Brockiewood Magazine by Graeme Austin

MAGAZINE JULY 2010 ISSUE 01

COLOGNE GAMES + CRUISING ON THE MEDITERRANEAN * OUT AND ABOUT IN NYC *HEALTH AND FITNESS* SCENE AROUND THE UK*BROCKIEWOOD TV

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BROCKIEWOOD DIGITAL MAGAZINE ONLINE - WWW.BROCKIEWOODTV.COM WITH SPECIAL FEATURES- DIVERSITY- COMMUNITY INTEREST- THE LGBT FAMILY MAGAZINE D<EJ C8;@<J =8J?@FE

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JULY Well then, here we go...Brockiewood Magazines 1st edition. Good to have you with us. This summer it’s all about the sport, isn’t it? What with the World Cup and Wimbledon to name but two major events – it’s pretty inescapable. But it’s not all about multi-zillion pound prima donna centre forwards and strawberries and ice-cream. The LGBT community has its own huge, international sporting event: The Gay Games. The Gay Games, which this year is being held in Cologne, attracts more competitors than the Olympics and thousands of sports fans, and in this issue we catch-up with one of the athletes and organisers. Also inside, we take a sneak, behind-the-scenes preview of Brockiewood, the new lifestyle TV channel for gays and lesbians; we analyse the fall-out of the resignation of ‘secretly gay’ David Laws MP days after the coalition government took power; Kym Suttle, one of the world’s best and funniest dancers/burlesque performers/cabaret artist chats about his new show, More or Lesque; the teams behind Bristol and Liverpool Pride tell us in their own words the significance of the festivities and the challenges they face; plus Kym Mazelle, one of the best known and most fabulous disco divas from the 80s and 90s, opens up about growing up with Michael Jackson, her passion for disco and her new show with Over the Rainbow’s Stephanie Fearon. And you know we have all the regulars you love. Sylvia Tosun, recording superstar and NYC social goddess, unintentionally makes us all feel inadequate with her column about what she’s been up to in her glamorous life; we give it to you straight about the new motors; we head to the Scottish capital and go cruising (and it’s not what you’re thinking!) in our travel section; and our life coach in Hawaii (it’s alright for some, eh?) works on our esteem. Not only all that, but there’s a shed load of reviews, fashion and interior news, legal advice, food reports and the most comprehensive sports section of any LGBT publication. That should keep you going until August, but don’t forget to keep tabs on everything gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans that’s happening around the world and in the UK, plus the rainbow entertainment gossip, on our website’s news section.

Enjoy the month and Brockiewood DIGITAL

ditor’s ompetition This month, in connection with Brockiewood TV, and the launch of their new series, Let’s Eat, we’re giving one of our readers and a friend a chance to be on TV and dine alongside the celebrity guests and with the Aussie Chef, Tony V. To win, simply answer this question What is the name of celebrity Tony V names his Spaghetti Marinara dish after? The answer is in the website www.brockiewoodtv.com (Click on the Let’s Eat icon where you will also get the recipe.) a/- Mel Gibson b/- Angelina Jolie c/- Barbra Streisand

George Prior Senior Editor

Send your entries by going to www.brockiewoodtv.com and click on the competition icon and enter, dont forget it’s the Editors Competition.

NEWS BITES

HIV CHARITY LAUNCHES SUPPORT GROUP IN EAST SUSSEX

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is inviting people living with HIV in East Sussex, to join a new support group which launched in Eastbourne last month. ‘Positively Social’ aims to give informal support in an understanding environment to anyone who’s been diagnosed as HIV positive. THT’s Daniel Murray, says: “It’s really important that groups like this are run locally because some people can feel isolated living with HIV in a small community. ‘Positively Social’ will meet at the Meeting Room, 3VA, 8 Saffrons Road Eastbourne, BN21 1DG, on the third Thursday of every month.

FIND LOVE ON A COURSE FOR GAY MEN Are you looking for a boyfriend? Do you want a relationship that lasts longer than a night? If so, look out for the ‘Getting a Boyfriend’ course from GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, which is running in 12 cities across the UK from the middle of July. It’s a free one-day course to help you understand more about yourself and what you want in relationships. It also includes advice on how to stick to safer sex when you do find that special someone. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book a place, go to www.gmfa.org.uk/national or call 020 7738 3712.

BROCKIEWOOD CHANNEL LAUNCHES FIRST SHOWS Brockiewood TV have been busy filming the first episodes of their new TV shows, Brockiewood Live in London, Lets Eat and Jasons Juke Box . The shows have been filmed in London and Bournemouth and had a great line up of Local celebrities, including Carol Jianni, Jason Prince, Chrisie Edkins and Dame Kitty. The shows were filmed in front of an audience and can be seen on the TV Polari network. For more details go to www.brockiewoodtv.com

BROCKIEWOOD BITES

WORLD GERMANY RECOGNISES GAY PARTNERSHIPS Germany has started to “register partnerships” for same-sex couples but stopped short of granting them the same, full rights given to married couples. The law now grants couples similar privileges to those of married spouses in areas including hospital visits, inheritance and adoption of children but stops short of full equality, such as with tax benefits. The change in the system was brought about thanks to a German citizen who married his boyfriend in Canada.

GAY MCDONALD’S AD ‘WILL NOT SHOW IN AMERICA’ The recent McDonald’s ad that was shown in France, and which features a gay teenage son with his father, will now not be shown in America. In the 48 second commercial, the teenager chats on his mobile to his boyfriend whilst his dad is ordering the food. Don Thompson, the company’s Chief of Operations, says this is down to differing “cultural norms” between the two countries. Although the ad has been well-received in France, and has been an internet sensation worldwide, response has been fairly negative in the US. “The brand is a local brand and different things will occur in different parts of the world,” said Thompson.

CLINIC INVESTIGATING HOMOSEXUALITY

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‘CURING’

The regional government of Catalonia, Spain, is investigating a clinic in Barcelona that is reportedly offering to “cure” homosexuality. According to Spain’s high-selling national newspaper, The Policlinica Tibidabo clinic is offering pills and psychiatric treatment to “convert” gay people. A spokeswoman for the government said: “An investigation has been opened. We do not consider homosexuality as an illness, far from it.” If found guilty of misconduct, the clinic will face large fines and possible closure.

HIV CASES SOAR IN IRELAND There has been a 42 percent increase in newly diagnosed HIV cases amongst Irish gay and bisexual men last year, according to a report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). A third of the new cases were among men aged under 30. “The epidemiology of HIV in Ireland is complex and due to the voluntary nature of the reporting system, it is likely that the number of case reports is an underestimate,” said Dr Aidan O’Hora, HPSC specialist in public health medicine.

NEWS AMERICA UPHOLDS BLOOD DONATION BAN A government health committee in America has recommended not to revoke the ban on gay men donating blood but also called for new research on alternative policies, citing flaws in the current rules. Although gay men have been banned from giving blood since 1985, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing pressure to change the law from bloodcollection organisations and senators. Gay rights activists say the ban is discrimination, pointing out that a straight man having sex with a positive partner is prohibited for one year, while gay men face a lifetime ban.

ICELAND SAYS â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;YESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TO GAY MARRIAGE Icelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government has passed a law allowing same-sex partners to get married in a vote which met with unanimous approval. The parliament voted 49 to zero to change the wording of marriage legislation to include matrimony between â&#x20AC;&#x153;man and man, woman and woman.â&#x20AC;? Iceland became the first country to elect an openly gay head of state in 2009 when Social Democrat Johanna Sigurdardottir became Prime Minister being nominated by the party .

www.brockiewoodtv.com

IMPRISONED FOR SUPPOSED â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ENGAGEMENT PARTYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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A Pakistani man, Malik Muhammad Iqbal, who tried to get married to Rani, who was born a man but lives as a woman, is locked up in a Pakistani jail awaiting trial. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s law states: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were only celebrating my birthday,â&#x20AC;? said 18 year-old Rani. But prosecutors say it was a marriage that was taking place. They could face 10 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; imprisonment.

RECORD CROWD FOR PRIDE More than three million people took part in Sao Paoloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pride festival, easily making it the biggest LGBT celebration on Earth. The attendees gathered in South Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest city to condemn homophobia, demand equal rights and, of course, to party â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ahead of Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presidential election. Pride Director, Alexandre Santos, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bringing a strong theme this year (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vote Against Homophobiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) to encourage people to vote for candidates who really are doing something on behalf of LGBT people.â&#x20AC;?

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Queeras HOME MAKING SHABBY CHIC, AGAIN

Story by George Prior

It was a look that defined a £1,500 for them.” generation of living spaces. Now, it seems, it is back with a “Furnishings and accessories are vengeance. key to Edwards’ philosophy. “You can “One of the key interior design trends over the last six months has been that of shabby chic,” says interior designer, Katie Edwards. “People want the beauty, comfort and appeal of time-worn objects that have a warmth and familiarity.” The French-cottage feel of shabby chic is often created from oversized sofas, pillows made of vintage fabrics, chenille bedspreads, classic chandeliers, and rose-embossed prints. Another staple of this romantic interior style is antique furniture which has been painted white, or another soft pastel colour, and then ‘distressed’ at the corners. “One of the main reasons this beautiful style has become so popular again is that it is relatively cheap to create,” says Edward, who began her career some 25 years ago alongside Willie Nickerson, the interior guru whose clients include experience Sir Bob Geldof and the Rothschild family. “The shabby chic look allows you to take what you already have and change it to ‘zing up’ any room. And that is extremely important in today’s economic climate. You can have a beautiful room and you don’t have to buy a lot of things and spend a lot of money,” explains Edwards. Edwards tells of how she recently created a contemporary, on-trend, piece of furniture from an old chest of drawers. “They were that oldfashioned dark wood that you often see in older properties. But with some preparation, a natural glaze to add colour, modern drawer knobs and a bit of creative flair, the chest of drawers now look stunning. If you saw them in a designer shop you would probably pay up to about QUEER AS HOMES

change a whole room by adding a few well-chosen feature accessories,” she says. “By adding a rug, painting the doors or changing the handles, for example, the room’s look and feel can be altered. This way you don’t have to spend a fortune and it is adapted to suit your own taste.” According to Edwards, high-street chains like Zara Home and Ikea are boosting our experimental yearnings. “Thanks to these kinds of stores, you can go and buy cost-effective accessories and try them out in your home.”

understand their needs, spend time with them – even go shopping with them if necessary to get to know their likes and dislikes. And you can create chic on the cheap.” Choosing the right finish for your walls is a key element of course, Edwards suggests a range of cutting edge colours create a relaxing and welcoming environment. Her preferred pallette is based on soft colours from nature – desert sands and green-blues bring a sumptuous bloom to a room. Alongside this range Edwards advocates, a water-based paint designed to be used as a glaze or a

Edwards clearly has a passion that quality interiors need not cost a fortune and that individuality is crucial. “It is a myth that you need to spend a lot of money to create a beautiful home. And what is beautiful to some is the opposite for others. A home is, rightly, a very p e r s o n a l thing. That‘s why I never offer furniture packages as interiors cannot be ‘one size fits all’ for me. People are now realising that you need to add your own touch to make it special – and there are so many innovative ways to achieve this. It is so important to listen to the client,

stain on floors or furniture to get the shabby chic vibe. Edwards added: “A house is not just a piece of real estate, it’s first and foremost your home, your sanctuary.

QUEER AS HOMES

Inside QueerasHOMES Visitors to our website have been calling us about selling some of their goodies at home, so we have opened the doors to their homes. Here we have listed a few favourites, if anything appeals to you contact our office and quote the item number.

Louroiux Oyster Plates Set of 10

Prices do not include delivey. If you have some nice antiques or excessive clutter that you would like to sell and you would like to show them on QAH and perhaps have a chance of selling them to our readers please send some photos and a small description with an estimated price and one of the team from Inside Queer As Homes will contact you.

£300.00 Item: btv011

Send details to: queerashomes@brockiewoodtv. com To Purchase any of these items or items from previous issues. Contact 020 88 552196 ask for the Queer As Homes Sales items and quote the code number of the item. Payments taken over the phone, prices do not include postage and handling.

