Pride Life 026 by Pride Life

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T HE OF F ICI A L M AG A ZIN E OF

ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2019

WE CAN BE HEROES

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FABULOUS AT 50! 50 reasons to be proud

RISING HIGH

50 years after the Stonewall Uprisings

PLODUUCSING! THE

IF E IN T R L E D I R IN T E R P L O F SE A VAL A P P RO

International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association

50 T H S TO N E WA L L A N N I V ER S A RY SP ECIA L ISSU E

50 LGBT+ heroes to celebrate

TAKING PRIDE

Your guide to Prides at home and abroad ISSUE 26 £3.95 WHERE SOLD

Your Pride Your Life

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WELCOME

UNITED KINGDOM / EUROPEAN UNION PRESIDENT/ GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING STEVE SOHAL +44 (0) 20 7580 4345 VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC RELATIONS GEORGE MIZEL +44 (0) 20 7062 2271 VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS LEO MAGGI +44 (0) 20 7121 5003 PARTNERSHIP LIAISON DIRECTOR JAYNE ASTON +44 (0) 20 7062 2267 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD KATE NELSON +44 (0) 20 7637 3859 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NIGEL ROBINSON ART DIRECTOR MATT ALABASTER

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ifty years ago? Has it really been that long? That’s more than half a lifetime ago when, in June 1969, the New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular LGBT+ bar in Manhattan. That was nothing new – raids on gay bars were commonplace, in fact, you could say it came with the territory. But something snapped. The customers that night – the gays, the lesbians, the bi men and women, the trans people, the drag queens, the street kids – had decided that they were as mad as hell and they weren’t going to take that sort of oppression anymore. As we show in this issue the riots and demonstrations that followed over the next few days galvanised the community across the city with an influence which spread out throughout the country and ultimately across the globe. It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that the Stonewall Uprising in 1969 was the start of the modern-day LGBT+ rights movement and it’s only fitting that World Pride should be celebrated this year in New York City, the place where the Pride movement started. So, it’s a time for celebration and with hundreds and hundreds of Prides across the world from London to Montreal, from Berlin to Shanghai, there’s no excuse not to party and celebrate our amazingly diverse LGBT+ community. But Pride isn’t just about the parties. Here in the UK and in much - if certainly not all - of the Western world we’ve achieved so much in the past 50 years. Many of us now have the right to marry whoever we want, and raise families, and enjoy most of the employment rights our straight friends have always regarded as a right. Yet discrimination and homophobic attacks are on the rise in the UK, with one in five LGBT+ people reporting being the victim of a hate crime over the past year. That figure is SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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even higher for trans people with 41 per cent subjected to a hate crime over the past year. And elsewhere in the world we can be imprisoned, or even killed, just for being with the person we love. Who says there’s still nothing to fight for? Yes, Pride is about the party and it is about a celebration of our community. But it’s also much more than that: it’s about the politics and protests to show, just like the original Stonewallers in 1969, that we’re as mad as hell and we’re not going to take homophobia anymore. 2019 seems to be the year of LGBT+ anniversaries. In 1919 the very first pro-gay film had its premiere, and in this issue we celebrate 100 years of queer cinema. Charities Stonewall and the AKT (the Albert Kennedy Trust) also share a 30th anniversary and we look at their work tirelessly fighting for LGBT+ rights and caring for homeless LGBT+ youth. And to celebrate the 40th birthday of Gay’s The World, possibly the best community bookshop in the world, we feature some of today’s best and most exciting LGBT+ writing. During this year’s Prides season, lots of commercial companies will be coming out and waving their rainbow flags at events all over the county, and that’s great. Yet when Pride is over, and those precious pink pounds have been spent, they put away those rainbow flags into their corporate closet until the next year. But Pride isn’t about just one day in summer. Pride is about all year round. With this in mind, and in partnership with InterPride, the global Prides organisation, PrideLife is proud to launch the InterPrideLife Seal of Approval. The presence of this Seal on a company’s advertisement, marketing materials, or website is proof that they have passed a stringent set of criteria demonstrating their year-long and sincere commitment to the LGBT+ market in terms of their first-class product, their understanding and support of our community, and their commitment to inclusivity both within their own organisation and amongst the wider LGBT+ marketplace. It’s an LGBT+ mark of excellence. Have a fantastic Pride!

Nigel Robinson Editor in Chief

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FEATURE

PRIDE MILLIONS OF MOMENTS OF

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF INTERPRIDE WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT THE 2019 ISSUE OF PRIDELIFE MAGAZINE – THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF INTERPRIDE

ver the past year, there have been many advances for LGBTQ+ people around the world. This April, the first marriages occurred in Taiwan. India decriminalised the way we love. But in many places there have also been steps in the wrong direction. Brunei has implemented anti- LGBTQ+ laws, including death by stoning for consensual acts between men. We have accomplished so much over the past 50 years, but we have much more to do to ensure LGBTQ+ people around the world are protected and accepted. InterPride will continue to advocate for equality throughout the world and support our members in the ongoing quest for safety, acceptance and inclusion. This June, the world will come together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots at the joint Stonewall50 and WorldPride 2019 in New York City. So much has happened since that night in June 1969. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Canada. Forty years ago, Sweden became the first country in the world to remove homosexuality as an illness. In 1989, Denmark became the first country to legally recognise samesex relationships. Zürich Pride celebrates its 25th year. It is also the 20th anniversary of the first Trans Day of Remembrance. Pride organisations around the world are celebrating their 40th, 30th, 20th and 10th anniversaries. In the spirit of these anniversaries and in partnership with PrideLide, the media partner of InterPride, we want to let you know that we are happy to officially announce launching the InterPrideLife Seal of Approval at World Pride and on UK TV. The Seal is an award to be given to those who truly deserve the trust and business of the community while also understanding that Pride is more than just an event or season. Please see the InterPrideLife Seal of Approval article in this issue for more information. InterPride, the International Association of Pride Organisers, strives to promote Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender visibility internationally, through advocacy, capacity building, conferences, communication, education, research and Pride events. Our members span six continents with a combined reach of more than 20 million people. Many of our founding members are based in the United States. Our

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membership has grown substantially in other parts of the global including Canada, Latin America, and Europe. We work closely with our International Pride Partners— CAPI (the Consolidated Association of Pride Incorporated), EPOA (the European Pride Organisers Association) and FCP (Fierté Canada Pride). These relationships allow us to expand our reach to LGBTQ+ communities around the world, enabling InterPride to be a global Pride organisation. New Pride Platforms are forming around the globe, including regional networks in Africa and Latin America. InterPride relies primarily on membership fees and donations to fund vital programs and activities for the Pride Movement. InterPride provides to funds to support Pride Organisations around the globe. First, the Solidarity Fund, which assists emerging Pride projects in countries throughout the world operating in hostile environments; and second, the Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance for members from around the globe to attend our General Meeting and World Conference. Whether the event is small or large, new or established, Prides help build and enrich communities and increase visibility and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people in large cities, towns and rural places. We applaud the Board, Members, and Volunteers of all Prides who work tirelessly to make Pride happen. Thank you for your work and your contribution to the Global Pride Movement. We invite you to join and make us stronger, adding your valuable energy and ideas to the global Pride movement. Visit our website at interpride.org to find a Pride near you, to attend an event or help plan one, to find out how your Pride organisation can join InterPride, or to make a donation to support our work. We hope you’re able to join us in Athens in Greece for the 2019 InterPride General Meeting and World Conference in October. Yours in Pride, Linda J. DeMarco & J. Andrew Baker CO-PRESIDENTS INTERPRIDE

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FEATURE

SEALED AND APPROVED INTRODUCING THE INTERPRIDELIFE SEAL OF APPROVAL

ride, as we know it, was born out of passion. The New York City Stonewall Riots in June 1969 were the spark that started that fire. It was the moment when we, as a disrespected community, realised that we were strong. In 1969, we found our freedom. In 2019, we celebrate it - and help to continue to push it forward. The LGBT+ movement has grown in leaps and bounds since that night. We’ve advanced socially, politically, and yes, even commercially. In many ways, that’s just what we want. Charitable donations and corporate efforts to raise awareness and promote equality and acceptance of all LGBT+ individuals further our message and help to make life better for everyone. But there’s a darker side to this newfound “corporate love”. In an effort to tap into “pink dollars” and perceived disposable income within our community, some businesses end up exploiting us in the name of profit and sales rather than in true support and solidarity of a shared cause. The bottom line is clear: Flying rainbow colours one weekend a year does not automatically make a company an ally worthy of our support and patronage. True support means serving and caring about the LGBT+ community, our lives, interests, and rights 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To this end, PrideLife—in conjunction with InterPride—is proud to introduce the InterPrideLife Seal of Approval. As a consumer, 008

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when you see this seal in advertisements, marketing materials, or a company’s website, it’s a quick and easy way for you to know the company you are supporting is a true friend and ally to the LGBT+ community. It means the company in question has been vetted and approved in three critical areas: First, the product works and is of the highest possible quality; Second, the business is committed to improving LGBT+ inclusivity within its own organisation; And finally, the business operates and promotes itself within the marketplace in a way that understands, respects and is sensitive to the LGBT+ community. Like similar awards of excellence from Good Housekeeping or Consumer Reports, the InterPrideLife Seal of Approval is our way of honouring businesses that care more about us as a community rather than just their bottom line. By increasing accountability and helping to champion the businesses that truly have our best interests in mind, we can further the work started that night 50 years ago at the Stonewall Inn and continue to move towards a world that’s even more fair and equal for all. Sincerely,

George Mizel PrideLife - International Marketing Director George@PrideLife.com PrideLife.com/InterPrideLife-Seal-of-Approval

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CONTENTS 006 MILLIONS OF MOMENTS OF PRIDE

A warm welcome from the Board of InterPride

008 SEALED AND APPROVED

Introducing the InterPrideLife Seal of Approval

011 RISING HIGH

Commemorating the Stonewall Riots of 1969

018 FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN

A rendezvous with Ute Lemper and Marlene Dietrich

024 THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING LGBT+ rights and how far weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come

031 LIVING THE POP DREAM Kim Petras

035 PRIDE IN THE UK

Your definitive guide to Prides in the UK

045 ALL AROUND THE WORLD Your guide to global Prides

050 MEN IN UNIFORM

The seductive art of Ross Watson

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052 JUST MIRIAM

Miriam Margolyes on coming out and soldier boys

059 LOVE AND PRIDE

The very best of LGBT+ writing

067 EFFECTIVE HIV TREATMENT What you need to know

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068 STONEWALL RIGHTS FOR ALL

Thirty years of campaigning for our rights

069 HOME AND HEART

The work of the AKT, the Albert Kennedy Trust

072 STILL FABULOUS AT 50! Fifty reasons to celebrate

078 STREET LIFE

The iconic art of Keith Haring

085 GAYS ON FILM

Celebrating 100 years of queer cinema

091 WE CAN BE HEROES

Fifty LGBT+ people to admire

100 QUEERING THE SPACE

Remembering our lost venues

103 VA-VA-VANCOUVER!

A dream vacation in Canada

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110 BRAVISSIMO, MILANO!

Style and design the Italian way

115 THE DARKER SIDE OF PARIS

The deliciously dark side of the French capital

118 A NEW YORK STATE OF MIND Taking a bite of the Big Apple

PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS

078 Copyright Pride Life Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owners. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. In the interest of independence and impartiality, many features in Pride Life have been written on behalf of the publisher by third-party experts. It should be noted that any opinions and recommendations expressed therein are the views of the writers themselves and not necessarily those of pride life or its publisher.

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PROUD Putting our clients and our people at the center of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next in London real estate

FEATURE

RISING HIGH

FIFTY YEARS AGO, THE POLICE RAIDED A TINY GAY BAR IN NEW YORK CITY. FIFTY YEARS ON THIS MONTH, ANDY WASLEY REFLECTS ON THE GLOBAL INFLUENCE THE STONEWALL UPRISING HAD FOR LGBT+ RIGHTS SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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“The sight of LGBT+ people fighting back against our persecutors dispelled forever the idea that straight society could walk all over us with impunity” 012

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P I C T U R E , R I G H T: C R E AT I V E C O M M O N S R H O D O D E N D R I T E S

n 28 June 1969 the New York Police Department launched a raid on a small gay bar in the city’s West Village. The Stonewall Inn was crowded with more than 200 customers, including members of the LGBT+ community’s most marginalised minorities: trans people, street kids, butch lesbians, people of colour, drag queens and sex workers. This was their sanctuary – a refuge from society’s unrelenting demand that they hide their identity. Speaking in 2016, one patron told the Washington Post, “It was the only place we could dance slow together. The Stonewall was sacred to me.” At 1.20am, eight police officers marched into the bar and called out: “Police! We’re taking the place.” Panic erupted; customers tried to escape, but the police had blocked the doors and windows. Amid the chaos a young man wailed: “I’ll lose my job! What will happen to me? My family! Oh, no, no, no!” Police raids on gay bars were common. But this evening, something was different. Many of the Stonewall Inn’s customers had already been arrested or otherwise harassed by the police just because of who they were and whom they loved. They had had enough of society’s stifling crusade against sexual and gender minorities, and strongly resisted arrest. At some point four police officers attempted to manhandle one lesbian from the Inn into a patrol car. She fought them every step of the way, until an officer beat her over the head with his baton. She rounded on the crowd, by now 500-strong: “Why don’t you guys do something!?” They did. Over two nights, members of New York’s LGBT+ community fought back; it took police riot teams to disperse them from Christopher Street. David Carter’s 2004 book Stonewall: The Riots that Sparked the Gay Revolution covers the story in meticulous and harrowing detail. Carter is in no doubt about Stonewall’s importance. “It is to the gay movement what the fall of the Bastille is to the unleashing of the French Revolution,” he writes. The Stonewall Uprising (also known as the Stonewall Riots) shocked the authorities, galvanised LGBT+ campaigners and inspired the Pride movement. In the wake of the Uprising, Gay Liberation Front (GLF) groups were set up in New York, Boston and other US cities. One year after the Uprising, the first gay Pride march took place in New York. Gay rights campaigners became more visible, radical and uncompromising. By 1971, a GLF group had been set up in London. It counted a young campaigner, newly arrived Ayla Holdom is the chair of the Trans from Australia, among its founding members: Peter Tatchell. The veteran campaigner recalls the Advisory Committee at Stonewall, the UK’s effect the Stonewall Uprising had on the early days of radical LGBT+ rights campaigns: “The sight of largest LGBT+ rights charity (named in honour LGBT+ people fighting back against our persecutors dispelled forever the idea that straight society of the Uprising). She says the events of 1969 could walk all over us with impunity,” he says. should remind us of the continuing need to “This was emotionally uplifting for millions of previously downtrodden and downcast queers. It strive for equality. helped banish our internalised shame, repairing much of the mental damage done to us by previously “The world is a better place: Section 28 has unchallenged homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.” been abolished, we’re teaching LGB Fifty years on, for many LGBT+ people in western countries, equality seems to be a given. Here in relationships in schools and telling children it’s the UK we can marry and raise children, and we are protected from discrimination in all areas of life not just ‘accepted’ - it’s normal,” she says. ”You – from employment to medical care. But things are far from perfect. have to see that as progress. But we still see the In many countries LGBT+ people remain marginalised and face serious threats to their personal underlying strain of people complaining that safety. Health outcomes and suicide rates are relatively poor for LGBT+ people even in countries that ‘you’re not like me, and therefore you might be a have embraced equality. Homophobia remains commonplace in public life and schools. And trans danger to me and others’. I think that’s people still face an appalling struggle for acceptance. Despite huge advances, the campaign for something we’re always going to be fighting.” equality is obviously far from over. That fight dates back to Stonewall and beyond, but many LGBT+ people have little understanding of the Uprising and how it ignited a global campaign for equality. “I fear that some of the older generation and many of the younger generation have little knowledge of Stonewall and the long and sometimes painful battles we’ve had to fight to overturn anti-LGBT+ prejudice and discrimination,” says Tatchell. Holdom agrees: one of the “younger generation”, she acknowledges that history can yield lessons and inspiration – particularly for trans people. “None of us reads the history as much as we should,” she says. “When I read about Stonewall, it was the first time I’ve been aware that a lot of the [police] targeting was against trans women. It was all about uncovering a ‘fraud’, and ‘protecting’ the rest of society from these ‘forces of evil’, these ‘deviants’. It’s horrific, and eventually the reaction to that is that people say, ‘I’ve had enough - this is wrong’.” As the Uprising shows, trans people have been staunch allies of lesbian, gay and bisexual people throughout the last 50 years – but this fact seemed to have escaped many members of the UK’s equality movement, which has often focussed almost wholly on lesbian and gay equality. Even Stonewall, the charity, steadfastly refused to campaign on trans equality in England and Wales, until Ruth Hunt took over as Chief Executive in 2014 and swiftly embraced trans issues. “We haven’t really used the phrase ‘LGBT’ until relatively recently,” Holdom notes. “The trans community is relatively small, and up until very recently has struggled to coalesce.” She believes the story of the Uprising should inspire solidarity among LGBT+ people – particularly on trans equality – while fights continue for equality. “The history is there to be read, in terms of trans people’s involvement in the Uprising,” she adds. “I think, fundamentally, despite coming from different classes, races, genders and sexualities, LGBT+ people coalesced around a solidarity that came from being persecuted and misunderstood in the same way. That’s absolutely relevant to today.” Pride in London agrees on Stonewall’s continuing relevance and will be marking the 50th anniversary at this year’s march and the events that surround it. Christopher Joell-Deshields, the organisation’s Director of Community Engagement, says today’s Pride movement owes “absolutely SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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FEATURE

“She fought them… until an officer beat her over the head with his baton. She rounded on the crowd, by now 500-strong: ‘Why don’t you guys do something!?’”

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FEATURE everything” to the Stonewall Uprising, and he wants to make sure people understand the role played by minorities within the LGBT+ community. “Trans and non-binary people of colour were at the forefront,” he says. “Without them the Pride movement wouldn’t be where it is today.” He adds: “The whole LGBT+ community needs to come together in this anniversary year to drive out hate both within the community and externally. This means actively challenging transphobia and other forms of discrimination wherever we see them, as well as doing all we can to lift these minorities up and celebrate them. Not everyone in our community experiences the great strides in equality that some of us enjoy today – we must keep speaking out, sparking conversations and making sure their voices are heard.” Tatchell agrees: he wants to see the LGBT+ rights movement return to its radical roots – those early, exuberant GLF campaigns for sexual freedom in the Uprising’s immediate aftermath. “Fifty years on from Stonewall, the LGBT+ agenda has downsized considerably,” he argues. “The biggest LGBT+ campaigns in recent years have been for marriage equality and parenting rights. “The focus on the ‘safe cuddly’ issues – worthy though they are – suggests that LGBT+ people are increasingly reluctant to rock the boat. Many of us would, it appears, prefer to embrace traditional heterosexual aspirations rather than critique them and strive for a liberating alternative. In my view, this signals that the LGBT+ community has succumbed – like much of mainstream society – to the depressing politics of conformism, respectability and moderation. GLF showed that it doesn’t have to be this way.” As for Holdom, inspired by Stonewall’s story she reflects on what she would like to say to the men and women who fought back on those moonlit summer nights in 1969. “I’d thank them for what they did,” she says. “I’d want to say: ‘I’m sorry that you had to do that. We’re not going to let what you went through, and the life you had to hide, be in vain. We’re not going to put up with second-best. “You struggled to get us to where we are today; we’re not going to let your fight be forgotten or wasted.”

ORIGINAL STONEWALLERS MARSHA P. JOHNSON, JOSEPH RATANSKI, AND SYLVIA RIVERA AT THE 1973 GAY PRIDE MARCH 1973. PICTURE CREDIT COPMMONS GARY GAULT

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“Trans and non-binary people of colour were at the forefront. Without them the Pride movement wouldn’t be where it is today”

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Disneyland takes Pride THEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MAGIC IN THE AIR AS DISNEYLAND PARIS CELEBRATES PRIDE ON 1 JUNE THIS YEAR

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SPONSORED FEATURE

n June 2019, Disneyland Paris will host Magical PRIDE, a Disney signature event that adds to the line-up of diverse offerings for the resort. It will be a onenight, hard ticket event that includes parades, live performances, DJ sets, photo locations and more. The event is part of a growing number of hard ticket offerings at Disneyland Paris, such as Electroland and Disney Loves Jazz. Diversity and equality are strong values at Disneyland Paris, and each year, we host millions of visitors regardless of their origins, gender or sexual orientation. Our business is hospitality, and we are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all of our Guests where magic is for everyone. Disneyland Paris is dominated by the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, a fairytale building with soaring salmon-pink spires and royal blue rooftops, guarded by a sleeping dragon that occasionally wakes, puffs smoke and roars. When night descends, it’s the scene for a dazzling lasers and lights spectacular as characters from Disney movies are projected onto the castle walls. It’s a breathtaking experience, and if you didn’t believe in magic before then you will now. The castle is reached by Main Street USA, a pretty and authentic recreation of a small American town at the turn of the 20th century, complete with places to grab a quick bite or max that credit card on the Disney merchandise available. From there you can mosey on over to Frontierland, an old Wild West town, and hop on a runaway mine train hurling at breakneck pace through Big Thunder Mountain. Over in Discoveryland you can get sent soaring off into the universe on the Space Mountain: Mission 2 white-knuckle rollercoaster ride, or channel your inner Jack Sparrow and shiver those timbers with the Pirates of the

“Diversity and equality are strong values at Disneyland Paris; each year, we host millions of visitors regardless of their origins, gender or sexual orientation” Caribbean. And if that’s all a little too much for you can always take a ride in one of the Mad Hatter’s teacups, get lost in Alice in Wonderland’s maze, or have your photo taken with Mickey Mouse. Disney Village is a huge and buzzing shopping and entertainment district, complete with restaurants and American diners, live music events and movie theatres and fun for all the family. Not to be missed is a ride in the PanoramaMagique, one of the biggest hot air balloons in the world, which rises to a height of 100 dizzying metres over Lake Disney. On a clear day you can see over 20kms over Disneyland Paris and the surrounding countryside. In the Walt Disney Studios Park, you can discover the secrets behind the most magical scenes of Disney film and television. From legendary moments in motion at Toon Studio to the mind-boggling effects of the Backlot. It is also filled with incredible attractions such as Crush’s Coaster, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or Ratatouille. It is also the place where the Magical PRIDE event will happen. Magical PRIDE will take place on June 1, 2019 in Walt Disney Studios Park from 8:00pm to 2:00am. The standard ticket is sold at 89€ and the Plus Ticket is at 109€ (which includes an early access to the Disney Parks as of 4:00pm). Magical PRIDE will include a parade with vehicles, Disney Characters and guests. Live performances, DJ sets, “human rainbow” on Production Courtyard and Characters Meet & Greets will also take place during the event. Themed photo locations are also scheduled and a selection of favourite attractions of the Walt Disney Studios Park will be open as well. Come and celebrate diversity in the place where dreams come true! Go to: disneylandparis.co.uk

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Falling

Love in

THIRTY YEARS AGO, SINGER AND MUSICAL THEATRE STAR UTE LEMPER SHARED A THREEHOUR TELEPHONE CALL WITH FILM LEGEND MARLENE DIETRICH. THE CALL INSPIRED LEMPERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ONE-WOMAN SHOW, RENDEZVOUS WITH MARLENE, WHICH LEMPER RECENTLY BROUGHT TO LONDON. CARY GEE ASKED LEMPER WHAT PROMPTED HER TELEPHONE CALL TO MARLENE

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PICTURES: LUCAS ALLEN

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‘92 that was the moment I was playing her part in The Blue Angel. She died ten days before our opening night. A celebration of her life was planned, which we then had to cancel because neo-Nazis threatened to disrupt the performance. This was after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Nazis were on the rise again after the loss of their identity. It was an incredible cycle of events, that at this very moment I was playing her role, in Berlin. It was only in 2001, on her 100th anniversary, and again I was there singing some of her songs, that she was finally established as a status symbol of Berlin. I suggest that Ute, who has performed many of Marlene’s most famous stage roles, and sung many of the songs Marlene helped to make famous, must feel more than the usual connection to the role she is inhabiting? I am going back and forth into her skin throughout the show. I am being Marlene, and then again I am Ute, telling her story, and then again being Marlene. There are great physical numbers. We go through her time at the Blue Angel, then her great Hollywood years. There are songs by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Friedrich Hollaender, a great Jewish immigrant from Berlin. We go on the road with Marlene and Burt Bacharach. She was on the road with Burt for fifteen years after Hollywood decided that, at the age of 50, she was too old to be in movies anymore. It’s just a really great retrospective, a very personal homage from me, telling her story in a time warp.

was in Paris, in 1998, playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Dietrich was 87 years old. I was 24. The newspapers at the time wrote that I was the ‘new Marlene’. I called her to apologise for the comparison to this legend. Why did she feel the need to apologise? I didn’t have to. But I felt so humbled. I just wanted to express my admiration and tell her how she had inspired generations of women, and to thank her for the political and moral courage she had shown during the war. So I called her, not really expecting an answer. Months later her spies in the theatre business tracked me down, she called me and we had a long conversation about a lot of things. But that was 30 years ago. Why write the show now? I kept the conversation in a secret compartment of my heart, only accessing it sporadically over the intervening decades until last year I thought: I’m now old enough, I’ve been through so many rollercoasters myself. Like her I’m an ex-pat living in New York, with an international career. I’ve had so much craziness, adventure and sadness in my life I thought maybe now I can finally access part of this woman’s depth, her life and sorrow.

