February 2017

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Magazine V4 Issue 08 - February 2017

Joseph Eid Emerald Portal

Ray Davies LGBT Festivities Inside:

Travel | Film | Fashion |Health | News

EILE Magazine | Who’s Who

Contributors

M. Butler M. Butler is a writer and editor, with a keen interest in human rights, and has studied philosophy and psychology Scott De Buitléir Scott is founder and Editor-at-Large of EILE Magazine. He is also a writer and broadcaster, originally from Dublin but now based in Nottingham Lisa Reynolds Originally from Co. Meath, Lisa is a fashion industry student, now living in Bray, Co Wicklow, with a great interest in media and celebrity Brian Rochford Brian has studied health, exercise, and nutrition, with a special interest in controlling pain in rheumatism and arthritis Brian Rochford also writes our fashion column this month Frances Winston Frances Winston is EILE’s resident film buff, and has contributed to many other publications such as The Irish Independent and Irish Tatler

EILE Magazine

EILE Magazine | Welcome

Highlights February 2017 LGBT Festivities - P.24+ Coming up to a few festivities, like Béar Féile, Mr Gay Ireland, Galway Community Pride. Glória’s 21st Gala,Maspalomas, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Tour 2017 see details inside

Volume 4, Issue 08 Editor-at-Large: Scott De Buitléir Editor: MKB

Travel - Pps 38,40

Contributors: M. Butler, Scott De Buitléir, MKB, Lisa Reynolds, Brian Rochford, Frances Winston

Travel this month brings us exotic worldwide destinations, and USA holidays

Photographers: LaFamos, Legacy Recordings, John Hanson, Matt Albiani

Health - Allergies - P.42 Brian Rochford tells us all about allergies, and how to alleviate them

Music - Pps. - 6,10,and 14 Our musical artists this month include Joseph Eid and Emerald Portal from the US, and the UK’s iconic Ray Davies

Fashion P.18 and Review P.22 Brian Rochford writes about one of his favourite designers, Michael Bastian, in this month’s issue, and Lisa Reynolds reviews a documentary about transmen, Sam and Evan

NB: All images in this publication are either under Creative Commons licence, or used with permission. Image credits, where necessary, are printed on the corresponding page(s) or photo(s). Any queries can be made to hello@eile.ie Special Thanks to MKB for all her hard work, dedication and support.

Web: http://eile.ie Contact: hello@eile.ie Twitter: @EILEMagazine Facebook: http://fb.com/eilemagazine Note: All opinions expressed in this issue are the writers’ own.

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…plus film reviews, news, travel, and much more!

EILE Magazine

EILE Magazine | Editor’s Letter

Contents 6-

Joseph Eid

10 -

Emerald Portal

14 -

Ray Davies

18 -

Men’s Fashion

22 -

Transmen Sam & Evan

24 -

LGBT Festiviies

36 -

RuPaul’s DR Tour

38 -

Travel World

40 -

Travel USA

42 -

Health - Allergies

44 -

FGG Interview

46 -

Film With Frances

52 -

Maspalomas GayP

plus World LGBT and FGG News, Views, Arts, Entertainment etc

EILE February 2017 Edition!

Welcome to the February issue of EILE Magazine In our music section this month, we feature US artists, Joseph Eid and Emerald Portal, and English singer/ songwriter, Ray Davies.

Brian Rochford writes on men’s fashion, and health, and Lisa Reynolds reviews a documentary about Sam & Evan, two trans men.

Don’t forget Glória’s 21st Gala birthday dinner, Mr Gay Ireland, and other LGBT Festivities are hotting up like Béar Féile 2017, Galway Community Pride, Club GASS, Maspalomas, and RuPaul’s Drag Race 2017 is coming to Dublin.

Our travel section features worldwide and US destinations, we have an interview with Fernando Carajal, and Frances gives us some great feedback on the movies.

We also have LGBT news and entertainment from around the globe, so we hope you enjoy this February 2017 issue of EILE Magazine!

Scott De Buitléir Founder / Editor-at-Large

EILE Magazine EILE Magazine

See our film reviews

by Frances Winston

EILE Magazine

EILE Magazine

Joseph Eid

This folk/pop/Americana/indie singer-songwriter has just released a beautiful balladic track called, Watch It Fall “Emotions will always come and go. Let them in, feel them, and then let them go. A wise friend once told me that it’s best to base your decisions on your vision. Your [vision] is much more consistent. You don’t have to ignore your temporary feelings, but know they will change, as sure as the night will turn to day.

But your dream, which is essentially your true vision of who you are, will remain the same” - Joseph Eid Folk-pop-traditional singer/songwriter, Joseph Eid, has an unusual background for a folk-pop singer.

Joseph Eid Photo: John Hanson

He grew up in a strict, traditional home in the suburbs of New York, and while at college, studied psychology and pre-med.

However, after his first semester at med school, Eid decided to drop out, and moved to New York City to follow his dream of a musical career. His latest track, Watch It Fall, a beautiful ballad, favourably compares with some of Ed Sheeran’s music, in my opinion.

Eid has been writing poetry, and dreaming of a career EILE Magazine

in the arts, as long as he can remember, so after that first med school semester, he upped sticks and made the move to NYC. While in New York, Eid did what many only dream of doing. He picked up a guitar, joined a band, and the songs just kept coming. Next, he moved to Los Angeles, where he started playing regularly at gigs like open mic nights and showcases.

While there, he also began working with guitarist/ songwriter, David Lamar, honing his songwriting at weekly showcases at the Stone Bar. This led him to write over 30 new songs, and record a debut EP, Cardiac Output, following that with a fulllength LP, Human.

Becoming known as a dynamic solo performer, Eid has brought his one-man live show to many Los Angeles’ premier music venues, including gigs at Room 5 and El Cid, and residencies at The Stone Bar, Crane’s Hollywood Tavern, and Bar Lubitsch.

He has also toured the West Coast of the US, including a handful of house concerts, as a part of the Concerts In Your Home series.

Since the release of his LP, Human, Joseph Eid has been attracting media attention. He has been featured in American Songwriter Magazine’s Best New Music column, and was recently named as one of the 100 Hottest Live Unsigned Artists, by Music Connection Magazine.

His latest release (which I have compared with Ed Sheeran’s music) Watch It Fall, will give you a flavour of what Joseph Eid is all about, and can be downloaded now from iTunes at: https://itunes.apple. com/us/artist/joseph-eid/ id304378273 You can visit Eid at: www.facebook.com/ JosephEidMusic/ twitter.com/JosephEidMusic itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ joseph-eid/id304378273

-M.Butler

Main photos courtesy of LaFamos

Cover Art for Watch It Fall

EILE Magazine

Joseph Eid Image La Famos

“Emotions will always come and go.

Let them in, feel them, and then let them go. A wise friend once told me that it’s best to base your decisions on your vision”

Image: John Hanson

EILE Magazine

Emerald Portal

Emerald Portal with friends

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Emerald Portal “Throughout our lives, people show up and can make huge differences, sometimes sticking around for the long run and sometimes vanishing off into their own adventures�

So say Emerald Portal, an indie-psych-alternative rock band, and one of our featured artists this month on EILE Magazine. Emerald Portal is the brainchild of Thomas Ouziel, and Brad Rundblade. Both born in Europe, both had an interest in film, and both grew up learning to play piano and guitar. Their latest single, All The Running, is from their new EP, Trouble In Paradise (release 2017), a follow-up to their first LP, Beyond The Edge of Reason.

Emerald Portal aka Thomas Ouziel and Brad Rundblade, two musicians, who at a young age immersed themselves into all aspects of art. As a sound designer and screenwriter, respectively, their music is heavily influenced by their cinematic backgrounds. Emerald Portal seeks to make engaging music that not only tells stories, but transports listeners.

Both Europeans now living in LA, Thomas from Paris, France, and Brad from Crete, Greece, both grew up learning how to play piano and guitar. They each spent years playing music before entering the film industry.

Upon meeting on the set of a music video in Los Angeles, they found they had a mutual interest in creating music, and began working on a number of songs.

After a period of creativity, they had written enough material for an album. Each song on their first LP, Beyond The Edge of Reason, was a glimpse into different worlds and stories that all culminated into a grander, overall universe.

Using their background in film, the duo created music videos for six of the songs

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Left: Brad Runblade and Thomas Ouziel aka Emerald Portal

Thomas Ouzie

from the album.

Emerald Portal works in various artistic fields often collaborating with directors, musicians, and artists to expand their vision and sound. They’ve received numerous awards for their music videos (LAIFFA, Orlando Film Festival, Los Angeles CineFest) and have a new EP, Trouble In Paradise ready for release in 2017.

The ambitious band is currently working on three separate concept albums, each another glimpse into the many stories populating the Emerald Portal.

Visit them at EmeraldPortalMusic.com.

-MKB

Emerald Portal

Images: LaFamos a Facebook 12 EILE Magazine

Brad Runblade

el

Cover Art for All The Running

You can follow Emerald Portal, and download their music at: http://www.facebook.com/EmeraldPortalMusic/ twitter.com/emeraldportal itunes.apple.com/us/artist/emerald-portal/id995157098 EmeraldPortalMusic.com.

Image LaFamos

and

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Ray Davies Image Legacy Recordings

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Ray Davies Great news for Ray Davies fans! On April 21st, he will release his first new album in over nine years – ‘Americana’ – via Legacy Recordings (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) The 15-track collection of originals serves as a master-crafted return for one of the most acclaimed and iconic songwriters of the past 50 years, and follows Davies’ 2013 memoir of the same name, using the book as both source material and creative catalyst.

Davies enlisted The Jayhawks as backing band, and recorded the album in London at Konk, the studio founded by The Kinks in 1973.

Americana was written, conceived, and arranged, by Davies, and co-produced with Guy Massey and John Jackson.

The album is an autobiographical work, chronicling the inextricable role America has played in Davies’ life. From his earliest days touring the U.S. with the Kinks, and subsequent blacklisting by the American Musicians Union, to his years playing stadiums, and eventually staying in New York and New Orleans for a time, America has served as both muse and tempest to Davies.

