Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 07:26:36 -0500 (GMT-0500) From: "Thomas W. Holt Jr." From: Listserver To: sgml@drink.demon.co.uk SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE ================= ScotsGay is a magazine for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Edited, printed and published in Scotland Issue 2 - February 1995 ELECTRONIC EDITION To subscribe: Send a mail message to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk The first (not subject) line of the message should be subscribe scotsgay-list (If you are subscribing for a different address from the one you are using to send the request, you should preface your request with a line of the form set address myotheraddress@my.other.system instead) To unsubscribe: Send a mail message to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk The first (not subject) line of the message should be unsubscribe scotsgay-list (If you are unsubscribing for a different address from the one you are using to send the request, you should preface your request with a line of the form set address myotheraddress@my.other.system instead) All Material Copyright (c) Pageprint Limited 1995. 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. The printed edition of ScotsGay is available by post at the following rates: 6 issue sub (UK & EC) 6ukp 6 issue sub (Overseas) 12ukp 12 issue sub (UK & EC) 10ukp 12 issue sub (Overseas) 22ukp Make Cheques and POs payable to 'Pageprint Limited' or 'ScotsGay' and send them to: Subscriptions ScotsGay Pageprint Limited PO Box 666 Edinburgh Scotland EH7 5YW ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this edition: Editorial: A Sad Reflection News: Reports and investigations Serial: What do Dave and Paul do next? Inside Out: The essential scene guide Venues: What and where... Scene: All the latest tittle tattle Boxes: The ScotsGay Meet Market International: The worldly round-up Arts and Reviews: Latest film, video and book releases Listings: Updated every issue ScotsDyke: updated every issue Credits: Who we are and all that stuff ------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL ========= It's a sad reflection on the Scottish Press that the biggest reaction we had to our first issue was over our choice of front cover. For, hardly had the ink dried but the Aberdeen Press and Journal was on the phone making much of the fact that we had used a photo of Phillip Schofield. Were we saying that Schofield was gay? I pointed out that the photo went with a piece on Christmas shows in which we mentioned that the man had recently got married, and, in any event, that we had printed a disclaimer to the effect that unless we had had sex with any of the people mentioned in the mag, we didn't actually know what their sexuality was. The hack didn't have the nerve to ask if I'd had sex with Schofield (Unfortunately not - before you ask) but changed tack and asked if I thought it was very nice to put Schofield in a gay magazine if he wasn't gay. My response that, as a gay man, I had no objection to appearing in a straight magazine seemed to flummox him - so I made my excuses and left. I gather that the cream of the press corps then started pestering the theatre where Schofield was appearing as well as trying to get hold of the man himself. But, in the end, they got absolutely nowhere. It was nice then to see that, although he genuinely couldn't attend, Schofield took the time to send a lengthy message of support when members of the cast of the show in which he was appearing raised ukp17,000 for CRUSAID around World AIDS Day. Tory MP Michael Brown, viciously outed by the News of the Screws last year (although I've known he was gay for nearly 15 years), has recently declared that he now believes that everybody should come out. And I certainly can't think of anybody I know who has, ultimately, ever regretted throwing open the closet doors. But, if Schofield is perchance gay or bi (and I stress that I have no more knowledge of this than I have of the sexuality of my neighbour's new goldfish) it's entirely a matter for himself when to come out. I've never heard of him putting down lesbigay people - so ScotsGay will have no part in any gutter press attempts to out him. And we will continue to report on the artistic endeavours of all - regardless of their sexuality. John Hein ---------------------------------------------------- NEWS ==== CHAPPS GOES BUST In a move which has shocked the gay business community, Chapps Limited, the company which ran Chapps Club Bar and the Newtown Bar in Edinburgh has ceased trading and has been put into liquidation by its owners owing over ukp70,000. The Local Licensing Board's restriction on hours at Chapps (which led to a 50% reduction in takings during the Festival) is blamed as well as increased competition from newly opened gay venues nearby. Preferential creditors like the Inland Revenue, DSS and VAT are owed over ukp15,000 (with another ukp17,750 unsecured) and there are other outstanding claims against the company to the tune of over ukp45,700 with some 30 unsecured creditors claiming sums between ukp19,000 (Tennent Caledonian) and ukp56.40 (Pestex Services). Other notable names on the list of creditors are Scottish Power (ukp1577.70), BT (ukp630.03) and Lothian Regional Council (ukp2781.80). But, liquidator Matt Henderson has indicated that most creditors are likely to receive nothing as assets only amount to ukp2509! However, Andy Morrison (owner of the failed company along with Ray Nelson) is trying to make the best of things. He told ScotsGay, 'The owners of both buildings, Arrow Leisure, have taken over the bars and are running them with Ray and myself employed on a management contract - so our customers can rest assured we will still be looking after them. 'Chapps Club Bar is temporarily closed and will remain so until approximately the start of March 1995. During this time, the bar will be 'gutted' and a new brighter and more stylish interior fitted. We both believe that the scene has changed so much in the last eight years that the original feel of Chapps has to be changed and the place will be renamed as well - although we haven't yet decided on a new name and we're still open to suggestions!. 'The Newtown Bar remains open and will shortly be getting a freshen up. The cellar bar is proving to be very popular and so this will fill the gap for the cruisier and heavier type of bar which will go with the change in Chapps Bar. AMBULANCE SERVICE HITS BACK The Scottish Ambulance Service has hit out at reports in another gay magazine and the Edinburgh Evening News accusing paramedics of homophobia when they attended an incident at a gay club on the 15th of January. The magazine reported that a 19 year old man with only one kidney had collapsed of apparent heat exhaustion in the Calton in Edinburgh at Joy, the popular Saturday night event. A team of paramedics were then claimed to have refused to enter the club to help him, refused to touch him and then asked his friends to help him to their vehicle, apparently because of their fear of catching HIV. According to security steward Linda Pearson, a qualified first aider, the collapsed man 'was in a lot of pain and couldn't walk. I told one of the paramedics to bring the stretcher in, but he turned round and said 'I'm not touching him'. Then the pair of them just walked out and sat in the ambulance until we took him out. 'I can only assume it was because Joy is a gay club and they were worried about HIV and AIDS - it seemed totally uncalled for and unprofessional.' But, according to ambulance chiefs, the man who was eventually taken to the ERI and was discharged after treatment, denied that this had happened. 'The patient has testified that there was a comprehensive dialogue between himself and the ambulance crew regarding his condition and the necessity to attend hospital. 'As far as '... his friends helping him to the ambulance ...', the patient was helped to the ambulance with the male ambulance crew walking ahead of the patient on the stairs as the patient's condition was such that he was able to walk to the ambulance with this degree of assistance. The male crew member was constantly observing and conversing with the patient en-route to the ambulance. 'During the course of this investigation, the patient has expressed extreme surprise that a complaint has been made regarding the ambulance crew. 'It was also intimated that the ambulance crew did not want to touch the patient due to the risk of HIV or AIDS related diseases. The Scottish Ambulance Service wish to totally refute this allegation and state that over 400,000 incidents per year are handled by the Service, a number of which are HIV or AIDS related cases. The Service would also like to state that they are responding to the needs of the Scottish public 24 hours a day and when called upon, will attend an incident and care for the patient(s), regardless of the circumstances. The Ambulance Service also released to ScotsGay a statement made by Steven Jackson, a colleague of the patient. He confirms that 'at no time did any of the ambulance staff state that they would not touch the patient. I was with the patient both when the ambulance crew arrived and travelled with him in the ambulance to the hospital and neither of the ambulance staff made any comment of this nature. 'In addition, contrary to the Evening News report, there was no discussion regarding the use of a stretcher. Following the necessary conversation between the Ambulance Technician and the patient, regarding his medical condition, the patient was assisted to his feet by a Calton Studios staff member prior to walking down the stairs, with assistance. 'The male Ambulance Technician led the way whilst his female colleague went ahead to prepare the ambulance prior to commencing the journey to the Royal Infirmary. HOME RULE BILL KILLED The Home Rule (Scotland) Bill which was thrown out by the Commons last month would have given homosexual people in Scotland 'equality'. The bill, proposed by the LibDems to put into effect the work of the Scottish Constitutional Convention, included a clause headed 'Equality' that says that 'The equal protection of the law and the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set out in this charter shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth, homosexuality, disability, age or other status. Outright Scotland will be lobbying for a future version to say 'sexual orientation' or, at least, 'homosexuality or bisexuality' rather than 'homosexuality'. EDINBURGH GAY SWITCHBOARD COMES OF AGE Edinburgh Gay Switchboard is 21 years old! The first recognised gay charity in Scotland, Edinburgh Gay Switchboard has been providing help, support and information for Scottish gay men and lesbians since 1974. In its 21st year, Switchboard now has 40 volunteer counsellors, answering around 7,000 calls last year. Calls vary widely, from helping gay men and women 'come out' through legal and religious problems, to dealing with callers who are suicidal. Switchboard speaks not only to gay men and lesbians, but often parents and relatives, schoolteachers, doctors and counsellors from other agencies, such as The Samaritans and Relate. A very important role is that of sexual health educator: Switchboard also provides information on HIV and AIDS, safer sex and sexual health generally, a fact which is recognised by its funders, Lothian Regional Council Social Work Department, and Lothian Health Board. Edinburgh Gay Switchboard started life in 1974 as part of the Scottish Minorities Group (now Outright Scotland), then became the Edinburgh Befriending Group. In 1985, the name changed to Edinburgh Gay Switchboard when it became the first gay Charitable Trust recognised in Scotland. In addition to helping gay men and lesbians over the phone, Switchboard members also provide face-to-face counselling for clients who need more support. Regular social groups are held, where gay men and women new to gay life can meet others in a similar situation, in a safe, relaxed and friendly environment. Longest serving member, Jim, who has been with the Switchboard since it started in 1974, said 'I've seen Switchboard grow from only a couple of people, open only a few hours per week, to now, with over three dozen men and women providing a service every night of the year. We're even training the Lothian and Borders Police, something I could never have envisaged 21 years ago!' Ann Johnson, the co-ordinator of Switchboard, said 'Switchboard provides an essential service to gay men and lesbians. Even now, many men and women still feel unable to 'come out'. This is particularly a problem in smaller towns in Scotland, and