The Family Story of Lord Denning Copy is signed inside cover £45.00 Item: btv020

Hummel Angel with baby £425.00 Item: btv017

BROCKIEWOOD VISITS Queer as Homes

Beswick Dogs Set of 2 £45.00 Item: btv012

Valencia of Sapin Girl with lamb

(L) Hummel Plate apple tree £45.00

£95.00

Item: btv014

Item: btv013

Hummel Apple Tree Girl (L) £265.00 Item: btv016

Hummel Girl with Geese (L) £265.00 Item: byv018 Dragonware tea set 13 piece Geisha inside £445.00 Item: btv019

SPONSORS OF Q ueer As Homes www.brockiewoodtv.com

Queer as Homes

9IP8E 8;8DJ The best-selling male Canadian artist of all time (now that’s some accolade), 75 million album sales, Bryan Adams is coming to the UK, people! C’mon we all love a bit of middle-of-the-road rock and the odd power ballad. The Bare Bones series of intimate concerts is a special acoustic set of all Bryan Adams’ timeless hits Bradford, St George’s Hall: 13 Oct Birmingham: Alexandra Theatre: 15 Oct Ipswich, Regent Theatre: 16 Oct Salford, The Lowry 17 Oct Gateshead, The Sage - 18 Oct Glasgow, Concert Hall: 19 Oct

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The Prince of Wales his very self is inviting us all to this 12 day festival, where Clarence House will be opening up her gardens, together with the neighbouring gardens of Marlborough House and Lancaster House, from the 8th to the 19th of September 2010. As part of Prince Charles’ ‘Start’ initiative launched earlier this year, a host of musicians, TV personalities, comedians, as well as environmental experts will be present at this festival, with the main aim to show us 8th – 19th September, from 10am till 6pm Clarence House, London www.startuk.org

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GXcfdX =X`k_ If you go to one concert this year, make it Paloma Faith. The soulful songstress is a genius. So there. Likened to Ms Winehouse and Billie Holiday, Paloma Faith will be performing songs from her debut album Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful. Her tour begins in the Manchester Apollo, but aside from her own shows, Paloma, who seems to have provided the soundtrack to our lives over the last year, will also be at The Big Chill, as well as the V Festival.

9IF:B@<NFF; DIARY

The Big Chill Festival: 5- 8 August V Festival: 21-22 August Manchester, The Apollo: 3 October Wolverhampton, Civic Hall: 1 November London Hammersmith, HMV Apollo: 8 November

Sting, that’s the LOVELY Sting to us, is back. Oh yes. The Symphonicity tour kicks off with two performances at the Royal Albert Hall, followed by an-r other three dates in Manchester, Gateshead and Edinburgh. You’ll hear a new take on classics including Roxanne, Every Breath You Take and Desert Rose, as Sting is backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra in London, and Northern Sinfonia in Gateshead. You won’t wanna miss this… it’s STING for crying out loud! London, Royal Albert Hall: 1-2 October Manchester, MEN Arena: 4 October Gateshead, The Sage: 5 Octobe

MORE OR LESQUE

More or Lesque: It’s Burlesque Jim, But Not As You Know It, BROCKIEWOOD Chats to Kym Suttle. He sings, he dances, he choreographs, he’s an acrobat and a gymnast. And he’s hilarious. Oh, and he’s hot too. With this many talents you kinda want to dislike him; but that’s impossible as he oozes charm. Kym Suttle returns this month at the Tristan Bates Theatre with another hit show: More or Lesque. “The show is a sexy, witty combination of comedy, song, acrobatic dance, saucy innuendo and more than just a dash of seductive flesh – in fact I’ve been told to include more naked flesh on the publicity!” says Suttle. “There’s something for everyone, really,” he explains. “You could come with your friends, colleagues, your family, on your own...I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. “Although the title, More or Lesque, is a play on the tag ‘Burlesque,’ when people go to see traditional burlesque shows they go with certain expectations. This, I hope, will leave people going ‘Wow! That was amazing!” adds Suttle. It promises to be a lavish, raunchy show with a message. “It explores masculinity and femininity and the mainstream media, and the public at large seem more comfortable with children seeing images of violence than they are with seeing two men kissing.” The oh-so-athletic Mr Sutt le, who has a Master of Arts Degree in Choreography, moved to London 20 years ago from

BROCKIEWOOD Entertainment

Zimbabwe and South Africa. He explains how his passion started: “I started ballet when I was about eight years old but I gave it up as I got to that stage when it was getting embarrassing for me. I could kick myself now! “Then at university, I struck up a friendship with a professional dancer at a party and when we danced we discovered we had amazing synergy and she re-ignited my love for it.” Two years ago, ‘Major Suttle-Tease’ bagged himself first place in the prestigious Male Tournament of Tease with his ‘Brokeback Disco Boys’ duet that has played major venues, including the Royal Festival Hall. “Acts in the new show, More or Lesque, include Brokeback Rambos; Batman & Robin vs Catwoman; James Bond – Nobody undoes it better; Strip Ahoy!; Gay’s Anatomy and many more,” says Suttle. “There’ll be acrobatics, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap... you name it!”

Dates: 28th June - 17th July 2010 (no Sunday performances) Time: 8pm Tickets: £12 / £10 (Mondays nights £6) Venue: The Tristan Bates Theatre, 1a Tower Street, Covent Garden, London Box Office: www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk 020 7240 6283

PRIDE DIARY

JULY Pride 2010:

London Pride 4th July(photos inside) Bournemouth Pride 9th - 11th July Derby 10th July Euro Pride 17th July Reading Pride 18th July Belfast Pride 24th-31st July Thanet Pride 24th July Norwich Pride 25th July Hudderfield Pink Picnic 25th July Nottingham Pride 31st July

AUGUST Pride 2010:

Leeds Pride 1st August Brighton Pride 7th August Liverpool Pride 7th August Swindon Pride 14th August Bristol 16th-21st August Cambridge Pink Festival 21st August Doncaster 21st August Manchester 28th August Cornwall 28th August Gay Games viii- Cologne 31st August

SEPT Pride 2010: Cardiff-Wales Mardi-Gras 4th Sept For the latest update, please go online to www.brockiewoodtv.com

MANCHESTER PRIDE Manchester Pride, one of the biggest in the country, is this year pulling out all the stops – as you may have heard. Confirmed artists include the UK’s brightest soul star, Beverley Knight, and the cast of Coronation Street will be leading the parade. Highlights include the Pride Fringe (20-26th August), comprising a great range of events celebrating the full diversity of LGBT life through art, sport, culture, comedy, music, youth, film, women’s events and more; The Big Weekend - the 71 hour climax of Pride including The Parade, where a carnival atmosphere will fill the streets with all things glamorous and outrageous The Candlelit Vigil (30th August at 9pm in Sackville Gardens) is the spiritual heart of the weekend a - time to reflect and remember those we’ve lost to the virus, and to join together to fight the epidemic world-wide. . Essential info Dates: Fri-27th - 30th August Venue: Top of Deansgate to the Gay Village Website: www.manchesterpride.com LIVERPOOL PRIDE The Rainbow Circus is coming to town, people! Liverpool’s circus-themed Pride is promising a free day of fun, frolics, entertainers, glittering costumes (and lack of thereof) and some sensational live performances. The Pride March will launch the festivities at St George’s Plateau from 11.30am, before setting off an hour later on a route through the city centre. The parade will take in Roe Street, Hood Street, Whitechapel, Lord Street and Castle Street before coming to an end at 1.30pm on the main festival site, Dale Street at Exchange Street East. Essential info Dates: 7th August Venue: Main festival; Dale St at Exchange Street East Website: www.liverpoolpride.co.uk

CRUISING FOR YEARS GEORGE PRIOR PICTURED CRUISES TO BE A NIGHTMARE ON WATER. FOUR DAYS ON THE MED CHALLENGED HIS PRE-CONCEPTIONS. Before I’d met my partner three three years, I acquiesced and agreed years ago, I would never have to go on a short cruise around the Mediterranean to put my toe in the wagone on a cruise. ter, so to speak. Like many, I imagined a tacky, slightlycramped, floating package holiday that you couldn’t escape from. Or that it would be try-hard-formal and I’d have to wear a tuxedo to dinner (which would be at a fixed time) and share a table with The Dull Couple from The Isle of Man. Or it would be full of old people playing bingo. I’d heard about how wonderful the facilities are on modern ships; how grand the restaurants; how there’s a night club, an ice-rink and rock-climbing wall (the latter would never appeal to me, naturally); sail away parties and free-flowing cocktails…blah blah blah. Yet it still had never sparked any interest whatsoever. My partner, on the other hand, is nighon evangelical about cruises. So after TRAVEL

I mean how bad can it be sailing from Barcelona to the South of France, onto Ibiza (for a Saturday night stay at a time when the superclubs are holding their annual opening parties), then back to Barcelona? Boarding the Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas was a bit of a shock. As we rushed towards the ship (secretly imaging I’m in that bit at the beginning of Titanic where Kate’s hat boxes are being unloaded on the dock) it dawned on me just how big these things are. It was like standing next to a huge skyscraper. Also in dock were two other cruise liners which looked like tug boats in comparison. The ship is a staggering 1,020 feet long, has 15 decks, carries nearly 4,000 passengers, its main dining

room holds 1,889 people, and has a crew of 1,185. It’s big, okay? As we boarded I was pleased (read: ‘relieved’) to see that most people were younger than I’d feared. And almost all had their own teeth. As we queued to get our Sea Pass (as I was to find out it’s the magic card that does everything for you during your cruise from paying for your Piña Coladas to allowing you on and off the ship when it docks) there was a healthy mix of nationalities and languages too. With our cases being taken to our Stateroom (that’s cabin/bedroom to you or me, but they do prefer their own terminology) we were left to explore. Or more to the point, I was; as my partner had been on Adventure of the Seas several times before. Luckily, he acted as my tour guide as it is like working your way around a new city – and we only had four nights.

I quickly discovered the beauty of a cruise is that you can pretty much do what you want, when you like. For me, this included hot croissants and coffee brought to my room BEFORE going to breakfast; a session in the glass-fronted gym to work it off; sweating out the excesses in the sauna and steam rooms; lazing by the pool being brought glasses of wine and beer; pre-dinner vodkas in one of the countless bars; taking in a camp show in a vast theatre that puts most West End venues in the shade; losing almost everything except the clothes on my back in the casino; and devouring a freshly-cooked Margherita Pizza as I left the ship’s nightclub at 4am. I’m not into shopping (there’s a large shopping mall), dance classes (you could learn the entire Strictly back catalogue if you wish), beauty treatments (in the full-on hair and beauty salon), mini-golf, or the aforementioned rockclimbing, but I seemed to be very busy nonetheless. But it was ‘busy’ when I chose. TRAVEL

Admittedly however, I did spend a LOT of time on a sun-bed in the glorious sunshine over-looking the pools (and the eye candy) and being brought drinks. As you can probably tell, I easily surpassed that old adage: for every day you’re on a cruise you’ll gain a pound in weight. So as it turns out, I do like a cruise. I liked the constant variety. A deck-top Jacuzzi? An ice-cream in a quaint French harbour? The sunsets? A large drink in a late-night piano bar? Fundamentally, there is something very enchanting about waking up in a different place, a different country even, than when you went to bed. And as the brochures always say “you only have to unpack once.” The fact that I didn’t even get off the Adventure of the Seas on our night stop in Ibiza, to enjoy the deck-top Latin Party instead, speaks volumes about how complete my cruise conversion is.

EDINBURGH

IT’S CHARISMATIC, THROWS THE UK’S BIGGEST FESTIVALS AND HAS A SPLIT PERSONALITY. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT EDINBURGH? It is not surprising that the city, which inspired The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, is a city of dazzling contrasts. The Scottish capital has some of the world’s liveliest festivals and yet also has a measured, scientific side to its soul. It’s a city that gave the world the fizzing exuberance of Hogmanay, the finest whiskies, as well as the exacting, precise genius of Alexander Graham Bell.

(and there will be lots of them, be warned) to Edinburgh Castle. As soon as you enter the city, it’ll draw your eyes and demand attention as it rises above anything else on its imposing granite cliff.

There are breath-taking views from the upper stories of the castle, and on a clear day you’ll be able to see the cold North Sea in the distance. From the castle, go and explore spooky Real Mary King’s Close, a Edinburgh is perched along a series of 17th-century street that was lost for ancient, extinct volcanoes overlooking the centuries. North Sea. The city embraces the striking physicality of its landscape, with buildings Not far away you’ll come across the and monuments rising boldly on crags National Museum of Scotland which and cliffs. And for my money, it has some will give you a thorough de-briefing on the country. Even if you don’t go of the best sunsets in the UK. The city’s wonderful contrasts in char- to the museum itself, the restaurant acter are beautifully illustrated with Old on its premises, Tower, is worth a Town and New Town. The former’s quaint stop. hodgepodge of medieval homes piled Finish off your Old Town exploration high along the Royal Mile, is strikingly dif- with a stroll past the alien-looking, ferent to the New Town’s tidy, symmetrical, and controversial, Scottish Parliament Building before scaling the neoclassic columns and grids. In Old Town you have many of the city’s wild landscape of Arthur’s Seat – it’s most iconic sights within walking distance not as scary as it sounds - for a of each other. Start with a walk up the stun- panoramic look at the entire city. ning Royal Mile, and follow the crowds BROCKIEWOOD TRAVEL

The quirkiness of the Old Town gives way to the orderly, elegant New Town. A walk across the manicured Princes Street Gardens brings you to this smart, Georgian part of town (as you do this, remember to look back as you’ll see Old Town and the Castle in their full glory). New Town’s 18th century streets and plazas are home to an outstanding array of shops plus some of Scotland’s most impressive restaurants. If New Town has whet your appetite for the finer things in life, you could visit the Royal Yacht Britannia in port of Leith and have a poke around the SEPARATE his and hers bedrooms for the Queen and Prince Phillip! Gay life in Edinburgh is focused in and around Broughton Street. The Street, mostly frequented by a cool, urban crowd, right at the top of Broughton is a top-end café during the day and morphs into a swanky pre-club bar by night. Planet, on Leith Walk, is thriving at weekends bringing together an ecclectic mix of Edinburgh’s trendies.

