Date: Thu, 14 Jul 94 23:35:59 GMT From: pulse@drink.demon.co.uk (Pulse Magazine) PULSE MAGAZINE ============== Pulse is a monthly magazine for Gay Men. Edited in Scotland Issue 19 - March 1994 ELECTRONIC EDITION To subscribe: Send a mail message to pulse@drink.demon.co.uk The first (not subject) line of the message should be subscribe pulse (If you are subscribing for a different address from the one you are using to send the request, you should use a line of the form subscribe pulse myotheraddress@my.other.system instead) To unsubscribe: Send a mail message to pulse@drink.demon.co.uk The first (not subject) line of the message should be unsubscribe pulse (If you are unsubscribing for a different address from the one you are using to send the request, you should use a line of the form unsubscribe pulse myotheraddress@my.other.system instead) All Material Copyright (c) Claypoke Limited 1994. Permission is hereby given to distribute this material provided that this copyright notice is included and that distribution is specifically for non-profitmaking reasons. Distribution for profit must be done only with prior written consent of the magazine any deviation from this will be seen as an infringement of copyright. Hardcopies are limited to one per person for personal use only and such hard copies are subject to the same copyright restrictions as laid out above. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this edition: Read Me - the Pulse Editorial Scene News - Out and About Balktalk - Book of Ages: Lavender Mencae Food for Thought: Recipe of the Month Classic Introductions - Record reviews Health Matters - Sexual Health Services UP London - The Age of Consent Vote The B'Astards - How they voted Letters - Your page Snipits - Here and There Kriztal Gazes - Pulse Horoscopes Contacts - The Meet Market Venues - Where to go Helplines - Switchboards and Info ----------------------------------------------------------------------- READ ME ======= THE FLAG WITH THE HOLE We may all be well gutted at the snub from the Commons over the age of consent, but at least young gay men in the UK can look forward to a time when they will be old enough to have sex legally. That's not the case in Romania where, despite the recent breeze which has blown through Eastern Europe bringing a new freedom for many, things seem much as they were. For the last year, Romania has been strongly criticised by human rights and lesbigay advocates for its total ban on lesbigay sex. The efforts of advocates were boosted when the Council of Europe approved a resolution last September calling on Romania to repeal its sodomy law. Under President Ceausescu's regime, arrest, torture and harassment of gay Romanians was commonplace. The current law rewards a lesbian or gay relationship with a prison sentence of 1 to 5 years. A modified version going through Romania's Parliament outlaws sexual relations between persons of the same gender 'if they cause a public scandal'. And the new law punishes (with 1 to 5 years in prison) any attempt to publicly or privately promote homosexuality: a new prohibition which could lead to prison terms for those involved in gay publications and organisations. The change is largely seen as an attempt to be seen to comply with the Council of Europe resolution. According to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Romania seems intent on pursuing the narrowest interpretation of very clear directives from the Council of Europe, satisfying the letter of these requests but still maintaining the same repressive status quo. The late President Ceausescu was much feted by Western leaders - Liberal Democrat MP David Steel even once bought the dictator a dog! It seems that current Romanian leaders are equally the subject of adoration by the West in an attempt to win contracts and open up the country to profit making. It's not just lesbians and gays who are affected by the new tide of authoritarianism. Two new laws will mean that journalists who insult public figures will be liable to gaol and all Romanian nationals will be required to register with the police any foreigner who spends more than twelve hours in their home. A far cry from the revolution which seemed to promise so much. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCENE NEWS ========== Glasgow: In Glasgow the main news is of the forthcoming Scottish heat of the Mr Gay U.K. competition being hosted at BENNETS on 1st of April by the one and only Yvette and her Ciao Babies from London. Manager BOBBY GIBSON tells me that the entries are coming on well and he expects a good contest on the night. So all you body worshippers get on down it's boogie time. March sees a first time at BENNETS for the outrageous MOP and BUCKET, believe me not an act to be missed. As we go to Press we hear that Club X is to host the only British appearance by SONIA before her London debut in the smash West-End Musical GREASE. Another date for the diary is the Easter Monday (the 4th April) appearance at CLUB X and at CAFE DELMONICA'S of DOMINO from DRAGAMANIA. One of the funniest nights for some time was the Valentines Night version at Austin's of Mr & Mrs (or should that read Mr & Mr?). Hosted by the lovely Colin assisted by the big balloon herself Betty-B (now what was she doing to that young man's zipper?) I was only disappointed that I had to leave early for another venue and missed the end. However, when I got to the Waterloo their Valentine's Night Party was in full swing, What about the star of the gantry, Martin? When she gets a couple of wee sherries down her neck there is no stopping the performance. One final date for the diary is the GLC's SPRING CEILIDH at the usual venue (the Winter Gardens) Tickets are ukp6 or ukp5 for concessions and are available from Clyde Books 25 Parnie St and from the CCA Sauchiehall St. Get along and support this worthwhile cause. Blackpool: Did you know that there are more beds in Blackpool than the whole of Portugal? Not very interesting, but useful to know when you come to visit us, that we're not short of a bed or two. So where do you stay if you don't cop off? Take your pick - the list is endless. There are many Guest houses that are Dorothy friendly, but you can't snog your date at the breakfast table for fear of choking Granny Smith on her vitamin tablets. There are however quite a few