The songs on Americana dig into the rich American musical tapestry, through the lens of Davies’ own wholly unique American experience. The music swerves from the open-road manifesto of “The Great Highway” to a delicate duet with The Jayhawks’ Karen Grotberg, on “Message From The Road,” to “Poetry,” which offers a vital reminder of Davies’ ability to spin small detail into penetrating truth.

The album also features a number of short spoken-word passages from Davies’ memoir. A second volume to Americana will be a released later in 2017.

Since the release of his last studio album of new material, 2008’s ‘Working Man’s Café,’ Ray Davies released the 2010 collaborative project ‘See My Friends,’ which featured

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Bruce Springsteen, Mumford & Sons, Metallica and Spoon; performed at the closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics; served as inspiration, the original story plus music and lyrics for the hit UK musical ‘Sunny Afternoon’ (winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Musical) and much more.

Album highlight “Poetry” is streaming now via NPR Music: http://n.pr/2kju2RN ‘Americana’ will be available digitally, on CD, and Vinyl.

For pre-order, please visit https://raydavies.lnk.to/Americana,https://RayDavies.lnk.to/amz-vnl At the beginning of 2017 Davies topped UK Queen Elizabeth’s New Year Honours List, and will shortly be receiving a knighthood for his service to the arts.

Davies is a member of both the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame and Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall Of Fame.

Five albums by The Kinks were chosen for Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’ list.

Image: FanClubThe Kinks

Ray Davies

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Image: Wikipedia

Left: Cover Art for Album

Image: KinksFanClub

‘Americana’ tracklisting: 1. Americana 2. The Deal 3. Poetry 4. Message From The Road 5. A Place In Your Heart 6. The Mystery Room 7. Silent Movie 8. Rock ‘N’ Roll Cowboys 9. Change For Change 10. The Man Upstairs 11. I’ve Heard That Beat Before 12. A Long Drive Home To Tarzana 13. The Great Highway 14. The Invaders 15. Wings Of Fantasy

Ray Davies Image: Flicker.com

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Spotlight On Designer Michael Bastian Brian Rochford takes a look at one of his favourite designers this month, Michael Bastian, and dives into Bastian’s Spring/Summer 2017 Collection

Michael Bastian

Michael Bastian is an Amer of menswear, from Lyons

From the stylish bomber jacket, neatly paired w to the patterned shirt seen on left, pieces from collection, Bastian designs clothes that you can

He graduated from Babson College, Massachu there moved to Manhattan, where he got his fi buyer with Abraham & Stra

Bastian was no shrinking violet, and before prestigious firms added to his CV - like Sotheby in 2000 became fashion director with Bergdor this period that he decided to set up his own me Sebastian, which he did in 2

2007 was a defining year for Sebastian. He had s own label, and was nominated for CDFA Newco of the Year. He subsequently won the CDFA M Year award in 2011.

In Autumn 2010, Bastian made another big l business with Gant, a global lifestyle brand, and men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, including w the label GANT by Michael Bastian, which is sixty countries worldwid

By its second full season, the collection had ea 18 EILE Magazine

MICHAEL BASTIAN

rican designer in New York.

with shirt and tie at right, his Spring/Summer 2017 n be proud to be seen in.

usetts, in 1987, and from first position as assistant auss.

long he had a string of ys and Ralph Lauren, and rf Goodman.It was during en’s fashion label, Michael 2006.

spent his first year with his omer Menswear Designer Menswear Designer of the

leap, deciding to go into d created full collections of watches and eyewear, with distributed in more than de.

arned Bastian recognition EILE Magazine 19

as one of GQ Magazine’s six finalists for ‘Best New Menswear Designer in America’. Over the course of nine collections, Gant by Michael Bastian earned worldwide popularity—reinvigorating the classic American brand—and burnished Bastian’s own credentials as one of the most important influencers in menswear.

Michael Bastian has always focused on the type of clothing that men can actually wear, and which can take you anywhere, classic and understated.

Bastian has said that he was influenced when he was younger by how his

All photos are of Michael Bastian Menswear

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father dressed at the time - a style he calls ‘deepwoods preppy’ or ‘real-guy preppy’.

SIMONS

This style was marked by 5pocket cords or Levi jeans, flannel shirts, knit ties and navy blazers.

In his Spring/Summer 2017 collection, some of which is shown here, you can see these classic lines, and well-fitting sportswear pieces. He has described the process as: “I start with something perfectly designed and executed, then spend a lot of time knocking the edge off of that perfection”.

Bastian

has

partnered

Preview of Michael Bastian’s Grey Label for Autumn 2017 Photo: @mattalbiani

with Frank Clegg designing handbags, and also with HP designing classic, stylish watches. With this label, he also designed the firstever Smartwatch.

Quite a few very notable achievements for a guy born in a small town in upstate New York!

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Review

Sam and Evan – From Girls To Men Lisa Reynolds Reviews this moving documentary about transmen Sam and Evan Sam and Evan – From Girls To Men is a wonderful documentary, following the lives of young gay transgender couple, Sam and Evan (Barcroft TV, approx. 57 mins, available on Youtube).

At the start of the documentary, the couple are living in a council house in Rochdale, with Evan’s mother Kath.

They moved in together a couple of months before, having dated for five months, after they met at a support group for people who believe they were born into the wrong body.

Sam is originally from Surrey, and has recently come down to live with Evan. Narrated by Kym Marsh, the documentary follows Sam and Evan in their daily life together; decorating their room, clothes shopping and becoming another year older.

Sam turns 18 during the filming of the documentary, while Evan turns 21 later on. We get to know how their backgrounds are very different, and that Evan is an only child, while Sam has three brothers. One is called Peter, and we get to meet him when Sam goes to a cafe with him.

Sam is already on hormones when the documentary starts, but as it continues, he goes with Evan to the Charring Cross Gender Clinic, where Evan is hoping to be prescribed hormones.

There are a few setbacks at first, but eventually, Evan is prescribed hormones. Also we see Sam ordering a packer online, with Evan and Evan’s mother, which arrives as the

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Sam and Evan Image: ichef.bbci.co.uk

documentary continues. In the film, we also see the prejudice they face regularly in the housing estate, when they are shouted at, and eggs are thrown at them from cars. - completely sickening behaviour, which at one stage gets too much for Sam. He cries and is comforted by Evan.

We hear about the lads’ plans to move to Manchester, and we see them go to Manchester to house-hunt. In the meantime, we also see them go job-hunting, and see the problems which transgender people can face when one potential employer asks them for ID. During the documentary, we also meet Evan’s father, Mick, and Sam’s friend from school, Kath, and they also go to meet with Professor Stephen Whittle, who was number 13 of all trans men to get treatment. He tells them that it is now in the hundreds or thousands.

By the close of the documentary, they have been living together over a year, and have both secured work.

The title sequence at the end tells us that Sam and Evan have now moved into their own flat near Manchester. This is a really well put together documentary, with a beautiful story of young love.

A must-watch.

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News on Registration Packs for Béar Féile 2017 - 30th March to 2nd April!

Great Value! A Weekend Registration Pack gets you all of this: Thank Bridie’s it’s Béar Féile, With El Styra. Bridie’s Bar, The George, Dublin Trad session in Jack Nealon’s Pub, With DJ Aggie FUR @ Adelphi with DJ El Styra / DJ Steodub Sing Out featuring the Dublin Gay Men’s Chorus in Oscars Cafe Bar, Christchurch, Dublin, With Shane & DJ Aggie Mr Bear Ireland Competition, with Annie Balls, featuring The Hee Bee Bee Gees & DJ Corky @ Button Factory George Michael Tribute @ Panti Bliss / Pantibar With DJ Gerry Moore Bear Bingo in The George Bar, George’s Street, Dublin Weekend package costs just €30 The Bear Bus Tour (not included in Reg Pack) is a fully guided tour of Dublin City on Saturday morning for just €10 ( optional extra ) Online registration available now on the Dublin Bears website at: http://www.dublinbears.ie/product/bear-feile-registration-pack/

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Don’t Miss!

The Dublin Bears ‘Dumb Blonde’ With The Dolly Parton Experience!

The Dublin Bears present Dumb Blonde, featuring The Dolly Parton Experience – Sarah Jayne’s Tribute Act Show.

Thursday, March 2nd, at 8pm in The George Bar, Georges Street, Dublin 2.

Admission only €10!

Don’t forget that all proceeds go to a great cause, Gay Switchboard Ireland, and you’ll enjoy the

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Mr Gay Ireland At Chambers Bar in Cork 4th March!

At the Chambers Bar, Washington Street, in Cork, the suave and sophisticated Giles Reid and Jonathan Best will present this year’s Mr Gay Ireland!

8 young guys from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Swords are busy creating awareness, and fundraising for the HIV services at the Guide Clinic, St James’ Hospital, as part of their civic task to compete in the 12th Mr Gay Ireland.

This is the competition’s first final outside Dublin, to celebrate the hard work of reigning champion, Cork’s Konrad Im. Guests on the night include Mr Gay Europe.

To date Mr Gay Ireland has raised €153,000 for HIV and gay causes, and previous national winners have carried off the World and European titles.

It’s all happening on 4th March, doors at 8 pm and tickets can be had at http://www.gaytheatre.ie, or at the door – Admission €10!

All good fun and in aid of a good cause, all proceeds go to the GUIDE clinic, St. James’ Hospital, Dublin.

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Glória’s 21st Anniversary Gala Dinner! (Last Chance For Tickets) Glória, Dublin’s Lesbian and Gay Choir, celebrate their 21st anniversary in style at a Gala dinner on Saturday 4th March 2017.

said choir chairperson Richard members and our fans..[..]..

