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WORDS BY LOREM DELOREM | PHOTOGRAPH BY MAET IPSUM

EDITORIAL//<br />

ADVERTISING<br />

Editor<br />

David Hudson<br />

hudson@outmag.co.uk<br />

+44 (0)20 7258 1943<br />

Contribut<strong>in</strong>g Editor<br />

Adrian Gillan<br />

adrian@outmag.co.uk<br />

Staff writer<br />

John Kelly<br />

john@outmag.co.uk<br />

Design Concept<br />

Boutique Market<strong>in</strong>g<br />

www.boutiquemarket<strong>in</strong>g.co.uk<br />

Art Director<br />

Thom Rhe<strong>in</strong><br />

design@outmag.co.uk<br />

Graphic Designer<br />

Ryan Beal<br />

Sub Editor<br />

Kathryn Fox<br />

Contributors<br />

Richard Bevan, Adrian Foster,<br />

Edward Gaml<strong>in</strong>, Den Maloney,<br />

Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe,<br />

Richard Tonks, Michael<br />

Turnbull, Steve Watson<br />

Photographer<br />

Chris Jepson<br />

Publishers<br />

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rob@outmag.co.uk<br />

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bryan@ultimateguide<br />

company.com<br />

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dan@outmag.co.uk<br />

+44 (0)20 7258 1832<br />

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maz@g3mag.co.uk<br />

+44 (0)20 7258 1777<br />

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The content of this publication,<br />

ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong> whole or <strong>in</strong> part may not<br />

be reproduced, stored <strong>in</strong> a data<br />

retrieval system or transmitted <strong>in</strong> any<br />

form or by any means, electronic or<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rwise, without prior permission<br />

from <strong>the</strong> publishers. Op<strong>in</strong>ions<br />

expressed <strong>in</strong> <strong>Out</strong> In The <strong>City</strong> are not<br />

neccessarily those of <strong>the</strong> publishers.<br />

© Square Peg Media Ltd 2000 - 2009.<br />

Square Peg Media Ltd t/a <strong>Out</strong> In<br />

The <strong>City</strong> magaz<strong>in</strong>e will not take any<br />

responsibility for any loss/claim<br />

result<strong>in</strong>g from a transaction with one<br />

of our advertisers/ Media Partners.<br />

HUDSON’S LETTER<br />

The arrival of December<br />

means that World<br />

AIDS Day is aga<strong>in</strong><br />

upon us. At <strong>the</strong> time of<br />

go<strong>in</strong>g to press, <strong>the</strong> latest<br />

statistics concern<strong>in</strong>g HIV<br />

transmission had not<br />

been released, although<br />

for <strong>the</strong> last 20 years, <strong>the</strong><br />

number of new cases<br />

diagnosed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UK has<br />

risen each year. We’ll be<br />

able to tell you <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> next<br />

issue whe<strong>the</strong>r that’s <strong>the</strong><br />

case aga<strong>in</strong> for 2008/09.<br />

However, for once, this year<br />

I was heartened to read<br />

some positive HIV-related<br />

news. President Obama<br />

has announced that from<br />

<strong>the</strong> beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of 2<strong>01</strong>0, his<br />

government is offi cially<br />

end<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ban on HIVpositive<br />

people enter<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>the</strong> United States. I know<br />

many HIV-positive people<br />

that have been aff ected<br />

by this unnecessary and<br />

Draconian measure. Some<br />

have simply decided to not<br />

visit <strong>the</strong> US, while o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

have felt moved to attempt<br />

to hide <strong>the</strong>ir medication<br />

and pray not to be searched<br />

at customs. It’s a long<br />

overdue decision, and one<br />

that will change <strong>the</strong> lives<br />

of some people aff ected by<br />

HIV – some of whom have<br />

felt barred from visit<strong>in</strong>g<br />

friends or family <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> US.<br />

F<strong>in</strong>ally, December is also<br />

<strong>Out</strong> In The <strong>City</strong>’s third<br />

birthday. Do help us<br />

celebrate our anniversary<br />

– we’re throw<strong>in</strong>g a party<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Shadow Lounge on<br />

Friday 11 December and<br />

you’re all <strong>in</strong>vited.<br />

See you <strong>the</strong>re!<br />

PAGE 04<br />

LETTERS<br />

Send your<br />

correspondence to<br />

letters@outmag.co.uk<br />

PAGE 06<br />

MY LONDON<br />

The Ku Bar’s Gary<br />

Henshaw gives us his<br />

capital highlights<br />

PAGE 08<br />

SHOPPING<br />

Christmas gift ideas<br />

PAGE 11<br />

DIARY<br />

December’s cultural<br />

highlights <strong>in</strong> and<br />

around London<br />

PAGE 22<br />

PATRICK WOLF<br />

The precociously<br />

talented s<strong>in</strong>ger and<br />

songwriter sits down<br />

with Michael Turnbull<br />

PAGE 26<br />

MUSIC<br />

Our favourite music of<br />

2009, plus gay rapper<br />

E.N.V<br />

PAGE 30<br />

FILM<br />

PAGE 22<br />

PATRICK WOLF<br />

CONTENTS<br />

The Box, The Descent 2<br />

and Cracks reviewed<br />

PAGE 34<br />

THEATRE<br />

The Rise and Fall Of<br />

Little Voice reviewed<br />

plus <strong>the</strong>atre news<br />

PAGE 36<br />

FOOD<br />

Aqua on Regent Street<br />

and Table <strong>in</strong> Brighton<br />

PAGE 45<br />

OUT THERE<br />

Upcom<strong>in</strong>g scene<br />

highlights for<br />

December, plus<br />

<strong>cover</strong>age of Profi le,<br />

Love Child, Freedom<br />

and Kimono Krush<br />

PAGE 64<br />

OUTREACH<br />

A Day In Hand<br />

campaign<br />

PAGE 66<br />

OUTNEWS<br />

All <strong>the</strong> gay news from<br />

home and abroad<br />

PAGE 70<br />

CAREER<br />

Mark Palmer-<br />

Edgecumbe on careers<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> military<br />

PAGE 48<br />

LOVECHILD<br />

PAGE 76<br />

PROPERTY<br />

Liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Wood Green<br />

and <strong>the</strong> latest products<br />

for <strong>the</strong> home<br />

PAGE 84<br />

MOTORING<br />

We test drive <strong>the</strong><br />

new Renault Mégane<br />

Coupé Dynamique<br />

PAGE 86<br />

TRAVEL<br />

Gay Hels<strong>in</strong>ki<br />

PAGE 92<br />

JEPSON HOROSCOPES<br />

CHRIS<br />

PAGE 94<br />

© HEALTH<br />

PHOTO<br />

PAGE 6<br />

World AIDS Day<br />

MY LONDON<br />

PARTY TIME!<br />

<strong>Out</strong> In The <strong>City</strong> will be celebrat<strong>in</strong>g is third birthday on Friday<br />

11 December with a party at <strong>the</strong> Shadow Lounge <strong>in</strong> Soho<br />

- check out page 40 for full details...

ON FIRE<br />

ON ICE<br />

OLLY MURS<br />

We do, we must say, also<br />

love Danyl Johnson, but we<br />

reckon <strong>the</strong> super cute and<br />

cheeky Olly is our X Factor<br />

w<strong>in</strong>ner this year.<br />

IKEA<br />

Donated 10,000 candles<br />

for <strong>the</strong> recent hate-crime<br />

vigil <strong>in</strong> Trafalgar Square.<br />

Yet more reason to love <strong>the</strong><br />

Swedish super store.<br />

TONY<br />

A gritty, low-budget fl ick<br />

about a serial killer stalk<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>the</strong> streets of east London.<br />

Released <strong>in</strong> January 2<strong>01</strong>0,<br />

it’s already one of our fi lms<br />

of <strong>the</strong> com<strong>in</strong>g year.<br />

WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT<br />

THIS MONTH’S RISE AND FALL<br />

CALVIN HARRIS<br />

Invaded <strong>the</strong> X Factor<br />

stage to muscle <strong>in</strong> on<br />

one of John and Edward’s<br />

performances… and<br />

ended up look<strong>in</strong>g a bit of<br />

an idiot <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> process.<br />

XMAS SHOPPING<br />

ONLINE<br />

Do you trust <strong>the</strong> postman<br />

to deliver on time this<br />

Christmas? The year it’s all<br />

about return<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> high<br />

street.<br />

FARE RISES<br />

Despite <strong>the</strong> sluggish<br />

economy, both tube and<br />

bus fares are set to rise<br />

above <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>fl ation rate <strong>in</strong><br />

January. Thank you, Boris<br />

Johnson.<br />

BELOVED<br />

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Mr Jon Island, Leyton, E10<br />

POLITICO<br />

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Carl, Vauxhall<br />

FIRST LOVE<br />

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STAR LETTER<br />

WAN FAN<br />

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Marcio Rodrigo Delgado, E4<br />

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Emmanuel, W2<br />

DAILY HATE<br />

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Robert, Bethnal Green<br />

Everyone who had a letter<br />

published this month won<br />

a copy of new DVD, Boys On<br />

Film 3: American Boy

MY LONDON

SHOPPING...<br />

DOLL FACE<br />

Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong>se won’t be available<br />

<strong>in</strong> time for Christmas (released <strong>in</strong><br />

February 2<strong>01</strong>0), but we know that<br />

some of you will be excited to hear<br />

about <strong>the</strong>m, none<strong>the</strong>less. Mattel are<br />

releas<strong>in</strong>g a new series of ‘Ladies of<br />

<strong>the</strong> 80s’ Barbie dolls: Debbie Harry<br />

(pictured above), Cyndi Lauper and<br />

Joan Jett. Could Barbie possibly get any<br />

more kitsch?<br />

www.mattel.com<br />

<br />

STICK IT TO US<br />

Look<strong>in</strong>g for a product that marries practicality with<br />

sentimentality? We believe that you can never<br />

have enough USB sticks, so were taken by <strong>the</strong><br />

Suck UK Mix Tape USB - which houses<br />

a stick <strong>in</strong> a retro cassette-shaped case.<br />

Suck UK USB Stick, £20.99, from www.nest.co.uk<br />

MUG’S GAME<br />

If you want to help Stonewall this<br />

Christmas, you could always <strong>in</strong>vest <strong>in</strong><br />

one of its new ‘Some people are gay.<br />

Get over it!’ mugs. The bright red mugs<br />

cost £4.99 plus £3.95 P&P<br />

www.stonewall.org.uk/mugs<br />

PICTURE THIS<br />

Have you spent hours attempt<strong>in</strong>g to take <strong>the</strong> perfect profi le picture? Someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />

that might help is <strong>the</strong> new Samsung ST550 (£269.99) – <strong>the</strong> fi rst digital camera<br />

with two screens. The 12.2-megapixel camera has a 3.5<strong>in</strong> touchscreen on <strong>the</strong> back,<br />

and a postage-stamp sized screen on <strong>the</strong> front, perfect for tak<strong>in</strong>g self-portraits.<br />

www.samsungcamera.co.uk<br />

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THIEF FAVES<br />

Look<strong>in</strong>g to purchase some bl<strong>in</strong>g for your man this<br />

Christmas? Check out <strong>the</strong> menswear at bespoke<br />

Brighton jewellers Jewel Thief (26 Dukes Lane, Brighton,<br />

BN1). We like <strong>the</strong> Amber France cable tie bracelet<br />

(£185) and cable tie r<strong>in</strong>g (£100), as well as <strong>the</strong> chunky<br />

skull pendant (£165) by T<strong>in</strong>a Lilienthal (not shown).<br />

Buy onl<strong>in</strong>e at www.jewelthiefgallery.com<br />

WATCH OUT<br />

If you want to stand out from <strong>the</strong> crowd, skip <strong>the</strong><br />

iPhone and plump <strong>in</strong>stead for LG’s super sci-fi<br />

look<strong>in</strong>g Watch Phone (LG GD910). The unit<br />

features a touchscreen <strong>in</strong>terface, eight diff erent<br />

watch faces, plus an MP3 player. Sadly, <strong>the</strong>re are<br />

no web-brows<strong>in</strong>g capabilities – mak<strong>in</strong>g this one<br />

more for fans of design than function. It’s £500,<br />

exclusively from Orange on a pay-as-you-go<br />

basis. www.orange.co.uk/watchphone<br />

GILES FOR<br />

CRUSAID<br />

S<strong>in</strong>ger Dan<br />

Gillespie Sells<br />

models a new<br />

Giles Deacondesigned<br />

T-shirt<br />

for Crusaid.<br />

The limited<br />

edition T-shirts,<br />

featur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />

GILES collection<br />

mascot, ‘Eek’,<br />

are be<strong>in</strong>g sold<br />

to help promote<br />

Crusaid’s new<br />

Th<strong>in</strong>k.Talk.<br />

Act.Give!<br />

campaign, and<br />

have been launched<br />

to co<strong>in</strong>cide with this<br />

year’s World AIDS Day<br />

on 1 December.<br />

The T-shirts cost £30 from<br />

www.th<strong>in</strong>ktalkactgive.org

FRI <strong>01</strong> DEC<br />

Eurythmics s<strong>in</strong>ger, gay icon, human rights activist and<br />

all-round good egg, Annie Lennox is honoured at a gala<br />

d<strong>in</strong>ner <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> special event ‘A Tribute To Annie Lennox’. Not<br />

just a celebration of <strong>the</strong> star’s endur<strong>in</strong>g appeal, <strong>the</strong> event<br />

<strong>in</strong> The Guildhall purposefully takes place on World AIDS Day<br />

and raises funds for <strong>the</strong> tireless work of <strong>the</strong> British Red Cross.<br />

www.redcross.org.uk<br />

26 NOV-20 DEC: <br />

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TUE <strong>01</strong> DEC: <br />

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CALENDAR EVENTS//<br />

DECEMBER 2009<br />

06 & 13 DEC: Pam Ann, <strong>the</strong> eternally glamorous creation of<br />

comedienne Carol<strong>in</strong>e Reid, touches down <strong>in</strong> London for just two<br />

dates this month. Long loved on <strong>the</strong> gay scene, fans that have<br />

seen her perform throughout <strong>the</strong> capital can expect a venue<br />

upgrade as this time she performs <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> renowned London Palladium.<br />

An impressive accolade, but it’s unlikely that <strong>the</strong> grand<br />

sett<strong>in</strong>g will see her tone down her notoriously sharp-tongued<br />

take on all that’s fl awed and fabulous <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world of fl ight.<br />

www.pamann-live.com<br />

SAT 02 DEC<br />

As part of its current retrospective of director Sally Potter’s<br />

work, <strong>the</strong> BFI is giv<strong>in</strong>g fans of her 1992-fi lm Orlando a rare<br />

chance to see <strong>the</strong> cult classic with a screen<strong>in</strong>g and Q&A at <strong>the</strong><br />

BFI Southbank. Although unconfi rmed at time of press, it was<br />

also rumoured that <strong>the</strong> fi lm’s star, Tilda Sw<strong>in</strong>ton, would also be<br />

<strong>in</strong> attendance. www.bfi .org.uk

IMAGE © MONA HATOUM – HOT SPOT, 2006, DAVID ROBERTS COLLECTION, LONDON<br />

<br />

03-07 DEC<br />

Eddie Izzard is a man on <strong>the</strong> move. Follow<strong>in</strong>g his seven-week<br />

marathon through <strong>the</strong> British Isles, he’s now runn<strong>in</strong>g an<br />

extended tour of his latest production, Stripped, through<br />

<strong>the</strong> UK, before hotfoot<strong>in</strong>g it over to Europe and <strong>the</strong> US.<br />

Conclud<strong>in</strong>g his English shows are fi ve London dates split<br />

between <strong>the</strong> O2 and Wembley Arena, suitably large-scale<br />

venues from this big-league performer.<br />

www.eddieizzard.com<br />

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THUR 03 DEC: <br />

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CALENDAR EVENTS//<br />

DECEMBER 2009<br />

03 DEC-31 JAN: The Royal<br />

Academy of Arts, Burl<strong>in</strong>gton<br />

Gardens, will be play<strong>in</strong>g host<br />

to <strong>the</strong> GSK Contemporary<br />

exhibition this w<strong>in</strong>ter,<br />

featur<strong>in</strong>g 20 art exhibitions,<br />

40 live events and 100 fi lm<br />

screen<strong>in</strong>gs – showcas<strong>in</strong>g<br />

new <strong>in</strong>ternational artists<br />

from Europe, Asia and <strong>the</strong> US<br />

and highlight<strong>in</strong>g emerg<strong>in</strong>g<br />

trends. Sponsored by Glaxo-<br />

SmithKl<strong>in</strong>e (hence GSK), this<br />

year’s show is entitled Earth:<br />

Art of a Chang<strong>in</strong>g World, and<br />

it seeks to encourage debate,<br />

discussion and creative<br />

th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g around <strong>the</strong> role art<br />

can play on <strong>the</strong> relevance<br />

that climate change has<br />

on our daily lives. www.<br />

royalacademy.org.uk<br />

MON 04 DEC<br />

US s<strong>in</strong>ger/songwriter Reg<strong>in</strong>a Spektor concludes her brief UK<br />

tour with this solitary gig <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hammersmith Apollo. Expect<br />

to hear hits from her latest album Far, released <strong>in</strong> June.<br />

www.reg<strong>in</strong>aspektor.com

PHOTO © BILL COOPER<br />

<br />

CALENDAR EVENTS//DECEMBER 2009<br />

MON 21 DEC<br />

To tie <strong>in</strong> with <strong>the</strong> release of <strong>the</strong>ir Christmas EP, and to round off<br />

a high-profi le year, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> release of <strong>the</strong> excellent album<br />

Yes back <strong>in</strong> March, <strong>the</strong> Pet Shop Boys play a full concert at <strong>the</strong><br />

O2 Arena, SE10. www.petshopboys.co.uk<br />

02, 09, 16 DEC<br />

Musical comedy duo Topp<strong>in</strong>g & Butch cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

Wednesday night residency at <strong>the</strong>Leicester Square Theatre<br />

with <strong>the</strong>ir new show Sex, Drugs & Harriet Harman – An<br />

Even<strong>in</strong>g with Topp<strong>in</strong>g & Butch. www.topp<strong>in</strong>gandbutch.com<br />

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10 DEC-6 FEB: <br />

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FRI 11 DEC: <br />

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10 DEC-24 JAN: Choreographer<br />

Mat<strong>the</strong>w Bourne’s<br />

acclaimed and now classic<br />

production of Swan Lake<br />

returns to Sadler’s Wells Theatre<br />

for a limited Christmas<br />

run. First premiered <strong>in</strong> 1995,<br />

this ground-break<strong>in</strong>g allmale<br />

production has played<br />

to packed houses around <strong>the</strong><br />

world. Tickets cost £10-£50.<br />

www.sadlerswells.com<br />

10 DEC-31 JAN<br />

Dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g den Dalston Superstore may have already cemented<br />

a reputation for hold<strong>in</strong>g raucous parties, but <strong>the</strong> latest<br />

exhibition to be held here – by artist Jim Starr – shows<br />

that it’s also committed to accumulat<strong>in</strong>g creative kudos.<br />

Entitled ‘See It Now or Miss It Forever’ <strong>the</strong> work comprises<br />

unique pr<strong>in</strong>ts convey<strong>in</strong>g Starr’s <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> louche and <strong>the</strong><br />

lowbrow, with p<strong>in</strong>-ups and pop-culture references frequently<br />

found <strong>in</strong> his work. Runn<strong>in</strong>g until <strong>the</strong> end of January, it’s<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r option for East End partygoers seek<strong>in</strong>g to comb<strong>in</strong>e<br />

cavort<strong>in</strong>g and culture over <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>ter months.<br />

www.jamesstarr.co.uk<br />

IMAGE © JIM STARR

PHOTO ©ANDREW MACPHERSON<br />

<br />

CALENDAR<br />

EVENTS//<br />

DECEMBER<br />

2009<br />

20-31 DEC<br />

Ahead of a European tour <strong>in</strong> 2<strong>01</strong>0, Boy George will be<br />

perform<strong>in</strong>g a series of <strong>in</strong>timate shows at <strong>the</strong> Leicester Square<br />

<strong>the</strong>atre – stripped down, acoustic and unplugged. Expect both<br />

solo hits and Culture Club classics. Tickets cost £35-£45. Shows<br />

are at 9.30pm, with a 4.30pm show on New Year’s Eve (<strong>the</strong>re<br />

are no shows on 24, 25 and 26th December). Box offi ce 0844<br />

847 24 75. www.leicestersquare<strong>the</strong>atre.com<br />

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11-13 DEC: <br />

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THUR 17 DEC:<br />

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08 & 10 DEC: Anyone who<br />

saw her powerful acrobatic<br />

performance at <strong>the</strong> VMAs this<br />

year will already know that<br />

P<strong>in</strong>k’s shows pack serious<br />

muscle. Cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong><br />

circus <strong>the</strong>me, <strong>the</strong> feisty s<strong>in</strong>ger<br />

br<strong>in</strong>gs her Funhouse tour to<br />

London’s O2 Arena for two<br />

more daredevil dates this<br />

month. www.p<strong>in</strong>kspage.com<br />

WED 09 DEC<br />

Placebo and <strong>the</strong>ir enigmatic frontman Brian Molko cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />

to command a loyal follow<strong>in</strong>g. Prov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir pull<strong>in</strong>g power,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y’re tak<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> sizeable stage of <strong>the</strong> O2 Arena to<br />

promote <strong>the</strong>ir latest album, Battle For The Sun.<br />

www.placeboworld.co.uk<br />

15-16 DEC<br />

Legendary British group Depeche Mode return to <strong>the</strong> O2<br />

Arena as part of <strong>the</strong>ir current global tour. Promot<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

new album Sounds Of The Universe, it’s a fl eet<strong>in</strong>g opportunity<br />

to see <strong>the</strong> electro pioneers perform live before <strong>the</strong> tour<br />

concludes <strong>in</strong> February. www.depechemode.com<br />

PHOTO © DEAN CHALKLEY

Actor Patrick Stewart (left) and friends<br />

Christopher Bigg<strong>in</strong>s (centre) and friends<br />

MP Ben Bradshaw Ben Summerskill<br />

THE STONEWALL<br />

Amy Lamé (right) and friend

Representatives from <strong>the</strong> Allsorts youth project collect <strong>the</strong>ir award and cheque<br />

Kristian Digby (second left) and Ivan Massow (third right)<br />

with Stonewall staff and supporters<br />

Brian Paddick (second left),<br />

Joan Bakewell<br />

Amy Lamé (centre) and friends<br />

AWARDS 2009<br />

Sarah Garrett and L<strong>in</strong>da Riley<br />

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The g3 team from Square Peg Media<br />

Gok Wan, Ben Summerskill and Andrew Cowles<br />

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Gok Wan<br />

Kristian Digby, Margaret Tapp<strong>in</strong>g and Dr Christian Jessen<br />

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PHOTOS CHRIS JEPSON AND PIERS ALLARDYCE

