Issue 52, SUMMER 2022
AFRICA
MAGAZ I N E
PRIDE 2023 PRIDE LAUNCH PRIDE EVENTS PRIDE PARADE PRIDE FESTIVAL
WENTZEL APRIL PRIDE DIRECTOR 2023
SCHWEPPES, THE 196 GRAPHICS WITH MODIFIED FOUNTAIN DESIGN ARE TRADEMARKS OF ATLANTIC INDUSTRIES © 2022.
THE SWEET LIFE. WITHOUT THE SUGAR.
TA S T E I S TIMELESS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURES
2 Editor’s Comment 3 Cape Town Pride 2023 11 TRAVEL: Who Doesn’t Love Cruising 14 FEATURE: Meet Wentzel April - Pride Director 2023 16 FIFA’s Shame 19 Guy Candy - Regular guys 20 The Buzz: Snippets & News 21 Nkoli House Needs Your Help 28 FEATURE: Rainbow Crossing 32 FEATURE: Fleeing Hate in DRC 34 Celebrating Coming Out 36 FEATURE: The Evolving Pride Flag 38 Bear World 40 HEALTH: Gay Men & Muscles 41 Important Numbers 42 Steve Hofmeyr Must Account for Hate 44 MUSIC MOVES: 49 Congratulations: Rubee Lee Luckas 50 OUT TAKES
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20
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28 14 FASHION
22 - 25 Fashion - Coolest Summer Swimwear
SCENE OUT
6 - 8 Pretoria Pride 2022 26 Johannesburg Pride 2022 30 Soweto Pride 2022
36 Photo by Errol Stroebel
REVIEWS
48 OUT ON FILM: Scariest LGBT Films
Cover: Wentzel April - Photo by Lee-Anne Olwage Cape Town Pride 2023 Festival Director
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FROM THE EDITOR Welcome all Summer is here and in South Africa it is the time for Pride celebrations in Gauteng. Turn to page 6 for pictures of this years Pretoria Pride. Johannesburg Pride went off, despite a security scare issued by the US Embassy the day before which kept a lot of people away. Hat off to those of you who defied the security alert, refusing to give in to homophobes and haters who want our community off the streets. To all those who attended Jo’burg Pride 2022 - well done - that’s the way to fight back! - See the pics on page 26 Cape Town Pride is holding their Pride 2023 launch event on the 26 November, hosted by the Embassy of Belgium in Cape Town. The Embassy of Belgium is a firm supported of LGBT+ rights and hosted the event last year - turn to page 3 In this issue, and on the cover, we feature the Director of Cape Town Pride 2023, the well-known, exhuberant & delightfully mischievous, Wentzel April. Go to page 14 to find out more about what gets Wentzel going every day. The fashion spread in this issue celebrates our long hot summers with awesome swimwear from Bulge & Bum ... turn to pages 22 - 25. We are weeks away from one of the World’s largest and most watched sporting events, the FIFA World Cup which is being held in the homophobic regime of Qatar. Well-known Gay activist Peter Tatchell was recently arrested in Doha protesting the plight of the LGBT+ people in that country. We must stand up and highlight this nations appalling human rights record! - go to page 16. HAtred towards our community is alive and thriving in this country as well. One of the more high profile haters is singer Steve Hofmeyr ... go to page 42 and support Out Wellbeing in their campaign to make him account for his hate! Coming Out can be a difficult time for many LGBT+ plus people, especially those who live in conservative or religious communities. Go to page 34 and read the advice and experiences from some people who have been through the experience and are now out & proud. On page 46 we look at some of the famous horror movies featuring LGBT+ characters in leading roles. Halloween is over, but if you like to be frightened out of your wits ... check out a couple of these. Have a great summer ... see you at Cape Town Pride 2023 in February & March next year. Till then ... Stay safe...
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NEWS
CAPE TOWN
PRIDE 2023 PRIDE 2022 IS OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR ... GET READY FOR CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2023
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pring and summer have seen a number of Pride events happening in South Africa, most notably, Pretoria Pride, Johannesburg Pride and Soweto Pride. All of which are firmly established on the South African Pride calender and are well attended annual events. Plans for Cape Town Pride 2023 are well underway with the necessary applications to the City of Cape Town in place. Cape Town was recently voted by InterPride, the world pride governing body as the “best Pride in Africa”. Social media will soon be buzzing with plans for CT Pride 2023 after the launch event which is happening at the Belgium Embassy residence in Newlands on the 26 November. The Consul General, Mr Mathias Bogaert said in a recent statement that the Belgium Governments support of Pride in Cape Town helps in “promoting the image of Belgium and supporting LGBTQIA+ rights, a priority in our human rights policy”.
This is the second year that the Embassy of Belgium will host the launch of Cape Town Pride, a day of music and celebration, with the 2023 Pride dates and calendar of events being announced. Cape Town Pride Festival Mardi Gras 2023, as in previous years is celebrated during February and the beginning of March with a number of events in the weeks leading up to the main event... these include book nights organised and run by one of Cape Town Pride’s most dedicated volunteers, Roger Paulsen. There are Pride hikes organised by Invictus Hiking Group. The Mr & Miss Cape Town Pride pageant, a sold-out event every year, organised by another tireless worker, Barry Reid. We have the Diva’s Extravaganza, Drag Brunches, Movie nights, roller disco and this year a number of lesbians from the United States will be hosting a women’s night party. For the first time, there will be a 3-day LGBT+ cruise with entertainment on board supplied by our talented drag community.
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Last year the highlight and final event on the Pride calender was the Cape Town Pride Proms - a glittering night of entertainment at the Artscape Opera House, the City’s premier entertainment venue, showcasing LGBT+ talent, not only from Cape Town. The show featured Yahto Kraft and Earl Gregory who travelled from Gauteng, and Grant Perez aka Lady G, hailing from the small Western Cape town of Ceres. The show was a huge success and plans are underway to make it a permanent fixture on the Cape Town Pride calendar.
The Pride launch on the 26th November is limited so early registration as a friend of CT Pride in order to attend is vital to avoid disappointment. The Pride 2023 march and Festival Mardi Gras will be on the 4th March 2023, with the march starting at 12 noon and the Mardi Gras starting at 13H00. With no covid restrictions this year a huge crowd is expected so again, as soon as tickets for the event go live you need to get yours. Tickets for all the Pride events will be sold through www.quicket.com
One of the highlights of the main Festival Mardi Gras in 2023 will be an attempt at breaking the Guinness Book of World Records for the most drag performers on stage at one time. Toronto Pride in Canada holds the current record with 73 ... Cape Town, the continent’s drag capital will be breaking that record in 2023! - so keep an eye out on social media for updates on all events on the Cape Town Pride 2023 calendar! Mag 4
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SCENE OUT
PRET PRIDE
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TORIA E 2022
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SCENE OUT
PRET PRIDE
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TORIA E 2022
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TRAVEL
Bra vibr col exc bea mo libe abo LGB Totallyfrie worth it.
WHO DOESN’T LOVE CRUISING G? For the first time, Grandeur Travel, Cape Town Pride and MVT Productions, have joined forces to bring you a luxury 3-night return Cruise from Cape Town to Mossel Bay. In essence we want to celebrate our LGBTIQA+ Community and the diversity of the Community, our families, and allies. The cruise includes all your meals as well as a drinks vouchers package, with fabulous onboard entertainment and experiences. This cruise is planned to become an annual part of the Cape Town Pride Festival’s amazing list of events and celebrations. It is a wonderful opportunity for those who have never cruised before to take their first trip, as well as invite all the seasoned cruise line travellers to enjoy time with the LGBTIQA+ Group as we enjoy special moments curated specifically for our LGBTIQA+ Families. Cruise takes place from Friday 17th February 2023 and returns to Cape Town on 20th February 2023. LGBTIQA+ Family and Friends Pride Cruise 2023 Grandeur Travel are experts in the field of Ship Cruising and Director, Ronvin Fransman, is excited to be at the forefront of ensuring his team make you feel right at home throughout the experience, from booking till date of cruise. “It is a wonderful opportunity for those who have never cruised before to take their first trip, as well as invite all the seasoned cruise line travellers to enjoy time with the LGBTIQA+ Group as we enjoy special moments curated specifically for our LGBTIQA+ Families,” Ronvin commented. The three-night cruise will be filled with opportunities for all to enjoy as a group, as well as a short stop-over in Mossel Bay. Well known drag artiste Manila von Teez will be part of your entertainment as well as some friends who will be introduced over the next three months. This Cruise aboard the MSC Sinfonia promises to deliver a weekend away where you can enjoy all the amenities on board the ship as well as some especially planned for you, or you can simply enjoy time out with your loved one. Prices range from R4800 per person and special rates are on offer for 3-4 persons sharing. Payment plans are on offer as well. Ticket sales: Contact Grandeur Travel on 021 271 0601 or email Pride@grandeur-travel.co.za
Ocean View cabin with either a double bed or single beds (on request)
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FEATURE
MEET WENTZEL APRIL CAPE TOWN PRIDE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR 2023 Mag 14 Mag 12
Photo: Facebook
THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR FOR CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2023 IS WENTZEL APRIL, A LOCAL CAPETONIAN, WHO IS WELL-KNOWN IN THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY. WENTZEL BRINGS HIS SPECIAL TALENTS TO THE GROWING PRIDE CALENDAR WITH HIS WIT, ORGANISATIONAL ABILITIES AND HIS DEDICATION TO MAKING PRIDE IN CAPE TOWN 2023 THE BIGGEST, BEST PRIDE EVENT THE CITY HAS EVER SEEN ... OUT MAGAZINE MET WITH THIS DYNAMIC PERSON TO FIND OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE ...
