p01 Cover DEC09.indd

G3X
fo r g ay / b i wo m e n | D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9
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.CO.UK
FREE
Fit
birds
WE TALK TO
LESBIANS IN SPORT
HOMOPHOBIC
HATE CRIME
Tegan
& Sara
A RISE IN REPORTED
ATTACKS
all n
ew io r
on at ea
St blic e Y 9
Pu f th200
o
STONEWALL
AWARDS
PICTURE SPECIAL:
THE STARS OF THIS
YEAR’S CEREMONY
contents
highlights
Skin
editorial
advertising
020 7258 1777
Head of Advertising
Rob Harkavy
[email protected]
Senior Advertising Executives
Maz Ogden
[email protected]
Dan Goodban
[email protected]
“
If all those
people just
came out, nobodyore.
would care anym
28
Managing Director
Sarah Garrett
[email protected]
Managing Director
Linda Riley
[email protected]
PUBLISHERS
Sarah Garrett/Linda Riley
Square Peg Media Ltd
37 Ivor Place,
London NW1 6EA
Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7258 1777
Fax: +44 (0)20 7258 1787
ISDN: 1473-6039
All advertising copy for January
2010 must be received before
11.12.09 Please send all advertising
copy to [email protected]
The content of this publication, either in whole or in part,
may not be reproduced, stored in a data retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior
permission from the publishers. Opinions expressed in g3
magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.
© Square Peg Media Ltd 2000-2009. Square Peg
Media Ltd t/a g3 magazine will take no responsibility
for any loss/claim resulting from a transaction
with one of our advertisers/media partners.
35
%
44
Fit birds: we
catch up
with lesbian
sportswomen.
Accounts
Maria Liatou
[email protected]
Commercial Director
Bryan Rodriguez
[email protected]
“
020 7724 9898
Editor
Charlotte Dingle
[email protected]
Art Director/Design
Helen Mathias
[email protected]
Film Editor
Jen Kilchenmann
Music Editor
Lea Andrews
Sub Editor
Kathryn Fox
Original Design Concept
Boutique Marketing
www.boutiquemarketing.co.uk
Contributors/Thanks to:
P.Allardice, Chance Delgado, Corrine
Alvarado, Jess Arnold, Nadia Attura,
Julie Bindel, Nikki Chubb, Suran
Dickson, Laura Doughty, Philip Garcia,
Tiff Griffiths, Melanie Hay, Mercury,
Horse, Laurence Jaugey-Paget, Chris
Jepson, Anne Lacheiner-Kuhn, Joni
Lewis, Siv Nilsen, Maz Ogden, Sasha
Ozeritskaya, Amy Pirt, Ben Summerskill,
Peter Tatchell, Rosie Wilby.
Where are all
the lesbian celebs?
This season’s
luscious lingerie
regulars
07Ua^]b
70\Sea
40d]WQS
73Q][[c\Wbg 99
b`OdSZ
Fashion faves and groovy
gadgets, music and film
reviews and event previews.
Will new laws mean we can
all access fertility treatment?
51aQS\S
26 Taboo, Girls on Top,
Shift and CODE, Tipping the
Velvet @The Marlborough
and the Lipstick Ladies’
Divas and Tinsel party plus,
all the latest UK bar and
club listings.
All the latest gay news
issues, nationally and
internationally.
London’s new LGBT
tourist office, Chrysalis
relationship coaching, and
Suran Dickson’s classroom
campaigning.
83`SQ`cWb[S\b
A review of the Diversity
Careers Show. Plus our
woman on top, Laura
Doughty from Stonewall.
91V][SZWdW\U
Heat your home the
green way this winter,
plus Girls Night In with
singer-songwriter Horse.
Get your skis on with
Citypink! Plus, Best of British.
VSOZbV
107
PSOcbg
Surviving the festive season.
108
`SZObW]\aVW^a
Is she a bit too close to her
best mate?
3
upfront
C
send us your letters:
mailbag
STAR LETTER!
in her skin
win!
Just send your letters to the
usual address or email:
[email protected]
A DVD of
All Over Me
This month’s star letter writer wins a copy of the
Peccadillo Pictures re-release of cult lesbian classic
All Over Me. Follow the adventures of tomboy
Claude as she endures an agonising crush on her
best friend Ellen – who is unfortunately in love with a
drug-addicted homophobe. Watch out for a young,
pink-haired Leisha Hayley!
For more information visit www.peccadillopictures.com
Dear g3, Your interview with Skin
in the November issue of g3 was
awesome. What a passionate,
opinionated and gorgeous woman
she is. She’s a fantastic role model
and a great spokeswoman for all
of us. I’m delighted that Skunk
Anansie have reformed and I can’t
wait to hear more of those tunes
we love them for. There’s only
one thing I didn’t like about the
interview and that was finding out
that Skin has a girlfriend!
MARCIA,VIA EMAIL
ED: Yep, she’s one hell of a woman.
For those who don’t know, Skunk
Anansie’s new greatest hits album,
Smashes and Trashes, is out now on
One Little Indian Records.
simply the best
4
Dear g3, Huge congratulations
to g3 on being named Stonewall
Publication of the Year! It was
well deserved. g3 is an absolutely
invaluable resource for the lesbian
and bisexual community, with its
perfect balance of the light-hearted
and fun and the more serious and
educational. It really is hard to
believe we get all this fabulousness
every month absolutely FREE!
ed’sWeletter
won!
At a star-studded ceremony in London’s gloriousVictoria and Albert museum,
g3 fought off competition from Metro, TheTimes, Financial Times and People
Management to be named Stonewall’s Publication of theYear.We were
incredibly honoured to have our contribution to the gay community recognised
in this way, as winners of such a genuinely prestigious prize.Way to go!
This month, we’ve got lots of goodies for you.We interviewed the gorgeous
Tegan of indie-rockstersTegan and Sara, about the band’s new album,
Sainthood, and their current tour. We’ve also talked to a host of lesbian
sportswomen about their experiences, taken a look at why homophobic
attacks seem to be on the rise, and wondered where all the young lesbian
celebs are.
The festive season is all sorted for you with our lush gift guide, a run-down of all
the hottest Christmas parties in our Scene section, and tips for surviving the
season of excess without it taking too much of a physical toll.
So grab a mince pie, put your feet up, and let us inform, delight and entertain
you as only we know how!
Have a truly cool yule,
NATASHA, BRISTOL
ED: Ooo, we’re blushing! Stop it!
foxy lady
Dear g3, Please, please can you
do an interview with Sam Fox?!
think she’s an absolute hoot, and
I’m loving her on I’m a Celebrity…,
where she really does seem to be
taking the whole bush experience
in her stride! Let’s just hope those
sharks let her come back to the UK
in one piece!
HEATHER,VIA EMAIL
lotte
Char
g3 liveU![OUQ]cY
Can’t get g3? Read the latest g3 magazine instantly
on your computer by visiting our website which
includes instant access, page-turning graphics, music
and film videos, plus interactive web links from our
articles and advertisers.
Check out the latest issue and archives at www.g3mag.co.uk
5
music//film//girls//toys//fashion//news//reviews//music//film//girl
6
s//music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//film//girls
T`]\a
T
This month: g3 gets
up close and personal
with talented twins
Tegan & Sara. Plus our
fun quiz, tit bits and
the latest reviews.
hitting your spot again and again!
Babe
of the
month
AO`OV
:W^abObS
7
For more information, visit
www.sarahlipstate.com
Gadgets
T`]\a
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music//film//girls//toys//fashion//reviews//news//music//film//girl
the
fun
BeWZWUVbA^SQb`c[C[P`SZZO
This fun umbrella is adorned with a sparkling web of
LED lights so you can twinkle away on those dark, damp
nights. The battery-powered lights switch on and off as
needed, taking you through a spectrum of colours ideal
for banishing rainy-day blues.You’ll be praying for rain,
guaranteed.
RRP £24.95 www.gadgets.co.uk
the sound
W6Ob
How can you keep your head and ears warm
while listening to your favourite tunes? The iHat
is the answer. It eliminates the risk of tangled
headphones leads, with a speaker system
embedded into a sleek black beanie hat that plugs
into any mp3 player. Hurrah – it’s goodbye to
yucky earwaxy headphones!
RRP £14.95 www.bb-shopping.com
the
tidy
@Sb`]CA02SaY
DOQcc[1ZSO\S`
Keep your desk spick and
span and be the envy of your
colleagues with this retro
crumb-cleaning device.The
70s-style machine plugs straight
into your computer, so you can
easily banish evidence of those
naughty afternoon snacks.
RRP £9.99 www.iwantoneofthose.com
9
she’
s
just
gotta
have
it
tech up in style with the latest gadgets
!
At last, for the bungee jumpers amongst
us – or just those people who enjoy
documenting some really wild nights out
– an unbreakable camera! The D10 is
waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof. Its
toughness doesn’t mean it compromises
on quality: it boasts 12.1 megapixels and all
of Canon’s latest imaging technologies.
RRP £379 www.canon.co.uk
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
the
pictures
1O\]\21O[S`O
Gifts/ / t o y s / / f a s h i o n / / r e v i e w s / / n e w s / / m u s i c / / f i l m / / g i r
T`]\a
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music//film//girls
the
hot dates
7:]dS:]\R]\5W`Za
Love girls? Love kissing? Need organising?
Keep track of your busy schedule while
gazing upon some of the fittest women in
London. Each month features an arousing
but tasteful photoshoot of lip-locking
beauties… A wonderful way to welcome
in the new year.
the time
aEO^
A dawn in mobile technology has arrived.
This cute gizmo does so much more than
tell the time, it provides a world of
multimedia at your fingertips: check emails,
surf the net, listen to music, take photos
and make calls.Totally James Bond-esque
– you will never be bored again!
sWap watch £249
www.iwantoneofthose.com
I Love Kissing girls calendar 2010 £10
www.ilovelondongirls.com
gorgeous
gifts…
our pick of the best festive loot
the1VWZZSRBc`bZS
clobber
For the beach babe in your life we love this vintage tee.
This Brighton based eco-friendly sports brand offers cool
hoodies andT-shirts in organic cotton, with funky designs
that ooze a laidback vibe. g3 readers get a special 25%
discount: just quote “g3xmas” at the checkout!
10
Chilled Turtle vintage T-shirt £24
www.chilledturtle.co.uk
!
the
greetings
AeWbQVP]O`R
Spread some Yuletide cheer and do something
great for charity by sending out cards made
by Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard.
Whimsical designs created by volunteers
guarantee some merriment and give you the
uniquely warm glow that comes with knowing
you are helping support a lifeline for the LGBT
community.
Brighton and Hove Switchboard Christmas cards
£2.50 for five
www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton/
Gifts
T`]\a
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lsgirls//music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//film/
"
the
tunes
/_cOa]c\Rh
For the ultimate in relaxation, drift away on your favourite
melodies as you enjoy a hot soak in the tub with a speaker
that floats alongside you. Leave your music player in a safe
location as the clever gadget connects using a wireless
signal from up to 150ft.
Wireless floating speaker £39.99
www.iwantoneofthose.com
#
the0SZdSRS`S
tipple
Smooth and sexy yet bold with
full-bodied flavour, it may sound
like your ideal date. Well,
Belvedere is an elegant and
pure 100% proof vodka which
can be enjoyed over ice or as a
base for sumptuous cocktails.
The luxurious packaging is the
cherry on the top of a truly
impressive gift.
Belvedere Intense vodka £35.99 for
75l bottle
www.belvederevodka.com
the
bedroom
4ZSaVO\R4Z]`O
$
This Parisian company dedicated to
erotic lovemaking offers gorgeous linen
to brighten up your boudoir and send
your lady wild. Made from premium silks
and cottons adorned with sensual and
seductive designs, their products are truly
works of art.
Flesh and Flora bed linen: various prices
www.fleshandflora.com
%
the
movies
DSV]
Immortalise your magical Christmas memories on film.This
high-tech but sleek and compact camcorder is an ideal gift for
that budding Spielberg. It fits neatly in your pocket so you can
capture the world around you in live action or still shots.
Veho HD Ultra Slim Pocket Camcorder £99.99
www.play.com
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
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Gear/ / t o y s / / f a s h i o n / / r e v i e w s / / n e w s / / m u s i c / / f i l m / / g i r
T`]\a
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music//film//girls
the
jacket
5AbO`
Perfect for covering up in winter,
biker jackets have an undeniable
aura of cool about them and are
everywhere this month.The
classic style can be embellished
with studs, or even diamantes for
the uber-glam. Channel your inner
James Dean and team one with
jeans in the day or rock it with a
cute dress at night.
the shoes
4OWbV
A welcome alternative to skyscraper
heels, brogues are a kooky yet stylish way
for your feet to survive the party season.
Previously the footwear of choice for
dapper gents, girls are now grabbing a pair
to toughen up their winter look. Brogues
will look fab with skinnies and a shirt, or
that LBD.The striking monochrome
patent leather variety are our faves
AJazzy brogues in ivory £40
Faith www.faith.co.uk
Leather biker jacket £90
G Star www.g-star.com
grunge
chic
join the biker brigade in edgy street gear
the
bag
@WdS`7aZO\R
Become an urban gothic biker warrior with this
essential accessory. Unlike most handbags this stylish,
it’s big enough to serve your day and night needs, so
you can be a dedicated follower of fashion without
having to leave your lunch at home.The attentiongrabbing tiger design adds the perfect rock chick
edge when twinned with a leather jacket.
Black leather studded bag £160
River Island
www.riverisland.com
!
the
dress
0]]6]]
Get sci-fi sexy in this slinky structured silver dress, with 80s-style
shoulder pads elegantly complemented by ruffled sleeves.
To complete the look, sweep your hair into a quiff and dab on
some shimmering make up.
Foil print dress £20
BooHoo www.boohoo.com
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
12
lsgirls//music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//film/
13
T`]\a
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Quiz/ / t o y s / / f a s h i o n / / r e v i e w s / / n e w s / / m u s i c / / f i l m / / g i r
music//film//girls
How
Virtual
is Your World?
Are you meatspace-based
or cyber-spaced?
You’ve passed your driving
test.What is your first
reaction?
!
"
#
$
You really fancy a girl.
What do you do?
a) I go to the bar she likes hanging
out at and dance with her.
b) I change my online handle to her
name and mine with kisses
either side.
c) I text her a flirty message.
a) I post about it on my favourite
forum.
b) I Skype my mother and tell her.
c) I go for a spin!
You’re feeling lonely and you
want to find a girlfriend. How
do you go about it?
Your friend asks you what you
want for Christmas.
What do you ask for?
a) I go on Second Life and find a
busty babe to rub pixels with.
b) I go clubbing with my mates.
c) I post an ad on a dating website.
a) A new XBox. I’ve worn yet
another one out. *Sigh*.
b) A few DVDs.
c) Tickets to a gig.
Which job would you
prefer to do?
a) Forest ranger.
b) Office manager.
c) Computer games tester.
It’s your birthday.
What are you doing?
Scores:
It’s time for your weekly shop.
How do you do it?
a) I log on to the Tesco website.
b) I put my SIMS character
into ‘Buy Mode’.
c) I go to the market for some
nice fresh organic veg.
14
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
OhSoSrIeP
Gw
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE
7-12: All flesh and blood:
a) 5 b) 3
a) 5 b) 1
a) 3 b) 5
a) 1 b) 5
a) 5 b) 3
a) 1 b) 3
a) 1 b) 5
c) 1
c) 3
c) 1
c) 3
c) 1
c) 5
c) 3
13-21: In tune with technology:
You balance gadgets and gizmos with
face-to-face reality.
22-35: Almost an avatar:
a) White water rafting.
b) Playing with my Neopet.
c) Watching a film at the cinema.
You’re lost in an electric dream.
Black-Eyed Peas singer Fergie says her
therapist has finally persuaded her that
lesbian liaisons still constitute extra-marital
affairs. Fergie says she didn’t realise when she
got hitched to husband Josh Duhamel
Fergie
Former Page 3‘stunnah’ Sam Fox has
joined the current I’m a Celebrity… cast in
the Australian jungle. Sam, who got CP’ed to
her manager Myra Stratton earlier this
year, says she definitely plans to emulate
previous contestants and frolick under
waterfalls in her bikini. Better set yourTVs to
widescreen, ladies…
You like to stick to earth-based pleasures.
that messing about with ladies on the side
was a bad idea. Doh!
So…We thought we’d check in on Li-Lo
again. She’s engulfed in the usual haze of
rumours about her love life – but Sam’s
been replaced with a series of male suitors,
it seems. Lindsay was most recently linked to
Scottish actor Gerard Butler, but strongly
denies that the pair are seeing each other.
On Monday 2 November she wrote on her
Twitter feed:“One minute I’m dumped, the
next I’m dating a model, now Gerard?
WHO HAS THE TIME?! Such lies – it
keeps me laughing.”
lsgirls//
music//film//girls//toys//books//news//reviews//music//film//girls/
16
m//girl
TitBits
T`]\a
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/music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//fil
JONI
WlistIS,
LErna
22, Jou
WHAT
WAS THE
LAST…?
… film you saw
Coco Before Chanel
… album you bought
Bedrock Eleven – John Digweed
… club you visited
Warehouse Project, Manchester
… book you read
The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
… magazine you bought
National Geographic
DECEMBERFundaq…
FUN
Wednesday 2
Wednesday 2
Celebrity Christmas Stocking
Auction – the likes of Dita Von
Teese and Lily Cole auction off
stockings they have lovingly
made for charity Macmillan
Cancer Care.
www.macmillan.org.uk
CityPink Christmas Party
– London’s leading gay
networking service hosts
a glamorous bash with
champagne, a live cabaret,
DJs and gorgeous women.
www.citypink.co.uk
Throughout December
Party season – any excuse to
eat, drink and make merry
this month will do. The new
year is for repenting so get
sinning!
Throughout December
GLUM
Christmas shopping chaos – the
shops are super busy and you are
super stressed. Present buying is a
nightmare we could all do without
this year, and we are sure your
bank balance
would agree.
;cab`SOR
Meghan O’Brien/
battle scars
Published by Bold Strokes Books £12.99 Out 15.12.09
+++,,
Get caught up in the heart-wrenching story of
returning war veteran Ray McKenna as she
learns to overcome her post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) and find love again in the arms
of local vet Carly.Will finding her soulmate heal
Ray’s battle scars or will their love fall foul of her
deep emotional trauma?
End of December
The festive season is
over and there are no
more excuses to party
non-stop and drink and
eat constantly. You are
left feeling drained,
rundown and grasping
at resolutions you won’t
keep as the new year
begins.
10
top
craziest
cocktails…
1. Pisco Sour: Blend 50ml pisco brandy,
1 egg white,25ml amargo angostura,
25ml sugar syrup,and 2 tsp lemon juice
for a refreshing Peruvian experience.
2. DirtyWasabi-tini Bond meetsAsia:
mix 50ml gin,25ml dry vermouth,and
float a wasabi-stuffed,tempura-battered
olive on top.
3. Brain Haemorrhage:
Tastes and looks like one:
50ml Baileys,50ml peach
schnapps,das h grenadine,
2 tsp tobasco.
4.Tiramisu: A truly
decadent drink: 1shot of
espresso,25ml vodka,50ml
Baileys,25ml double cream,
finish with chocolate sauce
and a dust of chocolate powder.
5. Liquid lunch: Just plain strange:25ml
vodka,25ml blueberry liqueur,dash of
balsamic vinegar and sugar syrup,lemon
wedges and mint leaves to garnish.
6. Flaming Bob Marley:
The liquids separate to
form the Jamaican flag!
Add grenadine, crème de
menthe and dark rum in
equal measure,light and suck up quickly
through a straw.
7. Liquid Cocaine: A shot each of white
rum,Goldschlager cinnamon schnapps
and Jagermeister herbal liqueur makes
for a mind-blowing boost.
17
8.Winter worm,summer grass:
A favourite in Bhutan and northern
China – combines ara,a hot homemade
grain alcohol,and butter-fried caterpillar
worms known as corydseps.
9. Gorilla Snot: 25ml lime cordial,25ml
whisky,25ml Baileys.The Baileys curdles a
sickly snot green.
10. Bank breaker: The
world’s most expensive
cocktail from Movida
nightclub, London. Louis
XII cognac,Cristal Rose
champagne,brown sugar,
angostura bitters,flakes of gold leaf and
an 11-carat diamond ring.Price:£35,000!
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
g3x member:
music//film//girls//toys//fashion//reviews//news//music//film//girl
ga
Tegan
Qu
Quin
18
of Tegan & Sara
On love songs, role models
and creative collaboration…
Tegan Quin, one half of
indie-rock duo Tegan and Sara,
speaks to Charlotte Dingle
about their latest album
Sainthood and how it feels to
be the most famous lesbian
twins around.
Interview f i l m
T`]\a
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s//toys//fashion//reviews//news//music//
19
Tegan (left)
& Sara Quin
Interview
T`]\a
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music//film//girls//toys//fashion//reviews//news//music//film//gir
“
Tegan (left)
& Sara Quin
There are a
lot of queer
women making
music, they’re
just not so
popular.
“
Their latest record is a rollercoaster ride of heartbreak and hope. Songs like
Alligator pull you down to the uncomfortable depths of insecurity and betrayal,
while songs like Someday, a paean to romantic hope, point you back towards
the sky. How does this reflect the twins’ own current situations? Tegan
responds: “I’ve been in a relationship for a while, but Sara isn’t. For me, this
record was a love record: I was writing from a happier kind of relationship
perspective. Sara was thinking in terms of the fact that we’re at the age our
parents were when they got divorced!”
20
Tegan is adamant, however, that coming from such different places doesn’t
cause problems when making songs together. She says: “When you start
investigating the inner workings of a song, even if it sounds really poppy, it’s
usually about the underbelly of love: pining and missing and wanting and hurting
and longing for someone. Even when you’re in a relationship you can feel that
way – you can start to question what’s going to happen, and feel insecure.
Thematically, we’re really in similar places.” She continues: “Collaboration is
such a funny word. We do collaborate all the time, but we don’t write physically
with one another. This is the first record where we’ve ever tried to do that. The
collaboration process is not very tense or difficult to navigate. We do so much of
it by ourselves, it’s just like everyone’s adding their part. Sara has time to explore
where she’s going with the keyboard part because I’m busy with the drums, for
instance.”
