Seen Liverpool by Seen Liverpool Magazine

Seen

LIVERPOOL March/April 2013

NICEST KID IN TOWN Marcus Collins speaks to Seen

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE Mike Morgan

2046 Carat Cake

Tasty treat for the National Gay Wedding Show FREE 1

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CONTENTS

TEAM SEEN

INFO

Marcus Collins talks Hairspray

2046 Carat Cake

The next issue of Seen Liverpool will hit the streets on May 01. 2013

Gay Marriage – Are we there yet?

Editor Rebecca Keegan rebecca@seenliverpool.co.uk

Tribute to the late Mike Morgan

Style - Top of the Pop

Graphic Design Diane Tremarco - DT Media diane@dtmediaonline.com

REK Publications Limited Trading as Seen Liverpool Company reg no: 08371056

Rockin’ Red - Seen it Love it

DISCLAIMER

Leap festival begins

Writer/Photography Andy Green andy@seenliverpool.co.uk

Homotopia – Submissions open

Interview – Don’t stop me now

Column - Green’s Seen

Sense of Sound – 2013 plans

What’s On

Column – Film reviews

Heart and Soul Musical

Column – Stanley Street Quarter

Picture pages

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Sales & Marketing Julie Waller julie@seenliverpool.co.uk Stylist Dollworx Photography dollworxphotography@gmail.com Contributors Joan Burnett Andy Herring Kieran Bohan Cloud Downey Thanks to Matt Ford and Dave the Pap

Copy deadline for the edition is April 15

SEEN LIVERPOOL MAGAZINE is published by REK Publications Limited. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. Seen Liverpool Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of content published. Neither the publishers or advertisers will be held responsible for any errors found herein, and the publisher accepts no liability for the accuracy of the statements made by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials.

EDITOR

Welcome to the new look Seen LIVERPOOL. In this issue we catch up with city-born Marcus Collins, who will be home this April to star in stage hit, Hairspray. In our usual celebration of our city’s diversity, we speak to one of the artistic directors from Sense of Sound about their ground breaking work in promoting equality. Speaking of equality, our city hosted The National Gay Wedding show on March 3rd, proving that Liverpool is taking big steps in stamping out homophobia. We’ve once again teamed up with Dollworx Photography, who have styled and shot our stunning fashion pages. I’d like to take this opportunity to pay my personal condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mike Morgan who passed away in February. Mike was a wonderful addition to Liverpool and a true ambassador of our LGBT community. He will be missed. We’ve printed some of your tributes in this month’s magazine. All this as well as the latest news from Homotopia, Leap, what’s on, interviews, reviews, gorgeous imagery and so much more make Seen Liverpool not only beautiful to look at but also an essential read. If you have any feature ideas, upcoming events or general feedback, please let us know, we would love to hear from our readers. Here’s to 2013!

Rebecca

29 5

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Nicest Kid In Town! Marcus talks to Seen Liverpool

he past year has been quite a whirlwind for 24-year-old Marcus Collins; “It’s been so fantastic,” he tells Seen Liverpool. “I have done so much; I wrote and recorded a top ten album, toured the UK, performed in front of royalty and had a number one single with the X Factor Wishing on A Star song. “So much has happened and now to be tipping my hat to musical theatre is such a fantastic opportunity.” At the time of interview, Liverpool-born Marcus has just finished the opening show of the Hairspray tour; “It was so much fun,” he says, “I can’t wait to bring this to my home turf!” He says though that he has found learning to be a musical performer quite a challenge: “Singing, acting and dancing simultaneously is a new discipline which is taking some getting used to but I actually love a good challenge so I’m really enjoying myself.” Marcus will play Seaweed Stubbs, one of the coolest kids at Patterson Park High, son of DJ Motormouth Maybelle and love interest of Penny Pingleton. He joins previously announced Mark Benton as larger than life Edna Turnblad, Lucy Benjamin as scheming TV executive Velma Von Tussle and newcomer Freya Sutton as bighearted, big-haired teen heroine Tracy Turnblad. “As I said I can’t wait to bring the show to Liverpool. It also gives me a chance to catch up with my friends and family and of course more time to work on the new hair salon which I am opening in the city. “I always try to get out on the gay scene when I’m home too. A few of my friends run some bars so I get out and about as much as I can.” Marcus is a true ambassador for the city and is very passionate about his home town: “My favourite thing about the city is the patriotic nature that every scouser has running through their blood stream. I live and breath Liverpool and won’t hear a bad word about it. I have a Liver Building tattoo on my arm to remind me of home when I’m away. “Scousers make an effort, be it to dress, talk to someone in the street, help somebody out or even to make a joke. They go the extra mile and that is something unique to Liverpool – and something that makes me very proud.”

It’s 1962, the 50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – dancing. She wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, The Corny Collins Show and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetting hair-hopper like Tracy get her massively shy Mom out of the apartment, beat evil Amber to be crowned Miss Hairspray, integrate Corny’s show for good AND win the heart of local heartthrob Link Larkin, all without denting her super high ‘do’? If anyone can, Tracy can! The musical Hairspray opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London on October 2007, recouping its entire capitalisation in record-breaking time. The show received universal critical acclaim and smash hit business, eventually playing more than 1000 performances to well over 1 million people. At the 2008 Olivier Awards, Hairspray won Best Musical, as well as a further three awards from a record breaking eleven nominations. The show has also won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards, the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Choice Awards, the Critics’ Circle Awards and the Variety Club Showbiz Awards. It embarked on its first UK tour in 2010 playing to nearly ¾ million people in sold out houses across Britain. Further afield the show has played at venues around the world, including six years on Broadway, and won more than 40 major theatre awards. Hairspray will show at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from Monday April 22 to Saturday April 27. Tickets are available from £10. To book call 08448713071 or visit www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

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I can’t wait to bring the show to Liverpool. It also gives me a chance to catch up with my friends and family and of course more time to work on the new hair salon which I am opening in the city. 11

2046 CARAT CAKE!

orth more than £32.4 million, the cake is over one and half metres tall and covered in over 4000 diamonds equating to 2046 carats. The extravagant confectionary has been especially created for The National Gay Wedding Show which is set to hit the North West on March 3 when it will take place at the BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena in Liverpool. CAKE had the huge task of creating the cake, which had a grand total of 6 separate tiers. Tim & Jules Smith at CAKE in Chester said; “We jumped at the opportunity to create the world’s most expensive wedding cake. It stands at over a metre and a half tall and to cover it with diamonds will be the proverbial icing on the cake! We are looking forward to getting involved with The National Gay Wedding Show; it’s great that the show is taking place as a celebration of same sex marriage, especially with what has been going on in the news recently.” The National Gay Wedding Show, supported by Seen Liverpool is a celebration of marriage and is the ultimate wedding show for straight and same sex couples. It was set up to support equality throughout the wedding market; creating an experience for literally anyone getting married, whether they are from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LBGT) community or not. It is truly the wedding show for everyone. All of the exhibitors participating in the show openly support and welcome members of the LGBT community.

The show has 200 experts and exhibitors covering all aspects of the wedding market and includes bridal, groom, stationery, flowers, venues, jewellery, legal requirements and so much more. Brands showcasing include Malmaison, Double Tree by Hilton, BBH Legal Services, Enhance Clinics, Morecrofts Solicitors, Aintree

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The National Gay Wedding Show has teamed up with Russell & Case and CAKE in Chester to create the world’s most expensive wedding cake.

Racecourse and some familiar high street names such as John Lewis. The show sets out to be the most accessible and informative event of its kind, offering both straight and same sex couples a high profile event, promoting equality and acceptance within the wedding industry. The National Gay Wedding Show has also created its own equality campaign, ‘the Celebration of Weddings’, embracing people who want to cement their commitment to each other irrespective of who their chosen partner is. Welcoming everyone to the show – the event is full packed of advice, shopping and entertainment on stage – creating the perfect Wedding show for everyone whether straight or gay. Laura Davies, Marketing and Events Manager for the National Gay Wedding Show, said: “We wanted to do something huge for The National Gay Wedding Show, and this cake really is huge! To have the world’s most expensive wedding cake at the show is fantastic and we are delighted with how it has turned out. It adds some extravagant luxury to the National Gay Wedding Show and I’m sure our guests will be blown away by it!” Visitors to the National Gay Wedding Show on 3rd March 2013 can see the special cake for themselves as well as enjoy a sample taste. A more affordable replica will also be on show to order on the day. Tickets for the show are £12 on the door. The show is the biggest wedding event focusing on advice and support for same sex couples. For more information please visit the website at www.nationalgayweddingshow.com

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A solicitor’s knowledge and experience of the Probate Registry’s procedures saves the family and friends having to undertake complicated legal work at a distressing time. Once the Grant of Probate is obtained assets of the estate have to be collected and liabilities discharged. This can involve time consuming work dealing with a number of organisations. BBH Legal Services Ltd has a dedicated specialised department dealing with Wills and Probates. Your estate will be dealt with quickly with the least amount of inconvenience to your beneficiaries. Ensure experts are dealing with the Revenue at all times.

