SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a monthly magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland ScotsGay 80/- Heavy - Issue 67 - December 2005 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 Publishing Limited 2005. 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) GBP8 6 issue sub (Overseas) GBP15 12 issue sub (UK & EC) GBP15 12 issue sub (Overseas) GBP28 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 Letters Ren's Story LGBT History Month Tony Challis - Idaho East Doctor Who Bound & Gagged Glasgow Dundee Edinburgh Aberdeen Scottish Media Monitor International News Problem Page Books To Know About Arts To Know About Films To Know About Voice Personals Boxes - The ScotsGay Meet Market Helplines and Switchboards Listings Venues ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= OLD GIT WRITES Such is the pace of life at ScotsGay Towers that we often miss our own anniversaries. Not this year. The sight and sound of two of our rats leaving the sinking ship - Otton off to sun himself in Spain and Tivoli off to freeze into obscurity in Aberdeen warmed only by Cutearse - has reminded us of the frailty of the whole enterprise. Then there's the rat who missed the boat entirely this month - no names, no pack drill, but cuteness is no excuse especially at his age. Anyway, next time we see him, it's into the sack and dispose of humanely (to the sack). The organ in your paws is the first issue of our twelfth year of continuous publication and by golly does it show. The careful design and craftspersonship that went into our first few issues has given way to something that's carelessly thrown together in a spare hour or so when we're not all drinking the magazine's vast profits in the Regent. (Oi! don't upset the designer - check out the banner headline - Martin.) And the journalism has got more careless too - even to the extent of the magazine being excluded from the New Town by Ray and Andy for not mentioning them enough (I blamed a rat but Ray wasn't having any). A far cry from the carefully measured words of yore which got us turfed out of Bennets, Demonica's and the Polo. But behind all this false modesty, there is a hard working team - depleted tho' it may be after this month - which somehow manages to get the mag out, generally within a few days of the unadvertised date. Where would we be without them? Thanks. Sincerely. The festive season approaches - so spare a thought for all the poor buggers on their own - be it as a result of lack of partner and friends or of absence of partner and friends who have chosen to fuck off to the parents without them. As any real lesbian knows, the answer to this hole at Xmas (and any other time of the year) is Felix Domesticus - preferably several of them. There are many animal charities who will be glad to help (especially in the New Year when the kids are tired of the kittens - personally, I'd hand the kids into the Social Work Department, but there you are). But this isn't really the time of the year to be rude or unduly offensive to pissing children, passing homophobes or pausing ScotsGay readers - so, may all your Partnerships be Civil. And have a Guid New Year - when it comes. Or you do. John Hein E-mail: editorial@scotsgay.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS ==== *Civil Partnership Act Becomes Law On 5th December 2005, the Civil Partnership Act, which received Royal Assent on 18th November 2004, became law. On 1st October, 1989, two Danes became the first couple to enter a same-sex civil union, registreret partnerskab. In the sixteen years since then, over 22 countries, including the UK, have taken the step of providing legal and formal recognition to samesex relationships: eight in the decade following Denmark's change to the law, as many again in the first five years of the 21st century, and half a dozen more in 2005 alone. Of the 25 countries in the European Union, nearly half now offer some legal recognition to same-sex couples, ranging from full civil marriage in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, to domestic partnerships in Portugal and Slovenia. It must be remembered what an extraordinary change this is. Until 1981, sex between men was illegal in Scotland, even in private: Section 28 of the Local Government Act, forbidding 'promotion of homosexuality', and calling same-sex couples and their children 'pretended family units', was not repealed until 2000, despite a campaign in its support that was ugly in its public homophobia. Discrimination at work on the grounds of sexual orientation was legal in the UK until 2003. Even today, it is still legal to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation in provision of goods and services, though this may change with the passing of the Equality Bill. Civil partnership in the UK makes samesex couples legally each other's next of kin, requires the couple to provide for each other and support each other and each other's children. LGBT relationships were, until 5th December, virtually invisible to the law: from 5th December, this invisibility is lifted. Cohabiting same-sex couples will find their relationship recognised as 'living together as civil partners'. Equality under the law brings new responsibilities and costs as well as benefits. But it is still a change worth celebrating. Civil Partnership - Summary The Equality Network's leaflet, Civil Partnership in Scotland, has been made available to registry offices and public libraries throughou Scotland. You can also find out more about civil partnership at their Civil Partnership website, http://www.civilpartners. org/ 'Scotland will be stronger and more successful if we celebrate diversity and the ways in which different cultures, ideas and experiences enrich Scottish life.' Malcolm Chisholm, Communities Minister, in response to the Civil Partnership Act becoming law. A civil partnership is registered by a local registration office, and the ceremony is carried out by a public registrar licensed to perform civil partnerships. Once legally registered, a civil partnership is binding for life, unless dissolved by a court action. (Dissolution of a civil partnership is as expensive and time-consuming as divorce.) Civil partnership gives same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities with regard to property, tax, employment, inheritance, and housing, as married couples have always had. Civil partners can have the same rights as spouses (or widowers, for survivor benefits) with regard to pensions, though it is always safest to contact the pension provider and ask. Civil partnership also gives same-sex couples the right of recognition for immigration and nationality purposes, protection from domestic violence, exemption from testifying against each other in court, recognition as each other's next of kin, and the right and responsibility to support and provide for each other and each other's children. *Lost And Found Nine 'lost' Edinburgh panels from the famous AIDS Memorial Quilt have been returned to the capital. The Quilt was first conceived 20 years ago this year when a group of gay men in San Francisco got together and made plans for a memorial to the 1000 people from that city who had at that time been lost to HIV. By 1992, the AIDS Memorial Quilt included panels from 28 countries including Britain, and today there are thought to be over 44,000 individual panels of the Quilt, each remembering an individual who died of an AIDS related illness. The returned Edinburgh panels are thought to have been 'lost' over seven years ago when they were loaned to an HIV support charity in Wales for an educational and commemorative exhibition there. But the person who arranged the loan, a man with Edinburgh connections, left the Welsh organisation soon after the Quilts arrived there. Voluntary HIV support worker Frances Elliston, who lost her own son to the disease in the early 1990s, has been storing the Edinburgh panels in a box in her front room ever since, 'The Edinburgh guy just left. He never said a word. He left in a bit of a hurry. We couldn't understand. ' Without a forwarding address for her former colleague, Frances tried for many years to get in touch with another contact she had in Edinburgh, "Honestly, we spent many, many hours trying to contact a guy I knew in Edinburgh called Ian - I can't remember his second name - I only met him a few times when he was down here visiting - Oh, the times I've written to him, phoned him, but it was either an answering machine or no answer at all."! What Frances didn't realise was that her friend in Scotland, Ian Dunn, a veteran gay rights campaigner, had died suddenly of a heart attack in March 1998. That was the reason he wasn't answering her letters and phone calls; that was the reason she couldn't return the quilts. And so the nine Edinburgh quilt panels remained in a box in her front room for over seven years. Until, that is, last summer. Then, Frances' friend Greg travelled from Wales to Edinburgh to take part in the Pride Scotia gay pride march and celebrations that were taking place in the city over the weekend of the 25th of June. While there, he picked up a flyer advertising an exhibition of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, an event also organised by Pride Scotia in association with the George House Trust, an HIV support group in Manchester. The exhibition poignantly ran through the period of the G8 summit, where the problem of HIV and AIDS in Africa was being discussed. 'Greg showed me the flyer and I thought: 'At last! I've got an address I can write to that might work'. 'Frances sent the panels, at her own expense, to St Georges West Church, where the exhibition was taking place. Exhibition organisers Pride Scotia have now found a permanent home for the returned Quilts at the Waverley Care Trust. Names on the Quilts: David Andrew Fernley, 11 May 1966 - 20 July 93 David G. Smith, 15 March 1957 - 22 March 1993 Rob Walsh, undated Margaret McKenzie, 1963 to 1995 Fen, undated Pip, 1972 - 1996 Crispin, undated Michael Oxley, 1953 - 1992 A ninth panel is anonymous. Frances Elliston is pleased the quilt panels have finally found their way home, "They're back where they belong. That's the way I feel about it. The loved ones of these people worked so hard to make these panels. There's real love in these quilts. They're so precious. And they're back in Scotland where they belong." *Sons And Fathers Has your relationship fallen apart? Maybe a certain situation or event has pushed you to the limit? Do you want some help to get back on track? A TV company is offering fathers and sons the journey of a lifetime to try and work things out. Continuous support and help will be at hand through-out.If you or anyone you know would benefit from this experience, please Email: info1@screamfilms.com or Tel: 020- 8996 5573. (Sons aged 18-29 only please). *Up And Away James Longworth, well kent Eton Slut and promoter of a number of notorious Edinburgh club nights, has qualified as an airline pilot. *Old Boys Network Caffmos, the Internet based group for older men and their admirers, will be having their next Edinburgh social in Habana from 2pm on Mon 16th Jan. *Kirk On HIV/AIDS The Church of Scotland has added their support to the National AIDS Trust's campaign to make employers aware that it has become illegal to discriminate against people living with HIV in the workplace. The Disability Discrimination Act has been extended to include HIV from the moment of diagnosis. So it is best practice for employers to have an HIV and AIDS policy in place to address issues which might arise, especially stigma and discrimination. The Kirk's HIV/AIDS Project Co-ordinator, Nigel Pounde, said, "HIV and AIDS-related stigma arises mostly from fear and ignorance about the disease. It may be further fuelled by hostility and existing prejudices towards the groups most affected. It becomes discrimination when people are unfairly treated in the workplace on the basis of their actual or suspected HIV status." *Police Together Over 100 police officers and LGBT community leaders took part in a seminar hosted by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland at the Scottish Police Training College at Tulliallan. "An Age of Consent - Policing the LGBT Community" was the culmination of several years of work by the ACPOS LGBT Reference Group in changing attitudes to the LGBT communities within the Scottish Police Service. *Dumfries A new club night for LGBT people and their friends from Dumfries and Galloway will have its next outing at the 102 Club in English Street on Fri 20th Jan. Thereafter, it will be held on the last Fri of each month. *Blue Bonnets Moist/Ballisticz, the friendly clothing and paraphenalia shop in Galashiels, has been attacked by local churches following their application for permission to sell mucky videos (they already stock ScotsGay). Over 60 objections have been made to the local council - most of these are pretty silly eg "there is a pedestrian crossing outside the shop". Shona Jackson told ScotsGay, "We received copies of the objections today, and were fairly insulted as to the attitude of a lot of the church goers comments - it appears that we are encouraging pædophiles and sex offenders by having our shop - one million miles away from the main customer demographic of our actual customers who are middle aged married and gay couples!" "I think a lot of work still has to be done in the Borders to disperse a lot of the stigma surrounding people's sexual orientation, especially as we are promoting sexual health, and find it digusting that myself who is also a youth worker and Helen who works for Barnardo's should be put in the same paragraph as pædophiles (all of these comments were made by people who attend churches)." *Xmas Cheer Edinburgh's annual LGBT Community Carol Service takes place on Sun 18th Dec at 6pm at Augustine United Church 41 George IV Bridge,Edinburgh. Organised by Metropolitan Community Church of Edinburgh and featuring a special performance by Edinburgh's LGBT Choir "Loud & Proud", all are welcome to this special festive event irrespective of faith background, sexuality or gender identity. A collection will be taken which will be shared equally between Waverley Care, Edinburgh's local HIV support organisation, and the Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe which works with children who have lost their parents to HIV. *Aberdeen College A new LGBT group is being set up in the Students Association. It meets each Mon at 4.30pm in the SA, Gallowgate. FREE WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS We're pleased to announce that ScotsGay is now sponsoring free Wi-Fi Internet access in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centre at 58a/60 Broughton Street, Edinburgh. Coverage is currently restricted to the front room of Sala and the main meeting room downstairs, but our boffin is working on boosting the signal. ScotsGay - Working for OUR Community ----------------------------------------------------------------------- LETTERS ======= The Edinburgh Evening News recently published an article about gay police which upset Lothian and Borders Chief Constable Paddy Tomkins so much that he not only wrote to the Evening News but also asked us to publish his response as well. I refer to the article by your columnist Helen Martin on Monday this week which attempted to belittle the work of the Scottish police service in our engagement with the communities we serve, while managing simultaneously to insult many of my colleagues of all ranks, gay and straight, who were quick to contact me to express their outrage. Ms Martin suggests that the police service should recruit a "quota" of staff from minority communities so long as we can see that they are visibly different but we shouldn't bother with the lesbian, gay bisexual or transgender community because they are just like us, unless they are "behaving in a homosexual manner". Perhaps we could apply this thinking to our Catholic staff or possibly those with a disability that is not visible: out of sight out of mind? I think the Scottish public have a greater level of sophistication than she credits them with. Ms Martin then states that she cannot imagine any area of sexual orientation other than "rent boy activity" which should concern the police. Perhaps she is unaware of the hate crime nail bombing of the "Admiral Duncan" public house which killed three people and maimed 139 other patrons solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. Equally, the recent brutal murder of Jody Dobrowski in London, the most recent in a line of innocents kicked to death for the entertainment of thugs who were only too interested in his sexual orientation. I agree that sexual orientation is an intensely private matter but I would contend there are still too many people who have a malicious interest in such matters and it is our duty to safeguard all members of our community. If any of your readers doubt the need for positive measures to tackle homophobia they should consider whether such bigoted stereotypes would have been printed if they had related to issues of race. Paddy Tomkins Chief Constable Lothian and Borders Police ----------------------------------------------------------------------- LGBT HISTORY MONTH by Daniel Donaldson February 2006 will see LGBT History Month return to Scotland. February has been designated LGBT History Month throughout the UK. Building on the success of last year's events, LGBT History Month aims to illuminate the hidden histories of those, who would probably today identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans (LGBT). LGBT Youth Scotland the national LGBT Youth agency will be hosting a number of projects across Scotland. Events are planned for Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow with others in the pipeline. Commenting on the proposed events Sean Green (18) of Edinburgh said: "Young people don't know how different life is for gay folk now than say, 10 or 20 years ago. 15 years ago, my boyfriend and I could have been arrested for something as simple as kissing, and the word transgender didn't even exist. "When you think of it like that, you can see why LGBT History is important to remember." LGBT History Month will be community focused. Events will range from art installations to fashion shows, workshops to music events and will feature a Ministerial Reception to be hosted by the Scottish Executive. LGBT history month not only illuminates the hidden histories of those, who would probably today identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans but is also is an opportunity for all of us to learn more about their lives and celebrate their contribution to society. Richard Holloway, a friend of the LGBT community in Scotland and a patron of LGBT Youth said: "LGBT history month throws a light back onto the hidden histories of men and women in the past who would today identify themselves as LGBT. LGBT History Month is an opportunity for all of us to learn more about their lives and celebrate their contribution to society." Unfortunately, many of the LGBT persons throughout history are selectively ignored or their achievements only mildly accredited. Alan Turing is such an example. Alan Turing, who is widely acknowledges to have been the father of all computers, substantially helped the war effort by assisting in the cracking of the Enigma code. Alan was also gay but his achievements are largely unknown, like so many others. On a more local level, community activists such as Steve Retson and Ian Dunn are names that are rarely heard of outside their circle of friends. While LGBT equality has come a long way in the past 20 years, it is important to remember that until recently couples of the same-sex could not have a legally recognised relationship, and at this time, it is still legal to discriminate against LGBT persons in the provision of both goods and services. It was only through the successful campaigning of the LGBT community that same-sex civil partnerships have come into being and likewise, the Government at Westminster has announced that it intends to legislate to outlaw discrimination in the provision of both goods and services. FUSION, the LGBT Youth volunteer group are actively involved in History Month. The group is planning a variety performance to take place in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh in February. Glasgow Caledonian University LGBT Society has planned a series of workshops on sexual health and drug use while also running several presentations and other events. LGBT Youth will be working together with VIVID Youth and LIPS pulling together a project in Glasgow and the Aberdeen LGBT Society and Youth Council with a Project in the Granite City. Daniel E-mail: daniel.donaldson@lgbtyouth.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- REN'S STORY =========== My name is Ren. I was born a boy and it wasn't until I was 18 I found the label transgender, although I realised I was different when I hit puberty. Up until I was 15 I just felt like a kid, my parents didn't raise me to do laddish things but I don't think that effects who you grow up to be. I didn't tell my friends or family straightaway but started to tell girlfriends from 18 onwards once I started having more serious relationships. It didn't go down well, a few said they wouldn't mind if I took hormones but no-one was comfortable with the idea of me getting surgery. I've always hated this because apart from a few straight girls, who perhaps understandably felt awkward, the majority of girls I dated were bisexual and I couldn't see why they had a problem with it. I've learned over the years that being transgender is easier for me to deal with than other people, even though I'm the one going through it. I'm not getting a different personality, I might look different but I'll still be the same person. People think that some transgender people change personally because they feel they have to act very manly before they start transitioning, but then feel like they should act stereotypically feminine. I wanted to talk to a doctor from the age of 18 but didn't till I was 21, in Jan 2005. I wish I had gone earlier but they probably would have thought I was too young. I still get told that I'm very young just now at 22 - to be so sure of doing something which will dramatically affect my life. I have a lot of people backing me up now and they all say they think I'm doing what's right. Ten months later in Nov 2005, I got to speak to a general Psychologist. Apart from when I get told I'll be on a waiting list to get surgery, this was probably the longest ten months I think I'll ever remember. Seeing the psychologist wasn't scary at all compared to telling my doctor earlier in Jan, as she didn't seem to think I knew what I was talking about. She asked me if I wore girls clothes and why my hairstyle was boyish. I did want to point out that walking around dressed as a girl might well make me liable to getting my head kicked in, but a mixture of fear and common sense made me keep my mouth shut. Once you tell one person, you find it easier every time anyone questions you. The Psychologist asked lots of questions but told me he could see no reason why I should need to worry. That was the best news anyone has ever told me. I was worried I'd get told I wouldn't be able to get treatment, but the Psychologist said it was up to me what happened. Now even though I know I'll have to talk to a gender psychologist before I can start hormones, which take years to take full effect and then wait even longer before I can get surgery, I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere. I'm seeing a gender psychologist this month, so I'm hoping I can start hormone treatment early in 2006. The hardest thing I find about being transgender isn't the hormones and surgery. The hardest thing is trying to get close to people hoping they'll accept me for who I want to be, not who I am. How will I get on? I'll let you know. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IDAHO EAST ========== by Tony Challis Imagine you live with and love another man. You hear the news that your lover has been knocked down and killed. The driver was obviously drunk, but the driver was a policeman. What would you reaction be? Now, imagine you are living in a country where gay sex is illegal and where popular homophobia is rife. This is a state where authority does not like to be questioned, and where 'trouble-makers' are frequently arrested and not gently treated. What would you do then? How will you focus and express your distress? I know a man who had just this experience in a part of what was the Soviet Union. There are numerous countries where such a situation is quite possible today. This is what makes 'IDAHO' really valuable and significant. No not the rather thinly populated American state, but the International Day Against Homophobia. Never heard of it? Well, it's a very recent innovation. In 2006, it will be focusing on Moscow, where the first ever Gay Pride and Conference will be held on Sat 27th May. European Members of Parliament are due to attend this. On the Thu 25 and Fri 26 May preceding the march, there will be a celebration of Scandinavian and Russian Homoculture. (Big contrast there! Though there was quite a flowering of Russian gay culture in the early years of the twentieth century). An Oscar Wilde event is also planned. More can be found out about IDAHO on Fri 7th April at 7:30pm at Conway Hall in London, where Louis-Georges Tin, the founder of IDAHO will be talking at a GALHA (Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association) meeting. People from all LGBT groups and non will be welcome, it is hoped that Ken Livingstone and a representative of an Iranian gay group will be there. Further details of all the above can be obtained from Derek Lennard at E-mail: dmlennard@blueyonder.co.uk if you wish to attend the Moscow event Derek would be delighted to hear from you. I have yet to hear of an IDAHO related meeting in Scotland, but watch this space in case one is mooted. We all know how lucky we are to live in a society as tolerant as ours at present, even though there is still a long way to go. There remain many people here who would and do happily spread antigay propaganda. Regular readers of Gary Otton's column will be well aware of that. The existence of extensive gay apprehension in many other countries is something that only emboldens such people and let's them think they can call us 'abnormal' and 'unnatural'. Therefore it is in our own interests to support attempts to obtain gay rights in those countries where such rights do not exist. We know about the purges on British gays as recently as the 1950's, the amount of entrapment that has occurred more recently, the homophobic bullying that still goes on in our schools, and the people who still legally speak hatred against us. It might be nice to see an Incitement to Homophobic Hatred Bill in Parliament. Therefore, we can feel for those who suffer much greater apprehension abroad. If each of us makes a stand we can make a difference. Tony E-mail: tony_challis@hotmail.com Tony writes for the Gay and Lesbian Humanist ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DOCTOR WHO ========== "Breath in deep... You feel that pounding in your heart, that tightness in the pit of your stomach, the blood rushing to your head? Do you know what that is? That's adventure. The thrill and the fear and the joy of stepping into the unknown. That's why we're all here and that's why we're alive!" Dr Who first appeared on television on 23 November 1963. And it's had a troubled history. Axed in 1989, brought back for a one off TV film in 1996, axed again, and then finally re-resurrected in 2005 by the openly gay Queer as Folk writer Russell T Davies. But, back up. Before the latest incarnation of Dr Who hit our screens - during its long hiatus - old episodes were repeated every weekend on UKTV Gold, a library of new adventures were published by Virgin books, endless comic book stories were produced and a wealth of fan fiction grew and grew. The show never died in the eyes of the public. "Dr Who fans,"ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston, recently observed, "are legion." So back in 1999, to satisfy demand, Big Finish Productions, were given a licence by the BBC to produce new Dr Who fiction in audio. The first story, The Sirens of Time, featured Peter Davison, Colin Baker and the Dunoon born actor Sylvester McCoy (the fifth, sixth and seventh Doctors.) The story was greeted with critical acclaim, and the audio adventures have continued to be produced and enjoyed ever since. Guest stars have included Stephen Fry, Stuart Lee, Mark Gattis (The League of Gentleman), Matt Lucas (Little Britain), David Soul, James Fox, Melvyn Hayes and David Benson, as well as many actors who played assistants, companions and enemies in the classic series. Now, in 2006, the openly gay Glaswegian comedian Charlie Ross has become the latest famous fan to join the Dr Who Big Finish universe. He plays a baddie who is pit against the eighth Doctor, Paul McGann, in a brand new story by Eddie Robson, called Memory Lane. "It's a dark, comic piece with a twist" enthuses Charlie, "It's a traditional Dr Who story of the best kind. Good writing, great acting, solid storytelling." Charlie has been a Dr Who fan his whole life. He grew up watching Tom Baker and Peter Davison "Who I've been lucky enough to meet"and often includes Dr Who material in his stand up act. "In the latest classic DVD release, The City of Death, the Doctor and his assistant, Romana, are forced by an evil alien into making a time machine. So we cut to Romana wiring a domestic plug!"Charlie grins. "It's like, where do we plug this time machine in? What's worse is that the story is set in France and the plug is a British three pin..." I point out that I thought - as Dickens might say - he was a fan? "That's the beauty of Dr Who. Fans see the errors, the weaknesses and the strengths. As well as regular stand up gigs I perform Dr Who gags at SF and Who conventions. The beauty of performing at conventions is that you need very little time to set the joke up - in fact they can tell you almost instantly the exact date and time that the episode you are talking about was transmitted. Fans are not precious about the show... they are affectionate." Carry out a cursory online Google Search of Dr Who groups and it quickly becomes apparent that more than a fair share of the show's fan base is gay. Indeed, there are gay men at every level of Dr Who fandom, be it the local Edinburgh group, or the guy currently in charge of the TV series. "There is no question that there are many, many gay Dr Who fans out there. The Doctor is not the traditional hero. He doesn't carry a gun, and would rather use his intelligence than his machismo to get out of problems. Despite having endless attractive female assistants, he never seems to notice them in a sexual way. In fact he doesn't seem the least bit interested in sex at all. When you're growing up gay, you can identify with an asexual man much more than with a macho heterosexual one. "Add to that the pure escapism of it all. The Doctor can step into a cupboard (the TARDIS) and go anywhere in the universe, in any time. Surely that has to be the ultimate fantasy?" I wonder what I'd do with such a machine? Find out how the dinosaurs were wiped out? Repair an old damaged relationship? Get next Saturday's lottery numbers? "That's just it... the possibilities with a time machine are endless... the show was only ever held back by its own budgetary limitations." These limitations however, did not apply to the new series. The 2005 television version of Dr Who quickly became a huge success. Millions tuned in every week - not even Ant and Dec or the new Star Wars film could compete in the ratings. "I missed episode 2 - The End of the World," laments Charlie, "I was away skiing. Set my timer to record the show but forgot about the clocks going forward. Ironic, to miss the Time Lord over a problem with time." And the new series pushed the boundaries further than Dr Who ever had before. Delightfully, Davies slipped a brief gay reference into practically every episode - right from the season opener. Then in episode 9, The Empty Child, the implicit gay references became explicit with the introduction of the first pre-watershed non soap character that was openly and obviously bisexual. Captain Jack Harkness (played by Glasgow born gay actor, John Barrowman) debuted in a world war two scene dressed in an Air Force uniform spying Rose (Billie Piper) hanging from a rope attached to an air balloon. After commenting "Nice bottom," he goes to rescue her, but not before slapping a male soldier (Robert Sands) on the arse and commenting "You have a nice bottom too." Captain Jack goes on to flirt with both male and female guest characters throughout the series until, in the last episode; he kisses both Rose and The Doctor on the lips. For those who remember the fuss surrounding the gay kiss in Coronation Street, the fact that an openly bisexual male could be seen on screen kissing a woman, then a man, in a family drama, without fuss from public or media, was a huge breakthrough. Now Captain Jack will have his own post watershed series in Torchwood, again devised by Russell T Davies, which will air in the autumn of 2006. Davies promises that Torchwood will be "sexy and action packed" and explore themes that "will be suitable for a post watershed drama." In the meantime, while you wait, catch the tenth Doctor, portrayed by Paisley born, David Tennant (himself a frequent guest actor on Big Finish audios and co-star of the latest Harry Potter film) in The Christmas Invasion at 7pm on BBC1 on 25th December. Encouragingly, in a recent Radio 4 interview, Tennant hinted that the Doctors own sexuality will be "gently probed"over the actor's first season in the role. "I saw David Tennant as The Doctor for the first time on the Children in Need special he did with Billie."Grins Charlie, "It was only a brief five-minute episode, but it was enough to convince me that the Scots lad is going to make a really great Doctor." Fantastic. Martin Walker E-mail: mgwuk@hotmail.com *The Doctor Dances (episode 10) The Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack realise they must pass the army guardsman - Algie, to get to the bombsite. Rose: Are the words "distract the guard" heading in my general direction? Captain Jack: I don't think that's such a good idea. Rose: Don't worry I can handle it. Captain Jack: Trust me, I've gotten to know Algie quite well since I've been here. You're not his type. I'll distract him. Don't wait up! Rose looks put out. Captain Jack had been flirting with her - now he is making his moves on a man. The Doctor: Don't worry, he's a 51st century guy - he's just a little more flexible when it comes to dancing. Rose: What do you mean? The Doctor: Well by his time you lot are spread over half the galaxy. Rose: Meaning? The Doctor: So many species, so little time. *Top 6 Websites: Gay Dr Who group http://www.tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/gaywhovians/ Edinburgh Dr Who group http://www.edinburghwho.co.uk/ Big Finish Audio website http://www.doctorwho.co.uk/ The best Dr Who fan site http://www.gallifreyone.com/ Charlie Ross official website http://www.charlieross.co.uk/ Dr Who official website http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- BOUND AND GAGGED ================ Welcome pervs and pervesses to the best BDSM column in Scotland, well OK, the only BDSM column in Scotland! Similarly to last month we have a number of moves on the BDSM scene. It would seem that just like on the Gay scene, the Xmas period accentuates the normal greed and avarice of venue owners. Thus House of Principles, Nightshade and even Rebound, have found themselves being pushed out of their venues. Obviously this makes fantastic financial sense, push out an organisation that books a venue for twelve months of the year, for a bunch of pissed up office attending arseholes who will never darken your doors for the following eleven months. Brilliant, definitely another business school graduate! Fortunately, Rebound organised another venue at the last minute, well done them. To the other clubs, better luck in the New Year. Now to something more positive: Scotland's longest running munch which will next be held on Wed 4th Jan 2006, from 8pm at The Balcony, Ward Road, Dundee. They will be seated upstairs in the small room to the right - just follow the F&T Munch signs. Any singletons wishing a meet and greet or anyone wishing further information, please E-mail: fifeandtaysidemunch@ yahoo.co.uk Onto home territory, the Glasgow Munch, which is normally held at the warm and welcoming Admirals Bar on Waterloo Street, will for one month ONLY be held at the new club 'Rebound' venue at 30 Dora Street, Dalmarnock, Glasgow. This is down to some confusion with the date and the new owners of the Admirals Bar and all will return to blissful normality in the New Year. It runs from 8pm until kicking out time, on the 4th Thu of the month, in this case 22nd Dec (my birthday!). So, as usual, bring along an item of food and for this month only booze will be on a BYOB basis. However there will be soft drinks available for a moderate charge and glasses and ice will be available, along with tea and coffee. Your meeters and greeters are Bumhug and Simply D, lovely people and very welcoming. Dress code is street clothes, casual wear or something festive! You will notice from the above example that people often use a pseudonym, mine for example is Mistress Anya. So feel free to do likewise. If you are free on Wed 19th Jan, happen to be in Edinburgh and want to meet people with similar interests, all you have to do is swan along to the Holyrood Tavern on Holyrood Road. The Munch will be in the back room, walk past the bar, buying drink on the way and join in. The fun starts at 8pm, but you can turn up at anytime up until Midnight, when the place shuts. They do serve coffee, but not food. Now onto the clubs. 'Rebound', a very popular Glasgow club, has moved once again, due to the shortsightedness of the event manager at the Bastille. So 'Rebound' now has its own private venue which is being converted into a permanent home for this very popular club. The next club night will be Sat 14th Jan 2006. Doors will open at 8pm and close at 2am. The entrance fee is GBP10 on the door. Dress code is fetish and/or black. Location is 30 Dora Street, Dalmarnock, Glasgow. As of next month there will be an alcohol free bar service i.e. glasses, ice and soft drinks will be available, alcohol will be on a BYOB basis. Transport details are available on both the club website and their yahoo group: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ReboundClub or http://www.reboundglasgow.com/ Now to an old favourite, club 'Violate' next takes place on Sat 7th Jan 2006 at the Big Joint, 1084 South Street, Scotstoun. A very popular event, this club welcomes a mixed crowd of all ages. Music is provide by DJ Loveless - a mix of Dance and Rock. A play area is set up in the large back room and food is included in the ticket price. As an introduction to the BDSM scene this club night is ideal. Doors open at 8pm club runs until 2am, doors close at Midnight. Tickets are GBP10 on the door or GBP5 for members. A quick note on 'Nightshade': the event planned for 17th Dec has been cancelled, due to loss of the venue, for further details please check the website: http:/www.nightshadeclub. org/ DV8 is a monthly fetish club held in the atmospheric cellars of the Spiders Web Pub on Morrison Street, Haymarket, Edinburgh. Entry price is only GBP5 for members. Membership costs GBP10 for a year and is available to anyone who has been to at least two previous DV8 events. Guests can be brought in by a member for GBP10. The doors open at 8pm, You may pose on the equipment for your own photos until the club starts at 9.30pm. NO cameras including cameras on phones allowed from 9.30pm onwards. The club runs from 9.30pm until 1.30am. Any questions or venues you would like listed contact me on my E-mail address below. You can also reach me on the following forums: http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/ or http://www.bondage.com/ where I am registered as Mistress_Anya. You heard what they say about payback. Well I'm the bitch! Mistress Anya E-mail: Mistress_Anya@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GLASGOW ======= Crimbo comes but once a year and Santa's sack is bulging! Well, here we are again - 'Yule' the winter festival of the Celts! Or, to most of us, the time when we are asked to pay to come into our own city centre at Hogmanay! Yes, it's true, most places will be putting their prices up for entry and for most other things as well! If you're not going out, just cast your mind back to that ill thought out party that you had, the cat has still not forgiven you! Or worse, spending too much time with family at this time of year. In sheer boredom, if nothing else, you will be rearranging the tree balls in pairs, calling your dad's best mate 'Trixi' and chatting up the next-door neighbours! It may cost more, but at some point over the season you are all going to 'scene it,' you know you are! Best deal (as always) for Hogmanay is the LGBT Centre - they will be doing their festive bit for the community at the cheapest price in town with raffles, games and lots of fun! Coco in Jamaica Street is doing a special 'First Hogmanay' kinda thing in their lovely newly done up establishment, with lots of sweet young things to serve your every need - what better way to welcome in the bells! Bennets is where many traditionalists still like to have a swallow or two at the appointed hour and some will still be parked by their drinks in the Polo when the time draws near (even if they have been there since opening)! to raise a glass - although The Polo certainly seem to have ruffled some feathers on the Internet: http://www.thepololongesucks.com/ If you do Fancy something more than just a wee bit different how about a boat party? Melting Pot's New Year Nautical Adventure (tickets from 'Tickets Scotland,' 239 Argyle St, 0141-204 5151). Starting at 9.30pm. the boat leaves the Broomielaw and later you are whisked off to the Riverside Club in Fox Street. I know! Costs GBP25 or GBP15 if it's just the club without the boat. Loads of very drunk people on the River Clyde until the small hours with only sailors and seagulls for company, but i thought that I should let you all know about in case there were any nautical types among you! If it's really all too much and all you want is a nice quiet way of welcoming 2006 then why not do so in one of the bars? Icon is doing a low key night at Hogmanay and this may well be more to your taste! If you want something a wee bit spicier but not too hot, try next door in the Merchant Pride and enjoy the cabaret. Revolver is a favourite for many with its small intimate feel and welcoming atmosphere. I cannot really speak for the 'last order' times in any of these and you may well have spotted that just like the Tron geography places all these venues in the heart of the action, so to speak! If any of you have braved Glasgow's out doors Hogmanay extravaganza, then you know what to expect, but if you are a virgin, then please listen! Wrap Up, all those jumpers you never wear because they're 'so yesterday' will make all the difference in the world as will gloves and a hat! It's not a fashion parade it's a Glasgow winter: T-shirts that are more than two sizes too small for you that you got for your baby sister are not suitable attire! To all those who have during this year volunteered in any way. To stuff an envelope or steward a march. To sit at a desk 'to meet and greet' or shake a tin to raise some cash. If you explained how to knit or pinned a ribbon. You may have sung or drummed. You may just be a voice on the line or you may just have typed. Whatever and however you gave to our community, I would like to thank you. Without all of you, we would have no community to speak of! I have, with many mistakes, done my best with this column and I have done it in my own way and in my own time. I hope it has at least been informative and at best that it has entertained! Well, that's all that I have heard, seen, been told and had screamed at me! Till our next merry meeting in 2006, this witch must fly! Criz E-mail: criz@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DUNDEE ====== Hello everybody, this is a two in one edition of Dundee's scene. Because this edition is out just before Xmas you're going to get a quick festive update followed by what's on in the New Year. Remember that both Charlie's and Brooklyn's are open till 1am at the weekend throughout the festive season. And no need to worry about missing an hour of dancing in the club as OUT is open till 3.30am on a Sat. Both pubs will be having their annual Xmas Eve parties with Ross providing the music in Charlie's and Suzie hosting Karaoke in Brooklyn's, OUT is then taking you into Xmas Day with Dean proving the music. Charlie's will be opening for "escape the family" drinks on Xmas Day, opening at 6pm. As will Brooklyn's opening an hour later at 7pm. The club will be open Xmas Day night from 11pm till 3.30am. Both pubs and the club will be open as normal on Boxing Day. Charlie's, Brooklyn's and OUT will be in full swing to welcome in the New Year. The show bar will be open on either the 1st or 2nd of Jan and is a great way to start the New Year (I can already hear "well hello dolly" ringing in my ears). Diversitay is holding its monthly icebreaker on the 21st of Dec - for more details phone Dundee (01382) 202620 Mon 7-10pm. Remember that Diversitay's phone line is having two weeks off over Christmas but will be back on 9th Jan. Once the silly season is over, 2006 is starting in a positive (or should that be drunken) manner. Charlie's Bar celebrates its seventh year in business this month; Charlie and Ian are celebrating by escaping to warmer climes for a couple of weeks. The first quiz night of 2006 at Charlie's will be held on Tue 7th Feb. And following on from last year, Ross will be proving the music on a Fri and Sat night. Ross's night "does your mother know" has finalised its venue change and will now be held every Wed in the Piano Bar at the London Nightclub. Brooklyn's has also started to run its own pub quiz and this is held every Mon night, with a bottle of vodka for the winner and the chance to win the door takings (this will carry on till the week after if not won). Karaoke is being held every Wed, Fri and Sun if you fancy a sing along. OUT, Dundee's only LGBT nightclub is open Wed to Sun, with specially drinks promotions on a Wed and Thu night. Dean provides the music on a Wed, Thu and Sat and Jamie DJs every Fri and Sun. Diversitay will be holding its Jan Icebreaker on Wed the 18th. And everyone is welcome along. Diversitay has also relaunched its newsletter now called 'Right About Now". This will come out every other month and they are on the look out for anyone who wishes to contribute. Ring Dundee (01382) 202620 on a Mon evening for more details. Diversitay have also finalised the date of their next Women's Disco, it will take place on 11th Mar in Braes Below, more details to follow. Mi Cielo at Bliss (formerly Whispers) Night Club in Perth is going from strength to strength and is holding its next night on Sun 8th Jan, 10pm till 1.30am and all drinks are GBP1.50 till Midnight. They have the fantastic "Uha Holeburns" performing and looks like a lot of fun. And as of this month they will also have copies of ScotsGay for you to pick up (a good reason to go if I ever heard one) Information can be found on their website http://www.blissandenvy.co.uk/ Lastly I would like to congratulate all those who tied the knot and have become civil partnered. I wish you all the best for the future. If you have a photo of the 'happy couple' that you would like included in the next issue please E-mail me it. And for all those thinking about following in their footsteps find out more by contacting Dundee's Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages 89 Commercial Street, Dundee, DD1 2AF. Tel: Dundee (01382) 435222. Fax: Dundee (01382) 435224. Beth E-mail: Beth_Scotsgay@yahoo.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EDINBURGH ========= The pubs are filling up with Xmas cheer with the promise of more to come at the New Year. First up is The Big H (as Habana's new logo is getting the place called). They've manged to wangle a wee extentionette out of the Licencing Board over the festive season and will be open until 3am for the dispense of sherry. Cabaret Nights with Ms Samantha are on Boxing Day and 2nd Jan, whilst Xmas Eve and Xmas Day will see Graeme F on the decks. Graeme F return on Ne'er Day whilst Chris Paton provides the loud popular noise at Hogmanay. During the festive season, Gordon, Lorraine and all the staff will be happy to give you a punch and will only charge GBP1 a glass (with all proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care). eGo are running a night of what they quaintly describe as "Filthy Electronica" on Wed 21st Dec. This would appear to consist of sets from Alan Joy, Jemma & Alan Bloodbath and C-Dogg. Entry is GBP3 and cheap drinks are promised. Down the Walk at No 18, Kate Dykes proudly announces that not only is her establishment the first gay sauna in the UK to be VAT registered, but HMRC are using the place as a benchmark for similar establishments throughout the length and breadth of the land. If you're entertaining foreign visitors, be sure to ask for a VAT receipt with your towel and claim back the tax! Up at the Regent, young Alan happily boasts that he got ten out of ten for product knowledge when Punch Taverns sent in a mystery shopper the other day. He's also doing well in the beer scores with the local CAMRA branch who will soon be voting on pubs for their annual Good Beer Guide. Membership forms are available on the counter in case you want to join and vote for your favourite pub. Whilst on the suject of real ale, I hear that the Claremont has got Deuchar's IPA in. Haven't had a chance to pop in to sample it yet, but I'm sure it will be a good move with the Bears drinking nothing else! Burly Too is taking a holiday in January but should start up again on Sat 25th Feb after a much needed break. I'm told that the last few events at Mariners have been somewhat full. In my capacity of Pastor Best, I was out with the Order of Perpetual Indulgence on World AIDS Day and we visited a fair number of the bars. Sadly, the cosy little Frenchies wasn't on our route, but we managed the New Town where our condom packs (sponsored by Edinburgh Switchboard) were especially well received. Next on the route was the Blue Moon, followed by Sala and then The Street. After that, we made our way over to Habana and Planet Out (it was a little early for CCs) before replenishing our condom supplies at the Convent and heading for the Regent. I called it a night about then, but I think that some of the Sisters moved on elsewhere afterwards. The OPI will be out and about again over the festive period - please demand your personal condom pack and make sure you use the contents! The New Town is, I hear, due for a major refurbish next year - but that's in the futureand the place will be operating normally over Xmas and New Year. HMS Luvely will be having their January Sail on Sat 7th Jan at the Liquid Room. Dress code is 'nautical, sailors, pirates and cheap & trashy' with the usual queue priority for folk who make an effort. Sorry if my route knowledge is a bit thin this month, but when you get thrown in at the deep end half an hour before things get to the printers and none of the pubs are answering the phone, there's not a lot of bricks to be made from the straw on my premises. Things will improve next month - and that's a promise John Hein E-mail: editorial@scotsgay.