Deane. we’ve sung at thousands of events over our 21 years, and “We want to celebrate that with also raised lots of money for our families, friends and fans. many good and worthy causes, In particular, we’d like to reach including over €35,000 for the out to former choir members marriage equality campaign in and musical directors, we’d love recent years ” said Deane . you all to come to the party, you Glória, Dublin’s Lesbian and have played a great part in our “From parish halls, to opera houses and everything in Gay Choir are in their 21st year, journey ”. between, we’ve marched and and to celebrate this important milestone, they will be holding When the choir started in 1995, lobbied , we’ve mourned, laughed a Gala dinner celebration in the it had only 25 members. Glória and cried, all in the pursuit of Alexander Hotel on Saturday now has 55 members across equality and happiness for the four sections – sopranos, altos, LGBT community”.

4th March. tenors and basses. Their most It promises to be an evening of recent concert in St Patrick’s “This is a different style of event celebration, glitz and glamour. Cathedral, which is always a we are used to, It will be an Long time friend and supporter highly popular event, sold out in evening of song and celebration, of Gloria and TV personality, record time, with 1,200 people memories, and lots of bubbles” Deane concluded.

Anna Nolan, will be the emcee in attendance. for the evening.

“It’s wonderful to see how this Tickets for this fabulous occasion With guest performances from choir has grown” said Deane can be purchased online from the Dublin Gospel Choir, the “and to see the commitment www.eventbrite.co.uk, and cost Line Up, The Dublin Gay Mens’ and enthusiasm of these women €60 including booking fee.

Chorus, and The Homonics, this and men. These are all busy promises to be a celebratory people; some are studying, most For further information on this evening that is not to be missed. have busy careers, and some event and on the choir, please have kids at home. They all visit www.gloria.ie Please don’t worry, your give up so much for the sake of favourite gay and lesbian choir the choir, for example this year Your last chance for will also take to the stage for a alone, we’ve concerts in London, purchasing tickets for special performance of some of Cavan, and Cork, as well as this fabulous evening numerous shorter performances their greatest hits. for charities and community is fast approaching.

Ticket sales close “Gloria DLGC has a rich history events”. on Tuesday 28th and heritage which we are very “We are particularly looking proud of ” February. forward to hearing from former 30 EILE Magazine

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Don’t Miss this fundraiser for Galway Community Pride 2017!

It’s all happening at th Róisín Dubh, Dominick Street, Galway, on March 11th, with special guest and host, Mr Pussy Doors 9 pm with the talented Dixie Normous, Lily Venom, and lots more!

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Galway Community Pride Festival!

It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights,” because on March 11th, at the Róisín Dubh, Dominick Street, Galway, GASS are hosting the first fundraiser for the Galway Community Pride Festival.

Dixie Normous, Martin Beanz Ward, Lily Venom, Donatella D’Burqa, plus other guests, are all set to appear on stage as glamourpuss, and Ireland’s Miss leading lady Mr. Pussy, acts as the host and compere, for a night that’s surely going to entertain, followed by a DJ set through the hours from Inertia.

“As people are probably aware by now we’ve had a some challenges and organisational changes in the last few months,” said Rob Partridge, current chairperson of the Galway Community Pride Festival committee, “but we’re sure everyone just wants a celebration so we’re pushing ahead and GASS have kindly come onboard to help us kick off our fund raising! We’re 34 EILE Magazine

insanely grateful to them for that!”

The stage will be alive with talent on the 11th as Lily Venom, a regular face in the community struts her stuff and Donatella D’Burqa, Galway newest drag queen, shows us what she’s got. Martin Beanz Warde will be bringing the house down with his comedy stylings and Galway’s premier fattest drag queen Dixie Normous will be showing off why she won the In Your Face Drag Race at the 2015 Galway Community Pride celebration. “The Drag Race was a really great event and I’ve heard a rumour it’s coming back for 2017,” said Dixie, “Obviously I’m looking forward to winning it again!. Oh, and performing at this GASS fundraiser for Pride! ” The event will be hosted and compered by the remarkable Miss leading lady, Mr. Pussy.

As the Irish Independent once said: “If anybody has helped to lure Irish audience into a broad-minded era it was Mr. Pussy,” and the committee and community are thrilled she’s agreed throw on her stylish yet comfortable sling-backs, and take to the stage at the Róisín on the 11th.

Entry is €10 on the door with all the money raised going towards the Galway Community Pride Festival which will take place in August in 2017.

For more information see their facebook page facebook.com/ galwaycommunitypridefestival

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RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE WERQ THE WORLD 2017 TOUR 36 EILE Magazine

Featuring Live Performances By Bianca Del Rio, Shangela, Willam, Latrice Royale, Alaska, Alyssa Edwards, Detox and More…

The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race will unleash their own brand of hilarity and hijinks upon the world this spring with the RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE WERQ THE WORLD 2017 tour, produced by Voss Events, Say What Entertainment and OUTtv. Hosted by Bianca Del Rio, Michelle Visage and Shangela, the live stage show will feature some of the series’ most unforgettable queens including Alaska Thunderfuck, Alyssa Edwards, Detox, Latrice Royale, and Willam as well as some of the new ladies from season nine: Aja, Peppermint, Sasha Velour and Trinity Taylor.

“This is the most outrageous and talented collection of queens that have ever toured together,” declares Shangela.

“We’re calling this the ‘WERQ the World’ tour because that’s exactly what these Drag Race stars will be doing for fans: WERQing like they’ve never WERQ’d it before!”

“It’s been a year since the last world tour, and these queens are coming with fierce new looks, never-before-seen theatrics and over the top production numbers that will leave fans gagging,” continues producer Brandon Voss. He notes it will be especially interesting for fans to witness how the season nine queens stack up against the veterans. “The show is a collaborative effort between some of the biggest personalities to come through RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s incredible to see this multi-talented cast of new girls and veterans coming together on some unbelievably

creative numbers.”

Voss Events is a leading production company that consistently delivers superior entertainment programming. Past events have included stars such as Lady Gaga and Cher.

OUTtv Europe is known for its diverse mix of edgy drama and fabulous lifestyle programming, including RuPaul’s Drag Race, Untucked and RuPaul’s Drag U, as well as a dynamic library of Hollywood and independent movies from around the globe.

The ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race will begin airing March 2017. Thirteen queens will be competing for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and a cash prize of $100,000.

Tickets for the RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE WERQ THE WORLD 2017 tour go on sale March 1 at www.werqtheworld.com.

North America Fri, May-26 Toronto, Canada Danforth Music Hall Sat, May-27 Montreal, Canada Theatre Berri Fri, Jun-23 New York, New York Stage 48 Europe Tue, May-30 Belfast, UK Waterfront Hall Thu, Jun-1 Dublin, Ireland Olympia Theater Fri, Jun-2 Stockholm, Sweden Göta Lejon Sat, Jun-3 Oslo, Norway Folketeateret Sun, Jun-4 Copenhagen, Denmark DR Koncerthuset Wed, Jun-7 Zurich, Switzerland Plaza Club Fri, Jun-9 Vienna, Austria Gasometer Sat, Jun-10 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg Sun, Jun-11 Berlin, Germany Columbia Theater Wed, Jun-14 Rotterdam, Amsterdam Villa Thalia Thu, Jun-15 Antwerp, Brussels Stadsschouwburg Fri, Jun-16 Cologne, Germany Gloria Theater Sat, Jun-17 Hamburg, Germany Docks EILE Magazine 37

Travel See what the world’s most beautiful destinations have to offer.

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EILE Magazine 39

Travel

Amazing American Holidays 2017 Amazing American packages on offer!

on two adults and two children sharing. Flight connections also available ex Belfast, Shannon and Cork.

With a Florida vacation you can revel in the hustle and bustle of Orlando, combined with all that Tampa has to offer and then relax on the warm sands of St Pete’s beaches.

Travel: May 2017 - other dates and durations available Ref No: 1469394

Stunning Chicago sits proudly on the shores of Lake Michigan and offers visitors a place that is steeped in some of America’s richest history and yet is a lively, modern metropolis.

New York and Las Vegas Spend 3 nights at the Doubletree Met by Hilton, New York and 4 nights at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino Hotel Las Vegas from only €915pp.

A life is not complete without a visit to one of the greatest cities on earth. New York is a place that can be something different to every individual visitor.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 7 nights’ accommodation as stated, flight from New York to Las Vegas, taxes and charges.

Based on two adults sharing. Flight connections also available ex Belfast, Shannon and Cork.

Try your luck at the blackjack tables or check out one of the superstar’s shows, pay a visit to the Mob Museum or take a stroll and watch the famous Bellagio Fountains in action.

Travel: November 2017 - other dates and durations available Ref No: 560700

From coast to coast, Canada is filled with unexpected beauty, adventures and wonders that are sure to awaken your inner explorer.

Las Vegas and Chicago Spend 4 nights at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino Hotel Las Vegas and 3 nights at the Inn of Chicago from only €1179pp.

Whether you are into fly drives, rail tours, escorted tours or multi destination holidays, American Holidays have something to inspire you.

New York and Orlando Spend 3 nights at the Westin New York Grand Hotel and 7 nights at the Crowne Plaza, Orlando from only €869pp.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 10 nights’ accommodation as stated, flight from New York to Orlando, taxes and charges. Based 40 EILE Magazine

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 7 nights’ accommodation as stated, flight from Las Vegas to Chicago, taxes and charges. Based on two adults sharing. Flight connections also available ex Belfast, Shannon and Cork.

Travel: May 2017 - other dates and durations available Ref No: 1469489 Orlando & Florida Beaches Spend 7 nights at the Ramada Plaza Resort &

Suites, Orlando and 3 nights at the Sirata Beach Resort, St Petes from only €899pp.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 10 nights’ accommodation as stated, 4 days car hire including insurance, taxes and charges.

Based on two adults and two children sharing.

Flight connections also available ex Belfast, Shannon and Cork.

Travel: May 2017 - other dates and durations available Ref No: 1469966 Vancouver Stay & Alaska Cruise Spend 2 nights at the 4* Delta Vancouver Suites followed by a 7 night cruise on-board Celebrity Infinity from only €1645pp.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 9 nights’ accommodation as stated, taxes and charges. Based on two adults sharing. Flight connections also available ex. Belfast, Shannon and Cork.