Proud supporters of the National Gay Wedding Show 2013

KEEP LIFE SIMPLE Make your affairs easy to manage and avoid unnecessary costs. Making a Will need not be complicated. We offer this service for every client and their partner whether married or not and for partners of the same sex. This service can help you safeguard the interests of your family, friends and dependants. It is important for both partners to make Wills because you might die together. In any event you should provide for what should happen when you both die. WHAT DOES MAKING A WILL INVOLVE? A legally drawn up Will is a written statement of your wishes. It enables you to make important decisions that affect your family and friends after your death. Decisions such as: • Who inherits your estate (i.e. everything you own)? – Your beneficiaries? • Who will act as guardians of your children? • Who carries out your wishes? – Your executors (and your executors may also act as your trustees if your Will creates a trust). • Why would you create a trust? • Which charities, if any, are to benefit from your estate? All of these issues can be incorporated in a Will. A properly drafted Will can spare your family and friends a lot of unnecessary work and upset at a time when they are least able to cope. It also reduces the possibility of making your Will invalid or contestable. You can alter your Will or cancel it at any time, but we will advise on charges at the relevant time. WHO WILL CARRY OUT MY WISHES WHEN I DIE? Executors are people who administer – or execute – your affairs and being an executor does not prevent the person from also being a beneficiary of your estate. Husbands and wives or partners can appoint each other as first executors and two (or more) additional executors such as adult sons and daughters or professional people to act as substitute executors in the event of both deaths. You should consider the appointment of your executors with care. The duties imposed by law on executors and trustees can be time consuming and can lead to personal liability. The partners of BBH are willing to act as executors of your estate, either solely or with a relative or trusted friend. Even when a Will appoints an executor, a Grant of Probate must generally be obtained from the Probate Registry. In addition, Capital Tax and Inland Revenue returns may need to be filed listing full details of assets. For these reasons executors

and trustees nearly always instruct a solicitor to deal with the administration of the estate. We have an experienced Probate Department staffed by skilled solicitors who deal with the administration of estates. Our costs are reasonable and are calculated on the basis of the amount of work involved, unlike the major banks who charge a percentage of the estate. Our costs can always be the subject of independent review and scrutiny by the Legal Services Ombudsman. INHERITANCE TAX Inheritance Tax or IHT as it is sometimes referred to is levied on a person’s estate when they die. We can offer effective Inheritance Tax advice, so that part of your estate is not lost in paying taxes. For more information, visit the Directgov website. LIVING WILLS This is the name given to a Will which does not deal with matters after a person’s death but seeks to control medical treatment before that person’s death. A Living Will may contain a statement or direction about that person’s future medical treatment when they are no longer able to communicate the circumstances in which they do not want medical treatment. In a Living Will you can set out what medical treatment you wish to refuse in what circumstances. However treatment to cause death cannot be directed. LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document in which you (the Donor) appoint someone (the Attorney) to make decisions on your behalf. A Lasting Power of Attorney allows your attorney(s) to make decisions on your behalf if you become mentally or indeed physically incapable of looking after your affairs. Note: A lasting Power of Attorney can only be used once it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. You cannot make a Lasting Power of Attorney once you have lost mental capacity. If a person has no Lasting Power of Attorney in place the Court of Protection may appoint a deputy to make decisions on behalf of such a person. The process involved in such circumstances can be more expensive and take longer to organise. Nobody can predict when they will become mentally or physically impaired and will need someone to look after their affairs. Such situations could be the result of an accident, illness or simply the ageing process. Whilst there is a cost involved in making and registering a Lasting Power of Attorney, by making one when you are in full control of your affairs saves a great deal of money and inconvenience in the long run. Contact BBH to set up and register your Lasting Power of Attorney For further information please contact Nicola Vaughan on FREEPHONE 0800 051 4218 or email: info@bbhlegal.co.uk

The Commons vote in favour of same-sex marriage on 5th February was a landmark for equality, but it’s not the end of the journey. Keiran Bohan gives a personal response to the marriage equality debate.

Are we there yet? F

ive years ago my partner and I had our first date. Little did we know that we would make the news in May 2012 as the first couple in the UK to register a civil partnership in a place of worship. Recently we found ourselves in the news again, commenting on plans to allow same-sex couples to marry and to permit churches to ‘opt in’ to offering marriage services for same-sex couples within two years. While some countries, like Canada and Spain, went straight for marriage equality, others like the UK and Ireland introduced something similar, but not quite, mainly due to some religious groups’ resistance to recognising heterosexual and same-sex couples in the same way. Civil Partnerships became law in the UK in 2005. The Government announced plans in 2011 to enable same-sex couples

to marry before the General Election in May 2015, but only civil and not religious marriages. Since then the pace of change has been surprisingly fast. In March 2011 the Government consulted on proposals to enable faith groups to host civil partnership registrations. In December 2011, new legislation enabled civil partnership registration on religious premises where religious organisations permit this, and the premises are licensed. The Schedule of Civil Partnership must be signed separately from any religious service in a room with no religious imagery. Religious organisations are not obliged to host civil partnership registrations if they do not wish to, but some faith groups, including the Quakers, Metropolitan Community Church, Liberal Jews, the United Reformed Church and Unitarians do. We had chosen Ullet Road Unitarian

Church for a blessing after our civil partnership at the register office in St George’s Hall. When the law changed, it became possible to register our partnership and have our blessing in the same place, if the church could get licensed in time. It was a close call - the minister did not receive the license until just days before our service! The Government launched another consultation in March 2012, on proposals to enable civil marriage for same-sex couples. The consultation received the biggest ever response, from more than 228,000 individuals and organisations. 53% agreed that all couples, regardless of gender, should be able to have a civil marriage. Some opponents argue that only a ‘vocal minority’ of gay people want to marry. But not all straight couples wish to marry, and that doesn’t mean none should. ▶

The consultation, published in December 2012, showed 99% of lesbian or gay people and 96% of trans people were in favour. But the Government’s recommendations went further, as the consultation showed that 63% agreed to making marriage ceremonies available to same-sex couples. The Anglican and Catholic Churches expressed concerns that they would be obliged to conduct same-sex marriages or risk legal challenge if they do not. But churches already reserve the right not to marry someone who is divorced, and there has been no legal challenge on this issue. In the consultation, 72% of Christians were in favour and other religious organisations asked to be allowed to solemnise samesex marriages.

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A battle was won last month, but the fight is not over. The debate continues this year as the bill proceeds through Parliament.

The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) Bill, published in January, will allow samesex civil marriage ceremonies, and for religious organisations to ‘opt in’, without obligation. It will remain unlawful for an individual place of worship to marry same-sex couples without the agreement of its governing body. For the Church of England, this means no minister could conduct a service until the Church’s governing body, the General Synod, accepts it, which is unlikely any time soon. Some also argue that gay people are more likely to have short-term relationships, or be promiscuous. This ignores the many couples who have been together for years and now seek the social and legal affirmation of marriage. Meanwhile straight people, whose relationships receive more universal support, are also promiscuous and unfaithful, and divorce rates are increasing. Some oppose ‘redefining’ marriage. But marriage is not a sacred, unchanging institution. The first Catholic marriage service was in the 12th century, and it did not take its present form until the 16th century. The Church of England was created in the 16th century by Henry VIII, who redefined marriage for political purposes.

Marrying someone from a different faith, race, or social class, was once actively discouraged (or even illegal) but is now more widely acceptable. The age of consent for a girl to marry a man was between 7 and 14 years old for centuries in English law. Another argument is based on traditional gender roles. I doubt most people want to return to the ‘golden age’ before women claimed equal rights. As the scientific understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity develops, so challenges to ‘traditional’ gender roles are likely to increase, and what is considered ‘unnatural’ will be redefined. Some argue that marriage requires openness to procreation. The logical conclusion would be only to allow a heterosexual couple to marry after fertility test for both partners and an agreement that both intend to have children. Would a registrar or minister refuse a couple who did not want children? Who could not conceive? Who were ‘too old’? It is unlikely they would go that far. Some claim traditional marriage is the best environment for children. Two supportive parents, one female, one male, are hugely beneficial to healthy child development, but not every heterosexual marriage is safe and stable, nor is any other family structure inadequate. Same-sex couples can only have children after careful consideration; there can be no ‘accidents’. It is now easier for lesbians and gay men to foster and adopt. Most children and young people’s organizations value same-sex couples. Research by the UK’s leading adoption and fostering association shows no negative effects for a child with a lesbian or gay parent. Stonewall’s survey ‘Different Families, Same Love’ revealed children with gay parents wouldn’t want to change their family but wish others were more accepting. Most people in civil partnerships, their supportive friends and family consider their commitment as marriage already. A cartoon on a greeting card we received shows two men driving away in a car displaying a sign saying ‘Just Civil Partnershipped’. It doesn’t have the same ‘ring’ to it. When I offered my partner a ring in a restaurant overlooking Sydney harbour, I didn’t ask him to ‘civil partnership’ me! Will we ‘upgrade’ to marriage when it becomes law? Probably. We have talked about doing something in Sydney, where Warren is from, when the law changes there. But in September 2012 a same-sex marriage bill was rejected by a majority in the Australian federal government, so we may have to wait a while. It will be interesting to see if progress in the

UK makes any difference to the former colony. We have also thought about doing something simple in London, where my parents live, as they were not well enough to travel to Liverpool last year. A battle was won last month, but the fight is not over. The debate continues this year as the bill proceeds through Parliament. Having received a majority of almost two-thirds of MPs in favour, it looks certain to become law, but there are more stages to go, and amendments may be made. You can register for updates on the UK Parliament website: http:// services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/ marriagesamesexcouplesbill.html We need to be part of the debate, and not sit idly by while those who think they know what’s best for us pass judgment on our lives and love. As a committed gay couple, we believe that legal protection and affirmation from our society and our faith community does not threaten anyone, except those who have other reasons to feel insecure. The ‘reasons’ of politicians and pastors against marriage equality deserve to be challenged by people like us whose lives expose their fear that their house of cards will fall. In the coming year I aim to respond to the debate around marriage equality as it develops. It is an idea whose time has come. The invitation, to us and others like us, is to seize the moment and call for equality. As the traditional marriage service says: ‘Speak now or forever hold your peace.’ Ullet Road Unitarian Church is the only religious organisation taking part in the National Gay Wedding Show in March – We will be there supporting them as they supported us.

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We need to be part of the debate, and not sit idly by while those who think they know what’s best for us pass judgment on our lives and love.