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABERDEEN ======== Hi there and here is my final round up of what's happening North of anywhere. The biggest news this month has to be the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act that finally allows same sex couples' to have their relationships recognised. This act marks a huge step forward in the rights of LGBT people and should be welcomed with open arms. Among the first and most prominent of Aberdonians to get hitched will be local councillors Neil Fletcher and John Stewart who are celebrating their big day on Tue 20th Dec. I hope that they have a great day and wish them all the best for the future. The Aberdeen University LGBT Society continue to have an active programme of events and had their Christmas meal at Jimmy Chungs on Tue 13th Dec. For further information on future events, E-mail Mark at aulgbtgroup@hotmail.com Bar Indigo on the Adelphi continues to provide Aberdeen with its only gay venue. Open 7 nights a week it must now be Aberdeen's longest running exclusive LGBT venue in the last few years. I am sure they will have a full range of Christmas and New Year events over the next few weeks. Watch out for posters and information on G-Zone for further details. Due to other commitments I am standing down as Aberdeen's Scene reporter so any one who wishes to take over this role please contact the editor. It only remains for me to say thanks to everyone who has provided me with information and inspiration to write these articles over the last couple of years. I want to wish everyone a happy and peaceful festive season and great New Year. Tivoli E-mail: Tivoli_abdn@yahoo.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTTISH MEDIA MONITOR ====================== Since the last Scottish Media Monitor there has been a sharp increase in media homophobia and religious propaganda. Shortly before Garry Otton put his last column to bed, after ten years, he received a call from The Sunday Herald asking him to write a piece for them. It was pulled at the last moment before being asked to make substantial alterations. Immediately prior to publication, he was told the article was unsuitable and was persuaded to allow a 'sympathetic' expert to write his piece for him. Garry Otton has been subjected to ten years of media censorship, distortion and misrepresentation and has been forced to close thecolumn following warnings of up to six years imprisonment should proposed legislation protecting religion become law. Garry's article appears here, in its uncensored form, exclusive to ScotsGay. This is his story… My first brush with the media was through my London agent selling illustrations for love stories drawn for magazines like Jackie. The illustrations sold in nine countries but after 500 or so, I felt the magazines weren't being particularly honest. They were asking me to promulgate a heterosexual dream. But it was a lie. Not just for me: The reader too. If they had let me do some gay ones, perhaps I might still have been doing it! The Scottish Media Monitor was launched in Gay Scotland magazine while Dominic d'Angelo was editor in January 1996 following the brutal murder of 35-year-old Michael Doran in Glasgow's Queen's Park in the summer of 1995. A gang of three lads and a 14-year-old girl went on a queerbashing rampage putting a hammer through one guy's head, beating another so badly, he was unable to walk and finally murdering young Michael. He received 83 blows to his body. They stabbed him several times in the groin, stamped on his face until they had broken every bone in his head and left him in the bushes, choking to death in his own blood. With their clothes still bloodstained, they joined their friends at a nearby party and bragged about what they had just done. (A similar murder of a gay man had taken place in Queen's Park during the sixties. The murder of John Cremin led to the last hanging at Barlinnie Prison of 19-year-old Anthony Miller, his accomplice, James Denovan was imprisoned indefinitely after acting as a decoy). A gay friend of mine who I had worked with in London was also murdered after someone put a bottle over his head and, in a separate incident; another gay friend was jumped on after leaving a gay club in North London. They dragged him into their car and knifed him to death. Michael Doran's murder produced a column in The Herald that described one of the girls who participated in the attack as a "beautiful child..." whose conviction had "came as a shock to most people". The writer deplored the fact that no attempt had been made "to help this child come to terms with the experience of seeing a human being stabbed and kicked to death". 12 weeks, later, Herald columnist, John MacLeod, (before he was sacked for suggesting murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman might've been alive if they'd been in church), described gays as "unnatural, dangerous, evil" and "simply not equipped to live". They inspired me to launch the Scottish Media Monitor. With the 'militant homosexual' such a favourite icon for media vitriol, I headed the column kitted out in combats, brandishing a rifle from Toys R Us and set out to use one of the few weapons in my armoury: Ridicule. For it would take a seachange in attitudes for reporters to stop attaching comments from the Church to every report on sex. In those days, whenever any issue of sexuality appeared in the Scottish media - as it did on a daily basis - it was rarely academics journalists turned to, but a string of religious and conservative 'spokespeople'. In Scotland it was usually the 'Sexfinder General', the late Monsignor Tom Connelly from the Catholic Church, or the Kirk's Mrs Ann Allen or the Rev Bill Wallace from their ridiculously named Board of Social Responsibility, or the deposed Tory MP, Phil Gallie, or spokespeople from any number of partisan organisations like the Christian Institute and Family and Youth Concern. This laziness on the part of journalists to latch on to sound bites or PR machines attached to religious organisations both distorted and misrepresented Scotland's sexuality. In colluding with moral conservatives; serving a regular diet of propaganda and misinformation on sexual issues, the Scottish press have failed the public they are supposed to serve; contributing to Scotland's appalling record of sexual repression. Scotland has Europe's highest rate of teenage pregnancy (some seven times higher than Holland) whilst sexual pathology, crime, ignorance and disease are rife. I've since donated boxes of news cuttings, the fruit of hundreds of hours scanning the Scottish press in libraries and newsagents to Glasgow's Women's Library, although much of my time was spent reading the news on the Internet. Much of the comments that find their way onto the Media Monitor website from readers are uncensored. Amidst the messages of support and criticism that are regularly sent to me are painful stories of abuse, moving responses from victims of salacious media reports and lately, a very public spat between Bronski Beat's Steve Bronski and Jim Glancy. I'm astounded at the prudery of the Scottish media. I would occasionally be asked to review the press on Real Radio. That was before I was joined by a Scottish Sunjournalist attempting to justify the paper's exposure of a dentist for placing a sexy picture of himself up on an adult website. The Glasgow dentist was sacked. Not very moral for a paper otherwise so full of wank fodder! I said so on air. Believe me... My arse was out of those swing doors so fast...! When my book Sexual Fascism was published in 2001 after five years of monitoring the Scottish media, The Dundee Courier refused to review it because "it contained sex". Both BBC Scotland and The Herald also refused to review it, unlike The Sunday Herald which I enjoy reading because I'm such a big fan of Muriel Gray. After ten years, scottishmediamonitor. com was averaging almost 1,000 hits a day. It's read by hundreds of MSPs, MPs and journalists and, thanks to the valued support of ScotsGay editor John Hein - himself a brilliant Scottish commentator who, regrettably, won't be found in the pages of any Scottish newspaper - is published monthly. Be they the politicised religionists who dragged Gay News to the courts – (do not blaspheme)! – or those who pasted homophobic posters on every billboard they could find in Scotland – (Keep the Clause)! Gays have been at war with such extremists for years. If this new bill against 'incitement to religious hatred', one of the most illiberal measures attempted even by this prescriptive Government – and those were the words of The Daily Mail, not me! – were ever to become law, could I chide politicised religionists for the over-generous provision of media rent-a-gobs; accuse them of spluttering quotes backing an iffy moral conservatism on matters sexual, or name those who are hijacking the media for their own pernicious ends? Will it be easier to challenge those who promote female genital mutilation, physical chastisement, forced marriage or child abuse in the name of religion? I don't think so! The bill has been rejected by the House of Lords, but that won't necessarily stop the Government forcing it through. I have a great respect for the spiritual aspect of religions, but I have become increasingly nervous of the developments surrounding the introduction of this bill. Such a bill, designed to protect religionists (the idea of also including some protection for gays has been rejected), if it became law, would be very tricky and also very subjective as 'hatred' is almost impossible to define. I don't want to risk up to seven years in prison for challenging religionists and therefore made the decision to close my column on its tenth birthday. Quite apart from anything else: I really don't need the hassle. Ten years of writing my column, five years either side of the turn of the century, was an extraordinary period to chronicle attitudes to sexuality in Scotland. The column captured everything from the insidious peddling of religious propaganda by media columnists to seemingly benign stories like the man arrested with a snake down his trousers or the doll found with a penis under her dress. Although my interest in sexual politics is wide-ranging, as the column appears in a gay magazine – and being gay myself - I've focused on the struggle for gay emancipation, such as the initial failures to equalise the age of consent by politicians, the obstruction of the repeal of Section 28 by militant religionists, the rounding-up of gay men in police operations across Scotland and the string of subsequent suicides. Ten years reflects a time when Scots actor Robert Carlyle joined a band of unemployed men to strip for The Full Monty and radio stations banned the Bloodhound Gang from doing it like they do on the Discovery Channel. Only months after my column began, Thomas Hamilton tragically gunned down a classroom of children and their teacher in a school in Dunblane. Despite no evidence Hamilton sexually molested children in his care, or was himself gay, the Dunblane tragedy was sexualised to the extent gay men were swept up in a tidal wave of moral panic. Scoutmasters and gym teachers, boys' club managers and priests were dragged across the pages of the Scottish press in frenzy. One 'sex beast' after another was 'caged.' A 24-year-old was jailed for three months after being found on school grounds in Paisley. A 77-year-old man was sentenced to four years for taking pictures of kids at the seaside in Ayrshire and a drunken 37-year-old priest faced shame and retribution after allegedly groping a 16-year-old. Public toilets, saunas, parks and swimmingpool changing areas throughout Scotland became flash points of moral warfare. A swimming-pool attendant warned parents "all their children are at risk", and was reported in a tabloid begging more staff to patrol open changing-rooms. "The only way to clampdown on this kind of thing", he said, "is by fitting screens to the top and bottom of cubicles and security guards watching at all times". Much of the Scottish media both protects and excludes readers in a process of restraint, contraction and limitation on sexual issues. A perceived threat to children from 'perverts' was trumpeted by tabloid campaigns such as The Daily Record's 'PervertWatch' campaign and The News of the World's 'Name and Shame' which leant credence to the media attaching a sense of shame and fuel moral outrage to almost any legitimate means of sexual expression. Most prominent amongst these campaigns was the attack on 'Channel Filth' on Channel 5's late night depiction of erotica and The Daily Record's 'SmutWatch' campaign. An increasingly politicised church, fearful of moral decay and advances in sexual liberty and expression succoured these campaigns. A major victory for the Church and their media crony's was the banning of an exhibition of erotica in Glasgow. Such a campaign, however, paled into insignificance to what the fledgling Scottish parliament faced when they were caught unawares by the longest political debate in its history, the bankrolling of a campaign to prevent the repeal of Section 28 by Scottish business tycoon, Brian Souter, assisted by a PR circus engineered by Jack Irvine, a former editor of Scottish editions of The Sun. Over the past ten years, Scotland's media has boasted an abundance of equally conservative columnists operating within almost every major newspaper in Scotland. It was The Scottish Mirror'sJack Irvine - regularly carrying his rabid homophobia, including a reference to "slobbering queers" – who inspired Brian Souter to enlist his support for his GBP2million 'Keep the Clause' campaign. Jim Sillars, a former SNP MP would write weekly in The Scottish Sun advising readers that homosexuals need to get the homosexual age of consent "as low as possible to ensure a continuous supply of sexual partners". In The Daily Record, columnist Tom Brown once referred to gay's "sad, seedy perversions" while it was his expressed opinion that "only sexually inadequate adults buy dirty magazines", an opinion apparently shared by The Daily Record's matronly agony aunt, Joan Burnie - or 'Old Mother Burnie' as she became known in the Media Monitor - who evoked the ire of many of her readers by describing erotic films as "filthy". She once advised a woman whose husband enjoyed erotica to "burn anything you find". She wrote: "If my sons grew up to think porn was harmless, then I'd know I'd failed as a mum..." The Scottish Daily Mail is, of course, particularly popular with the morally conservative. There was – and sadly still is – the ubiquitous Mrs Katie Grant, a Catholic, Conservative who, along with regular appearances at BBC Radio Scotland, writes regular columns in The Scotsman, The Sunday Times Scotland and, of course, The Scottish Daily Mail. She was famous for her siren calls to parents that schools would be awash with gay propaganda once Section 28 was repealed. Equally shrill were reporters like Hamish MacDonnell, Eddie Barnes and Graham Grant, (all who have worked for The Scottish Daily Mail and have been regularly shamed in the Scottish Media Monitor. The Scotsman, once boasted Linda Watson- Brown, a virulent anti-porn campaigner who believed all men were potential rapists. Their lack of imagination has had her replaced with Mrs Grant, also favoured by The Sunday Times Scotland. The Daily Telegraphhad Alan Cochrane (now in Scotland on Sunday),who led this paper's campaign against the repeal of Section 28 in Scotland. Even The Herald, despite its support for repeal of this Torybacked legislation, rode with one foot on the brake and a string of religionists in the back seat. Stewart Lamont wrote of his disgust of gay men's apparent love of public conveniences, Michael Fry thought the repeal of Section 28 would give children AIDS and 'Wee Free' John Macleod, challenged by his own sexual guilt, regularly dresses up homosexuality in negative references. Scotland on Sunday, would also use Mrs Grant along with another Conservative, Catholic, Gerald Warner. A former speechwriter to the former Tory Scottish Secretary, Michael Forsyth, Warner once wrote that condoms offered little protection against AIDS and insists there is a powerful gay clique undermining government. (Well, it would be nice if they did something useful instead of always leaving it up to Europe to enforce equality for us). He once begged in his column: "We cannot sit idly by and watch minority pressure groups and their allies secure an absurdly disproportionate profile in the media..." Without a representative from a 'minority pressure group', let alone an 'out' gay columnist battling against a surfeit of sexually regulating writers, I wonder what Scottish newspaper he means. This forest of deadwood has taken many years to grow. But not until a former editor, a rightwing Cardinal and a multi-millionaire Christian fundamentalist set the forest ablaze in 2000 were the people of Scotland so exposed and so divided in a moral debate that spilled out into the new century. Homophobic billboards were mounted across Scotland. Souter launched a private 'referendum' while the media, much like the church today, went to war with itself over the issue of homosexuality. There were daily stories demonising gays - including anatomical drawings on how to spot a homosexual – set against a background of vandalism to gay-run premises, beatings and murders of gay men. 'Keep the Clause' was supported by the Scottish School Boards' Association (SSBA) at the same time it became homophobic catchphrase in Scottish playgrounds. I believe much of religion has stunted Scotland's growth as a nation. During the seventies and eighties, Scotland haemorrhaged as the young, the talented and the inspired fled, usually to London, escaping the moral strictures of a grey theocracy to seek fame and fortune in a more liberal climate. Call me naive, but at the dawn of a new century, like so many of my contemporaries, I believed in a modern, progressive Scotland at the heart of Europe that would show a grumbling middle-England the way forward. But that was before ten years of monitoring the Scottish media and a bill promising religionist's special protection. Despite all this, the media's attitude to sexuality has changed. It's had to. The Internet is not only challenging the media's prudery, it has opened up a wealth of opportunities to experiment with sex in ways that were once inconceivable. But it will make hypocrites of all of us if what we read in public remains so different to what we do in private. The National Library of Scotland, which selects websites that are judged to be an important part of the documentary heritage of Scotland, will archive the Scottish Media Monitor. Garry Otton is author of Sexual Fascism and plans to publish Badge of Shame, a book on the repeal of Section 28 in Scotland. Gary http://www.scottishmediamonitor.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL NEWS ================== by Rex Wockner *Push to report antigay abuses to U.S. State Dept. Activists in London and San Francisco are urging people around the world to report antigay abuses to the US State Department. They hope to increase the number of such incidents that are included in the department's country-by-country human-rights report, which the agency must produce and send to Congress each year. Submissions must be received at the State Department before the end of 2005. "[This] will help improve the US State Department's monitoring of such abuses and expand a data base that can be used by human rights campaigners pressing for an end to homophobia", said longtime independent activist Michael Petrelis. "The data will also be helpful to corroborate the claims of gay people fleeing persecution and seeking asylum." "The massive scale of homophobic persecution worldwide is grossly underdocumented in all official human rights reports", added London activist Peter Tatchell of the gay-rights group OutRage!. "[We] will be submitting evidence to the US State Department based on our firsthand evidence from LGBT refugees." Reports should be E-mailed to pottslg@state.gov *Thousands march in Buenos Aires Thousands of people marched from the Plaza de Mayo to Argentina's Congress in Buenos Aires' 14th gay-pride parade on 20th Nov. A lead banner declared, "We want the same rights." Activists are pushing for a national civil-unions law to match the one in effect in the capital city. Six people were arrested when a small group of antigay Catholics tried to prevent the marchers from getting too close to the Metropolitan Cathedral, which sits on one corner of the Plaza de Mayo, where the famous Casa Rosada also is located. Marcher Mariano Lago joked: "At one point, it started raining and we figured God was castigating us for being sodomites and that the end of the world was upon us. But the rain stopped quickly and a rainbow appeared!" *Belgium's lower house OKs gay adoption The lower house of Parliament in Belgium, one of five countries where gay couples can get married, has voted 77 to 62 to allow same-sex couples to adopt children. The bill now moves to the Senate where it should see action in March. "There are already a lot of children who live with homosexual couples", Justice Committee Chairman Fons Borginon told the Reuters news agency. "We want them to have two parents with whom they have full, legal rights." *Swedish Lutheran ministers rebel More than 800 of the 5,000 active and retired ministers in Sweden's state-funded Lutheran church have signed a declaration promising to resist the Church Assembly's decision to offer blessings to same-sex couples who have registered their partnership. The Church of Sweden Assembly voted 160 to 81 in favour of the policy. "We are bound by the promises of faithfulness to Holy Scripture and to the confession of the church which we made at our ordination", the 863 preachers declared. "We therefore totally reject this order." Sweden has offered registered partnerships — which bestow nearly every right and obligation of marriage — since 1995. *Knights of Columbus lose lesbian case The Human Rights Tribunal in Canada's British Columbia has ruled against the Knights of Columbus organization saying it injured the dignity, feelings and self-respect of a lesbian couple by canceling their reservation to hold their wedding reception in the Knights' hall in the town of Port Coquitlam. Deborah Chymyshyn and Tracey Smith were turned away once the organization's leaders became aware of the nature of the event. They already had sent out their wedding invitations. The Knights must pay the women $2,000 plus expenses. The tribunal said the Knights do have a general right, under religious-freedom guarantees, to refuse to rent their hall to homosexuals, but "that right is not absolute." The organization should have met with the women, apologized for the cancellation, reimbursed them for their costs, and helped them find a new location, the tribunal said. Not to have done so offended the women's "inherent dignity" and amounted to "discrimination", the judges said. *Australian Capital Territory to recognise gay couples The government of the Australian Capital Territory will introduce civil-union legislation in March to recognise and protect same-sex couples. A spokesman said the law would grant gay couples all the rights and responsibilities of matrimony. At present, Tasmania is the only Australian state or territory with similar legislation. Danish ambassador slept with lover on first date Denmark's openly gay ambassador to Israel, Carsten Damsgaard, told the daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that he slept with his partner of more than 12 years, Esben Karmark, the night they met. "I saw a very attractive man, we started to talk, and we knew immediately that that was that", Damsgaard said. "Our internal worlds were identical. We read the same books. We saw the same films. "We spoke in a similar way. I was 37. I had had earlier relationships, so I could compare, but he was only 25, and in any case he had something adult [about him], and he saw he was like me. "We went to bed on the first night, which I didn't always do, and I don't recommend that everyone have sex on the first night, but in our case it was the correct thing to do. Since then, essentially, we haven't been apart." Damsgaard said he and Karmark are happy in Israel, citing "the unmediated warmth, the temperament, the climate, the sea, the smells, the fruits and vegetables." "The young men here also seem excellent", he said. "It is true that Israel is a place where everyone interferes with your private space, but this does not really bother me. I come from a very restrained culture, and I am not seeking to duplicate it everywhere I go. "Tel Aviv is a very cosmopolitan city with great nightlife, terrific restaurants, beautiful people", Damsgaard added. "A regular party town. It's more of an international city than many places in Europe. It's the most exciting place I've ever been." *Same-sex marriage legalised in South Africa South Africa's top court has legalised same-sex marriage, saying that banning it violates the nation's post-apartheid Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Constitutional Court gave Parliament one year to make the necessary changes in law. If Parliament fails to act, the court will rewrite the Marriage Act itself. Ten judges supported the ruling and one dissented — but only so she could argue that the ruling should take effect immediately rather than after a year. In a "media summary" of the case, the judges said: "The exclusion of same-sex couples from the benefits and responsibilities of marriage was not a small and tangential inconvenience resulting from a few surviving relics of societal prejudice destined to evaporate like the morning dew. It represented a harsh if oblique statement by the law that same-sex couples are outsiders, and that their need for affirmation and protection of their intimate relations as human beings is somehow less than that of heterosexual couples. It signifies that their capacity for love, commitment and accepting responsibility is by definition less worthy of regard than that of heterosexual couples. The intangible damage to same-sex couples is as severe as the material deprivation. They are not entitled to celebrate their commitment to each other in a joyous public event recognised by the law. They are obliged to live in a state of legal blankness in which their unions remain unmarked by the showering of presents and the commemoration of anniversaries so celebrated in our culture." The decision came in a case brought by Marie Fourie and Cecelia Bonthuys, after the government refused to recognise their marriage. The ruling also covered a case brought by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Project which challenged the Marriage Act's references to"husband" and "wife." *United Arab Emirates may give arrested gays hormones Twenty-six men were arrested in the United Arab Emirates in late November at a hotel in the city of Ghantout during what police called a mass homosexual wedding. They face lashings, five years in jail and possible forced treatment with male hormones. "There will be no room for homosexual ... acts in the UAE", Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs Mohammed bin Nukhaira Al Dhahiri told the Khaleej Times. Interior Ministry spokesman Issam Azouri added: "Because they've put society at risk they will be given the necessary treatment, from male hormone injections to psychological therapies. "It wasn't just a homosexual act", he said. "Now we're dealing with a kind of marriage. There was a ritual involved." *Amnesty International blasts Poland Amnesty International has denounced Poland for "a climate of intolerance ... against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, characterised by the banning of public events organised by the LBGT community, openly homophobic language used by some highly placed politicians, and incitement of homophobic hatred by some rightwing groupings." The organization also expressed concern over "the recent abolition of the government office responsible for promotion of equal treatment for sexual minorities." On 15th Nov, the mayor of Poznan, Ryszard Grobelny, banned the city's gay-pride parade due to "security concerns." Despite the ban, a few hundred people gathered on 20th Nov for a demonstration. They were harassed by members of the group All Polish Youth, who shouted "Let's gas the fags" and "We'll do to you what Hitler did with Jews." The police intervened near the end of the march, roughed up several marchers, and arrested and interrogated more than 65, who were later released. "Amnesty International is concerned that the events in Poznan are not a one-off event, but part of a series of bans on events by the LGBT community," the organization said. Warsaw's gay-pride parade also was banned by local officials both this year and last. Mayor Lech Kaczynski, who is now Poland's president, called this year's parade "sexually obscene." An improvised march took place on 10th Jun anyhow, with more than 2,500 participants. *Switzerland elects gay House speaker Members of Switzerland's House of Representatives has elected an openly gay speaker. Lawyer Claude Janiak, a Social Democrat, received 154 of the 177 votes cast. In his first address to the body, Janiak called on fellow MPs to eschew political posturing and vote their convictions, swissinfo.org reported. Janiak is best known for lobbying for an easier citizenship procedure for young foreigners, pushing for legalization of marijuana, and denouncing the Roman Catholic Church's opposition to same-sex partnerships. He will serve in the position for 12 months. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PROBLEM PAGE ============ E-mail, if you dare, all your concerns to Mistress Vanessa vanessascotsgay@yahoo.co.uk Dear Vanessa I'm an active gay man of 35 years old. Recently I have noticed that if I go swimming or lie down in the bath I take water into my arse, then for some time afterwards water trickles out. Now my boyfriend is refusing to go to bed with me if I have washed. He says it's like fucking a watermelon. Is there anything I can do to prevent me taking on liquid in this way? Holy shit! You must have had an awful lot of arse action to stretch your ring that much! Anyway, what to do is very simple – just stick a big CORK (note the spelling – it is important!) up your arse. Now please don't shove it up too far or your boyfriend might have to use a corkscrew to get it out. Another thing, avoid eating beans before going off dancing or gyrating too exuberantly as you just might pop your cork like a big bottle of nasty brown bubbly. OR ... If you don't like that suggestion, try to superglue a zipper between the cheeks of your arse... well, maybe not. Hey! How exactly does your boyfriend know what fucking a watermelon is like? Never mind, I don't really want to know, I'm sure he's probably the type that would even give one to a knothole in a plank of wood. No! Don't try this at home stupid! Ever heard of wood splinters? Well, the only other option is to put your name down for an arse transplant. OR... Hire yourself out as a water feature for gay peoples gardens – I can just see you with a steady stream trickling out of your clenched buttocks watering all the pansies. OR... Take the lazy option and never wash your bum hole again! Dear Vanessa I recently broke up with a girlfriend after two years together. She and I are both 24 years old – it was my first lesbian relationship. The split was a long and drawn-out process and painful for us both, even though - in my eyes at least - the relationship is well and truly over. However, in the weeks since the split we've run into each other a number of times and the result has always been the same - we've ended up in bed together. Breaking up was definitely the right decision. I think. But as you can see I'm quite confused over the whole thing. The sex we've had since splitting up has been better than it ever was when we were together and I'm actually looking forward to the next time, though she's now beginning to get ideas that we're getting back together and I don't know what to do. I also miss her cats. Please help. Oh, for heavens sake! Look, it's so simple; just steal her cats and tell her you'll feed them to your drunken Goth flat-mate who thinks he's really a flesh-eating vampire, unless she becomes your sex-slave. So then you can happily have your wicked way with her just as much as you like, you twofaced evil whore. Obviously, once you get bored to death with the stupid needy bitch, you can just feed her to your Goth flat-mate instead and keep the cats ......SORTED! Dear Vanessa, Here's my question. It's embarrassing to ask, but I would like some pointers for using a dildo. I am a 20-something single lesbian who is addicted to Peperami. As you know, Peperami is a spicy pork salami sausage that delivers a big flavour kick and a great taste. It also feels really good in your cunt. Trouble is that I have met someone online. We have talked on the phone and I know she has had a few partners in the past few years and she has hinted that she also likes penetration. Thing is, she is a vegetarian. I practiced with a carrot but it didn't taste the same. We hope to meet in person in the next few months - can you offer some advice? I don't know where to start. Yech! You dirty weirdo. OK, the advert says " it's a bit of an animal" but I hope it's not THAT fucking bit! Anyway, a Peperami is only about a centimeter diameter – just how tight is your nasty little twat? C'mon girl, if you must have a pork podger in your pussy then get yourself a nice BIG smoked sausage! If you still want to impress your vegetarian friend with your bacon banger then just paint it green! Tell veggie knickers it's an ORGANic ( ha ha!) courgette, she'll never know the difference when it'srammed into her vegetable patch. Dear Vanessa, In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, when Captain Kirk is being tried for the murder of the Klingon Chancellor, his personal log is used against him. The traitor, Valeris, apparently recorded him say it while he was making his Captain's Personal Log in his quarters. However, in the trial we hear "I've never trusted Klingons, and I never will. I've never been able to forgive them for the death of my boy."When Kirk was recording his log, his exact words were "I've never trusted Klingons, and I never will. I can never forgive them for the death of my boy."How did this happen? This has totally shaken my faith in William Shatner and the Star Trek universe. Please help me. What in Spocks name are you talking about? You sad silly Trekker, don't you know anything? The real answer to your laughable state of confusion actually lies not in Star Trekitself, but in episode three of Blake's 7. The clue is when big hunky Blake tells Avon to stop rimming him while he's trying to steer the Liberator toward the evil Galactic Federation battle fleet. Avon slowly lifts his head from between Blake's ample buttocks and replies: " Thank God your arse is so clean ... I've never tasted klingons and I never will. I can never forgive them for bad breath on my body...ooh! Those nasty brown stains!" You see? It's just so bloody obvious now isn't it! No? God, you are so blind as well as stupid! The answer is that Kirk is reincarnated and comes back as Jean Luc Picard and rims big ugly Worf the Klingon's arse ( all three of them). THEN he walks into time portal ' No17'and comes out at the other end of the space- time ' Chanel' as ' Avon'the gay ' Opium'smuggler who likes to ' Rimmel'and ' fcuk'anything that moves. He then joins the rebel ' Armani' and there he meets 'Calvin Klein' along with his big hairy pal ' Givenchy' and his two robots, ' DKNY' and 'REVLON'. They all come together (No, not that way!) to fight the spread of pure 'Poison'by the Dark Lord ' Dior' from the evil planet 'Lancome' ...WHAT? You think I ' Maybeline'? NO! It's all true; I'm honestly not making it up! However, if you ever get confused again or begin to have doubts, you should always bring to mind the golden rules of Star Trek: Every planet they land on is always a class "M" planet, so they never need a space suit. That's really lucky isn't it? In every landing party to a mysterious planet ( class M of course!) it's always the poor security guard that gets the chop first. Scotty can fix absolutely anything with just a roll of sticky tape, a plastic twirly thing, a lighted sparkler and a ludicrously tight deadline that anyone else couldn't even finish wiring a plug! Mr Spock REALLY does hate Doctor McCoy and would like to beat the pompous idiot to a pulp - just like the rest of us! So although he calls himself a Vulcan, old pointy-eared Spock really is quite human after all. Actually, if you watch some of the of the earlier episodes, you can catch him trying to a get sneaky look up Uhura's short skirt and it's a known fact that he has nothing but hard porn on his tri-corder. So just remember, whatever else happens in your tawdry little life, don't ever lose faith in James T. Kirk – that man is a fucking Sci-Fi icon! Besides, with a real name of Shatner he's bound to have plenty of klingons around his Uranus ( Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one!) so perhaps it's understandable that he doesn't like them one little bit! Anyway, I'm glad I managed to clear that one up for you and any other Trekker retards out there. I for one, would be appalled that you might have doubts about the validity of the Star Trek Universe. Shit, you might even start to think it isn't real! Right! I've had enough of humouring you with this juvenile space claptrap, you incredibly sad bastard! Why don't you really try to push the envelope of your mental powers and get yourself a fucking etch-asketch! Until next time... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- BOOKS TO KNOW ABOUT =================== by Dirk Kriete 101 Must-See Movies For Gay Men By Alonso Duralde Published by Alyson Books Price: GBP9.99 Christmas is coming – the geese are getting fat – and of course the television is pumping out movies at an alarming rate. Which ones should you watch, well, here is your answer! This book claims to be the definitive and comprehensive compendium of all the films every gay man must see. Entertainment editor of the US-based gay and lesbian newsmagazine Advocate Alonso Duralde presents 101 films that will resonate soundly with gay audiences. Whether it is Pee- Wee's Big Adventure (for redefining the idea of a movie hero), Mommie Dearest making Joan Crawford campier than she already was or Two for the Road (because sometimes it is necessary to glean insights about gay relationships from straight movies with great banter), Duralde brings quick wit, a gift for analysis and a lifelong passion for cinema to each film recommendation. He even manages to out Casablanca (Of all the bars) as a gay love story. A definite must for gay movie lovers with its witty and amusing banter and all the information you could possibly need to choose your viewing this festering season. Love: The Joy That Wounds The Love Poems Of Rumi Calligraphy by Lassaad Metoui Published by Souvenir Press Ltd Price: GBP9.99 It's one giant leap from the often trashy offerings Hollywood is trying to seduce us with to this beautiful ancient collection of love poems. Rumi was born in Persia in 1211 and still his poems are a mystery. Are they addressed to his mentor, to a lover or to God? Reflecting the complexities of passion and faith, they are poems of remarkable power and emotional intensity, with an exuberant imagination and rhythms that echo the ecstatic dance of the whirling dervishes. The exquisite calligraphy of Lassaad Metoui, the most renowned Arabic illustrator of his generation, gives meaning and enhances Rumi's thoughts on love. This is a beautifully produced little book well worth pride of place in anybodies collection of poems. You need never be stuck for something to write in your Valentine card ever again. Blue Days, Black Nights A Memoir By Ron Nyswaner Published by Alyson Books Price: GBP8.99 We're jumping again – from the ancient to the latest offering from this Academy Awardnominated screenwriter of Philadelphia. Despite the success of his latest film, screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia, Soldier's Girl) has been contemplating selfdestruction. "I don't want a mediocre, empty life", he tells his psychiatrist-acupuncturistherbalist after half-heartedly attempting to hang himself with a belt. Then, on a trip from his home in upstate Los Angeles, Ron meets and falls for world-weary Johann, a Latin-quoting, leather-clad hustler from Germany. In the next year Johann will teach him many things: how to make a crack pipe out of a soda can, how to lose oneself utterly in passion, how to come down from a crystal binge and how to keep living when everything you've been living for is gone. Loving Johann might kill Ron, but it will never be boring. Often hilarious, more often deeply disturbing – Ron Nyswaner's first book is a frank insight into a life less ordinary. This book is a tour de force of self destruction, passion and the involuntary nature of love – compelling. Travel Guide 5th Edition Spartacus International Hotel & Restaurant Guide Published by Bruno Gmünder Price: GBP12.95 You really want to get away from it all? Well, don't go without this book if you want to avoid wasting lots of time when you get to your destination or be disappointed by your choice of hotel. The new 5th edition is 448 pages of gay hotel information from around the world. For the first time, the publishers have added a small guide to "practical" phrases the gay man might need in Europe. We can only guess what Bruno Gmunder means by this... The hotel and restaurant guide lists gay friendly hotels and restaurants, giving these establishments an opportunity to present their businesses in a professional and attractive way. A series of pictograms gives the reader a multitude of extra information and the photos round off the picture. The text is in German and English and provides the reader with background and any useful special information. This newest edition is again the definitive wordwide gay guide and includes information on bars, clubs, discos, baths, beaches, cruising areas, hotels, apartments, cafes, restaurants, bookshops, gay stores throughout the world! If you're planning to venture abroad, and don't want to miss out... get it! The Action Hero Workout By Jorgen de Mey Published by Rodale Price: GBP12.99 So you've decided, you going to escape the drab and grey weather and head for the sun? Are you sure you want to show off that body of yours as it is? Or could you do with some fine-tuning? Well, don't despair help is at hand with this workout book and it might just assist you getting rid of that spare tyre accumulated during the excesses of the festering season. Jorgen de Mey has devised exercise and nutrition plans to change the shape and fitness of many celebrity clients, including Tomb Raider star Angelina Jolie, Josh Hartnett, Billy Crudup, Jeremy Irons, Bridget Moynahan and Faye Dunaway. In The Action Hero Workout, he describes the programmes he put together for various stars, such as the six weeks he spent getting Ben Affleck in top shape for Armageddon and Pearl Harbor. He tells how he evaluates the stars' physical status - and how you can evaluate yours. Convinced that his new method of nutrition and physical training can help any healthy person reach his or her personal best, he details a workout that will start to show positive changes in just three weeks: more endurance, increased strength, weight loss, signs of a more muscular body and a better cardiovascular output. If you follow his programme, Jorgen promises, 'you will become the best you can be'. But beware – just lying in bed reading this book won't do a thing and I'm living proof of that statement – I've not got one iota more muscle from reading this book. Tom of Finland: The Comic Collection Edited by Dian Hanson Published by Taschen Price: GBP19.99 Here's something really tasty for all you comic art lovers – a collection of 5 volumes in a slipcase featuring the incredible talents of the artist Touko Laaksonen, the Finnish boy who became Tom of Finland, the pseudonym he adopted to avoid persecution so prevalent to artists appearing in explicitly gay publications in the 50s. Each of the five 192-page volumes are packed full of the most exquisite comic art and feature eight or more complete stories. They include all twenty-six episodes of Tom's infamous leatherman Kake. This collection is the definitive guide to this incredibly talented artist, the chronologically arranged stories take us right through the life of this man who said: "If I don't have an erection when I'm drawing, I know it's no good." If I've wetted your appetite with this review go and have a look at the publisher's website at www.taschen.com for more information on the life and works of this highly influential artist. Prime Cuts Howard Stangroom Published by Bruno Gmünder Price: GBP14.95 Following on from the previous review here's another brilliant comic book, this time by William Morgan, alias Howard Stangroom, and Stephen Lowther. Both these authors set the tone of the Meat Men anthologies in the early 80s through the mid-90s, not to mention countless other comics. The stories in Prime Cuts run the gamut from gentle humour to hardcore, spiced with a bit of science fiction and naturally with a few invincible super heroes as well. The book is a collection of 128 pages of the funniest, sexiest and most famous stories from this legendary pair of artists. Lukas In Love Bel Ami Published by Bruno Gmünder Price: GBP30.00 'Lukas in Love', as the title hints, is dedicated to Lukas Ridgestone, one of the first Bel- Ami superstars. Here he is presented alone and with his friends. His dreamy sensuality and natural charisma give the photos a special allure and charm. Bel Ami's playful young men are shown even more erotic and emotional than ever. The shots are magical and show their breathtakingly beautiful bodies as if they never do anything but play for the camera. It's the finest and freshest eroticism available. Aqua Fred Goudon Published by Bruno Gmünder Price: GBP23.95 After Fred Goudon's first, very successful photo book 'Bedtime Stories' in 2000, here we have this French photographer's second, long-awaited book. La dolce vita awaits your discovery in this fascinating collection. Beautiful young men full of untamed energy celebrate their lust for life. Alone or in pairs they dive into a sea of sensuality. Goudon is a master of light and shadows, his images show a surprising interplay of masculine forms and movement. Refreshing like a summer rain! Ari Gold Published by Bruno Gmünder Price: GBP26.95 This is a coffee-table book together with a specially produced music CD to go with it. In numerous, lavishly produced photographs Ari Gold shows his fans poses from the erotic to the dreamy, full of sexiness and an impressive candour. He has once again surprised us with his new talents and makes us curious about his upcoming projects. Fabulous! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTS TO KNOW ABOUT ================== by Martin Powell Choice, Royal Scottish Academy, Until 23 Jan, Free I remember when the Weston Link between the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery was opened being taken on a whirlwind tour of the then exhibition led by a nice bloke called Tim, before getting a tour of the building by the Architects. At the end of this there was a reception where as I had not eaten before I decided to steer clear of the booze. This behaviour was noted and commented on, so it seemed bad manners to reject their hospitality so I got stuck in. It was not long before my tongue was loosened and I was offering my "expert" view of the art to Tim. It wasn't until I picked up the following day's papers that I realised Tim was in fact Sir Timothy Clifford, Director General of the National Galleries of Scotland. Anyway, Tim is retiring next month and this massive exhibition of over 350 pieces reflects his choice of what he has collected for the nation over the last 21 years. You will have to make your own choice at this exhibition as it is too big to view in one session. I've been twice and I expect to be back for more. It is also impossible to mention more than a handful of the works on display. That's my choice. The first thing that caught my eye was a monumental egg slicer by Mona Hatoum. Seeing everyday objects in a gallery setting can lead us to look at the artistic merit in them. However it can have a downside. I once visited An Exhibition of Street Furniture (litter bins, benches, etc). For weeks after people gave me strange looks as I stood in the street admiring novel litter bins. Entirely different is Two Men by Lucien Freud - instantly recognisable as the work of the artist. Michael Andrew's Edinburgh (Old Town) is aperfectly decent painting from the foot of West Bow, but it would not have been my choice to spend GBP158625 on it. Also of Edinburgh is Alexander Nasmyth's Princes Street. A vision of construction from 1825. Canova's Three Graces is back. This time the choice was to put it on a plinth. Very often one gets an idea of an artist's sexual orientation from an exhibition. It is clear just from this one piece that Canova was a lover of the naked female form. The finest work of pornography I've ever seen. Surrealism is not forgotten with works by Magritte, Delvaux, Ernst, Picasso, and others. When viewing the exhibition I was struck by the large number of people sitting and viewing the art. Go and take your own look. You are bound to find something you like. The Christmas Exhibition, Edinburgh Printmakers, Until 23 Dec, then 10-21 Jan, Free. Make no mistake this is a Christmas present. An unexpected and wonderful display of an enormous number of prints. Lots of different styles, but all of them brilliant. Go see. I've only got space to mention a few. John Bellamy has the ability to make something seem normal until you look at it in detail. His Before Eden is a perfect example. Make what you will of Erika Servin's My Guardian Angel. Exquisitely drawn and abounds with meaning. Rona Maclean has interesting drawings that would honour any wall. I've only described part of one wall. There's lots lots more. When I described this as "free", that's to get in. As all the work is for saleit could turn out to be very expensive. Smoke & The After Hours The X Factor Dance Company 3 February 2006 - Tron Theatre, Glasgow 15 & 16 February 2006 - Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh 28 February 2006 - Howden Park Centre, Livingston 9 March 2006 - Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Not a strange title but a double bill by this great company that is touring in the new year. Smoke is a new work by guest choreographer Colin Poole. It takes its name from Merriam-Webster's online dictionary's definition of the word and form the framework of a thought-provoking examination into the American dream - the dream of individualism, democracy, free trade, the spread of our way of life throughout the globe and the nightmare of terror that accompanies this ideal. Alan Greig's new work The After Hours is presented in his trademark humorous and eclectic style. The production is set in the surreal world of dreams - dreams of love and anger, people, places and the hauntingly unfamiliar. Greig creates a fast shifting mercurial world of athletic dance, spoken text, imaginative lighting and fascinating sounds blending original music by Tom Murray with Jilted John, Bernard Herrmann and Andy Williams. More info - http://www.xfactordance.co.uk/ Martin Powell E-mail: martinp@drink.demon.