EILE Magazine May/June 2016 (Vol.3,Issue 12)

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Magazine V3 Issue 12 May/June 2016

First Mar Ref Anniversary

Diana Ebe Kathleen Lara Taylor

VanDeRocker Max Krzyzanowski Inside:

Travel | Film | Fashion |Health | News

EILE Magazine | Who’s Who

Contributors

Mark Anthony Mark is a UCD English graduate, who writes his own menswear fashion blog.

Mark has also produced several fashion shows in the past, all in aid of worthwhile causes 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 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 May/June 2016 Max Krzyzanowski - P.10

Volume 3, Issue 12

Max Krzyzanowski, Grand Marshal of Dublin Pride Parade 2016

Editor-at-Large: Scott De Buitléir Editor: MKB

Travel - P.38 Magical Honeymoon Destinations Bangkok, Mexico, Las Vegas

Mar Ref Anniversary - P.24 Photos of the Dublin Castle first anniversary gathering for the Marriage Referendum

Music - Pps.6, 12, 16 and 30 Diana Ebe, VanDeRocker, Daisha, and Kathleen Lara Taylor are our musical guests this month

Fashion P. 20 & Books - P.32,34 Mark Anthony tells us to Be Bold on colour for the Summer, Lisa Reynolds interviews a budding LGBT author, and EILE gives an insight into The Hunger Man

Contributors: Mark Anthony, M. Butler, Scott De Buitléir, MKB, Lisa Reynolds, Brian Rochford, Frances Winston Photographers: Alessandra Bomeny, Kim Farrelly (Cover Photo) 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 and much more!

EILE Magazine

EILE Magazine | Editor’s Letter

Contents 6-

Diana Ebe

10 -

Max Krzyzanowski

12 -

VanDeRocker

16 -

Daisha

20 -

Mark on Fashion

24 -

Photos MarRef

30 -

Kathleen Lara Taylor

32 -

Chance Knight

34 -

The Hunger Man

36-

Health B Vits

38 -

Honeymoon Places

42 -

Frances on Film

50 -

Race Around Ireland

and World LGBT News, Views, Entertainment etc

Hope You Enjoyed the May Celebrations!

Well, no one can say that May wasn’t an exciting month.

For those of you who made it up to Dublin Castle on 22nd, we’re sure you enjoyed yourselves, as there was much hilarity while photographs were taken of Katherine Zappone, Gráinne Healy, Frances Fitzgerald, Mark Kelly, Kieran Rose, Colm O’Gorman, Joan Burton, and Moninne Griffith (Apologies to anyone not mentioned).

And of course, The Cake! (We have three pages of photos in EILE, so take a look).

Elsewhere, after the photocall, people were enjoying themselves in Panti Bar, and Outhouse, and we’re sure the celebrations didn’t stop there.

Meanwhile, arrangements are under way for various Pride festivals, with Max Krzyzanowski of LGBT Noise being chosen as Grand Marshal for the Dublin Pride Parade, and well-deserved too!

For those of you thinking of a June wedding, we have a travel feature on exotic honeymoon destinations, from Mexico to Bangkok to whet your appetites.

So, with all that in mind, we hope you enjoy this edition of EILE Magazine, and going into June, we wish you all a very Happy Pride Day!

Scott De Buitléir Founder / Editor-at-Large

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Diana Ebe

EILE Magazine

Alternative/pop Swedish singersongwriter, Diana Ebe, is pursuing her life-long dream, and has just released her lead single, a beautiful, haunting and lonesome track, titled Elusive Pleasure Originally from Stockholm, Sweden, Diana Ebe was introduced to music at a very young age, beginning piano lessons at four and starting to sing soon after.

By fourteen, Ebe had begun vocal lessons and classical training with the esteemed Swedish musical theatre performer and producer, Andreas Eldeen. Vocally, Diana draws from her classical training to create soaring melodies in her songs.

Diana Ebe Photographs: Alessandra Bomeny EILE Magazine

Diana Ebe Photograph: Alessandra Bomeny

Diana’s work expresses the “lonely and longing feeling of love and life”

Album Art for Elusive Pleasure

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Diana Ebe performing at Warehouse 300 in Downtown Los Angeles

In 2013, Diana decided to pursue her lifelong dream of being a full-time musician and moved to Los Angeles. Beginning with piano, and by layering atmospheric production over pounding percussion, She produces her own songs with the pop sensibility of artists like Lorde and Lykke Li. Diana’s introspective lyrics and haunting melodies create a feel that has already caught the attention of notable musicians including The Doors’ guitarist, Robby Krieger. She describes her work as expressing the “lonely and longing feeling of love and life,” drawing inspiration from nature’s power, daydreams, lust, and love.

She recently released her lead single Elusive Pleasure from her upcoming EP, to be released this Summer. This track is a great vehicle for Diana’s beautiful and controlled voice, where the lyrical vocal is never overwhelmed by the haunting music and popping beats, as she sings of passion’s ebb and flow during a love affair.

Elusive Pleasure from her forthcoming EP, is set for release in the Summer of 2016. Crafting tracks filled with emotional resonance and ambient styling, she leaves her fans teeming with anticipation.

Visit http://www.dianaebe.com/ for more information.

If you would like to download Elusive Pleasure, you can visit iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/diana-ebe/id1052968287

- M.Butler

EILE Magazine

DUBLIN LGBTQ PRIDE ANNOUNCES MAX KRZYZANOWSKI AS GRAND MARSHAL OF THE 2016 DUBLIN PRIDE PARADE Dublin LGBTQ Pride has announced that LGBT Noise spokesperson, Max Krzyzanowski, is to be Grand Marshal of the 2016 Dublin Pride Parade, taking place on Saturday 25 June.

Dublin Northsider, Max, was chosen as Grand Marshal because of his long-standing activism in the LGBTQ community, for being a staunch advocate of equality and a founding member of the independent non-party political group LGBT Noise. He is a former Mr. Gay Ireland and Mr. Gay World winner (2009).

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to lead this year’s Pride Parade, it’s a great honour to have been chosen to be Grand Marshal” said Max. Max and LGBT Noise were a constant and strong voice in the campaign for marriage 10 EILE Magazine

equality – finally realised in last year’s referendum – since Noise’s establishment in 2007. Max and LGBT Noise organised the annual ‘March for Marriage’ for several years, a march that came to fruition last May when Ireland became the first country in the world to approve marriage equality by popular vote.

“In the wake of the marriage equality referendum, it’s important to remain aware that LGBTQ people still face challenges as a minority”, said Dublin LGBTQ Pride Chairperson Jason Flynn.

“Max is someone who has been campaigning for marriage equality, for transgender rights, and against Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act for years. His passion for equality fuels a fire that will no doubt continue to burn for years to come.”

This year’s Pride theme is ‘REBEL, REBEL” – a nod to the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, a theme that suits our Grand Marshal quite well. His years of tireless campaigning as a vocal activist for LGTBQ rights, as someone

who always stood up for what he believed it, despite what others around him might say, make him a real ‘rebel’ of the LGBTQ community.

The official launch of Dublin LGBTQ Pride will take place in City Hall on June 2nd.

The Dublin LGBTQ Pride Parade is open for all on Saturday 25 June and we hope the people of Dublin accept our offer and join with us.

Max Krzyzanowski is the spokesperson for ‘LGBT Noise’, dedicating his time to public advocacy in the cause of LGBT equality. Max was Born in a bungalow, in Raheny on Dublin’s Northside in 1971. He started learning piano at age 8 and still plays today. For over 25 years Max trained in more than half a dozen disciplines of Martial Arts in a dozen countries and fought professional Muay Thai in Thailand. Max was also a Radio presenter – He co-presented a science show on Dublin South FM and to top it all off, he won Mr Gay Ireland in 2009 and then went on to win Mr Gay World in the same year.

Max Krzyzanowski Image: Kim Farrelly

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VanDeRocker 12 EILE Magazine

Indie-rock band, VanDeRocker, is a Los Angeles-based band led by singer and guitarist, Adrienne VanDeRocker, who cites Bowie, Prince, and Kate Bush among her influences. In the single, Fly, from the album, Jupiter’s Kiss, I can also hear sixties bands like the Tremeloes or the Troggs, and another retro sound, very like early Blondie.

VanDeRocker is a Los Angeles based indie-rock band led by lead singer and guitarist, Adrienne VanDeRocker. Raised in Austin, Texas by a family of classical musicians, Adrienne got her start in music playing piano.

She was always more captivated by the music of Bowie, Prince and Kate Bush and quickly began writing her own songs on guitar.

By the age of 12, she was sneaking in to local bars to perform with her older sister’s band and had eventually decided to pursue a music career of her own.

After exploring the performance scene in Seattle and New York City, Adrienne relocated to Los Angeles where she developed the five-piece alternative rock band, VanDeRocker.

Recording with talents like Chris Chaney on bass (Jane’s Addiction, Alanis Morissette), Tim Pierce on guitar (Bon Jovi, Rick Springfield), and Jamie Muhoberac on keys (Backstreet Boys, The AllAmerican Rejects, The Rolling Stones), VDR’s latest album, Jupiter’s Kiss, has been well received by fans and press alike.

French Leave playing at the Soundhouse EILE Magazine 13

VanDeRocker Courtesy La Famos

The song, Cupid’s Sting, was recently licensed by AT&T. VDR has played impressive venues on L.A.’s Sunset Strip, including The Roxy, The Viper Room, House of Blues, and the band held an extended residency in Silverlake.

Jupiter’s Kiss is now available on iTunes and you can learn more about VanDeRocker and their upcoming shows by visiting: www.VanDeRocker.com.

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If you would like to download Fly from VDR’s debut album, Jupiter’s Kiss, it is available for sale on iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/vanderocker/id582824556 You can also follow VanDeRocker on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Vanderocker/ or Twitter and Instagram for updates on the release, tour, and other news. You can now also create a Vanderocker station on Pandora and Spotify!

–MKB

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Daisha

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LGBTQ community supporter and Indie Pop/Alternative recording artist, dancer and actress Daisha has just released a new single, Good Life. Good Life is the latest single from Daisha’s anticipated EP, I Am The Daisha now available for free download “I wanted to share a typical NYC-style type of night, while being out with friends. Nothing too polished, or scripted or choreographed, just a raw type of feeling dancing and voguing to the beat” says Daisha.