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE<br />

<br />

<br />

THERE DEFINITELY<br />

EXISTS A MINORITY<br />

OF CHRISTIANS WHO<br />

WOULD DENY OUR<br />

RIGHT TO EXIST

I WAS BULLIED FOR<br />

BEING GAY WHEN I<br />

DIDN’T EVEN KNOW I<br />

WAS GAY<br />

WOLF BOY<br />

WOLF BOY

LOVE, AT THE END OF THE<br />

DAY, WHETHER IT’S GAY OR<br />

STRAIGHT, IS AN EMOTION<br />

WE ALL SHARE<br />

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Patrick’s latest album, The Bachelor, is out now. His next s<strong>in</strong>gle,<br />

‘Damaris’ is out 15th December. www.patrickwolf.com

THE YEAR IN MUSIC<br />

<br />

ALBUMS<br />

02<br />

03<br />

04<br />

05<br />

06<br />

07<br />

08<br />

09<br />

10<br />

11<br />

12<br />

13<br />

14<br />

15<br />

16<br />

17<br />

18<br />

19<br />

20<br />

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FLORENCE AND THE<br />

MACHINE<br />

LUNGS<br />

LADY GAGA<br />

The Fame Monster (Polydor)<br />

THE XX<br />

XX (Young Turks)<br />

LILY ALLEN<br />

It’s Not Me It’s You (Regal)<br />

LA ROUX<br />

La Roux (Polydor)<br />

PET SHOP BOYS<br />

Yes (Island)<br />

BLACK EYED PEAS<br />

The E.N.D (Polydor)<br />

PALOMA FAITH<br />

Do You Want The Truth<br />

Or Someth<strong>in</strong>g Beautiful (Sony)<br />

THE HORRORS<br />

Primary Colours (XL)<br />

PEACHES<br />

I Feel Cream (XL)<br />

DEPECHE MODE<br />

Sounds Of The Universe (Mute)<br />

CHERYL COLE<br />

3 Words (Polydor)<br />

FRANKMUSIK<br />

Complete Me (Island)<br />

DIZZEE RASCAL<br />

Tongue N’ Cheek (Dirtee Stank)<br />

PATRICK WOLF<br />

The Bachelor (Bloody Chamber)<br />

MCALMONT & NYMAN<br />

The Glare (MN)<br />

ROBBIE WILLIAMS<br />

Reality Killed The Video Star (EMI)<br />

FUCK BUTTONS<br />

Tarot Sport (ATP)<br />

MORRISSEY<br />

Years Of Refusal (Polydor)<br />

GRIZZLY BEAR<br />

Veckatimest (Warp)<br />

SINGLES<br />

LADY GAGA<br />

POKER FACE<br />

(Polydor)<br />

02 LA ROUX<br />

In For The Kill (Polydor)<br />

03 PALOMA FAITH<br />

Do You Want The Truth<br />

Or Someth<strong>in</strong>g Beautiful (Sony)<br />

04 BLACK EYED PEAS<br />

I Got A Feel<strong>in</strong>g (Polydor)<br />

05 LILY ALLEN<br />

The Fear (Regal)<br />

06 LADY GAGA<br />

Just Dance (Polydor)<br />

07 SHAKIRA<br />

She Wolf (Sony)<br />

08 DAVID GUETTA FEAT. KELLY ROWLAND<br />

When Love Takes Over (EMI)<br />

09 JAY-Z & ALICIA KEYS<br />

Empire State of M<strong>in</strong>d (Roc Nation)<br />

10 FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE<br />

Rabbit Heart (Island)<br />

11 CIARA FEAT. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE<br />

Love Sex Magic (Jive)<br />

12 THE FREEMASONS FEAT. SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR<br />

Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) (Rom/Universal)<br />

13 DIZZEE RASCAL<br />

Bonkers (Dirtee Stank)<br />

14 LILY ALLEN<br />

It’s Not Fair (Regal)<br />

15 PET SHOP BOYS<br />

Love, Etc (Island)<br />

16 CHERYL COLE<br />

Fight For The Love (Polydor)<br />

17 BWO<br />

Right Here Right Now (Conehead)<br />

18 PEACHES<br />

I Don’t Wanna Lose You (XL)<br />

19 LA ROUX<br />

Bulletproof (Polydor)<br />

20<br />

GOSSIP<br />

Heavy Cross (Sony)

www.env-music.com<br />

www.myspace.com/envmusicuk<br />

www.facebook.com/envfanpage<br />

TAKING THE RAP

FILMS OUT IN DECEMBER<br />

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN<br />

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THE BOX<br />

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THE BEST DVDS<br />

DECEMBER ’09<br />

MAKE THE<br />

YULETIDE GAY<br />

Christmas time can be<br />

difficult for many gay folk<br />

– with many leav<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

self-created gay families<br />

beh<strong>in</strong>d to return to <strong>the</strong> bosom<br />

of <strong>the</strong>ir blood relatives. That’s<br />

<strong>the</strong> scenario explored <strong>in</strong> this<br />

witty but warm-hearted<br />

movie, which has proved a hit at gay festivals around <strong>the</strong><br />

world. Chris is resigned to a dull family at home… until<br />

his boyfriend Nathan turns up on <strong>the</strong> doorstep. Can <strong>the</strong><br />

boys keep <strong>the</strong> true nature of <strong>the</strong>ir relationship a secret…<br />

OUT: NOW<br />

<br />

THE HANGOVER<br />

Despite not featur<strong>in</strong>g any<br />

big names, this bawdy stag<br />

night comedy proved to<br />

be someth<strong>in</strong>g of a sleeper<br />

summer hit. Four male<br />

friends hit Vegas ahead of<br />

<strong>the</strong> wedd<strong>in</strong>g of one of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

party… just how much<br />

drunken trouble can <strong>the</strong>y get<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>in</strong>to <strong>in</strong> one night? This a better-than-average<br />

comic out<strong>in</strong>g will r<strong>in</strong>g bells with anyone who’s woken up<br />

unsure of what <strong>the</strong>y may have got up to <strong>the</strong> night before.<br />

OUT: 7 DECEMBER<br />

<br />

INGLOURIOUS<br />

BASTERDS<br />

Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz,<br />

and Eli Roth star <strong>in</strong> Quent<strong>in</strong><br />

Tarant<strong>in</strong>o’s unique take<br />

on <strong>the</strong> Second World War,<br />

focus<strong>in</strong>g on a band of<br />

Jewish-American renegades<br />

who set out to foil <strong>the</strong><br />

German army – claim<strong>in</strong>g as<br />

many Nazi scalps as <strong>the</strong>y can <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> process. It might boast<br />

questionable historical accuracy, but many critics found it<br />

to be Tarant<strong>in</strong>o’s f<strong>in</strong>est offer<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>ce Pulp Fiction.<br />

OUT: 7 DECEMBER<br />

<br />

DISTRICT 9<br />

Peter Jackson produces and<br />

Neill Blomkamp directs<br />

this sci-fi blockbuster. A<br />

huge spaceship hangs<br />

over Johannesburg,<br />

unable to return home. It’s<br />

alien <strong>in</strong>habitants live <strong>in</strong> a<br />

ghetto beside <strong>the</strong> human<br />

population, and it falls upon<br />

Afrikaner bureaucrat Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley)<br />

to evict <strong>the</strong> so-called ‘prawns’. However, th<strong>in</strong>gs go awry<br />

when he becomes <strong>in</strong>fected by a potion created by one of<br />

<strong>the</strong> aliens. An <strong>in</strong>telligent, thrill<strong>in</strong>g piece of sci-fi.<br />

OUT: 28 DECEMBER<br />

<br />

REVIEWS: DAVID HUDSON AND JOHN KELLY

FILMS OUT IN DECEMBER<br />

THE DESCENT: PART 2<br />

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CRACKS<br />

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MR RIGHT<br />

REVIEWS: DAVID HUDSON AND RICHARD BEVAN

DISSENTING VOICES<br />

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Runn<strong>in</strong>g until <strong>the</strong> 30 January 2<strong>01</strong>0. The Vaudeville<br />

Theatre, 404 The Strand, WC2.<br />

www.vaudeville<strong>the</strong>atre.com<br />

BOOK NOW<br />

<br />

PANTO DAMES<br />

Surely a contender for <strong>the</strong> campest panto this Christmas<br />

is Leicester Square Theatre’s adults-only production of<br />

S<strong>in</strong>derfella. Flourish<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> title role is drag queen Bette<br />

R<strong>in</strong>se, while Kat <strong>the</strong> Cookie Monster, who some of you may<br />

remember from a st<strong>in</strong>t on Big Bro<strong>the</strong>r, plays Fairy Gone Wong.<br />

A playfully subversive take on <strong>the</strong> classic fairytale C<strong>in</strong>derella,<br />

S<strong>in</strong>derfella sees Bette R<strong>in</strong>se turn drag debutante when <strong>the</strong><br />

real C<strong>in</strong>derella fails to show at <strong>the</strong> ball. Firmly tongue-<strong>in</strong>cheek<br />

throughout, expect a bawdy mix of fabulous crossdress<strong>in</strong>g<br />

and near-knuckle comedy.<br />

S<strong>in</strong>derfella runs <strong>in</strong> Leicester Square Theatre’s Basement<br />

Theatre from 4-30 December, with tickets cost<strong>in</strong>g £15.<br />

http://www.leicestersquare<strong>the</strong>atre.com/<br />

SHORE THING<br />

Celebrat<strong>in</strong>g its 50th anniversary<br />

this year, Hampsted Theatre<br />

shows no signs of slow<strong>in</strong>g<br />

down with two diametrically<br />

opposed plays runn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

repertory throughout <strong>the</strong> festive<br />

season.<br />

For even<strong>in</strong>g audiences, <strong>the</strong> premiere of Michael Punter’s new<br />

play Darker Shores is a s<strong>in</strong>ister and forebod<strong>in</strong>g tale set on<br />

<strong>the</strong> desolate Sussex coast dur<strong>in</strong>g Christmas 1875. Professor<br />

Gabriel Stokes (Mark Gatiss of The League of Gentlemen)<br />

arrives at a decay<strong>in</strong>g family retreat to be disturbed by a series<br />

of mysterious and troubl<strong>in</strong>g occurrences. Enlist<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> help of<br />

spiritualist Tom Beauregard (Julian Rh<strong>in</strong>d-Tutt), he embarks<br />

on a terrify<strong>in</strong>g journey to dis<strong>cover</strong> <strong>the</strong> true history of <strong>the</strong><br />

house.<br />

Darker Shores runs from 3 December to 16 January, with<br />

tickets cost<strong>in</strong>g £15-£25. www.hampstead<strong>the</strong>atre.com<br />

HEY, BIG SPENDERS<br />

Cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g its hugely successful<br />

festive tradition of reviv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

classic musicals, <strong>the</strong> Menier<br />

Chocolate Factory <strong>in</strong><br />

London Bridge presents its<br />

revamped <strong>in</strong>terpretation of<br />

Sweet Charity, with Tamz<strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>Out</strong>hwaite tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> lead as <strong>the</strong> idealistically named<br />

Charity Hope Valent<strong>in</strong>e.<br />

Runn<strong>in</strong>g for over 600 performances on Broadway when it<br />

fi rst appeared, Sweet Charity deals with a subject matter<br />

that is easy to relate to. Gullible but loveable dreamer Charity<br />

faces various misadventures <strong>in</strong> love as she combats her<br />

complete <strong>in</strong>ability to resist <strong>the</strong> charms of men who are no<br />

good for her. Haven’t well all been <strong>the</strong>re?<br />

The soundtrack features upbeat classic tracks such as ‘Hey, Big<br />

Spender’ and ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’.<br />

Sweet Charity runs at Menier Chocolate Factory until 7th<br />

March, with tickets cost<strong>in</strong>g £29.50.<br />

www.menierchocoatefactory.com<br />

PHOTO © CATHERINE ASHMORE

REGENT STREET SPICE<br />

DAVID HUDSON REVIEWS AQUA KYOTO<br />

240 Regent Street, W1 (entrance at 30 Argyll Street, W1)<br />

020 7478 0540<br />

Tak<strong>in</strong>g over <strong>the</strong> space formerly occupied by Dickens & Jones,<br />

Aqua is a lavish new restaurant and bar development on<br />

Regent Street. The brand is already well established <strong>in</strong> Hong<br />

Kong, but this is <strong>the</strong> fi rst branch <strong>in</strong> to <strong>the</strong> UK. Clearly not<br />

one to do th<strong>in</strong>gs by halves, <strong>the</strong> company has launched <strong>in</strong><br />

London with some ambition. This prime, central London<br />

site is vast, and <strong>the</strong> group have designed three dist<strong>in</strong>ct<br />

areas with<strong>in</strong> it. There’s Aqua Spirit (a bar), Aqua Nueva<br />

TOP TABLE<br />

MAZ OGDEN REVIEWS TABLE<br />

My Hotel Brighton, 17 Jubilee Street, The Lanes, Brighton,<br />

<strong>01</strong>273 900 383 www.myhotels.com/table<br />

Modern British cuis<strong>in</strong>e, meat and seafood specialities<br />

sourced straight from <strong>the</strong> south coast coupled with<br />

fantastic service awaited us at Table. Located <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> heart<br />

of Brighton’s famous North La<strong>in</strong>es adjo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> stylish,<br />

boutique My Hotel, Table is <strong>the</strong> place to impress a date or<br />

make your offi ce party feel appreciated without blow<strong>in</strong>g a<br />

banker’s budget.<br />

On arrival, we were <strong>in</strong>stantly impressed by <strong>the</strong><br />

contemporary yet comfortable décor. Even our silver chairs<br />

were ornately designed <strong>in</strong> keep<strong>in</strong>g with Table’s funky image.<br />

Friendly, knowledgeable, yet discreet, staff put us at ease<br />

as did <strong>the</strong>ir gorgeous house aperitif, <strong>the</strong> Table Kir Royal<br />

(“Bolney Bubbly” 2006 and crème de cassis – £6.75).<br />

Table’s fabulous w<strong>in</strong>e and champagne list had just enough<br />

selection for my partner to enjoy mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> decision<br />

without gett<strong>in</strong>g lost. Upon <strong>the</strong> French head waiter’s<br />

recommendation we opted to go local with <strong>the</strong> Sancerre<br />

<br />

The sushi bar at Aqua Kyoto<br />

(a Spanish restaurant) and Aqua Kyoto (a Japanese<strong>in</strong>spired<br />

restaurant) – plus a large roof terrace that will<br />

be particularly handy <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> summer. You enter via a lift<br />

on Argyll Street (opposite <strong>the</strong> Palladium) and – for Kyoto<br />

– ascend to <strong>the</strong> fi fth fl oor, where gorgeous staff usher you<br />

through to <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g area.<br />

If you didn’t know that this was previously a Dickens &<br />

Jones canteen, you’d certa<strong>in</strong>ly never guess. Thousands of<br />

pounds have been spent on transform<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> space <strong>in</strong>to a<br />

dark and sexy d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g room. There are mahogany fl oorboards<br />

and tables, deep red light<strong>in</strong>g and gold, oriental silks on <strong>the</strong><br />

walls. Mirrors disguise <strong>the</strong> square columns, while backlit<br />

screens adorn <strong>the</strong> ceil<strong>in</strong>g. Sushi chefs busy <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>in</strong><br />

an island bar <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> centre of <strong>the</strong> room, and on my visit <strong>the</strong><br />

atmosphere was noisy and bustl<strong>in</strong>g (<strong>the</strong> nearby bar was<br />

busy with <strong>in</strong>vitees for an Elle Decoration party tak<strong>in</strong>g place<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> adjo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g room).<br />

Rose ‘Le Grand Fricambault’ Doma<strong>in</strong>e Andre Neveu (£33).<br />

Starters cater for both <strong>the</strong> vegetarian as well as <strong>the</strong> fi sh<br />

and game lover. I opted for <strong>the</strong> red cabbage, gorgonzola,<br />

dis<strong>cover</strong>y apple and walnut salad (£4.50). This looked<br />

gorgeous but it was dwarfed by <strong>the</strong> daily special – <strong>the</strong><br />

broken crab claws (£12 for a dozen, £6 for six). These<br />

were ornately arranged on a silver salad platter with all <strong>the</strong><br />

necessary accessories<br />

for devour<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m<br />

<strong>in</strong> style. The bowl of<br />

lemon water kept our<br />

fi ngers smell<strong>in</strong>g sweet.<br />

After much deliberation<br />

concern<strong>in</strong>g ma<strong>in</strong><br />

courses, this lapsed<br />

vegetarian succumbed<br />

to trust<strong>in</strong>g our waiter’s<br />

recommendation once<br />

aga<strong>in</strong> and opted for<br />

<strong>the</strong> soy-mar<strong>in</strong>ated skirt<br />

steak, onion r<strong>in</strong>gs, bean<br />

sprouts and coriander<br />

salad (£12). My faith was rewarded with a generous and<br />

beautifully presented portion of medium rare steak skirt.<br />

With such a reasonable price for this treat we were happy to<br />

pay £2.50 for green salad and m<strong>in</strong>ted new potatoes.<br />

<br />

Aqua Kyoto off ers plenty of choice on its menu, and you<br />

are encouraged to choose several dishes for shar<strong>in</strong>g, ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />

than just a starter and ma<strong>in</strong> course. Throw<strong>in</strong>g ourselves<br />

with gusto <strong>in</strong>to this task, myself and my companion began<br />

our meal with seared beef tataki with chilli ponzu (£9.50)<br />

– six pieces of lightly seared, amaz<strong>in</strong>gly tender beef topped<br />

with fi nely chopped spr<strong>in</strong>g onion and chilli. It was similar<br />

to a Japanese beef carapaccio, and <strong>the</strong> meat was truly<br />

melt-<strong>in</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-mouth. The prawn tian (£8.50) – a fi nely<br />

chopped pile of papaya, cucumber and prawn with crab<br />

caviar was refresh<strong>in</strong>g, but for our money, <strong>the</strong> beef was <strong>the</strong><br />

better choice. Nei<strong>the</strong>r of us would normally have chosen<br />

<strong>the</strong> sp<strong>in</strong>ach rolls with homemade sesame sauce (£5), but<br />

our waiter, Jimmy, recommended <strong>the</strong> dish… and we were<br />

glad he did. Lightly blanched sp<strong>in</strong>ach, tightly squeezed<br />

and rolled <strong>in</strong>to rolls and accompanied by a delicious, nutty<br />

sauce. It might not sound like much, but we wiped <strong>the</strong> plate<br />

clean.<br />

This was followed by Alaskan K<strong>in</strong>g Crab tempura with<br />

crab miso (£18) – fl avoursome chunks of crab, wrapped<br />

<strong>in</strong> seaweed, briefl y fried and <strong>the</strong>n served with a crab miso<br />

sauce.<br />

The Aqua Kyoto Saikyo miso black cod (£26) was generous,<br />

although a t<strong>in</strong>y bit more of <strong>the</strong> wonderfully syrupy miso<br />

coat<strong>in</strong>g wouldn’t have gone amiss. Grilled beef tenderlo<strong>in</strong><br />

with Japanese mustard sauce (£19) was a w<strong>in</strong>ner, although<br />

it did ra<strong>the</strong>r resemble slivers of tenderlo<strong>in</strong> with a dab of<br />

mustardy mayonnaise. Not everyth<strong>in</strong>g was so highly priced.<br />

Cheaper hot dishes <strong>in</strong>cluded a scallop and salmon tempura<br />

with soba noodles (£11.50), or braised octopus with taro<br />

and pumpk<strong>in</strong> (£9.50).<br />

Naturally, we had to try some sushi, and here Kyoto<br />

excelled. Its soft-shell crab sushi rolls (£11.50) and grilled<br />

fatty tuna rolls (£18) were faultless works of art – <strong>the</strong> latter<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g truly to die for.<br />

F<strong>in</strong>ally, for dessert, we <strong>in</strong>dulged <strong>in</strong> a green tea tiramisu (£5)<br />

and a yuzo chocolate fondant with yuzo sorbet and sweet<br />

rice sauce (£7.50). The latter was especially goo-ey and<br />

comfort<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

Aqua Kyoto is an accomplished and slick operation off er<strong>in</strong>g<br />

very good Japanese cuis<strong>in</strong>e and excellent sushi <strong>in</strong> seductive<br />

surround<strong>in</strong>gs. It might not – yet – boast Nobu’s celebrity<br />

count, but is a welcome addition to <strong>the</strong> central London<br />

restaurant scene.<br />

My partner chose seared local scallops with a creamy<br />

caulifl ower burell (mash to <strong>the</strong> rest of us!), pancetta, sage<br />

and merlot v<strong>in</strong>egar (£17). Scallop portions are rarely<br />

enormous, although it was more than enough even without<br />

<strong>the</strong> massive crab claw starter.<br />

Despite be<strong>in</strong>g pleasantly full, it would have been wrong not<br />

to make space for Table’s ‘dessert menu with a diff erence’.<br />

We decided to share<br />

<strong>the</strong> chocolate fanatic’s<br />

dream Chocolate<br />

Brownie Sundae<br />

(£4.50) and <strong>the</strong><br />

Coconut rice pudd<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

passion fruit and<br />

coriander (also £4.50).<br />

Add<strong>in</strong>g passion<br />

fruit and coriander<br />

gave our dessert a<br />

delightful z<strong>in</strong>g that<br />

encouraged us to fi nish<br />

it <strong>in</strong> a lazy, contented<br />

style with a glass of<br />

10-year Fonseca Tawny Port (£6.50). After that, we could<br />

happily have spent <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> night at Table. If we tired<br />

of look<strong>in</strong>g at each o<strong>the</strong>r, Table’s expansive w<strong>in</strong>dows are a<br />

people watcher’s paradise.

GIVING TO RECEIVE<br />

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AS TIME GOES ON,<br />

PRESENTS FOR NO<br />

OTHER REASON<br />

THAN THE FACT<br />

YOU’RE RELATED,<br />

WEAR A LITTLE THIN

CLUBS>BARS>FASHION>GOSSIP>NEWS>TRENDS>SCENES>QUEENS>FACTS><br />

<br />

PHOTO © CHRISJEPSON/LONDONCLUBLAND.COM<br />

BIRDS OF A FEATHER<br />

<br />

<br />

This camp and colourful out<strong>in</strong>g takes place at Madame JoJo's on Brewer Street, and its large and loyal follow<strong>in</strong>g turned out<br />

<strong>in</strong> force to help <strong>the</strong> night celebrate its fourth birthday <strong>in</strong> November. Check out our full review of <strong>the</strong> night on page 42...<br />

PAGE 44<br />

PROFILE<br />

Look<strong>in</strong>g for a stylish<br />

dest<strong>in</strong>ation for dr<strong>in</strong>ks<br />

and food <strong>in</strong> Soho? Look<br />

no fur<strong>the</strong>r than Profi le<br />

on Wardour Street...<br />

PAGE 46<br />

KIMONO KRUSH<br />

Evolv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> to one<br />

of <strong>the</strong> scene's most<br />

unmissable dates is this<br />

once-a-mon<strong>the</strong>r at <strong>the</strong><br />

Royal Vauxhall Tavern<br />

PAGE 48<br />

LOVECHILD<br />

LoveChild has returned<br />

to <strong>the</strong> scene, hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />

now taken up a new<br />

residency at Fire <strong>in</strong><br />

Vauxhall...