totally gay establishments within walking distance of the scene. For the guys the largest is the one and only Trades Hotel, two minutes from the scene and a legend in its own lifetime. Blackpool's latest addition to the scene comes in the shape of the Lords and Ladies sited almost opposite the Trades Hotel. The Lords and Ladies is a very friendly fun hotel hosted by the big boss "Darren" - what a sweetie. When you stay in Blackpool don't forget to ask for your concessionary tickets to the Fabulous Flamingo club, who this month are presenting shows by WORLDS APART and the one and only BANANARAMA on the 29th April. Round at BASIL'S the 5th of March sees the return of the Saturday afternoon cabaret. Oh yes, the season of fun is upon us once more. I am looking forward to seeing some of the great cabaret lined up for Blackpool this month, acts like KEVIN PETERS, MOP & BUCKET, JIMMY MAC, SUZY LAVERNE, WILLY THE KID and my favourite on Monday nights at Pepe's "Nasty Bingo Nite with Zoe". I am certainly going to be busy putting myself about this month... What do you mean "So what's new? There is always plenty to do and see in Blackpool, but that's another story. I hope to see you all out and about soon... TONY Edinburgh: The main news to come from the Athens of the North is that the Laughing Duck, Edinburgh's oldest gay bar is up for sale. There are several stories flying about as to the reason for the sale, what's more important though is the hope that the pub will stay in gay ownership. Pub owner, Mr A. Noble, was not available for comment when PULSE contacted the Duck. We'll keep you up to date as and when things develop. If you fancy a spot of bitching, brainwave hairstyles and Minnie Le Minx impressions then Tuesday at the Duck is the place for you. Satisfaction guaranteed (so I'm told). Does that mean Fi Fi will be wearing a strap on? Whoops! Naughty me. Now those winter chills that we have all been experiencing at his most pink and spottedness' Sunday Club seems to have been cured with some "Blobby" brilliant nights reported over the past couple of weeks. Ms Brenda tells me that we can all look forward to the startling SARAH WASHINGTON strutting her stuff at the club's 2nd birthday bash on March the 6th. Drag is the theme for the night, so for those of you daring enough! Down the road a little, the regular Saturday night JOY appears to be bursting into full flower following months of nurturing the little seedling. The last I heard was that they were certainly bursting out of their packets (the size of the venue silly). Maggie and Alan assure me that rumours of the club's aspirations to become Edinburgh's first late night swimming pool are well and truly mythical. The flooding problem in early February has now been resolved. For those of you looking for a little something different to wear at the weekend, how about a colourful tattoo on your... (!) or an earring pierced through your ... (insert squeal here) Well somewhere a little different. All this and more can be had from the amazing Rox at her new studio at the West and Wilde bookshop in Dundas Street. Some news for all you trendy queens out there of a new Sunday night club at the EX's club on Shandwick Place. If any of you go along to Burger Queen then you can expect more of the same. Femme is fabulous, bitch is beautiful. So in other words girls, camp it up. More news of both clubs mentioned next month. So until next month keep pumping... The music you horny (?) devils. ALEX Newcastle: As promised (threatened?) recently I was dispatched by she-who-must-be obeyed to prowl around in Newcastle, do the rounds so to speak (and to get into all it's moist in's and outs). Because Newcastle has such a lively "off-Scene" scene, our very own moist little editorial team have decided that an article on Newcastle off the scene might get the juices flowing - stay tuned! And so to the pubs and clubs. First stop this time round was Heaven above, sited directly above the Courtyard Bar. When we called, the pub was in full swing with hardly room to flash (the camera!) at the mainly younger crowd who seemed hell-bent on having a good night out. The busy Heaven was in stark contrast to the more quiet laid back atmosphere of the Courtyard, where at least you could hear yourself think. It made a pleasant change and offered the pub's clientele an alternative to the THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! beat of bars of the 90's. For all you happnin' mothers out there, Strings is not for the faint at heart. The young crowd freak out as tommorow's music is blasted out of a more than capable PA. Those of us who'd stopped freaking, instead watched the chickens as they cruised and pouted their feathers to their hoped catch of the night. My only complaint was that for a place of its size, did the music have to be so loud? I think not. Rockies was no less busy but the feel of the place was a bit more laid back. It was good to see owner Adrian getting stuck in behind the bar. >From that angle I couldn't quite see exactly who he was getting stuck into - but both appeared to be having a good time... *Aherm!* Next stop the discos. Firstly we popped into the Powerhouse, an extension of the Village pub. The 'house was just beginning to fill up when we arrived, we were told thought that the two best nights, as with Rockshots, are a Thursday and Saturday. Drool to your hearts content at the wall to wall men dancing eating and doing whatever comes naturally (taste is not an issue here!) Round in Rockshots, under the same ownership as Rockies, I was made to feel very welcome by a few camera queens, and there was me thinking it was my personality! As the club began to fill you could feel the buzz going round as the air of Big Time Sensuality began to take over (either that or someone was wearing too much Brut aftershave...) The sound system was turned all the way up to 11 and the dance floor was reduced to a mass of heaving bodies. Who would have guessed... there is a God after all! After a brief word with the bold Linden from A.P.N. I decided to head for the hills or to be more precise the Cheviot View Guest House and to a warm welcome from mein host Colin. To say this is one of the best Guest Houses I have ever stayed in would not do it justice. As Ms Brodie would say, "The creme de la creme", my dears. Until next month... Stay sane all you groovy mothers! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BACKTALK ======== BOOK OF AGES - LAVENDER MENACE A press release arrives at the Pulse Office. West and Wilde, Edinburgh's friendly lesbigay bookshop is in financial trouble. If they don't raise ukp10,000 for their 'development fund' in 3 months they will have to close. The bookshop "has seen income stagnate and slowly drop during the longest recession this country has experienced this century. Its suppliers, co-operative until now, are calling in their debts which the bookshop has been unable to pay because of falling sales." "Ian Dunn, veteran campaigner and customer said, 'West & Wilde is a beacon of the pioneering spirit which has helped to bring the community out of the closet. Please take this fundraising seriously and give what you can'." But let's look for a minute at the history of W&W. Originally opened in Forth Street as Lavender Menace some 12 years ago, the business had its origins in the bookstall owned by OUTRIGHT Scotland (as it is now called) at the Edinburgh Lesbian Gay & Bisexual Centre. For whatever reason, those behind W&W went their own way down the road of private enterprise. Having made that decision, we believe that they have lost any claim on our community for support above and beyond that involved in a customer/supplier relationship. The profits are the affair of the owner of a business - as are the losses: that is the reality of the market. Make no mistake, it would be a great loss for our community were W&W to close. But, if there is any money to be made out of such an operation, no doubt another private enterprise operation will start up to replace it. Alternatively, a truely co-operative community owned business can be started - a business which can legitimately ask for donations from the public. Some might think it strange that a Good Socialist like Ian Dunn should be supporting private enterprise. They might wrongly think it a quid pro quo for W&W's banning of an issue of Gay Scotland because it contained an article which unjustly criticised Dunn. That banning - the absolute right of a capitalist bookshop - caused the community owned Gay Scotland financial damage due to loss of sales. But Dunn has consistently supported privatisation of community resources (including Gay Scotland) over the years. We at Pulse, on the other hand, believe in community ownership and have always been careful to ensure that our magazine does nothing to damage Gay Scotland. Our style (and market) is totally different (and our circulation larger). Apart from providing income for its owners, Lesbigay private enterprise should support the community. Not the other way round! We make one exception to that: when a gay business incurs massive costs as a result of homophobic police or government action (as did Gay's the Word bookshop in London some years ago) then the community should rally round. We wish W&W partners Bob Orr and Raymond Rose no ill - but those who live by private enterprise must accept that it has an upside and a downside. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FOOD FOR THOUGHT ================ FILO FETA SPINACH PARCELS Most of the Greeks' traditional dishes are packed with their most popular cheese, Feta, made from ewe's or goat's milk. No wonder the Greeks have so many mythical gods - when you eat Feta, it's heavenly. I prefer to serve these parcels with a mint salad. This recipe feeds 4 1 lb of fresh spinach 1 oz of butter The juice of 1 lemon, 2 oz of raisins 8 chopped mint leaves 4 oz Feta cheese 4 large filo pastry leaves 1 tblsp melted butter SALAD 1 small cucumber peeled and thinly sliced, 3 beef tomatoes skinned and sliced, 1 tub of Greek yogurt, 2tblsp of chopped mint leaves METHOD (in this madness) Preheat the oven to 190C/375F, gas mark 5. Clean the spinach and remove any large stalks and cook for 3 minutes in a large pan with butter and lemon juice. Cool and season, then mix in the raisins, mint and Feta. Place the pastry sheets under a damp tea towel for a few minutes. One at a time, remove the sheets, and place on a clean flat surface. Paint half of each sheet with melted butter, fold in half and paint new surface with butter. Fold again - it should look like a slim rectangle. Place a quarter of the filling at one end of each pastry piece and roll like a cigar, tucking in the edges. Place parcels on a greased baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until crisp and golden. Make salad. Arrange cucumber and tomatoes on a flat dish. Mix yogurt and mint together and pile on centre of salad. Sprinkle with ground pepper and serve along with your parcels. This dish is reputed to be good for young lovers (or not so young). Enjoy as a Late Night snack. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASSIC INTRODUCTIONS ===================== Welcome to the latest addition to PULSE. I suppose it can be a difficult thing to take the first step towards breaking down the Snobbery of Classical Music. However, over the ensuing months I shall try to give you a man in the street type of introduction to the world of the classics. Collecting compact discs can be an expensive hobby, with a bit of insight we intend to show you some easy and economical ways of building up a collection of Compact discs. I have not excluded LPs or tapes from my choice, but as you will be aware they are being phased out. There are many pitfalls in suggesting music to people, after all, there is a lot of truth in the saying "The ear is the best critic". So in this issue lets start with a very accessable form of classical music.The Baroque Composers and their music, BAROQUE FAVOURITES. This DDD recording is no. 8.550.102. The disc I have chosen is from the NAXOS COLLECTION, and retails at about ukp4.99. It is stocked by most of the big record stores throughout the country. One of the largest selections can be found at Tower Records in Glasgow. They can also be found in such stores as HMV and VIRGIN, tucked away in their classical departments. Baroque Favourites is a disc that will introduce you to such composers as Handel, Vivaldi and Bach. What is the Baroque style? I hear you screaming. Well the best way to describe it would be to say it is highly ornate and brilliant. On the disc I have recommended to you, you will find fifteen excerpts played by a group of