“Festivals are Edinburgh’s specialty ” .

On the flipside, CC Blooms is a kind of end-of-the night club (when you can’t be bothered to be ‘cool’ any more) and there’s a fantastically hedonistic atmosphere on the dance floor in the basement. You may not ever want to leave. Edinburgh may not be Ibiza, but it has a handful of gay clubs that will suit most visitors, including Vibe at Ego and Club Velvet.

the explosion of art which takes over the city each August. It is in fact made up of a variety of festivals including the International Festival.

The Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Book Festival, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Jazz Festival and Edinburgh Mela. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is taking place from 6th to As club nights vary so frequently, espe- 30th August this year, is the largest cially around Festival time, up to the min- arts festival on Earth and attracts ute information on what’s happening, and tens of thousands of visitors. where, is best sought by someone who lives there. Someone like Robin Jack. To say the New Year celebrations Robin is at the helm of Ardmour House, are big in Edinburgh would be an a gay-owned, straight-friendly hotel in the under-statement. Hogmanay has centre of the town. become the world’s most famous New Year celebration with more Ardmour House offers five, stunning, con- than a quarter of a million people temporary rooms in a lovingly-restored Vic- taking part each year. torian House, which The Times described as “chic, laid-back and fabulous.” Hogmanay events begin on 29 December with a free procession with Peak season in Edinburgh is during The participants carrying flaming torchFestival and at Hogmanay (New Year’s es along the Royal Mile, where a reEve), and many hotels and guest houses production Viking ship is set alight. will require a minimum stay. You can purchase a torch to carry in the parade, though you’ll need to Festivals are Edinburgh’s specialty. ‘The pick up a voucher ahead of time to Edinburgh Festival’ is a broad name for claim one. BROCKIEWOOD TRAVEL

The following night features a street carnival and an army of bagpipes. Don’t party too hard so as you’re not “en point” for the 31st. Take your whisky (it’ll keep you warm if nothing else) and head to the streets for the mammoth street party. Concert stages will appear all over and many international A-listers clamour to perform (Blondie and Moby are two if you’d like me to name drop). It’s advisable you get tickets well before Hogmanay for the events. Edinburgh is a city of philosophy and high-brow thinkers; of science and literature; of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. At the same time, it’s a city of raucous pubs and over-the-top eateries; of debauched comedians and all night parties; of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots. Unlike Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde, the dual personality of the Scottish capital is all good.

22 22

Buff

Photo: Mathew Mitchan Flys Lufthansa to Cologne Photographer: William Cheung

LET THE GAMES BEGIN At the end of this month, more than 10,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender athletes from 70 countries, plus spectators and supporters, will descend upon the German city of Cologne for the 2010 Gay Games. This truly international, and truly queer, event is the eighth sporting and cultural extravaganza of its kind. This year’s program offers an inspiring Opening and Closing Ceremony, 34 different sports, five cultural events, an associated arts festival and a variety of workshops, parties and city events. So what kind of disciplines are the participants competing in? There’s quite a list and this isn’t even exhaustive: Diving, Swimming, Water polo, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bodybuilding, Cycling, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Golf, Handball, Ice Hockey, Inline Speed Skating, Martial Arts, Power Lifting, Road Races (including a Marathon), Sailing, and Dance Sports. The usual suspects for a major, global sporting event, you’ll probably agree. Only in these Games, the boys dance with the boys and the girls figure skate with the girls. The Gay Games were the brainchild of Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. The aim was to achieve acceptance for the LGBT community through sport. Subsequent Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants) and Chicago (2006, 11,500 participants). Kelly Stevens, an American competitor and spokesman says: “The Gay Games are founded of the principles of ‘Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best.’

Unlike the Olympics, for example, the Gay Games are open to everyone, regardless of athletic ability. You don’t even be gay to compete; this is the ‘inclusive’ part of the mantra coming in; and participation is more greatly valued than smashing records. This means that the Gay Games usually attract more competitors than the Olympics. It’s a sad fact that sport remains one of the few areas where gay people are still discriminated against. There are but a few of top-of-their-game sportsmen and women who are openly gay. “Sport seems to be the last part of society where there’s a degree of tolerance of homophobia. In soccer, for example, the world’s biggest sport, gay and straight players are taunted if they make a mistake and it’s time we got rid of this. Gay players may not want to come out to face the abuse and jeers. Others, presumably, dare not risk their sponsorship deals. “This is why the Gay Games are so important – to change perceptions, become visual and professional and to break down barriers. Sport can change society. If a small country has three or four competitors in the Gay Games , for example, and they then go back to their countries as ‘ambassadors,’ they can make a real difference. “It’s not just the athletes though. We also recruit straight officials and referees so their perceptions change and they go back to their sport and spread the word – and will become less tolerant of taunting on the soccer pitch, for example.”

show!” says Stevens. “We certainly know how to do it in style.” So why Cologne? “Well, to many it is the gay capital of Germany! I know some lesbians (family members) who can’t get enough of it. It’s a beautiful city, located on the River Rhine, is the country’s fourth largest city, and hosts one of the largest European pride festivals (Christopher Street Days). It also has Europe’s oldest city-wide LGBT sports club (s.c. Janus).” “The Gay Games has the full backing of the local government and business community, and locating the event here gives attendees a chance to visit one of Europe’s oldest gay-friendly cities,” explains Stevens. “Recently the country’s Foreign Minister, who is an openly-gay man became the patron of the event.” As for the future, Kelly Stevens says “out reach,” - especially in developing countries or in countries where there are questionable gay rights issues - is the way forward. “We held our general meeting in Cape Town in 2008 and people came from all over Africa – even from countries where homosexuality is illegal. And there seems to be a growth in the number of openly gay athletes from China.” .

Each Games adopt a theme and tag line. “Be part of it! is our slogan this year,” confirms Stevens. “This event brings everyone together and all are encouraged to participate at whatever level or in whichever way.” More than 46,000 guests, in addition to the participants are expected for the Opening Ceremony at the RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne, home of the famous Cologne Football Club. “It’s going to be quite a

Photo: Kelly Stevens Story : George Prior

PERSONAL VOICES

With Pride season well underway, two Pride organisers tell us about their motivation.

Bristol has never really had a Pride to shout about, a sorry state of affairs for the sixth largest city in the UK. However, 2010 is going to be the year when Bristol can really show its Pride.. ‘People might think Cancer research, programming robots and scientific calculations are tough – they should try organising a Pride Festival in a recession! Pride is long hours and late nights. Thankfully it’s also inspirational people, creativity, smiles and teamwork. We’re all committed to creating an event to be proud of; an event that challenges homophobia positively and imaginatively. Pride Bristol celebrates the achievements of LGBT people and unites our diverse community on the basis of the values and experiences we share. Gay people are often portrayed as fickle, but there’s something about Pride that reaches into the hearts of scene-queens, emo kids and politigays alike. There’s a deep-rooted belief in tolerance, and a wonderful capacity to accept people for who they are. Bristol’s a buzzing cultural city, but also one where LGBT people are strangely invisible. Whilst there’s something to be said for blending into the background, we believe visible role models are hugely important, particularly to younger LGBT people. We’re working with the biggest venues in the city to give platforms to LGBT people. This whole event is also about establishing beneficial partnerships - within the LGBT community, with non-LGBT people, with businesses with the press. We’ve faced some hostility, but we’re a resilient bunch!’ Committee Chair Simon Nelson, who is an Equalities officer at Bristol City Council outlines his hopes for Pride Bristol. “It’s great to be involved with Pride Bristol and importantly helping to deliver our key message of equality and diversity. I hope this year’s starting point for Pride can be built on with more LGB T people getting involved and helping to ensure that Pride remains free and inclusive for all. It’s been a pleasure to see so many other enthused people willing to give up their time and efforts for free to help benefit the wider community, without which there could be no Pride. Bring it on!” Sometimes the ‘T’ in LGBT is silent or ignored, the Pride Bristol team are adamant that this should not be the case with their Pride. Trans Liaison Dylan Glynn says: “Pride to me has always been disappointing. As a member of the trans commuPERSONAL VOICES

nity I have always felt unrepresented and forgotten at other Pride events. I got involved with Pride Bristol because I saw the opportunity to do something wonderful. I saw the chance to integrate the T into the rest of the L, G and B festivals, in a way it had not been done before. I saw Pride Bristol as a great chance for us to show how diverse and wonderful our community is. There are so many Transgender, Transsexual and Gender Variant people living and working in the South West, it’s about time there was an event which does the community justice.” Daryn J Carter and Amy Wilson who spend countless hours working for Pride explain why they are involved. “Pride’s a really important event for me, we need to celebrate Bristol’s diverse LGBT community and is open to everyone. It gives people that safe place to come together and be themselves and the chance for our community to feel empowered. I’m working on fundraising and coordinating events - a great experience, if a little challenging at times!’ says Daryn. Amy adds: “I joined the team determined that Bristol would have a Pride Festival to be proud of. Talking to volunteers over the past few months it’s clear that we all feel the same - Bristol should have a Pride celebration on a par with the rest of the world. The amount of people helping to ensure Pride happens is astonishing .From arranging fundraisers, to researching grants, to programming events, volunteers have helped shape and drive this festival. This is a truly an event for the community by the community.” Pride Week runs from Saturday 14 August to Saturday 21 August. Events include: stand up from comedienne and writer Rhona Cameron, a literary event featuring Stella Duffy and Paul Burston, theatre, an LGBT film festival, exhilarating afterparties and a free festival in Castle Park Central Bristol on the 21st.

BRISTOL PRIDE .

PERSONAL VOICES

LIVERPOOL PRIDE . Before 2010, Liverpool was the largest city in the country that hasn’t had its own official pride festival.The city, and the region have had a number of high profile homophobic and transphobic attacks in recent years. At the launch of the LGB&T Network the public voted for a pride festival to engage, empower and involve the LGB&T communities within the city and this was fully endorsed by Liverpool City Council in January 2009. Now, Liverpool Pride 2010 will celebrate the diverse community of one of Europe’s leading cultural cities. There are a lot of people involved with helping us make Liverpool Pride 2010 the best the city has ever known. It’s a team effort, that’s for sure. Take David Graham, for example. As a gay Liverpudlian, David was keen to volunteer his graphic design services to Liverpool Pride and be part of history in the making. The promotional material and logo that he has designed reflects the colourful, unique and exciting event which Liverpool Pride promises to be. For his part, David says: “I have noticed that Liverpool’s gay scene and community has become increasingly more visible since I returned to the city after 15 years living in London. Liverpool Pride will be a memorable event that will put Liverpool’s gay scene on the map to rival other cities. I hope that this is the first of many annual pride events to come in our amazing city.” Then of course, there’s our Programme Director, Debbie Boyd. Debbie has been a prolific and creative business person in Liverpool for many years and has developed a great network throughout the city. Taking on board the challenge of Liverpool Pride was for Debbie a great honour and she has pulled together her contacts to create an exciting and ambitious Pride programme. “I have loved every second of organising Pride, as you can imagine it’s been a remarkable journey, probably one of my most interesting jobs to date!” she says. The Event Manager, Dave Robinson, organised the World Firefighter Games 2008, filling the city with attractive firemen and women, so Liverpool Pride couldn’t refuse his offer to be our hero! Tommy McIlravey is the Chair of Liverpool Pride & LGB&T Network which has successfully campaigned for an official Liverpool Pride Festival. He has lived in Liverpool for 17 years and has spent much of that time working

toward LGBT equality in the city, through organisations such as Queer Notions, Sahir House and the Michael Causer Foundation. “I’m so glad we have finally made this happen, it’s going to be massive...” he says. This year’s Rainbow Circus theme has caught the imagination of so many people. The Rainbow Circus’ Ring Mistress has cracked her whip and the acts have come running! Headlining the day are gay icon and Coronation Street star Adam Rickitt, who will perform his hit singles ‘Breathe Again’ and ‘Everything My Heart Desires’ and 90s Club Diva, Rozalla, who will perform her club land smash ‘Everybody’s Free’ in addition to some of her other hits including ‘Are You Ready To Fly’ and ‘I Love Music’. Also sure to woo crowds is Happy Mondays and X-Factor star Rowetta, who will be joined by the Liverpool based AJ Productions dance troupe to perform a number of classic tunes in the way that only this soul diva can. Our Pride March, will kick-start the festivities in style on Saturday 7th August. We’d love to see as many people there as possible and we’re encouraging everyone to bring banners, flags, posters, glittering costumes (or lack thereof) and most importantly their friends and families. The march will set off at 12.30pm from St George’s Plateau on a route through Liverpool city centre, which will take in Roe St, Hood St, Whitechapel, Lord St and Castle St before coming to an end at 1.30pm on the main festival site; Dale St at Exchange Street East. The end of the march will be marked with a speech from the main stage, before we strike up the live acts on the three stages and the Rainbow Circus themed celebrations begin throughout the Dale St area. We really want to give one of Europe’s most iconic cities a Pride to remember.