in rural areas, and we get many calls from outwith the big cities. This, and the continuing increase in the number of calls every year, proves that Switchboard is just as essential as ever.' As part of its 21st Anniversary celebrations, Switchboard held a huge 21st Anniversary Ball at the Assembly Rooms on 4th February. Over 400 people attended the ball which included Ballroom, Latin American, Highland and Disco dancing. SAM HOLDS HEALTH DAYS Attendances varied wildly at the two recent Health Days organised by the Gay Men's Project in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Over 100 men turned up to the event in Glasgow to hear Derek Ogg appeal for people to volunteer for the Project. Whilst even the offer of a free lunch could persuade only 40 men to attend the Traverse Theatre where they heard popular 'willy doctor' Sandy McMillan of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh's Department of Genito-urinary Medicine share his knowledge of sexual health for gay men. At the Edinburgh event, gay financial expert Ivan Massow spoke candidly on the financial needs of the gay community and there was a far ranging and lively debate about recreational drug use in the gay community and whether or not it leads to unsafe sex and bad health. Workshops also discussed gaps in health service provision for gay men such as the lack of drop-in centres for gays or lists of gay-friendly dentists and doctors. CALL ME A CAB A gay men's advice service has been opened by the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Citizens' Advice Bureau as part of the Steve Retson Clinic on Tuesday evenings. The CAB, which is Britain's largest advice agency, provides free, confidential advice on most subjects. Alistair Blades, the Bureau Manager, said of the new service 'I hope that it will serve as a basis for closer co-operation between lesbian and gay groups and the CAB Service'. BLIND DATE Edinburgh University's Sex Week will kick off on 18th of February with a gay Blind Date. Organisers are still looking for contestants! PRIDE MARCHES ON Come and enjoy an evening of light classical music at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh on March 31st. A special guest orchestra will be performing an enchanting concert which will help recreate the mood of the Vienna of Mozart and Strauss. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards Pride Scotland, the first annual march and festival for the lesbian gay and bisexual community. Tickets are available from the Queen's Hall Box Office 0131-668 2019 and from Ticketline 0131-220 4349. PRISONER'S NEW HOPE There have been new developments in the case of Stuart Gair, the innocent straight man fitted up by Glasgow police for the murder of a gay man. Following the article in our sister magazine Pulse which first publicised Gair's case, and the subsequent STV programme, a new alibi witness, Cathy McGregor has been traced. Legal aid has been granted to Gair to appeal and his solicitor has instructed QC Graham Bell to study the evidence of the case in preparation for the appeal. A submission to the Scottish Office is expected sometime during February. Meanwhile, Gair has been moved to Saughton Prison. ------------------------------------------- SERIAL ====== CHERRIES ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON In part one of our serial on Dave and Paul's formative years by Tony Hiscox-Sloane, the two 18 year olds had a wank together over some hetty porno mags. Now, here's part two, so read on ... Paul and I usually took it in turns to call each other on a Sunday to sort of plan out what we would do during the coming week. It was his turn this week, but after what had happened on Saturday, I wasn't so sure he would call. The events of that afternoon had left us both a bit embarrassed. I needn't have worried, 5 o'clock on the button, ring ring, ring ring, ring ring. I picked up the phone to be greeted by a rather sheepish sounding Paul. 'Hi! How's things?' 'So, so', I replied. I was about to mention what had happened on Saturday, when Paul butted in,: 'About the other day...." 'Yeah', I replied, 'What about it?'. 'Well, I need to talk to you'. 'But you are talking to me' . 'No, you bloody fool, I mean in person. What are you doing tonight?' 'I was just going to stay in and listed to some tapes.' 'Can I come up and see you then?' 'Ok - about sevenish?' 'Yeah, that's fine by me'. The phone went dead. OOO ' David', my mother called, 'It's Paul at the door, I'll just send him up. Ok?' Paul popped his head round the door,. 'Alright, mate?' 'Yeah, and you?' 'Been better', he replied. 'You wanted to talk?' 'Yeah, about Saturday...' I turned the music up a bit to make sure mother couldn't hear if she was upstairs for anything. 'Well, what about it?', I teased. 'You know what we did, wanking off together....' ' Yeah?', I replied. 'Well.....', Paul started to say, then he hesitated. 'Relax', I butted in, 'It was no big deal, just something the boys do, eh?' 'It's not that', Paul said. 'The more I think about it, the more I realise I actually enjoyed it.' 'We all enjoy wanking', I retorted. 'It's not that', Paul sighed. He went very quiet, drew a long breath and blurted out, 'I found doing it with you the most erotic sex I've ever had. I had a hell of a wank this morning thinking about you and I doing it together.' We both went quiet as 'Take That' played away in the background. The silence was broken by Mum shouting up the stairs, 'If Dad phones tell him to pick me up at the McDonalds at about 9.30pm'. 'Ok', I yelled back. The heavy old fashioned front door, banged shut as mother set off to her friends, once again leaving Paul and I alone in the house. I looked at him and smiled saying 'Don't look so serious pal, it's not the end of the world'. 'You said that you found it the most erotic sex you have ever had?' 'Hmm', Paul grunted. 'Well, I have a confession to make. Before yesterday I had never done it with anyone.' 'What about those birds you were boasting about?' 'Lies, all lies', I said with a smile. Paul looked at me in a funny kind of a way, stayed silent for a few seconds and then laughed as he exclaimed, 'Well, we're still a pair of virgins then, eh?'. I laughed too and we both started to roll about the bed together in total hysteria . When we had calmed down, we just lay there looking at each other. 'Does that make us poofs?' Paul exclaimed. 'Only if we were to do it again', I suggested. Paul smiled at me and said 'I reckon I'm a poof then', so I leaned over put my hand on his leg, sliding it up to his crotch, to feel his brick hard cock. Simultaneously I could feel his hand on mine, which needed no further encouragement. 'Paul, I have always fancied you, and had many a wank thinking about you', I admitted. 'Take my jeans off then', he ordered. Not needing to be told twice, I did as he bid, only to find out that he had no pants on. 'Come prepared, did you?' He ignored my jibe. 'Now, your turn', I was told. I not only took my jeans off, but every other stitch of clothing as well. Paul stared at my athletic body for a few seconds and soon we were both stark naked in each others arms. For the first time in my life, I made love with another person. Things could only get better .... To Be Continued ------------------------------------------- HEALTH ====== Being HIV negative and living with a HIV positive partner is a situation more people are working through as HIV slowly entwines its way into our lives. As increasing numbers of people in these relationships are discovering, sharing your life with a person on borrowed time can be an emotional roller coaster ride. In the diverse and often separated homosexual community, there are groups for just about everything from basketball to backgammon - bears to skinnies. Yet in a time when there are so many resources for the community on a social level, there is much work to be done for the negative partners who struggle along, often with little recognition or support. Mark is a 32 year old guy who lost his partner to AIDS in March 1994. Nothing really prepared him for the discovery of his partner's status. "My experience in social welfare put me in the position of thinking that I'd seen enough to cope with everything. So much so that when my lover told me of his status, my answer was simply - 'so what?' Having friends and a relative with HIV, I thought that I would cope that much better, that I'd be de-sensitised. However, life in the fast lane with an HIV positive person turned into a nightmare." "Living with a partner, watching that person become run down by midday, simple things we all take for granted like eating and drinking, were all things that needed to be considered. And as for safe sex, my lover strongly believed that if both partners were negative or positive, then throw out the condoms! My own view, and probably because I'm negative, definitely differs." Another problem Mark had to deal with was his partner's emotional highs and lows, which often impacted on him emotionally. "Do you humour him in the belief that it won't be much longer and the bitch will be dead, or try to ignore the sarcasm and criticism that 'you don't know what I'm going through' and try to help the person live life to the full?" Mark's problems were intensified by his feeling of isolation and lack of a support group to deal with people like him. "The people concerned do a tremendous job, but why is it so hard to get a support group which caters solely to the needs of the HIV negative person in a relationship, something that operates on a continuous level and not a periodic spurt that dies through lack of publicity or support?" Lee James, psychologist, believes that the health care system needs to recognise the effects HIV/AIDS has on the negative partner and change its assumption that the negative partner will be the primary carer. "This may often be the case, but this attitude only heightens the inequalities by making one partner dependant on the other. The system only recognises medical needs and ignores physically healthy people, with little consideration for emotional support." Empathy, education and patience are needed by both HIV negative and positive people if we are going to successfully deal with the added issues, frustrations and stresses that HIV brings to relationships. Continual support and education for both partners is needed if we as a community are going to overcome and unite ourselves against the prejudices that sero-status brings. "Relationships are complex things which involve constant negotiating of the needs of both partners. Compromise re-balances the sea-saw necessitated by two individuals sharing their lives, but when part of the natural inequalities of a relationship is HIV status, then the sea-saw is harder to balance. Couples faced with chronic health concerns have to face their future with an uncertainty that they are unable to ignore. Our anticipation of the future is a precarious, unknown and often dubious entity," James says. "When one partner's view of his self esteem is influenced by AIDS, then his ability to live wholly is affected. His view of himself as a vital, sexual human, able to contribute equally to the relationship is also affected regardless of whether they're sick or healthy. Continual imbalances can make negative partners feel resentful or frustrated in their attempts to settle conflicts. Positive status can hang over a person, and negative partners shouldn't have to redress that on their own. Negative partners' needs, in terms of support and health care provision, can be met by a thorough understanding of the virus and the specific effects of it on their partner, themselves, and their relationship. This can only be realised by health care systems recognising that negative partners are directly affected by their partner's positive status". The AIDS Council Of New South Wales, Australia recently started a new Negative Partner Support Group and Reaffirmed their Commitment. By acknowledging and affirming the needs of negative partners, we are acknowledging and affirming sero-discordant relationships. We consider it important to normalise HIV positive-HIV negative relationships as soon as possible. HIV status should clearly not be a reason against loving a particular individual. There are furthermore few situations in which HIV negative men can meet with other HIV negative men and actually talk about their experiences in their relationships. As communication between HIV positive and negative people increases, so too will understanding. It is essential for the gay community that there is a sense of unity and togetherness as we struggle to defend and affirm gay identity and fight the epidemic. Each