“I threw a party at a warehouse in Brooklyn, invited my friends and we shot it...

This video is about the lifestyle”.

GOOD LIFE is a 90’s inspired cover originally done by Inner City, but remade by Swagg R’Celious.

The visuals for GOOD LIFE were directed by Shane Adams under the creative direction of Shalimar Davis.

“It’s a feel good record about loving life. Sometimes you just want to escape and have 3 and a half minutes of bliss. The 90’s feel good vibe will never die. I love to blend timeless beats with today’s sound” she adds.

Recently, DAISHA became one of the new faces of ATHLETA GIRL’s new empowering campaign, THE POWER OF SHE. The Power of She is a bold campaign inviting women and girls to stand together, collaborate and put an end to undermining. Through the launch of this campaign, the brand aims to create a sisterhood of women and girls fueled by the core belief that alone we are strong, but united we thrive. With the brand’s new Athleta Girl line, the brand will continue to encourage healthy, active lifestyles and instill a strong sense of confidence in the next generation of girls.

Daisha started with a back-up dance career that’s spanned some of the largest urban hip-hop, pop, and R&B acts in recent memory – Rihanna, Diddy, Ryan Leslie, Letoya Lucket, Santigold,

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Janelle Monae, Jill Scott and Beyoncé to name a few.

However, after reaching the top of the working commercial dance world, her passion and vision to express herself as a performing artist didn’t quite fulfill her: “Even before being on the road for so long, I envisioned an original live experience more theatrical and expressive than dance alone could reveal about me” says Daisha, spoken with a warm smile and a truly endearing attitude. Her artistic presence is noticeable, and likeable.

“I began to have intense dreams about a body of material that reflected me. It included my own electric sound, vibe, and style. I knew if I really went for it, I’d risk all the hard work I’d built so far, including my reputation as a professional dancer.”

Daisha continued: “I really hope I can shed light to those who also dream about creating anyway that frees the spirit”.

Lest you think this is the story of just another professional dancer wanting to be a pop-star, Daisha was trained as a classical pianist since the age of 5, and also participated in choirs throughout high school and college.

“Music had always been an important part of my life, but dance became the perfect medium for exposing me to the professional music industry”.

Daisha’s versatile nature and willingness never to limit her endeavors continues to land her a multitude of endless opportunities. She has had roles on feature films such as, Step Up 2, Step up 3D, When in Rome, and most recently VH1’s original movie, The Breaks. She is also the co-founder of ‘Daisha and Alicia Graf

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Arts Collective’ (aka D(n)A Arts), an initiative she and her sister Alicia Graf Mack created, committed to enriching lives through the arts.

You can follow Daisha on: Twitter - @IAMTHEDAISHA INSTAGRAM - @IAMTHEDAISHA

GOOD LIFE is from DAISHA’s EP, I AM THE DAISHA, available for free download via DAISHA’s soundcloud page: https://www.soundcloud.com/ iamthedaisha

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Be Bold This Summer!

Mark Anthony writes that we can ditch those dark colours and go for bold!

The warmer weather has certainly been coming and going for the past few weeks. Last month, we laid the foundations for this weather. Now its time to build on that. Nobody likes to be underprepared after all.

However, getting rid of all those black and navies in favour of brighter colours is not an easy job.

Stephen F

Most men avoid vivid colours, because they don’t want to look like a rainbow threw up on them.

The bread and butter hues like black and grey are safe, and the bolder ones like red and yellow are asking for trouble - that seems to be the mind set. However, that shouldn’t be the case at all. We all need help in navigating those pitfalls sometimes.

Is green the new black? Maybe.

This is a colour that sits well with others, which makes it pretty versatile. It’s almost as if it is a neutral. And you know when you throw it on you are less likely to get digs from your mates for wearing it. It’s all about making green go that extra mile. Kick things off with an olive military shade in a field jacket or a pocketed overshirt. These are no-brainers, and they are both trending this season,

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Mango Man

and truth told, they will never really fall out of fashion for long periods.

For the majority of men, the idea of wearing the colour yellow prompts a feeling that’s anything but, well, mellow. And while yellow is very tricky, it’s far too strong to write off. Yellow works best when it is toned down, unless you want to look like big bird. Don’t think hi-vis vest,

Windsor

think muted mustard. Oh, and maybe consider a little bit of a tan before you wear yellow. Time to break out the Sally Hansen, fellas.

Pink was once a colour championed by the likes of Paris Hilton and Barbie.

But now, it’s all very different. Now I am not talking about that bubblegum

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shade of pink that destroyed your 12 year old face - it’s time to look to earthier, washed-out pinks. The best thing about pink is how versatile it can be. Always opt for peachy, rose and salmonlike hues. You don’t want to end up looking like a glittery feather-like pen after all.

Apparently, the colour red is associated with things like power, strength and energy. I feel like that is reason enough to have it in your wardrobe.

To be fair though, the only red thing I have in my wardrobe

SuitSupply

is vibrant socks. I should practice what I preach. Opt for deeper tones of red. These will pair well with dark and fair complexions.

That way, you don’t have to worry about blending in with your shirt when you do something socially embarrassing.

How purple is one of the most overlooked colours throughout menswear is beyond me. It’s so surprising, especially given its links to Disney villains. And who doesn’t love a good Disney villain?

Wearing purple comes down to its vibrancy. The burgundy and 22 EILE Magazine

Mango Man

maroon shades will go with a variety of things, unlike those lighter shades of purple. Purple is so resistant to playing nice with other hues, so make sure to keep other items pared back.

Debenhams

It stands to reason that with colours as loud as these, you just might have to dial down the volume on your supporting items. However, if you can make something work, then you go for it. There are times that I wear some of these colours and I don’t dial it back at all, because of my vibrant socks. But it works for me.

Having said that, the question still stands: Will you be taking your wardrobe to technicolour or will you be playing it safe this Summer?

Bally Burton

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First Anniversary of the Marriage Referendum - 22nd May 2016 Images: M. Butler Mark Kelly, Frances Fitzgerald, Kieran Rose, Colm O’Gorman

Gráinne Healy, cake holders, K Kieran Rose, Ma Katherine Zappone, Gráinne, Frances, `Kieran, Colm

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Frances, Kieran, Mark, Kieran, Colm

Mark,GrĂĄinne, Frances Kieran

Katherine Zappone, Frances Fitzgerald, ark Kelly, Colm O’Gorman

Star Attraction: The Anniversary Cake

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Joan Burton, GrĂĄinne Healy, Frances Fitzgerald and rear Mark Kelly

Ministe and Gr

Mark Kelly and Franc

Colm O’Gorman (centre)

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Mark Kelly (left) and Frances Fitzgerald (centre)

er Frances Fitzgerald (left) ráinne Healy (right)

Members of BeLonGTo

ces Fitzgerald

Colm O’Gorman

Ivana Bacik

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Moninne Griffith and members of BeLonGTo

.....And the Cake

BeLonGTo 28 EILE Magazine

A pensive Mark Kelly

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South African singer/songwriter, Kathleen Lara Taylor has just released her second single, A Woman’s Rage, on International Women’s Day 2016. The heavy jazz/blues ballad deals with gender discrimination, undermining and assault, and the power of the emotion which it evokes in women.

All of the proceeds will be donated to Women for 30 EILE Magazine

Women International - an organisation which serves to empower women in conflict zones.

A law graduate, who majored in women’s law, she has a passion to change gender norms so often reinforced through modern music.

A Woman’s Rage is available on Soundcloud and Apple Music, and can be purchased on iTunes at:

The song incorporates bluesy riffs and slide guitar with smooth jazz sounds on the keyboard, a powerful rock edge and strong https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ emotive vocals. kathleen-lara-taylor/id1087706693 Kathleen grew up in Capetown, South Africa, but has been living in Los Angeles for the last and Bandcamp. two years to advance her musical career. She played violin from age 5, soon moving onto You can follow Kathleen on Facebook piano and then, in her teens, onto guitar.She at Kathleen Lara Taylor Music or writes and records her own music, and has Instagram at: recently worked with acclaimed producer, @kathleenlarataylor.

Katsuya Sezaki.

Kathleen Lara Taylor

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Interview Author Chance Knight Talks Novel Success & Writing Inspirations

By Lisa Reynolds Back in the October 2014 issue of EILE Magazine I interviewed Chance Knight on his experiences as a gay man in the modern world. Since then, Chance has gone on to publish seven books of gay fiction on Amazon, with his co-writer, Bella Liddell, including the best-selling, The Stranger series, and One More Day. When did you first realise that writing fiction was something you wanted to do?

I’ve been writing fiction since I was in high school, and actually won a few awards for short stories that I wrote.

I also feel like there aren’t enough good stories out there involving gay characters. They are few and far between, and I realized that I wanted to make my own contribution to that genre.

You have penned a series of books, The Stranger, and a book called One More Day, with your co-writer, Bella Liddell, which were bestsellers on 32 EILE Magazine

Amazon. Could you tell us a little bit about the books? Was it exciting watching their success?

Well, The Stranger was our first story. We were both very unfamiliar with the publishing process, and wanted to test the waters a little. So Bella and I sat down and wrote The Stranger, in literally about five hours one day while we were hanging out together. We never expected it to have the kind of success that it did. After that, readers were clamoring for a sequel, and I think we realized: “Hey, we have a greater story to tell here.” One More Day is actually my favorite of all the stories we’ve written. It’s very emotional, and it was a great experience getting to tap into those deep feelings through our characters. It has been tremendously exciting watching the success of the books!

Could you tell us about some of your other books?

We wrote another story that’s been really successful, Bathhouse 101. It’s a fun story about a married couple who spice up their anniversary with their first visit to the bathhouse. And there was

Be Still My Heart, which we wrote for Valentine’s Day - we made up short companion pieces to some of our other books, letting you know what the characters were doing on Valentine’s Day. There’s also The Bro Code, and Hollywood Hookup, which are two other standalone stories. And we’re working on heaps more. We are constantly bouncing ideas off one another.

Are there any authors who inspire you in your writing?

So many. I loved Jay Bell’s ‘Hell’s Pawn’; it really inspired me to want to write myself.