As with most lesbians in the public eye, the media haven’t neglected to focus on
the women’s sexuality: not least because of the element of fascination inspired
by them being both lesbians and twins. Tegan doesn’t feel it’s as much of a
problem as it was in the past, however: “It doesn’t really bug me anymore.
People don’t focus on our lesbianism as much as they used to. I feel like that cat’s
out of the bag now, it seems like old news to a lot of people.” Asked how she
feels about being a role model to other lesbians, she responds: “I’ve met so
many people over the years who’ve said that it’s been such a huge influence and
a huge support to them to know that their favourite band is gay, or to know that
our parents were supportive.” So who came out first? “Sara came out first, when
we were about 18. She started dating this girl. My mum was kind of annoyed,
but I’m sure the shock of it wasn’t as big as she made it out to be – I think it was
pretty obvious!”
Tegan admits that it’s a little lonely up on their pedestal as lesbian idols. “There
aren’t a lot of queer women making music in the mainstream these days. There
are a lot of queer women making music, they’re just not so popular,” she
laments. “It’s a lot of responsibility, because in a lot of places we are the most
popular gay band who are playing!” She pauses a moment, then adds: “I mean,
I know a lot of very famous closeted gay people and I think to myself, ‘God, if all
those people just came out, nobody would care anymore’ but they’re probably
not going to, so us smaller artists have to do it.” Unfortunately, the singer refuses
to elaborate further on who these secretive individuals might be…
So what will we see next from this iconic pair? “We’re gonna finish this tour in
Europe, then we’re starting our North American tour in January, then we’re
coming back here in June and August, I think, for festivals and stuff,” Tegan says.
“We’re getting ready to do another music video: I think we’re gonna do one for
Alligator, and we released a three-book set recently, On, In, and At, which people
can order online.”
The singer confesses that she’s ready for a bit of quiet time after this whirl of
activity, however: “I can’t wait to get writing again either. When you’ve just put
out a record, it’s all about talking about music and your career and getting your
photograph taken and touring, which is great, but I’m really excited to write
music again.” I’m sure I speak for many of you when I say I can’t wait to see what
they come up with next…
Sainthood is out now on Sire Records.
For more information on Tegan and Sara
visit www.teganandsara.com
WORDS & INTERVIEW BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE
Tegan Quin seems surprisingly fresh-faced and sparky when I’m
introduced to her, in spite of the hectic timetable she’s followed over the past
few days. She and twin sister Sara are currently touring their sixth studio album,
Sainthood, which was released earlier this year. “We got to Europe about a week
ago,” she explains. “We flew to Berlin and did some press, then did the show
here in London, headed out to do Manchester and Edinburgh… and now we’re
back here!”
T`]\a
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lsgirls//music//film//girls//toys/books//news//reviews//music//film/
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music//film//girls//toys//books//news//reviews//music//film//girls/
22
m//girl
Arts&Culture
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events/keeping it live
for girls who like to be out
the
music
/ZWa]\;]gSb
Dark eyes, moody lyrics, bluesy voice… Don’t
miss out on this intoxicating songstress on her 25
years revisited tour, which documents her varied
musical career. Moyet takes us through some fresh
re-workings of her classic tracks, as well as her
latest releases. This is truly music for the soul and
a chance to see a legendary musician performing
the songs she loves.
1-14 December. Various venues across the UK.
www.alisonmoyet.com
don’t
miss!
music/here come
the girls tour
Heavy weights of pop
Lulu, Anastacia,
and Chaka
Khan unite for
a rip-roaring
tour, belting out
girl power ballads
and celebrating
what it means to be
a woman! Expect big hair, big heels and
big voices in a pure distillation of diva
energy.
2-22 December. Various UK venues.
£25-£40. www.herecomethegirls.org
show/london
international
horse show
the
show
AW[^Zg0O`P`O
Catch the world’s premier Streisand impersonator,
Steven Brinberg, in the stunning show Love is the Answer…
This is a night of diva-esque proportions that celebrates
Streisand’s latest recordings, where the vocals are
breathtaking and star power abounds. Brinberg’s
performance is an engaging combination of eccentric
theatrics, comic genius and sheer stage presence.
The world’s finest horses and riders in
first class competition. Enjoy dressage
and show jumping events, even a
Shetland pony grand national. It’s a day
of decadence where you can sip
champagne to your heart’s delight and
perhaps treat yourself to a luxury box
and a gourmet meal.
1-6 December. Various venues across the UK.
www.simplybarbra.com
15-20 December. Olympia Exhibition
Halls, West Kensington, London,
W14. www.olympiahorseshow.com
23
theAW\RS`TSZZO
panto
Take one fairytale and add a generous dose of
cross-dressing, plot twists, endless laughs and
mayhem!The show’s star, drag artiste Bette
Rinse, is naughty, sexy and deliciously camp.The
cast have truly revamped a timeless classic.The
result is riotous fun, with outrageous renditions
of sing-along tunes including It’s Raining Men, and
Like aVirgin. Remember, this hilarious panto is
strictly for adults only.
4-30 December. Leicester Square theatre,
6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX.
www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
The platinum
blonde rock
chick brings her
sugar rush of a
tour, Funhouse,
to the UK. Crazy
costumes,
catchy hits and
carnivalesque
chaos explode as Pink throws
everything she’s got into her spellbinding performance and blasts out
chart toppers like SoWhat! and Bad
Influence. Move over Britney!
8-13 December. Various UK venues
and prices. www.pinkspage.com
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
music/pink
T`]\a
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Interview
music//film//girls//toy s//fashion//reviews//news//music//film//gir
Rosie
Wilby
lesbian
funny woman
?\`VRDVYOfV`NP\ZRQVN[
_NQV\]_R`R[aR_N[Q
`\ZRaVZR`V[TR_
`\[Td_VaR_ON`RQV[
=RPXUNZV[@\baU2N`a
9\[Q\[0UN_Y\aaR1V[TYR
PNbTUab]dVaUUR_a\
QV`Pb``UR_YNaR`a`aN[Qb]
`U\dAUR@PVR[PR\S@Re
CD: How are you?
RW: I’m good actually. I came back from Liverpool
yesterday as I was doing the Homotopia festival
there. It’s a really nice festival and that’s were I was
born so it’s always nice to go back.
CD:Tell us about the Science for Sex show.
RW: In 2008, I did a show all about memory, so
I wanted to continue with a neurosciencey geeky
theme. So I thought let’s do one about the science
of sex. It’ll be fun but also interesting. I started
researching the brain chemistry behind what
happens when we’re attracted to people and fall
in love.
24
CD: Is it true you decided to write the show
after a break up?
RW: Well I’d been seeing my girlfriend for about
three years and we did break up in May/June when
I started writing and previewing the show. What’s
interesting is that one of the things that I found out
was that there is a scientifically proven low point in
a relationship after about three years when the
initial burst of love hormones have worn off.
Separation rates peak in the fourth year but, if a
couple get through it, we seem to continue going in
cycles of ups and downs. We’re on a sort of continuous
rollercoaster. So my own relationship’s ups and
downs were reflected in the very same trends I was
reading about. Talk about a life/art clash!
followed by a double bill with Julie Jepson in
Brighton on 6 Feb and a Valentine’s Day Hangover
Special double bill with Helen Arney on 15 February
at the Canal Café Theatre in London.
CD: How long will your show run for?
RW: I did lots of performances through the
summer, most notably a month up at Edinburgh
Fringe. A lot of comedians only perform their shows
in the summer and then start writing a new one.
I will write a new one for next year but I want to
carry on with this show for a bit longer as it’s getting
better and more fun. When my partner and I broke
up, the show had a very different tone, so there
are different sorts of feelings about it now. I’m
going to tour it early next year, kicking off with a
performance on Wednesday 13 January at the Royal
Vauxhall Tavern’s Hot August Fringe Highlights,
CD: How do you juggle your comedy and
your music?
RW: I don’t really do much music anymore and I
miss it. I did do a music gig in September just after
Edinburgh. I dusted off the guitar, played the old
songs and thought how much fun it was. But I just
don’t have a lot of time free for it now comedy’s
taken over so much. I also present and produce
radio shows including an LGBT show, which used to
be a monthly live programme on South City radio
here in Peckham. I still do podcasts for them and will
be starting the live shows on Resonance FM in late
November.
CD: Apart from writing a new show, have
you got any other projects in the pipeline?
RW: I’ll be doing the tour and then starting to think
about a new show and writing. Apart from that I am
always gigging, doing lots of LGBT festivals… there
is always something going on. I do want to do some
more international gigs. I went to Sydney Mardi
Gras and headlined a women’s event in March,
which was fantastic! My next plan is a gig in New
York or San Francisco. I have a few contacts so we
shall see…
For more information visit
www.myspace.com/rosiewilbycomedy
lsgirls//
25
Arts&Culture
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music//film//girls//toys//books//news//reviews//music//film//girls/
screen/what to watch
for girls who like a good flick
;cabaSS
cinema/amelia
Out Now
+++++
Oscars may once again be in the offing for Hilary Swank
after her performance in this year’s must-see biopic Amelia.
Monsoon Wedding director Mira Nair takes a look at the life
of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who
disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an
attempt to make a flight around the world. Richard Gere is
part of the supporting cast, in a surprisingly charming role.
Amelia is everything you need from a strong female with a
story worth telling.
dvd/four christmases ;CABA33
Out Now
dvd/
+++,,
andrew marr’s
history of modern
britain series 1-2
If you’re after a DVD with a Christmas
feel about it, you won’t go wrong with
FourChristmases, starring Reese
Whitherspoon andVinceVaughan as a
couple travelling across the country to
visit all four sets of parents. Confused?
You shouldn’t be. Both sets of parents
are divorced. If you have this sort of
problem at Christmas time, you may not
find this as funny as people who have
warm, close and stable families.
However, it’s a good way to pass a
couple of festive hours. Eggnog anyone?
cinema/nine
Out Now
+++++
Out 18 December
26
That golden statuette could well be travelling to the cast and director of Nine.
Just in time for the Christmas holidays, this eye-popping musical hits your local
screens. Remember Rob Marshall’s last offering, Chicago? Well, take that, add
some spot-on direction, Marion (La Vie En Rose) Cotillard, Penelope Cruz and
Nicole Kidman and it’s fair to say all your Christmases have come at once. Daniel
Day Lewis stars in the lead role… and wait for it, he does spit once! Nine has the
charm and extravagance of Moulin Rouge and the pizzazz of musical classics like
A Chorus Line and Fame. Pack the popcorn and enjoy!
E/B16B67AA>/13
Check out these other new releases this month:
cinema/
cracks Out 4 December
where the
wild things are
dvd/
harry potter
and the half-blood prince
Out 7 December
sherlock holmes
the hangover Out 7 December
inglorious basterds Out 7 December
the hurt locker Out 28 December
Plus… the L word – season 6
Out 26 December
Out 10 February, 2010
Out 11 December
The L Word
avatar
Out 17 December
Avatar
It is not often that you will
see me writing about a
documentary, let alone one
about history.Andrew Marr’s
History of Modern Britain ,
however, is worthy of note.
This box set is an incredibly
well-presented and structured
set of documentaries looking
back at the events that have
shaped our country since the
Second World War. In his usual
captivating manner, Marr
guides his audience through
the years. Even for one who
isn’t much of a history lover,
this is an amazing set of
programmes fit to live on
your shelf forever. Learn
something this Christmas!
WORDS BY JENNIFER KILCHENMANN
++++,
Arts&Culture
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music/keep on track
for girls who want to stay in tune
about as gay as music gets, like a
merging of all gay sounds ever created,
with a cherry on the top. Imagine fellow
Swedish band Abba reinvented for the
modern age as an electro pop group,
and voila!You have BWO. It’s that simple.
So here it is, the final music
round up of the year…
we
love…
… Miri. g3 chats to the
intoxicating singersongwriter.
Ella Chi
Swingle Singers
Moving straight back to the here and
now, let me draw your attention to Paul
Oakenfold’s new double CD Perfecto
LasVegas (New State Music). For the
past 12 months, Paul has had a
residency at the Rain nightclub in Las
Vegas. At a mere 25,000 square foot,
the venue allows Paul to incorporate a
fully produced show, with 75 circus
performers, special effects and visuals,
to entertain the 3000 people that pile
through the door on a regular basis.The
album is a hand-picked collection by
Paul, very much influenced by his trance
roots, but also heavily inspired by his
Vegas experience.
Pop Party 7(U.M.T.V) is pretty much
self-explanatory, in that it’s the seventh
in a series of albums containing a
splendidly stonking collection of pop
songs, that are suitable for… a party!
With The Saturdays,The Black Eyed
Peas, Pixie Lott and the Sugababes, it’s
pretty much like Radio One on tap, so
you’ll either love it, or hate it.
The
Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys are releasing a new
EP, Christmas (Parlophone), featuring a
new version of It Doesn’tOften SnowAt
Christmas which was originally an
exclusive single issued to fan club
members in 1997. Also there are versions
of the Madness song MyGirl and a
medley of Coldplay’sViva LaVida and
their own Domino Dancing – it sounds
wonderful, and comes highly
recommended.
Sticking with the trashy pop retro vibe,
try BWO and their whiz bang of an
album Big Science (Bonnier Music). It’s
Ella Chi’s new single Gobstopper
(Conehead Music) is a fine and catchy
tune that may well set her in line for big
success in 2010. Sounding like a more
‘hip-hop’ Lily Allen, and inspired by
Basement Jaxx and the marvellous Amy
Winehouse. Keep an eye on her.
How did you start out?
I was taught classical piano at
the age of five and I’ve always
embraced a mixture of musical
styles, which led me to song
writing. I got to work with a lot
of talented musicians when I
was involved in a South African
township project.After taking
some time out I am now happy
to be signed to a great music
production company called Qton
with whom I have recorded my
debut album Canvas.
What do you sound like?
A little bit of Skye from
Morcheeba, a little bit of Macy
Gray and a whole lot of Miri.
And finally…Indie twins Tegan And
Sara’s latest album Sainthood (Sire) is
out now, and has been for a few weeks,
but just in case you haven’t read the
pretty much five-star reviews across the
board, I would urge you to get it. It’s
their sixth full-length album, but the
first that features a co-written track, as
they usually choose to write separately.
They are such a splendid pair, I only wish
you would also buy This BusinessofArt
too, which they released nine years ago,
as it’s still so fresh and bright. Enjoy
listening to something which is rare
nowadays – a contemporary band with
more than a two album history!
Right, that’s it for this year;
Happy Xmas!
27
Who/what are your influences?
Life, love and romance.
Where/when can we see you play?
I’ve got a few exciting events
in the pipeline. I recently did a
support slot for Dee C Lee
and the Deep MO.To keep
updated on my future gigs
and releases you can go to my
myspace or become a fan on
my Facebook page. My album
Canvas is available on iTunes.
For more information, visit
www.myspace.com/wheresmiri
or www.facebook.com/findmiri
WORDS BY LEA ANDREWS/CHARLOTTE DINGLE
Let’s start with the Swingle Singers.
“What?” I hear you cry. “Have we
stepped into a time machine? Fear not
young lesbian/gay man/bi-curiouspicked-this-mag-up-at-a-friendshouse…for despite their 46-year history,
the Swingle Singers have reincarnated
several times over the years, and this
current incarnation is a fantastically
talented sexy eight piece a cappella
group (a cappella means singing
without instruments).They have
chosen work by artists including Bjork,
Stevie Wonder, JamesTaylor, Joni
Mitchell and Nick Drake, and put a fresh
spin on each song that will amaze and
delight you. FerrisWheels (SwingCD) is
the sort of album that will stick out in
your collection and be that quirky little
friend to all your other stuff, which
sounds nothing like it.
“
“
featured
There is that stage in
your life when you feel
settled and confident
with your identity.
/ZWa]\
4WaVS`
;O`bW\O
28
featured
Sporting
CHANCES
What’s it like being a lesbian sportswoman?
g3 hunted down some fit ladies to find out…
/ZZWa]\
4WaVS`
World-class snooker champ and Stonewall
nominee Allison Fisher speaks about her
success in a male-dominated sport and why
she came out later in her career.
Before we even throw sexuality into the mix,
women in sport face a continual struggle.
Sportsmen receive more media coverage and
sponsorship than their female counterparts –
although women’s participation in sports is growing
at both amateur and professional levels. Try and
name some prominent lesbians in sport and only a
few names spring to mind: Martina Navratilova,
Judith Ardnt, Allison Fisher. For many, homophobia
remains the pink elephant in the room. The media
puts immense pressure on women to fall into two
categories: the sexy sportstress who maintains her
“I came out at a time in my life when I felt totally
comfortable. I think for everyone there is that stage
in your life when you feel settled and confident with
your identity. I don’t think there is a right or wrong time,
or that you should feel under pressure to make your
private life public just because you are in the spotlight.
have faced countless cases of homophobia in my
personal life and in my career. As a basketball coach
I suffered from negative recruitment when rival
coaches bad-mouthed my team and I for being gayfriendly and tried to discourage new recruits from
joining us. But I have learnt to keep on fighting and
my work with the NCLR is all about that.
My inner circle always knew I was gay, but outside of
that it was speculation. I was in a very maledominated world, which did not make things easy:
some men didn’t take it well when I beat them
because I was a woman and you have to have a thick
skin sometimes.
I have wanted to play snooker all my life; I was trying
to get on the table when I was only seven. Since
then, sport has always come first. It’s given me great
self-esteem and social skills. People have told me
that I am too young, or a woman can’t win this, but I
have dedicated myself to the game, and it has paid
off. I would say in sport you have got different
categories: the sex symbols, the people who aren’t
necessarily winners but look good, and then you’ve
got the people who are just who they are and who
want to play the game and do their best… I fall
somewhere in between.
Perhaps the most rewarding is seeing more women
getting into the sport. There are girls now coming to
the top of the rankings from Asia, America and all
over the world who were inspired when they saw
me playing 15 years ago. My next adventure?
My partner and I are expecting our first child.”
‘femininity’, or the masculine and dare we say
‘dykey’ character. Tangled up in diatribes of gay
and straight, masculine and feminine, the sporting
world begins to resemble the Bermuda Triangle.
We are caught in a vicious circle where the absence
of openly-lesbian role models allows redundant
and negative stereotypes of sportswomen to
survive, which in turn discourages women from
being honest and proud of their sexuality. But there
is hope. We spoke to women across the athletic
board who embrace their sexuality as well as
their sport.
There is a lack of openly gay individuals in highprofile sports, resulting in a lack of role models for
the next generation of athletes. The kids I work with
everyday don’t know where to look for inspiration,
and so we try to show them that there are sporting
opportunities out there for everyone, no matter
what their sexuality.
6SZS\
1O``]ZZ
Sports Director for the National Centre for
Lesbian Rights in the USA and acclaimed
national basketball coach, Helen Carroll
discusses the obstacles she encounters in
her work to publicise LGBT sports.
“I think that women, full stop, face so many
obstacles in the sporting world, so things are doubly
hard for gay women who want to get involved. I
I do believe the media is largely to blame for a lot of
this. Athletes are under so much scrutiny. They are
victims of the celebrity cult and I know this makes
famous players and coaches reluctant to come out.
Even though it’s tough I feel that people in positions
of responsibility and influence have a duty to help
others. They can set an example by being open
about their sexuality, and it will encourage others to
do the same.
The most important thing is building a world where
everyone can enjoy sport, and where everyone can
perform to the best of their abilities. We used to say
‘leave it at the door’, but now we say “bring it to the
floor”. Being gay is an integral part of who you are
and you should never be forced to hide it.”
29
featured
30
“
“
featured
Women’s sport needs
as much publicity as
possible – even if it is
just to sex it up, that’s
fine with me.
Sporting
CHANCES
8]
1VOab\Sg
Professional snowboarder and winner of the
2007 British Championships, Jo Chastney is at
the top of her game while being open about her
sexuality.
“For me, being gay and being an athlete was never a
problem. I came out when I was 17 and it was fine. I
can’t speak for everyone though, as I know not
everyone is so lucky. In this day and age you still
cannot gauge the public reaction or media hype
that may have a negative effect with your family,
sponsors, agents or managers. I believe that sport
and your private life should be separate. You could
still say you are a lesbian and it should still be totally
private from your career as an athlete.
1V`Wa
>Oc`]a
Chris Pauros is the manager of Hackney
Women’s FC. She does most of the shouting
while the girls do the running on the pitch, but
she knows the good times and close bonds
shared by the girls are what keep them coming
back for more.
As for coming out within a team I don’t think its any
harder than anywhere else, purely because Hackney
is a team and proud-to-be openly gay at that. There
is the chance that you might get that ‘What if she
looks at me in the shower?’ thing. But that is just
ignorance; if they are really your team mates and
your friends it should just not be a problem.
Luckily, I have never been asked to change who I am
for my sport: to act more sexy or whatever. Which is
pretty lucky because I’m not the sort of person you
can ask to do that. I do think some women have done
it as a bit of a stunt: to push their career and get a bit
more attention. But why the hell not? Women’s
sport needs as much publicity as possible – even if it
is just to sex it up, that’s fine with me. Just as long as
we get some recognition for our talent as well.
I think there is an absolute lack of sports role models
for young women questioning their sexuality. I
didn’t really have anyone to look to for advice, to set
an example for me. I hope maybe girls can look up
to me now. My advice to them is to just go for it.
Being an athlete I still think the sport should always
come first, if you really want to make it. Your
sexuality is not an issue if you have the skills and
determination. And don’t be afraid to be yourself.”
Unfortunately, we have had to deal with some
homophobia over the years, although it seems less
prevalent now. We get heckled; kids call us names
but we just laugh it off and show them it hasn’t
rattled us in the least. There was an incident a few
years ago with some offensive graffiti in our changing
rooms, but that was dealt with quickly and taken
seriously. It is vital to never apologise for yourself, or
back down, otherwise the homophobes win.
“I joined the team as a way to get out there in the
London gay scene with some like-minded people
who shared my passion for football. I only came out
properly at university and arrived in London not
knowing many people, so London’s first officially
gay football team seemed like the perfect choice.
At Hackney, we have really talented players and can
perform on the pitch, but it’s not just about scoring
goals. To be a team, you need something off pitch,
and we truly have that here. We train hard, but then
we all go down the pub and have a great social life.
It’s about being a club, being together and I know it
sounds cheesy, but scoring joint goals off the pitch
as well as on!”
