jon eland
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DIAMOND an audience with Lady Diamond
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DIAMOND
A documentary record of Sitges Gay Pride 2013 Photographed by Jon Eland - But I Like it Photography www.butilikeit.co.uk Published by Strawbleu Editions www.strawbl.eu
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GOING DOWN
the Sitges Rainbow Hole
Jon (centre) is feeling a lot of drag
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A friend of mine, let’s call him Alik, told me of this strange and wonderous place - where every little gay boy (and man) could go on holiday and have a fab old time - among fellow degenerates and perverts. They could feel free to dress in their oh-so camp way, in the little short shorts and cropped tops and do everything that little gay men would want. They could mince (or swagger). They could flirt (or grope). And they could do pretty much everything the ever wanted to. Then he told me that, for one week a year this got turned up to 11 where the whole town seems to turn pink (or rainbow) and fab became utterly fantastic. Well, I had to find a way to go and document this debauchery - and, with a little luck, Alik was able to make some introductions. ‘Lady’ was the person to talk to - the way into this den of inequity and the portal through which all would become clear. All that Alik had said was true - Sitges is the rabbit hole and Lady a cross between their Queen of Hearts and Mad Hatter. Lady Diamond Sitges is undisputed crown-princess of the Catalan holiday town after which she’s named - wander with her through the streets and you’ll take less than a couple of paces before someone demands a photo, or stops to commend her on last night’s performance or to simply heap adoration upon her (padded) shoulders. Supported by her sisters - Ruby Sitges and (somewhat estranged) Una Paloma Blanca - Lady is a force to be reckoned with. And a blessing to follow and document - not only opening doors but helping create photo opportunities with every turn This book documents a week in the Catalan town of Sitges, a few short miles from Barcelona, but a different world altogether. The days rolled from one to another and featured strippers, Bee Gees-a-likes, Take-thata-bees, boys in and out of pants, some fearsome jungle queers a pretty darned fabulous Pride parade and no shortage of hunks in trunks (or less) and not a small amount of booze (“dos ‘clara’ por favor!”). All that’s left to do is to with you a good “Morning”* Jon Eland *The standard Sitges welcome whatever the time of day. an audience with Lady Diamond
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INTRODUCING
Ruby Sitges
(a helluva lot more than your average serving wench)
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Lady
A SNEAKY FIRST GLIMPSE OF A
“Who, moi?”
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TIME FOR A SHORT PUNT ALONG THE
Promenade?
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AND NOT FORGETTING
Una Paloma Blanca
(a very estranged half-cousin - on the queer side)
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WELCOME TO THE
Jungle
(watch it bring you to your knees)
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Star!
THATS WHAT THEY CALL YOU
(how long have you waited to get where you are?)
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I WAS WITH
Male Strippers
in a little bar
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THE MAID OF
Dishonour!
Just don’t let her catch the bouquet!
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TIME TO GET THOSE
Pants off...
(and get some lovely new ones for your efforts)
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SOMEONE SHOULD WARN HIM TO
Never look in a Lady’s handbag
(Like the teddy bear’s picnic - you never know WHAT you’ll find)
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Thanks and Credits I hope you enjoy the images in this first edition of ‘An Audience with Lady Diamond’ - but I can’t take full credit. A huge thanks to everyone who helped bring it together but especially - Roman and the Union bar team, Marco and the team at Prinz, the Privilege team, the Dark bar men (just for existing), Ruby Sitges, David (el puppio) and all at Ruby’s, the Jungle boys and girls, Keith and everyone at Gay Pride Sitges/Gay Sitges Guide, Alik Zanders / Una Paloma Blanca and, of course, the one and only Lady Diamond Sitges.
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An audience with Lady Diamond Sitges, Spain provides a safe haven for party going and celebration with a backdrop of gorgeous Catalan summer sun and friendly (very friendly) local hostelries. Photographer, Jon Eland, lands in May 2013 and captures what he finds -fun, debauchery and one helluva lot of a certain Lady.
Strawbleu Editions www.strawbl.eu First Edition ISBN: 978-1-291-74833-8 Š2013/4 Jon Eland All Rights Reserved ISBN 978-1-291-74833-8
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