Photo: Facebook Where were you born and raised? Wentzel: I was born in Peninsula hospital, Bo-Kaap and reared in Manenberg, on the Cape Flats Did you remain “in the closet” during your school years? Wentzel: It was always obvious that I was a little gay boy. However, because of bullying, taunting and being ridiculed, I tried to “act straight” but that failed. My school friends always knew and were very accepting. So that was comforting at least. Were you bullied, made fun of, or picked on in any way because of your sexual orientation? Wentzel: Very much so. As previously stated, I was teased relentlessly as a child. This subsequently led to me developing a low self-esteem and being shy all the time. It took me YEARS to start blocking out this energy and accepting and loving myself. Bullying is such a huge problem in our schools today, how did you deal with any homophobia growing up?
Wentzel: This is not an easy topic to tackle, but it needs to be addressed in all schools. As a shy young boy, I was easily targeted, and this led to constant bullying. I threw myself into my schoolwork and getting involved with the SRC and societies at school. This definitely aided in how the other students perceived me and they started to slowly respect me and my leadership and academic skills. This was my way of showing my strengths and abilities and my way of fighting homophobia. When did you come out to your family and what was their reaction? Wentzel: I came out to my late mother in 2009 via SMS. She responded immediately and assured me that she still loves me and accepts me fully. I have been very blessed in this regard but have always been mindful of others who do not have supportive families. With regards to your education, after school you qualified as a teacher. For how long did you follow your chosen profession and what made you give it up? Wentzel: I taught Dance Studies as a subject – grades 8-12 – and thoroughly enjoyed working with young minds. From an early Mag 13
age I knew I was going to be a teacher. I still have that teacher in me, but I used it differently nowadays. I think after 11 years of not growing personally, I started to feel stagnant and complacent. I made the decision to leave teaching because I also felt that this season of my life has ended. I have done my best and given my all for the profession, and I felt content with what I gave my students. You are well known in the Cape Town LGBTI+ community by your alter-ego, Wendy LaRosa. How did you start doing drag and where did the name come from? Wentzel: I started doing drag for fun at first, in 2011. I attended the Miss Gay Western Cape pageant that night and wanted to explore drag. It wasn’t until 2013 when I entered my first pageant, Miss Pestova, that I started to do drag more frequently. As they say, the rest is history. My drag name passed through many changes/phases, some including, WendyHaus, Wendy LaShade and eventually settling on Wendy LaRosa. Wendy means “white” in Gayle; LaRosa is Spanish for “the rose” Hence, “the white rose” You have been involved in various groups; organisations allied to the LGBTI+ community for a number of years. What motivated you to get involved in helping the community? Wentzel: I love my community. I love to see people grow, develop, and improve themselves. (the teacher inme) With getting involved in community work, I knew I could make significant changes and improvements where I can. When I won Miss Gay Western Cape in 2018, I joined Impulse Group a week later. I wanted to use my platform as MGWC by joining forces with Impulse to better our community. This has borne excellent fruits. You are currently Vice President of Impulse Group Cape Town. Tell us a little more about the organisation and where you fit in. Wentzel: Impulse Group is a global social movement who promotes and creates awareness around safer and healthier lifestyles within the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a sex-positive group who aims to stamp out the stigma around HIV/AIDS and sexual activity in the community. In my role as VP, I manage and coordinate many of our events through liaising with vendors, artists, suppliers etc. I work hand in hand with the President and team members to ensure things run smoothly. I’m basically the mother of the organisation, lol. The hashtag for Pride 2023 is #OwnYourTruth. As an openly, proudly gay man and a positive role model for young people struggling with their sexuality, what is your advice coming to terms with your true self? Wentzel: This is and will never be an easy journey. There are so many adults who still struggle with this issue. My best advice I can relay to young people, is to stand firm, work hard at everything you do, respect others, yourself and a higher being and most importantly, learn to pour into your own cup as well. As the Director of Cape Town Pride 2023, can you tell us a little more about what we can expect to see on the Pride calendar that hasn’t been Mag 16 Mag 14
Photographer: Lee-Anne Olwage there before and what will make Pride different with you at the helm? Wentzel: I am so excited to have been given the liberty to add new additions to our calendar. With the popularity of Vogue/ Ball culture growing in Cape Town, it is only fitting that a ball be added. Other new events include a Queer Fashion show which will showcase designs from the LGBTQIA+ community. Another exciting event is our Pride Pets Walk where you can bring your pet/s for a walk, dress them up in their finest outfits and even have a chance to interact with animal welfares to ensure your pet stays healthy and strong. Pride is a family event, and this includes our lovely pets. On a more personal level … are you single, in a relationship or married? Wentzel: Happily single but a rich man between the ages of 38 and an oxygen tank, is welcome to take me on a date. Do you have any role models? Wentzel: On the local scene, anyone who walks out of their house in drag. This takes courage and it is a political statement as well. I salute all my queens because I know how powerful drag can make you feel. What confidence and beauty it brings to your character. How do you relax and unwind? Wentzel: I enjoy watching documentaries, specifically on history, European royalties, and true crime. Oh and of course, napping. What is your binge worthy TV show? Wentzel: Will and Grace, The Devil Wears Prada – I know most of the scripts and lines by now, hehe Who is your favourite singer? Wentzel: There is no particular one. I think I can listen to a song and love it without having to be obsessed with the artist. My playlist/s can literally go from gospel to opera to indie pop. I’m weird like that. What’s your favourite indulgence? Wentzel: Mexican Chilli pepper, chilli biltong Your tipple of choice? Wentzel: Anything that contains vodka Best party night? Wentzel: A Sunday night (because I don’t work on Mondays) Favourite outfit? Wentzel: A short shorts and crop top/vest Your worst date night? Wentzel: Omg, what is a date???? And finally, what is this your life’s motto? Wentzel: It takes nothing from you to BE KIND. Mag Mag 17 15
FIFA’S SHA SH AME
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n 10 countries around the world, you can be put to death just because of who you love. Same-sex sexual activity is a criminal offence in Qatar and is punishable with a jail sentence of up to seven years. So, how is it hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events in just over two weeks?
AS FIFA DRAGS ITS FEET IN SUPPORTING THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO DIAL UP THE PRESSURE!
FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football) made a huge mistake when it chose Qatar to host the 2022 Men’s World Cup – a mistake that may cost people their lives. And now, as the games approach, FIFA continues to turn a blind eye to the increasingly brutal crackdown on the country’s LGBT+ community. Just last week, reporting by Human Rights Watch indicated that Qatar’s Preventive Security Department (or “secret police”) are arbitrarily rounding up and arresting members of the LGBT+ community. Many have faced severe and repeated beatings, sexual harassment, and even forced conversion therapy. And, Dr. Nas Mohamed – an out and proud gay Qatari – shared with All Out that trans folks are being held in underground prisons, denied resources for their transition, and even facing “corrective rape.” Nas said the 2022 FIFA World Cup being hosted in Qatar was the catalyst for publicly coming out, as it was “striking [that] nobody was speaking out” about LGBTIQ+ rights in his homeland. The only person with the balls to put to stand up to this regimes appalling human rights record, particularly with regard to LGBT+ rights is Peter Tatchell. It’s all very well to campaign from afar, but to go to Qatar and have a one-man protest was incredibly brave. Qatar is simply not a safe place for FIFA to be hosting the World Cup! Mag 16
@Dr_Nas Instagram
Photo by Gabi Santana - www.pexels.com
GUY CANDY REGULAR GUYS
Some of the homoerotic moments in sport
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Photo by sumit kapoor - www.pexels.com
Photo by Gabi Santana - www.pexels.com Anthony Mackie && 2Yahya Abdul-Mateen II lock lips in Black Mirror
Image by Pexels from Pixabay
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GUY CANDY
Photo by Spencer Selover - www.pexels.com Photo by josef pascal -www.pexels.com.