TRANNY SHACK<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Leona Lewis and friend

WORDS AND PHOTOS © CHRIS JEPSON/LONDONCLUBLAND.COM<br />

<br />

One of <strong>the</strong> scene’s late November<br />

highlights, ahead of <strong>the</strong> Christmas<br />

party season <strong>in</strong> December, is <strong>the</strong><br />

Trannyshack birthday.<br />

Hav<strong>in</strong>g had a somewhat turbulent time<br />

recently, co-promoter Dusty O and <strong>the</strong><br />

rest of <strong>the</strong> Trannyshack girls are now<br />

happily settled <strong>in</strong> that West End bastion<br />

of drag, Madame Jojo’s, and are pull<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

more punters than ever.<br />

Rock<strong>in</strong>g up to this legendary venue just<br />

before midnight, we were obviously one<br />

of <strong>the</strong> latecomers as <strong>the</strong> club was already<br />

nipple-to-nose with boys dressed as girls<br />

and <strong>the</strong> boys who like <strong>the</strong>m that way.<br />

There were some <strong>in</strong>tentionally comical<br />

creations on display, as well as some<br />

stunn<strong>in</strong>g post-operative works of art.<br />

Dusty O and partner <strong>in</strong> crime, Tasty Tim,<br />

were on <strong>the</strong> decks play<strong>in</strong>g an eclectic<br />

soundtrack of pop classics and feel-good<br />

disco, and just after 1am a whiskeylubricated<br />

Dusty hosted a show of mixed<br />

talents and much enthusiasm. Sahara<br />

went live with a club version of ‘When<br />

Love Takes Over’, Ritzy Crackers came over<br />

all Lady Gaga with a version of ‘Paparazzi’,<br />

Camile and Lady Muck were ‘Sisters’ and<br />

<strong>the</strong> wonderful Glendora went back to<br />

<strong>the</strong> 70s with <strong>the</strong> ‘Yo Yo Song’ before <strong>the</strong><br />

fabulous Transisters did a bit<strong>in</strong>gly sharply<br />

choreographed take on Beyoncé's ‘S<strong>in</strong>gle<br />

Ladies (Put A R<strong>in</strong>g On It)’.<br />

There was <strong>the</strong>n plenty more time to<br />

groove to some more of Tasty’s tunes<br />

and chat with <strong>the</strong> ladies at what is<br />

consistently one of <strong>the</strong> most fun weekly<br />

parties <strong>in</strong> London.<br />

Trannyshack at Madame JoJo’s,<br />

8-10 Brewer Street, W1, every<br />

Wednesday from 10.30pm-3am.

PROFILE<br />

<br />

Defi nitely one of Soho’s best<br />

new additions <strong>in</strong> 2009, QSoft’s<br />

Profi le bar cont<strong>in</strong>ues to pick up<br />

a follow<strong>in</strong>g on Wardour Street.<br />

Where else can you go and enjoy a<br />

bite to eat, a gossip with friends <strong>in</strong><br />

a d<strong>in</strong>er-style lea<strong>the</strong>r booth, cheap<br />

cocktails, and some cute eye-candy?<br />

Despite what o<strong>the</strong>r bars may claim,<br />

we reckon Profi le is easily <strong>the</strong> most<br />

stylish bar <strong>in</strong> gay Soho, with its<br />

bright yellow seat<strong>in</strong>g, glossy black<br />

tiles, slate wall and d<strong>in</strong>ky p<strong>in</strong>k<br />

light<strong>in</strong>g. It’s rarely overbear<strong>in</strong>gly<br />

crushed ei<strong>the</strong>r, hav<strong>in</strong>g established<br />

a discern<strong>in</strong>g follow<strong>in</strong>g of Soho<br />

dr<strong>in</strong>kers and d<strong>in</strong>ers.<br />

The bar features DJs every weekend,<br />

with Gaydar’s Phil Marriott as <strong>the</strong><br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

resident each Friday. Upcom<strong>in</strong>g<br />

special parties over <strong>the</strong> next couple<br />

of weeks <strong>in</strong>clude a Soho Gyms<br />

15th anniversary party on Thursday<br />

26 November, and Lo-Profi le’s<br />

second anniversary on Friday 4<br />

December. This will be followed on<br />

Friday 11 December by a special<br />

Gaydar party. If you’re not a night<br />

person, don’t forget that Profi le is<br />

open throughout <strong>the</strong> day, off er<strong>in</strong>g<br />

a full food menu from lunchtime<br />

through ‘til even<strong>in</strong>g – and<br />

Sunday brunches, <strong>in</strong> particular,<br />

are becom<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g of an<br />

<strong>in</strong>stitution.<br />

Profi le/Lo-Profi le, 84-86<br />

Wardour Street, Soho, W1<br />

– www.profi lesoho.co.uk<br />

PHOTOS © CHRIS JEPSON/LONDONCLUBLAND.COM

PHOTOS © CHRIS JEPSON/LONDONCLUBLAND.COM

KIMONO KRUSH<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Runn<strong>in</strong>g for over a year now,<br />

monthly club night Kimono Krush<br />

has been quietly and steadily<br />

build<strong>in</strong>g up a follow<strong>in</strong>g down at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Runn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

on <strong>the</strong> second Friday of each month,<br />

we paid a visit for <strong>the</strong> club’s November<br />

date, and found <strong>the</strong> place comfortably<br />

busy with a real hotchpotch of Friday<br />

night dr<strong>in</strong>kers and lovers of eclectic<br />

disco. Promoter Panos (pictured on <strong>the</strong><br />

fac<strong>in</strong>g page <strong>in</strong> yellow) was celebrat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

his birthday on <strong>the</strong> night, and as it<br />

fell on Friday <strong>the</strong> 13th (November),<br />

<strong>the</strong> whole shebang was based upon a<br />

horror <strong>the</strong>me – <strong>the</strong> perfect opportunity<br />

to use up that leftover Halloween<br />

make-up. A professional make-up artist<br />

was on hand to give everyone ghoulish<br />

makeovers, while cabaret was provided<br />

by Lazy Susan. Sp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />

excellent selection of tunes were Al<br />

Dente, The Duchess of Pork and The<br />

Sugarlow Boys, who dropped <strong>in</strong> plenty<br />

of one-hit wonders and dance classics.<br />

‘The alternative gay disco with a tranny<br />

edge’, Kimono Krush has really begun<br />

to come <strong>in</strong> to its own, and word is<br />

spread<strong>in</strong>g that this is one monthly<br />

party well worth travel<strong>in</strong>g for… not<br />

to mention slapp<strong>in</strong>g on some panstick<br />

or throw<strong>in</strong>g some glitter <strong>in</strong> your beard.<br />

The team return with a Christmas bash,<br />

follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> RVT’s Vixens In The Wood<br />

pantomime, on Friday 11 December<br />

from 10.30pm till 2.30am.<br />

Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372<br />

Kenn<strong>in</strong>gton Lane, SE11.

LOVECHILD<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Earlier this year, promoter Alex<br />

Erfan threw a party at Pacha<br />

<strong>in</strong> Victoria called Lovechild. In<br />

October, he brought <strong>the</strong> night back<br />

to <strong>the</strong> London scene, but this time at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Vauxhall K<strong>in</strong>g (Queen?) of clubs<br />

– Fire. Revamped, pumped-up<br />

and full of testosterone, this new<br />

glossy version was slicker than a slick<br />

stick <strong>cover</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> Slik lube. It boasted<br />

a whole raft of porn stars, muscle<br />

boys, go-go dancers and performers,<br />

all cavort<strong>in</strong>g and bar<strong>in</strong>g all for those<br />

assembled masses with a penchant<br />

for <strong>the</strong> male form.<br />

Sport<strong>in</strong>g wrestl<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>glets, jock<br />

straps and… um, just boots,<br />

<strong>the</strong> über-hot stage shows had us<br />

sweat<strong>in</strong>g around <strong>the</strong> collar and<br />

grabb<strong>in</strong>g a tall iced dr<strong>in</strong>k <strong>in</strong> a bid<br />

to cool down. Elsewhere <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

three arches, some fresh faces on<br />

<strong>the</strong> Fire wheels of steel <strong>in</strong>cluded<br />

Lee Harris, Gabriel Cutrano, Max<br />

Sanna and Phil Hewson – who<br />

spun a pumped-up selection of<br />

funky house tunes. Designer Edna<br />

had gone mad with sheets of<br />

polystyrene, a hot wire and a ton<br />

of glitter to transform <strong>the</strong> ceil<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>in</strong>to a porn-nativity for <strong>the</strong> sexy<br />

crowd, and when topped off with<br />

a naughty playroom of cavort<strong>in</strong>g<br />

man-toys, it all made for a near<br />

perfect night out!<br />

Catch Lovechild aga<strong>in</strong> on Saturday<br />

12 December. Full details at www.<br />

AlexErfan.com<br />

<br />

PHOTOS © CHRIS JEPSON/LONDONCLUBLAND.COM

WORDS BY LOREM DELOREM | PHOTOGRAPH BY MAET IPSUM

STUFFING CHRISTMAS<br />

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WHAT I DON’T DO<br />

WELL IS CHRISTMAS<br />

AT HOME...<br />

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GET ON THE<br />

GUEST LIST<br />

This needs little<br />

<strong>in</strong>troduction, but <strong>the</strong><br />

Trade team will be back<br />

at <strong>the</strong> home of all th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

Orange at Fire this<br />

Christmas Day for ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

seasonal extravaganza.<br />

Expect a l<strong>in</strong>e-up of<br />

Trade stalwarts on <strong>the</strong><br />

decks and an especially<br />

seasonal crowd of cool-kid<br />

clubbers, beefed-up<br />

muscle and locals danc<strong>in</strong>g<br />

off <strong>the</strong> turkey.<br />

Trade’s Christmas Day<br />

Party is on Christmas Day<br />

at Fire, South Lambeth<br />

Road, Vauxhall (entrance<br />

on Parry Street). Doors are<br />

open from 10pm till late.<br />

Check www.tradeuk.<br />

net for more details.<br />

If domestic seasonal<br />

cheer all gets and bit<br />

much and you’re sick of<br />

turkey stuffi ng leftovers,<br />

get down to Hard On<br />

on Box<strong>in</strong>g Day (26 Dec)<br />

for a splash of seasonal<br />

wrongness. Expect all<br />

<strong>the</strong> usual sex<strong>in</strong>ess and<br />

facilities, with Suzie<br />

Krueger and her band of<br />

residents supply<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />

hardcore atmosphere.<br />

Strict dress code on <strong>the</strong><br />

door of lea<strong>the</strong>r, rubber,<br />

military, sk<strong>in</strong>head or just<br />

boots – membership<br />

is available onl<strong>in</strong>e and<br />

required 24 hours before<br />

<strong>the</strong> event.<br />

Hard On is on Box<strong>in</strong>g Day<br />

at Hidden, 100 T<strong>in</strong>worth<br />

Street, Vauxhall. Doors are<br />

open from 10pm till 6am<br />

and entry is £15 members,<br />

£20 non-members.

KINKY KABARET<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

When <strong>the</strong> fl yer boy is dressed <strong>in</strong><br />

a confederate cap, jack-boots<br />

and silver gas mask, you know<br />

you are <strong>in</strong> for someth<strong>in</strong>g special<br />

and/or weird. Nowhere is this<br />

truer than at K<strong>in</strong>ky Kabaret! The<br />

Monday nighter at Freedom <strong>in</strong> Soho<br />

is go<strong>in</strong>g from strength to strength<br />

under <strong>the</strong> steady hands of hosts<br />

Dusty O and Nathan. Always a visual<br />

treat, on our recent visit we caught<br />

Miss O resplendent <strong>in</strong> 50s Hollywood<br />

siren glamour, sp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g an eclectic<br />

set of tunes as <strong>the</strong> crowds ga<strong>the</strong>red.<br />

On <strong>the</strong> stroke of ‘fashionably late’,<br />

<strong>the</strong> show opened with <strong>the</strong> lovely<br />

Nathan James who sang a selection<br />

of girls' classics (Donna Summer,<br />

Gloria Gaynor) with his own soulful<br />

twist. Next up, pocket-sized crooner<br />

Ben Evans (currently appear<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>in</strong> Jersey Boys) gave us Frankie<br />

Valli’s ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’,<br />

before hand<strong>in</strong>g over to a very<br />

young and cute Sam Taylor and his<br />

haunt<strong>in</strong>g vocals. Putt<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ‘K’ <strong>in</strong><br />

to K<strong>in</strong>ky, act one was closed with<br />

<strong>the</strong> fabulous and bit<strong>in</strong>gly sharp<br />

choreography of The Transisters<br />

with a ‘S<strong>in</strong>gle Ladies’ medley that<br />

had <strong>the</strong> audience whoop<strong>in</strong>g. After<br />

a brief cocktail break, all three<br />

s<strong>in</strong>gers were back with more<br />

upbeat numbers – <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g an<br />

Abba medley – before ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Transisters fi nale. With a happy<br />

hour and dr<strong>in</strong>k promotion right<br />

through ‘til 3am, it was <strong>the</strong>n<br />

dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g and throw<strong>in</strong>g shapes on<br />

<strong>the</strong> dancefl oor ‘til <strong>the</strong> small hours.<br />

Freedom, 66 Wardour<br />

Street, W1.<br />

<br />

Dusty O<br />

WORDS AND PHOTOS © CHRIS JEPSON/LONDONCLUBLAND.COM

PHOTO © CHRISJEPSON.COM<br />

<br />

HIGHLIGHTS<br />

OUT TURNS THREE<br />

<strong>Out</strong> In The <strong>City</strong>, <strong>the</strong> world’s greatest gay magaz<strong>in</strong>e (ahem… well, we would say that,<br />

wouldn’t we?) will be celebrat<strong>in</strong>g its third birthday this month. Yes, <strong>the</strong> lovely magaz<strong>in</strong>e<br />

that you lov<strong>in</strong>gly hold <strong>in</strong> your hands has notched up three years of fabulousness. To<br />

celebrate, we’re throw<strong>in</strong>g a party and you are all <strong>in</strong>vited. We will be tak<strong>in</strong>g over <strong>the</strong> swanky<br />

Shadow Lounge on Brewer Street, Soho, on <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g of Friday 11 December. Doors<br />

will be open from 9pm onwards. Look out for a fl yer <strong>in</strong> Soho for free entry between 9 and<br />

11.30pm. Admission will be £5 after 11.30pm. Expect DJs, enterta<strong>in</strong>ment, <strong>Out</strong> In The <strong>City</strong><br />

staff giddy on champagne, and probably <strong>the</strong> odd celebrity or two!<br />

<strong>Out</strong> In The <strong>City</strong>’s third birthday takes place at <strong>the</strong> Shadow Lounge,<br />

5 Brewer Street, W1, on Friday 11 December.<br />

NEW YEAR G-A-Y<br />

Saturday nights at G-A-Y at Heaven have been particularly packed out over recent weeks<br />

– due <strong>in</strong> part to <strong>the</strong> phenomenal <strong>in</strong>terest around this year’s X Factor competition. Host<br />

Jeremy Joseph has been <strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g PAs from all <strong>the</strong> contestants that have been voted off<br />

this year’s show, so has already had appearances from Miss Frank, Rachel and Kandy Ra<strong>in</strong>.<br />

That’s set to cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>in</strong> to December, with appearances on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12<br />

December from those who came 4th and 3rd respectively. At <strong>the</strong> time of go<strong>in</strong>g to press,<br />

Jeremy was still wait<strong>in</strong>g for confi rmation that he might host a PA from <strong>the</strong> eventual w<strong>in</strong>ner.<br />

However, he has already arranged details for his New Year’s Eve party arranged, which<br />

will feature a very exclusive PA from reformed boy band A1 (‘Take On Me’, ‘Caught In The<br />

Middle’). Advance tickets for <strong>the</strong> party – which is sure to be a sell out – are now available<br />

from <strong>the</strong> G-A-Y bar on Old Compton Street. For <strong>the</strong> month of November, advance tickets cost<br />

just £10 – probably one<br />

of <strong>the</strong> cheapest New Year’s<br />

Eve tickets for any of <strong>the</strong><br />

big London gay clubs!<br />

G-A-Y takes place at<br />

Heaven, under The Arches,<br />

Villiers Street, Char<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Cross, WC2. The G-A-Y<br />

Bar can be found at 30<br />

Old Compton Street, W1,<br />

and G-A-Y Late is at 5<br />

Goslett Yard, W1. For full<br />

details, check <strong>the</strong><br />

‘G-A-Y Offi cial’ page<br />

on Facebook.<br />

<br />

RED HEADS<br />

<br />

One of <strong>the</strong> biggest parties to take place<br />

<strong>in</strong> Brighton each year, and well worth<br />

travel<strong>in</strong>g for, is <strong>the</strong> annual Wild Fruit<br />

World AIDS Day event. Entitled The<br />

Red Party – <strong>in</strong> honour of <strong>the</strong> red ribbon<br />

– this year’s event is due to take place<br />

on Sunday 6 December at <strong>the</strong> huge<br />

Oceana nightclub. Besides off er<strong>in</strong>g an<br />

excellent night of enterta<strong>in</strong>ment, <strong>the</strong> Red<br />

Party aims to rem<strong>in</strong>d people that <strong>the</strong><br />

AIDS epidemic has not gone away.<br />

It also helps raise much-needed<br />

funds, with all proceeds from<br />

<strong>the</strong> 2009 event earmarked<br />

for <strong>the</strong> Sussex Community<br />

Ra<strong>in</strong>bow Alliance.<br />

Headl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g this very special<br />

night will be one of <strong>the</strong> UK’s most<br />

successful and respected s<strong>in</strong>gers<br />

– <strong>the</strong> amaz<strong>in</strong>g Beverley Knight<br />

(MBE). O<strong>the</strong>r famous faces tak<strong>in</strong>g part<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> event will <strong>in</strong>clude DJs Boy George<br />

and <strong>the</strong> Freemasons, Patsy Palmer, Rowetta, Dusty<br />

O, Tasty Tim, Leon Lopez, Dulcie Danger, Queen Joseph<strong>in</strong>e and Dolly Rocket,<br />

amongst many, many o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

The stage enterta<strong>in</strong>ment is due to kick off at 11pm, and Oceana will off er no less than<br />

seven <strong>the</strong>med party rooms. As always, all those attend<strong>in</strong>g are encouraged to wear red<br />

– ensur<strong>in</strong>g that this is one of <strong>the</strong> most visual nights out <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UK!<br />

Although it’s a fundraiser, jo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> fun won’t cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, if you jo<strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Red party early (from 8.30–10.30pm) for pre-party dr<strong>in</strong>ks you can ga<strong>in</strong> entry for only<br />

£7. It’s also only £6 NUS before 11.30pm (£8 NUS after). Advance tickets (available from<br />

Charles Street, Dr Brighton’s, <strong>the</strong> Dome box offi ce and <strong>the</strong> ticketweb website) are £10, and<br />

guests on <strong>the</strong> door pay just £12. Of course, you can always donate more if you wish!<br />

Oceana can be found on West Street, Brighton. For full party details, check www.<br />

aeonevents.co.uk<br />

BEYOND CHRISTMAS<br />

Unsurpris<strong>in</strong>gly, <strong>the</strong> Orange team have some huge parties l<strong>in</strong>ed up for <strong>the</strong> festive season.<br />

Special dates to look out for at Fire (South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall) <strong>in</strong>clude <strong>the</strong> Beyond<br />

Christmas Spectacular on Saturday 5 December. Off er<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ‘12 Hours Of Christmas’,<br />

<strong>the</strong> event will run from midnight till noon on Sunday, and will feature 12 amaz<strong>in</strong>g DJs and<br />

a dozen of <strong>the</strong> scene’s sexiest go-go dancers. There will also be a surprise PA. In keep<strong>in</strong>g<br />

with <strong>the</strong> ‘12’ <strong>the</strong>me, admission, naturally, will be £12. Get advance tickets from www.<br />

clubtickets.com and all <strong>the</strong> usual outlets (Clone Zone, Prowler, DV8, etc).<br />

This will be followed on Saturday 19 December by <strong>the</strong> Juicy Christmas Party, aga<strong>in</strong> at<br />

Fire, from 11pm till 8am. Special guest DJ Pagano will jo<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Juicy l<strong>in</strong>e-up, sp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />

big, sexy, uplift<strong>in</strong>g tunes for <strong>the</strong> sexy, tops-off crowd of late-night dance addicts. Advance<br />

tickets cost £10.<br />

There’s no rest for <strong>the</strong> team over <strong>the</strong> Christmas Day itself, when <strong>the</strong> doors of Fire will be<br />

opened for Trade’s annual Christmas Day party. The Orange Trade ‘Magic Of Christmas<br />

Night’ party will take place on 25th December from 10pm till 8am. This is always a wellattended<br />

and very special party – with a truly unique atmosphere. Advance tickets cost £12<br />

from Fire, Area, <strong>the</strong> usual Soho outlets and www.clubtickets.com<br />

F<strong>in</strong>ally, <strong>the</strong>re’s a Beyond New Year’s Day spectacular arranged for Friday 1 January – from<br />

5.30am till 2pm <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> afternoon. Maximise your New Year’s Eve party<strong>in</strong>g by end<strong>in</strong>g your<br />

night at <strong>the</strong> most debauched and hedonistic afterhours <strong>in</strong> gay London. Aga<strong>in</strong>, advance<br />

tickets will cost £15 from www.clubtickets.com<br />

PHOTO & STYLING © JEZ EATON

GOING<br />

KU CALENDAR BOYS<br />

Follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> huge success of last year’s event,<br />

<strong>the</strong> Ku Bar will be host<strong>in</strong>g ano<strong>the</strong>r World AIDS<br />

Auction this December. Once aga<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong> gorgeous<br />

Ku staff will be auction<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>mselves for charity,<br />

rais<strong>in</strong>g funds for <strong>the</strong> Food Cha<strong>in</strong>. Last year’s event<br />

raised over £2,500, and this year <strong>the</strong> team wants<br />

to do even better. The action all takes place on<br />

Tuesday 1 December at 7.30pm at <strong>the</strong> Ku Bar on<br />

Lisle Street. Boogaloo Stu is your host and you’ll be<br />

able to bid on a choice of ten of <strong>the</strong> bar’s f<strong>in</strong>est bar<br />

hunks. The w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g bidders will have <strong>the</strong> pleasure of<br />

accompany<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir “dates” to an exclusive reception<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> venue’s Champagne Bar directly after <strong>the</strong><br />

auction. If you don’t fancy bidd<strong>in</strong>g for one of <strong>the</strong><br />

boys, <strong>the</strong>re will be plenty of o<strong>the</strong>r goodies up for grabs, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g a PlayStation 3, and<br />

VIP X Factor Live tickets. All w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g bidders will be able to attend <strong>the</strong> after party <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Champagne bar, which will <strong>in</strong>clude complimentary champagne and canapés.<br />

Also be<strong>in</strong>g launched on <strong>the</strong> night will be <strong>the</strong> first Ku Bar calendar, which will aga<strong>in</strong><br />

feature several of <strong>the</strong> beautiful Ku bar boys. The calendars will be on sale from 1 December,<br />

and proceeds from its sale will go to <strong>the</strong> Food Cha<strong>in</strong>.<br />