Tribute Superstar TO A

Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gay scene lost one of its biggest characters recently. Mike Morgan, manager of the Superstar Boudoir on Stanley Street died in February. Following the news of him passing away, the community has expressed their shock on social media. Pages have been created in his memory and a street party in his honour will take place in May on Stanley Street to coincide with his birthday. Here, friends, family and colleagues give their tributes to him;

r Chelsey MacDonald: “Mike made the gay scene. He was the heart and soul of Stanley Street and made me feel safe when in the Superstar.” Jenny Haydon: “Wow, where to start? Mike was an awesome guy and always had a smile on your face. He hade people fell welcome and safe ensuring the best night possible. We miss you man.” Radek Bober: “Mike Morgan, the Legacy. He was my hero, because it takes guts and charisma to be so vivid and alive... He still is. He organised my wedding day in Superstar Boudoir, he laughed, he cried, he smiled and he cuddled... He was there for so many people... Let’s give him the biggest street party ever!!! He deserves it! I love you and miss you my friend.” Gary Bond: “I have known and worked with Mike on numerous venues for 10 years. I was as shocked as anyone when I heard the news. “He was a larger than life character who had a wicked sense of humour and you just couldn’t beat him when winding each other up as he would come back with something in lightning speed. His garden gnomes, his dodgy dancing and his voice will be missed. His strapline for Superstar in Liverpool and in Southport says it all – ‘Just be nice to each other.’”

Joanne Kelly: “You would always hear Mike before you saw him. He was such a loving man who would do anything for anyone. Every time the girls went out for a night we would always go to see our Mike and sit with him outside the Boudoir until 6am chatting and eating chips which he ordered. “We are all going to miss our great friend. Darling Mike may you be dancing with the Angels having a great time.” Craig Smith AKA DYSNEY: “I have very fond memories of Mike. I remember my first time doing drag in Superstar around three years ago. Following my performance Mike informed me politely that my man hood was out (but as those who know Mike will know he didn’t word it so polite ha). I never lived it down and he always had to remind me. Mike was a massive loving character and looked after us all well. He used to wind me up something rotten outside the club about men I “fancied” - I’ll miss his wit and words and Superstar just won’t be the same without him. R.I.P Mike, lots of love” From the tribute page Mike Morgan was the heart and soul of Liverpool’s gay scene he was always there as a father figure to many and helped many a person in times of need. His prescence will be sorely missed gone but never to be forgotten R.I.P to the legend that is Mike Morgan forever in our hearts and souls XxX

Scott Cameron: “I first met Mike back in about the year 2000, at the time he was managing the Broadway Club. I remember the first time I met him he had such a loud, boisterous, infectious personality. Mike got to know that I was a “Bedroom DJ” trying to get myself the chance of a gig playing in a nightclub. He gave me the opportunity of playing in the Broadway without ever actually hearing me play. This then led on to further opportunities for me to DJ at bars and clubs Mike had connections to over the years. I personally think he secretly loved ‘Scouse House’ (the music of that time) although he’d never admit it! “I was shocked when I learned of Mike’s death and cannot believe he has gone he was the life and soul of the party and lived life to the full.” Tracey Cattell: “Mike made me believe in myself big time. He was always there with a hug and a cheeky smile. He will always have a special place in my heart.” Alan Langshaw “Mike was my first boss on the gay scene when the Boudoir first opened and ever sine, whenever I have been to the club I could always be guaranteed a hug and a kind hello. Often he would insist on buying me a bottle of my choice - the look on his face when I picked a bottle of wine was priceless.”

Helping you find the right direction At Morecrofts we help you find the right path no matter what direction life takes you in. For more information please call Jo-anne Lomax on

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Visit our stand at

the Wedding shoW 3rd March 2013

What does it really mean? The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. J Lomax of Morecrofts Solicitors tells Seen Liverpool the bottom line of the Same Sex Couples Bill

he “Gay Marriage Bill” as it’s known has not enjoyed and easy journey through Parliament and there continues to be calls from many Conservative MP’s to delay the legislation once again. It was however heartening to see the letter sent to the Telegraph on the 5th February 2013 by George Osborne, William Hague and Theresa May urging all of those Conservative MP’s intending to oppose the Bill to think again. The letter went on to say “Civil Partnerships for gay couples was a great step forward, but the question now is whether it is any longer acceptable to exclude people from marriage simply because they love someone of the same sex”. This is indeed a massive step forward and a fundamental recognition of the equal rights of same sex couples to marry and enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage. The vote that took place on the 5th February 2013 passed the Bill by 400 – 175 votes with many Conservative MP’s voting against the Bill or abstaining. But despite that, the overwhelming majority of MP’s voted in favour of the bill and it will hopefully now proceed through Parliament. There are a further two readings in the House of Commons then a reading in the House of Lords before the Bill becomes law and there seems to be some mumblings about there being some amendments to the bill. So it is unfortunately still unclear when we are likely to see the Bill passed into law, but it is on its

way and the vote on the 5th February is a very significant start. The current legal definition of marriage basically provides that only a man and a woman can enter into a marriage. It is quite settled in English Law that an individual who has a sex change is considered to be the sex assigned to him or her at birth and therefore is unable to enter into a same sex marriage even if they are no longer their original gender. I thought therefore that it might be useful to at least have a look at what the main provisions of the bill are going to be and how if, at all this differs from Civil Partnerships. The main aim of the Bill is to allow same sex couples to marry in a civil ceremony, in a register office or such other approved premises or on religious premises with religious ceremonies, for those religious organisations that choose to “opt in” to conduct same sex marriages. The Government have built into the Bill protection for any religious organisation, or individual minister of any religion that does not wish to conduct marriage ceremonies for same sex couples which in effect means that they cannot be forced to do so. The bills main provisions are as follows:• •

• • •

It enables same sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies. It ensures that those religious organisations that wish to do so can opt-in to conduct marriage ceremonies for same sex couples. It protects those religious organisations that do not wish to marry same sex couples from successful legal challenge. It enables civil partners to convert their partnership to marriage, if they wish; and It enables individuals to change their legal gender without having to end their marriage.

There will continue to be some differences in respect of the dissolution of a same sex marriage and a heterosexual marriage, for example in a same sex marriage there will be no option to pursue a divorce on the grounds of adultery unless it is with someone of the opposite sex as the legal definition of adultery is having a sexual relationship with a person of the opposite sex. The legislators drafting this bill could not find an appropriate definition of adultery within a same sex marriage so the ground for a divorce that will apply is the unreasonable behaviour of one of the parties to the marriage. Civil partnerships will continue to exist and be entered into and they are still legally binding and have similar rights as married couples but marriage brings additional rights in relation to inheritance, divorce, accession and many other areas where same sex couples have been discriminated against before. The issues surrounding pensions and the benefits available within pensions to the living spouse will apply equally to same sex couples as heterosexual couples upon marriage. It is also anticipated that in an effort to strengthen the institution of marriage the Government may consider additional tax benefits for married couples. There is also a strong desire by the Government to encourage families to adopt or foster many children who are languishing within the Care system and it is hoped that more same sex couples will consider this more carefully and marriage may be an incentive for them to do so. So despite the negativity and controversy surrounding this bill the Coalition Government seem to be determined to pass the legislation which will provide same sex couples with the basic fundamental right to marry and I for one could not be happier! Morecrofts are exhibiting at the National Gay Wedding Show on Sunday 3rd March at Liverpool’s BT Convention Centre so please come and say hello!

An indulgent feast

requested and the fishcake was perfect – not dry or overpowering as is a mistake often made.

Seen Liverpool visits the stunning Malmaison Hotel brasserie for a banquet of pure beauty.

If I could handle it, I would have paid a second visit to the chef’s table for some delicious looking sweet pastries and pancakes made fresh – but it was too much of a stretch.

The Mal Maison’s offering differs from anything else available in the city. It’s basically the Rolls Royce of Sunday Brunches. To start there is a ‘Mal Pick Me Up’ – a specially set up bar serving classic hangover cure cocktails – just in case. Blood Mary in hand (virgin for me) my companion and I were seated and our order was taken for lunch. I’ve always been a fan of Malmaison Sunday lunch (the gravy in particular is fantastic) but in true Mal style, they’ve put a twist on tradition. Classic roasts are available, but the vast menu offers something for any mood. Not only that, but they’ve clearly been sure to cater for the vegetarians out there with a wide range of fish and vegi based dishes. So main courses ordered,(salmon & cod fishcake

for me, steak and chips for my guest) we were pointed in the direction of a buffet table. Now the word buffet usually means one thing – stale egg sandwiches and supermarket bought sausage rolls. Not here though. If Carlsberg made buffets, they would have a job in competing with the Mal. Named ‘the chef’s table’ the buffet was extravagant. Fresh fish, salads, cheeses, breads, Parma ham straight off the bone, couscous, pastries and so much more made for an almost surreal offering. After being very careful not to fill my plate (not wanting to fill up on the starter) I enjoyed fresh prawns, squid, smoked salmon and spicy couscous. It’s great to have the novelty of deciding for yourself how much of a starter you can handle. Perfect for a party of people with varying appetites. As if by magic, after a second trip to the chef’s table for my over-indulging dining partner our main courses arrived.The steak was cooked exactly as

So, all you can eat now has a new offering in Liverpool in the shape of the seductive Malmaison Hotel. I highly recommend this treat for couples, families and groups of friends of any size. One tip I would give is – arrive hungry. This offering is something I didn’t realise was missing from the city until Mal introduced it. The Mal on Sunday menu is now available at £19.95 per person and £7.95 for children under 12. To book call 0151 229 5000. Review by Rebecca Keegan

“

If Carlsberg MADE buffets, they would have a job in competing with the Mal.

A place with her name on?

Foster Carers Needed Fostering through Liverpool City Council gives a local child a place where they feel safe, supported and cared for. All you need is a spare room and the time to make the most of a rewarding opportunity.

www.fosteringforliverpool.co.uk 26

0151 515 0000

OSP working in partnership with LCC

Make a

difference Liverpool City Council is responsible for over 800 babies, children and teenagers who are unable to live with their birth families for different reasons. The Council’s Foster Carers provide secure and stable environments for many but there is a great need for more in our community to come forward to become Foster Carers. Fostering is a professional and rewarding opportunity and the role of a Foster Carer isn’t always fully understood. We have asked those closest to the fostering task to talk about how fostering affects their lives and the positive impact that fostering can have on a vulnerable child. Sarah – The looked after child Sarah’s childhood has at times been traumatic, having to deal with the death of her mother at a very young age and later the death of her Nana who she was living with at the time. Sarah’s placement with an older foster carer of similar age to her Nana ensured stability. Sarah enjoyed the fact that she was treated like an adult and given responsibility, developing skills to enable her to look after herself in the future. She was encouraged and supported by her Foster Carer through her time at college to study childcare. Sarah’s main piece of advice to prospective foster carers is “every young person is different; you just need be patient with them.” John – Foster Carer “I’m 63 and have been fostering for 30 years. At the moment we’re looking after two children, a baby and another child. I never thought fostering would change my ethics; it has changed the way I think about life and about people. I just love helping children and giving them the tools to face life. Liverpool City Council supports us and I really took advantage of all the training. I feel that deciding to be a Foster Carer comes from the heart. The children can break your heart again and again, but the positives outweigh the negatives. When a little one just gives you a hug for nothing, it’s just amazing; it makes you a better person.”

