33 minute read
Important Numbers
In some place’s ‘alternative’ LGBT neighbourhoods are being established, and perhaps Woodstock in Cape Town will be that area. In other cities such as Sydney and San Francisco there are concerted efforts by the City councils to revitalise ‘gay character’ of the gay village.
However, cities are not static, there is a constant ebb and flow as populations move, age and attitudes change. The 2000’s have seen exponential growth of online communications. People meet, shop and relate online. The need for whole areas of like-minded people is no longer a priority. Bars and clubs are no longer seen as gay or straight. Lesbian and gay men hold political office in areas were most their electorate is straight. Openly gay people head of governments as seen in Ireland where the Teichoic was Leo Varadkar. Iceland and Belgium have both had gay Prime Ministers, and the incumbents in Serbia and Luxemburg are openly gay.
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So perhaps those days of identity, be it colour, sexual orientation or any other determining factor to how we live, are days gone by. Some of us, nostalgic for those heady days, see this as a sad thing, but younger people see this as the way forward where one’s lifestyle is not determined by being put in a box.
Perhaps the gaybourhood is a thing of the past.
Source: ResearchGate
Castro - San Francisco
IMPORTANT NOTE THE NEW PRIDE SHELTER CRISIS NUMBER NICOLE 0722876310
WINTER WELLNESS
Staying fit and healthynin winter is a trial for some of us ... for those readers who live in KZN, winter is the best time to get out and about be it walking, running or working out. The weather is near perfect without the debilitating humidity that comes with the summer months. The Gautengers have lovely warm days and cold nights, so your best time is before the temperature drops in the late afternnoon. For those that hail from the lowveld, again the nights can be chilly but the days are great. But those readers who reside in the Western Cape the cold wet weather and short days can be a challenge. Add a spot of wind and exercising out doors can be a little off-putting... but don’t despiar, gyms are open so there realklky is no excuse to not stay fit or get your body ready for the long summer season.
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOU MOTIVATED THIS WINTER
Even the most dedicated exercise enthusiast can have a hard time in winter.
Cold days and long nights make it hard to get out of bed, let alone get the body moving, but there are simple ways to get motivated when the weather outside is frightful.
Winter can be very disruptive to your exercise routines, and there’s a sort of wave effect where physical activity levels start to decrease as temperatures go down. Light is also a factor, getting up when it’s dark to go to gym can be very de-motivating.
Get out of the house
If the weather is ok, take a long, brisk walk or go for a run during lunch hour. The fresh air will get rid of the cobwebs and reinvigorate your body by getting the blood pumping, freesh air will clear your head and get you ready for the afternoon session.
Get yourself an exercise partner or join a group
When exercising alone, there is only one person you have to convince to skip a session. But by exercising with a partner or group, there’s some social pressure.
Exercise partners can also provide social support, camaraderie and distraction from bad weather. There’s the additional benefit of making friends and hanging out with like-minded people, he added. Even if you’re exercising at home, consider joining a live class on Zoom or on Instagram — which are great winter workout options that don’t require you to brave the cold or the pandemic. 3. Make it a goal just to get to the gym Just focus on getting dressed and showing up at the gym or in your living room in front of your laptop, nothing else.
Once you’re there, the problem is solved. You’re kind of committed. Once you’ve changed into your gear, once you’ve made the initial step, the rest of it is a lot easier.
5. Focus on the mental health benefits Many people who start exercising get frustrated and demotivated when they don’t lose weight or feel fit right away. But those benefits take a while to show up.
The mental health benefits, on the other hand, happen almost immediately. After a training session you will feel better, less stressed, more relaxed and have a very satisfying sense of achievement. In winter many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder. Feeling good about something you’ve done does wonders for your mental wellbeing.
Plan ahead and anticipate For outdoor workouts, watch the weather forecast and know what you’ll be up against the next day, whether rain, gale-force winds or those icy highveld days where the wind chill is minus degrees. Plan what you need to wear, so best stock up on some winter workout gear - just be prepared. Have everything ready when for when you wake up: gear, gym bag and snack - its motivating! Once you start gearing up, you’re getting your head in the game.