PLAYLIST

by Johnny V

SIA | WE ARE BORN The fourth album from the Australian singer/songwriter, ‘We Are Born’ sees a more mainstream, uplifting pop edge to the usually soul-jazz inspired previous albums. The first release ‘Clap Your Hands’ has an infectious beat and snappy lyrics, which will be buzzing around your head all day. Sia’s big influences on this album include Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. There’s even an impressive cover of Madonna’s ‘Oh Father’. ‘You’ve Changed’, has already been remixed to the max, and featured in hit US TV series The Vampire Diaries. Sia has also written songs for Christina Aguilera’s new album ‘Bionic’, described by Christina herself as ‘the heart of the record’. OK, you might not be jumping around your living room to it, but there’s enough great tracks on ‘We Are Born’ to be a firm favourite on your iPod.

KYLIE | APHRODITE Oh yes. Our girl is back. Kylie’s 11th studio album Aphrodite is everything we could wish for from the pop princess. Described as going back to her dance-floor roots, there’s not even a hint of a ballad on this album. The first single ‘All The Lovers’ said to give Kylie herself goose-bumps, highlights exactly what this euphoric album has to offer. With song-writing talent from the likes of the lovely Miss M herself, Calvin Harris, Jake Shears and Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley, Aphrodite is our Kylie at her best. ‘Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)’ is pure Minogue genius, title Track ‘Aphrodite’ will leave you begging for more (yes we CAN feel you in the stereo Kyles), and the ridiculously catchy ‘Get Outta My Way’ will leave you spinning around the dancefloor. The 12 heavenly pop melodies on Aphrodite sees Kylie bring sexy back in a HUGE way. Yeah, like it ever left.

HED KANDI | DISCO HEAVEN A Glittering Selection of the Sexiest Disco House. What more does one need in their CD collection? Hed Kandi has done it again. The Disco Heaven collection started back in 2002, filling our world with uplifting tracks, old and new, each meticulously chosen to the strict Hed Kandi standard. With anthems from Nightriders, Gary Caos, Shena and Phase 2 on disc 1, and Tina More, Sean Biddle and Emanuel Kosh on disc 2, every self-respecting disco diva needs this latest HK offering in their collection. This one, with ‘the freshest funk-fuelled disco house’ does what it says on the tin.

FANTASIA | BACK TO ME Nominated for eight Grammy awards, likened to Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan, oh, and the winner of the third series of American idol, Fantasia Barrino, is back with her third album, Back To Me. This latest offering takes us back to a younger Fantasia, almost telling us her life story. Amongst the songwriters and producers on this album, you’ll find Missy Elliott, John Legend, Ne-Yo, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and The Stereotypes. Tracks such as ‘Bittersweet’, (rumoured to be the first single to be released from the album, ‘The Thrill is Gone’ (featuring Cee-Lo), and ‘Who’s Been Lovin’ You’ showcase Fantastia’s superb talent. 3SIXTY PLAYLIST

SCREENBURN DVD | A SINGLE MAN

Based on Christopher Isherwood’s novel, and directed by Tom Ford, A Single Man is a piece of cinematic genius. Colin Firth plays George Falconer, a professor of Literature based in LA in 1962. Without even a hint of Mark Darcy or a Christmas jumper, Firth captures the intense grief of a man who lost his long term partner in a car accident eight months previously. The film centres around one single day, where George Falconer plans to commit suicide that evening. A series of events, involving his best friend Charley, brilliant portrayed by Julianne Moore, one of his students, and a Spanish male prostitute, lead to a change of heart, when Falconer eventually comes to terms with his grief. Watching A Single Man makes you wonder how Firth didn’t walk away with the Best Actor Oscar this year. His stylish, sensitive, perfect performance, coupled with Ford’s directing genius, will earn A Single Man pride of place in everyone’s DVD collection.

To Order Your Copy Send a checque for £8.50 + P+P made payable to Queer As Talent 1005 Maritime House, Greens End, London, SE18 6HB

BROCKIEWOOD SCREEN BURN

SCREENBURN

CINEMA | NIGHT AND DAY . Ahhh Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. They’re so pretty. Directed by James Mangold, Knight and Day follows the ‘crazy’, actionpacked, adventure between Roy Miller (Cruise), a secret agent, and June Havens (Diaz), who’s apparently ‘unlucky-in-love’. Well, there’s no hope for the rest of us. The pair meets on a blind date, and end up on an international mission dodging bullets, changing identities, not knowing who to trust. Now it’s all gone a bit Spiderman. Diaz obviously asked for her blind date to have a GSOH, as Mr Cruise would give Victoria Wood a run for her money in this film. The on-screen chemistry between TomCam in Knight and Day is a delight to watch, they look amazing, they’ll make you laugh. Call us shallow, but that’s enough for us.

DVD | THE RUNAWAYS . Starring Kristen Stewart and the ever popular, can-do-no-wrong, Dakota Fanning, The Runaways chronicles the formation of the all-girl rock band of the same name back in 70’s California. An overly manipulative manager and a sluggish rise to fame in the US causes problems with the band, until they smash it in Japan, and become instant megastars. Stewart and Fanning perform brilliantly as Joan Jett and Cherie Curry, with Fanning bringing an unprecedented rawness to the role, helped along by a killer soundtrack. With a stunning feature directorial debut from Floria Sigismondi, the film, based on Cherie Curry’s book ‘Neon Angels’ highlights how harsh the rise to fame was for these young all- American girls. The Runaways is perhaps not a nice Sunday afternoon hangover film, but will certainly bring out the rock chick in all of us.

DVD | BOUNTY HUNTER . An indulgent rom-com starring Rachel from friends and that cute Scottish actor, sorry, the ‘are they aren’t they’ Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. An indulgent rom-com starring Rachel from friends and that cute Scottish actor, sorry, the ‘are they aren’t they’ Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. Directed by Andy Tennant, The Bounty Hunter sees Aniston as Nicole, an investigative reporter, being tracked down by her bounty hunting ex-husband Milo, played by the lovely Mr. Butler, for failing to appear in court over a traffic offence. Sounds good eh? Predictably, you instantly warm to Aniston’s character, but when the ‘action’ steps up a gear, with the plot involving a corrupt cop, debt collector, and an odd tattoo artist, you begin to wish a Labrador called Marley would come bounding in. Christine Baranski brings the humour back as Nicole’s mother, and the last third of the film sees the off screen chemistry between Aniston and Butler transfer on screen, but it’s a bit too late now. Mr and Mrs Smith it isn’t, Mr and Mrs Average…maybe.

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100 ARTISTS COME TOGETHER FOR PRIDE

Following the hugely successful 100 Artists for World AIDS Day event, organiser Hizze Fletcher, from thirteen Art Productions, is bringing together another 100 high-profile artists to raise money for Brighton and Hove Pride.

Hizze says: “This is going to be a really strong event and we’d love to see everyone there. If you’re an artist, and would like to exhibit, why not give us a call? And visitors, come and see the exhibition for yourselves – not only will you be supporting a cause which has helped all LGBT people, you’ll have a brilliant time.”

Murder by Hizze

“100 Artists for Pride, which will take place on 25th July, will be a great day out for everyone. Having raised a good deal of awareness and money during our World AIDS Day event, we thought it would be a good idea to support another worthwhile cause for the LGBT community: Pride. “Pride is so important, even today. It’s a time when we can all take time out to make a big statement; do something worthwhile for the good of us all; be proud…and, well, really enjoy ourselves!” says Hizze. The exhibition takes place at The Twilight Gallery, a new art venue at The Jing Institute, in the heart of Brighton. “All the art will be on sale and a minimum of 10% will be donated to Pride, as well as all the profits from the launch day. There’ll be refreshments, a lucky dip, and some fantastic live music and entertainment,” explains Hizze. If you can’t make it on 25th July, an additional two openings will be held on 29th July and 5th August from 6 p.m and will include featured talks by the artists.

Bunny Red By Eve Poland

The Jing Institute: 28-29 Bond Street, Brighton If you would like to exhibit please contact Hizze Fletcher hizjam@hotmail.com. More information can be found at www.100artists. co.uk Top Pictue (L) Disco boy by Holly Revell

BROCKIEWOOD Feature

FASHION & Style MODEL Roberta Liutkute@Trend Models Bcn

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TENDER IS THE NIGHT

HIS FASHION & Style

Celebrate summer 2010 by mixing beachwear and urbanwear together. Combine cutting-edge Califiornia-cool with opposing, Ibiza-inspired, prints for the ultimate look this season. If the full-on clash of colour and design is too, too much â&#x20AC;&#x201C; take a few signature pieces of the look and tone it down with some of your more subtle pieces.

Images and items from asos.com

HIS CALIFORNIA-COOL

HERS FASHION &

Style

London-based designer: Heidi Mottram, is flying the flag for eel skin which is being seen a new, fresh alternative to traditional leathers. And A-listers and dedicated followers of fashion, including celeb model and fierce bad ass, Sophie Anderton, are being won over in their droves. “It feels amazing, is soft, strong and takes colour really well,” says Mottram who has worked with the likes of Vivienne Westwood and launched her own label in 2007. Join the in-crowd with Ms Mottram’s stunning new range of gemstonecoloured handbags and purses which use pleating, ruching and folding techniques to create dynamic shapes and design.

HERS LONDON BAGS IT

36 3SIXTY SOCIAL ISSUES

HIV & News EDDIE SURMAN TRUST AND POSITIVELINE, A VITAL HELPLINE TAHT REMAINS OPEN WHEN PEOPLE REALLY NEED IT, REACH A LANDMARK 14TH ANNIVERSARY 2010 marks the 14th anniversary of the Eddie Surman Trust, which I set up following the death of my partner Eddie. He took his own life on the eve of his 21st birthday. Eddie and I had lived together for a couple of years. We had an amazingly close relationship and I believed that I knew all of his fears and worries, but I was very wrong. Although we had a very honest relationship the one thing that Eddie could not talk to anyone about was his fear of becoming ill because he was HIV-positive. Back then I had already been positive for over nine years and I was not on medication but Eddie had been put on treatment shortly after being diagnosed. In his mind medication equaled illness and that it would not be long before he fell ill. In a letter Eddie had left for me, he told me that he had never been so happy in his life, had never felt so loved and that he did want me or his mother to see him become ill. He felt secure enough to take his own life because he did not think that his life would get any better. After his death I wondered where other young people in a similar situation would turn to. There were plenty of agencies and help lines, but none of them seemed to target their help at younger people and none of them seemed equipped to deal with issues around suicide. It was almost a taboo subject, but

it soon became clear to me that Eddie was one of many men who feel there is nothing left for them but to end their lives. Positiveline was born after merging with the Body Positive helpline and is now one of the largest helplines in the country and is still a freephone number. All of our volunteers are themselves HIV-positive and I feel this is essential if you are to help other positive people. The help line is open everyday of the year, including bank holidays, Easter, Christmas and the New Year - all times of the year when we are very busy. I have never understood why most major agencies and helplines close over the weekends and holiday periods when they are needed the most. I have never claimed that I could stop someone from taking their life but I do try to explain to them that there must be another way of dealing with the darkness they find themselves in. I do not think suicide is a selfish action, it is everyone’s option, but personally I don’t think it is the right way, and sometimes all that people need is someone to talk to, someone who listens to their worries and fears and, if necessary, someone to give them a cuddle. I know for a fact that Positiveline has saved many lives over the years and that was the aim of the trust. I also am able to tell someone who is feeling suicidal from my own experiences that your loved ones will never be the same again. Suicide is a very difficult death for those left behind to understand and even after twelve years. Eddie dying in my arms is as clear now as if it happened yesterday.

positive for over 22 years reassures the caller that HIV is not the killer it once was and that can break the ice for many callers. Callers can also make an appointment to see us without any red tape and usually within 6 hours (or less, if it is an emergency) and our phones are answered by human beings, not machines, during opening hours! I feel very proud that we have survived so long without government funding because that has allowed us to be the human face of HIV in a time where all the small and safe drop in centres have either closed or been taken over by a monopoly that swallows everything it can get hold of and turns it into another clone of itself. Almost to the point that positive people seem to be an inconvenience to them in many cases. There will always be someone to talk to you, to listen to you, give you as much time as you need without watching the clock and, most important of all, to give you that cuddle. You are not alone. Pick up the phone and call us today.