And then there’s Kathleen Kerridge, who wrote the Searching for Eden series…

I read that one recently and it rocked my world. Anyone who’s out there creating LGBT fiction is an inspiration to me, because the genre is still so small. I love that people are out there telling these stories.

You have recently started to put your books in audiobook format. How is that going? Has the addition of the option of an audiobook version helped you to bring the books to life more?

The audiobooks are going well! There’s been a better response to them than we initially anticipated. We’re looking forward to having all our titles available on audiobook, but production takes time, and we’re doing them one-by-one, so it will be a little while. It’s crazy hearing your own words come to life in audiobook form! It almost allows us as authors to step back and appreciate the stories in a whole different way.

LGBT Author Chance Knight

What has the reaction been like to the audio versions of the books so far?

Better than anticipated; that’s for sure. The audiobooks are a little more expensive than the ebooks, and it’s flattering that people want to own the stories in this different format.

You have published seven novels. Is it difficult to find time to give over to writing? Or do you find that the story just flows out very easily when you settle down to write it?

It flows great when we settle down to write it - the problem is always working around our crazy lives. I’ve been helping my sister with her Las Vegas travel company and that takes up a lot of my time, and Bella’s a Mom of three… coordinating our schedules can be tricky. We have amazing chemistry as authors, however, and the ideas just seem to roll when we’re together. We work very well as a pair.

I know asking a writer this is probably like asking someone to choose their favourite child, but have you any favourite characters that you especially enjoyed writing? Or any book that you especially enjoyed putting together?

I loved writing One More Day. The main character, Avery, is going through a lot, and he really ends the story in a different place than he started it. Writing about that journey, that transformation, really hit home for me. I think as writers we love all our characters, but some definitely stand out more than others.

An author that I really love told me one time, “make sure character and plot are more important than the lesson. The plot has to work first.” Jenny Boylan told me that. As a writer of LGBT fiction, it’s not just about the fact that the characters are, in my case, gay. It’s always about the story first and foremost.

So seven books in, a series of bestsellers and another bestseller, what’s next?

Hopefully lots more bestsellers! Bella and I are currently working on an epic fantasy book entitled “Beside Darkness.” I started working on it about two years ago, and then shelved it, and we recently picked it up and have been going crazy with it, doing some serious worldbuilding, and really stepping outside our comfort zone. So we’re excited about that. There’s also the next few The Stranger books. We’ve plotted out a 7 or 8-book series, and we can’t wait to tell that story in its entirety. So plenty of excitement on the horizon!

Have you any advice for aspiring authors?

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Books

The Hunger Man

- Author Scott Pomfret

Drawing on a rich vein of ‘Faerie realism’, including a gay Seanachie, gay IrishAmerican author Scott Pomfret revisits and places in stark relief the Great Famine, in a new novel called The Hunger Man. Weaving fabulist elements with Irish history, The Hunger Man tells the story of a clan of Irish revolutionaries, the O’Rahillys. After attacking a British food convoy in early 1845, the O’Rahillys kidnap a young English officer named Julian Hawke.

This first act of overt rebellion unleashes a series of events that inextricably ties the O’Rahilly clan to Hawke and to the gay seanachie Ciaran Leath, but also seals the family’s fate. The only daughter, Muireann O’Rahilly, an aspiring physician, betrays her brothers when she yields the strong mutual attraction between her and Hawke.

Hawke tries to balance his love for Muireann and his growing love for Ireland with his duty to suppress the budding Young Ireland rebellion.

Ciaran Leath, the gay Seanachie, who falls in love with both Julian Hawke as well as an angelic young tinker man, foresees both the coming famine and the disintegration of his adopted O’Rahilly clan, but finds himself unheard and powerless to protect them -- or himself.

Encountering spirits of the dead and other bad portents, Ciaran Leath invokes his old benefactor, the ancient Faerie Fin Bheara, but in doing so learns something devastating about himself and what he is capable. When the O’Rahilly clan sets its sights on assassinating Queen Victoria, whom Hawke is sworn to protect, during her 1848 state visit to Cork, the stakes loom large for all involved, and the story turns inexorably toward a tragic end.

This comic, romantic, and ultimately tragic struggle against starvation, oppression, and one’s own worst impulses plots an epic arc from London and Dublin to Cork and New York City and pulls no punches when addressing British indifference-bordering-on-persecution.

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Scott D. Pomfret is author of the forthcoming novels The Second Half: A Gay American Football Story (Lethe Press June 18 2016) The Hunger Man (Ninestar PressJune 2 2016) the recently released novel Only Say the Word (Ninestar Press May 16, 2016) and a collection of short stories You Are the One (Ninestar Press April 2016).

From the author of Since My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir comes a lyric historical novel of magic, Faeries, haunts, spirits, legends, ancient kings, monsters, and lovers in a country desperate with hunger. In this clash between the British Crown and the Irish people, there can only be one survivor. Release Date June 6th, available from Nine Star Press at: http://ninestarpress.com/product/the-hunger-man/ Scott Pomfret feels lucky to be able to write from his tiny Boston apartment and even tinier Provincetown beach shack, which he shares with his partner of fifteen years, Scott Whittier. http://www.scottpomfret.com/

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Health

The B Vitamins Brian Rochford writes on the importance of this group of vitamins for our health and well-being The importance of B vitamins in our daily diet cannot be overemphasized. Vitamin B is often called vitamin B complex, comprised of a total of eight vitamins starting with B1 B2 B3 B5 B6 B7 B9 B12. They have a significant part to play in maintaining the health and general well-being of our bodies.

Taking this supplement daily can help to change the food we eat to fuel, and therefore help us to stay full of energy throughout our busy stressful daily lives. The B- group is essential for the production of and healthy formation of red blood cells.

1mg, and women about 0.8mg per day. Because Thiamin is not stored in the body you need to make a point of including it in your daily diet.

Vitamin B2, or Riboflavin, is important again for the health of the nervous system, and is also important for your eyes and your skin.

B vitamins are water-soluble, and are therefore passed out of the body more rapidly than the fat-soluble vitamins. During the cooking process, B-vitamins can be destroyed, and also highly-processed foods are usually found to be lower in natural vitamin B.

Riboflavin can be found in rice also in good whole cereals and milk. Daily requirements for women about 1.1mg and for men 1.3mg.

Pantothenic acid helps in the releasing of energy from food. It is found in many vegetables, like potatoes and tomatoes and also broccoli and wholegrain foods like brown bread and brown rice.

Vitamin B1, also referred to as Thiamin, has a number of important functions within the body, like helping other members of the B-group break down food, and release its energy. This vitamin also helps to maintain a very healthy nervous system, guarding against Alzheimers.

Thiamine can be found in many different foods, peas, dried and fresh fruit, also some of the whole food cereals.

It has been estimated that men need about 36 EILE Magazine

Vitamin B3 or Niacin as it also known, helps to release energy form food, and is important for the health and condition of our skin and nervous system. Niacin can be found in milk and also in wheat flour. Again it should be noted that Niacin is not stored within the body so it must be consumed daily. Men need about 17mg and women about 13mg per day.

Folic acid is a B-group vitamin and is important for health. It can help with preventing the condition in unborn babies known as spina bifida. It also helps reduce the risk of defects in the nervous system. Good sources of Folic acid can be found in vegetables like asparagus and peas, also wholefood cereals and spinach. The daily requirement for an adult is about 0.2mg.

Pyridoxine or B6 helps your body store carbohydrates and protein from food. It also helps in the formation of a substance called haemoglobin, which is necessary for the red blood cells to carry oxygen within the body - found in oatmeal and bread, also in peanuts, milk, potatoes and soya beans. 1.4mg for men and 1.2mg for women would be sufficient for a daily intake. Overuse of this vitamin has been known to cause the legs and arms to lose sensation. So be careful when taking vitamins not to exceed the recommended dosage.

Vitamin B12 is necessary for the release

of energy from our diet, and also for the production of red blood cells. It is also important with regard to the processing of folic acid. It can be sourced in cheese and fortified cereals, and also in milk. Fruits and vegetables don’t naturally contain B12, so if you like you could try a yeast extract like Marmite which is fortified with B12. Brewer’s Yeast is a good source of B12 for anyone who is vegetarian or vegan.

B7 or Biotin helps with fat metabolism and you only need a small amount for this purpose.

The natural bacteria that live in the bowel are capable of producing biotin, so it may not be necessary for the addition of B7 in your diet.

It is found in many kinds of foods but only in small amounts.

So for a healthy body and to reduce stress, make sure to include the B group of vitamins, usually sold in combinations known as B Complex, in your daily regime.

EILE Magazine 37

Travel

Magical Honeymoon Destinations

Your honeymoon should be the most magical trip of your life, filled with romance, excitement and happiness.

With so many destinations offering fantastic honeymoon adventures it may be difficult to choose the right one for you!

With its beautiful scenery, heaving nightlife, inviting beaches and options for fun and adventure Thailand is a great location for young couples and honeymooners.

Start off in the living, breathing city of Bangkok and then head to the island of Koh Samui and relax on the white sands of the many beaches while watching the surf crash in.

If you are looking for a vacation that offers the perfect combination of opulence and relaxation then the dual destinations of Dubai and the Mauritius are just right. The desert metropolis of Dubai is synonymous with grandeur, indulgence and glamour,

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while Mauritius’ spectacular white sand beaches and inviting waters have plenty to see and do, as well as relaxation and working on your tan.

Mexico is renowned for its white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and top-notch resorts and it has plenty of these to offer and more. Add some extra excitement to your honeymoon by pairing this beautiful destination with a trip to Las Vegas, where fun and adventure have no regard for time.

Whichever amazing honeymoon package you choose, Travelmood will ensure that it truly is a trip of a lifetime.

Dubai & Mauritius Spend 3 nights in the Hilton Dubai Creek and 9 nights at the Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort, Mauritius from only €3339pp.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, internal flights from Dubai to Mauritius, 12 nights’ accommodation as stated, taxes and charges.

Honeymoon extras include:

Free gifts in the room upon arrival including a sweet box, fruit basket, sparkling wine upon arrival, pareo and hat Bubble bath once during stay Champagne breakfast in room or on room terrace once during stay Candle-lit dinner on the beach. A supplement is charged for dinner in the beach kiosk and same can be booked via guest relations prior to arrival (weather permitting) Travel: November 2016 Ref No: 1041611 Bangkok & Koh Samui Spend 3 nights in the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok and 8 nights in the Centara Villas Samui from only €1379pp.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, internal flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui, 11 nights’ accommodation as stated, taxes and charges.