Carers, ensuring all CRB and medical checks are up to date, but the primary task is to find places for children who come into care that day. Yes, days are generally hectic and require me to prioritise and work to tight deadlines. I know that everything I do has an impact on a young person.” How to get involved The main criteria to become a Foster Carer are to have the time to devote to a child and to have a spare room in your home. (Foster Carers also have to be over the age of 21). Being a Foster Carer can offer a huge sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. It’s not just opening your door but also showing stability and support to a child who needs it – being there for them. Liverpool City Council is seeking Foster Carers from all sections of the community, with or without children of their own. As a Foster Carer you will have access to a structured training programme along with 24 hour help and support. The Council recognises fostering as a profession, offering professional fees, based on the level of skills and training as you develop through your fostering career in addition to an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child.

“

Being a Foster Carer can offer a huge sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. It’s not just opening your door but also showing stability and support to a child who needs it – being there for them. Liverpool City Council is seeking Foster Carers from all sections of the community, with or without children of their own.

If you are not in a position to foster but you would like to help support the need for Foster Carers we can send you information to share or come along to your events to talk about fostering. For more details visit www.fosteringforliverpool.co.uk email info@fosteringforliverpool.co.uk or call 0151 515 0000.

Jean - The Supervising Social Worker “As a Supervising Social worker working with Foster Carers, it is fair to say that no two days are ever the same. The job involves a number of daily meetings ranging from supervision meetings to check on the progress of the family, to attending meetings with psychologists or the child’s social worker. As well as this, I am required to plan placements, reviews with Foster

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Dance leaps into the spotlight It’s 21 years since the first Leap festival burst on to the scene, introducing city audiences to some of the most ground-breaking and entertaining dance being made.

hanks to Leap the city has welcomed in the past names such as Akram Khan – one of the stars of the Olympics opening ceremony – and Matthew Bourne, whose all-male Swan Lake featured in the film Billy Elliott. Festival organisers Merseyside Dance Initiative (MDI), working with partner venues in the Merseyside Dance Promoters Network, promise a programme of similar quality and freshness at this year’s festival, which runs from 1 to 16 March. MDI Director Karen Gallagher MBE said the line up was one of the most diverse and interesting yet, with styles ranging from gritty urban to elegant classical, and with children’s dance and comedy in the mix. She tells Seen Liverpool: “As well as watching performances, there are plenty of opportunities for people to get involved in other ways. Performances include an EU triple bill at the Capstone Theatre on Friday 8 March featuring work by some of Europe’s most innovative dance makers, including Liz Roche from Ireland, Arno Schuitemaker from the Netherlands and Italy’s Aline Nari. Laughter is also on the agenda at the Bluecoat on Comic Relief Day, Friday 15 March, when MDI presents New Art Club, two contemporary dancers who discovered a talent for stand up comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe and now combine the two to hilarious effect. Younger dance fans will enjoy Northern Ballet’s delightful Ugly Duckling at the Playhouse on Friday 8 March, while on Saturday 16 March New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion hosts MDI’s Family Dance Day, with free workshops, performances and activities for everyone from toddlers to great, great grandparents. Full details of the festival programme and booking links are online at www.mdi.org.uk. Full details of the festival programme and booking links are online at www.mdi.org.uk.

Queercore Initiative

HOMOTOPIA 2013 Homotopia will be celebrating its 10th year in 2013 and is inviting producers, community artists, promoters and professional artists to submit work for consideration for it’s international festival to be held at various venues across Liverpool between 1st-30th November 2013.

ince Homotopia launched in 2004, festival bosses have supported, co-produced & commissioned a wide range of local, regional, national & international based companies, artists, events and performances. A spokesperson for Homotopia said: “We are committed to supporting local artists wherever we can and are endeavouring to create more platforms and opportunities for new and emerging artists and producers. The work must be full length performances or interventions of at least one hour duration. “We will consider shorter pieces of work for cabaret and performance art and also encouraging new music and live club performance. We also seek work from visual artists for a variety of exhibitions throughout the year.”

All work submitted for consideration must either feature: • • •

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) themes Be of interest to an LGBT audience. Be created or presented by LGBT artists.

Deadline is Friday May 3rd

Address to send submission: Homotopia, Queercore, Unity Theatre,1 Hope Place, Liverpool L1 6BG

As part of its ongoing development, the festival is committed to new work. Homotopia is keen to attach development and/or seed funding to projects, companies or artists that are looking to be produced as either a Homotopia production or co-commission with other producers and or partners. “In addition to this we will support artists with individual arts council grant applications and other funding bodies. Homotopia can offer modest fees or box office splits and may also be able to cover travel and accommodation.” Added the spokesperson. Artists must cover their own production costs. The final programme will be selected by Homotopia in consultation with partners and producers at host venues. Homotopia embraces a wide range of work and is keen to partner with existing companies/artists. Some of it is mainstream with a traditional appeal and some of it is innovative and experimental. Some work can focus on LGBT issues while other work can be related to LGBT themes

Please contact Homotopia on 0151 702 7369 or email artistic@homotopia.net

Don’t stop me now Seen Liverpool’s Andy Green speaks to an inspirational woman who has never let anything stand in the way of her being herself.

’ve known JoJo Roberts for a while but it wasn’t until we did a photo shoot that I really got to know her. We met up in The Lisbon for our chat and I started by simply asking to her to tell me about herself. “I was born in Bangor, North Wales and grew up in a little village outside Conway. It was a perfect, idyllic childhood, if you were straight; I’ve got a twin sister and two elder sisters. As we were growing up I was always the outsider – my mum always wanted a boy, (laughs) so this was the best I could do for her. I felt as I was getting older that this wasn’t right for me; I always loved my sport and was really into football. It was a challenge because there was only a boy’s team and I had to really fight to get into it but I did. At the age of 12 or 13 I was told that I couldn’t play for the lads anymore and would have to play for a women’s team. My mum never came to watch me play because my twin and my other sisters were majorettes and that always took precedence. I remember saying to my mum that I didn’t want to sign for this ladies’ team (a guy had come to see me play and wanted to sign me) because it would be full of lesbians. But I did go, I had to get 2 buses because my mum couldn’t take me as it was ‘majorettes night’, but it was the best decision I ever made. I made so many genuine friends and the

guy who was my manager at the time and who I still look up to now turned into my father figure. Even now, 15 years down the line, I can ring him up and he will sit down and listen to me. That team gave me the opportunity to do so many things and I was asked to go for a trial to play for Wales. My mum didn’t support me because –not to be big-headed – she didn’t realise how good I was. She wouldn’t take me down to south Wales, the trouble with Wales is that everything happens in the south but my manager took me down for the trial and I got in. As a result I got to travel the world, we played in America, we played against Italy and France and I’ve played in stadiums that you wouldn’t dream of even going to see a match never mind playing there. It was a real privilege and there were certain people in my life that really looked out for me and had faith in me.” I asked JoJo what made her leave Wales and come to sunny Liverpool… “I left Wales mainly for the work environment but also because North Wales at the time was very homophobic. I’m 31 now and I left when I was 19 but I wish that I was living there now because of the way the gay scene there is these days. Being gay is accepted, no matter which little village you go to but when I was growing up I was quite literally the ‘only gay in the village’. I originally moved to Manchester and have lived all over the place from Belfast to Penzance but I met someone

from the Wirral which is how I came to settle in Liverpool. This is the first place where I’ve felt accepted and I now consider it home, although I still come across prejudice and ignorance in some people. For instance, I’ve just been talking to a group of people and they said ‘Sorry, what’s your name lad?’ and I had to say ‘actually I’m a girl’ and they were mortified and thought they’d offended me but they hadn’t. That was their perception, and I don’t have a problem with that, everyone has their own opinion and as long as it’s not offensive then that’s OK. The only reason we got talking is because I asked them for a stool because I needed to sit down – they wouldn’t have spoken to me otherwise – and then one of them said ‘I’m dying to ask, what’s all that about your tattoo?’ At which point, said people turned up in the Lisbon and interrupted the interview with ‘Hello darling’ and after explaining what we were doing and that we’d be with them shortly we got back to the interview and I asked JoJo about her leg – is it a disease, is it a condition? “I wouldn’t call it (lymphedema) a disease, it’s a condition. I’m very lucky that I’m now at Clatterbridge, I’ve been to that many treatment centres. I’ve grown up with my mum having the same condition and she is the person I want to be – I know everyone says that but she is my hero.

To look at her you’d think she’d been dipped in a fire, she can’t walk 200 yards without being in pain. She’s 68 now and goes out at 7 in the morning and gets back at 10 at night, she’s brought up four of my nieces – she’s just taken on a 13 year old – if I can be half the person she is or even 10% then I’ll be very happy”. Finally, I asked JoJo what the future holds… “I worked in security for 10 years because I thought it was the rough puff, lesbian thing to do but now I work in care which is something I never thought I’d be able to do. The thought of dealing with somebody else’s personal care used to knock me sick but at the end of the day that patient could be me, my mum, one of my sisters or one of my friends and I’ve surprised myself. I love my job and I’ve been told that I’m very good at it and I want to stay in the profession and will be doing a nursing degree.” JoJo does have a heart of gold as I witnessed firsthand when we were stood outside the Masquerade one day and an obviously homeless man walked past. JoJo stopped him and asked if he’d eaten recently, he looked taken aback and just shook his head so she proceeded to give him a couple of quid – she’s a star.

