books and video-lover looking for similar. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 9628. -------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Cadzow Athletic Ladies FC Are seeking new players in all positions. We train Tue and Sun in Hamilton. If interested, contact Michelle on Motherwell (01698) 249154. Scottish Borders Warm lovely woman needed for this 43 year old romantic girl. I've brown hair/eyes, attractive, NSm with GSOH. Like music, films, cats, cooking, wine. Have a lot to give. Box SG47030. Loving Easy Going Professional Lady Looking for eternal love and happiness. I am a sincere, romantic, honest woman, 30's, who is searching for her true soul mate in life. Is that you? Edinburgh/Scotland. Box SG47031. Dumbarton Lesbian Living in England would love Scots contacts. I'm amiable, intelligent, friendly, 48, non smoker, varied interests, seeking friendship and hopefully more. Anyone from my home area? Age unimportant. Box SG47032. *MEN Men Spanking Men A fully illustrated magazine containing CP stories of Men Spanking Men. Canes, Tawses, Hands, Straps and much more. For full details and an order form, ring Jason Junior on 0800 9805469. E-mail: jason@jason-junior.co.uk WWW: http://www.jason-junior.co.uk [52a] Fraserburgh Interested in starting an LGBT switchboard to cover the Fraserburgh area? If so, get in touch. Box SG47001. Cumbernauld - Kilsyth - Kirkintilloch Gay men's meeting meets in private house each Wed 7.30pm. For information: 01236 825656. Are You A Young Rebel? So rebellious that you don't spend a fortune and/or hours making yourself look like every other so-called rebel with piercings, predictable haircut and clothes just like everybody else? So rebellious that you'd actually prefer the company of somebody old enough to be your father but without his attitude? If this is you, please write. Box SG47003. Service My Slave - Edinburgh I am a mature master with a hirsute, 36 year old, fit slave who needs a good 'A Level' seeing to. WLTM student type guy, VWE, 20-28 years old, to perform this service. In return, the slave will serve you as you wish. For more details E-mail: jonspan@hotmail.com or Write: Box SG47004. Strict "Master/Uncle" Seeks Lad 47 year old Glasgow, experienced safe and sane WLTM 18+ passive "lad" for lasting friendship and fun based on my methods of traditional discipline. Experienced in most CP and SM scenarios. Honest genuine and understanding. Regular sessions available. Can accommodate. "Unbutton Now lad...and bend". Waiting to hear from you. Timewasters need not apply. Genuine. ALA. Box SG47007. Narcissus Wanted Young Scottish photographer looking for men who wish to show off their beatiful bodies and model nude for artistic black and white studies. All models will receive prints. If interested drop me a line and a photo if possible. Box SG47008. Shetland Islands Visiting Shetland? Working here? Couple, 21/49, seek mature hairy bear type men for mutual no strings fun. Our place. But sorry cannot accommodate. Complete discretion is assured. ALA. Box SG47009. Leather/Bondage Wanted 33 year old Edinburgh guy looking for dominant leather guys for first time experience. Will travel or accommodate the right person. Am genuine, have leather bondage items. ALA. Box SG47011. Young Gay Cyclists Needs You I'm looking for someone 25-40, who enjoys the outdoors, keeping fit, having fun, and an endless source of energy. Looks not so important, but sense of humour a must, as you will need a sense of humour to go out with me. Box SG47012. Military/Cop Discipline Glasgow. Disciplinary action needed by fit sub. Experienced officers only who can apply Control, domination, CP, BDSM. I await your reply, Sir. Box SG47013. Looking For Cute And Sane Guys 22 year old, fit, goodlooking, student, in Dundee, looking for similar guys (between ages 22-29) who are not 'scene queens', for a bit of fun or maybe more. Look forward to hearing from you. Box SG47014. Older Chub Seeks Young Chaser 58 year old chubby man, 5'5", dark hair but greying, passive, enjoys music, travel, computers and sex. Lives within 30 minutes drive of central Edinburgh. WLTM younger active man under 35, slim with dark complexion, anything from deep tan to black, any race. Men from Islamic countries welcome. Box SG47015. Genuine Chubby Lover Are you a stocky built gay/bi guy looking for a special friendship with me (a chubby 49 year old), genuine, caring guy. I love massage, talk, music, reading. I am a smoker too. Get writing! Love, Kenny xxx. Box SG47016. Romeo Seeks Romeo Renfrewshire gay, slim, 5'11", 41, seeks similar or younger for romance, enjoys playing tennis, speaking French and the arts. Looking for Mr Right to snuggle up with on the sofa and watch Coronation Street. Someone "in the middle" with a sense of humour and who isn't sex mad or starved. Box SG47017. Edinburgh Guy Looking For Fun I'm 18 from Edinburgh, 5'9", slim, short dark hair, brown eyes, 30" waist, 34" chest, and I'm looking for guys under 30. Box SG47018. Looking For Big Fat Men I live in the West End of Glasgow and enjoy good times with larger than life men. I am 44, 6'2", 38" waist and 16 stones with short beard and modest body hair. I am a quiet and empathetic person. I enjoy most things except clubbing!! Contact me with more questions and details. Box SG47019. Glasgow - Ayrshire 53 year old professional guy looking for a young lad (20-40), who will give and take a spanking. Glasgow area. Your place only. Box SG47020. Show Me How It's Done!! Goodlooking 19 year old looking for my first time. Would prefer 25-40 to use and abuse me but I'm up for anything as long as I get it hard! So, if anyone wants a slim, tanned boy to play with, write and I'll get back to you. Box SG47021. Fraserburgh - Up For It 55 year old gay man, slim, very versatile, looking for horny fun in and out of bed. Age and looks unimportant. Box SG47022. Foot Fetishist Would you like my tongue to get to the parts others can't? I love to lick and suck feet (and other parts). Try me! Box SG47023. Set Me Freeeeeeeee Looking for accommodation on Isle of Skye or Isle of Lewis. I love Scotland, been before and want to move there. I am genuine, caring and seek love with right man. I live in England. Get back to me: I have profile and pics of me. Box SG47024. Needing More Slim, smooth 33 year old, Glasgow. Needs teaching A and O levels to slut standard. Loves being spanked, belt etc. Will take a great deal for the right person. All intelligent letters answered! Box SG47025. Firmness And Fun Edinburgh 40's man, slim, smooth, WLTM older uncle or master type for strict discipline and punishment. Wide interests: bondage, Y-fronts, suits, for mutual pleasure. Your place only. Afternoons possible. Box SG47027. Do You Prefer Older Men? Are you 16-26? Seriously prefer the company of older guys? Then this 44 year old guy with own house and car would like to meet you. Write fully. Photo helps (returned with mine). What have you got to lose? Box SG47028. Fun Guy In Scotstoun - 41 I'm looking for a partner between 30 and 48. I have my own place now, as I was married with 2 girls, but am now separated. I'm fun loving, and although I'm in my 40's, I can still dance my ass off on the dance floor. You must have a good sence of humour and not take things too serious. I enjoy nights out on the town (don't have to get pissed in order to have a good time), and also quiet nights in. I like to meet new people, travelling both at home and abroad, I want to make the most of life. I don't smoke or take drugs. I'm not into TVs, queens or raving disco bunnies - nothing personal guys. So if you're interested, why not get in touch. Box SG47029. Free Body Massage Offered to gay/bi men in Clydebank, Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Glasgow areas. Write about yourself and arrange meeting my place or yours. Box SG47033. Cumbernauld Gay male, 43, seeks friend for friendship and fun. Must be able to travel to my home in Cumbernauld. Box SG47034. Glasgow Guy 37, slim, fit, WE, looking for single muscular guys for fun. Enjoy mild domination, WS, spanking. Also like red heads or blonds. Looking for 1-2-1 also. Box SG47035. Falkirk - Glasgow Kind, caring, large build, 49 year old is looking to meet someone 25-60 for fun and friendship. I am genuine. Please get in touch. Box SG47036. Skinhead Seeks Mates Edinburgh skin seeks bootboys into skin gear, DMs, braces, bleachers, WS, rubber, bondage, leather, humiliation, gob. Let's meet for drinks and hot wet fun. Phone number for quick reply. Box SG47037. Filthy Minded Lad Seeks Others Lad with wild fantasy needs help. Are you 16-36, enjoy role play? Then contact me. Please just write to me. No e-mails. ALAWP. Thanks. Mr A. Box SG47038. Fife - West - Central - Anywhere Middle aged guy looking for slim guys of any age for no strings fun. Can accommodate or travel. Male couples also welcome. Discretion assured for married guys. Box SG47039. 48 Inch Chest Or Above Required urgently by strict experienced dominant master for dishing out CP. Rugby players and bodybuilders ideal. Photo essential. Anywhere. Box SG47040. Psychedelic Hot Dog Or Wacky Wolf Boundless energy, passionate conversation, reliable, honest, a sense of adventure, fit and intelligent. If you are similar, send a humourous letter with phone number and maybe we could meet. Edinburgh. Box SG47041. Bottom Seeks Top Genuine, youthful, 50, passive, smart appearance, good slim body, waist 31", WLTM discreet active guy for friendship and much more. varied interests. Can travel anywhere in Scotland at weekends. Letters please. Box SG47042. Gay Male 35, would like to meet gay men 18-39 for fun and friendship. Box SG47043. Grin And Bear It! Laid back bear would like to relax with smooth young cub. Your cave or mine (Edinburgh). Box SG47044. Aberdeen - Discipline Needed Sub slim 38 year old passive guy into bondage/CP looking for dominant tops any age. Box SG47045. Banffshire And Moray Areas Sincere caring male, 37, with slight disability, WLTM male 20-40 for fun, friendship, good times and 1-2-1. I have VGSOH and personality with various interests. Box SG47046. Fat, Ugly - Honest! So What! I eat too much, am recovering from mental health problems and look like the back of a bus! On this basis, is anyone willing to take a chance on me? Box SG47047. Elgin - Boy Next Door 18, 5'9", slim, dark hair, NS, GSOH, SL. Looking for fun, friendship, maybe more with 18-25 year old guy, slim, good looking. Box SG47048. Glasgow Romantic Glasgow man, young 55, tall, slim, non scene, incurable romantic. Interests: aart, literature, music, cinema, travel, eating out, etc. Seeks honest, gentle, quiet living guy, 45-60, for possible relationship. Box SG47049. Glasgow & West Scotland Social Group Join together, share with fun, responsible mature others (35+) flexible! Meet regularly, evenings out/in. Share and explore