GET A PERSONAL TRAINER There is nothing better than knowing that your routine at the gym is right for you and that you are doing the various exercises correctly. Hire a personal trainer The investment alone will keep you motivated to get to the gym. And it’s a trainer’s job to help push you safely through a workout even when you might not feel up to it. At the end of the day you’ll be happy you did it. Results will be quicker and again you mental wellbeing will be better. You won’t regret it. SET YOURSELF GOALS Set a goal for when spring comes round - like running a marathon, entering a fitness competition or taking a summer beach holiday. With a goal or event to work toward you’ll be less likely to slack off.
THE BUZZ
TELETUBBIES GO GAY!
THE TELETUBBIES ARE FINALLY EMBRACING THEIR RAINBOW COLOURS
Fans of the iconic children’s show which ran from the 1990’s to 2001 are ecstatic to learn that the colourful little characters they grew up with have finally embraced their gay colours with an adult collection of street wear for their fanbase.
The collection which offers everything from socks to T-shirts to a bucket hat and a sling bag are hot items for those fans wanting to relive their childhood memories of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, LaaLaa and Po.
The collection consisting of 90s-inspired streetwear, focuses on two themes: “Big Hugs, Big Love” and “Teletubbies Love Pride.”
Released for Pride Month in the USA and Europe, WildBrain Chief Brands Officer Michael Riley said, “The Teletubbies have always embraced their own offbeat quirkiness and sense of style. This Pride Month, we’re celebrating that ‘love who you are’ spirit through our collection of ready-to-rave fashion that makes Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po very proud. We’ve taken the most iconic elements fans know and love about the Teletubbies and designed a playful collection with fashion flair that we hope fans will love to wear this Pride Month and all year-long.”
John McCourt, Senior Director at GLAAD (USA), said, “Proceeds from this collection will support GLAAD’s culturechanging programs, including our work to expand LGBTQ images and inclusion in kids’ and family programming.”
AND LEGO ... “EVERYONE IS AWESOME” LGBTQ TOY SET JODIE DOESN’T GIVE A ...
The Denmark based company recently announced in a tweet. “We’re super excited to treveal our new set - LEGO Everyone Is Awesome! because we celebrate every LEGO builder.”
The set features a rainbow wall plus black and brown, in the colours of the transgender flag: Sky blue, white and pink.
The set was designed by Matthew Ashton, who said in a Twitter post that he wanted to create a simple little set with a powerful message of love, inclusivity and acceptance.
“Over the last few years, there’s been a lot of social struggles in gthe world and I think that really made us reflect as individuals and a society that we could probably all be doing something a little bit more to show empathy and love and acceptance for other people,” Ashton said in a video uploaded to the brand’s YouTube channel. Earlier this year at the Golden Globe Awards in March, Jodie Foster, who has been tight-lipped regarding her private life over the years, made a bold statement when she kissed her wife before picking up her award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Nominated for her role in The Mauritanian, the actress created a buzz when she kissed her wife Alexandra Hedison before accepting the award. In her acceptance speech she acknowledged everyone involved in the film, saying “I love my wife”
In 2013, the actress alluded to her sexuality a the Golden Globes ceremony saying, “I guess I have a sudden urge to say something that I’ve never been able to air in public that I’m a little nervous about .... so I’m just going to put it out there ... I am ... single,” before acknowledging her former partner, Cydney Bernard. “There’s no way I could ever stand here without acknowledging one of the deepest loves of my life: my heroic co-parent, my ex-partner in love but righteous soul sister in my life ... most beloved BFF of 20 years.”
Her speech was criticised by gay rights activists for being “cryptic” and “defensive”, but coming out is a personal journey and there’s never a right way or wrong way. It is different for everyone. If Jodie has chosen to wait 50 years, so be it. The kiss with her wife tells us she is out and for that she should be admired. So whilst she didn’t go the route of “Yep, I’m gay” the way so many of her fans and critics wanted - she did it her way with a kiss - you go girl!!!
JODIE DOESN’T GIVE A ...
Charlize Theron, together with Eton John, and a host of world leaders and activists implored British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in an open letter, to advocate G7 countries for stronger preventative measures in regard to HIV/AIDS.
“The Covid-19 crisis has shut down HIV prevention and treatment services, in many countries literally overnight” the letter read. “It has cut off millions of girls from school, and driven up poverty, gender-based violence, and human rights violations: All of these factors increase people’s risks of acquiring HIV or of developing AIDS”, the letter went on to say.