For more information
visit www.hackneywfc.intheteam.com
31
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“
6O\\OV
?cWUZSg
Hannah Quigley, 32, plays point guard for the
London Cruisers and is Chair of the club. She
tells us how playing on a gay-friendly team has
opened up endless doors for her.
“We play against straight and gay teams, and the
vibe is different with both. With the London Cruisers
I have had the chance to play in gay tournaments
around the world: Düsseldorf, Chicago, Montreal,
Paris and Barcelona. We come together over our
love of basketball, but otherwise we are diverse as a
team. Women come from all over London to train
with us. It’s been a way for me to meet some
fascinating women who otherwise I never would
have known. The social side is great too. We all
feel comfortable going out together and sharing
our private lives. It makes for a closer team and
some fun times.
I think it is better to be out and proud in your sport.
It means that homophobia is taken more seriously,
and being gay becomes normalised. When sexuality
32
:]cWaS
3\UZSTWSZR
The London Cruisers
is under wraps it drops off the radar and so much
goes unspoken. I also think though that not
everyone can be a role model. There is no special
training for this and if people are going to be role
models then you want them to be good ones.
Not everyone has it in them to be a positive role
model, and it’s not their fault…people are just
people. When you do come out there is immediate
pressure on you.
In training with a gay team I get to play the sport
I love, while doing something really positive for the
LGBT community. The bottom line is basketball.
We are a talented team, and a challenge for our
opponents. That is where our respect comes from.”
Hannah Quigley (left) &
teammate Laura Ichachapanich
For more info visit www.londoncruisers.org
Louise Englefield trains with the Slam Dunkin’
Divas, Manchester’s only LGBT basketball
team, and was also involved in the Pride
Games. She speaks about the problems of
homophobia that she encounters in her work.
“There is a conundrum in sport, because traditional
thinking says ‘all sportswomen must be lesbians
because sportswomen are tough and competitive
and heterosexual women can’t be like that’. It’s all
about stereotypes of masculinity and femininity at
the end of the day. I think some lesbians competing
in the mainstream don’t come out because they are
reluctant to perpetuate the myth and I think some
are worried about losing sponsorship and ultimately
their livelihood. Also, we know that LGBT people
who come out often face incredible levels of
scrutiny by the media so, as an elite athlete, you’d
have to be prepared to put up with that.
I think we need LGBT sports events for two reasons.
Firstly, because it’s a safe environment for LGBTs to
compete together, without fear of homophobia and
secondly, it’s a great social occasion. These events
tend to cater for participants at all levels, so you
have some elite athletes taking part and then some
people who are just learning their sport. There is also
a huge amount of research that shows that not
being able to openly express one’s sexuality has a
negative impact on the emotional wellbeing of
LGBTs. If coaches want the absolute best out of their
athletes, they should be creating environments
where athletes can truly be themselves.
Sport has the capacity to be life-changing and
life-affirming. There are some amazing women
organizing sport for lesbians and bi women in the
UK, so if you don’t feel comfortable going to your
local sports group, try an internet search of local
LGBT sports groups. Never give up, get out there
and you are guaranteed to have a rewarding
experience!”
For more information visit www.pridegames.org
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS & CHARLOTTE DINGLE
“
It is better to be out
and proud in your
sport. It means that
homophobia is
taken more seriously.
Sporting
CHANCES
featured
33
featured
34
featured
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CELEBRITY
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centre and frankly, no one could be
blamed for not wishing to be the next
person to be branded “a munter” by DJ
Spoony.
Even gay presenter Graham Norton is
joining in the abuse – and why wouldn’t
he? For some reason, gay men are much
‘cooler’ than we are. In any case, there
seem to be far more of them gracing the
pages of OK and Hello.Their reputation
for sartorial expertise and chiselled looks
is in stark contrast to the often-pedalled
stereotype of lesbians which Norton
“
one is selling or the films one is making,
but is that really the case?
Overt lesbian behaviour can actually
be beneficial to your career, of course –
as long you’re only experimenting, and
you don’t do anything drastic like shack
up with a woman, or actually shag one.
These days, the Katy Perrys of this world
happily bump up their record sales with a
carefully pitched brand of bisexual-lite. If
both parties are uber-femme and in
secure heterosexual relationships, a bit of
light girl-on-girl flirtation will guarantee
“
It’s a sad state of affairs when
there are only two really famous
actively lesbian celebs under 30.
The lovely Beth Ditto is loud, proud,
fabulous and a great role model.
Unfortunately, the other one isn’t even
sure if she’s going out with her girlfriend
or not half the time (possibly because she
spends a bit too much time on the tipple).
Ask a straight person to name some
famous lesbians and you just know they’ll
name Ms Lohan… and then a few
people born before 1970. If you’re lucky,
they might cast around for the name of
someone in The L Word – but that’s only if
you’re lucky. So why this dearth of baby
dykes in the public eye?
Statistically, there must be quite a few
lesbians hiding within the current ranks of
twenty-something female stars. Speculation
is all well and good, but it would be nice if
some of them laid their cards on the table
and admitted to their lady-loving
tendencies. So why aren’t they doing it?
It could be because they don’t feel
comfortable coming out in the current
climate. Kacey, 22, a student, says:
“Ironically, society becoming more
relaxed means people get away with
saying things which are much less PC than
they did before.” Freedom of speech
paves the way for some odious people to
express more odious views. Homophobic
‘humour’ is bandied about left, right and
People get away with saying things which
are much less PC than they did before.
kindly decided to point out: ugly and badly
dressed.The problem is, if nobody comes
out because of celeb-land’s dim view of
lesbians, who is going to challenge these
preconceptions?
Kat, 29, an artist, thinks it’s something
other than bad press that keeps these
women in the closet:“Maybe people’s
sexuality is less of a big deal now, so it’s
just not given the column inches or high
profile coverage that it once was.” It
would be very nice to believe that we’ve
reached a point where one’s sexuality is
much less important than the records
them plenty of media exposure.
Unfortunately, this trend dissuades a lot of
genuinely gay celebs from coming out.
So what’s the answer? How do we
encourage a new generation of gorgeous
lesbian role models to march out of the
woodwork? Unfortunately, it’s become
a bit of a chicken and egg situation…
If the role models aren’t there to start
with, they can’t be instrumental in
encouraging more role models to
emerge. It’s going to take a few brave
pioneers to get the ball rolling again.
Could you be one of them?
35
featured
36
+
AWARDS
2009+
+
featured
an &
Gok W
skill
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Thursday 5 November
+
The lavish foyer of theV&A was abuzz with familiar
faces as the Square Peg team entered the building
for this year’s Stonewall Awards –hosted by fashion
guru Gok Wan and Stonewall Chief Executive Ben
Summerskill. Sue Perkins, Patrick Stewart, Angela
g3
Eagle and Diane Abbott mingled with fellow celebs
w
including Evan Davis and Ben Bradshaw.
Publi ins
c
After we’d said all our “Hellos”, it was time to take
of thaetion
our seats for the ceremony. Champagne glasses in
Year!
hand, we waited excitedly to see who had won. First
up was Publication of theYear. Everyone held their
breath, as the shortlisted candidates were named…
Metro…Times…FinancialTimes… People
Management… And finally it came:“Publication of
theYear goes to G3 MAGAZINE!!” Our “winning
combination of light-hearted features, high-profile
Asinterviews
lesbian and
bisexual
women
in the UK,had
and
in-depth
news coverage”
wescooped
live in a us
relatively
safe country where
the prize!
we enjoy
a legal
framework
us and
Beaming
from
ear to ear,that
ourallows
MDs Sarah
rights
towent
choose
partners
to live
inaward
Linda
up our
to the
stage toand
collect
the
The w
freedom,
without
violence
or harassment.
from Ben
Summerskill.
“Thank
you, thank you,
inning
team!
Organisations
such as Stonewall
thank
you”… Unfortunately,
there and
were so many
human
campaigners
Peter bundled
peoplerights
to thank
that they such
wereaseventually
Tatchell
off thehave
stage!fought hard for people
basis of their sexual orientation – despite share an immutable characteristic
identifying as LGBT to be recognised and torture and ill-treatment being prohibited (including women and homosexuals or
to enjoy the same human rights as any
under international human rights law.
other persons defined by sexual
from our may
victory,
we sat and
watched
other member of society.We are at least
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orientation)
constitute
a social
group
as Reverendif Scott
Rennie,
theto
Church
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s
on the road to achieving equality, even if
defended in the name of culture, religion,
they are
subject
persecution
in their
first openly
gay minister,
was named
of the
Year,
we aren’t quite there yet. For others,
morality or public health, and facilitated
by society
by reason
of theirHero
being
members
Sarah Waters
Writerseen
of theas
Year,
Johann
however, this is a distant dream. Risks of
specific legal provisions. Homosexuality
of was
that named
group’. Being
a group
that
Hari and Joan
Bakewell were
named joint
violence, verbal taunts including death
can be considered sinful, a sign of mental
is persecuted
is necessary
for Journalists
a person to
of theYear…fitand
hostlegal
of other
admirable
and
threats and a lack of legal rights and
illness, a social or ideological deviation,
intoa the
definition
of a ‘refugee’
in
infl
uential
people
and
organisations
were
recognition in some countries around the or a betrayal of one’s culture
and
family
order
to
receive
protection
under
the
ow
their achievements.
world cause some lesbian and bisexual
values.These ‘gender
Refugee
Convention.
fell ers and recognised for
h outlaws’
t
t
i
a
w
A
particularly
memorable
and emotional
women to feel so desperate or in fear of
targets for torture,
systematic
‘corrective
In
practice,
following
a test case by
W
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Rile Saraand
Davidare forced to leave
d
a
moment
was
when
Andy
Cowles,
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late Stephen
their lives
that
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rape’,
persecution
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are
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&
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in
1999,
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received
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Immigration
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theYear prizehave
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In 2001,Amnesty International
generally
accepted
aand
of the hall and
into theoffoyer,
published a damning report entitled
Asylum claims based on sexual Spilling out
‘homosexuals’
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members
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team made
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Crimes of hate, conspiracy of silence:Torture orientation and transgender issuesg3have
particular
social
group,champagne,
and tend to focus
for a while
and thentreatment
heading
and ill-treatment based on sexual identity.
succeeded in UK courts since thebefore
late hobnobbing
asylum claims
on whether
on to the Shadow
Lounge
in Soho
a riotous
The report highlighted the shocking plight 1990s.There is no special legislation
amounts
to ‘torture
andforother
cruel,
of men and women around the world
concerning LGBT asylum seekersafter-party.
in the
inhuman or degrading treatment or
who are tortured and ill-treated by state
UK. However, the Home Office Asylum
punishment’ when considering a case.
Well
done, us!
officials, or with their approval, on the
Policy Instructions states that ‘groups
who
However, discrimination on the basis of
g3’s Ch
David & arlotte (edit
or
Sarah
Garret ), Maria,
t, MD
37
featured
and the
winner is…
AWARDS
+
2009
publication of the year/
g3 magazine
politician of the year/
ben bradshaw mp
sports award of the year/
michael hill (MotoGP)
bigot of the year/
father john owen
jan moir (late entry)
journalist(s) of the year/
joan bakewell (The Times)
johann hari (Attitude and The Independent)
broadcast of the year/
corrective rape in south africa
(Samira Ahmed – C4 News report)
stonewall & barclays
community group of the
year/
allsorts youth projest
Gok W
an
++
entertainer of the year/
boyzone
gins
n
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toph Christia
is
r
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& Dr sson
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hero of the year/
reverend scott rennie
(As voted for by Stonewall Supporters)
+
38
ey s
a Ril
Lind e Perkin
& Su
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skil d o
mer usban
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Su , h ley
Ben wles Gate
n & ew Co phen
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Go ith An late S
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David
Linda &
+
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE | PICTURES BY WWW.CHRISJEPSON.COM, LAURENCE JAUGEY-PAGET, P ALLARDYCE & HELEN MATHIAS
writer of the year/
sarah waters (The Little Stranger)
voice
Risingtides of
HATE
g3 Readers’ Poll:
Why do you
think there’s
been a rise in
reports of
homophobic
hate crime?
49%
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27% of you think it’s
because homophobic
hate crimes are
actually on the
increase and 18% of
you aren’t sure
To vote on next
month’s poll, visit
www.g3mag.co.uk
Why, despite gaining further rights and
protection, are LGBT individuals
experiencing more physical attacks?
Amy Pirt explores the wave of homophobic
hate crime spreading across Britain.
Homophobic hate crime has received official
recognition, and the London Metropolitan Police
have appointed LGBT officers for every borough.
So why is homophobic hate crime apparently at an
all time high?Violence against the gay community
casts a terrifying shadow over Britain and demands
urgent attention.
The statistics don’t lie: according to Gary Nunn,
Stonewall Communications Officer, “One in five
homosexuals have experienced a homophobic
hate crime in the last three years”. Shockingly,
ScotlandYard figures show that the volume of
homophobic hate crimes in London has risen by
18% since last year.
Opinion is divided on the reason for the increase.
Nunn thinks it is due in part to the outreach efforts
of groups like Stonewall: “Stonewall’s work with the
LGBT community has encouraged them to report
such incidents with more confidence”. However,
research byYouGov still finds that “three in four of
those experiencing hate crimes did not report
them”. As Ben Summerskill, Stonewall’s Chief
Executive says:“The easy answer from the police is
‘Reporting has gone up. Isn’t this wonderful? Gay
people now feel happy about reporting crimes.’ But
I’m genuinely not sure it’s as easy as that.”
The vigil held for Ian Baynham, who was recently
murdered inTrafalgar Square, attracted thousands of
mourners and was a moving show of solidarity
against hate crime. But this is an extremely worrying
tragedy: how exactly did a man come to be beaten
to death inTrafalgar Square without any police or
public intervention?
In Brighton this October, a young lesbian couple
were assaulted by three men just for holding hands
in the street. It took the police 12 days to appeal for
witnesses to the attack on the young women. If the
police force isn’t trained in dealing with homophobia
in a gay hotspot like Brighton, then what hope is
there for gay populations in other areas of the UK?
40
lauren,
@SbOWZ/aaWabO\b
“I think homophobic hate
crimes have increased
in recent times, and that
is why there are more
crimes being reported.
People are more scared
than ever of being
victimised because of
their sexuality”
ingelinn,
AbcRS\b
“Recent gay rights
triumphs such as
adoption and CPs may
have caused a rise in
homophobic attitudes.
With every step towards
equality, we also face
opposition, and I think
that’s why these crimes
are on the increase.”
kerry
>`]RcQS`
"
“I’ve been out for 10
years now, and over that
time, I’ve noticed myself
and other gay people have
become more confident
about being out. That
confidence translates
into people being more
willing to approach the
authorities than before.”
voice
To paraphrase our former PM,“education,
education, education” is the answer. But what hope
do the younger generation have of accepting
homosexuality as totally normal, when the media
constantly contradicts this fact? Eastenders may be
applauded for discussing attitudes to homosexuality
through the relationship of Christian and Syed, but
surely it is Little Britain’s “the only gay in the village”
who is a more memorable gay character to British
teenagers. Adults may appreciate that Lucas’
creation, since he himself is gay, is a harmless parody.
Less mature teenagers, however, see a figure of
ridicule who encourages them to use the word
“gay” derogatively, as “a connotation for stupid,
clumsy [and] weak”, asYvonne Okiyo, Hate Crime
Co-ordinator for Lambeth, suggests.
Youths are receiving conflicting messages about
homosexuality, resulting in confusion and bigotry.
Individuals such asYvonne Okiyo are discouraging
homophobia in schools by holding prejudice-based
bullying workshops and providing training to teaching
staff on homophobic bullying.This good work is
undone however when teenagers leave the
classroom and listen to the homophobic attitudes of
their parents and other influential voices.Witness
BBC-backed Chris Moyles using the word “gay” as a
synonym for rubbish, Gordon Ramsay calling the
straight journalist,Tracy Grimshaw, a lesbian and a pig,
and Jan Moir’s infamous article blaming Stephen
Gately’s death on his sexual preferences. Ignorance
surrounds us, coming from media sources that
people respect, trust and listen to.
It’s clear that Britain has to move fast to change
attitudes to the gay community. The appointment of
LGBT officers in London boroughs and the work of
Stonewall are excellent initiatives, but they alone are
not enough. Homophobic hate crime needs to be
treated as seriously as racially and religiouslymotivated attacks.
Society has reached a point where the LGBT
community is more visible than ever and is more
confident about expressing itself. However, with such
public visibility comes more persecution. Couples
out there should not feel the need to hide away.They
should be able to enjoy the inalienable rights they
have won. Britain is at a crossroads: great gains have
been made, but nationwide opinion needs to
undergo further change.The road in front of us is long.
41
opinion
42
opinion
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STAND
OUT
Should we point the finger at public
figures such as politicians and artists
who deny their sexuality? In the light
of the appalling attacks on us lately
will more of us retreat into the
closet… or will we come out fighting?
marriage. Something my partner and I both
found very hard to comprehend.
The women attending the wedding
were largely separate to the men, drinking
only soft drinks and occupied caring for their
children. My partner and I were approached
by the only other woman in the room who
had dared to wear trousers, who asked me
how I knew the bride.When I told her I was
Harriet’s partner she composed herself
before saying,“I suppose the one advantage
of being that way is that you get to sit with
“
it is to be openly gay or lesbian in
homophobic Jamaica, or countries such as
Iran where those involved in same-sex
relationships face the death penalty.
Compared to this, my dilemma was nothing.
In the 70s a friend of mine was
dishonorably discharged from the army after
she disclosed that she was a lesbian. Another
had the courage to come out at a meeting
of her local community group, despite the
fact that her neighbours were discussing
how devastated they would be if they had
Being lesbian or gay is something to be
proud of. Hiding away and refusing to
be public about it can only make our
enemies stronger.
your partner at these events”.
Coming out as a lesbian in a room full of
heterosexuals whose religious views and
thoughts on homosexuality I was totally
unaware of, was not easy, but what was the
alternative? Lying and therefore denying
myself the chance to educate people who
may have never come face to face with a
lesbian before?
Think about how difficult and dangerous
“
There are some sound reasons for not
coming out – if you are isolated and fear
reprisals, living in a tight-knit religious
community likely to disown you, in a job
where you believe you would be forced out,
or out of concern for a vulnerable dependent.
There are also some really poor excuses
given for remaining closeted, such as these I
heard recently: “My kids will be seen as
different”, “My congregation would walk
out”, and, my favourite, “I have a public
profile and a lot more to lose than most”.
When celebrities decide to come out,
they only have to do it once, whereas the
rest of us have to do so repeatedly.You know
the scene. A taxi driver asks if you are married
and if so, what does your husband do?When
you start a new job and mention your
partner. When you have to visit the A&E
department.The list is endless. But for those
of us who believe in standing up and being
counted, the process is often bittersweet.
We are proud of who we are, but resentful
of having to discuss intimacies with strangers
who may react inappropriately.
Last year my partner and I took the
unusual step of agreeing to attend a
heterosexual wedding, both still believing,
despite how liberal so many of us have
become in our middle age, that marriage is
not every woman’s ultimate dream. It was a
wedding with a difference however.The
bride was my partner’s 17-year-old niece
who was entering into an arranged
homosexual children. Such shows of bravery
should inspire all members of the gay
community to do the same.
Unless we have a very good reason not
to, we must come out of the closet.The
more there are of us to count, the less we
will be targeted as odd or deviant. Being
lesbian or gay is something to be proud of.
Hiding away and refusing to be public about
it can only make our enemies stronger.
43
Seasonal
Seduction
Keep each other blazing hot in
this winter’s sexiest lingerie…
44
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MODELS :
NadiaAttura Belle &
FASHION DIRECTION Hayley
Mercury
45
Previous page…
Belle wears:
Shoes by Viva La Diva, top
by Gant.
Hayley wears:
Shoes by Red or Dead,
knickers and bra by Simply
Yours, cardigan by Simply Be.
46
This page…
Cardigan (on floor)
by Simply Be
Hayley wears:
Lingerie by Gok @ Simply
Yours, shoes by Red or Dead.
Belle wears:
Lingerie by Simply Be.
47
Bellewears: Scarf by
Gant, bra by Simply Yours.
Hayleywears: Cardigan
by Gant, bra by Simply
Yours, high-waisted
knickers by Gok @ Simply
Yours.
48
STOCKIST DETAILS:
GANT – WWW.GANTUK.COM
RED OR DEAD – WWW.REDORDEAD.COM
SIMPLY BE – WWW.SIMPLYBE.CO.UK
SIMPLYYOURS – WWW.SIMPLYYOURS.CO.UK
STORM – WWW.STORMWATCHES.COM
VIVA LA DIVA – WWW.VIVALADIVA.COM
49
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This month:
g3 checks out
Lipstick Ladies,
Shift at Herts
Uni, London’s 26
Taboo + more…
You’ve got to be scene to be seen
club of the
month
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Sunday 25 October
WORDS & PICTURES BY ANNE LACHEINER-KUHN
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Facebook: Girls On Top - The Club
51
Style
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This month’s Style photos
were taken at G-A-Y bar,
30 Old Compton Street,
Soho, London W1D 5JX
For more info call 0872 148 2291
52
PHOTOGRAPHS © ANNE LACHEINER-KUHN
Alicia
,29,
Manager of a
clothes shop
Jacket: Zara, £99;
T-shirt: Zara, £10;
scarf: Primark, £5
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WORDS & PICTURES BY NIKKI CHUBB
Friday 30 October
Popular monthly night CODE, now in its
fourth year, has moved to Soho’s Green
Carnation. Just a stone’s throw from Soho
Square, the new venue proved ideal, and
CODE’s first night in its new home went with
the usual bang.
CODE is a crucial event on every lesbian’s
social calendar, with its flirty, fun and friendly crowd.
You can’t help but have a good time, especially with
the likes of Cupcake, MisWhite and DJ Kacey
providing the tunes.
CODE takes place on the last Friday of every
month.There is no CODE in December as it falls on
Christmas Day, but do not fear: CODE is joining Girl
Action for a NewYear’s Eve Special at the OQO/
Franken Club, before heading back to the Green
Carnation in the new year.
Pay just £5 before 10pm – after that it’s £8.
For more information visit www.club-code.net
55
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Saturday 12th Decem
The Marlborough LittleTheatre
proudly presentsTheToms’ Salon, a
new themed drag king and dress up
night! On the 12th December we
bring you TippingTheVelvet, a night of
‘Victorian Drag and Debauchery’ that
would make Kitty Butler blush.