each others interests. Holidays away? Countryside and social evening after. Tourists or city visitors on business welcome. Box SG47050. Edinburgh - Anywhere 40 year old seeks 16-26 guy for regular (or one off) no strings fun. Discretion assured. Can accommodate or will travel. Photo please (returned with mine). Box SG47051. Northern Ireland Looking to meet new friends for friendship. Me 35, smoker, enjoy usual things. Want to hear from guys in Edinburgh/Glasgow area. 18-35 years old. Box SG47052. Edinburgh - Anywhere Fit biguy, 41, rugby type build, zero crop, non scene, looking to meet similar guys my own age. Particularly interested if you are older and in shape!. Box SG47053. Dundee - Tayside Middle aged male who enjoys line dancing and Country and Western music seeks similar mate to share fun on and off the dance floor. Let's get fit together! Box SG47054. Student - Coming To Dundee? You: younger student coming to Dundee? Educated local guy can help you settle in. If you are into guys in their 40's, then get in touch ASAP. Box SG47055. Ayrshire - All Scotland Genuine, passive, gay guy, youthful 50, slim smart appearance, WLTM discreet active gay guy for friendship, relationship. Likes videos, tight briefs. Can travel anywhere in Scotland at weekends. Letter only please - no e-mails. Box SG47056. Spicy Showman Devilishly hot and tasty. A love of exercising his talent. Smooth lad obsessed with one thing. If that's you, I'll ... Well, I'll tell you over the phone. Edinburgh. Box SG47057. Strict Master - Very Experienced Requires developed slaves, 16-40, preferably heavy built with submissive attitude. Photo ensures reply. Central Scotland, anywhere. Box SG47058. Hot And Horny Daytime Fun In Edinburgh Hot horny uncomplicated fun offered by versatile guy, mid 40's, in centre of town. You 16-26 and up for it. Hot and horny only. Box SG47059. Edinburgh/Glasgow Skinhead Zero crop skinhead into rubber, skin gear, leather, wadders, gas masks, WS, gob and poppers. WLTM guys for fun. Photo and phone number for quick reply. Box SG47060. Fife - Edinburgh - Central Scotland 40 year old Fife guy, seeks slim guys for fun, etc. No upper age limit. Can accommodate or travel. I'm non scene, SA, SL and non smoker. Versatile and willing to please!! Box SG47061. International Lover Wanted Are you hot, horny, slim-medium build, VGSOH. Write to me now. No e-mails. Box SG47062. Gay Scottish Bodybuilder Club Being formed North of the Border by experienced coach to help young gay men escape being presureised into negative stereotypes. Box SG47063. Edinburgh Any first year students like to meet up with discreet older guy for fun and friendship? I don't bite but may nibble gently if asked nicely! Box SG47064. *BISEXUAL Bi Curious? There has to be a first time for everything! If you're aged 16-21 or so, why not get in touch? Considerate experienced versatile older guy will talk you through things at your own pace before getting down to some safe fun. Your limits respected. Total discretion assured. I have a large double bed and collection of gay videos in Edinburgh but will travel if required. Box SG47005. Here I Am! Yes, here I am: a thirty something bi-sexual, in the closet and not wanting to come out either. I am married, I appeal to chubby chasers - but they don't appeal to me! I am 5'11", 52" chest, 38" waist, No1 shaved and I like intellectual types... is it you? Box SG47006. Highlands And Islands Married guy, 51 years old, open and friendly, looking for a guy for friendship and fun. I like to crossdress sometimes and would welcome some one to share this with. All replies answered. Box SG47010. Mature Friends Wanted Hello. I'm a male age 50, living in Paisley and I would like to meet mature friends around the same age for friendship. I can travel a reasonable distance. Box SG47026. *STRAIGHT Edinburgh - Anywhere Genial 50something silver bear seeks morally relaxed women of all ages for fun and friendship. Box SG47065. *FRIENDS ABROAD Sweet Brazilian Bottom Seeks Top Nice looking Brazilian bottom, 40 years old, golden skin, dreamy eyes, smiling heart seeks top men, any age, any looks for romance and meeting in UK, May 2003. Reply to everyone! Write: Diogo Fontenele, Rua Gustavo Sampaio, 301 Fortaleza - Ceara 60.455-000, Brazil. E-mail: diogofontenele@aol.com Ukraine Good looking, sportive, honest, open, trustworthy, intelligent Ukranian guy, 27 years old, 11.5st, 5'10", school teacher of geography, seeks honest, kind man for good hot meetings, serious relationship, or maybe to live together. Please write in English to: Valentin Illarionov, PO Box 122, Kieve-58, 03058, Ukraine. *ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED Highlands Urgently required: cottage or house for one man and his two dogs. Box SG47002. *JOBS OFFERED Cash For Your Body Photogenic guys can earn UKP100 cash posing for Mike Arlen who has had 14 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 Phone: 020-7373 1107. E-mail: mike.arlen@hotmail.com [99] Models Wanted Previously published photographer needs good looking guys (18-25) who want to earn UKP20 per hour for publication work. For details please phone Stuart on 0141-636 6556 (No withheld numbers please) or E-mail: xpozure4u@shaws2000.fsnet.co.uk [99] *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 Hove (01273) 220995 for information. [99] Contact Mag Contact Mag for adults: over 900 photos. Approval copy from: Matchmaker (K38), Chorley, PR7 4BS. Or ring 01257 483335 (24 hours). [99] CP Contact Paper CP contact paper for spanking, skins, discipline, etc. SAE to TD Monthly, PO Box 352, Manchester. M60 2PG. [99] CP Equipment Canes, Birches, Straps, Strops, Tawses, Paddles - all Hand Made. From as little as UKP3. For a catalogue and order form, ring Jason Junior on Freephone 0800 9805469. E-mail: jason@jason-junior.co.uk WWW: http://www.jason-junior.co.uk [52a] Free Hard To The Core II Video Catalogue (over 200 titles). Gay, CP, SM, Bondage, Fetish, Military Plus TV, TS, Shemale, Lesbian, Bi, Straight. Freephone New Dawn Enterprises on 0800 980 4051. Discretion guaranteed. Free TV/TS News A Tranny not for profit newsletter. Views, news, venues and free personal adverts. A5 sae: BM Box 2534, London. WC1N 3XX. [99] Gay Erotica XXX VCDs The affordable alternative to DVDs. Playable on most standalone DVD player and also on home computers. Excellent choice and quality. Superior to video. Some videos also available. SAE for details. Box SG46099. [47] 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. [99] Limited Companies Only UKP90 for your own Limited Company. PLCs UKP100. Charitable and Unlimited Companies also available. Freephone 0800 526421 for our free 'Guide To Limited Companies'. E-mail: cosun@drink.demon.co.uk WWW: http://www.quick-companies.co.uk/[99] TD Monthly The UK's fastest-growing contact publication for gay men into spanking/CP and all related interests. Please send SAE for details. Write: TD Monthly, PO Box 352, Manchester. M60 2PG. WWW: http://geocities.com/tdmonthly/homepage.html [99] Translation Services Qualified translator based in Edinburgh offers translation services between the following languages: English, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and French. E-mail: trots@drink.demon.co.uk or Write: Box SG47000. [99] Videos LARGEly Guys Black & Hispanic, some mixed with White, to watch and move you! Special Offers for new customers. Please send 2 first class stamps for info to: Afro-Hispanic Connexions, PO Box 147, Bury, Lancs. BL8 2FF. [47] 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 Rd, Southfields, London. SW18 5EE. [99] *BACK RUBS Aromatherapy - Glasgow - 24/7 Aromatherapy massage, turkish soap massage, Swedish massage, Brazilian massage. Outcalls available. Only pure oils, pure bliss. Call Rob anytime. Satisfaction guaranteed! 07951 124438 (mobile). WE. [47] Edinburgh Rex. 24 hours. My place or yours. Built to please. Open air. 07730 231443. [47] Glasgow Area Swedish Massage. Remedial and sports massage. Acupressure massage. Qualified practitioner. Evenings and weekends. Home visits. Non sexual. Drew: 01355 245708. [48] Glasgow City Centre - UK Horny friendly young lad, built to please, good looking, smooth toned, tanned and VWE. I'm into all scenes. In/out calls. Luxury apartment. Will travel anywhere. Call David 07811 566423. [47a] Glasgow Gay Guy Gives good massage. 5'10", toned, tanned, well hung. In/out calls. So give me a call on 07765 194696. Tony. [47] Kirkcaldy Relaxing sensual massage within our clinic environment. For this friendly discreet service, please call Joe on 01592 644464. [47] Massage - Fife/Perth Relaxing therapeutic massage (75 mins). Weekdays/evenings. Home visits. Non sexual. Give me a call on 01577 830386. Bill. [47] Massage For Men - Edinburgh Great relaxing, holistic, sensual, tantric, full body pampering relief in nurturing masculine environment. Shower, warm towels, refreshments. UKP15 per session. Exceptionally good value. Jim. Qualified, experienced, caring. 0131-556 7199. [48] Massage For Men - Near Perth Call Ron for a sensual relaxing massage. Mobile: 07730 876454. [47] *WHERE TO STAY Aberdeenshire Farm Holidays Gay owned working farm. Horses and rare breed animals and poultry. You can help out or relax. Miles of beaches and walks. Live in Chalet or Mobile Home accommodation, with great food. Ideal stopover for travelling salespeople or lorry drivers. Phone: 07881 490065 (eve). [99] All New, All Gay Guesthouses - Edinburgh Two great locations. Exclusively gay. Easy walk to nightlife. Stylish rooms, all with TV and video (tapes available). Shared and private bathrooms. Breakfast available till noon. Non-smoking houses. Easy parking. Room rates: UKP29-UKP49 per night. Call 0131-558 1382 or Fax 0131-556 8279. WWW: http://www.gayscotland.com/alvahouse/[51a] Edinburgh The Alexander Guest House is a gay friendly guest house (owned and run) with a mixed clientele. Every detail has been thought of in our recently refurbished bedrooms to make your stay a more memorable one. They are equipped with refreshment trays, ironing facilities, hairdryers etc. We serve a full Scottish and continental breakfast menu. We are located 1 mile from the city on the south side with private parking. You can check out our web site at http://www.thealexanderguesthouse.co.uk/Please call Glenn or Alex on 0131-258 4028 or E-mail: alexander@guest68.freeserve.co.uk A warm welcome awaits you. Mention ScotsGay and get 10% discount. [51a] Glasgow - New Exclusively Gay Bed And Breakfast Spencer's Guest House. Superior accommodation in the heart of Glasgow's West End. Our spacious recently refurbished rooms are equipped with colour TV, hairdryers and refreshment trays. Ironing facilities available on request. Close to all amenities. Affordable and easy access to city centre gay pubs and clubs. Full Scottish Breakfast served 8am-Noon. For further details, telephone: 0141-581 6765. [50a] Inverness Glenuig Guesthouse, close to city centre, offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We have en-suite facilities, substantial continental breakfast served until noon and off street parking. Rates from UKP15pppn. 29 Fairfield Road, Inverness, IV3 5QD. Tel: 01463 250938. Fax: 01463 221685. E-mail: cchtravel@aol.com [51a] Near Perth Small cottage. B&B UKP18. All facilities. Private parking. Call Ron for personal service back rubs. 01828 670741. [47] Rainbow Retreats Women only B&B in Andalucia, Southern Spain. 