With the increase in teenage pregnancies the letter notes that a surge in HIV infections cannot be far behind. Pointing out that “The Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria has warned that HIV service delivery has been massively disrupted with HIV testing falling by 41% across 502 health facilities in Africa and Asia.”
Whilst acknowledging that the Covid pandemic is foremost, another infectious pandemic must not be put on the backburner. It needs to be out on the agenda of the G7 nation’s priorities.
Elton John describes the shutting down of HIV/AIDS services in many countries as “The New AIDS Emergency”
The letter notes that recent UK budget cuts have directly impacted aid organisations, especially those providing prevention and testing services to people all over the globe, but particularly in the poorest countries in Africa.
THE FIRST RWANDA PRIDE
Rwanda Pride is looking for funding to host the first ever LGBTI+ Pride in the country. This tiny landlocked nation is the only beacon of hope for LGBTI+ people in the region. With neighbours like Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Congo where their LGBTI+ populations suffer from extreme laws and constant government sponsored homophobia, this small country has made a few strides in support of their community, -Rwanda is the only country in the immediate region without anti-homosexuality laws.
n 2011, Rwanda became the only country in Central East Africa, one of six in Africa, and one of 85 in the world to sponsor the United Nations’ joint statement condemning violence against LGBTI people. Rwanda also signed onto a U.N. resolution condemning countries who use the death penalty as a punishment for consensual same-sex relations. Despite this, “Rwanda is largely still an intolerant country for LGBT+ people. We have zero protections and experience little acknowledgement that we even exist,” says Albert Nobonibo, a popular Gospel singer who was ostracised by family, friends and the public after coming out in 2019. “Many people use twisted religious views to call us sinful or evil. Young LGBT+ Rwandans see virtually no positive representation here.”
Isaac, Pride Coordinator for Uganda Pride says, “For most LGBT+ people in Africa, Pride celebrations are a protest against government brutality, anti-LGBT+ laws, and hate crimes. They are also a precious moment of community building. We use Pride events to say ENOUGH and to find
strength by coming together.
All Out, a global movement for love and equality is helping the fund raising effort to help get the first Rwanda Pride off the ground. (Visit https://allout.org/). So far their members have funded Pride Uganda three times. “This global show of support means so much to me and my community here – and has a real impact on the work that we do,” said Isaac.
“Pride gave me the confidence to believe in myself, come out of the shadows, and fight for my rights. It is such an empowering opportunity for us to stand together in solidarity – especially here in Uganda, where we face some of the harshest anti-LGBT+ laws and discrimination in the world. It gives us the strength to keep fighting. That’s why I was so excited to hear that LGBT+ activists in Rwanda, one of our neighbouring countries, are working hard to organise the very first Pride Rwanda.”
All Out is partnering with a group called Isange Rwanda to raise enough to cover all the costs for this historic event. Please show your support by visiting their website and pledging whatever you can. Every little bit helps, after all we have so much to thankful for here in South Africa where we have achieved legislative equality and can live our own lives without the threat of government interference and harrassment.
OUT ON FILM
BINGE ON THE BEST OF RUSSELL T. DAVIES
There are a whole host of gay-themed mini series to keep you engrossed during the long winter nights. Light a fire, turn on the heating or snuggle up under a rug and settle in for some great viewing. The best of these are the brain-child of Russell T. Davies. Often described as a genius, Russell T. Davies is one of the leading British television writers of this generation, who specialises in emotional dramas, frequently with gay and sex-related adult themes.
First and foremost is the relatively new series IT’S A SIN. The series released by HBO earlier in the year, follows a group of friends living in London through the 1980s — a decade that begins, for them, with the promise of liberation and moves, as the AIDS epidemic takes root, towards isolation and pain.
Brilliantly written and produced by Russell T Davies, the 8-part series is a depiction of a horrific period in the life of the gay community, whilst set in London, the experiences of this small group were repeated the world over. Particularly poignant for those of us who lived though the AIDS pandemic, where you’ll be transported back to those dreadful years when thousands of friends and acquaintances were struck down as well as the uplifting memories of how the community rallied to help, raise funds and protest against governments who seemed to ignore “the gay plague”.
The series is essential viewing for younger LGBTI+ people who didn’t live through the crisis to see how the various organistions sprang up and galvanised us into becoming a community. For there first time there was unity - gay men, lesbians and the various sub groups joined forces to help in the fight against the disease.