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FILMS TO KNOW ABOUT =================== by Malcolm Epstein It might be tragic to disillusion Frank Sinatra fans, but within minutes of him leaving this life, books were being written explaining what an unpleasant man he really was. Growing up in New York, he thought it was a good idea to befriend crooks in the Mafia and was close to them throughout his life even though he always denied it. Anyone who annoyed him could be beaten up by an unknown assailant. Now a movie has been made about a disastrous trip he made in the 70's to sing in Australia called "THE NIGHT WE CALLED IT A DAY" (15). From the stage he called a local female journalist a whore, which brought a union strike of theatre workers, and the local impressario was manhandled by Sinatra hoodlums. It is unfortunate to have to learn the truth about such a talented man, who was the idol of so many, but this film only touches the surface of how unwise he could be. Another January opening is "BREAKFAST ON PLUTO" (15) about a boy growing up in an Irish town with a passion for wearing dresses who tracks down his legal mother in London. Anyone with a transvestite interest will love it and his adventures are constantly amusing. "MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA" (15) points out Japanese girls trained in dancing and playing an instrument didn't offer sexual services. Its locations are almost as good as a holiday there. "THE MATADOR" (15) has Pierce Brosnan as a hit man happy to wipe out anyone for the right price. In Mexico he suddenly decides that murder has killed him on the inside. Filmed in four countries it gets the point across that money isn't everything in life. Those of us who remember how chilling Anthony Hopkins was as a sadistic killer in the "Silence Of The Lambs" movies will be surprised to see him as a loveable pensioner in "THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN" (12a) in February. Those of us who know little about motor bikes won't know an Indian is a bike of the past which, in his New Zealand home, Mr Hopkins keeps updating to ride on an American track. You have to be a Hopkins lover to witness this or be obsessed with speed. CURRENT RELEASES Part of my education on old movies was tracking down the 1933 producation of "King Kong" as I know it stunned moviegoers at the time. The latest "KING KONG" (12a) will have a similar effect on current audiences as it is the most impressive film of the year. Made by the man responsible for "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy it will bring more Oscars to director Peter Jackson. Set in the American depression years of the early 30's it has a film director eager to take a rundown ship to an undiscovered island. His cast has experiences too terrifying to relate here, but the special effects of battling dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures have to be seen to be believed. You will be engrossed for the entire three hours. A Mel Brooks 1968 film "The Producers" did so well he added music to make it a hit Broadway stage musical that is now packing them in on the London stage. The movie version of this musical "THE PRODUCERS" (12a) is worth every penny to see it. Much humour is derived from a mature stage producer and his accountant, who decide the best way to make money is persuading investors to give them far more than they need to stage a disaster that comes off quickly. The producer is prepared to stimulate wealthy elderly ladies to give him cheques. There are brilliant musical production numbers and it is great entertainment. Those of us eager to please nieces and nephews at this time of year must consider "LASSIE" (PG) based on the best selling novel "Lassie Comes Home". Falling on hard times a Yorkshire family is forced to sell their beloved dog to a duke in a remote Scottish castle. But she is determined to walk 500 miles back to the family she loves. It is a film that will bring tears of joy to many. For me the most memorable new girl in movies is the British Rosamund Pike. In the 17th century drama "THE LIBERTINE" (18) she is Johnny Depp's hard faced wife and in "DOOM" (15) set in Mars in 2046, a sci-fi horror film, she is a sympathetic doctor calming the nerves of dying men. If there was a contract system here or in Hollywood that systematically built stars, as there was in the past, this girl would stun the world. "KEEPING MUM" (15) is the black comedy of the year with Rowan Atkinson as a nervous village parson so obsessed with writing good sermons he is unaware of the problems of his wife, Kristin Scott Thomas, and two children. When a sweet greyhaired housekeeper arrives, Maggie Smith, she decides to cure everything in a very dramatic way. Kristin feels so neglected she is about to have an affair with golf instructor Patrick Swayze. More detail would spoil it for you. I was intrigued throughout. DVD WORLD There could be readers who have never heard of Mae West. She was the most charismatic blonde bombshell of the thirties and most highly paid woman in Hollywood who wrote as well as starring in her films. Her wit has been repeated ever since. Lines like "It's not the men in your life that count dear, but the life in your men." When a cloakroom girl comments about her beautiful fur coat with "Goodness!" Mae retorts "Goodness had nothing to do with it honey." Six of her best films are now on "MAE WEST - THE SCREEN GODDESS COLLECTION" and if you can't find it locally call MovieMail on 0870 264 9000. Essential reading is "Mae West - It Ain't No Sin" from Faber and Faber that will make you realize how incredible this woman was. Steve Guttenberg, whom many of us will know from countless movies, has now directed and is playing the lead in the most unusual film of the year "PS YOUR CAT IS DEAD" from TLA Releasing. A struggling writer who is often burgled is on his biggest crisis day as his girlfriend is moving out and he catches a burglar in his flat. For reasons known only to himself and his psychiatrist, after knocking the guy out, he chooses to tie him up face down on a table and talk to him for hours. When three gay friends happen to arrive they can see the humour of the situation and decide to tie him up as well. It is the first time I have seen a film for anyone who loves bondage. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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. It's completely FREE to place your ad by phone on 0800 138 4 1-2-1 We'll not only print your ad in our next few issues, but it will also be available for telephone callers to our browse hotline on 09068 556613 Advertisers get their own private voice mailbox and can pick up replies on 09068 556613 Why not suck it and see? Conditions of service: All participants must be 18 or over. Ads will run for up to 3 issues. It will not be possible to reply to advertisers who have not collected replies for more than 28 days. service supplied by Tele-Dater, PO Box 425, PE25 2RQ. E-mail: admin@bizorg.co.uk. Helpline (10am - 6pm weekdays) 0870 121 1210 (not a premium rate number). 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 Use And Abuse Straight-acting, 5'7", 14.5 st Edinburgh slave is looking for "a dominant master to use/abuse me". He describes himself as discreet and willing to try most things. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6435. Edinburgh or Dundee 40 year old would like to meet a skinhead or others who are into leather and rubber. "I can't travel. Please reply in detail". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6436. Wellies, Wellies, Wellies Scotland/anywhere. Horny 40 year old would like to meet guys who are into black wellies, waders or riding boots - muddy or clean. "Phone with details. Can travel anywhere". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6446. Horny Thirty-something Spanish student from the Aberdeen area is looking for top guys and threesomes for clean, safe fun. Willing to accommodate or can travel to Perth, Dundee and Aberdeenshire areas. "Get back". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6447. Slim And Passive Horny 40 year old, describes himself as: good looking, 5'7" tall with blue eyes, lives Central Scotland and looking for horny, fit guys in the Central area for lots of no strings fun. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6450. All In One Edinburgh-based leather guy, hairy chest, can be versatile, prefers to be sub who is into gloves, boots and masks is seeing dominant bikers, skins, leather guys - no strings attached. Can accommodate. "If you have an all-in-one biker suit - so much the better. Get in touch". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6419. No Strings Dale Dale, not bad looking, is seeking no strings fun. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6423. Mate In Inverness 5'8" tall Inverness guy with black curly hair, slim build, 30 years old with lots of hobbies is looking for a bi or bi-curious sincere mate for fun times. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6427. Smooth Peter Peter is 44 years old, lean, fit, good looking, with a smooth upper body, cropped brown hair and green eyes. He is looking for hairy, dominant, older top guys, 40-65 years, for some fun. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6428. Glasgow Master "This Glasgow master is adding to his stable. Are there any guys out there who are into BDSM? Do you like to be tied, gagged, blindfolded and hooded, ready for use as and when your master wants? Does pain and bondage create excitement or pleasure? If that's at all interesting to you, then why not get in touch with me?" Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6431. Mature Student Mature student from Inverness is looking for bi-curious friends for fun. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6433. Leather And Boots Edinburgh slave, 43 years old, into leather and boots, is willing to serve a very dominant Master. Bikers, Leather, Uniform... "Give me a ring - you will not be disappointed". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6378. Go West West Scotland, Bi-curious guy wants to meet a friendly Cop, Fireman or Prison Officer. Can accommodate. Discretion assured. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6384. Traditional Flogging Hard man are you? Could you take a traditional flogging? Travel expenses to Glasgow if required. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6385. 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Mid fifties, straight looking and acting active guy would like to meet a smooth-skinned, passive Asian guy. Has his own place in Edinburgh. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6315. Fun Male Top Joe describes himself as "a fun male top" who is into keep fit. He is seeking a slim camp male or sexy feminine TV for fun and friendship. "If you're out there - get in touch". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6304. Firm Handed? Paul, 43 years old with a Number 1 crop, 5'7" tall is looking for leather tops: boots, masks etc. He is "in need of a firm-handed master". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6306. Rubberist Male Rubberist would like to hear from others who are into rubber and latex. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6257. Loving Andrew Andrew is 6'2" tall, 52 years old, hirsute and slim. He lives in Morayshire and has his own house and car. He is a Vegetarian and enjoys healthy cooking, the usual arts and cultural interests, cycling and slimming and is looking for someone 18-40 years, maybe taller or chubbier. He describes himself as fairly kind and gentle and would look for the same characteristics in other people. He'd like friendship or a loving relationship with someone else. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6204. Easy Going In Aberdeen Gay, 6' tall, 40 year old, slim built, easy going male from Aberdeen seeks male 25-35 years for friendship and possibly more. Genuine replies only. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6206. Dundee Fiftysomething Late 50's gay man living in Dundee. Straight acting and looking with usual interests - walking, travel, music and reading - is looking for a gay man with similar interests for fun and friendship. "If you're interested, please leave a message and I'll get back to you". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6174. His Master's Pleasure Edinburgh master seeks young submissive guy between approximately 18 and 30 years who must be prepared to accept bondage and punishment "and to be used for my pleasure". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6181. Passive Andy Andy 53 years from the Borders can accommodate. He is 5'10" tall with a stocky/medium build and a shaved head, goatee beard and blue eyes. He is 100% passive and is looking to meet a guy who is stocky or muscularly built, 30-50 years. Can travel within a reasonable area. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6201. Chastisement 61 year old Edinburgh disciplinarian: "Call me now for suitable chastisement". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6124. Army Robert from Dundee is an ex-army gay guy with a smart appearance. He would like to meet gay/bi guys for fun and roleplay scenarios. "Suited and uniformed guys most welcome". He can accommodate anytime. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6136. Slim Slave Slim 43 years old slave looking for dominant guys 50+. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6093. Slave Seeks Master Slave from Glasgow looking for a master. "I will do anything my master wishes". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6069. TV Times Male, mid-forties, quite fit and fully employed is looking for a feminine TV who likes to dress up. "I am not a time-waster, so please get in contact with me". Edinburgh area. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6010. Forceful Ex-Forces Richard from Dundee is 45 years old and is looking for someone like-minded who is into O and A, bondage and restraint. Can accommodate. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6012. Bend Over Edinburgh Headmaster 61 years has vacancies now for naughty "schoolboys". "Drop your trousers and bend over for a sound thrashing". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 6006. Fellow Novice Wanted Scott, 39 years old from the Fife area, 5'9" tall, 30" waist, likes films, eating out and the occasional drink. Looking for another novice 20-35 years, preferably slim and clean-shaven who is willing to experiment and go from there. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5970. Anything Goes (You Name It) "I am a male in my early forties who is looking for a dominant master to be your slave. Anything goes: uniforms, dressing up, you name it. I come from the Fife/ Edinburgh area. If you are interested - give me a call". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5900. Horny Uncle Horny uncle type seeking nephew for hot, horny fun with no strings attached. He is 40 years old, 5'7" tall with a 30" waist and 40" chest. "No camps, effeminates or fatties". Can accommodate or travel in the Glasgow area. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5701. Cute, Cuddly And Quiet Steve from Dundee is 32 years old, cute and cuddly. He likes watching TV, quiet nights in and nights out. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5730. Forceful False Floosie For Forties Fife Frolics I am looking for a dominant TV. I am a mid-forties male who stays in Fife and works in Edinburgh. Looking for somebody who is into fun and entertainment. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5695. Anything Goes In Aberdeen Aberdeen area 39 year old tolerant slave seeks master, 45+. Anything goes. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5431. Edinburgh Lock Male, early 40's, into domination, rubber, leather and restraints. Comes from Edinburgh but can travel. Please give him a call if you are similarly interested. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5452. Peter From Edinburgh Peter from Edinburgh is 48 years old, 5'8" tall and totally non-scene. He is very genuine, honest and caring. He likes theatre, cinema, walking, the gym and holidays. He is looking for a like-minded gay or bi-guy who enjoys life - 18-50 years old. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5380. Suberdonian Aberdeen area slim 38 year old submissive guy seeking dominant guys 40+. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5321. Belting Memories "I am looking for a genuine retired or former teacher, living in Scotland, over the age of 50 to give me the belt as per my schooldays. I need my hands warmed again". Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5252. Pissable Meeting In Aberdeen Aberdeen area. Slim, tanned, 38 year old Sub, into bondage and yellow, looking for other guys 40+. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5199. Colourful Aberdonian Aberdeen area, submissive 42 year old, into yellow or brown, into dominant guys, any age. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5082. Yellow Sub- 38 year old slim, submissive guy, into yellow, is looking for dominant guys any age. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 5060. Professional And Non-scene 31 year old professional, non-scene gay guy, non-smoker, 5'8", 10.5 stone, 33" waist. Hobbies include cinema, theatre, reading, country walking and swimming. Looking to meet gay/bi guys up to 45 years old for a possible 1-2-1 with the right guy. Phone 09068 556613 - Number 4775. 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. -------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Caring And Sharing - Are You Interested? Bi-curious lady seeks bi lady to share feminine delights. Am 46 years old. No experience but willing. Write soon. Waiting for you. Have bi boyfriend to join us later if both agree. Box SG67035. *MEN Lost Smile - Reward For Recovery I've lost my smile but I think I know how to get it back. If you are a struggling student or single guy (16-21) and have a few hours a week to spare you could help me. It would be very rewarding and I'm sure very satisfying for you. Me - a successful, mature businessman who does nothing but work and attend to the baggage that mature people collect. Box SG67002. Older Top Seeks Young Bottom Do you fancy older guys? This one is 47, 5'7", ready to teach new nephew types 16-26 who are hot and willing to learn. Shy boys and any race welcome. Box SG67003. Sexy Looking Guy To Belt My Arse I am a man in my early 50's. I own a genuine "Lochgelly" two tail xh school strap which is rather severe. I am looking for a guy to give me twelve of the best on my bare buttocks. I do not want a sexual relationship or anything like that. I just want a nice looking guy (20's/50's) to lay the strap on real hard. The very thought of this is rather exciting. I cannot accommodate for personal reasons - so it would have to be your place. Any guys out there fancy belting another guy's bare arse? Box SG67006. Fit Slim 45 Year Old Seeks Younger Good looking guy in Inverclyde looking for young slim guys 18-30 for fun and good times. Can travel and accommodate. Box SG67008. Older Guy In Aberdeen I'm 54 and have my own place in Aberdeen. I'm looking to make friends as well as having a bit of fun. I'm pretty experienced but would love to have someone regular in my life. I travel a lot, have a good job, am very solvent and hopefully am a nice guy. Hope to receive lots of messages. Kenny. Box SG67009. Bi Guy For Horny Fun Married bi guy seeking no strings fun. Versatile but going through a more bottom phase just now. I'm 45, not bad looking with a good sense of humour. I am a nonsmoker and would prefer you to be the same. Looking for someone in the Fife/Edinburgh area that I can visit during the day. Safe fun only. Box SG67010. Virgin Needs Broken In Bi virgin 33, seeks discreet gentle guy or couple to learn with. Happy to let someone pop my cherry, cannot accommodate. Aberdeen area. Box SG67014. Handsome Man Seeks Fulfillment I am 34, based in Tayside/Angus. I would like very much to meet a discreet man for regular fun sessions, involving restraint, lots of bottom fun and also some light physical pain. I regret I cannot accommodate but can travel. Serious guys only and proficiency in restraining is appreciated. Box SG67015. Eastern Promise I am very sympatic slim, sport type man. I am foreigner - Slovak. I am looking for similar good friend from area Kirkcaldy and Edinburg. Soon message. Box SG67016. Please Take This Bear Home And Enjoy It! 48 year old Paddington is looking for cub (16-26) to stroke. No strings. Can accommodate (Edinburgh) or travel. A bear needn't only be for Xmas. Box SG67017. Hawick I'm 54 years old, passive, 5'10", O-cropped, hairy, masculine. Box SG67018. Son Wanted You should be no older than 25, slim and non-smoking. I am experienced, slightly chubby, mid-fifties and looking for fun times with younger guys. Looks unimportant, as long as you are slim. I can accommodate but not travel. Discretion assured. Box SG67019. Skinhead (Yellow) Zero crop Edinburgh skin wants to meet lads up for yellow fun, rubber, waders, gas masks, also other kinks. Photo and phone number for quick reply. Box SG67028. Your Parents Warned You About Me! Are you 16-21? Then this 47 year old guy, old enough to be your father, would like to meet you. Box SG67029. Slim/Skinny Guys Sought For NS Fun Fife, middle aged guy, seeks slim guys of all ages for no strings fun. Can accommodate. Very versatile, friendly and non-smoker. Bi and married guys welcome. Discretion assured. Box SG67030. Straight Guys Only No nancy boys need apply. Just manly young guys who like bending over for a mature 50's man - Edinburgh. Box SG67031. Glasgow Based Male 39, passionate, confident, slim, non smoker seeks attractive guy 25-50 for special romantic relationship. Box SG67032. Kilt Appreciation Society Founded 1991. Kilt group for guys with fetish of what lies beneath. Bi-monthly magazine, socials, horny photos, contacts. For wearers and admirers alike. Tel: Mervyn 01777 708270. Glasgow - Lanarkshire Genuine passive sorted guy, 5'11", short crop, slim, GSOH, SA, SL, no baggage, seeks active top for no strings fun. Time wasters need not apply - met enough already. Box SG67033. Up, Up And Away Frequent Ryanair/easyJet international traveller, 50, seeks younger (16-25) companions for short jaunts abroad or in UK. Don't do the gay scene generally. More into local food, drink and culture. Box SG67034. Glasgow - Anywhere Fit attractive guy, 40, slim, green eyes, easy going and broad minded. Looking for horny guys who are up for it. Your place or mine. Box SG67036. Angus - Brechin Nice guy, 6ft, dark, 14st and OK looking for 58, with nice home dog. Into transport and classical WLTM gay guys or girls for friendship or possibly more. Box SG67037. Edinburgh Tall, dark and handsome versatile guy (35) seeks no strings fun and friendship with similar. Must have own hair and teeth and be slim/medium build. No closet cases or "straight acting" delusionists. Mincers and hairdressers most welcome. 3somes also considered. Box SG67038. It All Comes Down To Friction In The End Cynical 47 year old seeks equally cynical 16-26 year old for fun and friendship. Strictly non scene. Box SG67040. *BISEXUAL Bi Curious? There has to be a first time for everything! Aged 16-21: 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. Live in Edinburgh but will travel if required. Box SG67001. Naughty Son Wanted You should be no older than 28, slim and non-smoking. I am experienced, slightly chubby, mid-fifties and looking for fun times with younger bi guys. I can accommodate but not travel. Discretion assured. Box SG67007. Bisexual Fem Wanted For Sexy Couple 24 year old fem and 25 year old male looking for fun in or around Dundee with a sexy fem. Pics preferred. No time wasters. Box SG67011. Fife Bisexual Male Bisexual male, 50, 6 foot, not ugly or daft, morally relaxed with a GSOH. Seeks guys or couples (40 to 60 ish) in the Fife area for good clean fun. First timers and married guys welcome. Discretion assured. Box SG67012. Ayrshire Area Middle-aged bisexual male, frequent visitor to the Ayrshire area. Would like to meet a male or couple for fun and friendship. Must be genuine and discreet. Your limits respected. Box SG67013. Master Seeks Live-in Slaves Firm master from Angus in Scotland needs 1 or 2 slaves to live-in. Must be very fit. Send detailed letter and photo. Any age/colour. Box SG67021. Leather Rock And Cock Addict Tight leather denim rock trance dance inclined guy. 46. 