Performances throughout the evening,
for your delight, participation and
voyeurism.
There will be a complimentary
tipple for ladies in their finest and the
dandiest toms.
Tickets available in advance at
the Marlborough Pub (just ask at
the bar), or on the night.
For more information
email [email protected]
WORDS & PICTURES BY CORRINE ALVARADO
56
Review
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57
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$BOP]]
$A[WbV½SZRAb`SSb:]\R]\31
Saturday 14 November
WORDS & PICTURES BY TITCHY TIFF
Saturday 14 November marked the first
anniversary of 26Taboo, a women-only club
night in the heart of Smithfield, held on the
second Saturday of every month.
Guests were welcomed into the stylish
four-floor venue with free cocktails and
canapés. DJs Kelly (Curves) and PHD
Charlene (All Sorts) were happily throwing
out a great mix of Old Skool, Soul, Funk
Garage, R‘n’B and of course some Dance
classics.The floor was rockin’ and the girls
were boppin’, much to the delight of
proprietor Lisa Halil.
Make sure you get yourself down to the
next 26Taboo party, which will be their
Christmas bash on Saturday 12 December.
For more information visit
www.26taboo.com
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Thursday 12 November
Cheap drinks, lairy students, sexy
costumes and cheesy tunes. Sounds like
a perfect cocktail of the drunken chaos
and crazy antics that Britain’s students
are famous for.This was the launch of
Hertfordshire uni’s first LGBT night and
boy did it go off with a bang!There were
perhaps an alarming number of topless
men and playboy bunny ears doing the
rounds, but the undeniable good vibes
meant it was party o’clock and everyone
had hours of fun… there was even a
spot of karaoke. Shift will take place
everyThursday and the theme changes
every week.
For more information call 01707 285008
or visit www.herts.ac.uk
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS | PICTURES BY SASHA OZERITSKAYA
58
Review
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"5`SSYAb`SSbA]V]:]\R]\E2
The Lipstick Ladies, fine purveyors of quality
networking events, are delighted to be
bringing you Divas andTinsel, their
Christmas bash.
DJTori will be spinning top tunes by all
your favourite divas: from Shirley Bassey and
Chaka Khan to Kylie and Madonna. Come
along in your festive glamour!
The Lipstick Ladies are offering the
first 50 tickets at the promotional
price of £10 – after this, they will
cost £15. Just visit their website
to get hold of yours!
For more information, visit
www.thelipstickladies.webs.com
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE | PICTURES BY THE LIPSTICK LADIES
Monday 21 December
59
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T`PR[R
T / / g i r l s Listings
/clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs
bars/clubs/events
for girls who just can’t stay in
Readers
LONDON
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Listings are ordered by region
and then by day. If you can’t
find the address, it may be in
our Boozer Guide.
If you’ve been to a listed
event and it’s advertised
incorrectly in our listings,
please let us know.
g3 recommended events
>> new entry events
Ytransport links
<girl ratio (out of 5)
Promoters
Listings info and large, high
res photos must be sent by
15th of the previous month.
Listings not guaranteed.
Date
guide
SATURDAY
1st Sat: 5 December
2nd Sat: 12 December
3rd Sat: 19 December
Last Sat: 26 December
Please include the
following with all listings:
Club/night name, venue and
SUNDAY
address, frequency and day/
1st Sun: 6 December
date, description of DJs/music
2nd Sun: 13 December
policy, opening times, contact
3rd Sun: 20 December
details and percentage female
4th Sun: 27 December
attendance expected.
Send all listings to: [email protected]
:]\R]\
MONDAY
Boxing Day Anthems@
RVT, Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall SE11. 2pm till
midnight [last Mon]
Pub Bingo@ RVT,
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall
SE11
Frat Party @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1.
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
10pm-late, £2/FREE before
midnight with Q-Jump. <
TUESDAY
Bar Wotever @ RVT,
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall
SE11. Aids Day Special. www.
rvt.org.uk. Comedy Camp
@ Barcode, Archer Street,
Soho W1.
www.comedycamp.co.uk. £8
members (£2 membership).
<<
Fish Market @ Belushi’s,
Camden Town.New weekly
girls’ night! www.myspace.
com/friedafishmarket <<
Games Night @ Blush,
Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington N16.
www.blushbar.moonfruit.
com/ 02079239202. 8pm,
FREE. <<<<
Ruby Tuesdays @ Ku Bar,
30 Lisle Street, London WC2.
www.ku-bar.co.uk. Low-lit
basement venue for girls.
FREE, 9pm-3am.<<<<
WEDNESDAY
Disco Value @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1. [2nd Weds]
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
G-Spot, 10 Adelaide Street,
Charing Cross WC2 .5pm till
late www.gspotgirlbar.com
Glitterati @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1. [1st Weds]
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
<<
Miss Basin’s Jarmy Bingo
@ The Windsor Castle, 152
Bath Rd, Hounslow TW3.
www.windsorcastle
hounslow.co.uk. <<
Quiz @ Blush, Cazenove Rd,
Stoke Newington SE11. Cash
prize! 9.30pm-12am, £1.
<<<<
Soul Wednesday @ The
Edge, 11 Soho Square, Soho
W1. Live acts. 9pm till late.
www.edgesoho.co.uk. <
don’t
miss!
THIS MONTH’S
ESSENTIAL NIGHT!
>W\YA^SSR2ObW\U
MONDAY
1st Mon: 7 December
2nd Mon: 14 December
3rd Mon : 21 December
Last Mon: 28 December
TUESDAY
1st Tues: 1 December
2nd Tues: 8 December
3rd Tues: 15 December
4th Tues: 22 December
Last Tues: 29 December
WEDNESDAY
1st Weds : 2 December
2nd Weds: 9 December
3rd Weds: 16 December
4th Weds: 23 December
Last Weds: 30 December
THURSDAY
1st Thur: 3 December
2nd Thur: 10 December
3rd Thur: 17 December
4th Thur: 24 December
Last Thurs: 31 December
FRIDAY
1st Fri: 4 December
2nd Fri: 11 December
3rd Fri: 18 December
Last Fri: 25 December
\
\
Saturday 5 December.
Brewer St, Leicester Square,
London W1F
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THURSDAY
Albert Kennedy Xmas
Fundraiser@ The Edge
11 Soho Square, Soho W1.
[1st Thurs] 6.30pm. www.
edgesoho.co.uk. <
Bitch Slap @ The Green
Carnation, 5 Greek Street
Soho W1. [2nd Thurs]
[email protected]
<<<<
Bird Club @ Bethnal
Green Working Men’s
Club, Pollard Row Bethnal
Green E2. www.myspace.
com/birdclubcabaret. [2nd
Thurs] £6/5. <<
Blush Acoustic @ Blush,
Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington SE11. Live music
and comedy. 8pm-12am. £3.
<<<<
Chicks Rock! @ Zenith
Bar, 125 Packington Street,
Islington N1. [2nd Thurs &
4th Thurs]. www.zenithbar.
co.uk. 7pm-2am. Free entry.
<<<<
Chocolate @ Ghetto, 58
Old Street EC1. [1st Thurs]
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
£2/FREE B4 midnight with
Q-Jump. <<
G-Spot, 10 Adelaide Street,
Charing Cross WC2 .5pm till
late www.gspotgirlbar.com
Girl Action and Code NYE
Party@Franken Bar 4 -6
Islington Green, Islington
www.girlactionevents.com
[last Thurs]
Gay Girlz @ Heaven,
Embankment. W2.
11pm-4am. Free with
flyer. Facebook: Gay Girlz
<<<<
Laughing Cows Comedy
Night @ Private Eye’s
Private Dining Room The
Coach and Horses, 29 Greek
Street, Soho W1. [1st Thurs].
Female stand-up night.
www.laughingcowscomedy.
co.uk. 7.30pm. £7/£5 concs.
<<<<
Ladies Night@ Load of Hay,
207 Pinner Rd, Watford Heath
WD19. [Last Weds].. www.
loadofhay.co.uk. 9-11pm,
FREE. <<<
Lounge @ Vertigo
1 Leicester Square,
Soho WC2. [2nd Thur] Stylish
girls’ night. www.lounge.uk.net
<<<<<
Miss-Shapes @ Ghetto,
58 Old Street EC1.
[1st Thurs] 10pm-late.
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
£2/FREE B4 midnight with
Q-Jump. <<<
Popstarz@The Den 14
West Central Street, W1CA.
NYE masked ball £14. www.
popstarz.org
Pulse @ Lo-Profile 84-86
Wardour Street, Soho. www.
profilebar.co.uk. <<<<<
S.L.A.G.S/chill-out New
Years Eve Party @ RVT 372
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall.
www.rvt.org.uk. [last Thurs]
Usual Suspects@ First Out,
52 St Giles StreetSoho WC2.
www.firstoutcafebar.com
Wotever Slumber Party
@ RVT, Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall SE11. www.rvt.org.
uk. [4th thurs]
Boozer
Guide
Angel (The): Cabaret bar.
21 Church St, Stratford E15.
020 8555 1148.
Bar 68: Friendly bar, 68
Brigstock Rd, Thornton Heath,
CR7. 020 8665 0683.
Black Cap: Mixed bar + club.
171 Camden High St, NW1.
020 7428 2721.
Bird in Hand: 291 Sydenham
Rd, Croydon. 020 8683 3104.
Pool, darts, function room.
www.birdinhanduk.com
Blush: Intimate, friendly
bar. 8 Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington, N16.
Brewery Tap: Community
pub for South Londoners.
78 Lingham St, SW9.
YStockwell
Box (The): Café bar.
32-34 Monmouth St, WC2.
YCov. Gdn
Candy Bar: Girls’bar, open 7
days a week. 4 Carlisle Street,
Soho, W1. YTottenham
Court Road
Charlie’s Bar: Stylish, cosy
cocktail bar. 124 Globe Rd, E1.
020 7790 1007.
YStepney Green
Duke Of Wellington: Soho’s
traditional pub. ‘til 11pm. 77
Wardour St, Soho. 020 7439
1274. YPiccadily.
Edge (The): 3 floors of
tasteful décor. 11 Soho Sqare,
W1. 020 7439 1313.
61
SOHO
Ego @ Southern Pride:
82 Norwood High Street,
West Norwood SE28.
020 8761 5200. Bar, club,
cabaret experience
YWest Norwood BR
Escape (The): Cosy venue,
fun atmosphere. 8 Brewer
St, Soho. 020 7734 2626.
YLeicester Sq
Enclave: 25-27 Brewer Street
W1. Private members’ bar.
020 7434 2911.
Flag (The): Traditional
boozer. 29 Crouch Hill, N4.
YFinsbury Park
First Out: Cafe/bar. 52 St
Giles High Street, Soho
YTottenham Ct Rd
Friendly Society: Bringing
out the London-cool. Tilman
Cr, Soho, W1 (adjacent to Ann
Summers). 020 7434 3804.
YLeicester Square
G-A-Y Bar: Women’s bar in
the basement. 7pm-12am/
10.30pm on Fridays.
30 Old Compton St, Soho.
020 7494 2756
YLeicester Square
Trash Palace/Ghetto:
58 Old Street. EC1. Popular
alternative venue. www.
ghetto-london.co.uk.
Green (The): 74 Upper St,
Angel. 020 7226 8895.
Y Angel
Joiners Arms (The): Up for it
mixed crowd. Open ‘til 2am.
116 Hackney Rd, Shoreditch.
020 7739 9854.
KazBar: 50 High St, Clapham
SW4. 020 7622 0070.
YClapham
King Edward VI: Friendly
mixed bar, 25 Bromfield St, N1.
‘til 12am. YAngel
ls//ba
//clubs//girls //bars//clubs//girls//bars//c
T`PR[R
T c l u b s / / g i rListings
bars
play
list
9
DJ Daisy
Collinge
Music?
Grime, dancehall and
bad boy bass!
Fave song?
Blackberry Hype by
Mazwell D
Philosophy?
You can never wear too
much mascara
Where do you DJ?
Other People’s
Property@ Korsan Bar
Facebook: Other
People’s Property
62
FRIDAY
Calling All Tribes @ The
Macbeth 70 Hoxton Street
Hoxton www.myspace.
com/themacbethuk. FREE B4
10.30/£5 after.<
Club Kali @ The Dome,
1 Dartmouth Park Hill,
Tufnell Park N19 [3rd Fri].
www.clubkali.com. Asian LGB
club night. 10pm-3am, £8/£5
conc. <<<
CODE @ The Green
Carnation, 5 Greek Street
Soho W1D [last Fri]. www.
club-code.net<<<<<
Dirty Converse @
Boston Music Rooms, 178
Junction Road, Tufnell Park
[2nd Fri]. www.dirtyconverse.
com. <<<<
GAY Camp Attack @
Heaven, 9 Villiers St, Charing
Cross WC2. <<<<<
Girl Friday @ First Out,
Soho 52 GilesStree t W1.
www.firstoutcafebar.com.
5-11pm, FREE. <<<<<
Girls and their friendz night
@ The Windsor Castle, 152
Bath Rd, Hounslow TW3.
www.windsorcastle
hounslow.co.uk. <<<<
G-Spot, 10 Adelaide Street,
Charing Cross WC2 . 5pm till
late www.gspotgirlbar.com
<<<<
Karaoke @ Blush, Cazenove
Rd, Stoke Newington SE11.
www.blushbar.moonfruit.com.
8pm-12am. <<<<
Kill Your Pets @ Ghetto,
58 Old Street EC1. Electro.
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
10pm-late. £2/FREE B4
midnight with Q-Jump. <<
Tenor Ladies @ RVT, 372
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall
[4th Fri] <<
Lower the Tone @
Oak Bar, 79 Green Lanes,
Stoke Newington [last Fri].
Infamous kitsch party. 9pm3am,. www.oakbar.co.uk. £6.
<<<<
>>Play @ The Enclave 25
Brewer St Soho. (2nd/5th Fri).
www.myspace.com/_
clubplay. <<<<
Popstarz@The Den 14 West
Central Street, W1CA. www.
popstarz.org. Xmas party [3rd
Fri]<<
Something for the
Weekend @ Vertigo
1 Leicester Square,
Soho WC2. [Last Fri] Stylish
girls’ night. www.lounge.uk.net.
<<<<
Soup @ The Star of Bethnal
Green 359 Bethnal Green
Road Bethnal Green E2.
Italo and Hi-NRG. www.
starofbethnalgreen.com. <
Splosh-a-Rama @ RVT,
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall
SE11. www.rvt.org.uk. £5. [3rd
Fri]<<
Stiletto @ The Chapel Bar,
Penton St, Islington. N1. [Last
Fri]. www.stilettoparty.co.uk.
<<<<
Trailer Trash @ On The
Rocks, 25 Kingsland Rd
Shoreditch, E2.
www.myspace.com/
trailertrashin. <<<
Kimono Krush @ RVT,
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall
SE11 [2nd Fri]. Spanish night.
www.rvt.org.uk. 8pm-2am.
<
Wino @ Oak Bar, 79 Green
Lanes, Stoke Newington.
[2nd Fri]. www.oakbar.co.uk.
9pm-2am. £6. <<<
SATURDAY
26 Taboo @ 26 Smithfield,
26 Smithfield St, City of
London EC1. [2nd Sat]
www.26taboo.com. £5 B4
10/£7 after. <<<<
A Taste of Honey @ The
Cape Bar, 10 Aldermanbury,
Moorgate EC2. [3rd Sat]
www.tasteofhoneyclubnight.
co.uk. 8pm-2am. £5 B4
9.30pm/£7 after. <<<
Barden’s Boudoir@
Koochooloo,36-34 Stoke
Newington Rd, Stoke
Newington. 8pm, £8
Boudoir/Salvation @ The
Edge, 11 Soho Square, Soho
W1. www.edgesoho.co.uk.
So What! @ First Out, 52
Giles Street Soho. <<<
Bootylicious @
Colosseum, 1 Nine Elms
Lane, Vauxhall Erotik
Cabaret. [3rd Sat]. www.
bootylicious-club.co.uk.11pm5am. £10/£7 b4 12am/£5 NUS.
<<
Cabaret @ The Windsor
Castle, 152 Bath Rd,
Hounslow TW3.www.
windsorcastlehounslow.co.uk.
<<
Cabaret @ Central Station,
37 Wharfdale Road, Kings
Cross N1. <
Club K @ The Livery, 130
Wood St, City of London
EC2. [1st Sat] www.clubk.
co.uk. £6 B4 10/£8 after.
<<<<
Club Wotever @ RVT. 327
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall
[4 Oct].www.woteverworld.
<<<
Duckie @ RVT 372
Kennington Lane, Vauxhall:
Cabaret 9pm-2pm, £5. [2nd
Sat] <<
Exilio @ Rez Bar, 1 Nine Elms
St, Vauxhall. LGB latino club.
www.exilio.co.uk.
£8 b4 11pm/£9 after,
10pm-3am, <<<
Fun for Females @ a
secret location. Erotic party .
www.funforfemales.co.uk.
<<<<<
G-A-Y @ Heaven, The
Arches (off The Strand), Villers
St, Charing X WC2N. 020
7930 2020: www.heavenlondon.com.10pm-5am. £12.
<<
G-Spot, 10 Adelaide Street,
Charing Cross WC2 .5pm till
late www.gspotgirlbar.com
<<<<
Girl Action@Clerkenwell
23-27 Hatton Wall, Islington
EC1N .Xmas Party [3rd Sat] 8pm
Hustle @ The Oak Bar,
Green Lanes, Stoke
Newington [2nd Sat].
www.girlsoutloud.co.uk. £5.
9pm-3am. <<<<
Kuch Kuch@ABACUS
24 Cornhill EC3V. www.
don’t miss!
GirlAction Parties
Hosted at the swanky Clerkenwell House on
Saturday 19 December there will be three floors
of festive fun and fit women for the Girl Action
Xmas bash. Then on NYE Girl Action team up
with Code to bring you the party of the year at
Franken bar, underneath OQO in Islington.
www.girlactionevents.com
//bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
T / / g i r l s Listings
clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs
vip
Spotted!
Out in Soho
If this is you, email
us to find out what
you’ve won!
kuchkuchnights.co.uk. [last Sat]
Lounge @ Vertigo 1 Leicester
Square, Soho WC2. www.
lounge.uk.net. <<<<
Mannequin @ Shoreditch
Members Club, 2a
Tabernacle Street. Xmas
special. Old Street/
Moorgate EC1. [2nd Sat]
<<<<
MooMaa @ Jerusalem,
33-34 Rathbone Street
Bloomsbury W1.
£5 B4 10.30/£8 after.
moomaaclub@googlemail.
com <<<<
Oysters @ Oak Bar,
79 Green Lanes, Stoke
Newington [3rd Sat] £7/ £5
with flyer. www.oystersuk.
com. <<<<
Play 2 @ Purple Turtle 65
Crowndale Rd, Camden [1st
Sat]. Christmas Party. www.
play-squared.com. 10.30pm3am.£7/5 b4 11pm/£3 NUS.
<<<<<
Pout Party@Brown Sugar
146 High Holborn Covent
Garden WC1V. [3rd Sat]
Queer Complex @
The Red Star, 319
Camberwell Rd, Camberwell
SE5. <<<
Queer Playspace @ Klub
Fukk, 37 Wharfdale rd,
Kings Cross N1.[2nd Sat]
www.woteverworld.com.
<<<<
RuMoUrS @ Minories,
64-73 Minories, Tower Hill
EC3. [Last Sat]:
www.girl-rumours.co.uk
<<<<<
Salla! @ Oak Bar, 79 Green
Lanes, Stoke Newington.
[Last Sat]. www.oakbar.co.uk.
9pm-late. £7. <<<<
Soul Naturelle @ The Oak
Bar, 79 Green Lanes Stoke
Newington. N16. [1st Sat]
<<<<<
Smack @ Hidden, 100
Tinworth St, Vauxhall, SE11.
www.myspace.com/
smackclub. £11 b4 11pm/£14
after. <<<<
So What @ First Out, Soho
www.firstoutcafebar.com.
FREE. 7-11pm. <<<<
T Tease @ The Black
Gardenia, 93 Dean St,
Soho:. [Last Fri].
www.myspace.com/t_tease.
7pm-10am. £10. <<<
Unskinny Bop @ Pleasure
Unit, 359 Bethnal Green
Rd, Bethnal Green E2 6LG.
[3rd Sat]. www.myspace.
com/ubop 9pm-2am, FREE
b4 9.30pm/£4 after. <<
Wigout @ Ghetto, 58 Old
Street EC1. www.ghettolondon.co.uk. 10pm-late.
£2/FREE B4 midnight with
Q-Jump. <<
Wish @ Gramaphone,
60-62 Commercial St,
Aldgate East [1st Sat]. .
www.club-wish.co.uk. 9pm4am, £5 b4 11pm/£10 after.
SUNDAY
Bloody Sundae @
Ghetto, 58 Old Street EC1.
www.ghetto-london.co.uk.
<<
Bumbaclart @ Green
Carnation Greek Street
Soho W1.
Exquisite @ The Shadow
Lounge 5 Brewer Street,
Soho W1. [4th Sun].www.
theshadowlounge.com.
11pm-4am. <<<
Fozzie’s Classic Karaoke
Disco @ Central Station, 37
Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross
N1. www.centralstation.co.uk.
<<
Future Fusion @ The Green
Carnation
5 Greek Street, Soho W1.
www.myspace.com/nikki_
lucas. <<<
Girls on Top Comes to
London @ Lightbox.
6a South Lambeth Place,
Vauxhall SW8. 9pm-4am,
£3 B4 11pm/£6 after.
<<<<
Boozer
Guide
Ku Bar: Award winning gay
bar, 30 Lisle St, Leicester Sq.
www.ku-bar.co.uk
King William IV: Trad
pub.77 Hampstead High
St, NW3. 020 7435 5747.
YHampstead
Oak Bar: Late night
club/bar. 79 Green Lns N16.
020 7354 2791. YManor
Hs./Bus73/141/341
Profile Bar: Brings to life
the world of Gaydar. 4pm to
1am. 56-57 Frith Street, Soho,
W1D 3JN. 020 7734 8300.
Reflex: Fri + Sat, 10pm-3am.
184 London Rd, Kingston.
020 8549 9911. YNorbiton
Retro Bar: 2 George Ct. WC2
020 7321 2811.YCharing X
Roebuck (The): 25 Rennell
St, Lewisham, SE13.