Photo by nappy - www.pexels.com. Photo by salah amran - www.pexels.com Photo by cottonbro - www.pexels.com
Photo by Lokman Sevim - www.pexels.com
Photo by Samad Ismayilov 2 - www.pexels.com Mag 19
THE BUZZ
GAY ICON, LESLIE JORDAN PASSES AWAY
BRAVE, COMMITTED - A HERO
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n October the 25th Qatari police arrested British LGBT activist Peter Tatchell outside the national museum of the Gulf Arab state which hosts soccer’s World Cup next month, putting a stop to his one man protest against the homophobic regime. Tatchell, who campaigns tirelessly for LGBT+ rights all over the world, had staged a similar protest ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He stood for more than an hour wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “#Qatarantigay” and holding a placard that read “Qatar arrests and subjects LGBTs to conversion”, before two uniformed police officers and three plain clothes officials arrived at the scene. They folded up his placard and took photos of Tatchell’s passport and other papers, and those of a man accompanying him. Homosexuality is illegal in the conservative Muslim country, and some soccer stars have raised concerns over the rights of fans travelling for the event, especially LGBT+ individuals and women, whom rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against. In a damage limitation exercise, organisers of the World Cup in Qatar, which starts on Nov. 20 and is the first to be held in a Middle Eastern nation, say that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or background, is welcome, while also warning against public displays of affection. We applaud his chutzpah and commitment - an incredibly brave man who deserves our admiration. Mag 38 Mag 20
Reuters
C
omedian, actor and bona fide gay icon Leslie Jordan has tragically passed away at the age of 67, in Los Angeles, USA
The star was best-known for appearing in Will & Grace, American Horror Story and more. He was driving in Hollywood when he suffered a medical emergency and crashed his BMW into the side of a building, local police announced. According to The LA Times, the actor was declared dead at the scene. Leslie’s career spanned decades, breaking onto the small screen in 1986’s The Fall Guy. He would go on to play bit parts in a number of iconic shows including Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Louis & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Star Trek: Voyager, Dharma & Greg and Ellen. But it was the trailblazing Will & Grace which endeared Leslie Jordan to a legion of fans, in which he starred as Beverley Leslie, the pint-sized socialite and razor-tongued frenemy to Megan Mullally’s Karen Walker. In 2006 he won an Emmy for his iconic performance. Leslie Jordan grew up in a strict religious household and turned to comedy to help him cope with childhood bullies
and the struggles of coming out as gay. “When I’m being very dramatic,” he told Shania Twain on her Apple Music Hits show in 2021, “I say, ‘Well, I grew up in the church, but I walked away,’ because the whole gay thing came around.” “I firmly believe that God made me this way. I’m not a mistake.” Leslie’s father Allen once told him that being able to make people laugh was his “gift”, with Jordan saying: “He recognised it even before I did, that I was this funny kid.” “I didn’t know. So, I think over the years I’ve thought of that and… what a gift.” “What a gift to be able to make people laugh, to have a talent for that, because you can tell a joke and somebody else can tell that same joke and if they don’t have the rhythm, whatever it is that comedians have.” “It’s like music. We hear the music. It’s the rhythm.” Leslie endeared himself to fans during the Covid pandemic with his Instagram posts, with nearly 6 million followers he brought a smile to many people all over the world during lock-down. This LGBT+ icon, familiar with South African TV audiences will be sadly missed. Pink News
WE NEED YOUR HELP NKOLI HOUSE* CAPE TOWN PRIDE COMMUNITY CARE CENTRE
Photo by Kampus Production from Pexels
ABOUT US
Cape Town Pride in conjunction with OUTREACH AFRICA is a registered NPO (157-896 NPO) serving the needs of the LGBTI+ community in Cape Town, South Africa
AIM
We are currently in negotiations with the City of Cape Town, and Provincial and National Government and other stake-holders, to secure the premises which have been ear-marked and exist, However, it is in dire need of renovation in order for it to be fit for purpose. To achieve this goal in getting the Nkoli House* Project up and running we NEED to raise R1 million To this end we appeal to the international LGBTI+ funders for their help.
VISION
#youmatter
The Nkoli House* Project, so named in honour of the late Simon Nkoli, a gay activist and anti-apartheid campaigner, who fought tirelessly for freedom, equality and social justice.
It does not matter how small your donation is – every amount matters. We hare hoping to have this funding in place by 1 June 2021
TO MAKE YOUR DONATION ...
Please pay using your credit or debit card to We have identified the need for a community our paypal account at: centre aimed at providing a home and safe paypalpayments@capetownpride.org space for our diverse LGBTI+ community to gather, meet and mix with like-minded people – with special emphasis on the or pay on line by EFT to: often-over-looked needs of the silver First National Bank (FNB) South Africa seniors in the community. Branch Code: 201809, Account Number: 62578991278 Account Name: Outreach Africa, Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ Our Ref: Nkoli House Fund (+ your Name) Your gift is tax Cape Town Pride & OUTREACH AFRICA, P O Box 397, Sea Point, South Africa 8060. deductible!! 86 Pienaar Road, Milnerton, Cape Town, South Africa 7441
FASHION
LOOK SUPER
HOT
The elas mois
ge ge Ran th u H y ualit rves Best Q & Bum dese ulge Your B
IN THE COOLEST SWIMWE THIS SUMMER Mag 22
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FASHION
Go to www.bulgeandbum.co swimwear, underwear and act colours, shapes and sizes, so funky, sexy or sensible there is s
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Bulge a e ex r a m u B tro n i o t d prou proudly “In n a c i r f A me Bulge” ea w r e d n u and ac
om to see their huge range of tive wear - available in different o whether you are looking for something in their range for you
and ly xtreme ir the oduce y South r ou y e g l u nd e of g n a r s en’ ar e w m i ar, sw ar. e w e v i t c Mag 25
SCENE OUT
JOHANNE PRIDE
QUEER DE
DESPITE SECURITY SCARES H PRIDE EVENT - JOHANNESB DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WIT STATEMENT: “THE THREAT H NITY FOR HOMOPHOBES TO E BER THAT IT IS CRITICAL FO ....THAT WE TAKE TO THE STR OUR VISIBILITY. WE MUST EST DEMONSTRATE OUR STRENGT
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NESBURG E 2022
EFIANCE!
HOURS BEFORE THE PLANNED BURG PRIDE ORGANISERS TH THE EVENT SAYING IN A HAS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUEMERGE .... WE MUST REMEMOR US TO OCCUPY THE SPACE REETS AND THAT WE ASSERT TABLISH OUR PRESENCE AND TH AS A UNITED COMMUNITY”
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FEATURE
RAINBOW CROSSING
The City’s Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, crossed the rainbow pedestrian crossing located along Somerset Road, between the intersections with Alfred Street and Dixon Street in Green Point
THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN MAKES HISTORY AGAIN, BEING THE FIRST CITY IN SOUTH AFRICA TO HAVE A RAINBOW PEDESTRIAN CROSSING - ENDORSING THE CITY’S SUPPORT FOR ITS LGBT+ COMMUNITY
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reen Point in Cape Town is now the proud host of a pedestrian crossing in the rainbow colours, the worldwide symbol for the LGBTQIA+ community. This district has in the past been home to many, if not the majority, of the LGBTQIA+ social amenities in the Mother City as well as the annual Cape Town Pride Parade and Festival Mardi Gras. The crossing is also supplemented with a pink strip painted on the sidewalks which serves as a Pink Route to guide visitors and tourists through this iconic LGBTQIA+ neighbourhood and beyond. The pedestrian crossing in the rainbow colours – red, orange, yellow, green, indigo and violet – is located along the busy Somerset Road, between the intersections with Alfred Street and Dixon Street in Green Point. ‘Cape Town is known for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ nightlife and community. We want all to feel welcome in our city where we embrace diversity and the addition of this bold pedestrian crossing to our road network will help spread this message. It also speaks to innovation in public spaces and support for public art that we’d like to foster,’ said the City’s Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis. The pink lane, which has caused some controvery on social media, runs along Somerset Road, all the way from the intersection with Liddle Sreet, and then along Dixon, Waterkant, and Rose Streets, up to the intersection with Strand Street. ‘You cannot miss the Pink Route, it is about 20cm wide, and Mag 28
painted on the sidewalk. This is a fun way for visitors to get to know the area and a great addition to our tourist offering soon before the peak holiday season. It is also intended to create awareness and celebrate Cape Town as an inclusive city. ‘This exciting ‘place maker’ precinct activator is the first of its kind in Cape Town, and is aimed at re-invigorating the buzz of the LGBTQIA+ district using road markings. There are many more spaces in the city that can be looked into in future and where heritage or unique attractions can be amplified by using sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. I’m calling on visitors and residents to look out for this crossing, and to follow the Pink Route as they explore this part of our city,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas. When the Rainbow Crossing was first unveiled, social media was buzzing, with supportive comments: 3 Fingers wrote, “Initially, when I saw this it put a huge smile on my face because it promotes progressiveness in inclusivity and diversity...” Hayden Oosthuizen: “Love this!”️ Tertia Alethea Fairbairn: “Love this!! Truly awesome!!” Natalie Williams: “Moooove over zebras the proud rainbows are moving in on your space” Tristan Mathlay said, “I saw it yesterday and was super impressed!! Love this can’t wait to see more!!”