POSITIVELINE 0800-1696806 or eddiesurmantrust@hotmail. com Open Mon to Friday 11am – 10pm. Saturday & Sunday 4pm – 10pm Peter Shapcott, Director

Positiveline helps and supports people who are suicidal, depressed, confused about treatments, scared about getting an HIV test, newly diagnosed or worried about how to tell partners, family or friends. I think that the fact that I have now been SOCIAL ISSUES

YOU WANT TO STILL BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR GA GAME

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TALK MENTAL WELL-BEING

The person depicted in this advert is a model.

Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about how HIV and HIV-related therapy may affect your physical and mental well-being. A Promise for Life

Date of preparation: November 2009 AXKAL092987

Out & About in SYLVIA TOSUN

Each month singer/songwriter, record label boss, and queen of the NYC social scene, Sylvia Tosun, let’s us in on her fabulous life.

“Meet Me Up Stairs...” You probably don’t know this about me yet, but my life is occupied with more than just singing. I also satisfy my creative passions with my own interior design business, Pentasia Designs. Most recently, I’ve been a part of designing this brand new 5 Star roof top lounge at the very upscale Kimberly Hotel in NYC. Simply called “Upstairs”, the place is 30 floors above Manhattan, featuring 360 degree views of NYC, retractable glass ceilings and walls, and gorgeous furniture from B&B Italia, and Moooi. To top it off, the iconic Chrysler Building provides the skyline centerpiece view. Now the funny thing for you Brits across the pond is that I am also involved in designing the Lobby level restaurant at the Kimberly Hotel…. Do you see where I am going with this? Upstairs/Downstairs anyone? Yes, I did some research ;) Known as “The Dandy” to worldwide fashionistas, Patrick is the one person who personifies New York City by his look, his genius, his attitude and his sheer sense of style and panache.

NYC

Photo by Mike Ruiz

Beats at the beach in the city…!!! On Memorial Day weekend I headed over to summer outdoor hot spot, Water Taxi Beach. Throughout the summer weekend days and nights are packed at this great location that exists on the Queens side of the East River and faces a gorgeous view of the NYC skyline (The Empire State Building dead center). On this particular lovely day Sea to Sun Recording artists and DJ’s Sted-E & Hybrid Heights were booked to spin their flavorful beats. Aqua vitae in hand, we watched the sun set beyond the skyline as we bounced to the infectious house grooves.

The Countess makes a Splash…. Reality TV Star (The Real Housewives of New York City), model, author, and dear friend of mine, Countess Luann De Lesseps, has a new notch on her belt; Recording Artist. In support of her debut single she performed at premiere NYC Gay nightclub, Splash Bar. The boys absolutely loved her! The energy exuding from the crowd as she worked OUT AND ABOUT IN NYC

her way on stage was incredible, and they all sang along with every word to her song “Money Can’t Buy You Class”. Afterward, a group of us including the Countess headed to the legendary restaurant and club, Cipriani, for more cocktails and dancing!

Stars abound for a worthy cause… A couple of weeks ago I attended a wonderful annual charity event for the Wayuu’ Taya Foundation at the Stephen Weiss Studio. Attendees included a who’s who of the music, fashion, literary, and media industries. Walking upstairs to the cocktail area (prior to the dinner and auction) I was introduced to entertainment mogul, Russell Simmons, as well as Andre Balazs, celebrity Hotel Developer and Entrepreneur, who has had a long time relationship with Uma Thurman. Once seated for dinner, the festivities opened up with an impressive solo piano performance by Elew who has risen to great notoriety since President Obama selected him to perform at the White House. His hip renditions of edgy pop music classics such as

Nirvana’s “Teen Spirit” were a nice surprise and prelude to what was an entertaining and memorable event. As I sat at the table, sitting next to me was someone that seemed familiar. Turns out it was Elizabeth Ziff co-creator of the popular and groundbreaking American TV series The L Word. Shortly after that, I was given an introduction to an incredible writer who I greatly admire Marianne Williamson (Age of Miracles, A Woman’s Worth, etc.). Just before leaving the event I was introduced to Wyclef Jean who had performed a fun musical set which I must say was definitely the highlight of the evening. He had everyone off their bums and dancing. When I mentioned that we had a mutual acquaintance (Israeil born Hip Hop violinist, Miri BenAri) Wyclef asked me if I was able to sing in Hebrew (which I actually can do). He gave me his personal phone # to be in touch…. Wow, do I really have a chance to work with him?! Stay tuned…

PHOTO: DJ’ Sted at Water Taxi Beach

Countess

Murray, ey rs Je t s i l ty S : sh a pl S at ge ta Backs Countess and Sylvia

OUT AND ABOUT IN NYC

up close

PERSONAL

Tony V gets up Close and Personal with LEE ‘MEMPHIS’ KING Lee ‘Memphis’ King is officially the world’s greatest Elvis Presley tribute artist. How do we know this? Well, he won World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist at the Collingwood Elvis Festival, which is held annually in Canada, and is the largest and most-respected Elvis contest and festival on the planet. How did it feel to win that huge accolade: The World’s Greatest Elvis Tribute? It was a huge honour. I felt very proud as I always try and put on not only the best show I can, but also the most authentic. It was a great moment as it was as though I really had captured the essence of Elvis! Tell us about this new show. This show is a complete retrospective of his entire career in chronological order to tell the story as it was. So we go from the early 50’s with songs like Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Love Me Tender and Jailhouse Rock; to the Comeback Special; to the Vegas/ 70’s era with songs like The Wonder Of You, American Trilogy and Burning Love. We’ve introduced big screens, more authentic costumes to keep one step ahead of the pack – and for my own, personal satisfaction of doing the absolute best show. After all these years, do you still get the same buzz every time you go on stage? Yes. I love it and I’m constantly learning more and more. It’s a great feeling singing those songs with an orchestra and singers. Do you encourage people to join in? I don’t ‘actively’ encourage it – as Elvis didn’t either. But there are some songs which you just can’t help singing along to.

How did you become an Elvis tribute artist? It started when I was about five years old and saw one of his films. I was mesmerised. I was star-struck, I guess. From then on I began to imitate him and I suppose it has become a life-long obsession. I am a massive fan and I am obsessed with recreating the voice that Elvis had and delivering the songs as he did. Tell us about the costumes. Everyone loves the Elvis get-up, don’t they? And there are so many different ones: from the 50’s gear, to the black leather-clad ’68 Comeback Special to the iconic 70’s white jumpsuits. All the costumes are accurate in every detail. Do you think his reign as The King will continue forever? Well, no-one has toppled him yet, have they? He was, is, and will be, a legend forever. For details about Lee ‘Memphis’ King’s nationwide tour, visit: www.leememphisking.com

What is your favourite Elvis song? There are so many – all of them special – but I think it would be Hurt. I also really enjoy performing The Wonder of You. Elvis - the King, the ever-enduring cultural and musical icon – why is he so popular? Firstly, the songs. They’re timeless and cross every kind of barrier (age, nationality…), everyone knows them and loves them. And there’s a song for every occasion and emotion. Then, of course, there’s the man himself. He had everything you could wish for in a star: the charisma, that voice, and the look. The man had the whole package!

BWOOD UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

FIRST SHOWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A SUCCESS T he Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth hosted the first episodes of Brockiewood Live in London, set to go to air this month.

The showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s producers Tony V, Lance Fougere and Graeme Austin, were pleased with the line-up of guests and the attendance of the audience. The show Brockiewood Live in London is a chat show, featuring celebrities from around the U.K, who also perform live in front of the audience, also covers important issues, such

as HIV and legal matters that concern the LBGT community. Guests on the first show were Ray Jordan and Rachelle Marie Walsh who will be hosting their own show on Brockiewood TV Channel called Hi Spirits. Rachelle shocked the audience with her ability as a medium and one of the guests were reached by her father who has passed over. Also, on the show was Jason Prince, you will catch his performance on the second show.

Brockiewood Live in London also opens the doors to sponsors who can show their goods on stage and the operator of Liberty Bodies an on line business operated by Janet Morley showed some of her camp gift lines and Kym opertor of Laurence Corner in Camden Lock Markets bought her military fashion and borrowed local bar, operator Phil Gizzie to model. Brockiewood live in London can be viewed on the TV Polari network on digital TV through set boxes or by going to www.brockiewoodtv.com

“ON THE SET OF BROCKIEWOOD LIVE ”

BROCKIEWOODTV

BROCKIEWOOD MOTORS

V8 SUPERCAR!

FERRARI 458 ITALIA It is hard to dispute that Ferrari must rank as the automotive brand that sits above all others. It remains pure to its roots. It is today what its founder – the great Enzo Ferrari – created back in 1929. This was a car company set up to race cars. When money became tight after the war, Enzo decided to build road cars to finance his passion for racing. Today, the company’s racing and road cars and interlinked as both arms relentlessly push at the boundaries of automotive technology. No other car maker comes close to the purity of purpose that Ferrari achieves. Ironically, the Ferrari racing team has until recently been at the top of its game. What will be remembered as the “Schumacher era” will also be remembered for the road cars 3BROCKIEWOOD MOTORS

of the time losing a certain “something.” Primarily, styling - a pre-requisite for a Ferrari – seemed to take a back seat. The driving experience remained as sensational as ever and there was no less drama to the way the cars looked, but somehow they were just not pretty or sensual. The critics were wondering if Ferrari had lost its way. The last car launched before the 458 Italia was the California, which while unmistakably a Ferrari, is cumbersome from some angles. One glance at the 458 Italia will tell you that just as the race team are scratching their heads, desperate for a return to form, the road car division has somehow managed at long last to produce a car that is jaw droppingly beautiful. Off course, styling is largely subjective, but it’s hard to find anyone, who likes cars, that is not mesmerised by

this machine. The 458 Italia is the latest in a line of mid-engined V8 supercars. Its 4.5 litre engine produces a huge 562Ps and will rev to 9000 rpm. Power is transmitted to the road via a sevenspeed twin-clutch gearbox. Despite this the car initially feels calm and civilised. Don’t be fooled though because as you get going you realise that the accelerator is a device that can unleash a soundtrack that will be heard for miles. The paddle shift twin –clutch gearbox produces lightening shifts that keep the engine well into its huge upper power range. This is an engine that you just want to rev and rev, not just because of the noise, but also because of the sheer urgency of its delivery.

“The interior is a sideshow” The real problem with a car like this, and in fact all supercars, is that outside of a racetrack there are precious little opportunities to use them.

If you are lucky enough to have that sort of money I am afraid you still can’t have one unless you are at the top of a three year waiting list.

This car will reach the 70 mph legal limit in around 4 seconds! 202mph is the maximum and you are likely to have to take Ferrari’s word for that. I wouldn’t like to doubt that figure though.

Thankfully those who get to own one will be doing us all a favour by gracing the roads with this amazing automotive masterpiece.

Thankfully the driving experience is so pure and tactile that you could be happy pottering around at 30 mph. Speed, like an addiction is only a problem when you don’t know how to control it! The interior of the car is somehow a bit of a side show, probably because it’s only the driver that will see it. It shouldn’t be because it sets new standards for style and material quality. You will not sit there and think you have paid too much money. Serious thought has gone into its creation. It’s so hard to be objective about this “creation.” It is utterly brilliant in the way it assaults your senses, in a way only an Italian car can ever do. At £170,000 it is expensive, but you can’t help feeling that somehow it’s a bargain.

BROCKIEWOOD MOTORS

BROCKIEWOOD Motors

MINI

FIRST I

t seems our love affair with the new Mini is showing no signs of fading. It’s pretty much the default choice if you need a small car that doesn’t need to be practical, but you want great build quality, style and good driving dynamics. From day one the Mini has lured potential buyers into its hugely impressive (and expensive) showrooms with temptingly low list prices. What inevitably would happen though, was that you would walk out having been seduced into purchasing a few thousand pounds worth of options. Suddenly your small car was costing family car money. BMW will not be making much, if anything, on the base Mini, but what they will be making money on is the options. You can spend £30,000 on one of these cars!