020 8852 1705.
YLewisham BR
Royal Vauxhall Tavern:
372 Kennington Lane, SE11.
YVauxhall
Rumours:67-73 The
Minories, EC1
Star at Night: 22 Gt
Chapel Street, Soho. www.
thestaratnight.com.
Star of Bethnal Green
359 Bethnal Gn Rd, E2.
www.starofbethnalgreen.com
Yard (The): 57 Rupert
St, Soho. 020 7437 2652.
YPiccadilly Circus
Karaoke with Mags @ Oak
Bar, 79 Green Lanes, Stoke
Newington. www.oakbar.
co.uk. <<<
Market EC1/Wet Yourself
@ Fabric London,
77A Charterhouse St, City of
London EC1. (2nd Sun).
www.fabriclondon.com <<
Rock Society @ The Black
Gardenia, 93 Dean St,
Soho W1. www.myspace.
com/rocksocietylondon.
7pm-11pm, £3. <<<
S.L.A.G.S/chill-out @
RVT 372 Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall. www.rvt.org.uk.
2pm-12am, £7. <<<
Sunday Games @ First Out,
52 St Giles StreetSoho WC2.
www.firstoutcafebar.com.
<<<
Sunday Happy Day @
Century, 61-63 Shaftesbury
Ave, Soho WC1. [last Sun]
Sunday_happyday@hotmail.
co.uk. <<<
Sunday Jukebox @
Blush, Cazenove Rd, Stoke
Newington N16. [2nd Sun].
DJ and music quiz.
www.blushbar.moonfruit.
com. 7pm. <<<<
diary
dates
PLAN
AHEAD
!
Bar Wotever@
RVT
Tues 1 December
World Aids Day special
www.woteverworld.com
Sirens of
Siberia@
Aphrodisiacs
Sat 12 December
Outside bizzards rage but
inside debauchery reigns.
www.aphrodisiacslondon.
com
Pout@Brown
Sugar
Sat 19 December
Disco, soul and funk!
Facebook: Pout Party
63
ls//ba
//clubs//girls //bars//clubs//girls//bars//c
T`PR[R
T c l u b s / / g i rListings
bars
don’t
miss!
NYE party
@ PV the
Jury’s Out
Thurs 31 December
Free vodka jelly shots on
arrival and sparkling
champagne until Big
Ben tolls in 2010. See in
the New Year in style at
this friendly gay bar.
Tunes from house DJs
and a mixed crowd.
www.thepv.co.uk
Xmas Day
Mayhem
@The
Amsterdam
Fri 25 December
Great food, lots of
merrymaking and a
pinch of karaoke at this
gay friendly hotel.
www.amsterdam.
uk.com
64
A]cbV
MONDAY
Frat Party @ Ghetto, 129
St James’s Street, Brighton
BN1. www.popstarz.org/
ghettobrighton. <<
I Don’t Like Mondays @
PV at The Jury’s Out 161
Edward Street, Brighton
Studio 150 Warm Up@
Charles St Club, Brighton
BN1. www.charles-street.
com. <<
TUESDAY
Pub Quiz@Grosvenor 16
Western St, Brighton www.
thegrosvenorbar.com. 8pm
Karaoke with Lucinda
Lashes @ Edge Nightclub,
Southampton www.
theedgesouthampton.com.
<<
Is It Only Tuesday? @ PV at
The Jury’s Out 161 Edward
Street, Brighton BN2. 01273
687090. <
Twisted Karaoke @ Ghetto,
129 St James’s St, Brighton
BN1. www.popstarz.org/
ghettobrighton. <<
ChillOutTuesdays @Charles
St Club, Brighton BN1.
www.charles-street.com. <<
WEDNESDAY
Chatterbox @ Riverside
Tavern, West Bank of River
Medway, Kent: www.
riversidetavern.co.uk. <<<
Midweek Social @ Charles
St Club, Brighton BN1.
www.charles-street.com
Colours Karaoke @
Beehive Pub [upstairs],
Kingswood Suites,
Southernhay, Basildon, Essex
CM2.FREE. <<<
Lush @ Bent, 36-40 Poole
Hill, Bournemouth, BH2.
www.bent-club.co.uk
R ‘n’ B Night @ Magnum,
St Mark’s St, Southampton
S014. 9pm-2am, <<
Theme Nights @ Riverside
Tavern, West Bank of River
Medway, Kent: www.
riversidetavern.co.uk. <<
The Infamous PV Quiz
@ PV at The Jury’s Out
Brighton BN2.
Transition@ Ghetto, 129 St
James’s St, Brighton BN1.
THURSDAY
Boozer
Guide
Bar 11: 11 Burgate, Canterbury,
Kent, CT1. 01272 478 707.
Charles Street. 8 Marine
Parade, Brighton. 01273
624091. Coopers Arms: TV.
55 Bute, St, Luton, Beds. www.
thecoopers-arms.co.uk
Colours: Beehive Pub
(upstairs), Kingswood Suites,
Southernhay, Basildon. 01268
242031. www.colorsessex.co.uk
Edge (The): 58 St Mary’s
Road, Southampton, SO14.
Booty Call Monthly @
Ghetto, 129 St James’s
St, Brighton BN1.
[1st Thurs] <<
HDSM @ Ghetto 129 St
James’s St, Brighton, BN1.
www.ghettobrighton.com.
<<
Fresher than Fresh @
Bang Bar, 5 The Parade.
Basingstoke.
www.bang-bar.com.. 9pm2am. £4 B4 12/£5 after.
Girls on Top @ Revenge,
Old Steine, Brighton, BN1.
www.revenge.co.uk
Leader of the Pack @
Ghetto, 129 St James’s
St, Brighton BN1. [Last
Thurs] www.popstarz.
org/ghettobrighton <<
Liberty@ Toto’s Bar, 125
Redcliffe St Bristol. NYE
party. www.totosbristol.com.
NYE@ PV at The Jury’s Out
Brighton [last Thurs]
Mad Cow @ Charles St
Club, Brighton BN1. www.
charles-street.com <<
www.theedgesouthampton.
com
Flamingos: 23-25 West
Street, Old Market, Bristol,
BS2 0DF.
Fudge: Redbourn Rd, St
Albans, Herts AL3. 01582
794053.
Ghetto Brighton: 129 St
James’s St, Brighton. 01273
622424. 10.30pm
The Grosvenor Bar: 16
Western St, Brighton, BN1.
www.thegrosvenorbar.com
Load of Hay: 207 Pinner
Road, Watford Heath WD19.
Open Mic@ The
Marlborough, 4 Princes St
Brighton BN2.
Rack Em Up @ Ghetto,
129 St James’s St, Brighton
BN1. [2nd Thurs]. Blues, Rock
and Country. www.popstarz.
org/ghettobrighton
Spot the Dot @ Riverside
Tavern, West Bank of River
Medway, Kent: www.
riversidetavern.co.uk. <<
Tits Up @ Ghetto, 129 St
James’s St, Brighton BN1.
[3rd Thurs].
FRIDAY
Christmas Women’s
Special @Grosvenor 16
Western St, Brighton www.
thegrosvenorbar.com [1st Fri]
Fairylea @ Charles St Club,
Brighton BN1. www.charlesstreet.com, <
Girls Connect @ Edge
Nightclub, Southampton.
[1st Fri]. www.
edgesouthampton.com.
01923 441113. (T): Bushey BR
London Hotel:
2TerminusTerrace,Southampton.
02380 710652 (F): 30%
The Lounge: 53 Old Market
Street, Bristol.
www.loungebristol.com
//bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
T / / g i r l s Listings
clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs
Boozer
Guide
Marlborough (The): 4 Princes
Street, Brighton, BN2. 01273
570 028.
Old Vic: . 104 St Paul’s Rd,
Southsea, Portsmouth, Hants.
02392 297013
Princess Victoria Bar (The):
161 Edward Street, Brighton,
BN2 0JB. 01273 687 090.
G Spot @ The Bizz and
Works 15 Station Road East
Canterbury Kent [4th Fri]
<<<<<
Lollipop @ Revenge, Old
Steine, Brighton, BN1.
wwwmyspace.com/
clubrevenge. <<
Popstarz @ Ghetto, 129 St
James’s St, Brighton BN1.
<<<
Queer & Alternative@ The
Marlborough, 4 Princes St
Brighton BN2. <<<
Women’s Night @ The
Grosvenor 16 Western
Street, Brighton BN1. [1st
Fri] www.grosvenorbar.com
<<<<<
Women’s only disco@
Babylon Lounge Western
Esplanade, Kingsway Hove
Brighton [3rd Fri] 9pm - 2am
www.babylonlounge.com
SATURDAY
Club 52 @ Leonards,
Wennington, Essex
[last Sat]. Girlie night with
DJ Jo. www.club52.com.
Queen Anne: 11 Queen Anne
Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14.
01622 753 023. The Retreat
West Street, Old Market, Bristol.
Revenge: 32-34 Old Steine,
Brighton. 01273 606064.
Riverside Tavern: Canal
Road, Strood, Kent, ME2.
01634 719949
Secrets: 8-12 New Road,
Chatham, Kent,
ME4. 01634 832433
Ship Inn: 347 High Street,
Rochester, Kent, ME1. 01634
844 264.
<<<<<
Club Wotever @The
Marlborough, 4 Princes
St Brighton BN2. 7.30pm
[1st Sat]
Girls Rock On@ The
Marlborough Brighton
Electronic Disco @ Secret
Location, Brighton BN1.
www.electronicdisco.com
Kroon Kat Xmas Special@
Komedia Brighton www.
komedia.co.uk. caberet
[First Sat]
Kinky Dangerous @
Charles Street Club,
Brighton BN1. Funky House.
www.myspace.com/kinky_
dangerous. <<<
Liberty@ Toto’s Bar,
125 Redcliffe St Bristol.
Women only. [First Sat],
www.totosbristol.com.
<<<<<
Sugar Rush@ PV at The
Jury’s Out Brighton 12pm
- midnight
Theme Nights @ Riverside
Tavern, West Bank of River
Medway, Kent: www.
riversidetavern.co.uk. <<
Tom’s Salon@The
Malborough. Brighton
Cabaret [2nd Sat]
Viva la Divas/Booty Call
@ PV at The Jury’s Out
161 Edward CabaretStreet,
Brighton BN2. Free.<<<
Wigout @ Ghetto, 129 St
James’s St, Brighton BN1.
Women’s Disco @ The
Babylon Lounge, Hove BN3.
[email protected]
SUNDAY
Cabaret @ Old Vic,
Portsmouth. www.
oldvicportsmouth.co.uk
Electronic Disco @ Charles
St Club, Brighton BN1.
www.myspace.com/
secretdisco
Ghetto, 129 St James’s
Street, Brighton BN1.
[1st Sun]. www.popstarz.
Don’t
Miss
we love
<
org/ghettobrighton
Fuck the Pain Away @
Ghetto, Brighton BN1.
[Last Sun].
Sirens @ Ghetto, 129 St
James’s St, Brighton BN1.
[3rd Sun]. www.popstarz.org/
ghettobrighton <<<
Sunday Sundae Double
Floor Special @ Audio,
Marine Parade, Brighton BN1
Sundaylicious Roast@PV
at The Jury’s Out
Brighton BN2. 12pm -11pm
Wild Fruit @ Tru, West St,
Brighton BN1. [1st Sun].
www.aeonevents.co.uk.
10pm-3am. £8/£12. <<<
Dulcie Danger from Revenge
Christmas
Party@
Grosvenor
Friday 4 December
Yuletide bash just
for girls at this chic
Brighton bar. Get cosy
with the locals, enjoy a
range of tasty cocktails
and just spread some
Crimbo cheer!
www.thegrosvenorbar.com
How long has Revenge been running?
Revenge has been going 18 years.
Where is Revenge held?
32-34 Old Stein, Brighton, BN1 1EL.
What can someone expect from a night at
Revenge ?
A friendly atmosphere, a mixed crowd, and
some of the best DJs in the country.
What do you enjoy most about running
Revenge ? Meeting nice people and seeing
people let themselves go on the dancefloor.
When is the next Revenge ?
We run 4-5 club nights every week and operate
a bar 7 nights a week.
How can can people get hold of tickets?
Facebook me or visit the website www.
revenge.co.uk
65
ls//ba
//clubs//girls //bars//clubs//girls//bars//c
T`PR[R
T c l u b s / / g i rListings
bars
Princess St, Mancs M1. Retro
& camp Pop. www.poptastic.
co.uk.11pm-3am, £4.50/3.50
members. <<
don’t
miss
WEDNESDAY
Band Practice @ Bar du
Fay, 25 Stanley Street
Liverpool L1. www.myspace.
com/bardufay.
DJ Angel Delight @ Kampus,
45 China St, Lancaster LA1.
Music & drag.
Paramore afterparty @
Vanilla, Richmond St, Mancs
M1. [3rd Weds]. 7pm -3am
Ladypoof
@ My
House
A vibe like a massive house party: open and friendly.
The music evades definition so expect everything
from funky house, indie, dirty electro to cheese. A
host of talented DJs provide beats that resound in
your heart,your feet, even your soul!
www.ladypoof.com
<]`bV
MONDAY
Compassion @ LT nights,
47 Heathcoat St,
Nottingham NG1 [1st Mon].
Ladies night. www.ltnights.
co.uk. 9.30pm-3am, £3 b4 11
or NUS/£4. <<<<<
Open Mic Night @
Bar du Fay, 25 Stanley St
Liverpool L1: Live music
from talented regulars. www.
myspace.com/bardufay. From
9pm. <<<<
66
Karaoke @ Propaganda,
107 Ferensway, Hull, HU2. 9pm.
www.propagandabar.co.uk.<<
TUESDAY
CU Next Tuesday @
Vanilla, Richmond St, Mancs
M1. www.vanillagirls.co.uk.
<<<<
Indie Night @ Bar du Fay, 25
Stanley Street Liverpool L1.
www.myspace.com/bardufay.
<<<
Poptastic @ Mutz Nutz,
THURSDAY
Back 2 Back @ Cruz 101,
Princess St, Mancs M1. Retro
& Camp Pop.
www.cruz101.com
9pm-3am. £4/£2 students
and Cruz members.<<
Cumasudare @ Route
69 Wine Bar, 1 Gas St,
Northampton N1. www.
route69.co.uk.10pm-3am. £5.
Fussy Pussy @ FG2, 5
Dickson Road, Blackpool.
[Last Thurs]. 9pm. www.
vanillagirls.co.uk. <<<<
Student Night @ Bar du
Fay, 25 Stanley St Liverpool
L1. www.myspace.com/
bardufay.<<<
Toga Party@Coyotes 14
Chorlton St Mancs. www.
coyotesbar.co.uk. [last Thurs]
The Lick @ Vanilla,
Richmond St, Mancs, M1.
R’n’B. www.vanillagirls.co.uk.
5pm-late. £1 after 10pm.
<<<<
Quiz night @ Coyotes,
14 Chorlton St, Mancs M1.
www.coyotesbar.co.uk.
9-11.30pm. FREE. <<
11th Bday @Vanilla
Richmond St, Mancs, M1.
www.vanillagirls.co.uk. [2nd
Thurs]
FRIDAY
Christmas Party@ Vanilla
Richmond St, Mancs, M1.
www.vanillagirls.co.uk. [3rd
Fri] 4pm till 4am
Climax@Sheffield Union,
University of Sheffield,
Sheffield. [3rd Fri]. www.shef.
ac.uk. 10.30pm-3am (last
admission 12.30). £4 adv/£5
on door. <<
DJ Miss Candi @ Bar du Fay,
25 Stanley St Liverpool L1.
www.myspace.com/bardufay.
Dykes to Dine @ various,
Calder Valley. 01706 373
066 (last Fri): Fine food and
company. <<<<<
Fridays @ No. 1 Club
Mancs. 10.30pm-5am.
www.no1club.co.uk
Brandirls on Top 2 @ Bar
24/7, Redbourne Rd, St
Albans, Herts, AL2. (last Fri).
www.xxpromotions.co.uk.
<<<<
Lez-B-Naughtier @ Flame,
58 Wellington Street, Luton.
www.flame-nightclub.
co.uk<<<<<
Pre-Fuel warm up @
Propaganda, 107 Ferensway,
Hull, HU2. 9pm. www.
propagandabar.co.uk.<<
DJs @ Fuel Sheffield, 6 Baker
St, Sheffield S1. Dance, Chart
and Pop. 10.30pm-3am.
www.fuelclubsuk.com.
<<<
Fridays @ Vanilla,
Richmond St, Mancs, M1.
www.vanillagirls.co.uk
<<<<
The Twisted Wheel @
Legends, Whitworth St,
Mancs. £6. www.myspace.
com/fucktheelectro.
Traffic Jamm@ Coyotes,
Mancs. www.coyotesbar.
co.uk. 9pm-4am. (1st Fri):
<<<<
Lash For Lasses@The
Tunnel, 6 Whitworth
St, Mancs. BDSM. [2nd
Sunday]. www.clublash.com.
<<<<<
Big Gay Friday @ Cruz 101,
Princess St, Mancs. www.
cruz101.com. members. <
Rah Rah Rah @ Stardust
Bar Cambridge St,
Sheffield. [1st Fri]. www.
sheffieldgayscene.co.uk/12.
10pm-2am. <<
Princess St. Manchester,
0161 2270341
Queer: 4 Canal St, Mancs.
0161 2281368 (F) 35%
Taurus Bar: 1 Canal St,
Manchester M1. 0161 236
4593. (F): 50%
Spirit: 63 Richmond St.
Mancs. 0161 2379725
(F): 40%
Vanilla: Women’s bar (men
as guests). 39-41 Richmond
St, Mancs M1. 0161 288 2727.
(F): 95%
Via Fossa: 28-30 Canal St,
M1. Classy bar.(F): 30%
SATURDAY
Boxing Day Bash@ Vanilla
Richmond St, Mancs, M1.
www.vanillagirls.co.uk. [last
Sat] 6pm till late
Christmas Party@ Vanilla
Richmond St, Mancs, M1. [3rd
Sat] 4pm-4am
DJs @ Fuel Sheffield,
6 Baker St, Sheffield S1.
Dance, chart, pop. 9pm-3am.
£3 b4 11pm/£5. <<<
Drama Queen @ Cruz 101,
Princess St, Mancs.
www.cruz101.com.
11pm-6am. <<<
Freakshow @ No. 1 Club
Mancs. 11pm-6am. www.
no1club.co.uk <<<<
Boozer
Guide
AXM Bar: Mixed bar. 10
Canal St, M1. 0161 236 6005.
(F): 60%
Coyotes: Fun bar. 14
Chorlton St, Manchester, M1.
0161 236 4007. F: 80%
Lucy’s Two: Gay bar with
pool and darts. Abingdon St,
Blackpool. 01253 753 598.
(F): 50%
Poptastic: c/o Mutz Nutz,
//bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
T / / g i r l s Listings
clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs
Genesis @ Eden Canal St,
Mancs. genesisclubnight
@yahoo.com [1st Sat of
the month] 10.30pm. £3.
<<<<
Glasshouse @ Mission,
Heaton’s Court, Leeds
[2nd & 4th Sat]. House night.
www.myspace.com/
glasshouseuk.
11pm-9am. <<
Jukebox @ Coyotes, Mancs.
www.coyotesbar.co.uk.
9pm-4am.
Karaoke @ Bar du Fay, 25
Stanley Street Liverpool L1.
www.myspace.com/bardufay.
Ladypoof @ My
House, Brick St Leeds.
www.myspace.com/
ladypoof<<<<
Lavender Lounge @Gregson,
33 Moorgate Lancaster.
www.lavenderlounge.
co.uk<<<<
Nocturnal @ Propaganda,
107 Ferensway, Hull,
HU2. 2.30-6am. www.
propagandabar.co.uk.<<
Poptastic @ Mutz Nutz,
Princess St, Mancs M1. www.
poptastic.co.uk. <<
Saturday ROCKS! @
Vanilla, Richmond St,
Mancs. . www.vanillagirls.
co.uk.10pm-4am. FREE b4
9pm/£1.<<<<<
SUNDAY
Girls Go Down @ Vinyl
Basement Bar, Lark Lane,
Liverpool [1st Sun].
<<<<
Laughing Cows @ The Frog
and Bucket, 102 Oldham St,
Mancs Sun 30 Aug.
<<<<
;WRZO\Ra
TUESDAY
DJ Dean’s Karaoke @
Nightingale Club,
Kent St, Birmingham B5.
www.nightingaleclub.co.uk.
FREE. <<<
WEDNESDAY
DJ Dean’s Karaoke @
Nightingale Club,
Kent St, Birmingham B5.
www.nightingaleclub.co.uk.
FREE. <<<
FRIDAY
Betty’s Music Bar @ Betty’s
Nightclub, 10 Cornhill,
Ipswich, Suffolk IP1.
www.bettysbar.co.uk. £6/£4
members. 9pm-2am.
FREE b4 10pm. <<<<
Blast! @ Nightingale
Club, Kent St, Birmingham.
www.nightingaleclub.co.uk.
10pm-4am. Free b4 10pm/£2
till midnight/£5 after. <<
Karaoke @ The Fox, 17
Lower Essex St, Birmingham.
0121 622 1210: www.foxbar.
co.uk. 9-11.30pm, FREE.
Fridays @ The Club 14
Hillcrest St Stoke-on-Trent,
ST1 2AA. www.theclub-stoke.
co.uk 01782 201829 <<
Party night @ Rainbows 88
Short St Coventry, CV1 2LW
www.rainbowscov.com
<<<
Poptastic @ NG1 76-80
Lower Parliament Street,
Nottingham, NG1.
www.ng1club.co.uk/
(0115) 958 8440 <<
SATURDAY
Betty’s Music Bar @
Betty’s Nightclub, 10
Cornhill, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1.
www.bettysbar.plus.com.
9pm-2am, FREE b4 10pm/£4
members/£7. <<<<
Big Saturday Night Out
@ Nightingale Club, Kent
St, Birmingham: www.
nightingaleclub.co.uk. 10pm6am. £4 b4 10pm/£8. <<
Party Women’s DiscoNight
@ The Fox, 17 Lower Essex St,
Birmingham. 0121 622 1210.
www.foxbar.co.uk. <<<=
Women’s Disco @
Todmorden Cricket Club,
Burnley Road, Todmorden,
Yorkshire.[2nd Sat] 01706
816 655.