40 mins from Malaga Airport. All en-suite rooms, private pool and bar. For further details please look at our web site: http://www.womens-holiday.com/or ring 0034 952495535. [52] Sutherland On A9 to Wick, B&B. Roadside, 60 miles from Inverness. Double or single. UKP13 per person. Tea and sandwiches included. Phone: Helmsdale (01431) 821570. [62] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- helplines ========= BISEXUAL HELPLINE Tue, Wed 7.30-9.30pm, Sat 10.30am-12.30pm. Phone: 0845 4501263 BORDERS GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD Thu 7.30-10pm. Phone: Galashiels (01896) 756611 Write: PO Box 13237, Galashiels. TD1 1WG. E-mail: BORDERS@switchboard.fsbusiness.co.uk CROSSLYNX NATIONAL TV/TS HELPLINE Mon 7.30-9.30pm. Phone: 0141-332 3333 WWW: http://SGLS.tripod.com/transgen.htm CUMBRIA AND THE BORDERS GAY HELPLINE Nightly 6-9pm. Phone: Bassenthwaite Lake (01768) 776244 DIVERSITAY LGBT SWITCHBOARD (DUNDEE) Mon 7-10pm. Phone: Dundee (01382) 202620 Write: PO Box 53, Dundee. DD1 3YG. E-mail: diversitay@hotmail.com WWW: http://www.dundeelgb.freeserve.co.uk/ DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY LESBIAN AND GAYLINE Thu 7.30-9.30pm. Phone: Dumfries (01387) 261818 Write: DAGLAG, PO Box 1299, Dumfries. DG1 2PD. E-mail: daglag@drink.demon.co.uk FIFE FRIEND Tue 7.30-9pm, Fri 7.30-10pm. Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 266688 Write: PO Box 19, Kirkcaldy. KY1 3JF. E-mail: info@fifefriend.co.uk WWW: http://www.fifefriend.co.uk/ GRAMPIAN LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL SWITCHBOARD Wed, Fri 7.30-9.30pm. Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 212600 E-mail: glgbs@glgbs.org.uk WWW: http://www.glgbs.org.uk/ LOTHIAN GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD Nightly 7.30-10pm. Phone: 0131-556 4049 E-mail: mail@lgls.org WWW: http://www.lgls.org/ LOTHIAN LESBIAN LINE Mon, Thu 7.30-10pm. Phone: 0131-557 0751 NIGHT OWL CRISIS LINE: Nightly Midnight-5am. Phone: 0141-332 2992 STRATHCLYDE GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD Nightly 7-10pm. Phone: 0141-332 8372 E-mail: info@sgls.co.uk WWW: http://www.sgls.co.uk/ SWITCHBOARD LESBIAN LINE Wed 7.30-10pm. Phone: 0141-354 0400 WWW: http://www.sgls.co.uk/services1.htm LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD 24 hours. Phone/Minicom: 020-7837 7324. FAX: 020-7837 7300. WWW: http://www.llgs.org.uk/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Listings ======== ScotsGay Listings are FREE! We TRY to provide Scotland's most up-to-date and accurate listings. If your group isn't listed-- or if your entry needs updating --please write to ScotsGay with full details. We're not clairvoyant: If we don't know about it, it just won't go in! We'd also like to know about your forthcoming events and meetings. Although many of the listings are for specific towns, they often cover a much wider area. If in doubt, you can always phone one of the Switchboards for more information. Write to:- ScotsGay Listings, PO Box 666, Edinburgh EH7 5YW, Fax them to: 0131-539 2999 or E-mail them to listings@scotsgay.co.uk. Our most up to date listings can always be found on our web site at http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/current/list.html NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND: Scotland's oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 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. Currently focusing on work around the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Executive and the Scottish Public Institutions such as the NHS, Police and Justice System. Tel: 0131-558 9216. Write: The Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, PO Box 23253, Edinburgh. EH1 3XD. E-mail: convenor@outright-scotland. org WWW: http://www.outright-scotland.org/Why not support OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND's work? Membership is UKP15 waged, UKP9 low-waged (under UKP10,000 pa) and UKP5 unwaged. Life membership is UKP150. Affiliation from Trades Union and Political Party Branches also welcome: UKP100 (Local Branches), UKP150 (National Organisations). Please make out your cheque/Postal Order to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND and send to The Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, PO Box 23253, Edinburgh. EH1 3XD. BEYOND BARRIERS: Scotland wide project challenging homophobia and prejudice through information, training, research and LGBT community involvement. Tel: 0141-574 0240. Fax: 0141-574 0224. Write: 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. E-mail: info@beyondbarriers. org.uk WWW: http://www.beyondbarriers.org.uk/ EQUALITY NETWORK: Working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in Scotland. Write: c/o 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1SA. Tel: 07020 933 952. Fax: 07020 933 954. E-mail: en@equality-network.org WWW: http://www.equality-network.org/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. Tel/Fax: 0141-552 8345. Open Tue-Fri 1-6pm and Sat 2-5pm. E-mail: gwl@womens-library.org.uk WWW: http://www.womens-library.org.uk/laic.htm PRIDE SCOTLAND: Pride Scotland organises the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transpeople Pride march and festival in Scotland. Write: 1D4 Templeton Buildings, Bridgeton, Glasgow. G40 1DA. Tel: 0141-556 4340. E-mail: info@pridescotland.org WWW: http://www.pridescotland.org/ STONEWALL SCOTLAND: Scottish office of the London based campaigning group. Write: 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow, G1 4AL. Tel: 0141-204 0746. Fax: 0141-204 5110. E-mail: scotland@stonewall.org.uk WWW: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/ LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ABERDEEN: North East Equality Forum: An umbrella group for voluntary LGBT organisations in the North East of Scotland. Working towards opening an LGBT Centre in Aberdeen. Regular meetings. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 212600 (Grampian LGB Switchboard). E-mail: lgbtforum@hotmail.com WWW: http://uk.geocities.com/equalityforum/ North East Scotland Gay Group: Caters for all ages and meets at 7.30pm on the 3rd Sun of every month. Tel: Phace Scotland on Aberdeen (01224) 587166 (9am-5pm). E-mail: nesgg@phacescotland.org? 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), Irvine (01294) 323473 or Strathclyde Switchboard. E-mail: davidb@phacescotland.org CAITHNESS: Caithness Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Group: A friendly informal group which meets regularly. Tel: 0780 8814007 (Fri 7-9pm). Write: Box 689, Journal Office, 42 Union Street, Wick. KW1 5ED. E-mail: caithnessglc@ aol.com WWW: http://members.lycos. co.uk/caithnessglc/index.htm DUMFRIES: Dumfries & Galloway Lesbian & Gayline: Thu 7.30-9.30pm. Tel: Dumfries (01387) 261818. Write: DAGLAG, PO Box 1299, Dumfries. DG1 2PD. E-mail: daglag@drink. demon.co.uk DUNDEE: Disco:very: The newsletter from Diversitay. Available from: Diversitay (LGBT Group), PO Box 53, Dundee, DD1 3YG. EDINBURGH: Icebreakers: An alternative to the scene and takes place 8-9.15pm on the 2nd & 4th Wed of each month in CC Blooms. First-timers are invited to arrive at 7.30pm. Phone Lothian Switchboard for details. FALKIRK: Falkirk Lesbian And Gay Society: Meets for social nights every second Thu (Next dates: 22nd Aug, 5th & 19th Sep) in Bar Kudos, Vicar Street, Falkirk. Write: FLAGS, c/o 52 Alexander Avenue, Falkirk. FK2 9DZ. E-mail: chair@f-l-a-g-s.co.uk or secretary@f-l-a-g-s.co.ukWWW: http://www.f-l-a-g-s.co.uk FIFE: Fife Friend: Runs Coffee evening every Tue from 7.30-10pm at 5 South Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy. GLASGOW: Glasgow LGBT Centre: The Centre Board manages Glasgow LGBT Centre Limited, which is registered as a Scottish charity and as a Scottish company. Centre Administrator is on duty (10am-1pm Mon-Fri). Membership criteria for Glasgow LGBT Centre Limited is available to all interested people agreeing to the code of conduct. See press for notice of the Annual General meeting of Members - childcare and BSL interpreter can be organised, but please give advance notice. Membership is closed in the last month. Write: Glasgow LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow, G1 4AL. Tel/Fax: 0141-221 7203. E-mail: lgbt.glasgow@gglc.org.uk WWW: http://www. gglc.org.uk/ Icebreakers Group: For lesbians, gays and bisexuals new to the scene. 12.30-3pm on 1st Sun of each month at LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard. Out on Sunday: A social group for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people. 7.30-9.30pm on last Sun of month in the LGBT Centre. Self determined programme, which is organised by the group. A warm welcome for new members. Tel: 0141-221 7203 or E-mail: lgbtart@gglc. org.uk INVERNESS: Highland Gay Men's Group: Meets on the 4th Wed of each month at 34 Waterloo Place. Tel: Ronald on Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm). E-mail: project@reachout.demon.co.uk LANARKSHIRE: Lanarkshire Gay Group: An LGBT group which meets every Wed from 8pm in or around Hamilton. We are a small group of gay people who get together for support and friendship over a cup of tea or coffee. Join us for genuine friendship, we welcome new members, Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender and their friends. Come along, give it a try, what have you got to lose? Write: LGG, 10 Bartie Gardens, Ashgill, Larkhall. ML9 3FB. Tel: Larkhall (01698) 887532 (7-10pm). E-mail: lanarkshiregaymensgroup@yahoo.com WWW: http://www.geocities.com/lanarkshiregaymensgroup/ STIRLING: Stirling Gay Men's Group: Meets monthly from Sep-Jun (generally 3rd Fri) in private houses. Also occasional informal pub meets. Write: PO Box 28, Stirling. FK9 5YW. WEST LOTHIAN: Gay Men's Health West Lothian Project: A gay men's group which meets every Tue eve in Livingston. Tel: Bathgate (01506) 631010 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). E-mail: colin@ gmh.org.uk WOMEN'S LISTINGS SCOTTISH NETWORK FOR LESBIAN STRENGTH: To further lesbian issues, follow a lesbian agenda and foster lesbian visibility. Further information from Highland Lesbian Group at PO Box 91, Inverness. IV2 7GJ. E-mail: High_Les@bigfoot.com ABERDEEN: Granite Sisters: An Aberdeen based social group for lesbians over the age of 30. Various meeting venues. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 713336. Write: PO Box 18230, Aberdeen. AB21 9YN. E-mail: GraniteSisters@hotmail.com WWW: http://GraniteSisters.tripod. com/ DUNDEE: We Bissums: A regular newletter for women in and around Dundee. Write: PO Box 6819, Dundee. DD1 2YG. E-mail: we_bissums@hotmail.com EDINBURGH: AD Group: For lesbians 40+. Monthly meeting and frequent social events. For details, phone Edinburgh Lesbian Line Edinburgh Gay Women's Group: Weekly social group to chat, laugh, do crazy things or more relaxed ones. Hiking, cycling, painting, poetry, Shiatsu or Swedish massage, pottery, Ceroc dance, fancy dress parties, travel photos/stories whatever!! As well as go to the movies, pub, theatre, have themed discussions. Meets every Wed 8pm onwards at Nexus, 60 Broughton St. LIBRA: Help for women concerned about their drinking. Free 1-2-1 counselling. Tel: 0131-661 0111. Write: 4 Norton Park, Edinburgh. EH7 5RS. GLASGOW: Centre For Women's Health: Sandyford Initiative, 2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow. G3 7NB. E-mail: rosie.ilett@glacomen.scot.nhs.uk. Tel: 0141-211 6700. Fax: 0141-211 6702. Minicom: 0141-211 6703. WWW: http://www.sandyford.org/Sappho @ Sandyford: Sappho promotes positive health for lesbians and easier access to sexual, reproductive and women's health services. A monthly well-woman clinic and screening service is provided in a lesbian friendly setting, alongside 1-to-1 counselling from lesbian counsellors. Well Woman Clinical Service: First Tue of every month. Tel: 0141-211 8130 for info. Counselling: Fortnightly Tue eve. Tel: 0141-211 6700 for info. Women Only Library (a Reference Library within the Centre for Women's Health): Mon-Thu 10am-8.30pm, Fri 10am-4pm. Creche: Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm & 1-4.15pm. Glasgow Women's Library: 4th/5th Floors, 109 Trongate, G1 5HD. Tel: 0141-552 8345. Open Tue-Fri 1-6pm. Sat 2-5pm. Closed Mon. Lending and reference library - books, magazines, journals, videos, leaflets and information. UK and overseas feminist and lesbian publications. Contains the Lesbian Archive and Information Centre - a unique national collection of publications, journals and ephemera by and for lesbians. E-mail: gwl@womens-library.org.uk WWW: http://www.womens-library.org.uk/ L.I.C. - Lesbian Inclusion Co-ordination: Social group co-ordinating a range of activities and involvement for lesbians at the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre. Meets at 7pm on last Tue of every month at 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. Tel: 0141-221 7203, WWW: http://www.gglc.org.uk/or E-mail: AliJarvis@unify.freeserve.co.uk OLGA - Older Women's Group: Meets monthly. Tel: Jenny on 0141-810 1468 or Alex on Kilwinning (01294) 558171. Self Defence and Personal Safety: Personal safety and self defence courses for women are offered by Wise Women, 120 Sydney Street, Glasgow. G31 1JF. Tel: 0141-550 7557. INVERNESS: Highland Lesbian Group: A friendly lesbian social group that gets together on the first Sat of each month at the Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness from 12.30pm onwards. Also offers support and information. Write: PO Box 91, Inverness. IV2 7GJ. E-mail: High_Les@bigfoot.com LESBIAN INFORMATION SERVICE: Write: PO Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire. OL14 5TZ. Please enclose an sae. Tel/Fax: Todmorden (01706) 817235. WWW: http://www. lesbianinformationservice.org/ LILLIDOTS: Lesbian Feminist Walking Group. Contact via Dundee Switchboard, Lothian Lesbian Line, Grampian Switchboard or Strathclyde Switchboard. STIRLING: Forth Valley Gay Women. Lesbian Social/Support. 1st Tue of each month at 7.30pm. Cowane Centre, Cowane Street, Stirling. Tel: 07903 600218. E-mail: fv.gw@virgin.net YOUNG LESBIANS: See our Youth Groups listings. BISEXUALS BI GLASGOW: Glasgow's own bisexual group, for information, support and socializing. Meets first Wed of month, from 7.30-9.30pm in the Ian Dunn Room at Glasgow LGBT Centre. Also organises training and activist activities in support of bisexual visibility and pride. Write: Bi Glasgow, c/o Glasgow LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow, G1 4AL. Tel: Sarah on 07980 855801. E-mail: glasgow@bi.org WWW: http://biglasgow.bi.org 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 god@antipope.org WWW: http://www. antipope.org/freethinkers/ GAY AND LESBIAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION: GALHA is a national membership group promoting the gay-friendly Humanist outlook and gay and lesbian rights as human rights. Write: 34 Spring Lane, Kenilworth, Warwick-shire. CV8 2HB. Tel/Fax: Kenilworth (01926) 858450. E-mail: secretary@ galha.org WWW: http://www. galha.org/ PINK TRIANGLE TRUST: PTT is a gay charity which can arrange non-religious ceremonies of love and commitment for lesbian and gay couples at very reasonable rates in most parts of Scotland. Details from: National Co-ordinator, 16 Grange Lane, Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 7ED. Tel: Lichfield (01543) 268647. E-mail: ceremonies@pinktriangle.org.uk WWW: http://www.pinktriangle.org.uk BDSM MSC SCOTLAND: A club for men interested in Leather, Rubber, Uniform. Meets at the Claremont Bar, Edinburgh, on the 1st & 3rd Sats of each month from 9pm. Write: PO Box 28, Edinburgh. EH3 5JL. SCOTSSKINS: Information Site for Scottish Gay Skinheads. E-mail: scotsskinsinfo@ aol.com WWW: http://groups.msn. com/scotsskins/ SM GAYS: Write: SM Gays, BM SM Gays, London. WC1N 3XX. E-mail: info@smgays.org WWW: http://www. smgays.org/ BEARS BEARSCOTS: For hairy, moustached and bearded men and their admirers. Edinburgh: Meets 1st Sat of each month from 2pm in the Townhouse Health Club and then from 9pm in the Claremont Bar. Write: PO Box 12785, Edinburgh, EH7 5YD. Tel: Dundee (01382) 640059. E-mail: info@bearscots.org. uk Glasgow: Meets 4th Sat of each month (in conjunction with BCUK) from 9pm in the Revolver Bar. Tel: 0141-883 9055. E-mail: glasgowbears@drink.demon. co.uk For details of other social events across Scotland contact BearScots or check the website. WWW: http://www.bearscots.org.uk/ 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. Tel: 020-7403 5969 (Mon-Fri 7-10.30pm). BIKERS GAY BIKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB: A UK-wide club for women and men. Active Scottish section. Write: PO Box 33, Long Eaton, Nottingham. NG10 2BF. E-mail: info@gaybikers.co.uk WWW: http://www.gaybikers.co.uk/ CHRISTIANS EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP: Lesbian, gay or bisexual? From an Evangelical tradition? So are we. Tel: Ewan on Polmont (01324) 715542. Write: 123 Byron Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM2 6HJ. 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. Tel: Rev Ian Bonner-Evans on 0131-347 8699. Write: PO Box 12433, Edinburgh. EH1 3FU. E-mail: mail@mccedinburgh. com WWW: http://www.mccedinburgh.com/ 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: 46 The Avenue, Starbeck, Harrogate. HG1 4QD. QUEST: Organisation for lesbian and gay Catholics. Monthly meetings are held in different regional groups throughout Britain. Scottish meetings held in Glasgow. Tel: Quest Linkline (Freephone) 0808 808 0234 (Fri & Sun 7-10pm - answerphone all other times). Write: BM Box 2585, LONDON WC1N 3XX. E-mail: secretary@questgaycatholic.org.uk WWW: www.questgaycatholic.org.uk/ CREATIVE ARTS DIVERSE ARTISTS @ THE GLC: An opportunity for Artists from all Art Disciplines, to meet discuss their Art and develop projects and workshop opportunities. Membership is open to all diverse Artists. Tel: 0141-221 7203. E-mail: lgbtart@gglc.org.uk WWW: http://www.gglc.org.uk/index2.html JIM LAVERY ART GALLERY: An opportunity for visual artists to see their work on display in an LGBT Art Gallery available on a booking basis in our calendar of Art Exhibitions. Tel: 0141-221 7203 for booking details. E-mail: lgbtart@gglc.org.uk SPEAKEASY: A celebration of the spoken word and music. Every third Wed in the month from 8.30pm in Glasgow LGBT Centre Jackie Forster Room. Poets, Writers, Comedians, Soap Box Stars, Folk Singers, Guitarists, Opera Singers, Pop Singers, Authors, Actors, Drama Queens, Cello-ists. Tel: 0141-221 7203 to book your mike slot, or come along on the night and take pot luck. Contributors and audience welcome. E-mail: lgbtart@gglc.org.uk WWW: http://www.gglc.org.uk/anthology_2001.html CULTURAL ABBA VIDEO CONTACTS SOCIETY: For anyone wanting to meet with other guys with a Scandinavian fixation, watch/swap videos, memorabilia or just jam with other Svenskas. Must be devout fans! E-mail: whubbakid@ aol.com CELEBRATE: Celebrate is a community organisation that puts on residential community events for people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Our events are a chance for people to get away from it all for a while, meet other people and explore community, creativity, diversity. In 2002 we are planning a series of weekend and week long events. Write: BM CELEBRATE!, London. EC1N 3XX. Tel: 08703 211921. E-mail: celebrate.central@ ntlworld.com WWW: http://www.celebrate.cwc.net/ 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: 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 particularly warm welcome to anyone visiting our town from Scotland! Write: Clann An Uabhair, GLSA, PO Box 630, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 10016, USA. Tel: 00 1 (212) 726-1418. WWW: http://www.gayscots.org/ GLASGAY!: The UK's largest and most diverse LGBT arts festival, covering theatre, film, music, comedy, visual art, clubs, community events and literature. Dates: 1st-16th Nov 2002. To take part in large-scale arts projects, be a volunteer or to be added to mailing list Write: Room 320A, 74 Victoria Crescent Road, Glasgow. G12 9JL. Tel: 0141-334 7126. E-mail: info@glasgay.org.uk WWW: http://www.glasgay.co.uk/ INTERNATIONAL KILT APPRECIATION SOCIETY (IKAS): Contact and social group for guys interested in viewing/wearing kilts. Regular newsletter. Write: Mervyn Tacy, `Ziveli', 20 Ordsall Park Road, RETFORD, Notts, DN22 7PA. Please enclose sae. KILTS: A newly established group to promote, encourage, enjoy and esteem the wearing of the Kilt. Regular meetings and outings. Write: Brian Barras, 23a Milne Park Road, Bannockburn, Stirling. FK7 8NZ. Phone Stirling (01786) 480201. E-mail: brian.barras@btinternet.com CYBERSPACE 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). SCOTSGAY: All of the words from the magazine can be found on our website as well as interactive Meet Market and our Listings which are updated nearly every day. WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/ HEALTH AND ABILITIES ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY GAYLINE: For LGBT people with dementia or LGBT carers. Tel: Sally on 020-8675 0660, Roger on Thanet (01843) 220932, Bruce on Oxford (01865) 847471, or Arthur on Brighton (01273) 628047. General helpline - Tel: 0845 3000336 (8.