Francois Nel: “Looks awesome! The colour brightens my route to work.” Linda Mayekiso said, “A great start, however those are not the inclusive colours. Were are the Trans colours? Where is the black and the brown? Can we start leading with INCLUSION!” Linda has a valid point, but imagine incorporating all the colours of the LGBTQIA+ acronym in one zebra crossing ... just wondering ... And then, of course we had the detractors ... Jennifer Davies Willis asked, “Who paid for this?” - Really! Seriously, a few tins of paint! The religious haters, of course crawled out - Colbern Heaton: “I kinda think it is a big FU to God, coz that isn’t the rainbow of God’s promise in fact its celebrating everything God despises. Remember Sodom & Gomora ....” - sad. That other little quote from the good book comes to mind ... something about “Judge not ....” Wayne Feldman: “That roadmarkings (sic) is not in accordance with the law?? Turn capetown into a circus....... (sic)” - boring. The City in its press statement did assure the likes of Wayne, because there’s always at least one, that “the paint used for the pedestrian crossing and Pink Route complies with the SANS standards for road markings.”
Chet Gordon-Povey, lamented, from Paris, France, on the fact that the “gay village” is no more, commenting, “I understand the symbolism and location but sadly all bars nightclubs and restaurants are NOT there anymore. What happened to Crew Bar???? What happened to Amsterdam Bar??? What happened to HOT House???? What happened to the bar next door to Amsterdam bar ??? What happened to the lesbian dance bar on Somerset Road??? And the list goes on and on.....oh what happened to the bar opposite Manhattan???? What happened to Bronx, Angels and Detour???! Nothing replaced all these iconic spots in de Waterkant!!!!!!!!!!! Sydney and here in Paris we have these crossings but it’s in the thriving spots of the gay districts....sorry Cape Town it’s pretty but it’s 5 years too late, nothing happening there just Cafe Manhattan and that’s very straight friendly at best. Ohhhh I left out Beefcakes, a hen party treasure now.” Chet is right, but high rents, online pick-up sights and what seems to be a general apathy, amongst a host of other reasons, I guess, have killed De Waterkant as a “Gay” district, but it’s great to have the visibility, and acknowledgement that the queer community are a valuable part of the social demographic of our diverse city. Rainbow crossings are a feature in many major LGBTQIA+ friendly cities around the world, and Cape Town Pride welcomes this addition to Cape Town’s urban landscape, a project that was started by Cllr Ian McMahon some years ago. Cape Town Pride have already adopted the crossing as the official start point of the Pride Parade on the 4th March 2023 ... Pride supports LGBTQIA+ visibility in the city, and looks forward to the creation of more. Mag 29
SCENE OUT
SOW PRIDE
Pictures by Luis de Ba
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WETO E 2022
arros (Mamba Online)
Mag 31
FEATURE
Jérémie Safari, executive director at Rainbow Sunrise Mapambazuko (RSM) at work (on left). Photo provided by RSM.
FLEEING HATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO https://stephenlewisfoundation.org/
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n March 2022, Jérémie Safari, Executive Director at SLF partner Rainbow Sunrise Mapambazuko, noticed an unsettling presence outside her house: police. As the leader of an organisation that supports LGBTIQ people in Bukavu, an eastern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jérémie is no stranger to threats from authorities. But this time the threat didn’t pass. Jérémie was soon summoned to appear in court, accused on a hate-fuelled charge of “recruiting people into homosexuality.” On her lawyer’s advice, Jérémie fled to homes belonging to fellow members of RSM while her lawyer, a defender of LGBTIQ human rights, appeared in court on her behalf. “It all started with threatening messages and insults from the youth in our neighbourhood,” she says. “I could not walk in the streets of our neighbourhood because the community did not want to see me. My presence bothered them.” They accused me of inciting the youth of our neighbourhood to become homosexuals and that I promote homosexuality. They insulted me by saying … ‘we will kill you. We will burn you alive. You bewitch our neighbourhood youth to become homosexual. You are a curse. You bring bad luck. We will burn your house.’” Despite homosexuality being legal in DRC, the country’s penal code is routinely used to criminalise community members under Mag 32
public decency laws. LGBTIQ lives are not widely accepted, and are commonly linked to witchcraft and mental illness. Transgender community members are particularly persecuted. As the days passed, and with Jérémie in hiding, her lawyer argued to the court that RSM is an organisation serving vulnerable people living with HIV, not an association to recruit people into homosexuality. The court was satisfied, but the threat of prosecution against Jérémie still lingered. Authorities continued to look for Jérémie, first at her home — where a sympathetic landlord turned them away — then at Jérémie’s mother’s house. “All these charges against Jérémie were brought by young people and religious groups in her neighbourhood who consider her a public danger because of her work and her [sexual] orientation [and gender identity], which they consider contrary to Congolese morals,” Jérémie’s lawyer says. “They want to see Jérémie in prison at all costs.” Finally, in the darkness of night, Jérémie fled Bukavu on a six-hour boat ride to a neighbouring province. Jérémie hid for months while her lawyer looked for a resolution to the case. Eventually she left for the capital, Khinshasa, 2,000 km away.
SHE LIVED IN FEAR OF PROSECUTION ON BOGUS CHARGES. Soon, Jérémie began to run out of funds. She not only needed to support herself, but cover legal costs as well. She returned to
Bukavu, and sheltered in a safe-house using funds from RSM to pay the rent. For weeks, she lived in fear of prosecution on bogus charges. “Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, at any moment, I could be discovered,” she said at the time. “God only knows what might happen to me afterwards. The Bukavu area is relatively small on the scale of the DRC, as it has only 250,000 inhabitants.” Moreover, I am still being prosecuted. I might be put on trial as a witch because my supposed influence is harmful to the heteronormativity of Congolese youth. It doesn’t make sense!”
Finally, with the help of emergency funding from the Stephen Lewis Foundation to cover legal fees, Jérémie’s lawyer successfully argued her case and the charges were dropped. Today, after taking extra security precautions and relocating to a different neighbourhood, Jérémie continues to lead the work at RSM while staying vigilant about her, and her colleagues’, safety. “Activism is very important to me,” she says. “I really care about my fellow human beings who are victims of rights violations every day. I have made it my goal to defend their rights, our rights.” Portions of this article were first published by Carl Collison, in New Frame, and by Moïse Manoël-Florisse in 76Crimes.
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WE ALSO HAVE A ROOM AVAILABLE FOR RENT IN PICTURESQUE MONTAGU Pepper Tree Lodge is in the heart of Montagu, explore the quaint town, easy access to the Route 62 winelands, and loads of activities, with lovely restaurants close by. Room has WIFI, DSTV and en-suite facilities for great get-away Mag 33
The South African family: Nash Mariah, Mavuso Mbutuma, Martin Magner and Jana Babez
CELEBRATING COMING OUT
Coming out of the closet, often shortened to coming out, is a metaphor used to describe LGBT people’s self-disclosure of their sexual orientation, romantic orientation or their gender identity. by Andrew Christian
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nternational Coming Out Day is celebrated on the 22nd October ...