6'2" tall, heavy build, heavy metal, heavy sex fan, seeks similar friends into rock leather. Decent interests. GSOH. Passive. ALA. Box SG67023. Submissive Bodybuilder, 40, is looking for strict master, any age/race, but photo essential. Glasgow/anywhere. Box SG67024. Friendly Bi-Guy - Glasgow - West Scotland 50's would love to hang out with really big knobs. Enjoy mutual fun. Welcome 21-40. Photos please (returned). Cannot accommodate or drive. Can travel. Let's meet up very soon. Box SG67025. Every Breath You Take And Me Too! Asthma sufferer seeks contact with breath restricted guys for contact, mutual support, pen pals, visits and perhaps more? Many sexual strings to my bow! A brown eyed Russel Crowe. ALA. Box SG67026. Bi Guy Seeks Steady Boyfriend Bi guy 20-45 sought by mid 50's guy in Grampian area for fun, games and hopefully LTR. Have girl friend. Smokers welcome. Letters only, please. No PC. Loadsa love. CTOA. Box SG67027. Edinburgh Tall, dark and handsome versatile guy (35) seeks no strings fun and friendship with bi guys or girls. Box SG67039. *STRAIGHT Edinburgh Friendly, fit, 50something silver bear, recently moved to Edinburgh, seeks morally relaxed women of all ages for fun and friendship. Box SG67004. Retired Hippy 50, looking for some love and affection from women (and men) of all ages. Box SG67005. *FRIENDS ABROAD INTERGAY Penpal contacts with gay men all over the world. Over 120 subscribers in 30 countries. To join is free: send your ad. Only subscribers get the booklet with all data and addresses by enclosing GBP5. INTERGAY, Voorstraat 12-A, 4033 AD Lienden, Netherlands. Houseboy - Personal Boy Young hot boy living in. I love to keep you naked and tied up. You will travel with me. I want sportsman for boxing or wrestling. Write: G Antonnisens, PO Box 55, Edegem 2650, Belgium. Visiting Los Angeles California If you are coming to California, please let me know in advance if possible and we can plan some fun things to do. Write: Jess K, PO Box 691309, West Hollywood, CA 90069-9309, USA. E-mail: jess90069@earthlink.net *ACCOMMODATION OFFERED Free Room In Central Edinburgh flat offered to young guy aged under 25 in exchange for light domestic help and help with shopping by older man now in ill-health. Box SG67022. *JOBS OFFERED Alternative Therapies Available In the comfort of your own home or clinics throughout Edinburgh. Therapies available: Reiki treatments/teaching, Indian Head Massage, Spiritual Readings and Hopi Ear Candles. Fully qualified and insured therapist. Please contact Alan on 07747 714005 for clinics and appointments. [99] Animal Lover Unique opportunity for horse and circus lover. Live in and learn to ride a High School Andalucian Horse. Possibility of waged UK tour summer 2005. Meals and accommodation provided with training. NE Scotland. Tel: Bobby on St Colms (01346) 583145. [67] Cash For Your Body Photogenic guys can earn GBP100 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: mikearlen@btopenworld.com [99] Legal Gay Houseman Wanted In USA Professional gay couple looking for live in houseman. We have homes in New York, Florida, Canada and Caribbean. Need experienced caretaker for homes and 3 small dogs. Cooking, cleaning, laundry with light yard and pool work (we have weekly service). Room, salary, cell phone and health insurance. May work lightly outside of house for extra cash. We entertain frequently so bartending, serving and clean-up important. Cooking not necessary as one person is gourmet. E-mail picture and experience. There is no sex involved. This is a professional position that should be taken seriously. Great lifestyale and ability to earn money for right person! Write: Jeff Gurciullo, 5454 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA. E-mail: jgurciullo@aol.com Looking For Staff Seeking salespeople for Spanish property shows in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness areas. Sundays only. Do you have transport, access to PC, someone to work with? Commission only. GBP700 a day expected with approximately 15 week delay of payments. Full training given to right person. Contact Sales Manager: 0141-229 1693. [67] Models Wanted Previously published photographer needs good looking guys (18-25) who want to earn GBP20 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] Nude Model Wanted Amateur photographer seeks a slim fit guy under 25 for nude modelling. Edinburgh area. No strings or publication. Generous fee for the right guy. Please send your details and a photo to be considered. Box SG67020. *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 info. [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] 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] 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] Happy House Bear Hairy, rugby built daddy (46) available for cleaning and other nude/partially-clothed domestic chores. Glasgow area. Rates and info on 07813 307321 or E-mail: bearessentials@myway.com [67] Home In Spain For letting or investment. Superb villas, bungalows or apartments with pool direct from builder from GBP65,000 (60 per cent mortgage available). Call Let's Live Abroad on 0845 2255777. WWW: http://www.letsliveabroad.com/ [99] Limited Companies Only GBP90 for your own Limited Company. PLCs GBP100. 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] Proofreading And Tuition In English (including TEFL), French, Latin, Greek and Gaelic, Typing Services, Historical and Genealogical Research. Charles S Coventry, 23/9 Viewcraig Street, Edinburgh. EH8 9UJ. Tel: 0131-558 8785. E-mail: charlie_cov@yahoo.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 310, Manchester. M15 6WT. 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: trots2@drink.demon.co.uk or Write: Box SG67000. [99] Worldwide Penfriends Regular lists. Make friends, exchange holidays, improve your languages. For general and music lovers' lists send GBP3: "The Penpal List", c/o 221B Merton Rd, Southfields, London. SW18 5EE. [99] *BACK RUBS Antonio X 23, successful educated Italian guy for exotic pleasure, 28" waist, smooth, toned all over. Underwear fetish with discreet service based around Scotland in/out calls on 1hr rate. Tel/text: 07790 446997. [67a] Edinburgh Chubby gay man offers erotic massage for men (GBP20) in Central Edinburgh. Call Kenny on 0131-669 3135 or 07920 223181. [99] Edinburgh Centre Good looking 21 year old slim white lad. Out calls in Central Edinburgh. Specialise in sub/dom. Call 07906 349143. [67] Edinburgh Ebony Escort 5'10", slim to muscular, toned, 25 years old, W/E, handsome. In call or visit. Covers central Scotland. Put together the way a man should be. Call 07969 894038. [66a] Edinburgh Gay Escort Tony - 20 year old sexy fit lad. Straight looking horny lad! Friendly, discreet and professional service at my place or yours. In calls available! Visit ScotsGuys.Com for details or call 08444 170134 (local rate). [66a] Glasgow Gay Escort Damien - 18 year old sexy guy for in or out calls in Glasgow. VWE active guy who is always able to satisfy! Friendly and discreet escort for guys of all ages. Visit ScotsGuys.Com for details or call 08444 170134 (local rate). [66a] Edinburgh Massage Ex-army, NVQ2 trained masseur, offers relaxed, unhurried service. GBP30 per hour. Private flat, off road parking. Go on, treat yourself. Call 07913 200799 for details. [67] Massage For Men - Edinburgh Great relaxing, holistic, sensual, tantric, full body pampering in nurturing masculine environment. Soft candles, music, incense, warm towels, shower, cologne, refreshments. GBP30 session. Jim: Qualified, experienced, caring. 0131-557 4643. [69] Muscle Escort Sam - Hot Muscle Escort. Attractive, fit and muscular guy. Versatile guy offering a professional and friendly service. Available throughout Central Scotland. In calls available. Visit ScotsGuys.Com for details or call 08444 170134 (local rate). [66a] New Transvestite Escort! Nadine - Professional and friendly service from a gorgeous 20 year old transvestite escort. Accom in Glasgow or visit you anywhere in Scotland. Visit ScotsGuys.Com for details or call 08444 170134 (local rate). [66a] Scotland’s Top Escort! Kyle - 18 year old boyish and cute gay escort in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Slim, toned, hung and horny. Versatile/passive and can accom in Glasgow or visit you anywhere. Visit ScotsGuys.Com for details or call 08444 170134 (local rate). [66a] ScotsGuys Escort Agency The best gay escorts in Scotland are at ScotsGuys! Visit http://www.scotsguys.com/ for pictures and details or call 08444 170134 (local rate) for all enquiries and bookings. New Escorts always wanted. [66a] Swedish Massage In Edinburgh Professional masseur with long experience of both remedial and relaxing massage working from home on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. For more information, see my web page http://www.masseur.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ or call 07724 592777. [66a] Swedish Massage In Glasgow Area Remedial and sports massage. Qualified Practitioner evenings and weekends. Home visits. Non sexual. Call Drew on 01355 245708. [69a] *WHERE TO GO Reubans Of Carlisle Gay and bi sauna. Close to M6 Jct42. Open 7 days. Tel 01228 523328. WWW: http://www.reubans.com/ [70] *WHERE TO STAY 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: GBP29-GBP49 per night. Call 0131-558 1382 or Fax 0131-556 8279. WWW: http://www.gayscotland.com/alvahouse/ [69a] Apartment - Edinburgh City Centre Holiday/break. Fabulous serviced apartment, near all gay venues. 5 mins to main rail/bus stations and Princes St. Sleeps 1-5 people. 1 double bedded room. 1 single bedroom. Very large lounge/dining room - inc double sofabed. Kitchen inc all mod cons and bathroom. From GBP90 per night. Tel: 0131-557 1910 or 07966 938055 or E-mail: dublinstreetstay@hotmail.com for bookings. WWW: http://www.dublinstreet.co.uk/ [68a] Charing Cross Guest House Offering budget accommodation in the heart of Glasgow City Centre. Gay friendly. Tel: (+44) 141-332 2503. Fax: (+44) 141-353 3047. WWW: http://www.glasgow-guesthouse.net [70] Near Perth Guest House. En suite rooms B&B GBP25. Dinner to order. Also massage, hairdressing head and body. For a discreet personal service, call Ron on 07730 876454. [67] North West Highlands Friendly and relaxed small B&B with spectacular mountain views & wilderness surroundings. Ideal for walking, climbing, cycling or enjoying the peace & quiet in an "away from it all" picturesque location. Martin and Ken. Tel: (01809) 511315. WWW: http://www.poulary.co.uk/ [68a] Penzance - Cornwall Small, gay-friendly, period hotel situated with own parking in town centre. Rooms available en-suite. WWW: http://www.cliffhotelpz.co.uk/ Tel: (01736) 368888. [99] Perth We are a gay and lesbian friendly guest house in Perth. 10 mins from city centre amenities. Comfortable rooms recently refurbished and ensuite. 24 channel televideo. All diets catered for. Excellent rates. Full Scottish breakfast. See you soon. Phone 07715 180157. E-mail: enquiries@rosebankguesthouseperth.co.uk [67] Pottery House B&B - Loch Ness Small, friendly B&B on the shores of Loch Ness just 8 miles from Inverness. Call John or Glen: 01463 751267. WWW: http://www.potteryhouse.co.uk/ [70a] Quality 4 Star Rated B&B Near To Inverness Located on the Black Isle, its quiet rural location is just perfect for walking cycling and touring the Highlands, or even just relaxing. Telephone Chris or Paul on 01463 811779. [71] Victorian House Hotel 60 spacious and well appointed bedrooms - quiet, comfortable and individually furnished. 3 star and gay friendly. Tel: (+44) 141-332 0129. Fax: (+44) 141-353 3155. WWW: http://www.victorianhotel-glasgow.co.uk/ [70] -------------------------------------------------------------- HELPLINES AND SWITCHBOARDS ========================== CROSSLYNX NATIONAL TV/TS/TG HELPLINE Mon 7.30-9.30pm. Phone: 0141-847 0787 WWW: http://www.crosslynx.org/ 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: contact@diversitay.org.uk WWW: http://www.diversitay.org.uk/ FIFE HATE CRIME REPORTING HELPLINE 24 hours. Phone: Freephone 0800 3891425 A freephone number for people who wish support in reporting to Fife Constabulary crime motivated by hate. For further information about the service or becoming a trained helpline volunteer, phone us now! HOMOPHOBIC CRIME LINE Nightly 7-10pm. Phone: 0141-847 0647 or Stirling (01786) 469483 WWW: http://www.centralscotland.police.uk/gblt/ LOTHIAN GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD Nightly 7.30-10pm. Phone: 0131-556 4049 E-mail: help.swithboard@btconnect.com WWW: http://www.lgls.co.uk/ LOTHIAN LESBIAN LINE Mon, Thu 7.30-10pm. Phone: 0131-557 0751 E-mail: help.switchboard@btconnect.com WWW: http://www.lgls.co.uk/ STRATHCLYDE LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD Nightly 7-10pm. Phone: 0141-847 0447 E-mail: info@sgls.co.uk WWW: http://www.sgls.co.uk/ STRATHCLYDE LESBIAN LINE Wed 7.30-10pm. Phone: 0141-847 0547 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 ======== 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 Scottish Public Institutions such as the NHS, Police and Justice System. Write: The Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, PO Box 23253, Edinburgh. EH1 3XD. Email: convenor@outrightscotland. org.uk WWW: http://www.outright- scotland.org.uk/ Why not support OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND's work? Membership is GBP15 waged, GBP9 lowwaged (under GBP10,000 pa) and GBP5 unwaged. Life membership is GBP150. Affiliation from Trades Union and Political Party Branches also welcome: GBP100 (Local Branches), GBP150 (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. EQUALITY NETWORK: Working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in Scotland. Write: 30 Bernard Street, Edinburgh. EH6 6PR. Tel: 07020 933952. Fax: 07020 933954. 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, Wed, Fri 1-6pm. Thu 1-9pm. Email: gwl@womens-library.org.uk WWW: http://www.womenslibrary. org.uk/laic.htm PRIDE SCOTIA (EDINBURGH): Now busily organising Pride Scotia 2007! Tel: 0131-556 9471. Write: 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. E-mail: edinburgh@pride-scotia.org WWW: http://www.pride-scotia.org/ PRIDE SCOTIA (GLASGOW): Organising Pride Scotia 2006 which is provisionally planned for Sat 24th Jun 2006! Write: 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. E-mail: glasgow@pride-scotia. org WWW: http://www.pridescotia. org/ STONEWALL SCOTLAND: Scottish office of the London based campaigning group. Write: 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6TE. Tel: 0131-557 3679. E-mail: scotland@stonewall.org.uk WWW: http://www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/ LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ABERDEEN: Icebreakers: A support group for members of the LGBT community who are new to the Grampian area or the local scene. Meets monthly. Write: c/o Phace Scotland, 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. AB10 1XH. Tel: 0845 2412151. Fax: 0845 2412152. E-mail: grampian@phacescotland.org North East Scotland Gay Group: A befriending group for gay and bisexual men, meets 3rd Sun of each month at 7.30pm. Write: c/o 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. AB10 1XH. Tel: 0845 2412151. E-mail: nesgg@phacescotland. org Pride In Aberdeen: An umbrella group for voluntary LGBT organisations in the North East of Scotland (formerly North East LGBT Forum). Working towards opening an LGBT Centre in Aberdeen. Write: Pride in Aberdeen Ltd, c/o PHACE Scotland, 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. AB10 1XH. E-mail: info@prideinaberdeen.org.uk WWW: http://www.prideinaberdeen.org.uk/ ARGYLL & CLYDE: If you are interested in getting involved in a local group for gay and bisexual men anywhere in the Argyll and Clyde area get in touch! PHACE Scotland are involved in a range of social and support groups across the West of Scotland. Tel: Matt Johnston on 0141- 332 3838 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or Email: mattj@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) or Irvine (01294) 323473. E-mail: davidb@phacescotland. org CAITHNESS: Caithness Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Group: A friendly informal group which meets irregularly. Write: Box 689, Journal Office, 42 Union Street, Wick. KW1 5ED. Tel: 07808 814007 (Fri 7- 9pm). E-mail: caithnessglb@yahoo.co.uk WWW: http://members.lycos.co.uk/caithnessglc/ index.htm DUNDEE: Disco:very: The newsletter from Diversitay. Available from: Diversitay (LGBT Group), PO Box 53, Dundee, DD1 3YG. DUNFERMLINE: FifeFLAGS: Fife Free Lesbian and Gay Society. Based in Dunfermline, provides a welcoming and safe meeting space and drop-in centre near the town centre for the LGBT community, our friends, family and supporters. Regular social group meets on Mon and Thu eve from 7pm. Youth group for people up to age 25, coordinated by LGBT Youth Scotland, meets on first Mon of each month from 7-9 pm. Support for parents of recently out children can also be arranged - contact for details. Various groups meet in comfortable surroundings and arrange activities and outings or just hang out and meet new friends over coffee and biscuits. Safer sex information and supplies available as part of the Fife Health Board condom distribution scheme. Tel: Dunfermline (01383) 738517. E-mail: Info@FifeFLAGS.org.uk WWW: http://www.fifeflags.org.uk/ EDINBURGH: Icebreakers: Social group for guys and gals who want to make friendships and feel more at ease in the company of other gay people. Run by Switchboard volunteers. Takes place from 7.30-9pm in CC Blooms on the 2nd & 4th Wed of each month. If you're recently out or new to Edinburgh or just feel a bit cut off and want a break, come along. A welcoming and non-threatening environment. First timers can be met outside. Phone Lothian Switchboard for details. ELGIN: Moray LGBT Group: Meets at Health Point, 239 High Street, Elgin. Write: c/o 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. AB10 1XH. Tel: 0845 2412151. E-mail: moraylgbtgroup@phacescotland.org FALKIRK: FLAGS LGBT Centre: 56-58 Cow Wynd, Falkirk. FK1 1PU. Tel: Falkirk (01324) 638218. Situated near the centre of town. Resource area with latest magazines, leaflets etc. Free safer sex supplies for men and women. Tea and coffee area. Various groups meet in the Centre each week. For further information: telephone or E-mail and speak to one of the volunteers. E-mail: flagslgbt@hotmail.com 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 and Manager are on duty (9.30am-5pm 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: admin1@glgbt.org.uk WWW: http://www.glgbt.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. INVERCLYDE: Greenock LGBT Group: Are you interested in meeting LGBT people from in and around Greenock? The Phoenix Community Health Project are running an occasional group for LGBT people from Inverclyde. These meetings are a chance to socialise with local people and to find out more about what's on offer for Inverclyde's LGBT community. The group is relaxed, informal and is also open to friends and family. Meets at the Phoenix Project, 19 Bogle St, Greenock on some Thu eves from 7- 9pm. Tel: Sandra on Greenock (01475) 892197 or Matt on 0141-332 3838. INVERNESS: Highland Gay Men's Group: Meets at 7.30pm on 4th Wed of each month at 34 Waterloo Place. Tel: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Fri 9.30am- 4.30pm). E-mail: hgmg@reachouthighland. org.uk Highland Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Forum. Write: c/o Reach Out Highland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB. E-mail: forum@gay-ness.org.uk WWW: http://www.gay-ness.org.uk/ STIRLING: Stirling Gay Men's Group meets monthly from Sep-Jun (generally 3rd Fri) in private houses. E-mail: mensgroup@lademill.force9.co.uk WWW: http://www.lademill.f9.co.uk/Forthfriend. html WOMEN'S LISTINGS SCOTTISH NETWORK FOR LESBIAN STRENGTH: To further lesbian issues, follow a lesbian agenda and foster lesbian visibility. E-mail: High_Les@bigfoot.com ABERDEEN: Aberdeen Lesbian Group: A small social group of lesbian and bisexual women who meet every fortnight in the Women's Centre, Shoe Lane (next to the Lemon Tree). They aim to bring together like-minded women into a friendly atmosphere focussing on fun and enjoyment. Tel: 07914 151920. Email: savanah@clara.co.uk AroundAB-out 2001: A free monthly online newsletter primarily for lesbians in Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland but has a mixed readership of gender, sexuality and age throughout the UK and internationally. It contains a mix of articles, humour, information and regular features. Personal copies are sent free via e-mail if requested, and the website is updated during the month with time related news. WWW: http://www.about2001.com/ For individual free subscriptions, E-mail: Subscriptions@About2001.com with the word "subscribe" either in the subject or in the body of the e-mail. Granite Sisters: Aberdeen based social and cultural group for lesbians throughout Scotland. Meetings and events held in both the private homes of members and public venues. Confidentiality and privacy are regarded as very important to this group as many members are not out, and you will find the members respect these values at gatherings. Website also contains news and information about gay issues, gay friendly holidays in Scotland etc. Further details: Maria Clark Manager/Secretary. Tel/Fax: Aberdeen (01224) 713336 (day/eve). Write: PO Box 18230, Aberdeen. AB2 9YN. E-mail: 13@clara.co.uk WWW: http://www.13.clara.co.uk/ CAITHNESS: GirlZone in Caithness, is a new social group, for gay and bi-sexual women of all ages. E-mail: GirlZoneCaith@aol.com DUNDEE: Ellesbelles: Dundee's women only drumming group. Meets every Thu from 5.30pm at Michelin Athletic Club, Drumgeith Road. Tel: Dundee (01382) 330131. E-mail: ellesbellesdundee@hotmail. com We Bissums: A regular newletter for women in and around Dundee. Write: PO Box 6819, Dundee. DD1 2YG. Email: weebiz@hotmail.co.uk 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. Go to the movies, pub, theatre, dancing, whatever you fancy. Meets every Wed 8pm onwards at Sala, LGBT Centre, 60 Broughton St. For details, phone Edinburgh Lesbian Line. Lesbian Book Group: Meets monthly (Wed 7.30-9.30pm) in basement of LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. Contact Kerry for further details / next book by E-mail: kjmcdoll@yahoo.co.uk or Tel: 07739 324046. LGBT Centre For Health & Wellbeing: 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6TE. Social events, groups, classes and volunteering for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. Tel: 0131-523 1100. E-mail: allie@lgbthealth.org.uk WWW: http://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/ LIBRA: Help for women concerned about their drinking. Free 1-2-1 counselling and groupwork. Tel: 0131-661 0111. Write: 4 Norton Park, Edinburgh. EH7 5RS. E-mail: libra@libralothian. fsnet.co.uk FALKIRK: Forth Valley Gay Women meet 7.30- 9pm every 2nd Thu at FLAGS LGBT Centre, 56-58 Cow Wynd, Falkirk. FK1 1PU. Tel: 07849 082761. GLASGOW: Centre For Women's Health: Sandyford Initiative, 2-6 Sandyford Place (old Eye Infirmary), Glasgow. G3 7NB. Tel: 0141- 211 6700. Minicom: 0141-211 6703. Fax: 0141-211 6702. 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. Tel: 0141- 211 8130 for appointment. Counselling at the Centre for Women's Health takes place fortnightly on Tue eve. Women Only Space and Reference Library: Mon-Thu 10am-8.30pm, Fri 10am-4pm. Tel: 0141-211 6700 for info. There is a crêche within Sandyford Initiative - Tel: 0141-211 8647 for info. E-mail: sandyfordlib@ glacomen.scot.nhs.uk. WWW: http://www.sandyford.org/ Glasgow Women's Library: 4th/5th Floors, 109 Trongate, G1 5HD. Tel/Fax: 0141-552 8345. Open Tue, Wed, Fri 1- 6pm. Thu 1-9pm. 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@womenslibrary. org.uk WWW: http://www.womens- library.org.uk/ OLGA - Older Women's Group: Meets monthly. Tel: Jenny or Alex on Kilwinning (01294) 558171 or Rose on 0141-423 3025. E-mail: roseodoherty@ hotmail.com Personal safety and confidence building courses for women are offered by Wise Women, 120 Sydney Street, Glasgow. G31 1JF. Tel: 0141-550 7557. Quertyphone: 0141-550 7558. INVERNESS: GirlZone: Formerly Girls @ The Gate. Friendly, informal social group for LBT and friends - all welcome. Meets 3rd Sat of each month. Tel: Joanne on 07792 223 687 for details and venue. Email: girlzone@gay-ness.org.uk WWW: http://www.gay-ness.org.uk/ Highland Lesbian Group: A friendly lesbian social group which offers support and information. Organises fundraisers for Womankind Worldwide: http://www.womankind.org.uk/ WWW: http://www.freewebs.com/highlandlesbiangroup/ E-mail: High_Les@bigfoot.com LESBIAN INFORMATION SERVICE: E-mail: jan@lesbianinformationservice.org WWW: http://www.lesbianinformationservice. org/ LILLIDOTS: Lesbian Feminist Walking Group. Contact via Dundee Switchboard, Lothian Lesbian Line or Strathclyde Switchboard. YOUNG LESBIANS: See our Youth Groups listings. BISEXUALS BI EDINBURGH: A monthly space for bisexuals and those questioning their sexuality. Meets 3rd Wed of month from 8pm at the Edinburgh LGBT Centre, 58a Broughton Street for informal discussion followed by drinks. Tel/text: 07963 960321. Email: info@biscotland.org WWW: http://www.biscotland.org/ BI GLASGOW: Glasgow's own bisexual group, for information, support and socializing, for bisexuals and those questioning their sexuality. Meets 1st Wed of month, from 7.30-9.30pm in the Ian Dunn Room at Glasgow LGBT Centre, followed by drinks. Also organises training and activist activities in support of bisexual visibility and pride. Tel/text: 07963 960321. Write: Bi Glasgow, c/o Glasgow LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow, G1 4AL. E-mail: info@biscotland. org WWW: http://www.biscotland.org/ BI MEN SCOTLAND: Scots Wing of the Bi Men Network - worldwide 1/4 million bi and gay men! WWW:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/B i-Men-Scotland/ ABUSE BROKEN RAINBOW LGBT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE (UK): Works to change the situation for LGBT people facing domestic violence. Runs a listening, information and signposting Helpline Service, staffed by LGBT people. Tel: 0845 2604460 (Mon-Fri 9am- 1pm and 2-5pm). E-mail: mail@brokenrainbow.org.uk WWW: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/ MALE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN GRAMPIAN: Support and Advice. Write: PHACE Scotland, 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. AB10 1XH. Tel: 0845 2412151. E-mail: grampian@phacescotland.org MEN AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE: MASA offers a unique 1-2-1 counselling service for adult male survivors of childhood abuse. MASA can also provide Hypnotherapy and Electric Stimulation Therapy (a form of acupunture). Tel: 0141-550 2048 (Tue 7-9pm). E-mail: abusedmen@aol.com RAPE AND ABUSE LINE: For male and female survivors. Women answer the Tel: Freephone 0808 8000123 (or Dingwall (01349) 865316) hours as advised on telephone answering machine. Men answer the Tel: Freephone 0808 8000122 (or Dingwall (01349) 862686) hours as advised on telephone answering machine. Callers are welcome to phone either line. Write: PO Box 10, Dingwall. IV15 9HE. THRIVE: Counselling service for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Write: The Sandyford Initiative, 4 Sandyford Place, Glasgow. G3 7NB. Tel: 0141-211 8133. E-mail: thrive@glacomen.scot.nhs.uk ATHEISTS/HUMANISTS 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, Warwickshire. CV8 2HB. Tel/Fax: Kenilworth (01926) 858450. Email: secretary@galha.org WWW: http://www.galha.org/ HUMANIST SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND: LGBT commitment ceremonies/weddings. Lesbian Humanist Society registered celebrant. Scotland wide. Tel 07739 826377 or E-mail: gerrie.ds@ntlworld.com 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: Write: 34 Spring Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2HB. Tel/Fax: Kenilworth (01926) 858450. 