A SMART CHOICE So here we have a new entry level Mini – the “First”. We used to have the Mini One which sounds fairly basic in itself, but the “First” undercuts the “One” by nearly £2,000 and retails at £11,160. That sounds very cheap for a Mini. You don’t get air-con or alloys, but you do get a 1.6 engine and six speed gearbox that does a reasonable job of moving this nicely built car around. My advice to you is that if you are in the market for a bargain small car, then go down to your nearest Mini dealer and try and buy one without ticking anything on the options box. The dealer will tell you it will be un-saleable in a couple of years but that’s rubbish

Our motoring correspondent has donated his fee to the charity, Broken Rainbow, this month. Please visit www.broken-rainbow.org.uk

BROCKIEWOOD motors

Special Guest Jason Prince

Tony V & Graeme Austin

Special Guest Carol Jianni

WATCH NOW

www.brockiewoodtv.com

Ray Jordan & Rachelle Marie Walsh

SOCIAL ISSUES 51

Kit Wynkoop

I last wrote about happiness (joy) and how it is the underlying motivation beneath our every choice in life. Yet we still experience suffering.

experienced and learned from birth through today. And in every moment it reminds us of it. Every bit of information we looked for or were presented with has been imprinted onto the ego mind’s memory board. Everything. The love we received or didn’t receive; the way we were treated; the joyful or traumatic things we experienced; the morals, philosophies, and habits of our parents; everything.

What do I mean by suffering? Anger, frustration, jealousy, sadness, loneliness… None of them feel very good and we often don’t like how we act when we’re overcome by them. This is true suffering and we all experience it to a degree every day.

Through our ego mind, our lives become a reflection of everything we have ever experienced. The anger we feel, the joy, the retaliation, our sexual urges, our likes and dislikes. We are what we have been programmed by our egos to be; including our personalities. This is true suffering.

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” – Dalai Lama

Joy vs. Suffering

Suffering comes when things don’t turn out as expected; when our dreams are unfulfilled; when we are rejected or abandoned; and many times when we’re just by ourselves. Suffering is based in the ceaseless stream of thoughts that run through our head every moment of the day: “Oh I love birds. My back itches. I better remember to pick up butter at the store. My sweetheart better have sex with me tonight. Wow, that guy is hot! I wonder if this orange has pesticides on it? The boss may be mad at me – he didn’t say hello this morning. I can’t believe the trolly is late again! What the hell is our government doing? Is that a gray hair??? Why can’t I do anything right? And on and on and on and on… This endless tape of seemingly random thoughts exists essentially for our protection. It is the warning system that once served to keep us alive. It is the ego mind. The ego serves as the repository of everything we have

Hopeless? Would I be writing this article if it was?? ☺ As we continue to listen to the ego mind’s thoughts, suffering continues. The ego sets us up for disappointment. True and unlimited joy comes when we focus on something other than our ego thoughts – anything. Start with smelling the roses! Examining the detail of a bird in a tree. Listening to the sounds of where ever you are. Touching and feeling the texture of a wood chair. Tasting the exquisiteness of a ripe peach.

want, focusing, being present, mindfulness, living in the now, mindful clarity; it is what makes the difference between a life filled with suffering and one filled with what the world truly is: joyful, mindful living. Meditation is a powerful method to learn how to focus. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed and your spine erect. Take a few deep breaths then simply let your breath return to its normal rhythm. As you rest here in this posture, focus your attention on your breath: being aware of the in-breath, then the out-breath. Continue to focus only on each breath; in and out. You will notice your ego mind wanting to distract you. As it does, simply return your attention back to your breath; in and out. As in learning anything new, it will seem impossible at first but, with practice, you’ll find your focus becomes stronger and your ego thoughts fade away. With intention, life itself can become a meditation. By focusing on our immediate environment rather than on our random, programmed ego thoughts, we experience the beauty and wonder of the world around us and with that comes unlimited joy.

The key here is focus. Focusing brings us into the present moment. The present moment is where unlimited joy exists. When we focus, we are living in the present moment and suffering ends. Being present makes a huge impact on our experience of the world. When being present, we are in the world rather than of the world. Call it what you

Kit Wynkoop a personal friend of Tony V and is a Life Coach, based in Hawaii BROCKIEWOOD SOCIAL ISSUES

GEORGE SAYS

HE PRESS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEIR CONDUCT OVER DAVID LAWS Just days into power, David Laws MP, seen by many key political strategists as one of the brightest stars of our new coalition government, resigned. The reason, as I’m sure you know, was that he had been paying his “secret gay lover” rent. He was, as most newspapers put it, “the first victim” of the Conservative Liberal Democrat power-sharing team. “The honeymoon is over,” they declared. In effect, he was outed by the press. The real story wasn’t that he had paid his partner rent, as this was significantly lower than what he could have been paying elsewhere (so, in reality, he was doing the taxpayer a favour) but it was that his partner was a man. Coming out is an awkward, embarrassing, scary time for most people. But above all it is a very personal matter. Rightly or wrongly, David Laws wasn’t ready to come out. Maybe he never would have been ready to be out in public life. That was his decision; and his alone. The reason why it was so wrong to out him was that he has never been hypocritical about his sexuality. He wasn’t one of the public figures that cruise in parks and saunas, he doesn’t use aliases to get into ‘discreet VIP areas’ at clubs and bars, neither does he have a Gaydar profile, whilst all the time campaigning for anti-gay policies like Section 28. In fact, Laws’ pro-gay voting record is impeccable. Moreover, his party, the Liberal Democrats, is the most homo-friendly of all the mainstream parties, and even has an official LGBT department. The fact remains that David Laws

hadn’t told anyone about his sexuality as he didn’t feel it was relevant to how well he did his job. He wanted to keep his private life private. That, it seems, was too much to ask. Not only is this desire for privacy a rarity in modern politics, an environment where your showmanship seems to be held in higher esteem than your skill set, he is also an unusually principled man in the contemporary political arena. He left a multi-million pound career in the City to receive a £61,000 a year salary to make a difference in our society. How many of us would do that? I know that I certainly wouldn’t. Until The Daily Telegraph got their hands on the expenses claims of all MPs, no-one knew about Laws. But then when they did, of course, it was inevitable it would be in the public domain. The newspaper insists it didn’t mean to reveal his sexuality. I doubt this was truly the case. They were probably expecting a massive backlash against this now hugely powerful MP who had the ‘audacity’ to be gay and not share it with Fleet Street. It has proved to be an own goal. In a recent survey (yes ‘that’ survey in The Sun which asked: “Should gay people be cabinet ministers?”), the vast majority said he should return to government. It is a view which has been echoed by politicians on both sides of the House. Nick Clegg, David Cameron, Ken Clarke, Simon Hughes amongst many others have all been quoted as saying that they would like to see David Laws back in government soon.

He has proven himself as a masterful politician and, importantly, he has private sector experience in the financial world. Frankly, we need him. The public don’t give a damn that he’s gay. The public want someone with his skill, experience and charm to help get us out of a huge economic black hole. Ken Clarke MP said Laws’ resignation was a “personal tragedy.” It is. But it’s also a tragedy for the government and the country at large that a highly qualified gay man for the job of Chief Secretary to the Treasury was forced to quit as he wasn’t prepared to discuss what goes on in his bedroom. It is a depressing scenario that for just 24 hours David Laws was the most powerful gay man in Britain. Now he’s just another MP who was forced to come out by the right-wing press in the name of “public interest.”

y George Prior

WE ARE LAUNCHING OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE THIS MONTH!!!! Read our detailed Q & A or articles and editorials…..for all your legal queries answered

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LEGAL ADVISORS Are gay dads being disenfranchised? In short, our opinion would be that actually the law has improved significantly in recent years to avoid just this problem! In the past, a prospective gay father would have to enter into an informal arrangement in order to have a child. This means there is no contract and it is a relationship simply based on trust. As such they would have little protection from the law if this informal arrangement were to subsequently break down. In worst case scenarios, the mother could change her mind entirely about the arrangement, the fathers would be given limited (if any) contact and the mother could maintain control over the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upbringing despite originally agreeing otherwise. As a gay father there are now, however, two options available to you if you want the protection of the law and recognition of your status as a parent. Since 2005 a gay couple are able to jointly apply to adopt a child in much the same way as any oppositesex couple. The process of adopting a child can be gruelling and slow due to a detailed investigation being carried out into the prospective adoptersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives to ensure their suitability. This is, however, the same for any couple regardless of their sexuality as the welfare of any child is, of course, of paramount concern. Following this process and, if successful, an Adoption Order is made resulting in the couple acquiring the full rights and responsibilities in respect of bringing up the child.

An alternative is for gay couple to seek a surrogate mother and apply

for an Adoption Order after the birth. If all parties consent to the adoption then the process can be relatively quick in comparison and then parental responsibility is removed from the mother and granted to the adopting couple who can then make the day to day decisions in the upbringing of the child. As of 6 April 2010 however, the law is facing a significant transition as it is extending the right to apply for a Parental Order to same sex couples. These Orders are designed specifically for when a surrogacy has taken place. It is similar to an Adoption Order in that it reassigns parenthood but the significant difference is that an entirely new birth certificate is issued replacing the birth parent with that of the biological father and the intended parent. This means that the intended parents are granted full recognition and status as the child's parents with all the associated rights and responsibilities. This is huge change in the way in which the law sees and accepts gay couples as parents. These are important changes in the recognition of same sex couples and their status as parents and it is quite clear that the law is evolving to offer gay fathers a secure foundation with which to bring up the child, with them acquiring the same status and rights as heterosexual couples and lesbians. The pitfall is, as with any arrangement, the matter comes down to consent and therefore it is vitally important that if choosing a surrogate mother that advice is sought and your positions are clear beforehand to try and prevent any difficulties which may arise in the future. The changes in recent times do however show that gay fathers are being offered greater opportunities to have children and are far from being disenfranchised.

In a gay relationship, how are legal parental rights over children acquired? A lesbian couple can have both names placed on the birth certificate immediately if the biological father consents to this before the child is born or they use a sperm bank. If a gay male couple wish to have sole parental rights over the child, the only way is through adoption. If your partner fathers a child, you will have to adopt the child in order to hold the same rights and obligations as a natural parent and be on a par with your partner. Being in a civil partnership will be a factor that is taken into consideration when granting the Adoption Order in your favour. While not being in a civil partnership will not prevent an order being made, it will certainly be harder to persuade the local authority that adoption is in the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best interests.

Call us for an initial chat 0207 426 0382

2 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4UJ www.acitylawfirm.com enquiries@acitylawfirm.com 0207 426 0382

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celebrity pick

KYM MAZELLE, ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN POWERHOUSE VOCALISTS AND DISCO DIVAS OF THE 80s AND 90s, CHATS TO GEORGE PRIOR ABOUT HER NEW SHOW, HER GOSPEL-INSPIRED ALBUM, AND GROWING UP NEXT DOOR TO MICHAEL JACKSON. You’re renowned for being one of the busiest ‘divas’ in the business. What are you up to right now? George, you know that I never stop, right?! I’m always doing something! At this minute you’ve caught me in the middle of a rehearsal for a new show. I’m quite literally going through the melody of the song ‘I’m A Woman.’ Don’t you just love that song? I love it. It’s so powerful. Can you hear them in the studio working on it? Yes I can! And it sounds great. (Kym laughs and begins to sing ‘I’m A Woman’ which the girls from Sex and the City belt out at karaoke in the new movie…)The harmonies are wonderful in it! Tell us about the new show at Smokey Joe’s Café Ohhhh, expect to be exhilarated! It showcases 39 of some of the best pop standards of all time. It’s a joyous, reflective show that highlights a golden age of American culture in a 1950’s setting. As I’m the only American in it, I kinda get a whole over view of the show – it takes me back to a time when I was at home in Indiana, and my aunts and cousins were into this kind of music. Great songs! Amongst my favourites I do in this show are ‘Hound Dog,’ ‘Stand By Me’ and ‘I’m A Woman.’ This production is a foot-stomping ball of energy! How did you get involved with this show? – you’re more associated with hi-NRG dance tracks… Well, honey, they came looking for me. They came looking for the big momma!! They know this Momma has a lived A LOT, been around A LOT, and they wanted a piece of that. They said ‘I want you!’ They were right too - as our voices are working so well together and we’re having a ball. It’s so lovely to be sought-after. You’ve a great back catalogue of some of the best dance music of the last three decades (‘No More Tears Enough is Enough’ with Jocelyn Brown and produced by Mr Cowell, ‘Young Hearts Run Free,’ ‘Useless,’ ‘Wait’ – a duet with the Blow Monkeys…) so how does it feel to be described as the ‘Queen of Dance?’ (Laughs) It’s great. Although my new album, called Destiny, is more gospel-influenced. It’s not all traditional gospel; it’s more of a testimonial of my life’s experiences – there’s a lot of ‘diva’ in there, that’s for sure.

Photo Kym Mazelle with co-star Steph Fearon to learn my songs, am here working it all through, and later I’m flying out to Dubai for a couple for private parties. Oh, and catching up with 3SIXTY in the midst of it all! (laughs) Today it’s a year since Michael Jackson died (this interview took place on 25th June). You grew up on the same street as the Jacksons and knew him and the family well – how did / does his passing affect you? I was all alone in a beautiful villa in Ibiza when got the call. And I cried, and cried, and cried. I couldn’t stop. He was the one who inspired me to sing in the first place. Michael was my neighbour, we lived in the same street, and one day he was hanging out with me on the block; the next day he was on the box on the Ed Sullivan show. I honestly believe Michael needed more balance in his life. As he grew into this worldwide superstar, people would indulge him to get their cut, their percentage of the money. He was such a good-hearted man and they worked and worked him until the end. They’d put him in front of a mic and told to perform when he should have been in bed being loved and cared for. He was also very clever and knew the industry inside out. He knew about rights, publishing the McCartney songs, other artists on the label etc, and this would have help to create powerful enemies. The Michael I knew was a generous, loving man who gave too much of himself all the time. Now I hope he’s resting in eternal peace., and will be, a legend forever.