The series, masterfully produced with great performances from the cast ... as one reviewer enthused ... “I read a tweet Nigella Lawson posted saying she felt ‘poleaxed’ by it and thought that was the perfect description of what an enormous impact this show has emotionally, psychologically, ethically and culturally. I watched the whole series the day after it dropped. Cried myself to sleep. Woke up thinking about it. Watched it from start to finish again. Told everyone I know to watch it. Then the next day I put it on again because, if there’s one downside to the show, it’s that it may have ruined TV forever! How will anything ever come close? Is anything else even worth watching?? Will I just watch It’s A Sin over and over and torture myself with the beautiful pleasure and pain of it?? I am SO pleased it’s getting such an overwhelming outpouring of applause- truly unprecedented and so well deserved. That kind of unitedness is what we need right now. Something we can all be passionate about, share important conversations around, a pure work of art to marvel at and something that conveys such an important message in such a profound way. I’ve watched shows where I haven’t been as emotionally invested after 5 seasons, let alone 5 episodes. It’s a masterpiece in every way.
The story - making the inevitable outcome so jaw-droppingly shocking (I felt the world stand still just as Jill did) the script, (Shaun Dooley’s ‘there’s only one actor in our house’ is so subtle but it haunts my brain), the epic moments (Ritchie’s sexathon and his AMAZING monologue), the small moments that are gargantuan in meaning (‘there’s something wrong with your skin’, ‘don’t touch me I’m bleeding’), the epic music, the set but most of all, THE CAST!! The reason you fall in love with them on screen is probably because you’d fall in love with them off screen. Their bond and their passion for the story and for each-other just bursts through the screen. Olly Alexander as a leading man is
Eddie Redmayne is exceptional in The Danish Girl
truly phenomenal- his star is going to be stratospheric. I have certain expressions, body movements or enunciations rooted in my brain. What an astute, perceptive, emotionally intelligent man he must be to channel his talent in such a powerful way- a character so full of complexity that he made so unequivocally lovable. But they are ALL epic. Keeley Hawes. Insane. Lydia. Omari. Callum! Gloria! Savage mum with the squash! The level of detail. The pace. No scene or shot wasted. So expertly constructed. Ritchie’s opening scene about women’s unfathomable historic lack of standing in society- such a shrewd way to set context for the story. The masterful balance of uplifting, heartbursting fun and the juxtaposition of the most heart-breaking story you’ve ever seen. I tear up just thinking about certain moments, scenes or lines! But the level of unforgivable tragedy in Richie’s death is something that will haunt me forever. After living a vibrant, vivacious life he dies alone, in the place that stifled him, when all he wanted was his friends around him to celebrate his life and that it had all been real, and amazing. And all she did was play a song he loved as a child as if his whole adult life never existed. Only prepared to see the version of him that existed in her mind ‘before’ he was gay, and dying. I hope they win ALL the awards and I hope they all know what a colossal impact this show has had on people. I’m a bit embarrassed to be stanning so hard, but it’s true!! LA!
Thank you Laura A ... If that doesn’t motivate you to stream it, then nothing will. The cast of Queer As Folk UK - Charlie Hunnam (Nathan), Aiden Gillen (Stuart) and Craig Kelly (Vince)
Another brilliant series is his first and possibly most iconic series focusing on the queer community is QUEER AS FOLK.
Released in 1999, this ground breaking gay adult drama, chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester’s gay village around Canal Street. The show was ground breaking in that it was the first tv show to focus exclusively on the lives of out of the closet gay men, The characters are strong, there’s Stuart and Vince, and 15-year-old Nathan. Stuart played by Aiden Gillen is good looking, the embodiment of sexual charisma and struggling to come to terms with his age, he’s 29! - he is promiscuous, sleeping with anyone and everyone he can find. Selfish and cruel. His friend and the person who sorts out the messes he leaves in his wake is Vince Tyler (Craig Kelly)who is a Mr Nice Guy, who’s less confident and spends more effort getting out of dates than falling in to bed with them. The third is a young 15 year old, Nathan Maloney, who is coming to terms with his sexuality, played by a very young Charlie Hunnam. The best part in the 2-part series comes in the second when Stuart’s nephews decide to blackmail him about him being gay ... what follows is a monologue that has become one of the most quoted from series Charle Hunnam starred in Queer As Folk UK
... “I’m queer. I’m gay. I’m homosexual. I’m a poof, I’m a poofter, I’m a ponce. I’m a bumboy, battyboy, backside artist, bugger. I’m bent. I am that arsebandit. I lift those shirts. I’m a faggot-ass, fudge-packing, shit-stabbing uphill gardener. I dine at the downstairs restaurant, I dance at the other end of the ballroom. I’m Moses and the parting of the red cheeks. I fuck and I am fucked. I suck and I am sucked. I rim them and wank them, and every single man’s had the fucking time of his life. And I am not a pervert. If there’s one twisted bastard in this family, it’s this little blackmailer here. So congratulations, Thomas. I’ve just officially outed you.” - Wow! How amazing is that!