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri). E-mail: helpline@alzheimers.org.uk GLASGOW GAY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets every Fri 8-9.45pm in the LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. KLINEFELTER SYNDROME: An Intersex condition affecting 1 in 700 live born males. Also known as 47,XXY. Self-Help/Support group for Internet users - WWW: http://www. smartgroups.com/group/klinefelterxxy or Tel: Steph on 07950 850981. LADDIES & LASSIES CLUB: Scottish Deaf Gay & Lesbian Club. Normally meets in LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow from 7pm-Midnight on last Fri of each month. Write: c/o Alex Clark,10b Aitken Street, Airdrie. ML6 6LS. E-mail: LLSDGALC@hotmail.com HIV/AIDS BODY POSITIVE (FIFE): 13 Wemyssfield, Kirkcaldy. KY1 1XN. Providing support for those HIV+ and with AIDS in the Kingdom. Tel: Kirkcaldy (01592) 597756. Fax: Kirkcaldy (01592) 561057. E-mail: bodypositivefife@care4free.net BODY POSITIVE (GRAMPIAN): A self help group offering support and assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS in the Grampian area. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 404408 (Telephone Answering Machine). Write: PO Box 83, Aberdeen. AB9 1AA. BODY POSITIVE (STRATHCLYDE): 3 Park Quadrant, Glasgow. G3 6BS. Providing support for those living with HIV and AIDS in the West of Scotland. Drop In: Mon-Fri 11am-5pm. Support Group: Tue 6-8pm. Administration: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Tel: 0141-332 5010. Fax: 0141-332 4285. E-mail: bpstrathclyde@btconnect.com WWW: http://homepages. enterprise.net/bpstrathclyde/ BODY POSITIVE (TAYSIDE): 11-15 Princes Street, Dundee. DD4 6BY. Self help and support for those who are HIV positive and affected by HIV. Tel: Dundee (01382) 461555. Fax: Dundee (01382) 461424. Mon (Women's Group) 11am-2pm, Tue-Thu (Drop In) Noon-3.30pm, Fri (Activity) 11am-2pm. E-mail: admin@bptayside.sol.co.uk BROWNLEE CENTRE (GLASGOW): Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow. G12 0YN. Confidential information, advice, counselling and testing for HIV and hepatitis. Tel: 0141-211 1089. Mon-Thu 9am-5pm, Tue 5-7.30pm, Thu 5-7.30pm, Fri 9am-4.30pm. FIFE MEN: 5 South Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy. KY1 1YA. (Behind Sheriff Court). Information, advice and support on gay and health issues, free condoms, and much more! Mon-Fri 1-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Tel: Kirkcaldy (01592) 265666. Fax: Kirkcaldy (01592) 643866. E-mail: enquiries@fifemen. co.uk WWW: http://www.fifemen. co.uk/ FRESH JUICE: Weekly support group for HIV+ gay and bisexual men in Edinburgh. Tel: 0131-661 0982. GAY MEN'S HEALTH: 10a Union Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. A community led Lothian wide project for gay and bisexual men. Wide ranging volunteering opportunities which provide services including support and counselling, scene work, peer education and training, provision of condoms, lube and Safer Sex information. Tel: 0131-558 9444. Fax: 0131-558 9060. E-mail: info@gmh. org.uk WWW: http://www.gmh.org.uk/ GLASGOW BROWNLEE AIDS WELFARE FUND: Raises funds for people with HIV/AIDS in the Greater Glasgow area. Write: PO Box 3954, Glasgow. G45 9WB. E-mail: info@gbawf.org.uk WWW: http://www.gbawf.org.uk/ GRAMPIAN BUDDY GROUP: Befriending and support service for people living with HIV/AIDS. Write: PO Box 353, Aberdeen. AB9 8DD. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 404407. WWW: http://www.grampianbuddygroup.org/ 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-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri 10am-2pm. Telephone Support Service Mon-Fri 7pm-10pm. Tel: 0141-221 8100. Fax: 0141-221 8529. E-mail: hiv-aids_carers@lineone.net WWW: http://www. hiv-aids-carers.org.uk/ LANARKSHIRE HIV, AIDS AND HEPATITIS CENTRE: Counselling Service, Monklands Hospital, Monks Court Avenue, Airdrie. ML6 0JS. One stop shop for HIV and Hepatitis health services. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Tel: Airdrie (01236) 747960 or 712247. Fax: Airdrie (01236) 712449. MILESTONE HOUSE: 113 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh. EH14 1EB. Residential care (primarily respite and paliative care) for people with HIV/AIDS. Tel/Fax: 0131-441 6989. NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE: Freephone 0800 567123. 24 hour service for confidential advice and information. Minicom: 0800 521361 (24 hours). Other languages: 0800 9172227 6-10pm Mon Bengali, Tue Urdu, Wed Arabic, Thu Gujerati, Fri Hindi, Sat Punjabi, Sun Cantonese. Welsh 11am-11pm on 0800 567123. (All calls to 0800 numbers are free except from some mobile networks). E-mail: info@healthwise.org.uk PHACE SCOTLAND: 49 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 2DL. Formerly PHACE West. HIV prevention and support support services in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Argyll and Clyde and Greater Glasgow including Buddying, NIGHTOWL Crisis Line and the Crusaid Hardship Fund in Scotland. Also provides a range of health promotion services for Gay and Bisexual men throughout the West of Scotland and Grampian. Please contact for further details. Volunteers welcome! Tel: 0141-332 3838. Fax: 0141-332 3755. E-mail: contact@ phacescotland.org PHACE SCOTLAND - GRAMPIAN GAY MEN'S HEALTH PROJECT: 21-23 Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen. AB11 6EQ. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 587166. Fax: Aberdeen (01224) 587167. E-mail: markt@phacescotland.org 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. Tel: 07831 464319. E-mail: dragondale@ amserve.net POSITIVE ACCOMMODATION TEAM: 1st Floor, Granite House, 31 Stockwell Street, Glasgow. G1 4RZ. Social work service for people with HIV/AIDS providing supported living arrangements, intensive community based support. General advice and information on community care and housing needs also provided. Mon-Thu 8.45am-4.45pm. Fri 8.45am-3.55pm. Tel: 0141-552 4488. Fax: 0141-552 2760. POSITIVE HELP: 13a Great King Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6QW. Practical help for people who are infected or affected by HIV and AIDS in Edinburgh, their families and carers. Tel: 0131-558 1122. Fax: 0131-558 3636. E-mail: posihelp@ globalnet.co.uk POSITIVE VOICE: 37-39 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh. EH7 5DJ. Community self-help organisation for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Tel: 0131-652 0754. Fax: 0131-661 9100. Peer support: Mon, Tue, Thu, 10.30am-2.30pm. Not closed at other times though. Anyone affected or infected by the virus can come along if they have an appointment with a volunteer. People can phone for an appointment or make one while they are in for peer support. E-mail: enquiries@positive-voice.org.uk RAINBOW FUND: Raising funds for the future care of HIV/AIDS patients in Glasgow. Write: PO Box 9525, Johnstone. PA5 OYB. REACH OUT HIGHLAND: 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB. 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. Tel: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Wed, Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Thu 9.30am-7pm). Fax: Inverness (01463) 711793. E-mail: support@reachout. demon.co.uk WWW: http://www.reachout.demon.co.uk/ ROAM OUTREACH PROJECT: Spittal Street Centre, 22-24 Spittal Street, Edinburgh. EH3 9DU. Outreach sexual health service for male sex workers and men using cruising areas including the Internet. Tel: 0131-537 8300 and ask for Mark or David. E-mail: roamoutreachteam @hotmail.com STEVE RETSON PROJECT: Sandyford Initiative (old Eye Infirmary), 2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow. G3 7NP. Sexual health service for gay men. Tue, Wed 5.30-8.30pm. Also Thu 5.30-8.30pm at the LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street. Club SRP at the LGBT Centre Sat from 1-3.30pm for under 25s. Tel: 0141-211 8601. WWW: http://www.steveretsonproject.org.uk/ TAYSIDE GAY MEN'S HEALTH PROJECT: Promoting Gay Men's Health in Tayside. Deals with HIV/AIDS as well as other aspects of health promotion. Runs local men's groups in co-operation with Diversitay. Tel: Richard McIntosh (Co-ordinator) on Dundee (01382) 424100. E-mail: richard.mcintosh@thb.scot.nhs.uk WAVERLEY CARE: 58a Queen Street, Edinburgh. EH2 3NS. Waverley Care is an agency responsible for a number of projects for people living with AIDS/HIV in the Lothians. Tel: 0131-226 2206. Fax: 0131-226 2209. E-mail: director@ waverleycare.org WAVERLEY CARE BUDDY SERVICE: Waverley Care Buddy Service is a volunteer befriending service offering emotional and social 1:1 support for individuals living with HIV in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Write: Tony Stevenson, Buddy Service Co-ordinator, c/o Milestone House, 113 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh. EH14 1EB. Tel: 0131-441 5405 (a private and dedicated phone line). E-mail: buddy@waverleycare.org WAVERLEY CARE SOLAS HIV/AIDS INFORMATION CENTRE: 2/4 Abbeymount, Edinburgh. EH8 8EJ. Information, support, advice, counselling and a cafe. Opening times: Mon, Wed & Fri 11am-4pm, Tue & Thu 11am-9pm, First Sat of each month 11am-4pm. Tel: 0131-661 0982. E-mail: solas@waverleycare. org WWW: http://www.waverleycare. org/ WORLD AIDS DAY ORGANISING COMMITTEE (LOTHIAN): Write: c/o SOLAS, 2-4 Abbeymount, Edinburgh. EH8 8EJ. Tel: 0131-661 0982. Fax: 0131-652 1780. E-mail: info@worldaidsdaylothian.org WWW: http://www.worldaidsdaylothian.org/ OLDER GAYS CAFFMOS: Nationwide Social and Contacts Club for the older gay gentleman and his admirers, both young and old. Write: PO Box 2273, Hove. BN3 2GF. Tel: Hove (01273) 220995. E-mail: Caffmos2@aol.com WWW: http://www.Caffmos.co.uk/ PHNIX: National group for the over forties and friends of any age. Write: PO Box 103, Wallington, Surrey. SM6 9SJ. Please enclose sae. ORDER OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE The Sisters and Brothers of the OPI are part of a world wide order of queer men and women of all sexualities which is open to all who feel the habit. Its tenets are: The expiation of stigmatic guilt and the promulgation of universal joy. WWW: http://www.thesisters.org.uk/ OPI CONVENT OF DUNN EIDEANN: The Edinburgh convent. Write: Sister Athletica de la Bain OPI, c/o PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. 