SUNDAY
Comedy Collective @
Nightingale Club, Kent
St, Birmingham: www.
nightingaleclub.co.uk. £3.
Christmas Kink@The
Royal Exchange, 31 New
Road Kidderminster DY10
1AE, 7pm
Sundays @ The Three Tuns
9 Bucknall New Rd, Stokeon-Trent www.thethreetuns.
net <<
Funday Sunday @ NG1 76
80 Lower Parliament Street,
Nottingham, NG1 1EH <<
Boozer
Guide
DV8 Nightclub
& Innov8 Bar: 16 Lower
Essex St, Birmingham.
0121 6666366
Fox (The):
Popular women’s bar.
17 Lower Essex St,
Birmingham B5.
0121 6221210
Greyhound: 2am licence.
14 Bond St, Wolverhampton,
WV2. 01902 420916.
Kudos: 28 Horse Fair,
Birmingham
Village Inn: 152 Hurst St.
Birmingham, 0121 6224742
Missing Bar:
148 Bromsgrove Street,
Birmingham,
B5 6NU
www.missingbar.co.uk
New Forresters: 18 St Ann’s
St, Nottingham NG1.
0115 9580432.
NG1: 76-80 Lower
Parliament St. Nottingham,
0115 9588440
Nightingales: Kent St,
Birmingham. 0121 6221718.
Route Two: 139/147 Hurst
Street Birmingham.
0121 6223366:
Rainbow & Dove: 185 Charles
St.Leicester 0116 2547568
Subway City: 27 Livery St.
Birmingham, 0121 2330310
The Club: 14 Hillcrest
St. Hanley 01782 201829
Village Inn: 152 Hurst St.
Birmingham, 0121 6224742
G Spot Bar
profile
10 Adelaide St, London, WC2
How long have you been going?
Four months.
Anything new & interesting?
Lots of great DJs, cool, sexy staff, fantastic music,
gorgeous décor… what more could you want?
What is G Spot famous for?
The gorgeous G Spot bar girls and their great
cocktails. And the intimate booths and giant bed!
What is the atmosphere like?
If you want a secluded space for a first date, it’s
there. Or if you want to kick up your heels on the
dance floor, you can do that too!
What is the music policy?
Our crowd dictates the music, if you can dance to
it the DJ will play it.
Describe it in seven words
Fabulous, flirty, funky, femme, full-on, feisty and
fun!
www.gspotgirlbar.com
67
ls//ba
//clubs//girls //bars//clubs//girls//bars//c
T`PR[R
T c l u b s / / g i rListings
bars
FRIDAY
Connect
Fridays @ Foundation
Nightclub,
Carnegies Brae, Aberdeen.
Funky house, pop, disco, £4,
open til late.
www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub. <<
Ladies night @ Planet Bar
6 Baxter’s Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.bebo.com/
PLANETbar
<<<<<
Fur Burger @ GHQ Picardy
Place Edinburgh EH1. [2nd
Fri]. www.myspace.com/
clubfurburger <<<<<
Kick Start @ Cafe Habana
Greenside Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.cafehabanaeh1.
com. <<
A
g3X… join the networking
revolution
The latest events, meet gorgeous women, find out
who is going where, get deals on club entry... check
out last month’s happy couple!
www.g3X.co.uk
AQ]bZO\R
TUESDAY
THURSDAY
On Demand @ Cafe
Habana Greenside Place
Edinburgh EH1. www.
cafehabanaeh1.com. <<
Cheesy Wotsits @ Cafe
Habana Greenside Place,
Edinburgh EH1. www.
cafehabanaeh1.com
<<
Karaoke @ Planet Bar 6
Baxter’s Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.bebo.com/
PLANETbar
<<
WEDNESDAY
Shagtag @ Foundation
Nightclub Carnegies Brae
AberdeenL1.
Drinks offers and shagtag
board! www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub <<
68
Y
Nightclub,
Carnegies Brae, Aberdeen.
www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub. <<<
SUNDAY
Sunday sessions @ Cafe
Habana Greenside Place
Edinburgh EH1. .www.
cafehabanaeh1.com. <<<
Sundays @ Foundation
Nightclub,
Carnegies Brae, Aberdeen.
www.bebo.com/
Foundationnightclub. <<<
SUNDAY
Karaoke @ Kings Cross,
25 Caroline Street,Cardiff
CF10 1FF
www.kxcardiff.co.uk <<<
For the angels @ Exit
Nightclub, 48 Charles St,
Cardiff, CF10 2GF
www.exitclubcardiff.com
<<<
Open mic @ Thru the Arch
Club, Newport 33A Stow Hill
Newport NP20 1JH
www.thruthearch.com
<<<
THURSDAY
Loud & proud @ Thru the
Arch, Club Newport 33A
Stow Hill Newport NP20
1JH www.thruthearch.com
<<<
Open all levels @ Exit
Nightclub, 48 Charles St,
Cardiff, CF10
www.exitclubcardiff.com
<<<
Get the party started @
Club X, 35-37 Charles Street
Cardiff, CF10 2GB
www.club-x-cardiff.co.uk
<<<
BHQ @ Cafe Habana
Greenside Place Edinburgh
EH1. www.cafehabanaeh1.
com. <<<
Saturdays @ Foundation
The Polo Lounge: 84 Wilson
St Glasgow, G1 1UZ
0141 553 1221
Dolls: 36 Broughton Street
Edinburgh
0131 476 2699
Delmonicas:
68 Virginia St
Glasgow, G1 1TX
0141 552 4803
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Boozer
Guide
EOZSa
Sala Cafe Bar: 58a
Broughton Street, Edinburgh
EH1 3SA 0131 556 5758
Pop Rokit: Picardy
Place,Edinburgh EH8 1JT
0131 556 4272
The Blue Moon Cafe
Restaurant Bar: 36
Broughton St Edinburgh, EH1
3SB. www.bluemooncafe.
co.uk 0131 556 2788
The Laughing Duck:
24 Howe Street, Edinburgh,
Midlothian, EH3 6TG
Lesbian bar.
SATURDAY
Absolute heaven @ Exit
Nightclub, 48 Charles St,
Cardiff, CF10 2GF www.
exitclubcardiff.com <<<
Big night out @ Thru the
Arch Club Newport 33A Stow
Hill Newport NP20 www.
thruthearch.com <<<
Kings kitchen @ Kings Cross,
25 Caroline Street, Cardiff
CF10 <<<
Exile @ Club X, 35-37 Charles
St. Cardiff, CF10 2GB www.
club-x-cardiff.co.uk <<<
Boozer
Guide
Minskys Show Bar:
Cathedral Walk, St David’s
Centre Cardiff CF10
The Offas Tavern: Prestatyn,
North Wales, LL19
(01745) 886 046.
Three Crowns: Well Street,
Bangor, LL57
Golden Cross: 283 Hayes
Bridge Road, Cardiff, CF10 1GH
Exit Nightclub: 48 Charles
Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GF
Lush: Caroline Street, Opp.
Kings, Cardiff, CF10 1FF
/bars//cl //ba
T`PR[R
T / / g i r l s /Review
clubs//girls//bars//clubs//girls//bars//clubs
eats
& treats
with gertie guzzler
BS``]W`a
@SabOc`O\bEW\S0O`
#EWZZWO[7DAb`SSbE1 <"2E
Close to the epicentre of lesbian and gay
socialising in London sitsTerriors, a
restaurant of such unique splendour you
may forgo that club visit after all.
The atmosphere and décor is that of a
typically French bistro. No sooner was I
seated than an ice cold glass of Prosecco
was brought to the table along with some
delicious salted almonds.
The menu is divided into sections of bar
snacks, charcuterie
and cheese – lovely
for testing a few
glasses of wine –
alongside both small
and large servings of
the dish of the day.
During my visit, this
latter was a glorious
plate of chorizo
cooked in red wine with potatoes,
watercress and garlic mayo.
I ate far more than I should so that you
don’t have to: clams in garlic butter; rabbit
rillettes; beetroot and goat’s curd salad. I
drank dry white, soft red and a delicious
dessert wine with a prune and Armagnac
rice pudding.The only place I was possibly
heading after all that food was home to
the sofa.
A meal for two with wine atTerroirs
costs about £80 including service.
For more information,
visit www.terroirswinebar.com
69
news
WORLD
NEWS...
Protesters gathered outside Parliament
on 5 November in response to proposed
changes in laws relating to lap dancing
clubs. If passed, these new laws could
mean most lap dancing clubs across
the country will lose their licenses.
sweden/first gay bishop
Just two weeks after
legalising gay marriage
among its clergy, the
Swedish Lutheran Church
consecrated its first openly
lesbian bishop. Eva Brunne,
who became bishop of
Stockholm’s diocese, is in a civil partnership with
Swedish priest Gunilla Lindén, and the couple
have a child.
australia/beanie man banned
BEN’S
BITS
argentina/gay
marriage at last
Civil partnerships
were previously
sanctioned in
Buenos Aires, but
Alex Freyre and Jose
Maria Di Bello will enjoy the province’s first samesex marriage. They claim they will be the first gay
married couple in the whole of Latin America.
india/vote trans
70
Transgender people
in India have
complained that
they were alienated
from the voting
process because
there was no appropriate gender box for them
to tick. The Indian Electoral Commission has
now decided to give them a political voice by
recognising them on the voting forms, with an
‘other’ section for them to tick.
usa/a step back
Rhode Island’s Republican
governor, Donald L. Carcieri,
has vetoed a bill that would
allow gay couples to make
funeral arrangements
for their partners, adding
“domestic partners” to the
list of individuals legally allowed to arrange the
process. The bill was welcomed as a key piece of
legislation by gay rights groups.
Ben Summerskill is
Chief Executive of
Stonewall.
Congratulations to
g3 who picked up
the title for
Stonewall
Publication of the
Year at the glitzy
Stonewall Awards
ceremony at London’s
V&A in November.
“I could’ve stayed up
there all night!” said a
delighted Linda Riley after
collecting her welldeserved accolade from
Gok Wan. It was noted that
many attendees upped their
game in the style stakes this
year – no doubt a nod to our popular
host’s fashionista reputation.
Meanwhile, Sarah Waters won Writer
of the Year for The Little Stranger – the
cherry on top of her most successful
year yet after being shortlisted for the
Man Booker Prize. The Stonewall
Awards, voted for by a judging panel
including Angela Eagle MP and Sue
Perkins, showcases the talent of
Britain’s lesbian and gay equality
supporters. We’re immensely proud
of all our winners.
National Anti-Bullying Week in
November was a golden opportunity
for Stonewall to attract more high
profile support. Skin from Skunk
Anansie, Beverley Knight, Dannii
±AUR_R´`[\N[`dR_aUNa´`[\aT\V[Ta\aV]
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RcR_fUf]\aURaVPNY`VabNaV\['³<XNfdR
N_RDRN_R[´a6´ZNYR`OVN[´²
– Kristen Stewart responds to rumours that she’s
seeing her New Moon co-star Robert Pattison.
PIC © WWW.CHRISJEPSON.COM
Star of Jamaican reggae
scene he may be, but
homophobic lyrics like
“execute all the gays” have
incited protests from gay
activists and prevented
Beanie Man from being
allowed to appear at key events. He will no
longer be performing at Big Day Out festival
across Australia and New Zealand.
Sarah Garrett and
Linda Riley from
Square Peg Media
Minogue and the three main party
leaders all spoke out on behalf of
Stonewall about the urgent need to
tackle the epidemic of homophobic
bullying in Britain’s schools. We know
that early intervention is the key to
preventing ignorance from turning to
homophobic violence later in life.
Follow us on Twitter or become our
friend on Facebook to keep up to date
with future campaign opportunities
and ways you can get more involved.
Help us spread the word by ordering
your free ‘Some people are gay.
Get over it!’ posters, postcards and
stickers or buying one of our brand
new mugs depicting the same pupildevised slogan – just £4.99 + p&p.
The perfect Christmas present.
Free speech
amendment to stay
MUM’S THE WORD
Stephen Fry wins
gay humanist award
The House of Lords has voted to keep
the free speech clause in homophobic
hate laws. This means that it will not
be an offence to make comments
It’s official: lesbians make
better parents. Government
adviser and director of
research at the National
Academy for Parenting
Practitioners, Professor
Stephen Scott, has found
that children raised by two
mothers (as opposed to
the traditional heterosexual
formula of the nuclear
family) exhibited higher
aspirations and a greater
urge to champion social justice.They are happier, healthier, but
not more likely to be gay, a criticism frequently thrown out
by homophobic groups.The fact that same-sex couples don’t
become parents by accident, they actively choose it, seems to
be a main contributory factor in their successful child-rearing
experiences. Coming so soon after positive gains for gay
couples in the areas of IVF and adoption, this is more great
news for eager parents out there.
The Gay and Lesbian Humanist
Association has honoured Stephen
Fry in acknowledgement of his
services to the LGBT community and
humanitarian causes in general. For
many years the entertainer’s charm,
wit, intellect and strong moral
compass has been a beacon for those
who are proud of their sexuality.
Previous winners include lesbian MP
Angela Eagle and organiser of the
first Moscow Pride Nikolai Alexeyev.
about someone’s sexuality that could
incite hatred or be perceived as
threatening. It therefore protects
religious bodies who criticise
homosexual life choices, or comedians
who make gay jokes. This shocking
ruling means that even though there
are measures in place to prevent
hate crimes relating to religion or race,
the gay community still remains
unprotected.
Controversy over probing questions
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has asked that a question of sexual
orientation be included in the 2011 census. Critics declare this a violation of privacy, as the
census is compulsory, with a hefty fine for abstaining. Supporters maintain that it is
necessary in order to make advances with equality legislation and combat the invisibility
problem that plagues efforts to eradicate discrimination. The census already asks about race
and religion, and as of 2011 will ask if participants are in a civil partnership.
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
news
71
community
72
community
Sponsors
Community
VIRGIN
TERRITORY
LGBT tourist advice for the capital
Britain’s first LGBT tourist office opened in Soho
in October this year. g3 talks to Project Director
Shaun Newport about this groundbreaking initiative…
Shaun adds: “Almost 50% of the people that
come in here are lesbians.” Indeed, he laughs:
“I have been shifting g3s like nobody’s business.
You have to send me some more!”
It can be a daunting experience arriving
in London with nobody to show you
round. But don’t despair – great news has just
arrived in the form of the first tourist office aimed
specifically at the LGBT community. Whether
you’ve just moved to London and want to meet
new friends, or you’re a tourist looking for the
clubbing hotspots, the Soho-based office should
definitely be your first port of call.
The office is linked to a number of community
projects, as well as being a general information
point for those wanting to explore London’s
nightlife and sightseeing opportunities.
Indeed, the centre is much more than just your
average tourist office – it’s a window into the
gay community and a place to meet friends.
Shaun tells us: “We work with Stonewall, sports
groups like London Frontrunners and loads of
LGBT friendly businesses and organisations. It’s
common for people to just come and have a chat
with us and hang out” says Shaun. “We provide
laptops with internet and complimentary tea and
coffee”.
There are some great plans in the pipeline as the
office works to bring the best to its patrons. “We
are currently negotiating some discounts for the
gay community at the top bars and clubs around
Soho,” explains Shaun. “We want to create some
bespoke packages for our clients with LGBT
friends and liaise with restaurants and bars so we
can link up popular tourist events with special
deals in these places”.
We can only assume that the LGBT tourist office
will go from strength to strength, and we strongly
suggest you pay them a visit. Let’s hope, too, that
the idea catches on, and we see similar offices
springing up in other locations, providing a muchneeded service to those who wish to find out
exactly what an area has to offer a gay newcomer.
It has been a long time coming but this promises
to be a service of immeasurable value to London’s
gay scene. Located upstairs in Ku bar in Lisle
Street, it is the brainchild of Ku Bar owner and
promoter Gary Henshaw. The office provides
up-to-date information on the city’s vibrant
gay scene and a host of gay-specific groups and
services, alongside information on mainstream
tourist events. Project Director Shaun Newport
says: “At the moment we offer tickets to
the major gay club nights, as well as general
information like maps and city guides, but that is
just the beginning”.
The office has not even been open a month but it
has already received around 300 visitors from all
over the world. Shaun has helped out Venezuelan,
Portuguese, Swedish, Israeli, American and
The office is located at 30 Lisle Street,
Leicester Square, WC2H.
For more information visit www.gaytouristoffice.co.uk
or email info@gaytouristoffice.co.uk
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
German customers as well as people from across
the UK. “It’s really great to see a range of people
coming in, young and old,” he says. “I have
assisted some groups of young people who had
linked up online and come to London for a night
out, as well as some older chaps from Devon
and Somerset”. He is confident that the office’s
popularity will only increase with time: “We haven’t
even started mass marketing yet, but we can
expect a massive increase in custom when we do”.
73
community
g3:Tell us about your campaign.
SD: I’ve been doing workshops in
schools as an openly gay teacher. I
don’t instantly tell the kids that I’m a
lesbian, I let them get their “I hate
gays and want to put a bullet in their
heads” comments out of the way first.
Then I try to get them to break down
and analyse some of their anger while
addressing common myths. It’s no
holds barred and I feel like I’ve done 10
rounds in the ring at the end. I
continue to be shocked at the level of
ignorance (some 15-year-old boys
still think you can only get AIDS if
you’re gay) and surprised that kids
don’t seem to be able to name any
high profile gays or lesbians. By the
end, most of them have addressed
some of their homophobia or at least
agreed not to punch someone simply
because they believe they’re gay.
g3:What inspired you to start
campaigning against this in
particular?
SD: As a kid I was obsessed by the
injustice of apartheid and since then
I’ve been acutely aware of other forms
of discrimination. Although I’ve never
really suffered homophobic bullying,
I’m aware of its effects. LGBT youth
CLASS ACT
are disproportionately affected by
drug/alcohol abuse, homelessness,
eating disorders, self harm and
suicide. Something needs to change
drastically so the next generation of
gay and lesbian youth aren’t weighed
down with the same lack of
acceptance and abuse that leads to
these damaging consequences.
g3: Do you think we’re seeing
increased levels of homophobic
bullying in schools?
SD: It seems worse than when I was
young. For teenagers (who struggle
with sexuality in all its forms)
homosexuality has gone from being a
source of clandestine disgust to being
a method of controlling each other. It
is still the greatest insult to be called
gay. I don’t think we’re dealing with
the source of the problem;
homophobic
bullying is aimed at
every child who
doesn’t fit in,
particularly those
who don’t conform
to gender roles. If
parents and schools
start to challenge
society’s rigid gender
constructions a greater acceptance of
‘different’ sexual orientations would
naturally follow.
g3:What do you hope to
achieve with your campaign?
SD: It is my dream to work full-time
conducting training with teachers so
they can deal with homophobia
confidently. I would love to go and
speak to every classroom in the country
to demystify sexuality and help kids
to realise that being gay just isn’t a big
deal. This is a pipe dream, but inspiring
teachers to do this is a big step
forward. I’ve also been doing some
speaking/workshops at government
agency conferences which I’ve really
enjoyed and hope to continue.
TAKE
NOTE
With a repertoire ranging from
boy bands to blues, from classical
to classic pop, the Pink Singers
return to the Royal College of
Music on Saturday 16 January
2010 for their winter concert,
The Big Pink Chill. A limited
number of discounted advanced
tickets are available, starting at
£11, so act quickly!
Book at www.pinksingers.co.uk
YOUTH
SOS
For more information contact
[email protected]
74
NOT FORGOTTEN
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V[_RP\T[VaV\[\SRcR_f\[RdU\`R
YVcR`UNcRORR[NSSRPaRQOf.61@
For more information visit
www.realbrighton.com/aidsmemorial
NRG is a service for LGBT young
people providing advice on a range
of issues from ‘coming out’ to drugs
and alcohol. NRG works with
young people aged 13-25 and also
runs a youth night every
Wednesday in Waterloo.
For more information
please call 0207 803 1684
or email [email protected].
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS & CHARLOTTE DINGLE | SURAN DICKSON PHOTO BY LAURENCE JAUGEY-PAGET
Suran Dickson has
been teaching for
10 years, and is
currently a School
Sports Co-ordinator
in Islington. She has
played football at
international level
and now competes
most weekends with
London Frontrunners.
Sponsors
Community
community
75
community
Sponsors
Community
CHRYSALIS RELATIONSHIP COACHING
Transforming
relationships at home
and at work.
Royden King
and Mark
Holtman
from Chrysalis
Why does Chrysalis specialise in
relationship coaching?
It’s the one area of our lives that
all of us seem to have difficultly
with and it is one area that
touches us in every way. In
everything we do we form
relationships. It is how we form
these relationships, and how we
maintain them that becomes
fascinating. In them we form
habits – some of them useful
LONDON
Feminism in London 09:
Saturday 10 October 2009
9.30am-5pm, Conway Hall,
Red Lion Square, Holborn
WC1R 4RL £4.50/£2.50
Find out more and register at
www.fil.btik.com. Email:
[email protected]
GROUPS
76
LONDON
Camden Adoption:
t: 0800 0281436
DASL: London drug/alcohol
support. t: 020 8257 3068
Dykes On Bikes:Cycling.
Dee: 020 8771 3285
ELOP: Youth, advice and
support groups. Walthamstow.
t: 020 8509 3898
GayGordons (The): LGBT
Scottish country dance club.
Unity Hall, 279 Upper St, London
N1 2TZ Thurs 7-9.10pm
www.thegaygordons.org
GaySurrey Ladies’ Nights:
@ The Hautboy Inn, nr
Ockham, Surrey.
www.gaysurrey.org/ladies.
LGBT Parents:Tower
Hamlets. Rosie: 07779 288232
e: [email protected]
OutWest LGBT: Advice and
support. Contact Chris t:
07834 483866 e: secretary@
OutWest.org.uk. t: 020 8892
5061 www.OutWest.org.uk
UK Lesbian and Gay
Immigration Group:
t: 020 7922 7811
www.uklgig.org.uk
Lesbian Gay Christian
Movement: t: 020 7739 1249
e: [email protected]
www.lgcm.org.uk
Kenric: Events /members
grp for women. BM Kenric,
London, WC1 3XX.
product or service they sell.
These relationships determine
the success or failure of a
corporation.
Understanding how these
relationships are formed and
making them work in the
corporation is what coaching
the corporation is about.