Travel: September 2017 - other dates and durations available

Ref No: 1473923 Toronto & Niagara Falls Experience Spend 4 nights at the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre and 2 nights at the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton from only €1095pp.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 6 nights’ accommodation as stated, 2 day Toronto tour, Harbour Islands cruise, Niagara Falls adventure pass, two days transportation service in Niagara Falls, taxes and charges. Based on two adults sharing. Flight connections also available ex. Belfast, Shannon and Cork.

Travel: May 2017 - other dates and durations available Ref No: 1468538 Call American Holidays to book on 01 673 3804 or call into their office just off Grafton Street - 18- 19 Duke Street, Dublin 2 For more information visit www. americanholidays.com.

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Health

Allergies Brian Rochford writes that allergies are on the increase, and tells you what you can do about them According to the World Health Organization 235 million people suffer from asthma. Large numbers of people world-wide, many of them young children suffer some form of allergic reaction.

Allergies have been described as a response by the immune system to something that would normally not be seen as harmful to your system. You may be allergic to the dander from your pet cat or you may suffer when the pollen count is particularly high, and certain foods may also be on your list to avoid.

It is not clear why some individuals are subjected to allergies, there seems to be evidence that allergies can be handed down from generation to generation.

There are certain substances which can produce allergic responses in some people. The following are a few that we all are somewhat familiar with. Moulds, medicines like penicillin, dander from pets, you can be allergic to some nuts, and foods containing particular additives. There are also plants that can produce an allergic response.

Some people have been known to experience an immediate reaction when in contact with certain substances. A response of this kind is generally referred to as an anaphylaxis and can be very serious, resulting in the persons airways becoming swollen making breathing very difficult. At the same time your blood pressure could drop seriously low. It is strongly advisable if you have this type of response to get emergency help instantly.

Better safe than sorry, if you are experiencing any allergic responses you can pay a visit to your GP. There you can be tested to establish what might be the cause of the condition. In a situation where a a serious reaction is experienced you may be requested to record your response to certain products or substances over a certain time frame. In some cases your GP might insist on further testing to establish to exact cause of the problem.

Natural remedies for these reactions include Vitamin C which is anti-histamine, and Magnesium which helps breathing, and Quercetin.

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One method of testing for allergies is the elimination diet. The purpose of this method is to identify foods that may cause an allergic reaction. Make sure that you have your doctor on board when embarking on this course of action so that you are getting all your nutrients.

This process can require many weeks and it is very important not to follow this method if you have serious allergic reactions (like anaphylaxis). So be certain to chat to your doctor and follow the correct advice.

Many of us will now notice that food packaging will have clearly labelled the presence of food and substances that could cause someone with an allergy to experience a reaction. Foods like milk, eggs, soy, fish, peanuts, wheat, are often printed in bold in or under the list of ingredients. It has been suggested that form 1997 to 2002 the number of people with peanut allergies have increased by 100 percent. At

lunchtime there are children who have to sit at certain tables away from the possibility of coming into contact with harmful substances.

Websites have been created and also support groups to help people involved in teaching children with serious allergy problems at home.

The increase in allergic reactions is an ongoing problem. Genetic inheritance can’t take the blame for all allergic reactions, there must be some environmental aspects to these rapid increases also. So many theories abound as to why allergies are on the rise. Some say it is the fact that we eat so much processed food now, with less emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables.

Some say it is environmental pollution.

However, whether it is by the medical route or the natural route, there are remedies to be had.

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PERSONAL BEST: An FGG Interview With Fernando Carvajal Fernando received an award from the city of Santiago for his service promoting equality and inclusion through sport.

His translated interview is below. He was an FGG scholarship recipient at Gay Games Chicago in 2006, which helped launch his career in diversity and inclusion in sport across Chile.

The organisation he founded, Movdeinchile, has been a member of the FGG Assembly for several years.

FGG: Congratulations on your great honor. What led to the award?

Fernando: 1) The constant work of sports integration that I have assumed with a lot of responsibility and on a voluntary basis.

2) Through the performance of sports meetings of integration during the 9 years of Movdeinchile.

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Movdeinchile

Right of photo: Fernando Carvajal

3) In the spaces that I have obtained through the municipality of Santiago and the sport ministry of Chile, since without this support I would not be able to hold sporting matches in Santiago.

FGG: Why were you selected?

Fernando: I was recognized for my outstanding work in the service of sport, my leadership and work, recreation and healthy living in the Santiago community. Also for being an organized sports club that works for sport integration.

FGG: What impact does it have on the recognition of LGBT sports in Chile?

Fernando: The impact on society is to establish ourselves as serious, responsible, organized, respectful and integrative organizations.

FGG: What impact did your first experience with Gay Games have?

Fernando: Indeed the experience I had in Chicago in 2006 was life-changing both in my sports career and personal life; this led me to form the sports club Movdeinchile (Sports Movement of Integration Chile) in Santiago, and to work hard to make sports meetings of integration in Chile.

My great dream is to see the Gay Games held in Chile one day.

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Frances Winston on Movies Directed by: John Lee Hancock – Starring: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll, Linda Cardellini, Patrick Wilson, Laura Dern I have to admit that I’ve never been a big fan of McDonalds.

I’m more of a KFC kinda girl.

I’ve never really enjoyed their food, and any time I have consumed it I’ve been hungry again an hour later.

Don’t get me wrong, as a child there was always something exciting about heading to one of their big shiny outlets, to get served food that appeared as soon as you ordered it. But that same food never really floated my boat.

My entire opinion of the chain was based on their culinary delights (or lack of same) but thanks to The Founder, I now have new insight into their origins, and I have to say my opinion hasn’t improved.

Lest you hadn’t gathered it, The Founder in question is Ray Kroc (Keaton) who is the man who brought McDonalds to the world. To be fair though ‘founder’ is a self-appointed title, and the restaurants were actually started by brothers Maurice ‘Mac’ and Richard ‘Dick’ McDonald (played

by Lynch and Offerman respectively) who wanted to establish a family-friendly,

reasonably priced restaurant, with consistent quality of food and fast service.

Keaton is mesmerising as Kroc, but you do find yourself wondering what is motivating him at times, as we never really When travelling salesman, Ray, learn much about his inner stumbles upon their operation, workings. he quickly realises they are on to something, and negotiates That aside, The Founder with them to franchise the idea manages to remain throughout the country. unsentimental about what is a well-loved brand. The After a few false starts, the idea focus here is on the origins, eventually takes off, but Ray how Kroc managed to wrestle is still struggling financially control from the brothers, due to only receiving a limited and become one of the most share of profits. When the influential businessmen in the brothers refuse to renegotiate world. his deal, Ray starts thinking laterally, investing in the real In that respect, The Founder estate that franchisees will does its job well, and it is a use to build their branch, fascinating origin story. It eventually winning the name wonderfully recreates the and all rights to it from era without filtering it with the brothers, and building nostalgia, and the script is McDonalds into the global meaty enough that actors brand we now know. manage to create drama out of even simple phone calls, I wasn’t aware of this story, making for a very engaging and therefore found it an watch. intriguing insight into the fast food giants. When you first The Founder is solidly-crafted, see the McDonald brothers at with some great performances, work, you will be struck by how and offers a fascinating their burgers look. glimpse into a story that most people have forgotten by now.

Kroc, however, was more It may also put you off interested in the profit McDonalds, when you realise margins. Yet he is a deeplyhow badly the brothers were complex individual, who also treated by Kroc. But if you’re did a great deal of charitable hungry after watching The work once he had ‘made it’.

Founder, don’t panic. There However, this part of his are plenty of other fast food character isn’t really explored outlets! here, and instead, we are given the ‘bare bones’ of what makes In Cinemas Now! him tick.

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Frances Winston on Movies continued...

Directed by: Denzel Washington – Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby

idea to bring it to the screen.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should probably say that I LOVE Denzel Washington.

Not just a little tiny bit. But a great, huge, big love. He is amazing, even when playing unlikeable characters, such as his Oscar-winning turn as corrupt cop, Alonzo Harris, in Training Day (and he was robbed of the Oscar for his role as alcoholic airline pilot, William Whitaker, in Flight!)

His long-suffering wife, Rose (Davis) puts up with his pontifications about how the world works. But when it affects their son, Cory (Adepo) who wants to play pro football, the cracks really begin to show. When Troy is forced to reveal that he got his mistress pregnant, their marriage is all but over, with Troy still defensively denying that he has done wrong.

Basically he can do no wrong.

Hell, he’s even directed an episode of one of my favourite TV shows, Grey’s Anatomy.

Due to space, this is a very short synopsis of what is a very complex drama. Fences deals with not just human relationships, but race issues, education issues, and even on some levels the meaning of life! It was adapted for screen by the writer of the original source material, August Wilson, so it retains the integrity of his story throughout.

However, I will do my best not to let my feelings for the wonderful Denzel colour this review. Here he takes on the dual role of star and director (is there nothing he can’t do?). Fences, the movie, is based on the play of the same name, which he starred in on Broadway in 2010.

Actually, he also won the Tony Award for Best Actor that year – no biggie. In all, Fences was nominated for 10 Tonys that year, winning three, so you can see why it might be considered a good

Fences tells the story of Troy Maxon (Washington) who is still resentful of the fact that he never made it big in the baseball leagues, citing his race as the reason, and is angry at the world in general.

Washington and Davis are fantastic (and no, that’s not my bias talking) and have rightly been nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. They both bring a depth to their characters, with a single look from either often

revealing more about what is going on than any dialogue Wilson has written. They are ably supported by other cast members, but make no mistake – this is their show. Their relationship and chemistry are so good, that you often feel intimidated by the intensity they exude in their scenes.

In fact, on the whole, Fences is a wonderful and thoughtful piece of work. The problem it has is one that is true of all play adaptations – it was not designed for the expansive world of film.