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. Tel: 07881 490065. OUTDOOR PURSUITS GAY BIRDERS CLUB: For LGBT Birdwatchers. Write: Gay Birders Club, GeeBeeCee, BCM-Mono, London. WC1N 3XX. E-mail: info@gbc-online.org.uk WWW: http://www.gbc-online.org/ GAY CARAVAN & CAMPING CLUB: For men and women. Regular meets throughout the UK. Tel: Robert on Preston (01772) 461104. E-mail: info@gaycaravanclub.com GAY OUTDOOR CLUB: Holds regular events including walking, skiing, cycling, mountaineering, camping, youth-hostelling, badminton and swimming. Monthly social evening in Edinburgh on 2nd Thu of month. Please send an A5 sae to PO Box 637, Skellingthorpe, Lincoln, LN6 5XD, or ring one of the Scottish contacts: EDINBURGH: Walks & Social: Grant on 0131-556 8705 (E-mail: g.obrien@ btclick.com), Swimming: Colin on 0131-226 4476, Cycling: Ian on 0131-539 0715. Edinburgh Women's contact: Sonya on 0131-346 2067. (E-mail: soniabressey@yahoo.com). GLASGOW: Walks: Robert on 0141-950 1081 (E-mail: r-watt@ dircon.co.uk), Cycling and Swimming: Douglas on 0870 3215894 (E-mail: drb61@pobox. com), Climbing: Jonathan on 0141-334 0812 (E-mail: jonno12@bigfoot.com). DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY: Walks & Cycling: Ian on Waterbeck (01461) 600624. HIGHLANDS: Walks & Weekend Trips: Alan on Dores (01463) 751258 & Les on Inverness (01463) 238920. MOUNTAINEERING: Roger on York (01904) 659544 (E-mail: r.sutton@ukonline.co.uk). E-mail: goc@bi.org. WWW: http://goc.bi.org/ GLASGOW GAY RAMBLERS GROUP: Leisurely walks in the countryside. Bring sensible footwear/clothing and packed lunch. 2nd Sat of each month. Meet at Mitchell Library, Berkeley Street. No membership - just turn up. Cars normally shared. Tel: Robert on 0141-950 1081. E-mail: r-watt@dircon.co.uk PARENTS EDINBURGH LESBIAN MOTHERS GROUP (ELMG): Normally meets on second Sat afternoon of each month at St Columba's by the Castle, High Street. Phone in advance to check venue and/or book creche. See listing for Lesbian Mothers Network (Scotland) for contact details. GAY DADS SCOTLAND: Meets on last Thu of each month at 8pm in Edinburgh LGB Centre, 58a Broughton Street. Glasgow meetings on second Mon of each month at the GLGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street. Meetings planned in Borders. Also meets socially each month in different cities. Contact for details or view the web site. Tel: 07947 835246. E-mail: info@gaydadsscotland.org.uk WWW: http://www.gaydadsscotland.org.uk/ LESBIAN MOTHERS (HIGHLAND): Tel: Maria on Beauly (01463) 782428 after 6.30pm. Write: c/o Reach Out Highland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB. E-mail: maria@scotland-info.co.uk LESBIAN MOTHERS NETWORK (SCOTLAND): Tel: Sue Robertson on 0131-556 3899/4563. Fax: 0131-557 9650. Write: One Parent Families Scotland, 13 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh. EH1 3NX. E-mail: suerobertson@opfs.org. uk WWW: http://www.lesbian-mothers-scotland.org.uk/and http://www. opfs.org.uk/ PARENTS' ENQUIRY SCOTLAND: Support for parents of LGBT children. Write: c/o SYP, John Cotton Centre, 10 Sunnyside, Edinburgh. EH7 5RA. Tel: 0131-556 6047 before 10pm. E-mail: parentsenquiry@hotmail.com POLITICAL AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER NETWORK: Campaigns for LGBT prisoners of conscience overseas and works within Amnesty International UK to promote LGBT issues. Write: AIGLBT Network, Amnesty International, 6 North Castle Street, Edinburgh. EH2 3AT. Tel: Dave on 0141-575 2277. E-mail: glasgowdave500@ntlworld.com WWW: http://www.ailgbt.co.uk DELGA-SCOTLAND: Liberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Equality. Write: DELGA-Scotland, 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR. WWW: http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/ao/delgscot/delgscot.htm INTERCOURSE: Group devoted to encouraging discussion about sex and sexuality. Activities include pub nights, discussions and trips to the cinema. Mix of ages, genders, sexualities, ethnicities etc. Write: Intercourse, c/o 17 West Montgomery Place Edinburgh EH7 5HA. E-mail: info@intercourse.org.uk WWW: http://www.intercourse.org.uk/ LIBERAL PARTY LESBIAN AND GAY CAMPAIGN: Tel: 0151-259 5935 (Telephone Answering Machine). Write: 41 Sutton Street, Liverpool. L13 7EG. E-mail: libgay@libparty.demon.co.uk WWW: http://www.liberal.org.uk/ OUT FOR INDEPENDENCE: The SNP's LGBT Group, has been established to bring together lesbians, bisexuals, gay men and transgender people who support Independence, and to act as a forum within the SNP to discuss LGBT issues. Write: Out for Independence, 107 McDonald Road, Edinburgh. EH7 4NW. 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 LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. TORCHE: Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality. Write: BM TORCHE, London WC1N 3XX. E-mail: torche-info@tory.co.uk WWW: http://www. gayconservatives.com/ PRISONERS FREE MAGAZINES FOR PRISONERS: Copies of ScotsGay are sent free of charge to prisoners in UK prisons and institutions. Please contact us if you wish to be added to the mailing list. RAPE/SEXUAL ABUSE MEN AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE: 1-2-1 counselling and psychotherapy by arrangement. Tel: 0141-550 2048 (Tue 7-9pm). RAPE AND ABUSE LINE: For male and female survivors. Women answer the Tel: Freephone 0808 8000123 (or Dingwall (01349) 865316) 7-10pm nightly. Men answer the Tel: Freephone 0808 8000122 (or Dingwall (01349) 862686) alternate Weds 7-10pm. Callers are welcome to phone either line. Write: PO Box 10, Dingwall. IV15 9HE. REAL ALE DIVERSE DRINKERS: Edinburgh group for LGBT real ale and cider fans. Meets in The Holyrood Tavern 1st Mon of each month from 8pm to sample the brewers' art. Tel: Karen on 0131-557 8790. E-mail: diversedrinkers@drink.demon.co.uk WWW: http://www.antipope.org/feorag/drinkers/UK LGBT real ale pub listings can be found at WWW: http://www.goldings.demon.co.uk/queerale/ SPORTS ABERDEEN GAY MEN'S SWIMMING GROUP: Swim every Wed from 8pm onwards. Tel: David on Aberdeen (01224) 317552. E-mail: agmsg@drink. demon.co.uk CALEDONIAN THEBANS: Scotland's first gay/bi men's rugby team. No experience necessary. Tel: 07960 954242 (after 5pm). E-mail: caledoniagayrugby@hotmail.com EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S SWIMMING GROUP: Meets informally Mon at 8pm in the Commonwealth Pool. Tel: Colin on 0131-226 4476. EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S GYM GROUP: Meets informally 1st, 3rd & 4th Thu at 7pm in the Pulse Centre, Commonwealth Pool. Tel: Colin on 0131-226 4476. GAY GOLF CLUB: Tel: Danny on 0141-946 8290. E-mail: tierney_daniel@hotmail.com GLASGOW BADMINTON CLUB: Glasgow based gay badminton club meets twice weekly for competitive games. International tournaments and matches against clubs in London and Europe are held annually. Tel: Raymond on 0141-778 9220. E-mail: TeamScotland@hotmail.com Sorry - no beginners. GLASGOW GAY AND LESBIAN BADMINTON CLUB: Meets every Thu from 8-10pm. Come along and have fun and enjoy meeting the other members for a friendly game. All welcome. Tel: Donn on 07985 621057 (6-11pm). GLASGOW SWIMMING GROUP: Meets informally during adults-only session 7.30-9pm Thu at North Woodside Pool, Braid Square. Tel: Douglas on 0141-649 5896. E-mail: drb61@pobox.com WWW: http://www.bigfoot.com/~drb61 GAY FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS NETWORK: Write: GFSN Membership Secretary, c/o Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, London. N1 9SE. Tel: Clive on 0141-779 2321 or Barry on Stony Stratford (01908) 564085. E-mail: blyons@btinternet.com GOC CYCLING GROUP: Regular Sat, Sun and evening runs. Tel: Douglas on 0141-649 5896 or E-mail: drb61@pobox.com STUDENTS Many Universities and Colleges have Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Societies. Contact these via your Student Union or Student Association. ScotsGay also links to a number of LGBT Soc websites from our own web page at http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/Many LGBT Socs are open to non-students living in the area. Tel: NUS Scotland LGBT Officer on 0131-556 6598. Fax: 0131-557 5679. Write: Steven Jack, LGBT Officer, NUS Scotland, 29 Forth Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LE. E-mail: nus-scot@dircon.co.uk TV/TS ABERDEEN: 3G (Grampian Gender Group). Offers support, help and a safe environment for Transgendered People. Meets 3rd Sat of each month Noon-5pm. Tel: Gillian on 07050 562175. Mon & Wed 7-9pm. E-mail: grampian3g@btopenworld.com WWW: http://members.tripod.co.uk/TriGs/ EDINBURGH: Scottish TV/TS Group meets last Sat of each month (except Dec) 1-5pm in Phoenix Cellar Bar, 46 Broughton Street. Tel: Irene on 0775 9830541. E-mail: IanD56@excite.com TransAlba aims to support both pre and post-op transexuals, their families and friends. Meets LGB Centre, 60 Broughton Street, Edinburgh 2-4pm on the 3rd Sat of each month. Tel: Andrea on 07818 467512 (Wed 7-9pm). E-mail: transalba@mail.com Transgender Youth Support Group For 13-25 year olds of all sexualities and genders. Meets every 2nd Mon. Significant others are also very welcome. For more info, contact Stonewall Youth Project. Tel: 0845 113 0005 (Tue 7.30-9pm). E-mail: info@lgbtyouth.org.uk GLASGOW: Crosslynx TV/TS Group meets second Wed of each month (except December) from 7-10pm. Tel: Crosslynx Helpline on 0141-332 3333 (Mon 7.30-9.30pm). Write: c/o SLGS, PO Box 38, Glasgow. G2 2QF. WWW: http://SGLS.tripod.com/transgen.htm HIGHLAND T-GROUP: Transgender support group meets first Fri of each month from 7pm at Reach Out Highland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB. Contact Vikki Melrose (Group Co-ordinator) by E-mail: vmelrose@hotmail.com Or contact Aileen Steen at Reach Out Highland (Tel: Inverness (01463) 711585 or E-mail: T-group@reachout.demon.co.uk). WEST LOTHIAN: Transgender Support Group meets in Livingston on 2nd and last Sat of each month from 5pm (phone for details). Tel: John on 07808 564626 (Mon-Thu 6-9pm) or 07979 685796. E-mail: kira@westlothiantsg.co.uk or irenetsg@aol.com WWW: http://www.westlothiantsg.co.uk/ WORKPLACE AFLAGA: The Armed Forces Lesbian & Gay Association (formerly Rank Outsiders). Support group for all serving and LGBT ex members. Write: BCM Box 8431, London. WC1N 3XX. National Helpline: 0870 740 7755 (Wed 7-11pm, Sun Noon-7pm). E-mail: info@aflaga.org.uk WWW: http://www.aflaga.org.uk CAS: Support group for all LGBT people involved in Scottish Citizens Advice Bureaux. Tel: Gary on Eyemouth (018907) 52074. E-mail: cas@drink.demon.co.uk EIS GAY AND LESBIAN NETWORK: Write: Veronica Rankin (National Officer, Education and Equality), 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh. EH3 6BH. Tel: Veronica Rankin on 0131-225 6244. E-mail: vrankin@eis.org.uk FIRE BRIGADES UNION GAY AND LESBIAN SUPPORT GROUP: Write: National Gay And Lesbian Committee, PO Box 10555, LONDON. N1 8XT. Tel: 0800 783 4778. E-mail: gal01@fbu-ho.org.uk WWW: http://www.fbu.org.uk/ GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL G&L EMPLOYEES FORUM: Tel: Charles Thompson on 0141-287 3744. E-mail: charles.thompson@ land.glasgow.gov.uk GMB SCOTLAND EQUAL RIGHTS GROUP: Write: Regional Equal Rights Officer, GMB