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It must have been a rather surreal experience, chatting to an old lady she had never met before but knew so much about. Yes. When we spoke she was in the very last chapter of her life. She was completely isolated. She hadn’t seen her daughter for a long time, after she’d written a nasty biography. She talked about her incredible love for the poet Rilke. She told me she just wanted to talk. I was curious but careful not to ask too many questions. The conversation was more of a monologue! Most important was the emotional transparency she had. Obviously she was very old, and old people are often very uncensored in their remarks. She was very bitter, melancholic and incredibly sentimental about Germany and her broken relationship with her home country. I ask Ute, who has lived in New York for many years, how her own relationship with Germany is. It’s very good now. I’ve just performed this show in all the big cities in Germany, including Berlin of course, which was the most meaningful place to perform. The piece really goes into her relationship with her home, but also talks about nationalism, the Nazis, extremism. When she was buried in Berlin in @ pridelife

Ute herself seems almost to exist in a time warp. Does it feel like more than 30 years have passed since she first came to prominence, more than 20 since she wowed audiences and picked up a shelf load of awards with her portrayal of Velma Kelly in the London revival of Chicago? It really doesn’t. I mean, where does the time go? If you’re telling me it’s exactly 30 years since the Berlin Wall came down I’d say, ‘You’re kidding me! Where was Ute when the Wall fell? The actual minute it fell I was in NYC where I was performing at the Rockefeller Center. I was in a taxi with my Berlin pianist when we heard the news. ‘What?!’ One week later I was in Berlin, performing again. I’m interested to know how this modern-day gay icon feels about playing an original gay icon, and indeed what, in Ute’s opinion, makes a good gay icon. She pauses to consider the question. I’m worried I might have offended her. But no. It’s a person of strength, emancipation, independence, seduction. At the same time masculine and feminine. It’s a person of the future basically. A person of courage, outside traditional laws and conventions of gender attraction. That’s the thing about Marlene. She appeared at a time when women were not allowed to have the last word. She was progressive, completely emancipated, she was not afraid to say what she thought. Ever. She thought like a boss, and acted like a lady. She

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FEATURE was masculine in her style. She was bisexual. She had male and female lovers. She was in an open marriage, a free spirit. Completely polygamous. Insatiable! How far has Ute gone in emulating Marlene’s life choices? Has she ever fallen in love with a woman? I’ve had my adventures with women. But to the degree of falling in love and living with a woman... I would say no. One rumour that has long-circulated is that Dietrich enjoyed an affair with Greta Garbo. Does Ute believe there is any truth to this? Garbo refused her, as did Judy Garland! But she had affairs with Mae West and Jean Harlow, and her longest and biggest affair was with Edith Piaf. She had many women! Of the many aspects of Dietrich’s life Ute explores in Rendezvous, is there one she admires above all others? That she stood up to Hitler and fought for the Americans. She had to deal with incredible pain, hurt and dilemma. She remained an outcast in Germany many years after the war. She said that the Nazis continued to cast long shadows. Because of them Germany rejected her. This was the most heart-breaking thing for Marlene. Everything else she regarded as natural emancipation. She was one of the first people to rise above normal gender definitions. She broke all those traditions.

Does Ute ever regret that she didn’t get the chance to perform with Marlene? No. I don’t really regret anything. Everything happens the way it happens. Life moves so quickly through the digital revolution. My own kids [Lemper has four] barely know who Marlene is. They don’t even know who Madonna is! The lifespan of everything is so short nowadays. “But in the context of politics right now, in the context of nationalism and in Britain, your Brexit and your decision to isolate yourself from the rest of Europe I think Marlene’s story is very important. It really talks about holding back the new, being reactionary, reverting to our old identities and not being able to move forward. It talks about the way nationalism is flaring up all around the world right now. It’s a perfect time to revise Marlene’s story. Ute Lemper’s Rendezvous with Marlene played to sold-out rave reviews in London. For those unlucky enough not to have seen it there is some good news. Ute is already planning to return to London in the autumn, to perform the show at a bigger venue. And if you can’t wait that long to eavesdrop on her conversation with Marlene, she is currently putting the finishing touches to a cd featuring 20 of the best songs from the show.

“Marlene thought like a boss, and acted like a lady. She was masculine in her style. She was bisexual. She had male and female lovers. She was in an open marriage, a free spirit. Completely polygamous. Insatiable”

Rendezvous with Marlene is currently touring Europe. Go to utelemper.com

It almost sounds like Lemper has been waiting her whole life to play Marlene. I am the one holding up her banner, and telling her stories. The continuation of her voice. I make sure her stories are heard again in the new millennium. I would say I’m the most authentic person to show people again who she was. How does Ute hope audiences will feel after seeing her show? Audiences will be intrigued, they enjoy the musical performances, but above all they will be touched. I’ve performed the show in three languages (German, French, English) and when it gets to the most heart-breaking parts of her story you can hear a pin drop. Audiences everywhere react pretty much the same way but of course in Germany it’s especially touching. They are liberating themselves from the shadow of the Nazis. Ute has long been recognised as one of the greatest interpreters of song, particularly those from her native Germany. Does she actually prefer to sing other people’s songs, rather than her own? I love presenting songs in Marlene’s style. Her instrument was very limited. I start out as Marlene in a very simplistic way, but then I go into Ute. There’s a constant back and forth between Marlene and Ute. I always take a step further interpreting her songs in my own way. Would Marlene herself have enjoyed Ute’s take on her life? I think she would appreciate it, knowing that I was holding up her torch. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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estled in the heart of Central London, The Trafalgar St. James London, Curio Collection by Hilton (tinyurl.com/y9o2ad3e) offers unrivalled proximity to some of the city’s most iconic attractions such as The National Gallery, Theatreland and most importantly, just minutes from Soho and London’s Pride parade. A destination in itself, the hotel offers 146 contemporary rooms and suites, along with a stunning 378-square-metre sky-high bar, boasting 360-degree panoramic views over the bustling city. Hop on the Eurostar to Maison Astor Paris, Curio Collection by Hilton (tinyurl.com/ y666tw4u), just steps from haute-couture shops and a short metro ride from Le Marais; the backdrop for Paris Pride. The hotel’s 131 guest rooms and suites take inspiration from classic Parisian apartments, featuring large windows, French balconies and high ceilings, all of which stem back to the rich history of John Jacob Astor IV. Just a short flight from London, for those looking to celebrate Pride the Spanish way, Alexandra Barcelona Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton (tinyurl.com/y7z3qvx6) places you in the heart of bustling Barcelona. The lively spirit of the area is reflected in the hotel’s unique décor, with 116 guest rooms, a garden terrace and outdoor pool, designed in the style of Barcelona’s Eixample architecture. Further down the coast, and close to the route of Torremolinos Pride, Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection by Hilton (tinyurl. com/yxzanrob) is set to join the Collection this summer. A 113-room relaxation and culinary retreat overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel will boast a Michelin-starred restaurant, Sollo, serving a selection of international

favourites crafted by Chef Diego Gallegos as well as breath-taking views from its infinity rooftop pool and bar. Off mainland Spain on the boho-cool island of Ibiza is Gran Hotel Montesol Ibiza, Curio Collection by Hilton (tinyurl.com/y2xwrwnt). In summer, the world’s best DJs descend on the island, with Ibiza Pride taking place in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. With 33 elegant rooms, the hotel is a hub for social life in Ibiza, featuring a cocktail bar perfect to lounge within and overlook the beautiful and historic Vara de Rey Boulevard. To top off your Pride experience, how about

“Each Curio Collection by Hilton property is completely distinct, telling its own story and offering tailored experiences for every guest” a stay in one of the friendliest places on earth? Head to the beautiful Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton (tinyurl. com/yd75kd3e) a former 1900s department store located in the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik. With Iceland often cited as one of the world’s most inclusive countries - whether wandering behind waterfalls or descending into dormant volcanoes – this is an SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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FEATURE

LIVING THE

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND FASTEST-RISING PERFORMERS ON TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S POP SCENE, KIM PETRAS TALKS TO NIGEL ROBINSON ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF HER NEW MUSICAL ERA, PLAYING AT LGBT+ PRIDE, AND BEING A VOICE FOR THE TRANS COMMUNITY

POP DREAM SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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You started making music at an early age and released your first single I Don’t Want It All in 2017. Since then your rise into public awareness has been phenomenal. How has that changed your life? It’s completely changed my life! I’m really busy now. I don’t have as much time off as I used to. I’ve always dreamt about this and I’ve been working towards this since I was like 13 or 14 years old in Germany, so it’s pretty amazing to me. I really feel like I’m living the dream and I’m in charge of my life. I’m very blessed and I’m really lucky that I get to do this. You have a very dedicated fanbase. Is there a typical Kim Petras fan, and how do you feel about them? I love them more than anything. I think before I knew them I was much less confident in myself. I was like, “Who would listen to me?” I was just insecure, and they’ve actually helped me because I feel like they’re just like me in a lot of ways. But I love them, they’re really funny, they’re really sweet, they love music, they love fashion. I feel super lucky, I have amazing fans. Did you always want to be a musician, and how you did you enter the music business? Were your parents supportive of you? I always wanted to make music, I always wanted to write music. I started as a kid when I wanted to be all kind of things, I wanted to design shoes, and - I love roller coasters - so I wanted to name roller coasters, and I wanted to be a pop star. The drive to have a career in music has been there ever since I was a kid. My parents were supportive of me. They wanted me to finish school and have a normal life and all of that. They didn’t put me into any lessons or got me into record labels – so they weren’t supportive like that. They were like, “If you want to do this do it yourself.” Which I really appreciate because I really feel like I did this myself and I feel tremendously proud of myself, but my parents in general always said that anything is possible and that’s what they taught me. Which artists, both in the past and today, have inspired you? Tons of artists! Way too many to line them up. I love the greats of every genre. They’re who I listen to. Right now, and a little bit over the last year, I’ve been listening to Lana Del Ray and MARINA. I love them a lot. They’ve inspired me a lot in my writing style and I admire them as song writers. I’ve always admired Max Martin and great producers. I love listening to Judy Garland. I really loved Michael Jackson’s music and Prince and Madonna. All kinds of artists have inspired me.

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You collaborated with producer SOPHIE on 1, 2, 3 Dayz Up, and with Lil Aaron on Homework. How important is the collaborative process to you? Super important. I think collaboration is key. I love working together with other people because, sometimes, I have ideas that aren’t as great, and I need to be told “Nah, let’s come up with a new idea.” I think collaborating in general is something I really had to learn how to do because I was very prideful, and I was, like, “Well, I wrote this.” I wanted to write everything myself just to feel good. But I think everybody needs a little help from somebody and there’s nothing wrong with getting help. Working with different people is really, really fun. I think it ultimately makes your music better, but collaborating with people is a tricky thing because it all depends on the type of song you want to make. It has to be perfect and lined up correctly. I don’t like to force collaborations. If it happens and it’s the perfect moment and the perfect song, then I’m always down but I don’t like the idea of pairing up with someone super @ pridelife

famous to get your song popping and then have the song be kind of secondary to that. The song needs to be first. You have your own label and seem to be mistress of your own destiny and career. How important is that to you? Really important! I really love being involved in every detail. I’m obsessed with the details. I think I know pretty much exactly what I want to do most of the time. When I have no idea, I freak out and make a plan and figure it out. But in general, I’m really obsessed with doing my own thing and doing things my way. You’ve said that your last three singles If U Think About Me, Homework, and 1,2,3 Dayz Up, marked the end of what you refer to as Era 1 of your career. How would you define Kim Petras’ Era 1? And what can we expect from Era 2? So, the songs from Era 1 were my dream pop songs. The ones I’ve always wanted to write. I listened to a bunch of 80s music, a bunch of

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FEATURE classic pop records. I remember listening to them – my favourite things in the world – and I was like “If I only get to do one album then it would be those type of songs.” Just fun sparkly pop. I still really love my Era 1 tracks and I’ll never not love them – I just really wanted to write a gay club classic and I think they’ll live on forever in that setting, to be honest. In Era 2, I’ve evolved as a person. I see things differently. I work every day. I’m an artist, I have a fan base. But it wasn’t always like that. I didn’t know if anyone was even gonna listen to my songs and I wasn’t really confident about myself. I think, in these last two years, I’ve learned a lot and I’ve become a lot more confident in myself. I really trust myself and feel like Era 2 is a representation of that – of evolving. Era 2 also is more experimental. In general, genres are disappearing, and I love putting together a bunch of different influences and seeing what happens. I just kind of bring together all the music I’m listening to right now and love and put it together with what I’m going through or how I wanna feel. Era 2 has a lot of that. Stage or studio – which do you prefer? They go together. I can’t prefer one. I’m definitely a songwriter first - that’s where I came from and that’s what I started out doing and why I’m an artist now. I will always love writing songs, but they go hand in hand together. Like, now I write songs to perform on stage. So, one doesn’t really exist without the other. You recently played Mardi Gras in Sydney. How was that experience for you? And are you looking forward to playing at this year’s Manchester Pride? It was really incredible. I had never been to Australia before, it was my first trip there. And it was probably the biggest Pride event I’ve ever been to in my life. The energy was insane, and it was really beautiful. I had an amazing time and I’m super excited to come to Manchester and play with Years and Years and Ariana Grande – I’m superstoked. I think it’s gonna be an incredible Pride!

“I’m really happy that there’s more and more people that you can look up to as a trans kid. People who are killing it and are living great lives” fighting for trans rights their entire lives and having it so much harder than I have it now. I will always really care and I’ll always want to push for that. I love being a voice for transgender people but, at the same time, a lot of people in the music industry don’t get it. A lot of people said it wasn’t possible for me to be an artist and a lot of people wanted me to stay a songwriter. There were some people that have said, “Oh, you’re going to hell if you support Kim Petras.” You know, it hasn’t been easy. It’s been hard as I don’t think there has really been a transgender pop star in the mainstream before. We’ll see how it works out, but I’m excited and here for the trek so I’m happy to fight through those things. What advice would you give to any aspiring young musicians looking to make their career in the music industry? Make amazing music! That’s all. Focus on the music and it will take you everywhere. All the other stuff is secondary. I know that, right now, it’s a lot about followers, it’s about being an

influencer, but just remember that being an artist is not the same thing as an influencer, and having millions of followers who like you because you dress cool isn’t the same as being able to make people feel something through art and music. It’s a really confusing time for up-and-coming artists and it seems really impossible to break through with all these influencers with millions of followers who are priorities at labels, but just focus on the music and it will all happen. I think people really like great music that’s unique and sounds different - a lot of stuff sounds the same. So, just trust that there are people out there who want to listen to you and you put all your energy into it. What can we look for forward from Kim Petras in 2019 and 2020? Well, the cat’s kind of out of the bag with Turn Off The Light Volume 2, so that’s on the way. We kind of already made that clear with calling it Volume 1 last year. But yeah, I’m dropping Era 2, and maybe Era 3 and maybe Era 4 - who knows! I’ll make music videos; I’ll make a lot of really exciting things. But, most importantly, this year I’m doing my first headlining tour - the way I want to do it, with my own songs, and I’m not opening up for anybody. So, that’s the number one thing I’m looking forward to this year - and dropping all these new songs! Sum up Kim Petras in three words. Woo. Ah. Bitch!

Kim Petras performs at Manchester Pride on Saturday 24 August She will be appearing in her own headline show in London’s Heaven on 27 August. For all live updates and music, visit kimpetras.com

You were one of the youngest people to undergo gender confirmation at 16 in 2008. How do you think acceptance and awareness of trans issues has changed in the past decade? I think it’s changed a lot, but I think there are still problems. I think, a lot of the time, people see trans people as “trans” and not as whatever gender they are. I think it’s really difficult sometimes how much people box you in if you’re transgender and how that’s the only thing people wanna talk about. I still think that needs to change. But, in general, I’m really happy that there’s more and more people that you can look up to as a trans kid. People who are killing it and are living great lives. So, I think we’ve come really far, but we also have to push further and keep reaching for the stars. Do you think you have an obligation to speak for the trans community? Has being trans posed any problems for you in the music industry? One thousand per cent. I owe the transwomen and transmen before me everything. I could not have transitioned as early as I did without them SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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PRIDES

ifty years ago, in the early hours of 28 june 1969, the New York city police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in downtown Manhattan. It wasn’t the first raid on a gay bar and it wouldn’t be the last. Maybe it was because of the brutality of the raid. Maybe it was because of the hot and humid June night. Maybe it was the fact that emotions were high after gay icon Judy Garland had been laid to rest just hours earlier. But something snapped that night. Hundreds of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, drag queens and street kids took to the streets fighting against the oppression they had suffered for far too long just because of the people they loved. The 1969 Stonewall riots are generally regarded as the start of the modern-day LGBT+ rights and Pride movement. Today, in the UK at least, we have achieved so much in terms of acceptance and equality in the past 50 years, although there is still much more to be done. So get out those rainbow flags, slap on that glitter, and celebrate at some of the fantatic Pride events throughout the country. From mega metropolitan parties to more intimate, family-friendly picnics (and everything inbetween!) there’s something for everyone. Summer’s here. It’s Pride season. It’s time to celebrate our amazing and diverse community. It’s time to party. Have a great Pride! Please note that some of these dates may be liable to change. Please check the individual Pride websites for further details.

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JUNE

JULY

WORKSOP PRIDE

SUFFOLK PRIDE (IPSWICH)

TAMESIDE PRIDE (STALYBRIDGE)

SPARKLE

Fun is guaranteed on the Waterfront in Ipswich. Go to: tinyurl.com/y5tmyjbz

Family-friendly LGBT+ event during the day and an after-party in the evening for the over 18s. Go to:tinyurl.com/y6yey2kt

The largest free celebration of gender diversity in the heart of Manchester’s gay village. Go to: sparkle.org.uk

MACCLESFIELD PRIDE

ROTHERHAM PRIDE

Promoting diversity and equality in Macclesfield. Go to: macclesfieldpride.com

Bringing people together in celebration since 2012. Go to: prideof-rotherham.webs.com

PRIDE IN LONDON

Be loud, be daring and be there! Go to: limerickpride.ie

22 JUNE

06 JULY

SALISBURY PRIDE Celebrating diversity in historic downtown Salisbury. Go to: salisburypride.comfestival-.html

SALFORD PRIDE Kelly Wilde headlines at Eel Park. Go to: pinkpicnic.org.uk

PRIDE EDINBURGH “This Is Me” is the theme for this year’s Pride in Edinburgh. Go to: prideedinburgh.org.uk

PORTSMOUTH PRIDE Where better to find a saucy sailor than at Portsmouth Pride? Go to: portsmouthpride.co.uk

Expect more than a million partygoers in the capital. Go to: prideinlondon.org

“Live Your Best Life” is the theme for this year’s Pride. Go to: worksoppride.co.uk

LIMERICK PRIDE

FIFE PRIDE (KIRKCALDY) Get ready to fly those pink saltires at Kirkcaldy’s third Pride. Go to: fifepride.wordpress.com

DARLINGTON PRIDE

LANCASTER PRIDE Katherine Ellis and Nicki French will be leading the fun in Dalton Square. Go to: lancasterpride.co.uk

EXMOUTH PRIDE Exmouth’s fabulous fifth Pride takes place in Manor Gardens. Go to: exmouthpride.co.uk

Dress to impress at the parade kicking off at Market Street. Go to: tinyurl.com/yy8l79j8

13 JULY WORTHING PRIDE Seaside fun at Worthing’s second Pride. Go to: worthingpride.co.uk

29 JUNE CREWE PRIDE Queens Park is the venue for Crewe’s second fantastic Pride. Go to: prideinthepark.com

NEWBURY PRIDE FESTIVAL The parade ends at Northcroft Field where you can expect loads of live bands, acrobatics and plenty of queens! Go to: tinyurl.com/y5qkkj96

GREAT YARMOUTH PRIDE Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile will be the location of the town’s very first Pride event. Go to:tinyurl.com/y6fya7t5

FOREST GAYTEPRIDE Celebrating three years of queerness in Forest Gate, east London. Go to: forestgaytepride.com

COLCHESTER PRIDE Tribute act Abba Magic will be headlining this year’s Pride. Go to: colchesterpride.com

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PRIDES

14 JULY

CROYDON PRIDE Free live acts, stalls, dance, and food and drink for all. Go to: tinyurl.com/y5nx6nb5

BARNSLEY PRIDE

BRISTOL PRIDE

20 JULY

Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be headlining at Bristol’s tenth Pride, bigger and better than ever. Go to: bristolpride.co.uk

BOURNE FREE PRIDE FESTIVAL, BOURNEMOUTH Painting your world with Pride on the south coast. Go to: bournefree.co.uk

A gay old time beside the seaside. Go to: southendpride.org.uk

NORTHERN PRIDE (NEWCASTLE) You’re always guaranteed a great gay Geordie welcome up north. Go to: northern-pride.com The North-West’s seaside town’s very first Pride is promising to bring you sunshine. Go to: morecambepride.org

Celebrating Pride in Oxfordshire. Go to: tinyurl.com/y58eo3g3

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SOUTHEND-ON-SEA PRIDE

MORECAMBE PRIDE

BANBURY PRIDE

SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

Show your true colours at this year’s Barnsley Pride. Go to: tinyurl.com/y5atozb8

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27 JULY WEYMOUTH PRIDE Entertainment for all the family as Weymouth celebrates diversity and equality. Go to: weymouth-pride.co.uk

WEST LOTHIAN PRIDE (LIVINGSTON) West Lothian’s fifth Pride featuring a parade, guest speakers and entertainment. Go to: westlothianpride.org

SHEPPEY PRIDE Adding sparkle to Sheppey for the Pride weekend. Go to: sheppeypride.org

NORWICH PRIDE The eleventh Pride in Norwich is a celebration for the LGBGT+ community and for everyone. Go to: norwichpride.org.uk

LIVERPOOL PRIDE Pride on the Mersey. Go to: lcrpride.co.uk

WESTON-SUPER-MARE PRIDE There’s something for all the family over two days of Pride in Somerset. Go to: wsmpride.com

28 JULY

ISLE OF WIGHT PRIDE

PRIDE IN SHEFFIELD

STOCKPORT PRIDE

Gay island life in the English Channel. Go to: iwpride.org

Endcliffe Park hosts this year’s Pride. Go to: prideinsheffield.net

HULL PRIDE

OLDHAM PRIDE

Stockport’s historic market place plays host to this year’s Pride. Go to: stockportpride.co.uk

Claire Richards from Steps and Melanie C with Sink the Pink will be headlining alongside other international and local stars. Go to: prideinhull.co.uk

Queer Pride up north. Go to: facebook.com/PrideOldham/

FOLKESTONE PRIDE Celebrating LGBT+ life in Kent. Go to: folkestonepride.com

NOTTINGHAM PRIDE Fun event and a march for equality in what is apparently the country’s seventh gayest city! Go to: nottinghamshirepride.co.uk

EASTBOURNE PRIDE Join the Flower Power-themed parade at the Pier and head off to Princes Park for speakers and stage entertainment. Go to: eastbournepride.co.uk

21 JULY TRANS PRIDE BRIGHTON Putting the “T” first in Brighton and Hove. Go to: transpridebrighton.org

PROUD NESS (INVERNESS) Bringing Pride to the Highlands for all the family. Go to: proud-ness.org

L-FEST The UK’s only lesbian music, arts and comedy festival in Llandudno. Go to: lfest.co.uk

CHESTERFIELD PRIDE Now in its fifth year, Chesterfield promises you a Pride to remember. Go to: chesterfieldpride.co.uk

22 JULY HAPPY VALLEY PRIDE (HEBDEN BRIDGE) Celebrating Pride in what’s been called the lesbian capital of the UK. Go to: happyvalleypride.com

SALISBURY PRIDE Out and proud in historic Salisbury. Go to: salisburypride.com

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PRIDES

Most of the Prides in the UK are free and run by unpaid volunteers, who work incredibly hard throughout the year to guarantee you the best community entertainment and experience. So, if you have the chance, please try and donate generously!

PERTHSHIRE PRIDE Being fabulous in Perth and Kinross. Go to: facebook.com/PerthshirePride

MARGATE PRIDE Melanie C headlines with Sink the Pink, plus there’s a parade, rally and a street party. Go to: margatepride.org.uk

CHESTER PRIDE Enjoy the great music entertainment in Castle Square. Go to: chesterpride.co.uk

11 AUGUST WAKEFIELD PRIDE

A UGU S T

SWINDON & WILTSHIRE PRIDE

BRIGHTON PRIDE

SURREY PRIDE (WOKING)

WARWICKSHIRE PRIDE

Kylie Minogue and Clean Bandit headline at the UK’s biggest and most popular Pride. Go to: brighton-pride.org

Surrey’s very first LGBT+ Pride. Go to: prideinsurrey.org

They’re celebrating “Golden Pride” this year in Leamington Spa. Go to: warwickshirepride.co.uk

BELFAST PRIDE

Standing out and proud in West Yorkshire. Go to:tinyurl.com/y67cqrxr

03 AUGUST

Celebrating diversity in Northern Ireland. Go to: belfastpride.com

04 AUGUST

Celebrating LGBT+ life in West Yorkshire. Go to: wakefieldlgbtqpride.org

Wiltshire’s Number 1 LGBT+ Pride. Go to: swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk

17 AUGUST

CALDERDALE PRIDE (HALIFAX)

PRIDE IN PLYMOUTH

TUNBRIDGE WELLS PRIDE The third LGBT+ celebration in Tunbridge Wells. Go to:tinyurl.com/y687dnuz

KINGS LYNN & WEST NORFOLK PRIDE

Yorkshire’s biggest celebration of LGBT+ life. Go to: leedspride.com

Following the march, the fun continues at Plymouth Hoe for the main festival with live music and a fun fair. Go to: prideinplymouth.org.uk

10 AUGUST

PRIDE IN ELY

Ten years and still going strong you’re guaranteed a warm Yorkshire welcome at Donnie Pride. Go to: doncasterpride.co.uk

LEEDS PRIDE

WIGAN PRIDE Supporting diversity throughout the North West. Go to: wiganpride.com

Jubilee Gardens will be hosting this year’s Pride in Ely. Go to: prideinely.co.uk

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Go to: klwnpride.org.uk

DONCASTER PRIDE

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SOUTHAMPTON PRIDE Celebrating diversity and awareness in the fastest growing Pride in the South. Go to: southamptonpride.org

CORNWALL PRIDE (NEWQUAY) Go west, young man and woman, for the twelfth Cornwall Pride. Go to: cornwallpride.org

25 AUGUST SWALE PRIDE Sam Callahan headlines at Swale Pride in Faversham. Go to: swalepride.co.uk

HASTINGS PRIDE Heroes is the theme of this year’s Pride in Hastings. Go to: hastingspride.org.uk

31 AUGUST READING PRIDE

23 AUGUST PRIDE CYMRU (CARDIFF) The Welsh capital hostsWales’s biggest celebration of the LGBT+ community, with more than 75 acts lined up for the Big Weekend. Go to: pridecymru.co.uk

MANCHESTER PRIDE Ariana Grande and Years & Years headline three days of marvellous Manchester madness and magic. Go to: manchesterpride.com

24 AUGUST

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It’s the sixteenth year for Reading’s free parade and festival. Go to: readingpride.co.uk

PRIDE IN NEWRY “Pride in who you are and Pride in where you’re from” is this year’s theme. Go to: prideinnewry.com

LEICESTER PRIDE Pride returns to Victoria Park in Leicester. Go to: leicesterpride.com

WALSALL PRIDE

HERTFORDSHIRE PRIDE (WATFORD)

Cabaret entertainment, community stalls and funfair rides. Go to: walsallpride.org

Expect nationwide and local entertainment, and drag queens and kings in Cassiobury Park. Go to: hertspride.co.uk

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PRIDES

S E P T E MBE R 07 SEPTEMBER TOTNES PRIDE Free family-friendly day with a parade and a fun-filled cabaret. Go to: totnespride.co.uk

DERBY PRIDE Fun for all the family. Go to: derbyshirepride.co.uk

CHANNEL ISLANDS PRIDE It’s Pride on the Beach for Channel Islands Pride which this year takes place on Jersey. Go to: channelislandspride.org

14 SEPTEMBER TRANS PRIDE LONDON Celebrating trans life in Hackney, East London. Check website for location. Go to: tinyurl.com/y3m3m54e

PRIDE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE (CHELTENHAM) Picnic in Pittville Park with all the family. Go to: prideinglos.org.uk

BASILDON PRIDE

DUNDEE PRIDE

Entertainment for all the family in Gloucester Park. Go to: basildonpride.co.uk

Dundee Pride is back – with more bite than ever before. Go to: dundeepride.com

20 SEPTEMBER MARDI GLA (GLASGOW)

BOLTON PRIDE

A weekend of Pride and fun in Scotland’s biggest city. Go to: mardigla.org

It’s queer up north. Go to: facebook.com/boltonpride

23 SEPTEMBER

21 SEPTEMBER

SUNDERLAND PRIDE

MILTON KEYNES PRIDE

WORCESTERSHIRE PRIDE

Empowering the community in Milton Keynes. Go to: pridemk.org.uk

Raising the rainbow flag with Pride in Worcester. Go to: worcestershirepride.org

Making the LGBT+ community a better and happier place in the North-East. Go to: sunderlandpridegroup.com

28 SEPTEMBER PRESTON PRIDE Live entertainment, stalls and much, much more. Go to: prestonpride.com

LINCOLN PRIDE This year’s Pride promises to be the biggest yet. Go to: lincolnpride.co.uk

CUMBRIA PRIDE Celebrating the LGBT+ community in Carlisle. Go to: facebook.com/CumbriaPride

Each date is that Pride’s “Pride Day” – usually a Saturday, but sometimes a Sunday - and is the day of the main Pride parade. Some Pride events take place over a few days (even a few weeks!) so please check the website for details. All dates were correct at the time of going to press, but do visit the website before making any plans. Have a fantastic Pride – or Prides!