“

I want to stay in the profession and will be doing a nursing degree.

THE WINE SELLER

WHITES

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Real Compañía de Vinos Tempranillo 2011 Vino de la Tierra Castilla

Saint Clair Estate Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough

Real Compañía de Vinos was established in 2007 by Bodegas Muriel, as a project focusing on producing single-varietal wines from both Spanish and international grape varieties. This Tempranillo comes from 30-70-year-old vineyards in Manchuela, to the east of La Mancha. Intense cherry red, with the purplish tints hints of youth. A fruit-focused wine with aromas of ripe strawberry, blackberry and red cherry, and subtle liquorice spice. Supple and rounded mouth-feel. Try this alongside a homemade moussaka

Origin Saint Clair is one of Marlborough’s largest family-owned and operated wineries. Their commitment to viticulture has led to a number of award winning wines and a brand that is growing throughout the world. Made exclusively for Majestic by one of our favourite new wineries, this mouth-watering Sauvignon has aromas of passionfruit, blackcurrant leaf and gooseberry and a palate of ripe gooseberry and herbs. The crisp acidity is balanced by an enticing minerality, making it a perfect match with fresh salads, seafood and vegetarian dishes.

Style Medium bodied red Closure Screwcap ABV 14% Price £6.49

Style Crisp, dry, white wine Closure Screwcap ABV 13.5% Price £13.99

Garganega Pinot Grigio 2011 Albinoni Garganega is the most important variety of white wine grape grown in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza in the Veneto region. Pinot Grigio is grown in the same area where the climate is influenced by the Alps. Light in colour, refreshing, and crisp and with aromas of limes, grapefruits and lemons making this well balanced wine very easy to drink. The perfect party wine Style Crisp, dry, white wine Closure Screwcap ABV 12% Price £6.99

SPARKLINGS Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra Dry NV Italy La Marca winery is located in Oderzo, in the Veneto region. Its members own about 8,000 hectares of vineyards on the hills and the plain. Advanced technologies are used in the vineyards and the cellar to aid the continual improvement of wine quality. A pale straw colour with a fine mousse and typical fruit characters of apples and pineapples. Ideal as an apéritif or to accompany a light lunch Style Delicate, sparkling Closure Natural Cork ABV 11% Price £12.99

Green Point Rosé NV Domaine Chandon at Green Point was established in 1986 by Moët & Chandon to produce high quality sparkling and still wines that reflect in their aromas, flavours and structure, the Australian terroir in which they are grown. Pretty pink with elegant red fruit aromas. Small, persistent bubbles complement creamy flavours of white peaches alongside citrus tones. A fresh palate with a dry, crisp finish. Perfect as an apéritif or served with shellfish, salmon or duck Style Richer, sparkling Closure Natural cork ABV 12.5% Price £16.99

www.majesticwine.co.uk

OUR HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR STREET Have you ever done the Bold Street challenge? Known to many in the city, the ‘game’ consists of how many people you bump in to who you know in the 5 minute walk from top to bottom. My own record is 13 hellos – although I’m sure there are many with a higher score. On a recent stint, I bumped into an old friend who I couldn’t simply say hello to as a catch up was needed. Being lunchtime and with us coincidently standing outside a small coffee shop neither of us had seen before the perfect opportunity presented itself to take an hour for a bite to eat. The coffee shop was House, a new venture, I’ve since discovered. My first words to describe the venue would be ‘quirky’ and ‘alternative’. With miss-matching furniture, vintage styles and a cosy setting it fits into the trendy street perfectly whist bringing a new flavour. The menu is simple and homely (of course) with a range of cuisine for any occasion. Steaks for the more ravenous diners and sharing platters for a quick nibble. There’s soups and sandwiches for a winter warmer and light salads for the health conscious of us (by ‘us’ I don’t mean myself) – I was more interested in reading the delicious looking dessert list.

My friend and I opted to share some Anti-Pasti with herbal tea. Fresh food on rustic yet stylish setting was laid on for us, with more than enough for lunch. The venue was busy, but this didn’t seem to tarnish good and relatively quick service. The dish included salami, prosciutto, chorizo,blue cheese,parmesan shavings, sun dried tomato pesto and baked bread with oil. It was rich and tasty but left just enough room for a pudding each. Or so we thought… On ordering a slice of Bread and Butter pudding with vanilla ice cream just to balance out any healthy eating I may have done in the previous month the friendly waitress brought me what seemed to be three people’s portions. “If you’re going to eat a classic pud like this you have to do it right,” she said smiling after I questioned the size of my dish. I didn’t manage to finish it all but I gave it everything I had – I swear if I’d managed to get down to the last few bites Chariots of Fire would start playing over the speakers. It was a fantastic sweet and nice to see the chaps at House are feeding their customers right.

late afternoon so why not have a bottle of wine? The value in the drinks list is almost unreal. Wines range from as little as £7 and it’s not a bad list at all. Sitting in the window of the bar (no longer a coffee shop as we are sipping a gorgeous Pinot) looking out onto the bustling street is fantastic. Floor to ceiling windows make for great viewing of passers-by. Watching commuters hurry to Central Station for a train in the cold whilst you’re comfortable indoors almost gives you a smug feeling – making you appreciate that sometimes, we do get a chance to stop and watch the world go by – gripping a great glass of wine in good company after great food is just the icing on the cake. I strongly recommend House on Bold Street, and have been told they host classic film nights, live djs, a weekly quiz and comedy. I’ll definitely be back. So much for the lunch time rush! For more information on House and upcoming events visit www.house-liverpool.com Written by Emily Williams

Following lunch and two pots of tea (each) our conversation saw no sign of an end and it was decided that we would burrow in for the next few hours. Now by this time it was no longer lunch, but

Move over Kate...

Beau Hats and Fascinators

Open 19 March 2013 Oxton Village Wirral www.beauhats.com 44

GREEN’S Seen

Isn’t there more? There is hardly an LGBT Liverpool fact that Andy Green doesn’t know – and he’s not afraid to share his opinion…

don’t know whether it’s because we were rather spoilt towards the end of last year with events such as the Vogue Ball, Seen Awards and Homotopia and then obviously Christmas but the gay scene seems to have gone a little stale of late. It’s the same old stuff week after week with no special nights to look forward to. Chew Disco bucked the trend with its first night in nearly two years at the beginning of February and hopefully there’ll be many more to come but it has to be said that queercore punk doesn’t appeal to everyone. I remember the good old days of KooKoo, The Rosary Club and the wonderful cabaret of Octopus - all, incidentally, the creations of a certain Mr Gary Everett.

“

I remember the good old days of KooKoo, The Rosary Club and the wonderful cabaret of Octopus

KooKoo was a totally bonkers night, brilliantly staged and you never knew what to expect other than that you’d have an amazing night out. You could be standing having a drink enjoying the music and the often bizarre visuals and then a band of drummers would come marching through the club. The short-lived Rosary was a similar experience but slightly more debauched

with extremely sexy go-go boys (I have particularly fond memories of the lovely Tom) and a whip-wielding dominatrix or two thrown in for good measure. Octopus was an intimate cabaret night which brought performers such as Topping & Butch, Kitty Litter, Lee Tracey and Jonathan Mayor to the city. It was always a sell-out but unfortunately the venue wasn’t really big enough to make it commercially viable. I’ve put on cabaret nights myself in the past and there’s definitely an appetite for them with people willing to pay good money but you really need plenty of bums on seats just to break even. There are reportedly new venues on the way and hopefully one of them will have a decent sized performance space because there are plenty of very good LGBT performers out there and right now we’re missing out. I’m not having a go at the current offering on the scene, I’d just like to see more variety and a bit of innovation. Most of the bars and clubs have tried and tested formulas and I suppose the old maxim “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies and in the current economic climate who can blame them. What the scene needs is a new venue with an inspired promoter that will complement the existing ones and bring more people of all ages into gay town. There has been some serious talk of using empty buildings for pop-up nights which is an interesting idea although potentially a regulatory minefield but it has worked before. Liverpool is known as a place of creativity and events such as the Vogue Ball and Homotopia prove that there is an abundance of talent in the city and particularly amongst the LGBT community – it’s just a shame that we don’t get to experience it more often.

Sense of Soun A

s one of the county’s most well-known choirs, Sense of Sound has helped secure Liverpool’s talent a place on the map. Although the choir itself was founded in 2005, the company was incorporated in 1992, so celebrating their 21st birthday this year will see some serious celebrations. “We started the company because we wanted to make music and particularly singing accessible to as many people as possible,” Jennifer John tells Seen Liverpool. “Sense of Sound is a training organisation and an agency for artists. A cappella singing is our specialism and the ethos is ‘We create and produce amazing ways to celebrate singing’” Places in the choir are in high demand, with auditions held several times a year there are waiting lists for the chance to get involved – although there is a skill required; “First and foremost we are looking for amazing voices but we also really look for a spirit and energy that people have which is what makes the choir special. “People always comment on the passionate

vibe of the ensemble. We also look for confidence and preferably experience, but sometimes people who don’t necessarily have loads of experience turn out to be incredible and so we like to keep a flexibility around who can audition.” The choir has had an amazing journey. From performing with the legendary Brian Eno, Damon Albarn and Massive Attack on the River Thames in support of Greenpeace, to featuring in Gareth Malone’s BAFTA winning show, The Choir and singing with Seal at The Royal Variety show. It is by all accounts an impressive resume. As a company, Sense of Sound prides itself on the diversity of its members: “The choir is multi-cultural in so many ways and this is something you sadly don’t really see very much of,” adds Jen. “Equality and high creative quality are key to what makes it work so well. Also, our artistic and musical direction brings a freshness in sound. Perri Alleyne-Hughes, Saphena Aziz and myself are really particular about the vocal arrangements and the sound that the choir produces.”