Despite Washington’s best efforts, Fences often feels claustrophobic, and the fact that it is so incredibly dialogue-heavy instead of visual, harks to its theatrical genesis.

Don’t let that put you off though, as Fences is dark and deep, and will leave you feeling somewhat shellshocked. It is a perfect example of how good film can be when you put two great actors, giving great performances, together, and make the focus about that, instead of about special effects or cinematic illusion.

Beautifully thoughtprovoking and powerful, Fences makes an impact on a viewer that will linger on long after the credits roll.

In Cinemas Now! EILE Magazine 49

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Frances Winston on Movies continued...

Directed by: Stephen Gaghan – Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Édgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell, Craig T Nelson, Stacy Keach, Bruce Greenwood Given that Gold is set in the 80s, I am very surprised no savvy marketing man in Spandau Ballet’s camp managed to get their legendary song attached to this project, since it features a wealth of other nostalgic tunes. It also features a staggering array of questionable 80s fashions, that will have people of a certain age wondering what they were thinking!

Big hair, shoulder pads, and Matthew McConaughey’s questionable y-fronts aside, Gold tells the tale of Kenny Wells (played by McConaughey) who is down on his luck, but dreams of striking gold. While that would mean winning the lotto to you or I, for him it literally means finding the shiny precious metal!

He teams up with a geologist, Michael Acosta (Ramírez, who, I have to say, went down a treat with the ladies, and some of the guys, at the screening I attended!) and they start mining in Indonesia, backed by money Kenny has raised from friends and neighbours.

After a lot of frustration and

false hope, they finally seem to find untapped gold reserves worth hundreds of millions of dollars. As is always the case, people who didn’t want to know Kenny when he was on his uppers suddenly become his new best friend, and want a piece of the action. But like the old adage says, be careful what you wish for…

Gold screams Oscar bait.

Loosely based on a ‘so bonkers it has to be true tale’, McConaughey once again proves he’s a serious actor, this time gaining weight and going bald for the role (because we all know that’s what makes a serious actor).

Basically his character here is exactly the same as his Dallas Buyers Club character, except instead of hustling for HIV medication, he’s hustling for gold. Other than that, they could be separated at birth. I also wonder if Ramírez was cast before he agreed to ‘ugly up’. If so, that shows a serious lack of vanity on his part as, it has to be said, Ramírez is damn fine, and manages to look completely brooding throughout, even when he’s supposed to be dirty, hot, and sweaty in the jungle.

He’s not just a pretty face though, and does give a brilliant performance as Michael. Bryce Dallas Howard is always a joy to watch, and this is no exception. She plays Kenny’s better-half, and although her character is somewhat clichéd basically

acting as his conscience, she manages to bring a huge amount to the role. Also, it is completely refreshing to see a normal woman on screen, rather than a 6-foot stick insect.

The rest of the cast aren’t really stretched. They all give good performances, but they are pretty much window-dressing for the two main players.

The script is good. If you aren’t aware of the background story, it does keep you on its toes with its twists and turns. There are also some lovely, humorous moments. At several points, the movie feels like it could end, and then you get just one more twist. The jungle scenes are beautifully shot, and boast some wonderful overhead shots that juxtapose nicely with the city scenes.

On the whole however, Gold feels very uneven.

Don’t get me wrong – it is extremely entertaining, and McConaughey and Ramírez make a great double-act. But there is some clunky editing, and some scenes that just feel like they were written in because they thought they would be a hoot, rather than adding anything to the story.

Not as profound as it thinks it is, Gold is still a lot of fun, and will leave you with a smile on your face. Just don’t scratch the surface, or you may find it‘s more gold-plate than 24-carat.

In Cinemas Now! EILE Magazine 51

Maspalomas Gay Pride 2017 – Official 2017 ProGay Parties Maspalomas 2017, 10th and 11th May, T-Dance and Wet & White Parties!

T-Dance: Wednesday 10th of May, 2017 Since 2009, the most popular party at Maspalomas Gay Pride is the T-Dance.

Last year was the first time in Maspalomas Gay Pride history, that an event was sold out during pre-sale, for both T-Dance and Wet & White!

Located just 5 minutes away from the ‘Yumbo Center’, you can find the fantastic Aqua Ocean Club, next to the Meloneras Beach, an open air venue with amazing sound system, large dance floor, VIP Tables and sea-view from the party.

Superstar DJ Steven Redant, who plays all over the world, and Sharon O’Love, one of the most beloved DJs within the LGBT community, will be spinning the discs.

Also featuring is ProGay resident DJ PK80, who has been part of T-Dance since the beginning, and is a true local star on Gran Canaria!

Tickets to the T-Dance at: http://www.gaypridemaspalomas.com/product/t-dance-2/ And the next day’s party is The Wet & White Party, with DJ Micky Friedmann, Sharon O’Love and PK80, on Thursday 11th May, 2017, voted on social media as the best 2016 Maspalomas Pride party!

Tickets to the Wet & White at: http://www.gaypridemaspalomas.com/product/wet-white-2/

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ADIFF 2017: Critics Circle Announce Winners At Audi Dublin International Film Festival Members of the Dublin Film Critics Circle have handed out their annual awards for the Audi Dublin International Film Festival. The event, hosted by Limelight Communications, took place at The Speakeasy Bar at Flanagan’s on O’Connell Street. Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Aquarius was adjudged to be the best film of this year’s festival. Mendonça’s picture, starring Sonia Braga, details the efforts by a retired music critic to remain in her Recife home.

Best Irish film went to John Butler’s Handsome Devil. Already highly praised at the Toronto Film Festival, Butler’s film, which closed ADIFF 2017, concerns two very different teenagers in a posh, rugby-obsessed boarding school. Butler joined Rob Walpole and Rebecca O’Flanagan, producers of the film, to receive the elegant glass award.

Two prizes were presented to Emer Reynolds’s The Farthest. That study of the Voyager space probe took best Irish documentary and – named for a late member of the DFCC – the George Byrne Maverick Award.

Each year, in honour of the Festival’s founder, the DFCC is proud to present the Michael Dwyer Discovery Award. This year, it went to members of the Blue Teapot Theatre Company. The actors, all intellectually disabled, gave stunning performances in Len Collin’s Sanctuary, which was greeted with whoops at the festival.

“As ever, it is a gruelling pleasure to head the DFCC jury at ADIFF”, Tara Brady, president of the Circle, commented. “Gruelling because one has to pick between such amazing things as Scott Chambers ‘ tremendous performance in Chicken, the ravishing beauty of Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait, the grand intergenerational tensions of Thithi, the drama of The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki, and the heartbreak of Gleason. Pleasure because of the scope of Grainne Humphries’ programme, and the day or night assistance provided by print transport manager, Mary Burke, festival press officer, Patrick Stewart, and awards sponsor, Limelight Communications.”

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Irish film Handsome Devil

THE DFCC AWARDS AT THE AUDI DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Best Film – Aquarius Best Actress – Florence Pugh, Lady Macbeth Best Actor – Sherwan Haji, The Other Side of Hope Best Director – Lav Diaz, The Woman Who Left Best Cinematography – M. David Mullen, The Love Witch Best Screenplay – Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov, Glory Best Irish Feature – Handsome Devil Best Irish Documentary – The Farthest Best Documentary – I Am Not Your Negro Jury Prize – Kristopher Avedisian, Donald Cried Jury Prize – Daouda Coulibaly, Wulu Jury Prize – My Life as a Courgette Jury Prize – The Transfiguration George Byrne Maverick Award – Emer Reynolds Michael Dwyer Discovery Award – Blue Teapot cast – Sanctuary (eile.ie 28 February 2016) EILE Magazine 55

The OA – Part II on Netflix with Irish Actor Patrick Gibson Netflix has announced that The OA, starring Brit Marling, will return for Part II. The series also stars young Irish Actor Patrick Gibson.

The Netflix original series The OA, is from visionaries Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij (Sound of My Voice, The East), who created and wrote the eight chapter, mind-bending odyssey together.

The show begins with a missing blind girl in her twenties, Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling), who comes home to the community she grew up in, with her sight restored. Some hail her a miracle, others a dangerous mystery, but Prairie won’t talk about her seven years missing, with either the FBI or her parents.

Other cast members include Emory Cohen (Brooklyn, The Place Beyond the Pines), Scott Wilson (The Walking Dead, Junebug), Phyllis Smith (The Office), Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, Fury, Dig), Alice Krige (Star Trek: First Contact, Silent Hill), Patrick Gibson (The Tudors), Brendan Meyer (Mr. Young, The Guest) and newcomers Ian Alexander and Brandon Perea.

Marling stars in the series and Batmanglij directs all episodes. Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Sarah Esberg from Plan B (Oscar winning producers of 12 Years a Slave) and Michael Sugar from Anonymous Content (True Detective, The Knick) are executive producers of the series, along with Marling and Batmanglij.

The OA is a Netflix production and will be available in Ultra HD 4K.

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Irish Actor Patrick Gibson

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UK: Anglican Bishop Urges Full Acceptance of Same-sex Marriages The Anglican Bishop of Bradwell in the UK, Rt Rev John Wraw, who had been diagnosed 3 years ago with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that was ‘treatable but not curable’, and now is no longer treatable, has come out in favour of same-sex marriages. He has said that same-sex relationships are “God given”, and he hopes that there will be “full acceptance of same-sex marriages in the Church of England”.

In a letter to clergy, friends and colleagues, he wrote: “I have no desire to criticise my fellow Bishops and recognise the reflection, prayer and care that has been given to offering leadership and teaching in this. However, there is still a lack of pastoral understanding and care shown in public pronouncements and a lack of venturesome and creative theological reflection on the nature of relationships and the place of marriage within that.

More time does need to be given to a well-founded theology of relationship, friendship and marriage which I hope will lead in time to a full acceptance of same sex marriages in the Church of England. That will take time.

However, that should not hold us back in the immediate from proper recognition through prayers, blessing, celebration and affirmation of all that is good and wholesome in a wide variety of relationships including stable, faithful, committed and God given same sex relationships”.