An American spinoff of the series is considered by some as more real and sympathetic with so much of the nastiness that typified the original. The American version features a great performance by the great Sharon Gless. The show made milestones by being the was the first hour-long drama on American television dealing with the lives of homosexual men and women. The series ran for 5 seasons and is great viewing.
In 2018, A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL was aired for the first time on British TV. Written by Russell T Davies and directed by Stephen Frears its a British television comedy-drama series based on John Preston’s 2016 book of the same name. It is a dramatisation of the 1976–1979 Liberal MP, Jeremy Thorpe scandal and more than 15 years of events leading up to it. It tells the story of an attempted murder of Norman Josiffe (later known as Norman Scott) by his ex-lover, Jeremy Thorpe MP. The story which only now, after Thorpe’s death, can be told without the threat of him suing defamation of character.
The strongest suit of the mini-series is the acting, particularly on the part of its two stars, Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw. Both give magnificent performances. Hugh Grant’s Jeremy Thorpe is charming, highly intelligent, ruthless and manipulative. It is quite a contrast to the type of roles Grant usually plays and it is really satisfying seeing him depart from his typecast. Ben Whishaw’s Norman Josiffe is unstable, emotional and broken by the many hardships he has experienced. The real Norman Scott spoke out about the show’s characterisation of him and its portrayal of his life. He told the Irish News that “Artistic license is fine but this isn’t my story. And there’s nothing funny about someone trying to kill you...I’m portrayed as this poor, mincing, little gay person ... I also come across as a weakling and I’ve never been a weakling”
The series holds an approval rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes so is worth watching. embarks on a new stage. Though Henry and Lance (Cyril Nri0 live a comfortable life and are settled in their relationship, everything changes after a disastrous date night. The night -- which ends in a death, a threesome, two police cars and Boney M - shatters 46-year-old Henry’s life, and he must move on to new pastures. Henry moves into a house-share with unexpected roommates, handsome Freddie (Freddie Fox)and 19-year-old Dean (Fisayo Akinade). Whether these new companions become his friends or foes remains to be seen.
One reviewer said, “Cucumber is an extraordinarily raw and honest look at gay sexuality in an over-sexualized world. A world where the bad one and the victim aren’t necessarily who you think, at first. A very worthwhile journey.
Hugh Grant plays Jeremy Thorpe alongside Ben Whishaw in A Very English Scandal Henry Best (Vincent Franklin) and Lance (Cyril Nrio) star in Cucumber
Another triumph from Russel T Davies is the 8 part series CUCUMBER. Part of a trilogy Banana, Cucumber and Tofu the series looks at gay life in the 21st Century. The titles of all three shows come from a scientific study into the male erection which divided the erection into a hardness scale consisting of tofu, peeled banana, banana, and cucumber; upon reading the study, Davies remarked that “right there and then, I knew I had my drama” Unlike Cucumber, which focuses primarily on middle-aged gay men, BANANA is a series focusing on LGBT youth in Manchester, but set around the narrative of Cucumber. Unlike Cucumber, which is a self-contained serial following the story of one gay man, Banana is an anthology series focusing on the wider LGBT spectrum. Banana develops some of the story lines of characters featured in Cucumber as well as introducing many new characters. Banana follows the contrasting lifestyles of younger characters on the periphery of the Cucumber narrative, including a young lesbian, Scotty, and 19-year-old Dean.
The Guardian newspaper noted in an article that “Until Russell T Davies’s Queer As Folk drama arrived in 1999, TV portrayals of gay characters had largely been comedic stereotypes (Are You Being Served?), deliberately ambiguous (Brideshead Revisited) or worthy and a bit dull (Michael Cashman’s character, Colin Russell, the first gay man in EastEnders).