relationship between HIV positive men and HIV negative men, is a microcosm of the larger community. To be able to affirm and celebrate sero-status diversity at the level of relationship is also to affirm and celebrate it at the level of the community. (c) Copyright Brandon Smith 1994 -------------------------------------------- INSIDE OUT ========== The most comprehensive guide to the Scottish Scene, bringing you everything that is happening. For those quiet nights at home you can search our Box adverts to see if Mr or Ms Right has finally appeared, and a quick run through our venues list will ensure that when you find them you will know where to take them... Venues: Aberdeen: CLUB CABERFEIDH 9 Hadden Street. Tel: (01224) 212181. Thu-Sun 10pm-2am. The biggest and most popular Lesbian and Gay disco in the north! FLANNIES BAR 20 Stirling Street. Tel: (01224) 583881. Mon-Sat 11am-12pm, Sun 6.30pm-11pm. Run by the owners of Club Caberfeidh and just round the corner! Down to earth and friendly. Pool table. Deservedly popular with dykes. PINK FLAMINGO 47 Upper Kirkgate. Tel: (01224) 624472. Mon-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 1pm-2am. Plush cocktail bar frequented by the trendier crowd. Dundee: CLUB CRUISE 60 Brown Street (part of Oscars). Tel: (01382) 221176. Fri-Sat 11pm-3am. Noisy with soft lighting, but, despite its name, relaxed and not too cruisy. Soon to extend to Thursdays. EDGE 85 Commercial Street. Tel: (01382) 222367. Fri 10.30pm-2.30am. Disco with weekly gay night. Cruisy. GAUGER BAR 75 Seagate. Tel: (01382) 226840. Mon-Sat 11am-12pm, Sun 6pm-11pm. Warm and friendly bar, seated lounge, pool table. Something for everyone! Edinburgh: BLUE MOON 36 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-557 0911. Mon-Sun 9.30am-midnight. (Brasserie Noon-3pm & 6-11pm). Popular lesbigay caf under new management. The 'Other Side of the Moon' Brasserie is entered from Broughton Street whilst he Barony Street entrance gives access to the caf. CAF LUCIA 13-29 Nicolson Street. Tel: 0131-529 6000. Mixed bar attached to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Full of luvvies and their friends! C.C. BLOOM'S 23 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-556 9331. Noon-late. Bar/diner serving superb food in the Hole in the Wall restaurant. Karaoke on Sunday, Quiz Night on Monday. Disco every night. CITY CAF 19 Blair Street. Tel: 0131-220 0015. Mon-Sat 9.30am-10pm, Sun Noon-6pm. Not as outrageously mixed as it used to be, but still seriously conventional. DRONDALE LIMITED 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 1471. Open 11am-7pm. Situated at the front of the Edinburgh Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Centre. Undoubtedly the largest gay shop north of Manchester, carrying a large selection of magazines, cards, toys, underwear, swimwear, leather and rubberwear. Well worth a visit. Worldwide mail order service. EDINBURGH LESBIAN GAY AND BISEXUAL CENTRE 58a and 60 Broughton Street. Owned by OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, it houses the Bisexual Resources Centre, Calosa Publishing Limited, Drondale Limited, The Edge Caf, and Pride Scotland as well as providing meeting and noticeboard space for many lesbigay organisations. EDGE CAF 60 Broughton Street. Tel: 0131-556 0852. Noon-midnight. Licensed caf at the rear of the Edinburgh LG&B Centre. Full of friendly perverts! Shortly to close for a revamp - will re-open with extended hours, improved food and some decent bier. INSINUENDOS CABARET CLUB 2 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-556 0499. Basement Cabaret Bar in QT's - cabaret plus disco. JOY AT THE CALTON 20 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-558 3758. Sat 11pm-late. Edinburgh's Saturday One Nighter. Reduced entry before midnight. Wheelchair accessible. LEITH OYSTER BAR 10 Burgess Street, Leith. Tel: 0131-225 6843. Mixed but popular with students and Real Ale queens. Bottled Belgian beers and good food. LORD NELSON BAR Linden Hotel, 9-13 Nelson Street. Tel: 0131-557 4334. A quiet bar attached to Edinburgh's biggest gay hotel. Superb Thai restaurant. MAGGIE RAYES 85 Rose Street Lane North. Tel: 0131-225 7651. Noon-1am. Frenetically friendly cabaret bar - formerly French Connections. Friday is karaoke night! NEW TOWN BAR 26B Dublin Street. Tel: 0131-538 7775. 11am-1am. Especially popular with Bears, but has wide clientele. Real Ale. Intense, the new sub-basement men only cruise bar is open Wed-Sun 7pm-1am - women allowed as guests at the weekend. No EIGHTEEN 18 Albert Place. Tel: 0131-553 3222. Mon-Sat Noon-10pm. Scotland's only gay sauna - run by a couple of straight Dykes! All the usual facilities. QT'S BAR 2 Picardy Place. Tel: 0131-556 0499. Noon-2am. Bright city centre bar with a mixed crowd of all ages. At the Centre of Edinburgh's Gay Triangle. ROUTE 66 6 Baxter's Place. Tel: 0131-556 5991. Mon-Sat Noon-1.30am. Sun 4.30pm-1.30am. Bar lunches daily, suppers Mon-Fri 5-9pm. Discos at the weekend with DJs Christine, Claire, Pete and Patsy. Real Ale. S.L.A.G.S. AT THE CALTON STUDIOS 20 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-558 3758. Fri 11pm-late. Another one nighter with DJs Ross Keddie and Martin Valentine. Wheelchair accessible. STAR TAVERN 1 Northumberland Place. Tel: 0131-539 8070. Noon-12.30am. Excellent selection of Real Ales! Bar lunches. Beer garden in summer. Has just changed hands. THEATRE ROYAL BAR 24 Greenside Place. Tel: 0131-557 2142. Basically straight, this Real Ale bar (formerly a Gas Board Showroom) in the middle of Edinburgh's Gay Triangle attracts an increasing number of queers having an off-scene pint before heading for the fleshpots nearby. WEST & WILDE BOOKSHOP 25a Dundas Street. Tel: 0131-556 0079. Tue-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun Noon-5pm. Scotland's only lesbian and gay bookshop. Lots of books and quite a few magazines! WOMEN'S NETWORK DISCO The Calton, 20 Calton Road. Tel: 0131-558 3758. Women-only disco on the first Friday of the month - 10pm-3am. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Falkirk: DROOKIT DUCK 16 Grahams Road. Tel: 01324 613644. Straight bar used by a few local gays. Glasgow: AUSTINS 183a Hope Street. Tel: 0141-332 2707. Mon-Sat Noon-midnight, Sun 12.30am-midnight. Friendly and busy basement pub. Food lunchtimes. Entertainment every evening. BENNETS DISCO 80-90, Glassford Street. Tel: 0141-552 5761. Tue-Sun 11pm-3am. Very popular busy gay disco. Straight night on Tuesdays. CAF DELMONICA'S 68 Virginia Street. Tel: 0141-552 4803. Mon-Sun 11am-Midnight. Food Noon-7pm. Semi trendy pub with backroom area (but not THAT kind of backroom!). CCA Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street. Tel: 0141-332 7521. Caf and bookshop in small theatre and arts complex. CLUB X-CHANGE 25 Royal Exchange Square. Tel: 0141-204 4599. Tue-Sun 11pm-3am. Large basement club, popular with young crowd. Wednesday nights are straight (though still quite mixed). COURT BAR 69 Hutcheson Street. Tel: 0141-552 2463. Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight, Sun 8.30-11pm. Small bar beside former Sheriff Court. Straight until mid-evening. DIVALLY'S 86 Maxwell Street. Tel: 0141-221 4657. Recently opened members' club containing lounge bar and cinema showing legal erotica (gay and straight). Gay Mon and Tue. Glasgow's only TV staff! EAT OUT 8-10 West George Street. Tel: 0141-332 7060. 10am-10pm, 7 days. Glasgow's first lesbigay caf. Licensed. Interesting selection of breakfasts and other food from snacks to full meals GHQ 8-10 West George Street. Tel: 0141-332 8005. 6pm-midnight. Nice and convenient for Queen Street Station. Large bar featuring Suave Gav Glasgow's most popular DJ when he's not working at Bennets. SQUIRES LOUNGE 106 West Campbell Street. Tel: 0141-221 9184. Mon-Fri Noon-Midnight, Sat 12.30pm-Midnight, Sun 8pm-11pm. Long narrow intimate basement bar, DJ Thu, Fri & Sat. Packed at the weekend. Nightly happy hours. TRONGATE BOOKS Unit 21, The Victorian Village, 57 West Regent Street. Tel: 0141-332 8900. Small bookshop with lesbigay section. New and secondhand. VICTORIA BAR 157-159 Bridgegait. Tel: 0141-552 6040. Basically straight, but popular with real ale queens and dykes. THE WATERLOO 306 Argyle Street. Tel: 0141-221 7359. Mon-Sun Noon-midnight. Popular, crowded, down to earth drinking shop. Cabaret every Thursday, Karaoke on Sundays. Greenock: Although Greenock doesn't have a gay bar as such, some local lesbians and gays meet and socialise in the Princess Lounge. Some young gays also use the Jolly Sailor to meet and play pool. Inverness: NICO'S BAR/BISTRO Glen Mhor Hotel, Ness Bank. Tel: 01463 234308. Wed and Fri 9-11pm. Smart relaxed bar popular with local gays especially on Wednesday and Friday nights (9.15pm onwards). Mixed clientele. Kilmarnock: KAYPARK TAVERN 27/29 London Road. Tel: 01563 23623. Straight pub the lounge is said to be used by some local gays on Mondays. Stirling: BARNTON BISTRO 3 1/2 Barnton Street. Tel: 01786 461698. Mon-Sat 10.15am -11pm (Meals Noon-8pm), Sun 6.30pm-11pm. Mixed, busy and friendly - popular with students. Good food. Real Ale. GLASGOW: ------- Once again it's been time for Glasgow's event of the year, the Glasgow Bars AIDS Welfare Fund's Gay Ball, in aid of Ruchill Hospital. For those of us still conscious towards the end of this year's enormously successful event, the committee would like to thank the ever generous Glasgow public for once again digging deep to help raise funds to help those not so fortunate. Committee member (and seasoned flapper) Gordon Gosnell tells us that there was a full house and it is hoped that the final total of funds raised will be in excess of ukp5,000 between ticket sales, raffles and donations. But how much in excess is all due to all you wonderful people out there. Still on the same theme, I hear that the committee are planning something a wee bit unusual for their summer shindig, but when I asked what, all I was told was "My God, is that real? I mean, did you have surgery or something???" which was later translated into "Yes, it's gonna be something DIFFERENT!". Those lovely people with the bar that looks like the Gay living room from heaven (Squires) have asked us to tell you that despite the rumours about Squires closing down, it is business as usual and all are welcome to their 6th birthday party on Saturday the 18th of February where a fun night is expected to start their next 6 years at the helm. Our Sister paper PULSE has been covering the opening of Divally's, Glasgow's latest addition to the scene... Guess, it's the neatest bar with one of the BEST carpets I've seen in any foyer. Being a mixed cinema club, you can always be sure that, if the talent is naff in the bar, there's always something worth dribbling over in the cinema area. Yea, you guessed it, because Divally's is none other than a Cinema Bar! (A bit like a double headed dildo but with more public appeal). One point that dearest sister Pulse seems to have missed out is that the boys who work behind the bar are Glasgow's first up front TV/Drag barpersons. You may not notice, therefore, the slight floral pattern on the paper being slowly beaten into submission by spangly wigs and glitter boob-tubes. It's only ukp20 per annum for membership and I've been given a virtual guarantee that you won't stick to any of the seats... What more can a girl ask for? When you go round tell the boys that we sent you (don't worry, they won't beat you up or anything!) Round at the Waterloo, the whole clientele are in mourning at the departure, after eleven fun filled years, of popular manager Vicky Morrison. Apparently her bosses have promoted her to the wildernesses of Rutherglen - the sooner she gets promoted back to the Wateryloo the better - my Crystal Ball predicts it'll be six months before they're begging her to come back! Meanwhile, I hear that Ms Hutton has received a new Basque from her latest Icelandic boyfriend Johan(big)son. When asked how her fisherman friend got his name we were told it was something to do with his cod piece. However, the bold fisherman claims that he had nothing to do with Betty's new fur coat. In fact it took 2,000 animals to make it up. Fortunately she only had to sleep with 500 of them. Roll on Betty, nothing ever changes. Here's a little bit to tickle your fancy! We hear that a former member of staff at Club X is maybe returning to the fold yet again. Keep your eyes out for our next issue for the full 12x4... Also, a wee bird has just popped in to tell us that Club X is in line for a refurbishment! (nothing to do with the impending refurbishment at Bennets.) Who knows, we might even see a new roll of lino in Delmonica's too! Talking of