Honeymoon extras include: Welcome fruit, flowers and guaranteed upgrade to a Deluxe room Complimentary room

Bangkok Image travelmood.ie

St Petes

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upgrade from Superior to Deluxe room with a minimum stay of 3 nights.

Book 60 days prior to arrival date to receive honeymoon candlelit dinner for 2 people. (One per room per stay) Travel: October 2016 Ref No: 1041594 Mexico Spend 7 nights in the Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun All Inclusive from only €1729pp.

Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 7 nights’ accommodation as stated, taxes and charges.

Travel: September 2016 Ref No: 1041735 Mexico & Las Vegas

Spend 3 nights at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino and 7 nights at the Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun All Inclusive from only €2339pp.

Honeymoon extras include: One dinner with special menu (arranged with concierge upon check in) One breakfast in bed with mimosa (arranged with concierge upon check in) Special gift to be delivered with turndown service Romantic turndown service on the first night of arrival One complimentary return night for a future stay at Secrets Silversands with minimum 7 paying nights Complimentary green fees in two golf courses - Grand Coral and El Tinto Travel: October 2016 Ref No: 1041786

For more information or to book visit www.travelmood.ie, or call their dedicated team on 01 4331063 or visit the Travelmood store on Duke Street, Dublin 2, just off Grafton Street.

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Images: travelmood.ie EILE Magazine 41

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Frances Winston on Movies Directed by: Jodie Foster Starring: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell, Dominic West, Caitriona Balfe, Giancarlo Esposito There is no denying that Jodie Foster is a fine actress, but her directing efforts have, in my opinion, been rather hitand-miss. While the premise of this – a TV money guru held hostage live on his show by a man who lost everything thanks to his advice - sounded like it had great potential.

I wasn’t sure if Foster had the directing chops to pull it off. It’s also set in real-time, which can really drag if not handled properly. Thankfully, it turns out she really “got it” and what you have here is a multi-layered movie with well rounded characters, and a surprisingly fast pace, despite most of the action being set in the confines of one location.

George Clooney plays Lee Gates, the aforementioned financial guru. Brash and flash, he makes the stock market sexy for viewers.

Unfortunately, he had tipped a company the previous week that has subsequently seen its shares collapse.

As he begins his show and prepares to discuss the crash with the company spokesperson, he finds

himself staring down the barrel of a gun, when a disgruntled investor Kyle (Jack O’Connell) invades the studio. What follows is a real-time hostage situation, as Kyle and Lee try to get to the bottom of what happened to the company’s shares, while outside of the studio, people are working furiously to get the innocent victims out safely. All of this happens under the watchful eyes of millions of worldwide viewers, as the entire incident is broadcast live.

We’ve already seen Clooney’s and Roberts’ chemistry in the Oceans movies, and it’s still as strong as ever. However, Clooney also works well with O’Connell here, allowing the younger actor to have his moments, rather than trying to hog each scene. O’Connell gives a great performance, and it is impossible not to feel sympathy for him. However, Clooney also manages to garner some sympathy for Gates, who should be extremely unlikeable. By giving him a depth that you wouldn’t expect, you find yourself rooting for him, while also hating him on some level.

Foster breaks up the studio scenes with cutaways to the action outside, as various people try to save Lee and the crew, and get to the bottom of the shares crash,

but everything still happens in real time. There are no liberties taken with that, and it really works to build the tension and keep you glued. There are also some wonderfully tense moments that don’t go where you expect, which also serves to keep things interesting.

Where this movie does fall down is in the extremely complex explanation of what happened to the shares.

You will probably need an accounting degree to properly follow it, and even then I’m not sure how much sense it will make.

Other than that muddying the waters, this is an entertaining movie that anyone who has been affected by world financial events of recent years will relate to. You may never have contemplated holding those you felt responsible hostage, but many people have felt the sheer anger and frustration at seeing what they worked for wiped out just like Kyle.

A serious topic but treated with just the right dose of humour to stop it getting too heavy, this will grip you until the end. If nothing else – and trust me on this – it’s worth a look just for George Clooney’s dancing!

In Cinemas Now!

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The Silent Storm

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Frances Winston on Movies continued...

Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Damian Lewis, Ross Anderson Directed by: Corinna McFarlane Although only hitting our cinemas now this movie actually dates back to 2014.

And no I haven’t made a mistake with the cast list, as other than the opening scenes this film pretty much contains only three actors throughout.

Riseborough is Aislin, the mysterious and freespirited wife of a minister, Balor (Lewis). Living on a remote Scottish Island, they are extremely isolated, and Aislin’s love of nature and alternative medicine is quashed by her husband.

When all the islanders depart to the mainland for work leaving them all alone, bar a 17-year old delinquent who has been sent to them for rehabilitation, the issues which had already been bubbling under the surface of their marriage are highlighted.

When a crazed Balor decides that he will bring his church and all its trappings to the mainland for his former flock, he leaves Aislin and the youngster alone for

three days. During this time they bond, but with Balor’s imminent return, they must both decide what they really want from life.

almost makes island life look appealing.

What lets this down at times is she is trying to allow it too much space to breathe. There This has taken a while to pick are huge chunks of silences in up a distributor, and I can see which even the actors appear how it would be a hard sell. uncomfortable, and these Despite good reviews from could probably have been screenings and a couple of big cut somewhat. When they do name actors in Riseborough have dialogue it sometimes and Lewis, there is not much feels stilted and forced, and action, and the story is rather this does detract from the heavy at times. McFarlane underlying story. also wrote the piece, and you can tell that it is close to her The Silent Storm definitely heart thanks to the loving won’t appeal to everybody. It direction, but sometimes you isn’t an easy watch at times, can lavish too much love and and it demands full attention, obsession on a project. which ultimately leaves you disappointed in your Riseborough is an amazing investment. actress, and hers is probably the most rounded character When this film is good it here. She really brings Aislin is brilliant, but when it is to life and you genuinely bad it is turgid. Not the feel her pain. Lewis’ kind of movie to watch if performance on the other you are looking for light hand felt extremely OTT to entertainment, this will me. The character has no probably struggle to find contrasts. There is no shade a mainstream audience, and light. He starts off at fire but is worth a look if only and brimstone and never for Riseborough’s central leaves that level. Newcomer performance and the Anderson holds his own, cinematography. and would appear to have a promising future as he In Cinemas Now! manages to subtly layer the character with both anger and sensitivity.

The cinematography is beautiful. McFarlane has really captured all the elements that make up those remote islands, from extreme weather to the gentle beauty of nature, and it EILE Magazine 45

Everybody Wants Some

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Frances Winston on Movies continued...

Directed by: Richard Linklater Starring: Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, Glen Powell, Wyatt Russell Richard Linklater’s follow up to Boyhood is yet another coming of age movie, and a spiritual follow up to his 1993 film, Dazed and Confused. Set in 1980, it follows college freshman Jake (Jenner) on his first weekend in his student house before college begins.

This is no ordinary student accommodation though, as Jake is a member of the college baseball team, and his team mates are also his housemates.

as to this, as I hated (yes hated – not disliked – hated!) him in Glee, and found him completely insipid. However, either he has evolved as an actor, or he benefits from Linklater’s thoughtful writing and direction.

A fantastic soundtrack only serves to further enhance this flick.

This is a sweet film that will leave you with the warm and fuzzies, and possibly a yearning for those halcyon days when the most you had to worry about was making class on time. Linklater does these human and relatable tales extremely well, and in this he has another winner.

It’s the kind of film you can just sit back, relax and enjoy, and that you will probably return to when you need cheering up in the future.

In Cinemas Now!

As the weekend progresses, they chase women, drink, fall out, make up, and generally bond, while Jake tries to get closer to Beverly (Deutch) who caught his eye on his first day in the area.

While it may not sound like a lot happens, you would be surprised how entertaining and resonant this kind of nostalgic observation can be. Linklater has managed to weave a tale that is relatable and evocative. The story is a bit meandering, but that only serves to make it endearing, and the characters are (on the whole) multidimensional rather than just baseball jocks.

The ensemble work really well together, and no one tries to steal the show. I was a bit worried when I saw Jenner’s name attached

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Gabriel Byrne To Play Pope Gregory X in Marco Polo S2 Netflix has announced that Gabriel Byrne will play the part of Pope Gregory X in the second season of Marco Polo which launches on Netflix on 1 July.

Commenting on the role, Byrne said: “I’ve always been kind of fascinated by Papal history, and the Janiston play, the Pope doesn’t come up everyday. I mean I’ve played the devil, played a priest but you know to play the Pope is an interesting [segue]. So I was very happy to be part of it. And It’s a huge production, a gigantic crew, so the idea of joining a huge enterprise like this, was interesting”.

“An interesting change has

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happened over the last few years in terms of film and television; more people are watching Netflix rather than actually are actually going to see independent films.

There was a time television was snobingly regarded as the poor cousin of the cinema artistically. But now people are beginning to see that writers have the power [on] television, so scripts and themes are more varied and more interesting…

The market for this kind of production means that it will reach households all over the world and that’s an enormous difference to what it was like 15/20 years ago, when if you made a film like this it would come to a cinema, probably a multiplex, you go see it but it didn’t reach into areas outside the multiplex.

So, in a way, Netflix, HBO, Showtime, they are now in people’s houses with what

used to be the product of the cinema…There’s tremendous scope artistically to deal with a variety of topics, because of the freedom in these kind of productions…And it’s changed the way people absorb entertainment.”

Marco Polo Season 2 · An empire will burn.

Netflix is pleased to announce that the second season of its epic action adventure series Marco Polo will launch globally on July 1, 2016. The series will be available in 4K. · The 10 episode series, created by John Fusco, stars Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Michelle Yeoh (the Handmaiden), Benedict Wong (Kublai Khan), Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), Zhu Zhu (Kokachin), Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes), Olivia Cheng (Mei Lin), Claudia Kim (Khutulun), Rick Yune (Kaidu), Remy Hii (Prince

Gabriel Byrne as Pope Gregory X in Marco Polo Season 2

Jingim), Mahesh Jadu (Ahmad) and Uli Latukefu (Byamba) among others.