He also stated in a BBC Essex interview that he wants immediate Church of England affirmation of same-sex relationships which are committed, faithful, and stable.

A Church of England Synod has recently shown some progress when it refused a call to continuing objections to same-sex marriage, even though some bishops are vehemently opposed to it.

-MKB (eile.ie 27 February 2017) 58 EILE Magazine

“More time does need to be given to a well-founded theology of relationship, friendship and marriage which I hope will lead in time to a full acceptance of same sex marriages in the Church of England�

-Bishop of Bradwell, Rt Rev John Wraw (above)

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Design: Anthony Zagariko, exclusively for EILE Magazine

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Quality LGBT News and Features – Produced from Los Angeles Available via podcast on our website (thiswayout.org) or on iTunes, and on 200+ Radio Stations Worldwide!

thiswayout.org | Twitter: @TWORadio Overnight Productions (Inc.)/”This Way Out” Post Office Box 1065 Los Angeles, CA 90078 U.S.A. EILE Magazine 61

LGBT International Powerlifting Championships (Regisration Now Open) The first ever LGBT International Powerlifting Championships http:// lgbtpowerlifting.org/ are happening on 28th, 29th, and 30th July 2017, in London.

Up to 60 of the world’s strongest Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual and Trans athletes are expected to attend from all over the world, in what promises to be a very special occasion.

The championships will be hosted by Gay Games Powerlifters, Chris Morgan and Dominic Patmore, with the assistance of Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club in London.

The Championships are the idea of Chris Morgan and Dominic Patmore in response to Powerlifting not being

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included in Gay Games Paris 2018. Powerlifting had been part of Gay Games since it was first held in San Francisco in 1982. The new championships aim to bring LGBT lifters together from across the world to compete, socialise, and discuss the future of LGBT Powerlifting.

Co-Promoter Chris Morgan, an eight time world champion in the sport, said: “It is very important that LGBT Powerlifters are given the same opportunities as I’ve enjoyed over the last 18 years in the sport. LGBT lifters are very much a minority in the sport of Powerlifting and it is important that we are able to come together as a group to compete at least once a year. We have never had our own annual international championships, so to bring everyone together

in London 2017 will be a very special occasion”.

Co-promoter Dominic Patmore is a Gay Games Gold Medallist from Cologne 2010, He continued: “London is the perfect location for the world’s first LGBT International Powerlifting Championships, with its diverse communities and wealth of visitor attractions. In 2017 the Powerlifting Championships will be happening on the weekend in between the World Para-athletics Championships and the World Athletics Championships , so participants will be visiting a city alive with sporting energy”.

Chris Morgan competed in the 75 kg Open class from 1998 to 2006. He won the silver medal in the World

Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation Finals in Atlanta in November 2004, the gold medal in December 2005 at the finals in Turin and the bronze medal in November 2006 at the finals in Ireland.[1] Chris is amongst the earliest openly gay male athletes to win world medals in sports globally and is one of the most successful openly gay strength athletes of all time. Chris currently holds multiple British and World Strength records in Deadlift within the International All Round Weightlifters Association, which is a strength association for athletes competing in drug-free weightlifting, powerlifting, and Strongman.

Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club was established in 1926, and is well-known for its strong commitment to diversity within the communities it serves.

by the trendy Shoreditch and Spitalfields Market areas of London. Holiday Inn Express are offering a special discounted room rate, to all people associated with the LGBT IPC championships, staying between Thursday 27th July and Tuesday 1st August. Visit the LGBT IPC website for details.

FGG (Federation of Gay Games) say they are proud and grateful that Chris Morgan is an active Gay Games Ambassador!

Please note Chris Morgan and Dom Patmore are running this event on a ‘Non Profit’ basis and entry fees have been calculated on this basis.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Check out their Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/ events/1695602424035594/

For more details about the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships and to register your interest visit their website: www. lgbtpowerlifting.org or their Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/ groups/203653086703441/ or their Facebook Event Page https://www.facebook.com/ events/1695602424035594/

The host hotel for the event is the Holiday Inn Express,(London City) that is within walking distance of the competition venue and is close to the restaurants and amenities offered

Visit the Facebook Group To Download Registration Form or email Chris Morgan chunky@chunkymuscle.com

Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club 229 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6AB London, United Kingdom

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GLAAD: Over 140 entertainers, including Lady GaGa and Amy Poehler, against antiLGBTQ bills, support #TXtogether GLAAD, in partnership with Equality Texas, The Ally Coalition, and leading artists, entertainers, and influencers, have released an open letter with more than 140 signatures, opposing bills that threaten harm to the LGBTQ community in the Lone Star State.

The diverse range of signatories addressed the letter to leaders in Texas, urging they oppose Senate Bill 6 (SB 6) and House Bill 1362 (HB 1362), two harmful pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation on the table in the state right now.

Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Janelle Monae, Gloria Steinem, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lawrence, Sia, Troye Sivan, Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Antanoff, Julianne Moore, Laverne Cox, Tegan and Sara, Amy Poehler, Britney Spears, Kesha, Laura Jane Grace, Natalie Maines, Connie Britton, Juanes, Padma Lakshmi, Ross Mathews, Sarah Jaffe, Sara Ramirez, Tatiana Maslany, and Zoe Kravitz are just a few of the many signatories opposing these bills. Notable leaders from across industries, backgrounds, and identities—including numerous Texasbased artists and LGBTQ entertainers—have added their names to speak out against discrimination and hate.

“The public outcry by musicians and influencers against upcoming anti-LGBTQ bills in Texas should have lawmakers taking note,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO. 64 EILE Magazine

“By adding their voices to the chorus of fair-minded people calling for equality, these artists are using their platforms to speak out and send the resounding message that discrimination is not an American value.”

SB 6, which is similar to the widelycovered HB 2 in North Carolina, bans local governments from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances that protect transgender people, or from requiring companies with city contracts from having similar protections.

It also restricts restroom and locker room access for transgender people in government buildings, public schools and universities.

HB 1362 targets transgender Texans, particularly students, by preventing any state or local government agency from passing or enforcing gender-identity inclusive public accommodation laws or policies in public schools or private businesses.

The letter reads, in part: Transgender and gender non-conforming young people are already subjected to bullying and harassment. Can you imagine the message these bills send to children – the message of “that child is unwelcome, that child is dangerous?” Transgender and gender non-conforming young people also already face higher rates of family rejection and homelessness, mental health issues and suicidality, and they already are more likely to be denied work and housing. How much more can you punish them for living honestly

Left: Lady GaGa Below: Amy Poehler

and openly?

In the midst of the anti-LGBTQ legislative battles in states across the country in 2016, GLAAD joined with Nielsen and The Harris Poll to measure the impact of muscians speaking out. Musician protests, the poll found, were considered the most effective avenue when it came to raising awareness around LGBTQ issues, with 60% of respondents citing it as such. In addition, 64% of respondents cited Bruce Springsteen as a significantly influential musician, indicating that his decision to cancel a concert in North Carolina to protest the state’s harmful antiLGBT law was a major factor in the chain reaction of cancellations the state experienced in its wake, even reaching beyond music.

The Harris Poll findings also showed that artists who protested discriminatory legislation had the support of a majority of Americans,

with 60% saying they supported artists who speak up about LGBTQ equality, 51% citing concert cancellations as an effective form of protest, and 50% saying they would attend a concert at another venue if an artist cancelled a show in protest. Western states were 23% more likely to listen to artists that protest and over 70% of American said they would be more or equally likely to attend an artist’s concerts, support artists, buy an artist’s albums, and listen to an artist’s music if the musician is standing against anti-LGBTQ legislation.

You can read the full letter and the list of signatories at: www.txtogether.org (eile.ie 17 February 2017)

EILE Magazine 65

FGG: LGBT Women in

Speakers from the world of sport, both amateur and professional, wi participating in sport. This event will take place on

The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) aims to find ways to support and inspire L

Welcoming delegates will be Joanie Evans and Sophia Rodriguez. Joanie is Co-President of the Fed Hackney, Sophia is chair of the FGG’s Diversity Committee, which has been

Delegate places are available free of charge to interested w

For mor

Information and

https://www.facebook.com/e 66 EILE Magazine

n Sport – FREE EVENT!

ill explore the issues and barriers that discourage LGBT women from April 15, 2017, from 10 am to 4 pm, in Brighton, UK.

LGBT women to get involved in sport – both in organised and informal settings.

deration of Gay Games, and was instrumental in establishing the first lesbian football club based in , London. examining the issue of increasing participation in the Gay Games.

women from the LGBT community and their straight allies.

re, visit:

d registration at

events/1639250916369640/ EILE Magazine 67

Malawi - Judgment In Hate Speech Case Reserved

Malawi’s Chief Justice, Andrew Nyirenda, has reserved judgment in the hate speech case against Ken Msonda, ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politician, according to Shehnilla Mohamed, of Outright Action International (formerly International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission).

Mohamed states: “Malawian activists, Gift

68 EILE Magazine

Trapence, who heads the Centre for the Development of people (CEDEP) and Timothy Mtambo, who heads the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, filed a hate speech case against Msonda in January 2016”.

Msonda has publicly stated that “homosexuals had no rights in Malawi and deserve to be killed” in Facebook posts and media interviews. […]

There are deeply religious factions in Malawi, with a Christian population of 82%, and a Muslim population of 13%. A march, led by Christian groups, was held in January, under the title ‘The Citizen’s March for Life and Family’,

to protest homosexuality and abortion.

According to Mohamed: “At the time of the homophobic rants Msonda was a spokesperson for the former ruling People’s Party (PP). He was reacting to a decision by the country’s justice minister, Samuel Tembenu, which would put a temporary prohibition on anti homosexual laws.

Under the current law, those found guilty of homosexuality in Malawi could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison with hard labour. Justice Minister Samuel Tembenu recently indicated that the laws against homosexuals would be reviewed.