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 Regent Bar, Edinburgh, on the 3rd Sat of each month from 9pm. Write: PO Box 28, Edinburgh. EH3 5JL. E-mail: msc@mscscotland. net WWW: http://www.mscscotland. net/ SCOTTISH GAY SKINS: Information Site for Scottish Gay Skinheads. E-mail: scotsskins@fsmail.net WWW: http://www.gayromeo.com/scotsskins ScotsSkins meet informally in The Claremont in Edinburgh on the 3rd Sat of each month. SM GAYS: E-mail: info@smgays.org WWW: http://www.smgays.org/ SM PRIDE: National organisation providing information, advice and support on BDSM and related issues. Write: SM Pride, PO Box 413, Torquay, Devon. TQ1 1WZ. Tel: 07849 470005. Fax: 08702 415058. E-mail: theteam@uksmpride. org WWW: http://www.uksmpride.org/ BEARS BEARSCOTS: For hairy, moustached, bearded or bulky men and their admirers. Edinburgh: Meets 1st Sat of each month from 2pm in No. 18 Sauna and then from 9pm in the Claremont Bar. Write: PO Box 12785, Edinburgh, EH6 7YU. Tel: Dundee (01382) 640059. Email: info@bearscots.org.uk Glasgow: Meets 2nd Fri of each month from 8pm in the Revolver Bar. E-mail: glasgow_bear@yahoo.co.uk For details of other social events across Scotland contact BearScots or check the website. WWW: http://www.bearscots.org.uk/ 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: Andrew on Mid Calder (01506) 499926. Write: c/o 13 Westbrook Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire. SK10 3AQ. Email: info@eflgc.org.uk WWW: http://www.eflgc.org.uk/ 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 (11am during Aug) at Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh (opposite the Central Library). Relationship blessings conducted by arrangement. Tel: 0131-226 1691. Write: Metropolitan Community Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. EH1 1EL. E-mail: mail@mccedinburgh.com WWW: http://www.mccedinburgh.com/ OPEN EPISCOPAL CHURCH: A small gay friendly denomination in the Old Catholic tradition. Regular Masses and other sacraments in Edinburgh. Also Relationship Blessings, Hand-fastings, and Healing. Contact Alistair on 07817 767445. Email: alistair_bate@hotmail.com WWW: http://www.revalistairbate.com/ QUAKERS: Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship is a welcoming and supportive national group for people of all sexual orientations and their friends. Write: Ruth (SG), 46 The Avenue, Starbeck, Harrogate. HG1 4QD. E-mail: qlgfcontact@ btclick.com WWW: http://www.qlgf.org.uk/ QUEST: Organisation for lesbian and gay Catholics. Monthly meetings are held in different regional groups throughout Britain. Scottish meetings held in Glasgow. Quest Linkline - The Helpline for Gay and Lesbian Catholics - Tel: (Freephone) 0808 808 0234. Write: BM Box 2585, LONDON. WC1N 3XX. Email: quest@questgaycatholic.org.uk WWW: http://www.questgaycatholic.org.uk/ ROMAN CATHOLIC CAUCUS OF THE LESBIAN & GAY CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT: Local group meets in Central Edinburgh. Write: RC Caucus, PO Box 24632, London. E9 6XF. Tel: 020-7226 0847. E-mail: lgcm_rccaucus@hotmail. com CREATIVE ARTS DIVERSE ARTISTS: 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: Aileen on 07931 309093. E-mail: admin1@glgbt.org.uk CULTURAL GAYKILTS: A friendly social group of men who admire men in kilts and promote the wearing of the traditionally constructed kilt. Regular monthly meetings alternating between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Other kilted meetings and weekend get togethers and visits throughout Britain. See web site for details. Tel: 07800 891702. E-mail: info@gaykilts.co.uk WWW: http://www.gaykilts.co.uk/ GLASGAY!: Scotland's annual celebration of queer culture. Next dates: 20th Oct-20th Nov 2005. Write: The Q! Gallery, 87-89 Saltmarket, Glasgow G1 5LE. Tel: 0141- 552 7575 or 07762 722460. E-mail: info@glasgay.co.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. DN22 7PA. Please enclose sae. Tel: 01777 708270. E-mail: IKILTas@aol.com WWW: http://www.freewebs.com/ikas/ REMEMBER WHEN PROJECT: Documenting the collective history of Edinburgh's LGBT communities, recording life-stories and personal memories across the generations, and celebrating our rich and varied contributions to the quality of life in the city. Write: Brian Thompson, Remember When Project, 14 Forth Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LH. Tel: 0131-558 2820. E-mail: brian@rememberwhen.org.uk WWW: http://www.rememberwhen.org.uk/ SCOTTISH BORDERS GAY FILM GROUP: Meets monthly during autumn through to the spring, and views videos/DVDs with a gay theme or character. For more details please contact Alastair on Galashiels (01896) 757861. SCOTTISH GAY VEGGIE GROUP: To unite gay veggies. Tel: 0141-883 2715 or 07963 540356. THE SPORRAN CLAN: Social group that promotes the wearing of the kilt, the love of guys who wear kilts and Scottish culture. Member benefits include: Meetings and varied events throughout the year in Scotland and abroad; access to World Class Bulletin Board providing definitive resource of kilting information and Members On-Line Chat Room. No Membership Fee. For more information: E-mail: sporranclan@mac.com WWW: http://www.sporranclan.org/ CYBERSPACE LAMBDA BOARD - EDINBURGH: The UK's oldest LGBT 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 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Whilst AA runs the following LGBT meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow, please note that it is a non restrictive organisation and LGBT people are welcome at any meeting. Edinburgh: Tue 7.30pm (Edinburgh LGBT Centre, 58a Broughton Street). Glasgow: Tue 8pm (Phace Scotland, 2nd Floor, 49 Bath Street), Thu 7.30pm (Nye Bevan House, 20 India Street), Fri 8pm (Glasgow LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street). National Helpline: 0845 7697555 (24 hours). Scottish Office: 0141-226 2214. Edinburgh Office: 0131-225 2727. BODY POSITIVE (GRAMPIAN): A self help group offering support and assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS in the Grampian area. Write: PO Box 83, Aberdeen. AB9 1AA. BODY POSITIVE (TAYSIDE): 11-15 Princes Street, Dundee. DD4 6BY. A charity that exists to empower HIV and HepC positive people and those affected thereby to eliminate the stigma and isolation they experience. Tel: Dundee (01382) 461555. Fax: Dundee (01382) 461424. Tue-Thu (Drop In) Noon-3.30pm. E-mail: admin@bptayside. sol.co.uk WWW: http://www.bodypositivetayside. org/ BROWNLEE CENTRE (GLASGOW): Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow. G12 0YN. Confidential information, advice, counselling and direct access testing for HIV and Hepatitis. The Centre provides ongoing medical and social care plus psychological and emotional support for people living with HIV infection and one to one counselling for people at risk of HIV. Tel: 0141-211 1089. Fax: 0141-211 1097. Mon-Thu 9am-5pm, Tue 5-7.30pm, Thu 5-7.30pm, Fri 9am- 4.30pm. BROWNLEE COMMUNITY TEAM: 1st Floor, Granite House, 31 Stockwell Street, Glasgow. G1 4RZ. Social work service for people with HIV/AIDS providing 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. Also at Brownlee Centre: Tel: 0141-211 1090. 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/ 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/ GAY MEN'S HEALTH TAYSIDE: Exists to promote the sexual health of gay and bisexual men living in Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross, reduce the spread of HIV within those communities and challenge the discrimination that can be faced by gay and bisexual men, including HIV positive gay and bisexual men, and those affected by HIV. Tel: Dundee (01382) 424070. Fax: Dundee (01382) 424090. E-mail: admin@gaymenshealthtayside.com WWW: http://www.gaymenshealthtayside. com/ GLASGOW BROWNLEE AIDS WELFARE FUND: Raises funds for people with HIV/AIDS in the Greater Glasgow area. Write: PO Box 3954, Glasgow. G45 9WB. GRAMPIAN AIDS LINE: Helpline for people with questions on HIV/AIDS. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 574000 (Mon-Tue 8.30am-5pm, Wed 8.30am-6pm, Thu 8.30am-12.30pm, Fri 8am-4pm). GRAMPIAN BUDDY GROUP: Befriending and support service for people living with HIV/AIDS. Write: PO Box 353, Aberdeen. AB9 8DD. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 555406. HEALTHY GAY SCOTLAND: A national HIV prevention & sexual health promotion programme for gay and bisexual men. Offers a range of services including info on its website, campaigns and resources and a free condoms by post scheme. WWW: http://www.healthygayscotland.com/ HIV-AIDS CARERS AND FAMILIES SERVICE PROVIDER SCOTLAND: 10 Elderpark Workspace, 100 Elderpark Street, Glasgow. G51 3TR. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Telephone Support Service Mon-Fri 7pm-10pm. Tel: 0141-445 8797. Fax: 0141-445 8798. E-mail: hivaids_ carers@lineone.net WWW: http://www.hiv-aids-carers.org.uk/ HIV SCOTLAND: Suite 2, 27 Beaverhall Road, Edinburgh. EH7 4JE. Tel: 0131-558 3713. Fax: 0131-558 9887. The independent voice for HIV in Scotland, this charity is a policy and strategic body and runs Healthy Gay Scotland and Black Minority Ethnic-related HIVwork. E-mail: info@hivscotland.com WWW: http://www.hivscotland.com/ JUICE: Weekly support group for HIV+ gay and bisexual men in Edinburgh. Tel: 0131- 661 0982. LADDIES & LASSIES CLUB: Scottish Deaf Gay & Lesbian Club. Meets in Icon Bar, 24 Candleriggs, Glasgow, from 7pm on last Fri of each month (except Dec). E-mail: LLSDGALC@hotmail.com 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. Also Tue & Thu 7-9.30pm (appointments only). Tel: Airdrie (01236) 747960 or 712247. Fax: Airdrie (01236) 712449. LESBIAN & GAY CARERS NETWORK - ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY: Carers' contacts for gay men and lesbians are trained and skilled volunteers able to offer a listening ear and understanding to gay and lesbian carers of people with Alzheimer's disease or any other form of dementia. Tel: Arthur on Brighton (01273) 628047, Bruce on Oxford (01865) 847471, Roger on Thanet (01843) 220932 or Vanessa on Newport, Gwent (01633) 215782. Alzheimer's Society National Helpline - Tel: 0845 3000336 (8.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri). Write: Lisa Cooper, Development Officer, Lesbian and Gay Carers Network, North West Regional Office, Alzheimers Society, 4 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle. SK8 1BT. Tel: 0161-428 1556. E-mail: gaycarers@alzheimers.org.uk WWW: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Gay_Care rs/index.htm LGBT CENTRE FOR HEALTH & WELLBEING: 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. EH3 6TE. Working in partnership with the LGBT community and health service providers to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in south-east Scotland. Volunteering opportunities in many diverse areas. Tel: 0131-523 1100. E-mail: admin@lgbthealth.org.uk WWW: http://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/ MAN FRIDAY: The GUM clinic at Woolmanhill, Aberdeen session for Gay and Bi men. Fri 1.20-3.50pm. Testing and advice on sexual health matters is available by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 555555. PHACE SCOTLAND: 134 Douglas Street, Glasgow. G2 4HF. HIV prevention and support services in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Argyll and Clyde and Greater Glasgow including Buddying 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 WWW: http://www.phacescotland. org/ PHACE SCOTLAND - GRAMPIAN LGBT SERVICE: 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. AB10 1XH. Tel: 0845 2412151. Fax: 0845 2412152. E-mail: grampian@phacescotland. org PILLAR MENTAL HEALTH LGBT GROUP: For members of the LGBT Community offering support and advice at times of difficulty. Tel: Aberdeen (01224) 621266. E-mail: info@pillaraberdeen.co.uk or michaelm@phacescotland.org 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@onetel.com POSITIVE VOICE: 37-39 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh. EH7 5DJ. Self help for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Lothian, offering free complementary therapies, advocacy and peer support. Tel: 0131-652 0754. Fax: 0131-661 9100. E-mail: enquiries@positivevoice. org.uk WWW: http://www.positive- voice.org.uk/ 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-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm). Fax: Inverness (01463) 711793. E-mail: support@reachouthighland. org.uk WWW: http://www.reachouthighland.org.uk/ ROAM OUTREACH: Free confidential NHS Lothian outreach service for men who have sex with men who use cruising areas, saunas, on-line cruising and male sex workers. They offer a wide range of services including sexual health and safer sex advice, provide info and advice on drugs, personal safety and legal issues (including remote reporting of crime) and a FREE condom and lube service. They offer a free and confidential Testing Service - "Out of hours" drop in Mon 5-7pm where you can have a FULL SEXUAL HEALTH CHECK UP and receive Hep B vaccinations. Website has anonymous contact form. Tel: 0131-537 8300 and ask to speak to BBV Outreach Worker George. E-mail: enquiries@roam-outreach. com WWW: http://www.roamoutreach. com/ SANDYFORD INITIATIVE: 2-6 Sandyford Place (old Eye Infirmary), Glasgow. G3 7NB. Glasgow's main sexual health centre. Free web access and health library with large LGBT lending collection. Specialist services for gay men (See seperate ScotsGay Listing for Steve Retson Project) and lesbians (See seperate ScotsGay listing for Centre for Women's Health). Self-referral genitourinary medicine service with open access clinic every weekday with registration from 8.30-10am or book on 0141-211 8601. Women's counselling and groups for eating disorders etc at Centre for Women's Health. E-mail: helpsandyford@glacomen.scot.nhs.uk. WWW: http://www.sandyford.org/ SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS: Sex Addicts Anonymous is a twelvestep recovery programme. Our primary purpose is to stop our addictive sexual behavior and to help others recover from their sexual addiction. Our members define their own sexual boundaries with the guidance of their sponsors and other group members. We encourage our members to discover and explore what healthy sexuality means to them. Tel: Scottish Helpline on 0141-552 0154 (24 hours). E-mail: info@saarecovery. org WWW: http://www.saarecovery. org/ SEXUAL HEALTH LINE: Freephone 0800 567123. 24 hours. Confidential advice and information. Minicom: Freephone 0800 521361. WWW: http://www.playingsafely.co.uk/ SMASH: Support for Mental and Sexual Health is a support group for LGBT people in Grampian with mental health issues around their sexuality. Meets twice monthly in the PHACE Scotland offices, running in tandem with the Pillar Mental Health Group. Write: c/o 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. AB10 1XH. Tel: 0845 2412151. E-mail: grampian@phacescotland. org STEVE RETSON PROJECT: Sandyford Initiative, 2-6 Sandyford Place (old Eye Infirmary), Glasgow. G3 7NB. A free sexual health screening and counselling service for gay and bisexual men. Clinics run Tue & Wed 5.30- 8.30pm. Also Thu 5.30-8.30pm at the LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street. Sameday HIV test Tue morning 8.30-10am. Tel: 0141-211 8628. E-mail: johnny.duffy@glacomen.scot.nhs.uk WWW: http://www.steveretsonproject.org.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 WWW: http://www.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: David Wright, 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 DAYCARE SERVICE: Offers a range of daycare activities to people with HIV/AIDS. Tel: 0131-441 2791. WAVERLEY CARE 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. E-mail: milestone@waverleycare.org WAVERLEY CARE SOLAS HIV/AIDS INFORMATION CENTRE: 2/4 Abbeymount, Edinburgh. EH8 8EJ. Information, support, advice, counselling and a café. Café: Mon-Fri 11am- 4pm. Information Centre: Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. Many support groups and activities outwith these hours, please enquire. Tel: 0131-661 0982. E-mail: solas@waverleycare.org WWW: http://www.waverleycare.org/ OLDER GAYS CAFFMOS: Nationwide Social and Contacts Club for the older gay gentleman and his admirers, both young and old. New Scottish group meets in Edinburgh. Write: PO Box 2273, Hove. BN3 2GF. Tel: Hove (01273) 220995. E-mail: Caffmos2@aol.com Edward is the Scottish Contact - E-mail: ebsc18624@blueyonder.co.uk WWW: http://www.caffmoscommunity.com/ PRIME TIME: Social group for men over 40. Meets LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh, every 2nd Sun from 2-4pm. Tel: 0131-558 9444. Email: bonnangellie@aol.com 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. E-mail: sisterathletica@ drink.demon.co.uk OUTDOOR PURSUITS GAY BIRDERS CLUB: For LGBT Birdwatchers. Write: Gay Birders Club, GeeBeeCee, BCM-Mono, London. WC1N 3XX. E-mail: info@gbconline. org.uk WWW: http://www.gbconline. org.uk/ GAY CARAVAN & CAMPING CLUB: For men and women. Regular meets throughout the UK. Tel: Steve on 07785 338812. E-mail: info@gaycaravanclub.com WWW: http://www.gaycaravanclub.com/ GAY OUTDOOR CLUB: Holds regular events including walking, skiing, cycling, mountaineering, camping, youth-hostelling, badminton, running 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: Andrew on 0131-477 0499, Gym & Swimming: Colin on 0131-226 4476, Cycling/Kayaking/Running: David on Bathgate (01506) 500796. GLASGOW: Walks: Robert on 0141-950 1081, Cycling & Swimming: Douglas on 0141-649 5896, Climbing: Jonathan on 0141-334 0812, Badminton: Donn on 07919 410042, Running: Chris on 07786 263274. HIGHLANDS: Walks & Weekend Trips: Alan on Dores (01463) 751258 & Les on Inverness (01463) 238920. MOUNTAINEERING: Tim on 0131-478 0844. See website for more details about events and how to make contact by E-mail. WWW: http://www.gocscotland.org.uk/. 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: robert@gocscotland. org.uk PARENTS EDINBURGH LESBIAN MOTHERS GROUP (ELMG): Informal network of parents and women trying to be parents. See listing for Lesbian Mothers Network (Scotland) for contact details. GAY DADS SCOTLAND: Meets on last Thu of each month in a private room at 8pm in Sala Café, 60 Broughton Street. Glasgow meetings on 2nd Mon of each month at the Glasgow LGBT Centre, 11 Dixon Street. Contact for details or view the web site. Tel: 07791 188742. E-mail: info@gaydadsscotland. org.uk WWW: http://www.gaydadsscotland. org.uk/ GLASGOW LESBIAN MOTHERS GROUP: Meets last Sat of each month. Contact Ruth Black on 0141-221 7203. E-mail: admin1@glgbt.org.uk LESBIAN MOTHERS NETWORK (SCOTLAND): Tel: Sue Robertson on 0131-556 3899/4563. Fax: 0131-557 7899. Write: One Parent Families Scotland, 13 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh. EH1 3NX. E-mail: suerobertson@opfs.org.uk WWW: http://www.opfs.org.uk/ PARENTS' ENQUIRY SCOTLAND: Coming out? Information and support for parents of LGBT people. Helpline and admin: Tel: 0131-556 6047 before 10pm. Write: c/o ScotsGay Magazine, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. Email: parentsenquiry@hotmail.com WWW: http://www.parentsenquiryscotland. org/ RAINBOW FAMILIES HIGHLAND: Support, advice and information for LGBT parents and families. Regular newsletter. Phone Maria on Beauly (01463) 782797 after 6.30pm and at weekends. E-mail: maria@scotlandinfo. co.uk or Write: c/o Reach Out Highland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. IV1 1NB. POLITICAL GAY CONSERVATIVES: Represents the gay community to the Conservative Party. Write: BM TORCHE, London WC1N 3XX. INTERCOURSE: Network devoted to encouraging discussion about sex, sexuality and relationships. Send SAE for free leaflets. 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. 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. REAL ALE LESBIAN AND GAY REAL ALE DRINKERS: Formerly Diverse Drinkers, this is the Edinburgh group of CAMRA's Task Group for LGBT real ale and cider fans. Meets in The Regent 1st Mon of each month from 9pm to sample the brewers' art (except Aug when it is the 2nd Mon to avoid GBBF). Tel: Karen on 0131-557 8790. E-mail: diversedrinkers@drink.demon.co.uk WWW: http://www.lagradedinburgh. org.uk/ UK LGBT real ale pub listings can be found at WWW: http://www.lagrad.org.uk/ RESIDENTIAL EVENTS EDWARD CARPENTER COMMUNITY: Runs residential events for gay men in SW Scotland, and other places (mainly the English Lake District). ECC organises events for gay men to get together in a supportive environment as an alternative to the commercial scene. Write: Edward Carpenter Community, BM ECC, London. WC1N 3XX. Tel: 08703 215121. E-mail: info@edwardcarpentercommunity. org.uk WWW: http://www.edwardcarpentercommunity. org.uk/ 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: Caledonian Thebans Rugby Football Club is Scotland's first gay friendly rugby club. Predominantly made up of gay/bi men, but all are welcome. Instruction and practice by experienced members. Learn the game and get fit. No experience necessary. Tel: 07074 843226. E-mail: membership@thebansrfc. co.uk WWW: http://www.thebansrfc. co.uk/ GAY GOLF CLUB: Tel: Dan on 0141-946 8290. E-mail: tierney_daniel@hotmail.com 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 07919 410042 (6-11pm). GLASGOW LGB RUNNING GROUP: Every Tue eve: run starts at 7pm. Meets at the main entrance to Bellahouston Leisure Centre. Choice of distances around Bellahouston and Pollok parks to cater for various levels of fitness and motivation. An admission for the use of changing room, lockers and showers only is available at the Leisure Centre for GBP2. We aim to be changed and ready to start running at 7pm. Schedule for the winter season is subject to change, so please contact Chris for details if you'd like to join us. Contact Chris by E-mail: running@gocscotland.org.uk or Tel: 07786 263274 (or text). 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. See website for details of how to make contact by E-mail. WWW: http://www.gocscotland. org.uk/ GAY FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS NETWORK: Write: GFSN Membership Secretary, c/o Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, London. N1 9SE. Tel: Barry on Stony Stratford (01908) 564085. E-mail: skyblueandwhite@ btinternet.com WWW: http://www.gfsn.org.uk GOC CYCLING GROUP: Runs on 2nd Sun of each month throughout Central Scotland. Tel: Douglas on 0141-649 5896 or David on Bathgate (01506) 500796. See website for full details about events and how to make contact by e-mail. WWW: http://www.gocscotland.org.uk/. RACQUETEERS BADMINTON GROUP: Edinburgh based gay and lesbian non competitive badminton club meets Thu evening 7-9pm at Meadowbank Stadium. Season ends 1st Dec but resumes mid Jan. E-mail: brian@beetee. org WWW: http://beetee.org/badminton. htm TEAM SCOTLAND BADMINTON CLUB: Glasgow based gay and lesbian badminton club meets twice weekly for competitive games. International tournaments and matches against clubs in London and Europe are held annually. Sorry - no beginners. Tel: Raymond on 0141-778 9220. E-mail: teamscotland@ gaysport.info WWW: http://www.gaysport.info/teamscotland/ 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: Scott Cuthbertson, LGBT Officer, NUS Scotland, 29 Forth Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3LE. E-mail: mail@nus-scotland.org.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 7-9pm. E-mail: Gillian_abdn@yahoo.co.uk EDINBURGH: Edinburgh TV/TS Group. Tel: Louise on Dunfermline (01383) 852529 or Lorraine on Kinghorn (01592) 891344. E-mail: louisewight1@yahoo.co.uk EDINBURGH: TransAlba aims to support both pre and post-op transexuals, their families and friends. Helpline: 07961 574880 (Mon- Fri 6-10pm). E-mail: transalba03@aol.com WWW: http://www.transalba.org/ Trans Men Scotland - for all FTM's, transmen, transsexual, transgender, pre-op, post-op, non-op, exploring options, living long term, in transition - or however else you might define. If you are or were born female bodied and define yourself as male some or all of the time you will be welcome to a support group for all trans men in Scotland. Meets 7.30pm on the 2nd Sat of each month at the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. For further info E-mail: admin@transmenscotland.org.uk or Tel: Maxwell or Lewis on 0131-477 0525. WWW: http://www.transmenscotland.org.uk/ GLASGOW: Crosslynx TV/TS/TG Group meets 2nd Wed of each month from 7-10pm. Tel: Crosslynx Helpline on 0141-847 0787 (Mon 7.30-9.30pm). Write: c/o 11 Dixon Street, Glasgow. G1 4AL. E-mail: caroltaylortg@tesco.net Sandyford Initiative Transgender Support Group meets at the Sandyford Initiative, 2-6 Sandyford Place (old Eye Infirmary), on 1st Thu of each month from 7pm and 3rd Sat of each month from Noon. Phone Colin MacKillop (Community Access Co-ordinator) on 0141-211 8168 or E-mail: colin.mackillop@ glacomen.scot.nhs.uk INVERNESS: Highland T Group 2nd Wed of each month at 7pm at 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. Tel: Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm). Email: tgroup@reachouthighland.org.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 (24 hours). E-mail: info@aflaga.org.uk WWW: http://www.aflaga.org.uk/ EIS GAY AND LESBIAN NETWORK: Write: Veronica Rankin, National Officer (Education and Equalities), 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh. EH3 6BH. Tel: Veronica Rankin on 0131-225 6244. Email: vrankin@eis.org.uk FIRE BRIGADES UNION GAY AND LESBIAN SUPPORT GROUP: For firefighters and control staff. Write: National Gay And Lesbian Committee, PO Box 10555, London. N1 8XT. Tel: 07801 047620. E-mail: gal01@fbuho. org.uk WWW: http://www.fbu.org.uk/ GAY POLICE ASSOCIATION IN SCOTLAND: Membership is open to all police officers and police staff, serving or retired. Write: Inspector David Lyle, Police Headquarters, Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 1RB. Tel: 0131-311 3488. E-mail: alan@gpascotland.com (Strathclyde) dennis@gpascotland.com (Lothian & Borders) sam@gpascotland.com (Tayside) or david@gpascotland.com(all other forces). WWW: http://www.gpascotland.com/ GMB SCOTLAND EQUAL RIGHTS GROUP: Write: Regional Equal Rights Officer, GMB Scotland, Fountain House, 1/3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow. G3 7UJ. Tel: 0141-352 8143. E-mail: richard.leonard@gmb.org.uk UNISON: Glasgow City Lesbian & Gay Group. Meets monthly on Payday Tuesday in the Glasgow LGBT Centre at 6pm. Tel: Neil MacInnes on 07810 358139. Email: macinnesneil@aol.com Scotland L&G Committee. Write: Neil MacInnes, Secretary, UNISON House, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow. G2 6RX. Tel: 0141-332 0006 or Neil MacInnes on 07810 358139. E-mail: macinnesneil@aol.com WWW: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/lesbiangay/ West Network. For Unison members in the West of Scotland. Meets quarterly. Tel: Neil MacInnes on 07810 358139. Email: macinnesneil@aol.com YOUTH GROUPS ABERDEEN LGBT YOUTH GROUP: New LGBT group for people between the ages of 16 & 25. Meets every Wed from 7.30-9.30pm at 11 Waverley Place, Aberdeen. Tel: 0845 2412151. Email: grampian@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). E-mail: support@reachouthighland. org.uk LGBT YOUTH D&G: Groups, volunteering and support for LGBT people under 26 from Dumfries and Galloway. For more details, call Dumfies (01387) 739888. Text 07785 274147. E-mail: DandG@lgbtyouth.org.uk WWW: http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/ LGBT YOUTH SCOTLAND: John Cotton Centre, 10 Sunnyside, Edinburgh. EH7 5RA. Provides services and opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people (13-25) in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, Borders, Tayside and Dumfries & Galloway. The groups include drop-ins at their Edinburgh offices for under-18's (Wed) and for over 18's (Thu). They also have a range of different opportunities to get involved with, including volunteering and projects involving video and arts work, and they offer training services. Advice, support and housing services are also available in Southeast Scotland - Tel: Dumfries (01387) 739888. Nationally, they run regular events for young people to get involved in local and national decisionmaking, and to make new pals and have a laugh. Confidential Youthline Tel: 0845 113 0005 (Tue 7.30-9pm). Office Tel/Fax: 0131-622 2266 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm). E-mail: info@lgbtyouth.org.uk WWW: http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/ The website has details of Youth Groups throughout Scotland. 