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RAINBOW RIDING

LAST YEAR, THE MAYOR OF LONDON, SADIQ KHAN, AND TRANSPORT FOR LONDON (TfL) GOT INTO THE SPIRIT FOR PRIDE BY TRANSFORMING THE CAPITAL’S TRANSPORT NETWORK WITH THE COLOURS OF THE PRIDE AND TRANS FLAGS

tations across London were adorned with striking new rainbow roundels to celebrate the LGBT+ community. And for the first ever time, a brand-new roundel in pink, blue and white, inspired by the trans flag, was created as well. Anyone hiring a Santander Cycle had the chance to ride on one of the limited-edition cycles that had been decorated with rainbow livery on their rear mudguards. TfL also launched a LGBT+ Allies group for members of staff wanting to learn more about

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LGBT+ issues and support the LGBT+ community. This group increases awareness and provides employees with a forum to ask questions and share advice, which leads to a more inclusive environment for its staff and customers. The group works with OUTbound, TfL’s LGBT+ staff network group, which offers LGBT+ colleagues the opportunity to meet with other like-minded people in the organisation, who they might not usually get the chance to talk to and discuss their experiences.

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SPONSORED FEATURE

PICTURES: TRANSPORT FOR LONDON

“The group works with OUTbound, TfL’s LGBT+ staff network group, which offers LGBT+ colleagues the opportunity to meet with other likeminded people”

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organized by

August 7 to 20 , 2023

FEATURE

ALL AROUND THE

WORLD IN THIS, THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STONEWALL UPRISINGS IN NEW YORK CITY WHICH MARKED THE START OF THE MODERN-DAY LGBT+ RIGHTS MOVEMENT, WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR PRIDE AND DIVERSITY ON EVERY CONTINENT ON THE PLANET. SO GET OUT THAT PINK PASSPORT AND VISIT SOME OF THESE GREAT PRIDES AROUND THE GLOBE

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WORLD PRIDE – NEW YORK CITY USA

AARHUS PRIDE DENMARK 01 June Go to: aarhuspride.dk

13 May to 30 June World Pride celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of LGBT+ rights in New York City, the place where it all began. Go to: 2019-worldpridestonewall50.nycpride.org

MARCHE DES FIERTÉS LGBT DE PARIS FRANCE

PRIDE WINNIPEG CANADA 24 May to 02 June Go to: pridewinnepeg.com

24 to 26 May Go to: stoltilund.se/lundapride/

02 June Go to: queenspride.org

BALTIC PRIDE, VILNIUS LITHUANIA

01 June Go to: csd-d.de/de/2019-363.html

04 to 08 June Go to: vilnius-events.lt/en/event/ baltic-pride-2019

DALLAS PRIDE USA

SÃO PAULO BRAZIL

01 to 02 June Go to: dallaspride.org

05 to 23 June Go to: paradasp.org.br

ZURICH PRIDE SWITZERLAND 01 to 16 June Go to: zurichpridefestival.ch

CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST - LA PRIDE USA

BILBAO PRIDE SPAIN

07 J to 10 June Go to: lapride.org

01 June Go to: bilbaopride.com/es

WARSAW PRIDE POLAND 08 June Go to: paradarownosci.eu

PRIDE TORONTO CANADA 01 July Go to: pridetoronto.com

MARCHE DES FIERTÉS TOULOUSE FRANCE

BERGEN PRIDE NORWAY

13 May to 08 June Go to: pridetoulouse.com

01 to 08 June Go to: bergenpride.no

SOFIA PRIDE BULGARIA

QUEENS PRIDE (QUEENS, NEW YORK CITY) USA

CSD DÜSSELDORF GERMANY

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GUADALAJARA PRIDE MEXICO

02 June Go to: jerseypride.org

01 June to 16 June Together & Proud is the slogan of this year’s EuroPride with over 30 events and parade in the heart of the Austrian capital. Go to: europride2019.at

ROME PRIDE ITALIA 08 June Go to: romapride.it

NEW JERSEY PRIDE USA

EUROPRIDE – VIENNA AUSTRIA

08 June Go to: brooklynpride.org

29 June Go to: tinyurl.com/y4ftbqpr

01 June Go to: guadalajarapride.com

LUNDA PRIDE SWEDEN

BROOKLYN PRIDE, NEW YORK CITY USA

08 June Go to: en.sofiapride.org

SACRAMENTO PRIDE USA 08 to 09 June Go to: sacramentopride.org

PHILADELPHIA PRIDE USA 09 June Go to: phillygaypride.org

WEST PRIDE (GOTHENBURG) SWEDEN 12 to 16 June Go to: westpride.se/english

OSLO PRIDE NORWAY 14 to 23 June Go to: oslopride.no

TORINO PRIDE ITALY 15 Jun Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.

IBIZA PRIDE SPAIN 15 June to 15 June Go to: ibizagaypride.eu/

VARESE PRIDE ITALY 15 June Go to: varesepride.it/en

RHODE ISLAND PRIDE USA 15 June Go to: prideri.org

ATHENS PRIDE GREECE

BOSTON PRIDE USA

THESSALONIKI PRIDE GREECE

01 June to 08 June Go to: athenspride.eu/en

08 June Go to: bostonpride.org

19 to 22 June Go to: thessalonikipride.com/en/

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FEATURE

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MILAN PRIDE ITALY

LUXEMBOURG PRIDE LUXEMBURG

21 to 30 June Go to: milanopride.it/

06 to 14 July Go to: gaymat.lu/en

CAPE COD PRIDE USA

BUDAPEST PRIDE FESTIVAL/MARCH HUNGARY

22 June Go to: httpcapecodpride.org

07 July Go to: budapestpride.com

PRIDE HOUSTON USA

SAN DIEGO PRIDE USA

22 June Go to: pridehouston.org

12 to 14 July Go to: sdpride.orgpride

MARCHA DE LA DIVERSIDAD COSTA RICA

BERLIN PRIDE - CSD BERLIN GERMANY

23 June Go to: http://marchadeladiversidad.com

20 to 28 July Go to: csd-berlin.de

TWIN CITIES PRIDE (MINNEAPOLIS – SAINT PAUL) USA

MALMÖ PRIDE SWEDEN

23 June Go to: tcpride.org

21 July to 21 July Go to: malmopride.com

PRIDE BARCELONA SPAIN

HAMBURG PRIDE - CSD HAMBURG GERMANY

27 to 30 June Go to: pridebarcelona.orgen

27 July to 04 August Go to: hamburg-pride.de/en

GENEVA PRIDE SWITZERLAND 29 June to 07 July Go to: genevapride.ch

AMSTERDAM PRIDE THE NETHERLANDS

MADRID PRIDE SPAIN

27 July to 04 August Go to: amsterdamgaypride.nl

29 June to 07 July www.madridorgullo.com/en

STOCKHOLM PRIDE SWEDEN

SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE USA

29 July to 03 August Go to: stockholmpride.org

29 to 30 June Go to: sfpride.org

VANCOUVER CANADA

CHICAGO PRIDE USA

04 August to 04 August Go to: vancouverpride.ca

30 June Go to: northalsted.com/pridefest

PRAGUE PRIDE CZECH REPUBLIC

KRISTIANSTAD PRIDE SWEDEN

05 August to 11 August Go to: praguepride.cz

30 June t Go to: kristianstadpride.se

ANTWERP PRIDE BELGIUM

ST. LOUIS PRIDE USA

07 to 11 August Go to: antwerpptide.eu

30 June Go to: pridestl.orgpridefest 048

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MONTRÉAL PRIDE – FIERTÉ MONTRÉAL CANADA 08 to 18 August Go to: fiertemtl.com/en

CSD MAGDEBURG GERMANY 09 to 24 August Go to: csdmagdeburg.de

QUEERALA PRIDE INDIA 10 to 11 August Go to: queerala.org

AUSTIN PRIDE USA 10 August Go to: austinpride.org

COPENHAGEN PRIDE WEEK DENMARK 17 August Go to: copenhagenpride.dk

CAPITAL PRIDE / LA FIERTÉ DANS LA CAPITALE (OTTAWA) CANADA 18 to 25 August Go to: ottawacapitalpride.ca

KOSICE PRIDE SLOVAKIA 01 September Go to: pridekosice.sk

BELGRADE PRIDE SERBIA 14 September Go to: parada.rs/en

MALTA PRIDE MALTA 06 to 15 September Go to: gaymalta.com/maltapride

ATHENS PRIDE GEORGIA 23 to 29 September Go to: athenspride.eu/en

ROTTERDAM PRIDE NETHERLANDS 22 S to 29 September Go to: rotterdam-pride.com/en

ATLANTA PRIDE USA 12 to 13 October Go to: atlantapride.org

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FEATURE HONG KONG PRIDE CHINA 01 November Go to: hkpride.net/en

DELHI QUEER PRIDE INDIA 01 to 24 November Go to: delhipride.org

MASPALOMAS WINTER PRIDE SPAIN 10 November Go to: winterpridemaspalomas.com

TROMSÃ&#x2DC; ARCTIC PRIDE NORWAY 11 to 16 November Go to: arcticpride.no

LAS VEGAS TRANSPRIDE USA 20 to 25 November Go to: lasvegastranspride.org

Please be aware that many of these dates are still provisional at the time of going to press. Please check the relevant website for the final confirmed dates before you make your travel plans. For details of even more Prides around the world please go to interpride.org

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MEN IN UNIFORM ROSS WATSON IS ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED LGBT+ ARTISTS OF HIS GENERATION, WHOSE WORK CELEBRATES THE MALE FORM IN ALL ITS GLORY, DRAWING ON INFLUENCES FROM CLASSICAL ART TO MODERN-DAY HOMOEROTIC ICONOGRAPHY. A MAJOR EXHIBITION OF HIS WORK WILL BE HELD IN NEW YORK CITY THIS SUMMER TO CELEBRATE WORLD PRIDE

he distinctive paintings of Melbourne artist Ross Watson are a celebration of the male form in all its uniformed and natural glory, Re-imagining classical paintings, Watsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homoerotic artwork has gained an international following with his pieces collected by the likes of Sir Elton John and museums including the National Gallery of Australia. Celebrating World Pride in New York City this month, Watson will be presenting an exciting new exhibition, homines uniformis at the Rogue Space Gallery in New York. His third book, Untitled II, will be launched at the exhibition, a luxurious 224-page commemorative WorldPrideNYC/ Stonewall 50 edition featuring paintings from the past decade, early works and photography, alongside previously unpublished works of art. To order copies of Ross Watson: Exhibition II go to rosswatson.com homines uniformis by Ross Watson is at the Rogue Space, Chelsea, 508-526 West 26th St, 9th Floor, New York

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FEATURE

A L L I M A G E S : Â© R O S S WAT S O N

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: LIGHT HORSEMEN; DOLPH, DIANA AND CUPID (AFTER BATONI); ALFIE ARCURI

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

Miriam

JUST

HARRY POTTER AND CALL THE MIDWIFE STAR MIRIAM MARGOLYES TALK TO SIMON GAGE ABOUT GAY MARRIAGE, COMING OUT AND MAKING SOLDIER BOYS HAPPY

“H

ello, Richard, darling,” says Miriam Margolyes in that funny old-fashioned posh voice of hers when we’re interrupted halfway through a very racy story by a phone call from a friend. “Can I phone you back? I’m just giving an interview, as opposed to a blow job, to a young journalist.” Yes, that’s Miriam. Outrageous comes as part of the deal and at the age of 77 with a solid track record of doing whatever the hell she likes, who’s going to stop her? Whether it’s confronting Trump supporters with her lesbianism in one of her documentaries for the BBC, visiting Ku Klux Klan members as a Jewish woman or generally coming up with characters in TV, film or radio – from Jackanory and Dixon of Dock Green to Harry Potter and Call the Midwife - that are quirky, out-there and basically very Miriam Margolyes. As we speak, she’s pottering about the Melbourne apartment she shares with her partner – “Not wife!” – of some 50 years, wearing just a nightdress with a little jacket over the top. “Marriage is not of interest to us,” she says, in between munches on a raw onion dipped in taramasalata (even her snacks are outrageous!) “Everybody can make up their own minds about this and everybody should have the ability to be married so I was certainly campaigning for gay people to be able to be married if they want to. “But there is another option, which is the one we’ve taken, which is civil partnership. I don’t particularly believe in marriage especially if you don’t want to have children and I think it’s irrelevant to us. What’s important is that if one of us is ill, it’s important to be able to get information. If you’re in hospital and your partner wants to know what’s going on, they won’t tell you unless you’re civilly partnered.” The pair met through friends and went on their first date to see The Charge of the Light Brigade, which doesn’t sound that romantic, to be honest. “We made it romantic,” she laughs, adding that it was love at first sight as far as she was concerned, “but not for her. I had to do a very small amount of graft.” As far as her own coming out is concerned, Miriam says that she was always openly gay, “except when I was in Hollywood. I didn’t tell the people when I went for a job that I was gay but everyone else knew. I’ve never had any problems about my sexuality.”

“I didn’t tell the people when I went for a job that I was gay but everyone else knew”

But even with that ahead-of-her-time attitude to her own sexuality, she is quite old-school when it comes to the subject of coming out. “Unlike Ian McKellen, who I love, I don’t think you should tell your parents,” she says, matter-of-factly. “I think you should weigh it up and work out whether people can cope with it or not and, if your parents can’t cope, then don’t tell them. I think it’s an indulgence. I think it’s very unkind, actually.’ But don’t parents always come round to it in the end, never mind what their initial reaction is? “Well, sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t,’” she says. “Remember, I’m nearly 80 and years and years ago, it wasn’t acceptable. It was something that was horrifying. These days it’s much easier. Most people can cope with it but if you think your parents can’t cope, you should shut up for a bit.” Not that Miriam is ever likely to shut up for a bit: as she continues with her chomping we cover everything from antisemitism in the Labour Party (“I would say it’s a problem in the Tory Party rather than in the Labour Party.”), Boris Johnson (“I don’t trust him. He’s a very bad, unpleasant feature of English life.”), David Cameron (“Thoroughly irresponsible.”), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (“A vile crook who has no business in any government.”) and being nice even to nasty people (“I think we just have to try and see the humanity even in people who it’s quite hard to see the humanity in. Like Nigel Farage.”). And then we segue back to the dirty story she was telling me before the phone call, a story she told on the Graham Norton Show about, ahem, helping out a young soldier who she caught, erm, pleasuring himself in a park. So, as a proud gay woman, how do you end up doing something as, um, hands-on as that? She laughs. “I saw a young man in distress and I consider it a public duty. It’s such an easy thing to do to make someone happy,” And then, in perhaps the most unnecessary statement of the whole interview… ‘I don’t see any difficulty in behaving in any way that I want.’ Oh, you don’t say!

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Brighton

PEERLESS

THE BRIGHTON & SUSSEX UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION NOT JUST IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SAYS CEO MARIANNE GRIFFITHS

n behalf of everyone at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (BSUH), I’m delighted that we are supporting Pride Life again. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue a conversation with readers who may want to become a part of our amazing Trust, or who want to know about what’s happening in modern, inclusive, healthcare. We talk a lot about being “open” and “inclusive”, but in our Trust we believe in demonstrating it. On any day, you can come into our hospitals and meet colleagues proudly wearing rainbow pins and lanyards or sporting

pronoun badges on their uniforms, an initiative promoted by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team. From these symbols of subtle support and solidarity through to supporting the Transgender Day of Visibility, we are upfront in our support for our LGBTQ+ inclusion. We have an active and visible LGBTQ+ Staff Network. BSUH@ Prides2018 was our biggest yet – I was delighted to lead our Pride float, and that we were able to volunteer march stewards for Trans-Pride. We also promote Disability Pride Brighton – a fantastic event for all disabled people and allies, with any identity and background. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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We have also taken the opportunity to become involved in the more academic side of LGBTQ+ support. For example, it’s important for us to be involved with the annual Brighton Trans, Non-binary and Intersex conference, which we have supported since its inception three years ago. This ensures that we’re a part of a vital ongoing conversation about breaking down barriers to true equality for all. We have partnered with the University of York as part of their research into the role and function of LGBTQ+ staff networks within the NHS. Our teams have also worked closely with the University of Brighton to pilot the

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Visit www.bsuh.nhs.uk/jobs to apply today!

SPONSORED FEATURE

“We are committed to becoming an ‘employer of choice’ – both for LGBTQ+ people and allies who share our values”

Health4LGBTI training materials, which are now being used across the European Union. We are starting to use data gathered from internal staff surveys, as well as national NHS survey tools, to understand where inequities exist and what we need to do in order to remove them. What we learn is shared through the citywide Equality and Inclusion Partnership to spread the knowledge throughout Brighton and Hove. It’s this spirit of partnering and community which I believe is at the centre of driving the changes we want to make in our culture. Whether patients or carers, staff, trainees, students or volunteers at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals, no community should ever feel either disadvantaged or that they cannot be their “authentic selves” with us. 2019 will be a big year for us. Our new LGBTQ+ Mentoring Scheme went in January with the first cohort of 15-20 mentees. And in February I hosted our first LGBTQ+ Conference – with 230 delegates, including more than 25 of our own teams, and external organisations we have partnered with in the last year, showcasing examples of LGBTQ+ inclusion at BSUH. We are committed to becoming an “employer of choice” – both for LGBTQ+ people and allies who share our values. We are working towards being recognised as a Top 100 Employer in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index – this annual review gave us an unbiased look at what we’re doing well and where we have further to go.

For our patients, who are at the heart of everything that we do, all this work translates into fantastic care given by NHS professionals who really understand the people they’re looking after. One example of this is the trans awareness training we provide to all staff who work in the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, helping them to better meet the needs of gender-questioning patients. This is the journey we’re on. And we need more highly skilled, compassionate and talented people to help us on our way (both from the LGBTQ+ community and the communities of allies who provide safe spaces to talk and give support). If you want to know what inclusivity means in healthcare and would like to be a part of our journey, we would love to hear from you. BSUH has a wide range of vacancies and is keen to hear from everyone who believes in open, inclusive and equitable healthcare. Log onto www.bsuh.nhs.uk/jobs to find out more. CEO MARIANNE GRIFFITHS

DENISE FARMER

“We talk a lot about being ‘open’ and ‘inclusive’, but in our Trust we believe in demonstrating it” SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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LITERATURE

LOVE AND PRIDE LOVE AND PRIDE TAKE MANY FORMS AND THE LGBT+ COMMUNITIES ARE GLORIOUSLY DIVERSE

o celebrate the difference that unites us, Uli Lenart of Gay’s The Word bookshop has invited three of the UK’s most exciting young writers to feature their work across three different mediums: the short story, poetry and the graphic novel Simon James Green presents an extract from his brilliant coming out story Penguins. Poet Dean Atta shares his fantastic poem How to Come Out As Gay, and Alice Oseman has contributed some pages from volume one of her tender and heart-warming graphic novel Heartstopper. So sit back, relax and enjoy these three very different takes on the theme of Love and Pride.

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14/06/2019 5:46 pm

PENGUINS SIMON JAMES GREEN

“C

am, there’s a tray of begonias in the boot – grab ’em will you?” Dad says. “Huh, sure,” I say, heading out as Mum and Dad take their bits through to the back. My heart sinks as I see our Ford Mondeo is jam-packed with what must be most of the garden centre. The only way this’ll be made better is if one of the items somehow leads to a conversation about me being gay, but I can’t see how. “Mum – here’s the weedkiller, and also, I’m gay.” It just doesn’t work. I grab what is possibly the tray of begonias and walk back through to the kitchen. “You could have brought something else in with you,” Mum complains. “OK, Mum, can we talk?” There. I’ve said it. I’ve asked if we can ‘talk’. Now she’ll know I’ve got something BIG to say. “Fancy helping me plant out the sweet peas?” Dad says, appearing at the back door. “Apparently he wants to talk,” Mum tells him. “Oooooh.” Dad grins. “Do we need to sit down, Cam?”  I sigh. “If you want to.”  They both sit down at the table. “OK,” I say. My mouth is suddenly really dry, but I tell myself to chill out. It’s no big deal. It’s just me and who I like. “So, you know how I’ve got posters of Hamilton, Wicked and Dear Evan Hansen up in my bedroom? Well, it’s a sign —” “Olá, Cameroooooon!” It’s Luis, eyes beaming, arms outstretched, having walked in through the open front door. And he’s also an hour early. Him and my other best mate, Molly, were meant to be coming round just before two so we could all go over to the Year 11 Leavers’ Prom committee meeting together. Behind him, Molly stumbles through from the hall, a mound of soil in her cupped hands. “There was a pot on the floor by the door and I knocked it over,” she explains. I let her tip the soil into my hands, because I’ve been thrown off guard now. I was all geared up for my BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, and now my best mates are here and I wasn’t planning on having an audience. “You are never going to guess what!” Luis says. “What?” I mutter. “Everyone guess!” he insists. I’m half tempted to say “I’m gay” and get it over and done with that way, but I’m standing there holding a mound of soil and if I say that, everyone will probably want to hug me and that’s just gonna result in a lot of mud everywhere. It doesn’t matter because Luis is too excited to be looking for an answer anyway. “The penguins at the zoo...” he says. I roll my eyes. The zoo is basically the sole attraction in our shitty town, and even that’s crap. Last year they made a big deal about the new penguin enclosure, making it sound like the most amazing thing, but it’s actually just a big pond, a pretend igloo and a replica polar bear – even though polar bears and penguins live literally poles apart and neither of them live in igloos. “...are GAY!” he squeals.  I stare at him. “What?”  “They’re gay, Cam! Two of the penguins have started a gay relationship!” I turn to Molly, open-mouthed. “It’s mad down there,” she says. “Loads of people have turned up – even a TV crew.” “Aww, that’s so sweet!” Mum says. “What are their names?” “What does that matter?!” I say. “Kippie and Jingles,” Luis tells my mum. “Aww!” she says again. Dad nods sagely. “You hear of this quite a bit these days – penguins at zoos starting gay relationships.” “Do you?” I say, because this is literally news to me. “We gotta get down there, Cam!” Luis looks like he’s gonna explode if we don’t. “There’s a full-on media storm. We might get interviewed!” I chew my lip a bit. “Cool.” “Go on, Cameron,” Mum says. “Go and enjoy yourself.” I manage a weak smile. I’m not sure how looking at some gay penguins constitutes “enjoying yourself ” but hey ho.

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“Oh, but what were you going to tell us?” she continues. “About the West End musical posters? It’s a sign, you said?” I nod at her. No way am I going to tell them now. Not now the frigging penguins have got in there first. This was my thing. Now it’s theirs. And it’d be weird. The penguins are gay. I’m gay. It’s too much gay. “Uh-huh. It’s a sign ... a sign ... that I may want to consider a post-eighteen musical theatre course, I dunno. Maybe.” Dad frowns. “You were talking about Law yesterday.” “Yeah.” I tip the soil into his hands instead. “It was just a thought. I guess I’m at that age.” I hurry out of the front door with Luis and Molly in tow, furious that my chance has been ruined. Wanker penguins. Simon James Green is an author and screenwriter. His debut YA novel, Noah Can’t Even, was published by Scholastic in May 2017, followed by the sequel, Noah Could Never, in June 2018. His new YA novel Alex In Wonderland is published this year by Scholastic. Penguins by Simon James Green appears in the anthology Proud, edited by Juno Dawson, and published by Stripes Publishing.

SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

14/06/2019 5:46 pm

LITERATURE

Being gay makes you gay Be a bit gay, be very gay Be the glitter that shows up in unexpected places Be Typing … on WhatsApp but leave them waiting Throw a party for yourself but don’t invite anyone else Invite everyone to your party but show up late or not at all If you’re unhappy in the closet but afraid of what’s outside leave the door ajar and call out If you’re happy in the closet for the time being play dress-up until you find the right outfit Don’t worry, it’s OK to say you’re gay and later exchange it for something else that suits you, fits, feels better Watch movies that make it seem a little less scary Beautiful Thing, Moonlight Be South East London council estate, a daytime dance floor his head resting on your shoulder Be South Beach, Miami, night of water and fire your head resting on his shoulder Be the fabric of his shirt the muscles in his shoulder, your shoulder Be the bricks, be the sand Be the river, be the ocean

HOW TO COME OUT AS GAY

Remember your life is not a movie and do it with a poem Email your poem titled ‘Young, Black and Gay’ to your father to which he will reply, ‘Nice poem’

DEAN ATTA ART BY LEO GREENFIELD

Accept you will be coming out for your whole life Accept advice from people and sources you trust If your mother warns you about HIV within minutes of you coming out try to understand that she loves you and is afraid If you come out at 15, this is not a badge of honour it doesn’t matter what age you come out

Don’t Don’t come out unless you want to Don’t come out for anyone else’s sake Don’t come out because you think society expects you to Come out for yourself Come out to yourself

Be a beautiful thing Be the moonlight too Remember you have the right to be proud Remember you have the right to be you.