The debate on whether or not Malawi should legalise homosexuality has been raging, in this traditionally conservative Southern African country. The country’s President, Peter Mutharikha, joined the debate last year, when his Press Secretary, Gerald Vida, told a local radio station that the President fully intended to ensure the rights of the LGBTI community would be respected and protected under the law.

Vida said President Mutharikha planned to let Malawians decide on LGBT issues even if that meant putting it to a popular vote via a referendum. “When the President sees other people being victimized he believes it is best to “leave politics and laws aside and apply human dignity and respect,” he said.

Following media interviews and social media posts the Malawi Law Society (MLS) issued a statement in which it called on authorities to investigate the remarks made

by Msonda claiming they bordered on hate speech. The MLS also sent a formal request to the Malawi Human Rights Commission and the Police asking them to investigate the matter and take appropriate action. […]

Speaking to OutRight, Gift Trapence, who is CEO of the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), confirmed that the Ex Parte G Trapence & T Mtambo (The Msonda kill the Gays Case) was heard by the Chief Justice on 19

January 2017.

“The Chief Justice heard arguments from our legal team as well as from the Attorney General, representing the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). This hearing was for purposes of having the proceedings certified as a constitutional matter, which would in turn entail that the matter be remitted to a panel of not less than three High Court judges. The Chief Justice has since reserved his ruling and we should, roughly, expect his determination in the next three to four weeks,” he said.

Trapence said since they filed the case all the activists involved in calling for action against Msonda and their lawyer, Mwiza Nkhata, have been receiving threats. They have been warned of dire consequences if they do not drop the case. He said this had resulted in being forced to seek assistance to increase their security.

Msonda continues to propagate hate against the LGBTIQ community, and told a local newspaper recently; “I stand by what I said and I will repeat it in court – homosexuals have no rights in Malawi and that is why they are being arrested.”

In the meantime some of the country’s civil society organizations have joined CHRR and CEDEP in the court case against Msonda.

The civil society organizations including Youth and Children

Rights Shield (YOCRIS), Forum for National Development (FND), and Counseling for the Adolescent Youth Organization (CAYO) have expressed interest joining CHRR and CEDEP in a bid to promote rights of all people including those of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people.

“It is shocking to note the level of hate that Mr. Kenneth Msonda propagated against people of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT). The hate speech which calls for killing of LGBT people cannot be condoned in a democratic Malawi. We believe that Mr. Msonda has every right to express his arguments against LGBT issues but calling for death of the same people is criminal.

He has demonstrated being no worse than a person who propagates mob justice instead of letting the law takes its course,” a press statement signed by the three organizations said.

A date for a ruling on the case has not yet been announced but is expected to take place in the next two weeks.

Malawi has a Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate speech Bill which was approved by Cabinet for public consultation in October last year, however it has not yet been enacted into law. It is expected that this fact could possibly affect the way in which the ruling prevails”. (eile.ie 15 February 2017)

EILE Magazine 69

France: Government Launches Plan To Fight Hate Against LGBT People After the Orlando attacks in the United States in June 2016, French President Hollande announced that the mandate of the Inter-ministerial Delegation to Racism and Antisemitism would be extended to the fight against LGBTphobia, and that an action plan would be put in place.

The plan is now launched. In order to implement the plan, an annual budget of €1.5 million has been allocated which also comprises support to LGBT organisations.

Some of the most significant items in the plan At governmental level: National campaign against LGBTphobia.

Network of officials in charge of the fight against LGBTphobia in each ministry.

Same at local level in each department.

The public sector as an

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employer: ministries, public companies, etc. will have to apply for the “diversity label” (which is already inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity). Interesting examples of existing support groups within ministry of defense (e.g. THEMIS focuses on welcoming trans people in the army) and other ministries. In addition, a report on discrimination within the public sector will be launched (based on ‘testing’).

The use of the first name of trans people (both as employees and users) will be facilitated in public services.

Protect victims of hate crime: Communicate on the annual number of victims and on judicial proceedings (already the case for other grounds of discrimination) Test a procedure of “precomplain on line” which aims at facilitating the physical complain (the reception of the victim can be anticipated through that pre-complain).

In all services in charge of taking care of victims, there should be one person allocated for LGBT issues.

Putting in place campaigns

against LGBTphobia, with a focus on lesbian women (in order to tackle double discrimination).

Transmit systematically cases of LGBTphobia on the Internet to the Prosecutor.

Keeping in mind the situation in detention facilities (give access to LGBT detainees to individual wards and also to a helpline).

Field of education: LGBTphobia included in civic education (which has been the case since 2015) Education ministry staff will be trained on prevention of LGBTphobia (both pre-service and continuous) In December 2015, two campaigns were launched by the ministry of education, they will be renewed.

A study will be conducted on options for trans students (who are +18 of age only) who have not legally changed their gender to use their first name (on students cards, exams, etc.).

Media: The body in charge of monitoring media will now also look at incidents of

French President Hollande

LGBTphobia.

Journalist students will be trained on LGBT issues.

Acting against discrimination in daily life:

Compulsory training on discrimination for human resources staff in companies with + than 300 employees.

Health:

Guidance will be developed towards childcare professionals, family associations, social workers, etc. on rainbow families.

Implementation decrees for the law on Justice (adopted in 2016 and comprising provisions on legal gender recognition) will be published in Feb. 2017. Also a guide for trans people on legal gender recognition will be developed.

A charter on older LGBT people will be elaborated for long-term care facilities.

Staff in those facilities will be trained.

Tissue donations by men who have sex with men: four months ban for plasma donations and 12 months for blood donation following a reform which entered into force in June 2016.

Raising the awareness of a number of bodies in rural areas (family organisations, farming teaching, etc.) on LGBTphobia.

Employment:

Intersex: France has been condemned three times in 2016 by various bodies of the United Nations: January 2016 by Committee on Children’s Rights, May 2016

by Committee Against Torture and July 2016 by Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Partnerships will be established with companies already doing well on diversity.

Special attention to suicidal young LGBT people HIV prevention campaigns and focus on STIs among lesbians Training of healthcare providers, with a focus on trans people.

As a result the action plan states that “when they’re not medically necessary, surgeries on intersex kids are mutilations and need to end”.

Rights of LGBT people abroad: Continue to push for decriminalization of homosexuality at UN level Support the new independent expert Continue to ensure that embassies take initiatives to support LGBT human rights defenders and their participation to international events.

LGBT refugees: Continue to raise awareness of officers in charge of examining asylum cases and supporting LGBT organisations active in the field.

Moreover the action plan also contains a whole section on culture and sports. (eile.ie 13 February 2017)

EILE Magazine 71

Gay Games - Re Paris in

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Support open letter to National Geographic

by Czech organisation Trans*parent

The trans rights organisation from the Czech Republic points out a number of problematic issues with the Czech edition of the National Geographic’s Special Issue “Gender Revolution”.

Including, but not limited to, the incorrect translation and definitions of terminology, the omission of articles which could have supported and raised trans awareness in the country, and more seriously an editorial which calls the “gender revolution” a “disintegration of traditional family, nation, religion, and race”, and an expert interview with a psychiatrist, sexologist, and former politician who “routinely conflates the term ‘sexual orientation’ with ‘gender identity’.”

Trans*parent’s full letter can be read here:

74 EILE Magazine

https://medium.com/@TransparentCZ/the-czech-edition-of-national-geographics-genderrevolution-issue-is-blatantly-transphobic-7ff67d40ba#.qhhmsi818 ILGA-Europe calls on organisations or individuals to also send us information on the translated issues of ‘Gender Revolution’ if they have also been problematic in terms of content in their country.

Please contact Nanna Moe, Senior Communications Officer.

If you want to support the open letter, you can start by messaging Trans*parent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transparentCZ (eile.ie 11 February 2017)

EILE Magazine 75

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DLL – Phone: (01) 872 9911 (Callback facility available) 76 EILE Magazine

EILE Magazine 77

‘When We Rise’ LGBT Mini-series Finale Part IV When We Rise is an LGBT themed 8-hour miniseries about the real-life struggles of LGBT pioneers of equality, from writer/ director and Academy Award Winner, Dustin Lance Black Cleve rejoins the fight, helping take California’s Prop 8 to the US Supreme Court; Roma fights for healthcare for all, and Ken looks to become strong again in an unlikely place – God’s home Phylicia Rashad, Debra Winger, Rob Reiner, Richard Schiff, T.R. Knight and Ivory Aquino Guest Star “Part IV” written by Dustin Lance Black – It’s 2008, and in the face of California’s Proposition 8 stripping away the right of gays and lesbians to marry, a newly energized Cleve inspires a younger generation to organize a massive march on Washington D.C. to demand full, federal LGBTQ equality in all matters.

Meanwhile Roma uses her lessons learned as a women’s and LGBTQ activist to fight for healthcare for all in San Francisco. And as Ken

78 EILE Magazine

struggles to reconcile his sexual orientation with his love of God, he recruits his old friend Cecilia Chung, now a health commissioner, to get the city to help fund a meal program for one of the first LGBTQ inclusive churches in the nation.

With newfound political pull, Cleve joins a rag-tag group of activists attempting to overturn California’s discriminatory Prop 8 at the U.S. Supreme Court. Ken finds his calling in helping bridge the gay/straight religious divide, and Roma defies her youthful distaste for the institution of marriage and proposes to the woman she’s loved for decades, Diane.

In the end, all of their fates hang on the decision of nine justices in the nation’s highest court, on the mini-series finale of “When We Rise,” FRIDAY, MARCH 3 (9:00–11:00 p.m.

EST), on the ABC Television Network.

“When We Rise” stars Guy Pearce as Cleve Jones, Mary-Louise Parker as Roma Guy, Rachel Griffiths as Diane, Michael K. Williams as Ken Jones, Austin McKenzie as Young Cleve, Jonathan Majors as Young Ken, Emily Skeggs as Young Roma and Fiona Dourif as

Dustin Lance Black

Debra Winger Image: Alice Attie 1984

Young Diane.