Bennets, you better fish out that lace bikini! There are only 2 and a bit more shopping months to the Scottish heat of the Mr Gay UK contest! Fancy swinging your thing for Scotland? Then Bennets on the 7th of April is the place to be! Your hostess for the evening is the one and only Sassy Stryker! (Tell you what, I'll hold her down and you put on the gag, but I want the wig and the shoes!!) Sorry Sass, you know I don't mean it, don't you? (The wig'll do!) Watch the gay press for your application forms. EDINBURGH: --------- There's a cloud over Edinburgh at the moment, and no matter what angle I look at it from, it reminds me of this Guy that I saw bending over to take a shot at the pool table in the Newtown Bar... (Contented Sigh... 501's have a lot to answer for!)URGH On the Neg Vibe front, there have been some class bummers in Edinburgh recently... Firstly, the closure and re-opening of Joy at the Calton (because of the fears of the organisers for the safety of the clubs punters) The club was all set, however, to reopen on the 28th of January with a free membership scheme, a new door policy and a much improved security system. Hopefully everyone can get back to living up to the club's motto - The Gay Club For Happy People! (Ain't that sweet!) The vine tells me the Star Tavern is about to change hands once again, that and Mystic Meg's hair really is like that in real life... Spook, Huh? It's not known yet whether the pub it will remain the folds of the pink pound or not - although the runes look mixed. Where are those crocodile clips??? Had enough on what's going down? Fine, run this up your flagpole (with a twist!) Edinburgh has finally gotten its little hands on a gay sauna. No sleaze please - we shop at M&S! Yes, if you fancy giving those pores a good long working over, slip into Number 18, at 18 Albert Place - Edinbudgie's exclusively Gay Sauna Complex with sauna, jacuzzi, sunbeds, private rest rooms and a lazy lounge (poofy supplied, so I'm told). Get this, though... it is owned by a lovely couple, Kate and David DYKES - Shea! Gen man... So, if you fancy a quickie (jacuzzi! *Slap*) nip down, there's an opening offer running until the 28th of February with entry cut to only ukp4.99. (Psst there's also free entry for the gay scene's bar, club and press workers! I've got some new socks! Bwhuahuahua...) Demichange at The Edge - it's taken over by a new company - Andrew Banister and Richard Godden are joining Martin 'Sweetie' Walker in operating the Faggot Centre's bun shop. After a promised refurb, it's to re-open with improved comestibles for the gentry and poncy Belgian fruit beers for our editor - suppose the rest of us will have to settle for a cup of coffee! Wonder if they'll get the phone re-connected? This month's cabaret blitz nights in QTs are the 11th (with a surprise appearance) and on the 25th better get the rifle loaded for the Dame Edna Experience. The Blue Mondays this month have appearances by Zeus, Thriller, Smooth Operator and Paul Grant. But, for those of you looking for a quieter way to unwind after the weekend, Sunday afternoons are pretty neat with the introduction of a 'Snooze on Sunday Policy' with free papers in a variety of pastel colours with the shocking bits snipped so's not to spoil the mood, bacon rolls, hot coffee on IV drip for those of us still not conscious and subtle blend mellow music and fluffy pillows. Heaven, eh? Meanwhile, over at Maggie Rayes, El Raymondo is packing them in at his bijou cabaret bar. Party, party, party - is there no end to Young Raymond's energy? Wonder if the scrumptious Paul will let him put his feet up during the karaoke on Friday nights ... ABERDEEN: -------- Up in Aberdeen, everyone has been laying by the Christmas decorations, most people are getting the wellies out for the pending winter months, although I do know at least one person (who shall remain nameless, unless his cheque bounces) has had to have his removed, surgically. That's what you get when you use Baby Bio for a mixer, huh? The Pink Flamingo have been packing in more equipment, so to speak. It's amazing what a pool table and a pinball machine can do to a quiet night in at the local, eh? Besides, if you get bored, you can always nip around to my place and have a go on my Velcro 'Sticky Wall'. I don't have the body suit, but no matter! The friction burns wear off after a few days (if you catch my drift). One of the more popular nights at the Flamingo is the Tuesday quiz with its own local flavour (just like a packet of crisps, which I'm sure means something like a cross between Ready Salted, Prawn Cocktail and Wotsits). I'm not one to gossip (bwuahuahua! Lies!), so have you heard the wee rumour that is doing the rounds, that a monthly ladies only disco is to be held at the Flamingo? On going to press we have not been able to confirm this. Really, I couldn't... No matter how much I begged, bribed, blackmailed or squeezed indescribable body parts (sorry, tasteless, I know... [well, actually, it isn't, but that's another story]) they just wouldn't part with the goods. Fear not, though! I'm expecting a new delivery of crocodile clips and staples within the next few days, I might not get confirmation but I'm sure I'll get some kind of twisted pleasure from it! I'm certainly not going to gossip about the changes at Flannies! Cuddly James Hamilton tells us he's the new bod there - no doubt there will be changes. I wonder how he's going to enjoy his late night job as Cab driver! Talking of rumours, I hear that some of you seem to think that Daisy's Disco is to re-open. Well if you think it was small before, how are you all planning to get into someone's living room? Think about it! DUNDEE: ------ The Dundee gay scene, small (but perfectly formed) as it is, has never had trouble when it comes to providing gossip and quality cabaret! On the cabaret front, the Gauger has booked a return of the popular Andrew Swan and Cher Traviste for the 5th of April. If the Police Reports (not to mention those pictures in The News of the World !) of the last visit are anything to go by a fab night is to be had by one and all (but leave the Dalmatian at home, I've been tipped off that the RSPCA are planning to raid this time...) Now after the festive season has come and gone, things usually quieten down a bit. Shea Right! Manageress Karen tells us that things have been busier than usual for the time of year, so much so that she's had to install two extra restraining belts to the third cubicle on the left... (Made you look!) The reason for this is so obvious that even Karen without her glasses could see why. WHY? WHY? Why is it that little bird sings early on a Saturday Morning and pisses me right off when I'm still comatose from the night before? Why is it that, no matter what new stain digester is in my powder, it never manages to budge that stain that I can't readily explain without breaching The Official Secrets Act? (*Slap* Get to the point - Ed) Sorry... Obviously it's because you now sell ScotsGay! Scotland's Newest Most Happnin' (Arty But Not Farty) Magazine(TM). Or, alternatively, does it have more to do with the influx of the student population. When's the next train to Dundee? It would appear that the old Gauger name is to vanish into the night. Karen has put up a ukp50 prize to whoever can send in or telephone in the best new name for the pub (anything liable to be thought of by me is automatically excluded on grounds of taste, together with the misfounded fear that it'll be unprintable and is likely to upset small children and variable sized animals) Get on yer thinking bunnets, Dundee! As much as we at ScotsGay hate self praise (Shea!), Karen has demanded that we pop in this wee note: 'Over the years the Gauger has sold all sorts of magazines over the counter, but ScotsGay has been received best of all both by staff and customers alike, and outstrips all your competitors in terms of sales content and overall user friendliness. Keep up the good work guys.' DJ Iain M (it stands for Mental, Magical, Municipal - anything you like) over at Club Cruise is blowing his own trumpet too. He's hoping to host a Thursday night Romp which he promises will be OTT. Whoopiedeee! And he tells us that he's dusting down his frocks already. What more could a girl want? ------------------------------------------------------------------- BOXES - THE SCOTSGAY MEET MARKET ================================ 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 (IRC) should be enclosed for each reply instead of postage stamps. International Reply Coupons are available from most Post Offices throughout the world. We are unable to send on replies without postage stamps or IRCs. Send all replies to: ScotsGay Magazine, Pageprint Limited, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. To place a Contact Ad: Write to the above address enclosing your advertisement copy. Ads are FREE of charge to the advertiser. MEN --- Dumbarton - Non effeminate Seeks genuine friend for long-lasting relationship. Own flat, can accommodate. Me 42, average build, clean shaven. Photo if possible. SG0201 Undie Enthusiast - Glasgow Tall bi guy, 43, wants to meet others who share my interest. Any age. Frank letters, please. I will answer all letters. Write soon. Box SG0202 HOVE - The gay resort Sub. 45. Do you fancy a raunchy weekend in Hove? Why not pop down for a weekend break with lots of fun. Can accommodate in every way possible! Box SG0203 Edinburgh Edinburgh guy seeks slim guy for safe fun and games. Also massage, tickling and fun submission wrestling. Your place only (Edinburgh). Photo and phone number with detailed letter ensures reply. SG0204 London 35, would like to meet new friends. You visit me and I you. Couples welcome 25-35 or that special person for 1 to 1. All letters replied to with photo. Box SG0205 Dundee/Anywhere Passive gay guy, 30 years old, seeks active gay/bi guy for fun, friendship and occasional nights out. Age 20+. Photo required. Genuine replies, please. Can accommodate. Write soon. Box SG0206 Edinburgh 25 year old guy, unemployed, would like to meet S/Mers, shoe enthusiasts, boot lickers, exhibitionists, from 18-30 years old. Own place in Leith. SG0207 Glasgow: WE Uncle Seeks WE Nephew Stocky OK looking we 'uncle' seeks similar 'nephew'. I'm 45, firm but affectionate. You should be 28-35, thinnish, maybe wearing specs and looking for fun and maybe more? Box SG0208 Edinburgh Forty-something professional male, interests: religion, philosophy, outdoors and classical music, seeks younger 'nephew' to complement quiet personality. Edinburgh based. Box SG0209 East Central Scotland, Anywhere Skinhead, 33, versatile, uninhibited, short, looking for rough sweaty maybe wet and messy times with skins or uniformed guys 18-35. Accommodate/travel. ALA. Box SG0210 Kirkcaldy - Fife - Dundee Early retired masculine man, non-smoker, 5'10", med build, bearded, seeks younger man into older men. Sincere honest and need 1 to 1 relationship. Why not write with photo? Can accommodate. Box SG0213 Friendly Bear seeks Smooth Cub Small friendly and extremely hairy bear, 38, would like to get his paws on a smooth young cub. Your cave or mine! SG0214 Tayside/Area Slim smooth 43, straight looking 5'10", 11st, suit wearer, would like friendship with similar discreet guy 18-45. Your place only. Interests: travel, photography, saunas, white briefs. Box SG0215 Glasgow: Shy Student I'm 18 years old, 6ft, 14st, brown hair/eyes. Love art, musicals, jazz, classical music, computing. I seek anyone who finds me interesting. Please enclose a photo with reply. Box SG0216 Edinburgh Festival Accommodation? Gay London professional guy seeks comfortable accommodation (own room) Central Edinburgh), late August - about a week. Reliable, trustworthy, considerate. 