The Ku Bar, 30 Lisle Street, Leicester Square, WC2. www.ku-bar.co.uk<br />

VENUES:<br />

CENTRAL LONDON<br />

79 CXR, 79 Char<strong>in</strong>g Cross Road,<br />

WC2. 020 7734 0769. Leicester<br />

Square tube. Mon-Sat 1pm-3am,<br />

Sun 1pm-10.30pm. Cover charge<br />

after 11pm. Large, cruisy, late-night<br />

bar - always busy after 10.30pm<br />

with those who don’t want to head<br />

home too early.<br />

ADMIRAL DUNCAN, 54 Old<br />

Compton Street, W1. 020 7437<br />

5300. Leicester Square tube.<br />

Friendly, famous, traditional gay<br />

pub - just look out for <strong>the</strong> purple<br />

and p<strong>in</strong>k exterior!<br />

BARCODE, 3-4 Archer Street,<br />

W1. 020 7734 3342. www.<br />

bar-code.co.uk. Piccadilly Circus<br />

tube. Mon-Sat 4pm-1.30am. Sun<br />

until 10.30pm. Dance bar on three<br />

floors, with club-style basement.<br />

Comedy Camp stand-up night<br />

each Tuesday, and more danceoriented<br />

sessions at weekends.<br />

THE BOX, 32-34 Monmouth<br />

Street, Seven Dials, WC2. 020<br />

7240 5828. Leicester Square tube.<br />

11am-11pm. Stylish and awardw<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gay café bar popular with<br />

scene and muscle queens.<br />

Frequent exhibitions<br />

on <strong>the</strong> walls and<br />

great food.<br />

CANDY BAR, 4 Carlisle Street, W1.<br />

020 7494 4041. Tottenham Court<br />

Road tube. Mon-Thu 5-11.30pm. Fri<br />

& Sat 5pm-2am. Sun 5-11pm. Longrunn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

and famed lesbian bar.<br />

COMPTONS, 52 Old Compton<br />

Street, W1. 020 7479 7961.<br />

Leicester Square tube. Noon-11pm.<br />

A Soho <strong>in</strong>stitution. Large, traditional<br />

gay boozer on two floors, attract<strong>in</strong>g<br />

a butch and manly crowd. www.<br />

comptons-of-soho.co.uk<br />

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON,<br />

77 Wardour Street, W1. 020 7439<br />

1274. Piccadilly Circus tube.<br />

Mon-Thu noon-11pm, Fri & Sat<br />

noon-midnight, ‘til 10.30pm<br />

on Sun. Traditional and fun gay<br />

pub over two floors, attract<strong>in</strong>g a<br />

good cross-section from across<br />

<strong>the</strong> scene.<br />

THE EDGE, 11 Soho Square, W1.<br />

020 7439 1313. Tottenham Court<br />

Road tube. Noon-1am, Sun 2pm-<br />

11.30pm. Stylish, hip gay bar<br />

spread over four <strong>in</strong>timate floors,<br />

with regular nights from top DJs,<br />

regular piano bar and tasty food.<br />

ESCAPE, 10a Brewer Street, W1.<br />

020 7734 2626. Piccadilly Circus<br />

tube. 5pm-3am. Cover charge after<br />

11pm. Every night’s a party at this<br />

late-night video dance bar.<br />

FIRST OUT CAFÉ, 52 St Giles<br />

High Street, WC2. 020 7240 8042.<br />

Tottenham Court Road tube.<br />

10am-11pm. Sun 10.30pm. Over<br />

20 years old and still go<strong>in</strong>g strong.<br />

Long-runn<strong>in</strong>g community café bar.<br />

FREEDOM, 66 Wardour Street,<br />

W1. 020 7734 0071. Piccadilly<br />

Circus tube. Opulent style bar, with<br />

late-night club promotions for a<br />

mixed, metrosexual crowd.<br />

www.freedombarsoho.com<br />

FRIENDLY SOCIETY, 79 Wardour<br />

Street, WC1. Trendy and unique,<br />

<strong>in</strong>timate basement bar with<br />

quirky decor and fun atmosphere<br />

– attracts a mixed crowd.<br />

G-A-Y BAR, 30 Old Compton<br />

Street, W1. 020 7494 2756.<br />

Leicester Square tube. 12pm-<br />

12am. Huge, poptastic gay bar,<br />

with a multitude of video screens,<br />

pop tunes and dr<strong>in</strong>ks promotions.<br />

www.g-a-y.co.uk<br />

G-A-Y LATE, 5 Goslett Yard,<br />

off Char<strong>in</strong>g Cross Road, WC2.<br />

Tottenham Court Road tube.<br />

11pm-3am. Late-night sister<br />

venue to G-A-Y Bar – more video<br />

screens, camp pop fun and cheap<br />

dr<strong>in</strong>ks.Gets very busy most nights<br />

of <strong>the</strong> week.<br />

THE GREEN CARNATION, 4-5<br />

Greek Street, Soho, W1. 020-7434<br />

3323. Stylish, three-floored<br />

late night gay venue, with<br />

bar, dancefloor and nightly<br />

promotions. Attracts a mixed<br />

crowd. www.greencarnationsoho.<br />

co.uk<br />

HALFWAY TO HEAVEN,<br />

7 Duncannon Street, WC2. 020<br />

7321 2791. Char<strong>in</strong>g Cross tube.<br />

Mon-Thu noon-11pm, Fri & Sat<br />

12pm-12am. Old-style gay pub<br />

spread over two floors.<br />

HEAVEN, The Arches, Villiers<br />

Street, WC2. Char<strong>in</strong>g Cross Road<br />

tube. Huge, world-famous gay<br />

club, which is now home to<br />

G-A-Y, along with mixed/studenty<br />

Monday nighter Popcorn. Check<br />

www.g-a-y.co.uk for details<br />

THE KINGS ARMS, 23 Poland<br />

Street, W1. 020 7734 5907.<br />

Oxford Circus tube. Mon-Thur<br />

12pm–11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am,<br />

Sun 12pm-11.30pm. London’s bar<br />

for bears and blokes. Traditional<br />

atmosphere plus pool table.<br />

Sunday night karaoke very popular.<br />

KUDOS, 10 Adelaide Street, WC2.<br />

020 7379 4573. Char<strong>in</strong>g Cross<br />

tube. 3pm-11pm, Sat noon-11pm,<br />

Sun noon-10.30pm. Beautiful<br />

and stylish café bar, with clubbier<br />

vibe and video screens <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

basement. Popular with Asian<br />

crowd. Weekend jazz sessions <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> basement.<br />

KU BAR, 30 Lisle Street, Leicester<br />

Square, WC2. 020 7437 4303.<br />

Leicester Square tube. Large,<br />

award-w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g, upmarket gay<br />

bar spread over three floors, open<br />

till 3am daily and always busy<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> week. www.<br />

ku-bar.co.uk<br />

KU BAR SOHO, 25 Frith Street,<br />

W1. Leicester Square tube. New,<br />

smaller sister venue to Lisle Street<br />

Ku Bar, with entrances on Old<br />

Compton Street and Frith Street<br />

- open till 11pm daily.. www.<br />

ku-bar.co.uk<br />

LO-PROFILE, The Basement,<br />

84-85 Wardour Street, W1. Swanky,<br />

sophisticated, 400-capacity<br />

late-night basement bar and club<br />

space – from <strong>the</strong> people that br<strong>in</strong>g<br />

you gaydar.co.uk. Open 10pm-4am<br />

on Fridays and Saturdays. www.<br />

gaydarprofile.com<br />

<br />

LONG YANG<br />

CLUB, long-runn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

social group for East Asian<br />

gay guys and friends. Regular<br />

parties and social events. Check<br />

website at www.lyclondon.com for<br />

full details.<br />

MADAME JO JO’S, 8-10 Brewer<br />

Street, W1. Long-runn<strong>in</strong>g, late<br />

night gig venue, nightclub<br />

and cabaret bar - open to very<br />

mixed crowd. Home to popular<br />

Wednesday nighter Trannyshack.<br />

www.madamejojos.com.<br />

MOLLY MOGG’S, 2 Old Compton<br />

Street, W1. 020 7434 4294.<br />

Tottenham Court Road tube. Small,<br />

<strong>in</strong>timate little gay pub, with regular<br />

drag shows attract<strong>in</strong>g a mixed<br />

crowd of <strong>the</strong>atre folk and tourists.<br />

PENDULUM, 56 Frith Street, Soho,<br />

W1. 0207 734 8300 . Tottenham<br />

Court Road tube. Stylish, big gay<br />

bar – spread over three floors,<br />

GLITTERBALL 2<strong>01</strong>0<br />

Scene favourite Jodie Harsh has been chosen to host<br />

this year’s New Year’s Eve extravaganza from Hed Kandi.<br />

The respected house music brand’s NYE party – this<br />

year entitled Glitterball 2<strong>01</strong>0 – will be return<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

London’s Indigo2 venue for <strong>the</strong> third consecutive year.<br />

Expect <strong>the</strong> world’s biggest glitterball as a centerpiece to<br />

<strong>the</strong> celebrations – which will itself house <strong>the</strong> DJ booth<br />

and some state-of-<strong>the</strong>-art projectors! Sp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> music<br />

will be DJs Phil Faversham, Andy Daniels and Dean Rigg,<br />

and besides <strong>the</strong> hottest Hed Kandi house tunes all night<br />

long, you can expect a live performance from revered<br />

vocalist Julie McKnight (‘F<strong>in</strong>ally’, ‘Diamond Life’), plus live<br />

musicians and a host of Kandi dancers throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

night. Jodie will be oversee<strong>in</strong>g proceed<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> VIP<br />

room. Hed Kandi events are mixed but predom<strong>in</strong>antly<br />

straight affairs, but everyone is united by a common love<br />

for quality house tunes. Doors to <strong>the</strong> Glitterball 2<strong>01</strong>0 will<br />

be open from 9pm till 4am. General admission tickets<br />

will cost £45, with VIP tickets at £85. Check www.<br />

hedkandi.com for full details.<br />

<br />

PHOTO © MAGNUS HASTINGS

with food, dr<strong>in</strong>k, art displays<br />

and pre-club promotions. www.<br />

pendulumsoho.co.uk<br />

PROFILE, 84-84 Wardour Street,<br />

W1. Piccadilly Circus tube. Upstairs<br />

bar above Lo-Profile, owned and<br />

run by <strong>the</strong> team beh<strong>in</strong>d Gaydar.<br />

Stylish gay bar/d<strong>in</strong>er, open for<br />

food and dr<strong>in</strong>k from early morn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

through till 11pm – when <strong>the</strong><br />

action moves downstairs. www.<br />

gaydarprofile.com<br />

THE QUEBEC, 12 Old Quebec<br />

Street, WC1. 020-7629 6159.<br />

Marble Arch tube. Long-runn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

and huge pub, on two floors,<br />

attract<strong>in</strong>g an older crowd. Open till<br />

3am at weekends. Off <strong>the</strong> beaten<br />

Soho track but well worth check<strong>in</strong>g<br />

out. www.<strong>the</strong>quebec.co.uk<br />

THE QUEEN’S HEAD, 25 Tryon<br />

Street, SW3. 020-7589 0262.<br />

Sloane Square tube. Popular, very<br />

long-runn<strong>in</strong>g, cosy gay pub –a<br />

Chelsea <strong>in</strong>stitution.<br />

RETRO BAR, 2 George Court,<br />

WC2. 020 7321 2811. Char<strong>in</strong>g<br />

HATEFUL BIRTHDAY<br />

Eat Your Heart <strong>Out</strong>, <strong>the</strong> avant-garde cabaret night from<br />

performer Scottee, will be celebrat<strong>in</strong>g its first birthday<br />

on Saturday 5 December… adopt<strong>in</strong>g a loose <strong>the</strong>me of<br />

‘We hate you’ for <strong>the</strong> night!<br />

“I know you’re th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g ‘hate’ is a strong word… Well, it’s<br />

not fuck<strong>in</strong>g strong enough,” expla<strong>in</strong>s Scottee. “Everyone<br />

knows we would love to br<strong>in</strong>g back capital punishment<br />

for those who remotely look like <strong>the</strong>y’re from <strong>the</strong><br />

burlesque clan, or to slice <strong>the</strong> tongues off any drag queens<br />

who lip sync to Whitney’s awful new record, but <strong>the</strong>re are<br />

much more important issues to hand.”<br />

“This month we’re wear<strong>in</strong>g our heart on our sleeve and<br />

offer<strong>in</strong>g a space for our performers to vent <strong>the</strong>ir anger. It<br />

won’t be nice, it quite possibly will be violent and it will<br />

def<strong>in</strong>itely be hateful. Jan Moir, Nick Griff<strong>in</strong>, Paris Hilton<br />

– you’re all <strong>in</strong> for it!”<br />

Expect live performances from Scottee, Holestarr, Jordan<br />

Hunt, Mitzi Von Melbatoast, Miss Anabel S<strong>in</strong>gs, Bird La Bird,<br />

Myra Du Bois and Pop Collective, with video work from<br />

Steph Bedford and Rebecca Landey.<br />

Eat Your Heart <strong>Out</strong> takes place at <strong>the</strong> Marie Lloyd Bar,<br />

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8. Tickets cost £7<br />

on <strong>the</strong> door, £5 <strong>in</strong> advance, or £3 for NUS.<br />

Cross tube. Mon-Fri noon-11. Sat<br />

5pm-11pm, Sun 5pm-11pm.<br />

A traditional boozer for <strong>the</strong> gay<br />

scene’s <strong>in</strong>die, alternative and<br />

student-types – Tuesday’s pop quiz<br />

is an <strong>in</strong>stitution.<br />

RUPERT STREET, 50 Rupert<br />

Street, W1. 020 7292 7141.<br />

Piccadilly Circus tube. 12-11pm, Sun<br />

10.30pm. Large, designer style bar,<br />

popular with professional gay boyz.<br />

SHADOW LOUNGE, 5 Brewer<br />

Street, W1. 020-7287 7988.<br />

Piccadilly tube. Exclusive, gorgeous,<br />

late-night bar and club for A-list<br />

gays and celeb-spotters. Open from<br />

late each even<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

www.<strong>the</strong>shadowlounge.com<br />

SWEATBOX, 1-2 Ramillies<br />

Street, Soho, W1. 020-3214 6<strong>01</strong>4.<br />

Exclusively gay gym (ground floor)<br />

and sauna (first floor), which now<br />

hosts occasional late-night parties<br />

with a late-night alcohol licence.<br />

Open Sun-Thurs noon-midnight,<br />

and till 5am Friday and Saturday.<br />

www.sweatboxsoho.com.<br />

VAULT 139, 139 Whitfield Street,<br />

W1. 020-7388 5500. Newlyopened,<br />

central, daytime <strong>in</strong>timate<br />

cruise club, for a men-only crowd.<br />

Open 1pm-1am seven days a<br />

week. www.vault139.com<br />

VILLAGE, 81 Wardour Street, W1.<br />

020 7434 2124. Piccadilly Circus<br />

tube. 12-1am, Sun 11.30pm. Late<br />

night door charge. Soho’s orig<strong>in</strong>al<br />

gay café bar, spread over four floors,<br />

and now with basement dancefloor<br />

and discos. Popular with a youngish<br />

crowd of boys and girls.<br />

THE YARD, 57 Rupert Street, W1.<br />

020 7437 2652. Piccadilly Circus<br />

tube. Mon-Thur 4pm-11pm, Fri<br />

& Sat 1pm-11pm, Sun 1pm-<br />

1.10.30pm. Busy gay bar with<br />

hugely popular courtyard area,<br />

outdoor balcony and cosy loft bar.<br />

SAUNAS<br />

CHARIOTS WATERLOO<br />

1<strong>01</strong> Lower Marsh, Waterloo, SE1.<br />

020 74<strong>01</strong> 8484. Waterloo tube.<br />

Well-presented, popular sauna,<br />

open 24/7. www.gaysauna.co.uk<br />

PLEASUREDROME<br />

124 Cornwall Road, Waterloo, SE1.<br />

Waterloo tube. Big venue with<br />

lots of different areas – open 24<br />

hours, 365 days of year. www.<br />

pleasuredrome.com<br />

SAUNABAR PORTSEA<br />

2 Portsea Place, Marble Arch, W2.<br />

020 7402 3385. Marble Arch tube.<br />

Small and friendly gay sauna with<br />

masseurs. www.gaysaunabar.com<br />

SAUNABAR COVENT GARDEN<br />

29 Endell Street, Covent Garden,<br />

WC2. 020 7836 2236. Covent<br />

Garden tube. Basement sauna with<br />

pool, sauna and rest rooms. Check<br />

website for discount entry. www.<br />

<strong>the</strong>saunabar.co.uk<br />

SWEATBOX SOHO<br />

Ramillies House, 1-2 Ramillies<br />

Street, Soho, W1. 020 3214 6<strong>01</strong>4.<br />

Oxford Circus tube. Gay-owned and<br />

run gym and basement sauna.<br />

www.sweatboxsoho.com<br />

NORTH LONDON<br />

THE BLACK CAP, 171 Camden<br />

High Street, NW1. 020 7485 0538.<br />

Camden Town tube. Shufflewick<br />

Bar: Mon-Thu Noon-1am, Fri-Sat<br />

12noon-2am, Sun Noon-10.30pm.<br />

Club: Mon-Thu 10pm-2am, Fri-Sat<br />

10pm-3am, Sun 10pm-1am. Longrunn<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

famed gay pub – probably<br />

<strong>the</strong> most famous cabaret pub <strong>in</strong><br />

London. www.<strong>the</strong>blackcap.com<br />

CENTRAL STATION,<br />

37 Wharfdale Road, N1. Tel: 020<br />

7278 3294. K<strong>in</strong>gs Cross tube. Big,<br />

late-open<strong>in</strong>g gay bar on three<br />

floors, with ground floor cabaret<br />

and <strong>in</strong>famously cruisy cruise nights<br />

<strong>in</strong> basement. Upstairs restaurant<br />

offer<strong>in</strong>g gastropub menu, plus<br />

B&B accommodation. www.<br />

centralstation.co.uk<br />

CLUB KALI, The Dome, 1<br />

Dartmouth Park Hill, Tufnell Park,<br />

N19. World’s biggest lesbian and<br />

gay Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Asian music night,<br />

runn<strong>in</strong>g every third Friday of <strong>the</strong><br />

month. Always busy and ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />

unique. www.clubkali.com<br />

THE GREEN, 74 Upper Street,<br />

N1. 020-7226 8895. Angel tube.<br />

London’s first ‘gay gay-stropub!’<br />

Stylish, Isl<strong>in</strong>gton bar, serv<strong>in</strong>g full<br />

food menu and wide range of<br />

cocktails. Mixed, chilled crowd<br />

- now run by <strong>the</strong> same team as The<br />

Edge <strong>in</strong> Soho.<br />

KING EDWARD VI, 25 Bromfield<br />

Street, N1. Tel: 020 7704 0745.<br />

Angel tube. Sun-Thu 12noon-<br />

12midnight, Thu 12noon-1am,<br />

Fri-Sat 12noon-2am. Very<br />

long-runn<strong>in</strong>g gay pub, with ‘local’<br />

atmosphere and character, plus<br />

popular beer garden.<br />

KW4, 77 Hampstead High Street,<br />

NW3. 020-7435 5747. Large, cosy,<br />

traditional old gay pub, with regular<br />

enterta<strong>in</strong>ment, beer garden and<br />

food. One of London’s longestrunn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gay establishments. www.<br />

kw4.co.uk<br />

THE LOAD OF HAY, 207 P<strong>in</strong>ner<br />

Road, Watford, <strong>01</strong>923-441113.<br />

Watford’s only gay pub, with<br />

big beer garden and regular<br />

enterta<strong>in</strong>ment. www.loadofhay.<br />

co.uk<br />

THE OAK BAR, 79 Green Lanes,<br />

N16. 020-7354 2791.<br />

Manor House tube. Friendly,<br />

diverse gay bar with late-night<br />

club promotions, and open ‘til 3am<br />

at weekends. Very popular with<br />

lesbians and male friends. www.<br />

oakbar.com<br />

PLAYPIT, 357 Caledonian Road,<br />

N7. Caledonian Road tube. 0333<br />

700 1231. Intimate, K<strong>in</strong>g’s Cross<br />

sleaze club – basically a basement<br />

darkroom. Open Thur-Sat 9pm-<br />

3am, Sun 3pm-1am. Take your<br />

own booze. www.londonplaypit.<br />

co.uk<br />

SOUTH LONDON<br />

AREA, 67-68 Albert Embankment,<br />

SE1. Gorgeously-designed, hard<br />

dance club and cabaret rooms, with<br />

eclectic roster of different gay nights<br />

and one-off promotions, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Jason’s Jukebox on Thursdays,<br />

and Friday nighter Onyx, amongst<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rs. www.areaclub.<strong>in</strong>fo<br />

BARCODE VAUXHALL, Arch 69,<br />

Albert Embankment, SE11. 0207<br />

734 3342. Vauxhall tube. Open 7<br />

days a week. Mon-Thu 4pm-1am,<br />

Fri-Sun 4pm-4am. Very popular<br />

club bar, with dancefloor and<br />

mezzan<strong>in</strong>e chill-out space - gets<br />

<br />

SHIFT LAUNCHED<br />

Pictured here are partygoers<br />

and celebrity guest<br />

Philip Oliver at big new gay<br />

night Shift – a sc<strong>in</strong>tillat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

monthly affair for those <strong>in</strong><br />

Hertfordshire. This monthly<br />

night has confirmed dates<br />

l<strong>in</strong>ed up for Thursday 13<br />

December (a ‘W<strong>in</strong>ter Fairyland’<br />

party) and Thursday 28<br />

January (‘Shift Ahoy! Sexy Sailors Night!’). It takes place<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Forum, at <strong>the</strong> University of Hertfordshire’s Student<br />