Guest starring are Phylicia Rashad as Yvette Flunder, Debra Winger as Justice Kagan, Henry Czerny as David Boies, Ivory Aquino as Cecilia Chung, Matthew Del Negro as Mayor Newsom, Mary McCormack as Roberta Kaplan, T.R. Knight as Chad Griffin, Todd Weeks as Tom Ammiano, Arliss Howard as Ted Olson, Rob Reiner as Mr. Blankenhorn, Pauley Perrette as Robin, Richard Schiff as Judge Walker, Phoebe Neidhardt as Annie, Alexandra Grey as Seville, William Sadler as Chuck Cooper, Jack Plotnick as Gilbert,

Maddie Corman as Phyllis, Sianoa SmitMcPhee as Annie, Jayne Taini as Elouise, Larry Guli as Justice Scalia, Jazzmun as Bobbi, Larissa Laskin as Roma’s Sister, Sandy Stier as Sandy Stier, Jeff Zarillo as Jeff Zarillo, Juan Riedinger as Jandro, Jeremiah Birkett as Paul, Paul Katami as Paul Katami, Kris Perry as Kris Perry, Luis Jose Lopez as Victor, Alex Reznik as Mitch, Prado Yvel Gomez as Trans Singer, Carla Pauli as Staffer and Douglas Smith as Young Man. “Part IV” was written and directed by Dustin Lance Black.

EILE Magazine 79

ILGA-Europe call for greater leadership on LGBTI equality ILGA-Europe have called for greater leadership on LGBTI equality from EU institutions and member states, at the High-level Ministerial Conference on LGBTIQ Equality Mainstreaming, held by the Maltese Presidency of the EU in Malta.

“The EU Commission has set out a List of Actions they are taking to progress equality for LGBTIQ people throughout Europe. This is a good base from which to build, but the critical ingredient to drive real progress on the ground for LGBTIQ people and their families will be greater leadership from the EU”, said Katrin Hugendubel, ILGA-Europe’s Advocacy Director, speaking at the conference.

All speakers (including Maltese Minister for Social Dialogue and Civil Rights, Helena Dalli, Director General of DG Justice at the EU, Tiina Astola, FRA Director General, Michael O’Flaherty, and Vice President of the EU Parliament, Ulrika Lunacek) raised the critical challenges in a changing Europe, where previous certainties of fundamental shared values and freedoms are under threat.

“It is clear from EU and FRA research that the ‘silent majority’ within Europe strongly support progress on inclusion of LGBTI people. Our collective challenge is to give a voice to that majority in an atmosphere that sees increasing threats to progress on rights ” said Brian Sheehan, co-chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, moderating the conference.

At the gathering of EU institutions, national governments and civil society organisations from throughout Europe, the need for all actors to ‘step up’ their work, to lead on delivery of progress on equality and fundamental freedoms was agreed.

“Our political leaders, at EU and national levels, can build on progress over the last number of years, progress that is a core part of being in the EU, and demonstrate leadership and solidarity in defending human rights and LGBTI rights where they are 80 EILE Magazine

“It is clear from EU and FRA research that the ‘silent majority’ within Europe strongly support progress on inclusion of LGBTI people.

Our collective challenge is to give a voice to that majority in an atmosphere that sees increasing threats to progress on rights ”

Brian Sheehan Co-Chair of ILGA Europe

currently challenged across Europe” said Hugendubel.

“It is the responsibility of governments to ensure that LGBTI people have legal protection against discrimination and homophobic and transphobic hate crimes. In the current context, where it will be difficult to get unanimity in the Council for closing those gaps on EU level, the European Commission can play a crucial role in bringing member states together and enable them to ‘step up’ in ensuring this protection exists at national level, across the EU”. (eile.ie 26 February 2017) EILE Magazine 81

US: Texas ‘BATHROOM BILL’ Opponents Release New Ad The ACLU of Texas and Legacy Community Health have released a Richard Linklater directed, 60-second digital ad, showing Texas’ ‘bathroom bill’ (S.B. 6) isn’t about so-called privacy, but about discriminating against transgender Texans.

The spot, titled “Taking a Seat, Making a Stand,” encourages Texans – through targeted digital buys on Facebook – to contact their state legislator in opposition to S.B. 6.

Using humor to undercut the fear-mongering of some policymakers, the ad features two transgender Texans and is directed by five-time Academy-Award nominee Richard Linklater, who worked closely with one of the nation’s premier creative agencies, GSD&M, out of Austin.

“Our ad shows S.B. 6 does absolutely nothing to bolster privacy and safety in a restroom,” said Katy Caldwell, CEO of Houston-based Legacy Community Health.

“The only thing the bill does do is discriminate against transgender Texans, including our patients and a member of my own family. Lawmakers should be focused on keeping kids in classrooms – not out of bathrooms – and other priorities like improving health care and creating jobs.”

“Lt. Gov. Patrick and other state lawmakers who support S.B. 6 portray the bill as a ‘common sense’ protection of ‘common decency’,” said Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas.

“There’s nothing decent about a proposed law that would exclude transgender people from public spaces or bar them from participating in public life. With this campaign we hope to raise awareness on the issue and ensure that Texas doesn’t consign our transgender brothers and sisters to second-class status under the law.”

The ad calls on Texas not to follow the lead of North Carolina, which has endured a $1 billion economic loss as a direct result from that state’s bathroom bill. Economic damage resulting from discriminatory legislation is not theoretical.

“As a company born and raised in Austin, Texas, we understand firsthand how discriminatory legislation can affect our state and the state of business,” said Duff Stewart, CEO of GSD&M.

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Richard Linklater directed the new ad

“Should a ‘bathroom bill’ pass, Texas will be perceived as divisive and unwelcoming – a reputation that will hinder our ability to attract diverse employees, clients and businesses, and devastate our economy. We partnered with the ACLU of Texas, Legacy Community Health and Richard Linklater to champion progress for Texas and achieve equality for everyone.”

Linklater is a lifetime Texas resident and known for such films as Boyhood (2015), School of Rock (2003) and Dazed and Confused (1993).

The ad may be viewed on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k33n-TmM8Sw (eile.ie 26 February 2017) EILE Magazine 83

UMC: Group Tackles Church Unity From Multiple Fronts, But LGBT Group Not Allowed In The United Methodist group, charged with bridging divisions around homosexuality, spent its first meeting recently mainly getting to know and trust each other, but also took first steps toward possible outcomes, according to Heather Hahn of UMNS (United Methodist News Service).

The ‘Commission on a Way Forward’, which includes 32 United Methodists from nine countries, comprises six working groups that will attempt to bridge church divisions, including LGBT issues, from multiple directions.

Matt Berryman, fellow commission member, said he was hopeful.

“There is universal agreement, pretty much, that we are not there to talk about whether LGBTQ people will be included but how”

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said Berryman, the executive director of Reconciling Ministries Network. His organization advocates for LGBTQ individuals to be included in all aspects of church life.

A bishop said the topic is difficult, but he drew encouragement from the spirit of the meeting.

“I think there is clear willingness of each member to participate and so far there is active participation of each member and this is encouraging,” Central Congo Area Bishop David Yemba said in a commission press release.

Yemba is one of three bishops serving as commission moderators. He and the other two moderators — Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, and Bishop Ken Carter — do not have a vote on the commission’s work.

The commission’s first meeting on Jan 23-26 in Atlanta was open only to the commission members, the three bishops serving as moderators, and a few specially invited guests.

However, the advocacy group Love Prevails protested

not being allowed into the meeting. Their website states: “Love Prevails went to Atlanta to observe the first face-to-face meeting of The Commission on (Not) A Way Forward.

When we arrived, we were told that the Commission meeting was a closed meeting.

In addition, we were informed that we were not allowed to even be in the building. Not even to go to the bathroom”. “[..] United Methodists were denied entrance into a building paid for by United Methodist apportionment dollars”.

“Pursuant to The United Methodist Book of Discipline, Love Prevails questioned the legality of The Commission being closed. Love Prevails sees this Commission as authorized by General Conference and thus required to be open”.

No reporters were present, although United Methodist News Service had asked to attend.

During the meeting, commission members developed a covenant for their work together. This included what members would not

The Rev. Jorge Acevedo (left), Alice Williams, the Rev. Jasmine Smothers, the Rev. Tom Lambrecht and Mazvita Machinga Photo by Diane Degnan, United Methodist Communications

share in public.

“Through the development of the covenant, we were able to enter into deeper conversations with each other,” Carter said.

Carter said the commission members chose the groups on which they serve.

The commission’s working groups will focus on the following topics: Learning about the experiences of other denominations Looking at the strategy for effective use of a 2019 special General Conference Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning) individuals Understanding the current denominational situation Understanding what central conferences (church regions in Africa, Asia and Europe) want from a new form of denominational connection Understanding the power dynamics inherent in

the construction of the commission itself Previous United Methodist groups tasked with reviewing church teachings on homosexuality mainly explored theology and Scripture, Berryman said.

This commission is looking at building relationships across cultures and determining how to live with each other amid theological diversity.

General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking body, authorized the formation of the commission in the wake of intensifying church debate about the status of LGBTQ individuals.

General Conference called on the commission to examine and possibly recommend changes to the denomination’s Book of Discipline, which since 1972 has stated “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching”.

The bishops’ executive

committee also has decided that the group will explore new ways of being a global church.

“Everybody knows that something has to change, and we’ve begun a conversation about what that might look like,” Berryman said. “We are in a very, very preliminary phase.”

Carter said the spirit of the first meeting “was hopeful.”

“Several commented on the extraordinary diversity of those gathered,” Carter said.

Eight more meetings are tentatively scheduled through early 2018. The next meeting will be Feb. 27-March 2 also in Atlanta.

Any proposed changes to the Book of Discipline will need approval at General Conference. The Council of Bishops is considering calling a special General Conference in 2019. (eile.ie 8 February 2017) EILE Magazine 85

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Joseph Eid Image: John Hanson