0181-390 3107 (Ansaphone) - I'll phone you back or write. Box SG0217 Edinburgh/Anywhere Blond blue eyed 30 year old guy seeks mature 35/40 (must be all man) for fun and 1-1. Enjoys dancing, pictures, socialising and cosy nights in. Reply soon. Box SG0218 Real Man Wanted Glasgow guy, 22, tall, attractive, S/L, S/A, slight beer belly but exercising and dieting furiously seeks manly man 21-30 of similar disposition for fun, friendship and lots of affection please. Box SG0219 Personal Ad 50 year old male seeks gay partner 18-40 for loving caring relationship. Happy to accommodate if suitable. Box SG0220. Out of step with the world? Unconventional guy, 40, would like to meet similar 18-24 year old. Personality more important than appearance. Can travel or accommodate. Non-smoker preferred. Photo would be nice but is not essential. Box SG0221 D&SM/SKIN 'SURFER Warrior MAD WM/28 Cyberskin seeks WM Freak. Stage I Connexion in Cyberspace. Stage II Physical contact. Stage III ? If you like everything that's BAD for you, I'm your NEMESIS. (maddoc@siacs.demon.co.uk) Box SG0222 Glasgow/Scotland Good looking young professional gay guy seeks similar for serious friendship/relationship. Photo/phone number please. Box SG0223 GLASGOW Mature guy, 40s, seeks new friends 25+. Cinema, meals, maybe one to one. Box SG0225 Scotland/Anywhere Railway enthusiast seeks similar for rail trips. Me: mature, 40s. You: younger, student type perhaps. Please get in touch. Photo returned with mine. Box SG0226 Vanilla Pod Deeply vanilla guy, 36, seeks similar younger brother type (under 26) for uncomplicated gentle times together. Non smoker essential. Box SG0227 Poor eyesight? Naff old tart, 40, fat, balding, hairy, would like to go out with a young man old enough to be his son (18+). If your eyesight is so bad that you're interested, please write to: Box SG0228 Edinburgh Firm minded guy, 30, tall, No1 crop, seeks younger guy for fun and friendship. Own place. Box SG0229 WOMEN ----- Lesbian, 36, seeks butch woman 36+ for friendship/lover. Non smoker preferred. Box SG0211 BISEXUAL -------- Edinburgh/Central Scotland Bi guy (39), tall, fit, easy going, tolerant, enjoys most things, seeks similar woman for fun times. Box SG0212 Silver Bear Seeks Cuddles Bi gay (40s), silvery fur, seeks friendly bi woman (under 30) for bear hugs. Existing relationships (gay or straight) do not present a problem. Preferably in Glasgow/Edinburgh areas. Box SG0224 COMMERCIAL ---------- Worldwide Penfriends Regular lists. Make friends, exchange holidays, improve your languages. For general and music lovers' lists send ukp3 to 'The Penpal List', c/o 221B Merton Road, Southfields, London. SW18 5EE. Contacts in USA and France Voluntary Group for holiday exchange, penpals, etc. Covering USA and French-speaking countries. For sample bulletin send 3 International Reply Coupons to: Recontre France/Amerique, 350 Nature Trail Lane, Murrysville, PA 15668, USA. Pen Friends Lesbian, gay, bi pen pals. Members all ages all over UK. Non profit service. Membership ukp5 per year includes updates, listing, box. SAE for details to LGB National Pen Pals, PO Box 2000, Horwich, Lancs, England. BL6 7PG. Situation Vacant Go ahead publishing company requires a self motivated person (male or female) to sell display advertising space for Scotland's brightest and best lesbian gay and bisexual magazine. You must have access to a telephone. If you've got what it takes, phone 01505 335021 or write to: ScotsGay, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW Get onto the Internet For only a tenner a month (plus VAT), Demon Internet Services provides full access to the Internet. Want to learn more? Phone 0131-552 0344. Accountancy Services Tax problems, accounting, auditing, business plans, call Marios on 0131-555 0600 (Fax: 0131-555 6652). We are members of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors. Personal and confidential service. FRIENDS ABROAD -------------- 2+U=Fun Young gay couple (mid-20s, thin, smooth) seeks similar guys for friendship/fooling around. Coming to Boston and like having fun in (and out of) bed? Write us! Jay & Mark, 581 Mt. Auburn Street, #6 Cambridge, MA 02138 USA. E-mail: j+m@actwin.com Can E-Mail be Sexy? US graduate student interested in corresponding via internet. 33, doctoral student, New Yorker trapped in Cambridge, MA, funny, cute and verbal! Interested in education issues/gay rights. Write me! Kevin P. Colleary, 6 Ash Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA. E-mail: colleake@hugse1.harvard.edu.us Cute blond guy GWM, 24, blond/blue, smooth, not-polish, horny, seeks guys for correspondence, visits. Can accommodate in Poland. Write in English or German to: T.W.Nabzdyk; Box 26; PL-70-405 Szczecin 1; Poland or e-mail to: wolferle@uoo.univ.szczecin.pl Blond haired blue eyed American seeks friends I'm 26 years old and would like to meet other guys for correspondence and possible meetings. Many interests apart from the obvious; you should too. Jim Foster, Box 22, Pl-70-405 Szczecin Poland Daddy Bear in US seeks friends in Scotland Masculine, bearded Daddy Bear in Philadelphia. Enjoy making friends around the world. Also travel to Scotland on occasion. E-mail to ak@ix.netcom.com or old fashioned mail to Occupant, PO Box 2239, Philadelphia PA 19103, USA. -------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL ============= International News from Rex Wockner our cute and cuddly Man in San Diego trawls the Networks and the Wires for a global perspective... OFFICIALS WON'T MARRY GAYS Some local Swedish bureaucrats are refusing to marry gays and lesbians under the new "registered partnership" law that took effect on 1st January, reports the Stockholm daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. A survey by the Swedish Federation for Gay and Lesbian Rights (RFSL) found that 25% of civil-marriage officiators will not perform the ceremonies. The law does not require the civil officials to marry gays; only district-court judges are duty-bound to do so. But it was expected that most civil officiators would handle the gay weddings. "I was convinced that a number of officiators would refuse to register partnerships but I never imagined so many would do so," said RFSL head Eva Ahlberg. "We have heard a number of motivations -everything from the officiators being too old, to tasteless statements that it is sick as well as unnatural that homosexuals want to register." The problem is most pervasive in the southern Bible Belt province of Smaaland, Ahlberg said. About 30 gay couples had married as of Jan. 20. The numbers will increase substantially when warm weather arrives, Ahlberg predicted. CRACKDOWN INTENSIFIES IN MEXICO An anti-gay campaign by the new mayor of Monterrey, Mexico, has now resulted in four of the city's five gay bars being closed, reports the Tijuana newspaper Frontera Gay. Mayor Jess Hinojosa Tijerina, a member of the conservative National Action Party, was elected in August. The bars, closed under various legal pretences, are Arkanos, Napolen, Plastic and Ocano. A fifth gay bar, Chanoas, remained open at press time. Police said some of the bars were too close to churches. In addition, Monterrey police are hanging out in outdoor cruising areas and extorting up to $900 each from gays under threat of informing their families of their sexuality and publishing their names in newspapers, Frontera Gay reported. The newspaper wrote: "The police lie in ambush in areas of the city that are frequented by gays - Matamoros, Padre Mier, Jurez and Cuauhtmoc Streets are some - where they hunt their victims, who have become a true gold mine. Each person extorted represents for the police from 1,000 to 3,000 new pesos in income. Typical blackmail lines to get the victims' co-operation are: 'How would you feel if we told your family what you are and what you're doing?' and 'How would you feel if we published your name in the newspaper?' "These are true assaults," Frontera Gay said, "in which the police take not only money but also rings, neck chains, watches and car stereos. They are incredibly brazen when the victim has no money. They order him to go to his house and get money or they accompany him to an ATM." Monterrey, population 4 million, is located three hours south of Laredo, Texas, and is one of Mexico's most-industrialized and cosmopolitan cities. Gay leaders there request faxed protest letters to the following officials: Nuevo Len Governor Scrates Rizo Garca at 00-52-8-343-4234, Mayor Jesus Hinojosa Tijerina at 00-52-8-345-0154, and the state Human Rights Commission (Attention: Dr. Lorenzo de Anda y Anda) at 00-52-8-344-9199. BRAZIL Members of Brazil's oldest gay organization, Grupo Gay Da Bahia, have picketed the state of Bahia's Roman Catholic Cardinal, Lucas Neves to protest against Pope John Paul II's recent suspension of French Bishop Jacques Gaillot, because of his vocal support of condom use and gays. GERMANY Berlin's new Lesbian Avengers troupe staged a kiss-in the Sunday before Christmas at West Berlin's popular Christmas Market. One woman told the group they ruined her Christmas by desecrating sacred songs. One man shouted, "Under Hitler you would have been lined up against the wall and shot - bang, bang, bang." Large photos of the kiss-in ran in two daily newspapers. LITHUANIA Lithuania's leading gay organization, the Movement for Sexual Equality, now allows women to be members, spokesman Aleksandras Zolotuchinas reported at the International Lesbian and Gay Association's 16th European Regional Conference held at year's end in Helsinki, Finland. NETHERLANDS Amsterdam City Council has turned down a proposal to accommodate gays who have sex in public toilets and parks. A committee of city bureaucrats and gay leaders had urged the council to order that public-toilet stalls be big enough for two people, that toilets not be demolished or moved without consent of gay leaders, and that trees, hedges and bushes in parks not be cut so short that men having sex could not hide in them. However the City Council was unswayed, saying safety for all users of public spaces is more important than protecting the activities of a few. RUSSIA Russian President Boris Yeltsin has returned to parliament legislation mandating HIV testing of foreigners, tourists and Russians who are at high risk for AIDS or work in certain professions. Yeltsin told the Duma, the lower house of parliament, to rework the bill. Non-governmental AIDS organizations in Moscow took credit for Yeltsin's move and said it was the first time they had impacted AIDS policies. SWITZERLAND Gay activists in Switzerland have collected 84,000 signatures on petitions calling for the legalization of gay marriage, reports activist Yves de Matteis. The petitions were filed with federal officials, he said. --------------------------------------------------------------- ARTS ==== The fat git has cut my space this issue. So, I'll just draw to your attention to one forthcoming production (blink and you'll miss it). It's the Lindsay Kemp Company who are appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre from 7th to 11th of February. They're putting on Cinderella - a sinister and grotesque Gothic Operetta produced by and starring Lindsay Kemp, with music by Carlos Miranda and featuring the Amazonia Band. If you're not a regular theatre goer, this show is worth breaking the habits of a lifetime for. I'd like to have mentioned Scotland The What? currently touring the country for their Final Fling - but Hein says that there isn't room... Martin Powell film: ---- Totally F***ed Up (Gregg Araki, 1991) 18 Shot way back in September 1991 on 16mm with a minimal crew and even less money, it's the latest movie from Gregg Araki. He's one of those filmmakers who are part of the queercore movement of the late eighties and nineties specialising in underground films. His last film was called the Living End. Apparently one of the first AIDS "road movies", it was kind of convincing but lacked any real anger. Totally F***ed Up is the story of a group of gay teenagers in Los Angeles, played by unknown actors who are probably straight - however, this doesn't ruin the movie. The film is heavy on teenage angst and is told in 16 parts. It starts like a video diary made by would be filmmaker Steven, has two trendy nesting dykes who are looking to start a family and are constantly having insemination parties, a male slag constantly needing his dick sucked and then has major problems when his parents discover that he his gay, and the babe - Andy, who is an angst ridden existentialist and has some of the best scenes. The film touches many bases - fear of HIV, queerbashing, artificial insemination, drugs, slackers and even Generation X and the awful nature of the scene. All the characters express loathing for the gay scene, drag queens, disco and Bette Midler but are all forced to exist within it. They are all to some extent closeted, and to a degree they all pop E and wander around the deserted car parks of Los Angles. There is an amazing scene in which movie hunks (Matt Dillon, Kevin Cosner) are dismissed and Tom Cruise is declared the new Rock Hudson - a gay icon for the nineties. The film as a whole is one of the best homocores ever made - it's wonderful, witty, charming and awful - all at the same time. I believe that it's the first must see movie of the year. Killing Zoe (Roger Avary, 1994) 18 The poster is really quite odd - it has the name of the executive producer before any of the stars! This is explained because it's Hollywood latest superstar director Quentin Tarantino - the man who gave us Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction as well as the scripts for Natural Born Killers and True Romance. The cast features Julie Delpy, Eric Stoltz and Gary Kemp, and it's written and directed by one of the people who Tarantino worked with at the now infamous video store - Robert Avary. The storyline consists of American safe-cracker Eric Stoltz (Zed) who arrives in Paris to do a job with oldtime schoolfriend Hughes Anglade (Eric), and a motley crew of euro losers including Gary Kemp. To relieve tension, Stoltz, after his flight, orders a prostitute Julie Delpy (Zoe) and, after a few hours of what look boring heterosexual sex, she falls in love and declares that she will give up her life for him... indeed. But the course of true love never runs true because Stoltz is whisked off to meet the rest of the gang and she is left naked in the hall. The gang live in some rat infested sub basement where they all shoot up heroin and go in search of the "real Paris" in some really strange jazz club where some serious macho "male bonding" occurs. Following some more heroin and sex in the toilet, Eric reveals that he is HIV+ . The raid takes place the next day and takes up the rest of the film. After a drug fucked night, the raid goes like clockwork until mistakes happen and a number of people are killed. It becomes a rollercoaster with the main action taken up by the excesses of Eric killing everyone who moves. There is the killing of a dumb tourist who declares that he cannot be killed because he is, yes... an American. One of the bank tellers turns out to be part time prostitute Zoe and the fun really start. Zed is down in the bank vaults unaware that the raid has gone wrong and, with the police outside, there is more male bonding and a killing or two. Eric is amazing as a the mad leader of the crew of misfits robbing the bank. There's brilliant acting, the story works, but the direction is ragged and untidy. This could have been a chance for Eric Stoltz to prove he could act as well as he did in Pulp Fiction but he walks through this role with little effort, looking bored - he still has a lot to prove. There is a twist towards the end of the film, but you will have to go and see it to discover quite what. Even Cowgirls Get The Blues (Gus Van Sant, 1993) 15 Gus Van Sant is a legendary cult filmmaker who has made his name producing independent films with known Hollywood stars. His most well known was My Own Private Idaho with River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. He has also had great success with Matt Dillon in Drugstore Cowboy playing a drug addict with a small part for William Burroughs. This film is an adaptation of Tom Robbin's cult novel. It stars Uma Thurman, John Hurt, Rain Phoenix, Angie Dickinson and Keanu Reeves (with music by k.d. lang - a walk-on part too). The film has been dogged by problems - it was apparently re-cut twice and considering the success of his previous films and given a release which was delayed for a year can only mean it has been dumped by the studio. The critics with only one exception (the Pink Paper) have all hated this movie. Although I am a great fan of Van Sant, I have with some difficulty concluded that it is truly a mess - an example of what happens when you give lots of money to a small filmmaker. It's a story of lesbian love with Thurman and Rain Phoenix (sister of River in her debut role). The film is a comedy cum road movie - a time capsule approach to the 1970s. There's lots of hippy, dippy, counterculture nonsense and there are some good performances (Rain Phoenix is OK!) but John Hurt as camp hippy guru is by far the best. The film is only for those who are fans of Van Sant or Uma Thurman, John Hurt or Keanu Reeves (who has a small, somewhat cameo, part) and is not for the faint hearted. BRAITHWAITE video: ----- Our front cover shows a still from Dafydd - a rent boy's story. Made by BBC Wales in 1992, this 55 minute film shot for TV has now been released by Pride Video. It's in Welsh (with subtitles), but please don't let that put you off. I'd rank it along with My Beautiful Launderette as a film that all gay men should have in their collection. Richard Harrington plays Dafydd, who escapes from South Wales for the freedom of Amsterdam. But that freedom must be paid for, and he becomes a rent boy. He meets an older man and their shared love of opera gives rise to a relationship with an unexpected and rather sad outcome. The inexcusably cute Harrington really shouldn't be let out on his own - and I've a feeling that he wasn't as the film credits list a chaperone! Strangely, although this is a 'serious' film, it has as much erotic content as the pure porn which I'll be reviewing next - but a freeze frame facility will be needed to make the most of it. Train buffs will also enjoy the shots of Amsterdam Centraal Station. New from Priapic Video is Cape Town Studs, Number 8 of their Overload series. Priapic's production team have been over to South Africa - but, strangely, in this 55 minute video, all of their studs (eight quite pleasant guys in four couple scenes) are white - I wonder if they're saving their black discoveries for another video? I shall certainly look forward to seeing that. Priapic's other new release is a compilation, The Best of Overload Live which features 'Overload's Greatest Dicks'. If you're into smoothies, there's something for everybody here with a running time of 115 minutes. It used to be the case that pornographers making videos for the UK market didn't need a fluffer - instead, they needed quite the opposite: a guy with a bucket of cold water to stop the actors from getting too excited. It's noticeable in the latest batch of filth and depravity from Prowler Press that they've got rid of this particular employee and, as a result, they've probably pushed things just about as far as is possible under our reactionary laws. OK, none of the cocks are totally hard, but they're not as limp as they've been in past productions. Home Made Bad Boys Volume 3 is a collection of 'Home Movies' - 'eight cute boys from down your street'. I certainly wish some of them were! 70 minutes incorporating a most erotic massage duo featuring a guy who I seem to recall from one of Prowler's mucky mags. EuroBoy 6 is, in fact, 70 minutes of guys from EuroBoy magazines - seven of them (including two duos). These guys, aged between 19 and 23, are directed in their exertions by EuroBoy editor Bjorn Anderson who must have one of the most fulfilling jobs in gay journalism! Wouldn't mind having a shot of his casting couch!!! Justin Milne books: ----- On The Safe Edge (A Manual for SM Play) by Trevor Jacques WholeSM Publishing, ukp14.95 On The Safe Edge sets itself up as a Manual on how to play SM (SadoMasochism) safely. What it achieves, however, is the status of The Definitive Bible of SM. Covering the whole gamut of SM play and every aspect of health, it has been very warmly received both within and outwith the SM community. Starting with a truly excellent essay on what SM is (and isn't), the book goes on to examine the psychology and physiology of SM play. Basic hygiene, drugs, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), anatomy, and first aid are quite thoroughly covered, and form a comprehensive guide to general safety regardless of any SM activity - indeed even if SM is not your thing you could do a lot worse than purchase the book for these sections alone. After looking at each particular SM activity in turn the book concludes with a very useful set of appendices, such as the ubiquitous Hanky Code and a guide to those cryptic abbreviations you get in contact ads. Unusually for a manual (even a manual on sex!) I found the book completely gripping. It is written in a very friendly and down-to-earth style, and made the process of learning about such things as fisting, chlamydial infections, hyperventilation and rle reversal fun! Put this book on your bookshelf. It is truly invaluable. Doing It for Daddy edited by Pat Califia Alyson Publications, ukp8.95 I'm in love with Pat Califia! Well perhaps not in the Biblical sense (though such arrangements are not unheard of, it seems) but I have to say her introduction to this anthology of short fiction on the theme of Daddy relationships is easily one of the most sensible and right-on (note - not Politically Correct) approaches to sexual politics in this PC vs Right-Wing age I have read in a very long time. Described as an essential purchase for the decadent, the sexy and the depraved, this book explores every aspect of the Daddy fantasy, from gay male leather daddies, through dyke daddies (yes, dyke daddies, you don't have to be male to be a Daddy) to daddies of a more religious nature ("Bless me, Father, for I Have Sinned!"). The chances are you'll find something to make you hard/wet in here (the first story was enough for me!) Nasty stuff. Seamus -------------------------------------------------------- LISTINGS ======== If your group isn't listed, - or if your entry needs updating - please write to ScotsGay with full details. If we don't know about it, it just won't go in! We'd also like to know about your forthcoming events and meetings. Although many of the listings are for specific towns, they often cover a much wider area. If in doubt, you can always phone one of the Switchboards for more information. To include your group, write to:- ScotsGay Listings, Pageprint Limited, PO Box 666, Edinburgh EH7 5YW, Fax them to: 0131-558 1262 or e-mail them to scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk. NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND is Scotland's premier lesbian, gay and bisexual rights organisation. It was founded in 1969 as the Scottish Minorities Group, later became the Scottish Homosexual Rights Group and changed its name to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND in December 1992. OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND owns the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre. For their new leaflet and membership application form, send an sae to: The Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA or send e-mail to outright@drink.demon.co.uk EDINBURGH: The Lantern is a drop-in discussion group which meets every Monday 7.30-9pm in the Edinburgh Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre at 58a Broughton Street. Varied programme - please drop down any Monday, no formalities, new members welcomed. Contact: Jim Liddle 0131-669 3205. DUNDEE: OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND Dundee Focus Group for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals meets 4th Thursday of each month at 7pm in the YMCA Special Projects Office, 76 Bell Street. Write to: PO Box 104, Dundee. DD1 3DU. OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND has other Focus Groups. The contacts are: LBG Disability Forum - Jim Liddle 0131-332 1949 (day) 0131-669 3205 (eve/weekend) or Jim Halcrow 0131-661 5398. Diversity (Anti racism group) - Andy Gentle 0131-557 1662. Outright Women - Alison Rowan. International - John Hein 0131-558 1279. Law Reform - Tim Hopkins 0131-553 1459 or Hugo Greenhalgh. Police Liaison - Ian Dunn 0131-557 1662. If no telephone number is given, you can write to the person listed c/o 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. Why not join OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND? Membership is ukp10 waged and ukp5 unwaged. Please make out your cheque/Postal Order to OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND and send to The Membership Secretary, OUTRIGHT SCOTLAND, 58a Broughton Street, EDINBURGH. EH1 3SA. PRIDE SCOTLAND: Pride Scotland has been established to organise the lesbian, gay male and bisexual Pride event in Scotland. Although the main celebrations will be held over the weekend of the 17th and 18th of June 1995, other events will be held throughout the year. Phone: 0131-556 8822. Or write: 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. All kinds of help are urgently required! LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ABERDEEN: Aberdeen Gay Group caters for all ages and meets 3rd Sunday of every month. Phone John on Aberdeen (01224) 317552 for information or write to: AGG, PO Box 129, Aberdeen. AB9 6EY. Swim or Social most Wednesdays: Phone David on Aberdeen (01224) 317552. Icebreakers is a social group which meets on Friday evenings. Contact Aberdeen Switchboard for details. AYRSHIRE: Gay and Lesbian Switchboard operates Mon/Wed/Fri 7-10pm (answerphone outwith these periods). Phone: Ayr (01292) 619000. Or write to: PO Box 1043, Ayr. KA6 5JQ BORDERS: Switchboard operates Mon/Wed 7.30-10pm. Phone: Hawick (01450) 370700, Fax/Minicom: Hawick (01450) 377877 or write to: Borders Gay Switchboard, PO Box 3, Hawick, Roxburghshire. TD9 9RU. CAITHNESS GAY AND LESBIAN CONNECTION: A friendly informal group which meets regularly. Write to: Box 689, Journal Office, 42 Union Street, Wick, Caithness. KW1 5ED. CENTRAL REGION: Forth Friend has a social group which meets every second Wednesday. The Forth Friend phoneline operates each Monday from 7.30pm to 10pm on Stirling (01786) 471285. Or write to: PO Box 28, Stirling. FK9 5YW. DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: Regular social meetings - usually every second Thursday. For details of all events: phone Dumfries (01387) 269161 Thursdays 7.30-9.30pm or write to Dumfries and Galloway Lesbian and Gay Group, PO Box 1299, Dumfries. DG1 2PD. DUNDEE: Tay Friend, holds regular meetings. Write to: Tayfriend, PO Box 182, Dundee. DD1 9UP. EDINBURGH: Edinburgh Gay Social Club is an off-scene social group for gay men. Write to: EGSC, PO Box 12207, Edinburgh. EH4 3YX. Icebreakers is an alternative to the scene and takes place between 7pm and 8pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each calendar month in the ELGBC, 58a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. Phone 0131-556 4049 for details. The Lantern is an informal discussion group held every Monday 7.30-9pm downstairs in the ELGBC, 58a Broughton Street. Phone Jim Liddle 0131-332 1949 (days) 0131-669 3205 (eve/weekends). FIFE FRIEND: Small voluntary phoneline offering support, advice and information to lesbians and gay men within Fife. Friday: 7.30pm-10.30pm. Telephone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 266688. Write to PO Box 19, Kirkcaldy, Fife. KY1 3JF. GLASGOW: GALLUS (Gay and Lesbian Liberation & Unity in Strathclyde) - A campaigning organisation. Contact c/o SGLS, PO Box 38, Glasgow G2 2QF or via Strathclyde Switchboard on 0141-221 8372. Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre Project meets on the 1st Saturday of each month at 2pm in Strathclyde House. Write to: GLC Project, PO Box 463, GLASGOW G12 8NJ or contact Strathclyde Switchboard on 0141-221 8372. For childcare, phone Jennifer (at least 1 week in advance) on 0141-552 3320. BSL Interpreter is usually available (check 2 weeks in advance). Glasgow Gay Group is an informal social group for gay men. Has a regular weekly pub night as well as running other social events like theatre, cinema, bowling, etc. Phone: Steve on 0141-339 7395 - preferably on Mon or Tues evenings. Icebreakers Cafe - An alternative to the gay scene - First Sunday in each month. 12.30-3.30pm in Austin's Bar, 183a Hope Street, Glasgow. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard on 0141-221 8372. INVERNESS: Gay Group meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 28 Huntly Street. Phone Andrew on Inverness (01463) 711585 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or write to: PO Box 67, Inverness. PAISLEY: Paisley Forum is a social group for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and our allies. Meets Paisley Arts Centre, New Street on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Details: Phone Allan Johnstone on 0141-842 7200 (9-5 only) or Strathclyde Switchboard on 0141-221 8372. WOMEN'S GROUPS ABERDEEN LESBIAN GROUP: Meets every Wednesday in the Women's Centre, Shoe Lane. Phone Aberdeen (01224) 625010 for details. ALLOA: Lesbian Social/Discussion Group. Phone: Alloa (01259) 219891. EDINBURGH: AD Group: For lesbians 45+ and older (younger lesbians who support the concerns of lesbians 45+ and older also welcome). Meetings for discussion and support, first Saturday (1-5pm) of month in The Women's Centre, 61a Broughton Street. For more details, phone Lesbian Line. Bisexual Women 30+ meet monthly. Details from Bisexual Phoneline or Angi on 0131-661 9907. Dykes Nytes Out: social events for couples and singles in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Write to: PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. Lesbian Line 0131-557 0751, Mondays and Thursdays 7.30-10pm. For information, advice and counselling in confidence. Write to: PO Box PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU. Lesbian Mothers Group: Contact Lesbian Line for details. Edinburgh Bisexual Group meets every Thursday at 8pm in the ELGBC, 58a Broughton Street. All welcome. Women's Network: PO Box 159, Edinburgh. EH7 5EL. GLASGOW: Dykes Nytes Out: social events for couples and singles in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Write to: PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3LU. Glasgow Bisexual Group meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 7.30 - 9.30pm in the City Centre. Phone: 0141-221 8372 for details and venue. Glasgow Women's Library, 4th/5th Floors, 109 Trongate, G1 5HD. Tel: 0141-552 8345. Open Mon-Fri 1-6pm. Lending and reference library - books, magazines, journals, videos, leaflets and information. UK and overseas feminist and lesbian publications. Lesbian Line 0141-552 3355 Wednesdays 7-10pm. Write to: PO Box 686, Glasgow. G3 7TL enclosing an sae for monthly 'Lavender Listing'. Lesbian Mothers Group: Meets every second Monday at 7pm. Support group, pub nights, informal chat. Crche and fares help available. Phone Lynne on 0141-221 7150. Lesbian Networking Meeting: Contact Lesbian Line on 0141-552 3355 for meeting details and Lynne on 0141-221 7150 for childcare information. Lesbian Sports Group: Squash, badminton, tennis. Meets weekly. Phone Lesbian Line on 0141-552 3355 for details. Lesbian Youth Action: Contact Lindsay Jane Morgan c/o Lesbian Line on 0141-552 3355. Olderwomen's Group: Contact Lesbian Line on 0141-552 3355 for details. Team Caledonia West Women's Cycling Group: Phone Women in Sport on 0141-227 5933 for details. Women's Softball Group: Meets weekly. Contact Lesbian Line on 0141-552 3355 for details. INVERNESS: Out and About is a friendly lesbian social group that gets together once a month. Write to: PO Box 91, Inverness. IV1 2GJ. LESBIAN INFORMATION SERVICE: PO Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire. Telephone: 01706 817235. BISEXUALS BIFROST: A national newsletter for bisexuals, their partners and allies. Send sae for sample copy and subscription details to BIFROST, PO Box 117, Norwich. NR1 2SU. BISEXUAL RESOURCE CENTRE: Downstairs in the Edinburgh Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Centre, 58a Broughton Street. Lending library, archive, etc. Open Tue, Wed, Thur Noon-5pm. EDINBURGH BISEXUAL GROUP: Meets every Thursday at 8pm in the ELGBC, 58a Broughton Street. There's an excellent programme of talks and speakers. Phone Bisexual Line on 0131-557 3620. GLASGOW BISEXUAL GROUP: Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 7.30 - 9.30pm in the City Centre. Phone Bisexual Line on 0131-557 3620 or Strathclyde Switchboard on 0141-221 8372 for further details. ATHEISTS/HUMANISTS EDINBURGH FREETHINKERS: An informal network of militant atheists (with one militant humanist agnostic atheist). Write to: PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW or e-mail god@dorothy.demon.co.uk GAY AND LESBIAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION (GALHA): A group for non religious lesbians gays and bisexuals which promotes an enlightened, rational Humanist approach to homosexuality. Details from GALHA National Office, 34 Spring Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2HB. Telephone/Fax: 01926 58450. BEARS BEARS' CLUB UK: For hairy men and admirers. Has a monthly meeting in the New Town Bar, Edinburgh. Write to: BCUK, 56 Albert Street, Beswick, Manchester. M11 3SU. BEREAVEMENT GAY BEREAVEMENT PROJECT: Lesbians and gay men needing advice and support can ring 0181-455 8894 at any time. Or write to: Lesbian & Gay Bereavement Project, Vaughan M Williams Centre, Colindale Hospital, London. NW9 5HG. BIKERS GAY BIKERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB: A UK-wide club for women and men. Active Scottish section. Write for details to GBMCC, PO Box 33, Nottingham. NG10 2BF. BODYBUILDERS/WEIGHTRAINERS GAY BODYBUILDERS/WEIGHTRAINERS CLUB: contact Frank Wallace on 0181-675 5858 for contact with Scottish members and nationally. Club produces "Fizzical" magazine as part of ukp12 membership. CHRISTIANS L&GCM: Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. Glasgow Group - Helpline 0141-334 2286 Thurs 7-10pm or write to PO Box 1436, Glasgow. G31 2NY. Edinburgh Contact - Phone John Thomson on 0131-556 1309. QUAKERS: Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship (formerly Friends' Homosexual Fellowship) is a welcoming and supportive national group for people of all sexual orientations and their friends. Write to: Ruth, 3 Hallsfield, Cricklade, Swindon, Wilts. SN6 6LR. QUEST: Organisation for Roman Catholic men and women who are gay. Regular monthly meetings, socials, befriending, help at times of calm or crisis. Groups meet in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Telephone Linkline Glasgow 0141-333 9340 Tuesday and Sunday 7-10pm. Or you can write to Quest, PO Box 280, Glasgow. G12 0AW. COMPUTER BUFFS BORDERS BULLETIN BOARD: Computer based info every evening 6pm-8am. 01450 377877. To get at the Gay areas, leave a message for the SYSOP asking for access. LAMBDA BOARD - EDINBURGH: A free computer based bulletin board system. Private mailboxing, areas for Women, Gay Men, Bisexuals, Leather Enthusiasts, TV/TSs, etc. 0131-556 6316. Scrolling (8N1) and Viewdata (Prestel) formats at speeds up to V22bis (2400/2400). CULTURAL GAY CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION: Social group for kilt wearers and friends. Meets in GHQ on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Phone Bill on 0141-646 1513. INTERNATIONAL KILT APPRECIATION SOCIETY (IKAS): Contact and social group for guys interested in viewing/wearing kilts. Regular newsletter: SAE Mervyn Tacy, 'Ziveli', 20 Ordsall Park Road, RETFORD, Notts, DN22 7PA. LONG YANG CLUB : An international organisation for gay orientals and interested people of other nationalities. Promotes social events, education and mutual help services and publishes a magazine. Phone Robert: 0141-334 7144. DRINK PROBLEMS If you are a lesbian or gay man with a drink problem and want help and advice, ring Tom on 0141-770 6599, 7 days a week anytime. Tom refers to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but does preparatory work. FOOTBALL GAY FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS NETWORK: Glasgow group holds monthly meetings in Squires Bar. For further details, please send an sae to GFSN, c/o Gay Times, 116 Bayham Street, London. NW1 0BA. FORCES AT EASE: An advice service to armed forces personnel and their families on any subject. Free, independent, confidential, impartial. Write: 28 Commercial Street, London E7 8LY or phone (Sundays 5-7pm only) 0171-247 5164. RANK OUTSIDERS: Support group of Lesbian and Gay Ex Armed Forces Personnel. No rank distinctions. Write to Rank Outsiders, c/o The Stonewall Group, 2 Greycoat Place, Westminster, London. SW1P 1SB. HEALTH MATTERS AYRSHIRE AIDS AWARENESS PROJECT SUPPORT GROUP: Meets Wednesdays 7-10pm for discussion and social events. Phone: Ayr (01292) 619000. Or write to: PO Box 1043, Ayr. KA6 5JQ. BODY POSITIVE (GLASGOW): Providing support for those HIV+ and with AIDS in the West of Scotland. Phone: 0141-332 5010. Or write: 3 Park Quadrant, Glasgow. G3 6BS. BODY POSITIVE (GRAMPIAN): Support and assistance for gay men with HIV/AIDS. Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 404408. Or write to: PO Box 83, Aberdeen. BODY POSITIVE (LOTHIAN): HIV+ gay men's social group meets every Sunday 2-6pm. Or phone to speak to a gay positive person 1:1. Phone 0131-652 0754 Mon-Fri. GALUP: Gay and Lesbian United Programme. Promotes health issues among lesbians gays and bisexuals in the Dundee area. Phone: Dundee (01382) 200352. Or write: c/o YMCA Special Projects Office, 76 Bell Street, Dundee. GLASGOW HIV CARERS SUPPORT GROUP: Phone: 0141-353 2979. Or write to: Church House, 340 Cathedral Street, Glasgow. G1 2BQ. GRAMPIAN AIDS LINE: Aberdeen (01224) 574000 Tuesdays and Fridays 7-9pm or write to GAL, PO Box 250, Aberdeen. PAISLEY SUPPORT GROUP: For people with HIV, partners, friends and family. Meets Tues 1.30-3.30 at The Wynd, School Wynd (off Moss Street). Phone Joe: 0141-889 6252. POSITIVE HELP: Practical help for people who are HIV+ or who have AIDS and their families, children, friends and carers. 