There were isolated portrayals of gay, lesbian and bisexual characters, but you had to look for them – Dirk Bogarde’s 1961 film Victim, about a barrister taking on blackmailers; John Hurt as The Naked Civil Servant in 1975; and an episode of Crown Court a year later, about a gay transvestite entrapped by a policeman. [There was also the] 1959 ITV play called South ... believed to be the first gay TV drama. The story of a dashing Polish soldier exiled in the US deep south who has to choose between the plantation owner’s niece or a handsome officer on the eve of the civil war, One critic wrote: “I do not see anything attractive in the agonies and ecstasies of a pervert, especially in close-up in my living room.” But it was only when Queer As Folk aired that gay characters became mainstream featuring what was described as “the longest lick down the backside of a boy of any TV broadcast in history”.
MUSIC MOVES
TUNES TO PLAY FOR THE GAYEST PARTY
If you’re tired of the lock-down and you’re looking to party up a storm with a few friends like people did long ago ... and with the gayest music to date, then search your playlist for these tunes and have a ball ...
Whitney Houston — “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” - There’s nothing like a great Whiney number to get the party started and is a great throw-back for some of your older friends who might need an early night ...
Still hankering for past memories, try listening to Elton John’s - “The Bitch Is Back”. It’s also a really great tune to play as someone re-enters the room.
Another old-time classic is “Rebel Rebel”, when Bowie showed us that great music didn’t have to be disco.
One of the greatest bands ever was Queen and “Radio Ga Ga” is guaranteed to get you on your feet ... Talking about going Gaga, don’t forget to include Lady Gaga’s - “Born This Way”. Her anthem that gay clubs played to death and gay boys never get tired of.
No gay party is complete without at least one of Madonna’s iconic tunes, “Vogue” for starters, but early in the evening, it needs concentration to do those moves, and you must do the moves ... After all where would Madge be without her huge gay following - ever been to one of her concerts - it’s like gay heaven.
Another artist with the biggest gay following is Cher. “If I Could Turn Back Time” is a must play and keeps your gay cred in tact.
Of course no gay dance party can happen without the queen of gay pop - Kylie, and there are endless songs, like “Can’t Get You Out of my Head”, “All the Lovers”, “It’s in your Eyes” and her latest offering the queens are screaming for “Disco” to add to the playlist.
If it’s anthems you’re looking for, “YMCA” by the Village People will zoom you back in time to 1978 when the gay liberation movement in the States was having its heyday and it was great to be gay, cruising bath houses, raunchy bars and the biggest disco’s. This will most definitely get your straight bro on his feet, after all it’s played at every hetero wedding and Izora Armstead, those Weather Girls with “It’s Raining Men”, taking you way back. In 2001, former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell released her version which featured on Bridget Jones Diary movie and went straight to No 1 ... again!
For a nostalgic dance night, include anything from Donna Summer. We’ve forgiven her for her anti-gay comment, finally! - but we just love her dance music.
After this hectic disco, and you need a breather or just fix your hair, powder your nose or do what young people do then there’s nothing like a little George Michael to chill out the vibe, unless its “Outside” ... that brilliant song he released after getting arrested for cruising the public loo.
If 90’s was your era go for any Bump album ... just put it on and party!
If you’re glam-rock is your thing, then Mika’s “Grace Kelly” is excellent! As is Scissor Sisters, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” - but believe me ... you will. Who can forget Carly Rae Jensen’s “Call Me Maybe”, well at least the video anyway. If you haven’t seen it because you were still being spoon-fed whilst some of us were partying already, check it out on YouTube - it’s sexy as hell. Her track “Julien” is also a great one to add to the playlist.
Now I know you’re glued to, and loving Ru Paul’s Drag Race ... your must see fix of the week ... well don’t forget to include “Sissy That Walk”, you’ll be sashaying your way round the room as you work it...
If you follow Queer Eye, then “All Things” by Betty Who is great to keep the party going.
When you just wanting to chill out, take off the red slippers, perhaps do a little pole dance thing or twerk, then there’s nothing better that some groovy Frank Ocean ... yeah he’s gay, so he knows what we’re looking for. But the best of the best for chilling is Lil Nas X - “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” ...