Union (College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB), but don’t<br />

be put off by <strong>the</strong> ‘student’ tag – <strong>the</strong> night is open to all<br />

members of <strong>the</strong> public. Doors are open from 9pm till<br />

3am, and tickets cost just £4 <strong>in</strong> advance, £5 on <strong>the</strong> door<br />

or £7.50 after midnight. Besides Mr Oliver, <strong>the</strong> night has<br />

also hosted Charlie Drummond from <strong>the</strong> recent series of<br />

Big Bro<strong>the</strong>r. Expect more celebrity guests at future club<br />

out<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />

More details at www.forumhertfordshire.co.uk<br />

busy at weekends.<br />

CLUB COLOSSEUM, 1 N<strong>in</strong>e<br />

Elms Lane, Vauxhall, SW8. Huge,<br />

late-night venue for after-hours<br />

crowd – host<strong>in</strong>g various monthly<br />

promotions.<br />

THE EAGLE, 349 Kenn<strong>in</strong>gton<br />

Lane, SE11. 020 7793 0903. Mon,<br />

Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 9pm-late,<br />

Tue 9pm-2am, Sun 9pm-late.<br />

Vauxhall tube. Large, club-bar<br />

with nightly promotions. Tonker<br />

(Fridays) and Horse Meat Disco<br />

(Sundays) are particularly popular.<br />

www.eaglelondon.com<br />

EGO, 82 Norwood High Street,<br />

SE27. 020 8761 5200. West<br />

Norwood BR. Sun-Thu 8pm-late,<br />

7pm-4am. Door charge on<br />

weekend. Large, popular bar and<br />

club, attract<strong>in</strong>g big crowds at<br />

weekends.<br />

www.ego-sou<strong>the</strong>rnpride.co.uk<br />

EXILIO, Bar Rez, Club Colosseum,<br />

1 N<strong>in</strong>e Elms Lane, SW8. Vauxhall<br />

tube. Long-runn<strong>in</strong>g, Friday night<br />

gay Lat<strong>in</strong> and salsa night. Open<br />

11pm till 4am. www.exilio.co.uk<br />

FACTORY, 65 God<strong>in</strong>g Street, SE11.<br />

Stylish, railway arch Vauxhall venue,<br />

host<strong>in</strong>g occasional dance and<br />

cruise nights.<br />

THE FORT, 131 Grange Road,<br />

SE1. 020-7237 7742. Small cruise<br />

club, open till 11pm throughout<br />

week, with regular boots-only and<br />

underwear parties.<br />

www.<strong>the</strong>fortlondon.com<br />

FIRE, South Lambeth Road,<br />

Vauxhall, SW8. Vauxhall tube.<br />

Infamous, late-night gay venue

FEELING DANDY?<br />

Dandy Boys is a brand new gay night be<strong>in</strong>g launched<br />

on Wednesday 2 December at new 80s-<strong>the</strong>med Visage<br />

nightclub <strong>in</strong> Gants Hill, on <strong>the</strong> east London/Essex border.<br />

The launch night will be a World AIDS Day fundraiser <strong>in</strong><br />

aid of Positive East. Lesbian comic Suzi Ruffles will be on<br />

hand to host <strong>the</strong> Dandy Boys Boy Auction, allow<strong>in</strong>g<br />

you <strong>the</strong> chance to ‘Date A Dandy!’ Anyone <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong><br />

be<strong>in</strong>g auctioned off for charity can email dandyboysclub@<br />

googlemail.com<br />

DJ Julio Bravo will be sp<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> 80s retro and remix<br />

sounds from 8pm till late, and <strong>the</strong> night will run every<br />

Wednesday. Gants Hill is on <strong>the</strong> Central L<strong>in</strong>e, just 20<br />

m<strong>in</strong>utes from central London, and <strong>the</strong> Visage club is just by<br />

<strong>the</strong> station. Alternatively, you can get an overground tra<strong>in</strong><br />

from Liverpool Street to Iford station (12 m<strong>in</strong>utes), which<br />

is also not far away. The area has not had a regular gay<br />

club night, so organizers are hop<strong>in</strong>g for plenty of support.<br />

Admission will be free, but any donation to Positive East<br />

on <strong>the</strong> door will be more than welcome. For more details,<br />

check <strong>the</strong> Facebook group ‘Dandy Boys’.<br />

Dandy Boys at Visage, 442 Cranbrook Road,<br />

Gants Hill, Essex, IG2 6LL.<br />

<br />

beneath <strong>the</strong> Vauxhall railway<br />

arches, host to <strong>the</strong> likes of Orange,<br />

A:M, Later and Gravity. Open<br />

around <strong>the</strong> clock at weekends.<br />

www.allth<strong>in</strong>gsorange.com or<br />

www.myspace.com/firelondon<br />

THE GEORGE & DRAGON, 2<br />

BlackheathHill, Greenwich, SE10.<br />

020 8691 3764. Deptford Bridge<br />

DLR. Mon-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri &<br />

Sat 4pm-4am, Sun 4pm-2am.<br />

Late-night pub with nightly<br />

enterta<strong>in</strong>ment and cabaret. www.<br />

gandd.org.uk<br />

HIDDEN, 100 T<strong>in</strong>worth Street,<br />

SE11. Railway arch venue, home<br />

to <strong>in</strong>famous Hard On night once<br />

a month (www.hardonclub.co.uk),<br />

and now also Megawoof (www.<br />

megawoof.com) and Work on<br />

Wednesdays.<br />

THE HOIST, Arch 47c, South<br />

Lambeth Road, SW8. 020 7735<br />

9972. 10pm-late. Door charge and<br />

strict dress code. One of London’s<br />

most famous dress-code and cruise<br />

clubs - busy with a men-only<br />

crowd. Open Friday-Sunday and<br />

occasional Thursdays (SM Gays<br />

every third Thursday of <strong>the</strong> month<br />

- www.smgays.org). www.<br />

<strong>the</strong>hoist.co.uk<br />

JACKIE’S JUKEBOX, Rivoli<br />

Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road,<br />

SE4. First Saturday of <strong>the</strong> month,<br />

7pm-midnight (£7). Gay ballroom<br />

and Lat<strong>in</strong> danc<strong>in</strong>g night, attract<strong>in</strong>g<br />

up to 300 dancers a month to <strong>the</strong><br />

glam 1950s-style Rivoli Ballroom.<br />

Crofton Park BR. www.<strong>the</strong>rivoli.co.uk<br />

KAZBAR, 50 Clapham High Street,<br />

SW4. 020 7622 0070. Clapham<br />

North tube. Mon-Thu 4pmmidnight,<br />

Fri 4pm-1am, Sat noon-<br />

1am, Sun noon-midnight. Clapham<br />

video bar, popular throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

week, with DJs at weekends.<br />

LITTLE APPLE, 98 Kenn<strong>in</strong>gton<br />

Lane, SE11. 020 7735 2039.<br />

Kennnigton tube. Open 7 days a<br />

week. Small, traditional gay boozer<br />

for local gay boys and girls - open<br />

till 1.30am Fri-Sat.<br />

PARIS GYM<br />

73 God<strong>in</strong>g Street, Vauxhall, SE11.<br />

020 7735 8989. Vauxhall tube.<br />

Huge, well-equipped men-only<br />

gym with large, devoted follow<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

Regular classes. Tourists welcome<br />

– check website for entry details<br />

and membership. www.parisgym.<br />

com<br />

ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN,<br />

372 Kenn<strong>in</strong>gton Lane, SE11.<br />

020 7840 0596. Open<strong>in</strong>g times<br />

vary. Vauxhall tube. Door Charge.<br />

Huge, traditional and historic gay<br />

pub, with long history of host<strong>in</strong>g<br />

cabaret. Packed to rafters on<br />

Saturday (Duckie) and Sunday<br />

(S.L.A.G.S/Chill-<strong>Out</strong>). Check<br />

www.rvt.org.uk or <strong>the</strong> facebook<br />

group RV Taverners for <strong>in</strong>formation.<br />

THE STAG, 15 Bressenden Place,<br />

SW1. 020 7828 7287. Victoria<br />

tube. Mon & Tue midday-midnight,<br />

Wed-Fri midday-2am, Sat 5pm-<br />

2am, Sun 4pm-midnight. Dark and<br />

atmospheric gay bar <strong>in</strong> Victoria,<br />

with occasional cabaret and DJs<br />

at weekends, and now an upstairs<br />

<strong>the</strong>atre space.<br />

286, 286 Lewisham High Street,<br />

SE14. 020-8690 7648. Large, lateopen<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gay venue, with regular<br />

enterta<strong>in</strong>ment, DJs and cabaret.<br />

Open till 2am Sun-Thur and 4am<br />

Fri-Sat. www.two8six.co.uk<br />

THE TRAFALGAR ARMS,<br />

148 Toot<strong>in</strong>g High Street, SW17.<br />

020-8767 6059. A spacious, lively,<br />

attitude-free pub. Excellent food<br />

served all day. Weekly DJs on Friday<br />

and Saturday nights. Karaoke on<br />

Wednesdays.<br />

THE TWO BREWERS,<br />

114 Clapham High Street, SW4.<br />

020 7819 9539. Clapham Common<br />

tube. Mon-Thu 5pm-2am, Fri & Sat<br />

5pm-4am. South London’s most<br />

famed gay cabaret venue. Large<br />

bar and separate dancefloor room.<br />

It’s been pull<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> punters for<br />

over 20 years.<br />

www.<strong>the</strong>2brewers.com<br />

UNION, 66 Albert Embankment,<br />

SE1. 020-7793 9262. Cruisy<br />

dance club which hosts regular<br />

promotions. Plays areas and hot<br />

go-go’s. www.clubunion.co.uk<br />

XXL, The Arches, 51-53 Southwark<br />

Street, SE1. www.xxl-london.<br />

com. London Bridge tube. Huge<br />

world-famous club for bears, big<br />

men and admirers, on Saturday<br />

and Wednesday. Pulls <strong>in</strong> 1,000+<br />

customers each Saturday with<br />

uplift<strong>in</strong>g dance an<strong>the</strong>ms and<br />

occasional guest DJs.<br />

SAUNAS<br />

CHARIOTS STREATHAM<br />

292 Streatham High Road, SW16.<br />

<br />

020 8696 0929. Streatham station.<br />

Large sauna, with weekly <strong>the</strong>me<br />

nights (bears, men of colour, etc).<br />

www.gaysauna.co.uk<br />

CHARIOTS VAUXHALL<br />

63-64 Albert Embankment,<br />

Vauxhall, SE1. 020 7247 5333.<br />

Vauxhall tube. Large, modern<br />

sauna <strong>in</strong> converted railway arch.<br />

www.gaysauna.co.uk<br />

THE LOCKER ROOM<br />

8 Cleaver Street, Kenn<strong>in</strong>gton,<br />

SE11. 020 7735 6064. Kenn<strong>in</strong>gton<br />

tube. Long-runn<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong>timate<br />

gay-owned and run sauna. www.<br />

<strong>the</strong>-lockerroom.co.uk<br />

STEAMWORKS<br />

309 New Cross Road, New Cross,<br />

SE14. 020 8694 0606. New<br />

Cross/New Cross Gate station.<br />

Small, long-runn<strong>in</strong>g establishment.<br />

www.steamworkslondon.co.uk<br />

EAST LONDON<br />

THE ANGEL, 21 Church Street,<br />

XXL CHRISTMAS<br />

December is one of <strong>the</strong> busiest months down at XXL<br />

<strong>in</strong> London Bridge. The world’s most famous bears club<br />

loves to get <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> full festive spirit… and <strong>the</strong>re never<br />

any shortage of jolly Santa bears! Expect <strong>the</strong> club to be<br />

fully decked out for <strong>the</strong> Yuletide season, with several<br />

special parties – <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g its official Christmas Party<br />

on Saturday 19 December. This will be followed by XXL’s<br />

Box<strong>in</strong>g Day Blowout on Saturday 26 December, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> mega New Year’s Eve party on Thursday 31st<br />

December. Limited ‘early bear’ tickets are available now<br />

cost<strong>in</strong>g £20 for members and £25 for guests – check <strong>the</strong><br />

website at www.xxl-london.com for full details.<br />

Before all that, <strong>the</strong> club will be throw<strong>in</strong>g its annual World<br />

AIDS Day event, with a special club night on Saturday 5<br />

December.<br />

The club recently announced new open<strong>in</strong>g hours. It’s now<br />

throw<strong>in</strong>g open <strong>the</strong> doors at 10pm on both Saturdays and<br />

Wednesday nights (stay<strong>in</strong>g open till 6am on <strong>the</strong> former<br />

and 3am on <strong>the</strong> latter). It also <strong>in</strong>troduced a new ‘Naughty<br />

Night Cap Dr<strong>in</strong>ks Promotion’ at <strong>the</strong> Saturday night club<br />

from 4-6am, when you might be feel<strong>in</strong>g a bit cashstrapped<br />

but not yet <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mood to head home. Expect<br />

various reductions at <strong>the</strong> bar at this time.<br />

You’ll f<strong>in</strong>d XXL at <strong>the</strong> London Bridge Arches, 51-53<br />

Southwark Street, SE1 each Wednesday and Saturday<br />

night. DJs on rotation <strong>in</strong>clude Christian M, Leonardo<br />

Glovibes, Joe Egg, Mark Ames, Steve Felice and Alex<br />

Logan. Full details at www.xxl-london.com<br />

PHOTO © DICK GOOSE

E15. Tel: 020 8555 1148. Stratford<br />

BR and tube. Big gay pub, always<br />

popular at weekends, with regular<br />

cabaret, DJs and disco nights.<br />

THE BACKSTREET, Wentworth<br />

Mews, off Burdett Road, E3.<br />

020-8980 8557. Over 24 years<br />

old – small but legendary East<br />

End dress code lea<strong>the</strong>r club, open<br />

Thur-Sun. Very strict rubber and<br />

lea<strong>the</strong>r dresscode, ensur<strong>in</strong>g a<br />

wide and loyal follow<strong>in</strong>g. www.<br />

<strong>the</strong>backstreet.com<br />

BISTROTHEQUE, 23-27 Wadeson<br />

St, E2. Tel: 020 8983 7900.<br />

Bethnal Green tube. Very mixed,<br />

gay/straight crowd of trendy<br />

metrosexuals. Great bar, restaurant,<br />

plus separate cabaret room. www.<br />

bistro<strong>the</strong>que.com<br />

CHARLIE’S BAR, 124 Globe<br />

Road, E1. Tel: 020 7790 1007.<br />

Whitechapel tube. Recently<br />

refurbished, Moroccan style<br />

– friendly, local gay bar.<br />

DALSTON SUPERSTORE, 117<br />

MID-WINTER MATINEE<br />

Mat<strong>in</strong>ee London returns for its big Christmas bash<br />

on Saturday 5 December to <strong>the</strong> fabulous Cable club<br />

complex (Bermondsey Street Tunnel, London Bridge, SE1)<br />

<strong>in</strong> London Bridge. Last month’s party was heav<strong>in</strong>g, so you<br />

can expect this December date to be nose-to-nipple with<br />

hot hunks. This month’s event has been <strong>the</strong>med ‘The<br />

Red Party’ (or ‘La Noche Roja’), and <strong>the</strong> team will be<br />

deck<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>the</strong> club appropriately scarlet for <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

DJs on <strong>the</strong> night will <strong>in</strong>clude Oliver M, Guy Williams, Pier<br />

Morrocco, Paul Heron, Jonny M, Alessandro, Brent Nicholls<br />

and Saki, and you can expect at least 15 sexy dancers<br />

from <strong>the</strong> Fierce International collective. The special guest<br />

DJ from Mat<strong>in</strong>ee <strong>in</strong> Spa<strong>in</strong> will be Lydia Sanz. Needless to<br />

say, all those attend<strong>in</strong>g are encouraged to wear red for<br />

this very special Christmas affair.<br />

Doors will be open from 11pm till 8am, and advance<br />

tickets are available now from www.evolvedevents.co.uk<br />

Mat<strong>in</strong>ee will follow this with a big afterhours party on<br />

New Year’s Day (Friday 1 January 2<strong>01</strong>0) morn<strong>in</strong>g, from<br />

5am on 1 January till 2pm <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> afternoon.<br />

www.evolvedevents.co.uk<br />

K<strong>in</strong>gsland High Street, E8. 020<br />

7254 2273. Highbury & Isl<strong>in</strong>gton<br />

tube. New, two-floor mixed<br />

gay-straight venue - café by day<br />

and fashionable performance<br />

space and club promotions at<br />

night. Open noon-2am seven days<br />

a week.<br />

GHETTO OLD STREET, 58 Old<br />

Street, EC1. 020-7287 3726. Trendsett<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gay club venue - now <strong>in</strong><br />

a new Old Street home! Spread<br />

over two floors, with Trash Palace<br />

bar upstairs (open from 5pm) and<br />

late night club downstairs. Nightly<br />

alternative promotions, such as<br />

Wig <strong>Out</strong> (Sat). www.ghettolondon.co.uk<br />

THE JOINERS ARMS, 116<br />

Hackney Road, E2. Tel: 020 7739<br />

9854. Debauched decadence<br />

– old-skool boozer popular with<br />

post-club crowd at weekends. Gets<br />

busy later <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />

KINGS HEAD, 11 Church<br />

Street, E15. Tel: 020 8534 <strong>01</strong>97<br />

Stratford BR and tube. Intimate<br />

and welcom<strong>in</strong>g East End gay pub<br />

– regular cabaret. Open till late<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> week.<br />

THE OLD SHIP, 17 Barnes<br />

Street, E14. Tel: 020 7790 4082.<br />

Limehouse DLR. Small, local,<br />

traditional gay pub, with regular<br />

cabaret - five m<strong>in</strong>utes’ walk from<br />

BJ’s White Swan (see below).<br />

BJ’s WHITE SWAN,<br />

556 Commercial Road, E1. Tel: 020<br />

7780 9870. Limehouse DLR. A<br />

large, long-runn<strong>in</strong>g gay pub and<br />

club, open throughout <strong>the</strong> week<br />

and legendary across London!<br />

Wednesday’s Amateur Strip is an<br />

<strong>in</strong>stitution. www.bjswhiteswan.<br />

com<br />

SAUNAS<br />

CHARIOTS LIMEHOUSE<br />

574 Commercial Road, E14. 020<br />

7791 2808. Limehouse rail station.<br />

Multi-level, well-established<br />

sauna. www.gaysauna.co.uk<br />

CHARIOTS SHOREDITCH<br />

1 Fairchild Street, Shoreditch, EC2.<br />

020 7247 5333. Liverpool Street<br />

station. Biggest gay sauna <strong>in</strong> UK,<br />

with a maze of rest rooms. www.<br />

gaysauna.co.uk<br />

E15 CLUB<br />

6 Leytonstone Road, Stratford, E15.<br />

020 8555 5455. Stratford tube.<br />

Deceptively large sauna beh<strong>in</strong>d a<br />

discreet facade. www.londonnoise.<br />

com/e15<br />

WEST LONDON<br />

THE CULVERT, 54 Cowley Mill<br />

Road, Uxbridge. <strong>01</strong>895 256 690.<br />

Uxbridge tube. Mon-Wed 4pm-1am,<br />

Thu noon-2am, Fri & Sat noon-3am,<br />

Sun 3pm-1am. Regular discos,<br />

cabaret, karaoke and one-off events.<br />

Established, local gay venue.<br />

www.<strong>the</strong>culvert.com<br />

ESCAPE, 184 London Road,<br />

K<strong>in</strong>gston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, KT2.<br />

020 8549 9911. Revamped, longrunn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gay club open Wednesday-<br />

Sunday. www.<strong>the</strong>rclub.co.uk<br />

THE HOPE & ANCHOR, 20<br />

Macbeth Street, Hammersmith,<br />

W6. (020 8748 1873). New<br />

gay pub for Hammersmith and<br />

Chiswick. Traditional boozer with<br />

nightly enterta<strong>in</strong>ment – open<br />

noon-11pm throughout week,<br />

with popular karaoke at weekends.<br />

INFINITY, 294 Old Brompton<br />

Road, SW5. 020 7370 3494.<br />

Earls Court tube. Big gay pub and<br />

disco, formerly Bromptons. Open<br />

late throughout <strong>the</strong> week, with<br />

weekend cabaret. go<strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>ity.co.uk<br />

THE RICHMOND ARMS, 20<br />

The Square, off Pr<strong>in</strong>ces Street,<br />

Richmond. 020-8940 2118. Longrunn<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

traditional gay pub, with<br />

regular cabaret and enterta<strong>in</strong>ment.<br />

One of gay London’s better locals.<br />

TED’S PLACE, 305a North End<br />

Road, West Brompton, W14. 0207<br />

385 9359. Earls Court or West<br />

Brompton tube. Mon-Fri from 7pmlate,<br />

closed Sat & Sun. Small, West<br />

London cruise club. Dark and sleazy.<br />

www.tedsplaceuk.co.uk<br />

WEST 5, Popes Lane, South<br />

Eal<strong>in</strong>g, W5. 020-8579 3266. Large,<br />

popular gay pub with Piano Room<br />

and cabaret bar, open till late at<br />

weekends with enterta<strong>in</strong>ment<br />

and DJs. Attracts a big local crowd<br />

- particularly at weekends.<br />

www.west5bar.co.uk<br />

WINDSOR CASTLE, 152 Bath<br />

Road, Hounslow, TW3. 0208577<br />

6590. Large, local gay pub with<br />

regular cabaret and enterta<strong>in</strong>ment<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> week. www.<br />

w<strong>in</strong>z.co.uk<br />

TO UPDATE LISTINGS, PLEASE<br />

SEND INFORMATION TO<br />

EDITORIAL@OUTMAG.CO.UK<br />

<br />

ROYAL VAUXHALL CHRISTMAS<br />

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern will be kick<strong>in</strong>g off<br />

December with a World AIDS Day special ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g<br />

of Bar Wotever on Tuesday 1 December, with an<br />

appearance from Ajah. Doors will be open from 6pm<br />

till midnight and admission is free. Th<strong>in</strong>gs turned<br />

seasonal with A Festive Happen<strong>in</strong>g, a special<br />

Christmas-<strong>the</strong>med event featur<strong>in</strong>g Bourgeois & Maurice,<br />

Jonny Woo and Scottee that will run on <strong>the</strong> 2, 3 and<br />

4 December. Expect songs, spoken word and festive<br />

refreshment. Doors will open at 8pm, with admission<br />

£10. It’s preceded at 7.30pm on those same dates by<br />

performances of Dogg<strong>in</strong>g – a new play by Tony Higg<strong>in</strong>s<br />

that will take place <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Vauxhall Tavern’s neighbour<strong>in</strong>g<br />

car park.<br />

The RVT’s traditional Christmas pantomime, this year<br />

entitled Vixens In The Wood, will take place on <strong>the</strong><br />

follow<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>gs of 10 and 11 December, with<br />

mat<strong>in</strong>ees on Saturday 12 and 19th December. Written<br />

by Natalie McGrath and presented by Lustre & Bluster<br />

productions, <strong>the</strong> panto is described as “a thigh-slapp<strong>in</strong>gly<br />

dark comic tale of babes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wood.” Tickets will cost<br />

£10.<br />

Sure to be one of <strong>the</strong> venue’s busiest nights this month<br />

will be Dave’s Drop-In Centre – Yule Special, when<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>imitable David Hoyle will return for a special festive<br />

performance ‘for debtors, dropouts, deviants, drunks, <strong>the</strong><br />

disturbed, <strong>the</strong> disempowered and <strong>the</strong> discern<strong>in</strong>g’ (which<br />

just about <strong>cover</strong>s all of us, yes?). It all takes place on<br />

Wednesday 16 December, with admission £10.<br />

S<strong>in</strong>ger Alp Haydar will be host<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> one-off night<br />

Alparet on Friday 18 December, croon<strong>in</strong>g his way through<br />

some Christmas favourites with accompanist Richard<br />

L<strong>in</strong>k, followed later <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g by Boogaloo Stu’s<br />

monthly Splosh-a-rama club night.<br />

The venue’s second festive pantomime, Scallylad<strong>in</strong>, will<br />

take place on Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday<br />

23rd, Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th December.<br />

Written and directed by Nathan Evans, this lavish cabaret<br />

production will feature Fancy Chance, Scottee, Dickie<br />

Beau, La John Joseph and David Hoyle, alongside MD<br />

Simon Wallace and DJ Dawn Right Nasty. Tickets will cost<br />

£8… and will be worth every penny!<br />

There’s a Wotever Slumber Party on Christmas Eve<br />

(24 Dec), and <strong>the</strong>n Duckie returns for a Box<strong>in</strong>g Day<br />

blowout on Saturday 26 December. The venue will <strong>the</strong>n<br />

r<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> New Year (31 Dec) with a S.L.A.G.S/Chill-<br />