musicians called the Capella Istropolitana, under the direction of the Austrian conductor, Richard Edlinger. Naxos have a full range of classics to offer the beginner, and I hope you are well pleased with my first choice of music. If you want to write with your comments, I can be contacted at Classic Introductions, PULSE magazine, PO Box 1248, Paisley. PA3 3YA. Until next month, listen and enjoy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEALTH MATTERS ============== A HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE TO SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES What is sexual health? Enjoyment of sexual health is one of the esential pleasures of life. Happy, safe, positive, sexual expression means.......... --feeling confident in making your own decisions about how and when you choose to have sex --feeling relaxed and together when talking about sex and enjoying it in the way you choose --understanding your body, how it works and the minor health complaints we all get from time to time --knowing how to prevent the "down" side of the coin - infections (including HIV, Hepatitus) and emotional trauma. What is the Genito Urinary Medicine(GUM) clinic ? In Glasgow there are two main GUM clinics (the Royal Infirmary and the Southern General): these are open Monday through till Friday. There is also a clinic at the Western Infirmary, open on Tue/Wed mornings. The main aim of the GUM clinic is to help you enjoy a happy, safe, sexual lifestyle. Services for gay men are actively being developed and in the future it is hoped to be able to offer a clinic catering especially for gay men's needs - this will be open in the evenings. What services are offered ? 1) COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL HEALTH SCREENING A wide range of common complaints can affect all of us - only some are sexually transmitted. We are here to offer gay men the assurance they want in this area-the on site laboratory allows immediate and precise diagnosis of many conditions. We can offer you a wide range of different types of services, depending on the wishes and needs of the individual. Specialist medical help on specific problems such as herpes, hepatitis and HIV is part of the service. 2) CONFIDENTIAL HIV SERVICE. Everyone has the opportunity to talk about HIV issues, if they wish - of course this is up to the individual. All services ranging from information to counselling to clinic care, are freely available. 3) SEXUAL HEALTH PROMOTION Prevention is the best approach. We aim to help people feel confident by providing information about safer sex and ways of negotiating it. We offer free condoms, together with on choosing and using them. Hepatitis-B vaccine is also available free, if appropriate. FOR MORE INFORMATION RING JAN OR MARGARET (THE HEALTH ADVISERS) on 041-304 4900, or contact your nearest GUM clinic. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- UP LONDON - THE VOTE 12.30: I stand in the Commons Queue - tourists to the front of me - tourists to the rear of me. At the head of the queue a small group of queans. It is cold. A South African guy in a kilt talks to me. His 'liberal' attitudes turn out not to be very liberal. I try to ignore him politely and return to my book and sandwiches. Later - we are admitted (via a bomb detector) to the Palace of Westminster. By now, pooves and dykes outnumber the tourists. Those who haven't been in the building before are overawed by the magnificent stained glass. Stately ... echoing ... sepulchural ... We queue again - this time seated and out of the cold. Soon, we are summoned to the Strangers' Gallery. But first, there are forms to be filled in ... Up several flights of stairs and through another security check - this time a thorough frisking - and then into the gallery itself perching high above the chamber where John McGregor is dodging questions on Transport. It's just after 3pm. Our debate isn't due to start until seven. After Question Time, MPs consider Judicial Murder for three hours. Drone, drone, drone, drone. Matthew Parris flits around like some demented elf. As the tourists get bored, they leave and the gallery begins to bulge with buggers and their friends. 7pm. Someone beside me wakes with a start. Our time has come. Mrs Edwina Currie begs to move. "This is an historic debate. It is the first time in over a quarter of a century that the age of consent for homosexuals has been discussed by the House of Commons. The taboo of silence that has denied the sexuality of young men has been decisively broken". Right on, Sister! - just a pity you voted for Section 28. A hetty family realise what the debate is about and hurry their children out. It was OK for them to hear about hanging and murder - but not to hear about love. Their places are soon filled by more dykes and faggots. The debate rolls on - a good debate. A few interjections from the homophobes. A thoughtful speech from a newly converted to 16 Neil Kinnock. The delightful Tony Banks takes the piss out of a Tory Old Fart. Simon Hughes tries to peddle his own amendment - he wants 17 - nobody else does. Diane Abbott and Tony Banks take the piss again. Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, comes on to give the Tories their line - 18. This magic age will protect those who are unsure. Joan Lestor points out, "If the age of consent becomes 18 and, in the Home Secretary's words, young men may be unsure of where they stand between the ages of 16 and 18, how on earth will they find out what they are unless they experiment? But if they experiment, he will send them to prison. Prison is hardly the place to get people out of homosexuality." Laughter causes the Deputy Speaker to call for order. Labour frontbencher Tony Blair (an Old Fettesian or should that be Old Fetishist?) speaks words of sense but then gives way to a tired and emotional Nicky Fairbairn: "I hope that the Committee will not be misled by the fact that heterosexual activity is normal and homosexual activity, putting your penis into another man's arsehole, is a perverse --" His ill judged contribution is silenced by the chair. In the gallery, we shake our heads - the member for Perth and Kinross looks ill and is to be pitied rather than pilloried. Time passes. Contributions from the world and his wife. From two closet gay tories (who speak in favour of 16). And from Chris Smith who is one of us, climbs mountains and drinks in the Angel. He quotes AE Housman: <"Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuff on his wrists? And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists? And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air? Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair."> In the gallery, we nod and smile in agreement. Next, the Reverend Ian Paisley is called to speak but hectors instead. None of us are listening. His rotund Ulster tones boom away unheeded. He is followed by Robert Maclennan who is stopped in mid flow by the Chairman. Time ... 10pm. The vote is called and the division takes place. Ten minutes of disorderly queuing in the chamber below. We chat in the gallery. The vote is announced - but it isn't - a false start - a mistake has been made and the vote will have to be taken again. Another ten minutes of suspense. Will they? Won't they? We grow closer - the atmosphere light and friendly despite the tension. Two young guys cuddle - unrebuked by the ushers. 10.23pm. We've lost. 280 Ayes. 307 Noes. The gallery empties. No point in staying now. Tears streaming down my cheeks, I make my way down the stairs and out of the building where awaits a welcoming sight: thousands of angry queers. Gentle flames of candlelight and clenched fists of anger. "Fuck your laws! Fuck your laws!" "Portillo OUT! Lilley OUT! Simon Hughes OUT!" My people. I join the crowd and watch as the great and good come and go - there is a TV camera set up and MPs are interviewed but they are inaudible to me above the angry chants. Teddy Taylor, Cathcart's gain and Southend's loss, performs for the camera and a ball of paper lands on his head. (Later, Taylor is glared at by a guy with a mohican and a bone through his nose. Brave Teddy commands an incredulous policeman to arrest his unwelcome observer. The policeman ignores him.) Words of inspiration from Edwina - words which go unheard by most of the crowd. Our anger grows. A young man is arrested and dragged into the Palace. All hell lets loose. The barriers break and the crowd surges forward occupying the empty space in front of the door. The door is closed. People start to sit down. The police, hopelessly outnumbered, stand around waiting for orders. I meet David, my photographer - his camera broken in the crush. We withdraw from the melee and walk the few steps to the car park. It is quieter there and we can see a pink flag being attached to one of the gothic promentories above the doorway in front of which some hundreds of people are staging a sit down demonstration. Cries of "Burn it down" subside as the crowd realises that it isn't going to happen. Police wander around - stunned - their policing tactics made ineffective by a bunch of perverts. A dog van is brought up and the dog is brought out to bark at us. Nobody is frightened and the dog is taken away. David and I decide to leave. It seems the right time. Others agree - the crowd starts to disperse. A protesting female preacher gets in the way and is spoken to somewhat rudely by most who walk pass her. As we walk up Whitehall, we see police arriving to guard Downing Street. An all night shop provides food and a pint of milk for me and a much needed packet of cigarettes for David. We make our way to G.A.Y. - the nightclub which is open specially for those who have been at the vigil. I'm not in the mood for partying and soon leave - just in time to bump into Peter Tatchell and the remnants of the doorstep demo. Eight people have been arrested. The police, who have followed half way across town as the demonstrators disrupt traffic, realise that this is the end of the road and depart. As do I - walking down to catch my night bus from Trafalgar Square. It is cold and the gritters are out. On page 17, Pulse lists those MPs who voted against 16 (along with how they voted on 18). If your MP is listed, why not go along to their surgery (usually advertised in local newspapers or get details from your local Citizens' Advice Bureau) and tell them what you think of them? If they are listed and are gay - give them hell! The struggle continues - we were so near this time - just 14 votes ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- B'ASTARDS ========= In this Electronic Edition of Pulse, we have not included the complete list of MPs and how they voted. If you wish to receive a copy by e-mail, please send an e-mail request to: shag@drink.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LETTERS ======= Dear Pulse, The following letter has been sent to Gay Scotland with regards to a scene news report written in their last issue. I would obliged if you could print it as well. Dear Sirs, I read with interest your comments that 'Squires' has been experiencing "some quiet nights of late" and couldn't help but wonder what nights your reporter based his comments on. Certainly since the New Year and the relaxation of the curfew, we have seen a marked increase in business spread throughout the week which justifies our decision to have live entertainment four nights a week and drink promotions every night. I do not think it is helpful for a Gay magazine to infer that bars are quieter when the evidence suggests the contrary. Perhaps your reporter should call in at the weekend to substantiate this. Squires has been serving the Gay community for over thirteen years (five of which are under the present management) and whilst we have all seen 'new' bars come and go, the fact that we are still going strong should suggest that we are doing something right. David Milligan Director (Rankin Enterprises Ltd.) (We at Pulse were also surprised at the inaccurate report, however it is not for the first time that GS has been taken to task over inaccurate reporting) Dear Sirs, Now that Parliament has given carte blanche to the police to hound gays under 18 years old, it is interesting to note an increase in police activities in the Regent/London Road and Royal Terrace areas of Edinburgh. Young gay men have been stopped and questioned for no plausible reason and asked if they were gay. This type of questioning is in complete contravention of our human rights as laid down by the European Court of Human Rights. It would seem that the local police have forgotten the assurances given by their Chief Constable to the police apologists from Outright Scotland, who were reportedly told that gays would not be deliberately harassed by the Lothian & Borders Police. Perhaps the next time Outright Scotland meets with the Chief Constable they can remind him of their previous assurances to the gay community. Mind you, would you believe any promise made by a force that was severely critisised last year in a judicial investigation that revealed that a number of officers were homophobic. Pass the ÒcampÓ coffee, Sir William. Mr D.B.