For thirty years now, Coming Out Day has been celebrated as a day of LGBTQ+ awareness. On this day those brave activists who made and continue to make the radical political decision that is to come out to the world as their genuine gay selves, are remembered. Coming Out Day began in 1988 in the United States and in its first year, it was operated out of a small office in West Hollywood, California. NCOD (for short) was dreamed by LGBTQ+ activists Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary. The original vision of the day was to encourage everyone and anyone in the LGBTQ+ community to “come out” to their loves one. The practice of coming out is often a pivotal moment in the lives of most gay men. For many, it’s the day that can truly start being themselves, and have the world view them for who they are. But it wasn’t always that way. Homophobia, while still a massive problem, was considerably worse back in the 80’s. In an effort to end heteronormativity and fight homophobia, the belief was that if people realised that they had friends, family and loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community, then they would have to reevaluate their homophobia. Coming out was a form of protest against a society that wanted to keep queerness invisible. Mag 34
Thirty years later, some gay intellectuals challenge the continued necessity of this holiday. Their thinking goes, in a perfect world gay men shouldn’t even HAVE to “come out” because the mere necessity of this action implies that our society treats homosexuality and somehow different or worthy of explanation. Of course, most of us realise that this thinking is idealistic, and there’s still much work to be done before we reach this point. So everyone who makes up our diverse community are encouraged to come out if you haven’t yet! Or come out tomorrow! Having said that, coming out is a very important and personal journey that all LGBTQ+ people must arrive at in their own time and on their own terms. So if today feels right, then go ahead and come on out!
THINKING OF COMING OUT? By Georgina (www.teenagerswithexperience.com) A struggle that most, if not all, members of the LGBTQIA+ community end up facing is coming out. Not only coming out to their friends or their family, but coming out to themselves. Trust me, it’s harder than it sounds at first. Something I’ve always been very open about on the internet is my sexuality. The fact that I’m so confident with it online unfortunately doesn’t translate into my real, everyday life, and I have spent about three years in the metaphorical closet with everyone except for my close friends and anyone that follows any of my social media. My journey with sexuality began way back in 2012, when I developed a crush on a girl. I spent a few weeks worrying and fussing and writing obsessively in my ridiculous diary, and then I started to consider the possibility of bisexuality. For a while, I was ashamed and scared, because nobody had told me that it was okay to be inclined this way. I confirmed my sexuality to myself and about four of my very close friends some time in 2013, triggered by and in turn triggering a set of events that I won’t go into right now. Fast-forward to early 2014, when I got more into the internet and social media. I discovered this whole spectrum of genders and sexualities that I had never even heard of but was fascinated with learning more about. I became obsessed with the idea that my identity could only be validated by a label. I know now that this is completely not true, but at the time it was the only truth I knew. This was what introduced me to pansexuality the romantic and/or sexual attraction to anyone regarding of gender identity. I decided that this was the label that fit me best and proceeded to tell my close friendship group that I no longer identified as bi, but as pan. They were all very supportive and open-minded about it, even though this was mostly the first they’d heard of the existence of pansexuality. I couldn’t have been luckier. Still, I was oddly terrified to tell my family, even though I knew they would have been fine with it. On February 5th, 2016, I came out to my mum as pansexual. I have no idea what triggered the sudden, intense need to just say it, but I was sat on the sofa next to her, my dad was asleep on the other sofa and I was thinking to myself: I’m gonna do it. I’m just going to say it. And I did. I said: “Mom. I like boys. And I also like girls. And I like all of the other genders, like trans and things like that. It’s called pansexual, and I am.” And long story short, my whole immediate family now knows and accepts my sexuality.
them with pride instead of fear. I can even enthuse about my current crush, who happens to be female. But other than this and the occasional teasing comment from my mother or sister, everything is exactly the same as it was before. Since February, everything has settled and my immediate family is used to my rainbow-flag advocacy. I even came out to a lot of people in school around June time, and I’m very open with my sexuality now, which I wouldn’t have even thought a possibility this time last year. If you ever feel the urge to just say it as I did, then I honestly encourage you to do so. It doesn’t have to be this whole big thing of sitting your loved ones down with an announcement. It’s easier to do when you just treat it like normal conversation. I should stress though, please do not come out if you have openly homophobic loved ones or if you think it would put you in danger. Of course it’s important to be yourself, but your safety always comes first. If it seems likely that you would be hurt emotionally or physically, or even kicked out of your home, then you should bide your time until you are in a position to stay somewhere else or get out quickly. Please keep yourselves safe as well as happy.
Coming out felt like taking all of this overwhelming, crushing pressure that had been building up for around three or four years, and setting it free. I was a shaky, sweaty mess and it was one of the scariest and biggest decisions of my entire life, but it was so, so worth it.
There is a certain feeling that comes with being accepted, and it’s one I find nearly impossible to describe. Relief doesn’t really cover it. Imagine taking all of the feelings you’ve had towards yourself of disgust, doubt, loathing, and watching them just disappear in a split second. Now try and put a word to it. I’d like to think that I am a step closer to being completely and entirely happy with who I am.
And afterwards? Afterwards is... it’s like after all this time I can finally be as open as I want. I can comment on a female’s appearance in an admirable way without feeling that little rush of ‘That was bad. Maybe they know now.’ And if one day, I ever have a girlfriend or a non-binary partner, I can introduce
I wanted to share this with anyone who may be struggling with the idea of coming out, because it is, hands down, one of the best things that has happened in my life. And for once, I was in control. Mag 35
THE EVOLVING PRIDE FLAG
by Rima Sabina Aouf
MICROSOFT’S OPEN-SOURCE DESIGN FOR PRIDE FLAG INCORPORATES 40 COMMUNITIES. THE FLAG DESIGN IS A KALEIDOSCOPIC VERSION OF THE VARIOUS FLAGS REPRENTING 40 DIFFERENT LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITIES AND CAN EVOLVE TO INCLUDE EVEN MORE.
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icrosoft, which says the project was created by its LGBTQIA+ staff, released an earlier version of the flag during Pride month in June and has now updated the design and made it open source.
Images of the flag and its related assets are available for download through GitHub and Figma under Creative Commons licenses. This means people can not only access and use the finished file but edit and add to it to create their own version. Microsoft’s latest Pride flag design is open source
Microsoft’s design incorporates elements of flags from 40 different communities including ones that are widely known such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual, which together make up the LGBTQIA acronym. The flag also includes other newer or lesser-known gender or sexual identities, from abrosexual to nonbinary and polyamorous to trigender. There is also a version that incorporates the “ally flag”, for straight people who are supportive of LGBTQIA+ communities
“We’ve long been believers in the power of democratic design – in people coming together to define their own narratives and futures – and we were so inspired and humbled by the global response to the flag design that we want to share it beyond our own borders,” Microsoft’s director of brand activation Aleksey Fedorov wrote in a Medium post.
Each flag is interpreted as a triangular, paper airplane-like graphic that slots into the main image, in which all the flags fan out from a central point.
“By open-sourcing it, we’re eager to see how you remix it as a way of continuing to create and define the future of our movement.”
“We wanted to show how large our community is,” said Andre Bazire, Microsoft’s director of global advertising and one of the creators behind the flag. “Intersectionality, solidarity, unity –
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Microsoft has made the design available in multiple formats, including versions sized for laptops and phone wallpapers.
they are important, we need them more than ever.” The Pride flag was originally created by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 to mark what was then called San Francisco Gay Freedom Day and is now known as San Francisco Pride. The design featured eight different-coloured stripes – two more than are commonly used in the same flag today – creating a rainbow-like appearance that was meant to evoke a feeling of hope. A popular update came in 2018 with Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride flag, which added black and brown stripes to represent marginalised communities of colour, as well as the light pink, blue and white of the transgender Pride flag. Microsoft previously created a version of the Pride flag that represented 19 different communities in 2021 and applied it to various products and packaging. The first rainbow flags commissioned by the San Fransisco pride committee were produced by a team that included artist Lynn Segerblom. According to her, she created the original dyeing process for the flags. Thirty volunteers hand-dyed and stitched the first two flags for the parade. The original flag design had eight stripes.
Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride flag
Transgender Pride flag: Gilbert Baker’s Rainbow flag below
Right: Microsoft’s inclusive Pride flag for phones Mag 37
RICHARD JONES CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF BEAR WORLD
The LGBTQIA+ community is diverse, with a number of sub cultures within the acronym. One of those, if not the biggest, is the bear community. A growing queer demographic within the gay community, however, their aspirations, issues, and identity often escape the attention of the mainstream LGBTQ community. The concentration, it seems, from main stream and social media is the transgender community, which is grabbing all the headlines, and yet it is possibly the smallest group. This year, the international Bear World Magazine celebrates 10 years and carried an interview with the magazine’s founder Richard Jones. Bear World magazine is the world’s leading online lifestyle resource for bears, cubs, and their admirers. Mag 38
British by birth and now a New Yorker, Jones heads up a growing multinational media company with publications devoted to LGBTQ niche markets, he had dabbled in publishing gay magazines while living in the UK before pitching an idea to transform a dating website for bears into a digital magazine. Enter Bear World Magazine circa 2012. Ten years later it is thriving and delightful. Here are extracts from the fascinating interview: Richard Jones: I started it in Northern Ireland, but it was very much focused on the American market because the American bear community, obviously, is bigger. I’ve been very lucky that the bear community took me as a complete rookie and I’ve learned along the way. There’s a lot of pressure on gay men to to look a certain way, to be affluent, to be style mavens, to be Sex and the City gays… Richard Jones: Well, I think that the reason the bear community is bigger is because it’s all the regular people who live across the whole of the country. They’re not just in the big cities living the kind of the iconic gay life of partying, clubbing and all of that. It is people who work at a bank. It is truckers, people doing regular blue collar jobs. That’s kind of where the bear aesthetic comes from: real men with gay dad bods. To celebrate a decade of Bear World Mag, will there be national and local events, anything readers can put in their calendars? Richard Jones: Yes. We are launching three things ourselves: a podcast hosted by Larry Flick, which will look at the history of the bear community, how we got to this point; Larry lived and breathed the kind of the early bear community in the late ’70s, early ’80s. So he has that memory that goes back to the beginning. We’re launching a mini-series of shorts, which will be about bear change-makers in New York. We’re going to talk to people about what they do in the bear community, how they have made changes, how they’ve done something for the community or entertained the community, kept the community alive.
munity because it includes many others, from cisgender, to transgender, to nonbinary. Richard Jones: I think the world has changed dramatically in the last 10, 20 years as to what those demographics are. You know, we’re not just men and women anymore. We are hundreds of different variants. The Internet has helped us find our tribes, and the people that we feel comfortable being with —be that just as friends or partners or just wanting to belong to a group. That’s very human: the desire to want to belong somewhere. I like that you pitch Bear World Mag also to friends and admirers of bears. The content mix is interesting and appealing: Style, food, travel, art, drag, grooming, cars…it’s a whole lifestyle range. Richard Jones: I didn’t come from a journalistic background. I think I came with just an idea of what it is to be a bear — or a human being. Even if we’re a member of any kind of club that has a defined reason, you still eat food, you still travel, you still go shopping, you might have DIY on your home or buy a car… All those things we all do, it’s about kind of putting a bear spin on them. For example, when we test drive cars we promote the trucks and the bigger cars because we’re big guys, typically a bigger framed man. So, there’s that that kind of old fashioned masculinity idea that’s poured into it. But it’s very fluid. Because a bear might like Drag Race. It’s not as defined as it has been in the past. It’s much more broad now.
HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA BEARFEST SA is Back!
So, is bear a serious orientation or is it a lifestyle choice — and what is the difference? Richard Jones: It’s a good question, and I think the real answer is both because it is something people find attractive and it draws them to it. In the early days of Bear World Magazine, people saw it as a fetish. And we don’t display any more nudity than Men’s Health do. We show a bare bum every now and then but in terms of our core photography we don’t show anyone naked. We’ve always been lifestyle oriented. Lumberjacky. Friendly. We’re not a fetish group. We’re just a bunch of regular people who happen to be a niche within the queer community. The bear identity was coined back in the 1970s in an article in The Advocate as men who were bigger, bearded, maybe wearing leather — but being friendly. The beauty of the bear community is that even if you are not a bear but you want to hang out with us — we welcome you in. We’re not exclusionary.
BEARFEST SA is back with fun, and fur, in the sun. Join us for an amazing three days to make new friends, light new fires, or rekindle old friendships. Three days to let go and feed the bear within. The purpose of BEARFEST is simple, to create a lasting memory of an event each summer, that you will remember for many years to come with a party that welcomes bears and bear-lovers from all over the world to participate in fun activities and a great weekend of making new friends.
The magazine has grown with my understanding of the of the bear community because back in the day I wasn’t aware that there were trans bears, female bears. It wasn’t in my frame of reference then. But in the 10 years since, we put a mama bear, ‘Queen of the Bears’ Nikki Wireman, on the front cover, we put a trans bear, Verity Smith, on the front cover. And I’m just super proud of that journey. What’s so interesting is in one decade you’ve gone from niche to one of the fastest growing groups in our comMag 39
WHY ARE MUSCLES SO IMPORTANT FOR GAY MEN? by Andrew Christian
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o many men, are victims to being appreciated by the sex they feel attracted to. Only, believe it or not, they have to bear a double burden on their shoulders. First, it’s society in general. The society we live in is very much youth orientated and it’s important to look fit if you want to fit in. And be physically appreciated, and gazed at. And then, there’s the gay society per se, where the competition is so fierce that you cannot afford to be a bloated whale. The thing is that if you are not your best possible version (which, in many cases, equals Zac Efron in his Baywatch body!), your dating pool will shrink to the size of a coffee cup. It may sound like a far-fetched generalisation, but still, there’s some truth to this. I mean, when you’re scrolling through Instagram you can see that everyone is liking pictures of guys with rugged bodies, right? And we can’t but ask: Why gay men are so fixated on muscles? BECAUSE MUSCLES ARE HOT! That would be the shortest and most explicit answer. But behind this superficial explanation, there are all these complicated, multi-system processes that determine what we find hot, and which evolutionary psychology has been trying to figure out. On the one hand, we are genetically programmed to associate fit bodies with good genes, hence the high likelihood of solid partnership/protection and fertile seed. On the other hand, sexuality researchers are talking about a process called “impression” that is triggered during the first years of puberty. This is the period in our lives when we are most likely to be strongly influenced by the environment. It is during our early teens when our preferences (the sexual ones, too) are entrenched, and are going to stick with us until we die. Simply put, if you, as an 11, 12, or 13-year-old were impressed by some older guy with pecs and biceps, you will most probably Mag 40
The hot Zac Effron develop a liking for such body type. The teenage years are also the period when most fetishes and atypical sexual desires are conceived and are brought to the surface at a later age. If you’ve watched the new Netflix series about the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, you’ll know what I am talking about. BECAUSE THE GAY COMMUNITY PROMOTES IT Yes. that’s another possible answer, and those who are inclined to think in that direction will be right, too. TV, Hollywood, and especially social media obsessively promote gorgeous body totems, which, without doubt, mess with our group and individual mechanisms of attraction. But these stereotypes are not something that come out of nowhere. If chunky-type male bodies were recognised as the most universally sexually appealing, the “bears” would be getting the roles of the hot guys in all the movies. Instead of the likes of Zac Efron.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko - www.pexels.com.jpg
HEALTH
What the above-mentioned forms of entertainment do wrongly is that they tend to oversimplify the image of the muscular man. But that’s their only sin. They definitely are not choosing for us we are choosing for ourselves!