In a world replete with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry, Marco Polo, is based on the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s court in 13th Century China.

John Fusco, who wrote the Academy-Award nominated feature, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, is executive producer and showrunner, along with Dan Minahan, whose previous work includes Homeland and Game of Thrones, with Patrick Macmanus, Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, and Elizabeth Sarnoff as executive producers.

Marco Polo is produced by The Weinstein Company for Netflix.

The complete first season of Marco Polo Season 1 is available for members to watch instantly on Netflix.

EILE Magazine 49

First All-female Duo (Who Are Also A Couple) To Do Gruelling ‘Race Around Ireland’ Lisa Jacob, former Irish Race Route International Hockey with player with 139 caps, and Nikki Dorey, a pilot with Aer Lingus and competitive triathlete, will be the first allfemale duo to cycle the gruelling ultradistance 2,150km “Race Around Ireland”. The pair will alternate cycling 3 hours on and 3 hours off for 132 hours, or 5.5 days straight, starting on Sunday the 28th of August 2016.

Both girls are strongly passionate about mental health, so they are also fundraising €100,000 for one of Ireland’s leading mental health charities, Suicide or Survive. Mental Health has never been more prevalent in Ireland, with the issues getting a significant amount of coverage in the media. With college and leaving certificate exam time approaching, it is very topical and current.

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Also very prevalent, especially with the recent referendum on gay marriage, is the closely related association between mental health and LGBT, especially in the youth demographic. The girls come as an inseparable pair every which way, and have a personal understanding of the mental health issues associated with the LGBT community.

One of the duo, Lisa Jacob, hails from Enniscorthy Co.Wexford. She grew up there and went to school in Kilkenny College as a boarder.

Sport was a big part of her life from early on, and while success came in many sports, hockey won out as the main sport towards the end of her school years. At 19 years old, and in college in UCD studying Psychology, Lisa received a call up to the Irish squad, here she became a pillar of the team for over 10 years, gaining 139 caps for her country.

Sporting success continued after her hockey career, with a call up to the Irish Rugby 7’s team where she was a contracted player for a year. She now coaches hockey in Genesis Hockey club in Dublin, is living with

her girlfriend, Nikki, and is working as an executive coach at The Performance Hub, delivering high performance workshops, motivational talks, and one-to-one coaching.

“I have always had 2016 as a milestone year in my mind. As an elite athlete I operated in Olympic cycles, and probably felt I had the energy to be competitive until 2016. In the last year my priorities changed, and qualifying for Rio was no longer what I really wanted. I wanted more time with the important people in my life, more focus on my career, and more control of my own schedule. Why the Race Around Ireland?

It scared me, which meant I should probably do it. I guess mostly it’s a self-exploration.

How will I react when things are hard? What will I learn about myself and others that will serve me well for the rest of my life? Where will this amazing journey take me?

What difference can I make to people along the way?”

The other half of the duo, Nikki Dorey, hails from Southampton in the UK. She grew up there and went to school in Applemore College.

Sport was also big part of

Lisa (left) playing International hockey

Nikki as Pilot

her life from early on, where she played for Southampton Football club from ages 8 to 18 and represented her county, Hampshire, for 3 years during this time.

Her footballing career continued when she moved to Ireland where she played for Shamrock Rovers during the 2011/12 season. In 2012 she took up triathlon, representing Ireland in 2013 in the ITU World Championships in London, and going on to race up to half Ironman distance.

Career success during this time mirrored her sporting success, when, after graduating from the University of Bath with a Degree in Sports Science, she trained as a pilot.

She gained employment with FlyBe from 2008 to 2011. Her career went from strength to strength when, in 2011, she moved to Ireland to join Aer Lingus as a Senior First Officer, currently operating flights in their European network.

“I have wanted to complete a

challenge in conjunction with fundraising for charity for a long time, but was adamant that I would choose a challenge that was slightly outside of the ordinary and was on that fine line between not completely unachievable, but where completion was by no means a given. I have no idea whether I will complete this or how I will respond and that scares me a little. All I do know is that it will hurt physically and it will test my mental strength massively. I fully expect to find myself in the depths of pain and despair, but I also fully expect to have some of the most amazing experiences doing this too. In a strange way, I’m looking forward to both, although I might regret saying that when August comes around!”

challenge to see how my mind will be able to cope with this.

The positive mental health strategies that our chosen charity, Suicide or Survive, teach will most definitely be put to good use over the 5.5 days of this event.”

For more visit www.cyclearoundireland.ie Fundraising Page: https:// cycle-around-ireland. everydayhero.com/ie/nikkidorey-and-lisa-jacob (eile.ie 29 May 2016)

“As a pilot I am always prepared, and that’s how I intend to go into this race.

Unfortunately I am very aware that aspects of the race will bring about situations that I can’t prepare for or control, and it will be a significant EILE Magazine 51

Eric Fanning Becomes First Openly-Gay Secretary of the U.S. Army

Yesterday (17th May) the US Senate confirmed Eric Fanning to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Army.

Fanning is the first openly-gay leader of a U.S. military service, and is now the highest-ranking, Senate-confirmed openly-LGBT appointed official.

Fanning was nominated by President Barack Obama 52 EILE Magazine

in September, and the nomination was reported by the Senate Armed Services Committee in March. Until yesterday, Fanning’s nomination had been blocked by Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) over his unrelated concern regarding potential transfer of Guantanamo detainees.

“Eric Fanning’s historic confirmation [..] as Secretary of the U.S. Army is a demonstration of the continued progress towards fairness and equality in our nation’s armed forces,” said Human Rights Campaign President, Chad Griffin.

“Eric Fanning has spent his career serving this nation with tireless dedication, skill and ability, and as secretary he will bring that same commitment to the men and

women of the U.S. Army.”

Fanning’s nomination comes just five years after the historic end of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law that prohibited qualified LGB Americans from serving in the U.S. armed forces.

His confirmation comes as the military is preparing to move forward to lift the ban on transgender service in the military.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. (eile.ie 18 May 2016)

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 53

Pilot Scheme To Offer Gay Men AntiCancer Vaccine, As Championed By UK MP Mike Freer In the UK, a scheme that was recommended by the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) last November is to be implemented this June. English MP Mike Freer, Chair of APPG on HIV and AIDS, who had been campaigning for the scheme for the last two years, is delighted with the news. He praised the efforts of UK Health Minister Jane Ellison, calling her a ‘public health champion’.

The organisation, HPVAction, has also been campaigning for the initiative for some time.

The pilot scheme will offer 40,000 gay/MSM men in England the chance to avail of an anti-cancer vaccine, which has been available

54 EILE Magazine

to schoolgirls to protect against cervical cancer since 2008. The organisation, HPVAction, has also been calling for the scheme to be gender-neutral and include men and boys. HPVAction stated: “We consider that it is unethical to exclude males from a vaccination programme that could significantly reduce their burden of cancer and protect their sexual health”.

The vaccine immunises against human papillomavirus (HPV), active in increasing the risk of oral, penile and anal cancers, and many feel it should be offered all young males as well.

English MP Mike Freer, MP for Finchley & Golders Green, and Chair of the APPG on HIV & AIDS, has been campaigning for the extension of HPV vaccination since he first raised the issue in a House of Commons debate over two years ago.

In response to the announcement of extending the HPV vaccination to MSM he said:

‘I welcome the Minister’s announcement today, which marks a significant step in the Department of Health’s recognition that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can impact men just as much as it can women. I applaud the efforts Ms Ellison has made which have led us to this point.

Without a public health champion like her in the Department, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

‘Until now, the HPV vaccination programme has discriminated against men who have sex with men (MSM). This announcement changes that and addresses the limitations of having a vaccination programme focused solely on reducing cervical and vaginal cancer rates in women.

‘The health risks faced

by MSM are statistically greater than in men generally. Therefore I am pleased, further to the recommendations made by the JCVI last year, the DoH are now taking the action

needed to reduce STIs in MSM, by extending the HPV vaccination programme.’

The Member for Finchley & Golders Green has been lobbying the Government on the issue of HPV for many years. He has tabled written questions, oral questions and countless debates to force this issue onto the agenda at the DH. Mr Freer said: ‘By announcing the expansion of the HPV vaccination programme the DoH has committed to putting in place a robust HPV prevention policy that

can save both lives and money.’

The organisation HPVAction also says that only vaccinating young girls is discriminatory, and exacerbates inequality: “Exclusion also exacerbates inequalities in cancer outcomes between men and women and between different groups of men (e.g. men who have sex with men and men who don’t and men who have received HPV vaccinations paid for privately and those who have not).

For optimal effectiveness, males should be vaccinated at the same age as females, i.e. at age 12/13, before the onset of sexual activity.

Vaccinating at a later age, and not via schools, will achieve lower coverage and provide less protection for individuals already exposed to HPV infection“.

Australia has also started to implement its scheme for male vaccination against HPV. -MKB (eile.ie 27 May 2016)

EILE Magazine 55

Galway Pride Festival 2016 – August 15th to 21st The newly elected committee of the Galway Pride Festival would like to introduce you to the rebranded festival taking place from August 15th to 21st 2016.

“Changing from Galway Community Pride to the Galway Pride Festival, this all new event will encompass everything that makes our city the cultural magnet that it is. Our aim is to encourage involvement from the wider community, and to highlight the great variety of people that make Galway such a vibrant and exciting place to live and visit.

The all new committee consists of an amazing cross-section of the community from successful local business people to the students of NUIG. Chaired by Bruce Henry, himself a successful event planning and management businessman, this year’s event promises to be real celebration of the LGBT+ community and Galway, that will see them build bridges with the city and it’s people, as well as supporting the Galway 2020 bid.

Events throughout the week will include evenings of information and awareness, arts and performance, music nights (DJ’s and live bands), pub quizzes, film nights, and of course the unique and colourful

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parade through Galway on Saturday, all based around the LGBT+ community and its friends and families.

The Galway Pride Festival committee would welcome expressions of interest from people wishing to take part in this exciting and rewarding festival, from street entertainers to volunteers.

Fundraiser: June 2nd 8pm – “And the category is… quiz!” at McGettingans, Prospect Hill, Galway.

Details of events and further information can be found on the facebook page facebook.com/galwaypridefest Join us in celebrating all that makes Galway and the LGBT+ community fabulous!