Shout, sing it Softly stutter Correct those who say they knew before you did That’s not how sexuality works, it’s yours to define Being effeminate doesn’t make you gay Being sensitive doesn’t make you gay

Dean Atta was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize for his debut poetry collection, I Am Nobody’s Nigger. His poems deal with themes of race, gender, identity and growing up. He regularly performs across the UK and internationally. His debut novel, The Black Flamingo, will be published in August 2019 by Hodder Children’s Books.

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14/06/2019 5:46 pm

HEARTSTOPPER ALICE OSEMAN

lice Oseman is a writer and illustrator. Her first novel, Solitaire, was published when she was 19. Her second, Radio Silence, was published in 2016 and her third, I Was Born for This, in May 2018. Her webcomic, Heartstopper, follows the relationship of two characters from Solitaire, and is published in print by Hachette.

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SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

14/06/2019 5:46 pm

LITERATURE

GAY’S THE WORD AT 40 2019 is not only the 50th anniversary year of the Stonewall Uprising but it is also the 40th birthday of Gay’s the Word bookshop. Gay’s the Word was directly inspired by the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop in Manhattan which was founded by activist Craig Rodwell in 1967. Craig Rodwell was also a key figure in mobilising the first ever Pride, organising it with Ellen Broidy, Linda Rhodes, Fred Sargent and Brenda Howard. Gay’s the Word in London’s Bloomsbury, which is still going strong today, was created to be a community resource as well as a book retailer; as the novelist Sarah Waters observed, “It’s not just a bookshop, but the hub and affirmation of a whole community.” Numerous groups have met at the bookshop throughout its history. From 1984 to 1985 Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners convened there and collected money outside, as immortalised in the 2014 film Pride. Surviving raids, book seizures, homophobic harassment, challenging trading periods and economic gentrification, Gay’s the Word’s continued existence as a nurturing, awardwinning independent community bookshop is a cause for national celebration. “Gay’s the Word, to my mind, is the fountainhead of queer literature in Britain. I am deeply grateful that these pioneers fought so hard for our right to tell — and read — our own stories.” Armistead Maupin Gay’s the Word, 66 Marchmont St, Saint Pancras, London WC1N 1AB 020 7278 7654

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14/06/2019 5:46 pm

Pets don’t see labels.

Bought By Many does pet insurance differently. Our Complete policy is the most comprehensive on the market with £15,000 of cover. Visit Boughtbymany.com to find how we’re almost as unique as you are.

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09/06/2019 12:15 pm

SPONSORED FEATURE

Best for

PETS OWNERS WANT THE BEST FOR THEIR PETS AND BOUGHT BY MANY WANTS THE BEST FOR PET OWNERS

y the time we launched our pet insurance in 2017 we’d heard from thousands of people to find out how pet policies could be improved. We also looked at data from millions of online searches to identify what pet lovers were looking for but no-one was offering. It was important for our team to look at all aspects of pet insurance to guarantee our cover was better quality, accessible to all cat and dog owners, and fairer. Financial services firms, and insurance companies in particular, do not always feel welcoming. Sometimes it can be the little details, such as only having Mr, Mrs or Ms in an online form. From day one Bought By Many had Mx as an option. Our customers are diverse so we offer a range of exclusive products to meet their needs. It helps that we have a diverse team of people who do not think like those at a traditional insurance company. We each bring experience that informs how our service will work for real pet owners. We start by making our policies and documents easy to understand. Not every owner knows the difference between lifetime and percondition cover so we’ve stripped out jargon and explained options so you can find the cover that suits your pet. Getting a quote is simple and hardly takes any time. Bought By Many’s policies include Regular, which has a zero excess option, and Complete, the most comprehensive pet insurance on the

market with £15,000 of vet fee cover. We also designed a range of unique policies: Pre-existing can cover pre-existing conditions, MoneyBack pays back 20% of your premium if you don’t need to claim in a policy year, and Fixed For Life will never increase in price if you buy before your pet turns two. Some things are included as standard because we believe all pet insurers should offer them: it’s the right thing to do. If you make a claim it won’t contribute to any price changes when you renew and we never charge an existing customer more

“Our customers are diverse so we offer a range of exclusive products to meet their needs”

Bought By Many is proud to be awarded the Inter Pride Life seal of approval.

than a new customer on the same policy. You can also pay monthly with no interest. We’re the only pet insurance company that allows customers to make all claims online. All you have to do is let us know your vet’s contact details and how much you’re claiming for and we’ll do the rest. We want owners to be there to help their pet recover; we can deal with the forms and finance. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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More than 7,000 customers have given us a 5-star review in the past 12 months. Pet owners love what we’re doing, they feel valued, respected and can see the care we put into our service. Pets give us unconditional love so it’s important we’re there when they need us most. Vets can do more than ever to help pets when they’re ill or injured but their work can come at a cost. Bought By Many can cover the price of expensive treatment with modern, quality pet insurance.

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14/06/2019 5:44 pm

I CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; T PASS ON HIV. People on effective HIV treatment cannot pass on the virus.

Get the facts StartsWithMe.org.uk Produced by Terrence Higgins Trust for

Terrence Higgins Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (reg. no. 288527) and in Scotland (SC039986). Company reg.no. 1778149.

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Photography by THOMAS KNIGHTS

15/05/2019 9:04 am

SPONSORED FEATURE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EFFECTIVE HIV TREATMENT

AMAZING PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE TREATMENT OF HIV, SAYS THE TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST

he reality of living with HIV in 2019 is completely different from what it was before treatment came about. Since then we’ve continuously worked with community leaders, partners and other healthcare professionals to make sure that everyone knows the benefits of effective HIV treatment. Effective treatment means HIV shouldn’t be a barrier to anyone doing anything they want to and that includes having a fulfilling relationship and sex life. Amazing medical progress has been made in regards to treatment but, unfortunately, the knowledge of HIV quite clearly hasn’t kept up with that progress. To our surprise, there are still many people who don’t know how powerful effective HIV treatment is. Our YouGov survey (tht.org.uk/ news/cant-pass-it-on-yougov-survey-outcome) revealed that a whopping 55% of people didn’t believe people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass the virus on. It’s time we stop believing in outdated HIV myths and start looking to the medical facts that prove that people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass it on. “This is great news, but how is this even possible?” This is possible due to the fact that effective HIV treatment can lessen the amount of virus in your blood. This then means that you now have an “undetectable viral load”, meaning that the amount of virus in your blood can’t be detected. Years of medical research tells us that once you become “undetectable” you cannot pass on the virus to others. It can take up to six months from starting treatment to become undetectable.

“What do you mean by effective HIV treatment?” The term “effective HIV treatment” refers to someone who is taking their treatment as prescribed, and thus has an undetectable viral load. “So where’s your proof?” Doctors and scientists have been observing the impact of effective HIV treatment for over the last 20 years. However, the ground-breaking study that made everyone pay attention was the PARTNER study. The study recently made headline news after it revealed that out of nearly 1,000 gay male couples who had sex without using condoms – where one partner was HIV-positive and on effective HIV treatment, and the other HIVnegative – reported no cases of within-couple HIV transmission over eight years.

“Once you become ‘undetectable’ you cannot pass on the virus to others”

To find out more about effective HIV treatment check o ut startswithme.org.uk

“Okay, now I’m all clued up, what now?” Now you understand just how game-changing effective HIV treatment is, it’s time to make sure you know your status and get tested! If you have HIV, the earlier you find out the sooner you can access treatment and support and live a long healthy life. In most cases, HIV is passed on because people are not aware they have it and the longer you live with undiagnosed HIV the more likely it is for it to seriously damage your immune system. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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We all have a role to play in this and it’s time for everyone to stop doubting the science and accept the realities of HIV. The more people that know about this the better the chance we have at beating HIV stigma - so be sure to help us get the message out there by sharing our posts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. By helping to share the message and ensuring that people know the facts about effective HIV treatment, we hope to someday tackle stigma altogether.

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FEATURE

“Now more than ever, we need everyone who cares about equality to show their support”

RIGHTS FOR ALL

STONEWALL, BRITAIN’S LEADING CHARITY FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BI AND TRANS EQUALITY RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS 30 TH ANNIVERSARY

tonewall was formed back in 1989 by Sir Ian McKellen, Lord Michael Cashman, Lisa Power and 11 other activists in direct response to the introduction of the notorious Section 28 which effectively banned any discussion of same-sex relations in schools. It took years to repeal Section 28, but its impact is still felt today with more than half of LGBT pupils still facing homophobic abuse in the classroom and playground. Since those dark days of 1989, Stonewall has grown into a strategic LGBT charity and works with other activists and organisations to secure legislative rights for all LGBT people. Stonewall is currently campaigning for full equality for trans people, inclusive RSE (Relations and Secondary Education) lessons in schools, and also equal marriage in Northern Ireland. It also addresses issues of LGBT equality across all sectors of society, whether in education or the workplace and the annual Stonewall Top 100 Employers list recognises those who encourage diversity in the workplace. For more than a decade Stonewall has worked alongside businesses to create inclusive workplaces for almost a quarter of the UK workforce. The charity has now more than 800 members of its Diversity programme.

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Together with UK Black Pride, Stonewall also works closely with the BAME community to ensure representation for all. It is also building strong relationships with faith communities across the country. Of Stonewall’s 30 years of campaigning for LGBT rights, outgoing CEO Ruth Hunt said: “Britain’s LGBT movement has won major victories on employment rights, parenting rights, partnership rights, serving in the military and equal age of consent. But we can’t be complacent. “The divisive debates we’ve seen recently around LGBT-inclusive education have echoed the conversations that took place when Section 28 was introduced. We fought long and hard against those dark times, but two years of debates about trans people’s existence in the media and online have put us in danger of going backwards. “When we question one group’s right, we expose the rights of everyone to be questioned and debated. Now more than ever, we need everyone who cares about equality to show their support to make the world a better place for every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person.”

SIR IAN MCKELLEN

Go to: stonewall.org.uk @ pridelife

SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

14/06/2019 5:43 pm

FEATURE CATH HALL, FOUNDER OF AKT, TODAY

Home and I

n 1989, six LGB volunteers led by straight ally Cath Hall met at Manchester Town Hall to launch The Albert Kennedy Trust (akt), the world’s first ever service for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. In 2019, akt marks its 30th anniversary. During those 30 years, akt has provided safe homes, support, and mentoring to countless young LGBTQ+ people. Cath spoke out and acted at a time when to do so was both controversial and rare, and stood shoulder to shoulder with her fellow founders in stepping in to ensure that vulnerable young LGBTQ+ people who were facing or experiencing homelessness had somewhere to turn. At the launch of akt in 1989 Cath said: “Young people know clearly what they want and feel, but they feel unable to tell other people that. They’re not sure what’s expected of them trying to fit into a society that won’t allow them to be who they are. What would I tell a young person? Be proud of who you are and don’t be afraid to tell somebody – but choose carefully the person that you tell.” When talking to our young people today about akt and its journey, Cath’s selfless and unwavering support really sticks with them. Tim Sigsworth MBE, CEO at akt: “Young people often talk about akt as providing more than just a roof over their heads, describing us as

CATH HALL AND FRIENDS AT THE FOUNDING OF AKT

HEART FOR 30 YEARS THE ALBERT KENNEDY TRUST HAS BEEN PROVIDING HELP AND SUPPORT FOR THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE. GRAHAME ROBERTSON TAKES A LOOK AT THE CHARITY’S WORK courageous, caring, inclusive and accepting - like a family. Nothing represents this more than our founder, ally and former foster carer Cath Hall.” Sadly, and despite massive socio-political steps forward for LGBTQ+ people over the last 30 years, the experiences we hear from vulnerable young people remain broadly similar in 2019, such as rejection and abuse from within the family simply because of who they are. This is a reality for too many young LGBTQ+ people. Today, one in four young people at risk of homelessness identify as LGBTQ+. Of those young people 77% tell us that familial rejection and abuse are the primary cause of their homelessness. Thankfully, and in large part because of the support akt receives from people like you, last year 88% of young people contacting akt were placed in safe homes, and 91% felt their lives and wellbeing had greatly improved as a result of their help. Today, Cath still meets the young people we work with and is a huge supporter of what we do, and, as we mark our 30th anniversary and

“Young people know clearly what they want and feel” SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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SIR IAN MCKELLEN IS A PATRON OF AKT

continue to look ahead, we want to celebrate and thank her for everything she’s done. Charities like akt rely on the generosity of its supporters. This summer, we’re asking you to help us ensure safe futures and better futures for young LGBTQ+ people as part of our Room for Love campaign. Please visit our website at akt.org.uk to find out more and donate what you can. With your support we can make sure the next 30 years sees akt achieve its vision of a world free from LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. Thank you.

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MY JOURNEY WITH HIV STARTED WITH CHAOS NOW I’M IN CONTROL OF MY HEALTH, I’M ON STEADIER GROUND HIV SHOOK UP MY ENTIRE WORLD. BUT IT WASN’T JUST HIV. MY HEALTH, MY PERSONAL LIFE, AND EVEN MY IDENTITY WAS IN CRISIS. RECOGNISING MY INDIVIDUALITY, SEEKING SUPPORT AND PLANNING FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD GAVE ME THE CONTROL AND STABILITY I SO BADLY NEEDED. MY NAME IS DARREN. I’M A 52-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF FOUR FROM SALFORD, AND THIS IS MY HIV STORY

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY DARREN ARDRONAS AS PART OF THE MY HIV, MY RULES, MY JOURNEY CAMPAIGN, A DISEASE AWARENESS PROGRAMME THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND PAID FOR BY GILEAD SCIENCES LTD.

DARREN

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hen I was diagnosed, HIV seemed the least of my problems. I was trying to cope with chronic fatigue syndrome and mental health issues. As my health began to deteriorate, so did the communication holding my marriage together. Eventually, I had a complete breakdown which led me to question everything, including my sexuality. As a straight man until that point, I found myself in a totally new world. Defining my new sexuality in the same way as others was impossible and I felt isolated. It was the toughest time of my life. I fell into a vicious cycle, using sex as an escape. Shortly before my HIV diagnosis, I was living with a couple in an open relationship and slept with them both. One of them started to become very ill and was soon diagnosed with HIV. It wasn’t long before I was diagnosed too. You don’t have to be a doctor to know that chronic fatigue syndrome, mental health and HIV isn’t a good combination. I was already aware of my local HIV support group, George House Trust, as I had been introduced to them when I was diagnosed. I realised I couldn’t carry on living this way, and returned to them to seek help. @ pridelife

JOB BAG NUMBER: 000/UK/19-04/CI/1363 DATE OF PREPARATION: APRIL 2019

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14/06/2019 5:42 pm

SPONSORED FEATURE

“The biggest lesson I learnt is that if I didn’t deal with my health, no one else would ”

This was one of the most important steps I took. I started receiving counselling and began to accept what was happening in my life. The biggest lesson I learnt is that if I didn’t deal with my health, no one else would. I remembered the man who gave me HIV, and how scared his partner was to confront it. He had locked information leaflets and medical books in a cupboard where they would sit unread. That wasn’t going to be me. The more I started to learn about my health and my future journey with HIV, the more I felt in control and the better I started to feel. I found out that certain HIV treatments affect your body in different ways, so I spoke to my doctor about my concerns. I also realised that planning ahead for HIV meant having a healthier lifestyle too. I now work alongside George House Trust, supporting people living with HIV. I am all too

aware that I have been fortunate enough not to suffer the stigma and abuse many others in the gay community have. I also want to help people who find themselves in difficult circumstances as I did after my marriage ended. People with HIV still need to be heard. They need to speak to their doctor about their future with HIV, and speak up about their individual situation and what their health challenges might be. Having a positive vision of the future is not always easy, but once you start to work through your worries and plan ahead, all your problems seem a lot more manageable.

If you are living with HIV, head to www. myhivmyrules.co.uk/health-mot to create a personalised checklist of topics you may want to discuss with your doctor. Further resources about all topics covered are available on the website. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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STILL FABULOUS AT

50 AS WE COMMEMORATE 50 YEARS SINCE THE STONEWALL RIOTS KICKSTARTED THE GAY CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, MATT NEWBURY LISTS HIS PERSONAL 50 REASONS TO CELEBRATE BEING LGBT+ IN 2019

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SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

14/06/2019 5:42 pm

FEATURE

“The Stonewall Inn in New York City became a catalyst for the whole gay rights movement in 1969” THE L WORD The trailblazing drama about a group of queer women living in glamorous Los Angeles turns 15 this year and there’s apparently a reboot on the horizon. The show helped jumpstart the portrayal of lesbian, bisexual and trans characters on TV, although the less said about series six the better...

LOUIS VUITTON The luxury French fashion house has recruited trans actress Indya Moore of Pose fame for its latest photo campaign. Other celebrities involved include Michelle Williams, Thandie Newton and LGBT+ advocate, Chlöe Grace Moretz – all women who “reflect the eclecticism of the female identity.” We still can’t afford most of their clothes, mind...

OUR SENSE OF HUMOUR Gay people do seem to seem have a natural gift for witty remarks and humorous observations and finishing sentences with a punch line. We are also quite partial to slipping in a double-entendre at every given opportunity. However, with great power comes great responsibility. We’re also quite prone to bitchy remarks and cutting sarcasm for comic effect, which should obviously be kept to a minimum, for maximum impact! THE STONEWALL INN, NEW YORK CC DIANA DAVIES/ NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

THE STONEWALL RIOTS

TALES OF THE CITY

The Stonewall Inn in New York City became a catalyst for the whole gay rights movement in 1969, when patrons, fed up of numerous homophobic police raids, decided to fight back. The series of raids and protests carried on for days, but led to coherent activist groups being formed, strategies put in place and ultimately led to the birth of the gay rights movement. The bar still makes an unassuming but symbolic destination to visit and has planned a year of celebrations, which began with a surprise performance by Madonna on New Year’s Eve. See the feature in this issue

Forty years after the first ground-breaking book in the series was released in the UK, Tales of the City is set to return to our TV screens this year with a Netflix original series. Everyone’s favourite potgrowing San Francisco landlady, Mrs Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis), will be throwing open the doors once more, to welcome a colourful set of neighbours to 28 Barbary Lane. Also back are Laura Linney as Mary Anne Singleton, Barbara Garrick as DeDe Halcyon Day and Paul Goss as Brian Hawkins. And now with added Ellen Page!

DRAG QUEENS We have a long and affectionate relationship with drag queens, who have kept us entertained with their big hair, outrageous costumes, catty banter and questionable singing since time immemorial. Even though the old-fashioned gay scene has been decimated in recent years, you can still catch hardworking traditional drag acts in gay bars across the UK, while Drag Race (and this year’s spin-off UK edition) has taken female impersonation into the mainstream for the first time since Lily Savage.

Seven different LGBT+ crossing signals were installed around London’s Trafalgar Square by Transport for London to show their support for London Pride in 2016. Such was the popularity of the lights, which include a holding hands signal and a trans signal, they have become a permanent feature and have inspired similar initiatives in Manchester and Bournemouth. And any crossing signal that makes Jeremy Clarkson see red, is good in our books. TALES OF THE CITY

JULIAN IS A MERMAID Jessica Love won this year’s Stonewall Book Award with this delightful tale for trans kids, or indeed any kids, who love the magic of dressing up. When Julian sees a group of women dressed as fabulous mermaids on the subway, he is inspired to raid the closet and recreate the look at home. When his nana sees him in makeup and costume, instead of chastising him, she gives him a pearl necklace to complement the look and takes him to see the outrageous spectacle of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. It’s a beautiful story about love, acceptance and being who you want to be. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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GAY AND TRANS PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

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people may fuel this by being particularly lecherous and predatory, others are perfectly lovely people with some amazing stories to share. If you are a younger person, have a chat with them and never take the freedom you enjoy for granted.

YOUNGER GAY PEOPLE The next generation of gay people exist in a world that is very different to the one that many of us first came out into. Today it’s common for young people to come out in school, although for others it is still a remarkably hard journey. While some young gay people revel in being shallow, narcissistic and arrogant (mind you, so did many of us at that age), others are open, friendly, inspiring and politically aware.

GAYS THE WORD WILL YOUNG

EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE Inspired by the BBC documentary, Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, this smash hit West End musical tells the fabulous story of a Sheffield lad who tackles prejudice and bullying head on when he wears drag to his school prom. The award-winning show is now being turned into a film musical and they are holding open auditions to be Jamie’s classmates. You’ve got until 22 July to apply!

THE NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS In a video called Diversity in Strength, the New Zealand All Blacks and their women’s counterparts, the Black Ferns, wear what look like their famous traditional black tops. However, when they stretch the material of their shirts, it reveals a clever rainbow flag hidden in the fabric. In the video the narrator says, “An enemy that cannot be fought alone and must be defeated together. It will take more than 15 – it will take thousands… millions. And now, AIG has combined all the colours of the rainbow to create a ‘united black.’ Join our team.” See the video at tinyurl.com/y227az55

BEN WHISHAW Proving that coming out of the closet as a gay actor doesn’t limit your roles, the star of James Bond, Mary Poppins Returns and The Danish Girl married his partner, composer Mark Brandshaw in 2012. He’s also played some memorable gay characters including Danny in London Spy and Norman Scott in A Very English Scandal, although he doesn’t believe that gay roles should be reserved for gay actors. The actor who played a bear in Paddington said: “I really believe that actors can embody and portray anything and we shouldn’t be defined only by what we are.”

GAY PORN While there is obviously a sleazy and manipulative side to the gay porn industry, it is worth a staggering $10 billion a year. Adult products as a whole have actually pioneered the expertise necessary to make secure online purchases, as well as funding the technology to streamline videos and transmit live interactive websites. So naughty films are ultimately good for you, if not your eyesight! 074

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“The rainbow flag first appeared at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade in 1978” THE RAINBOW FLAG The rainbow flag first appeared at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade in 1978, borrowing symbolism from the hippie movement and black civil rights groups. In that first year, the flags had eight stripes, each colour representing a component of the community: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit.

BEARS Those hirsute and portly types who have taken a stance against body fascism and established their own rather friendly and popular scene. They’ve even created their own flag, their own range of XXL clothing, their own rugged beauty contests and even their own heavyweight adult industry. Apparently, there are even lesbian bears known as an Ursulas. Woof!

The only specifically LGBT+ bookshop in the UK turns 40 this year. As well as selling books, the shop has also served as a community and information resource. Various groups have used the premises to meet including Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, featured in the film Pride. Over the years the store has battled raids, court cases and the threat of Amazon and online sales. Pop in and buy something and show your support for this wonderful little business we should all be proud of.

LGBT+ CHARITIES There are some amazing LGBT+ charities out there we are proud to support. Stonewall continues to work towards equality for all, whether that be in the workplace or the school yard, while GMFA now provides advice and support for all health issues that disproportionately affect gay men. The Albert Kennedy Trust supports young LGBT homeless people in crisis. These charities and many others rely on the support of the gay community, so let’s keep supporting them and the amazing work they do.

GAY ANIMALS You have probably read the phrase “homosexuality exists in every single species on the planet, but homosexuality is found in only one: humans.” Same-sex attraction amongst SIR IAN McKELLEN (CC GAGE SKIDMORE)

WILL YOUNG When he’s not taking Jeremy Clarkson to task over homophobia on The Grand Tour, Will has been hosting a rather wonderful LGBT+ podcast called Homo Sapiens. As well as interviewing the likes of Troye Sivan, Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Jones, he’s done features on chemsex, PrEP and gay life in rural Britain. To top it all, he also read a book on same-sex parents on CBeebies Bedtime Stories as part of LGBT History month.

OLDER GAY PEOPLE We should never forget the tireless and brave campaigning that has led to enjoying not only some of the best equality laws in the world, but has also led to a complete shift in public opinion. Sadly, ageism exists amongst some younger members of the gay community and while some older gay @ pridelife

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FEATURE INDIA Talking of countries making huge strides towards equality, the decision by India’s Supreme Court to end a colonial-era law criminalising gay sex was epic. Section 377, a law imposed during British rule was overturned after 150 years. Whilst there is still a way to go in terms of acceptance and changing attitudes, this is one giant stride in the right direction in a country that boasts 17.74% of the total world population. Now we just need to encourage the other 30 former British colonies who ban gay sex to end their archaic laws.

STUDENT PRIDE

PINK TRIANGLE PARK, SAN FRANCISCO (CC RYAN GESSNER)

animals is a great way of proving that homosexuality is natural. Studies suggest that more than 1,5000 animal species practise samesex coupling, from fish to birds and insects to mammals. Gay penguins have got to be our favourites though…

SIR IAN McKELLEN As both an actor and activist, Sir Ian McKellen (or Serena as he has been dubbed by Stephen Fry) is a remarkable figure. Over his extraordinary career he’s won just about every theatrical award going, while he also co-founded Stonewall in response to Section 28 and was certainly influential in its repeal. When not playing the likes of Gandalf or Magneto or treading the boards, he’s visited school assemblies as part of Stonewall’s Education for All campaign, marched on numerous pride parades and is a patron of Oxford Pride and The Albert Kennedy Trust.

PINK TRIANGLES The pink triangle, employed by the Nazis in concentration the camps during World War II as a badge of shame, was re-appropriated as a symbol of the fight against oppression by the gay liberation movement in the 1970s. The gay community in The Castro in San Francisco has created The Pink Triangle Park, a moving memorial featuring 15 granite columns, each representing the estimated 1,000 LGBT+ individuals believed to have been murdered during the Holocaust. With what is happening in Chechnya and Brunei, it is something we should never forget.

QUEER AS FOLK It’s been 20 years since Queer as Folk exploded onto our screens back in 1999, leaving the general population with mouths wide open – well, it did feature rimming in episode one. Amazingly, writer Russell T Davis went from Children’s Ward to Canal Street, introducing the world to Vince, Stuart and Nathan and a series of brilliantly written, audacious, ground-breaking and extremely funny hi-jinx. Bring it back!

ALAN TURING We were thrilled when Alan Turing was crowned the Greatest Figure of the 20th Century earlier this year. The wartime code breaker and father of

modern computing, beat off stiff competition from the likes of Nelson Mandela and David Bowie. Turing committed suicide in 1954, two years after being convicted for being gay. Shockingly, the man who should have been a war hero for his code-breaking work was forced to receive oestrogen injections (chemical castration) as an alternative to prison. It’s taken more than six decades for attitudes to change enough for him to receive the recognition that he rightly deserves.

DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR

POSE We finally got to see this fierce and fabulous series set against the backdrop of the New York ball culture this year, and, girl, did it deliver. Ryan Murphy and his team assembled the largest ever transgender cast for a scripted series to explore a cross section of life in the city in the 1980s and the

Shocked that parents were protesting against LGBT+ inclusivity lessons being taught in schools, drag queens in Birmingham retaliated by organising a special Drag Queen Storytime. The team from Fantabulosa! (a queer-positive participatory family drag show) entertained children at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery by reading stories that featured samesex partners. Hopefully, this will catch on across the UK!

CHRISTINE AND THE QUEENS As well as creating some of the catchiest and thought-provoking electronic pop this side of the 80s, Héloïse Letissier (the French singer, writer, producer and dancer behind Christie and the Queens) also blurs the lines when it comes to gender and sexuality. Hating the thought of labels, she describes herself as being pansexual, as pansexuality is impossible to simplify. Her eloquent thoughts on gender identity and sexuality are as intoxicating as the hypnotic physicality of her performances. And she records her albums in both English and French, which is impressive for those of us who can only just about order a glass of rosé in Paris.

“We were thrilled when Alan Turing was crowned the Greatest Figure of the 20th Century earlier this year”

PORTUGAL, SWEDEN AND CANADA It’s official: according to the annual Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Portugal, Sweden and Canada are the most LGBT+-friendly countries to visit in the world. Most impressively, Portugal managed to jump from 27th place to sharing the top spot thanks to new laws protecting trans and intersex people and a series of anti-hate crime initiatives. Austria and Malta have also hit the top ten with their legal recognition of same-sex marriage. And before you ask, the UK is in joint fourth place. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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Earlier this year, Theresa May awarded National Student Pride founder Tom Guy with The Points of Light award, recognising outstanding individuals making a change in their community. Tom founded the organisation in 2005 whilst at Oxford Brookes University, with the aim of tackling homophobia and promote progressive voices on campus. Since then, the event has grown to attract over 1,700 students from more than 170 universities and colleges worldwide. This year, as well as commemorating the Stonewall riots, there was a focus on challenging racism on the LGBT+ scene.

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“The Cayman Islands legalised same-sex marriage in March of this year” SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

clash of the rise of the Trump-era “greed is good” brigade with the downtown underground artistic scene. And definitely check out the documentary, Paris is Burning for even more grittier realness.

DATING APPS While being able to order in sex as easily as a takeaway isn’t necessarily something to be proud of, websites and apps have made it easier for LGBT+ people to connect, socialise and meet. Of course, there are numerous criticisms that can be aimed at dating apps and some of the people who use them (don’t get me started...), they do provide a lifeline to isolated places and indeed in countries where LGBT+ people are persecuted. They have become a vital source of communication in places like Russia, Egypt and Iran.

NORWEGIAN AIR TAIL FIN HEROES The legacy of Harvey Milk continues to soar, as his image is included on a newly built 787-9 Dreamliner as part of the airline’s Tail Fin Heroes campaign. Milk was the first openly gay person to be elected to office in both San Francisco and California, before being assassinated 11 months into his term of office. Freddy Mercury and Oscar Wild have also been featured, while the airline will also be featuring two British women who had same-sex affairs – civil rights activist Emmeline Pankhurst and author Virginia Woolf.

GAY BARS These pillars of the LGBT+ community have had their own battles to fight, thanks to the popularity of dating apps and the increased acceptance of gay people in the community as a whole. But thankfully while many have fallen victim to progress and changing social attitudes, there are still some wonderfully fun and inclusive venues out there. Please keep supporting them, as they were there when we needed them most.

HETEROSEXUAL YOUNG PEOPLE There’s a whole new generation of liberal young people for whom having friends of different sexualities is an everyday part of life. In fact, it’s so common, they can’t even be bothered to video and share their GBF’s “coming out in school video” on their mobile phones anymore, as it won’t get enough views. We’ve come a long way since the early 70s, when homophobia haunted the halls and playgrounds. And that’s definitely something to be proud of. 076

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The Cayman Islands legalised same-sex marriage in March of this year, following a lengthy legal battle by Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden. Ms Boden, who is a British citizen, had travelled to the islands on a work permit and met Ms Day, who is a Caymanian. After the judge ruled that prohibition on such relationships was unconstitutional, the couple will now be able to marry in paradise. Congratulations!

TV AND RADIO PRESENTERS We are definitely taking over the TV channels and radio airways these days, thanks to the likes of Sandi Toksvig, Alan Carr, Rylan Clark-Neal, Sue Perkins, Nick Grimshaw, Anna Richardson, Paul O’Grady, Clare Balding, Craig RevelHorwood, Gok Wan, Jane Hill, Evan Davis, Scott Mills and Joe Lycett. The BBC is definitely winning when it comes to LGBT+ representation, while Graham Norton still remains the undisputed cream of the crop thanks to his brilliant talk show, radio show and Eurovision presenting.

LGBT+ EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS In a year when MPs couldn’t seem to make their mind up about anything, we were delighted when they managed to overwhelmingly back teaching about LGBT+ relationships in schools. 538 MPs voted in favour and 21 against. The vote was carried out as part of a pledge to make Relationship Education (RE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory in all primary and secondary schools in England by 2020. The guidance hasn’t been reviewed since 2000, when Section 28 banning the “promotion” of homosexuality by local authorities and in Britain’s schools was still in place.

QUEER CINEMA

It’s been five years since the first same-sex weddings took place in the UK (civil partnerships were introduced in 2005) which has got to be a good reason for a toast. Even if you are never planning on getting married, the right to tie the knot was one of the last steps towards us gaining full equality under the law. And that’s got to be a good thing. Now it’s just time for Northern Ireland to catch up. We’ve got the confetti ready...

ALEXA A ground-breaking campaign by Alexa, saw the virtual assistant mark International Transgender Day of Visibility (31 March) by allowing users to hear a man’s experiences of growing up transgender. By saying “Alexa, open the voice of trans” they could hear about how he hated wearing “girly” clothes, how he was bullied at school and his attempted suicide. Finally, users learned how transitioning had improved his life, before encouraging them to sign a petition to help advance transgender rights on the UN’s human rights agenda.

STRAIGHT ALLIES Where would we be without the support of our straight allies? This year, Little Mix performed in front of a rainbow flag in Dubai (where gay sex is illegal), Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons pleaded with religious leaders across the world to end gay conversion therapy, George Clooney joined Elton John in calling for a boycott of hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei in response to the country’s anti-gay policies under Sharia Law and Carly Rae Jepsen’s tour is raising money for LGBT+ youth. Big thanks to Panic at the Disco and Harry Styles for also promoting equality and acceptance at their gigs as well.

THE FIRST OPENLY GAY WORLD CHAMPION When Keala Kennelly was officially awarded the 2018 title of Big Wave world champion at a World Surfing League function in April, she became the first openly gay World Champion. At the awards ceremony she said, “When I was 25, I was hiding in the closet, soaked in shame, living in fear, and I hated myself because I did not think you could be World Champion and gay at the same time... I needed to dream bigger because now I get to be the first openly gay World Champion. I get to be proud of

Hollywood is finally starting to come out of the closet on the back of films like Call Me by Your Name, Moonlight, Boy Erased, Love Simon, Tangerine, The Happy Prince and The Miseducation of Cameron Post all getting mainstream releases over recent years. Meanwhile, the best place to catch the full spectrum of LGBT+ cinema is at festivals including BFI Flare (London), Fringe! Queer Film Fest (London), Leeds Queer Film Festival, Queer Media Festival (Manchester) and FiveFilms4freedom (online). @ pridelife

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FEATURE

YEARS AND YEARS (BBC)

TV We are living in remarkable times when it comes to LGBT+ representation on terrestrial TV and digital streaming platforms. From Killing Eve to Sex Education and Star Trek Discovery to Pose we are taking over the airways with well-developed characters and addictive storylines. And we are really enjoying Years and Years from Russell T. Davis (Queer As Folk), a post-apocalyptic miniseries featuring a gay couple played by openly gay actors, Russell Tovey and Dino Fetscher. GEORGE MICHAEL

who I am and I get to love myself exactly as I am, not as people would want me to be. And it is my hope that I am going to inspire other LGBT athletes that are suffering in silence to live your truth.”

GEORGE MICHAEL George Michael is still doing good works, even following his death. An auction of the late singer’s art collection raised more than £10 million, with all of the profits being donated to charities he supported. A total of 61 pieces by artists including Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst were auctioned off at Christie’s, with 100 more works sold online for an additional £1 million. In his lifetime, George supported many charities supporting people living with HIV/AIDS including Positive Nation, Terrence Higgins Trust, London Lighthouse and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

BOOKS

“Over the last five decades, Pride events across the world have raised awareness of our struggle for equal rights” with needy children to look after), certainly makes them jealous, so why shouldn’t we be proud of this? That said, we’re certainly not proud of some of the states we have stumbled into work in the next day.

Books have always been there for us, before being gay was accepted and before you could look up anything you may be confused about on the internet. There’s a long history of incredible queer literature, while in recent years, just about every amazing film, TV series or even musical, was proceeded by an even more amazing book. Think Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Love Simon), Disobedience, We The Animals, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Call Me by Your Name, Rafiki, Tales of the City, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (the musical Fun Home), Vulgar Favors (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) and Boy Erased.

RAINBOW TARTAN

OUR ABILITY TO PARTY

During increasingly divisive times, we should be proud of the fact that our community is made up of people of different shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities, backgrounds and personalities. We were brought together in times when difference wasn’t so accepted and united under one rainbow umbrella. As you wander around Pride, look around and take in the completely mix of people around you, celebrating their sexuality as well as their differences. It’s pretty damn amazing.

We do seem to have an inbuilt desire to party and I’d like to think we are pretty good at it. It’s why we get invited out so much by our straight mates – they know that we’ll be the life and soul of the party and we are always happy to dance with the girls, whilst they get down to more serious activities like drinking and discussing football. Having the freedom to party more than our heterosexual friends (who are often lumbered

You don’t have to be Scottish to have a thing for a kilt (easy access, and all…) so it was great to see a new officially-registered “Pride of LGBT” tartan making its global runway debut on New York’s catwalks during the Dressed to Kilt event. Gaelic TV presenter Phil MacHugh launched the tartan saying, “Tartan’s very historic purpose is to show loyalty, togetherness, and solidarity to a clan, a community, and that’s a wonderfully powerful message to be promoting… to remind our friends around the world just how inclusive and welcoming Scotland is.”

Where once an HIV diagnosis was in effect a death sentence, now almost everyone in the UK with HIV is now only diagnosed and in treatment but living full and healthy lives, And that’s very most down to the work of HIV/ AIDS charities and the gay community as a whole. UNAIDS set a “90-90-90” target for every country to diagnose more than 90% of people, put 90% on treatment and to ensure 90% viral suppression (the amount of HIV in their body kept so low by antiretroviral drugs they are not infectious to others). The UK has now hit this target.

PRIDE Over the last five decades, Pride events across the world have raised awareness of our struggle for equal rights, while simultaneously celebrating who we are. Today, as we enter the cusp of total equality, questions have to be asked about the purpose of Pride – is it just a party or are there still battles to be won? Are we showing young people that it is okay to be gay, are we remembering the battles that have been won? Are we fighting for international right or are we just partying? You decide. PRIDE, STOCKHOLM

OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY

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HIV/AIDS ADVANCES

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TSENG KWONG CHI, KEITH HARING IN SUBWAY CAR, (NEW YORK), CIRCA 1983

STREET KEITH HARING WAS AN ICONIC POP AND STREET ARTIST WHOSE IMAGES DEFINED A GENERATION IN THE NEW YORK OF THE 1980S. 078

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PHOTO © MUNA TSENG DANCE PROJECTS, INC. ART © KEITH HARING FOUNDATION

FEATURE

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A L L H A R I N G W O R K S Â© K E I T H H A R I N G F O U N D AT I O N / C O L L E C T I O N N O I R M O N TA RT P R O D U C T I O N , PA R I S

FEATURE

eith Haring, who died in 1990 aged just 31, was one of the most iconic pop artists of all time, whose vibrant and instantly recognisable street images addressed a variety of political topics, in particular homosexuality and the AIDS crisis in 1980s New York. A major exhibition of his work is showing at Tate Liverpool until 10 November. Go to tate.org.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: CRACK DOWN! 1986, UNTITLED 1980, UNTITLED 1983, IGNORANCE = FEAR 1989, SAFE SEX! 1987, UNTITLED 1983

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FOR YOUR PET’S LIFE Why get pet insurance? Pet insurance allows you to protect yourself from unexpected veterinary bills, which can run into thousands of pounds. Dog insurance also provides third-party claims for damage to another person’s property, or if your pet causes personal injury in any way. How much does pet insurance cost? Costs vary depending on the cover level and type of policy. Premiums are calculated based on your pet’s age, breed, your postcode area and any claims history. Premiums may be more expensive if your pet is a pedigree or an older animal. As a general rule, cheaper policies often have lower levels of cover in the event of a claim. What should I be aware of? The variety and complexity of different policies can be confusing. So it’s important to carefully compare policies you are considering for their level of cover and, before purchasing, read the terms and conditions to check it meets your needs. What types of cover are available? There are different types of cover available. Generally, the cheaper the policy, the less cover it will provide in the event of a claim. • Time-limited policies cover the cost of each illness or injury for a maximum of 12 months from the start of the illness or injury and tend to have a limit to the amount that can be claimed per condition. • Maximum benefit policies have a limit to the amount of money that can be claimed for each illness or injury your pet may suffer. • Lifetime cover policies provide a financial limit for all new accidents and illnesses as long as the policy is renewed every year. These policies feature two types of limit – total annual cover and per condition. What is covered by pet insurance? Pet insurance policies give owners peace of mind when it comes to unexpected veterinary bills. As well as covering for accidents and illnesses, they may also include cover if your pet goes missing or you take your pet overseas. What isn’t covered? The purpose of pet insurance is to cover the unpredictable, so most policies don’t cover any pre-existing illnesses or injuries. Preventive treatments, such as vaccinations, neutering and nail clipping are all considered part of the routine cost of owning a pet, so aren’t covered either. Nor is any pregnancy-related treatment.

What should I look for in a Pet Insurance policy? Look out for a policy’s Defaqto rating – a higherstar rating (out of five) means the policy has scored better for its features and benefits. Fivestar-rated Defaqto policies, including some of PDSA’s pet insurance policies, are some of the most comprehensive on the market, meaning greater cover for pets and their owners in the event of an accident or illness. Go to: pdsa.org.uk/petinsurance

PAUL MANKTELOW IS PRINCIPAL OF VET SERVICES AT THE PEOPLE’S DISPENSARY FOR SICK ANIMALS (PDSA), AS WELL AS A FAMILIAR FACE ON OUR TV SCREENS AS THIS MORNING’S RESIDENT VET. PRIDE LIFE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM TO TALK ABOUT HIS WORK WITH THE PDSA You have been Principal of Vet Services at PDSA for over five years now. What does that position involve? A big part of my job is to oversee the vital veterinary service in 15 Pet Hospitals across the south of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. My teams treat thousands of sick and injured pets every day so that definitely keeps us busy! The other part of my job is to make sure PDSA is sustainable so that we can help more pets and people in the future. When and under what circumstances was the PDSA founded? During World War I, a social worker named Maria Dickin saw the suffering of animals in the streets of London’s East End. Pets in pain with broken limbs, others raw with mange were suffering on the streets through no fault of their own. Maria was moved into action and PDSA was founded in a Whitechapel basement. From there the charity quickly grew and we now have 48 Pet Hospitals across the UK.

What makes the PDSA so special and different from other animal charities? As well as helping pets, we also help their owners. Anyone’s circumstances can suddenly change for the worse – getting made redundant or suffering a life-changing illness. We are there to support people including pensioners whose pet is their only companion in life. You can’t underestimate the importance of pets in people’s lives and we help to protect that special bond. How important is the welfare of our animals and pets? Pets give us so much in terms of love and companionship so it is important that we do everything we can to ensure they live long and happy lives. I believe that looking after your pet’s health and welfare is the most important aspect of pet ownership. On a personal level what has given you the most satisfaction in your work with animals and work with the PDSA (and also as being the TV vet on This Morning)? My job has been incredibly rewarding and I’ve had some great experiences speaking at events and presenting on TV and radio. I still think, however, that one of the most rewarding things about my job is when I can successfully treat a pet in an emergency situation. Saying “I’ve got this” to a worried owner and being able to reunite them with their pet later that day all fixed up and ready to go home. That’s one of the best feelings in the world.

“Pet insurance policies give owners peace of mind when it comes to unexpected veterinary bills” How can our readers help the PDSA? We don’t receive any government funding, so all help is gratefully received – our services cost over £60 million a year to provide. There are loads of ways to get involved, from volunteering in our shops, donating a few pounds each month, buying a pet insurance policy from us or leaving us a gift in your will. All support, no matter how big or small, will help sick and injured pets get the treatment they need and deserve.

Why is the PDSA so important and what does the PDSA do to help and care for pets? We provide a vital lifeline to some of the most vulnerable pets in society when they have nowhere else to turn. Pets are part of the family and, by making sure they get the treatment they need, we can keep those families together. Over the past 100 years, our vets and nurses have cared for more than 20 million pets. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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SPONSORED FEATURE

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FEATURE

GAYS ON FILM THE VERY FIRST LGBT+ FILM WAS SHOWN EXACTLY 100 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR. XAV JUDD LOOKS AT HOW THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REPRESENTED IN A CENTURY OF CELLULOID

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“Marlon Brando, James Dean and Montgomery Clift were all schooled in the Method ”

ince its inception in the 1890s, the seductive wonder of cinema has had the capacity to thrill us, engender tears and instil laughter. However, perhaps it wasn’t until exactly one century ago in 1919 when German production Anders als die Andern (Different from the Others) hit the silver screen that our community had something we could truly identify with. This tragic romance is regarded to be the first pro-gay movie. To mark this landmark, we examine how homosexual men have been portrayed on celluloid since that that time mainly in the British and US film industries. Anders als die Andern was important because the sympathetic story centres on Paul Körner (Conrad Veidt), a virtuoso pianist who gets involved with Kurt Sivers (Fritz Schulz), a spirited younger man he’d been giving music lessons to. Unfortunately, their happiness becomes doomed when they’re blackmailed. When considered in social context, the fact this monochrome gem presented LGBT-relations in a positive light was iconoclastic, as homosexuality was outlawed in Germany at the time (as it was in most of the Western world up until at least the late-1960s); and, actually, Magnus Hirschfeld, the famous sexologist and gay and transgender rights advocate, (partly) produced this movie as a riposte to Paragraph 175 – the 1871-enacted provision that had made nonheterosexual acts illegal in Germany. There had been a few earlier depictions of

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homosexuality on celluloid before this feature was released, but these were always stereotypical. For instance, in 1907, French pioneer Georges Méliès made L’Éclipse du Soleil en Pleine Lune (The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon) in which the two celestial bodies are represented by male actors’ faces. Well, when the impish star moves right behind an effete-looking moon, the latter seems to be really enjoying himself. Across the Atlantic in Hollywood, which produced its first movie in 1910, in Algie, the Miner (1912), the titular lead is an effeminate, flowery individual who minces around for comic effect. Such negative characterisations were also evident in The Soilers (1923) and A Wanderer of the West (1927), where a “sissy” archetype is a foil to the supposedly more masculine gun-toting cowboys in the picture. When Al Jolson uttered the immortal line “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet” in The Jazz Singer (1927), the earliest feature-length film to use sound, it ushered in a new era: Tinseltown gradually moved away from silent pictures to talkies. Nonetheless, there was no shift in the portrayal of non-heterosexuals as clichés, apart from the fact that we now had campy accents such as in actor Benny Rubin’s performance in the musical-comedy Sunny Skies (1930). Eventually, these stock gay personas were also given a degree of danger so as to be in tune with an industry that desired more shock-value subject matter – e.g. increased numbers of @ pridelife

depictions of violence and prostitution – in order to offset falling audience numbers during the Great Depression. One example of this desire to cause a stir was in The Sign of the Cross (1932), where it is implied that emperor Nero has a slave boy who is also his lover. However, such disparaging enactments of “queerness” in early-1930s Hollywood were not without a touch of irony. Firstly, since openly gay actor William Haines was a top-five box-office star from 1928 to 1932. Secondly, as the initial four years of the 30s witnessed the Pansy Craze. This was a period in American history when homosexual subculture went mainstream due to Prohibition; this 1920-1933 nationwide alcohol ban resulted in bars and clubs in many cities (Chicago, New York, San Francisco, amongst others) eager to maximise profits from selling illicit booze, adopting a laissez-faire attitude in respect of their clientele. Thus, a new bohemia emerged as a previously underground LGBT+ community mingled with straight people for the first time in various entertainment venues, and because some of these establishments hired drag queens (“pansy performers”) – Ray Bourbon, Bruz Fletcher and Gene Malin were the most notable. The Pansymania trend ended in 1933 to a degree due to the repeal of Prohibition which meant a lot of speakeasies closed, but also as a more authoritarian morality had been sweeping across the US. It was a Zeitgeist that put paid to the film career of Haines - in 1933 he was sacked

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FEATURE

MUST–SEE LGBT+ MOVIES Moonlight – 2016 Director: Barry Jenkins The coming–of–age drama outlines three stages in the life of Afro–American Chiron Harris. At first, as a kid growing up in a rough neighbourhood in Miami; as an adolescent, unsure about his sexual orientation; and finally to Atlanta and a rendezvous with an old flame. Another Country – 1984 Director: Marek Kanievska In a public school in the 1930s, two outsiders try and cope with the rigours and regimentation of daily life. Guy Bennett (Rupert Everett), excoriated for his homosexuality, wonders about his place in a repressive, culturally and socially hierarchical UK, while Tommy Judd (Colin Firth) is another scourge of the anachronistic British elite, a Marxist.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: ALGIE THE MINER; ANDERS ALS DIE ANDERN; CABARET; THE LEATHER BOYS; ROCK HUDSON; DOG DAY AFTERNOON; A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE; VICTIM

by MGM for not renouncing his sexuality - and ushered in a set of tenets that effectively disallowed the depiction of homosexual characters on the silver screen The stringent restrictions of the Motion Picture Code (the Hays Code), which although created in 1930 weren’t enforced until four years later, had come about because many had seen the aforesaid upturn of brutality and lewdness in late-1920s and early-1930s cinema as depraved. Indeed, a sanctimonious church had threated to organise boycotts of certain features deemed unsuitable, and some branches of government had considered censoring or banning them. To stave off either of these eventualities, the major studios initiated the new rules as a form of selfregulation. As a result, scenes of childbirth, miscegenation and sexual perversion etc, could not be shown. Non-heterosexuality was regarded to be in the latter category, so any trace of our community was either buried so deep in subtext you’d practically need a PhD in semiotics to figure it out, or totally expunged. Indeed, in Dashiell Hammett’s book The Maltese Falcon (1930), it couldn’t be written more explicitly that one of the bad guys, Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre), isn’t straight, as he is referred to as “the fairy” and “queer”; but not to fall foul of the censors, although still effeminate, in John Huston’s 1941-directed film version, the non-heterosexual traits of the character as played by Peter Lorre are smothered in subtext – for

example, his handkerchiefs are fragranced with gardenias. Such bowdlerisation of the source material reached even greater heights in relation to Charles R. Jackson’s novel, The Lost Weekend (1944) - the gay persona was completely whitewashed. In the book, it’s suggested that the protagonist, Don Birnam (Ray Milland), is an alcoholic, closet homosexual haunted by a same-sex liaison at college; yet all references to problems with his orientation were entirely edited out of Billy Wilder’s 1945 movie. A new breed of matinee idol blazed a trail across the cinematic landscape of 1950s America. The impossibly handsome Marlon Brando, James Dean and Montgomery Clift were all schooled in the Method, so gave raw, nuanced performances in which they weren’t afraid to show their vulnerability. All were at least bisexual, and conceivably their orientation partly informed their choices of roles. Each of them starred in features where there was a strong homosexual subtext: A Streetcar Named Desire (1951); Rebel Without a Cause (1955); and Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) respectively. This final picture was based on Tennessee Williams’ 1958 play of the same name, in which the lead character’s cousin, Sebastian, is a voracious queer who procures young men. The film’s scriptwriter, Gore Vidal, wanted to portray this as explicitly as he could but was forced to water down the intended narrative. Indeed, in the documentary The Celluloid Closet (1995), he laments: “I have never seen such a time SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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Bent – 1997 Director: Sean Mathias Max (Clive Owen) is a promiscuous non– heterosexual who’s forced to flee 1930s Berlin. Eventually sent to Dachau concentration camp, initially he denies he’s “bent”. Then he falls in love with an openly–gay prisoner, Horst (Lothaire Bluteau), and gradually manages to take pride in his own sexual identity.

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Boys Don’t Cry – 1999 Director: Kimberly Peirce Hilary Swank plays Brandon Teena, a Nebraskan trans man who starts dating Lana Tisdel (Chloë Sevigny), who is unconcerned when she finds out about his true sexual identity. However, a couple of her buddies, ex–cons John and Tom think differently. Dog Day Afternoon – 1975 Director: Sidney Lumet Based on a true story, Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) holds up a New York bank to get the money for his partner to have a sex change, and ends up holding the staff hostage. Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother) – 1999 Director: Pedro Almodóvar When Manuela’s (Cecilia Roth) son dies in a car accident she heads from Madrid to Barcelona to track down his father, a transvestite called Lola (Toni Cantó) who never knew he existed.