Scotland, Fountain House, 1/3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow. G3 7UJ. Tel: 0141-332 8641. E-mail: robert.parker@gmb.org.uk PCS PROUD: The voice of LGBT members in the Public and Commercial Services Union. Regular meetings, newsletters and support. Tel: Karen Foster on 0141-285 4312 (Office Hours) or 07940 935678 (Evenings). E-mail: Karen.Foster@ir.gsi.gov.uk YOUTH GROUPS COLOURS LGBT YOUTH: Formerly Bi-G-LES Youth. Friendship and support for under 26s. Meets Tue 6-9pm at the City Initiative, 196 Bath Street. Write: c/o City Centre Initiative, 196 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 4HH. E-mail: colourslgbt@yahoo.co.uk WWW: http://www14.brinkster.com/colourslgbt/ 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 4th Tue of each month. Tel: Matt Johnston on 0141-332 3838 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or Strathclyde Switchboard for details of venue. E-mail: mattj@phacescotland.org HIGHLAND GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL YOUTH GROUP: Meets 7.30pm 1st Wed of each month at 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. Tel: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm) and ask for Ronald. Social meeting 3rd Fri of each month, same time and place. E-mail: project@reachout.demon.co.uk LIPS - LESBIANS IN PEER SUPPORT: Project supporting young lesbians and bisexual women aged 25 and under. Offers a safe space for young lesbian and bisexual women to meet, providing information, support and activities. Meets every 1st and 3rd Sat, 2-4pm and every 2nd and 4th Thu, 7-9pm at Glasgow Women's Library, 109 Trongate, Glasgow. Tel: Shona or Sue on 0141-552 8345/7539. E-mail: gwl@womens-library.org.uk STONEWALL YOUTH BORDERS: For LGBT young people aged 13-25. Runs drop-ins in Galashiels and Peebles where you can meet other LGBT young people. Can also come and meet you, wherever you are in the Borders, and can offer advice, support or just have a chat... all in complete confidence. Tel: 0845 113 0005 (Tue 7.30-9pm). E-mail: info@lgbtyouth.org.uk STONEWALL YOUTH PROJECT: Provides services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered young people living in Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders. Project Phoneline: 0845 113 0005 (Tue 7.30-9pm) is staffed by trained staff members ready to give information or just chat. Stonewall Youth Group is for young people aged 13-18. Meets every Sat afternoon in Central Edinburgh. Stonewall Friends is for young people aged 18-25 and meets every Wed eve in Edinburgh with regular social events at other times. Stonewall Girlz, for lesbian bisexual and transgendered women ages 13-25, meets Sat afternoons fortnightly. Office Tel/Fax: 0131-622 2266 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm). Write: SYP, John Cotton Centre, 10 Sunnyside, Edinburgh. EH7 5RA. E-mail: info@lgbtyouth.org.uk WWW: http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/ THIS WAY OUT: Group for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders or those who are unsure. For people aged 25 or under. Informal meetings held monthly on Wed eves. Phone Diversitay LGBT Switchboard on Dundee (01382) 202620 Mon 7-10pm. Write: Diversitay LGBT Group, PO Box 53, Dundee, DD1 3YG. E-mail: diversitay@hotmail.com WWW: http://www.dundeelgb.freeserve.co.uk/Confidentiality guaranteed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ VENUES ====== * indicates that these venues stock ScotsGay +ABERDEEN ABERDEEN WOMEN'S CENTRE* Shoe Lane, (next door to Lemon Tree). Tel: (01224) 625010 (Tue-Wed 10am-2pm), (01224) 713336 (Outwith hours). Tue-Wed 10am-2pm. Free use of computers and Internet connection. Latest computer/women's magazines. Latest edition of Newsletter for women in the gay community (E-mail: AroundAB_out2001@hotmail.com). Drop-in coffee lounge. Information resource Room/Women's library. Access for disabled. E-mail: awc@clara.co.uk Regular event: LESBIAN NIGHT 1st & 3rd Wed of each month from 7.30-9.30pm. Meet other lesbians of all ages, great fun night. FIDELS* 40 Regent Quay. 5pm-Midnight. Bar. Bright and cheery (or gaudy depending on your view). Free Internet access. OUT* 7 Crown Street. Tel: (01224) 210286. Sun, Thu 11pm-2am. Fri-Sat 11pm-3am. Popular large venue. Regular promos and PAs. Gay owned. +DUMFRIES SWEATY BETTY'S* Ay-Jay's Bar, The Crichton Campus, Bankend Road. Tel: (01387) 702221. Last Fri of every month. 8pm-1am. A new regular club night for lesbians, gay men and their friends. UKP3/UKP2 concs. E-mail: surefire.promotions@virgin.net +DUNDEE BROOKLYN'S BAR* 2 St Andrew's Lane. Tel: (01382) 200660. Wed-Sun 7pm-Midnight. Well appointed gay friendly bar next door to Liberty Nightclub and under the same management. CHARLIE'S BAR* 75-79 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 12.30pm-Midnight. Gay friendly bar with free disco Fri & Sat 8-11pm. Free use of premises for pre-booked groups. OUT* 124 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 200660. Wed-Sun 11pm-2.30am. Previously Liberty Nightclub, has just re-opened after a massive refurbishment. Good atmosphere, very popular disco with wide selection of sounds and the occasional act/PA. +EDINBURGH THE EDINBURGH FESTIVALS: During the Edinburgh Festivals which stretch through most of August, opening times of Edinburgh venues are often extended until the small hours of the morning. The best thing to do is phone the venue and ask. The times listed below are the normal times of opening. ANGEL DELIGHT The Venue (Top Floor), 15-21 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-557 0751. Every fourth Fri. Next dates: 6th Sep, 4th Oct. 10pm-3am. Superclub for women only with a percentage of profits going to charity. Resident DJ Michelle plus guest DJs special guests and acts. UKP6 or UKP5 concessions (UKP5 on the door before 11pm). Pre-club drinks at Habana or Nexus. E-mail: angeldelightsus@ hotmail.com 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. E-mail: admin@blackbos. com WWW: http://www.blackbos.com/ BLUE MOON* 1 Barony Street/36 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 2788 (Bar) or 0131-557 0911 (Office). Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-11.30pm. 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. C.C. BLOOM'S 23 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. Mon-Sat 7pm-3am, Sun 8pm-3am. Two floors. Karaoke on Thu and Sun. Disco every night from 10.30pm. 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. First and Third Sats of month from 8pm: a male only night aimed at leather, denim, rubber, skinhead, uniform and bears run in conjunction with the MSC Scotland Monthly Meeting and BearScots. E-mail: robin@scifipub99.freeserve.co.uk WWW: http://www.scifipub99.freeserve. co.uk/ EASYINTERNETCAFE 58 Rose Street. Tel: 0131-220 3580. Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 8am-11pm. Previously known as easyEverything. Large Internet Cafe from which many gay men seem to troll the net instead of just picking up each other! EDINBURGH LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL CENTRE* 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Houses Nexus Cafe-Bar, Pride Scotland and Massage for Health. Also provides meeting and noticeboard space for many lesbigay organisations. Private mailboxes available. FRENCHIES BAR* 89 Rose Street Lane North. Tel: 0131-225 7651. Mon-Sat 1pm-1am, Sun 2pm-Midnight. This vibrant gay bar (Edinburgh's oldest) is in the heart of Rose Street. Happy Hour 6-8pm every day. Karaoke Sun from 4-9pm. HABANA* 22 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-558 1270. Mon-Sat Noon-1am, Sun 12.30pm-1am. Centrally located pre club bar. Open and bright as well as quite intimate. Busy. Quizoke every Thu with John. Drink promos throughout the month - see ad for details. HOLYROOD TAVERN* 9a Holyrood Road. Tel: 0131-556 5044. Noon-12.45am. Edinburgh's best kept secret. Real ale in a gay friendly atmosphere. "If you must go on the scene, why not have some beer first?" Diverse Drinkers meet there on the first Mon of the month from 8pm - WWW: http://www.antipope.org/feorag/drinkers/Goths meet every Wednesday (perverts of all shapes and sizes most welcome!) from 9pm. JOY* Club Ego, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. JOY Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 10.30pm-3am (5am during Festival). Fortnightly Sat. Next date: 31st Aug. Joy is Scotland's most upfront gay club. On two levels. UKP8 members/UKP10 non-members. E-mail: clubjoy@blueyonder.co.uk. WWW: http://www.clubjoy.co.uk/ LAUGHING DUCK* 24 Howe Street. Tel: 0131-220 2376. Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-1pm, Sun 11.30am-11pm. After many years and several incarnations as a straight bar, the Duck is gay again. LEATHER AND LACE* 8 Drummond Street. Tel: 0131-557 9413. FAX: 0131-557 8336. 25 Easter Road. Tel: 0131-623 6969. Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun Noon-9pm. Scotland's ORIGINAL licenced SEX shops (formerly Fantasies) where you'll be made welcome by the very nice assortment of folk who work there! Toys galore, video rental too! Larger sizes stocked. LUSH!* Club Ego, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. Info Line: 07736 936650. 10.30pm-3am. Last Fri of each month. Commercial gay club. Dance, Poptunes with DJ's Dale & Craig (Planet Out/Joy/Saturday Social). UKP5 members, UKP6 non members. Pre-club party at Planet Out. WWW: http://www.clublush. co.uk/ LUVELY The Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street. Tel: 0131-225 2564. Info Line: 07711 307997. First Sat of each Month. 10pm-late. Mega club night with resident DJ's Tommy Kay, Newton & Stone, Jared and GP. WWW: http://www.luvely.net/ MASSAGE FOR HEALTH 58a/60 Broughton Street. Tel: 07761 002311 or 07970 921209. By appointment only. Massage therapy from qualified practitioners Anne and John. Meditation, Relaxation and Yoga Classes throughout the year - phone for details. E-mail: info@massageforhealth. co.uk WWW: http://www.massageforhealth. co.uk/ MINGIN' Studio 24, 24-26 Calton Road. Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 10.30pm-3am (5am during the Festival). Fortnightly Sat. Next date: 24th Aug. Alan Joy's dark, sexy, dirty trance night features Alan Joy himself on the decks plus Brian Dempster. UKP6 entry (UKP5 before midnight). E-mail: mingin@blueyonder.co.uk MSDEMEANOUR Phnix Cellar Bar under the Phnix Bar at 46 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-557 0234. Info Line: 07831 372154. Monthly. 8.30pm-1am. Next date: Sat 24th Aug - Open until 2.30am. Edinburgh's only regular T-Girl night club. TG's UKP4, Regular Mortals UKP5. E-mail: MsDemeanourUK@aol.com WWW: http://www.msdemeanour.co.uk/ NEW TOWN BAR* 26B Dublin Street. Tel: 0131-538 7775. Mon-Thu Noon-1am. Fri-Sat Noon-2am. Sun 12.30pm-1am. Especially popular with men. Cellar Bar open Fri & Sat with resident DJ from 10pm-2am - "Formerly Men Only - Now Mixed"! Also available for hire Sun-Thu. NEXUS CAFE-BAR* 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-478 7069. 