<strong>Out</strong> New Year’s Eve Party (tickets £20), followed by<br />

an extra help<strong>in</strong>g of S.L.A.G.S/Chill-<strong>Out</strong> on 1 January.<br />

Tickets for most cabaret shows can be obta<strong>in</strong>ed through<br />

www.ticketweb.co.uk & www.lastm<strong>in</strong>ute.com<br />

For full details of everyth<strong>in</strong>g happen<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong><br />

venue, check www.rvt.org.uk

David Watk<strong>in</strong>s (centre - wear<strong>in</strong>g a red ribbon) meets Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister Gordon Brown at Down<strong>in</strong>g Street to collect a Social Inclusion Award for <strong>the</strong> Day In Hand campaign<br />

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www.aday<strong>in</strong>hand.com

ONLINE<br />

COUNSELLING<br />

Terrence Higg<strong>in</strong>s Trust has<br />

launched “Connect Onl<strong>in</strong>e<br />

Counsell<strong>in</strong>g” for <strong>the</strong> LGBT<br />

community. Sessions can be<br />

used to discuss anyth<strong>in</strong>g, and<br />

take place over <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternet<br />

us<strong>in</strong>g MSN, Skype or via <strong>the</strong><br />

THT “counsell<strong>in</strong>g room” on<br />

Gaydar. Each session lasts<br />

for up to 50 m<strong>in</strong>utes on a<br />

weekly basis at a pre-agreed<br />

time. The <strong>in</strong>itial assessment<br />

and fi rst two sessions are<br />

free, <strong>the</strong>n £30 per session<br />

afterwards.Details at www.<br />

tht.org.uk/onl<strong>in</strong>e-counsell<strong>in</strong>g<br />

GROUPS//ORGS<br />

Albert Kennedy Trust: 020<br />

7831 6562 (London). Hous<strong>in</strong>g<br />

advice for under 21s.<br />

Antidote: 020 7437 3523.<br />

Counsell<strong>in</strong>g, Thursday drop-<strong>in</strong>,<br />

complementary <strong>the</strong>rapies<br />

around alcohol and drug issues.<br />

BKY - Alternative Jewish<br />

Community: www.bkylondon.<br />

org.uk<br />

Croydon Area Gay Society:<br />

Friendly social group <strong>in</strong> Croydon.<br />

020 8645 0943 - www.cags.org<br />

ELOP: 020 8509 3898. Support<br />

and community events <strong>in</strong><br />

Walthamstow. Youth, advice,<br />

counsell<strong>in</strong>g and groups.<br />

Gay and Lesbian Humanist<br />

Association, (GALHA): <strong>01</strong>926<br />

858450, www.galha.org.<br />

<strong>Out</strong>rage!: 020 8240 0222.<br />

Political campaig<strong>in</strong>g group.<br />

Isl<strong>in</strong>gton LGB Forum:<br />

Rachael: 07989 747824. An<br />

<strong>in</strong>itiative between local police,<br />

<strong>the</strong> council and victim support.<br />

ALBERT KENNEDY AUCTION<br />

Follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> success of a similar event last<br />

year, <strong>the</strong> Albert Kennedy Trust will be<br />

host<strong>in</strong>g its second Christimas Auction Party<br />

on Thursday 3 December. This year, <strong>the</strong><br />

event will take place on <strong>the</strong> second and<br />

third fl oors of The Edge on Soho Square<br />

between 6.30pm and 1am. Host<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />

event will be drag duo Crystal D’Canter and<br />

Kelly Mild (aka CK), who will preside over<br />

both <strong>the</strong> auction and raffl e (which will take<br />

place from around 7.30pm).<br />

<br />

Jewish Gay and Lesbian<br />

Group: 020 8952 <strong>01</strong>37.<br />

Kairos: 020 7437 6063, www.<br />

kairos<strong>in</strong>soho.org.uk. Soho project<br />

promot<strong>in</strong>g health and wellbe<strong>in</strong>g<br />

among LGBT community.<br />

Lesbian Gay Christian<br />

Movement: 020 7739 1249,<br />

lgcm@lgcm.org.uk/www.lgcm.<br />

org.uk.<br />

Lesbian & Gay Immigration<br />

Group: www.uklgig.org.uk<br />

– 020 7922 7811. Every Mon<br />

2-6.30pm, Tue 10am-5pm<br />

and Wed/Thur 10am-1.30pm.<br />

Helpl<strong>in</strong>e and meet<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />

LGBT Choir: 07980 023578. Call<br />

Michael for more <strong>in</strong>formation.<br />

London Friend: 020 7837<br />

3337. Groups <strong>in</strong> Isl<strong>in</strong>gton.<br />

Quaker London Lesbian &<br />

Gay Fellowship: Religious<br />

group – 020 8675 6740.<br />

Metro Centre: 020 8265 3311,<br />

www.metrocentreonl<strong>in</strong>e.org.<br />

Greenwich-based LGBT support.<br />

Mosaic: 0800 0433 411. www.<br />

mosaicyouth.org.uk. Youth group<br />

based <strong>in</strong> Brent.<br />

One-Up: LGBT under-18 youth<br />

group, meets every Monday<br />

4-7pm (based <strong>in</strong> Hendon - North<br />

West London) - contact Theresa<br />

(PACE) 07504226793 (mobile).<br />

<strong>Out</strong>Zone: London-based social<br />

and support group for gay and<br />

bisexual young men under<br />

25. Every Friday 6.30-9.30pm<br />

- <strong>in</strong>fo@outzone.org - www.<br />

outzone.org<br />

PACE: 020 7700 1323.<br />

Counsell<strong>in</strong>g and support groups.<br />

Quest LGB Catholics: 0808<br />

808 0234.<br />

Regard: Regard, BM REGARD,<br />

London WC1N 3XX, secretary@<br />

regard.org.uk/www.regard.org.<br />

uk. Disabled LGBT group.<br />

Step <strong>Out</strong> Tower Hamlets:<br />

Social & support group for LGBT<br />

and question<strong>in</strong>g young people.<br />

5-8pm Tues 079 4633 7160<br />

South London Gays: 020 8672<br />

5268/020 8674 5191.<br />

www.slago.org.uk/slg. Friendly<br />

social group.<br />

Stonewall: 020 7593 1850.<br />

Campaign group for LGBT rights.<br />

HATE CRIME<br />

Gay Police Association:<br />

Action L<strong>in</strong>e 07092 700 000<br />

(24hrs), <strong>in</strong>fo@gpa.police.uk.<br />

Galop: 020 7704 2040. www.<br />

galop.org.uk. Advice and support<br />

for victims of hate crime.<br />

HIV//AIDS<br />

Crusaid: 020 7539 3880,<br />

www.crusaid.org.uk.<br />

GMFA: 020 7738 6872. Gay<br />

men’s health charity.<br />

National AIDS Trust: 020 7814<br />

6767, www.nat.org.uk.<br />

Terence Higg<strong>in</strong>s Trust: 020-<br />

78121777. Counsell<strong>in</strong>g Services.<br />

SPORTS<br />

Cruisers basketball: 020 8960<br />

0750 (Debbie)/ 020 7582 7009,<br />

www.cruisers.org.uk (Jordi).<br />

Mixed basketball.<br />

Frontrunners: 07092 346340,<br />

www.londonfrontrunners.org.<br />

Gay runn<strong>in</strong>g group.<br />

Gosl<strong>in</strong>gs Swimm<strong>in</strong>g: 07814<br />

258 055. Gay social swimm<strong>in</strong>g<br />

group, Thur 8.30pm-9.30pm.<br />

www.gosl<strong>in</strong>gssportsclub.com<br />

Grace’s Cricket Club: The<br />

CK will also off er cabaret <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Al Fresco bar,<br />

while DJs will lay down a festive soundtrack<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> club bar until late. The event is free of<br />

charge and all are welcome… but make<br />

sure you take along some money for <strong>the</strong><br />

raffl e and auction, which last year <strong>in</strong>cluded<br />

some high-quality prizes go<strong>in</strong>g for very<br />

attractive prices <strong>in</strong>deed. All proceeds from<br />

<strong>the</strong> event will go towards help<strong>in</strong>g young<br />

LGBT people <strong>in</strong> crisis.<br />

The Edge, 11 Soho Square, W1.<br />

www.edgesoho.co.uk<br />

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DIVERSITY CHOIR<br />

Diversity, London’s LGBT chamber choir, was formed <strong>in</strong> 1992 by s<strong>in</strong>gers who wanted to<br />

perform some of <strong>the</strong> most beautiful classical, religious and sacred music written for choirs<br />

– along with <strong>the</strong> best of o<strong>the</strong>r musical genres. The past years have <strong>in</strong>cluded successful<br />

performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Magnifi cat and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols – as<br />

well as madrigals, part-songs and show songs. Diversity’s membership is a mix of 40 men<br />

and women from all backgrounds, professions and ages. Regular weekly rehearsals – on<br />

Wednesdays, 7.15pm-9:30pm, at <strong>the</strong> Grosvenor Chapel <strong>in</strong> South Audley Street, W1 – and<br />

ensu<strong>in</strong>g social events help build a friendly, <strong>in</strong>clusive and fun group. New members are<br />

always welcome but, due to rehearsal schedules, auditions occur at specifi c times – <strong>the</strong> next<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g January 2<strong>01</strong>0. Sight-read<strong>in</strong>g is useful, although not essential. If you want to be part of<br />

it all, but don’t want to s<strong>in</strong>g, Diversity also needs help sell<strong>in</strong>g tickets and sett<strong>in</strong>g up concerts.<br />

If you just want to come along and listen, imm<strong>in</strong>ent concerts <strong>in</strong>clude <strong>the</strong> Faure Requiem and<br />

Vaughan William’s Fantasia on Christmas Carols, on Tues 1 Dec at 7.30pm, at St Mart<strong>in</strong>-<strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong>-Fields,<br />

Trafalger Square; and Carols from Africa, <strong>the</strong> Far East and Deep South, on Sat 12<br />

Dec at 7.30pm, at St Pancras Parish Church, Euston Road. www.diversitychoir.co.uk<br />

world’s only gay cricket club!<br />

www.gaycricket.org.uk or 020<br />

8376 0630.<br />

Irons: www.ironsgolf.org.uk .<br />

Gay golfi ng, events for all levels.<br />

K<strong>in</strong>g’s Cross Steelers Rugby<br />

Football Club: 07090 421 367,<br />

www.kxsrfc.com. Gay men’s rugby.<br />

London Amateur Wrestl<strong>in</strong>g:<br />

www.law-wrestl<strong>in</strong>g.org<br />

The London Royals Hockey<br />

Team: Mixed hockey for all<br />

levels. www.p<strong>in</strong>khockey.com<br />

or email ia<strong>in</strong>kimm<strong>in</strong>s115@<br />

hotmail.com<br />

<strong>Out</strong> to Swim: 07090 422<br />

526, www.outtoswim.org. Gay<br />

swimm<strong>in</strong>g group.<br />

Raiders Softball Club: 07931<br />

721 377, www.ra<strong>in</strong>bowraiders.<br />

com. Mixed baseball <strong>in</strong> Regents<br />

Park / Primrose Hill area.<br />

Stonewall Football Club:<br />

07090 422 390. Sunday soccer.<br />

HELPLINES<br />

Broken Ra<strong>in</strong>bow: LGBT<br />

Domestic Violence Helpl<strong>in</strong>e.<br />

08452 60 44 60 (Mon and Thurs,<br />

2-8pm/Weds, 10am-1pm).<br />

www.broken-ra<strong>in</strong>bow.org.uk.<br />

Dazz-elle: 020 8257 3068.<br />

London drug/alcohol support.<br />

London Lesbian & Gay<br />

Switchboard: 020 7837 7324<br />

London Friend: 020 7837<br />

3337. Counsell<strong>in</strong>g service.<br />

PACE: 0808 1807 223. Helpl<strong>in</strong>e<br />

open Monday 9.30am-12.30pm<br />

and Thursday 6.30-8.30pm,<br />

off er<strong>in</strong>g structured telephone<br />

counsell<strong>in</strong>g or 30-m<strong>in</strong>ute<br />

counsel<strong>in</strong>g sessions. Or email<br />

pacehelpl<strong>in</strong>e@pacehealth.org.uk<br />

POSITIVELINE: 0800-1696806.<br />

HIV <strong>in</strong>fo and counsell<strong>in</strong>g<br />

(weekdays: 11am-10pm and<br />

weekends: 4pm -10pm). www.<br />

eddiesurmantrust.org.uk<br />

Stonewall Hous<strong>in</strong>g Advice:<br />

020 7359 5767.<br />

Stonewall <strong>in</strong>fol<strong>in</strong>e:<br />

Information on all LGB rights<br />

- 08000 50 20 20 (Mon- Fri<br />

9.30am- 5.30pm).<br />

WANT TO GET LISTED?<br />

Please send list<strong>in</strong>gs to<br />

editorial@outmag.co.uk<br />

PHOTO © CHRIS JEPSON

NEWS FLASHES<br />

UK NEWS TRAINEE POLICEMAN<br />

ASSAULTED IN<br />

LIVERPOOL<br />

Twelve boys have been<br />

arrested and bailed <strong>in</strong><br />

Liverpool follow<strong>in</strong>g what<br />

police are describ<strong>in</strong>g as a<br />

homophobic hate-crime<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> city’s gay district.<br />

Tra<strong>in</strong>ee police officer Jamie<br />

Parkes, 22, was assaulted<br />

on <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g of Sunday<br />

25 October by a large gang of youths on Stanley Street, after<br />

leav<strong>in</strong>g well-known gay venue Superstar Boudoir. He was with<br />

his partner and ano<strong>the</strong>r man and woman. Parkes was taken<br />

to hospital <strong>in</strong> a critical condition with multiple skull fractures<br />

and o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>juries, but has s<strong>in</strong>ce been released. Those arrested<br />

and bailed by police range <strong>in</strong> age from 13 to 17. The attack has<br />

prompted widespread anger and shock amongst Liverpool’s<br />

gay community. Speak<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong> attack, Det Chief Inspector Tim<br />

Keelan, who has appealed for witnesses to come forward, said:<br />

“We are treat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> assault as a homophobic hate crime and<br />

this <strong>in</strong>cident shows <strong>the</strong>re are still some people who have not<br />

learnt that crimes of this type are completely unacceptable.”<br />

Parkes parents, Ann and Roy, also issued a statement, say<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

“We can’t believe <strong>the</strong> ignorance of <strong>the</strong> young people who<br />

carried out <strong>the</strong> attack on someone who was just on a night out<br />

with friends and had done noth<strong>in</strong>g wrong. We are really keen<br />

that <strong>the</strong> young people <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> attack are caught and<br />

brought to justice and would ask anyone who knows anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />

about <strong>the</strong> attack to contact <strong>the</strong> police.”<br />

50-PLUS AND POSITIVE SURVEY<br />

The Terrence Higg<strong>in</strong>s Trust, Age Concern and Help <strong>the</strong> Aged<br />

have launched a survey to determ<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong> needs and concerns<br />

of people liv<strong>in</strong>g with HIV who are aged over 50. The f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs of<br />

<strong>the</strong> research, titled 50Plus, will be made available to services<br />

for both older people and people with HIV, to help <strong>the</strong>m<br />

develop appropriate support. Onl<strong>in</strong>e and paper questionnaires<br />

will be distributed and can be filled <strong>in</strong> until January 4th, when<br />

<strong>the</strong> survey closes. The survey is anonymous, and those tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

part may enter <strong>in</strong>to a prize draw to w<strong>in</strong> £100 <strong>in</strong> shopp<strong>in</strong>g<br />

vouchers. To f<strong>in</strong>d out more, please visit http://www.tht.org.<br />

uk/howyoucanhelpus/surveys/<br />

GAY CHATLINES BURGLAR<br />

A Walthamstow man, Adil Zahid, 27, had been sentenced to<br />

six years <strong>in</strong> prison after be<strong>in</strong>g found guilty of four counts of<br />

robbery, one of false imprisonment, and one <strong>the</strong>ft of a car. The<br />

court heard that Zahid, a drug addict with a history of armed<br />

robbery, had used gay chatl<strong>in</strong>es to f<strong>in</strong>d his victims. Although<br />

none of his victims were assaulted, Judge Peter Ader said that<br />

Zahid had subjected <strong>the</strong>m all to fear and trauma.<br />

BLACKMAIL PAIR JAILED<br />

Two men from South Shields have been jailed after plead<strong>in</strong>g<br />

guilty to charges of blackmail. The victim, who was gay and<br />

works <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> civil service, sent a series of raunchy text messages<br />

accidentally to one of <strong>the</strong> men, David McS<strong>the</strong>y, aged 27. When<br />

McA<strong>the</strong>y realised who <strong>the</strong> text messages were from, he and a<br />

friend, John Mercer, 29, threatened <strong>the</strong> victim with exposure<br />

<strong>in</strong> a local newspaper. The victim <strong>the</strong>n handed over a total of<br />

£5,300, but went to <strong>the</strong> police after <strong>the</strong> men demanded a<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r £5,000. McA<strong>the</strong>y and Mercer were jailed for six months<br />

and 18 months respectively.<br />

<br />

Organisers of a candle-lit vigil that took place<br />

<strong>in</strong> Trafalgar Square on Friday 20 October<br />

have <strong>the</strong> hailed <strong>the</strong> event a huge success. An<br />

estimated 8,000 attended <strong>the</strong> vigil, which was arranged<br />

to demonstrate aga<strong>in</strong>st a recent rise <strong>in</strong> hate-crimes<br />

– particularly aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> gay community. The vigil<br />

location was chosen follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> tragic death of Ian<br />

Baynham <strong>in</strong> October. Baynham, 62, had been enjoy<strong>in</strong>g<br />

a night out with a friend <strong>in</strong> late September when he was<br />

subjected to a homophobic assault <strong>in</strong> Trafalgar Square. He<br />

died two weeks later from his <strong>in</strong>juries. Three people have<br />

been arrested <strong>in</strong> connection with his death.<br />

“It all started when a friend called me to say that his<br />

friend Ian Baynham had died and would I br<strong>in</strong>g it up at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Westm<strong>in</strong>ster Community/Police Consultative forum<br />

that I was attend<strong>in</strong>g that night,” said Mark Healey, who<br />

was <strong>in</strong>strumental <strong>in</strong> gett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> vigil idea off <strong>the</strong> ground.<br />

“On <strong>the</strong> way, I thought about organis<strong>in</strong>g a vigil for Ian,<br />

like <strong>the</strong> Tel Aviv Vigil that I had attended earlier <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

year [commemorat<strong>in</strong>g those killed and <strong>in</strong>jured when a<br />

gunman attacked a young person’s group at <strong>the</strong> Tel Aviv<br />

gay centre].”<br />

Healey co-ord<strong>in</strong>ated events through a Facebook group<br />

that he had already set up [17-24-30], which was<br />

established earlier <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> year to remember those killed<br />

<br />

CANDLE-LIT VIGIL HELD<br />

AGAINST HATE CRIME<br />

October’s candle-lit vigil <strong>in</strong> memory of <strong>the</strong> victims of hate crime attracted around 8,000 people to Trafalgar Square<br />

or affected by <strong>the</strong> London nail bomb attacks of 1999.<br />

He was soon flooded by messages of support. Many <strong>in</strong><br />

London’s gay community shared <strong>the</strong> desire to respectfully<br />

express <strong>the</strong>ir outrage at Baynham’s murder and to unite<br />

at a time when anti-gay hate crimes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> capital appear<br />

to be on <strong>the</strong> rise.<br />

The vigil was hosted by Sandi Toksvig, while members<br />

from several gay choirs provided musical <strong>in</strong>terludes.<br />

Guest speakers <strong>in</strong>cluded deputy mayor Richard Barnes<br />

and Galop’s Deborah Gold. Also attend<strong>in</strong>g were friends of<br />

Ian Baynham and his sister, Jenny. Messages of support<br />

were also sent from <strong>the</strong> leaders of all <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> political<br />

parties.<br />

“It was an amaz<strong>in</strong>g event and <strong>the</strong> response from <strong>the</strong><br />

LGBT community has been overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g,” said Healey<br />

afterwards. “Thousands of people attended <strong>the</strong> event<br />

<strong>in</strong> London, whilst many more jo<strong>in</strong>ed us throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

world – with reports com<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> that vigils were held<br />

<strong>in</strong> New Zealand, Canada, America, South Africa and<br />

Eastern Europe. I’m really pleased with <strong>the</strong> way that<br />

th<strong>in</strong>gs turned out and <strong>the</strong>re is a lot of positive energy<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g created around this that I hope will take th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

forward… The International Day Of Remembrance for<br />

Victims of Hate Crime looks like it will become an annual<br />

event – hopefully <strong>in</strong> many countries.”