What’s an average day for you, Kym? There is no “average” day! Nothing in my life could be described as “average.” Today though, for example, I woke up, listened to the iPod on the way to rehearsals Kym BROCKIEWOOD CELEBRITY PICK

THE

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Bar REPAIRMAN

London PRIDE

SPECIAL THANKS TO LEL PIX PHOTOGRAPHY

London PRIDE

SPECIAL THANKS TO LEL PIX PHOTOGRAPHY

PRIDE

MARLBOROUGH

BRIGHTON

MARINE

KINGS

CHARLES STREET

DR BRIGHTONS

JAMES STREET

SUNDAY SUNDAE AQUARIUM AMSTERDAM BAR | 11-12 Marine Parade. Tel: 01273 688 825 AGUA DULCE | 10-11 Kings Rd 01273 328 672 AQUARIUM | 6 Steine Street. Tel; 01273 605 525 BARLEY MOW | 92 St George’s Rd Tel;01273 682 259 BRIGHTON TAVERN | 100 Gloucester Road, North Laine. Tel; 01273 680 365 BULLDOG | 31 St James’s Street. Tel; 01273 696 996 CHARLES STREET BAR | 8 Marine Parade. Tel; 01273 624 091 CONCORDE 2 | Madeira Drive|. Tel; 01273 673 311 DR BRIGHTON’S | 16 King’s Road. Tel; 01273 208 113 HUB | 129 St James’s Street . GROSVENOR | 16 Western Street. Tel; 01273 770 712 OLE OLE TAPAS | 29-31 Steine St . Tel 01273 620 384 MARINE TAVERN | 13 Broad Street. Tel;01273 681 284 MARLBOROUGH | 4 Princes St. Tel;01273 570 028 HERE RESTAURANT/BAR | 81 St James’s St. Tel;01273 693 216 KINGS ARMS | 56 George Street | BN2 1RJ QUEEN’S ARMS | 7 George St. Tel;01273 696 873 QUEENSBURY ARMS | Queensbury Mews. Tel;01273 328 159 REGENCY TAVERN | 32-34 Russell Square. Tel;01273 325 652 STAR INN | 7/9 Manchester Street. Tel;01273 601 450 ZONE | 33 James street Tel01273 682 249

AQUARIUM

BRIGHTON

Photos by Lee Towsey

the cumberland

The CUMBERLAND is a unique boutique style resort recently remodelled at a cost of over £2m, with many of its 107 rooms offering ocean ~ views and balconies, the hotel is ideal for everyone; it’s bars and restaurants are opulent and ﬁlled with bespoke furnishings, with a massive outdoor pool and lido deck and classic Art Deco structure. The Cumberland would not look out of place on Miami’s Ocean Drive. The Hotel is open to the general public day and night.

• OCEANFRONT STYLISED RESORT WITH OVER 100 SUPERB ROOMS • ULTRA CHIC BARS AND LOUNGES THROUGHOUT SERVING WINES, CHILLED BEERS AND COCKTAILS TILL LATE • BRASSERIE FOOD SERVED ALL DAY, FROM BREAKFAST, THROUGH LUNCH AND INTO DINNER • MIAIMI STYLE LIDO DECK with LARGE POOL, CHILL BEDS and SUN LOUNGERS • CONFERENCES AND WEDDINGS A SPECIALITY • COSTA COFFEE SHOP • SUNDAYS ARE SPECIAL

Superb Traditional sunday roast lunch in the Mirabelle.

SUNDOWNER SUNDAYS

When the sun shines poolside. Chill out session with DJ Sueno IBIZA, 2pm-7pm and superb al fresco BBQ.

+44(0)1202 290722 • www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk www.barventana.co.uk • Call +(44)1202-556529 for bar reservations and chill beds East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth

the cumberland

BAR VENTANA H MIRABELLE H RED DOOR

EASTBOURNE The Hart | 89 Cavendish Place | 01323 643 151

SOUTHCOAS T/ MANCHESTER

OXFORD PRIDE

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71 The 10-day Festival was a great success with a great variety of events. With the sun shining on the main Pride Day, the Pride Parade doubled in size with many groups dressing up for the occasion. At the Pride Fair Day event there was a Dog show, Best Dressed competition and great entertainment all day. Rainbow Operations from Milton Keens were there to support the Volunteers who all did an amazing job to keep the event running smoothly. Thanks to UNISON South East and all the local venues and sponsors for supporting Oxford Pride.

THAMES VALLEY

THAMES

See you all again in June 2011!

BRISTOL

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRIFFIN ON COLSON ST

PLYMOUTH Zeros | 24 Lockyer Street | 01752 662 346 The Clarence | 31 Clarence Place | Stonehouse 01752 603 827

Hotel Cimon | 82 Abbey Road | 01803 294454

TRURO Bar Qdos | 13 New Bridge Street | 01872 222 888 Eclipse | St. Marys Street | 01872 241 706

NEWPORT Thru TheArch | 33 Stow Hill | 01633841110 Greenhouse Sauna |24 Church St | 01633 212906

WALES

Cardiff Venues

9IF:B@<NFF; :FM<I :FDG<K@K@FE “THE SEARCH IS ON” FOR OUR SEPTEMBER COVER AND ANYONE CAN ENTER!” Brockiewood TV are searching for a new face for the cover of the September Issue of the magazine. To coincide with the launch of their new television channel on the TV Polari network, and BROCKIEWOOD Digital, the team decided to put a competition on to find a new face for the upcoming issue. Anyone can enter, by simply going to our website, www.brockiewood.com, and clicking on the competition icon and completing all the details requested. You will then be sent an info pack and a request for your photos. (No sexual content allowed.) The cover contest is open to all members of the LGBTT community and their family. It can be a picture of a single person or couple or even a venue

operator and in its venue. Or even a great family portrait. You can live anywhere in the world to enter. The judges will pick 10 female and 10 male covers. Now, even if its a family picture the contestant sending the picture will decide which category the picture goes in. So if Mum is sending it in, it’ll go in the female top 10. Then you, the public, get to vote for which photo you would like to see on the front cover.

then. The August issue will have pictures of all 20 finalists when voting will commence. George Prior, Senior Editor, is looking forward to seeing the diverse entries, after receiving numerous requests from readers asking how can they get on the front cover of BROCKIEWOOD magazine. The competition is sponsored by Brockiewood TV.

The winner will also receive a double page spread inside the issue as well with photos and editorial, plus contestants may also may also have the opportunity to appear in an episode of Brockiewood Live In London, a new chat show going to air this month. The competition closes on July 20th, so all entries and photos must be in by

NEW LGBT TV

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CHEEKY GIRL

LIVERPOOL /

77 77

BIRMINGHAM PRIDE 78

shefffiield pride

blackpool

CAROL JIANNI

JAY

CRAIG PRENDY

CARMEN

blackpool

SOUTHPORT AXM SOUTHPORT | 4 Coronation Walk, Southport, PR8 1RE 01704 530 933

MANCHESTER /

LET’S EAT WITH TONY V

I first established myself in small bistro-style pub before moving on to many beautiful restaurants where people came together to ‘Eat, Sip and Celebrate.’ I love the movie Field of Dreams and my favourite line from the film, “Build it and they will come,” plus my passion for all things Hollywood and movie stars, led me to create a theme to my menu.

Now it’s time to let you in on the fine secrets of my success and share my recipes. So let’s eat. Each recipe comes with a name of a Hollywood idol or diva that the meal has been named after, plus whether to serve it as an entrée or main. If you’re confused just have another glass of red and keep cooking… This is my tribute to the stars.

EMMA THOMPSON A great, easy to prepare,vegetarian dish, . Ingredients Filo Pastry( purchase from any supermarket) Grilled Egg Plant (Aubegine) Sun-dried Tomato Avocado, Some mixed salad Mushrooms Margarine (for the pastry) Preperation ** Please remember to defrost the filo before using or it will crumble. **The aubegine and sun-dried tomato can be bought in a jar, there are some great products on the supermarket shelf. ** Melt the margarine in the microwave for about 30seconds, you will need a pastry brush. ** Make a little stack of each of the vegies and grill for about 5 minutes Method Fold out he pastry one sheet at a time, and paste with the margarine using the pastry brush, then get a second sheet and cover the first and paste it. Using a sharp knife cut into four and bake in oven till a light golden brown, remove and allow to cool. Grab one piece of pastry square , place on serving plate, then add some mixed greens then a stack of the veg and then add another square of pastry. Ready to serve , drizzle some balsamic vinegar over top. LET’S EAT WITH TONY V

Donald Trump DONALD TRUMP PORK TENDERLOINS WITH PINK PEPPERCORNS IN A BLACKCURRANT CREAM SAUCE You do realize if you stuff this up “You’re Fired’ Ingredients ( per serve) 2 Cooked King Prawns unpeeled Soft Pink Peppercorns Thickened Cream 2 Pear halves 2 Pork Tenderloins Blackcurrant Jam Method Pan-Fry the pork medallions in a little oil, not too much just so the pork does not stick to the pan , turning occaisionally and cook through. The Sauce In a seperate pan, make the sauce by pouring in the thickened cream and adding in about two tablespoons of blackcurrant jam and stir . Then add the pear halves and pink peppercorns, simmer do not boil. Follow By Once your pork is cooked add it to the pan of sauce , then add your two prawns. Scallops Grill the scallops for about two minutes. Serve Stack the pork, add the prawns on top, pour the cream over, serve the scallops on the side, along with the pears, top over with more cream and serve with tiny tatters and a salad.

Emma Thompson

Angelina Jolie

GOOD FOOD & WiNE REDUCE YOUR GROCERY BILL, SAVE TIME AND HELP THE ENVIRONMENT According to latest consumer research, on average, each British household spends about 90 minutes and £120 on supermarket shopping per week. This works out to be 78 hours and £6,240 per year. However, there are some small changes that can make for big savings – for your pocket, your time and our planet. Here are Tony V’s top tips to achieving these three goals: Buying local, seasonal produce reduces the amount of energy - or as the Americans like to call it “food miles” - to get the food from the farm to your fridge. These extra costs will, of course, be passed on to the consumer. In addition, out-of season fruit and veg needs to be harvested long before they reach their full ripeness, so you may be getting produce which isn’t as flavourful and/or has an inferior nutritional value. It’s estimated you can save more than a third on your fruit and veg if you buy seasonal/local products. Get your own veggie garden Because of their shape, oysters have thought to have been aphrodisiacs for thousands of years. They are known to be high in zinc, which has been associated with improving sexual potency in men. In the past, both men and women ate raw oysters, believing that doing so would increase both arousal and fertility. Gourmet Leftovers Back in the day it was a way of life to use leftovers, perhaps using left over bits of last night’s dinner for lunches, or making soup or stock from vegetables you haven’t eaten. But nowadays, it is reported that 18% of the food we buy in the UK

goes in the bin. Or if you want to think about that figure in pounds and pence, it’s £1,123.20 a year. And you get could get a v e r y n i c e holiday for that.

It can save you about £90 a year on expensive bottled water, cut energy costs for producing the plastic bottles and reduce the level of waste in landfills. And you won’t have to lug it from the supermarket into your kitchen. Alternatively, you could buy a filter for that ‘mineral-water taste’ for a one-off fixed price of about a tenner.

Cutback on soft drinks The average Brit consumes about 40 gallons of ‘pop’ each year. Not only will it help expand your waistline, your wallets will be groaning too. If the phosphoric acid in a can of cola is able to clean the rust off of a corroded car battery, what is it doing to your insides? Recent research shows that if we cut back on a two twelve packs of soft drinks, you might be able to save around £250. And your scales and your teeth will thank you for it too. Multi Vitamins Let the experts do the work for you. Scientists can now put everything your body needs on a daily basis into one pill, so why bother going to the expense of purchasing several single vitamin or mineral tablets? Unless, of course, your doc said otherwise. It’ll also help the planet by reducing lots of unnecessary packaging and transportation.

Drink Tap Water It is perfectly healthy and clean (in most western countries) and can, in fact, have less sodium than mineral water.

Shop on a full stomach It’s that old adage – but it’s a proven theory: we WILL spend more money, on things we don’t really need, or that are unhealthy if we’re hungry. You know it’s true; we’ve all been there, haven’t we?