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My Own Private Idaho – 1991 Director: Gus Van Sant Mike (River Phoenix) and Scott (Keanu Reeves) are gay hustlers who go on a journey of self–discovery in search for Mike’s mother. Philadelphia – 1993 Director: Jonathan Demme Tom Hanks is a senior lawyer who conceals his homosexuality and the fact he’s living with AIDS. When he’s sacked from his job he sues for wrongful dismissal. Pride – 2014 Director: Matthew Warchus Based on a true story, George MacKay plays a closeted twentysomething student who joins a London–based group of LGBT+ activists in their attempt to raise money for the striking miners in the 80s. Victim – 1961 Director: Basil Dearden Melville Farr (Dirk Bogarde) is an accomplished barrister tipped for promotion in 1960s London. Ostensibly happily married, he is a repressed homosexual and puts his relationship with his wife and career on the line to take on a gang blackmailing gay men.

in my life with censorship… You can’t say this. You can’t say that. By the time we started to cut it, it made no sense at all”. It’s no surprise that such prejudicial attitudes were still the prevailing ethos in 1950s America, as the opening years of the decade were the apogee of McCarthyism. Most people know this phenomenon as the hysterical witch hunt for suspected communists in government. Nevertheless, gay men were also targeted in a parallel campaign: The Lavender Scare. Firstly, because they were regarded as sexual perverts and viewed to be a social contagion; and also, because their orientation supposedly made them more susceptible to blackmail, therefore posing a security risk. Over 5,000 were fired from federal posts in this era, with countless others being imprisoned. In Hollywood, where many non-straight directors, writers and other industry individuals worked, this inquisition manifested itself in the Hollywood Blacklist - it prevented hundreds of alleged red sympathisers and LGBT+ movie professionals from being employed. At the beginning of the 1960s, some British films had started to challenge established gender norms in Hollywood by portraying LGBT+ individuals in a more true-to-life and sympathetic light. These productions were in the kitchen sink genre, so often tackled taboo subjects with the most essential motif being a new type of realism. British cinema was never subject to the Hays Code and so 1961’s Victim was the earliest English language feature to use the term homosexual. In A Taste of Honey (1961), one of the leads, Geoff (Murray Melvin), is a sensitive gay flatmate. The Leather Boys (1964) portrayed one of the eponymous adolescents as a hip queer biker with attitude. 088

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An influx of such international material was part of the reason the Hays Code became unenforceable (it ceased to exist in 1968), and it ultimately paved the way for the success of an even more sexually risqué kind of movie: Midnight Cowboy (1969). Set mainly in the seedy underbelly of New York, and in spite of it stretching convention by depicting hustler Joe Buck (John Voight) engaging in oral sex with another man, it still became the first LGBT+ flick to win the Best Picture Oscar. Although it was an American production, it had a (gay) English director, John Schlesinger, who had kitchen-sink sensibilities. His UK follow-up, Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), was also a milestone in that its nonheterosexual protagonist is drawn as a relatively accomplished and well-rounded doctor, Daniel Hirsh (Peter Finch). Both films were indicative of a Western world that was undergoing a seismic transformation - causing a commensurate change in Hollywood and Britain: films not only comment on society but are also a reflection of it. In the USA in the late-1960s to the early-1970s, there was an antiestablishment, often revolutionary, fervour in the air, best expressed by protests against the Vietnam War, and support for the black, women’s and LGBT+ movements - the Stonewall Riots happened in June 1969. Gay people began to appear more frequently in movies. However, in Some of My Best Friends Are... (1971) and The Boys in the Band (1970), which was the first mainstream US feature to revolve around non-straight individuals, gay people were portrayed as being intensely sad, bitter, or self-loathing. These were all traits the sexually conflicted titular figure in 1968’s The Sergeant (Rod Steiger) had, before killing himself (another trope in @ pridelife

La Cage aux Folles – 1978 Director: Édouard Molinaro Rip–roaring comedy as a flamboyant male couple – Renato (Ugo Tognazzi), the manager of a snazzy Saint–Tropez discothèque that’s below their apartment and Albin (Michel Serrault) – endeavour to keep their cohabitation and the drag venue hush–hush when Renato’s son pays a visit with his fiancée and her super–conservative parents. Brokeback Mountain – 2005 Director: Ang Lee Ranch hand Ennis (Heath Ledger) and rodeo cowboy Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) are hired to tend a sheep flock on Brokeback Mountain. An initial friendship develops into a (often tortured) clandestine, intermittent romance. Cabaret – 1972 Director: Bob Fosse Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) is a sassy American performer in the Kit Kat Klub, in the last days of Weimar Berlin. As the Nazis rise to power in what is a musical drama, she becomes involved in a love triangle with a pair of men: British writer Brian Roberts (Michael York) and wealthy hedonist baron Maximilian von Heune (Helmut Griem). Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom – 1975 Director: Pier Pasolini Based on the Marquis de Sade’s infamous novel, four unscrupulous, affluent libertines take 18 teenagers hostage.

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FEATURE My Beautiful Laundrette – 1985 Director: Stephen Frears In Thatcher’s Britain, Omar (Gordon Warnecke), a young Englishman of Pakistani origin, opens up a laundromat in South London, and then rekindles a romance with childhood friend, street punk Johnny (Daniel Day–Lewis). The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert –1994 Director: Stephan Elliott Road movie detailing the trials and tribulations and hopes and fears of drag queens Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce) and Tick/Mitzi (Hugo Weaving), and a transgender woman, Bernadette (Terence Stamp) as they travel the Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO; PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT; DALLAS BUYERS’ CLUB; BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY; PRIDE; MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE; BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Hollywood cinema is that a major homosexual character dies in the denouement, such as in 2009’s A Single Man and 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club). And if we didn’t commit suicide, we were homicidal maniacs – in Vanishing Point (1971) and Freebie and the Bean (1974), amongst others In the 1980s AIDS caused a moral panic in the West with HIV being blamed on the LGBT+ community which was demonised in the media. The understandably closeted actor Rock Hudson, one of Hollywood’s top three most bankable matinee idols between 1957 and 1964, was the first major celebrity to show symptoms of the disease in the mid-80s and he became the heavily pilloried face of the condition. In such a febrile environment, there arose a backlash against the LGBT+ community. With the possibility of being hit where it hurts by falling revenues, Hollywood largely quit any ambitions for a more inclusive cinema, and open season on gays began – savage slurs became ubiquitous. Case in point, in 1982’s An Officer and a Gentleman, Richard Gere plays a drop-out who wants to enlist in the navy. At his enrolment the Gunnery Sergeant (Louis Gossett, Jr.) cuts down his fresh batch of ungainly recruits: “You wanna f**k me up the arse… Are you a queer?” Here, the wannabe marines (and audience) are left in no uncertainty that being homosexual is the lowest of the low In a 1992 issue of Sight & Sound, scholar and critic B. Ruby Rich coined the expression “New Queer Cinema” to describe a movement of independent films made by LGBT+ directors at the start of that decade. The features in this category, such as Todd Haynes sci-fi horror Poison (1991). the coming-of-age Brit-flick Young Soul Rebels (1991), and Gregg Araki’s comedydrama The Living End (1992) shared certain

traits: the rejection of heteronormativity, and non-straight sex scenes and protagonists. Perhaps the apotheosis of this mini-genre was Gus van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho (1991), where River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves play male prostitutes - the fact that both stars were on the cusp of A-list status took the queer aesthetic to a much wider audience. Since then, a number of heavyweights playing multidimensional gay characters have appeared in movies tackling all manner of subjects surrounding non-heterosexuality. For instance, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall have a secret romance in Brokeback Mountain (2005); Tom Hanks in the AIDS tearjerker Philadelphia (1993); and Sean Penn is the eponymous activist in Milk (2008). The fact that these concluding two performances garnered Best Actor statuettes highlighted the growing acceptance of homosexual-themed material in Hollywood and therefore society at large. Fast forward to the last two or three years and this tendency has continued: there are more and more features with LGBT+ characters and subject matter. Indie-flick Moonlight (2016) became the first LGBT+–related movie to walk off with the Oscar for Best Picture in 2017; and Call Me by Your Name (2017), a romance between a couple of young JewishAmerican men, won Best Screenplay twelve months later. It may seem, then, that cinema with nonheterosexual content is more welcomed than ever, and undoubtedly our characterisation has dramatically progressed since Anders als die Andern was released. No longer are we the camp clichés of the initial third of the previous century; merely subtext or completely edited out as in the 1940s and 1950s; or either the solely SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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F**king Åmål (Show Me Love) – 1998 Director: Lukas Moodysson Two very different teenage schoolgirls reside in a small town that they both despise and find they have much more in common than they realise.

The Killing of Sister George – 1968 Director: Robert Aldrich George (Beryl Reid) is a thoughtless, controlling, often bitter actress, involved in a tetchy, long–term relationship with a much younger woman, Childie (Susannah York). Chun gwong cha sit (Happy Together) – 1997 Director: Wong Kar–wai Hong Kong couple Ho (Leslie Cheung) and Lai (Tony Leung Chiu–wai) travel to Argentina yearning to reinvigorate their relationship. Faustrecht der Freiheit (Fox and His Friends) – 1975 Director Rainer Fassbinder Working–class Franz Bieberkopf (Fassbinder) wins 500,000 marks in a lottery and jumps into a relationship with Eugen (Peter Chatel) who proceeds to strip him of his new–found wealth.

rancorous and desperate, or victims and murderers of the 60s and 70s. Today, in the film industry of the West, we are better-rounded, more multi-dimensional figures than ever – in some cases, whereby our sexuality is not even important in the context of the narrative. Yet, there are various caveats. For example, in the increasingly authoritarian China, which is the second biggest film market in the world by box office receipts, it’s forbidden to depict malemale sex relations on celluloid. Hence, Call Me by Your Name and Moonlight were banned outright, and the recent Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) was subjected to extensive cuts. And finally, when is a bona fide top ten male A-lister going to come out? If William Haines could do it in a much more repressive age, surely it’s about time…

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Helping LGBT Couples Create

FAMILIES KING’S FERTILITY OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES AND PEOPLE TRANSITIONING GENDER TO START THEIR OWN FAMILIES

DR IPPOKRATIS SARRIS

ince civil partnerships came to be in 2005, the number of same-sex couples looking to conceive has rocketed. In a landmark year, 2012 saw two-mum families increase by more than a third. By 2017 there were nearly 100,000 same-sex UK families. Through assisted reproductive technologies that number continues to multiply. Heterosexual couples seek the support of fertility experts because natural avenues haven’t worked, usually due to medical reasons. For LGBT couples though the need to engage with a fertility expert, more often than not, is unrelated to an infertility problem, and therefore should not be treated as “patients” in the conventional sense. Conception itself is largely about assisting to create opportunities in the correct circumstance. Same-sex couples might be tempted to bypass what can be a lengthy and uncertain fertility process and opt to accomplish pregnancy at home. Using unofficial sperm donors and surrogates can cause later problems around the issue of legal parenthood, genetic abnormalities and STIs. By using a regulated fertility clinic, not only is there a rigorous donor-screening process, parenthood is protected by a tight legal framework. For same-sex couples, and many heterosexual couples for that matter, who want to conceive, fertility options include sperm donation, egg donation, intrauterine insemination, IVF and surrogacy. Those considering a donor, sperm or egg, can opt for a known donor or an unknown donor. But before taking the decision, expert guidance is essential. This should support and advise

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couples, so they are fully aware of the process, the merits and the facts around each avenue. When a person is transitioning gender, future fertility may not be at the forefront of one’s thoughts. Yet, it is important to consider options about preserving fertility and doing so at the right point of the journey. We are often called on to offer fertility advice to people who are transitioning: helping them to know how, when and where they can take appropriate steps. This includes pointing out services that are freely available through the NHS. More than other medical procedures, fertility treatment is a huge psychological undertaking. Unknowns, anxiety, stress – as difficult decisions are made, the process can easily put relationships to the test. What is vitally important in the process is an appreciation of the often-complex decisions involved.

“It is impossible to understate the importance of a strong, experienced and caring team to support and guide future parents through the journey to life”

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It is impossible to understate the importance of a strong, experienced and caring team to support and guide future parents through the journey to life. It can be physically and psychologically tough, but at King’s Fertility we are fortunate to have an experienced team who have forged professional partnerships with some of the world’s leading organisations to service the diverse needs of all. Not only were we one of the first clinics in the UK to assist single women to become pregnant using donor sperm, we were also among the first to complete a same-sex partner egg donation (when a woman in a same-sex relationship donates eggs to her partner, so she can carry the pregnancy). While the progress machine drives social awareness around changing family dynamics, academia continues to put paid to medical and psychological objections. Studies have found that children conceived with assisted reproductive technologies — regardless of whether they were genetically related to their parents — don’t differ in their levels of psychological adjustment. We are in an era where the stigmas are crumbling and perceptions are shifting. One way to ensure cultural barriers continue to break is to stay at the cutting edge of what’s possible in fertility, and to continue to normalise, embrace and encourage the creation of loving families regardless of sexuality, race, gender identity or religion. At King’s Fertility our mission is to ensure anyone, who dreams of becoming a parent, can. Dr Ippokratis Sarris is a Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and the Director of King’s Fertility Tel: 02039577950 Email: info@kingsfertility.co.uk Web: www.kingsfertility.co.uk King’s Fertility, First Floor, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, 16-20 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8BB

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FEATURE

WE CAN BE HEROES IT TAKES ALL SORTS OF PERSON TO BE AN LGBT+ HERO. TO COMMEMORATE 50 YEARS OF THE STONEWALL UPRISINGS, CARY GEE CHOOSES 50 OF HIS OWN LGBT+ HEROES

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DAVID BOWIE

JASON POLLOCK

MARSHA P. JOHNSON 1945-1992 Born Malcolm Michaels, drag queen Johnson was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front in the USA, and, together with fellow Stonewall “rioter” Silvia Rivera, co-founded gay and transvestite advocacy group STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries). The sound of the shot glass Johnson hurled into a mirror after New York’s Stonewall Inn had been torched “by the police”, while screaming, “I got my civil rights” reverberated around the world. A few years later Johnson was confronted by police officers who accused her of hustling. When they went to apprehend her, Johnson hit them with her handbag, which contained two bricks. Johnson continued her activism as a member of campaigning group ACT UP until her death in 1992, when her body was found floating in the Hudson River. Originally ruled a suicide due to Johnson’s increasingly volatile mental health, in 2012 fellow trans-activist Mariah Lopez succeeded in getting the NYPD to reinvestigate Johnson’s death as a possible homicide. (When George Segal’s Stonewall memorial was installed in Christopher Street Johnson commented) “How many people have died for these two little statues to be put in the park to recognise gay people? How many years does it take for people to see that we’re all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race?”

DAVID BOWIE 1947 - 2016 In 1974 Bowie, dressed as Ziggy Stardust, appeared on Top of the Pops to sing Starman. Wearing a skin-tight catsuit, his hair flame-red, Bowie draped his arm across guitarist Mick Ronson and stared longingly into his eyes. This simple gesture was a watershed moment for many of the 14m viewers, who had grown up grappling 092

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with their sexuality. Throughout his career this snaggle-toothed freak didn’t just make it OK to be different, he made it the coolest thing in the world. Two years earlier Bowie had come out as gay in an interview with Melody Maker, later recanting – “I’m bisexual” - before finally admitting he was a “closet heterosexual” all along. Typically, Bowie had come out in the exact opposite order to everyone else. “I’m an instant star. Just add water and stir.”

civil rights movement. As a young gay and black man Baldwin once entered a bar knowing he would be refused service. He responded by throwing a glass of water into the face of the waitress who barred his entry. Baldwin’s novel If Beale Street Could Talk was turned into an Academy Award-winning film in 2018. “One of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.”

DENIS LEMON 1945- 1994

JASON POLLOCK 1947-2011

As editor of Gay News (1972 -1982) Lemon became the first person in Britain to be convicted of “blasphemous libel” in more than 50 years when he published James Kirkup’s poem The Love that Dares to Speak its Name. Enraged self-appointed moral guardian Mary Whitehouse pursued the case all the way to the Old Bailey, inadvertently turning Lemon into an international celebrity. Despite esteemed barrister John Mortimer appearing for the defence, Lemon was fined £500, and sentenced to nine months in prison (suspended, and subsequently quashed on appeal). The trial exacted a heavy toll on Lemon’s physical and mental health and he all but retired from public view before dying from an AIDS-related illness. “The message and intention of the poem was to celebrate the absolute universality of God ’s love.”

Former head of entertainment and features at TV-AM, in 1999 Jason directed the successful Mardi Gras LGBT+ festival for four successful years in London’s Finsbury Park before founding the Pride London charity and successfully negotiating for the rights for the Pride Parade to march down Oxford Street. He was later chairman of Pride Life magazine, and before his untimely death he was also campaign director of The Big Lunch. “We do still need Prides. They are a vital social platform for our community and are often the first step in our coming out process. They are fun and exciting but also still make a clear and unequivocal political statement.”

JAMES BALDWIN 1924-1987 Activist, playwright and novelist Baldwin’s explicitly homoerotic novel Giovanni’s Room (1956) is rightly regarded as a gay classic. Baldwin was not just a hero of the gay liberation movement but a prominent campaigner in the @ pridelife

RANDY SHILTS 1951-1994 As national correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle, Shilts, the first openly gay reporter with a gay beat in the American mainstream press, devoted himself to covering the unfolding story of AIDS, which would later claim his life. His biography of Harvey Milk, The Mayor of Castro Street, broke new ground but it was his follow-up And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic

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FEATURE that turned Shilts into a literary superstar. The TV film adaptation starred Richard Gere, Angelica Houston, Ian McKellen, Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin and won Shilts an Emmy. Shilts himself is the subject of a new biography, The Journalist of Castro Street. “The epidemic was only news when it was not killing homosexuals.”

ANDREW MOFFATT MBE Moffatt is a headmaster and creator of No Outsiders, a campaign which aims to teach primary school-aged children about LGBT+ acceptance, relationships and equality. Moffatt has been in the news recently for refusing to stand down in the face of furious demonstrations by parents, who have withdrawn 600 pupils from Birmingham’s Parkfield Community School amid accusations that Moffat is using cartoon books including Red Rockets and Rainbow Jelly to promote homosexuality. Moffat was previously one of just three UK teachers to be nominated for a global World’s Best Teacher Award. “We want all children to know that their family is normal, their family is accepted and welcomed in schools.”

CLEVE JONES 1954 Long-time LGBT+ (and AIDS) rights activist Jones, a mentoree of Harvey Milk, conceived the Names Project AIDS memorial quilt, which at 54 tons is recognised as the world’s largest community art work. In the early days of the epidemic Jones co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, one of the largest and most effective AIDS advocacy organisations in the world and was instrumental in campaigning for anti-viral drugs to be made more widely available to HIV patients in the US. Jones has been portrayed by actors Emile Hirsch (in Milk) and Guy Pearce in the network television adaptation of Jones’ memoir When We Rise. “Activism saved my life.” JIMMY SOMERVILLE

JIMMY SOMERVILLE 1961Unlike many of his pop contemporaries Somerville never hid his homosexuality. Bronski Beat’s first single Smalltown Boy and the accompanying video dealing with loneliness, bullying and the societal and familial rejection caused by homophobia remains a classic. On Why? Somervilles’s searing vocal directly address the pervading anti-gay prejudice of the times. Both singles were taken from the album Age of Consent, the inner sleeve of which listed the different ages of consent for gay sex around the world, information deleted from the US release. Bronski Beat attracted more opprobrium after headlining the Pits and Perverts gig to raise money for striking miners, an event featured in the film Pride. Two years later Somerville (with Communards band mate the Reverend Richard Coles) scored the biggest hit of 1986 with their HiNRG version of Don’t Leave me this Way. “Gay politics always came first for me.”

PETE SHELLEY (1955-2018) Singer, songwriter and guitarist with seminal punk band the Buzzcocks, Peter McNeish (who named his stage persona after poet Percy Bysshe Shelley) was as fluid, malleable and waspish as the music he made. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have) remains a glorious paean to forbidden love, but it wasn’t until his biggest solo hit Homosapien that Shelley really addressed his bisexuality. The song was banned by the BBC for its explicit references to gay sex. “Personal politics are part of the human condition, so what could be more political than human relationships?”

EDDIE IZZARD 1962Comedian, actor, writer, political activist and marathon runner Izzard is also the UK’s most visible transsexual. Izzard who has previously described himself as both a “straight

transvestite” and a “male lesbian” claims that he knew he was transgendered from the age of four. “Being trans is a genetic gift.”

LEO ABSE 2017-2008 Ten years after the Wolfenden report recommended a liberalisation of laws criminalising homosexuality Labour MP Leo Abse, with support from Conservative Lord Arran whose gay brother had committed suicide one year earlier, promoted a bill to decriminalise homosexuality. The Sexual Offences Act received royal assent in 1967, decriminalising certain behaviour in private. The bill stipulated a higher age of consent (21) then for heterosexual acts and which applied only in England and Wales. It did not apply to the merchant navy or the armed forces and contained an “in private’” clause that differed to heterosexual couples. Nonetheless, it partially decriminalised homosexuality for the first time. “Several homosexual MPs ostentatiously voted against me. They were bachelors, they were vulnerable, they were afraid, and you could see it in their eyes.”

HARVEY MILK 1930-78 In 1977 Harvey Bernard Milk was elected to the San Franciscan Board of Supervisors, making him the first openly gay elected official in California. After just eleven months in post, Milk and Mayor George Moscone were gunned down by fellow supervisor Dan White. White received seven years in prison for manslaughter, reduced on appeal to five. In 1993 White committed suicide. Milk became an icon in San Francisco, where several sites in the city are named after him. In 2009 President Obama posthumously awarded Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contribution to LGBT+ rights stating, “Milk fought discrimination with visionary courage and conviction.” “If a bullet should ever enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.”

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From signing the first Federal Hate Crime Law, to defending the rights of LGBT+ people fleeing prosecution around the world, appointing a string of LGBT+ officials and ambassadors, to outlawing discrimination in healthcare against patients with HIV / AIDS, Obama is one of the most powerful allies the LGBT+ community has ever had. Obama didn’t just overturn the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military, he named openly gay Eric Fanning as Secretary (Head) of the Army. Obama designated the Stonewall Inn in New York a national monument, praised Ellen de Generes for her courage to come out as he awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and instructed his Attorney General to argue that equal marriage is a constitutional right. To celebrate the Supreme Court’s ruling on equal marriage Obama illuminated the White House in rainbow lights. “I am painfully aware of the history of what happens when people are treated differently under the law… LGBT rights are human rights.”

MELISSA ETHERIDGE 1961 Singer, songwriter and maker of cannabisinfused wine Melissa Lou Etheridge came out publicly in 1993 and has remained on the frontline of gay activism ever since. Etheridge cancelled dates in Colorado to promote her hit album Yes I Am, in protest at the state’s passing of anti-gay Amendment 2, and in response to California’s passing of Proposition 8, banning gay marriage, Etheridge announced she would no longer pay her state taxes. She has played herself in an episode of Ellen. “Gay people are born every day. You will never legislate that away.”

QUENTIN CRISP 1908-1999 Born Dennis Pratt, Crisp became an accidental hero and a “stately homo” when his memoir The Naked Civil Servant was televised in 1977. Starring John Hurt as Crisp the adaptation turned both men into stars overnight. Crisp’s one man show, which recalled the shock his effeminate appearance and bohemian lifestyle had on postwar London, toured the world and led to a number of film and television roles, notably as Queen Elizabeth I in Sally Potter’s Orlando. But

Crisp’s ambivalence about his later success was matched by the ambivalence many in the LGBT+ movement felt toward Crisp himself. Disparaging comments about gay liberation and the death of Princess Diana left many out and proud gay men cold. But for his visibility, courage and endurance alone Crisp remains a hero to many. “The only thing in my life I have wanted and didn’t get was to be a woman. It will be my life’s biggest regret.”

LADY GAGA 1986Since scoring her first mega-smash with Just Dance, and then coming out as bisexual during a network TV interview, Academy Award-winning Lady Gaga has become one of the LGBT+ community’s fiercest advocates. Before her Superbowl appearance in 2017 Gaga insisted her performance would not be political. Then she added, “The only statements I’ll be making are the ones I’ve been consistently making throughout my career. I believe in a passion for inclusion, I believe in the spirit of equality. My appearance will uphold these philosophies.” Established in 2012, Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, with its mission to” create a kinder and braver world”, has helped thousands of LGBT+ children and teens struggling with their identity through a series of anti-homophobic bullying and mental health initiatives.

TOM ROBINSON 1950Newspaper headlines such as Britain’s Number One Gay in Love with Girl Biker, which greeted the news that Tom Robinson had fallen in love with a woman, should in no way detract from the seminal influence of Glad to be Gay. Released in 1978, the song, with its continually evolving verses, remains an anthem for the LGBT+ community and was recently performed by the Pink Singers at the 20th anniversary commemoration of the bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub in London’s Soho. Robinson reprised the song on his 1996 album Having it Both Ways, including the lines, “Well, if gay liberation means freedom for all/ A label is no liberation at all/ I’m here and I’m queer and I do what I do/ I’m not going to wear a straitjacket for you.” “I’m a gay man who happens to be in love with a woman.”

CHRIS SMITH 1951Speaking at a rally against a proposed ban on gay employees by Rugby town council, Smith began his speech with the words, “Good afternoon, I’m Chris Smith, I’m the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and I’m gay.” It was 1984 and Smith had just become the first openly gay sitting MP in UK history. He received a standing ovation. In 1997 Smith became the first openly gay cabinet minister and in 2005 the first MP to acknowledge he was HIV-positive. After retiring from frontline politics Smith was created a life peer, and in 2015 was appointed Master of his old alma mater, Pembroke College. Smith continues to serve as patron of a number of HIV charities. “Coming out [in the House of Common] was quite lonely. It was another nine or ten years before anyone else did.”

CHER 1945It’s not just the drag, her appearances in Will and Grace or her performance as a lesbian in Silkwood, but the admirable way in which Cher overcame her initial feelings of “guilt, fear and pain” after daughter Chastity came out, first as a lesbian and later as a transsexual man. As the proud mother of son Chaz, Cher, who had long ago earned herself iconic status among LGBT+ people, emerged as the one of the world’s foremost role models for parents of LGBT+ children. In 1997 she delivered the keynote address to the national Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) convention. “The longer I look good, the better gay men feel!”

TONY BLAIR 1953Love him or loathe him, Tony Blair improved life for LGBT+ people, while changing public attitudes towards them, in ways that were unimaginable just a few years earlier. Blair kept his promise (in the face of hysterical opposition) to repeal the totemic and hated Section 28, which banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools, created civil partnerships, without which there would probably be no equal marriage, overcame cabinet opposition to allow gays to adopt, ended the ban of LGBT+ people serving in the military, introduced the Gender Recognition Act and legislated against hate

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crimes. In 2000 Blair even invoked the rarely used Parliament Act (for just the fourth time since the end of the first world war) to equalise the age of consent for gay sex. “The work we did in this area [LGBT+ rights] is one of the things of which I am most proud.”

BOY GEORGE 1961Like Bowie before him, a single, startling appearance on Top of the Pops in 1982 catapulted George O’ Dowd into the national consciousness, where he has remained ever since. Culture Club went on to become one the biggest bands in the world, and George the planet’s most famous homosexual, loved by gays, grannies and little girls worldwide. Except, astonishingly, the grannies and little girls didn’t seem to get that George was gay! Although initially coy about his sexuality it all came out in the wash, or at least in his best-selling autobiography Take it Like a Man, which revealed his tortuous love affair with bandmate Jon Moss. Whether as singer, songwriter, producer, DJ, designer, author, style icon, activist or jailbird, George does everything in his own inimitable way. And for that we should all remain grateful. “I am militantly gay.”

coming out as a strong advocate for equal marriage, both personally and as a matter of policy and law. Her husband, while president, had signed the Marriage Defense Act barring equal marriage, and introduced the infamous “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding serving LGBT+ military personnel. But Hilary deserves her place, if only for proving that people really can change. On meeting a drag queen who planned to dress as Clinton in a Pride march Clinton shot back; “Be sure to shake a lot of hands!”