Our City. Our Pride. Be part of it!”

Galway City Image Ireland. com

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GLEN: “One Year On – 412 Lesbian and Gay Couples Married, Now Let’s Resolve the Remaining Challenges” “This weekend last year was an extraordinary and joyful weekend for LGBT people, their families and indeed all of Ireland, when with great generosity, Irish people voted that their lesbian and gay children, brothers and sisters, family members, friends and community members should be equal citizens and equal in our Constitution for the very first time” said GLEN co-chair Kieran Rose.

“The referendum result has had a profound and positive impact all across Ireland, and has rippled across the world. Many LGBT people have a new confidence in their status amongst their families and friends, and in their status in Irish society. 412 couples have married, thousands of LGBT people are planning to marry, and hundreds more couples have had their foreign marriages automatically recognised” said Rose.

“However, there are still significant challenges yet to be overcome to ensure that all LGBT people are safe. There is an urgent need to tackle the remaining barriers that LGBT people face in being who they are” said Rose Recent research has shown that many LGBT people experience high levels of bullying, harassment and violence which makes it difficult to come out and to live openly. These experiences have a very significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. Irish LGBTI teenagers report twice the level of self-harm, three times the level of attempted suicide and four times the level of severe and extremely severe stress, anxiety and depression as their peers.

The LGBTIreland Report a national study of the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people was published recently. It found that a majority of those over 26 were doing well, but that a very significant number of those under 25 did not experience the same levels of positive mental health and wellness.

“The next few years are crucial. The new Programme for Government includes measures to address the issues for LGBT youth and to tackle outstanding discrimination and inequality. Comprehensive and robust implementation of actions 58 EILE Magazine

Celebrations at Dublin Castle last year as the MarRef result was announced

“The referendum result has had a profound and positive impact all across Ireland, and has rippled across the world. Many LGBT people have a new confidence in their status amongst their families and friends, and in their status in Irish society. 412 couples have married, thousands of LGBT people are planning to marry, and hundreds more couples have had their foreign marriages automatically recognised” - Kieran Rose

across all Government departments, particularly Education, Youth Affairs and Health, and with other key stakeholders – employers, schools, the Gardai, local authorities – are necessary” said Rose.

“The goodwill and determination of Irish people to see LGBT people treated equally is a critically important platform on which

to ensure that LGBT people are accepted, protected and supported in every aspect of Irish life – in our families, our schools, our workplaces and our communities. That is what Irish people voted for and what we now need to deliver” said Rose. (eile.ie 21 May 2016)

EILE Magazine 59

UK: South Asian LGBT Artwork presented at Southbank Centre’s Alchemy 2016 Towards Marg - an exhibition exploring South Asian LGBT identities in political and cultural scenes

Kamatkar, who presented the exhibition ‘Towards Marg’ said:

“I am excited to highlight the work as part of Alchemy 2016 at the Southbank Centre, which also marks IDAHOT ‘Towards Marg’ featured (International Day the photographic and image work of four artists: against Homophobia, Transphobia & Charan Singh, Raisa Kabir, Sushil Mangaonkar Biphobia) on 17th and Balbir Krishan. ‘Marg’ May. It is about time that we encourage is Sanskrit for pathway, and the exhibition looked greater visibility and platform the artistic at the various journeys South Asian LGBT people excellence within South Asian LGBT take through life. identities.”

The mini-series exhibition Alchemy, Southbank ran from Friday 20th to Centre’s annual festival Monday 30th May 2016. celebrates the cultural It was open for Alchemy connections between 2016 visitors from 10am South Asia and the – 11pm on Level 2 Foyer UK. Now in its seventh (Green Side) at the year, Alchemy is also Royal Festival Hall at the the largest South Asian Southbank Centre. festival outside of the subcontinent.

Wise Thoughts artistic director Niranjan

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The festival ran from Friday 20 to Monday 30 May 2016 on Level 2 Foyer (Green Side) at the Royal Festival Hall.

Wise Thoughts is a London-based arts charity dedicated to creating and showcasing LGBTQI arts and culture. Established in 1999, they work on projects involving LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) and BAME (Black, Asian Minority Ethnic) artists, filmmakers and practitioners.

They also organise multidisciplinary art events such as GFESTGaywise FESTival, London’s annual LGBT cross-art festival, held in November.

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Attention!

Galway Pride Festival 2016 – Dates Changed!

Galway Pride has announced that it has now changed the dates for its Pride Festival 2016.

This year’s festival will now take place in August, from 15th to 21st.

You can follow Galway Pride on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/ GalwayPrideFestival/

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HRC Celebrates IDAHOT With Video Series Highlighting LGBT Activists

Yesterday (18 May) the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the United States’ largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, marked the 12th annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) with the launch of a video series highlighting global innovators in the fight for LGBTQ equality.

To mark IDAHOT, HRC Global is also releasing its annual report on the state of 64 EILE Magazine

LGBTQ rights internationally and announcing a unique storytelling partnership with Logo media.

In the new HRC Foundation video series, advocates highlight their work across the globe, raising up IDAHOT’s 2016 theme of mental health and wellbeing. The advocates, who were honoured as global innovators at HRC’s Global Innovative Advocacy Summit, are fighting for issues from stopping the dangerous, debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy” in El Salvador, to ending so-called “anti-propaganda” laws in Russia that ban LGBTQ Russians from receiving information crucial to their physical and mental health.

Throughout the world, discrimination and social stigma have negative, often

tragic, consequences for LGBTQ people compared to non-LGBTQ citizens.

“While countries and communities around the globe are increasingly embracing LGBTQ people, far too many continue to face discrimination, criminalization and even death,” said HRC Global Director Ty Cobb.

“I am proud to stand with our global innovators who embody the spirit of IDAHOT by advocating for legal equality and erasing the social stigma that LGBTQ people face every day.”

HRC Global yesterday released its third annual Global Equality Report, an analysis of the work underway and

“While countries and communities around the globe are increasingly embracing LGBTQ people, far too many continue to face discrimination, criminalization and even death” emerging challenges facing LGBTQ activists, advocates, and allies around the world.

Additionally, the HRC Foundation announced it is partnering with Logo, the leading entertainment brand inspired by the LGBTQ community, in a new Global Ally multiplatform storytelling campaign. The campaign will feature video interviews with dozens of international equality activists.

HRC is also one of the international LGBTQ rights groups that participated in the United Nations Free & Equal campaign video, a tribute to global activism, released to celebrate IDAHOT. The situation for LGBTQ people around the world varies widely. As some countries embrace equality, in others, LGBTQ people continue to suffer from discrimination, persecution and violence.

Anti-LGBTQ discrimination continues to put lives at real risk. 75 countries currently criminalize samesex relationships. At least 100 transgender and gender diverse people have been murdered already in 2016, the highest number in the first four months of any year since 2008, according to new data released by Transgender Europe.

In up to 10 countries, samesex conduct is punishable by death.

Governments in Nigeria, Lithuania and Russia are silencing equality advocates and organizations with socalled “anti-propaganda” laws — a disturbing trend that leads to human rights violations.

Same-sex marriage licenses are being issued nationwide in 20 countries, and in some jurisdictions of Mexico and the United Kingdom.

IDAHOT celebrates the 25th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) resolution to declassify

same-sex attraction as a mental disorder. The move followed a similar decision by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973.

The WHO’s monumental change created a shift in how many LGBTQ people were treated. In 2004, LGBTQ activists gathered for the first time to honour this date with rallies in support of equality; the occasion is now marked by celebrations, governmental proclamations, and renewed efforts to end the discrimination and violence that LGBTQ people throughout the world still face.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the United States’ largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality. (eile.ie 18 May 2016)

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LGBT Women’s Adventure Weekend in Westport!

Adventure West and Hotel Westport, Co Mayo in Ireland, have teamed up to host a second LGBT singles adventure weekend this summer. With Westport being a lively and popular adventure hub, this will be a perfect opportunity for single, gay and outdoorsy folk to meet new like-minded friends – and maybe even spark a bit of romance. Single gay women’s weekend will be from June 10th to 12th.

Hotel Westport, Co Mayo,Ireland

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Coasteering

What’s on offer is a weekend of adventure without the cheesy match-making.

No speed-dating here – but there will be a welcome reception on the Friday evening to evolve strangers into new acquaintances. A full day of adventure activities on Saturday will help to form strong bonds with your new buddies.

The day will kick off with zip and zorbing on the nearby grounds of Westport House. After lunch, there’s a choice between coasteering, rock-climbing & abseiling, or kayaking. By dinner time, there’ll be plenty of adrenalin flowing as you reconvene to swap adventure stories over dinner and drinks with your new friends (and who knows, maybe even your new love).

Singles of all levels of experience (including none) are welcome for all activities.

There are some basic requirements (such as being comfortable swimming in the sea if you opt for coasteering), but the instructors will ensure a fun and safe day out for all – even complete beginners.

The secret to a fun weekend is a can-do spirit!

Single occupancy rate is €329, or bring a friend and share for only €269 per person. The package includes two nights bed and breakfast, welcome reception (nibbles & wine punch)on Friday evening, four-course dinner on Saturday evening, plus complimentary use of the 4-star hotel’s leisure facilities (which include a 20m swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, gym, table tennis and a 9 hole crazy golf course).

Book on www.hotelwestport.ie using the promo code LGBT2016, or phone Hotel Westport on 098 25122.

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Ireland - Record numbers of young people come out in first year since historic YES vote New research released yesterday (22nd May)

by BeLonG To, the National LGBT+Youth organisation, has revealed an enormous surge out of the closet for LGBT+ young people in Ireland following the marriage referendum last year.

Over half (53%) of all respondents to a survey of over 1,300 14-23 year olds of all sexualities and gender identities across Ireland say they know someone who has come out for the first time since the referendum a year 68 EILE Magazine

ago.

39% of those respondents who identify as LGBT+ said they spoke to someone for the first time about their sexuality because of the confidence the YES vote gave them.

However, the findings show that 62% agree that those who have just come out as LGBT+ don’t know where to turn for help and support and 61% of all young people surveyed want to see improvements to their mental health. This demonstrates a serious lack of support for LGBT+ young people when they first come out plus their straight allies wanting improvements made to mental health service provision.