und And what can we look forward to in 2013? “So much! People who love to sing can come and do one of our Singing in Harmony days at The Bluecoat. We will be running them once a month and they are designed especially for all those aged 16 and above who enjoy or wish to try out harmony singing with lots of other enthusiasts. “We will be hosting The Big Sing at The Bluecoat for this year’s Light Night and want as many people as possible to come and sing. Sense of Sound Singers will be performing at The Tate that night also. I’m not going to give too much away but think 2 words....Glam Rock! They will also be performing throughout the year so keep your eyes and ears peeled.” To get in touch with Sense of Sound or for more information visit www.senseofsound. net, email info@senseofsound.net or call 0151 702 7799

Picture, from left: Saphena Aziz, Perri Alleyne- Hughes and Jennifer John Photos taken at Matt Ford Studio www.mattfordstudio.com

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WHAT’S ON March 06 14 15 16 20 24

(Dark comedy) Hope, Royal Court Theatre (Exhibition) The Art of Pop Video, FACT (Ballet) Ugly Duckling, Liverpool Playhouse (Live music) Classical Spectacular, Echo Arena (Play, tragedy) Othello, Floral Pavilion (Dance show) Crazy Right Now, Epstein Theatre FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

April

01 02 05 13 16 25

(Ongoing exhibition) Glam! Tate Liverpool (Play, mystery) The Mousetrap, Liverpool Empire (Play, football) Beating Berlusconi!, Epstein Theatre (Comedy) Jimmy Carr, Gagging Order, Philharmonic (Play, comedy) Hormonal Housewives, Floral Pavilion (Exhibition) seized! the Border and Customs Uncovered – Liverpool Maritime Museum

Listed venue contact details: Epstein Theatre: Hanover Street, Liverpool 0844 888 4411 www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk Floral Pavilion: New Brighton, 0151 666 0000 www.floralpavilion.com Liverpool Philharmonic Hall: Hope Street, Liverpool 0151 709 3789 www.liverpoolphil.com Liverpool Echo Arena: 0844 8000 400 www.echoarena.com FACT: Wood Street, Liverpool 0151 707 4444 www.fact.co.uk Tate Liverpool: Albert Dock 0845 604 7083 www.tate.org.uk Liverpool Maritime Museum: Albert Dock 0151 478 4499 www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime Playhouse Liverpool, Williamson Square, 0151 709 4776 www.everymanplayhouse.com Liverpool Royal Court: Roe Street Liverpool 0870 787 1866 www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk

Do you have an event in the near future that you would like to advertise in our What’s On pages? Email the details to editor@seenliverpool.co.uk

screen SEEN

A bit of rough

With a long time passion for queer film, Joan Burnett believes the importance of LGBT seeing themselves on screen is as important as ever. With eight years at FACT Liverpool under her belt, Joan is no stranger to great film. She reviews the best in new and classic DVDs available now.

Punk and Queer have always been in a symbiotic relationship that goes far beyond a look or a sound, definitely an attitude to life. Both All Dolled Up (2006) and Hit So Hard (2012) use rough-edged home-movie footage exploring the birth and the aftermath of punk. REVIEW

Hit So Hard

All Dolled Up The New York Dolls were a gang of Brooklyn lads who wore outrageous clothes, make-up and high heels and played a blisteringly loud amalgam of rock, blues, pop and glam…inept, cheeky and wrecked all the time – irresistible to straight and gay alike. There are no present-day talking heads to explain what’s happening, just down and dirty footage of the band at work in the early ‘70’s, offstage and off their heads . Go the DVD extras to have a good laugh at film-maker Bob Gruen talking about his shock at seeing men wearing women’s clothes – I think he missed the point a bit. Great lines like “Go out and buy some Trash!” give you the feel. Originally the films were made to show to friends at parties so they have a wonderful free quality about them – it’s not documentary more direct experience, almost early reality tv.

REVIEW

Patty Schemel was the drummer with Hole. You’ll remember Courtney Love with no prompting, but Patty, like all drummers, was a bit of an unsung hero and Hit So Hard sucks you right down into the Hole/Nirvana vortex. Patty was very close to Cobain, perhaps missing her brother, but it wasn’t Cobain’s death that sent her spiralling out of normality’s orbit; she was already being shot into the stratosphere by drugs and alcohol by the age of twelve. This is a surprisingly easy film to watch, despite some painful truths being told. It’s honest stuff: Patty’s laconic style to camera, both in the original ‘90’s footage and the up-to-date reminiscence, is touching and sincere. Again there are fab DVD extras for more interviews and music – the whole package is excellent. I love Patty’s comments about grunge starting with “the lesbian monkey tribe” – the jeans and flannel shirt look in particular – and her story about coming out is wonderful – All Hail Patty’s Mum! Punk can be protest and making sure you shout loud enough for everyone to know about it, even if you despair of change. The freshness of both these films comes from that home-made philosophy: you don’t need riches to make a statement and do something creative, however diamond-in-the-rough it may be.

Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy It is twenty years since Jonathan Harvey’s seminal play ‘Beautiful Thing’ was first produced at London’s Bush Theatre, and this year the writer is inspiring a new generation of theatre makers to explore issues of identity, sexuality and self in his new play ‘Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy.’

he play, Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy has been written as part of The National Theatre Connections Programme; a national initiative to partner young actors with exciting new plays, and will be performed in Liverpool by Altru Youth Theatre. The group of young actors, aged 14 – 19, are delighted to take on this challenging new piece of theatre which explores the outcomes of a homophobic hate crime on a group of friends. “It has been a real privilege so far to work on Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy” director Kate Gorst tells Seen Liverpool, “The play is a real challenge for the young actors and deals with themes that are going to be relevant for audiences of all ages – anyone that has ever loved, and lost, someone will relate to this play.” The play is loosely based upon two real-life events, the death of Michael Causer in Liverpool in 2008 and the high-profile Ruby Thomas case, where Thomas, a young woman of just 19, was found guilty of beating 62 year-old gay man Ian Baynham to death in 2010. Despite a huge cultural and political shift since ‘Beautiful Thing’ premiered in 1993, Harvey felt there was a story

to be told about the level of anger and hatred still directed at gay men and women in the UK and the fear still affecting young people as they grapple with their sexuality. It was a topic that struck a chord with the young people of Altru Youth Theatre; “Essentially the play is about growing up and learning to be yourself,” explains Kate, “And for a young man like Scott, the play’s central character, in the area he lives, and with the friends he has, accepting who you are and how you feel isn’t that straightforward.” For the young actors, taking part in the performance has given them both valuable acting experience and also an opportunity to explore issues that face them as they become adults. Craig Pinnington who plays Darren, an openly gay character who faces abuse and physical violence as a result, says that the play has given him an outlet and allowed him to come to terms with aspects of his own life, “This play has helped me to perform as an actor but, more importantly, it’s also allowed me to find myself in the process,” he explains, “It’s a play that needs to be seen, so our audiences can see life through another’s eyes.” Tom Martin,

who plays Scott, agrees “The play is hopeful and tragic, in a deeply moving and relatable way.” It was important for Jonathan Harvey that the play leaves the audience feeling hopeful – despite the tragedy of the subject matter – and the interesting structure of the play lends itself to this purpose. But cast and director are giving nothing away about this, and encourage audiences to come along and find out more as they enter the world of Darren, Scott and their friends, when they perform at The Bluecoat in March. ‘Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy’ will be performed at Liverpool’s Bluecoat’s Arts Centre on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th March 2013 at 7:30pm. All tickets are £4 and can be purchased via The Bluecoat’s website (www. thebluecoat.org.uk) or by phone on 0151 703 5324. For more information about Altru Youth Theatre please contact Kate on youththeatre@ altru.co.uk or call 0151 443 0333. Tomorrow I’ll Be Happy will transfer to The Lowry (Studio) and will be performed on Saturday 11th May 2013 at 7pm.

THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC CIVIL PARTNERSHIP The Floral Pavilion situated on the banks of the Mersey Estuary is an ideal place for a romantic civil partnership. With breath taking views of the river and a catering team led by Master Chef of Great Britain, Darren Wynn the Floral Pavilion is the perfect place for that very special day with a theatrical twist.

For further information or to arrange a viewing please contact one of our Wedding Coordinators: Jim Camden: Telephone 0151 606 2983 or Email jamescamden@wirral.gov.uk | Tom Forth: Telephone 0151 606 2992 or Email tomforth@wirral.gov.uk

VAT Reg. No. 165565540

Plus Dane celebrate Stonewall achievement Plus Dane Group has been voted one of the north west’s most gay-friendly places to work.

he Liverpool housing association was ranked 51st in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers list – a leap from last year, when it was placed 90th in the prestigious list. Judges at the Lesbian, gay and bisexual charity said that Plus Dane’s improved rating was due to efforts to build on an already strong commitment to diversity. Initiatives include support for the Liverpool Pride Event, a partnership with the Homotopia Arts Organisation to put on cabaret events aimed at promoting inclusivity among customers, strongly promoting a culture of respect in the workplace and appointing a champion to whom Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trasgender staff can turn to with any issues they have. Plus Dane also has a thriving diversity group called Something for Everyone, which recently drew up a respect pledge for all staff to sign up to. Plus Dane’s director for strategic

initiatives – and LGBT champion Chris Mather said: “It’s important for companies such as ours to ensure equality and diversity are held in as high a regard as any other part of the business. You get the best from all your employees when they feel they can be themselves. “At Plus Dane you can be whoever you are and you will always be treated with the same respect as anyone else no matter what your race, sexuality, age or anything else. This extends into the neighbourhoods we serve, where we seek to celebrate diversity and challenge intolerance.”

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At Plus Dane you can be whoever you are and you will always be treated with the same respect as anyone else no matter what your race, sexuality, age or anything else.

The Stonewall Index is based on a range of key indicators which include a confidential survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees, with nearly 9,000 participants. This consistently revealed that the satisfaction levels of gay staff were highest at the top-ranking organisations in the Index.