CRUSAID’S SUPPER<br />

CLUB FUNDRAISER<br />

Jodie Prenger and Graham Norton Kenny Goss and Brian Paddick<br />

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<br />

NEWS FLASHES<br />

INTERNATION NEWS<br />

JAMAICA<br />

In a sign of <strong>the</strong> everconstant<br />

homophobia faced<br />

by <strong>the</strong> LGBT community <strong>in</strong><br />

Jamaica, a suburb of east<br />

K<strong>in</strong>gston declared a local<br />

‘Gay Eradication Day’ at <strong>the</strong><br />

end of October. Residents of<br />

McGregore Gully announced<br />

<strong>the</strong> day to <strong>the</strong> Jamaica Star<br />

newspaper after giv<strong>in</strong>g local<br />

lesbians and gay men two<br />

weeks to leave <strong>the</strong> area, or<br />

“suff er <strong>the</strong> consequences”.<br />

It’s believed that <strong>the</strong><br />

residents had taken off ence<br />

to a local hangout that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

claimed was frequented by<br />

lesbians, who “kiss, hug,<br />

and even touch each o<strong>the</strong>r.”<br />

KENYA<br />

The National AIDS/STD<br />

Control Programme<br />

of Kenya (Nascop) has<br />

announced that it will<br />

launch a six-month study<br />

to try to determ<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong><br />

number of gay men liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> country. This is despite<br />

<strong>the</strong> fact that homosexuality<br />

is illegal <strong>in</strong> Kenya. Nicholas<br />

Muraguri, director of<br />

Nascop, said <strong>the</strong> results of<br />

<strong>the</strong> study would facilitate<br />

targeted <strong>in</strong>terventions, such<br />

as condom distribution.<br />

...AND FINALLY<br />

BEA ARTHUR LEAVES MONEY TO GAY TEENAGERS<br />

Much loved-actress Bea Arthur, who shot to worldwide fame <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1980s play<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> part of Dorothy <strong>in</strong> Miami sitcom The<br />

Golden Girls, and who died earlier this year aged 86, has reportedly left $300,000 <strong>in</strong> her will to a shelter for homeless gay<br />

teenagers. It’s believed that Arthur was a keen supporter of <strong>the</strong> New York-based Ali Forney Centre s<strong>in</strong>ce its <strong>in</strong>ception <strong>in</strong> 2003. She<br />

attended benefi ts for <strong>the</strong> organisation and told gay magaz<strong>in</strong>e Next that she believed <strong>the</strong> centre was sav<strong>in</strong>g lives. The centre now<br />

plans to purchase a build<strong>in</strong>g that will be able to house 12 teenagers, and will name it after <strong>the</strong> late actress.<br />

MORE PLAQUES FOR WILLIAMS<br />

You wait years for a plaque and <strong>the</strong>n three turn up at once! Last month we carried news of <strong>the</strong> unveil<strong>in</strong>g<br />

of a commemorative blue plaque to camp comedian Kenneth Williams. The Heritage Foundation<br />

plaque is at 56 Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury, WC1, where Williams lived as a young man. Camden<br />

New Journal has reported that two o<strong>the</strong>r bodies have announced plans for similar plaques, with<br />

<strong>the</strong> British Comedy Society <strong>in</strong>dicat<strong>in</strong>g plans for a plaque on nearby Osenaburgh Street, and English<br />

Heritage also announc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> commemorat<strong>in</strong>g Williams. Ricci de Freitas, chairman of <strong>the</strong><br />

Marchmont Association, who campaigned for <strong>the</strong> Marchmont Street plaque, said: “It is not unheard of for<br />

people to be recognised more than once. We support any additional plaques.”<br />

FESTIVE GEORGE AND PET SHOP BOYS<br />

Two of <strong>the</strong> UK’s most high-profi le gay artists are to release Christmas songs. George Michael<br />

has confi rmed that he is giv<strong>in</strong>g a full release to his ‘December Song’, which was released as a free<br />

download from his website on Christmas Day last year. It will be available to buy on 13 December,<br />

and it’s believed that Michael will perform <strong>the</strong> track on TV show X Factor.<br />

Meanwhile, <strong>the</strong> Pet Shop Boys have announced <strong>the</strong>ir own Christmas EP, out on <strong>the</strong> same day. It<br />

will <strong>in</strong>clude a re-record<strong>in</strong>g of ‘It Doesn’t Often Snow At Christmas” (previously released as a fan club<br />

s<strong>in</strong>gle <strong>in</strong> 1997), a <strong>cover</strong> of ‘My Girl’ by Madness, and new versions of ‘All Over The World’ and ‘Viva La<br />

Vida/Dom<strong>in</strong>o Danc<strong>in</strong>g’.<br />

OUTSPOKEN:<br />

PC JOHN FRAME<br />

THE LGBT LIAISON<br />

OFFICER FOR THE<br />

LONDON BOROUGH OF<br />

WANDSWORTH GIVES<br />

OUT IN THE CITY<br />

HIS TOP SEASONAL<br />

SAFETY TIPS FOR<br />

THE COMING PARTY<br />

SEASON.<br />

<br />

At this time of year, everyone’s m<strong>in</strong>d is on <strong>the</strong><br />

joys of <strong>the</strong> season, meet<strong>in</strong>g friends and what<br />

to wear at <strong>the</strong> offi ce party. What people are not<br />

always th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g about is how vulnerable <strong>the</strong>y might be to<br />

attacks, <strong>the</strong>ft or sexual assaults.<br />

I want to rem<strong>in</strong>d you how you can keep yourself safe<br />

dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> party season. Here are two hot tips for starters.<br />

First: Don’t let alcohol aff ect your judgment.<br />

Most of us like a dr<strong>in</strong>k or two at a party but remember<br />

that alcohol will make you more relaxed and could aff ect<br />

your decisionmak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

– don’t let<br />

it endanger your<br />

personal safety.<br />

If out and about<br />

please pay special<br />

attention to your<br />

dr<strong>in</strong>ks. Don’t leave<br />

any dr<strong>in</strong>k ly<strong>in</strong>g<br />

around; and, if<br />

you’re unsure that<br />

someone may have<br />

put someth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

your dr<strong>in</strong>k, don’t<br />

dr<strong>in</strong>k it. Moreover,<br />

don’t fl aunt<br />

valuables – why<br />

PEOPLE ARE NOT<br />

THINKING ABOUT<br />

HOW VULNERABLE<br />

THEY MIGHT<br />

BE TO ATTACKS,<br />

THEFT OR SEXUAL<br />

ASSAULTS<br />

not leave <strong>the</strong>m at home? And try to make sure you and<br />

your friends look after each o<strong>the</strong>r and all get home safely.<br />

Second: Be safe on <strong>the</strong> streets. Research shows that<br />

look<strong>in</strong>g confi dent and purposeful on <strong>the</strong> street is a real<br />

deterrent to crim<strong>in</strong>als. So, look purposeful, be alert, hold<br />

your head up and be aware of your surround<strong>in</strong>g – even<br />

if it is not an area you know well. Use all your senses, so<br />

don’t limit your ability to see or hear trouble by wear<strong>in</strong>g<br />

hoods, listen<strong>in</strong>g to music through earphones or talk<strong>in</strong>g<br />

on your mobile.<br />

These are just a few th<strong>in</strong>gs to look out for to<br />

ensure you have a safe and happy time over this<br />

festive period.<br />

May I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New<br />

Year but – above all – may I wish you a safe one.<br />

Should you encounter diffi culties and need to report an<br />

<strong>in</strong>cident <strong>the</strong>re are several ways to do so:<br />

In an emergency you should always dial 999.<br />

In a non-emergency situation you can contact your local<br />

police station direct.<br />

You might prefer to contact your local LGBT Liaison Offi cer<br />

– <strong>the</strong>ir contacts can be obta<strong>in</strong>ed on-l<strong>in</strong>e: www.met.police.<br />

uk/contacts/lgbt.htm<br />

You may prefer to report via a third-party report<strong>in</strong>g site<br />

such as Galop (www.galop.org.uk) or London Friend (www.<br />

londonfriend.org.uk), ei<strong>the</strong>r on <strong>the</strong> record or anonymously.

NEWS FLASHES<br />

NEWS<br />

TERRENCE HIGGINS’ NEW<br />

BUMBOY CAMPAIGN<br />

Terrence Higg<strong>in</strong>s Trust (THT)<br />

is launch<strong>in</strong>g a new campaign<br />

called ‘Bumboy’, teach<strong>in</strong>g gay<br />

men <strong>in</strong> London just how HIV is<br />

passed on dur<strong>in</strong>g unprotected anal<br />

sex. With little or no sex education<br />

relevant to young gay men <strong>in</strong> schools, this new campaign aims<br />

to provide a valuable biology lesson to fi ll <strong>the</strong>se important<br />

knowledge gaps. The ‘Bumboy’ campaign, aimed especially<br />

at younger men, utilises diff erent bottom-<strong>the</strong>med images,<br />

illustrat<strong>in</strong>g how HIV can be transmitted via anal sex. From now<br />

until 13 December, specially-tra<strong>in</strong>ed teams of THT staff and<br />

volunteers will tour over 40 gay venues across Soho and central<br />

London, Vauxhall and <strong>the</strong> East End, distribut<strong>in</strong>g condom packs<br />

and hand<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>in</strong>formation on <strong>the</strong> campaign. Marc Thompson,<br />

Deputy Head of Health Promotion said: “Many men become<br />

sexually active hav<strong>in</strong>g left school without <strong>the</strong> basic HIV facts<br />

<strong>the</strong>y need to stay safe. Young men have been very enthusiastic<br />

about this new campaign. With its simple language and easily<br />

understood visuals, men of all ages will benefi t from hear<strong>in</strong>g<br />

how HIV is transmitted and how condoms – or hav<strong>in</strong>g sex<br />

without fuck<strong>in</strong>g – greatly reduces <strong>the</strong>ir risk.”<br />

HEAVENLY QUEEN PROTESTS<br />

A <strong>the</strong>atre production at <strong>the</strong> Tron Theatre <strong>in</strong> Glasgow, runn<strong>in</strong>g as<br />

part of this year’s Glasgay! Arts festival, has prompted protests<br />

from local Christians. An estimated 300 protestors stage a<br />

candle-lit vigil outside <strong>the</strong> Tron <strong>in</strong> protest aga<strong>in</strong>st a production<br />

of Jesus, Queen Of Heaven, a production that imag<strong>in</strong>es Jesus as<br />

a man who wants to be a woman. Glasgay! organisers said that<br />

it had not <strong>in</strong>tended to <strong>in</strong>cite or off end anyone. “Jesus, Queen<br />

Of Heaven is a literary work of fi ction explor<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> artists<br />

own personal journey of faith as a transgendered person,” said<br />

Glasgay! producer Steven Thomson. “Glasgay! supports <strong>the</strong> right<br />

to freedom of expression and off ers audiences a diverse view<br />

of LGBT life.”<br />

L-R: Ivan Massow, Boy George, Sir Ian McKellen<br />

and <strong>the</strong> Albert Kennedy Trust’s Tim Sigsworth<br />

JAKE HELPS RAISE £15,000 FOR ALBERT<br />

Over £15,000 was raised for young homeless LGBT charity<br />

<strong>the</strong> Albert Kennedy Trust at an exclusive event held <strong>in</strong><br />

conjunction with social network<strong>in</strong>g site Jake and members<br />

club Qu<strong>in</strong>tessentially. The event, which was hosted by Sir Ian<br />

McKellen, took place on Sunday 8 November at <strong>the</strong> House of St.<br />

Barnabus, a Grade-1 listed Georgian build<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Greek Street,<br />

Soho, W1. BBC TV’s Open House presenter Kristian Digby and<br />

Dr David Bull encouraged partygoers to dig deep by auction<strong>in</strong>g<br />

an oil pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g of Sir Ian McKellen for £5,700, along with a host<br />

of o<strong>the</strong>r lots, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g a night for two at <strong>the</strong> fi ve-star Mayfair<br />

hotel <strong>in</strong> London, and top price tickets for <strong>the</strong> musical, Sister Act.<br />

Celebrity DJs Boy George and Fat Tony brought <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g to a<br />

climax with uplift<strong>in</strong>g sets of house and disco an<strong>the</strong>ms.<br />

The jo<strong>in</strong>t event was held to mark <strong>the</strong> 20th anniversary of <strong>the</strong><br />

Albert Kennedy Trust, and <strong>the</strong> 10th anniversary of <strong>the</strong> launch of<br />

network<strong>in</strong>g group Jake.<br />

<br />

ghghghghgh Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe hghghghghgh (left), hghghghghh Stonewall’s hghghghgh Ben Summerskill hghghghhg (centre), ghghhghg Square Peg Media’s<br />

Sarah Garrett (right), with Stonewall volunteers at <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>augural Diversity Careers Show<br />

Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister Gordon Brown has heaped<br />

praise on <strong>the</strong> fi rst ever Diversity Careers Show,<br />

which was held at <strong>the</strong> Grand Connaught Rooms<br />

<strong>in</strong> London’s Covent Garden on 20 November. In<br />

a letter to organisers, <strong>the</strong> PM stated that he was “proud<br />

of <strong>the</strong> massive progress made under this Government<br />

with <strong>the</strong> establishment and streng<strong>the</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong> law<br />

on equality”, while at <strong>the</strong> same time acknowledg<strong>in</strong>g<br />

that, “<strong>the</strong>re is more to do, and that is why we are<br />

propos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Equality Bill which will, for <strong>the</strong> fi rst time,<br />

place a duty on public bodies to proactively consider<br />

<strong>the</strong> needs of <strong>the</strong>ir LGBT staff and service users.”<br />

The Diversity Careers Show – which was sponsored<br />

by Credit Suisse, The Guardian and Stonewall – was<br />

organised by Square Peg Media, publishers of <strong>Out</strong><br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>City</strong>, Stonewall ‘Publication of <strong>the</strong> Year 2009’<br />

g3 magaz<strong>in</strong>e, <strong>Out</strong> At Work and Proud!, and this year<br />

attracted around 70 top-quality exhibitors. These<br />

<br />

CAREERS SHOW SUCCESS<br />

The London Ambulance Service<br />

Nott<strong>in</strong>g Hill Hous<strong>in</strong>g representatives with Rob Harkavy<br />

and L<strong>in</strong>da Riley of Square Peg Media<br />

<strong>in</strong>cluded American Express, Shell, Deutsche Bank,<br />

Tesco and many more blue chip employers, all of<br />

whom are committed to LGBT recruitment. Sem<strong>in</strong>ars<br />

and workshops by Strudel and Interbank took place<br />

dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> day, and <strong>the</strong> exhibition welcomed students,<br />

graduates and o<strong>the</strong>r potential employees from all over<br />

<strong>the</strong> country, many of whom had been bussed <strong>in</strong> free-ofcharge<br />

by <strong>the</strong> event organisers.<br />

“It’s really great to see so many companies support<strong>in</strong>g<br />

diversity <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> workplace,” enthused L<strong>in</strong>da Riley of<br />

Square Peg Media. Her comments were echoed by<br />

Stonewall’s Laura Doughty: “It’s been a resound<strong>in</strong>g<br />

success with lots of positive feedback from recruiters and<br />

those attend<strong>in</strong>g.”<br />

Follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> popularity of this year’s event, next year’s<br />

show has already been confi rmed for 22 November<br />

2<strong>01</strong>0. Keep watch<strong>in</strong>g for all <strong>the</strong> latest updates at<br />

www.diversitycareersshow.com<br />

Representatives from <strong>the</strong> Army<br />

Stonewall’s Laura Doughty and<br />

Jemima Jeff erson of Credit Suisse

BROTHERS IN ARMS<br />

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Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe<br />

is <strong>the</strong> founder of Ari<br />

Consult<strong>in</strong>g, and is one<br />

of <strong>the</strong> world’s lead<strong>in</strong>g<br />

diversity professionals,<br />

hav<strong>in</strong>g been <strong>the</strong> Global<br />

Head of Diversity at<br />

Barclays Group.<br />

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Soldier magaz<strong>in</strong>e celebrates gay pride

MAN ON TOP<br />

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Indoor Garden Design’s award-w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g entry to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show

PLACE TO BE: WOOD GREEN<br />

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WOOD GREEN<br />

WHAT YOU CAN<br />

BUY IN THE AREA<br />

<strong>01</strong>. MANOR ROAD, N22,<br />

£295,000<br />

This ground-fl oor twobedroom<br />

fl at (right) boasts<br />

charm<strong>in</strong>g orig<strong>in</strong>al features<br />

throughout.<br />

Foxtons: 020 8829 4040<br />

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02. RUSSELL ROAD, N13,<br />

£215,000<br />

Housed with<strong>in</strong> a period<br />

property, this fi rst-fl oor,<br />

two-bedroom fl at has<br />

benefi ted from a complete<br />

refurbishment. It now boasts<br />

a modern design and prist<strong>in</strong>e<br />

features. Nearby transport<br />

l<strong>in</strong>ks provide direct access to<br />

<strong>the</strong> city.<br />

Foxtons: 020 8829 4040<br />

Wood Green Crown Court<br />

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03. ARCADIAN GARDENS, N22,<br />

£399,950<br />

Attractively spacious, this<br />

three-bedroom freehold<br />

property (left), with a large<br />

private garden, is located <strong>in</strong><br />

a quiet residential area, but<br />

is just m<strong>in</strong>utes away from all<br />

<strong>the</strong> amenities and transport<br />

l<strong>in</strong>ks of Wood Green High<br />

Road.<br />

Foxtons: 020 8829 4040<br />

<br />

GOING OUT<br />

TOP HANGOUTS<br />

We fi nd <strong>the</strong> most popular<br />

hotspots <strong>in</strong> Wood Green<br />

MOSAICA<br />

5 CLARENDON ROAD, N22<br />

With a somewhat bohemian<br />

vibe, Mosaica has often been<br />

categorised as Wood Green’s<br />

best restaurant.<br />

THE CHOCOLATE<br />

FACTORY<br />

CLARENDON ROAD, N22<br />

An artists’ consortium and<br />

collection of studios, The<br />

Chocolate Factory is Wood<br />

Green’s creative nucleus.<br />

LABORATORY SPA &<br />

HEALTH CLUB<br />

MUSWELL HILL, N10<br />

Fitness fanatics have<br />

numerous keep-fi t options<br />

<strong>in</strong> Wood Green, but with its<br />

gym, spa, sauna and studios,<br />

Laboratory is among <strong>the</strong><br />

most luxurious.<br />

ALEXANDRA PARK<br />

Just a ten m<strong>in</strong>ute stroll<br />

from Wood Green station,<br />

Alexandra Park is a green<br />

haven for those <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area,<br />

while Alexandra Palace itself<br />

off ers <strong>in</strong>door ice-skat<strong>in</strong>g and<br />

outdoor boat<strong>in</strong>g.

02<br />

<strong>01</strong><br />

WE WANT<br />

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<strong>01</strong> GRAHAM & GREEN<br />

DEER HEAD<br />

Regal as <strong>the</strong> animals undoubtedly<br />

are, we’ve never understood why<br />

hand<strong>in</strong>g a stuff ed deer’s head<br />

above one’s fi replace was a sign of<br />

manor-born majesty. An <strong>in</strong>fi nitely<br />

better choice is this alum<strong>in</strong>ium<br />

version, a perfect trophy piece for<br />

barga<strong>in</strong> hunters who want to stay<br />

ahead of <strong>the</strong> game.<br />

£75<br />

www.grahamandgreen.co.uk<br />

02 ADUKI NI<br />

Solid as a rock it may be, but<br />

<strong>the</strong> stone-shaped appearance<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Aduki Ni is deceptive.<br />

When switched off , <strong>the</strong> silver<br />

surface ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s a slate-grey<br />

metallic sheen, but switch it on<br />

and <strong>the</strong> orb glows a spectrum of<br />

lum<strong>in</strong>escent colours. Rechargeable<br />

and splash-proof, it’s ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

diamond design from Mathmos.<br />

£40<br />

www.mathmos.com<br />

<br />

03<br />

04<br />

03 KARTELL CABINETS<br />

It’s not just <strong>the</strong>ir cyl<strong>in</strong>drical form<br />

that prevents <strong>the</strong>se curvaceous<br />

conta<strong>in</strong>ers from be<strong>in</strong>g slotted <strong>in</strong><br />

a bedroom corner – <strong>the</strong> brash<br />

red colour also demands <strong>the</strong>y<br />

be placed centre stage. One of<br />

a series of new creations from<br />

decadent designers Kartell, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

can also be stacked should you<br />

wish to admire <strong>the</strong>m from a<br />

distance.<br />

From £54<br />

www.urbansuite.co.uk<br />

WORDS: JOHN KELLY

04 CALLIGARIS TABLE LAMP<br />

The smoulder<strong>in</strong>g glow emitted by<br />

this Calligaris lamp may be quite<br />

useless should you actually need<br />

to see someth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> detail, but as<br />

a piece of contemporary design<br />

it could well become a modern<br />

classic. Also available <strong>in</strong> white,<br />

it adheres to <strong>the</strong> Italian fi rm’s<br />

mission to imbue tired furnish<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

with a new aes<strong>the</strong>tic.<br />

£381<br />

www.macandmac<strong>in</strong>teriors.com<br />

05 ORIGAMI WASTE BIN<br />

If you were <strong>the</strong> type of child that<br />

enjoyed mak<strong>in</strong>g origami cranes<br />

<strong>the</strong>n you’ll want to get your hands<br />

on this wastepaper b<strong>in</strong> – it can be<br />

unfolded and refolded repeatedly.<br />

Admittedly, however, this curious<br />

design quirk serves a more<br />

important purpose: with <strong>the</strong> b<strong>in</strong><br />

be<strong>in</strong>g so easily dismantled and<br />

cleaned, it loses <strong>the</strong> need for b<strong>in</strong><br />

l<strong>in</strong>ers and adds green credentials.<br />

£18.50<br />

www.postmoderndesigns.co.uk<br />

06 CECILIA FABRIC<br />

We’ve featured IKEA’s aff ordable<br />

range of fabrics before, but<br />

<strong>the</strong> geese and rob<strong>in</strong>s found<br />

nestl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cecilia range<br />

have an undeniable seasonal<br />

appeal. Fulfi ll<strong>in</strong>g various festive<br />

functions, whe<strong>the</strong>r as a tablecloth<br />

or wrapp<strong>in</strong>g paper, it’s ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

versatile design from <strong>the</strong> Swedish<br />

specialists, and at only £1.99 a<br />

metre, it’s cheap (cheep) too!<br />

£1.99 per metre<br />

www.ikea.com<br />

07 INDEX CHOPPING BOARD<br />

Those concerned about cross<br />

contam<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> kitchen this<br />

Christmas might want to <strong>in</strong>vest <strong>in</strong><br />

this handy set of chopp<strong>in</strong>g boards<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r than constantly la<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g<br />

on <strong>the</strong> antibacterial gel. With<br />

each of <strong>the</strong> colour-coded boards<br />

labelled accord<strong>in</strong>g to which<br />

foodstuff should be placed on it,<br />

it’s a stylish and simple way to<br />

keep th<strong>in</strong>gs sanitary.<br />

£42<br />

www.josephjoseph.com<br />

<br />

05 06<br />

07<br />

08<br />

08 RETRO FLUELESS FIRE<br />

Admittedly, <strong>the</strong> cost of <strong>the</strong><br />

unit alone could <strong>cover</strong> your<br />

conventional central heat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

bills for many years to come,<br />

but if you’ve got money to burn<br />

<strong>the</strong>n this fl ueless fi re is perfect<br />

for watch<strong>in</strong>g it go up <strong>in</strong> fl ames.<br />

Easily <strong>in</strong>stalled and powered by<br />

environmentally friendly fuel, it’s<br />

one of a number available from<br />

<strong>in</strong>novative company EcoSmart.<br />

£5,992<br />

www.ecosmartfi re.com

THE ARMOURIES ALEXIA SQUARE<br />

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To arrange your view<strong>in</strong>g or to request a brochure, call today on 08456 12 12 71 or email<br />

homefl ex@shgroup.org.uk<br />

Alternatively visit our website www.armouries-woolwich.co.uk or www.shgroup.org.uk<br />

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Keep check<strong>in</strong>g for updates at www.alexiasquare.co.uk and register with Hous<strong>in</strong>g Options at:<br />

www.hous<strong>in</strong>goptions.co.uk

RENAULT TWIN-SET<br />

Renault Mégane Coupé Dynamique<br />

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WHAT WE THINK<br />

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Price as tested: £18,585 OTR<br />

www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/newmeganecoupe/product.aspx<br />

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Renault Laguna Coupé GT<br />

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WHAT WE THINK<br />

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On <strong>the</strong> road price: from £19,995<br />