Dare to make the first move…
and others not. It’s the ones
which aren’t useful that we need
coaching out of.
How do people learn?
That’s what it is all about.We
t: 01159 663638
Lesbian Discussion Group
@ Gay’s The Word: 66
Marchmont Street. Every
Wednesday. t: 020 7278 7654
LGBT Choir:
Michael: 07980 023578
LGB Youth Group @ Step
Out: LGB Group for under 26s.
Tue 5-7pm. Tower Hamlets.
Scott: 020 7739 3082
London Bisexual &
Lesbian Women’s Group:
Social/discussion group for
lesbian and bi women. Last
Wed/month. 8-9.30pm.
Upstairs Bar, The Black Horse,
6 Rathbone Place, London
W1T 1HL. t: 020 73079911
http://www.facebook.com/
group.php?gid=11652761266
Metro50+: Social group for
older people. 2-4pm. Metro
Centre. Jackie: 020 8265 3311
One-Up: Youth group for
LGBTs aged 18 and under.
Mondays 4pm-7pm. Hendon,
NW London. t: 07504 226793
PACE Groups promoting
lesbian and gay health and
wellbeing. t: 020 7700 1323
Rainbow Parents:
rainbowparents@googlemail.
com. t: 07506 012282
Regard: Disabled LGBT.
Regard, BM REGARD,
London WC1N 3XX.
www.regard.org.uk
e: [email protected]
South London Lesbian
Mums Group: East Dulwich
Community Centre, 46-64
Darrell Road, London SE22
9NL. Tricia Durr: 07876 762
245. e: [email protected]
Step Out Tower Hamlets:
Social & support group for
LGBTQ young people. 5-8pm
Tues. t: 07946 337160
Women’s Voice: Friendly
lesbian/bi group. £2/4 Tues
7:30-9pm. Kairos t: 020 7437
6063 www.kairosinsoho.org.uk
How does this translate into the
corporate environment?
It’s actually what most corporate
organisations need. In each area
of corporate life people form
relationships with each other,
other departments and the
www.gayderbyshire.co.uk
Rainbow Voices Choir: Tues
8-10pm.Central Birmingham.
07759 642410
listings
EVENTS
establish what the patterns are,
and once we have done that we
can begin making changes. It’s a
process we go through together
as coach and client,but its something
the client has to want to do.
It’s a bit like the joke: how
many coaches does it take to
change a light bulb? None, the
light bulb has to want to change!
<=@B6
A=CB6
Allsorts Youth Project:
Drop-in for under 26s in
Brighton. 8.30pm, Tues.
t: 01273 721211
Brighton Lesbian Link:
t: 07594 578035
Brightwaves MCC: Church
inclusive of LGBTs. Sundays
6-7pm @ Clermont Church,
Cumberland Road,
(nr Preston Pk.), Brighton.
t: 01273 681101
Freedom Youth: Bristol
based LGB support group for
ages 13 to 21. t: 01173 773677
www.freedomyouth.co.uk
GLAM: Gay & Lesbian Media
in Brighton. 44-46 Old Steine,
BN1. t: 01273 707963
Mind Out: LGBT Mental
Health Project. Allen Centre,
60 Sackville Gardens, Hove,
BN3 4GH t:01273 739 847
[email protected]
Sister Act: A group for
women who like women in
East Anglia. Events include
a book group, weekly sports,
mums and kids group, 50+
group and new members
evenings. www.sisteract.org,
email: [email protected]
Women’s Social Group:
(based in Kent). Poetry, walks,
golf, bowling and bi-monthly
disco. t: 07960 627824
;72:/<2A
Derbyshire Friend LGBT
Youth Forum ‘Love Knows
No Gender’: For young people
aged 12-25. Sat 1.30–5pm
Derby City Centre. 01332
207704 loveknowsnogender
@hotmail.co.uk/www.loveknows-no-gender.piczo.com
Derbyshire Friend
Women’s Zone: For LB&T
women Tues 7–9.30pm at
Derbyshire Friend LGBT Support
Services, 2-3, Friary St, Derby.
DE1 1JF. t: 01332 207704
Asian LGBT: Greater Mancs
support grp. t: 07931 252874
[email protected]
Lesbian & Gay Foundation:
Sexual health, meetings etc.
Helpline: 0161 235 8000
Manchester Lesbian
Community Project:
Drop In – 2nd & 4th Thurs
7-9pm; Discussion Group
– 3rd Wed 7-8.30pm; OWLs
(Older Wiser Lesbians) Every
Wed 1-4pm. 49-51 Sidney
Street, M1 7HB
t: 0161 273 7128
LIKT: For young lesbian and
bi women in Mancs. t: 07813
981338 www.likt.org.uk
e: [email protected]
LYSIS: Lesbian Youth Support
& Info. t: 0161 274 4664
Mancs Parent’s Group:
Taurus Bar, 1 Canal St.
Nicky: 01565 733891
Stepping Stones: Support
group in Manchester. LGF
0161 235 8000
HATECRIMES
LONDON
True Vision: Homophobic
and transphobic harassment
advice. www.report-it.org.uk
Galop Forums: Local LGBT
forums. Sam 020 7704 2040.
Gay Police Association:
Action Line 07092 700 000
(24hrs) e: [email protected]
Galop: Help and advice for
victims of hatecrime. t: 020
7704 2040 www.galop.org.uk
;72:/<2A
West Midlands Police:
Reporting LGBT crime.
t: 0845 1135000
SPORTS
LONDON
Dynamo Dykes:
Lesbian volleyball club.
www.dynamodykes.org.uk
Contact Royden or Mark
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.transform.co.cc
Tel: 01903 744 396
Mobiles: 07988 206 104
07927 544 322
Fit Women: Women’s
badminton group.
Mondays 7-9pm. email:
fi[email protected]
Hackney Women’s Football
Club: t: 07941 561060
KB Fitness: London’s largest
gay owned/run Martial Arts
Academy!
www.kbfitness.co.uk
t:02076810114
London Cruisers Basketball
Women’s Team: t: 07800
647 271 www.cruisers.org.uk
S.wimmin: Social events for
Surrey gay women.
Age range 25-50.
Contact Karen:
[email protected]
<=@B6
Manchester Stingers
Football Team: Lesbian
football. 0161 273 7128
www.manchesterstingers.net
HELP LINES
Albert Kennedy Trust:
(London): 020 7831 6562
(Mancs): 0161 228 3308.
Housing advice for
under 21’s.
Antidote
LGBT drug and alcohol
support group.
020 7437 3523
Brighton Lesbian and
Gay Switchboard:
01273 204050
Broken Rainbow:
LGBT domestic violence
helpline. Mon & Thu 2pm8pm, Wed 10am-1pm.
t: 08452 604460
www.broken-rainbow.org
Colchester Gay
Switchboard:
The Outhouse, 19 East Hill,
Colchester. Helpline MonFri 7-10pm 01206 869 191
www.gayessex.org.uk
offi[email protected]
Derbyshire Confidential
LGB&T Switchboard:
Advice, information and
a listening ear.
Derbyshire Friend LGB&T
Support Services. Tuesdays,
Wednesdays & Thursdays
10am-1pm & 7.30-9.30pm
01332 349333
London Lesbian & Gay
Switchboard:
020 7837 7324
www.llgs.org.uk
London Friend:
Counselling service.
020 7837 3337
www.londonfriend.org.uk
Peer Support Project
Mancs Youthline:
0800 1697384 Tel info/
support on Sats, 1-3pm.
Quest LGB Catholics:
0808 8080234
Stonewall Housing
Advice:
020 7359 5767
Stonewall:
Campaign group for LGBT
rights. 08000 502020
www.stonewall.org.uk
UK Lesbian and Gay
Immigration Group:
020 7922 7811
www.uklgig.org.uk
Unison:
Help with LGBT
employment issues.
0845 3550845/
0800 0967 968.
community
77
78
79
Recruitment
80
Legal
December 2009 marks
the fourth anniversary
of the introduction of
the Civil Partnership
Act. Family lawyer
Melanie Hay reminds
us of its implications.
FAMILY
VALUES
This month marks the fourth anniversary of the
introduction of the Civil Partnership Act. As well as
providing a legal basis for lesbian couples to make
a lifelong commitment to each other, the Civil
Partnership Act has resulted in huge steps forward
in terms of equality and in social attitudes towards
gay people.
As a family lawyer, I have seen a growing number of
inquiries from lesbian couples – and we don’t just
get consulted when things go wrong. Increasingly
we are asked to advise on pre-partnership
agreements (the gay equivalent of a pre-nup) and
on issues relating to children. Admittedly, children
are not top of every lesbian’s Christmas list but there
is clearly a growing demand for information and
services aimed at lesbians in this area.
Since the Act, where a lesbian couple have a child
and are in a civil partnership, the biological mother
can confer parental responsibility on the nonbiological parent in the same way that an unmarried
heterosexual mother can grant it to her child’s
father. Parental responsibility is a legal status which
brings with it all the rights and responsibilities that a
parent usually has for a child. The position is not as
straightforward where a known donor is used.
In terms of equality, the news for would-be lesbian
parents is even better following the introduction of
the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Act 2008.
From April this year, the female partner of a woman
having donor insemination or IVF has the right to be
regarded as a legal parent and can enter their name
on the child’s birth certificate. This gives the non-
biological lesbian parent the same legal status as
fathers. From the end of 2005, lesbians have been
able to adopt children jointly whereas previously
only one partner could be the legal parent. I speak
from experience – my civil partner and I now have
two beautiful children. I would never have thought
that all of this would be possible 10 or even five
years ago.
There has also been progress towards equality with
changes in the law relating to benefits, immigration
and tax since the introduction of the Civil
Partnership Act. Couples in a civil partnership are
now treated the same as married couples in relation
to inheritance tax and capital gains tax. This means
that civil partners will be exempt from inheritance
tax if one partner dies leaving their estate to their
partner and they can also transfer assets between
them without paying capital gains tax.
All of the laws that apply to married couples now
apply equally to civil partners. There is, however, one
difference to the procedure for divorce or
dissolution and that is that a civil partnership cannot
be dissolved on the grounds of adultery. Rumour
has it that parliament did not want to enter into a
debate about the definition of lesbian sex! Instead,
this would form one of the examples of
unreasonable behaviour for the purposes of a
dissolution.
useful info
Melanie Hay is an associate solicitor in the family
team at Bindmans LLP. She can be contacted on
[email protected].
Bindmans…
Obviously, these changes have also resulted in
responsibilities. Where parents of a child in a civil
partnership separate, the non-biological parent has
to pay maintenance for the child. Upon dissolution
of a civil partnership the courts can make all the
same orders that it can make upon divorce – for
example, orders related to transferring property,
awarding maintenance, or sharing a pension.
… is a firm of lawyers committed to fairness and
equality, with extensive experience of working with
gay and lesbian clients.To celebrate the introduction of
the Civil Partnership Act, Bindmans set up a dedicated
website which brings together everything couples
should think about before tying the knot.
The website can be found at
www.civilpartnershiplaw.co.uk
81
Recruitment
82
Recruitment
DIVERSITY
CAREERS SHOW
Friday 20 November, Grand Connaught Rooms, London W2
Square Peg Media’s Rob Harkavy
(2nd right) and Linda Riley MD (right)
at the Notting Hill Housing stand
Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe,
founder of Ari Consulting (far left),
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall CE (centre)
and Sarah Garrett, Square Peg Media
MD (far right) at the Stonewall stand
At last – a careers event aimed
at LGBT employers and
employees. Chance Delgado
visited the inaugural Diversity
Careers Show.
It was a landmark event for the LGBT
community: a careers show designed to
connect gay-friendly employers with
prospective LGBT employees. Prime
Minister Gordon Brown emphatically
backed the show, saying“I wanted to send
my congratulations to the organisers and
supporters of the Diversity Careers Show.
Our shared prosperity depends on
unlocking the talents of each and every
person and I’m delighted that this event will
allow job seekers to meet such a wide range
of employers who are willing to make
equality a reality.”
Army representatives
stand to attention
Square Peg Media, publishers of g3,
Out in the City, Proud and gay recruitment and
careers guide Out atWork, hosted the event
in association with main sponsors Stonewall,
The Guardian, and Credit Suisse. Citypink,
Village Drinks, Boutique Marketing and Ari
Consulting were also sponsors, showing
once again that gay-run businesses are
always willing to support the community.
Exhibitors Strudel and Interbank tirelessly
held workshops and seminars throughout
the day, handing out pamphlets and advice.
Most impressive was the sheer variety of
over 70 employers, who included American
Express, Shell, Deutsche Bank andTesco.
There were commercial companies, the civil
service, the army, ambulance and police as
well as councils, banks, the legal sector and
the media. Attendees were as varied as the
exhibitors:gay men and women,bisexuals
and the trans community, there as eager
graduates, excited students, second-jobbers
and mature workers with experience.
Linda Riley, Managing Director of Square
Peg Media, said:“It’s really great to see so
many companies supporting diversity in the
workplace”. Laura Doughty, Stonewall’s
Director of Fundraising and Communications,
agreed:“It’s been a resounding success with
lots of positive feedback from recruiters and
those attending”.
Next year’s show has already been confirmed for 22
November 2010.Visit www.diversitycareersshow.
com for more information.
Stonewall’s
Laura Doughty
with Jemima Jefferson
from Credit Suisse
83
Strudel spoke to
employers about diversity
in the workplace
The Interbank forum held
workshops for those
considering a career in banking
WOMAN
ON TOP
Laura Doughty is
Director of Fundraising and
Communications at Stonewall
.
PHOTO BY LAURENCE JAUGEY-PAGET
Recruitment
“
“
84
Laura started working for Stonewall in 2005
after a successful career in media sales which
included working for The Guardian & The
Observer,Talk Radio and Viacom Outdoor,
where she was National Sales Director.
For more information, visit www.stonewall.org.uk
“I’d tell anyone
wanting to follow in
my footsteps to
research thoroughly,
speak to people in the
sector and have a
clear set of goals. ”
Recruitment
85
86
87
Recruitment
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Each month, g3 asks employees what
their company is doing for diversity.
Company: Explore Learning
Name: Jess Arnold Age: 26
Job title: Assistant
Centre Director
What does your job entail?
Explore Learning is a national network
of learning centres across the UK. We
help children achieve their potential,
build confidence and develop a love
of learning. Individualised maths and
English learning programmes allow us
to teach, support and encourage in a
low pupil:staff ratio.
As part of the full-time management
team my role combines teaching,
marketing, management, staff
development and training, and
schools relationship co-ordination, all
whilst working closely with children of
varied age and ability.
What do you love about your
job? I love the fact that I can have
For more information visit www.explorelearning.org.uk
88
such an impact. I was given lots of
responsibility right from day one and
as a company Explore Learning are
always open to new ideas. I am
challenged all the time.
What makes your company so
gay-friendly? The whole attitude of
the company is about embracing a
diverse range of members, and that
attitude extends to the staff
What does your company do to
promote equality? Explore
advocates equal opportunity and
anti-discriminatory behaviour
throughout all aspects of the
business. This includes the active
promotion of inclusion and
accessibility to the centres for as wide
a range of members as possible, as
well as the recruitment, development
and progression of staff.
The company advertises across a
variety of mediums, and interviews
include questions on how to promote
equality and manage discrimination
in the workplace.
89
home&living
90
home&living
Keeping your pad cosy in the winter can
involve wasting a lot of energy (and cash).
g3 offers some eco-friendly hibernal heating tips.
heat your home,
not the planet
LOCAL
WARMING
On the boil
It may sound obvious, but try reaching for a thick
jumper and a pair of slippers next time you’re
tempted to flick the thermostat up a notch. When
it’s time for bed, a hot water bottle and a sexy
lady generally do the trick.
Make sure you keep an eye on how efficiently your
boiler is working. If you haven’t had it serviced for
a while, arrange to have it looked at as soon as you
can. If it’s more than 10 years old, it could be time
to replace it. Inefficient boilers can make heating
bills significantly higher.
Turn it off
Use your central heating only when necessary.
Don’t leave it on when you’re out or in bed.
Plug it up
Draught-proofing is an extremely cheap and
effective tool in retaining heat in your home – as
well as a perfect excuse to buy that silly sausage
dog draught excluder. If you’re not sure which
problem areas to target, waft an incense stick
around. Watch where the smoke goes and you’ve
found your draughts. Get hold of some caulking
and a mastic gun or weather stripping to seal up
your ducts, windows and doorways.
Insulation, insulation,
insulation!
All new boilers fitted in the UK are now required by
law to be energy-saving condensing boilers.
Once you’ve worked out how to generate warmth
efficiently, you’ll want to make sure as much of
it stays in the house as possible! Insulation and
double glazing are crucial if you want to maximise
the heat-retaining potential of your home. The
Centre for Alternative Technology has found that
in the average home, 10% of energy is lost through
windows, 15% through the floor, 15% via draughts,
and 25% from the loft. Double-glazing can, on
average, halve heat loss via windows and save up
to £140 on bills. Visit www.eco-builder.org for a
comprehensive directory of service providers.
Renewable energy
Make a wish
If you’ve got the time and money, why not go the
whole hog and completely eco-renovate your
home? Investing in technologies such as solar
panels and heat pumps is a great way to generate
warmth.
If you’re intent on living in a truly green home, but
worried about affording it all, don’t fret, help might
be available. Check out the Energy Saving Trust’s
website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk to find
out about grants available in your area.
Fitting a British Standard ‘jacket’ on your boiler can
improve its energy efficiency by 75% – and it’ll only
set you back about a tenner!
winter
warmers
Our pick of
essential weapons
in your battle
against Jack Frost
A^OQSPZO\YSb
£11.99
www.focusdiy.co.uk
B]bSaPcPPZS
STTSQba]QY
£8 per pair
www.figleaves.com
>W^SZOUUW\U
£1.49 for 22m
www.focusdiy.co.uk
91
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE DINGLE & JONI LEWIS
Snuggle up
home&living
92
home&living
93
home&living
94
home&living
GIRLS’
NIGHT
IN
With singer-songwriter,
Horse
“I understand
Beth [Ditto]
bakes a mean
cake and Ellen
is funny.”
“
95
“
96
97
travel
98
travel
ALPINE
AFFECTIONS
Sun, ski, snow…and women?
Citypink are going on tour to
France’s premier ski resort
and you’re invited!
Imagine coming in chilly and exhausted from
an invigorating ski across flawless white snow
to enjoy a steaming hot espresso,
surrounded by like-minded, gorgeous
women…We can’t think of a better way to
spend a holiday and that’s why the girls at
Citypink, London’s leading lesbian
networking service, have organised a
fabulous trip that gives you all this and more.
In March next year, the lucky ladies of
Citypink will descend on the village ofVal
Claret inTignes, to coincide with the
European Gay SkiWeek celebrations there.
Perfect timing!The holiday is a chance to
meet members of the gay community from
across Europe, and even indulge in a
romantic fling or establish a connection that
will blossom into a beautiful friendship.
Tignes is France’s hottest ski destination
(or perhaps its coolest!) offering Europe’s
most snow-sure slopes in the shadow of the
breathtaking Grand Motte Glacier.Tignes’
slopes reach for the skies with vertigoinducing highs of 3,450m. This ice giant is
home to L’Espace Killy, which is one of the
best Alpine ski areas in Europe. Named after
the French Olympic gold medalist skier,
Jeane-Claude Killy, L’Espace Killy has nearly
100 high-speed lifts so queuing is rare.
The maximum skiable vertical drop is
one of the steepest in the world at 1,900m.
Impressive stuff.
The area’s greatest attraction, however,
is its welcome contrast to the heavily
commercialised and over-priced rival,Val
d’Isere skiing resort.Tignes remains a
somewhat undiscovered jewel of the
European winter sports world.The
surrounding village’s atmosphere is
quintessentially that of Swiss chocolate
box charm, cosy and picture perfect, yet
still brimming with all the facilities you
could desire.
This is an unmissable break for
accomplished ski-slope veterans and
absolute novices alike, asTignes is such a
diverse ski resort.The white-knuckle slopes
and huge variety of outdoor activities, such
as dog sledding, ice climbing, skating,
snowboarding or snowshoeing, will keep
thrill-seekers occupied for hours, while
those can’t-ski-wont-ski individuals can
conquer their first-time fears at
professional ski classes. Citypink are
organising group lessons for their clients,
taught by EGSW instructors to ensure a
relaxed and friendly learning environment
for all. Pupils are taught in groups of similar
ability, so riotous fun is guaranteed.
This is not just about skiing! For those
who want to take it easy, and spend more
time off the slopes than on, there is a host of
recreational diversions. Every day at
99
lunchtime there is a mountain restaurant
terrace exclusive to EGSW, where you
can take a luxurious break from the
slopes, hang out with friends and just chill
over a lengthy and delicious lunch.The
Mid Mountain DanceTerrace at Le Boulin
is also the place to whet your appetites for
the Après Ski extravaganza, which is about
travel
THIS
MONTH’S
PICK…
scotland/
SNO!zone
@ the Xscape complex
premier gay clubs such as the reknowned
Trade and London’s Salvation, alongside
parties featuring, Lady B (Afterlife,Texas,
USA) and DJ Steve Redant (from Belgium’s
La Demence) who will keep you dancing till
the wee hours of the morning.
In terms of accomodation for your
stay, there is something to suit all budgets
and tastes.The EGSW has taken over a
whole hotel and there is the Slalom
girls-only residence, equipped with the
aforementioned Rum bar.Alternatively
there are other choices away from this
maddening crowd. If you are travelling as a
group and value a certain level of privacy
there are apartments, chalets and villas of all
different sizes for a secluded haven in this
skier’s paradise.
This is undoubtedly a dream escape for
any gay woman eager to throw off the
shackles of everyday life.Whether you come
for the sport, the relaxation, or the socialising,
to meet new friends or just to spend time
with old ones, you can’t fail to have a
memorable, exciting trip that will have you
singing the praises of this snowy haven as
well as the Citypink team.
For more information visit www.Citypink.co.uk
Planning a ski holiday? How about a chance to
practise before you go, so you can make your most
of the time on the slopes? SNO!zone provides a
winter wonderland all year round with huge indoor
complexes of fresh snow. Ski, snowboard or skate at
your leisure, or take some professional lessons, no
matter what your age or ability.
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS
100
to kick off in the village. From late afternoon,
the DJs will be spinning, the dancers dancing
and performers performing in an effort to
get the party started.