Flexible office space: Where what you see, is what you pay for Ever since the birth of the white-collar worker, offices have evolved, changing to suit the needs of companies. For businesses in need of a simple office suite, Downing, Liverpool’s largest commercial landlord, is pleased to offer its Flexi-Office scheme. This provides high-specification office suites with flexible, low-cost leases without any surprise add-on fees – what you see is what you pay for. Robin Ellis, senior agency surveyor, said: “The key to survival is adaptation. Over the last few years landlords have had to become more flexible in deals to adapt to a challenging market, particularly with lease length and suite specification. Given the significant amount of enquiries we’ve received, it’s clear there is an appetite for a more flexible, low-cost office offering across Liverpool.” The concept has been developed to fill the gap between fully serviced offices and the traditional leasing of a suite. Companies are able to lease the facilities that they need in high-quality office space for a flat monthly rate. Simple. Flexible. Affordable.

Under the scheme, suites ranging from 150 sq ft to 1,000 sq ft are available for one month upwards and are ideal for a variety of businesses from one-person start-ups, SMEs and larger companies looking for a Merseyside base. Robin added: “We’ve listened to what occupiers have told us and with Flexi-Offices customers get all the flexibility of a serviced office, with a monthly rent that is fully inclusive, but without any of the expensive add-ons that can sting occupiers after they sign up to a serviced office. We expect this interest to continue throughout 2013.”

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Simple Flexible Affordable low-cost leases without any surprise add-on fees

Flexi-Office is available across much of Downing’s city centre portfolio including No 1 Old Hall Street, Victoria House, James Street and The Portal at the Grade II Listed Port of Liverpool Building located on Liverpool’s World Heritage waterfront site. For more information please visit www.downing.com

Out On Stage Liverpool Pride, in association with the Michael Causer Foundation, have revealed that they have teamed up with Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts to launch a very exciting competition

ut On Stage will give one very talented musician or band the opportunity to perform live at Liverpool Pride 2013. The unsigned musician or band will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of crowds reaching 40,000 people by playing on the main stage on Saturday 3rd August 2013. To enter, all you need to do is create a Soundcloud page, upload your best tracks and email the link to outonstage@ michaelcauserfoundation.org.uk. The entry deadline is Sunday 24th March. The artists chosen to continue to the next stage of the competition will be contacted shortly after this date. There will be two live heat stages at Parr Street Studios on Thursday 11th and 25th April. The best eight musicians will then be chosen to play at the grand final at the Camp and Furnace on the 23rd May 2013. Competition organiser Lauren Zawadzki from LIPA said: ‘We will have a panel of industry professionals to judge the performances, along with some very special guests! ‘It’s going to be a great opportunity to both for bands and artists and the community to get together in anticipation for what promises to be another great year for Liverpool Pride, she added. The competition prize doesn’t end with the Pride performance - there will be stylist make-overs, a photo shoot, studio time at the legendary Parr Street Studios and much more. To launch the Out On Stage competition, there will be a free singing workshop, open to all levels, on Saturday 16th March from 1.30-5pm at the Florrie on Mill Street,Toxteth. Booking essential, email outonstage@michaelcauserfoundation.org.uk Joan Burnett, Trustee of Liverpool Pride, said: ‘Liverpool Pride is all about community participation, and giving a platform for new voices to be heard whilst promoting equality and diversity. We know there is a huge body of talent in Merseyside and we’re very excited to be involved in the competition, which is sure to uphold Liverpool’s long tradition for truly great music.’ James Davies, Pride Festival Manager, said: ‘Liverpool is world famous for its musical talent through the decades. I’m extremely excited about this competition showcasing the emerging talents of the city to a huge and diverse audience. Gerry Proctor, Chair of the Michael Causer Foundation, said: ‘We are delighted to be developing this joint venture with Liverpool Pride and LIPA to promote the talents of local young musicians, especially those from the LGBT community. Liverpool Pride this year falls on the day after the anniversary of Michael’s death. It is great to be able to raise the profile of our support for vulnerable LGBT youth on the Pride stage.’

Heart and Soul H

eart and Soul, a brand new musical set in the city, will make its premiere at the Epstein Theatre this March. Running from 13 – 16 March 2013, Heart and Soul follows the rollercoaster journey of a young woman’s quest for success in the cut-throat music industry, whilst juggling love life and family drama. This inspirational production is packed with original songs, spanning the genres from motown to rock, dance, ballads and even jazz, entirely written, orchestrated and played by the show’s producers, Liverpool duo Maria Cavanagh and Indra Nathaniel of Applet Music Productions.

Heart and Soul, a brand new musical set in the city, will make its premiere at the Epstein Theatre this March. Running from 13 – 16 March 2013, Heart and Soul follows the rollercoaster journey of a young woman’s quest for success in the cut-throat music industry, whilst juggling love life and family drama.

It’s Liverpool in the mid 90’s and Cathy Mason, a gifted singer/songwriter, receives another rejection letter from a record company. Disheartened, still living at home with her loving yet unfulfilled mother and recently redundant and bitter father Cathy wonders whether she is destined to perform at dingy pubs and clubs forever – but is determined to make it big. When Cathy’s destiny becomes entangled in a love triangle between her childhood sweetheart and a Memphis Record Producer, deceit and betrayal threaten to shatter her dreams. A talented local cast is confirmed for Heart and Soul Tricia McTeague (vocalist for Ronan Keating and ITV’s The X Factor) will take on the lead role of ‘Cathy’ whilst actress and Radio City presenter Claire Simonsen plays Cathy’s Mother. Cathy’s spirited best friend and backing vocalist Nicky is played by Charlie Griffiths whilst her two potential love interests, childhood sweetheart Michael Carlucci and Memphis Record Producer Red Carson are played by Liverpool’s own Jay Podmore and Jay Davies respectively. Comic relief comes in the form of the cheeky Basher, played by Coronation Street’s Nick Cochrane. Vicky Jones of the BBC’s One and Only plays barmaid Margy, another of Cathy’s friends. The show is being directed by well known local director Sylvie Gatrill and choreographed by Sue Lancaster. Set in a time before the fast track routes provided by The Voice and The X Factor changed the music industry, Heart and Soul is an insight into the highs and lows of trying to ‘make it’ and how constant rejection creates self doubt, leading to disastrous consequences. Heart and Soul explores themes of unrequited love, unfulfilled ambitions, true friendship and the tenderness and love between Mother and Daughter. Maria Cavanagh and Indra Nathaniel of Applet productions said: “Heart and Soul has been eighteen months in the making – or much longer when you consider it is based on our own personal experience. We composed the music and lyrics, arranged and recorded it, created the story and script… Set in the 1990s, in Liverpool, before Pop Idol and X Factor, The story of ‘Cathy Mason’, is loosely based on our own journey, of dealing with broken promises and utter rejection, from a Music Industry that can destroy dreams in an instant.” find love and achieve success? Find out in March at the Epstein Theatre. Heart & Soul Wed 13th – Sat 16th March 2013 Times: 2.30pm & 7:30pm Wed, Thu and Sat, Friday 5pm & 8.30pm The Epstein Theatre Hanover House 85 Hanover Street Liverpool L1 3DZ HOW TO BOOK Box Office: 0844 888 4411* or online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk* *Subject to booking fee.

& style

Culture Cloud Downey recalls his 1960 life as a young gay man living in Liverpool.

fter discovering the Liverpool gay scene in 1959, I was quickly and happily assimilated into a social life style by visiting gay pubs and cottages and going to private parties. Gay night clubs were virtually non-existent in Liverpool and pubs closed at 10.30 pm. There were a couple of gay clubs in Manchester, so occasionally a group of us would go there (usually by car) on Saturday night to enjoy the decadent pleasures of dancing together (although never touching) and watching drag shows. Intimate activity between men (of any age) was against the law and, if discovered, could lead to arrest with the real possibility of a heavy fine and even imprisonment. The local newspapers would also publish the names of those unfortunates who were found out, and this in turn could lead to sackings or family disputes. Most parents and workmates were unaware of the sexuality of their children or colleagues, as it was in our best interests to keep our proclivities secret. In 1967 the law was changed, allowing men over the age of twenty-one be intimate with each other, provided it was done in private. I began my gay exploration in my late teens, so was quite used to secrecy and discretion. There were, no doubt, very many gay men and lesbians around at the time, but because of the restrictive law and widespread public disapproval of homosexuality, many led secretive, often

unhappy lives in ‘the closet.’ However, there were many of us who ignored the law as best we could and did our utmost to enjoy the limited facilities that were available to us around the city centre. The most popular places were the gay pubs around Queen Square and Williamson Square, and the city centre cottages (public toilets used to intimacy) which were always busy, particularly after the pubs closed. These cottages were given ‘camp’ names. The circular underground lavatory that stood outside the Playhouse Theatre was known as ‘The Wheel of Fortune’ and there were others near the Pier Head known as ‘The Garden of Allah’ and ‘The Long Bar.’ Another popular cottage was behind Exchange Flags in Chapel Street. This was a happy hunting ground on Sunday afternoons, usually following a couple of lunchtime drinks in one of the gay pubs. My particular routine was to go out every Saturday night, with occasional weeknight outings – limited as I lived on a small wage. I would meet two gay men friends and we would start our Saturday evening early by going for something to eat in a cheap cafe. One that we favoured was in Lord Street, where one queued at a self-service counter and paid before taking a seat at the Formica-topped tables. Elegant eating it was not! After our meal, we would meander down Whitechapel, stopping to look in the shop windows of NEM’s music shop (owned by Brian Epstein who was to find fame via his management of the Beatles.) The shop always displayed the latest LPs in their brightly-coloured sleeves, but I seldom

had enough spare cash to buy any of them. On reaching Williamson Square, we would discuss where we would start our evening’s drinking. We were not heavy drinkers, having a half pint of beer in each bar that we went to. We often started in The Aintree Bar of the Stork Hotel – not strictly gay. It was a ‘Men Only’ bar staffed by an elderly gay man, but we knew that if we behaved ourselves we were welcome there. We might visit the Old Royal, The Bassnet Bar or the Royal Court Hotel (known by us as ‘Dolly’s) but we always ended up in the Magic Clock – by far our favourite watering hole where the friendly bar staff knew us all by name. The clientele of this pub were predominantly male and from vastly differing backgrounds, from lawyers and musicians to businessmen and navvies. The one thing that we all shared was our secret gayness – it was a great social leveller. The Magic Clock had its share of women who liked to hang out with gay men, although usually straight themselves. Our pub visits would often involve eyeingup or chatting up some newcomer, but these were few and far between. Most of the pub’s clientele were familiar with each other, though not necessarily sexually so. We referred to our non-sexual friends as ‘sisters’ and if two ‘sisters’ happened to form a romantic liaison it was known as ‘bread and bread.’ Sometimes straight people would visit the gay bars. We referred to them as ‘normals’ or ‘naffs’ and occasionally fights broke out between drunken straights and the queens. These scuffles were usually quickly dealt with - the troublesome ‘normals’ would be

We speak Polari... We had our own language, widely used when socialising. It was called ‘polari’ and was most useful when we wanted to talk if there were straight people, or police, in the pub. The gay pubs were regularly checked out by a couple of foot bobbies – curt and uncomfortable in our presence, who would occasionally question a customer, but this seldom caused trouble. We knew how to behave in this situation and would demurely sip our half-pints and speak quietly until the coast was clear. You may be familiar with ‘polari’ as it seems to have gained some kind of retro reputation and was widely used by Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick in the 60s radio series ‘Round The Horn.’ But, if you haven’t encountered it, here are a few of the most widely-used words: Homie – Man. Palone - Woman. Ecaf - Face (often shortened to ‘eek’) Efta - Ear. Lally – Leg. Nante – a negative, as in ‘nante polari’- don’t talk. Riah – Hair.