Photo by Ksu&&Eli www.pexels.com.jpg
WHEN TOO MUCH IS TOO MUCH A couple of years ago, there was, a Danish study, I think, that showed that 65% of men, no matter their sexuality, get aroused when being shown a picture of an athletic male torso. The result of this study is actually quite ground-breaking, because it is not so much about muscles but about low body fat! If you are not particularly ripped, but you are one of the lucky ones whose body fat index is somewhere between 8 and 15%, then you know that you don’t need to be musclular to make heads turn. Actually, the truth is that most gay guys like men who are fit, and not over-musclular, in fact, an Arnold Schwarzenegger look can be a turn-off rather than a turn-on. The reality is that the ripped, muscled body type is unattainable for most of us. That’s why gay men obcess. Perhaps its the less we have of something, the more we cherish it. Yes, muscled male bodies are hot, and we have to blame the ancient Greeks for forcing that stereotype upon us, where the chizelled male body was venerated. And yet, no matter how attracted we are to all the Zac Efron’s out there, we should always remember that it’s a guy’s personality, and not his body, that makes or breaks the deal.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
IM NO POR T PR TE TH ANT IDE EN CR ISI SHE EW LT SN NIC UMB ER 072 OLE ER 287 631 0 Mag 35 Mag 41
LIFESTYLE
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Photo: Alex Bührmann - Flickr
HELP ENSURE STEVE HOFMEYR ACCOUNTS FOR HIS HATE SPEECH On the 12 October 2022, OUT LGBT-Well Being announced a fund-raising campaign to ensure that Steve Hofmeyr faces the Equality Court and accounts for his dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric. OUT, along with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), is one of the complainants in the Equality Court case filed against Hofmeyr in June for what we argue amounts to hate speech. The SAHRC is asking that he issue a full public apology, donate R500,000 to an LGBTIQ+ group and do community service. OUT believes that Hofmeyr must be held accountable for spreading anti-LGBTIQ+ lies and misinformation by telling his hundreds of thousands of social media followers that the LGBTIQ+ community supports people who engage in bestiality and suggesting that the community aims to sexually “groom” children through inclusive representation and education. His comments perpetuate falsehoods that LGBTIQ+ people are sexual deviants who pose a danger to children. In a country where dozens of LGBTIQ+ people are murdered every year because of their sexuality or gender identity, these dangerous and false claims only serve to fuel discrimination and violence against our community. OUT has secured an advocate to represent the organisation in the Equality Court case. He has agreed to provide his services ‘pro-bono’ (at no cost) but he is based in Gauteng. Therefore, OUT will be responsible for all costs incurred for his travel, food and accommodation in Gqeberha, where the case was lodged. We aim to raise R50,000 to cover these costs and are humbly asking everyone who agrees that there is no place for discrimination and hate speech in South Africa to contribute whatever they can towards this important case. No amount is too small to help. Those who’d like to offer a donation to the cause can make an EFT to the following account: Bank: First National Bank, Hatfield Account name: OUT LGBT Well-being Account no: 62799900701 Account type: Current Branch code: 252145 SWIFT code: FIRNZAJJ NB: Donations made to OUT can be deducted from income tax, up to a maximum of 10% of the taxable income of any individual, company, or trust. If you’d like to take advantage of this benefit, please send proof of payment, along with your name and address to finadmin@engagemenshealth.org.za to obtain the 18A tax certificate/receipt. *Payment reference should be Steve+YourSurname Founded in 1994, OUT LGBT Well-being is a registered NPO that provides stigma-free HIV and other health services to gay, bisexual and MSM communities. It also works to eradicate LGBTIQ+ hate crimes and discrimination while assisting and supporting victims with paralegal advice and referrals. For more information visit www.out.org.za
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MUSIC MOVES
THE 10 BEST SONGS FOR YOUR PRIDE LAUNCH PARTY 1. “This Hell” - Rina Sawayama This song has been the official Pride anthem of 2022. Rina Sawayama’s “This Hell” has been playing everywhere this year! It’s catchy, has a cool country/rodeo edge in an otherwise sassy pop song, and makes fun of homophobic world views in a tasteful way. Not to mention it’s sooooo dancy. This tongue-in-cheek tune has been a great addition to the pansexual Sawayama’s catalogue, and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the tracks on her upcoming sophomore album, Hold the Girl.
2. “You Make Me Feel” - Solardo & Comanavago A club-ready banger all about the bliss of love – in all its forms. While this doesn’t address LGBTQ+ issues or themes specifically, you can hear within this song’s musical undertones that it was totally made for a kiki. With sky-high vocals and a sound that’s somewhere between 90’s NYC underground dance hall vibes and retro 70’s disco, “You Make Me Feel” will definitely have you feeling something.
3. “Silk Chiffon (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)” MUNA
We feel their sapphic tune “Silk Chiffon” is best to blast out loud for Pride. It’s so sugary, sunny, and well...pretty. In the track, lead vocalist Katie Gavin and Phoebe Bridgers speak on the pure beauty and bliss of queer love, comparing the softness of their lover’s aura to the texture of silk chiffon. Also, the music video for this song is wonderfully amusing. If you’ve seen the film But I’m a Cheerleader, you’ll get a kick out of it.
4. “Don’t Give Up” - Maggie Szabo
“Don’t Give Up” is an inspirational pop ballad about not giving up on your own identity. If you like tunes similar to Kelly Clarkson’s, Jordin Sparks’, Leona Lewis’, or Katy Perry’s, you’ll probably feel compelled to add this to your Pride playlist. Despite the music video being made in 2017, we feel it’s worth mentioning due to the fact that video proceeds are still being donated to supporting homelessness and LGBTQ+ youth. Additionally, the song features members of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles. 5. “Wish You Were Gay” - Claud Just like MUNA, Claud is a part of Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records. We love their 2019 song “Wish You Were Gay.” While Billie Eilish’s “wish you were gay” is meant for the straights, this “Wish You Were Gay” actually hits hard if you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ community. This ballad is melancholy and may even make you cry. A good song to play at the end of a party, if you just need to wallow in your emotions. We even love the live version of “Wish You Were Gay,” in which Claud takes the key down a notch. Mag 44
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Y 6. “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” - Lil Nas X Even though it last year’s song ... it’s new enough to include on this year’s list. The Andre Aciman reference in the song title, the sultry music production and lyrics, the iconic queer music video... “MONTERO” proved to be a defining moment in LGBTQ+ music history. It’s a timeless tune worthy of any Pride playlist.
7. “for the girls” - Hayley Kiyoko A song that gives a whole new meaning to the term “hot girl summer.” Hayley Kiyoko’s new pop anthem “for the girls” is perfect for any Pride line up. It’ll break any tension in the room “like a Kit Kat” and features a bouncy, fun beat that will bring pride to any bisexual woman. We particularly love the music video, which hilariously parodies The Bachelorette. It’s all because Hayley Kiyoko is actually in a relationship with former Bachelorette contestant Becca Tilley, who appears at the end of the video! 8. “girls girls girls” - Fletcher Fletcher is an artist you should know, and seriously – we can’t get enough of this tune. Similar to “for the girls,” “girls girls girls” is made for girls who like girls. It geniusly samples Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” in the chorus, but makes the lyrics more lesbian-friendly. (“I kissed a girl and I liked it / Sipped hеr like an Old Fashioned / I kissed a girl and she liked it / It’s better than I imagined”). Besides the rewrite, we love how bubbly, dreamy, and soft this song feels. The beat drop in the chorus hits hard!
9. “Gay 4 Me (feat. Lauren Sanderson)” - G Flip
Unapologetically raunchy, “Gay 4 Me” is equal parts slow and sexy, as well as loud and rockin’. G Flip and Lauren Sanderson’s voices mesh so well together as they tell the stories of their lovers who are “only gay” for them. The vocal and drum work on this thing is pretty incredible, and if you’re looking for a sound like Imagine Dragons but less overdone, “Gay 4 Me” is the way to go. Oh, and that TikTok robot voice at the end gives us a good chuckle.
10. “Love Me More” - Sam Smith
Sam Smith always brings out heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics for their songs, but we can’t help but feel like “Love Me More” features their most vulnerable words. It’s Smith’s first release of 2022 and their comeback to music following their third studio album, Love Goes, in 2020. Ultimately, “Love Me More” is all about the power of self-love despite the curveballs life throws at us. It’s pretty relatable, especially with the hints of humour and selfmockery. “Love Me More” could lean into a more melancholic territory, but we appreciate how upbeat this track comes off. If you need a self-esteem boost, replay this Sam Smith jam! Mag 45
OUT ON FILM The LGBTQ+ community has long been an important part of horror films. Despite the genre’s incessant need to queer-code villains. Horror masters like Clive Barker, Don Mancini, and Stewart Thorndike, have facilitated LGBTQ+ voices for years in an environment where most queerness emerges as subtextual instead of normal. So if you’re in the market to be thoroughly spooked, and got yourself thoroughly terrified on hHalloween, and are looking for more .. why not check out our selection of homoerotic, gay-friendly horror movies that will have your blood pumping, ice cold, through your veins ... 1. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE That’s right, not the original one, but nightmare on Elm Street 2! Why is this sequel the ultimate gay horror flick? Nonstop homoerotic slasher content, that’s why. The gay screenwriter amazingly crafted a perfect gay horror movie without its straight producers even realising. Upon release, one critic dubbed it “the gayest horror film ever”. Sounds like a dream come true!
3. B&B (2017) This horror flick is every gay’s worst nightmare: a terrible bed and breakfast. And let’s just say, this one is especially terrible. Come for the cute gay couple, stay for the blood.
2. STRANGER BY THE LAKE This French film from 2013 is a top-notch thriller, by and for the gay community. Although Stranger by the Lake is more in Hitchcockian thriller territory than traditional horror fare, it still possesses a chilling atmosphere. This is particularly due to its desolate setting on a gay cruising beach and the use of shadow by cinematography maestra Claire Mathon. When Franck (Pierre Deladonchamps) becomes sensually fixated on Michel (Christophe Paou) even after witnessing him drown another man in the ocean, Franck is always enraptured in shadow, whether it’s in a nighttime scene or he’s encased by his own silhouette during the day. Franck always being engulfed in darkness encompasses his temptation leading him to danger. Franck’s mixture of compulsion and apprehension are well illustrated in Deladonchamps’ expressive eyes. Meanwhile, Patrick d’Assumçao impresses in equal measure as Franck’s congenial beach companion Henri. Not a horror movie per-se, but this twisting tale of cruising will surely get your blood pumping.