Citypink continually brings its clients the
best: only choosing venues that meet its
exclusive standards of sophisticated style. It
has created its own events programme to
run alongside that of the EGSW, so you will
have a plethora of indulgences to choose
from.An event pass grants you entrance to
all of EGSW’s and Citypink’s parties, some in
collaboration with Primanotte, a Parisian
lesbian group, at the devilish women-only
Rum bar. If you are looking to experience
something a bit different from the British gay
scene, this is your opportunity to mix with
new and interesting women, and really
experience that joie de vivre.
After sating your hunger for the slopes,
awaken the party animal inside before you
leave the mountains. Head straight to Le
Coffee, EGSW’s exclusive après ski bar,
where the Parisian Crazyvores will be
rearing up ready to thaw your frosty limbs
with their vibrant beats.All the ESGW
parties feature complimentary drinks on
arrival and an ample serving of après ski fun
late into the night.A dazzling array of nights
will be hosted by the Europe’s hottest
The SNO!bar offers panoramic views of the slopes
and all your favourite beverages, from steaming hot
chocolate to fine wines and warming liquors. It’s the
perfect relaxation after a session on the snow, and
gets you in training for the après ski indulgences
essential to all skiing breaks.
For more info visit www.snozoneuk.com
travel
101
102
103
OF
travel
BEST BRITISH
your stay is hassle-free.The rooms are
spacious and tailored to a breathtaking
style that exudes opulence and
tranquillity. Glamour is understated but
undeniably present everywhere you look.
Rooms feature deep freestanding baths,
balconies with views out over the city and
inviting double beds.
The jewel in Drake’s crown is its
restaurant: gourmet food and candlelight
makes for intimate fine dining. But guests
can also relax in the cocktail lounge, or
treat themselves to some pampering
with an in-room massage and facial.
Whatever you decide to choose, Drakes
is a splendid place to stay and an ideal
base from which to explore the vibrant
city of Brighton.
DRAKES
HOTEL
For more info visit www.drakesofbrighton.com
BRIGHTON
Drakes is a boutique hotel on the
seafront that offers welcoming service
and luxurious accommodation to the gay
community.At Drakes, clients are friends
and the staff go the extra mile to ensure
brighton/
drakes restaurant
43-44 Marine Parade,Brighton,BN2 1PE
Located in the heart
of Brighton’s gay
community,
overlooking the
beach, Drake’s
restaurant is a
smashing place to
entertain partners or
friends alike.
My date and I opted for the three course Sunday
lunch at £25. The food was beautifully presented
and each mouthful provided a host of taste
sensations. We began with gravlax with potato
salad and freshly cooked bread in mouthwatering
sundried tomato and polenta flavours, with
scrumptious seaweed butter melted on top.
This is a Sunday roast that dares to be different. I had
wild mushroom risotto with garlic snails. My date
also decided to try something a tad outlandish and
ordered crispy pig’s head with fried quail’s egg and
cress salad. Both were delicious new experiences.
For my main course, I opted for the roasted fillet of
bream with crushed potatoes and caper butter. The
crispy, smoky skin gave it a perfect zing. My partner
had the roast partridge with mountain lentils,
bacon, turnip gratin and game sauce.The marriage
of rustic flavors in this hearty dish was truly satisfying.
ALBANY HOTEL,
EDINBURGH
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aR__NPRQU\b`RaUNa\\gR`
RYRTN[aT_N[QRb_N[Q`aNaRYf
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NZR[VaVR`Na_NcRYYR_Re]RPa`
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PbV`V[R]R_SRPaNSaR_NO_NPV[T
a_RXNP_\``aUR5VTUYN[Q`
For more info visit www.albanyrestaurant.co.uk
or www.haldanesrestaurant.com
As we contemplated the dessert menu we were
presented with a refreshing pre-dessert blackberry
sorbet to cleanse our pallets. We eventually decided
to share a decadent milk chocolate torte and a
selection of British and French cheeses on sultana
and walnut rye bread. Feeling pleasantly full, we
retreated to the upstairs cocktail bar, where a
rainbow of alcoholic delights awaited us…
For more information,
visit www.drakesofbrighton.com
WORDS BY JONI LEWIS & MAZ OGDEN
104
SOUND
BITES
travel
105
health&beauty
106
health&beauty
HAPPIER
NEW
YEAR
top tips for a healthy festive season
The British Dietetic Association has
estimated that the average person
will eat a whopping 6000 calories on
Christmas day alone, and gain around
five pounds! Joni Lewis offers some
advice on minimising the damage…
The sofa trap
Cosy nights on the couch are a danger zone
for mindlessly wolfing down that family-size
Toblerone. Find something to do when watching
the TV to stop your hands reaching for the biscuit
tin. We suggest painting your nails, flicking
through a copy of g3, or even knitting, which
doubles up as a way to make some thoughtful yet
wallet-friendly gifts!
are not that unhealthy: turkey is a lean protein,
and veggies like carrots and brussel sprouts are
great. It’s the high fat and high carb foods that
will pile on the pounds so limit the roasties and
Christmas pud. We’d like to remind readers that
pinching Santa’s mince pies is extremely naughty
– and a surefire way to ensure an empty stocking,
of course.
Get active
Motivate yourself
If you are already a keen gym bunny don’t let
good habits slip. If not, brisk walks on winter
mornings are a refreshing energy boost that will
kickstart your metabolism for the day. Weather
permitting, a good snowball fight is a truly festive
way of getting your heart racing!
Consider asking for some presents to aid you in
your battle against the bulge: a new pair of running
shoes, or some prepaid dance lessons, will encourage
you to keep active. Remember to reward yourself!
With all this money you are not spending on extra
booze or sweets, buy a fabulous new outfit.
Make the right choice
Booze hound
We are not suggesting that you forgo each treat
that comes your way, become a food Nazi and
have salad for Christmas dinner. Simply exercise
some common sense when it comes to your food
choices. Many of the staples of a traditional roast
Alcohol is another danger at Christmas. An excess
is terrible for your skin and will load your body with
toxins as well as calories, as well as leaving you
feeling sluggish. There are countless chances to
enjoy a drink with your friends, but you can be merry
life
savers
Three ways to
indulge yourself
without the guilt:
2WdW\SB`]^WQOZ1]ZZSQbW]\
RO`YQV]Q]ZObSQ]ObSRO^`WQ]ba
£3.75 www.divinechocolate.com
1ZW^^S`U`SS\bSO
QZSO\aW\UW\TcaW]\
£1.09 for 20 www.clipper-teas.com
7\\]QS\ba[]]bVWS
£1.99 www.innocentdrinks.co.uk
without the sherry. Avoid drinking on an empty
stomach, and don’t mix your drinks. Try to sip
water while out, and choose juices as mixers: they
are rich in vitamins and will minimise the damage.
Our top healthy picks
Busy hands eager for snacks should reach for dried
fruit, nuts (unsalted), popcorn and veggies with
low fat dips. These will keep you feeling fuller for
longer and stabilise your blood sugar levels. If
you must succumb to your sweet tooth try dark
chocolate: a higher cocoa content means it’s lower
in sugar and has some wondrous detox powers.
Finally, remember the true meaning of Christmas
(no, not seeing how many Quality Street you can
eat during X Factor without being sick!) – spending
time with family and friends and just enjoying
yourself. It’s fine to treat yourself a bit… it is
Christmas after all! So if you do indulge, don’t
beat yourself up. Just start the next day afresh.
107
relationships
JUST FRIENDS?
Feeling threatened by
your lady’s best mate?
Joni Lewis tells you
when you should trust
her… and when alarm
bells should ring.
In many lesbian social circles the line
between friend and lover is a thin one. Girls
go from mates to girlfriends and back again
all the time. So what do you do if your girl
seems to be getting a too close for comfort
to one of her good friends?
Relationships are doomed if you don’t tell one another
what you are thinking and feeling. If you are jealous,
say so, and you will probably find it was over nothing.
Also, try and get a little perspective. Becky Jones, a
relationship counsellor from Kent, recommends: “Put
yourself in her shoes. You no doubt have close friends
too, and wouldn’t you think it was unreasonable for her
to demand you cut them out of your life?” Inclusion
is the best policy: suggest going out and inviting her
along. Even if you don’t immediately warm to your
girlfriend’s confidante, you can at least comfort yourself
with the knowledge that she is keeping her friends close
while you keep your enemies closer.
Everyone expects different things from their partner.
“I wanted to be her everything: her lover, best friend.
Why would she need anything else?” says Laura,
20. However much you want to be your partner’s
soulmate, complete inseparability is suffocating and
claustrophobic. Being too clingy or possessive will push
your girlfriend away and only worsen the problem. It
may sound clichéd but absence does make the heart
grow fonder. Becky reminds us: “Your girlfriend having
someone else she can confide in is not a betrayal or
“
Unfortunately, sometimes there is no smoke without
fire, and there are warning signs to be wary of that
indicate your paranoia may not be completely unfounded.
Rachel, 35, watched as her girlfriend became more and
more distant: “she left me for her alleged best friend
just before Christmas. I have never felt so betrayed or
humiliated” she admitted. This is a tragic example, but if
your partner acts closed off and defensive when you do
“
108
First, stop and think. Jealousy is natural and healthy
in all relationships. It is a sign of strong feelings for
your partner and can prove an instant ignition for fiery
passion. However, you must not let it consume you.
Jan, 28, was feeing jealous of her girlfriend spending
hours on the phone to her friend but understood some
of her feelings were unreasonable: “She can’t help
being attractive and I can’t ask her to just stop being
friends with someone she has known for five years
before me”. In the end, communication was the
solution here: “I explained my fears and my girlfriend
was totally understanding. She now makes an effort to
include me in their conversations, and we go out as a
group regularly.”
I can’t ask her to just stop being
friends with someone she has known
for five years before me.
a rejection of intimacy with you. It is a necessary and
beneficial outlet for her, which actually strengthens her
bond with you.” Set aside time for the two of you: a
romantic meal for two, a coffee here and there, even
a cosy film. But equally, allow her personal space. The
time you do spend together will be all the more enjoyable
and hopefully free of any arguing now you have
diffused the tension surrounding her and her friend.
question her about her close relationship with another
girl then you may have reason for concern.
All relationships are a bit of a roller coaster. You
are bound to go through good times and bad, and
experience a whole spectrum of emotions. Remember
this is what makes life fun and the good times with your
girl are what make it all worthwhile.
relationships
5
WAYS TO
SURVIVE
XMAS SINGLE
DEAR BROOKE
& DARIA…
Our resident agony aunts
soothe your dating pains
Alone in front of that roaring fire? g3 shows
you how to revel in your independence this
festive season.
Se
e your f
riends
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TV, of co
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Spend it
with family
you
ning delight as
Yes, that’s it: feig ther pair of brown
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unwrap yet an le Fred, and trying to
socks from Unc putting Christmas
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stop your niec the back of your T-shirt.
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g
Dear Brooke and Daria,
I’m stuck in a love triangle! I like a guy
and it’s mutual,but I’m also besotted
with a girl who happens to be our best
friend and she likes me too.It gets even
more confusing:I think he likes her but is
unaware of her sexuality! How do I
decide who I want without hurting
someone’s feelings?
Yours,
Discombobulated of Dorking
Brooke: Well, well, what a tangled
web you’ve woven! It’s not uncommon
to like two people at the same time,
even within the same friendship group.
Friends can easily become lovers, as you
are already so close. But is it worth
risking what you already have? Before
you try and decide which one of them
you like best, think about the
implications for your friendships. If you
decide to give it a go with one of them,
your gang of three is likely to very
quickly become a gang of two… and
you could easily end up being the one
who is storming off in tears, so don’t
assume anything!The bottom line is, if
you’re that confused, it’s clear that
neither of them is ‘The One’ right now.
Maybe take time to see other friends
instead for a bit. Once you return to the
group, your temporary absence might
have cleared the air a bit.
Daria: Why do you have to decide? I’ve
got four girlfriends, five boyfriends, a foot
slave and six butlers, and I love all of them
equally (although the foot slave can
be a bit annoying at times).
109
relationships
the exchange
g3’s new networking revolution that’s
taking over the lesbian nation
WIN A DATE
WITH…
Maz Ogden
g3X.co.uk is completely free and allows you to network like you’re on Facebook,
meet new women and keeps you abreast of what’s happening on the scene.
Last month’s date on g3X.co.uk:
Maria picked Eliza and chose to go on a date to see the
Beatles to Bowie exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
We’ve quizzed this month’s
date on what you should
know, so you don’t have to…
Eliza
“
“
“
“
Maria
It was great Maria picked me.
She’s so interesting, fun and
sweet. The date was wonderful.
110
Eliza Drettaki
I was pleasantly surprised by how
easy-going and genuine she was. The
date was a success, watch this space…
Maria Liatou
Latest group discussion
how to join
1. visit www.g3x.co.uk
and fill in your name,
email and password.
2. Wait for an email
from us and click on
the link.
3. Or join up with
Facebook Connect.
:=<2=<5/:A
Did anyone go to the penultimate Wish?
Only Paris left! :(
A6=@B/<257@:732@/;/
E=@9A6=>A
Short & Girlie are based in London,
Brighton and Bristol.
Our next outing is in London at GFest…
E7</2/B3E7B6;3
Hey! Well, there’s never a dull moment with
me about! Friendly and Scottish but that
doesn’t mean…
Age: 30
Profession: Advertising
Star Sign: Scorpio
Five words that describe you:
Sassy, quirky, talkative, adventurous,
open-minded!
Do you move in, shag or play it
cool on your first date?
Take it slow… famous last words!
What issues/baggage do you
have? Love me, love my bunny!
You have to pass the‘bunny test’.
Ideal date?A romantic dinner after
a day out in the country or doing
something different – wakeboarding
anyone?
Worst dating experience?
Getting dumped for not folding my
clothes properly.
What do you look for in a
woman? Honesty, uniqueness, openmindedness, mutual interests, someone
who believes in eventually having oldfashioned marriage, someone who likes
trying new things and a dirty, cheeky grin
on a hot femme or cute boi never goes
amiss!
To leave a message for Maz, sign up to
g3x.co.uk and go to the ‘Win a date…’
group.
If you would like the chance to
meet your perfect woman and
for g3 to shout you a romantic
date then join the ‘win a date…’
group on g3x.co.uk
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111
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Horoscopes
your
stars
By Philip Garcia
aquarius
pisces
aries
taurus
20 Jan - 18 Feb
19 Feb - 20 March
21 March - 19 April
20 April - 20 May
Your social life is improving, thanks
to the festive arrangements friends
and family are making. You’ll be
tempted to overspend on pleasure.
Someone close is determined to
achieve something special but they
won’t be able to on their own. Even
though you have plenty of other
things to do, helping them will make
them happy.
Confusion over a past incident or
event could cause problems with
your lover. Why let a small
misunderstanding tarnish your
Christmas, and your future
happiness? What has passed should
be forgotten and you must both agree
to move on. You’re tempted to splash
out on an expensive Christmas gift
but you must curb your spending.
You must discuss plans with a
partner for the rest of the month.
It may be the weekend before you
get a chance to. By then there is so
much on your mind that the few
hurdles concerning festive
arrangements won’t seem so
insurmountable. In romance it’s not
easy to achieve a happy balance but
you’ll find a way.
You doubt your ability to perform
even though it’s what you have
always wanted. Once you start, if it
comes from the heart, those
uncertainties will vanish. If there’s
someone you fancy and you’re not
sure what to say, go with the first
thing that’s on your mind. Once you
open discussions you’ll be surprised
at how far they go.
gemini
cancer
leo
virgo
21 May - 20 June
21 June - 22 July
23 July - 22 Aug
23 Aug - 22 Sept
This month’s romantic prospects are
linked with your career: if single you
could find romance at the office
party. There’s a strange mix of daring
and hesitation that keeps
relationships exciting. If you’re
focused on someone special or on
improving a close relationship you’ll
acknowledge the need to give less time
to work and more to your loved ones.
If you’re single, seize every chance to
expand your romantic horizons.
Getting involved with a new group of
people during a charity or festive
fund-raising event is where one of
Cupid’s darts might strike. If you
already have a partner, whether
you’re happy together or wondering
what your next step should be, the
emphasis is on change and progress.
You know that all work and no play
makes Jill a dull girl. This festive
month, you intend to seek pleasure
at every turn. You’re also keen to
explore new romantic pastures. If
you have something special with
someone, common sense keeps you
from spoiling what you’ve got. You
might discover a hidden talent while
helping out at a festive gathering.
Your powers of attraction are
enhanced; the festivities bring out
your more gregarious side. If you’re
looking for a lover, someone finds
you difficult to resist! Hobbies and
creative pastimes keep you occupied
for many happy hours. Sharing your
interests with like-minded folk is much
better. Keep your promises to a
partner or close friend at the weekend.
112
libra
scorpio
sagittarius
capricorn
23 Sept - 22 Oct
23 Oct - 21 Nov
22 Nov - 21 Dec
22 Dec - 19 Jan
While mixing and mingling at your
company’s Christmas parties, seek
out people in departments you
would like to work in. If you must show
your face at official functions, you
might as well do something that
benefits your future. Your charm is
such you have the ability to talk your
way into any setting, no matter how
elite or exclusive.
You intend to make the most of the
joy and freedom your life affords
this Christmas. You’ll be the life and
soul of the party, so don’t be surprised
if people find you appealing.
Activities you’re working on during
the week could spill into the
weekend. If you’re looking for a mate
you might find one during a fun
gathering.
Your thoughts are on your long-term
aims and if you want to succeed, be
consistent. Steady efforts will achieve
your goals. Your love life may take
something of a back seat as you’re
more concerned with your private
interests. Don’t be surprised if your
partner seems subdued and restrained.
If there is misunderstanding, a heartto-heart will clear the confusion.
Watch what is going on in the
background of your life.There’s a
chance someone has been deceiving
you and you’ll want to adjust your
priorities. Decisions could have
far-reaching consequences and some
may accuse you of not seeing clearly.
Delaying matters will make it harder;
you must face facts.Taking the rough
with the smooth makes you stronger.
Call 0905 072 3512 for your detailed Horoscope or 0906 117 7583 for one of Philip’s Psychics or Mediums.
Calls to 0905 cost 75p per min/ to 0906 cost £1.50 per min from a BT Landline/ Other networks may vary. All calls recorded for your security, 18+ only. All calls regulated by PhonePayPlus. SP: Astro Int, PO Box 322, WA15 8YL.
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113
PETS
SPORT
Opinion
rant//art//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//deba
e y
v
a
ha r s
u
yo
last
word
from Peter Tatchell
27A1:/7;3@(
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B/93</AB63=>7<7=<=45!
;/5/H7<3=@/<GAB/44E7B67<
The prominent LGBT rights
activist tells us why climate
change is a queer issue.
There is no point campaigning
for LGBT human rights unless
we have a habitable planet on
which to enjoy these rights. If
global warming results in
climate destruction and wrecks the
economy, our quality of queer life will be seriously diminished. In
the worst case scenario, human survival might be threatened.
Global warming has the potential to cause more damage and
suffering than any other threat.It is a bigger danger than war,terrorism,
misogyny,racism or homophobia. All these issues are important,but
climate chaos is the gravest threat of all.
It will cause rising sea levels and freak storms that will flood large
parts of Britain;destroying farm land,cutting food production,
causing unemployment,ruining houses and forcing millions of people
to move home.Thousands of businesses employing millions of people
may need to relocate to higher ground.Major cities like London,
Manchester and Liverpool are likely to suffer regular flooding,causing
job losses,homelessness and transport chaos.
These severe economic hardships could prompt riots and looting,
leading to the rise of nationalistic neo-fascist movements that promise
to crackdown on disorder and which scapegoat ethnic,religious,
sexual and political minorities.
To help stop climate destruction,I’m supporting the 10:10
campaign,which encourages us to cut our personal carbon emissions
by 10% in 2010.I urge LGBT people to back this important initiative.
Queers make up one in ten of the population.By reducing our energy
consumption by a tenth,‘Pink Power’can help save the planet.
Join the 10:10 campaign. Act locally to make a global difference. Help
us reverse climate chaos and save the planet.
Support the 10:10 campaign: http://www.1010uk.org
Write to your MP, urging government action to reduce Britain’s
carbon emissions by 10% before 2011: www.writetothem.com
great lesbian
inventions!
AUR1NVYf:NYR
newspaper, run by lesbians, to titillate
gay men all over England.
Some lesbians still work at the paper,
hiding under a veil of almost Nazi-like
bigotry. But this fails to conceal their
long association with the gay press
and their love of lesbian sex and
lesbian sex toys.
Five days a week, it would hit news
stands everywhere, shocking the
nation with lascivious images of
lads licking each other’s wellingtons
whilst straddling tractors and wielding
large tools.
The Daily Male used to stand for
freedom, liberation and intelligent
banter, as well as large penises.
Now it is run by large penises, who
stand on freedom, liberation and
intelligent banter.
Before it became the esteemed
tomb of knowledge and open
minded thinking that we know
today, the Daily Male was a gay porn
WORDS AND ARTWORK BY LEA ANDREWS
114
I helped launch the 10:10 campaign at theTate Modern in London,
together with SarahWaters,Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall,Sara Cox,
Kwame Kwei-Armah,Ken Livingstone and Shami Chakrabarti.
Our message is simple:We all need to act now,both on a personal
and political level,to halt global warming.The 10:10 campaign asks us
to lobby our MPs,but to also take individual responsibility to ensure
that Britain remains a green and pleasant land.
Cutting your personal carbon footprint by 10% is an achievable
target that will make an impact. It isn’t hugely difficult.I found it a fun
challenge and quite easy.It has reduced my energy bills and saved me
money. Walking,cycling and not eating meat has also made me fitter
and healthier.If we each meet the 10% target,we’ll make a significant
contribution to reducing Britain’s CO2 emissions.We don’t have to
wait for the government and business to give us a lead.We can take
the initiative by eliminating energy wastage in our homes,workplaces
and neighbourhoods.By our personal example,we can pressure
government and business to do the same.
At home and work you could turn down the central heating and
hot water thermostat by two degrees,use low-energy lightbulbs,switch
off the stand-by button,double lag the hot water tank,fit draft excluders
and install loft and cavity wall insulation.Try giving up meat for one or
two days a week,and walk or cycle to work and to the shops.
ate//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//debate//chat//rant//debate//
115