Bats - Shoes. Lattie – A flat or house. Lily Law – the police. Bona – good. Varda - look at. Naff - Boring or bad. Thews - Thighs.

This is, of course, a selective list. There are many more words and phrases. A sample sentence: ‘Varda the naff riah on that palone, but her lallies are bona.’ Translation: ‘Look at the terrible hair on that woman, but her legs are great.’

ejected by the bar staff and the tougher queens. There were no bouncers in those days, but the police were seldom called. The staff in the gay bars were supportive and protective of their gay customers. For a while, the Magic Clock had a very butch bartender, who could sort out these troublesome visitors. He was a gay exseaman, bearded and muscular and with a swaggering, macho demeanour. I had a short-lived affair with him much to the envy of some of the regular customers! My week nights out were more low key. With my two friends we would often go to the cinema, particularly to the Essoldo in London Road and the Continental in Wallasey, where the more interesting films were shown – often foreign and with a ‘camp’ theme, although these were thin on the ground. The Tatler in Clayton Square was another popular haunt, with a more seedy reputation. One didn’t go there to watch the films! After our Saturday pub crawl, there would often be a bottle party organised on the spur of the moment, usually in Liverpool but sometimes on the exotic Wirral. They would last all night and we would catch the first bus or ferry boat home in the morning. These parties are amongst my happiest memories of my gay youth in Liverpool. Our gay community, although small, and by necessity secretive, was very important to me, helping me to understand who I was, making me strong and giving me selfconfidence. I owe those early years a debt of gratitude and I am thankful that I found my gay place in a hostile straight world.

andi.herring@liverpool.gov.uk www.stanleystqtr.co.uk

STREET SEEN

Things are changing! In just the few months since my last article, things have been moving fast for the Stanley Street Quarter and not just for the venues we all know and love, but behind the scenes too.

Project officer for the Stanley Street Quarter, Andi Herring, gives us the latest news on what’s going on in Liverpool Gay Scene.

ost excitingly, The Commercial District B.I.D unveiled plans for Eberle Street with a brand new lighting project that will see the street transformed with a canopy of rainbow light, and plans to improve the road’s surface – giving one of the Quarter’s favourite streets a much needed makeover! We have projects going on in other areas too, improving the safety on Stanley Street, the look of Cumberland Street and not to mention the six new hotels due to open in the area in 2013, bringing in tourism and generating income for the area’s businesses. This year we will be asking your opinions of the Quarter, what you like and what you want to change and we will be representing your views to the venues and the businesses to make sure everyone can enjoy their Quarter. We will be giving you much more of a say over the events you want to see, and on plans for the area. Keep a look out for our team out and about in the venues and let them know what you think or drop me an email with any thoughts or ideas. You may have noticed we have launched our holding page online too, soon to be followed by our brand new website, specially made to become a hub connecting you (and the world!) to the quarter with listings of the venues and everything that is going on! You can check out www.stanleystqtr. co.uk now and sign up for updates! Beneath the surface things are changing too, the Stanley Street Quarter is developing into its own organisation– standing on its own two feet, bringing in more investment opportunities and possibilities for the future. We will be working to create more great projects, attract more investment and new venues and working with the ones already here to develop Liverpool into a world class LGBT Destination. It’s an exciting time for the Stanley Street Quarter, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Football v Homophobia For the second year running, Liverpool FC supported the Football v Homophobia campaign by hosting a Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) league match at the Liverpool FC Academy in Kirkby (Saturday 9th February).

he Club hosted the fixture between Mersey Marauders and Wolverhampton Harts to tackle discrimination in football. The top flight club has supported this campaign for two years and is determined to rid football of homophobia. Local gay and gay-friendly team Mersey Marauders beat Wolverhampton Harts 7-2. “Last year we became the first Barclays Premier League club to be officially represented in a Pride march. Our commitment to ensuring that equality and principles of inclusion are embedded into all areas of Liverpool Football Club continues through this event, tackling homophobia” commented Ian Ayre, Managing Director of Liverpool FC. Louise Englefield, campaign director for Football v Homophobia, said: “We’re an international campaign and Liverpool is a huge club with a global impact. So if they are standing up in the campaign against homophobia, it sends a massively strong message to people.”

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It’s great to be able to have events like this and to be able to tell people about them. The message is that everyone has a place in football, everyone has a place at LFC and that’s what we want people to know The Club also supports anti-discrimination through signage at Anfield and on season ticket terms and conditions as well as messaging in tannoy announcements and match day programmes.

MOTOWN IN THE HOUSE

Shirley Aslotin Reeves (SHIRELLES ) Deniece Williams, Shiela Ferfuson and Candi Statton

Mr & Mrs Billy Paul

Shirley Aslotin reeves and David Gest

Pebo Bryson with Shirley Aslotin Reeves and guests

Philip Armstrong and Tony Burke

he House Beauty Spa hosted a Motown Ball in a marquee at Liverpool’s Aigburth Cricket Club, raising a fantastic £17,500 for The Whitechapel Centre. This takes the funds raised by The House so far in 2013, to over £56,000 for rough sleepers and people who live in hostels. Pickled Walnut provided a gourmet three course dinner while Motown legends, Percy Sledge, C G Lee, Kym Weston and Candi Statton performed alongside Pebo Bryson and Sheila Ferguson.

Photography: Anderson Jones

Business Leaders’ Dinner

Hilton Hotel, Liverpool One, hosted the second in a series of ‘Business Leaders Dinners’ in February bringing together some of the region’s most prominent and influential business leaders, leisure, cultural and media executives. The evening was hosted by Marcus Magee, General Manager of The Hilton, who took the opportunity to highlight hotel’s growth in both the local and European market. Max Steinberg, Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision gave an overview of the International Festival of Business which is due to take place in Liverpool in June and July next year and highlighted the impact the Festival will have on the local economy and international trade prospects. Back Row: Steve Hothersall, Station Director of City Talk and Head of News and Sport for Radio City and City Talk, Marcus Magee, General Manager, Hilton Hotel, Liverpool ONE Anders Borg, Tournament Director, Liverpool International Tennis Tournament, Ian Ayre, Managing Director, Liverpool Football Club, Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, Max Steinberg, Chief Executive, Liverpool Vision, Mike Dewey, General Manager Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Chairman of the Hoteliers Association, Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool, Ged Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council, Roger Jonas, Events Manager, Downtown in Business, Doug White, Global Partnership Director, Corporate Games, Ged Gibbons, Chief Executive, City Central and Commercial District Business Improvement Districts, Alistair Houghton, Business Editor, Liverpool Echo, Robert Hough, Chairman, Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, Graham Sarath, Station Director, Juice FM. Front row, seated: Emma Richardson, Sales Director, Hilton Hotel, Liverpool One, Helen Jackson, Director of Strategy and Redevelopment, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Deborah Ayden, Chief Executive, Everyman and Playhouse, Claire Poyser, Managing Director, Lime Pictures, Mark Thomas, Editor, Liverpool Post

BEAUTY BAZAAR

Karidis Medispa in Beauty Bazaar at Harvey Nichols hosted an evening of Champagne and Beauty recently. Ladies were given a guided tour of the state of the art treatment rooms and equipment whilst therapists talked them through treatments available. The ladies enjoyed Champagne and Canapes in the Medispa before making their way to the WOW bar on the 1st floor of the Beauty Bazaar to continue their evening. Pictured above from left: Rachel Randles and Netty Styche. Debbie Thompson and Tracey English (Nurse Practitioner, Karidis Medispa) . Caroline Farr (Practice Manager, Karidis Medispa) and Jayne Moore (Moore Media)

PAPPED

Photosgraphs: Dave the Pap

Mark Johnson White (scousewives), Jaymi Hensley (Union J), Paul St German, Rylan (X Factor), Chris Johnson White (Scousewives) on Liverpool’s Gay Scene

Christopher Maloney on Hope Street

Hollyoaks’ Daniella Westbrook and Claire Cooper at Russell & Case Jewellers

Ian Rush and Daniel Sturridge San Carlo Liverpool

Roxanne Pallett, Rossi and Ben Forster promote Comic Relief at Liverpool Empire

Gillian Taylforth at the Crowne Plaza

Two of the Union J boys at Radisson Blu Hotel

PROUD TO BE SEEN - Our camera out and about, perfectley papped people!

Let Aintree or Haydock Racecourse be

the picture perfect location for your Civil Partnership Aintree and Haydock Racecourses are proud of the fact that we hold full Civil Partnership licenses.

Should you choose one of our iconic locations, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll benefit from working with a dedicated event organiser, who is on hand to advise on and organise everything from the Champagne to suggesting the best photo opportunities.. For more information or to discuss your individual requirement, please do not hesitate to contact one of our co-ordinators at Aintree on 0151

Haydock Park on 01942 402 623.

522 2922 or