GAVIN NEWSOM 1967In 2004 San Franciscan Mayor Newsom gained worldwide attention when he directed his county clerk to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples, in violation of current state laws. Marriages that had taken place were annulled by the Supreme Court of California, but Newsom’s actions are widely credited with hastening samesex marriage in the US. California’s LGBT+ community repaid Newsom’s bravery by voting for him overwhelmingly when he successfully ran for Governor in 2018. (On gay marriage) “This door is now wide open. It’s going to happen whether you like it or not.”

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ELIZABETH TAYLOR 1932-2011

Clinton may not have won the presidency, but she won LGBT+ hearts by becoming the first First Lady to march in New York’s Pride parade as far back as 2000. She marched again just two weeks after the Orlando gay nightclub massacre. As Secretary of State she condemned Russia’s treatment of LGBT+ people and in 2011 delivered a game-changing speech in Geneva which positioned Obama’s administration as a global defender of LGBT+ rights before (belatedly)

Screen legend Taylor was the first major star to campaign for HIV and AIDS awareness. While the world remained gripped by fear and paralysis Taylor leveraged her celebrity to raise not just awareness, but money - lots of it - to fight AIDS. As early as 1985 Taylor, frustrated by what she saw as a lack of urgency, founded the National AIDS Research Foundation, which later merged with the putative AIDS Foundation to become the American Foundation for AIDS Research SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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(AMFAR). While AMFAR focussed on medical research Taylor launched the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation (1991) to raise awareness and provide support services for people with HIV / AIDS, paying all overhead costs herself. Taylor testified three times before the US Senate in support of the Ryan White Care Act, which demanded state funding for AIDS patients and families unable to cover their own medical bills, and persuaded Ronald Reagan to publicly acknowledge AIDS for the first time in a speech in 1987. She later chastised Presidents Bush and Clinton for not doing enough to tackle the disease, saying of Bush, “I’m not sure he even knows how to spell AIDS.” For her work in fighting AIDS and its impact across the globe, Taylor was awarded a Legion of Honour award, the Presidential Citizens Award, the Screen Actors Lifetime Achievement Award for Humanitarian Service, and the GLAAD Vanguard award. Her estate continues to donate 25% of her image royalties to the ETAF. “I’ve never felt richer than when I’ve scored a big cheque to fight AIDS.”

CRISTINE JORGENSEN 1926-1989 “Ex-GI becomes Blonde Beauty” was the headline in the New York Daily News, 1 December, 1952, after George Jorgensen, soldier son of a Bronx carpenter, returned to America having undergone gender reassignment surgery in Denmark. The newspaper incorrectly claimed she was the first person to undergo GRS: she was not but went on to become celebrated as America’s most famous male-female trans woman, using her platform to become a life-long advocate for the trans community. “The answer to the problem must not lie in sleeping pills and suicides that look like accidents.”

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PETER TATCHELL 1952Since arriving in Britain from his native Australia in 1971 Tatchell has played a central role in campaigning for LGBT+ equality in the UK and abroad. An early member of the Gay Liberation Front Tatchell helped to organise and marched in London’s first Pride in 1972. A leading member of radical direct-action group OutRage! Tatchell once interrupted then Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey’s Easter sermon to denounce the Archbishop’s opposition to LGBT+ equality. Tatchell has twice tried to perform a citizen’s arrest on former Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe (getting roughed up for his troubles) in response to Mugabe’s breaking of International Human Rights law and has himself been arrested well over a hundred times (and on virtually every continent) for his tireless campaigning on our behalf. Possibly the only man to pull off the seemingly impossible trick of offending Jews, Muslims, and Christians for different reasons at the same time, Tatchell really is a hero for the ages. “Don’t accept the world as it is. Dream of what the world could be - and then help make it happen.”

BILLIE JEAN KING 1943 Sporting great Billie Jean King’s legacy extends well beyond the perimeters of a tennis court. Not only did King found the Women’s Tennis Association (1974), the world’s premier and richest women’s professional sports organisation, she is a pioneer for gender, sexual and social justice off the court as well. In 1973 King defeated self-confessed “chauvinist pig” and former men’s world number one Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, a televised tennis match watched by a worldwide audience of 90m. King was forced to come out following a “galimony” lawsuit 096

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filed by her former girlfriend in 1981. After initially dismissing her ten-year affair as a mistake and remaining married to husband Larry for a further seven years - “I couldn’t find a closet deep enough” King set up home with her former doubles partner, now life partner of 38 years, Llana Kloss. In 2009 President Obama awarded King the Presidential Medal of Freedom for advocating the rights of women and the LGBT+ community. Something to display next to her 39 grand slam tennis trophies. “No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed ”.

STEPHEN FRY 1957Quite possibly the nation’s favourite homosexual, Fry has been a reassuring presence in our lives, and in our living rooms, for over thirty years. The comedian, actor, writer, presenter and tweeter is not afraid to put his head ahead the parapet, calling for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Russia in response to Putin’s oppression of LGBT+ people, and visiting Brazil, Russia and Uganda during the making of the documentary Stephen Fry : Out There, to highlight abuse of gay people across the globe. “[Daily Mail editor] Paul Dacre has done more to damage the Britain I love than any single person.” .

GARETH THOMAS 1974One of the few top-flight athletes to come out during his professional career, rugby player Thomas represented Wales 100 times, making him the second most capped player in the principality’s history. He came out as gay in 2009 and promptly topped the Pink List as the most influential gay in the UK. The same year Thomas @ pridelife

received Stonewall’s Hero of the Year award. He retired from professional rugby in 2011. “I don’t know if my life is going to be easier because I’m out, but if it helps someone else… then it will have been worth it.”

TOM DALEY 1994The youngest name on this list, Daley is a twotime Olympic diving medallist and five times Commonwealth champion. He came out at the age of 19, announcing on social media that he was now “in a relationship with a man”. The man in question, Dustin Lance Black, is no slouch himself, winning an Oscar for his screenplay Milk. The couple married in 2017 and became parents a year later. Daley has called on Commonwealth countries to repeal anti-gay laws. He is patron of LGBT+ charity Switchboard UK. “I always knew that I liked guys. I just thought it was normal to like guys, but then also appreciate girls’ attention too.”

IAN MCKELLEN 1939One of our foremost stage actors - he also does a nice line in screen wizards – Sir Ian McKellen came out publicly during a radio debate in 1988. The subject under discussion was the Conservative government’s proposed anti-gay Section 28. McKellen went on to become cofounder of LGBT+ lobby group Stonewall, as well as patron of London and Oxford Prides, LGBT+ History Month, the LGBT+ Foundation and the Albert Kennedy Trust. (see below). “Until I came out my acting was all about disguise. Thereafter it became about telling the truth.”

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FEATURE ELTON JOHN 1947Since Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in 1992 to support HIV prevention, education and support services to people living with HIV, the EJAF has raised over $400m to support projects in more than 50 countries. After Russia’s President Putin praised Elton John as an “extraordinary person and a distinguished musician “regardless of his sexuality”, John responded by offering to introduce Putin to Russians abused under legislation banning “homosexual propaganda”. His song Philadelphia Freedom is a tribute to fellow LGBT+ activist Billie Jean King. “I am the most well-known homosexual in the world.”

JÓHANNA SIGURÕARDÓTTIR 1942In 2009 Jóhanna Sigurõardóttir was elected Prime Minister in her native Iceland, making her the first openly gay elected world leader in history. She married her wife while in office, becoming part of one of the first same-sex married couples in Iceland. Since her election LGBT+ heads of government have been elected in Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland and Serbia. “My time will come.”

ELLEN DE GENERES 1958One of the world’s most popular entertainers, who just happens to be gay, De Generes came out in 1997 on the Oprah show. The same year, her titular character in the hit show Ellen came out to her therapist, played by Oprah Winfrey! Although De Generes claims her outing initially hurt her career - Ellen was cancelled by Disney who, it was claimed, were uncomfortable with her lesbianism - De Generes has more than made up for it since, hosting the Oscars, as well as her own eponymous chat show, all of which helped Ellen rank 15th on Forbes magazine’s 2018 list of the highest-paid entertainers in the world.

Despite this, Ellen still found time to fulfil her remit when Secretary of State Clinton named her a special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness. (Hosting the Emmys just a few weeks after the 9 /11 terror attack) “What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?”

PHYLL OPOKU–GYIMAH 1974Opoku-Gyimah is co-founder, trustee and executive director of UK Black Pride, Europe’s largest celebration for LGBTQI people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent. She also sits on the board of Justice for Gay Africans and is a trustee of Stonewall. Epitomising her organisation’s slogan Strength Through Unity Opoku - Gyimah very publicly declined an MBE in 2016. “LGBTQI people are still being persecuted, tortured, even killed across the world by laws put in place by the British Empire.”

JAYNE COUNTY 1947Stonewall rioter Jayne County (“I was so proud to be there”) is widely regarded as the first transgendered rock star. Most famous for her songs F**k Off (which featured Jools Holland’s first studio performance) and Are you Man Enough to be a Woman?, former Warhol muse County is credited with influencing artists including Bowie, the Ramones, Patti Smith and Pete Burns. Originally singer with Wayne County and the Electric Chairs she now fronts Jayne County and the Electric Queers after coming out (to no one’s great surprise) as transgendered in 1979. “Queer history is our history. Everyone’s. Take out all of the things in our society that gay people have contributed, and you would have one dull, boring world.”

MICHAEL CASHMAN 1950Co-founder of Stonewall, actor and politician Cashman shared the first gay kiss ever televised in Britain in an episode of EastEnders in 1987. It was a huge moment in British social and cultural history, and a huge personal risk for him. As a Labour MEP Cashman fought tirelessly against homophobia across Europe, taking part in Warsaw Pride and cutting up his Visa card in the European parliament in protest at the company sponsoring the Winter Olympics in Russia. A patron of HIV charity the Food Chain, and LGBT Labour, Lord Cashman of Limehouse was ennobled in 2014, and appointed the Labour Party’s special envoy on LGBT+ issues worldwide. “My sexuality didn’t need a description because for me it was the most natural thing in the world.”

WAHEED ALLI 1964Media executive Alli is also one of the world’s few openly-gay Muslim politicians. Appointed a life peer in 1998 (aged 34) Alli became the youngest and first openly gay person ever to sit in the House of Lords, where he has consistently used his position to fight for LGBT+ rights. “I have never been confused about my sexuality. I have been confused about the way I am treated because of it.”

TOM OF FINLAND 1920-1991 Touko Valio Laaksonen was a Finnish artist who achieved worldwide fame for his highly stylised homoerotic art, a major influence on late twentieth century male gay culture. Over four decades “Tom” produced more than 3,500 images. In September 2014 the Finnish postal service Itelli Posti, published a set of three first-class stamps featuring Laaksonen’s drawings. They quickly became the fastest and best-selling stamps in the service’s history. “I live in my jeans and on my drawings.”

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KASHA JACQUELINE NABAGSERA 1980Kasha is a Ugandan LGBT+ activist and founder of Freedom and Roam Uganda, one of Africa’s first dedicated LGBT+ rights organisations. In 2010 Ugandan newspaper Rolling Stone published Kasha’s name and photograph alongside that of her colleague David Kato under the headline “Hang Them”. The pair sued the newspaper. Following the trial Kato was murdered. Despite Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality bill which mandates that any citizen who fails to report gays and lesbians to the authorities will face up to three years in prison Kasha continues to fight for gay rights in Uganda. In 2011 she became the first LGBT+ rights campaigner to be awarded the Martin Ennais Award for Human Rights Defenders. She still lives in Uganda with her partner. “I may not live to see the freedom I am fighting for, but I am just happy to be part of the foundation for change.”

TAMMY BALDWIN 1962In 2012 Baldwin from Wisconsin became the first openly gay person to be elected to the Senate in US history. She was re-elected (for the second time) in 2018 by a landslide, leading a “Rainbow Wave” that saw record numbers of LGBT+ candidates elected to all levels of US government. Victors included the first ever gay Governor, Jared Polis. elected in Colorado, and Sharice Davids, who became not only the first lesbian Congresswoman from Kansas, but one of only two native American women elected to the House. During the election a Republican opponent of Davids referred to her as a “radical socialist kickboxing lesbian” who “should be sent back to the reservation”, proving that America still has some way to go in the fight KASHA JACQUELINE NABAGSERA

against homophobia and racism. “All my life the naysayers have told me that I can’t win because I’m a progressive... because I’m a woman...because I’m a lesbian.”

JULIAN CLARY 1959Self-confessed National Trinket, comic, writer and actor Clary has walked a tightrope between radical camp and light entertainment for more than 30 years without falling off, despite a major wobble in 1993. Appearing at the British Comedy Awards Clary compared the set to Hampstead Heath, before declaring that he had just been fisting then Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont. Outraged headline writers demanded, unsuccessfully, that Clary be banned from television. He has since become one of the nation’s best-loved entertainers. He lives in Noël Coward’s former house, next door to Paul O’ Grady. “There was no point being coy about it or pretending that I wasn’t gay. That was the substance of my whole act. If you took that away there’d be nothing left.”

BARBARA GITTINGS 1932-2007 One of America’s earliest LGBT+ advocates, Gittings’ activism began after meeting Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, founders of the first US lesbian political and civil rights movement, the Daughters of Billitis. In 1965 Gittings marched on the first gay picket lines outside the White House and the US State Department, protesting against a ban on homosexual employees. In the 1970s Gittings lobbied the American Psychiatric Association to unlist homosexuality as a mental illness and dedicated herself to tearing away the “shroud of invisibility” that obscured homosexuality and BARBARA GITTINGS

prevented LGBT+ people from fully engaging in public life. In later years she and her partner of 46 years, Kay Tobin, America’s first openly-lesbian photojournalist, lobbied to win a couple’s discounted health insurance policy, before coming out together in the newsletter published by the retirement home in which they lived. “As a teenager, I had to struggle alone to learn about myself and what it meant to be gay. Now for 48 years I’ve had the satisfaction of working with other gay people all across the country to get the bigots off our backs, to oil the closet door hinges, to change prejudiced hearts and minds, and to show that gay love is good for us and for the rest of the world too. It’s hard work - but it’s vital, and it’s gratifying, and it’s often fun!”

HANNAH WINTERBOURNE 1989Captain Hannah Winterbourne came out as a transgendered woman in 2013, becoming the highest ranked transsexual officer in the British Army. Sandhurst-educated, Winterbourne is the Army’s Transgender Representative with responsibility for advising senior Commanders on trans issues and patron of the charity Mermaids. She decided to transition while on a tour of Afghanistan. She is married to transsexual actor Jake Graf, with whom she lives in an Army Barracks. “I want to show people what it looks like to be trans and happy.”

CONCHITA WURST 1998Thomas Neuwirth (Conchita Wurst) is a singer and drag queen who identifies as a gay man. In 2014 Wurst’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, where he performed Rise Like a Phoenix dressed in a floor length ballgown and full beard, made him an international celebrity. Wurst’s selection to HANNAH WINTERBOURNE

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represent Austria in the annual camp-fest highlighted the divide between East and West on the issue of LGBT+ rights, attracting support and opprobrium in equal measure. Within four days of his selection 31,000 people “liked”’ an anti-Wurst page on Facebook. Despite this, Wurst romped to victory and has since become an outspoken defender of LGBT+ rights internationally, as well as a fixture on Pride stages the world over. Wurst’s victory speech is memorable for his thinly veiled criticism of countries, including Russia, which called his performance “blatant propaganda of homosexuality... and spiritual decay” and Armenia, whose own contestant described Wurst’s lifestyle as “not natural”. “We are unity and we are unstoppable.”

PIETER-DIRK UYS 1945 Probably the most famous living gay man in Africa, satirist, writer, social activist and drag star PieterDirk Uys is not just a hero of the LGBT+ movement in South Africa but, for four decades, was a hero of the anti-apartheid movement too. Both as himself, and drag alter-ego Evita Bezuidenhout, Uys built a career lampooning the racial policies of segregated South Africa. When not performing at his converted railway station in Darling, South Africa, and in theatres around the world, Uys is a tireless campaigner for AIDS/ HIV awareness and education. He is a director of the Desmond Tutu HIV foundation and in 2011 received a Special Teddy Award for his lifetime achievements in LGBT+ arts at the Berlin Film Festival. “When in doubt say ‘Darling’.”

SUE SANDERS 1947Co-chair of Schools Out, (established as the Gay Teachers’ Association in 1974), which aims to make schools and educational establishments safe spaces for LGBT+ students, staff and parents, in 2004 Sanders also founded LGBT history month. In 2011 Sanders launched The Classroom which supplies LGBT+-themed lesson plans to teachers in the UK and from around the world. Recipient of numerous awards for a lifetime’s campaigning for LGBT+ rights, Sanders has also advised the Metropolitan Police, the Department of Justice, and the National Union of Teachers on LGBT+ issues. Between these commitments Sanders also finds time to produce radio programmes, write poetry and direct plays. “Tackling hate crime starts in schools. We have to get our schools to take bullying seriously. To call it bullying is wrong because if it happened on the street it would be a crime - it would be hate crime with all the ramifications that hate crime has.”

CATH HALL AND THE AKT 1989 – Rebranded the AKT this year to mark its 30th anniversary, the Albert Kennedy Trust was established in 1989 by foster carer and straight ally Cath Hall. Its aim was to support young LGBT+ people who had been made homeless, often as a result of familial rejection, and to tackle the homophobia they faced at school and in society. The AKT’s mission is that “No young person should have to choose between a safe home and being who they are” and each year the Trust helps many thousands of the one in four homeless SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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young people who identify as LGBT+ through projects across the UK. Last year 88% of young people who contacted the AKT were placed in a safe home. The trust was named after a runaway from a children’s home who died, aged 16, after falling from a car park roof while being chased by a gang of attackers. (See feature in this issue.) “[Founding the trust was] an emotional response, an angry response to what was going on.”

STONEWALL 1989 Thirty years old this month, LGBT+ lobby group Stonewall has not existed without controversy. Its past refusal to take a stand on gay marriage; a failure to boycott the Dorchester hotel, location for the annual Stonewall gala, when hotel owner the Sultan of Brunei first proposed draconian anti-LGBT+ legislation in his country; and (until recently) a policy of non-engagement with the trans community (despite the role transsexuals played in the Stonewall riots) have all attracted criticism. And yet without intense lobbying by Stonewall over three decades it’s likely that many of the rights we now take for granted would never have been won. Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme now works with more than 650 employers including the armed forces, MI5 and the public sector to achieve equality for LGBT+ people at home, school and work. “We work to ensure that laws and rights essential for LGBT equality are created, maintained and defended, so that LGBT people have equal rights here and abroad.”

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QUEERING THE SPACE 100

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FEATURE

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: FIRST OUT CAFÉ (COURTESY MALCOLM COMLEY AND ROBERT KINCAID); PERFORMER TIM KENDALL IN FABULOUS FACADES (RAFAEL PEREIRA DO REGO); SOROYA MARCHELLA AT THE ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN (LEA L’ATTENTIVE); LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY CENTRE(CARPENTER ARCHIVES/ UCL); PUBLIC TOIILETS (RALPH DUNN); THAT RAY AT THE ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN (LEA L’ATTENTIVE); HELIX IV (PREM SAHIB); THE SCARCITY OF LIVERTY #2 (HANNAH QUINLAN & ROSIE HASTINGS)

n the last decade more than half of LGBT+ venues in London have closed down, from bars and clubs to coffee shops and community spaces. Queer Spaces: London 1980s – Today is a nostalgic and celebratory look back at the vibrancy of these places. The exhibition includes artwork, sculpture, photography and flyers celebrating the rich diversity of the capital’s queer culture. Queer Spaces: London 1980s – Today is at the Whitechapel Gallery until 25 August, 77 – 82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 9QX. Go to whitechapelgallery.org SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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Here with Pride We are what we do

Participating in Pride is something we really value at NatWest. It demonstrates to all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) colleagues and customers across the globe that they are welcomed and accepted for who they are.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nicholas Crapp, Chief Audit Executive, LGBT Exec Sponsor

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VA-VA-VOOM, VANCOUVER! XAV JUDD DISCOVERS A RICH CULTURAL HISTORY, BREATH-TAKING SCENERY AND A VIBRANT LGBT+ COMMUNITY IN WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REGULARLY VOTED ONE OF THE MOST LIVEABLE PLACES ON THE PLANET SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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PRIDE IN VANCOUVER

hat’s your idea of a dream vacation? Dramatic coastal scenery? An historic old town? Über-cool and eclectic nightlife? Or a mesmerising hilly wilderness that’s inhabited by fascinating fauna? It might be hard to imagine, but Vancouver - and nearby surroundings including the wonderful winter resort Whistler Blackcomb has got it all. That’s why a city that’s got the largest population (over 630, 000) in the Province of British Columbia is often rated as one of the planet’s most liveable places. Situated on Canada’s western shores, this seaport metropolis – the fourth biggest by tonnage in the Americas - backs onto the magnificent indigo of the Pacific Ocean. Originally, the region was home to First Nations people, yet they were relentlessly shoved aside when Europeans arrived at the end of the 18th century. As the area was plentiful in timber and gold was discovered thereabouts in the 1850s, a (British) settlement arose – it was eventually named Vancouver in 1886. However, in the same year, this new colony was well-nigh obliterated by a gigantic fire; only a few structures remained, one of which was the Hastings Mill (hastingsmillmuseum.ca). Now relocated to 1575 Alma Street and the oldest building in the city, this former wood saw factory has been converted into a stimulating museum. Run by First Nations peoples (who will probably recount Vancouver’s phoenix-like resurrection after the aforesaid disaster), expect to find inside a multitude of indigenous artefacts, pioneer-era relics, and even a vintage hansom cab. Another unmissable institution that informs you about this metropolis’ sometimes dark past is the

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AERIAL VIEW OF VANCOUVER Police Museum (240 East Cordova Street, vancouverpolicemuseum.ca). Situated amongst a smörgåsbord of charming Victorian architecture, swanky fashion shops and diverse clubs that constitute Gastown (the historic centre of the city), this establishment illustrates the 130-year development of the local constabulary. On display are 20,000 noteworthy objects including counterfeit currency, breathalysers, books and an array of confiscated weapons – some of which wouldn’t seem out of place in the most shocking horror movie. There’s also an original mortuary room within which there’s a suffocating sterility - the decomposing dead of yesteryear continue to cast a long shadow. Yet, maybe, the highlight is the True Crimes exhibition: in graphic detail, it points out the forensic methods employed to crack some of the vilest offences that were committed in these parts such as the Babes in the Woods and Milkshake Murders cases. One way to consider and thus easily navigate is the gay village, Davie Street (davievillage.ca) this metropolis is to see it as a mélange of thirty– a long drag full of happening stores, restaurants plus neighbourhoods. Each one is as distinct in and nightlife venues. And for an initial spot to character as Vito Corleone’s sons in Mario Puzo’s kick off an evening on this thoroughfare, you novel, The Godfather. Gastown has already been could do no worse than PumpJack Pub (1167 touched upon; but other milieus that are essential Davie St., pumpjackpub.com) – a large, casual stop-offs are: Downtown Vancouver, with its watering hole that primarily caters to leather financial district, bustling bars and food joints; men and bears. Inside there’s an industrial feel – and the West End, a commercial and residential visualise a ceiling with some metal piping. hub that’s dotted with golden sandy beaches. Up the road, Junction (1138 Davie St., Undoubtedly of key interest in this last locale junctionpub.com) is a drinker-cum-shindig with

“Canada is one of the most forward-thinking nations when it comes to gay rights”

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TRAVEL ordinary-looking darkish interiors. Its predominantly non-straight, twenty to fortysomething crowd get down to mainstream pop trash and also revel in other entertainments such as quizzes, open mic sessions and amateur strips (“D!ck Safari”). Yummy! And with hilarious drag shows and cabaret, you’ll know your number’s not up in this so-named site (1042 Davie St., numbers.ca). Its deluge of young happy-go-lucky patrons can look forward to DJ sets seven times a week, and a range of specials with reduced alcohol prices. That’s not to forget the Fountainhead Pub (1025 Davie St., fthdpub.com). This friendly, upscale saloon has a sizeable street-level patio, video monitors and a pool table. Their grub is absolutely scrumptious – don’t miss the homemade shepherd’s pie and orange crème brûlée. And where else could one be up close and personal with a “Red Headed Slut”; taste a “Slippery Nipple”; or indulge a “Cocksucking Cowboy”– they are all types of shots! If you wanna be a star, the only place you need to concern yourself with is the most renowned club in town, the mixed nightspot Celebrities (1022 Davie St., celebritiesnightclub.com). Anticipate a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting display, and a roster of international disc jockeys. Sadly, Vancouver’s only lesbian bar, Lick, closed its doors back in 2006. Nevertheless, don’t despair, as of course gals are welcome in all the city’s LGBT+ establishments, and also because company Fly Girl Productions (flygirlproductions.com) organise many exciting events for the lesbian community. Canada is one of the most forward-thinking nations when it comes to gay rights. Indeed, this year is the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality (Criminal

Law Amendment Act); and same-sex marriages were legal in some provinces as early as 2003. Furthermore, eighteen months ago the country’s PM, Justin Trudeau, offered a formal apology in parliament for some of the grievous injustices our community has suffered in the past. In fact, the hunky politician has been a trailblazer in other ways, being the first head of government to take part in a Pride (in Toronto and Vancouver - vancouverpride.ca). And the weekly extravaganza (26 July - 4 August this year) in the latter metropolis really does justice to the idea of a glorious celebration. In 2018, over 650,000 people attended for the usual roster of dances, parties, readings, picnics, a Theatre Under the Stars performance and cinema screenings, among other things. The event finishes with the customary parade, where thousands turn up to watch a march from Robson and Thurlow Streets to the one-day waterfront-bash, the Sunset Beach Festival - a synchronised “queerfest” that’s got a variety of entertainments. And finally, you’d be as crazy as a sumo wrestler trying to enter the Tour de France if you came all the way to the other side of the world and didn’t drop by the holiday hideaway Whistler Blackcomb (whistler.com). Indeed, the approximately 1.5-hour drive there from Vancouver alone is practically worth the trip to Canada: blue-green waves foam onto rugged shorelines in front of tracts of temperate rainforest, and looming mountains are so monumental they appear to crowd out the sky. The actual resort village, which is at the foot of Whistler Mountain, is an enticing assemblage of hip hotels, bodacious boutiques and elegant eateries. Thus it attracts individuals from all over the planet – it’s as probable to be greeted with a hola or marhabaan as a cześć or konnichiwa. And

WAY TO GO GETTING THERE Air Canada (aircanada.com) flies from several major UK airports to Vancouver. TOURIST INFO tourismvancouver.com GAY INFO gayvan.com is a valuable source of information for our community. ACCOMMODATION The Burrard 1100 Burrard St, V6Z 1Y7 theburrard.com Sundial Boutique Hotel 4340 Sundial Crescent, Whistler V8E 1G5 sundialhotel.com

in respect of fun and enjoyment, reawaken the kid in you by zooming along on a zipline or snowmobile, racing the rapids white-water rafting, or carving out the ice with your snowboard or skis. Other amazing activities possible in this vicinity include bobsleigh, cycling (there’s a bike park), dog sledding, fishing, helicopter rides, hiking, tubing, the Scandinavian Spa (scandinave.com), and visiting any of the host of marvellous museums. As you can see, this adrenaline-junkie haven is like Vancouver itself, in that it is vibrant, multifaceted and offers something for everyone.