64a Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3SA. Phone: 0131-558 1122. SCOTTISH AIDS MONITOR: provides information and support on all matters relating to HIV/AIDS, including welfare rights and legal advice, charitable relief fund, Buddy support and counselling for friends and family. Phone: 01382 461167 (Dundee), 0131-555 4850 (Edinburgh), 0141-353 3133 (Glasgow) 01463 711585 (Inverness). Or write to c/o SWT Dept, Northern College, Gardyne Road, Broghty Ferry, Dundee, 26 Anderson Place, Leith, Edinburgh. EH6 5NP, 22 Woodside Terrace, Glasgow. G3 7XH or 28 Huntly Street, Inverness. IV3 5PR. SAM AIDS Helpline: Inverness (01463) 241000 - Mon and Fri - 7-9.30pm. SOLAS NATIONAL HIV INFORMATION CENTRE: 2/4 Abbeymount, Edinburgh. EH8 8EJ. Information, advice and cafe. Information centre: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri - 11-4pm. Wed, 5-8pm. Phone: 0131-659 5116. STEVE RETSON PROJECT: Weekly sexual health service for gay men. Tuesday 5.30-9pm. GUM, Royal Infirmary, Castle Street, Glasgow. NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE: 0800 567123. A Freephone, 24 hour service for confidential advice and information. LEATHER MSC SCOTLAND: MSC Scotland, PO Box 28, Head Post Office, Edinburgh. EH3 5JL. MSC Scotland is a member of the European Federation of Motorcycle Clubs. LEGAL GAY AND LESBIAN LEGAL ADVICE: GLAD is a London based advice line run by lesbian and gay lawyers. Phone: 0171-976 0840 (Tue-Fri 7-9.30pm). State clearly that you seek Scottish legal advice as our law is very different from that of England and Wales. MALE RAPE/ SEXUAL ABUSE MASA: Men Against Sexual Abuse. Phone: 0141-550 2048, Tuesday evening or Friday evening 7pm-9.30pm. OUTDOOR CLUBS GAY OUTDOOR CLUB: Holds regular events including walking, cycling, swimming, hillwalking, windsurfing, cross-country skiing, camping and youth hostelling etc. Also holds monthly social meetings in Edinburgh. For more details about GOC, write (enclosing a large sae) to: GOC, PO Box 1, Newton-St-Cyres, Exeter, EX5 5QN or ring one of the Scottish Contacts:- CENTRAL SCOTLAND: Bill on Stirling (01786) 823021. EDINBURGH: Swimming and Socials - John on 0131-667 7851. Hill Walking events - Grant on 0131-556 8705. Cycling - John on 0131-554 4034. GLASGOW: Hill Walking and Swimming - Douglas on 0141-848 6643. HIGHLANDS: Michael on Inverness (01463) 230651. GAY RAMBLING GROUP: Walks on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Phone Robert on 0141-427 1511. OVER FORTIES PHOENIX: The only national group for the over forties and friends of any age. Write (enclosing an sae) to: Phoenix, PO Box 103, Wallington, Surrey. SM6 9SJ. PARENTS PARENTS' FRIEND: Phone: Leeds (0113) 2674627 7-11pm. Or write to: Voluntary Action Leeds, Stringer House, 34 Lupton Street, Hunslett, Leeds. LS10 2QW. SCOTTISH PARENTS ENQUIRY SERVICE: Support for parents of lesbians and gay men. Contact via Edinburgh Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (Nightly 7.30-10pm - 0131-556 4049) or write to SPE, PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU POLITICAL CONSERVATIVE: Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality - write: BM TORCHE, London WC1N 3XX. LABOUR CAMPAIGN FOR LESBIAN AND GAY RIGHTS: Works within the Labour and Trades Union movement to secure equality for lesbians and gay men. Contact PO Box 306, LONDON N5 2SY. There are also Local Groups throughout the country. LESBIAN AND GAY FREEDOM MOVEMENT: LGFM is a movement to bring Anarchist ideas and ideals to lesbians, gays and bisexuals, and to make sexuality a major campaigning issue for all anarchists. Details (3 postage stamps please) from LGFM, BM Box 207, LONDON. WC1N 3XX LIBERAL PARTY LESBIAN AND GAY CAMPAIGN: Phone: Southport (01704) 500115 (day), 0151-259 5935 (ansaphone), write to: Liberal Party Lesbian & Gay Campaign, 41 Sutton Street, Liverpool. L13 7EG or e-mail: liberal@drink.demon.co.uk RUNNERS EDINBURGH GAY MEN'S RUNNING CLUB: Meets for 3-4 mile casual local run. Call Alistair: 0131-661 0008. SCIENCE FICTION GLASGOW GAY SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY: Meets every 3rd Sunday of the month. Contact Paul on 0141-339 9176. S/M SM GAYS: Write to SM Gays, BM SM Gays, London. WC1N 3XX SPORTS BRITISH GAY AND LESBIAN SPORTS FEDERATION: Encourages participation in sport. Write (with sae) to BGLSF, Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, London. N1 9SE. STUDENTS Many Universities and Colleges have Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Societies. Contact these via your Student Union or Student Association. Many are open to non-students living in the area. There are also groups covering wider areas run in conjunction with the National Union of Students - East of Scotland: Write to Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Officer, East of Scotland Area NUS, 11 Broughton Market, Edinburgh. EH3 6NU or phone on 0131-558 1541. North of Scotland: Write to Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Officer, North of Scotland Area NUS, University of Abertay, 158 Marketgait, Dundee. DD1 1NJ. West of Scotland: Write to Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Officer, West of Scotland Area NUS, Cathcart House, Langside College, 50 Prospecthill Road, Glasgow. G42 9LB or phone Gary McNeil on 0141-636 6477. You can contact the NUS Scottish Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Officer on 0131-556 6598 or write to NUS Scotland, 11 Broughton Market, Edinburgh. EH3 6NU. TEACHERS LESBIANS AND GAYS WORKING IN EDUCATION: Write to BM LAGWIE, London. WC1N 3XX. TV/TS ABERDEEN: Crossdressing Group. Contact Aberdeen Switchboard for details. EDINBURGH: Scottish TV/TS Group meets in private rooms every last Saturday each month except December. Ring Edinburgh Lesbian and Gay Switchboard 0131-556 4049 for further information. GLASGOW: Crosslynx meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7pm-10pm. Phone Strathclyde Switchboard 0141-221 8372 for more details. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT VISUAL IMPAIRED GAY GROUP SCOTLAND (VIGG): Offers a listening ear and support to women and men in close co-operation with the Lesbigay Disability Forum. Phone Colin and Jim: Dumfries (01387) 261679. WORKPLACE MSF: Lesbians and Gays in MSF. Phone: 0171-738 5469 or write c/o 39b Pentonville Road, London. N1 9LP. UNISON NATIONAL L&G CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE: Phone: 0131-469 3880. Or write: c/o 18 St Giles Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1PT. WRESTLING ALTERNATIVE WRESTLERS EUROPE: A European-wide gay/bisexual wrestling organisation organised from Glasgow. Contact c/o Alternative Sports, PO Box 437, Glasgow. G42 8HU, phone 0973 310416 or e-mail 100022.2554@compuserve.com YOUTH GROUPS LOTHIAN LESBIAN AND GAY YOUTH MOVEMENT: For those under 26. Phone Edinburgh Switchboard or write to: LLGYM, PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU. STONEWALL YOUTH GROUP: For lesbian and gay teenagers. Meets Sats. Phone: 0131-556 4040 Tues 8-9pm. Or write: PO Box 169, Edinburgh. EH1 3UU. STRATHCLYDE LESBIAN AND GAY YOUTH MOVEMENT: Friendship and support for under 28s. Meets Tuesday 7.30pm and Sat afternoons. Details from Strathclyde Switchboard on 0141-221 8373 nightly from 7-10pm. SWITCHBOARDS AND HELPLINES ABERDEEN GAY SWITCHBOARD: Wed & Fri 7-10pm Phone: Aberdeen (01224) 586869 Minicom: Aberdeen (01224) 213355 Fax: Aberdeen (01224) 212333 BISEXUAL PHONELINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Phone: 0131-557 3620 BORDERS GAY SWITCHBOARD: Mon, Wed 7.30-10pm Phone: Hawick (01450) 370700 Fax/Minicom: Hawick (01450) 377877 DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY L&G PHONELINE: Thurs 7.30-9.30pm Phone: Dumfries (01387) 269161 DUNDEE LGB SWITCHBOARD: Mon 7-10pm Phone: Dundee (01382) 202620 EDINBURGH GAY SWITCHBOARD: Nightly 7.30-10pm Phone: 0131-556 4049 EDINBURGH LESBIAN LINE: Mon, Thurs 7.30-10pm Phone: 0131-557 0751 FIFE FRIEND: Fri 7.30-10.30pm Phone: Kirkcaldy (01592) 266688 FORTH FRIEND: Mon 7.30-10pm Phone: Stirling (01786) 471285 GLASGOW LESBIAN LINE: Wed 7-10pm Phone: 0141-552 3355 STRATHCLYDE GAY AND LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD: Nightly 7-10pm Phone: 0141-221 8372 LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD: 24 hours Phone: 0171-837 7324 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOTSDYKE ========= THE SLIPPERY SLOPE Why am I writing this? Well, I was the one who said 'Yes' to the editor. I was told that ScotsGay was looking for females to contribute to the women's page (sounds like a reasonable request) and along came Martina (me). I often get annoyed and frustrated at the inability to get my messages across about how I feel about certain issues, so here is an opportunity too good to miss for me. There is one issue that's been on my mind for ages now and I find it very frustrating and that's the fate of women caught up in the horrendous civil war raging in the former Yugoslavia, too near to home for comfort in Central Europe. Over 70,000 women have been raped there, mainly by Bosnian Serb troops. The ages of these women range from only 9 years old and upwards. Whole sections of the community have been exterminated and our government has stood by and watched while this went on. WHY? Well, I will tell you why I think it is. Have you heard anything about huge oil reserves under Sarajevo? Did you see the vast arrays of nodding donkeys last time you went on holiday on the Yugoslavian coast? No, of course you haven't and there is your answer, they have no oil, so therefore nothing to give to our government. John Major and his Cabinet have ignored suffering, starvation and near genocide and must be seen for what they really are. They are no longer just a conservative party, but are dangerously near a much more sinister and oh so old problem whose ideological predecessors wrought havoc in Germany in the Thirties. And if you think this is far fetched, just think who has the blood on their hands already, in this country of the elderly who die of cold and starvation and also of the people who die every day because of cutbacks in our National Health Service and the policy of private health insurance. If you can't pay for medicine and hospitals out of your own pocket or your private insurance they you could die. And in other countries there are many examples where this Government of ours has condoned breaches of Human Rights either through active support of questionable regimes or by sheer inactivity, thereby giving credence to other corrupt and immoral governments. So, let's face it, we have a corrupt and immoral government ourselves, which can do what they want, which will not tolerate minorities and thinks that lesbians and gays must be got rid of. We must ask ourselves: Will Major's government bring the gas chambers to Britain and invite us all to take a shower? I do hope that I am wrong but I wouldn't trust them. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND YOU WILL NEVER SEE. SAY NOTHING AND YOU WILL DROWN IN YOUR OWN SILENCE. IT IS UP TO YOU. --------------------------------------------------------------------- STOP PRESS: ALBANIA Since the piece in our International section last issue, on the round-up and torture of gay men in Albania, we have heard that the parliament has since legalised gay sex, on a par with heterosexual sex. Albania's previous laws, which could mean the imprisonment of gay men for up to 10 years, brought the country into conflict with the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights, to which Albania is a signatory, and acted as a bar on the country joining the European Community. ------------------------------------------------------------------ CREDITS ======= ScotsGay is a magazine for lesbians, gays and bisexuals which is edited, printed and published in Scotland. ISSN: 1357-0595. (c) Pageprint Limited 1995. Non profit use by the lesbigay community of material in the magazine will normally be permitted free of charge - but contact us first for permission. We haven't had sex with most of the people who appear in the magazine so we don't actually know what their sexuality is. Editor: John Hein. Advertising Manager: Gordon Gosnell. Contributors: Richard Wilson (News), Brandon Smith (Features), Adam and Gordon (Scene), Rex Wockner (International), Tony Hiscox-Sloan (Smut), Martin Powell (Theatre), Braithwaite (Films & Media), Justin Milne (Videos), Seamus (Books), Martina (ScotsDyke). Editorial Enquiries: Write to: ScotsGay, Pageprint Limited, PO Box 666, Edinburgh. EH7 5YW. Telephone: 0131-557 0412. Fax: 0131-558 1262. E-mail: scotsgay@drink.demon.co.uk We welcome news, articles, photos, cartoons, etc. - especially lesbian material. Advertising Enquiries: Telephone: 0374 966402. Fax: 01505 335021 Subscribing by Internet: Scotsgay is available on the Internet. Send a 'subscribe scotsgay-list' message to listserver@drink.demon.co.uk and the text files of future editions will be delivered to you by e-mail. -- Listserver