WORD PERFECT
BLACK BOY OUT OF TIME
THE QUEEN’S ENGLISH
An anthology by Taboom Media and @GALA Queer Archive. This is an anthology of stories from 20 human rights defenders who share their activist journeys and reveal what inspires their fight for LGBTQI+ equality. Some are deeply personal stories of self-discovery and acceptance. Others chart the challenges LGBTQI+ rights groups face in discriminatory environments. All carry messages of hope and dreams for a better tomorrow.
Queer and ally artists bring each story to life with original illustrations that depict the joys and struggles of our collective movement. The result is a beautiful archive and powerful anthology of resilience.
Hari Ziyad
In recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Taboom Media and GALA - Queer Archive prouudly launched Hopes and Dreams That Sound Like Yours: Stories of Queer Activism in Sub-Saharan Africa on 17 May. .
Black Boy OUt of Time is a moving memoir about Ziyad’s experiences growing up Black and queer in America and explores what it’s like to reunite with the past and come of age in your own way. Available online at Amazon the book is described as an eloquent, restless, and enlightening memoir by one of the most thought-provoking journalists today. One of nineteen children in a blended family, Hari Ziyad was raised by a Hindu Hare Krishna mother and a Muslim father. Through reframing their own coming-of-age story, Ziyad takes readers on a powerful journey of growing up queer and Black. Exploring childhood, gender, race, and the trust that is built, broken, and repaired through generations, Ziyad investigates what it means to live beyond the limited narratives Black children are given and challenges the irreconcilable binaries that restrict them.
It is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, radical and reflective. It is for the outcast, the unheard, the unborn, and the dead. It offers us a new way to think about survival and the necessary disruption of social norms. It looks back in tenderness as well as justified rage, forces us to address where we are now, and, born out of hope, illuminates the possibilities for the future.
This gorgeously illustrated glossary features more than 800 words and phrases created by and for queer culture, and acts as a guide to the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions to the English language. Described by as a landmark reference guide to the LGBTQIA+ community’s contributions to the English language. Do you know where “yaaaas queen!” comes from? Do you know the difference between a bear and a wolf? Albeit an American version, so does not include South African queer slang like Sheila, Dora, Rita, Moffie and so on, it is never-the-less a comprehensive guide to modern gay slang, queer theory terms, and playful colloquialisms that define and celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture. This modern dictionary provides an in-depth look at queer language, from terms influenced by celebrated lesbian poet Sappho and from New York’s underground queer ball culture in the 1980’s to today’s celebration of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The glossary of terms is supported by full-color illustrations and photography throughout, as well as real-life usage examples for those who don’t quite know how to use “kiki,” “polysexual,” or “transmasculine” in a sentence. The Queens’ English is at once an education and a celebration of queer history, identity, and the limitless imagination of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Chloe O. Davis
WORD PERFECT
Robert Hamblin was born in 1969, he’s an artist, father, photographer, writer and a gender activist. His fine art work is concerned with issues of masculinity and transgender activism and his commitment to these subjects was invoked in a time when he transitioned from female to male. He was also a founder member of trans rights organisation Gender DynamiX.
Robert’s much awaited memoir ROBERT A Queer & Crooked Memoir for the not so Straight or Narrow, traverses a childhood that has a cast of unique and marginalised characters. There’s his queer conman father, his mother intent on pushing the feminine, there’s the mysterious Alexis, his teenage first love, who convinces him during his childhood, when he is still a girl, into the power of the feminine, and teaches him how to be a woman. He loses her when she disappears into the underworld of the Joburg sex industry. It haunts him.
ROBERT is also about secrets and lies. It is about excavating the truth in a time in a South Africa where the law and the church decided which body could love another, based on colour or gender, who got to have power and who had to pander to it. The memoir explores the violence of men both in Apartheid South Africa as well as within Robert’s family, and the pressures and confines of the straight trajectory. With Robert as the eye in the centre it throws convention in the fire.
Although along the way, Robert transitions in his 30’s from female to male, this is not a predictable trans story of a girl who couldn’t bear to be in a female body. Rather it is a tale of a human who refuses to live in a box, who questions the straight line. Throughout his journey, the author is bent on seeing what it is that real humans all around him are really doing. He is drawn to people who embrace humanity, pursue love and happiness despite the limited frameworks dictated by a patriarchal consumerist racist system.
ROBERT is ultimately a book about confronting and healing from gender confines and racism, embracing a family that refuses to buckle to convention, whose ethos is love.