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 Thu from 7-9pm at Glasgow Women's Library, 109 Trongate, Glasgow. Contact Genevieve for more details or just turn up. Tel: 0141-552 8345/7539. E-mail: gwl@womenslibrary. org.uk Calendar online at WWW: http://www.womens-library.org.uk/ VIVIDYOUTH: For young LGBT people aged 15-25. Meets at the Glasgow LGBT Centre on Tue from 7.30-9.30pm. -------------------------------------------------------------- VENUES AND EMPORIA ================== *DENOTES SCOTSGAY AVAILABLE ABERDEEN ABERDEEN WOMEN'S CENTRE* Shoe Lane, (next door to Lemon Tree). Tel: (01224) 625010. Tue-Wed 10am- 2pm, Thu 5-9pm. A *women only space* where all women are welcome without prejudice. Free use of computers and Internet connection. Access for disabled. No smoking policy in Centre. Contact Maria Clark for more details at E-mail: awc@clara.co.uk BAR INDIGO* 20 Adelphi. Sun-Thu 5pm-2am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am. Gay bar/club in old Oh Henry's premises. Free entry before Midnight - thereafter GBP2 entry Fri, GBP3 entry Sat. WELLMAN'S HEALTH STUDIO* 3rd Floor, 21-23 Justice Mill Lane. Tel: (01224) 211441. Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Aberdeen's first (and only) gay sauna. Two video booths, dark room, sauna, steam room, stand-and-tan sun cabin. Massages available from GBP20 - no need to book in advance. DUNDEE BROOKLYN'S BAR* 2 St Andrew's Lane. Tel: (01382) 200660. 5pm-Midnight. Well appointed gay-friendly bar next door to Out and under the same management. Karaoke: Wed, Fri & Sun. DJ: Sat. CHARLIE'S BAR* 75-79 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Sun 12.30-Midnight, Mon-Sat 11am- Midnight. Gay-friendly bar with free disco Fri & Sat 8pm-Midnight. Free use of premises for pre-booked groups. OUT* 124 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 200660. Wed-Sun 11pm-2.30am. Good atmosphere, very popular disco with wide selection of sounds and the occasional act/PA. DUMFRIES MIXED BAG 102 Club, English Street. Tel: (01387) 739888. 9pm-2am. Last Fri of each month. Next date: Fri 20th Jan. New club night for LGBT people and their friends from Dumfries and Galloway. E-mail: mixedbag@hotmail.co.uk WWW: http://spaces.msn.com/members/ mixedbag/ EDINBURGH ABSOLUTELY DRAGULOUS* Claremont Bar, 133/135 East Claremont Street. Tel: 0131-556 5662. Fax: 0131- 558 3539. 9pm-late. 3rd Fri & 5th Sat of each month. Club for trannies, admirers, anybody with an open mind. Entertainment, Dancing. Entry GBP5 (Trannies GBP3). WWW: http://www.absolutely-dragulous.com/ and http://www.claremontbar.co.uk/ absolutelydragulous.htm THE AULD HOOSE* 23-25 St Leonards Street. Tel: 0131- 668 2934. Sun 12.30pm-1am, Mon-Sat 11.30am-1am. Everybody-friendly bar. Real ale. Food served: Mon-Fri 11.30am-1.30pm & 5pm-8.30pm, Sat 11.30am-7.30pm, Sun 12.30-6.30pm. BLACK BO'S 57/61 Blackfriars Street. Tel: 0131-557 6136. Mon-Thu 6-10pm, Fri-Sat 6- 10.30pm. Superb little mostly vegetarian restaurant. Friendly staff. Mixed clientele. E-mail: admin@blackbos.co.uk WWW: http://www.blackbos.co.uk/ BLAZE eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. 11pm-3am. Every Fri except 2nd of month. Commercial/funky house & chart by James Longworth and guests. "Igniting the gay weekend". GBP1.50 drinks promos all night. Entry GBP5. E-mail: info@jameslongworth.com WWW: http://www.jameslongworth.com/ BLUE MOON* 1 Barony Street/36 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 2788 (Bar) or 0131-557 0911 (Office). Sun 10am-11pm, Mon- Thu 11am-11pm, Fri 11am-11.30pm, Sat 10am-11.30pm. Food served until 10pm. Popular lesbigay café/bar complex. BOBBIE'S BOOKSHOP* 220 Morrison Street. Tel: 0131-538 7069. Mon-Sat 10am-1pm, 2-5.30pm. Mixed bookshop selling a selection of UK and imported gay magazines. BOOTYLUSHOUS Medina Nightclub (Under Negociants), 45-47 Lothian Street. Tel: 0131-225 8313. Info Line: 07736 936650. Sun 10pm-3am. "It's our duty to please your booty". DJs Dale Lush, Simmone Black, Michelle, Isla Blige, Arran Jay. R&B/Soul/Disco. GBP3 entry before Midnight - GBP4 thereafter. E-mail: dale@lushmarketing.com WWW: http://www.bootylushous.com/ BURLY TOO Mariners (formerly The Commplex), 39- 40 Commercial Street, Leith. Info Line: 07930 357401. 10.30pm-3am. Next dates: Fri 16th Dec: Let Your Baubles Hang Down, (No club in Jan), Sat 25th Feb. Aimed at lads 25+. DJ Hi-Fi Sean. Dress code: wear rubber, leather, uniform, industrial, sportswear, kilts or denim. Entry after 1am at the discretion of the promoters/door security. "Burly designed to be cruisy". GBP7/GBP6. E-mail: dv8scots@hotmail.com WWW: http://www.dv8scots.co.uk/ C.C. BLOOM'S* 23 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. Mon, Fri, Sat 6pm-3am, Sun, Tue-Thu 8pm-3am. Two floors. Karaoke on Thu and Sun. Cilla Slack on Fri 10pm-3am. Disco every night from 11pm. E-mail: xanderfan82@hotmail.com WWW: http://www.ccblooms.com/ CLAREMONT BAR & RESTAURANT* 133/135 East Claremont Street. Tel: 0131-556 5662. Fax: 0131-558 3539. Bar: Sun 12.30pm-1am, Mon-Sat 11am-1am. Restaurant: Sun 12.30pm- 6pm, Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm and 6pm-10pm. "The Claremont is one of the most relaxed attitude bars in the city and has a policy that the customer always comes first." Renowned for courtesy, comfort and good food. 1st Sat: Bearscots and bear lovers. 2nd Sat: Gaykilts & Sporran Clan for kilties and kilt lovers. 2nd Sun: Line dancing (7- 11pm) beginners onwards. 3rd Fri: Absolutely Dragulous for Trannies/TS/TGs. 3rd Sat: SMgayscots/leather/rubber. 4th Sat: Fabulous Stunners - adult fetish group. 5th Sat: Absolutely Dragulous. E-mail: mail@claremontbar.co.uk WWW: http://www.claremontbar.co.uk/ DISKO BLOODBATH eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. 11pm-3am. Monthly. 1st Wed of each month. Next dates: Wed 4th Jan, 1st Feb. Edinburgh's 1st Alternative Queer Night. Hard boys, hard girls, hard rock, punk, electro-alternative with Party Monster atmosphere. GBP3. EASYINTERNETCAFÉ 58 Rose Street. Tel: 0131-220 3577. Sun 9am-10pm, Mon-Sat 7am-10pm. Large Internet Café from which many gay men seem to troll the net instead of just picking up each other! WWW: http://www.easyinternetcafe.com/ EDINBURGH LGBT CENTRE* 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Houses Sala Café-Bar and Pride Scotia (Edinburgh). Provides meeting and noticeboard space for many LGBT organisations. Free WiFi Internet access (sponsored by ScotsGay) now available. FEVER eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. Info Line: 0131-557 4656. 11pm- 3am. Monthly. Next dates: Sat 8th Jan, 4th Feb, 4th Mar, 1st Apr. Taste's monthly night featuring Taste resident DJs Fisher & Price and Martin Valentine in the ballroom and The Visitor and Kaupuss playing pophouseelectrodisconewwaveglam (basically anything goes) in the Cocteau Lounge. Pre-club party at The Street from 9pm with DJs The Visitor and Kaupuss. Ask staff for discount passes. Sat 31st Dec: Hogmanay Fever at eGo with DJs Fisher & Price and Martin Valentine in the Ballroom and The Visitor, Kaupuss and Neil Kerr in the Cocteau Lounge. Doors open at 10pm for this one with a 5am licence. Tickets are GBP16 members and GBP20 non members or GBP25 on the door, from Ripping, Q Store and Taste and Fever. GBP8 Members/GBP10 - Taste members GBP5 before 11.15pm. WWW: http://www.taste-clubs.com/ FRENCHIES BAR* 89 Rose Street Lane North. Tel: 0131- 225 7651. Sun 2pm-1am, Mon-Sat 1pm-1am. Vibrant gay bar (Edinburgh's oldest) in the heart of Rose Street. Happy Hour 6-8pm every day. FUR BURGER eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. 11pm-3am. 2nd Thu of each month. Next date: Thu 12th Jan. "I'm Lickin It" - new women's club. DJ's: Dejay Bird, The Funki Diva and their lovely guests. GBP3 entry. Pre club at Planet Out. WWW: http://mm.dfilm.com/mm2s/mm_route. php?id=2323325 HABANA* 22 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-558 1270. Sun 12.30pm-1am, Mon-Sat Noon-1am. Centrally located pre club bar. Open and bright as well as quite intimate. Busy. Drink promos throughout the month. E-mail: habana1@btinternet. com. WWW: http://www.gayscotland. com/habana/ HOLYROOD TAVERN* 9a Holyrood Road. 0131-556 5044. Mon-Sat Noon-1am. Sun 12.30pm- 1am. A welcome re-opening under previous landlord Mark. Real ale. Mixed clientele. JOY The Venue, 15 Calton Road. JOY Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 11pm-3am. Every 4 weeks. Next dates: Sat Dec 17th, Jan 14th. Popular club night held on two levels and featuring DJs Maggie Joy, Alan Joy and Brett King in the main room, Trendy Wendy and Sally F downstairs in The Cooler. GBP8 before Midnight/GBP10 after - look out for discount passes in the bars beforehand. LEATHER AND LACE* 8 Drummond Street. Tel: 0131-557 9413. Fax: 0131-557 8336. Sun Noon- 9pm, Mon-Sat 10am-9pm. 25 Easter Road. Tel: 0131-623 6969. Noon-6pm. 368-370 Gorgie Road (Currently not licensed as a sex shop). Tel: 0131-468 6969. Sun Noon-8pm, Mon-Sat 11am- 8pm. Scotland's ORIGINAL licenced SEX shops! Toys galore, video rental too! Larger sizes stocked. LUVELY The Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street. Tel: 0131-225 2564. Info Line: 0131- 657 4633. 10.30pm-3am. Monthly. Next date: Sat 17th Dec. Mega club night with resident DJs Tommy Kay, Newton & Stone, Jared and GP. WWW: http://www.luvely.net/ MINGIN' The Venue, 15 Calton Road. Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 11pm-3am. Fortnightly. Next dates: Sat 21st Jan (no Mingin' Sat 24th Dec). Alan Joy & Brian Dempster are at the helm of this small friendly and intimate club. GBP5 before Midnight, GBP6 after. Mingin's Hogmanay Party is on Sat 31st Dec, price GBP10 in advance, GBP12 on the door. Tickets from The Regent Bar & Q Store. NEWTOWN BAR* 26B Dublin Street. Tel: 0131-538 7775. Fax: 0131-539 1132. Sun 12.30pm- 1am, Mon-Thu Noon-1am, Fri-Sat Noon-2am. Especially popular with men. Drinks Promotions Daily. Downstairs: The dark and cruisy Disco Bar is open Fri & Sat with resident DJ Malcolm from 10pm-2am - also available for hire Sun-Thu. E-mail: Webmaster@thenewtownbar.co.uk WWW: http://www.thenewtownbar.co.uk/ NOWHERE eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. 11pm-3am. 1st Thu of each month. Next date: Thu 5th Jan. New club night. GBP3 entry. Drink Promotions. DJs: Dejay Bird, DJ Michelle, The Funki Diva, DJ Yonis & Special Guests. Nowhere is based on the ever changing New York Club scene with people as eclectic as the music. WWW: http://www.clubnowhere.co.uk/ No EIGHTEEN* 18 Albert Place, Leith Walk. Tel: 0131- 553 3222. Mon-Thu Noon-10pm, Fri- Sun Noon-11pm. The UK's only VAT registered gay sauna. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere with excellent facilities which include large sauna cabin, 14-man steam room, private rooms, 8- man filter Jacuzzi, communal and private showers, themed rooms, video area and TV lounge. Hot and cold refreshments available. GBP10 (GBP8 concessions). Manager's special: admission GBP5 after 8pm. WWW: http://www.number18sauna. com/ PLANET OUT* 6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-556 5551. 4pm-1am. Popular and busy gay bar with friendly staff. Cheap drinks on a Mon! E-mail: planetout@btinternet.com Q-STORE* 5 Barony Street. Tel/Fax: 0131-477 4756. Sun 1-5pm, Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm. Scotland's only licensed gay store. Not just feelthy pictures - lifestyle too! THE REGENT* 2 Montrose Terrace. Tel: 0131-661 8198. Sun 12.30pm-1am, Mon-Sat 11am-1am. Relaxed atmosphere & comfortable surroundings. No loud popular noise makes it easy for chatting. Real ales (the pub is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2006 - the first Scottish gay bar to be included). Soup, snacks and filled croissants available all day. Free wireless internet access. CAMRA's Lesbian & Gay Real Ale Drinkers meet here on the 1st Mon of the month at 8pm. WWW: http://www.lagrad-edinburgh.org.uk/ SALA CAFÉ-BAR* 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-478 7069. Sun, Tue-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri- Sat 11am-1am. Relaxed and friendly gay café bar in the heart of Edinburgh's Gay 'district' (directly above Edinburgh's LGBT Centre). Fabby big window and sofas to watch world go by! Freshly prepared, wide ranging menu. Regular live music and party nights (contact Sala for more info). Gallery space with regularly changing exhibitions. Women's group meet informally for drinkies/food every Wed eve. Room also available for private dinners/ parties etc. Free WiFi Internet access (sponsored by ScotsGay) now available. E-mail: salacafebar@hotmail.com SOLAS CAFÉ* 2/4 Abbeymount. Tel: 0131-661 0982. Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. Attached to Solas HIV/AIDS Information Centre. Good home cooking (everything cooked on the premises). Vegetarians and carnivores catered for. STEAMWORKS* 5 Broughton Market. Tel: 0131-477 3567. Daily 11am-11pm. Stylish sauna forming part of busy gay hotel & sauna complex in centre of gay quarter. Stateof- the-art facilities including large spa pool, sauna cabin, large steam room, video room, labyrinth with themed areas, café lounge, free Internet access, tanning booth. Massage available daily. Choice of lockers or private cabins. Admission: Lockers GBP5, Cabins GBP10 before 3pm Mon-Fri. Lockers GBP9, Cabins GBP14 at all other times. Students & under 25 GBP5 lockers all day, every day! No membership required. Proudly gay owned & operated. WWW: http://www.steamworks-sauna.co.uk/ THE STREET* 2 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-556 4272. 11.30am-1am. Small but perfectly formed bar run by Louise (ex-POut), Annie and Trendy Wendy. Food served 11.30am-7.30pm. TACKNO eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. Last Sun of each month. Next date: Sun 25th Dec (Xmas Party). 11pm-3am. DJ Trendy Wendy. Mixed and crowded club night. Note new venue. TASTE The Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street. Tel: 0131-225 2564. Info Line: 0131- 557 4656. Sun 11pm-3am. Edinburgh's original and longest running gay-friendly club night that brings together likeminded people who enjoy a club environment free from hassle and bad attitudes and for whom sexuality is not an issue. Taste's resident DJs Fisher & Price play an eclectic mix of the best underground dance music currently available in the Big Room, while resident DJ Martin Valentine plays Deep House and US House in the Wee Room. Sun 18th Dec: Jon Pleased (Quarterly Residency) with DJs Fisher & Price and Martin Valentine (5am licence). Sun 25th Dec: Escape Xmas Party with residents DJs Fisher & Price and Martin Valentine and Steven Wanless. Tickets are GBP10 members and GBP12 non members, GBP15 on the door, from Ripping, Q Store and Taste and Fever. Doors 11pm to until 5am. Sun 1st Jan: Best Tunes of 2005 with residents DJs Fisher & Price and Martin Valentine and Steven Wanless. Tickets are GBP10 members and GBP12 non members, GBP15 on the door, from Ripping, Q Store and Taste and Fever. Doors 11pm to until 5am. Regular prices: GBP6 Members/GBP8 Guests GBP5 before 11.30pm. Drink promos until 1am. WWW: http://www.tasteclubs. com/ THAI ME UP 4 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-558 9234. Lunch: Wed-Sat Noon-2.30pm. Dinner: Mon-Sun 5-11pm. Superb gay-friendly Thai restaurant situated in the middle of Edinburgh's gay area. Friendly, efficient staff serving some of the best and most authentic Thai food in the UK. E-mail: management@tmeup.com WWW: http://www.tmeup.com/ UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. Info Line: 0131-467 2551. 11pm- 3am. Monthly. Next date: Sat 28th Jan. In the drawing room, DJs Graeme F and Chris Paton from Habana are unleashed into a bigger arena playing chart, dance, camp and pop. In the basement, Mrs Bridges and Mr Hudson aka Maggie & Alan Joy cook up a fine stew of Joy tunes from 1993-2005. GBP6 entry. VELVET WOMEN'S CLUB NIGHT Mariners (formerly The Commplex), 39- 40 Commercial Street, Leith. 10pm- 2am. First Sat of each month. Next dates: 31st Dec (Hogmanay Party Tickets Only GBP10), Sat 7th Jan. Male guests welcome if invited and accompanied by a lady. New music policy which spans the genres. GBP6/GBP5 conc. with ID. GBP3 before 10.30pm. E-mail: clubvelvet@ blueyonder.co.uk WWW: http://www.webflyers.co.uk/Flyer/377 VIBE* eGo, 14 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-478 7434. Tue 11pm-3am. James Longworth plays charty/party upstairs, guest DJs R'n'B downstairs. Superpopular gay night. GBP1 drinks promos all night. GBP3 before Midnight/GBP4 after. Email: info@jameslongworth.com WWW: http://www.jameslongworth.com/ VITTORIA 113 Brunswick Street. Tel: 0131-556 6171. Fax: 0131-478 7009. Sun Noon- 11pm, Mon-Sat 10am-11pm. Megapopular gay-friendly Italian restaurant. Best lasagna in Edinburgh! E-mail: info@vittoriarestaurant.com WWW: http://www.vittoriarestaurant.com/ WORD POWER* 43 West Nicolson Street. Tel: 0131-662 9112. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat 10.30am-6pm. Independent radical bookshop. E-mail: books@wordpower. co.uk WWW: http://www.wordpower. co.uk/ GLASGOW BENNETS 80-90 Glassford St. Tel: 0141-552 5761. Sun, Wed-Thu 11.30pm-3am, Fri- Sat 11.30pm-3.30am. Recently reopened after disastrous fire. E-mail: enquiries@bennets.co.uk WWW: http://www.bennets.co.uk/ BURLY The Arches, 30 Midland Street. Infoline: 07930 357401. 10.30pm-3am - entry after 1am at the discretion of the promoters. Next event: Fri 3rd Feb (no club in Jan). Dress code: wear rubber, leather, uniform, industrial, sportswear, kilts or denim. DJ Hi-Fi Sean and Raymo. Designed to be cruisy. GBP8/GBP10. E-mail: dv8scots@hotmail.com WWW: http://www.dv8scots.co.uk/ CCA* 350 Sauchiehall Street. Admin Tel: 0141-332 7521. Fax: 0141-332 3226. Box Office Tel: 0141-352 4900. Café Tel: 0141-332 7959. Box Office: Tue-Thu 11am-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11.30pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Gallery: Tue-Sun 11am-6pm, Thu 11am-8pm. Café: Tue- Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am- Midnight, Sun 11am-6pm. Bar: Tue-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-1am. The Centre for Contemporary Arts. 6 performance & exhibition spaces, Café/Bar, bookshop. E-mail: gen@ccaglasgow. com WWW: http://www.ccaglasgow. com/ CLONE ZONE* 45 Virginia St. Tel/Fax: 0141-553 2666. Sun Noon-6.30pm, Mon-Sat 10.30am- 7pm. Clothes, videos, magazines, toys. E-mail: admin@clonezone.co.uk WWW: http://www.clonezone.co.uk/ CLUB EROS* 1-3 Bridge Street. Tel: 0845 4562310. Sun-Fri Noon-10pm, Sat Noon-4am. Glasgow's largest licenced sauna & gym for gay and bi men set over three floors. Entry from GBP7.50. Free Sunday breakfasts. E-mail: cluberos@hotmail.com THE COCO CLUB 18 Jamaica Street. Tel: 0141-847 0820. Thu-Sun. 11pm-3am. Gay night club and entertainment venue in former Club Devotion premises. http://www.thecococlub.co.uk/ COURT BAR* 69 Hutcheson Street. Tel: 0141-552 2463. Sun 12.30pm-Midnight, Mon-Sat 8am-Midnight. Intimate bar beside former Sheriff Court. Straight until midevening. CUBE 34 & 44 Queen Street. Tel: 0141-226 8990. Mon-Tue 11.30pm-3am. Mon: Passionality@Cube44 with DJ Shawn Roberts. Tue: FunClub@Cube34 with DJ Shazza Halliwell. Various drinks promos. Entry GBP3. E-mail: thornleisure@yahoo.co.uk WWW: http://www.cubeglasgow.co.uk/ CYBER* Unit 3, King's Court, 107 King Street. Tel: 0141-553 0942. Sun Noon-5.30pm, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm. Alternative clothing specialising in corsetry. DELMONICA'S BAR 68 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 4803. Daily Noon-Midnight. Claims to be "Glasgow's biggest and busiest Gay bar". DJs nightly from 9pm. Thu: Quiz. Sun: Karaoke. Nice if your face fits. Email: delmonicas@g1group.co.uk WWW: http://www.g1group.co.uk/ EASYINTERNETCAFÉ 57/61 St. Vincent Street. Tel: 0141-222 2365. Sun 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri 7am- 10pm, Sat 8am-10pm. Large Internet Café from which many gay men seem to troll the net instead of just picking up each other! WWW: http://www.easyinternetcafe. com/ GLC CAFÉ/BAR* 11 Dixon Street. Tel: 0141-226 5050. 11am-Midnight. Full breakfast always available. Home cooking. Friendly and busy! Karaoke on Fri, Sat. GLASGOW LGBT CENTRE (GGLC)* 11 Dixon Street. Tel/Fax: 0141-221 7203. Daily 11am-Midnight. Welcomes lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered. Services include: Café 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. Houses 18 user groups and organisations. Fully wheelchair accessible venue. E-mail: admin1@glgbt.org.uk WWW: http://www.glgbt.org.uk/ ICON* 24 Candleriggs. Tel: 0141-552 0243. Fax: 0141-552 4251. 4pm-Midnight. Next door to Merchant Pride. Interesting cocktail list. Stylish environment and laidback grooves through to quality house music. E-mail: info@iconbar. co.uk WWW: http://icon-bar.co.uk/ THE LANE 60 Robertson Street Lane (off Argyle Street). Tel: 0141-221 1802. Noon-7pm. "Exotic Gay Men's Club" with sauna and private cabins. Not very busy. MERCHANT PRIDE* 20 Candleriggs. Tel: 0141-564 1285. Sun 12.30pm-Midnight, Mon-Sat Noon- Midnight. Food: Noon-5pm. Upmarket bar in the heart of the Merchant City. Regular cabaret, karaoke and disco. MODA 58 Virginia Street. Tel/Fax: 0141-553 2553. Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sun 5pm-3am. Fashionable pub/club. WWW: http://www.g1group.co.uk/ THE POLO LOUNGE 84 Wilson Street. Tel: 0141-553 1221. Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sun 5pm-3am. Long established pub/club. Young crowd. Polo Club (downstairs dancefloor) open Fri-Sun, GBP5 after 11pm. Email: polo@g1group.co.uk WWW: http://www.pololounge.co.uk/ RELAX CENTRAL* 3rd Floor, 27 Union Street. Tel: 0141- 221 0415. Noon-10pm. Established gay sauna. Fully licensed by Glasgow City Council. Entry GBP8.50 (until 2pm), GBP10 thereafter. E-mail: info@relaxcentral.co.uk WWW: http://www.relaxcentral.co.uk/ REVOLVER BAR* 6a John Street. Tel: 0141-553 2456. Mon-Fri Noon-Midnight, Sat-Sun 1pm- Midnight. A refreshing antidote to the current gay scene. Pool table, state of the art free jukebox (with over 8,000 tracks on it), reasonably priced drinks, good quality service, no karaoke. SILKS AND SECRETS* 308 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141-572 1017. Fax: 0141-221 0959. Sun Noon-5pm, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm. Clothes and toys catering for gay, transvestite and fetish tastes. Larger sizes stocked. TRON THEATRE CAFÉ BAR* Chisholm Street. Tel: 0141-552 8587. Fax: 0141-552 6657. Sun 11am-Late, Mon-Sat 10am-Late. Friendly theatre bar. Mixed. Good food. WWW: http://www.tron.co.uk/ THE TUNNEL 84 Mitchell Street. Tel: 0141-204 1000. Wed. 11.30pm-3am. Allure with DJ Darren. Entry GBP3. E-mail: thornleisure@ yahoo.co.uk VICTORIA BAR* 157-159 Bridgegait. Tel: 0141-552 6040. Sun 12.30pm-Midnight, Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight. Basically straight, but justly popular with Glasgow's many Real Ale queens and dykes. Convenient for the Citizens Theatre. 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. Runs regular clubs at the Big Joint in South Street, Glasgow on the first Sat of each month. Also holds special one off clubs called UltraViolate roughly every 3 months. E-mail: info@violate.co.uk WWW: http://www.violate.co.uk/ THE WATERLOO* 306 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141-229 5891. Sun 12.30pm-Midnight, Mon-Sat Noon- Midnight. Semper idem! Popular, crowded, down to earth gay drinking shop. Scotland's oldest gay bar - what more can we say? Busy, busy, busy! Awarded the Beti Hutton seal of approval. PERTH MI CIELO* Bliss Nightclub (formerly Whispers). 40-48 Canal Street. Tel: (01738) 446442. Next date: Sun 8th Jan. New monthly club night. All drinks are GBP1.50 till Midnight. E-mail: karen@blissandenvy.co.uk WWW: http://www.blissandenvy. co.uk/ STIRLING BARNTON BISTRO* 3 1/2 Barnton Street. Tel: (01786) 461698. Sun Noon-Midnight, Mon-Thu 10.30am-Midnight, Fri-Sat 10.30am- 1am. 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. TWIST* Fubar, 6 Maxwell Place. Tel: (01786) 472619. Wed 11pm-2am. John Mclean plays charty/party mix to a gay crowd. GBP3 entry. GBP2 drinks promos all night. Email: fubar@clg.co.uk WWW: http://www.clg.co.uk/fubar/ STRATHYRE MUNRO INN* Strathyre, Callander. Tel: Strathyre (01877) 384333. Sun-Thu Noon- Midnight, Fri-Sat Noon-1am. Gayfriendly bar and hotel. Full menu served all day. Sunday roast. E-mail: bookings@ munro-inn.com WWW: http://www.munro-inn.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Publishing Limited, December 2005. 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. 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