-Edinburgh Name and address withheld by request. PULSE contacted L&B Police who issued the following statement: 'Anyone who has a complaint of this nature, should make a formal complaint to the police and it will be investigated.' If you are being harassed by the L&B Police over your sexuality please let us know here at Pulse. Who knows, we might even set up a column entitled Willie Watchers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SNIPITS ======= Bisexual football star Justin Fashanu has cleared out of his Edinburgh flat amid a scandal of unpaid debts. Fashanu left for America soon after he was interviewed by police over the death of M.P. Stephen Milligan. Fashanu was cleared of any involvement in the M.Ps death. Upon request, the Royal Bank of Scotland are to issue photo carrying bank guarantee card to any transvestite who applies for a second card. Now all you lovely T/Vs will have no excuse for not doing the shopping for the wife. A crackdown on computer porn was recently announced by the government. Under the proposal the legal meaning of 'publication' would include the electronic transmission of obscene material between computers. It would be an offence to transmit porn through computer 'bulletin boards' or private links. Police will have the powers to bust computer pornographers. The police in Leeds are mounting a 'security operation' to crack down on cottaging in the city. The local old bill are believed to be paying particular attention to the town hall toilets. One of the countries most influential newspapers, the London Evening Standard has done a complete about turn over its policy on coverage of lesbian and gay matters. In a recent leader column, the Standard unequivocally supported an equal age of consent for gay men, and backed it with all the arguments gay lobbyists have been promoting for years. A third of male prostitutes may be HIV positive and more than half of all men selling sex on the streets do not usually use condoms, according to the preliminary findings of a survey compiled by Dr David Tomlinson an HIV consultant at St. MaryÕs hospital in London. The results of the four year study were compiled after interviews with 129 male prostitutes. A Canadian mayor has arranged a Hetrosexual Pride march in June to combat our annual celebrations! The Toronto Star reports that Neil McKerracher, mayor of Calmar Alberta does not want a parade or public festival but urged all his straight residents to have plenty of sex. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- KRIZTAL GAZES ============= PISCES Feb 19th-Mar 20th Mercury, Mars and Saturn are all present in your chart making you not only a randy little devil, but also dynamic at work. Is the boss the one you are after? Try and get out a bit more. ARIES Mar 21st-Apr 20th Venus is working on you at the moment making you seek love. I feel you may be ignoring what is staring you in the face in the form of a lover who is very close at hand. Work could be tricky right now. TAURUS Apr 21st-May 20th Problems in the love life could drive you back to mother, you could always borrow her Imac now the weather is turning for the better. In work life could be difficult through a little bitch making life hell. GEMINI May 21st-Jun 20th Love life is better and your finances could be improving through a new job opportunity. Friends could be letting you down after a time when you feel you have given out a lot of your time to help others. CANCER Jun 21st-Jul 20th The moon in your sign could be making you unbearable and very moody right now. Someone could be deceiving you at the moment and travel plans may need to be altered at the last moment. Better news next month. LEO July 21st-Aug 21st You seem to be prone to loosing it right now, your temper pet! Try and listen to a friend who has some painful advice to hand out. It may well be time to go on holiday as soon as you can get away. VIRGO Aug 22nd-Sep 22nd Being self centred seems to be the key here at the moment. I pity anyone who has to put up with it. A lack of organisation in your life needs addressing right now. At least the love life is looking up at last. LIBRA Sep 23rd-Oct 22nd Very little balance at the moment but at least the love life is improving by leaps and bounds, you should be beating them off with a big stick right now, well what ever turns you on eh. SCORPIO Oct 23rd-Nov 22nd Jupiter and your own ruler Pluto are working against you at the moment having the effect of making you miserable. This should get better towards the end of the month with a few well needed improvements. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23rd-Dec 20nd Well there is a lot of positive change in your life right now, this should affect all aspects of your life just now. Your work and love life will leave you breathless at times. So go for it. CAPRICORN Dec 21st-Jan 19th Uranus and Neptune could be giving you a funny feeling about whatever. There may be a problem with the law, So avoid the park this month. The love life is looking good with the appearance of a tall dark stranger. AQUARIUS Jan 20th-Feb 18th Seeking any sort of change in work could lead to a disappointment. If you hear a little whisper about your lover try and get all the facts first before you go and make any accusations. For a private consultation, Kriztal can be contacted on 041-339 2305. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTACTS ======== To reply to a Contact Ad: Just pop your reply in an envelope with the box number written in the TOP RIGHT corner and place the envelope with your reply inside another envelope with two loose first class stamps. If you are writing from outside the UK, an International Reply Coupon should be enclosed for each reply instead of postage stamps. We are unable to send on replies without postage stamps or IRCs. Send all replies to: Pulse Magazine PO Box 1248 PAISLEY Renfrewshire Scotland PA3 3YA NEWCASTLE CYCLER 28 yr old seeks mate for weekend who is into keeping fit by cycling. I look good in gear and tight grey striders. No age limit, have fun. Taxi on down soon pal. Box P1901. EDINBURGH/CENTRAL SCOTLAND Young blue eyed blond hair Adonis seeks w/e daddy type 25-35 likes swimming, pubs and the gym. Non scene ALAWP. Box P1902 HARROGATE/N. YORKSHIRE 36 tall and chubby seeks younger slim smooth skinned guy into fun and friendship. I can accommodate or travel as preferred. Write with photo. ALA. Box P1903 MANCHESTER/LIVERPOOL AND THE N/WEST Couple 27 and 29, good looking,fit and w/e enjoy swimming, drinking out and men. Seek similar for friendship and fun. ALA Box P1904 MANCHESTER 40 MILE RADIUS Guy non scene, offers companionship, care, housework in return for free accommodation. ALA in strict confidence. Box P1905 GLASGOW/ANYWHERE IN SCOTLAND 34 yr old chubby guy wants to meet a stocky hairy guy, the stockier the better. For friendship and fun. Bob Hoskins type especially welcome. Please write soon. ALA with photo Box P1906 GLASGOW/EDINBURGH Blond with natural blue eyes looking for hot horny times from passive playmates. Anyone under 40. No tache or chubby types. ALAWP You won't be disappointed. Box P1907 MANCHESTER LAD 23 yr old with own home seeks guys to love hard and laugh along with until the world catches up. Age and colour unimportant. ALA Can accommodate. Box P1908 BLACKPOOL LAD 24 yr old, 5ft 8in tall with blue eyes and dark hair seeks that someone special 21-35 to share the ups and downs of life together. Genuine replies only. Photo appreciated. BOX P1909 THAI GUY 38 Young looking wishes to work and live in Britain. Speaks and writes English. Honest, caring, friendly non smoker is looking for an older guy for 1-1 GSOH ALAWP. You will not be disappointed. Box P1910 GLASGOW/STRATHCLYDE 23, new to scene is looking for new friends aged 21-30 also a 1-1 with the right person. If you fit the bill lets get together. Photo please. Box P1911 NORTH WALES, 45 SEEKS HOUSEBOY Young home loving, live in lover sought by 45 non smoker non scene guy 5ft 10in Fair hair, blue eyed, 11st average looks. North Clwyd. Box P1912 GLASGOW AREA Quiet sincere guy, 26, into cinema, travel, eating out and loads of fun is looking for other good looking guys into similar and possible 1-1 Photo ensures reply. Box P1913 MANCHESTER 23 yr German student seeks other straight acting guys up to 26 for fun and friendship - Punks, goths, alternatives preferred. Non scene. Photo please. Box 1914 COUNTY DURHAM TRAINING CENTRE Mature leather master offers slave training at well equipped training centre. Skins, bikers, and squaddies particularly welcome. Novices accepted aged 21-45 send for application form with photo. Box P1915 MANCHESTER/NORTH WRESTLER Guy 26 slim muscular seeks black or white guys 21-30 into friendly wrestling to submission and safe fun. Detailed letter and photo please. Box P1916 GLASGOW Very sexy guy into horny young guys for fun nights and weekends. Come in and join in the fun. Can accommodate. ALA with a photo. Box P1917 GLASGOW AREA Gay lad, 31, honest and sincere as well as being kind hearted. Needs someone to love aged 21-31. Enjoys disco, scene and house music. Box P1918 GLASGOW/ANYWHERE Two very fit horny hung butch lads, seeks mates for horny nights. We will blow your mind. Go for it. Photo ensures reply. Can accommodate. Box P1919 NEWCASTLE/TYNESIDE AREA Young guy seeks men under 35 for kinky fun and games. I will try all kinds of sexy fun with the right guy. No camps or oldies. Frank reply with photo. Box P1920 EDINBURGH/CENTRAL SCOTLAND 38 yr old master seeks younger slave to train. Must be willing to try anything. Humiliation, leather etc Photo ensures a quick reply. Phone number appreciated but not necessary. Box P1921 MANCHESTER/ANYWHERE Genuine guy in early 40s not bad looking seeks really w/e active guys (30+) Any nationality for long hot horny sessions - few inhibitions. Toys videos etc. Can accommodate. Box P1922. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- VENUES: ====== Aberdeen: ======== CLUB CADERFEIDH 9 Hadden Street, Tel: (0224) 212181. Thu-Sun 9pm-2am. Popular Disco just a stones throw away from Flannies Bar. EXCHANGE CLUB Above Scotch Corner. Upstairs disco with good atmosphere and interesting furniture. FLANNIES BAR Entrance on Stirling Street toLesbian and Gay lounge bar. Tel: (0224) 571266. Mon-Sat 11am-12pm, Sun 6.30pm-11pm. Run by the owners of Club Caberfeidh. Blackpool: ========= BASIL'S ON THE STRAND 9 The Strand, Tel: 0253-293 877. Mon-Sat 12.30pm-12.30am. Sun pub hours. Pub with dance floor, bistro, Clone Zone Shop. PEPE'S 92-94, Talbot Road, Tel: 0253-26691. Mon-Sat 12-5pm & 8pm-2am, Sun 12-3pm & 8-10pm. Cabaret on Weds and Sat lunchtimes FLAMINGO 2001 176 Talbot Road, Tel: 0253-24901. Mon-Sat 10-2am. Sun 7-11.30 pm. Disco Club, Drag & Bistro. Sun Piano Bar lunchtimes. GALAXY HEALTH CLUB 25 Springfield Road, Tel: 0253 294610 LUCY'S BAR below Rumours, Talbot Square, Tel: 0253 293204. Mon-Sat till 1am, Sun til 10.30pm. DJ and Cabaret. MATCHAM'S BAR Behind Grand Theatre, Corporation Street, Tel: 0253-28309. Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12pm-3pm. Mixed Bar. 20'S TEA ROOMS 5 Queens Street, Tel: 0253-25713. 10-5pm. Open 7 days a week. Elegant tea rooms, serving tea, coffee, snacks and meals. Dundee: ====== THE EDGE 85 Commercial Street. FRI10pm-2.30am. Dundee's one-nighter disco. GAUGER BAR 75 Seagate. Tel: (0382) 26840. Mon-Sat 11am-12pm, Sun 6pm-11pm. Large bar with pool table and its very own disco! Dumfries and Galloway: ===================== RUMOURS Local pub in Whitesands. Used to be called The Joker - straight pub frequented by some gays, bikers, hippies ect. Edinburgh: ========= CHAPPS CLUB BAR 22 Greenside Place. Tel: 031-558 1270. Mon-Sun 9.30pm-4am. Cruisy bar all types of clientele. Busy late on at night. FRENCH CONNECTION Rose Street Lane North. Mon-Sat Noon-2am, Sun 1pm-2am. Cosy bar just off Princes Street. JOY at the Calton, Calton Road. 10pm till late. Edinburgh's Saturday one nighter. THE LAUGHING DUCK 24 Howe Street. Tel: 031-225 6711. Mon-Wed Noon-1am, Thu-Sat Noon-1.30am,Sun 6pm-1.00am. Busy pub especially at weekend.Disco downstairs, karaoke on Tuesdays and Sundays, Bingo on a Wednesday. NEWTOWN BAR Dublin Street. Edinburgh's Newest pub. STAR TAVERN Northumberland Terrace. Best Real Ale in Town. Open 12-12.30. Tel: 031-539 8070 WEST & WILDE BOOKSHOP 25a Dundas Street. Tel: 031-556 0079. Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun Noon-6pm. Scotland's only lesbian and gay bookshop. Large selection of gay titles. THE EDINBURGH LESBIAN AND GAY COMMUNITY CENTRE 58a Broughton Street. Entry through 60 as well. DRONDALE LIMITED 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 031-556 1471. Open 11am-8pm. Probably the largest gay shop north of Manchester. Shop also in Club Exchange (Glasgow). Worldwide mail order service. THE BLUE MOON CAFE Tel: 031-556 2788. Noon-11pm. Great quality Vegetarian food, Now stocking Beers and spirits. Tell Alan we sent you! Falkirk: ======= THE BARREL HOUSE Opposite Grahamston Station. Straight bar frequented by some local gays and their friends. Glasgow: ======= AUSTINS 183a Hope Street. Tel: 041-332 2707. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight. Friendly and basement pub. Food lunchtimes. Karaoke on Tues, Fri & Sun nights. BENNETS DISCO 80-90 Glassford Street. Tel: 041-552 5761. Tue-Sun 11pm-2am. Very popular busy disco.,Straight night Tuesday, Packed at the weekend. CHISHOLMS COFFEE SHOP 145 Kenmure Street, Glasgow. Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm. Sun 11am-5pm. Cosy wee shop. (Ideal for quiet cuppa with a friend) CLUB EXCHANGE 25 Royal Exchange Square. Tel: 041-204 4599. Tue-Sun 11pm-3am. Large basement disco, busy club. Wednesday alternative night. Drondale shop. COURT BAR 69 Hucheson Street. Tel:041-552 2463. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 8.30-11pm. Small bar with basement area. The ideal place to go if you like your music below the pain barrier. DELMONICA'S 68 Virginia Street. Tel:041-552 4803. Mon-Sun 11am-Midnight. Large pub with popular backroom area, Nightly Happy Hours, Women only backroom Tues, Karaoke Thurs, Sunday Cabaroke[ish]. GUY'S BAR 105 Albert Drive (50 Yds from the Tramway Theatre) 5.30-Late 7 Nights a week. Glasgow's New Basement Bar. Tel: 041-423 6439. SQUIRES LOUNGE 106 West Campbell Street, Tel:041-221 9184. Mon-Fri Noon-Midnight, Sat Noon-2.30pm & 7pm-Midnight, Sun Noon-2.30pm & 8pm-11pm. Popular basement bar with intimate back area. THE WATERLOO 306 Argyle Street, Tel:041-221 7359. Mon-Sun 12-12. As crowded and popular as ever. Karaoke every 2nd Tues, Cabaret every Thurs, Bingo with Ms Hutton on Sundays. Perth: ===== Contact the Perth gay group for details of their next disco - a fun night out close to home! Manchester: ========== BLUES FUN Bar/Disco, 211 Slamford Street, Ashton-upon-Lyme(061-330 3212). Long Established popular Gay venue, Open Mon-Sat till 2am CRUIZ 101 101 Princes Street. Tel 061-237 1554. Large Club open10pm-2am. Closed Tues & Sun. Members only. GRAND CENTRAL 80 Oxford Street.(100 yds from Oxford St Railway Station). Also contains basement bar ('The Subway') NAPOLEON'S Sackville Street/Bloom Street. Tel 061-236 8800. Gay disco/club. Sun-Sat 9.30-2am. NEW YORK, NEW YORK 98 Bloom Street. Tel 061-236 6556. Mixed gay bar. All day opening. OSCARS 5 Copper Street. Tel: 061-236 6007. Gay nightclub. Wed-Sat 10-2am. Q--BAR 28 Richmond Street. Tel 061-237 9329. Members only bar (Free Membership avail.). Tues-Sat 9-1am, Sun 9-11.30pm. ROCKIES 4-6 Whitworth St. Tel 061-228 3078. Gay disco complex. Mon,Thurs-Sun 10pm-2.30am. Sun 1-4pm. Closed Tuesdays. Newcastle: ========= COURTYARD 2 Scotswood Rd Tel: 091-232 2037 Mixed pub. POWERHOUSE Waterloo Street. Tel:091-261 4507 Thur-Sat 10-1am Gay club Ist Wed of month. Men only. ROCKIES 78 Scotswood Rd Mixed bar with disco, pub hours. STRINGS 29 Blenheim Street, Tel 091-232 3530. Mixed Gay bar with accent on the Disco. THE VILLAGE Sunderland St. Next to Powerhouse. Mon,Thur,Fri,Sat 12-11pm,Tue,Wed 12-12pm,Sun 7-10.30pm. York: ==== FANTASY ISLAND Toffs Cafe Bar/Toffs Nightclub. Mixed Monday one nighter from 10pm-2am WHITE HORSE Bootham. Rumoured to be York's only full time gay haunt. Open 11am till 11pm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HELPLINES ========= Aberdeen: Tel 0224 586869 Wed. 7-10pm Ayr: Lesbian and Gay Group. Tel 0292 610599. 7-10pm. PO Box 1043, Ayr. KA6 5JQ. Ayrshire AIDS Awareness Support Group. Meetings Wed from 7pm-10pm/ Tel: 0292 619000. PO Box 1043, Ayr. Borders: Gay Switchboard. Confidential Information, Advice & Counselling. Mon & Wed 7.30-10.00pm. Tel 0450 370700 or PO Box 3, Hawick, Roxburgh. TD9 9RU Central: Forth Friend Tel 0786 7125 Mon 7-10pm Edinburgh: Body Positive (Edinburgh) Tel 031-652 0754 (Mon-Fri) 031-661 9100 (Fax). HIV Positive Gay Men's Group, Sunday's 2-6pm Edinburgh Gay Switchboard Tel 031-556 4049. Nightly 7.30-10pm. Lesbian Line Tel 031-557 0751 Mon/Thu 7.30-10pm. Bisexual Line Tel 031-557 3620 Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Scottish Aids Monitor PO Box 248, Edinburgh EH6 5NS. Tel 031-555 4850 Fife: Fife Friend. Tel 0592 266688 Monday (Women) 7.30-10.30pm Friday (Men) 7.30-10.30pm Glasgow: Strathclyde Lesbian and Gay Switchboard. Tel 041-221 8371. Nightly 7-10pm. Lesbian Line 041-552 5768 Wed 7-10pm. The Outreach Nursing Team. Tel: 0831 179902.(9.30am-4.30pm). Scottish Aids Monitor. PO Box 11,G2 2UT. Tel: 041-353 3133 London: London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard. 24hrs. Tel: 071-837 7324 Newcastle upon Tyne: Friend Tel 0632 737951 Mon-Fri 7-10pm Lesbian Line Tel 0632 612277 Thu 7-10pm Perth: Women 0738 828840 Mon 7-10pm. Men 0738 23917 Mon 7-10pm. York: York Action Plus, 24hour crisis line - 0374 229133, 24hour answer service - 0426 934447. Office & Helpline 0904-671631. TV/TS Helpline: Operated daily 7.30-10pm to listen counsel and give comfort. Ring Edinburgh Lesbian and Gay Switchboard 031-556 4049 and ask for the Scottsh TV/TS helpline. National AIDS Helpline: 0800-567123. 24hr Helpline. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- PULSE MAGAZINE Issue 19 - March 1994 Editorial team: Adam Donlin John Hein Gordon Gosnell Published by Claypoke Limited Contributors: Alex (scene News Edinburgh) Kriztal Tony Lavarett (Scene News Blackpool) General Enquiries: Pulse Magazine PO Box 1248 PAISLEY Renfrewshire Scotland PA3 3YA Advertising Enquiries: +44 (0) 505 335021 END OF FILE -- pulse@drink.demon.co.uk Pulse Magazine PO Box 1248 PAISLEY Renfrewshire Scotland PA3 3YA Telephone: +44 (0) 505 335021