11am-11pm. Great food and drink at reasonable prices. Internet access available. No EIGHTEEN* 18 Albert Place. Tel: 0131-553 3222. Sun-Fri Noon-10pm, Sat Noon-11pm. Long established sauna club for gay gentlemen! Facilities include large sauna cabin, 14 man steam room, 10 (very popular) private rooms, 8 man filtered jacuzzi, TV lounge with hot and cold refreshments available and friendly staff. UKP8 (UKP5 concessions). WWW: http://www.number18sauna.co.uk/ OOT: OUT ON TUESDAY* Stand Comedy Club, York Place. Tel: 0131-558 7272. Second Tue of each month. 9-11pm. Monthly gay comedy club in established comedy venue. Hot food. Real ale. E-mail: admin@thestand.co.uk WWW: http://www.thestand.co.uk/ OUT OF THE BLUE* 1 Barony Street. (Downstairs at the Blue Moon Cafe). Tel: 0131-478 7048. Mon-Fri 11am-7pm. Sat 11am-6pm. Sun Noon-6pm. Gay and lesbian store selling books, mags, videos, toys, wearing apparel, etc. OXYGEN Club Java, 39 Commercial Street, Leith. Tel: 0131-555 0007 or 07976 834195. Monthly. Next dates: Sat 24th Aug, Sat 21st Sep. 9pm-2am. Mixed club: "our doors are open if your mind is open". Members UKP8 before midnight or UKP10 after. Non members UKP10 all night. Come early for drinks promotions. Bring three friends and a taxi receipt to the cash desk and they will refund your taxi fare up to UKP4. WWW: http://www.cluboxygen. co.uk/ PLANET OUT* 6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-524 0061. Mon-Fri 4pm-1am, Sat-Sun 2pm-1am. Popular and busy gay bar with friendly staff. THE STAG & TURRET* 1-7 Montrose Terrace. Tel: 0131-661 6443. Noon-1am. Friendly gay local just round the corner from the Solas Centre. Can get quite busy. Karaoke on Fri from 8pm. SOLAS CAFE* 2/4 Abbeymount. Tel: 0131-661 0982. Tue & Thu 11am-7.30pm, Wed & Fri 11am-4pm. Attached to Solas HIV/AIDS 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. 10pm-3am. DJ Trendy Wendy. Mixed and crowded club night. WWW: http://hello.to/trendywendy/ TASTE The Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street. Tel: 0131-225 2564. Info Line: 0131-557 4656. Sun 11pm-3am during the festival 11.30pm-5am). DJs Fisher & Price play a progressive mix of garage and house in the Main Room with guests whilst Martin Valentine and Steven Wanless play garage and US house in the Back Room, to an up-for-it mixed/gay crowd. UKP6 Members/Guests UKP8 (UKP6/UKP10 on guest DJ nights). 18th Aug: Dimitri (Amsterdam). 25th Aug: Joint Taste/Luvely Bank Holiday Special. Residents from both clubs. Tickets UKP10/UKP8 in advance from Out of the Blue. UKP12 on the night. 15th Sep: Peter Doyle (Society, Liverpool). E-mail: contact-us@taste-clubs.com WWW: http://www. taste-clubs.com/ TOWNHOUSE SAUNA AND GYM* 53 East Claremont Street. Tel: 0131-556 6116. Sun-Thu Noon-11pm, Fri-Sat Noon-Midnight. Scotland's largest, featuring steam room, 20 person sauna, large Jacuzzi, new Kruze Video Zone, licensed bar and cafe, free weights gym, massage by appointment. Admission UKP9 (Concessions UKP6), Mon 18-22 years old FREE entry, Tue UKP2 before 2pm, Wed UKP12 per couple, Thu UKP6 entry before 4pm, Fri half price beers/spirits all day, Sun UKP5 for students. Annual Membership UKP2. Proudly gay owned and operated. WWW: http://www.gayscotland.com/townhouse/index1.htm VELVET CHAINS* Laughing Duck (Basement), 24 Howe Street. Tel: 0131-220 2376. Every six weeks. Next date: Fri 6th Sep. 8pm-1am. Dark atmospheric Goth fetish/BDSM club for Goths, GaySMers & Leather Bears. Strict dress-code: Goth fetish/leather/etc (no street clothing). Entry: UKP3 waged, UKP1 concessions. E-mail: velvetchains@operamail.com WWW: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk/velvetchains/ VIBE* Club Ego, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. Tue 11pm-3am. One nighter run by James Longworth. UKP2 members/UKP3 non-members. Sun 18th Aug: The Big White Summer Affair - Dress: Strictly Virgin White. UKP5 members/UKP6 non-members. E-mail: vibe@100ent.com WWW: http://www. vibetuesdays.com/ WEB 13* 13 Bread Street. Tel: 0131-229 8883. Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun Noon-6pm. Informal mixed cybercafe with homely and approachable staff. E-mail: queries@web13.co.uk WWW: http://www. web13.co.uk/ +FALKIRK KUDOS 1 Princes Street. Tel: (01324) 628100. 11am-1am. Gay friendly bar in the centre of town. Convenient for Grahamston station. +GLASGOW BENNETS DISCO 80-90 Glassford Street. Tel: 0141-552 5761. Tue-Sun 11pm-3am. Beautifully appointed busy club on two floors. Frequent PAs. Tuesdays are straight. WWW: http://www.bennets.co.uk/E-mail: BennetsWeb@ aol.com BURLY The Big Joint, 1084 South Street. Tel: 0141-954 6999. 10am-2am. Next date: Fri 20th Sep. New club night for the more mature members of the scene. Designed to be cruisy. WWW: http://www.dv8scots.co.uk/E-mail: dv8scots@hotmail.com CANDLE BAR* 20 Candleriggs. Tel: 0141-564 1285. Mon-Fri 4.30pm-Midnight, Sat-Sun Noon-Midnight. Upmarket bar in the heart of the Merchant City. Beautiful place with comfortable seating. Regular cabaret, karaoke and disco. CCA* 350 Sauchiehall Street. Tel: 0141-332 7521. FAX: 0141-332 3226. Sun-Thu 11am-11pm. Fri-Sat 11am-Midnight. The Centre for Contemporary Arts. Performance & exhibition spaces, Cafe/Bar, bookshop. E-mail: gen@cca-glasgow.com WWW: http://www.cca-glasgow.com/ CLONE ZONE* 45 Virginia St. Tel/FAX: 0141-553 2666. Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 1-7pm. Clothes, videos, magazines, toys. Has now moved out of the GGLC and into new premises a few doors North of their original shop. E-mail: admin@clonezone.co.uk WWW: http://www.clonezone.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. CUBE 34 & 44 Queen Street. Tel: 0141-226 8990. Mon-Tue 11pm-3am. Two-nighter with DJs Shawn and George. Various drinks promos. Entry UKP3. DELMONICA'S BAR 68 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 4803. Daily Noon-Midnight. Has recently shrunk during a refurb but we are pleased to confirm that the standard of service hasn't changed one iota. EASYINTERNETCAFE 57/61 St. Vincent Street. Tel: 0141-222 2365. 7am-10.30pm. Previously known as easyEverything. Large Internet Cafe from which many gay men seem to troll the net instead of just picking up each other! GLC CAFE/BAR* 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-226 5050. Daily 11am-Midnight. Full breakfast always available. Home cooking. Friendly and busy! Karaoke on Fri, Sat and Sun. GLASGOW LGBT CENTRE (GGLC)* 11 Dixon Street. Tel/FAX: 0141-221 7203. Daily 11am-Midnight. Welcomes lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered. Services include: Cafe Bar, Info Box, Health Info, Interest Groups, Free Newspapers, Diary of Events, Reading Room, Garden of Reflection, Function space for hire and innovative Art Gallery. Increasingly busy and popular! Fully wheelchair accessible venue. E-mail: lgbt.glasgow@gglc.org.uk WWW: http://www.gglc.org.uk/also see their Art Gallery: http://www.gglc.org.uk/index2.html 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. Not very busy. OOT IN GLASGOW* Stand Comedy Club, 333 Woodlands Road. Tel: 0870 600 6055. Second Wed of each month. 8.30-10.30pm. Monthly gay comedy club. E-mail: admin@thestand.co.uk WWW: http://www.thestand.co.uk/ THE POLO LOUNGE 84 Wilson Street. Tel: 0141-553 1221. Mon-Fri 5pm-1am, Sat-Sun Noon-3am. Smaller than previously but retains same attitude. WWW: http://www.pololounge.co.uk/ REVOLVER BAR* 6a John Street. Tel: 0141-553 2456. Noon-Midnight. A refreshing antidote to the current gay scene. Pool table, state of the art free jukebox (with over 6,000 tracks on it), reasonably priced drinks, good quality service, no karaoke. Food available at all times. E-mail: info@revolverdotbar.com WWW: http://www.revolverdotbar.com/ SADIE FROST'S 8-10 West George Street. Tel: 0141-332 8005. Noon-Midnight. Bar meals Noon-7pm. A mere shadow of its former self. 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. SPA 19* 19 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-572 0347. Sun-Fri Noon-10pm, Sat Noon-4am (All Nighter). Facilities include 2 sauna cabins, steamroom, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, Construction Zone, large rest area, private rest rooms, television lounge, smoking and non-smoking lounges, video monitors installed throughout premises. Free breakfasts on Sun. E-mail: spa_19uk@yahoo.co.uk TRON THEATRE CAFE BAR* Chisholm Street. Tel: 0141-552 8587. 10am-Late. Friendly theatre bar. Mixed. Good food. E-mail: boxoffice@tron.co.uk WWW: http://www.tron.co.uk/ VENOM Alaska, 142 Bath Street Lane. Tel: 0141-248 1777. Thu 11pm-3am. New one nighter which launched on 30th May. 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: 09099 108174 (60p per min at all times). BDSM and general pervery. Operates in Glasgow and Edinburgh. E-mail: info@violate.co.uk WWW: 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 Beti Hutton seal of approval. +INVERNESS SLEEPERS Station Square, Academy Street. Tel: (01463) 231926. Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri 11am-1am, Sat 11am-12.30am. Sun Noon-11pm. Inverness's main gay-friendly establishment. Smart hotel bar. Gayest on Wed and Fri evenings. +KIRKCALDY FEUARS ARMS 66 Commercial Street. Tel: (01592) 269056. Mon-Thu 11.30am-3pm & 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-Midnight, Sun 12.30pm-Midnight. Mixed venue. Traditional pub (in the Good Beer Guide) serving real ale to a wide clientele. Listed Grade B - fascinating Gents lavatory (and three resident Spirits). +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: Until 7.30pm). Near to railway station. Mixed, busy, bohemian and friendly bar/bistro. Popular with students and Sons/Daughters of the Rock alike. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ScotsGay: a monthly magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. ScotsGay 60/- Light appears in odd numbered months, whilst ScotsGay 80/- Heavy appears in even numbered months. ISSN: 1357-0595. Edited, printed and published in Scotland. (c) Pageprint Limited, August 2002. PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. 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: 0845 1208062 or 0131-539 0666. Fax: 0131-539 2999 E-mail: scotsgay@drink.demon. co.uk. WWW: 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. To Unsubscribe: send an 'unsubscribe scotsgay-list' message to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk - please *do not* include the quote marks with your message. In either case, please ensure that your message is in the body (NOT header of the message) and that MIME and HTML options are switched OFF. Our listserver can only accept ASCII text. If you do not understand this, please consult your ISP or Sysadmin.