For <strong>in</strong>formation visit: www.renault.co.uk/laguna<br />

CRUISING<br />

<br />

MERCEDES SLS SPREADS ITS GULLWINGS<br />

It’s not modern and nor is it really retro, but <strong>the</strong><br />

menac<strong>in</strong>g-yet-seductive styl<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong> new SLS AMG<br />

harks right back to <strong>the</strong> glamorous 300 SL Mercedes-<br />

Benz of <strong>the</strong> 1950s.<br />

A press of its electronic key fob triggers <strong>the</strong> gull-w<strong>in</strong>g<br />

doors, like an albatross tak<strong>in</strong>g fl ight. Scramble over<br />

<strong>the</strong> wide door sill and time sp<strong>in</strong>s 60 – no, 100 – years<br />

forward: check out <strong>the</strong> Bang & Olufsen 11-speaker<br />

audio setup and elsewhere <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> cab<strong>in</strong> a 7-<strong>in</strong>ch<br />

colour display lets you view options for <strong>the</strong> sat-nav<br />

and audio, as well as – if you must – watch video via<br />

your iPod, courtesy of a dock. The 6.3-litre V8 SLS AMG<br />

is ridiculously quick, pull<strong>in</strong>g 0-60mph <strong>in</strong> 3.8 seconds<br />

and more than 195mph fl at out. Mercedes-Benz is also<br />

plann<strong>in</strong>g an electric-only version of <strong>the</strong> SLS AM with<br />

similar acceleration, although top speed is likely to be<br />

reduced to maximise driv<strong>in</strong>g range.<br />

Price: from £125,000<br />

Visit: www.mercedes-benz.com/sls-amg<br />

COVERTIBLE EAR RISK<br />

Although an <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g<br />

number of people<br />

are aware of<br />

<strong>the</strong> damage<br />

that can be<br />

done to one’s<br />

hear<strong>in</strong>g through repeated exposure to loud music, few<br />

of us may stop to th<strong>in</strong>k about damage caused through<br />

driv<strong>in</strong>g. However, hear<strong>in</strong>g experts recently have recently<br />

announced that driv<strong>in</strong>g a convertible car can pose a<br />

particular problem to hear<strong>in</strong>g. They claim that driv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

with <strong>the</strong> top down at speeds of 50-70mph exposes your<br />

ears to a level of noise not dissimilar to that generated<br />

by a pneumatic drill!<br />

When <strong>the</strong> sun is sh<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong> appeal of a convertible is<br />

undeniable, but <strong>the</strong> ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) experts<br />

reckon that regular drivers of convertibles – who<br />

expose <strong>the</strong>mselves to <strong>the</strong> noise of <strong>the</strong> eng<strong>in</strong>e, o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

traffi c and frequent high w<strong>in</strong>ds – should th<strong>in</strong>k about<br />

wear<strong>in</strong>g some sort of protection. The problem is <strong>the</strong><br />

same for motorcyclists, but <strong>the</strong>ir hear<strong>in</strong>g is generally<br />

protected by <strong>the</strong> helmets <strong>the</strong>y wear. The experts found<br />

that keep<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>dows of your car up, even when<br />

<strong>the</strong> top is down, helped to cut noise levels around your<br />

ears. Dr Mark Downs, of <strong>the</strong> Royal National Institute<br />

for Deaf People, told <strong>the</strong> BBC news website: “Regular<br />

exposure to noise levels of 88-90 decibels when<br />

driv<strong>in</strong>g a convertible for several hours a day can lead<br />

to permanent hear<strong>in</strong>g loss over time. By w<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g up<br />

<strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>dows or wear<strong>in</strong>g basic ear protection, such as<br />

earplugs, drivers of convertibles can still enjoy driv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

whilst protect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir hear<strong>in</strong>g.”<br />

WORDS BY ADRIAN FOSTER/DRIVELINES

BALTIC STAR<br />

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Kauppatori harbour

Temppeliaukion – The ‘Church <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rock’<br />

Hels<strong>in</strong>ki’s Senate Square<br />

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ACCOMMODATION<br />

• Sokos Hotel Albert,<br />

Albert<strong>in</strong>katu 30, 0<strong>01</strong>20<br />

Hels<strong>in</strong>ki. +358 20 1234<br />

638. Sokos is <strong>the</strong> largest<br />

hotel cha<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> F<strong>in</strong>land,<br />

operat<strong>in</strong>g a large number<br />

of well-designed, stylish<br />

hotels across <strong>the</strong> country,<br />

<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g seven branches<br />

<strong>in</strong> Hels<strong>in</strong>ki alone. The Sokos<br />

Hotel Albert is <strong>the</strong> one<br />

closest to <strong>the</strong> city’s gay<br />

Sokos Hotel<br />

scene, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> designer district. www.sokoshotels.fi<br />

• Sokos Hotel Aleksanteri, Albert<strong>in</strong>katu 34, 0<strong>01</strong>80<br />

Hels<strong>in</strong>ki. +358 (0)20 1234 643. Ano<strong>the</strong>r Sokos hotel,<br />

close to <strong>the</strong> gay bars (just a few doors from Sokos Hotel<br />

Albert), and next door to <strong>the</strong> historic Alexander Theatre.<br />

• Hotel Glo, Kluuvikatu 4, 0<strong>01</strong>00 Hels<strong>in</strong>ki. +358 9 5840<br />

9540. Great hotel <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> heart of Hels<strong>in</strong>ki – currently top<br />

rated on Tripadvisor.com www.palacekamp.fi<br />

• Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka,<br />

Vyökatu 1, Hels<strong>in</strong>ki. +358 9 686 456. Stylish hotel <strong>in</strong> a<br />

former prison – www.bwkatajanokka.fi<br />

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DTM café<br />

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FOOD<br />

• Café dtm, Iso Robert<strong>in</strong>katu 28. +359 (0)10 841<br />

6996. Even<strong>in</strong>g ay club with a daytime gay café, sell<strong>in</strong>g<br />

coff ee and light bites. www.dtm.fi<br />

• Rav<strong>in</strong>tola Nokka, Kanavaranta 7 F. 6128 5600.<br />

Award-w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g F<strong>in</strong>nish restaurant off er<strong>in</strong>g traditional<br />

cuis<strong>in</strong>e. www.royalrav<strong>in</strong>tolat.com<br />

• Saaga, Bulevardi 34 B. (09) 7425 5544. Lapland<br />

<strong>the</strong>med restaurant – advanced book<strong>in</strong>g advisable.<br />

Discounts available for those carry<strong>in</strong>g a Hels<strong>in</strong>ki card.<br />

www.asrestaurants.com<br />

• A<strong>in</strong>o, Norra esplanaden 21, +358 9 624 327.<br />

Charm<strong>in</strong>g, traditional F<strong>in</strong>nish restaurant <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> heart of<br />

<strong>the</strong> city. www.marcante.fi<br />

• Bear Park Café, Karhupuisto, Kallio. +358 (0)44 567<br />

0679. Very gay-friendly summer café (closed <strong>in</strong> w<strong>in</strong>ter<br />

months). www.bearparkcafe.net<br />

• Café Ekberg,Bulevardi 9,<br />

+358 9 6811 8660.<br />

Hels<strong>in</strong>ki’s oldest café, and<br />

still hugely popular - sell<strong>in</strong>g<br />

a wide range of coff ee,<br />

cakes and pastries. www.<br />

Café Ekberg<br />

cafeekberg.fi<br />

TRAVEL NEWS<br />

<br />

VEGAS GAY WEDDINGS<br />

The LGBT community of California is still smart<strong>in</strong>g<br />

follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> pass<strong>in</strong>g of last year’s Prop 8, but<br />

neighbour<strong>in</strong>g Nevada has had recent cause to celebrate.<br />

This October <strong>the</strong> state’s Domestic Partnership bill came<br />

<strong>in</strong>to force, and Las Vegas (of course) has come up with<br />

its own <strong>in</strong>imitable way of celebrat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> occasion.<br />

Among <strong>the</strong> more colourful packages on off er <strong>in</strong> venues<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> city is <strong>the</strong> Zumanity Commitment<br />

Ceremony package. In partnership with <strong>the</strong> New<br />

York-New York Hotel and Cas<strong>in</strong>o, gay couples can<br />

declare <strong>the</strong>ir love <strong>in</strong> a commitment ceremony at <strong>the</strong><br />

Luxor Las Vegas Wedd<strong>in</strong>g Chapel, before redeem<strong>in</strong>g<br />

VIP tickets to Zumanity, Cirque du Soleil’s new adult<strong>the</strong>med<br />

extravaganza, and <strong>the</strong>n cavort<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong><br />

crowds at <strong>the</strong> ROK Vegas nightclub. Admittedly not <strong>the</strong><br />

romantic ceremony most couples <strong>in</strong>itially consider, but a<br />

quiet time for two is also promised with complimentary<br />

spa treatments and two nights’ accommodation at <strong>the</strong><br />

hotel. Packages cost from $638 - details at www.<br />

nynyhotelcas<strong>in</strong>o.com/promotions<br />

AFRICAN ECLIPSE<br />

TOURS<br />

A comb<strong>in</strong>ation of its<br />

unfavourable position and<br />

typically overcast wea<strong>the</strong>r<br />

is set to obscure London’s<br />

view of <strong>the</strong> ten-m<strong>in</strong>ute solar<br />

eclipse due to take place on 15 January 2<strong>01</strong>0, but tour<br />

operator Gap Adventures has announced three separate<br />

w<strong>in</strong>ter tours that <strong>in</strong>corporate <strong>the</strong> spectacular occurrence<br />

<strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong>ir it<strong>in</strong>eraries. The 15-day Kenya and Tanzania<br />

Wildlife Adventure (£1,759) sees explorers witness <strong>the</strong><br />

solar eclipse from <strong>the</strong> shores of Kenya’s Lake Nakuru<br />

– <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> company of hundreds of thousands of fl am<strong>in</strong>gos<br />

– while a seven-day trek to <strong>the</strong> summit of Kilimanjaro<br />

(£729) gives <strong>in</strong>trepid travel <strong>the</strong> opportunity to observe<br />

<strong>the</strong> sun rise twice over Africa’s highest mounta<strong>in</strong>.<br />

Equally spectacular is <strong>the</strong> eight-day Tanzania Wildlife<br />

Adventure (£979), with <strong>the</strong> eclipse occurr<strong>in</strong>g as <strong>the</strong><br />

group lays <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> shadow of <strong>the</strong> Ngorongoro volcano<br />

crater. Fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>formation about each of <strong>the</strong> packages is<br />

available at www.gapadventures.com<br />

GAY TRAVEL AWARDS<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>dicator of <strong>the</strong> grow<strong>in</strong>g power of <strong>the</strong> gay travel<br />

market, <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>augural gay travel awards from travel<br />

website www.tripoutgaytravel.com received over<br />

100,000 entries and <strong>the</strong> recently announced results<br />

should be of <strong>in</strong>terest to anyone plann<strong>in</strong>g a gay getaway<br />

<strong>in</strong> 2<strong>01</strong>0. Bolstered, no doubt, by its recent Olympic coup,<br />

Rio is honoured as best global dest<strong>in</strong>ation; <strong>the</strong> Caribbean<br />

island of Curacao is this year’s breakout dest<strong>in</strong>ation; and<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>City</strong> of Light, Paris, cont<strong>in</strong>ues to smoulder as <strong>the</strong><br />

sexiest place on earth. www.tripoutgaytravel.com

NEW OPENING<br />

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ON THE MOVE<br />

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POSTCARD FROM<br />

GRAN CANARIA<br />

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NEW OPENING<br />

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ON THE MOVE<br />

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23 AUG-22 SEP<br />

VIRGO<br />

Wish<strong>in</strong>g for riches to fall <strong>in</strong>to<br />

your lap is a waste of time Virgo<br />

– you really need to exam<strong>in</strong>e<br />

ways to earn your way. Put<br />

additional eff ort <strong>in</strong>to us<strong>in</strong>g your<br />

strengths and fi nd<strong>in</strong>g ways to<br />

develop <strong>the</strong>m, because if you’re<br />

do<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g that you have<br />

a genu<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>n you’re<br />

go<strong>in</strong>g to eff ortlessly sh<strong>in</strong>e.<br />

22 DEC-19 JAN<br />

CAPRICORN<br />

19 FEB-20 MAR<br />

PISCES<br />

Pisces, be aware that even<br />

though you’re <strong>in</strong> a successful<br />

place just now, all it takes is for<br />

<strong>the</strong> wrong th<strong>in</strong>g to be said to<br />

<strong>the</strong> wrong person for it all to<br />

come crash<strong>in</strong>g down. Be aware<br />

of how you put yourself across,<br />

as someone may be tak<strong>in</strong>g you<br />

<strong>the</strong> wrong way. Show your<br />

nice side.<br />

23 SEP-22 OCT<br />

LIBRA<br />

There’s too many people tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

advantage of your good nature<br />

and it’s start<strong>in</strong>g to take its toll<br />

on you. You need to be a little<br />

bit less will<strong>in</strong>g to please people.<br />

Request that <strong>the</strong>y please you for<br />

once. Try to th<strong>in</strong>k of what you<br />

want <strong>in</strong>stead of what o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

require, which is just sapp<strong>in</strong>g<br />

your energy.<br />

There’s been a poor l<strong>in</strong>e of<br />

communication between you<br />

and your family recently and<br />

this is someth<strong>in</strong>g that you need to address – particularly ahead of<br />

<strong>the</strong> approach<strong>in</strong>g festive season. All it takes is to keep an open m<strong>in</strong>d<br />

and be will<strong>in</strong>g to listen. You might be amazed at how pa<strong>in</strong>less it can<br />

be if you’re prepared to allow o<strong>the</strong>rs to speak <strong>the</strong>ir m<strong>in</strong>d.<br />

21 MAR-19 APR<br />

ARIES<br />

Watch out whom you’re<br />

gossip<strong>in</strong>g to Aries. You may<br />

believe that it’s all <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> strictest<br />

confi dence, but everyth<strong>in</strong>g you’re<br />

say<strong>in</strong>g is reach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ears of <strong>the</strong><br />

people you’re talk<strong>in</strong>g about. Have<br />

a little more tact and be more<br />

selective <strong>in</strong> your confi dantes…<br />

especially after dr<strong>in</strong>ks at <strong>the</strong><br />

Christmas party!<br />

SAGITTARIUS<br />

Britney Spears<br />

02.12.81<br />

Britney, who was<br />

born <strong>in</strong> Mahon,<br />

Mississippi <strong>in</strong><br />

1981, has packed<br />

more <strong>in</strong>to her<br />

28 years than many<br />

people twice her age…<br />

<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g husbands,<br />

babies, breakdowns and<br />

an A-list superstar career.<br />

As a Sagittarian, Britney has<br />

a naturally cheerful, social<br />

and optimistic nature. K<strong>in</strong>d<br />

and open hearted, with<br />

Sagittarians, what you see<br />

is what you get.<br />

20 APR-20 MAY<br />

TAURUS<br />

There are a lot of people out<br />

<strong>the</strong>re who mistake k<strong>in</strong>dness for<br />

weakness. You don’t have to be<br />

nice to everyone all of <strong>the</strong> time<br />

to earn respect – people will<br />

sometimes respect you more<br />

if you say ‘no’ occasionally. It<br />

might feel uncomfortable to do<br />

so, but you need to show that<br />

you’re not a pushover.<br />

21 MAY-21 JUN<br />

GEMINI<br />

Don’t worry so much about<br />

money Gem<strong>in</strong>i, as <strong>the</strong>re’s<br />

plenty of it com<strong>in</strong>g your way<br />

soon. However, be wise with it<br />

and don’t just squander it on<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r nice pair of shoes! Put it<br />

away for when you really need<br />

it. After recent cash problems,<br />

hav<strong>in</strong>g some sav<strong>in</strong>gs will give<br />

you precious peace of m<strong>in</strong>d<br />

Cancer, you are a very sexy<br />

person <strong>in</strong>deed – so allow<br />

yourself to be adored! There’s<br />

plenty of attention com<strong>in</strong>g<br />

your way but don’t shy away<br />

from it and become bashful<br />

– grab that mistletoe and<br />

<strong>in</strong>dulge <strong>in</strong> some fruity festive<br />

spirit! It doesn’t happen all <strong>the</strong><br />

time so make <strong>the</strong> most of it.<br />

<br />

23 OCT-21 NOV<br />

SCORPIO<br />

There will be a positive change<br />

of luck for you this December,<br />

Scorpio. The beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of<br />

this month will see your<br />

fortunes turn for <strong>the</strong> better<br />

and th<strong>in</strong>gs will start go<strong>in</strong>g your<br />

way. However, this isn’t a time to<br />

rest on your laurels – you need<br />

to keep <strong>the</strong> momentum go<strong>in</strong>g as<br />

we move <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> New Year.<br />

<br />

20 JAN-18 FEB<br />

AQUARIUS<br />

Don’t be so ready to throw<br />

accusations around. You’re not<br />

so perfect yourself – a fact that<br />

will be highlighted if you start<br />

wagg<strong>in</strong>g your fi nger at o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

Have a little patience and accept<br />

that not everyone has <strong>the</strong><br />

same level of ability as you do.<br />

Remember that you have your<br />

fail<strong>in</strong>gs too.<br />

There’s a tremendous month<br />

com<strong>in</strong>g up for you Aquarius,<br />

when everyth<strong>in</strong>g you touch<br />

will turn to gold! Be it work, relationships or pleasure, you won’t<br />

be able to put a foot wrong. While you’re hav<strong>in</strong>g a wonderful time,<br />

remember to spread some happ<strong>in</strong>ess around to those friends and<br />

family that deserve it. It is, after all, <strong>the</strong> season for giv<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

22 JUN-22 JUL<br />

CANCER<br />

22 NOV-21 DEC<br />

SAGITTARIUS<br />

23 JUL-22 AUG<br />

LEO<br />

Whatever you do Leo, don’t bury<br />

your head <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sand and hope<br />

your problems will go away of<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir own accord, because <strong>the</strong>y’ll<br />

still be <strong>the</strong>re when you pop your<br />

head up… only much worse<br />

than before. As 2<strong>01</strong>0 approaches,<br />

you need to tackle <strong>the</strong>m head on<br />

and make a plan of action before<br />

<strong>the</strong>y become un-fi xable.

To take advantage of our fabulous advertis<strong>in</strong>g<br />

opportunities, contact Dan Goodban on<br />

0207258177 or dan@outmag.co.uk

TAKE CONTROL, GET TESTED<br />

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<br />

GARY WHITTAKER, 33<br />

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Gary Whittaker<br />

IT WAS FEAR THAT<br />

STOPPED ME GETTING<br />

TESTED EARLIER<br />

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<br />

NATIONAL AIDS TRUST (NAT)<br />

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www.nat.org.uk

WHAT NEXT?<br />

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YOU CAN FALL IN<br />

TO THE TRAP OF<br />

THINKING THAT<br />

YOU’RE THE ONLY<br />

ONE OUT THERE<br />

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MATT, 35<br />

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www.tht.org.uk/whatnext

SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS:<br />

TEN MYTHS DEBUNKED<br />

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HOMERTON GOES GAY<br />

Homerton University Hospital <strong>in</strong><br />

London’s East End has just launched<br />

its fi rst Gay Men’s Cl<strong>in</strong>ic, off er<strong>in</strong>g<br />

sexual health services for gay men. We<br />

asked <strong>the</strong> cl<strong>in</strong>ic’s Dr Ia<strong>in</strong> Reeves, a<br />

consultant <strong>in</strong> HIV Medic<strong>in</strong>e, to tell us a<br />

little more about <strong>the</strong> service.<br />

Hi Ia<strong>in</strong> – Why do you th<strong>in</strong>k it’s<br />

important for <strong>the</strong>re to be a special<br />

cl<strong>in</strong>ic aimed at gay men?<br />

Gay men cont<strong>in</strong>ue to be<br />

disproportionately aff ected by sexually<br />

transmitted <strong>in</strong>fections and HIV. Most<br />

transmissions of HIV occurr<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> UK happen via sex between men.<br />

There are limited services for gay men<br />

<strong>in</strong> this part of London and we know<br />

from community surveys that quite a<br />

large proportion of men have not been<br />

to a GUM cl<strong>in</strong>ic or had an HIV test <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

previous year. It’s important for us to<br />

aim to deliver more accessible, specialist<br />

services to diagnose and treat <strong>in</strong>fections<br />

so as to relieve disease and also to<br />

reduce transmission. We also aim to help<br />

<strong>in</strong>dividuals who are engag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> riskier<br />

sex but want to change <strong>the</strong>ir behaviour.<br />

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<br />

What services are available at <strong>the</strong><br />

cl<strong>in</strong>ic?<br />

Sexual health <strong>in</strong>formation. Condoms and<br />

lube. Test<strong>in</strong>g for sexually transmitted<br />

<strong>in</strong>fections and HIV. Treatment for sexually<br />

transmitted <strong>in</strong>fections. “Rapid” or “po<strong>in</strong>t<br />

of care” HIV tests – i.e. a prelim<strong>in</strong>ary<br />

SECOND SKIN<br />

<br />

Not everyone enjoys wear<strong>in</strong>g a<br />

condom, but with <strong>the</strong> prevalence<br />

of HIV and o<strong>the</strong>r sexuallytransmitted<br />

<strong>in</strong>fections, we all know<br />

<strong>the</strong> importance of do<strong>in</strong>g so.<br />

In response to this, Sk<strong>in</strong>s are a new<br />

brand of condom that its makers are<br />

hop<strong>in</strong>g will appeal to all men - even<br />

those who are condom-phobic.<br />

For a start, <strong>the</strong>y’ve sourced <strong>the</strong> very<br />

best quality latex. Secondly, to avoid<br />

that unpleasant latex smell, <strong>the</strong>y’ve<br />

<strong>in</strong>fused <strong>the</strong> condoms with vanilla, so<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y actually smell nice.<br />

The condoms are transparent,<br />

and conta<strong>in</strong> extra lubrication, to<br />

m<strong>in</strong>imise <strong>the</strong> chances of <strong>the</strong>m ever<br />

splitt<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

The brand is available <strong>in</strong> three<br />

varieties: natural, ultra-th<strong>in</strong> and dots<br />

and ribs. The ultra-th<strong>in</strong> ones are just<br />

as adequate for anal sex as extrastrong<br />

condoms, but it hardly feels<br />

like you’re wear<strong>in</strong>g a condom at all.<br />

Sk<strong>in</strong>s are on sale at all good retailers,<br />

onl<strong>in</strong>e on <strong>the</strong> web, or available at all<br />

branches of Chariots sauna across<br />

<strong>the</strong> capital.<br />

HIV result is available at <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong><br />

visit. Vacc<strong>in</strong>ation aga<strong>in</strong>st Hepatitis B<br />

and A. Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)<br />

aga<strong>in</strong>st HIV, for people who have been<br />

at signifi cant risk of HIV <strong>in</strong>fection <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> preced<strong>in</strong>g 72 hours, and access to<br />

counsell<strong>in</strong>g – we are soon go<strong>in</strong>g to have<br />

a cl<strong>in</strong>ical psychologist work<strong>in</strong>g with us,<br />

deliver<strong>in</strong>g short-term “talk<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>rapy”.<br />

If men want to book an<br />

appo<strong>in</strong>tment, how can <strong>the</strong>y do so?<br />

The gay men’s cl<strong>in</strong>ic is on a Thursday<br />

even<strong>in</strong>g from 5 ‘til 7pm. There are some<br />

appo<strong>in</strong>tments but you can also “drop-<strong>in</strong>”<br />

(no appo<strong>in</strong>tment needed). The address<br />

is: Department of Sexual Health, Clifden<br />

House, Homerton Hospital, Homerton<br />

Row, London, E9 6SR. Telephone to make<br />

an appo<strong>in</strong>tment: 020 8510 7989 or 020<br />

8510 7988<br />

www.homerton.nhs.uk/ourservices/sexual-health/

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