The report also shows a huge disparity between the experiences of heterosexual

young people and those of LGBT+ young people. The historic YES vote has created a mistaken impression among some heterosexual young people that life is better for LGBT+ young people now, when this research proves this is not the case.

31% of heterosexual young people believe that equality for LGBT+ people has been achieved and we should move on to other issues. In comparison only 7% of LGBT+ young people believe we have achieved equality and believe we should move on.

The report shows that while the historic YES vote was a milestone in LGBT+ rights, there is still an enormous amount of work to do to make the lives of LGBT+ children and young people better, and safer. 56% of all young people

agree that homophobic or transphobic bullying has not stopped since the referendum.

Of those respondents that identify as LGBT+, 55% say their daily life hasn’t changed much since the referendum and 35% agree that the marriage referendum helped LGBT adults but not them.

Moninne Griffith, Executive Director of BeLonG To commented:

“History was made when the Irish people said yes to marriage equality a year ago.

But there is more work to do to achieve the Ireland we voted for last May. It is about equality in our everyday lives, it is about a change in our culture. We celebrate along with the happy couples who have benefited from marriage equality so far this year and their families and friends. However, we know from the young people we work with everyday, that sadly their daily lives are broadly unaffected by the referendum. They are still experiencing bullying, isolation, mental health issues and are struggling

without the right support. We need to keep saying YES to young people who need support services and make sure those services are well funded.”

Frances Fitzgerald, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality stated: “I stand proud of the Irish people who came together and voted with their hearts last summer and changed Ireland forever. We took an extraordinary step forward for justice and equality for all citizens. However, we cannot assume that equality has been achieved and the job is done.

While the future is secured, the present can still be a frightening place for LGBT+ young people. We need to keep saying YES to supporting young LGBT+ people.”

Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs added: “The YES result last year was an amazing achievement, but we must not rest on our laurels. There is so much more work to be done to make Ireland a better place to grow up LGBT+. As the newly appointed Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I look forward to working closely with BeLonG To to help deliver the LGBT Youth Strategy committed to in the programme for Government.”

Other findings: 31% of all respondents want better sexual and reproductive health 27% want improvements in their experiences of violence and hate speech 59% agreed that asking people for the same rights as them was difficult 62% agree they heard hurtful comments about LGBT+ people during the campaigning Less than 2% of LGBT+ young people got engaged or married since the referendum 49% of LGBT+ young people feel more confidence since the referendum Donations can be made securely online via donate. belongto.org A nationally representative sample of 1,361 young people aged between 14 and 23 were surveyed online in May 2016.

BeLonG To is the national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) young people, aged between 14 and 23.

Visit www.belongto.org (eile.ie 23 May 2016)

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Yes Equality Marriage Referendum First Anniversary!

It’s one year to the day since the people of Ireland voted in overwhelming numbers to make marriage possible for all couples, regardless of gender.

We hope that this joy will soon be available for couples in other countries too.

This day, Sunday 22nd May, 2016, one year ago, the people of Ireland voted in overwhelming numbers to allow all couples, regardless of gender, to marry. This was the first time in the world that an entire country cast a positive public vote to open up civil marriage to lesbian and gay couples. Many of those who campaigned for a ‘Yes’ vote gathered today at the iconic Dublin Castle Upper Yard to mark the first anniversary.

From Left: Katherine Zappone, Mark Kelly, Gráinne Healy, Frances Fitzgerald, Kieran Rose and Colm O’Gorman – Photo M. Butler, EILE Magazine Among those gathered was Gráinne Healy, a co-director of YesEquality and Chair of Marriage Equality, who

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stated: “It is a great joy to see the marriages that have taken place all around Ireland, with couples supported by their families, friends and communities in celebrating their love. 412 couples have already married since November last year.

Hundreds more couples had their foreign marriages automatically recognised.”

“We are delighted to share this day with those that helped and supported Yes Equality and look forward to many more happy days out for couples who can share in our joy” she added.

“This day last year was an overwhelming and exhilarating mixture of happiness, elation and generosity shared by all communities across every part of Ireland. It showed the world that Irish people are open, welcoming and supportive of their gay and lesbian family members and friends and wanted to share the happiness of marriage with them” added Kieran Rose, co-chair of GLEN – the Gay and

Lesbian Equality Network and a co-founder of Yes Equality.

“There are still many obstacles to overcome on the path to true equality but offering marriage to all has clearly established fairness, equal opportunity and real happiness for same sex couples in Ireland. To come on such a long journey in such a short space of time is something all Irish people can be truly proud of ” said Rose.

Mark Kelly, Executive Director of the ICCL and a co-founder of Yes Equality concluded: “This is a day to celebrate how far Ireland has come on its equality journey.

In supporting marriage equality in a popular vote, Ireland led the world.

However, as the UN Human Rights Council has very recently reminded us, in the areas of women’s rights, the rights of people with disabilities, the recognition of ethnic minorities, and rights to health and housing, Ireland still lags far behind its European neighbours.

Moninne Griffith, Executive Director of BeLonGTo (left)

The ICCL trusts that the progressive spirit that guided the Irish people to vote for marriage equality in such huge numbers will also be evident when, in the near future, further necessary reforms in our law are considered by the Oireachtas and put to the people”.

Yes Equality was the civil society organisation that led the ‘Yes’ campaign in the marriage referendum in 2015. It was co-founded by three organisations that had long campaigned for equality for same sex couples – GLEN – the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, Marriage Equality and the ICCL – The Irish Council for Civil Liberties.

From Left: Katherine Zappone, Mark Kelly, Gráinne Healy, Frances Fitzgerald, Kieran Rose and Colm O’Gorman – Photo M. Butler, EILE Magazine

(eile.ie 22 May 2016) EILE Magazine 71

HIV’s rapid resistance to gene-editing technology The new gene editing technology inhibits HIV-1 replication but accelerates viral escape

In a setback for a novel approach to curing HIV, researchers involved in a technique that uses enzymes to remove viral genes from the DNA of infected cells have found that HIV rapidly develops resistance to the guide molecules that target the correct part of the DNA sequence.

The resistant viruses that develop can, in some cases, replicate even faster than viruses not exposed to the gene therapy (though they are still susceptible to conventional antiretroviral (ARV) drugs).

Furthermore, the researchers 72 EILE Magazine

suggest, the way the gene therapy works may actually promote the development of resistance, as it actively creates small mutations at the site where it bisects the cellular DNA. Resistance arises rapidly – within 8-10 days of the therapy first starting to work, according to aidsmap.com This does not mean the whole gene-splicing approach is doomed to failure, but it does imply that the genedegrading enzyme would need to be attached to a variety of different gene probes, designed to attach to a number of different points on the viral DNA hidden within the human DNA inside infected cells.

The gene technology involves transporting a DNA-degrading enzyme called CRISPR or cas9 into the heart of the nucleus of human cells. The cas9 enzyme, which was originally found within bacteria as a natural

defence against viruses, is attached to a single-strand length of ‘guide RNA’ (sgRNA) that guides the cas9 to the particular piece of rogue DNA that needs to be removed.

The concept is not dissimilar to the versatile gene therapy called short-interfering RNA (siRNA), which is being investigated for a number of diseases including chronic hepatitis B. But whereas siRNA targets and degrades the RNA messenger and component molecules that act as the replication machinery of viruses within the main part of the cell (cytoplasm), sgRNA/ cas9 targets integrated DNA, the ‘master template’ for viral manufacture that retroviruses like HIV insert into a cell’s core genetic instructions, and which exists in the nucleus, not the surrounding cytoplasm.

According to Gus Cairns of AIDSMAP:

“.. the sgRNA/cas9 itself that was causing the resistance in these cases. The cas9 was deranging the DNA at the cleavage site in such a way that it was producing resistant viruses itself.

In this case, resistance was not being caused by viral turnover in the presence of low levels of drug, that exert a selective evolutionary pressure – it was being caused directly by the drug itself. In short, sgRNA/cas9 was acting as a mutagen, a direct driver of viral mutation”.

REF: Wang Z et al.

CRISPR/Cas9-derived mutations both inhibit HIV-1 replication and accelerate viral escape.

Cell Reports, 15, pages 1-9. DOI: http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.celrep.2016.03.042.

April 2016.

Image: http://www.newyorker.com

(eile.ie 22 May 2016)

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Dublin LGBTQ Pride REBEL REBEL 22-26 June 2016 The popular LGBTQ event, a lot to celebrate and we want Dublin Pride, returns 22-26 to see everyone’s rebellious side June, with this year’s theme this June”. being REBEL REBEL The highlight of the festival The REBEL REBEL theme gives is the Dublin Pride Parade a nod to the 1916 Centenary, which takes place on the while also highlighting Glam 25th June.

Rock legend David Bowie, who released a song of the same title. The parade will start at the Garden of Remembrance in Jed Dowling, Festival Director the heart of the city centre, and for Dublin LGBTQ Pride, then wind through the streets of commented: Dublin up to Merrion Square, where the main stage hosts “As we reflect on years gone by in performances and speeches.

Dublin and Ireland, we recognize many stories, movements, There will be fun for the occasions and people, that have whole family and plenty of allowed us to reach the level entertainment on the day. of freedom that our LGBTQ community has today. REBEL For more information contact: REBEL allows us to look back and reflect upon what it means https://www.facebook. to be Irish and LGBTQ. We have com/DublinPride

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22-26 June

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Australia - Victorian Premier Apologises To Gay Men For Criminalisation, Urges PDFs In Australia, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews, speaking in parliament yesterday (24 May) apologised for the state’s history of ‘abominable’ laws under which homosexuality could be punished with jail time.

“For decades, we were obsessed with the private mysteries of men. And so we jailed them, we harmed them, and in turn, they harmed themselves” said Andrews.

He noted that while those laws haven’t been in force since the 1980s, many still have criminal records because of them. Many are trying to clear their records; so far, six have completed the process.

Mr Andrews also urged PDFs: “If you’re a member of the LGBTI community, and there’s someone in your life that you love, a partner or a friend, then do me a favour: next time you’re on a tram in Melbourne, hold their hand,” he said.

“Do it with pride. And defiance.”

According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, eleven in 100 Australians identify as being a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community. They have triple the general population’s rate of depression, and six in ten admit they have been verbally abused.

Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy said earlier:

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Gay rights activists on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament ahead of an apology.

Image – ABC News: Stephanie Anderson

“If you’re a member of the LGBTI community, and there’s someone in your life that you love, a partner or a friend, then do me a favour: next time you’re on a tram in Melbourne, hold their hand” - Daniel Andrews

“Australia post-war was a very, very intolerant place towards gay people, particularly gay men, and today we’re going to apologise for that.”

His apology follows one earlier this year by the New South Wales parliament to the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras marchers in 1978, that apology led by the member for Coogee, Bruce Notley-Smith. (eile.ie 25 May 2015)

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Siegfried (R) & Roy (L) magical duo photo by Carol M. Highsmith

Magicians and Illusionists Who Are Part of the LGBT+ Community The LGBTQ community love mystery and intrigue, so magic acts would usually be very attractive to them, since the performance, and performer, often exude an air of sexuality and mysticism.

So it is no surprise that some of the world’s top magicians and illusionists are part of the LGBTQ community, like for instance, UK magician, Derren Brown, or the magical duo, German-born Siegfried & Roy. Siegfried explains that when he was eight years old, he passed a bookstore: 78 EILE Magazine

“My eye caught something in the window; it was a book on magic. I knew I had to have it. I can’t explain, even now, why that was. All that stood in the way was five marks—for me a fortune, a fortune for any little boy in Germany in 1947.”

Siegfried and Roy are probably the most well-known members of this group around the world. They combined wild animal acts with magic, and performed their Las Vegas act for years until tragedy struck in 2003, when Roy was injured by a tiger.

LGBTQ magicians have also won awards, such as Magician of the Year, or are featured in international televised performances. Several notable film and television sitcom actors began their careers as magicians, and continue to perform today.

The transgender community are also well represented in the profession, like for instance, Fay Presto. Coincidentally, each of these magicians hail from Great Britain.

Queerbio has identified LGBTQ magicians and illusionists from Canada, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, and Great Britain.

To read more about them, visit www.queerbio.com

Derren Brown, mentalist

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US: NY Governor Cuomo Announces New Legislation to End the AIDS Epidemic in New York State 56th Governor of New York State, Andrew M. Cuomo, has announced that he is advancing legislation that would help achieve his goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York State through several new initiatives. These proposals will build on steps already taken that have made New York State a national leader in providing high quality treatment and support services to individuals infected with HIV/AIDS. “New York State is leading by example in the fight against AIDS and the initiatives in this legislation are key to building on the progress we have already made” Governor Cuomo said.

“By increasing access to testing and breaking down barriers to treatment, New York has taken a holistic approach to ending the AIDS epidemic. We will not relent until this horrific disease is nothing but a distant memory.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker commented: 80 EILE Magazine

“We’ve made great strides in addressing the AIDS epidemic and have taken steps that will eventually lead to the end of the epidemic in New York State. Thanks to the leadership and resources provided by Governor Cuomo, our state is a national leader in the fight against AIDS. More New Yorkers are being tested, and more people with HIV are staying healthy because they now have access to treatment.”

Co-chair of the Ending the Epidemic Task Force and Housing Works, Inc. President and CEO Charles King was also pleased with the initiative: “Housing Works is thrilled to see Governor Cuomo’s continued leadership toward Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2020, advancing legislation that was identified in the EtE Blueprint as critical to achieving that goal.”

Governor Cuomo’s legislation would: Increase the number of individuals who will be linked to and remain in care by allowing HIV-related information to be shared with care coordinators and care managers. Data sharing allows

us to better understand the HIV epidemic in the state, improve patient outcomes, and prevent new infections.

In 2014, a change in State law allowed for the sharing of data with medical providers to improve linkage and retention of HIV-infected persons in care. The bill builds on this statute to include care coordinators and care management systems.

Streamline HIV testing efforts and extend the upper age limit of the New York State HIV Testing Law beyond the current age of 64. Streamlining the HIV testing process and increasing access to HIV testing will allow more people to learn their status and protect their own health as well as their partner’s. Individuals who are infected but not on treatment are more likely to transmit the virus, and almost half of all new infections may be from persons who are unaware of their HIV status.

In addition, early treatment improves the health of infected persons. Extending the upper age for the offer of an HIV test is necessary with half of all people living with diagnosed HIV infection in the State being age 50 and older. This measure would require the offer of an HIV test to all adults

NY Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of the Governor)

regardless of age.

Make clear that minors have the right to obtain lifesaving HIV treatment and preventive services without parental consent, and ensure the confidentiality of such care. Although minors can obtain testing for STDs and HIV, as well as treatment for STDs without parental or guardian consent, they often cannot obtain treatment for HIV without consent of their parent or guardian. However, many new cases of HIV are among young persons and delaying treatment for HIV leads to disease progression as well as transmission of the virus to others.

This measure will also allow young people at high risk who are negative to obtain preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that helps HIV-negative individuals reduce their risk of becoming infected, so they can remain HIV negative.

Expand the opportunities for STD screening and access to post exposure prophylaxis to prevent infection. STD

rates are increasing in New York, and there are currently more than 100,000 cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. This measure proposes a change in scope of practice for registered nurses to screen for these STDs. The measure also increases access to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) through pharmacies and will promote the use of PEP in emergency situations with referral and follow up for continued prevention support.

The legislation advanced by the Governor is just the latest effort to increase access to testing and treatment in order to reduce the number of new HIV infections from an estimated 3,000 annually to just 750 by 2020. These efforts have already had an impact. For the first time since the start of the epidemic there were no cases of HIV transmission from mother to child for more than 17 months.

in expanding treatment.

Prescriptions for PrEP have more than tripled among people enrolled in Medicaid and the state has committed $3 million in funding to continue expanding access.

In addition to the $2.5 billion that the State commits annually to fight AIDS, more than $20 million in new funding has been dedicated to multiple program initiatives.

Use of these dollars has also helped identify more than 6,000 HIV positive patients who were not receiving care, and will be provided with the support and treatment they need to suppress the virus. (eile.ie 17 May 2016)

Since the Governor first announced his plan to end the AIDS epidemic in New York, the State has had great success EILE Magazine 81

Out Now – New ‘Stop The Wheel’ EP The new Stop The Wheel EP is out now!

Stop The Wheel - Too Old For This Sh*t Campfire R&B party Tracklist: Shape Up End Of The Line No Rasputin Artwork by Joe Walker Mastered by Stephen Quinn at Analog Heart No Rasputin was directed by Andy Walsh as part of the making of Joe Walker’s artwork commissioned for the EP, (the mural which you can see being made in the video).

Best described as “campfire R&B” or “weirdo folk”, Candura uses 4-track tape, acoustic guitar and the barest essentials (pitched voices) to create perfectly catchy post pop songs that sing on forever.

And ever and ever.

It’s R&B music played at a campfire. Sung by humans and aliens, in harmony.

For more, you can visit: Stop The Wheel on twitter https://twitter.com/stopthewheel La Soulterrain compilation: http://souterraine.biz/track/au-paysdes-merveilles-de-juliette Record Store Gay compilation https://recordstoregay.bandcamp.com/ track/stop-the-wheel-roar

Taken from the new EP Too Old For This Sh*t officially released May 20th 2016.

The wall on which the artwork was Little Gem Records painted was painted over on May 21st Basement 18 Kildare Street 2016.

Dublin 2 http://www.littlegem.ie/ Stop The Wheel is Francesco Candura, bassist with Italian psychedelic avant-pop explorers Jennifer Gentle (Subpop).

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Little Gem Records Basement 18 Kildare Street Dublin 2 http://www.littlegem.ie/ EILE Magazine 83

Design: Anthony Zagariko, exclusively for EILE Magazine

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Information and support for women who need someone to talk to

DLL – Phone: (01) 872 9911 (Callback facility available) EILE Magazine 85

Federation of Gay Games Opens Registration For Gay Games 10 Paris 2018 The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) has announced the opening registration for Gay Games 10, taking place in Paris, France, in 2018. Early registration is encouraged with incentives at https:// www.paris2018.com/.

culture activities; 36 sports and 14 cultural events are available overall.

“We are tremendously excited to invite the world to register and begin plans to rendezvous in Paris for the 2018 Gay Games 10!,” states FGG Co-President Joanie Evans (London).

“Paris is the ideal host to celebrate this 10th edition, where 15,000 athletes and artists from over 70 countries are expected to take part,” states Manuel Picaud, Co-President of the Paris 2018 Board of Directors.

“With approximately 800 days to the games, it gives athletes, organizers and artists the vital and valuable time to plan – and train, in some cases – for what may be the best and largest Gay Games yet.” Officer of Host Relations, Armin Lohrman (Cologne, Germany), continues:

“With the support of all major sporting and government bodies, Paris 2018 is preparing the Games that will celebrate diversity, respect, equality, solidarity and sharing… all equal.”

“This is the earliest that a Gay Games registration has ever been opened; we have worked very hard to get the registration operational as soon as possible.”

The first 1,000 registrations made before 31 May 2016 will be at the “Very Early Bird” base rate of € 120. Registration costs will increase on a regular basis, so the earlier one registers the lower the cost. In addition to the base rate are fees for chosen sports and 86 EILE Magazine

Base registration fees include the participation in and full experience of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, transportation pass (Paris metro, bus and RER train), Official Program Book, Welcome Bag, and the Official Gay Games 10 Paris 2018 Participation Medal.

Gay Games 10 Paris 2018 will take place 04-12 August 2018. Registration, travel assistance and further information is available at https://www.paris2018.com/.

Built upon the principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™ since 1982, the Federation of Gay Games exists to promote equality in sport and culture for all. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982.

Subsequent Gay Games were held in San

Francisco (1986), Vancouver (1990), New York (1994), Amsterdam (1998), Sydney (2002), Chicago (2006), Cologne (2010), Cleveland+Akron (2014), and Gay Games 10 takes place in Paris in 2018.

Follow and share stories of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™ with the hashtag #gaygames

www.Instagram.com/GayGames www.Twitter.com/GayGames www.GayGames.org

www.Facebook.com/FederationofGayGames

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Information and support for women who need someone to talk to

DLL – Phone: (01) 872 9911 (Callback facility available) EILE Magazine 89

EILE Magazine

Adrienne VanDeRocker Image: LaFamos

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