£AVE TONY V & GOOD FOOD & WINE

FOOD THE ORCHARD RESTAURANT LIVERPOOL

On a beautiful Saturday evening, there was no better place than The Orchard on Liverpool’s Blundell Street. A sophisticated, candle-lit atmosphere complimented by beautiful paintings by local artists, instantly helped us relax - along with a chilled glass of the Paua Bay Sauvignon Blanc. A beautiful three course meal followed. To start, a fresh and creamy leek and potato soup was definitely the best I’ve tasted in a long time. Similarly, the pan-fried garlic and parsley king prawns on a bed of saffron rice signalled that we were in for a treat with the mains. Prime fillet of beef, pan-fried, glazed with English mustard and rosemary herb crust, cooked to perfection, complimented with a Madeira sauce, fondant potatoes and braised English Lettuce. My companion chose sliced corn-fed chicken breast with velvety asparagus, baby spinach and the perfect homemade croquette potatoes with almonds were a masterpiece. And the desserts? A sensational mountain of raspberry meringue with crème chantilly, fresh raspberries and raspberry coulis -all to die for. As was the smashing Crème brulee. The option to compliment both desserts with the deliciously warm South African Avondale Muscat Rouge (Dessert Wine) was the perfect finish to a memorable evening. With Liverpool Pride, coming up we highly recommend you book a table and definately pay a visit. The Orchard - www.the orchardliverpool.com 57 Blundell St . Liverpool

BROCKIEWOOD FOOD

FOOD Randall and Aubin, London

its critic vis t n a r u a e rest mystery London and Th r u o h t n This mo andall & Aubin ool. erp sR ’ London estaurant in Liv R Orchard

Chances are you won’t be disappointed with Randall and Aubin. Established in 1906, this bistro-style restaurant is to London what Pastis is to New York. And the likelihood of having to queue is similar too. The old butchers shop from days gone by is now one of the coolest, most in-demand eateries in the West End and is known for its seafood and fish. Not ones to turn our backs on such greatness, we ordered the rock oysters to start which were genuinely fantastic. As were the calamari frites. For once in an esteemed restaurant, it seems, the produce most-definitely lived up to the hype. Our salt beef served with sauerkraut and potatoes, and the battered fish and crispy chips, were small in size but what they lacked in quantity, they made up for in quality: they were packed full of flavour. Randall and Aubin’s extensive, hand-picked wine list is something that puts most West End restaurants in the shade in terms of variety and excellence. Although others have, in the past, been somewhat critical of the service (it does get VERY busy), we found the staff pleasant and attentive. The famous ‘flamboyance’ of the waiting team has made it a favourite for gay diners throughout the capital.

14-16 BrewerSt, London W1F0SG www.randallandaubin.com

BROCKIEWOOD FOOD

NAME: Saqi AGE;28 STATS: Height 6’, Chest 42, Waist 32, Weight 165lbs

Saqi

PERSONAL TRAINER Saqi is an Personal Trainer, actor and model. He has been personal training seriously for the past 7 years - as a model it is important to keep looking at your best.

What should the top priorities of a personal trainer be? To have a good knowledge of training & exercise and more importantly diet.How do you motivate your clients? How do you motivate your clients? A lot of clients have people they aspire to - like celebrities. I simply tell them that the celebs are just like you and I, if they can look good so can you.

ter and could not continue! Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s you favourite recording artists? I think Girls Aloud are really good. Who would you most like to meet and why? The actor Aston Kutcher. What are you hobbies? Training obviously and I play football. My main hobby is my acting.

+DYH \RX HYHU KDG D GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW FOLHQW" 6RPH FDQ EH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW EXW LW LV WKH WLPHZDVWHUV , :KDW ZRXOG \RX OLNH WR EH GRLQJ LQ Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDUV IURP Ă&#x20AC;QG PRVW DQQR\LQJ now? Hopefully the acting will take off â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I am working What are your best skills? RQ D IHDWXUH Ă&#x20AC;OP DW WKH PRPHQW ZKLFK LV JRLQJ My dietary knowledge and training skills. really well. How important is nutrition? I always say that diet is 80% of looking good. What do you eat? I eat a good balanced diet. I believe in â&#x20AC;&#x153;everything in moderationâ&#x20AC;?. There are good and bad times to eat certain foods â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but I particularly avoid eating late in the day. It is OK to eat red meat now and WKHQ EXW , JHQHUDOO\ VWLFN WR ZKLWH PHDW Ă&#x20AC;VK SOHQW\ of green vegetables etcâ&#x20AC;Ś. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the funniest thing that every happen to you in the gym? Once when I was working out this guy next to me was doing squats. Suddenly I heard a loud ripping noise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; his shorts had split! +H FDUULHG RQ UHJDUGOHVV EXW , ZDV LQ Ă&#x20AC;WV RI ODXJK-

What is your major weakness? I suppose I can be too trusting, I am quite disciSOLQHG DQG Ă&#x20AC;QG LW DQQR\LQJ ZKHQ SHRSOH OHW \RX down. This is a simple 4 week program which you can do at home or in the gym. so just enjoy. So what have you arranged for our readers this month? If you are short on time, performing big movements using big muscle groups together can be a really effective way to burn lots of calories. Working your upper and lower body together also requires lots of oxygen so expect your heart-rate to be high throughout this workout!

3SIXTY MAGAZINE

4 X 10 REPS

Saqi PERSONAL WORKOUT Squats Stand with feet hip-width apart and, for added intensity, hold bar at shoulder level. Bend the knees, and lower into a squat, keeping the knees behind the toes. Imagine that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sticking your butt out behind you, but keep the torso upright and contracted. Press into the heels to stand up.

Dumbell Flys Grasp two dumbbells. Lie supine on bench. Support dumbbells above chest with arms fixed in slightly bent position. Internally rotate shoulders so elbows to sides. Lower dumbbells to sides until chest muscles are stretched with elbows fixed in slightly bent position. Bring dumbbells together in hugging motion until dumbbells are nearly together. Repeat Keep shoulders internally rotated so elbows point downward at bottom position and outward at top position..

Upright Rows Start standing, grasp bar at shoulder width or slightly narrower with an overhand grip. Pull upright with elbows leading towards ears and then lower until arms are extended again. Keep barbell close to body, allow wrists to drop at the top of the exercise. Concentrate on pulling with your traps Bench Press Lie flat on a bench, feet firmly on the floor. Make sure that your butt, back, shoulders, and head are firmly positioned on the bench. Roll your shoulders back and down so the shoulder blades are firmly pressed against the bench and the chest is sticking up. With a slightly wider than shoulder width grip and your palms facing forward, lift the bar off the rack and hold it above you with your arms straight up and extended. Lower the bar down to your chest until it either touches your chest or comes within an inch or so away. Do NOT bounce the bar off your chest. Press the bar straight up until arms are extended. 3SIXTY FITNESS

PICTURES BY LEE TOWSEY

www.leesimages.co.uk

EZ Bar Curls Hold Bar, at arms length. Bend your knees slightly and tilt your pelvis forward and keep you glutes tight, in this strict position curl the bar up focusing on using the strength of your biceps, pause briefly at the top and squeeze your biceps hard, lower the bar to the starting position and repeat.Do not move the bar up and down in a jerky or uncontrolled manner. It is very easy to rock your body. To counteract this get a training partner to place their hands on your back during this exercise so that you cannot rock or lean back. Military Press Clean barbell from floor with overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder width. Position bar in front of neck. Press bar upward until arms are extended overhead. Lower to front of neck and repeat. Feet may be positioned shoulder width apart or one foot in front of other with forward leg slightly bent Upper chest assists (instead of side delts) since grip is slightly narrower and chest is high with low back arched back slightly. Dumbell Lunges Walking dumbell lunges: Find an area where you can walk about 20 feet and then holding a dumbbell in each hand (arms at your side) place one foot forward as far as you comfortably can, then lower your body until the knee of your rear leg almost touches the ground and your front thigh is almost parallel to the floor. Then, keeping your torso upright, lunge forward with the other leg, repeating the process, alternating lunges 10 times; Triceps Extension Grip the dumbell with an overhand (Palms facing down) with your hands about shoulder width apart. Bring the dumbell up to your chest and lay down on your back. Extend your arms straight up above your chest. Keeping your elbows fixed in place and not pointing out, slowly lower the bar until it is about an inch from your forehead. Pause, then slowly extend your arms back to the starting position. Do not lock your elbows out. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very important that you keep your elbows in during the set.

3SIXTY FITNESS

PEOPLE IN SPORTS

BROCKIEWOOD SPORTS

LIVERPOOL /

PEOPLE IN SPORT

9IF:B@<NFF;

dXpfiËj f]]`Z\ Open Letter from Cologne’s Mayor Dear participants of the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 As Lord Mayor of Cologne I would like to extend to you a warm welcome to our city. Cologne is proud to act as hosts for this biggest and most important worldwide sports and culture event in the LGBT movement. With these games in 2010, we are honored to join previous organizing cities such as San Francisco, Sydney and Chicago. I am especially happy about the fact that, with the motto “Be part of it”, the organizers managed to strengthen contacts with East Europe and that participants from those countries, partly for the first time in their life, get the chance to participate in the Gay Games. This outreach effort encourages me and I value this as a positive sign that with sports and culture, regardless of attitude, color of skin, origin, and regardless of sexual orientation, strong links can be forged. I wish the organizers a smoothly running event, the spectators exciting competitions and the participants fulfillment of their goals, so that in the end everybody reaches the same conclusion – the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 were a great experience. Jürgen Roters Lord Mayor City of Cologne

SPORTS justin fashanu in extra time 57

Why is Britain’s first, openly gay footballer approaching the final whistle? Born in 1961, Justin Fashanu was brought up by foster parents and by the children’s charity Barnardos. At 14 he signed schoolboy forms with Norwich City FC, where he progressed through the ranks and played for the first team when he was in his late teens. His 1980 volley against Liverpool was the goal of the season and still claims its place in football’s all time great moments. The following year, he was signed by Brian Clough and joined Nottingham Forest for one million pounds. He would go on to find fame and notoriety as the first, openly gay, black, million pound footballer. Sadly, he would end his own life at the age of 37.

What kind of man was he? How had events in his life shaped his thinking? Why are the last known accounts of him said to be happy and positive?

In the year of the WORLD CUP, LOTUS PRODUCTIONS’ bring you: JUSTIN FASHANU IN EXTRA TIME @ RICHMIX-www. richmix.org.uk The new vibrant venue in Shoreditch: 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA Book tickets on: 020 7613 7498 for performances on: Thurs 8th-Saturday 10th July 2010 @ 8pm Saturday matinee @ 2.30pm

The play begins when Justin arrives back in the UK (pursued by allegations of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in America) up until his death in a lock-up garage.

BROCKIEWOOD sports

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MEDIUM Julie Evans Spriritual advisor to Tony V Medium Lightworker Mill Yard WEST MALLING 01723 252 2110 07971 069716 stubbsjulie@aol.com

96 | BROCKIEWOODTV.COM

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FOOTBALLERS WANTED The Justin Campaign, an organisation ﬁghting homophobia in football, are looking for players to line out for their Justin Fashanu AllStars team. The All-Stars are a unique team, with a constantly changing line-up, who play in tournaments all over the world. They are open to anyone, regardless of sexuality or ability, who wants to represent the Campaign on the football pitch. Get in touch if you are interested in donning our famous pink shirts and helping us to take the ugliness out of the beautiful game.

info@thejustincampaign.com www.thejustincampaign.com

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A new sensational television station has joined the TV Polari network and have the following positions vacant FOR ALL JOBS APPLY AT BROCKIEWOODTV.COM TV PRESENTERS: Ever thought you could host your own TV programme? We are looking for switched on presenters to be a part of our already scheduled shows, as well as presenters with innovative ideas for their own programmes.

SALES EXECUTIVES: Brockiewood TV are looking for a dynamic marketing team to sell ad space on our channel. You must speak fluent English and have a passion for media. This office is based in London

SALES EXECUTIVES: If you fit either criteria please send your CV, with a covering letter about yourself along with a photo to recruitment @brockiewoodtv.com. Applications close August 2010.

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WIN!

ITS THE L WORD

THE L WORD’s last outing culminates in eight final episodes, marking the end of an era chronicling the lives of these iconic characters who have played a pivotal role in changing cultural perceptions of lesbians and the transgender community on and off screen. The provocative, sexy storylines follow the cast as they navigate careers, families, friendships, inner struggles and romantic entanglements.

For your chance to win one of 4 box sets, answer this question. Which American chat show host is married to actress Portia di Rossi? A.Ellen DeGeneres B.Oprah Winfrey C.Rosie O’Donnell

Simply click on to our competition link on our website www.brockiewoodtv.com JOIN US ON FACEBOOK PAGES

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and enter, or send a postcard to BROCKIEWOOD TV July Competition 1005 Maritime house Greens End London. SE186HB Competition closes July 30th YOU can enter from anywhere in the world.

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