Mag 46
Remember that time a gay couple sued the owners of a B&B for not allowing them to have a double room? Well rather than making a film about that, director Ahearne has created a “what if” scenario around it, in which the affronted couple return to the B&B, where all hell breaks loose in a horror/thriller retribution piece, picking up from where the newspaper stories left off. What the film does manage with aplomb is making a horror film about sexuality that doesn’t fall into the trap of turning homosexuality into the “monster”. Marc (Tom Bateman) and Fred’s (Sean Teal) marriage might be tested psychologically, but in a film in which promiscuity abounds, they don’t ever stray from their marriage vows. Josh’s son Paul (Woodhouse), who tells them he’s gay and intends to come out to his father that weekend. Similarly, though Josh (Paul McGann) is a homophobe, it neither tries to justify or exaggerate the way that he feels and behaves. The threat felt throughout the film does stem from his homophobia, but it is not the threat itself. As a result, it’s a LGBT horror film that actually depicts gay people and their issues well, which is pretty rare. B&B is definitely an enjoyable film and sits well within the horror genre. If you want a pulse-racer at Halloween, this certainly does the job. 4. RAW (2016)
Raw is an extremely bloody French art-horror film of a young girl who goes from innocent vegetarian to flesh-eating cannibal. The film is so grotesquely intense, that audiences have been known to vomit and faint. The extreme horror film mixes cannibalism and queerness and follows Justine, as she experiences horrendous consequences after satiating her desire for raw meat during her first week at veterinary school. Julia Ducournau’s debut feature is hypnotic and unforgettable, bursting with female empowerment and a gay character who plays a major role in the film. Haunting, gross, and fascinating, Raw is one of the most critically acclaimed and outwardly queer horror movies in recent years. The movie totally rocks on its own, but gets bonus points for the hunky gay roommate character (spoiler: you see him get his dick sucked).
The Hunger stars Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie, one of the most well-known gender-fluid men of the 70’s and 80’s, as vampire lovers, John and Miriam. When John suddenly dies, Miriam seeks out a new companion in the way of a woman named Sarah, who falls under Miriam’s vampiric spell quite easily. The Hunger is home to all the 80’s-era excess with gothic clubs, over-the-top makeup, shoulder pads, and some of the best erotically charged lesbian scenes in cinema. Susan Sarandon and Deneuve make for incredible lustful chemistry as they deal with the conflicts of vampirism. 7. JENNIFER’S BODY (2009) After decades of queer subtext in horror, Jennifer’s Body was louder and prouder than anything mainstream audiences had seen in years. It was panned by most critics upon its release, but the movie has become one of horror’s cult classics. Younger generations have embraced the brilliant and sadistic nature of Jennifer and Needy’s parasitic relationship. The film opens with the line, “Hell is a teenage girl,” and goes on to represent the addictive quality of teen relationships and blurs the lines between friendship and romantic love. The film’s writer, Diablo Cody, has said that she always thought that Needy was in love with Jennifer, and this shows in how the two characters interact with each other both salaciously and tenderly. Jennifer’s Body certainly paved the way for many young, queer people’s awakenings.
5. INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE (1994) Many horror movies are based on classic works of Gothic fiction, but none do it as well as Interview With The Vampire and its covert queerness. While the 90’s were still stuck in subtext and blurring the lines of sexuality, Interview With The Vampire did a good job of portraying men who clearly loved each other. Throughout the film, Tom Cruise’s Lestat and Brad Pitt’s Louis, become an intriguing sort of couple and even raise a young vampire as their own daughter. Many scenes include homoerotic subtext, with a lot of bloodsucking and vampiric lust. In fact, it’s almost more difficult to think of this movie as anything other than queer. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt dressed up as dreamy swashbuckling vampires? Count me in. This methodical period piece is the ultimate steamy vampire movie, and it still holds up by today’s standards. 6. THE HUNGER (1983)
8. HELLBENT (2004) Hellbent is best known as the “first gay slasher film,” and for good reason. The film said “to hell” with subtext and put the lives (and deaths) of gay men at the forefront. It takes place in West Hollywood where a group of gay friends is celebrating Halloween. They soon become followed by a masked killer who starts killing them one at a time at a club. The movie takes every horror stereotype and turns it into a gay 80’s slasher-inspired dreamscape. With a killer soundtrack and candy-coloured visuals, the movie makes sure not to include any of the boring stereotypes that so often plague gay men in horror. While it may not be the best horror movie ever made, it deserves a place in queer horror history. Mag 47
OUT ON FILM 9. SCREAM (2022) One highlight of the new sequel to the original Scream is its depiction of Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown). Thanks to her whip-smart horror knowledge and deadpan wit, Mindy serves as a strong entry in the slasher heroine pantheon. Mindy being openly queer is a less defining character trait, which is admirable and makes Scream an antidote to the use of homosexuality as a punch line in its predecessor, where the character Robbie Mercer blurts that he’s gay just to avoid Ghostface’s wrath. The Scream franchise holds a special place in the hearts of LGBTQ+ fans for various reasons. Whether it be the campy elements, the characters of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox), the gay overtones of Billy’s and Stu’s relationship, and Kevin Williamson’s unique voice, the movies exist as a magnet for queer horror fans.
11. NO NIGHT IS TOO LONG Based on Ruth Rendell’s novel of the same name, and directed by Tom Shankland, No Night Is Too Long follows a British love triangle getting complicated when jealousy and desperation take a wrong turn. Young Tim Cornish’s life is blessed with great promises-- extraordinary good looks, popular attention, and academic excellence as a favoured student in a prestigious creative writing course at university. A random encounter, a stolen kiss and passionate desire with a palaeontologist sets Tim on a journey of betrayal, heartbreak and murder. Suspense develops when handsome Tim falls for Dr. Ivo Steadman, and during their trip to Alaska, Time initiates an affair with a woman turning out to be his male lover’s sister.
Scream (2022) is the fifth instalment in the Scream film series and is a direct sequel to Scream 4. 2022’s Scream, continues the queer legacy of the past movies and helps push it forward while tying it into contemporary issues around fandom and representation. 10. HUSH…HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE (1964) After What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? became a smash hit, director Robert Aldrich and star Bette Davis reunited two years later on Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte. Because in Hollywood, you always stick with what works, they again collaborated on a horror film that continued the “psycho-biddy” subgenre that Baby Jane originated. It also amped up its gay-friendly camp factor with not just more theatrical actressing, but some queer undertones. In Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Bette Davis delightfully dials it up to 11 as berserk spinster Charlotte, who lives alone with her maid, Velma (Agnes Moorehead). Velma is devoted to serving Charlotte and especially becomes vigilant when Charlotte’s dubious cousin Miriam (Olivia de Havilland) suddenly arrives. Yet, Velma’s fondness feels deeper than it lets on. As the loyal and subtly sapphic Velma, Agnes Moorehead gives a performance of unhinged brilliance that earned her a fourth and final Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. At the time of its release, the film attained the record of having the most Oscar nominations of any horror picture, with seven. So, for those who are Oscar completists as well as horror fans, this one is a must-see. Mag 48
Haunted by his unethical behaviours and aggression, Tim starts to see Ivo everywhere he goes after his accident. The lead actors’ performances are incredibly convincing and seductive, the storytelling is splendid, and the cinematography is stunning with beautiful natural backdrops. No night is too long is such a brilliant British gay thriller -- full of suspense, drama, and plot twists.
Photo by Errol Stroebel
CONGRATULATIONS TO RUBEE LEE LUCKAS WINNER OF THE 2022 MISS SOVEREIGN WESTERN CAPE FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE MISS GAY WESTERN CAPE PAGEANT THE GLITTERINNG EVENT WAS HELD IN FRONT OF A SOLD-OUT AUDIENCE ON SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2022 AT THE JOSEPH STONE AUDITORIUM! Mag 49
OUT TAKES
“Let’s leave the Jews out of this just for a moment. Let’s think of another minority. One that… one that can go unnoticed if it needs to. There are all sorts of minorities — blondes, for example… or people with freckles. But a minority is only thought of as one when it constitutes some kind of threat to the majority. A real threat or an imagined one. And therein lies the fear. If the minority is somehow invisible, then the fear is much greater. That fear is why the minority is persecuted. So, you see, there always is a cause. The cause is fear. Minorities are just people. People like us.” - From the film A Single Man Mag 50
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