RAINBOW ROAD CROSSING IN CENTRAL VANCOUVER

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No one should feel that who they are is a barrier to who they want to be.

Law around the world nortonrosefulbright.com

Pride

SPONSORED FEATURE

IN THE WORKPLACE

FOR GLOBAL LAW FIRM NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT, CELEBRATING PRIDE ISN’T JUST A YEARLY EVENT, IT’S A PART OF THE FABRIC OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY DO influence people” are intergenerational circles which facilitate thought sharing in a round-table environment. LGBT+ employees can confidently and comfortably share their lived experiences.

1-1 CLINICS AND MENTAL WELL-BEING Whether you are in or out of the closet, being an LGBT+ professional can be tough. We maintain a dedicated LGBT+ staff support network which facilitates 1-1 clinics and co-ordinates with trained mental health first-aid officers versed in providing confidential support to individuals experiencing poor mental health.

fter the Summer Pride celebrations, we don’t just pack up the rainbow flags and clean-up the glitter, we show pride all year-round and LGBT+ inclusion remains at the forefront of our agenda. LGBT+ inclusion underpins successful organisations and we link our diversity initiatives relating to recruitment, promotion and retention of LGBT+ staff to organisational culture and staff engagement. We have a strong commitment to ensuring that our LGBT+ staff are motivated, included and feel valued. We acknowledge that LGBT+ people face unique challenges in the workplace and we’re keen to make sure that our LGBT+ staff have the skills to navigate their career with confidence and are given the tools they need to succeed. We do this in a number of ways.

MENTORING Sharing experiences is a powerful catalyst for personal and professional development. It helps LGBT+ colleagues overcome the challenges they may face in the workplace. Our monthly mentoring circles, on topics such as “The vanishing lesbians – how to tackle a lack of lesbian visibility”, “Working the floor - top tips on networking” and “How to be an ally and

“We have a strong commitment to ensuring that our LGBT+ staff are motivated, included and feel valued ” TRAINING Training is fundamental. We believe in supporting and training our LGBT+ allies so they are able to better understand the perspectives of their LGBT+ colleagues, friends and family. Our “ABC’s of LGBT+” module offers all staff the opportunity to explore terminology, language and the different elements of sexual orientation and gender identity. Our people managers are provided with bespoke tool-kits to ensure they are well equipped to have the confidence to support LGBT+ employees. It doesn’t stop there: we’re organising an LGBT+ focused day of motivational speakers to give LGBT+ staff the opportunity to learn top tips for career development.

Supporting the work of the Norton Rose Fulbright Pride network is a team of strong allies who advocate for inclusion. Our allies are not bystanders – anyone who joins our ally programme must sign up to a series of commitments to challenge homophobia or transphobia in the workplace.

EXTERNAL INITIATIVES Beyond our work internally, we regularly host external and client-facing events like our annual Pride and Christmas celebrations. These events exist not only to celebrate the successes of our Pride network and the wider LGBT+ community in the City, but also to show our support and fundraise for our charity partners, including Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT). We also support Diversity Role Models and are proud of our commitment to organisations like this and AKT, who support LGBT+ people and younger generations.

CONCLUSION For Norton Rose Fulbright, Pride is not just an annual event in the calendar but is something that LGBT+ people need to feel throughout the year in their workplaces if they are to have successful careers. We are committed to supporting all our LGBT+ staff in their day-today roles which means investing in personal development and career support so that no one feels that who they are is a barrier to who they want to be.

LGBT HISTORY MONTH Celebrating LGBT history month is important. We display bold, thought-provoking and informative boards showing the timeline of the LGBT+ civil rights movement up to the present day. SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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MilanO L ov e s You

w w w . m i tow n . i t

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Bravissimo,

Milano! THINK STYLE. THINK DESIGN. THINK CULTURE. THINK MILAN

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SPONSORED FEATURE

Corso Buenos Aires borders onto Porta Venezia, the city’s LGBT+ neighbourhood and the only one in Italy. Milan has always been a trailblazer in LGBT+ rights – in 2012 it was the first Italian city to register same-sex unions – and hosts three of the country’s biggest LGBT+ events. Film Festival Mix is Milan’s annual LGBT+ Movie festival which has been bringing the best of queer theatre to the Il Piccolo Theatre for over 30 years. The Lecite Visioni Theatre Festival describes itself as a celebration of true love, which cannot conceive of levels or barriers, and every year has a series of LGBT+-themed shows. Each year more than 250,000 people take part in the annual Pride parade and enjoy more than 70 events in the week leading up to Pride Day towards the end of June. The Parade ends in Porta Venezia, where the surrounding streets are transformed into Pride Square, a city “village” featuring the best LGBT+ parties and events, as well as entertainment on the main stage, and speeches from the city’s Rainbow Coalition.

PICTURES: ROBERTO CHIOVITTI FOR QMAGAZINE

taly’s second city is the country’s economic powerhouse, the capital of its fashion and design industry and home to the most welcoming, inclusive and LGBT+-friendly community on the peninsula. The geographic and historic centre of Milan is the Piazza del Duomo, dominated by its Gothic cathedral, the largest in Italy, whose breath-taking majesty took six centuries to construct. Wander down the streets radiating out from the cathedral and you’ll find worldfamous La Scala, arguably the best opera house in the world. La Scala’s season runs from December to July, and if you want to enjoy one of the not-to-be missed performances it’s best to book online well in advance, although some tickets are released on the day. Of all his residences in Italy it was here in Milan that Leonardo, the greatest polymath and lover of men who ever lived, stayed the longest, creating some of his finest works and leaving a lasting impression on the city’s historic and artistic legacy. Just a few steps from the cathedral, the Biblioteca Ambrosiana contains fascinating ancient volumes, etchings and drawings, including Leonardo’s Codex Atlanticus and Petrarch’s Virgil. Adjoining the Biblioteca is the Picture Gallery, boasting exquisite masterworks by Leonardo, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Raphael and Titian, amongst others. If your tastes are a little more contemporary, then the Museo Alfa Romeo in Arese, just outside Milan, is a must-see. Recently renovated, its six floors offer a huge and interactive celebration of the classic car which has always had a cult following both in Italy and abroad. The museum boasts an incredible number of legendary models on display. Of course, Milan is world-famous for its fashion, with all the major fashion houses such as Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabanna based here: it’s no wonder that the Milanese are some of the best-dressed people in Italy! Max your credit card at some of the high-class designer fashion stores in the Quadrilatero della Moda (or Fashion Square). For something more affordable, visit the Isola Quarter, an up-and coming area packed with quirky boutiques and interior design shops, or stroll along Corso Buenos Aires, one of the busiest streets in the city.

The parties carry on late into the night, with a fantastic choice of venues to suit every style and taste. Be absolutely fabulous at dance parties such as Vogue Ambition or La Boum or take a walk on the wild side at cruise clubs like Cox, the biggest men-only party in Italy. Or sip on a cocktail or aperitivo at stylish bars like Blanco, or make new friends and hang out with the hip and happening at the buzzing Lecco Milano. If you travel to Milan, consider one or more of the gay-oriented tours that Quiiky Tours (LGBT+ tour operator in Milan, parent company of Sonders&Beach Italy) has organised with the Milan Municipality: On Leonardo da Vinci’s footsteps; Leonardo da Vinci’s genius under a gay light and the Drama and Opera Queen itineraries. They range from Leonardo’s genius to the sublime Opera Queen, Maria Callas. (www. untoldhistorytour.com) Think Pride all year round. Think a warm LGBT+ welcome. Think Milan. With thanks to Sonders & Beach

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“Milan has always been a trailblazer in LGBT+ rights and hosts three of the country’s biggest LGBT+ events”

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81%

of our LGBT+ staff say they feel able to be themselves in the workplace (weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working hard to make that 100%)

92%

would feel confident challenging inappropriate behaviours or discrimination towards LGBT+ people in the workplace.

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FEATURE

MANGATASTIC M

anga is a visual narrative art form from Japan which has now become a global multi-billionindustry with devoted fans across the globe. With its evocative line drawings, it draws its readers in with an abundance of genres, from sports to love, and from vampires to sexual identity. Many manga strands, some aimed at young girls, deal with romantic relationships, especially between gay men. A major exhibition on manga is at the British Museum in London until 26 August. Go to: britishmuseum.org

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: METROPOLIS (OSAMU TEZUKA); THE POE FAMILY (HAGIO MOTO); GOLDEN KAMUY (SATORU NODA); MY BROTHER’S HUSBAND (GENGORAH TAGAME); CAPTAIN TSUBASA (YŌICHI TAKAHASHI)

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SPONSORED FEATURE

“RECOGNISING THE VALUE IN MY DIFFERENCES” BECKY’S LIFE WAS SPIRALLING OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL HOME GROUP OFFERED HELP. SHE EXPLAINS HOW AN ACT OF KINDNESS LED TO HER TURNING HER LIFE AROUND.

was 25-years-old, homeless, struggling with untreated PTSD, keeping my true sexuality firmly under wraps, and on the brink of suicide. My brother lived in a Home Group service and I was sneaking in at night for somewhere to stay. Colleagues caught me but, instead of punishing my brother, asked if I needed help. They housed me and supported my mental health and I started therapy and began putting my life back together. I left when I was well enough to live alone, but didn’t want to stop being involved. I signed up as a volunteer, visiting over 50 different

services to make recommendations. Then the apprenticeship came up. The role included studying towards a Level 2 Diploma and Home Group helped me apply, even paying for travel to the interview. It was an adjustment. I hadn’t worked full-time for four years, still had to manage my mental health and, at times, became overwhelmed. If I had worked for any other company I wouldn’t have got through that first year. I was offered the chance to study a Level 3 qualification and, last year, made my role permanent as an Assistant Involvement Advisor. I love my job. It has helped me to be proud in

so many ways. I’ve learned to love who I am and came out as bi, which led to me reverse-mentoring one of our Executive Directors. I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of being able to promote all of this to customers too, and inspire them to move forward in their own lives. Home Group has an amazing way of recognising the value in my differences. I wouldn’t be here now without these unbelievable opportunities.

To be placed 17th on an index that 445 other organisations entered is testament to the outstanding commitment, drive and effort that has been put in by colleagues across Home Group. Mark Henderson, CEO Home Group

After years of being in the closet, I feel safe and comfortable enough to come out as transgender. Miranda, Home Group colleague

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TRAVEL

Darker side of The

Paris IT MIGHT BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF LIGHT BUT XAV JUDD ENOYS A TRIP TO THE DELICIOUSLY DARK SIDE OF THE FRENCH CAPITAL

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hat an immense impression Paris made upon me,” enthused author Charles Dickens. “It is the most extraordinary place in the world!” It’s no surprise that he was so enthralled by the “City of Light”, as, with its grand cathedrals, leafy boulevards, chocolate-box pretty quads and cobbled medieval streets, it is picturesque beyond belief. However, as the French capital was founded way back in the 3rd century BC by the Gauls and witnessed the revolution where thousands had their heads gruesomely slashed off by the guillotine, it obviously has a darker side. Yet, even the gloomiest (or kookiest) locations and venues can often, to some degree, have a spellbinding wonder. Even though when we die and decompose the last thing you’d expect to find on a human being is a Mona Lisa smile, that shouldn’t stop you from visiting Père-Lachaise (16 rue du Repos, pere-lachaise.com/en). This cemetery, which is situated in the 20th arrondissement in eastern Paris, is just as mysterious as that iconic painting. It was established in 1804 by the newly-appointed French Emperor, Napoleon, who claimed, “Every citizen has the right to be buried regardless of race or religion.” At first, this mixture of an English park-cum-shrine remained relatively empty (it only had fourteen graves in its initial year), partly because Roman Catholics declined to be put six feet under here since the land had not been consecrated. Today, in what is still a functioning necropolis, over one million are interred including several prominent French men and women: artist Eugène Delacroix; cyclist Laurent Fignon; film director Georges Méliès; novelist Marcel Proust; philosopher Auguste Comte; and singer Edith Piaf. Yet, one doesn’t come to this hilly enclave just because it’s a deceased Who’s Who; despite there being many ordinary-looking plots on the site, a fair few of the celebrities’ tombs are simply majestic. Indeed, a plethora of elegant urns, enormous crosses and slate-green statues seem to vie for attention in this verdant haven; as imposing mausoleums savour their solemnity. As Père-Lachaise is about 44 hectares, it’s highly recommended to allocate at least two and a half hours to navigate what amounts to an über-still and silent living memorial (there are a couple of official tours- perelachaisecemetery. com). In fact, because this cobble stoned setting is actually rather higgledy-piggledy, while there, I only sought out three graves: those of the greatest composer of polonaises, the peerless genius that was Chopin; talented poet and rock star, Lizard King Jim Morrison (his final resting

place is a cornucopia of charming flowers left there by an endless gathering of Doors’ devotees); and wit extraordinaire, Oscar Wilde. The flamboyant Anglo-Irish playwright and critic’s tomb, which endearingly is also deified (smattered with lipstick left by fan’s kisses), is a mesmerising 1914 Art-Deco design by Jacob Epstein. Carved out of marble-like Hopton Wood stone, it features a splendid winged messenger that’s so ethereal one could imagine it carried the late scribe’s soul up to heaven. Another intriguing attraction in Paris that reminds us of our own mortality, is the Catacombs (1 avenue du Colonel Henri RolTanguy , catacombes.paris.fr/en). Towards the end of the 18th century, the city’s main cemeteries were either overcrowded or in a state of terminal decay, so a new site was required to store cadavers. Historically, a lot of quarrying had occurred below the metropolis, so it was decided by the powers that be to utilise the disused tunnels for this purpose. And one might believe a wannabe Hamlet would never tire of slinking around these eerie dank passages, as, instead of just practising soliloquies with poor Yorick’s skull, there are estimated to be six million other skulls here (and, naturally, the rest of the corresponding bones too). When I visited, it was the sort of thought-provoking experience I could never have predicted; one descended by steps until approximately 20 metres underground, and then traversed a slew of atmospheric stony channels in what is one of the largest ossuaries on the globe. At certain spots en route there were some memorable Latin or French inscriptions, one example being: “Arrête, c’est ici l’empire de la mort!” (Stop, this is the empire of death!). But, of course, the primary reason everybody was here was to see the skeletal remains. Initially, before this repository was opened to the public in 1809, they were just stacked up in a haphazard fashion, but Inspector Héricart de Thury rearranged them into walls. In fact, this unique pattern of craniums, femurs and bone fragments has got an entrancing beauty. All in all, I spent 40 minutes in subterrania (and covered roughly only 2km out of the300km total expanse), which appeared to be just the right amount of time as I’d started to feel a bit queasy – how

JIM MORRISON

long can one continue to literally look the Grim Reaper in the face? Paris is renowned for its multitude of chic brasseries and cafés. Indeed, bon vivants might go as gaga as a fox in a chicken coop if they were served with a bœuf bourguignon, tarte tatin or garlic and onion soup. However, as well as such tantalising aromas, in this municipality you can also unearth a smell that would wake up the dead. In the Musée des Égouts, aka the Sewer Museum (93 Quai d’Orsay) - currently under renovation yet set to reopen in the next few months. It’s actually located in a tiny section of the city’s 2,100km-long sanitation system, and has afforded people the opportunity of a tour since 1889. And what’s super-cool is that through realistic models and graphics, you can discover a fascinating part of the French capital’s history a lot of individuals will never know. For instance, the sewer network, which dates back to the 1300s, was modernised by Eugène Belgrandin the mid-nineteenth century – a principal aim was to eradicate the health risk caused by diseases such as cholera and typhoid. And when I was there, I also learnt about water treatment procedures and, most interestingly, the hardships of the ordinary workers who constructed the place. Nevertheless, what I didn’t envision was being

OSCAR WILDE

WAY TO GO GETTING THERE Eurostar (eurostar.com) has several daily trains from London (St Pancras International) to Paris (Gare du Nord). TOURISTINFO Paris tourism (en.parisinfo.com)

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“Even the gloomiest (or kookiest) locations and venues can have a spellbinding wonder” just above an operational sewer– I had to hold my nostrils and make sure I didn’t slip in, so as not to come back as the next toxic avenger. Lastly, forget about the red, white and blue of the French tricolour, if you turn up at the next venue the only shade you have to concern yourself with is claret – as in not losing it, if a pair of huge fangs sinks into your jugular. Of course, it has to be the planet’s only Vampire Museum (14 rue Jules David, artclips.free.fr/ musee_des_vampires/MuseeVampires1.html). On the outskirts of town, this privately-owned, one-room gallery– it’s run by the outlandish, self-proclaimed “vampirologist” Jacques Sirgent - is a creepfest of all things relating to the ultimate creature of the night. Items on display number antique prints, posters, books, masks, and Dracula toys. Two standout exhibits are an authentic 19th-century, anti-Nosferatu protection kit, and a cat that definitely isn’t going to meow (it’s mummified). And it’s fair to say, as with the other more morbid sights in this magnificent metropolis, this establishment has certainly got a lot of bite. SEWER MUSEUM

CATACOMBS

GAY PAREE As it’s one of the world’s most vibrant municipalities, it’s hardly surprising that the LGBT+ scene in Paris has got something for everyone. The vicinity probably closest to a gay village is le Marais. Spread across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements on the Right Bank of the Seine, it was previously an aristocratic district and so is peppered with quaint buildings. There’s not a better place to begin an evening out in the Marais than the bijou bar, Les Souffleurs (7 rue de la Verrerie)– think refined wooden panelling, black leather seats and an abundance of exquisite lighting. It’s populated by a young hipster crowd that relishes the DJ sets and a roster of eclectic performers who often do concerts or after shows. A couple of minutes’ walk away, and one establishment where there needs to be absolutely no excuse for the pun, is Café Cox (15 rue des Archives, cox.fr). Styled in a vivid scarlet and fast approaching its 25th anniversary, 20 to 40-year-old guys can’t get enough of this place’s outdoor terrace or deejays who bust all kinds of dance licks. As you might have guessed, Bear’s Den (6 rue des Lombards) is a jamboree for a more mature, hirsute, heavyset type. It’s a two-floored venue - the bopping area is in the basement where you can enjoy disco, funk and karaoke. Look out for the evening apéros, and the lively Sunday Tea Party. For girls who like gals the small watering hole La Champmeslé (4 rue Chabanais) is the hottest ticket in town. Run by the affable Josy, as well as the to-be-expected boozy shenanigans, at certain times they have cabaret, fortune-telling sessions, and tarot card-readings. Indeed, this spot even doubles up as a gallery – its walls are a splendid array of contemporary art. For those who really want to let it all hang out, a nightspot you won’t want to escape from is Freedj (35 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, freedj.fr) - the fact that this trendy, multi-level drinker-cum-club is always crammed to the rafters with a diverse horde is testament to that. Bathed in pink neon, there’s a bar and football table up top; below in the cellar is a boogie floor that pumps out commercial pop, hip hop, and RnB. Finally, nowhere’s better to end your night than at the shindig, RaiddBar (23 rue de Temple). The downstairs lounge is somewhat average; above, however, it’s a totally different story: strobes flash as house and electro music rock the joint; go-go dancers preen and prance around; and twenty to thirtysomethings realise it’s hard to keep their peckers in their pants when the showershowstrippers pop their packages out! Pride and the Parade The Parisian version of Pride, the Quinzaine des Fiertés (inter-lgbt.org), kicks off in June. Anticipate a fortnight-plus(14 to 30 June) of exciting and stimulating activities: exhibitions, sports’ get-togethers, readings, parties and debates. It culminates the Marche des Fiertés LGBT, when thousands of our community are filled with joie de vivre as they watch more than fifty floats, on a roughly three-hour march from Place de la Concorde to Place de la République.

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NEW YORK

STATE

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OF MIND FROM SHOW TUNES TO HARLEM JAZZ, AND FROM COCKTAILS TO CULTURE, MARK SIMMONDS TAKES A BITE OF THE BIG APPLE P I C T U R E : K AT E G L I C K S B E R G

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THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RGHT: BEMELMANS BAR; NEW YORK PRIDE (PICTURE WALTER WLODARCYZK); TOWNHOUSE OF NEW YORK; BETHESDA FOUNTAIN (PICTURE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY); SHEEP MEADOW CENTRAL PARK (CENTRAL ARK CONSERVANCY); SHRINE

ew York attracts ambitious people. They come here from all over the world to achieve something and are told to just get on with it. Your background is in the past and New Yorkers are interested in your future. This is the spirit of Live and Let Live. The spirit lives in Central Park every morning. New Yorkers of all ages and physical abilities are out exerting themselves in this man-made playground. As well as the muscled jocks running in investment bank T-shirts with motivational slogans you will find the elderly drag-artist on roller skates and the elderly gentleman limping with determination to overcome the effects of a stroke, every morning. If you wake-up early with jet lag a great way to start a visit to the city is a jog around the Jackie Kennedy Onassis reservoir at the centre of the Park. Raised above the surrounding streets the reservoir gives great views of the East and West Sides, Mid-Town and Harlem. In summer you can take a refreshing swim in the big pool at the north of the Park, one of many public open-air 120

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pools around the city. The Bethesda Fountain, Boating Lake and Bow Bridge are highlights of Central Park. They have been the locations of so many New York movies that you can’t help but feel like you’re on show there. Across the Bow Bridge to the north are The Rambles, the bosky Victorian cruising ground which is definitely worth checking out. Either side of the Park are great museums. On the west is the American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West & 79th St, amnh.org) which is a surprise. The Teddy Roosevelt wing facing Central Park is New York’s finest neoclassical building, built between the World Wars, when America, unlike Europe, had lots of money and had not yet embraced modernism. The statue outside and murals inside are fascinating: eloquent records of the racial arrogance of white Americans at that time. The natural history galleries are old-fashioned and exquisite. On the east side of the Park at the upper end of the 5th Avenue “Museum Mile” is the Museum of the City of New York (1220 5th Ave, mcny.org). It reveals the growth of New York in terms of @ pridelife

people, culture and built fabric. Next to the Museum of the City of New York is El Museo del Barrio (1230 5th Ave , elmuseo.org) which is dedicated to the Hispanic New Yorkers. This is the community of the majority of new immigrants to the city. They don’t feature much in the establishment but they do contribute a lot of hard work, good food, arts and music. The Museo del Barrio is at the border of Spanish Harlem, Manhattan’s poorest neighborhood and the Upper East Side, its richest one. Though the WASPs don’t retain the power they once did they still maintain their way of living on the Upper East Side. A great way to

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“Harlem is the most attractive and culturally rich area of the city, the centre of music and dancing and is a great place to walk around ” THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: TWO VIEWS OF THE RED ROOSTER (PICTURE KATE GLICKSBERG); A HARLEM STREET MOLLY FLORES

discover some of this world is to drop into Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel on 75th St for cocktails. Hand-painted murals, piano music, old school strong cocktails: expensive and worth every penny. Harlem is Manhattan north of Central Park from 110th to 150th streets. I think it’s the most attractive and culturally rich area of the city. It is the centre of music and dancing and is a great place to walk around: African-Americans have more “savoir-vivre” than other New Yorkers. In summer music is everywhere. 449 LA (449 Malcolm X Blvd) is the front-room of someone’s house, open to the street, where experienced jazz musicians go to jam. Check Hot-House magazine for times there. Shrine (2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, shrinenyc.com) is a centre for live music, particularly African, with a disco in the basement. Monday and Friday are the best nights. To see and be seen at the cocktail hour a good place in Harlem is The Red Rooster (redroosterharlem.com) at 310 Malcolm X Blvd and 126th St. For something intimate and gay,

including a Sunday drag brunch, The Honey Well (thehoneywellnyc.com) on 3604 Broadway, at Sugar Hill is charming. Sugar Hill, in West Harlem, has well preserved historic buildings including the home of Alexander Hamilton, the founding father of the US that the awardwinning musical was written about. Hamilton’s house is next to the gothic campus of City College of New York on the ridge of the hill. City College is an emblem of New York’s culture of personal advancement and provides low cost education for new immigrants and poor students. It includes many Nobel Prize winners among its alumni. Across Amsterdam Avenue from City College, Fumo (1600 Amsterdam Ave, fumorestaurant.com) is an excellent pizzeria and cocktail bar with a large gay clientele. If you’re looking for serious late-night drinks nearby try Uptown Bourbon at 3631 Broadway. For a fun no-attitude gay bar a bit further uptown they’ve opened a Boxers on 159th St.(boxersnyc.com) There is also great music beyond Harlem. The Townhouse of New York (townhouseny.com) at 236 East 58th St in Mid-Town is the best piano SUMMER OF PRIDE 2019

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bar in the world for Broadway showtunes. The clientele is gay gentlemen “of a certain age” plus some Broadway performers. Be sure to catch the pianist Rick Unterberg who plays after 10 pm. He is simply the best show pianist anywhere! For a younger vibe go to Brooklyn where young people move to when they come to New York. It has great nightlife. The Lot Radio (thelotradio.com) in Williamsburg Brooklyn is an outdoor lot with DJs that also transmits as a radio station: great in summer. For cool music also with an indoor-outdoor space Nowadays (nowadays.nyc) in Bushwick is the place to go. Brooklyn is the borough which has changed and gentrified the most. Don’t let that put you off. Almost everyone is new here and is looking to meet people and discover the city together. In New York don’t be afraid of strangers.

World Pride takes place throughout June in New York City. For more information go to: 2019-worldpride-stonewall50.nycpride.org

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